Prologue Part 2
Megalo Strike Back
Chara skips down the hall surrounded in their corrupt aura, a savage smile complete with a pair of predatory red eyes dominating their face. Their every footfall is barley audible, the human being too quick and silent on their feet to hear. Here we go again, they think darkly. What kind of horrible deaths did Sans have in store for them?
Sans does his best to show as little surprise as possible, but on the inside he can't help but feel offset by the sheer determination at the human's finger tips.
Chara jumps to a stop and looks into his singular blue eye. "I know the truth Sans," They say in a youthful voice full of friendliness, no doubt an illusion or trick to portray false innocence. It made the skeleton wonder what they really did know. Chara after all, is quite ancient. Not by age, but by soul.
They snap their fingers and his music stops playing, the chirping birds now the only sound. "Hey, what did you just do?" He asks as casual as possible. It didn't come out the way he expected. It is rather whiny.
"This is my show now," laughs Chara in their now low tone. The laugh was like the flower's but deeper and slower. The music suddenly fires up again to something he has never heard. " N."
With those words they go on the offensive, the knife sheathed as a glove appears on their right hand. Now the megalo will strike back, they think as Sans hastily summons a pair of Gaster Blasters. They leap left, the blaster fires and misses. They skid back to the right and the other misses. Easy.
They thrust themselves up and hit the first blaster with a swift uppercut, the force of the impact sending it reeling upwards in shards. They proceed to slap the second away, knocking it against the wall where it erupts into a sprout of blue fire.
"Wow Sans, that was very unimpressive," they say as their turn begins. They swing their fist, but Sans avoids it by teleporting out of the way. "Stay still so I can hit you!" They scream, swinging another miss.
"I don't think you have much room to talk kiddo," Sans says as he continues to evade their relentless attacks. They come a lot closer to hitting in this form though. He can feel the wooshing of the blade as he moves side to side.
Finally they recede, Sans not showing the slightest hint of exhaustion. He just shrugs. "Heh, you missed big time there. Now it's my turn." Bones are launched out from below and Chara is forced to leap up. As they do, the ballet shoes appear on their feet and they enter a full sprint across the tops of the bones. They do it in skipping fashion, the shoes helping to maintain stability.
Chara pumps their legs across, leaping from bone to bone, doing everything they can to keep balance. Their black soul is glowing with hatred, the red aura getting more intense the harder they push themselves.
Sans counters with several Gaster Blasters, all stationing in a firing line to his left. They release blue beams of magical energy that cut down the field of white, the human nimbly skipping over the collapsing bones. The human is simply too fast for the weapons to track. This having failed, it seems that the human's progress is inevitable.
Chara flips off a bone and pulls out a book, opening it with malevolent intentions. Ah yes, this will suit my purposes well. Upon landing they slam the book shut, a large ripple of air pushing the unsuspecting skeleton onto his big bony ass. Yes, finally I have a chance.
Chara draws their knife and runs at the skeleton in a burst of determination, cold steel ready to strike. "Now you'll die!" They cry as the knife rushes down...At nothing. Sans has already moved, his current location being behind the very irritated human. They breath a heavy sigh.
"Fucking really, what is this shit?" They grumble. The skeleton stood with hands in pockets, smiling, nit having a care for anything in the world. The taunting look is really beginning to grind at their nerves.
"Hey, I haven't even gotten to show you my special attack yet." Special attack? This already powerful enemy has a special attack? How in the hell are they supposed to win? There must be a flaw, Chara thinks as they calculate their next move. Always stay a step ahead. If you do that you'll do just fine. They whip their damp hair and take a deep breath, knife clenched in hand.
"Shut the hell up, I know." They swipe the knife across his chest, but he teleports. A total miss.
"Try harder and you might get somewhere." Sans winks off to the left. The human lashes out with a fearsome kick. He teleports rendering the move pointless.
"Holy shit, can just stay still for one second you bony fuck!" Chara stomps on the floor in frustration. It shakes with every impact.
Sans chooses to go offensive and lashes out with a skeletal fist, finding the human's anger hilarious. The human isn't stupid though. They dash to the side, Sans flying right through their previous location.
Chara, knowing this is a great opportunity slashes down the blade where he should have been. Emphasis on should. But of course Sans isn't there, having teleported several meters in front of them. He is quite literally untouchable, thinks Chara as they plan their next move. Oh, how they want to pierce him with the cold steel of their knife.
"I have to admit Chara, your quite quick." His blue eye flickers to the side. "But overall your stuck between a rock and a hard place." He chuckles. "You did get me a little worried there though."
"Get used to it," they spit with acidity. "Because your going to get that feeling a lot more. Take now for instance." They draw the antique gun and fire of several rounds of magic bullets, some blue, some orange.
Sans realizes this is actually a threat to him and teleports in a wide circle around Chara as they continue to track him, praying for a single hit. That hit doesn't come, the click from the empty gun speaking for itself.
Sans is suddenly back up front, appearing out of nowhere as per usual. Chara gives him a dull frown. The skeleton simply does not care. "Damn, playing with guns are we now? Your a little young for that arn't you?"
"Fine," says Chara as they pull out the frying pan. "I'll just bash your head in with this instead." With that satisfying picture in mind they charge.
"I'm done waiting for your attacks. Time to level the playing field." Sans launches a burst of three bones. The human manages to swat them away, the white projectiles shattering with a clang against the stainless steel surface.
Sans summons more bones and using the pan as a make shift shield, they slowly progresses down the looming hall. The bones whistle down the hall and crack upon impact against the frying pan.
Not tolerating this, a Gaster Blaster materializes to his left. Chara rolls to the side, aware that the pan offered no protection from its deadly beam. It misses, cutting a dark mark into the hall behind them. Within seconds of firing the skull is gone.
"Die!" Chara once again draws the gun, firing three rounds down the hall with three bangs.
"Not today." Sans counters the bullets by launching three bones. The two opposing projectiles collide dead centre, annihilating each other in a cloud of smoke. The smell burns Chara's nose, but they couldn't care less. Pain is a distraction.
The hall is left at a stand still. The skeleton tired, sweating from exhaustion. The human faring much the same, their red eyes giving him a wary stare of deadly intent.
Despite the hatred circulating throughout the room, it is for once quiet. The birds chirp and the flower's bloom. It really is a nice day outside. It could improve however if a certain individual never existed.
Chara twirls their knife, observing their rosy cheeked reflection. Their brown hair is damp and drooping, concealing their eyes slightly. I have him now. He's tired. But...I want to do something quick. A test... They supress a wicked chuckle. It would be fun. They can hardly control their urge to burst out into evil laughter.
Sans looks out the window making sure to keep one empty socket on the human at all times. They didn't seem up to it right now, but safety isn't guaranteed. He grips Papyrus's cape in his pocket. I've almost shattered their determination. As weak as they are, this fight shouldn't be hard if I use my full power on them. It takes all he has to not waver his smile and leak tears. He didn't want to encourage them.
"Let us talk," begins Chara as they fidget with their blade. "After all, it's not like you have much of a choice."
"Why should we?" Questions Sans, blue eye sparking intensely. "We know where we stand and what want. There is nothing to discuss."
Chara begins to pace, their head twitching from side to side. "Because I want to know why you fight. Why not just give up? You have no determination."
"Cause you need to be stopped," he replies. "You killed them all and I'm gonna bring them the justice they deserve."
Chara releases a childish giggle, covering their mouth with the cold steel blade of the weapon. It leaves a metallic taste in their mouth. "Why, how noble of you Sans. Very brave indeed. But, even to say you do kill me... What will you do next? Everyone is dead, there's nothing to go back to. You'll be sealed alone down here with only my father and that flower for company. Do you really want that? You would end up killing yourself in the end anyways, the emotions of your loss too much to handle."
The skeleton scratches his skull weakly. "You know what kid, your right. But killed here, now or later, I'll do everything within my power to make your life miserable. That is why I fight."
"You fight for vengeance then? Intriguing. It seems we are compelled by the same motive." They lick their lips hungrily. "Oh yes, just for your notice, killing me in this form will not shatter my determination."
Sans is instantly confused. "Wait, what?" His expression jitters a bit. If this is true, he is not sure if he could win. "Then how are you-"
Chara cuts him off with a swift cutting motion. "You see Sans, you could have accepted the mercy. Clearly you didn't."
"Yeah, no need to rub in the salt you brat." Sans feels the guilt return with its own vengeance, knocking around his emotions like a boat stuck in a storm at sea. It had to be done. Yet, that thought didn't seem to satisfy his morals or standards.
Chara continues. "You didn't kill me there. It was Frisk, the other one you call family. Or used to..." Ouch. Those are heavy words. "They managed to regain control just so they could mercy you. I was actually worried he would take full control, erase everything I had worked so hard for." They grin. "But you killed them and they lost hope, they lost control of what determination they had left. Now, I'm nearly a hundred percent in control. Far stronger than you could imagine. I'm not going to lie, you probably would have beaten me if Frisk were spared. But now-" They point the knife at themselves. "I'm the one in control. Me. Chara."
Sans can't help but cry out in frustration as he weeps. Despite playing cool, he can only take so much. "Frisk," he sobs as the tears stream out from his eye sockets. "Frisk, come back! Please! I promise I'll give you the mercy you deserve. I promise-"
Chara stomps their foot down, the skeleton immediately closing his mouth. Weakly, he wipes away the tears. "Pathetic. I can't your droopy emotional crap. You fucked up Sans, admit it. No matter what you do to kill me, I'll just load my Save File and persist until you die. So suck it up Sansy boy and let me kill you!"
Chara prepares to move in and attack. They calculate their next attack, slowly analysing him.
Their plotting is interrupted by Sans who now speaks in a tone dead of emotion. It reminds them of a soul that has been lonely and neglected for centuries. The way that face is solidified into that grin, the way the fiery eye remained consistent in its brightness. It all seems so familiar.
It reminds them of themselves.
Perhaps I may have gone a little too far, realizes Chara. They stand and stare for a long time.
Finally Sans speaks up. "Don't you dare, ever call me that again. Or else your going to have a REALLY bad time. Cause you'll be wishing you were already burning in hell when I'm done with you." He pauses. "I dare you to say that again, cause if you do I'm going to beat the ever living shit out of you. I'm going to make you suffer, and I'm not going to hold back anything." A fire burns inside of him at the sound of that name. Don't think I won't break the rules to kill you, he thinks in blind anger. Because I honestly don't care at this point, especially since you existing e right now is already against the rules.
Chara is unnerved by this, every syllable sending a shiver down their spine. They are irking to taunt him more. How can they resist such a beautiful opportunity? That skeleton can't have much left in him.
They smile. "Sansy boy."
Sans just nods. "Welp, you asked for it. Don't beg for mercy when you start crying."
"Do your worst." They whisper with a smirk, their voice as loud as a shout.
Sans is beyond feeling now. He is done putting up with the child's villainy. It is time to show them his real power, something they cannot survive. The birds are gone, the ambience of nature replaced by the focus to kill, to kill until they gave up and died. He is the one who is going to have a good time now.
Chara's smirk is gone when they turn around to see bones zipping in like lightning, a whole swarm of them. Around them is a ring of Gaster Blasters already charging. It was as if the entire Underground is attacking them at once.
It is at this moment Chara realizes they fucked up.
They are instantly riddled by dozens of bones and what pieces of them remain are incinerated by the sheer volume of blaster fire. The display is so large Sans doesn't even see the heart shatter. All he knows is that Chara died in a epic display. Good.
Unavoidable attack, thinks Sans as he does an overview of his sin. No way to dodge, unfair use of magical ability. Combat system unfair. Relativistic integrity damaged.
Chara reloads and can't even make a single step before being slammed onto the floor several times, shattering various bones. They are then thrown against a large bone on the hall wall which rips straight through their chest in a spray of gore. Sans isn't finished though. He slaps them against the walls and floor some more, the heart finally shattering into black flakes. The gory display fades as they reset.
Spawn kill, thinks Sans with dread. Instantly killed upon spawning by an unavoidable attack engaged outside dialogue/encounter zone. More distortion of reality.
Chara reloads to face a field of white raising under them. They leap up and roll, just barely avoiding more that come from the side. They duck to avoid the bones from the ceiling and are cheated out of victory as they are crushed to a gory pulp between the bones of the ceiling and wall which compress in on them.
More rules broken out of vengeance, thinks Sans. High levels of distortion present. Fourth wall sustaining major damage.
This continues several times over, Chara becoming increasingly frustrated as Sans repeatedly kills them. Be it by bone or Gaster Blaster, he shows no signs of stopping. This is becoming a issue, Chara thinks as they load again, ready to die for the zillionth time.
This time they actually manage to survive the onslaught of attacks and remain damage free. That isn't to say they are not exhausted. Their lungs burn and heart pumps, but what does pain matter when you've been burned alive in the lava of Hotland or stabbed to death hundreds of times by Undynes' magical spear? Death has made them immune to pain, allowed them to embrace it.
"So you finally made it." San gives them a shrug. "You know what? Since I'm a nice guy I've decided to stop killing you." He pauses to choose the right words, a lurking presence finally fading along with a pair of small red eyes. " Mainly because I feel a little better now. So, can we let the real fight begin now?" He double checks and is full of relief to see it gone. It's been their since he broke the rules. Now that he is following the rules, it will leave him in peace.
That means he is going to die and nothing will stop that. After all, being a moderator doesn't mean you can break every rule.
"Of course you dipshit, why the hell do you think I'm here?" Chara is impatient and ready to tear their way through Sans' second round. He isn't going to let up easy, this is for sure. But if they could just stab that skeleton once, one blow and it would all be over. Why does he have to be so quick? Whines the human mentally.
"Now the real fight can begin," Sans says as Chara braces for whatever attack the skeleton may throw at them. They are too focused to show any sign of insanity or rage. "I think it's time you see just how good I really am."
Bones are punching out from the ground and Gaster Blasters are appearing out of nowhere, tracking the human as they jump to dodge the bones. They hit the cold floor as the skulls release their weapon, the heat scorching their back. The human now safe gets up only to see everything go black.
Flicker.
Now floating in darkness with no sense of anything they worry. What is this? How can Sans do this? It seems their is a lot more to him than I previously thought. But now what? They know this can't be good and that it is going to kill them.
The darkness fades away and with relief Chara is able to see and feel again. They glance briefly below them and notice they are falling down into a field of white. Oh shit! With that the human scans for someway to remain airborne. The opportunity to do so presents itself when several bones like pistons break through the walls.
In panic they manage to grab one, shoving the knife into it. Their sweaty hands slide to a halt on the smooth surface. Their grip is slipping and Chara attempts to pull themselves up with the knife to gain a stable position on the moving surface.
They find Sans standing on the ceiling all casual like it's no big deal. He winks and with his telekinetic powers, breaks their fingers like twigs. Chara falls, their fingers no longer able to hold on, and are suddenly plunged into the black void once more.
Flicker.
What? What is he doing? I'm still alive? They wait patiently, breath wavering and limbs aching from the constant movement. Sans isn't playing around anymore. Shit just got real.
Chara is brought back into reality, facing a new obstacle. At least their feet are planted on the floor this time. Sans is watching over them with his toothy smile. Chara wants to smash in his blocky grin, feel their fist shove the shards of teeth down his throat. But there are bigger problems.
A white line rushes out from the left in a blur, barely missing them as they drop to the floor with a thud. Rolling back onto their feet they smile and step out of the way of a second from the right. "I expect better from your most Sans," grumbles Chara. The ground shakes and they jump up, that attack also missing. That one is getting old.
Flicker.
Sans doesn't respond as everything goes dark. Chara cries out in frustration, unable to do anything until they flash back into reality. Once they do, they take in their surroundings.
They are once again in the Judgement Hall centre, but Sans is no longer, wait! He is just...Now gone. That means he's...No, then where is he? Left, right or left? Chara tries to follow the skeleton, but he is constantly teleporting, seemingly existing in several places at the same time. It is freaky how he can just be their one second and gone the next. He seemed everywhere yet nowhere.
Gaster Blasters flicker into existence around them and fire, Chara now doing a zigzag movement to throw off their aim. The tactic works rather well. It is easy, but energy consuming. You have to move fast and erratically to fool those weapons.
Flicker.
The dark engulfs them and drops them at the hall centre. Not knowing what to expect, the human twitches nervously. Come on out Sans, I know your around here somewhere. Their red eyes scan the hall for him.
Sans, as if answering their call, begins to appear and disappear randomly. It's not the least bit consistent. Each time he does this he make sure to launch a burst of three bones.
The human feels a sense of overwhelming panic as the long bones descend like swooping birds. I have to avoid these? Thinks Chara in dismay. How the fuck am I going to manage that? It's like fighting Undyne all over again. At this thought an idea goes off in their head.
Chara whips out the frying pan and in a blur of supernatural swiftness manages to deflect the bones away with outstanding speed. The magical calcium projectiles shatter against the makeshift shields' stainless steel surface. At the end of the onslaught a mess of shattered bones lays around them. I did it, thinks Chara gleefully. Ha ha, I survived!
It isn't over yet though. Sans rushes out from the shadows of the nearest pillar. Too tired and conceded to notice, he knocks them onto their knees with a lightning quick fist to the gut. The human doubles over with pain and Sans kicks them up the face. Their jaw shatters, the sheer force splitting their chin open.
They kneel in pain, gawking simultaneously in surprise and pain. Sans is suddenly several meters away. That bastard, thinks Chara as they ignore their broken jaw and bloody mess dripping down from it like a leaky faucet. They get up and wipe a huge swath of crimson onto their sleeve.
"I admit," Sans says now in their face. His hands are in his hoody pockets as usual. His eye serenely calm, something extending beyond rage. Whatever it is, it's powerful. "It was hard beating on Frisk. But I don't care about you. Now, I like to fight fair and sometimes I cheat. I gotta say though, I couldn't care less about you. I'll gladly kill you as brutally as possible for all of enternity, as long as you don't give up."
Chara glances down at their soul to see three bones shoved straight through it. Looking longer they realized they extended all the way through them and into the floor behind. They are actually pinned at a forty five degree angle. The bones go through the centre of their chest. No way they are sliding out of this one. They are too angry to respond.
Chara tastes copper and throws up a torrent of red onto their sweater, already soaked with its fair share of blood. It drips onto the floor, out their back. The gentle patter of their life fluid on the floor echoing throughout the cavernous room. It is eerily warming, but also damp. They take no notice, the frustration of having to do everything again blinding their senses.
Sans chuckles deeply. "Looks like you've just been ka-boned." He winks with a shrug. Wow, a pun? Wonderful.
Chara snorts as blood continues to drip from their mouth. "You distracted me," they rasp as Sans, not wishing to waste any more time, breaks their neck. Unable to register the fatal move, everything goes dark for Chara as they reload...again. The skeleton gets the benefit of watching the black soul explode. Another kill.
Sans has never been so serious in all their known memories. For once, he might actually win. Hah, what a joke that is. It is as bad a joke as his crappy skeleton puns. God, did they hate the puns though. They wish for the ability to rip out his throat every time he came up with some moronic response. At least that way they would feel better about themselves.
Chara reloads, ready for everything and anything. There isn't a chance in hell that the skeleton is going to kill them just as they enter the room after dying.
Sans still...Chara shakes their head as they thoroughly observed his cocky unchanging pose. Your going to get it this time. I'll stab you with this knife until you disintegrate into dust! The human is equally finished playing games. They are tired of dying. They want to kill and consume, not die.
Chara launches into a full blown fury, rage clouding everything. Despite this, they are focused, predicting his every move. They know how to dodge every single attack with absolute perfection.
With deadly efficiency Chara attacks the skeleton. They combine pure instinct with flawless memory and manage to avoid every obstacle Sans throws at them in his never ending onslaught of reality bending attacks. As time goes on they feel him weaken, tire out. He is being worn down, the sweat running down his brow proving this. They couldn't die though. If they did, he would be at one hundred percent when they load in. They would have to restart all over again.
Sans knows they are getting to him. He knows that Chara has memorized his attacks. It is obvious they are only getting better each time. And despite being killed hundreds of times they still stood stronger than ever. Their determination is simply too great. How is he going to win against an enemy who can never truly die? He needs a plan B. But, he did have something ready for the human if they made it far enough.
To Chara's relief the fight dies down as Sans stops his no longer endless assault. He's sweating bullets and breathing heavily, blue eye looking down in exhaustion. Air whistles as it's drawn between his teeth with every breath. Chara is in much the same condition, clothes and hair damp from non stop combat. This is the furthest they have ever gotten and they know he is at his limit.
"Welp, you got me good haven't you." He darts his magical blue eye around and sighs. "I guess I'm just gonna have to use my special attack." He pauses. "If you can survive this turn."
Chara snickers and spits a venomous comment. "Your brother couldn't even survive one, so I'm sure I can."
Sans, seems to take a moment to process the insult. He must have been debating if they really just dared to say such a savage comment. He shakes his head. "Your not going to like what's about to happen to you now. If we really were friends in the other timelines, and want to be, it would be best if you just quit and left."
Chara says nothing, but is unable to react as Sans creates a blue bone extending wall to wall. He shoves them through it with his telekinesis, the bone cutting them in half from the waste. Satisfied by the flying entrails and blood he walks up to the gory display. The few seconds of life left in the human are abruptly ended when a large bone comes down from the roof and crushes their head. Another mess, but at least they knew what it was like to be his brother.
Unavoidable attack with no chance of avoidance, thinks Sans as a growl comes from behind him. He gulps. Damage forced upon receiver in act of anger. He sighs. Sorry, I swear it won't happen again. The lurking presence stops breathing on the back his neck and leaves with a snort.
Chara stomps up to all so casual Sans and screams in frustration. "Holy fuck, I'm going to kill you in the most agonizing way possible! You think your just going to stand their and kill me all day? Your wrong! I hope you burn in hell for all of time you big boned piece of shit! Stupid pun making comedian, I'll-"
Sans cuts their rant short as he makes a gesture to calm down. " Whoa kid, calm down will you." Chara actually obliges and focuses on the battle at hand. He wonders if that is really a smart thing to say. The hatred and confidence swirling in the human's red eye sends a eerie feeling through his bones. What could he possible throw at me next? Wonders Chara as they grip the knife with every ounce of might they can muster. It feels great. The rage though, the rage of being killed so many times after reloading instantly is agonizing.
Sans seems to take immediate notice of this and exploits it. "Woah, you look REALLY pissed off... Heheheh... Did I getcha? Well, if you came back anyway... I guess that means we never really WERE friends, huh? Heh. Don't tell that to the other Sans-es, okay?"
Sans proceeds to launch his most hectic attack yet, the world fading away only to drop them in a field of Gaster Blasters. They fire and the air is filled with sizzling beams of magical energy. Chara cuts their way through, drifting left to right as the giant guns try to lock on. They overall miss, but several came very close to burning off a limb or two. Mistakes like those can't be allowed.
Flicker.
Without warning it all disappears as darkness engulfs everything instantly. As expected, they are thrown into some kind of bullshit scenario where they are forced to dodge redundant bone attacks or whatnot. This repeats many times over as Sans does all he can to fool them without revealing something new. Everything going dark makes it difficult, but not impossible. He was clearly waiting for them to make a mistake. That didn't happen.
"Psych, psych, psych," chants Sans as the human completes several more old attacks without a single miss step. They flawlessly avoid every move with a fluid grace only a evil demon like them can manage.
Knowing the human wasn't going to make a mistake on those attacks he decides to stop wasting what precious energy he has remaining on weak attacks and move onto more advanced moves.
"You've survived well so far, but let's get on with the second part of my attack." Says Sans as he raises them into the air and turns their soul dark blue.
He's going to throw me against everything now isn't he? Chara thinks. Their immediately tossed against the floor and are forced to push themselves away from it as bones strike up from the surface. They barely miss. Okay, that's not expected. They grin maniacally. Finally, a real challenge!
The tiring skeleton now throws them against the ceiling. The human repeats their previous movement and the attack misses...and they fall back towards the ceiling? Wait, how is that even possible? There is only one answer.
Sans can manipulate the force of gravity.
Chara ponders on this greatly. Sans can somehow change the direction of gravity within a certain area. That pun making skeleton can not only manipulate space-time, but now gravity too? What bullshit! He talks about being weak when he can change the laws of physics. They struggle to contain their hatred. Just keep cool, you have to focus. Yes, focus. Listen and be keen.
Whatever surface they are thrown at, the now changing direction of gravity will pull them down towards it. Sans may help accelerate them on their collision course with his telekinetic powers, but gravity is the main thing flinging them down onto the walls, floor or whatever. It is hard to tell when you are being flung around like some trash in the wind.
Sans continues to slam the human against the walls, floor and ceiling with swiping movements of his one arm. It hurts, it really does. But they can't give up just yet. They have to stay determined.
The rate at which they hit something increases as Sans tosses them around faster and harder. They are forced to act quicker, every attack making them to react at insane speeds that use more energy. Come on, we almost have him. Chara thinks with a weak smile. There is no time to savour progress, no time to rub it in his face. They have to keep going.
"I would avoid staying inside the red outlines if I were you," advises the skeleton with a wink. A square defined by a blinking red outline appears below the human. In desperation they follow his advice and jump off just as a column of bones shoots up and through the roof. They look back, a deep breath exiting their mouth. That is too close for comfort.
Flicker.
Blackness consumes them, every sense going haywire.
Great, a new attack to avoid. I can't die now though. I'm so close. If he pulls it just out of my grasp..I-I may not be able to go on. Chara knew Sans is going to give it his all now, do everything he can to kill them. The truth is that their determination is waning. Strong as it is, another death or two may be enough to kill them. Permanently. As long as the skeleton didn't know though, they will have him on edge.
Something conflicts inside of them. A rising presence desperate to help their friend. Frisk? Give up, it's not worth fighting. Why are you trying so hard to kill your best friend?
He's not my friend and I didn't come this far to lose. I don't care for pain, I've died so many times I couldn't care less about my physical health. Chara responds.
You know you are weak. If Sans kills one or two more times you'll be done for. The other voice argues. Just give up so you can live.
Live for what? Chara snaps back. I don't have friends or family. I have a soulless flower who's supposed to be my brother! That's it! And that flower is just a phony, a fake imitation of Asriel! I'm alone. I've killed all your so called "friends". There is no going back.
Chara awaits a response, but the voice doesn't respond. Frisk or not, it wasn't the most encouraging thing they have ever talked with. This was not the time to be second guessing motives.
Keep on moving forward, urges another voice. Stay determined.
They fall back into reality and observe their surroundings for any red lines. It doesn't take long to lay eyes on the blinking square placed ohe right wall. They collapse onto their chest as the column shoots over them, crashing through the opposite wall.
Flicker.
They roll to the side, avoiding an entire wall of bones that jet out from the ground.
Flicker.
They jump and duck as more bones fly out from the lower wall, just below them. The next part is from the opposite direction higher up, but is easily avoided.
Flicker. Flicker. Flicker.
The attacks continue, Chara fluidly sliding their way out of the danger zones as Sans keeps throwing them in a new scenario. Fearing a mistake would be made they jitter and constantly look around, keeping sure to constantly move whenever they are shoved back into the real world. The paranoia is starting to set in.
It is clear at this point that Sans isn't fairing all to well. He is getting desperate and his blue eye seems flicker weakly. It observes them with a dire stare. He sweats intensely, his smooth skull now glossy and dripping. And is it just them, or is he wobbling? He seems to be quite offset, tired and struggling to stay on his feet. Fatigue perhaps? Either way, victory is close at hand. Soon they will end the game and another soul will be theirs. The world will be erased once again.
Sans needs not to speak any words to the murderer staring through him with their great red eyes. He knows Chara is aware of his dire situation. He did have a plan B if it all fails but... Will it really work? In theory it should, but it is kind of cheating but not really... So, that meant it is perfectly acceptable and not cheating. Right? Yeah, totally "not" cheating.
The skeleton teleports to the human's right, floating above them with his hands in his hoody pockets. He grips his brother's cape harder than ever.
Chara glances up and he just gives a shrug and wink. Before them the hall grows dark, extending and stretching as reality breaks at its seams. The now thin and elongated hall leads off into a darkness where the human knows they will struggle to make it out alive.
Sans pants and huffs as he raises them with his rather weaker than usual telekinetic grip. "You'll keep consuming timelines over and over, until... Well. Hey. Take it from me, kid. someday... you gotta learn when to QUIT." With that he flings them full force down the hall, gravity making them "fall" down it. Sans appears in intervals as they fly down the never ending room. Chara is aware but doesn't bother with the mystery.
Chara gulps at the sight of the obstacle emerging from darkness of the hall. Bones are pushed out through both the ceiling and floor, creating a thin, wavy passage bordered by white.
Oh shit, they think as they gently move their speeding form through the thin passage of bones. They can feel their droopy brown hair fly behind them, their soaked clothes flailing as they ever so carefully adjust themselves in the extreme speeds.
The end, Chara thinks as the bony tunnel stops. The human flies out of the tunnel and the hall continues to thin as they progress. They have no time to celebrate as part two approaches. Large walls of bones appear from either side, left and right in a ever going pattern. Nope, I've been mistaken. They may have taken up only half the passage in intervals, but Chara knows it will not be easy.
The human pushes themselves of the left wall and around the first wall they go. They use their clammy hands yet again to pounce off the right one to get around that wall with ease. It works. They repeat the process for a fair amount of time, Chara knowing it is the correct way to avoid damage from the white barricades. They reach the end with sore arms, but nothing else.
As they "fall" they come across what could only be the final stretch. The hall begins to rapidly collapse in size, the edges of it being barbed in magical calcium spikes.
Chara manages to just barely squeeze through the tiny opening, but not without injury. A single bone on the rim cuts a gash into their waist. It burns and bleeds it's sticky fluid, staining the sweater. It isn't deep, they could tell. Shouldn't hinder me too much, they assess. Hopefully it wouldn't become a issue.
Wall! They realize as the hall comes to a abrupt end. Unable to do anything, Chara braces for the painful impact. It lives up to its name as they thump against it, the pain of several ribs puncturing their lungs evident.
"Oh fuck," whimpers Chara with watery eyes as they jump off in time to avoid the bones. They land on the hall floor with a weak groan. Everything comes into focus as Sans stands patiently across from them, the hall back to normal. "Not now damn it, please not now."
Give up, echoes the voice in their head.
Never! Chara retaliates as they shakily get up on their feet, coppery taste in their mouth. Blood drips from their lip. They wheeze weakly, struggling to breath. The world seems to blur and fade around them.
"I am determined!" Screams Chara as energy bursts through them. Their aura is bigger than ever, the determination giving it the property of living shadows.
Around them forms a two crescents of Gaster Blasters, immediately firing as they appear. It is clear that Chara has to stay in the blind spot of the attack. If they get touched by any one of those beams, it is game over. That is not an easy task, considering how the blind spot rotated in a clock like motion.
Chara begins to run circles, staying in close to the middle. The Gaster Blasters follow as they stack up around them, dissipating and joining the front of the line in a forever going pattern.
The sheer heat radiated by the mending of so many lasers is scorching. Being in the death circle was like sitting in a oven. They run as fast as they can, blood filling their lungs as they do. Almost their, Almost their, Almost their. Chants Chara in their head.
They stay determined.
Sans, lacking the energy and effort to stain the attack now stops. He dissipates the blasters and with a final fit of magical energy, lifts a tired and beaten human into the air and starts ruthlessly smashing their already weakened body against anything he can.
"Die! Die! DIE!," he cries out, panting with every word. He flings them against the wall and throws them down onto the floor, the impact sending rumbles throughout the room. The human can tell he is very weak. The impacts are barely even bone breaking. They bruise and hurt, but lack the power to cause any significant injury.
"Die you dirty brother killer. Just DIE!" He flings them around like a rag doll, his eye flickering brightly like the sun between blue and yellow. To Chara, everything is a painful blur as they are smashed repeatedly against anything in reach at ridiculous speeds.
To tired to continue using his telekinetic ability he changes to a more direct tactic. He teleports and pounces on Chara, knocking them onto the smooth tile floor. He then reels his fist back and brings it down on their face, his bony fist causing only a black eye.
Chara, too weak and disoriented to resist, takes the beating smiling. Every punch gets lighter, each bruise smaller. The hate in his eyes, that empty hope; it's wonderful. They know at that moment he is beat. He is simply too worn down to deal the damage needed to kill them.
Sans gets up and stumbles away, hands in his hoody pockets. Despite everything he manages to keep his large dimpled smile. He huffs heavily, barely managing to stay on his feet. Chara does the same, faring better. At least one lung still worked. They may have been severely bruised and cut, but that does nothing to slow them. The blood that shot up into their mouth with every exhale is refreshing. It is almost refreshing.
How the hell is he going to use his special attack like this? Chara wonders as the skeleton regains his breath. A dreadful thought crosses their mind. What if it's a healing item or something. Oh God, please don't.
Sans, still panting, recovers enough air to finally speak. "All right. That's it. It's time for my special attack. Are you ready? Here goes nothing."
Chara waits patiently for a world ending attack or some kind of bullshit that could ruin everything they worked so hard for, but nothing happens. Confused, they awkwardly shift their malevolent eyes over the hall. Well this is... Most unexpected. What am I not getting here?
The truth crosses Chara's mind. The knife hangs limply at their side. "Wait, is your attack really-"
Sans cuts them off initiating plan B. He begins to explain. "Yep. That's right. It's literally nothing, and it's not going to be anything, either. Heh heh heh... Ya get it?"
"I fucking hate you," Chara says blankly, their face displaying a frown of disappointment. Like, really? What kind of person does something immature like this in a fate deciding battle of this magnitude? What a idiot. "Your one hell of a smart ass."
Sans turns their soul blue with a wave of his hand. They don't give it the least bit of attention until they realize they can't move. The human in surprise struggles weakly, but quits the hopeless task. "What the hell is this?"
Sans shrugs. "I know I can't beat you. One of your turns... you're just gonna kill me. So, uh. I've decided... it's not gonna BE your turn. Ever. I'm just gonna keep having MY turn until you give up, even if it means we have to stand here until the end of time. Capiche?" He's forced to supress a laugh as the human trembles with rage.
"Are you kidding me?" They hiss. Their is that tinge of childish whining in their tone. "Hell no! I want to kill you!"
Sans rambles on. "You'll get bored here if you haven't gotten bored already, I mean. And then you'll finally quit."
"No, I won't! Ever!" They are practically screeching at this point.
"I know your type. You're, uh, very determined, aren't you? You'll never give up, even if there's, uh... absolutely NO benefit to persevering whatsoever. If I can make that clear; no matter what, you'll just keep going. Not out of any desire for good or evil... but just because you think you can. and because you "can"... ... you "have to"."
"Whatever Sans, I know more than you ever will about this place. This world. I know why it resets and why it does what it does. G." Chara just stands, unable to move. Their red eyes are covered by the shadow of their sweaty bangs.
Sans ignores the onslaught of rude vocabulary, not bothering to take their bate. "But now, you've reached the end. There is nothing left for you now. So, uh, in my personal opinion... the most "determined" thing you can do here is to, uh, completely give up. And..." He opens his wide smile to take a yawn. Chara can't help but do the same. "Do literally anything else." With those final words he proceeds to hog his turn, initiating the waiting game. What a jackass.
Chara's eyes widen as they giggle, a evil grin spreading across their face. I know what to do Sans. I can wait a few minutes. I doubt you can fight in your sleep. With that they hum a tune and wait, occasionally coughing up a red mist. Humming is hard when your mouth is full of blood.
Several minutes later he is fast asleep, sockets closed. He can sleep standing up? Impressive. At least he is a easier target this way.
Chara's soul blinks back to its default colour. Making sure to take silent steps they work their way towards the snoring skeleton. They clench the knife menacingly in their hand, high above their head.
After a few smooth steps the human brings the knife down at Sans, eyes wide with the hunger for EXP. He had enough of it to give them a entire level. At level twenty, they will be unstoppable. Oh, they are so giddy!
No! Cries out a voice in Chara's head. It throws off their attack, Sans now awake and teleporting to the side. A red gash permeates his former location, fading.
Damn it you brat! Don't you dare ruin this for me Frisk, orders Chara. The pun making skeleton can't dodge much longer.
Sans shrugs. "Heh, didja really think you would be able-" He's cut off mid sentence as Chara slashes down the cold blade and cuts its way across his chest and hoody. With a groan he collapses on the ground with his hand on the bloody gash of...is that ketchup? It dribbles down the side of his lip and flows over his hand. Maybe it is blood. Who cared. He is defeated.
To what purpose? A voice in their head questions. To this Chara has no answer, nor do they care to answer. Nonetheless, it is a haunting question.
He sits wide eyed for a moment, the blue magical orb replaced by his normal white pupils. With a heavy blink his eyes open to reveal only pain. He breathes heavy as the ketchup/blood continues to flow.
"So," he says with a pause. He glances up at Chara who smiles and twirls the knife, giving the stained blade a kiss. They wanted to dance around in happiness. The relief is an ecstasy. "I guess that's it, huh?" The human nods violently.
Sans closes his eyes. It isn't a blink. They stay close. He is dying, and feeling weak his eyes are forced to close. He wants to have inner peace. To remember the good times with Frisk and the gang. He sighs. "Well, just don't say I didn't warn you."
Chara watches with menacing interest, a curiosity of sorts as Sans gets up shakily. His hand is still clasped over the wound, his other gripping a red cape that can only be his brother's at his side. After several deep breaths he gave a winking shrug, right hand stained red. "Welp, I'm going to Grillby's." With those words he closes his eyes and puts his hand over his wound once more.
Sans goes on his way, the direction of his travelling leading him back the way Chara came.
He can't help but feel he has failed all the people he loved, but at least he will see them again soon. Somewhere peaceful, with Frisk instead of this monster. Every fibre of his being felt loose, like he will unravel any second. Yet he pushes on, becoming ever more so disconnected from reality.
Chara feels nothing but joy and hunger as Sans slowly stumbles by. That is until the host they try so hard to supress came back at full force. Wait? How? I'm in con-. Frisk seizes control, Chara suddenly fading away as Frisk pushes their influence away. The demon struggles for control, thrashing and kicking with all its might. It would regain control any second. This has to be quick.
"Sans," cries Frisk, no longer in Chara's form. The skeleton cracks opens an eye, his pupil dilating. The human wraps their arms around him and he awkwardly does the same in return, happy he got to see the true Frisk one last time. They break apart. "I don't know how much longer I can hold it back but I just wanted to say goodbye and that we will always care for you, always believe in you."
A single tear runs down Sans cheek. He gives them a single pat on the shoulder, making his way by with a smile. He doesn't't respond, to weak to form words.
Chara takes control once more and Frisk recedes into the deepest depths their mind. Chara is filled with too much joy to care though. They won and it was over. They won! They watch him take his final steps in eager anticipation.
Sans opens his eyes and finds himself in Grillby's. With strength anew he makes his way to his stool and sits down confused. Everyone is here, none of them dead. Sans doesn't question it any further. Everyone being alive made him feel better. The place is as active as usual, no supreme there. He lays his elbows on the bar counter and blinks. Grillby, the bartender made of fire is wiping the table with a dry clothe.
"Hey Sans," comes a voice from the stool to his right. It could only belong to one person. He looks over and sees his brother in his costume and cape. Oh my God, Papyrus. Your alive! But how...
"Y-yeah bro. Uh, why are you here? You hate this place," he responds. He feels a warmth in his heart as he looks up at his far taller brother.
"Nyeh, heh, heh," cackles his brother. "Why because we're having good old time brother! It was your idea! Are just getting too lazy to remember now to?" He pats him on the back. A tear runs down Sans face. He doesn't bother to reply. It felt good to be loved again.
He looks back and sees all his friends. Everyone is here, every monster in the Underground giving him a big smile. There's even a little white dog in the back, black beady eyes staring unflinching.
Toriel lays a gentle hand on Sans shoulder. "Sans are you feeling all right. You look faint." Truth is, he is dying. Off course he is faint! Black spots begin to dot his vision. Everything seems wobbly.
"No, no I'm good old lady. I a-appreciate your concern though," Sans says dismissively. Toriel nods and takes a step back. "I just want you to have a good time."
In truth he is. Everyone is. It is great. He coughs and looks up to Grillby. "Hey, could I get some ketchup here." He shifts his vision to his brother. I'm so dizzy and faint. Everything is swaying this way and that.
He looks to his left to see a small, gentle human child. Frisk! He can't help but smile at the sight of his old friend. Their cute puppy eyed look lightens him up.
"Don't worry Sans, we'll love each other forever. Nothing will ever change that." Their tiny hand places itself on his arm. Another tear. Everyone else gives their own words of comfort. The sheer amount of emotions welling inside are killing him. Metaphorically of course.
"I love you all too," Sans says. He gives the human a big smile. "Especially you and Papyrus." The human returns the smile.
He looks up with watery eyes at his brother, hoping inside that he will be together with him again. He knows this is all just a delusion, but he might as well carry on normally. No need to ruin the moment. "Papyrus, do you want anything?"
For once Sans actually felt like he could accomplish something, that he could truly be happy inside. With this final thought the world fades away and darkness takes over. He feels himself fragment, and those last words carry with him as he dissolves, happy to now finally understand.
Sans EXP flows into Chara who now in their true form goes along their way, finishing the game. They watched him turn to dust; a satisfying sight to say the least. They have beaten the last enemy.
It is time to finish this.
They kill Asgore and mash their brother into the ground as per usual. That dumb fraud of a flower's desperation irks them greatly. They proceed to finally achieve their goal and erase the game. Finally though, the interesting part happens.
They knew the truth Sans didn't. Timelines were not everything. He didn't realize this is all just a game in which they are amusements. There are people out there, beyond the game realm. They do the play throughs and create the timelines. Each one has their own unique timeline. And all who complete the Genocide provide them with a soul of Frisk. It was a roleplay o soul, that of the player.
And they have hundreds of thousands of souls. Even more than that! It isn't every timeline though. Some of the goody two shoes roleplayed Frisks refused genocide after the True Pacifist. Without the EXP from every monster in the Underground and their savage determination, Chara cannot possess their souls and reincarnate them self in their timeline. Those souls are now missing... Just gone, off the grid.
So... Where are they?
