Showtime (A Sanscest Story)

The Open Mystery

Dust laid next to the pit in the Animal Tent, where Nightmare had caught him. It had been time to repay the deal he'd made. He had been back for a while, but he wasn't moving. His back was stinging and bleeding. Fell had been screaming for him to get up for some time now. He didn't want to. He could feel both of his legs were broken. Even the slightest movement sent pain shooting through his body.

Fell was on his knees in the pit below, shaking. All of the animals had fallen unusually silent. Outside, they both suddenly heard a commotion. They could hear it all the way from the front of the tent from how quiet the animals were. Dust weakly lifted his head. Was that Blue?

"What do you mean I can't see him?!" The other's voice was shrill with panic. "What happened to him?! Let me see!" He could hear Killer, trying to stop the other. All of a sudden, he heard a thunk and Killer swore as he heard Blue apologize and then running footsteps. "DUST!!"

Blue's voice was shrill. He ran up to the other, his eyes wide with horror. Tears were already welling in them. "Wh-what happened?! Oh stars... Dust..." He broke down, sobbing. Dust stared at him weakly. He reached out for the other, hissing as he moved.

"No! Don't move! You'll make it worse!" He heard Fell cry out. He saw Blue reach out and the other gently grabbed his hand, giving it a soft squeeze. He was crying.

"Dust! I'm sorry! I'll never run away again! J-just please be okay!!" The other was frantic. Dust perked up as he spoke. He let out a soft sigh.

He looked up as he heard something. They all turned and froze up. Cross. The other stared at Blue in horror before his gaze moved to Dust and he covered his mouth. He was pale and shaking.

He watched as the other turned and fled the tent. After a few minutes, the flaps rustled again and Reaper came drifting in with his scythe dragging behind him. He turned to Blue. "Sorry, you'll have to leave." He said softly. Blue's breath caught in his throat and Reaper's eyes widened. "I'm not reaping him! Don't worry!" Blue stared at him before relaxing and nodding. He looked at Dust.

"Pl-please be okay!" He cried out. Dust nodded and stared after the other as he shakily left the tent.

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Reaper seemed uncertain as he stared down at Dust. The other could barely move. He didn't know if he could risk bringing Dust back to the Medical Tent while Dream was still there. He set down his scythe as his feet settled on the ground. He leaned over the railing surrounding the pit. "Fell? Are you hurt?" He asked, wanting to make sure that Dust was the only one with damage.

Fell began to respond before he twitched and his words became garbled snarling. Reaper watched in dismay as Fell began his transition into his uncontrollable gaster blaster form. It looked like he would have to take Dust somewhere else to treat him.

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Lust was quiet as he stared at the Ring. He was sitting in the stands in the Big Top. Around him, faint music played. He blinked as he heard a door and looked up toward the soundbooth. Ink carried over a paper cup wrapped in a paper towel full of warm tea. "Sorry... this was the best I could do..." He apologized. Lust looked up to see Error watching them quietly through the glass of the soundbooth.

He shook his head and said that was fine. He was now wearing a long sleeved black shirt under his vest. The rest of his outfit remained the same. Prosthetic legs didn't get cold. He took the tea and set it in his lap, shaking a little. Ink sat next to him. After several minutes of silence and Lust occasionally taking a sip of the mediocre tea, he spoke once more. "You're really sure you saw him dust?" Lust asked again and Ink flinched a little.