#a fatal error

The resulting product in front of him didn't look at all like Papyrus, but he kept trying to make it look like him. This time he had put a little more of Blueberry's blue code, but took away the Sans' parts that lived inside it and replaced it with Carrot's orange Papyrus code. To clean the undesirable Under Swap code he added lots of code of Timelines’ Papyrus. The end result was a sea of red with blue and orange bits here and there.

"Good, good, you are almost there" The voice behind him made him lose his focus. "A little more and you'll have Papyrus back" He ignored the voice; as he had learned before there was no use in talking with him. "Ignoring me again huh? I'm the only one who understands you, you know?" But he kept silent as a stoic soldier as if he wasn’t hearing any voice as if he was really alone in the save screen. 

The kind voice of Patch interrupted them. "BROTHER DO YOU NEED HELP? I CAN HOLD THINGS OR SOMETHING IF YOU WANT" He looked at him for a while, weighing his options, till he decided that Patch wouldn't cause any trouble. His only answer was a nod and soon his self-proclaimed brother was seated beside him.

One didn't need to be a genius to note the discomfort in the tall skeleton, but he was the one offering his help so there was no use in denying it. Patch held the parts he was stitching close, making sure that they were in the right position. His hands were shaking and he looked far away from that corpse, but he held it firmly nonetheless. For an unknown reason, he wasn´t the only one shaking.

The air was cold, the light traveled more like a mist. He didn't know where that light came from but it did hit him like a punch, leaving a weak shadow to hide under him.

The echo of every sound he made his way through every echo flower. It sounded like an old clock, a machine of sounds working backward, with a million synchronized parts moving non-stop behind him. 

The sounds crawled up his spine slowly, and one look at Patch's eyes showed him that he wasn't the only one feeling watched. In this immensity of white and black one could never be sure of being alone. Everything felt empty, more even his half-broken soul, and the space around his eye lights in his eye sockets.

He focused on checking the code’s lines, but an incessant sound in the back of his head kept him from ending his job. He got up from his kneeling position and look around, he started to walk away when Patch quickly said “LET ME GO WITH YOU, I CAN HELP” but Fatal shook his head in denial: There was an intruder in his world.

He opened a portal with his right hand, and let himself through the multiple white glitches into the even whiter space outside the save screen. At first, he didn’t see anything but soon a nightmarish image appeared in front of him: Sans was being held hostage by a big black tentacle; he was struggling and kicking his legs everywhere, and the monster holding him laughed in a loud and deep voice.

For a moment he froze, his heels were glued to the ground, a mix of rage and fear took his body prisoner, he couldn't even breathe. He didn't recognize that deep black skeleton, and even if his memory was as good as one of a goldfish he could be certain that this was their first encounter. The skeleton turned his gaze towards him, and with a playful noise he addressed him: "It took you so long to come ''. The tentacle that held Sans threw him in one movement, and his body hit the ground with a dry sound.

He raised a hand and called his Gaster Blasters that floated proudly above him. "WhAt Do YOu wAnT?" he dared to ask with his broken voice. But the black skeleton only laughed as if this was nothing but a game. Offended he shot in that monster's direction hoping he will be nothing but smoke when the lights disappear. But the monster dodged them as was expected for any Sans, and he laughed louder.

"I think You are not understanding the position you are in" Started the skeleton, but he just shot again. "My name is Nightmare and I come with a proposal for you”. He pulled out his strings and distracted the monster with another shot, then he trow the strings trying to hold Nightmare’s arm, but he dodged his attacks again. “You know… you are being so rude, you should at least hear me before judging” Another laugh, another attack dodged.

He was out of breath, he felt small and useless, and Nightmare's laugh echoed in his head. “You are quite strong, I must admit” This time Nightmare was the one moving, and soon he had to dodge the sharp tentacles that were thrown at him. Another shot, another tentacle attack; he was getting out of breath. Nightmare got uncomfortably close to his face and said: “I’m actually looking for a little bit of help in my work, and a monster like you seem perfect” he teleported far away but in a second Nightmare was in his face again, and this time he didn’t have time to dodge the attack that was thrown at him. 

The tentacle was sharp and pierced his chest like a knife. The pain spread from the wound all over his body like wildfire. He felt the air leaving his chest. Nightmare seemed as calm as someone that had pinched a bean during lunch. The tentacle reached deeper into his chest till Nightmare was able to hold him in the air with it. This seemed like the end.

“Be calm friend, I’m not here to kill you, as I said I have a proposal for you” Fatal looked in terror at the calm expression on that monster's face. The pain was almost unbearable, he barely could breathe, and his eyes were losing focus. “You know I’m on a search for new acquaintances, some help to get to where I deserve to be, some help to end some inconveniences on my way to the top. And you, my friend are just made for the job”.

He raised his head angrily, he was no one pet. He had his own problems to care for, and no matter how bad his injuries were, he wasn't kneeling in front of anyone. It must have shown that on his face because Nightmare started to laugh. “I’m still not getting my idea across: You will work for me, it’s not a suggestion, is an order”

With a movement, Nightmare threw him to the grown the same way he threw Sans moments ago. “I’ll keep in touch,” he said while walking away, and no matter if he tried to reach him with his hand, he kept getting smaller as he went far away.

“question: Need a hand(?)” suddenly asked Sans smiling at him with his half, white face. He extended his hand with some kind of fondness but he didn’t accept it and tried to get up by himself. “Bro, I. val(don’t) think is the = moment. val.(YOU) are //totally >wasted”. He put his arm below his and help him get up, but he could do nothing about the pain. Once up on his own feet, he started to walk away too. 

“Where (?) YOU = going (?)” Sans asked from his back, but he did not answer because he did not know either. He opened a portal by inertia and limping got through the white glitches he got to whatever it lead him to. A soft breeze welcomed him, bringing in it the smell of a multitude of plants, he was again in Nature Tale.

He rested against the same tree that has hidden him in the last few days. He touched his own bleeding chest and let go a long sigh trying to ease the pain, but it wasn't effective. He reached his mouth with his fingers ready to turn the blood into long red strings. He pulled them slowly with a strange fear of them breaking; once he got them to be the right size he took from one of his pockets a needle made of his own bones.

While he threaded the red string in the blue needle, his mind started to wander in search of sounds. As a cornered animal he was searching for any menacing, but only found kind and relaxing sounds. It was raining, but as there were only a few holes in the stone sealing, it only rained in a few spots. As from those same holes came the light the rain seemed iridescent, like a waterfall of moon drops, a river of shine. The sound was also mesmerizing, as the water hit the floor like a cosmic drum, but not as such glorious sound made from the thunders with the deep voice of a gregorian choir.

Bats beat his membranous wings all over the place making a tickling sound and looking like a shadow’s spectacle. The earth smelled like wet soil and the air touched him like a soft mystical hand. For a moment a mist surrounded him, making him see all in a comfortable greyish-white, his bones fell just a little wet as the cloud passed through him.

It always amuse him how quiet and loud could Nature Tale be at the same time. In the silence live a million alive beings singing in harmony, no sound toke the front line, no sound was the protagonist, all echoed at the same time as if that were no more than one big living creature.

Soft steeps came in his direction, then a pause, and then become closer and closer. He tried to get up as fast as possible, but he could not do it. Another pause make as he became panic’s prey, “You’re not ready ha?” Lavender’s voice seemed a little disappointed. 

“Just wanted to check if you are alright buddy; it smells like a lot of blood there” Another pause and a deep sigh. “I’m going for healing supplies, I’m not going to get near you, but you need to take care of those wounds”.

Then the steps grow quieter as Lavender went far away from his position. He let out a sigh and let himself  become calm again. Soon a stupor grew all over him, every bone got soft with weakness; the unconsciousness winning over him.

Leaves reined from all above making the scene look invaded by a storm of little green points dancing in the air. Strong old trees grew up with their branches open in all sorts of shapes and figures, so thick and strong that seemed like they were the ones holding together the cave ceiling, that even now, in the middle of the day was shining with the star looking stones engraved in its belly. 

A group of birds flew by his window, maybe a group of pigeons searching for something to eat. The collision of white, black, gray, and brown feathers made a bouquet of colors interrupting all the green. Bellow the grass-covered all the ground that could be seen, sometimes intercepted by a little daisy or a dandelion. Moss was everywhere too, making soft beds of dark green in all the trees and rocks. Butterflies flew from flower to flower along round and small bees.

Lavender followed for a long moment the flying insects trying to foresee where they’ll land next. He laughed to himself after failing, and turn away from the window. He searched for a little while for his sleepers and found each one in opposite corners of the room; maybe he was as disorganized as his brother said. He searched too for a clean pair of socks in his pile of socks and found one pretty clean. His green sweater was still clean and he dint want to ruin the knitting by washing it too often, the same goes for the coat.

The dark brown wooden floor cracked under his steps while he searched for the bathroom. A quick shower will be enough to wake him up. He carefully pulled the clothes onto a little bench beside the tub. With clean water running through his body he recalled the memories of the past night, one by one they passed like a carrousel in front of him. He still wasn’t sure if his decision of forgiving the stranger was right, he didn’t know if he even was ready, but the beautifulness of the little white flowers that he put in the crown last night make him want to try again. 

Once ended the shower he went to the first floor “BROTHER, WHAT WAS TAKING YOU SO LONG?” Asked a barely mad Poppy “Sorry bro, I was growing roots” he answered with a wide smile “JUST TAKE BREAKFAST ALREADY”. A bowl of oatmeal and fruits appeared in front of him and he received it happily. A few moments pass till he was also given a Matcha tea beside his plate.

Everything seemed quiet and easy, just like it should be, and another day felt like a beautiful blessing. He let the texture of the oatmeal spread in his mouth, the granulated feel of every oat tickled a little, and the soft cream that accompanied it flowed freely on his tongue. The blueberries were acidic and rich, and the chopped strawberries were sweet. Everything was perfect.

He stood up and left his dishes in the sink and reached the little bench placed against the wall and washed the dishes with some sort of dedication. The water was cold, the homemade soap was shiny. Little bubbles found themselves in between his bones and the smell was soft and clean. He dried his hands with a kitchen towel and descended from the bench.

“Tanks Pops, it was delicious. I’m going to rest on my laurels in the woods so don’t search me or I can leave you planted” he said with a proud wink. “BROTHER THAT WAS AWFUL!” Cried Poppy, while Lavender walked to the door. “TRY TO NOT WANDER TO FAR FROM YOUR POST, SOME HUMAN COULD NEED OUR HELP” He raised his thumb in answer.

“What should I do today?” He asked himself. He turned to the little garden in front of the house where the vegetables grew slowly, they needed a little attention, so he got his hand close to them and let a little magic reach them, just enough to make the stems stronger and the leaves greener. Maybe he should make soup for the stranger, it should be cold to stand all night in the open.

He went to the back of the house expecting to find the flower crown from the last night to dissolve it into seeds but found with surprise that it wasn’t in the vine swing, nor near either, “Maybe some animal have founded it interesting” he tried to think, but his heart rose in front of the idea of the stranger taking it with him, that his gift wasn’t left behind.

With a smile he walked to his post, thinking of other gifts he could give the stranger, in ways to get through to him. The wooden structure received him with a smell of moss, and the wind passed by bringing with him the rich smell of the forest. He looked at the dozens of succulents resting everywhere, and slowly give them water and a little push of magic. Some of them have beautiful flowers, others cute colors like purple or red. “How is the day going?” he asked them “Is the weather nice?” he continued without an answer.

Those were his babies, his sweet babies. Some of them were big and extended their leaves way far from the pot, some of them hung in long beards from the pot, but others were barely a little leave in a little pot with the rots like small white hairs. 

The silence of the forest kept him company while he cut and organized his little friend plants, but his heart was still uneasy. “What Am I getting into?” He asked his green companions, “This sure has to be for the better or Thistle is killing me”. Not much have happened, he remembered himself, it was just two encounters that he had had with the stranger, and there was no way of knowing when or if the stranger would come back to Nature Tale. It felt sad in some way, just how easily one can disappear from others’ lives.

But, he thought, if the stranger was willing to give him an opportunity by coming back, he will give everything to make that work. The choice was in the stranger’s hands. He suddenly felt a little tired so he closed his eyes to take a nap. He could hear the movement of the leaves on the trees as the wind passed through them, and the constant breath of the world around them. A squirrel jumped from one tree to another, making a funny noise on the landing, and a butterfly flew curiously towards the daisies on the side of the road. He could even hear some frog singing (maybe it was some monster).

He fell asleep slowly and rejoiced in the peace it got him. Sleep can free someone from any worries. The time slipped through him like a deep river leaving behind a feeling of easiness in his joints. Somehow, he felt like he was floating, swimming in the middle of the air, suspended above the clouds. The smell of his own lavender flowers filled him with tranquility, he knew they were growing stronger with his happiness. 

A firm and slow sound of steeps opened his way into the forest, some twigs broke because of them, and Lavender was finally awoken. He didn’t open his eyes; he chooses to leave them closed waiting for the unknown owner of these steps to come closer. Suddenly his body felt conscious, on high alert waiting to know the intentions of that person. I could be a human; everyone knows how devastating can humans be.

With the sound getting closer and closer, Lavender felt the tension leave him in a sigh, this could only be someone really big, but those steps seem calm and calculated, as only one that already knows the forest could have, and the sound of a cane preceded those footsteps. This only could be another monster and he thinks he knows who. Just a meter from his post he heard a throat sound, and a deep raspy voice talked “Hey little friend, hope I’m not waking you up” I was the old and trustful Elderberry.

“Nop, I’m just waking up” He answered. “Maybe you have some time to walk with this old friend and talk a little,” asked the older with an arched eyebrow “That would be nice”. And so, the walk started. It was easy to walk next to Elderberry, even if he was so big, because he waited for a little in every step, probably because of age and the sore left knee that make necessary the use of a cane. 

“It’s a nice day,” said Lavender.

“Shure it is. It’s hard to tell that it used to be different.”

“…”

“Seems like you have something in your mind, little friend”

“Am I that transparent?”

“Ha-ha”

“Well, maybe I’m doing something I’m not supposed to”

“Does it feel right?”

“It does.”

“Then it’s not a bad thing”

“I hope so”

The bear stopped a moment as if in deep thought, then he looked up reminiscing something, and looked Lavender with the eyes ready to tell a long story. 

“You see, Lavender, when I walk like this, I can’t believe the way we use to live on the surface” Started the bear “It was such sorrow to wake up every day and see the state in what it was the world, the forest was burning, the air was dense, and there was almost not clean water. I can remember the pain we felt back then, not only the emotional one, no, the physical, our own bodies, our own magic crying out for help.” He stopped for a second.

“I can understand why we put that barrier up, there was no other way, but…” He stopped. “We tried so hard to reason with the humans, to make they stop. For a long time, the only thing we could make was to work all they using our magic to stop the damage from spreading. But it was never enough. The more we spoke to the humans about the problem, the most aggressive they turn, till ours were dying by their hands. It was bad times.”

“Everything turn for the better when we put the barrier on; the air was clean, there was water, and we didn’t have to mourn our deaths anymore.” He looked up at the ceiling of the cave, and let out a deep sigh. “But it doesn’t feel right, it has never felt right. Sometimes I wish we have fought more, that we haven’t left our world to perish. The humans were awful adversaries, but not all of them were bad, some of them tried to fight by our side, but they also died at the hands of other humans. There were also kids, like Buttercup, human kids that will never have the opportunity of growing up in a world full of nature and green. It kills me inside.”

“So maybe what I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t give up on what feels right, that maybe there is still hope, that it matters to keep trying…In a way I’m still trying for those people…Maybe I’m just rambling again, I’m just too old”

Lavender looked at Elderberry with a mix of sadness and understanding and nodded slowly. It did make sense, to want to try to save all those people, that desire was deep in the heart of all Nature Tale people, but somehow no one was capable of doing it. In some way the story resonated with him, hearing another voice telling him to try to save the stranger, or at least try to understand him, that feeling comfort him. “Thanks,” he said.

The talk continued, this time without any sad history. They talked mostly of mundane things; how beautiful the trees were, any rumor in the town, the new flavors of tea at Brook’s. The time flowed as if outside were as calm as this forest full of life, even if it wasn’t. At some point, the bear said goodbye in an intersection and walked calmly till his poncho was not visible in the distance.

Lavender turn in his heels and walked back to his post. While walking, he recollected all sorts of wildflowers, putting them in his pockets. There were daisies and dandelions, bluebells, and chamomiles. He picked as many as possible, but with the greatest of cares, as he didn’t want to harm them. The rest of the day passed in a breeze as he tried to form the bouquet of wildflowers and look for the post he was assigned to; soon the beautiful and dark night took over the sky that could be seen from the cracks in the stone sealing of the cave.

The walk home was even quieter than the one in the morning, but even then, Lavender’s steps couldn’t be heard as he walked like the lightest of cats. The crickets let their sound out and clear, flying through the air as knives, filling the air as bells. The fireflies roamed freely all the flowers with their beautiful incandescent bodies. The air smelled like the one of a fairytale, he thought that maybe it was one.

He teleported towards his room and searched everywhere for a string, till he found one under some pillows; it was from an old present from Rose. He pulled the flowers from his pockets and carefully started to form a little bouquet arranging the flower by color and shape. Then he took the rope thread that looked like a little braid and tied together the bouquet. The result was not bigger than both of his hands but seemed like a lovely enough present.

He walked down the first floor and saw Poppy in the kitchen “I’ll come in a moment Pops” He said loudly, and heard an “OK BROTHER!” as an answer when he was closing the front door. He went directly towards the vines’ swing hoping not to be late. He held his breath for a moment and waited, then the air filled with static and he smiled.

“Hey!” there was no response “How’s everything going?” Again silence. “I can’t stay today, It's gaming night, you know?” He asked himself if the stranger would feel disappointed or if it would mean anything at all. “Pops wouldn’t let me miss one of those.”

“Sorry, we could meet tomorrow tough, same hour, same channel Ha-ha” He took the flowers out of his pocket and waved them proudly in the air. “I made those for leaving you planted. I found them walking this morning and thought you’ll like them” He tried to look behind the tree and maybe see the stranger behind it, but he didn’t see anything. “Well… I’ll say goodbye, can’t leave Pops waiting!” He waved his hand and walked into the house.

From the dark, a glitching silhouette appeared. With a couple of steps, it got to the vines’ swing and extended an even more glitching hand. I reached for the little bouquet and hold it tightly while a pair of blue and red eyes looked at it with curiosity.