Error was confused. This AU's code was weird. Like, weird, weird. It wasn't like Inky to make things differ so much, but then again, he did create Dream and Nightmare who differ so much that the only thing that confirms they're alternate Sanses are because of them being Sanses and having monsters in their universe. Oh and also because they were created by Inky to be an AU and not another universe with monsters in it.

He could sense the Sans here. He was supposed to be Magic's Judge but something felt...off. So he scrolled through he code more. 'PhobiaTale, huh? Let's see what it's about...'

He had no idea what to do with this AU. But since they'd helped him and not demand for him to get out, he wouldn't destroy the AU. They were OK with him. Someone who's destroyed countless universes and countless more lives. But then again, they'd never know if he did lie. So what would be the point? Why were they telling him that it's OK to stay and moreover, why was he listening? A voice in the back of his head told him that it was OK to stay here. That he'd actually be safe.

And honestly?

He felt like he could trust the voice in his head this time. It wasn't screaming at him, nor was it insulting or telling him to go back to destroying. It was telling him that he could stay in this weird AU and it'd be safe.

He couldn't recall a time when he was ever "safe". Every second of his life as Error was either destroying, being beat up, or teaching and taking care of those who he was fond of. Was this it? But isn't this still the same Multiverse that broke him? Isn't this still the same Multiverse that shattered him?

As if on cue, the code decided to tell him something. The AU wasn't in any Multiverse. Yes, there were sometimes AUs that happen to disappear, but Error didn't think that they'd actually be out of a Multiverse. Plus, his portals worked just fine...!

'What the actual hell is going on here?'

How? Wouldn't the AU just collapse, not having anything to support it? Unless a... higher being...was...running it... but who? Fate? No, he'd probably get kicked out and tortured for trying to get out of his job. But who would try and actually shield Error from Fate itself? Or maybe...no, impossible. They would have surely noticed one of the inhabitants, the "Magic's Judge" at that, leaving and coming back with him. So why were they not taking action?

Was it the voice at the back of his head? Why would anyone want to shield him if all people? Everyone loved Ink, so why not do the same?

Error for the life of him couldn't comprehend why the hell anyone would want to protect him, keep him safe.  He was nothing but destruction. A murderer. What he thought of himself would be heartbreaking to the people just down the stairs if they knew.

Speaking of them, let's check in on them!

Sans was explaining everything while Frisk was trying to go die in a hole because of the guilt. Papyrus also felt like giving his brother's counterparts some of his lasagna. With poison dressing, of course.

Frisk had no idea what to do. They just found out that everyone actually remembered everything and that the UnderGround doesn't actually change. Only the time on the surface does. Everyone just acted like it did because it was awkward for them when Frisk acted like having never seen them before and also coming back to life. They remembered a flower being able to do the same, Flowey, wasn't it? He also thought the same as them but was awkwardly told it after several times of trying to get past the barrier.

Papyrus desperately wanted to know what his brother's counterparts would say about his lasagna and poison dressing.

(666 words!)

It wasn't like they'd know anyways, until it's too late that is. Maybe that creator could be given to Alphys as a test subject? Alphys has been bugging King Asgore for a stronger one... no one would ever know what she did to them, just that it would probably be painful.

Error was right about this being a messed up AU. Weird, messed up and no one is straight in the head.

Then again, who's to say that any of us aren't  either?

Error was contemplating his choices. He could go back and try and contact Nightmare's gang and the Charas, tell them he's alive but not going to destroy because he was tired of it or just not tell them anything at all. 'They'd probably be better off thinking I'm dead...' he decided. But then again, Ink could turn his sadistic and masochistic needs to them...'Stop making me doubt, non-existent brain!!' But...

He didn't want them to go through what he did. With him "gone" everybody would turn to Nightmare's gang to be the scapegoat. They'd have to put up with the abuse, because he wasn't there. And wasn't that something he didn't want? For them to be broken like him?

He sometimes wishes he could bring them to someplace far away to be safe and happy. No one would be hurt. No tears, no pain, no fights, no blames, no forcing, no Ink, no Fate. Just happiness. Maybe that would hurt Nightmare literally but... at least he won't be broken more.

Error sighed before opening a portal to the forgotten AU that Nightmare uses as a hideout. But what if the portal closes and he's unable to get back here? Oh. Just don't get out then. He tried to look for where Nightmare is. He found them in the Meeting Room. With Blue. What? Why?!

They all looked grim and ready for a fight when a portal suddenly opened up. Error saw something he knew he could never unsee. Blue taking out his Gaster Hammers. Chaos peeped through the portal.

Error tied a string to the bedpost and onto his finger and went through the portal. "sO..., wHAT HapPenED hErE?"

He was suddenly "attacked" by a blur of black and another blue of blue.

"ERROR!"

"DUNCLE ERROR!!"

Error.exe has crashed. Rebooting...

Few minutes later

After that little hugging session, Error had explained what happened. Including what he was going to do. He wondered what had happened since even f*cking Nightmare looked relieved. Chaos looked ready to jump in joy and Swap was trying to get Nightmare to let him join. It was really the same thing like in normal AUs. Blue would join if he proves helpful and can actually hurt someone. For some reason, Error felt bad for Honey. He was probably one of Blue's main targets. Ink and Dream are too powerful for him to deal with so his brother would be the best bet since Honey couldn't hurt Berry even if he wanted to.

When all is said and done, he went into the portal back. Would this be his new home? Somewhere he could be safe in? He was never a seer or fortune teller, no telling the future for him...

But the feeling that all will be well in the near future? The feeling is nice. He liked it. The voice in the back of his mind seemed to reply to him.

"Things will be all well for you now, child. Now, rest and heal, you are safe here."

Safe...

Was this the feeling that everybody takes for granted?

It feels nice...

Sans knocked on the door. What if the guy was sleeping or doing some weird god stuff he didn't know about? Like that one book he read where in one of the worlds, gods have to sort their worshippers and listen to their prayers and give them powers and stuff. But he was the god of Destruction...would he have any worshippers? Don't people hate him?

Thankfully, the door opened before Sans had anymore weird thoughts.

Somewhere in another AU

"Are you sure about this Alphys? I don't want to lose all of you..."

"Y-yes, I'm s-sure. B-besides, it's n-not like that...thing w-will go after you..., and you c-can p-press the b-button on the band if y-you're in danger, i-it'll instantly b-bring you back..., p-plus, Undyne's coming with, s-so...,"

"Yeah, punk! And if we find him, then we'll bring him back..., and we can show him how your harp-playing has improved!"

"...alright then..."

Back to our main schedule

"OK, so Error, we (more like I) gotta explain this to you. There are a few universes or whatever you call them-"

"aUS-"

"Yeah, these AU stuff that aren't in a Multiverse. Well, we know that there are other universes, hence why Alphy is tryin' to make a universal transporter or whatever to go to other universes. Same old, same old gets kinda boring, y'know? And... I've no idea what to tell you anymore. Oh. And should I get a nickname so you don't confuse me with another... "me"?"

"yEah, ToO mANY sanSes oUT thErE to cAlL yOu SaNS."

"Hmm...Daunt. Call me Daunt." Daunt smirked at his new name. They were going to see other "him"s anyway so something to call him by to make it less confusing was needed anyways.

Error stares at his new acquaintance(?) friend(?). Daunt? Interesting name. And for the first actual time, took him in.

He was a tall Sans, just as tall as him, and his eye-lights were black. Darker than his eye-sockets, or were his eye-sockets more gray then black? He was wearing the usual blue jacket but with the Underground's insignia on the left side of it and the sleeves faded to black. Black shirt instead of white and the shorts colors were inverted. Black leg sleeves that go all the way to his sneakers.

This Sans was a chatterbox really, his face was when he wasn't wearing an expression looked so dumbfounded. It was hilarious. He looked over to see that the Papyrus was cooking with the human who looked more than ready to kill themselves from shame and guilt. What happened while he was thinking and talking to Nightmare's gang?

He did hear some murmurs downstairs but didn't think much of it.

There was one thing about the house that relieved him though. It was different from other Sans' and Papyrus' houses. It was much bigger and even had a guest bedroom and a small area where they can train in, like a mini gym.

There was still one thing that kept bugging Error though. "WhY dO YoU thInK I'm tELliNg thE tRuTH aND nOt lYInG?"

"Error, we may have not known you or anything about you at the time, but I can tell you weren't lying. One doesn't explain in such vivid detail how it feels like to be tortured and abused in such a way without experiencing it. One doesn't almost die trying to convince others with that stuff. And besides," Daunt shifted, staring at Error. Error could feel his FEARs make paranoia shoot through him.

Daunt suddenly smiled.

"I can see every single fear you have. Every one you've had before. Every one you'll have in the future. For no fear can hide from their judge."

'OK. This is weird sh*t right here. As if this AU wasn't messed up enough or anything. The actual f*ck?' Error couldn't help but think. The FEARs weighing themselves on his head and chest. Breathing erratic, head spinning.

Then it stopped. He let out a sigh of relief. 'But... Fear's Judge? I'd imagine Nightmare would be but... do I really want to know more about this?'

"Anyways, you should go take a bath. I'll give ya some clothes. Yours are... sorry, but, when was the last time you cleaned them?"

"i dON't KnOw...,"

"W-what? Have you never cleaned yourself before?!"

"Of CoUrSE i dId! juMPinG iNTo lAKeS aNd wATeRfaLLs cOuNT, RiGHt?"

"Hehe..., yeah, um..., let's get you cleaned up before Paps sees you..., he's a clean-freak and you'd be in the bathtub before I can react..."

"...wHAt's ThIS tHinG?"

"That's... a shower head..., looks like I'll have to explain everything to ya...,"

_______________________________________

And there we go. Another chapter.

And no Daunt does not like Error romantically, he sees him as a little brother who is somehow far too pure for this world. Even though the latter has killed.

I can't choose between ErrorMare or CrossError or ErrorFresh really

Thanks for reading!