The Divide Between Us | Book Two of The Judgement series

Chapter 23

No one expected Ink to blow up like that, nor did they expect the bombshell that they received. Normally, Ink was very soft spoken but that wasn't the most surprising part. Error had a son. The destroyer of worlds and murderer of a very close friend to all of the adults, had created a life of his own. Ink glared up at said skeleton, "Get me some damn acrylic paint tubes and make him some clothes. I know how you love to knit." Both versions of the destroyer started to blush. 

"Inky," the alternate whined, "don't tell them that." This caused the, once angry, skeleton to smile. 

"I'm sorry, dear. You know how I got when it came to our children. Alternate versions are no different." Naj Dream stepped in to the conversation. 

"But Paly was born before PJ was. Does this mean...?" He looked at the original version of himself, who nodded in response to the unspoken question. 

"Oh, that predicament," Kiki whispered to himself. All of these side conversations made Nightmare growl and punch the wall. His adopted sons flinched but hugged him nonetheless. They can tell he's getting anxious. 

"All of this is getting nowhere!" He pointed at the original Dream and Ink, "Congratulations on the kid. Or in this case kids, Kiki, but god damn it! My daughter is out there somewhere, possibly dead! Why the hell aren't we talking about that!?" 

PaperJam, who had been previously silent, started breaking down. This caused his family to rush to his side and attempt to comfort him. All the teenager said was that it was his fault.

"Nightmare is right. We got off topic from the get go. Listen, Error is here under my protection and because he has some valuable information that we'll need. Possibly a way into Corrupted's castle. While here, he'll be referred to as Ruru. I'll need cooperation from everybody." Kiki looked at his long time friend and the one most affected by Error's actions, Raven. "I know this will be hard for you, but could you please try?" Raven was quiet for awhile. 

"This skeleton terrorized my sister and I for years after we had lost everything. Then, after we had settled into our life in this world, he sided with the one who was obsessed with my sister and took her from me." Raven looked at him, her tears slowly flowing down her cheeks. Everyone was taken aback, even Error. This was the first time that Raven had ever openly cried. "Now you come into my home after you take my niece and tell me that you want to help get her back. Tell me why I should trust you, Destroyer." 

"In AlL hOnEsTy, No OnE iN tHeIr RiGhT mInD sHoUlD. i'M nOt DoInG tHiS fOr YoU. i'M dOiNg ThIs BeCaUsE i OwE iNk AnD i OwE hEr. BeSiDeS, i'M tIrEd Of NiGhTmArE's ShIt. WhAt He DiD cRoSsEd A lInE." The original Dream held back a snort at the pun. Error pulled out a pair of large needles and started to knit with his strings. "bEsIdEs, YoUr SiStEr IsN'T dEaD. cOmPlEtElY."

Raven was the first to ask the question. "What do you mean?"

"ReMeMbEr WhEn YoU fIrSt GoT cAuGhT uP iN aLl ThE mUlTiVeRsE sHiT? wHeN yOu AnD yOuR sIsTeR hElD hAnDs AnD rAn InTo BaTtLe?" Raven nodded. "ThE fLaSh ThAt WaS cReAtEd WaS bEcAuSe HaLf Of YoUr SoUlS mElDeD tOgEtHeR. hAlF iNtEgRiTy, HaLf PeRsEvErAnCe. S'wHy I hUnTeD yOu."

Blueberry's eyes lit up with stars. "So we could bring my friend back!?"

"ThEoReTiCaLlY, yEs BuT tHeRe's VaRiOuS fAcToRs To ThIs. It's TeChNiCaLlY lIfE aFtEr AlL, eVeN iF iT iS a GlItCh." Error tossed a newly made sweater to Naj Ink, who was helping Jammy eat.

"Thank you, Ruru."

"My PoInT iS tHaT i'vE dOnE a LoT oF sHiT tO a LoT oF pEoPlE. i cAn't Do A lOt To PrOvE yOu GuYs CaN tRuSt Me, BuT i CaN dO tHiS." Error used his strings to cut into his bone. Yellow liquid, resembling blood, poured from the wound. He turned to his rival, Ink, "So LoNg As YoU dOn't CrEaTe AnY mOrE uNiVeRsEs, I wON'T dEsTrOy AnY mOrE uNiVeRsEs Or HaRm ThOsE wHo ReSiDe In ThEm. ArE wE iN aGrEeMeNt?"

The atmosphere was terse until the creator smiled. Using a small sculpting tool, Ink cut into his bone and pressed it against Error's open wound. "Yeah, we are. So long as you don't destroy universes, I won't create them."

"ThEn LeT'S gEt ThE gIrL bAcK."

~~~~~~

Cora's Point of View

I don't know how long it's been since my capture and his boss fought. There's no windows in my cell so I can't tell the time. The only light around me is the light coming from my refractive skin. I lost my circlet somewhere. Probably in Waterfall. At least I still have my mother's necklace. It brings me a little comfort in this place. For some reason, this place felt familiar to me. The castle, I mean, not the cell. Cell 13, huh? Reminds me of an anime I watched with Alphys back home. I miss everyone. I wonder how Palette and Cil are doing. And aunt Raven. Is she well? I'm not coming home to her not being there, right? Thoughts of my aunt getting struck down while I'm not there fills my head. 

No, Coraline! You must look on the bright side. He feeds off of your negativity.

"Mom..?" I looked around the cell. No one was there. "Heh... I'm going crazy, aren't I?" 

No, darling. You're not crazy. My PERSEVERANCE is what allows me to speak with you from beyond the grave. 

Mom.... she's here with me! "Mommy... I've missed you so much!" I started crying. "It's too much. All of this is so hard. I-I can't do anything about it either. What do I do? Mom, I don't know what to do!" 

I'm afraid I do not have much time, honey, but I can tell you this. You are strong. A lot stronger than even Nightmare knows. You can do anything you set your mind to. And you want to know why?

"W-Why?" I wiped the tears off of my cheeks. 

Because you are your father's daughter and my daughter. You have the biggest heart imaginable and you don't ever give up on what you believe in. My mother's voice started fading in and out. 

"Mom? Please don't go!" 

I'm s--ry. No t-m- left. Re---ber it's o-o-okay to ----

"Mom? Mom, I don't understand!" 

I l-v- y-- 

"Mom? Mom!" I hugged my knees to my chest and let my tears flow freely. "Please don't leave me again."