Chapter Text
Nightmare sighed as he looked over the reports he had gotten from some of the AUs still under his Domain. There were no signs from what they could tell despite what Death had told them several months ago. The new unique and strange addition to Life’s garden was all he needed to hear to know that they needed to crack down on the hunt for the Protector. He had immediately sent out as many people as he could spare from his castle to try and discreetly hunt down more leads, but had nothing come back so far.
The sound of his door opening had the Guardian of Negativity lifting his head to the person who had entered. Dressed in a yellow and orange outfit with his circlet sitting upon his head as it always had was Dream who gave him a knowing smile.
“I’m guessing nothing new has come to anyone’s attention?” Dream asked, stepping further inside and shutting his office door.
“Nothing. Not a single sighting of a new being with strange abilities anywhere.” Nightmare replied with another sigh.
“Don’t fret brother. We’ll find them.”
Nightmare wasn’t so certain of that, not with the entity they were racing to reach the Protector first. Not to mention they all were busy fighting off Corruption Incursions. G was practically stationed over in Horrortale with Horror as a second guard to keep the risk of the Core failing from happening. Killer and Dust were running around between Underfell and Negativetale to keep them both under Nightmare’s Rule, while After and Geno were jumping between Fluffytale and Altertale for Dream. Fresh was running around the whole multiverse with Error trying to find their wayward Protector, both beings for once working in tandem to cover more ground.
He sighed again as he sat back, trying to ignore the understanding look Dream was giving him. His brother meant well, but as his sibling he was the only being in the entire multiverse that could drive Nightmare’s sanity up a wall with a glance. This had been demonstrated a lot in the two hundred years as they worked to maintain the balance of their multiverse with one of their Balancers not present. Their makeshift gang/family had broken up fights between them many times and he was pretty sure that Killer had a betting pool going on which of them would cause the next one.
Turning his attention to the papers on his desk, he growled slightly at the lack of information they had.
“Nightmare, you need to relax. Call the others back for a bit. Especially Error, you get grumpy when he’s away from home for more than a few days.” Dream suggested, leaning against his desk as he watched him with amusement.
“Shut up Dream!” He snapped with a snarl, growling as his brother dodged the tentacle that he lashed out at him.
“See? Grumpy.”
Nightmare glared at his sibling, wondering if he could beat him into the wall without destroying his office before brushing the idea aside. They couldn’t afford to waste any resources, even the mostly useless ones in his office.
“And what about you? Haven’t you been moping around with Horror gone?” Nightmare accused.
“I have not. Besides, even if I was, at least I don’t try to start fights over it.” Dream shot back.
Really? Poking at him didn’t count as starting fights? Okay then. He supposed his brother was less likely to lash out physically then he was, but Dream was a liar about not starting shit. Not that his brother would ever admit to that.
“Is there a reason you came in here?” Nightmare asked, giving the other Guardian an irritated look.
“Oh yes. I just got back from talking with Life. She showed me the new flower that appeared, it was a bright purple carnation. It’s big for a carnation and the color is fitting if it’s supposed to represent our Protector.” Dream explained.
“What do you mean?”
“According to life Carnations don’t produce the pigment delphinidin. This often leads to flowers having blue colorations. The color of purple that this flower is should not be natural to the carnation, which is a heavy indication that it represents someone who has a less than normal role in the Multiverse.”
“That can’t be everything, we already knew there was a good possibility that the fact she told us about the new flower meant it might represent the Protector.”
“It isn’t. There are other flowers around the Carnation. Ones that appeared around the same time as it and others that have begun to appear in the last month. Life explained that the flowers that cluster together when they bloom often represent the birth or creation of a new Timeline or AU. The ones that appeared with the Carnation should be the ones that exist within the AU the being came into existence in.”
“But you just said more appeared around it, are you saying Timelines are being created in rapid succession since it appeared?”
Dream shook his head at his brother, crossing his arms across his chest.
“No, you misunderstand. The new flowers that have been rapidly appearing around it are just as closely clustered as the ones that originally appeared with it. And on top of that, the Carnation and its additions also appeared suddenly next to a trio of isolated flowers. Two Golden ones and a bright purple Camellia flower.”
“So you are saying that whatever AU or Timeline the Protector is in, it is rapidly gaining SOULed beings as if they are just popping into existence?”
Dream nodded, causing Nightmare to once more sigh at the thought. This both made things easier and harder. Easier because there were very few AUs or Timelines that would be experiencing this phenomenon, but harder because that meant it made it just as easy for their enemy to pinpoint the odd occurrence.
“Was Life able to tell you the general locations of this possible Timeline or AU?” Nightmare asked, looking to his brother hopefully.
“No. Another odd occurrence it appears. Usually she can see the AU these lives exist in, but not this cluster of flowers.” Dream explained.
This was all very concerning. Either the Creator of the Protectors AU was slowly bringing all it’s creations to life instead of all at once like most AUs or there was someone with an ability within the AU that could do it. He was hesitant to only believe the Protector could have such an ability, but it seemed to be the most plausible possibility in his opinion.
“So once again all we can do is sit and wait until the Protector enters the wider Multiverse.” Nightmare said with a sigh.
“And send out our people to keep up the search in the meantime.” Dream agreed, sighing as well.
So they would wait.
Outer made his way through the streets of the Omega Timeline slowly heading for what many referred to as the Mayor’s Office. They didn’t really have a Mayor here, just Core, but that building is where Core could often be found when one of them needed to report. Not that there was ever much to report. Core had him and the other Lookouts looking for something, but wouldn’t tell them why, just that if they saw any strange skeletons with strange abilities roaming between AUs and Timelines to try and bring them to the Omega Timeline.
The only one who had ever questioned Core about it was Blueberry and he had received no answer that Outer had ever heard of. No Core had simply requested a private meeting with Blue and the other had never spoken of it to any of them. He hadn’t been the same since though. It worried all of them.
Honestly, nothing had been right about the Omega Timeline since the moment Outer was brought into the fold. At the time there had been more Lookouts. They’d had After and Geno when he’d been brought in, they’d been the most vocal about their distrust towards Core and their motives. But now it was hard to look at their distrust with any confidence since they had defected to Nightmare and Dream’s side of things.
The Guardians had been a thorn in the Omega Timeline’s side since Core founded it and according to the other Lookouts Core hated the Guardians with a passion. It hadn’t always been that way. Two hundred years ago, Dream had come to speak of an alliance with the Omega Timeline, a meeting Nightmare had not attended despite Dream saying both Guardians wished for it. From what Blue once told him, that meeting had ended with Dream attempting to destroy Core and fleeing the Omega Timeline with G!Sans. Needless to say the conflict between Core and the Guardians of Feeling is legendary and Outer wasn’t so sure it was as Black and White as Core made it out to be.
Shaking his head, Outer brushed his wandering thoughts away and focused ahead as he approached Core’s meeting hall. He walked up the steps and into the building to be greeted by Stretch, Blueberry’s Papyrus.
“Hey Outer, came to make a report?” Stretch asked, turning to look at him with a smile.
“Yeah, not that there is anything to report. The Destroyer doesn’t even visit my AU anymore, let alone new mysterious skeletons.” Outer replied.
“I understand that. My Bro is with them now reporting for our own AU. Dance was leaving when we arrived, but he’s probably returned home by now.” Stretch said, filling Outer in on who had been in so far.
“What about Color, is he still out on patrol?”
“As far as I’m aware. You know that guy is a bit of a recluse. He barely talks to anyone outside of mandatory meetings.”
Outer knew Stretch was right. Color was the most quiet one out of all the Lookouts. He never talked to any of them outside of meetings, not even in greeting. He was starting to think Color knew something none of them did and Outer didn’t like that thought one bit.
“If you and Blue are free after I’m done we could all go to Ccino’s to unwind for a bit.” Outer offered, deciding to change the subject for now.
“I think Blue would like that. He’s been so quiet lately, I’m starting to worry about him.” Stretch agreed with a small smile.
He understood that. Stretch remained involved in the Omega Timeline because of Blue, much like how Outer remained involved to keep Cosmic from being involved.
“Well then we’ll go get some coffee and play with some cats for a bit, I’m sure that will bring up his mood.” Outer said, offering a small understanding smile to the other.
They talked for a few more minutes before Blue appeared in the hall they stood in. The blue wearing Sans looked tired in a way that Outer had never seen him before and he could suddenly understand Stretch’s worry even more. Blue was the most bubbly and energetic Sans that he had ever seen, putting even Dance to shame when it came to his energy output. To see him looking visibly exhausted was extremely concerning.
“Hey bro. Outer invited us to join him at Ccino’s after he finishes reporting to Core. Are you feeling up for it?” Stretch asked softly, his nonexistent brow furrowing in concern at his brother.
Blue seemed to blink at his brother for a moment before blinking and perking up with a growing smile.
“Oh that would be great! It’s been awhile since we’ve gone to Ccino’s and it’d be great to catch up with you Outer.” Blue said excitedly, making both skeletons relax a bit. Seeing some of his energy return to him was a relief, but the fact he still seemed subdued heavily worried them still.
“Alright, well, I’ll go report with Core and meet you guys out front okay?” Outer suggested, smiling as Blue nodded eagerly before dragging Stretch away.
Outer smiled after them before letting his smile drop and he made his way towards Core. He entered into the room where they normally had their scheduled patrol meetings, his gaze instantly finding the monochrome child. When he’d first met Core, he never understood why some were cautious of the child, but the longer he spent around the Omega Timeline and in turn Core the more a feeling of unease leaked into his spine when around them. It was nothing Core had done, it was just an ever growing caution that he couldn’t explain. It did make him wonder if Color, the longest standing Lookout out of them all, got the same feeling and perhaps that was why he was so quiet.
Stepping fully into the room, Outer shut the door behind him and fought the shiver that ran down his spine when Core turned their eyeless gaze on him.
“Ah, there you are Outer. Any news?” Core asked calmly. Their tone appeared chipper, but he swore he could hear an underlying edge of impatience.
“No. Not even an Error sighting. I’m afraid there’s nothing to report.” Outer replied. His meetings with Core were usually pretty short due to never having anything happen.
“Disappointing, but not surprising.” Core muttered.
Outer swore he heard a growl in their voice, but brushed it off when the child looked at him again and smiled widely.
“Thank you for your report Outer. I hope you and Cosmic are doing well.” Core said as a dismissal, but to Outer it sounded more like a threat. He nodded and left the meeting room with a chill running down his back as he had his back to Core.
He fought a sigh as the door shut behind him and quickly made his way to Blue and Stretch outside the Mayor’s Office. They were both waiting for him with the addition of a Swap!Gaster from another Timeline that everyone knew as Swapster.
“Hello Outer!” Swapster greeted, receiving a wave in return.
“Do you mind if Swapster joins us?” Stretch asked, looking at the space themed skeleton.
“Not at all, Swapster is great company.” Outer agreed easily, smiling as Blue cheered and began leading the way to the collection of doors at the edge of Omega Timeline.
“So how have you been Outer?” Swapster asked as they walked.
“Okay I suppose. Not much going on in my AU, Cosmic has been visiting with Frisk more often, but beyond that we haven’t been up to much.” Outer replied, falling easily into conversation with the upbeat and excitable Gaster.
They talked as they made it to the doors and through Fluffytale’s towards Ccino’s cafe. They stepped into the cafe to be greeted by the usual cats, but there was also a whole hoard of new additions that Outer had never seen before.
“Wow, Ccino, did you adopt a whole shelter?” Outer joked as a white and brown kitten toddled up to him on wobbly paws.
“Hardly, this group showed up about a week ago with that one at the head of the group.” Ccino replied with a chuckle, pointing to a long lanky white cat with violet colored eyes.
The cat was loafing on the floor in a sun beam with multiple other cats all around him including several other kittens. Of the kittens they seemed to be from several litters, or at least one was since it appeared to be the biggest and most stable on its paws. The largest of the kittens came bounding over to the one at Outer’s feet, plucked it up by the back of its neck, glared up at him and then bounded away back to the violet eyed one.
“An interesting bunch.” Swapster commented, smiling at the retreating kitten that was practically dragging the other kitten on the floor.
“Definitely. How are Midnight and the grumpier bunch taking their presence?” Stretch inquired as they stepped up to the counter.
“They are keeping to themselves, though Midnight doesn’t mind when a few of the kittens get a bit curious about him. Soot is a little less welcoming on that front, but Terror wrangles him just fine.” Ccino replied, smiling as said cats came prancing up to rub around their ankles.
Well, Soot and Terror did, Midnight jumped onto the counter beside Ccino and loafed himself there with nothing more then a single eyed glare at them.
“Well, if we could get the usuals for all of us that would be great.” Outer said, putting the necessary gold on the counter for the drinks.
“Coming right up Pal.” Ccino said with a smile as they went and took seats around one of the tables.
Ccino made the coffees quickly and they all talked idly while watching the new group of cats playing. There appeared to be six adult cats that were all collectively caring for the large group of kittens. Two more of the kittens were as big as the one that had taken the white and brown one while the others seemed to be pretty close in age if not from the same litter as the first kitten. The adults seemed pretty calm when other cats would approach, such as Midnight or even Menace, but they had already had to break up a fight when Hollow had gotten too close. Outer could say he’d never seen any of the cats so aggressive towards Hollow as this group was. They down right hated the gray tabby, hissing and spitting the moment they so much as sniffed in their direction.
Ccino eventually had to move Hollow to the back room, locking the poor feline away so that it would stop bothering the new additions. The calm atmosphere returned to the cafe with the risk of fights lowering and they all enjoyed their conversations until it was interrupted by a yelp from Stretch. They all looked down to see the little white and brown kitten had clawed his way up Stretch’s pants to his lap where it was swiftly joined by mostly gray kitten with two single rings of white around the base of their ears.
The second kitten had been what made Stretch yelp because it had basically taken a running leap and headbutted him as it landed.
“An adventurous pair aren’t you.” Stretch chuckled reaching down to scratch an ear. The group chuckled at that only to laugh outright when a third kitten, this one pure white, did a running jump much like the second kitten.
“Got a rowdy bunch here, Ccino.” Outer commented watching as the three smallest kittens used Stretch as their personal jungle gym.
“Tell me about it. Those three get into everything, and I mean everything.” Ccino joked, coming over and taking the kittens off of Stretch as the first tried to climb into his hood, “At least the six adults keep track of them most of the time.”
“Do they have names yet?” Blue asked, smiling at the wriggling felines in Ccino’s hands.
“Not yet, I’m giving it a bit of time before I give them all names, I’m not sure if they will stick around yet since they just kind of showed up.”
Outer nodded in understanding at that. Sometimes Ccino had cats that showed up for food and shelter and then took off just as fast as they appeared. This was the most amount of cats he’d seen since he started coming to the other’s cafe and if they didn’t stick around it would be pointless to name them if they decided not to stay. It was interesting that so many had shown up though. Most cats came in by themselves, three at a time at most, never the entire clan of them as if they’d been traveling like a wolf pack.
Then again there were at least three she-cats amongst the six adult felines, perhaps they found safety in numbers with so many kittens and the males were just protecting them. Only the cats truly knew, but if they stuck around Ccino and his patrons might learn more about them as time went on.
“Well, if they do, you'll have to tell us their names the next time we are here.” Swapster said with a laugh as one of the older kittens tried to climb into his lab coat pocket.
“Sure thing.” Ccino agreed easily.
The cafe owner joined them for a chat for a little bit before returning to his counter when more customers came in. Eventually the group said their goodbyes to Ccino and went back to the Omega Timeline to go their separate ways. Outer was glad to see that as Stretch and Blue headed for their own door, Blue appeared to be much more like his old self than he was this morning. Stretch was even more relaxed as his brother threw puns at him, making his own jokes in return. A bit of time with friends was apparently all the other needed.
Outer smiled as he stepped towards his AUs own door, only to pause as he saw Color leaning against it and watching him.
“Hey pal. We ain’t seen you in a while, how you been?” Outer asked, knowing he probably wouldn’t get a response.
“We need to talk.” Color said, surprising the star themed skeleton.
He had a feeling whatever this talk was about, it wasn’t good. Whether that meant for him or in general, he had no idea.
“Alright, pal. Let’s talk.” He agreed, leading Color through Outertale’s door and into Starfall.