Chapter 7: A Reason To Fight

Once everyone was dressed, everything stitched up, bag packed, making sure that the 'bandages' around his ribs were secure, Error then wrapped up the two with the scarf and started to head back to Snowdin to get the two some food. He figured he knew that area the best and if a fight did break out then he would be in the best position. Error is still a bit iffy on what kind of AU this is shaping up to be and he did not want to be unprepared to fight off some blood thirsty cannibalistic Monsters.

It was a good thing he left when he did, Error decided, watching guards storm the dump not even a second he left it. Keeping a eye out it wasn't hard to figure out that they had already searched Snowdin top to bottom and had decided that the two couldn't have gotten that far, so they started to look in places near the lab.

'Heh. suckers~' Error snickered to himself, ignoring the stares he got as he walked through the snow. If he was going to have to walk into a store, then he might as well let the other Monsters see him. If he suddenly just walked in or out without warning they might get suspicious and tell a guard. Error was just going to lie and say he was from Waterfall, and that is why his and the others clothes are so dirty.

Taking a step into the little shop, Error ignored the shocked stare of the bunny Monster while he sat down Null, who just whined and pouted. Error decided to keep a wiggly, and slightly crying from hunger, Void in his arm. "I'M GoING To GEt fOoD." And with that Error went to the shelves with canned and jar food, looking very confused. 'What is good for children? Is it different then what others eat? What is even edible?!' Error just now realized he may be in over his head as he tried to read all the different labels. Error glanced down at Void, who was chewing on his trench coat. "DO YoU KNoW whAT tO GEt?"

"AHHW!" Was the answer that Error was not looking for.

"WeLL, YoUr NO HElp yOu liTTlE TeRRoR."

"HAHPH~" Error could only sigh at the coo directed at him. This was going to take longer then he thought.

Shifting the bottom of the dress around, Null made sure to keep an eye socket on the store worker. He was, honestly, about to run to Error and cling to his pant leg when the female Bunny leaned over the counter with a smile. "Why hello there! What's your name sweetie?"

Hesitating for a brief moment, eyes darting to where Error was then to the Bunny, Null puffed out his chest in defiance. Like he was expected the bunny to make fun of his name. He had an actual name now. One he could take in pride in, one Error gave him even. "Null!"

"What a unique name!" The bunny laughed. "Are you shopping with your Daddy and little brother?"

'Daddy?' Null face blanked in confusion. He had no idea what that word meant. "Error...Daddy?" Null questioned back, confusion written on his little face. "What is Daddy?"

The Bunny frowned before lighting up in realization. "It must be a different word for skeleton Monsters, I remember you all having your own language before the war. Not many of you around anymore though. Sorry about that." The Bunny gave a gentle smile, then pointed to where Error was standing, muttering furiously to himself looking at a brown can with a critical eye with a now giggling Void bouncing in his hold. "A Daddy is someone who takes care of you, loves you, and protects you. They keep you safe."

It was like a light bulb went off in his skull. Error must be this Daddy then. He kept them safe and warm, helped them, and had given them so much already. So that must mean he loves them and will protect them right? Null gave a bright smile and a quick nod. "Yea! Error is Daddy!"

The Bunny just giggled, before turning her attention to an approaching Error. "Did you find what you needed sir?"

Error just sighed, putting a few things of applesauce and other random cans of food, a few packets of juice, a pair of little blue boots, and a few spoons and forks. "DO yOU hAVe AnYtHInG fOR BaBiEs? LiKE tO EaT?" Error gestured with his head to Void. "AND cAN I uSE YOuR sINk? I NEeD tO cLEaN a FEw ThINgs fOR THe kiDs." Error was pretty sure that children should not eat dirt, like sixty percent sure, and that he should clean the bottles and sippy cup before using it. Might as well give the toys a quick wash too while he was at it. He paid Null no mind, even when he immediately latched onto his leg once he stopped in front of the counter.

The Bunny waved him off as she started to ring off the items. "No problem sir! And I think we have some baby formula in the back. Let me get ya it."

Soon all three were outside the store, all items tucked inside the travel bag, gold almost gone, and Null looking at his 'new' boots in awe. Looking around, Error decided it was time for the kids to eat, he could piratically hear their bones rattle with hunger. Without thinking much about it, Error started fast walking to Grillby's. It wasn't like he had a table of his own to eat off of, and he really didn't want the kids to eat in the snow. The other Monsters were sure going to look at them suspiciously if that were to happen.

He never noticed the looks he got because of a small babybones clinging to his leg, laughing as the other walked because he was lifted into the air, and the little baby wiggling about with a red scarf, trying to eat it. But all the Monster's outside mostly stared because they were skeleton Monsters, and they only knew of one more. A Monster soon ran off to go tell someone, this was not something one could hide and it should be such a joyous occasion. After all, finding out that you are not the only one should the best kind of shock.

Grillby could only still in shock when three Monster skeletons walked in his bar. And even ten minutes later he is still waiting for the punch line. The taller one, who was very different from any other he has ever seen and he remembers what it was like before the barrier, was feeding the baby a bottle and trying to feed the smaller skeleton in the dress applesauce at the same time. The only Monster skeleton he knew of was Gaster, so how...? 'Maybe they hid after the barrier came up, not knowing about Gaster? The RUINS doors never opened, not after the Queen left.' And looking at them he could see the resemblance, it was very small but there. Snapping out of his daze, Grillby decided to just watch them for now.

-At The Royal Labs-

"Sir! Three skeletons have been spotted in Snowdin!" A knight saluted after busting in the room.

"Three!?" Was the dumbfounded response. "Are you sure?"

"Yes! It seems-" The other interrupted the other. "No matter that! I will have to go myself. Three! Just what is going on!?"

Stomps echoed across the labs. "Hurry up and distract the King! There will be no need to make this more public than it already is."

"Yes Sir!"

-In Grillby's-

"iS ThIS REAlly aNY gOOD?" Error questioned the baby that was sucking up the milk like there was no tomorrow. He then glanced at Null before lifting up another spoon full of applesauce. Null's face was already covered with the stuff. Apparently he had never used them, only his hands. And while Error has never used them as Error, he can slightly remember using them as Sans. "WhaT AbOUT yOU? iS IT anY gooD?"

"Yeah!" Grillby snorted when the little one suddenly grabbed the spoon, from who he was guessing was his father, and clumsily spooned the applesauce and raised it as high as his little arms would let him. What really made Grillby want to laugh though was the Father's expression. Confusion, weary, and a little of suspicion mixed in, like he expected the little one to hurt him or themselves with the little light pink plastic spoon that had little Monster SOUL's on it. "Try!"

Before Error had time to process that demand and tell the other that he really doesn't need food--the hunger pains had stopped a long time ago or was it that he just became numb to it?--or had any in quite a few years so he can have it, the doors burst opened. A duck Monster ran up to the counter. "Grillby! The royal guards are all coming here and they all look ready for a fight! Do you think that someone did something?!"

And because Grillby still had an eye on the Skeleton Monster's, he saw the little one's face fall in horror, the tall one's face twist into grim determination, and the baby whimper out from the sudden magic that was wrapping around all around them. It reminded Grillby of the war when the parents would wrap their children in their magic as a warning. Daring the humans to try and take them from them. Never mind that this Monster's magic screamed destruction, loneliness, and so much pain. Almost like a wild animal that had nothing to lose. And with how the others magic felt, this was a Boss Monster. Grillby knew that this was one Monster that he would not want to fight ever.

And it seems like the royal guards are after him and his kids for some reason. They were marching to Snowdin to probably get them for whatever reason. A Boss Monster that Grillby was thinking could and would dust any Monster for his kids by the look on his face. A fight was going to break out here soon, isn't it?

Lovely.

Grillby waved the duck Monster over, he had to warn the town before the guards get here and everything goes to hell. He did not want anyone to get in the middle of whatever is going on. The dark tall Monster finished packing up quickly and then took off his gloves and put them in his pocket. Grillby only briefly saw the multicolored fingers, black, red to yellow and scared harshly, that were somehow suddenly covered in blue string.

The Boss Monster picked up the two baby bones and swept out the bar, looking grim but ready. And that made his SOUL stutter. 'Things are going to change after today.' Now Grillby had to wait to know if these changes would be good or bad.

As Grillby muttered lowly to a now grim-faced Monster, he only knew two things.

One. He had no idea why the royal guards wanted those three. But he knew that they would come to regret it if they lived through it.

Two. How did he know that? Grillby could remember before and during the war how protective the Monsters were of there children. Hell, even now. Look what happened to the Queen and King! Not many children had been born until a few years ago, not many wanted to have children only to lose them again as they did in the war. Scares were left on the SOUL because of that. And going after a Boss Monster's children was a bad idea on a good day, downright suicidal on a bad day.

And Grillby didn't need to CHECK the others stats to know that going after that Boss Monster's children would give that person a B A D T I M E.

-With Error, Outside Grillby's-

Error barely gave the Monster that shot out of Grillby's a second look. He had more important things to worry about. Storming to the nearby store Error slammed the door open without a second thought. 'How can I find them a home if these people keep trying to take them!? After he's dusted someone it should be easier to find them one.' Never mind that Error just wanted to hurt the person who thinks it's okay to beat children and feel okay with it. It's one thing when it's your job, have no choice, and you hate doing it as in his case, but when you start to feel fine with then that's when you need to take a good long hard look at yourself.

The Bunny and other random customers jumped at the sudden intrusion. Error just gave a short glance at them all before going to the counter and sitting the kids by them. "ThE RoYAl sCIEnTISt iS aFTEr THeM tO hURt tHEm." Error quickly explained, tightening the travel bag around him so it wouldn't fly off when the fight started. "MAKe SUre thEY dOn'T GeT ThEm." He demanded, eyes asking them to even try.

All the Bunny could do was freeze, barely understanding what was going on. Error just bent over to look Null in the sockets, worried and scared eyes looked up at him. "i Am GOInG tO fIGhT HiM wiTh sOME BaD mAgIC. StAy iN HErE whErE iT iS saFE. I'LL cOMe GeT tHE bOTh oF YoU WHeN I dUSt thEm All." Error simply explained to the horror of everyone else besides the two baby bones. Error has fought Gods before, not counting Ink, and has lived to tell the tale. Fighting Gaster and other guards will be easy. And with that, Error turned and left.

The Bunny immediately turned to Null, who was holding onto a crying Void tightly. "What is going on!?"

Big eyes just looked up at her. "Daddy's protecting us from Him." And then he looked down at his baby brother wrapped in the red scarf. "Daddy is going to keep us safe. No more pain, no more tests."

All the customers and workers felt a shiver go down their spines, hearing between the words. And then they all wondered how well did they really know what W. D. Gaster did? How well did they know him? No answers came up and that horrified them.

But the worst thing is that anything that Gaster has done had to be signed off by the King. Conspiracies and rumors flowed out. After all, this was over the whole Underground is going to be questioning the King about this.

Bunny looked from the children to outside the window. The tall Monster, Error, stood tall with his hands in his pockets. The cracks and deep scratches in his skull were more prominent in the light. She looked to the children, how they were also covered in scratches and bruises, but less prominent and luckily seemed to already be fading. How she did not notice before she has no idea. 'What has he done to you three!? What has the King and Gaster done!?'

Error paid no attention to all the Monsters running into the nearest building by them. No, he kept his eyes on the only road leading in from Waterfall. His magic started to build up, his SOUL pulsing with more energy he thought he had. And while he could still feel the pain from his wounds-his ribs screaming at him to just sit down already!-he ignored it all with practiced ease. He pulled his hands out of his pockets once he saw shadows coming closer.

So when the guards marched into Snowdin with Gaster in the lead, Error was ready.

Once Gaster saw the skeleton, his breath was stolen away. The Monster laughed, the glitch like voice echoing making everyone shiver. The skeleton ran a hand down his face where there were tear like markings falling down his face. To Gaster's shock when he pulled his hand down them and away, magic like strings come from them!

Gaster straightened. He had no time to gawk, he had to get back his projects for the fate of the Underground! "I believe you have something of mine Stranger!" Gaster gave a growl, snarling at the other only a couple feet away. "If you hand them over now, you will not be dusted!"

Error chuckled. 'If even Death or the Void itself can't dust me then I doubt you can!' "hElLo GAsTER! mY nAME iS ErRoR." Error tugged his string farther out, getting ready to use them. "AnD YOu ArE sOMeTHinG I REallY haTE."

Gaster snorted, giving one of the guards a signal to get ready to look for the projects while the rest distract the weird colored skeleton. "And what is that Error?" Gaster spat out the name as if a curse. "A Monster trying to save the Underground?!"

"HAhaHA!" Error shook his head. "CoME nOw! WhIlE yOU maY nOT KNow ME, I kNOw ABouT yoU." Every Monster hiding in buildings gasped when Error finished his next sentence. Grillby, who was listen as closely as he could from the bar window, closed his eyes, how far has his old friends fallen after the death of his Mate and family? "i HAtE DiRtY cHIlD aBUsERS lIKe YOu Dr. WinG DInG gAStER!"

And then everything descended into chaos.

Screams and yells called out when Gaster's purple upside down SOUL was forced out, blue strings wrapped around him and the SOUL. Guards started powering up their attacks while Error grinned. "DiRtY cHIld AbUSERs Like YOu shOUld BE bURniNg In HElL!"

Hands flew out and around Gaster, each one glowing a different color showing they each held a different magic. The yellow and red one basted the strings faster then Error could yank, him not noticing one guard slipping into the chaos.

-InkTale-

A tall skeleton with a big paintbrush on his back stilled in mid-walk. A flare of odd feeling set in, something telling him that something is wrong but not in his AU. And the only other AU that is close to his is...!

Turning to look at the other skeleton that had came to talk to him about something, also standing straighter. "Did you feel that Blue?"

The skeleton, who was way shorter and wearing a blue jacket with gym shorts and pink slippers, nodded with a grim face. "Yeah. Your AU is closer to that new one than others, it's not shocking we would feel something. But this is on another level..." Blue glanced to Ink in question. "What do we do? This has never happened before."

"Let's go check it out. I know we usually leave them alone until they are more formed, but we don't get a new AU every day. This is the first one in years!" Ink ready his paintbrush, about to make a portal. "What if it is something serious?"

A portal opened to the clearing just before Snowdin, and even then they could feel it before they even walked through it.

Destruction, loneliness, and so much P A I N - S C R E A M I N G O U T F O R H E L P - A N Y O N E H E L P M E - S A V E M E F R O M T H I S - N O O N E C A M E .

Both skeleton's glanced at each other, horrified eyes meeting each other before both rushed out. Blue moving faster than he ever has while Ink felt like crying. Whoever's magic they are feeling has been through a lot and is falling. Has been falling for a long time with no one reaching out for them, no one to help them.

They can only hope that they are in time to catch them before they hit the ground one final time.

-With Error-

Magic of all colors were flung about, blasters and hands blasting and zooming around to finally get the other. The Monsters in the buildings could only watch in scared awe at what they were seeing. The dark Monster was now in the air, Gaster on the ground, and both glaring at each other as snow and dust fluttered around in the wind.

They never noticed two new Monsters arriving on the scene, hiding behind a nearby building watching the fight in horrified awe.

"lET'S enD THis-!" Error growled out, lifting a hand out to-

"DADDY!" "AAAHHHH-!"

Jerking at the familiar voices, Error turned to see a cat Monster guard holding both Null and Void in his arms. Both children struggling to get out. crying and yelling. The Bunny from before along with the customers banging on the door to get to them, but having been locked in with magic. But what made Error's mind blank is what Null called him.

Daddy.

Null's and Void's teary faces filled his vision, hands making grabbing motions as the called for help. Called to him for help.

D A D D Y H E L P M E !

Y O U C A L L F O R H E L P -

Without even thinking Error was already moving before anyone had any time to react. His SOUL screaming out at him to protect, to keep what is his safe. His children.

The guard didn't even have a chance before Error's strings wrapped themselves around his SOUL, pulling and cracking it as it flung him away, making him drop the kids. Error kicked the body, making him go flying into Gaster. Error paid no attention to the thud and screaming. To the shocked stares. All he had eyes for were the children.

His, Error's, children.

Making a random portal, Error didn't even think twice before jumping in it. He had to get somewhere safe, get the baby bones somewhere safe!

It will only hit him later that the children consider him their father, that they love him.

Something he feels he doesn't deserve nor should have.

Gaster shot up, blood leaking from his new scars around his face, glaring up at the portal with so much hate and anger-

"GASTER!?" A regal voice howled out from behind him. Gaster turned quickly to see his worst fears have come true.

King Asgore has come to Snowdin. And has most likely has found out the truth.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?" Asgore's voice sounded so heartbroken. Other Monsters slowly came out of their buildings. Faces distraught and confused. Grillby slowly shook his head in the crowd. How had his old friend fallen so far and hard?

"I DID WHAT I HAD TO!" Gaster cried out, even as he was slowly surrounded by the King's guards. "I DID IT TO GET US FREE FROM THIS PRISON!"

Blue and Ink were in shock. That was a Sans for sure...right? But it was one they have never seen before, and they knew all of them but the one in this new AU. Then there was the fact he was almost..glitchy? And it wasn't this AU's Sans, as the baby bone that called for him was obviously the Sans. And that magic they felt, the one screaming for any help-

Blue took in a deep breath. "I think we should tell the others Ink."

Ink could only nod, not able to take his eyes off where the portal once was. 'It looked like it was glitching as well...' "Yeah..."

Destiny laughed and laughed. They have picked right! Now Error was on his way to being happy and healed. They made such a good choice~

The AU's of this world have their own built-in balance. Almost like the universe itself was sentiment, had it's own way of thinking and fixing when that balance was off. And once Error took the world's Sans and Papyrus, it adapted.

Because it was so young, it was able to twist and turn its code. Other Monsters would be placed in the spots that Sans and his brother were supposed to have. The AU would fix and make a new form to have balance. It had no need for someone to come and protect it, had no need for a creator and destroyer.

The Sans and Papyrus of this AU are now gone, their places are to be filled with others. The AU would fix the balance. But what would never leave are the memories of Error and the children called Null and Void, Project One, and Two.

Error had, without his knowledge, helped form this AU. He had helped create what it would become.

Destiny knew they picked the right AU.

After all, children are always the best reason to get better, to be better.

They are the reason one fights.

The reason to live.

Notes From Author - Harrish6

It really hasn't hit Error that the kids see him as their dad. After Null yelled out for him as "Daddy!" he mostly went into shock and went into auto-pilot. He let his instinct take over, and his SOUL has recognized the kids as his children.

Once out of shock, he is going to be one big ball of confusion, depression, self-hate, and a lot of hurt, as he doesn't think he would be a good father after all he has done.

The Ink in this Multiverse is tall, the one in Error's original is short. Error will point this out later after they meet officially, and after Error freaks out because he wonders how long he had been in the void for.

I feel like you could feel a lot from one's magic without checking their SOUL. And as these Sans's are the judge, I think they could tell a lot without checking and even more, once they CHECK.

In the next chapter, Error and the kids land in another AU that Error thinks they can stay hidden in for a while. And thanks to a little misadventure, Error meets the Sans of the AU much to his horror.