The Stage is Set

A psycho plays with you as I die pt.3

POWER - Ethan Gander
play this as i die - Ethan Gander

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Dream watches the scene with anger and disgust. How dare–what did he call himself– Swap, do this to them? Is he so blind that he can't see Creation's discomfort? The emotions rolling off the two make him worry about what would happen if they were alone. Dream grits his teeth. Swap can't be this deluded, can he? Dream worries for his friend, for Creation. He worries for Blue. Nightmare grips Dream's hand tightly. A silent reminder that they aren't facing this alone. All of them are here to help Ink and Blue and save the two. Nightmare tries to ignore the pure fear and horror rolling through his body from Ink. He looks away; focusing on finding a way out that would not sacrifice the barrier's integrity.

Error and Killer take in the scene with disgust. This is one of the past relationships Ink's had. Now, knowing what's happened to the two of them, they can't help but feel disgusted. What happened to the one that Ink had loved before? This is not the man they thought he would be. They feel Ink's pulses of emotions through their link. They can feel the fear and disgust in their soul. The worry and pain. The anger. Error sends a pulse of his own back to Ink, hoping he'll be able to feel it regardless of the state his soul is in. Killer turns to see where Cross is. He walks over to where Cross is talking to the ink on the floor. The way it bubbles out in a manner meant to reassure Cross.

Cross sniffles as he wipes his tears. He's always been able to understand Ink when he talks through liquids. He glares at the ink with no heat. "I'm not crying. Shut up." The ink bubbles slightly before slightly dying down. Cross chuckles. "You always know. I'm starting to think you're just using the past rewrites to your advantage." The ink stills before ripplings out in a pattern, Killer watches in fascination. Cross slumps. "I know. You would never do anything to hurt us. Please, let us help you this once." The ink quiets down, far too long for Killer to feel comfortable. A bubble pops, and then another. Cross smiles. "Thank you. You always protect me, and I get it. I'm the youngest, but now it's time for me to protect you." Cross sets his jaw before nodding with determination. "Just leave it to us, okay?"

The ink bubbles slightly as it starts to move together to form a vague hand shape. Cross immediately squashes the shape back into the floor. Killer startles and moves to ask why Cross did that until he hears Cross shush the ink.

"I know. I know, Ink." He takes a breath as tears begin to fill his sockets again. "Just stay hidden. Don't give yourself away, I don't know what Swap would do to you, and I don't want to know."

Killer turns in horror as the pillars and mirrors in the room collapse into nothing. Ink must be moving this room as well. He's stretched too thin. Would the room collapse if Ink came to them here? Is that why Ink isn't helping them? Is that why he's staying hidden? Killer's attention is drawn to the two outside of the ink barrier. Wait, that's not right.

There's three.

***

Creation stares in worry at their son's state. Blue stares up at them with knowing awe. Blue feels tears come to his sockets. Something deep in his soul telling him that he's safe. That this being in front of him is home. His home. His safety. He knows they must be part of Ink, the splatter on their cheek is a dead giveaway. Blue fights against the blue strings holding him in place. If he could reach into his left glove; he could grab the blade inside. The one Ink gave him for situations like this.

Once he's home with everyone, he'll apologize to Ink for calling him paranoid.

Swap swings Blue around as he growls at Creation. Scoffing, he throws Blue far from the two of them. Creation cries out, reaching a hand out before feeling someone grab them from behind. Creation slams onto the floor with a cry as their tail crunches from beneath them. A hand grips their face tightly, forcing them to look at Swap towering over them. Swap glints his eye light that Creation doesn't know the name of. It's an emotion that they have never felt themself. Fear fills their system. What do they do? They're not as strong-willed as Ink. They can't fight AUs regardless of how corrupted they are. It's against their code. It's against everything they fought for in the creator's war. What can they do?

They can't do anything without hurting Swap.

His body is so fragile to Creation. They mustn't hurt an AU. Not Sans. They can't. They can't. He hasn't hurt anyone just yet. It's not enough for them to stop seeing them as a Sans. It's not enough. Words are not actions. They can't act without it being justified. What do they do? They're scared. They whimper as Swap moves to straddle them, now tall enough to cage in their smaller form. They've never been in a situation like this before. What do they do? They've never had to do anything like this before. What do they do? They start to hyperventilate as Swap leans in closer. Tears gather as they feel the heat of the flames that envelop his skull. They freeze in place as a hand grabs at their chest through their top. Their eyes widen.

What do they do?

What is he doing? Tell me, Ree? What is happening? What is this? Why is he grabbing at me? Why is he touching me? What is happening? I don't understand. What is he doing? I don't like this. He's too close. He's too close to me. He's pinning me to the ground. It hurts! It's hurting my tail! His grip is hurting me! Why is he doing this? Why is he grabbing at my legs? Is this something you AUs do? What is he doing? Why am I so scared? Is that you? Why are you so scared, Ree? What is happening? Tell me, please. Why are you so angry, so scared? Why are you lashing out? What- oh. Oh.

No.

I don't want this. I don't like this. But I can't move. I can't hurt him. I can't. I won't. I can't. He's an AU. I can't hurt them. It's against everything I've ever done. Please stop. Don't touch me. Don't-

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?! GET OFF OF THEM!"

Save Star?