Today was the day exactly one hundred years after my capture; much had changed since then. Ink claimed that he had something special for me, but I didn't really need it; of course, if Ink wanted it to be done, I wouldn't get in his way. My brother still tried to get me to talk to him, despite the injuries he had received in doing so; he really was an idiot. As time went on, the amount of souls that I had touched grew to over ten thousand, and the number increased every day. I supposed that people were scared of me, but I wouldn't stop unless Ink told me to; Ink actually liked it, and I wasn't going to stop if he liked it. I had even touched the soul of my brother, but he still insisted on trying to talk to me; I didn't understand. The day started out as a bright morning, and it was hardly evident that a century had passed. I met Ink with a bright smile to start the new century; it would no doubt be even better than the last.

"Good morning, Dusty!" Ink greeted. 

"Good morning, Ink!" I returned happily.

"Did you sleep well?"

"How could I not?"

"Do you know what today is?"

"A bright new century under your rule?"

"Oh, Dusty, you are just the sweetest thing!" Ink patted my skull. "It also happens to be your anniversary!"

"You know, we don't have to celebrate me. We could celebrate you instead. You're much more deserving than I am."

"Dusty, you make me feel like I'm on top of the world! We really should celebrate your anniversary, though."

"If you insist. You're the best, Ink."

"Thank you! Now, come on! No work today!"

At this, Ink picked me up off the ground and made me stand; that was quick. Before I could process what was happening, Ink had tied a rope around my wrist and started dragging me down a hallway; he seemed excited. Ink led me to the place where large trainings occurred; it also happened to be the place where I got my rank. Ink untied me next to the stage and told me to wait as he addressed the crowd. Ink looked so happy today; I was happy for him. Pretty soon, Ink began his speech; I could have listened to him talk for hours. 

"Good morning, everyone!" Ink grinned. "As some of you know, today is a very special day! Exactly one hundred years ago, a prisoner was taken. I made him my personal toy - and I honestly tortured the heck out of him, but that isn't important right now - before making him my right hand! Some of you know him as 'that guy that passes me every day in the hall,' others think he's somewhat of a bully, more think of him as a friend, and a lot of you know him as the Soul Carver, but everybody knows his name! Please welcome Dusty!"

I walked up to the stage and met Ink in the center of it. I wasn't much for theatrics - that was Ink's department - but I did give a small wave.

"Now, Dusty?" Ink turned to me.

"Yes?" I wondered if he had something for me to do.

"Are you happy?"

"I'd be happy anywhere if you wanted me to be!"

"I mean it. Are you honestly happy?"

 "Yes!"

"Great! In that case, when was the last time you ate cake?"

"Um..before I was executed.."

"Do you realize that was over a century ago?"

"I hadn't really thought about it.."

"Dusty. Eat this." Ink handed me a plate with cake on it.

"Now?"

"Whenever you're ready. Let's get some tables out."

Before long, everybody had cake and a seat; that was impressive, but Ink was the best. I wouldn't have put it past him to manage it. Surprisingly, cake tasted much better after an extended period of time without it. I was seated at a table with some of my closest friends, and they were glad that I was happy.

"Wait, you seriously haven't had cake in over a hundred years?" Fell couldn't believe it. "That's insane!"

"Well, I'm insane, too." I pointed out.

"I forgot what the sun looked like.." Error had been let out of his cell for the first time since he was captured - other than escape attempts. "It's so pretty.." 

"Error, would you be interested in joining my army?" Ink inquired.

"Do you realize that that's the first and last thing you've ever said to me, now?"

"What do you mean first?" Dream didn't understand.

"I originally created him to be a supersoldier, but he turned out better as a corruption destroyer." Ink shrugged. "Not to mention he turned me down."

"I am a peaceful skeleton..for the most part." Error didn't enjoy fighting, but he would if he had to.

"Fair enough. Rot in your cell for another century, see who cares."

"You mean you'll let me out again in a century?"

"You're Dusty's friend."

"I never knew you were capable of 6b 69 6e 64 6e 65 73 73."

"Oh, shut up."

"What..did he say?" The swapped Sans had no clue.

"I'm fluent in code." Error enlightened. "Ink is, too."

"Ooh, can you say something cool in code?" 

"Which code shall I use and what shall I say?"

"Umm..say 'banana' in..base64?"

"QmFuYW5h."

"Congratulations, you're a nerd." Ink sighed.

"Being a nerd is fun!" The swapped Sans giggled.

"What are you doing here?" I noticed that my brother had walked up behind me.

"Brother..I know you do not care for me, but please, accept this." My brother handed me a wrapped gift. "I will go now.."

"Huh.." I didn't know what to feel when I held it; I looked to Ink.

"Ah, it's probably a hateful prank." Ink stated. "Here, I'll open it later, and if I think you'll like it, I'll let you have it, okay?"

"Okay." I gave Ink the box. "You're the best, Ink!"

"Ink, you're the most 73 61 64 69 73 74 69 63 20 6d 61 6e 69 70 75 6c 61 74 6f 72 I've ever seen." Error didn't seem very happy.

"Truer words have never been spoken." Ink chuckled. 

"What did he say?" Dream wanted to know.

"Nothing important." Error responded.

"So, I bet you didn't expect this when you were captured." Fell changed the subject.

"It was unexpected." I admitted.

"Brother, something important has come up." My brother showed up once again.

"Don't you know when to quit?" Ink was tired of my brother's antics.

"It is a plot to overthrow Ink, and it is dangerously close to succeeding if we do not move now."

"Oh, fine. Go with him, Dusty. If you're not back within the hour, I'm going to come looking for you."

"Okay, Ink." I left my seat.

My brother then led me through the halls of the compound; after a minute, I was wondering where we were going.

"Where is this so-called plot?" I saw nothing.

"It should be right in this room." My brother stopped in front of a door. 

"All right. I'll go first."

"As you wish." My brother gestured toward the door.

I opened the door and entered the room; it was pitch black. As I reached for the lightswitch, my arm was grabbed and I was instantly restrained; that wasn't good. As soon as I was strapped into a chair and immobile, my brother flicked the lightswitch, entered the room, and shut the door before locking it. I was surrounded by guards.

"What is this?!" I couldn't escape my restraints. "Papyrus, I should have known that you would betray Ink!"

"We have one hour." My brother stated.

"That's not enough time!" I recognized Classic Sans's voice.

"We'll just have to make do." The Outertale Sans's voice was there, too; was the resistance still in operation?

"I hope this works.." My brother had a desperate tone in his voice. "Brother, stop struggling; you will only waste your energy. These restraints are some of the strongest in the entire multiverse, and you will not escape."

"You're a traitor, Papyrus!" I growled.

"Please, brother. Just stay still."

"We're ready." Classic Sans said.

"Activate." 

"Let me go! Let..l-let me.." I struggled once more before a relaxing feeling came over me; I went unconscious.

So many images flashed through my mind; I saw every event of my life. The resets, the killing, and even my isolation were all there! I saw Nightmare, Killer, Horror, Error, and Cross as they were before the execution! I saw the execution..again. I saw them fall again. I saw Ink's torture once more; every day was like a bad dream. With all the events dashing through my mind, I saw one character that popped up time and time again: Papyrus. He was there for me when I was killing everyone over and over. He was there for me when I was isolated. He was there for me when I needed him the most..he was there for me. What had I done?! I replaced him! How could I do such a thing?! I replaced my own brother with..Ink. How could I ever care for him? He had done nothing but kill my family and tear it apart at the seams; he had tricked me, but I wouldn't be tricked again. I wouldn't make the same mistake twice. I would stop him once and for all, and I didn't care how many soldiers I had to fight to do it. When I started to regain my consciousness, I realized why my brother had brought me to that place: he was trying to save me. I treated him worse than anyone else, and he still cared!

"Brother?" Papyrus noticed that I was awake, and I noticed that I wasn't restrained anymore; I instantly lept towards him and burst into tears.

"I'm sorry!" I sobbed. "I'm so sorry! I'll never do that to you again, Paps..I'm so..so sorry.."

"It is all right, brother." Papyrus held me close. "Everything is all right, now."

"P-Paps?"

"Yes, brother?"

"I think..we should pay someone a visit." I wiped my tears.

"You were always one for action."

"We've been waiting to do that for decades." Classic Sans smiled. "I say we remove our little 'problem' from the throne."

"Sounds good to me!" I smirked.

"It is settled, then." Papyrus smiled. "Ink falls today."

"Been waiting for that for a long time." Outer summoned a bone.

"Should we use stealth?" Starstruck wondered.

"I have a plan, if it's all right." I stated.

"Of course, brother!" Paps was happy.

I stated my plan quickly, and the others found it to be appropriate; with only ten minutes of preparation, we were ready. Papyrus accompanied me back to the celebration, but I couldn't go without saying something.

"Paps.." I looked to him.

"Yes, brother?" Papyrus asked. 

"I was..really horrible to you..I'm sorry.."

"Brother, it was not you. Ink was controlling your determination."

"Paps, it started before that..I said it when I had a choice."

"Brother, I forgave you long ago."

"You're the best, Paps."  

"I am the Great Papyrus!"

"It's been forever since I've heard you say that..say, whatever happened to Chara?"

"I have no clue." Paps shrugged.

"Huh..well, we're almost there..I'm sorry in advance for what I'll have to say in here.."

"It is for a good cause, brother. If we do not convince Ink, we will not make it."

"I know.." I stopped in front of the exit. "Good luck, bro."

"Good luck, brother."

We walked into the celebration area, noticing our cohorts in their places - perfect. I took my seat once more next to Ink at the table, and my brother came behind me.

"Took you long enough." Ink commented. 

"They gave us the runaround, but it wasn't difficult." I explained. "Just one thing."

"What's that?"

"He won't stop following me."

"Papyrus, get out of here."

"I dropped my hat." Papyrus excused.

"You don't even have a hat."

"Oh, in that case, you dropped a paintbrush." 

"Wait, I did?"  Ink looked under the table, and that was our cue. 

"It's not nice to play with people's minds, Ink." I relieved the artist of his brushes and grabbed him with Papyrus.

"I like this!" Error chuckled, stood from his seat, and helped us.

"Oh, no!" Fell was legally supposed to protect Ink, just as all the other guards were. "It's time for my legally required break."

"What in the world?!" Ink tried to escape our grasp, but our cohorts were ready to help. "Somebody do their job!"

"I've never taken a break, but I'm willing to start." The swapped Sans giggled.

"Yeah, somebody'll help you, Ink." Dream assured. "It just won't be us."

"You're all traitors!" Ink was handcuffed, and not a single guard helped him - not even a high rank; he should have treated them better. 

"Guilty as charged." I responded. "And you're under arrest."

"This isn't fair!"

"You think it was fair when you made me your slave?!"

"Well.." Ink chuckled nervously.

"That's enough, Ink." Paps knocked the artist out, and a resounding cheer flooded the air.

"What are we supposed to do when he wakes up?" Fell wasn't sure. "We'll just be under his control again.."

"How so?" Error inquired.

"He changed the code of every low rank.." The swapped Sans was uneasy. "Papy's been struggling with it for a century.."

"Code?"

"Error..you can change code." I looked to him.

"That I can." Error knew what I was thinking.

"Form a line." I smiled.

Over the next few weeks, Ink was knocked unconscious many times while Error reverted the code of the low ranks; there were thousands, but he managed to do it. It was decided that Ink would be locked up for the rest of eternity. As for me, I gave a personal apology to those whose souls I had touched, including my brother; that was a mistake. In order to make up for it, I would see to it that all the universes would be completely freed of occupation, and I would never use my technique on anyone ever again. It took twenty years to finish the job, and by the time every universe was safe, I was tired out. I couldn't stop, though; there was one thing left do to: make a new Last Hope. When it was finished, Error, Paps, and I - along with Chara, who had somehow reappeared - gathered in the living room of Nightmare's old house and hoped for the best.

"You still haven't told us where you were." Error reminded.

"It's none of your business." Chara rebuked.

"Let's just begin." I put the dust in its place. 

"I'm ready." Error was going to be our power source.

"If the strain is too much, just let us know."

"I will."

"Right. Here we go!"

Last Hope started its work immediately, and the dust was converted into bodies and souls for our family. The room was soon shrouded in light; that was a good sign. When the light passed, four familiar figures stood before us.

"What happened?" Nightmare looked around.

"Didn't we just die or somethin'?" Killer noticed us. "Hiya, Dusty!"

I said nothing, simply running up to my family and giving them a hug as the tears flowed from my eyesockets.

"Woah!" Horror was a bit taken back by that. "Well, we love ya, too, Dusty."

"Wh-why are you c-crying?" Cross questioned. 

"He's been through a lot." Paps joined the hug, soon followed by Error.

"How much is..a lot?" Nightmare was worried.

"You were d-dead for over a century.." I sobbed.

"What?!" They were in shock.

"C-can we just stay like this?" I didn't want to let go.

"Sure, Dust." Nightmare knew that I was in a serious state. "We can stay like this as long as you want."

"I love you, brother." Papyrus hugged tighter.

"I love you, too, Paps." I felt comforted. 

Everything would be okay.

Sticks and stones will break my bones

Ink can always hurt me

But I hold my brother near

I know he won't e'er desert me.

~~~story end woot~~~

Dust bean happy for once YA YEET!

I honestly wanted to cry while writing parts of this..

Congratulations to those of you who decoded Error's hexadecimal! ;)

Thanks for reading my finalizing writing!

Bye!