"What-....... What are you remembering?" Dream asks, baffled. He's still brimming with happinesses that Alloy is back, his aura growing harsh with it. Dream is sure Nightmare will be able to sense its potency in a mere few minutes. Alloy's sudden distress has dampened that joy. What's wrong? Is the sudden memory of his death upsetting him, or is it something more? Does he remember all his experiences as Error and Ink now?

"I remember going mad in the Anti-Void, and I remember feeling nothing when I first visited HorrorTale," Alloy shakes a little, still curled on the floor at his brother's feet. Scales leans down on one knee to comfort him. "I remember Fate's strings and Error 404, and I remember.......... the Before."

"Before?" Cross tries to prompt.

"Yeah....... I've got some explaining to do," Alloy chuckles half heartedly, "But where's Nightmare? He's gotta hear this, too."

"Nightmare's pretty sick," Dream winces, "He's at the mansion resting. After you took that hit, he snapped, and turned into some sort of half-corrupted form to beat the crap out of 404. But what's so important that you need to tell us?"

"Heh, I knew he had it in him. I'm sure he'll want to hear this first hand, so I'll fetch him once we get to the Anti-Void. First, we need to to go catch ourselves an outcode." Alloy takes a steadying breath and stands up. There's work to be done, as always. Some of his swagger and gusto is returning.

"You're going after 404 again? Really?" Cross huffs in disbelief.

"Please don't," Blue winces.

"No! It'll be different this time, I promise. I can fight again. Error 404 needs to understand that those who hurt him in the past can never do it again." Alloy has a hard time explaining his motives. "It's- Well, it hurts to be so-.... so angry all the time. I don't want other people to feel that. I've never really know what it was actually like until the Anti-Void........"

"Are you sure about this, Alloy?," it's Scales who asks this time, "I don't doubt you, but your heart is very big, even for those who don't deserve it."

"It's not about their worthiness, Pappy. It's about making him believe in redemption. No one is purely evil." Alloy's made up his mind, and nothing is gonna change it. He and Scales stare at each other for a long moment before the taller sighs in defeat. Alloy smiles, relieved that Scales understands. "Thank you. Now, I need to find Broomie and-"

"I've got it!" Blue cheers. He swings the brush off his back and offers it up.

"Thank you so much for keeping it safe!" Alloy laughs. He runs his hands down the wood handle, happy to have it back in his hands.

"And I've got the other one." Scales walks over to a closet and yanks it open, catching a slim pole as it falls out.

"A giant knitting needle. Let me guess. It's name is Neldy?" Cross rolls his eyes.

"No. It's Phinigan," Alloy says, face totally straight, "Okay, I'm guessing that 404 is still wandering outside the AUs? I've gotta knock some sense into him."

"Well you're definitely not going alone. I'm with you, Alloy," Dream glances at Blue and Cross, "We're all with you."

"This is nice and all......." Reaper starts talking, reminding everyone of his awkward presence, "..... but I'm just gonna go. I'm obviously not needed here, and there are plenty of souls to reap elsewhere-" Alloy grabs Reaper's wrist and stops him when he stands up.

"You're staying."

"What? Why would I?......."

"Because I'm angry that half the Multiverse hates you, and that the other half ignores you. It's not supposed to be this way." Reaper doesn't have much to say to that, but doesn't attempt to leave after Alloy let's go of him.

"Scales?" Alloy gets quieter as he turns to his brother, "Would you....... Would you come with us? To be there when- ....... when I explain?"

"Of course."

Alloy nods. He carries the the giant sewing needle, apparently named Phinigan, on his back while he swings up Broomie in the air and opens a portal. Alloy dimly notes that his joints seem stiff. It's been a while since he's been out. Alloy steps into the blank space outside his own AU and waits until everyone is though before closing it. Undyne stays behind to explain the situation to everyone. They've all been horribly worried about Alloy's soulless condition, and it makes him feel a little guilty now that it's back.

Alloy's AU, like many others, have a protective layer of threads surrounding the codes. He did this for as many as he could before 404 could get to them. Many of the ones without have been destroyed during Alloy's absence. It's makes his heart feel heavy and painful, a now familiar feeling from Error. On top of the return of Alloy's memories from before, it's enough to crush him, but he refuses to fall. The Multiverse needs their protector.

"Alright, I need you guys to stay out of this fight. I'll do my best to keep his attention, but please don't get too close." Alloy is nervous to face 404 again, but it won't be like last time. He throws his paintbrush over his shoulder.

"But if you do need help, I won't sit around and watch." Dream feels that he was useless in the last battle. Nightmare gave it all he had, and Dream's willing to do the same.

Alloy whips his head around before he can answer. He feels eyes boring into him. Chills run up his spine, and Alloy can feel his soul pulse in warning. Error 404 is an ambush predator. Last time, he waited for Alloy's concentration to shift before striking. He won't get that chance again.

Alloy widens his stance and spins his body so that his left shoulder is forward. He snatches his giant sewing needle off his back and holds it like a javelin, a rope of braided threads appearing on the hook. The rope with stretch however far he needs it to. Alloy takes a few quick steps before launching the needle. He can feel those eyes on him, and Alloy won't let himself be torn ever again. The rapid position change and throw took seconds. The quick and precise movements startle the others. They've promised to only watch, but that makes their nerves even worse.

The needle flies wickedly true and digs into the threads on top of a nearby AU. Error 404 knew it the instant they arrived, and had come to watch them. He's annoyed but not overly surprised to see Alloy. What 404 does appreciate is that Nightmare is not with them. Then, 404 is throwing himself to the right. Some sort of projectile barely misses him. 404 can only see codes with his damaged eyes, and most of the time, it makes it harder to identify objects that are unfamiliar.

The rope goes taunt. 404 scrambles to his feet and backs away. With a fierce pull of his strings, Alloy is able to pull himself off the ground and swing up to the top of the AU. He pulls his needle out before looking at 404, expression unreadable. Something is......... different with the codes. 404 sees it immediately now that he's close. Alloy's codes are more seamless this time. 404 can still easily detect Error's soul, but there's something else there now that's binding it to the rest of Alloy's being. Even more, Alloy is standing up straight, waiting to see what 404 will do. Confident. Steady.

"So, Ink fixed you right up, huh? You're still his little pet," 404 snarls, "When is that damned coward coming to face me himself?" 404 is still unbelievably angry. Since Ink has been a no show, he's been destroying everything else in his path, including unprotected AUs. The damage from Nightmare has hardly slowed him down. Even now, several of his bones are broken or have healed wrong. He's a fast healer like Error was.

"I'll give you one chance to end this peacefully, Error 404. You don't know the full story yet. I can help you. You don't have to keep suffering like this." Alloy holds out a hand, begging with his eyes. He's never wanted this to end in a fight, especially not now.

"That's my line," 404 grits his teeth, "This time, I'll tear you up so bad that Ink won't even be able to distinguish your codes from the dirt under my shoes!"

404 isn't playing around. He pulls down his strings, wasting no time in turning the tips green. These are the threads that can break apart code. He intends to end this fight quicker then the first and whips them right at Alloy. The god doesn't flinch. He steps one foot forwards and grabs the strings with his bare hands, like 404 had done in their last battle. Alloy yanks the other off his feet so they're face to face.

"As you wish," Alloy hums, and then he turns playful, "Wanna see something gross? Blah......."

404 squeals and tries to pull his face away. From what the codes say, an uncountable amount of long, slimy tongues have emerged from Alloy's mouth. 404 can only cringe at what it might really look like. Alloy uses the distraction to sweep out 404's feet and send him crashing to the ground.

No, this fight will not be like the last.