It’s game over.
Undyne didn’t move an inch since her massive defeat.
Why?
There’s nothing left to fight for.
Be the hero? Save the day? Papyrus became a far better candidate.
Now Undyne was the one who felt like a moron. Shield him from the world? Such a silly, silly thought.
He’s the last stand against a terrible event. Provided he doesn’t fall for Sans’ silver tongue first.
She continued to stare at the empty white hall. Thought that she’d shrivel up like some dried fish snack that Alphys once bought from an Eastern Food Fair.
Footsteps approached her. Probably Grillby’s. Maybe he thought it’s time to go.
Then she saw a hand wave over her face. Dark, with a distinct lack of flame-light. For a moment, Undyne thought she had burned her remaining good eye from all that Core glare.
Her gaze trailed upwards; she’s looking at a certain trench coat lady. She’s carrying someone on her back.
Who’re they?…
Ah. Why does it matter? Sans’ plans will erase everything anyway. If she understood his subtext right.
A discussion went on before her.
“Dude, she’s zonked.”
“How may we rouse her?”
“Maybe we should have Captain Grillby roast her.”
“Nay. Fish be best when raw and fresh.”
“Oi! You better not stain my coat! Get off!”
Warm, slimy liquid then dripped on Undyne’s shoulder.
Something’s… not quite right.
The mental alarm bells rang.
A slobbering bone beast loomed over her head. Tongue out and teeth bared, magical saliva dribbled from his jaw.
He's… drooling. A lot.
“GAH!!!!” The fish rolled backwards from sheer surprise. She got on her feet and summoned a handful of spears in preparation for retaliation.
What followed after was a high pitched yelp. “HALT! CEASEFIRE! TIMEOUT!”
It’s the snakeface named ‘Gaelic’, crossing his arms in a desperate attempt to stop a pointy bit barrage.
It appears that Team Cenna had finally arrived.
Undyne called off her attack, and everyone sighed in relief.
Gaelic wasn’t too happy with the reaction. “Gadzooks,” He grumbled, “what’s it with ya?”
“You tell me!!” said Undyne. “You're DROOLING!!!”
“…Ya smell delicious. Like fresh sushi.”
Grimacing, she asked: “Why the fuck are you considering monster cannibalism?!”
“Ah ate a human before,” so he answered with an utmost sincere twinkle in his eyes.
Undyne summoned her spear again. That level of crazy crossed the line.
“I dinnae hunt anyone as me dinner on purpose, ah swear!!!”
Before the situation spiralled out of control, Cenna put a stop to the uncomfortable topic. “Gael, chill. We’re not salvaging her as food. No. Just, no.”
“Okay…” He sounded almost disappointed. Almost.
Turning back to Undyne, Cenna further explained. “You were really, really unresponsive. Like, I stood in front of ya. Waved a bit. Almost tap danced. Got nothing. Nein, nicht, nada.”
“Uh…” Undyne rubbed the back of her neck. “Sorry about that…”
“The false angel dragged yer heart through the mud o’ yer sins, aye?”
Another surprise. Gaelic had a sense of poetic flair in his speech, as though he’s from an ancient human play. It was the complete opposite of the savage stereotype.
No point in keeping up appearances anymore. Undyne lowered her head and admitted her failings: “More or less. Guess I’m not that great of a hero after all.”
“What about you?” Cenna asked, turning toward Grillby. “Did he give ya a hard time?”
The fire captain responded with great wisdom: “…No… Sans knows too much about me… I’m not giving him free shots…”
So much for a hidden trump card.
“Glad to see you guys here, but you’re too late,” said Undyne. “Paps… he… he stepped into some magic tornado thing. Sans built it. I’m not even sure if he’s still alive.”
“I bet he is,” said Cenna.
“How’d you know?” Undyne grumbled. “He got himself killed before, didn’t he? With all that timey-wimey shit. That’s what he told me.”
“The false angel would never release the guillotine on himself,” said the snake.
Good point. The stakes were too high for the mastermind to execute an accidental suicide.
“Ugh. Yeah. You’re right about that.” She then sighed. “But I don’t think we can ever catch up to them. Barrier over the head and so on.”
Just the mere thought of Sans was enough to make the skelesnake called Gaelic hiss.
He turned aside, seemingly distracted. The fish decided not to question what’s going on inside his mind.
Moments later, he announced: “M’Lady suggests that the Seraphim had rigged a machine to mimic the Barrier. ‘Tis all be mechanical trickery. Once we destroy the source, the trappings will fall.”
“Oh. Well. If that’s the case, you guys better take Grillbz and head there. I’m just… gonna bum around here.”
“Har?!?!” exclaimed Cenna. “Why? C’mon Captain, we need your spear!”
“I can’t muster a single bit of my special DT magic right now. I mean… if we get up there… We might get in Paps’ way.”
“Hold it right there!” The Magus stomped her boot. “The Captain I know wouldn’t give up like that. She’d charge in roaring!”
That’s what others think of the woman named Undyne? Quite accurate, but not enough.
She grit her teeth. “Look. I don’t want to hurt Papyrus anymore. It’s bad enough that I did that overprotective shit to him. I’m supposed to be his best friend. And Sans… he’s his one and only brother. I can’t bring myself to fight him, if you know what I mean.”
The awkward silence aggravated the beastial skeleton. He couldn’t keep his thoughts in anymore. “Cor Blimey, ya think we’d get anywhere better if we faff around?!”
“Ah dinnae care if the false angel be me friend, me brother, or even me elder! If he fooks with M’lord or M’lady, ah will fook them back. Ah care nothing fer a Fallen!”
New ominous terminology? Checked. Undyne thought it’d be better to ask; “…Fallen?”
The Magus seemed… tense? She hurried to pull Gaelic by the back collar of his jacket, as though he were a puppy.
“Whoa whoa whoa! Okay, your stomach is really taking over your brain, sir,” said Cenna. “I know you have some serious beef with our pudgy assassino, but we have bigger fish to fry. Like delivering the anti-hijack Gram to Papyrus.”
Gaelic raised a skeptical brow at her. “As far as I know, ya can’t extract the Code out o’ me bones. Ah dinnae have that skill either.”
“Well duh! That’s why we need to break the Barrier. So Lucy can mail us a fresh copy.”
Oh fuck, she’s right! If Papyrus is gonna have a showdown against Sans… he can't use his Blasters!
A twinkle of vigor returned to her eye. Seeing her spirits lifted, Grillby placed his hand on Undyne’s shoulder.
“…You have a mission now…” He noted.
“…It's best we search for the King and Queen… Might need their strength to break the Barrier…”
“Don’t forget to bring Gaelic along.” said Cenna, “He’s the best Tracker we’ve got. His Eye will lead the way. As for me…”
She pointed straight up. “I wanna find out what’s on top of that tower, pronto.”
“So… we meet you there after we’re done?”
“Yup.”
Undyne grinned. Showed her fist before Cenna.
“For good luck.”
“Ey, Frisky taught ya well. I like that.”
Though they’re both law enforcers tied to the smallest ambassador, both are from completely opposite sides of life.
Humans and monsters.
For the first time ever, those tough women bumped their fists together toward a common goal.
* * *
Asgore lay down on the snowy path, staring at the pulsating sky for what felt like eternity.
Black.
White.
Black.
White.
It’s quite hypnotizing. Almost lulled him into a deep sleep. Would have done so if Toriel wasn’t sitting by his side to shake him back to the land of the waking.
“I feel tired, Tori…” he mumbled.
“Asgore, please stay determined. How strong was the medication anyway?”
“Much stronger than my usual dental visits… Oh dear… I’m not dreaming, am I?”
“What silliness are you talking about?”
With tearful puppy-dog eyes, Asgore said: “You, by my side. After all these years. I don’t… I don’t want this to end.”
Toriel huffed as the ever well-meaning pragmatic. “If you don’t want that to happen, you ought to get yourself together. Who knows what Sans is up to?”
The sternness didn’t last long. Gently, she stroked his golden beard. “You… lost weight since last I saw you.”
“Without your wonderful pies, I’m not surprised.”
“The humans do talk often about a healthy weight range. Maybe you could afford to shed a bit.”
The couple chuckled. There was much to heal, but for now… they could laugh again.
Asgore forced himself off the ground. “You do bring up a good point, dear. We ought to catch up with the rest.”
“Are you sure you will be fine?” asked Toriel.
“I’ll manage.”
The two journeyed on. Toriel’s fluffy dog followed close behind in anticipation for adventure.
They arrived at the next phase of the puzzle: none other than Papyrus’ old spaghetti.
Toriel glared at it. “That. Inspired me never to leave Papyrus alone in the kitchen.”
“…His cooking was quite ‘something’,” Asgore commented.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“The ‘mother’ lode of poor choices.”
“Was that why you started packing cheese sandwiches and apples for him?”
“Part of the reason,” Toriel replied. “He really needed a better diet than whatever he made on a regular basis. I’m so glad Doctor Gaster sorted him out.”
Thus, the two sighed.
“I suppose we have to eat this to advance.” said Asgore.
“That seems to be the objective of this puzzle.”
An overpowering aroma of questionable content continued to haunt the goats.
Toriel shook her head.
“Perhaps, we should just throw the whole thing into the flames?”
Asgore tried to be positive. “The extreme sour kick from the tomato sauce may be what I need.”
The King of Monsters twirled a helping of the pasta. Took a deep breath. He braced himself for the inevitable.
Papyrus’ old cooking was notoriously terrible. Words could not describe. But, a king wouldn’t be king if he couldn’t lead by example. There’s no way he wanted his wife to suffer through this.
Then--
“W-wha?” Asgore’s fork went missing. The plate was gone too. Last he recalled, there was a blurry whiz of white.
His first reaction was to look for the small canine. Maybe the dog had stolen the plate at the last minute.
Nope. It’s still sitting there with its tongue lolled out. No spaghetti in sight.
When he checked on Toriel, she’s staring in horror at another direction. Undyne and Grillby soon joined the occasion. When did they arrive?
Asgore turned around. He finally understood the context behind their disturbed expression. He’ll recognize that lanky slightly-hunched pose anywhere.
It’s Gaelic, wolfing down the pasta face-first. The fork got chucked aside as if it was a piece of trash.
“Oh…” the king blinked. “Where did you come from?”
The man paused. There was tomato sauce all over the lower half of his face, painting him in the strong crimson shades of a horror creature.
“Yer fine!” Gaelic exclaimed in joy. “Ah got so worried about ya, lyin’ down like that. Thought ya got a toxic reaction or worse. Gave me a scare, Yer Majesty.”
“Sorry about that, good sir. I just felt a little hazy.”
The feasting continued. Ferocious. Savage. And a choking risk.
Asgore’s fatherly instincts tried to calm the man down. Nobody should be eating that quickly. “There, there. Careful. Give yourself some time to chew.”
Undyne scooted up to the King and whispered: “You know. Earlier. He actually considered eating me.”
That was a brow-raiser. “Oh really?”
“Yeah, really,” she nodded. “Good thing Cenna stopped him. Like. He outright confessed that he ate a human before. I thought cannibals no longer exist!”
Gaelic stopped for a moment. “Again, not me regular diet. Call it makin’ the most out o’ a long mission.”
Everyone agreed in silence that they wouldn’t ask about the exact nature of ‘that’ job.
Undyne shuddered. “I dunno how I should feel. He’s hungry to the point he’d chow on…” She motioned her hand to the unmentionable spaghetti. “THAT.”
“Oy, ‘tis not half-bad. Sure, the noodles be an old soggy mass rolled in calcium powder, while the sauce reeks o’ excessive citric acid, and the meatballs be raw on the inside. But there be nothing wrong in its nutrient content. Definitely full o’ energy.”
“Dude. Papyrus HIMSELF got sick from eating that shit!”
“He did? Suppose the lad had grown accustomed to more goodly things. Well, ‘tis be guaranteed poison fer M’lord anyway. Too much bacterial contamination. Not human safe. ”
“And you’re absolutely okay?!”
“Have ya ever eaten live maggots before? Or earthworms? Woodlice, perhaps? Straight out o’ wherever they come from.”
‘Dinner’ resumed without further objections.
Cringe moment, on. Asgore once had an unfortunate run-in with fly larvae when a student accidentally left a non-magic meatloaf in the school lockers. The memory of that stench bothered him more than the squirm.
Eating bugs was nothing new to Monsterkind. Both the King and Queen loved snails. Fried mealworms and crickets had gained popularity in Ebott Town, well on their way in becoming the top importer nation-wide.
But having them still live and kicking on the plate? That’s Muffet’s level of acquired taste.
Not his ‘cup of tea’. Pun intended, for once.
He looked at his two Captains. They’re now busy trying to protect Queen Toriel. Was it the menu that bothered them, or the sheer feeding frenzy?
For everyone’s sake, the king took the time for some ice breaking.
“Maggots are edible?” asked Asgore.
“Aye!” Gaelic perked up. He’s down to the last handful of pasta. “Full o’ juicy fat. Precious in places where large prey be hard to come by.”
“What do you think of snail pies?”
“Hmm, pies not quite be me thing. But if ya place it in front o’ me, I’ll gobble ‘em up just the same. Cooking the buggers fer hours in a pastry crust makes it deader than dead. Mite sad. See, ah like the taste o’ life itself.”
“Oh. So, Papyrus’ pasta fits your criteria?”
“Nay. Not by a million miles. Ah place this recipe deep in the chem-factory level.” He licked his face with that long forked tongue, effectively cleaning himself. “Fit or no fit, ‘tis better than starving.”
Asgore thought it was a pleasant conversation. The bloke had unusual perceptions. Then again, all monsters had their quirks.
Woshuas for example. They’re the ultimate cleaners, to the point where they’re neurotic. Then there were the Vulkins who insist on hugging others with their too-hot bodies. Caused quite a bit of tension between the more flammable folk, but not insurmountably so.
In the end, ‘love and compassion’ unifies all.
With renewed understanding, both warriors lowered their guard. They’re no longer concerned about becoming the next course on the menu.
Toriel proceeded with what she does best: being a Mom. Using her sleeve, she wiped away any remaining tomato sauce from Gaelic’s jaw.
“Goodness,” she said, “Even if you are in a rush, you didn’t need to plant your face into your meal. I think even the Dog Clan eats with better manners.”
Gaelic grinned, satisfied for both the meal and the warm care. It reminded Asgore of the many children he had encountered over his thousand year reign.
Children…
Reality hammered into Asgore’s dazed noggin. It’s been too long since he had seen little Frisk. He got so distracted by the immediate events, he lost track of time.
The King started counting the number of heads. “Wait, if we’re all here… who’s looking for Frisk?”
“Papyrus went ahead, while Cenna’s taking the tower route,” Undyne said. “The rest of us need to find the actual location of The Barrier. Snakeface here explained how Sans made some sort of a mechanical fake. As long we destroy that machine, the thing’s turned off. No SOULS needed.”
Grillby nodded. “…Problem is… we need to pinpoint a location… There’s too little time for a conventional top-to-bottom search… Soon Sans will RESET...”
A location.
Asgore looked up towards the pulsating sky again. What obvious detail did he miss?
He traced the movement of the waves with his finger. He started from the tower then gradually angled down towards a far off horizon.
“Which direction is that?” He asked.
After Gaelic swallowed a handful of refreshing snow, he answered: “South, Yer Majesty.”
It’s the complete opposite direction from Frisk’s prison.
“There.” Thus said the King. “The Barrier is unlike a rippling pond. The pulses will always go toward the source. We must make haste. Time is of the essence.”
Asgore quickened his pace. Determined in the fact that his entire nation rests on his shoulders, and that he had already dawdled for too long.
Alas, he soon stumbled.
The ex-Captain caught him just in time. The warmth from the fire elemental spread relief over his body.
“Thank you, Sir Grillenn.” It’s been a long time since he had addressed Grillby that way.
Toriel joined the assistance. “Dear, you can’t just charge in blindly.”
Gaelic hopped ahead, beckoning for the rest of the team to follow. “Aye, aye. ‘Tis why it be me blessed duty to be yer guide. With me sense and sight, the labyrinth loses its confusion. We’ll be there before the false angel makes his move.”
Asgore beamed in joy; hope shimmers even on this grim hour.
“Thank you so very much.” he said.
* * *
You reached out your hand towards Sans.
…
But then you retracted it.
“What’s up, kid?” the short skeleton asked. “Getting cold feet?”
You shook your head. Told him that there are too many unanswered questions. Blanks. Unknowns. You want to ask Papyrus for confirmation first.
“Why not me?”
Is he kidding? He can’t see the future!
Furthermore, there’s nothing to stop him from lying.
“Point A… is a little outdated. But you got me on Point B. Sure then, I’ll wait.”
You looked up to Papyrus and asked more about this possible timeline. How’s your sister, Cenna? She had a genetic disease. You bet that she’ll require more care than the village can provide.
Papyrus nodded to you. “A WISE QUESTION. I WONDERED THE SAME TOO.”
His Eye lit up. You almost held your breath to hear the answer.
Wait…
Why…
Why does he look troubled?
After many wordless moments of searching, he asked: “WHERE’S MISS AUNT?”
Where? Isn’t that supposed to be your question???
“NO, I’M SERIOUS! I CAN’T FIND HER! I’M LOOKING THROUGH ALL YOUR HAPPY MOMENTS WITH YOUR PARENTS AND I DON’T SEE HER ANYWHERE.”
You were outright stunned. These folk… were they really your parents?
“DON’T BE SILLY, FRISK! THEY’RE THE VERY SAME COUPLE THAT GAVE BIRTH TO YOU.”
Okay. You… you believe Papyrus.
Please, keep searching.
“I WILL.”
You waited.
And waited.
And waited.
At last, Papyrus spoke these words: “IT’S SLIGHTLY PAST NOON. YOUR PARENTS ARE ABOUT TO START THEIR HIKE ON MOUNT EBOTT, BUT… THEY RECEIVED A SUDDEN TEXT MESSAGE? I CAN’T READ THE CONTENTS.”
“LOOKS LIKE THE TRIP’S CANCELLED. THEY DROPPED EVERYTHING AND DROVE BACK HOME TO PACK THEIR BAGS. THE TEENAGED VERSION OF MISS AUNT IS THERE TOO, HELPING THEM OUT.”
Finally, a confirmation. But where are they planning to go?
“THE ANCESTRAL LANDS OF YOUR MOTHER’S SIDE. EASTWARD, IT SEEMS.”
Does it have anything to do with Gungnir?
“YES. THEY’RE… EVERYWHERE. THE PEOPLE OF VIOLENT LIGHTNING ARE BEHAVING AS THOUGH THEY OWN THE COUNTRY.”
“THEIR INFLUENCE HAS YET TO SPREAD BEYOND THE BORDERS, THOUGH. THAT’S WHY YOUR PARENTS WANT TO TAKE THE NEXT BEST FLIGHT.”
“HUH? MISS AUNT ISN’T GOING WITH THEM. SHE… LEFT BEHIND A LETTER OF GOODBYE, TOGETHER WITH THE MAGIC WATCH. WONDER WHAT IT SAYS.”
You wonder that too.
“I SEE. SO SHE JOINED THE RESISTANCE. TOLD YOUR PARENTS NEVER TO TALK ABOUT HER. THAT WAS THE LAST TIME THEY HAD EVER HEARD FROM YOUR SISTER.”
Why?! How?!
“MISTER MAGUS DIDN’T SURVIVE. AND THE MAGUS ASSOCIATION LOST THEIR KEYS OF FATE. DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT HE SAID, FRISK? IF HE DIES, THE NEXT IN LINE IS…”
Wait. Wouldn't it be you? He insisted on this whole trial business, after all.
“YOU ARE STILL TOO YOUNG. AT THIS TIMEFRAME, IT IS NONE OTHER THAN PERSONA.”
That’s the worst possible option.
Horrified. You took a step back.
Anger filled your veins. You rushed up to Sans. Tried to grab his coat, except he kept teleporting right out of your reach.
You yelled at his face.
Isn’t this supposed to be your golden path?!
Isn’t this the result of Sans saving your parents from certain doom?!
Sans shrugged. “What can I say? Butterfly effect and so forth. Think about it: despite Persona’s victory, you lived well. Free.”
That’s not the same! You want happiness for everyone!
His offer, DENIED!
“How sweet,” he replied. “But, didn’t I tell you this a long time ago? Sometimes it's better to accept what's given to you’.”
His eyelid shut. So confident that he’d detect your movements.
“The most important thing I learned about life is this: ‘you can’t save everyone’. Every choice you make will leave others to the consequences. So…”
“How about I make this easier on you?”
One moment, you saw him open his left Eye.
The next moment, he’s gone.
Disappeared.
Vanished.
Papyrus!
You turned around in an attempt to reach out to your skelefriend…
It’s too late, Sans had already resurfaced at point blank. He forced Papyrus’ SOUL out of his chest. Blade, drawn and ready to deal the final blow on the Living Chronographer.
Your body refused to move faster than the speed of light.
No!
NO!!!!
The Great Papyrus thus spoke:
“I KNOW OUR DARKEST SECRET, BROTHER.”
By a miracle, Sans hesitated. He’s trembling from head to toe.
That’s the closest call to ever be close. You don’t really get what’s going on, but you must act fast!
Sans shook his head. Steeled his resolve; he’s not backing down.
You focus upon a single thought:
‘You impose your will to SAVE Papyrus!’
A yellow blast thus shot out of your outstretched palm. It left behind a trail, like a shooting star.
It struck Papyrus in the nick of time. The Mark implanted itself firmly on his SOUL. Then it… turned green?
Green?!
A magic shield stopped the imminent sharp point.
Sans still didn’t budge. You puffed up your cheeks and made another command.
The Mark switched from green to blue.
Your jaw dropped as you beheld Sans fly across the arena from the repulsing force. All the way to the other end to boot.
He rebalanced himself and landed on his feet. Skidded across the ground thereafter. Had to use one hand to break the slide, giving him that classic cool anime pose.
You ran to Papyrus. Spread your arms in an attempt to protect him with your body.
The real deal won’t be destroyed.
Not today.
Sans straightened up. Wiped the dirt off his hand. Then, he slipped them back into his pockets.
In a blink, he’s back in speaking range.
“Huh,” he muttered. “That’s new. Lucky that you didn’t hit me. Could have have been dust. Welp.”
The attention shifted to his brother. “Papyrus… What did you just say?”
You don’t get it either. What is this darkest secret? How dark is dark?
Papyrus responded, “IT IS ONE AS BLEAK AS THE ABYSS OF WATERFALL. MAYBE TO YOU IT’S NOT SO SERIOUS, BUT TO MY BROTHER… IT’S EVERYTHING. THAT’S WHY HE’S AFRAID THAT I WOULD ONE DAY DISCOVER THIS FACT WITH MY SUPER AWESOME POWERS.”
Well, what is it? Don’t leave others in suspense.
“A LONG TIME AGO, MY PARENTS HAD A HARD CHOICE TO MAKE: TO RISK DEATH BY BRINGING THEIR WONDROUS BOY INTO THE WORLD, OR TO END HIS EXISTENCE TO PRESERVE THEIR VERY LIVES.”
“AS YOU CAN SEE, IT WAS NOT UNCLE GASTER WHO DESTROYED MY BROTHER’S CHILDHOOD.” You watched his expression cloud over. “IT WAS ME.”
Sans tried hard to not show his distraught, but it’s bubbling over.
“No, Paps,” the elder brother denied. “Please. Don’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault. You didn’t ask to be born. It’s one of those things that just happen, y’know.”
“SANS, IT DOESN’T CHANGE THE FACT THAT SINCE OUR PARENTS DIED, YOU HAD TO FEED ME. CLOTHE ME. RAISE ME. WHILE DOING ALL SORTS OF JOBS. FIVE AT ONCE EVEN.”
Cyan tears rolled down Sans’ face. He’s actually crying. This is the man who didn’t bat an eyelid when he watched his brother die.
It really was ‘everything’ for Sans.
“Papyrus,” he said, “I don’t care about any of that. As long you’re happy, I’m happy. You’re my shining star. Watching you grow and play helped me through my personal hell. You kept being you. That’s… that’s the most beautiful thing in the universe.”
“So, please. Don’t. Don’t carry that burden. I beg of you.”
Papyrus too started to shed tears of intense emotion. He’s the empathetic one, and he had unearthed the forbidden.
“…I KNOW WHAT YOU DREAD THE MOST, BROTHER. IT’S NOT THE DEATH OF MY PHYSICAL EXISTENCE. RATHER, IT’S THE DEATH OF MY HEART. TO YOU… WITNESSING THE HUSK OF MY FORMER SELF, SHUFFLING FROM DAY TO DAY, IS THE WORST OF FATES.”
“YOU’VE CORRECTLY NOTICED THAT I CAN SLIP INTO DESTRUCTIVE HABITS GIVEN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES. THAT’S WHY YOU WILL NOT HESITATE TO KILL AND REWIND… IF THAT’S WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP ME AWAY FROM THE DARKNESS.”
Papyrus…
The tall skeleton paused to recompose himself.
These were difficult things to admit, and worse to confess.
“YOU HAD TO BE MY FATHER, MY MOTHER, MY BROTHER, AND MY GUARDIAN ANGEL ALL AT THE SAME TIME. AND YET, I… I KNOW THAT I TOOK IT ALL FOR GRANTED… ALL THAT CHIDING… ALL THAT DEMANDING.”
“I AM NOT A GOOD BROTHER IN COMPARISON TO WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME.”
“No!!!” Sans yelled back.
It shocked you. That much raw emotion coming from Sans… you didn’t think it’s possible.
“That’s not true! I- I needed that. C’mon, I’m a bone-a-fide apathetic slob. If you didn’t push me around or cover for my laziness, maybe I’d never leave the house. Or Grillby’s bar.”
“Papyrus, you’re fine the way you are. I don’t resent you. I’d NEVER resent you!”
“I THANK YOU FOR THAT, SANS.”
Your friend looked at you. “HUMAN, PLEASE REMOVE THIS MARK. I HAVE NO NEED FOR YOUR PROTECTION.”
?!?!?!
But, what if he fails? What if--
“NO MATTER WHAT, DO NOT INTERFERE. PLEASE. STAY FAR AWAY AND KEEP YOURSELF SAFE.”
…You told him that you’re afraid for his life.
He shook his head. “IF I DON’T PROVE MYSELF NOW, THE VICIOUS CYCLE WILL ONLY REPEAT.”
………………………
Reluctantly, you removed the symbol of your will.
“DO YOU TRUST ME?”
You couldn’t answer. There’s just too much at stake here. If an apathetic Sans could give you so much trouble, a motivated one would be so much worse.
Despite that, Papyrus didn’t hold your faithlessness against you. He smiled and patted your head.
“THAT’S FINE. IF I FAIL HERE, IT JUST PROVES I’M STILL A BABYBONE.”
He stepped forth. His red scarf flapped in the winds of The Void.
“I -- THE GREAT PAPYRUS -- ACKNOWLEDGE THE EVILS OF THIS WORLD. YET, I SWEAR THAT I WILL NOT SUCCUMB TO THEM. I SHALL NOT BE DEFENCELESS. I SHALL NOT BE GULLIBLE. I SHALL BE THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT YOU FEAR.”
“I SEE, THEREFORE I SHINE!”
Shine, he did. His Eye burned, while a bright orange light cloaked his body. You could feel sheer power radiating from his being. It condensed deep into his bones.
You had to back away. It’s hard to describe. It’s intense to the point where it stings to stand close.
Papyrus summoned his dual bone batons. Posed ready for battle.
“TODAY, BROTHER, YOU WILL WITNESS THE FRUITS OF YOUR EFFORTS.”
“TEST ME! CHALLENGE ME! DON’T HOLD BACK! OTHERWISE YOU WON’T BASK IN MY FULL GLORY! NYEH HEH HEH!”
Sans stared at Papyrus with wide-open sockets. “All out? You mean it?”
“YES.”
You watched the elder brother’s expression slowly change from awe to ecstasy. The way he grinned sent goosebumps across your skin.
“I never thought this day would come. I didn’t even dare to dream it. Yet… it’s happening. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so alive before.”
Blasters, summoned.
“Let’s go, bro.”