I woke up in a prison cell, noticing the familiar faces of my family before anything else.

"Dusty?" Killer was quick to respond. "You're awake!"

"What happened?" I asked.

"We surrendered." Error sighed.

"Why?"

"They were threatening your life, Dust." Nightmare stated. "What else were we supposed to do?"

"Not surrender?"

"A-and leave you t-to die?" Cross wasn't having it. "D-Dust, you would h-have dusted! W-we couldn't l-let that happen!" Nightmare, Killer, and I hadn't told anyone else that I wouldn't be dusting.

"But I'm not important."

"Dust." Nightmare sternly caught my attention. "I know for a fact that each one of us views ourself as the least valuable member of our team; that's part of why we're all striving to make the others happy. Now I want you to stop feeling sorry for yourself and stop your next train of thought, which I know is blame! It is not your fault, it is not our fault, and it is certainly not your problem to bear, so please, remain the Dust we know and love." 

I sighed and pulled myself together. 

"Yes, Sir." I smiled.

"I didn't know you could be so convincing." Error shuddered.

"I try." Nightmare smirked.

"So whadda we do now?" Horror wondered.

"Bars are designed to trap skeletons specifically, walls are made of the hardest substance I've ever seen, roof is too high to reach without some crazy magic act, and even then, I doubt we could do anything, and the floor is solid." Error enlightened. "We're not getting out of here, even with magic, which we don't currently have."

"So we're trapped?" I summarized.

"Basically, unless you know how to get out of an impenetrable cell."

"S-Sir?" Cross looked to Nightmare; we were to call him 'Sir' when we weren't at home or alone.

"I'll bring it up during our next lesson." Nightmare groaned.

"Gentlemen, we have crossed the Rubicon." Error sighed. "And we're not doing well."

"The what?" Killer was confused.

"Have you been studying your surface history?" Nightmare questioned. "Rome?"

"Uh..heh?"

"Julius Caesar." Horror, Cross, and I answered.

"Correct." Nightmare responded. "At least some of you are taking it seriously."

"So, know anythin' 'bout curin' bein' bored?" Horror was obviously bored.

"They do think we're insane, and I'm not denyin' it!" Killer chuckled.

"You're not doing that, are you?" Error knew exactly what Killer had planned.

"Maybe. Crossy?"

"I'm i-in." Cross giggled.

"Right! Dusty?"

"If it'll make you happy." I shrugged.

"Great! Horror?"

"Yes." Horror looked determined.

"Perfect!"

"Count me out." Error sat in a back corner of our cell. "But you have fun."

"Will do! Crossy, your cue!"

"R-right!" Cross walked up to the door of the cell, where there were visibly guards that were probably wondering what we were talking about, and leaned against it. "Room s-service!"

"I didn't order any room service!" I shouted. "Try next door!"

"S-sorry! Room service!"

"Didn't order no serve!" Horror yelled.

"Sorry! R-room service!"

"I didn't order room service!" Killer jumped. "I ordered door service! Open the door!"

"I c-can't open the door! I-it's locked!"

"Will you be quiet in here?" A guard requested, sticking his skull through the open door.

We laughed harder than we had in a long time, confusing the guard greatly. He closed the door before Cross could catch it, but it was still hilarious. When the guard realized he fell for our joke, we heard him groan while stifling a laugh.

"He actually opened the door." Error was in shock. "He actually opened the door for your stupid prank."

"I told ya it would work!" Killer gave a grin of pride. "Too bad he closed the door after, though."

"Well, nobody could ever accuse Killer of not being creative." Nightmare shrugged.

"Wait!" Killer looked terrified.

"What? What is it?"

"It's still Dusty's birthday! What are we gonna do now?"

"Um, it's really fine." I assured.

"Complete and utter nonsense!" Killer approached the door and knocked loudly until one of the guards opened.

"What could it possibly be?" The other guard wasn't too kind; he also happened to be the one who stuck that bone directly at my soul.

"It's Dust's birthday! Can we have a birthday cake?"

"No."

"Please?"

"Absolutely not."

"I'll haunt ya for the rest of your life."

"I highly doubt that."

We snickered at this statement, knowing fully well that Killer could carry it out.

"You're all insane." The guard shut the door in Killer's face - rude.

"This is terrible!" Killer dramatized. "What're we gonna do?"

"Sit and w-wait?" Cross suggested.

"That's borin.'" Horror commented.

"Oh, they're awake?" We heard a voice from outside the cell. "Great! We can take them now, then!"

The door opened, revealing all of our familiar adversaries; Ink was the one speaking, of course. We were swiftly handcuffed again and led outside the cell, with a lot of security; I supposed they thought we were dangerous. We certainly weren't trying anything as we were guided through the hallways of the building. I noted that it wasn't the prison we were previously familiar with, since that one didn't have steel walls or strict security; this must have been a very advanced holding facility for only the most dangerous villains - nice to know they cared. It was rather boring as we were led through dozens of winding halls which were obviously built to make sure somebody got lost if they tried to escape. I didn't bother to keep track of where we were after the fifth hallway, and I didn't think the others did, either. When we reached our destination, the doors opened to a large courtroom; this didn't look particularly good for us. We were seated at one of the front tables, locked firmly to the table, and the original Sans sat down in the judge seat.

"We're here today for the hearing of Nightmare's gang versus the multiverse!" The swapped Papyrus addressed the court. 

"Objection!" Killer yelled.

"We haven't even started yet." The judge facepalmed. "What could you possibly be objecting to?"

"I dunno how a court works!"

"Look, we're making this up as we go! We haven't done anything like this before, so just hold with us! I can promise that I'll judge you fairly!"

"That's reassuring." Nightmare muttered. 

"Okay, we have Ink as the prosecutor, representing the multiverse, and Blue has been selected as the defense." The swapped Papyrus continued. "It appears Dream is out today; I don't blame him. Prosecution?"

"Yes." Ink stood. "The defendants have been charged with murder, disturbing the peace, destruction of public and private property, resisting arrest, stealing, assault and battery, treason, conspiring against the multiverse, and it just goes on and on."

"How do the defendants plead?" The judge turned to us.

"Does it matter?" Nightmare saw no way out.

"It could, I guess. I mean, if you admit you're either facing death or life in prison so I'd probably suggest saying 'not guilty' just for the chance."

"Hm..we'll plead insanity."

"Objection!" Killer cried out.

"What is it?" The judge sighed.

"We haven't sung the birthday song yet!"

"What."

"It is Dust's birthday and we have to sing the birthday song!"

"It's not the best time for that.." I pointed out.

"Nonsense!"

"Order in the court!" The judge wasn't pleased with Killer's interruptions. "The defendants have pleaded insanity. Does anybody have anything to disprove this claim?"

"I do!" Ink rose again. "The defendants, while showing signs of insanity, are obviously organized in a way that would need to be done without the presence of insane tendencies, such as attack styles and strategies!"

"The prosecution makes a valid point. Does the defense have anything to say?"

"Of course, your honor!" Our only hope of getting out of here rested with the swapped Sans. "Obviously an insane skeleton can be organized! If one is insane, it doesn't always affect organization!"

"I can see that. Does the prosecution have anything else?"

"Um..can we call witnesses?" Ink inquired.

"If you want, I guess."

"Great! I call Dust Sans to the stand!"

"This is going to be horrible." I groaned.

I was brought to the quaint chair next to the judge and strapped in again.

"Do you swear-" The swapped Papyrus was cut off.

"Yadda yadda yadda, I'll tell the truth, whatever." I cut to the chase.

"Fine."

Ink walked up to the chair, ready with questions.

"Dust." Ink started. "Is it true that you work for Nightmare?"

"Yep." I replied abruptly.

"And in doing so, you were aware that you were a criminal?"

"Yeah."

"Why exactly did you stay with Nightmare when you could have turned yourself in and possibly escaped the fate that may lie before you?"

"I refuse to answer that question."

"Understandable." The judge motioned for Ink to continue.

"Right." Ink moved on. "Were you aware that you were hurting others?"

"Yep." I answered.

"Is there a reason that you continued with it?"

"Nothing that you would care to hear."

"When Nightmare went out, did you have a choice in joining him?"

"Yes."

"I see. So you were constantly commiting crimes, aware of it, and you did nothing to prevent it?"

"That sums it up. What more could you expect from someone who's insane?"

"Very difficult, I see. When you were held in custody of the law, you also refused to answer questions that would condemn yourself or others in Nightmare's group; do you owe them some sort of loyalty?"

"In a way."

"Would you please expound on that?"

"No."

"Very well. Did you have a choice when you joined Nightmare's gang?"

"Yep."

"What made you accept?"

"My own reasons. I have the right to privacy, you know."

"At the moment you're being tried for your rights."

"I'm being tried for crimes, not rights."

"Whatever. Can you vouch that the other members of Nightmare's gang are insane?"

"Yeah. I can actually vouch that you were the cause of at least one of them!"

"Now that is insane."

"Hold on just a minute." The judge was interested. "What do you mean Ink was the cause? You mean he drove one of the members of Nightmare's gang insane?"

"Yeah. If anything, you should be trying Ink. He's committed more crimes than we have."

"The witness is getting off topic!" Ink attempted.

"I think this might be worth looking into, if it is true, but Ink's right. I may look at that later.."

"The prosecution is done." 

"Very well. Defense?"

"Right!" The swapped Sans approached the stand. "Where were you on the night of August 18th, 1944?"

"Um..I don't remember?" I was confused.

"Correct! You get a point!"

"What?"

"Blue, stay on topic. This is a trial.." The judge had obviously dealt with this before.

"Oh!" The swapped Sans chuckled nervously. "So is it really your birthday?"

"Yeah..?" I noted that the swapped Sans reminded me of Killer and Papyrus. 

"Happy birthday! Did you eat cake?"

"We were sort of arrested before that.."

"What? That's illegal!"

"It really is!" Killer yelled out.

"Can we stay on topic, please?" The judge groaned.

"Right! Is it fun being in Nightmare's gang?"

"At times?"

"Ooh, cool! And is it fun being insane?"

"Not always, but it makes realizing when somebody's questioning you intensely by making you feel relaxed a whole lot easier."

"Wha-" The swapped Sans was caught off guard by my catching his strategy. "How?!"

"It's called insanity, my good enemy."

"Wowzers. I can't ask him questions like this, then. Defense is..sleeping, or whatever the thing you say is.."

"Rests." The swapped Papyrus corrected.

"Oh! Thanks, Papy! The defense rests!"

I was then escorted back to the table with my family and strapped back in. Ink thought for a moment before continuing.

"I call Nightmare Sans to the stand!" Ink had a look of confidence.

"Objection!" Killer stopped the court once again.

"What could it possibly be this time?" The judge was a little annoyed.

"Oh, nothin,' I just wanted to say 'objection'!"

"Really. Okay, continuing, let's bring up the next witness."

Nightmare was strapped into the chair next to the judge, and Ink approached the stand.

"So, is it true that-" Ink was cut off.

"Objection!" Killer grinned.

"Overruled." The judge stopped Killer. "Continue, prosecution."

"Aww."

"Thank you, your honor!" Ink was pleased. "Nightmare, is it true that you organized a gang to cause mayhem throughout the multiverse?"

"No." Nightmare plainly stated.

"What do you mean, no?"

"We don't cause mayhem, we spread negativity; get your facts straight. I bet you didn't even go to law school."

"We don't even have a law school! Whatever, did you intend to do that each time you went out and terrorized an AU?"

"Objection!" The swapped Sans stood.

"Yes?" The judge was glad somebody new objected.

"The prosecution is accusing my client!"

"Sustained."

"Shoot." Ink pouted. "Well, why did you organize the group?"

"Objection!" The swapped Sans rose again. "The prosecution is cross-examining the witness!"

"Sustained." The judge looked back to the witness, snickering.

"He's better at this than you are." Nightmare complimented.

"He plays a lot of video games." Ink grumbled. "If you could jump in front of a train, would you?"

"Objection!" The swapped Sans giggled. "Stupid question!"

"Wha-"

"Sustained!" The judge was laughing. 

"Can we please be serious about this?"

"Eh, fine."

"Were you aware that you were a criminal when you went out?"

"Yes." Nightmare replied. 

"And you knowingly resisted arrest?"

"Yes."

"And you're trying to tell us now that you're insane?"

"Yes."

"Did you force the other members of your group to join you?"

"No, unless constantly bothering somebody counts."

"I really don't mind that anymore." Error shrugged.

"So the others were given a choice?"

"Yes."

"So you're willingly admitting to being insane and surrounding yourself with other insane skeletons in order to 'spread negativity' throughout the multiverse?"

"Exactly."

"The prosecution is done."

"Right." The judge looked to the swapped Sans. "Does the defense have any questions?"

"Uh..no?" The swapped Sans shrugged, and Nightmare was seated next to us once more.

"All right. Any more witnesses?"

"One last witness, your honor!" Ink used his final card. "I call Fell Sans to the stand!"

"I don't get paid enough for this..." The red-clad skeleton grumbled as he sat in the chair.

"You were the one to catch Dust, correct?"

"Yeah, do I get a raise for that?"

"No. When you were waiting to strike, you must have seen something that would prove that these skeletons are not insane, right?"

"They should all be put in a mental hospital. They're not right in the skulls, that's for sure."

"How so?"

"He was talking to dust. Nobody does that."

"Okay. Ew."

"It's a valid pastime!" I argued.

"I talk to knives!" Killer didn't see anything wrong with that, and neither did the rest of us.

"You know what?" Ink didn't look happy. "I give up!"

"Um..defense?" The judge looked to the swapped Sans. 

"No questions." The swapped Sans felt that our insanity was pretty well proved.

"Very well then, the court will take a short recess to determine the outcome. Please take the defendants back to the holding cell."

At this point, we were escorted back to the cell and left alone, waiting for our fate to be decided. I wasn't too worried about myself, but I was worried about my family; this had all happened so quick, and I hadn't even had time to fully grasp the situation we were in. When we were in the cell, I took a minute to sit against a wall and take a few breaths. Papyrus was next to me, helping me focus on everything, and doing a great job at it; he's the best. I really did regard all of this as my fault; I should have been more alert, and now we were facing who knows what! We could have all been dead by tomorrow, or we could have been set free; I highly doubted that we would have ever been set free after today, and I erased that from the long list of outcomes that could be awaiting us. After a bit, I felt a lot more relaxed than I did before, and I was ready to join the rest of my family with whatever they were doing, which happened to be the exact same thing that I was doing - ironic. I talked to Paps for a while before the others were all ready to talk again.

"That must have been the weirdest court case the world has ever seen." Error started chuckling.

"Y-yeah!" Cross agreed. 

"Objection, your shoe is untied!" Killer laughed.

"Was fun, too." Horror smiled.

"I don't think the world was ready for that." Nightmare crossed his arms, grinning.

"It was certainly different." I joined them.

We laughed and talked for about half an hour before there was a knock on the cell door, meaning we were probably going to hear our fate soon. We were quickly moved back to the courtroom, and the judge took his seat again. 

"We are about to hear the charges brought on Nightmare's gang." The swapped Papyrus announced. "There will be no more questions or comments in the court."

"Right." The judge exhaled. "After careful consideration, we have decided on the outcome of this trial. The jury and I have agreed on the matter, and we have no regrets."

We hoped for the best and prepared for the worst.

"We find the defendants..

"Guilty, insane, and too dangerous to be kept alive. They will be executed before the end of the day."

~~~chapter end woot~~~

Dust bean nooooooo

That went from light-hearted to dreary fast..

Thanks for reading my cliffy writing!

Bye!