Still trying to think of how to characterize ink... the main 4 guardians are gonna be a bit different personality wise than we're used to because this version of the multiverse is way different from most interpretations. Different plot and lore points relevant to this problem under the cut
takes place about 2,000 in-universe years after Dream was petrified and 1,500 after he got free. dream and nightmare do not fight anymore due to the impact it had on the multiverse about 1,000 years ago.
There are so many aus that ink and error can't keep up with maintaining the balance on their own. Ink and Dream put pressure on error to build at least one team that can help speed up and expedite the process as he can't be in all the aus that need destructive maintenance or erasure in its entirety all at once.
Ink has also started to see the results of not finding people to help him, but he is far more hesitant than he normally would be, as this version of ink is slowly starting to uncover the feelings he had in his past. He is also far less eager to get help because while Error was practical about it and knew he wouldn't be able to keep up with demand, Ink doesn't really recognize the issue like that. Error knew the multiverse would get more unstable and volatile without him getting others to expedite his job with him, but Ink doesn't see it that way. At the core of it, he's always been able to help creators on his own. Why is it different now?
Ink DOES have an apprentice at one point, but they're not an apprentice in regards to his job. He's just helping them learn how to manage their life now that they don't feel most emotions naturally. It's a bit deeper than that, but i'll save that explanation for the actual series said apprentice is a protagonist in.
