Author's Note: Taking Microwave's suggestion into account, I decided to stuff the first chapter and the remastered prologue together, it does seem to work better that way! It's been a while since I've worked on this, I'll admit it's changed quite drastically from what it originally was but I promise that it's an interesting read! End note.
"Have you ever heard the name 'Gaster'?"
"...What sort of name is that?"
"Well, I wouldn't be surprised if you hadn't. Why? Well, let's just say it's hard to remember someone who in theory doesn't exist at all."
"That doesn't make any sense. In order to remember something it would have to exist on some level, right?"
"Indeed. But, as interesting as this line of thought is I think I'm going to stop. I can tell I'm just confusing you."
"..."
"Instead, let me tell you a story.A story of a city of monsters trapped beneath the surface of the earth. A story of how a kingdom found light in their darkest hour. A story of how a lonely skeleton grew into a brilliant scientist."
"A secluded monster, not is known about Dr Gaster's humble origins. His home was a dump, literally. Why he would choose to live in the garbage of Them, I cannot say, but whatever the reason it's where his genius started. Putting pieces of junk together to build progressively less useless inventions."
"Until one day, the garbage dwelling monster approached the king and queen of monsters, King Asgore and Queen Toriel Dreemurr, with a proposal. A proposal to build a machine, a machine like nothing monsterkind had ever seen. A machine to bring light to the people of the underground, it would take years to build and strain the limited resources of the underground, but the King and Queen agreed."
"They put faith in Gaster, whose desire to help the monsters of the underground was something everyone resonated with. They wanted desperately to bring hope back to their people."
"Thus construction on 'The Core' began. Years of backbreaking labour, sleepless nights, dust, sweat and tears proved fruitful."
"Light, something many had not seen, and many feared would not see again. The newly appointed Royal scientist, Dr Gaster, was a hero, in every sense of the word."
"But this... the skeleton... they were forgotten?."
"...Yes, they were forgotten."
"...Why?"
"Well, maybe I'll tell you some some other time, it's already been an hour so you're no longer required to stay".
I had a headache.
Not a big one, mind you. Big enough to cause significant discomfort, but not enough to warrant time off work. So, instead of sleeping in my cheap hotel bed, I was here. Filing excavation reports at the Mt Ebott dig site. Sharp green eyes warily stared down through a mess of hair and sweat over a spread of documents to attend to. The strong smell of ink only served to irritate me further.
Every so often I would subtly clench my fist, or bring my hand to my forehead, or pull at my glasses. I was sweating like crazy, dispite the cool irish weather.
'Hmm, maybe I really am sick...'
Eventually I came to the conclusion that if I was sick I was only going to get sicker if I remained here, the reports weren't going to do themselves though. 'Maybe I can just walk it off, if not I can always just do the reports at home'.
With that thought, I slipped a few key documents into my bag, then briskly exited my tent.
There were only a few faces around, with the main excavation over with. Not particuarly fruitful, but I had to admit there had been some fascinating findings. I waved to my coworkers in passing with minimal small talk, trying not to cringe from the throbbing in my skull.
Eventually I flopped onto a grassy cliffside, legs crossed, gaze vaguely focused on the looming mountain in front of me, then something caught my eye.
A mess of colourful stripes was slowly making it's way up the side of the mountain. 'Errm...'.
A child... yep, a kid was slowly climbing Mt Ebott's steep slope, alone.
Christ, this was not going to ease my headache. I rose to my feet, drawing a deep breath.
"Oi! What are you doing?!" I yelled, my voice coming out in a scratchy mess. Unfortunately the little striped blur paid me no heed, continuing towards the summit. Clutching my forehead in discomfort, I tried again. "Hey! come back kid, it's not safe up there!".
This time the child slowed, head turning and eventually, landing on my cliff. I couldn't read their expression from this distance, regardless they turned back towards the mountain, moving with increased vigor.
'...'
Folding my arms, I carefully considered my options. I could leave to get help, but by that time who knows how far that kid would have gone. Children have a habit of hurting themselves. But if I tried to pursue them, I could get myself hurt, not to mention that stupid legend regarding lost children.
'...'
An hour later I was deeply regretting my choice. On the bright side, my headache had receded. On the other hand, I was stranded halfway up a mountain. 'I'm not thinking straight here'...
Eventually, I reached a small cavern. Cautiously, I lowered myself into the tight space, promptly slamming my head on a stalagmite, flinging my glasses clean off my face.
"Shit... Shit!".
'Okay, don't panic. That won't help'.
I carefully bent down, reaching for what I hoped would be my glasses. Frustratingly I was met with empty air, I reached down further...
...And slipped, and spiraled into the dark chasm in front of me that I just simply could not could not have seen.
This time, I panicked.