Chapter 23

Goth's P.O.V

The sun rose over the camp and offered it's welcoming warm light. Only now had I gotten an update on what happened last night. I ran as fast as I could to the centre of the camp, where the massive tree stood tall and proud. I had to push past the crowd of survivors who lived here. Palette, Dream and Blueberry sat against the tree, all three of them looked tired.

Blueberry was draped in a blanket and he was holding a jar full of monster dust. He looked as if he had been crying for hours without end. Dream had his arms around Blueberry, as if he was afraid that if he let go then something very bad would happen. Palette was being tended to by two monsters with healing magic. He had a bloody bandage wrapped around his chest.

"Palette, are you OK?" I asked, kneeling down next to him.

"I've had better." Palette admitted. "But I'll survive. I think there's others to worry about, though. Did you find King?"

"No. King and all his soldiers have disappeared. I couldn't find them anywhere in the wall. But everyone else is fine. I've released Error, Ink and Geno from their cells and Fell's been found. I think everyone's going to be OK."

"Well that's good."

I kissed his cheekbone. "Take it easy."

Palette nodded and I stood back up, turning my attention to Dream and Blueberry.

"Are you two alright?" I asked.

Dream glanced at me for a moment and shook his head, but he didn't say a word. I felt my soul drop as I figured out who's dust was in the jar Blueberry was holding. I said nothing, deciding that it was too soon to ask questions about it. I spotted some others push through the crowds to us. It was Nightmare, Killer, Horror and Lust.

"What happened? Did we win?" Killer asked.

I nodded. "I think so. I couldn't find King or his soldiers anywhere."

"He's turned tail and ran." Nightmare scoffed. "How pathetic."

Horror started to speak. "Where's Du-"

I shushed him quickly and pointed at Blueberry. Horror shut his mouth and said nothing more.

"So that's it then." Lust said. "We got our camp back. What now?"

"Well now we need a new leader." I answered.

"I volunteer!" Horror replied quickly, raising his hand.

"No!" Everyone else yelled, and Horror slowly lowered his hand.

"We can vote for a new leader later." Nightmare said. "For now we should focus on fixing everything."

From the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar face peek out from the crowd. It was Sci. He flinched and hid a little when we made eye contact. I smiled and waved him over. Sci sighed in relief and approached the group, a female human scientist followed close behind, looking just as nervous.

"I-Is Fell OK?" Sci asked.

I nodded. "He's missing an arm, but he's fine. Who's your friend?"

"My name's Susan!" chirped the scientist. "I was working for King, but I decided you guys are much nicer then him."

"Fair enough. I don't suppose you know where he disappeared off to?"

Susan shook her head. "Nope. They never tell me anything. It's very annoying."

"Hey everyone!" someone called from the back of the crowd. "The children have come back!"

Excited cries escaped the mouths of everyone in the crowd. Everyone begun racing to the main gate that led in and out of the camp. I told Palette I would be back in a moment and joined the crowds.

The gate had opened wide and children were running in to find their parents. I cursed at myself for being so short, I couldn't find Raven. A pair of arms wrapped around me and I yelped in surprise.

"Miss me, little bro?"

I huffed and turned around. "I'm older then you, Raven."

"Yes, but I'm still taller."

"Oh shush." I wrapped my arms around Raven. "I missed you, you big goof."

Nearby, Gradient and PJ looked around for Ink and Error. Bluescreen held Gradient's hand, panicking in the large crowds of unfamiliar humans and monsters. PJ spotted Error and Ink hanging out at the back of the crowd.

"Come on, this way." PJ took his brother's spare hand and led him and Bluescreen.

They reached Ink and Error. The two parents practically tackled their children when they saw them, hugging them very tightly.

"N-Need to breathe!" Gradient choked.

"Sorry!" Ink and Error let them go.

Bluescreen hid behind Gradient, watching the two adults warily.

"Who's this?" Error asked.

"This is Bluescreen. He's my friend." Gradient answered.

"Boyfriend?"

"Wha- I mean- I dunno?"

"How adorable."

Ink smiled happily at Bluescreen. "It's nice to meet'cha, Bluescreen!"

Bluescreen nodded slightly.

PJ looked around for a moment. "We'd Fresh go?"

Ink raised a bonebrow. "Who's Fresh?"

"He's my boyfriend."

"Your WHAT?"

Dream stood close to Blueberry, as well as Lust and Horror. Dream impatiently looked for Faith, or any of his friend's children. He saw them pushing through the crowds towards us. Faith, Fury, Sprinkle and Desire run up to them and hugged their respective parents. Dream picked Faith up and kissed his foreskull.

"Thank the creators you're alright." Dream mumbled, hugging him tightly.

"So how was your field trip?" Horror asked Desire.

"Oh, it was quite a ride." Desire said, pulling both his parents into a hug.

"I'm just glad you're OK." Lust hummed softly as he wrapped his arms around Desire.

"Mum, are you alright?" Sprinkle asked, placing his hand on Blueberry's shoulder.

Blueberry shook his head and leaned against Sprinkle, holding the jar of dust close to himself. Fury and Sprinkle understood and tears formed in their eye sockets. The broken family held each other very close.

Sage walked through the crowds, hugging himself and seeming cautious. He didn't know how his parents would react to hearing about Westy's death. He didn't know if he'd even be able to tell them. He spotted Sci in the crowd and slowly approached him. He and Sci looked at each other for a short moment before Sci pulled Sage into an embrace.

"I'm so glad you're alive..." Sci whispered.

Those words brought Sage to tears. He didn't realise how much he had missed his Mum and Dad until now. He hugged his mother back.

"Where's Westy?" Sci asked.

Sage shook his head sadly. Sci took a deep, shaky breath and kissed Sage gently on the foreskull.

"I love you, Sage..."

"I love you too, Mum..."

Moon leaned against the open gate with his arms crossed. He didn't want to go looking for Nightmare or Killer. Why should I? he thought, why should I care if they don't?

"Dark Moon."

Moon looked up. To his surprise, it was Nightmare and Killer. Moon stared at Killer and Nightmare and they stared back. It was an unsure atmosphere. Nightmare looked away, the tentacles protruding from his back wrapped around Moon and gently urged him towards them. Moon was confused, but he approached his parents. Nightmare and Killer brought Moon into their arms and the three stood in silence. A small peace had rebuilt itself within the three.