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“Why did you even bother—”
Cross cut himself off with a wince. He hadn’t fought with Ink in a while, and the bastard really didn’t pull any punches. He was pretty sure several of his ribs were cracked, which wasn’t exactly a good sign by any standard. Ink liked to chatter his ass off during battles, and something about it had really gotten to him. Now, against his better judgement, he was trying to understand.
“Why pretend to be my friend? I know your goal was to keep me from leaving Xtale, but… FUCK! OW!”
Of fucking course the so-called guardian of the multiverse would go for such a cheap shot. Cross fell on his ass as his feet were swept from beneath him.
“Wouldn’t it have been easier to just tie me up or something?” he asked, determined to get some answers.
Cross, is now really the time to be doing couple’s therapy with that prick?
Chara, as always, had some totally helpful and not at all annoying input.
Ink, who hadn’t ceased his assault the whole time, shrugged.
“Yeah, it’d be easier, but where’s the fun in that?”
He grinned, as if he wasn’t responsible for Cross’ various injuries at the moment.
“It was so much more entertaining to keep you company and learn your weaknesses. When you got boring, I thought maybe adding a bit of drama would make you a bit more useful to me…”
Cross clenched his hands tightly into fists, gritting his teeth. Was he really just a plaything to Ink?
“...so I really meant nothing to you?”
It’s pathetic, how small and weak his voice is. He doesn’t even need Chara to tell him that(although he does anyway, just because). At that, Ink laughs, and Cross thinks he’d rather drive a red hot knife into his own soul than hear that sound again—
Why not drive it into Ink’s skull instead? Y’know, since he doesn’t have a soul. I bet he’d shut up if you stabbed him enough, Chara says, and he’s technically right. Cross dove forward to do just that, but that put too much strain on his screaming ribs. He crumpled to the ground, clutching his ribs in agony. Maybe going on a solo mission on the other side of the multiverse from the rest of the gang wasn’t such a great idea. Stupid.
“Gee, why couldn’t I be battling Error today?” Ink whined, leaning on his brush. “He puts up a much better fight, for one, but more importantly he’s so much more interesting than you.” He regarded Cross with disdain, an emotion he may or may not have taken a little too much of today.
“Honestly, it’s pathetic how weak you are,” he said, echoing Cross’ earlier thoughts.
Cross coughed and tasted metal.
Cross, get UP! He’s gonna kill us, and it’ll be your fault!
“S-shut the fuck up,” he choked out, unsure if he was talking to Ink or the brat in his head.
“You... lied to me for so long. You’ve done nothing — ” he broke off with a cry of agony as his ribs screamed in protest — “nothing but lie and lie and kill and ruin the balance. Fuck. you.”
Another bout of coughs wracked his broken form, and he barely recovered in time to see Ink advancing. His hand was on his sash, reaching for nonononoNO THAT’S THE RED VIAL—
“Sorry I’m late.”
Nightmare. Standing between Cross and Ink, in all his terrifying goopy glory, was Nightmare.
“B-boss,” he rasped. “How did you—” he was cut off by a scoff from Nightmare.
“Your negativity was so strong I felt it all the way across the multiverse. It just took a bit to get here.”
“But why—”
“I protect what’s mine.”
his tentacles sharpened to cruel points, all aimed at the self-proclaimed protector of worlds. He took a step forward, then glanced back at Cross. “Also, stop talking. You’re gonna make it worse.” When he faced Ink again, a sinister grin spread across his features.
“Hello, dear creator. I see you’ve not been playing very nicely with my things. I really ought to thank you…”
Pitch black spikes shot out of the ground, stopping just short of Ink’s face.
“...by making this as slow and painful for you as I possibly can.”
What followed was brutal and gory. Ink was a powerful being, but a rage-fuelled Nightmare boosted by Cross’ own agony was a force to be reckoned with. Ink didn’t stand a chance.
The carnage was so graphic that Cross didn’t want to watch. He hated to admit it, but he’d never had much of a stomach for blood(no pun intended).
Luckily, Horror, Dust, and Killer emerged from a portal behind him. Cross was unable to stifle a yelp as he was bundled into Horror’s arms. Apologies were mumbled on both ends, and Dust began to herd them back towards the portal. Killer hung back though, a strange expression on his face. His SOUL was fizzling and jumping around erratically, as if agitated.
“I think I’m gonna stick with Nighty. Get in on the action. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a real good fight,” he reasoned hurriedly, but everyone except Cross saw the raw hatred and malice in his expression. “You guys go on without me. Get our brave soldier healed up nice and proper, will ya?”
Dust and Horror both nodded. Cross didn’t have the strength to protest about the condescending remark. He was safe now, Killer and Nightmare could handle themselves, and to top it all off Chara had gracefully decided to shut his trap. With these thoughts in mind, Cross closed his eyes and allowed himself to fall
Deep
.
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.
Deeper
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.
.
.
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Y e t d e e p e r
Into the embrace of unconsciousness.