A Splash of ink

Chapter 95- It's progress, if you squint (X-Tale)

Vega and Sirius are noticing something is off and Toby comes up with a (somewhat) decent plan!

——-

X-Tale

"This book is absolutely useless and-....why am i getting a terrible sense of Deja Vu?"

Vega's eyes narrowed in confusion, even pausing in throwing the latest book to the burn pile and eyeing a nearby tree with far more suspicion then was sane.

"..oh, good. I'm glad i wasn't the only one. I thought i was simply growing crazy due to all the nonsensical books I've had to read"

Sirius sighed in relief and placed down his book that he felt he had already examined before in a rather unsettling manner. He also gazed around the surroundings in a rather paranoid manner, as if expecting something like a dinosaur to jump out without warning. He'd assume it was his normal paranoia but every since becoming part of this family that sense had actually calmed down and only been activated when his family was doing something particularly insane.

But everything looked normal. He could see Jammy giggling not too far away while sneaking up on the local Gaster, his parents sitting on a bench with those loving looks that meant nothing sane with even Brom in view and simply laying in the sun to sunbathe.

It was all normal at first glance until...

"Star did something, didn't he?"

Vega asked rhetorically, tone utterly dry and flopping onto his back letting out a deep sigh. Of course it had something to do with Star, the creeping sensation of something being off pervading his sensations surely the fault of one of their family members.

"You know what it reminds me of? A RESET"

"Since when did you know what a RESET feels like? I didn't think it was possible for either of us to experience it like normal monsters. We remembered it when we fought in AU's resetting before"

"It's not like either of us know everything and the word 'impossible' shouldn't really be used with our family...besides, i did used to be the leader of a group of monsters who had experienced such a thing and they described it in a similar way. The thing is that the Deja Vu feeling only occurred after quite a few RESETS, when the mind and body had adapted to the phenomenon..."

Vega did not consider himself an idiot and quickly picked up what Sirius was reluctant to admit out loud. As if not saying it wouldn't make it real.

"You think that is what we are experiencing right now? Just now remembering after likely a countless number of RESETS?"

He deadpanned and refused to dance around the topic anymore, shockingly unsurprised that they were experiencing something previously thought impossible for monsters who had higher magic.

The silence was heavy after that, the two frowning in a similar manner as they tried to figure out how they had reached this point. The thought always settled back on Star but the monster in question wasn't anywhere in sight, that is never a good sign.

"...The winged Dream is acting twitchy again. You think he knows what is happening?"

"He's probably thinking about how to show his devotion to End and Origin again. You can barely talk to the monster without getting some sort of spiel about his perfect God's. I doubt the guy has anything on his mind apart from serving. Maybe the Error will know what's going on? They have been Star's teacher for a while, so at least we should get clear answers from them"

On top of the hill, giving a perfect view of the surroundings, a Dream hummed happily to himself as he preened his wings, making sure they were in perfect condition for when he'd next have to defend his precious people.

Once he was satisfied his feathers were in prime condition and sharp as a blade he went back to watching over the AU, waiting for the new situation he would have to prepare for.

It was almost fun being challenged like this, to deal with new situations and try to keep everyone safe. It truly must be a test to prove himself!

He would not disappoint and began muttering plans under his breath, ready for his next test!

——

Star was struggling, something he couldn't deny anymore. Nothing he did seemed to change anything, a part of him almost wanting to stop and let go of the fragile bonds that kept him connected to his chosen monsters...but yet he found it near impossible to do so. He didn't want to be alone again.

It had been smart to change everything in the AU to human the first time, his magic still lingering in everyone's SOUL like a little seed, a small connection he was using to track them but he couldn't seem to get anything right.

Everything changed so quickly, too many new variables and was starting to lose track of time and felt shards of his sanity chip away like fragile rock. He quietly sighed as meteors fell from the sky, his magic instinctively shredding one that got too close to himself, with a second hesitation before he destroyed any others too close to his family. He was so tired.

Toby whined, barked and pawed at Star. Huffing when he was still ignored no matter what he did.

What was he doing wrong here?!

He'd thrown everything new at Star, taken inspiration from all the AU's out there but nothing was working. Star even looked less happy with the last time they truly smiled was when the silver light passed over them in the Upper Realm...

Wait, that was a genius idea! He could outsource the work. He might not understand but there were some Deities' out there who could help. The lower ones were less helpful but it seems the higher ones were finally getting more organised again. That was good as he hadn't enjoyed the idea of having to sort the mess and take time away from Star.

With a nod he created a portal before Star could notice, knocking them through it and slamming it shut. What a perfect solution. He was such a good boy!

Now he would simply clean this place up and sure Star would come back all happy and things could be great again!

~~~~~~

*Everything perfectly normal*

Vega: *Narrowing his eyes at a tree like it has the answers to life* Something is rather suspicious. Everything is calm...

Sirius: *Just as suspicious with the two coming to the same conclusion* Too calm....wait, where is Star?!

-

Sirius: *Glancing over the DreamSwap muttering to themselves* You think he might have any clue what is going on?

Vega: *Already shaking it off* I bet its just some more gushing about End and Origin

DreamSwap: *Knowing fully well what's going on and preparing for war in a delusional belief it is a test* I shall not disappoint you this time my beloveds!

-

Toby: *Slowly starting to realise when he is not in fact helping* I can't seem to get it right, but perhaps i can outsource this!

Also Toby: *Kicks Star to the Upper Realm in a slightly traumatising way and far away from their family* I'm a very good boy!