Hey there everyone. This is going to be the second to last chapter for this story. Sorry it's such a short one. Hopefully you've been enjoying yourself so far and I apologize for the delayed chapter. Read on everyone.
There was a moment of silence as Sans and Gaster eyed each other. Flames and shadows raged around the pair, energy oppressive. Gaster grinned, face and body distorting as Determination began to seep through. "Let's allow ourselves some privacy shall we?" Darkness flared around them, surrounding them in a black bubble. Sans' energy slammed against the barrier, failing to leave even a scratch on Gaster's energy.
"This will end here G," Sans said, "I can't let this go on any longer." Gaster's smile was warped and dark.
"We could have achieved something great together," Gaster hissed, "I could have made you into the perfect specimen with a little more work." Sans' eyes narrowed as Gaster laughed. "I could still make you perfect you know."
"You blew your chance G," Sans said, "and you lost everything."
"Did I now?" Gaster asked. "I still have a few tricks up my sleeve you see." Shadows spilled around his feet, creating seven shadowy figures with souls floating before him. Each soul was infected with deep strands of blackness. They corresponded to the traits he'd obtained earlier, and his soul gave a panicked hum as they solidified. "The essence pulled from human souls can be used in all sorts of ways, but do you know what happens when that essence is drained?" The green soul figure dove at him. In response his soul threw up a green barrier. The figure swung their weapon, smashing the barrier with ease. The second swing connected with his skull, knocking him backwards. "It creates the opposite of what was once their. You defend with Kindness, I'll strike with Brutality." Sans teleported away from the next strike.
'Alright then,' he thought, 'I can work this out.' He summoned his bones, letting them be imbued with energy. The pale blue of Patience colored them, and the weapons drove towards Gaster. The red soul shadow dove, slashing through the bones without difficulty. It turned to grin at him before lunging, shadowy knife raised. Kindness flickered to life, raising a shield. The shadow struck it, reeling back with a shriek. Gaster frowned. 'Okay," he thought, 'trial and error. Green beats red.' He shot the other skeleton a grin, winking. "Looks like its gonna be check soon enough," he said.
"Do you think this game is so easily figured out?" Gaster questioned. He raised a hand. The orange shadow ran at him, the deep blue shadow following close behind. Sans dodged, throwing up barriers here and there to dissuade them. Eventually the dark blue shadow hit him, it's foot driving into his ribs. Pain lanced through him, making him stumble. The two shadows backed off, staring him down. "You boast on how Justice is your special trait, but it's easy to strike your weak spot isn't it." Sans stood, glaring. His soul was humming, flipping through colors rapidly. The Determination in his body pulsed, fighting to be free.
'There won't be much time if I do that,' He thought, clenching his jacket with one hand. The Determination pulsed and he shut his eyes. 'That's right. It isn't just my Determination I'm fighting with.' He opened his eyes with a burst of energy. His bones cracked and warped, bringing him into his beast like form once more. His soul knocked against his rib cage. The violet shadow fired off a stream of words at him, and his soul instantly reacted. Energy built in his throat, and he released a giant blast of energy. The pale blue energy struck the shadow and it screeched. The red shadow dove, slashing. It's strikes tore at the energy beam, and when it tapered off the violet shadow's soul was hovering a few feet above the ground. It shuddered and then exploded, dust sprinkling to the ground. 'Listen to your instincts,' A voice hissed in the back of his mind.
"Defeat one and more will take it's place," Gaster snarled. The yellow and orange shadows moved. The yellow one fired several energy blasts. He ducked around them, one smacking against his head before he shook it off. He snarled, opening his jaws as dark blue energy powered them. His jaws lashed through the yellow shadow with ease. "Watch yourself," Gaster taunted. Before Sans could react the orange shadow attacked, small arm slipping through his ribs to directly strike his soul. He jumped away, stinging slightly from the blow. A shout echoed through the shadowy dome, undeniably his brother's. "My puppets are attached to nothing. Yours are." He teleported away, snarling as the orange shadow continued to pursue him. He snarled, soul shifting. Violet overtook him as deep rings of energy exploded from his maw. The orange shadow dodged a few before being struck. He watched its soul burst before he was struck again. He swiped at the red shadow and it bounced away. Another cry ripped through the air.
'Alphys...' He huffed, forcing his soul to turn white again. Four shadows were left, and he knew he had to move carefully.
"All of this pain," Gaster said with a frown, "All because you simply won't give in. Tread lightly." The red, green, and dark blue shadows all lunged. He teleported away, trying to gauge them. His soul was fluttering through colors, unable to decide. Eventually it settled on yellow and he fired off several quick bullets of energy. The red shadow dodged easily, the dark blue one kicking each blast away. The green one reached him, slamming its weapon against his head. He opened his maw, slamming it with another blast of yellow energy. It shrieked, bursting. The dark blue shadow hit him, and the shock of pain nearly crippled him. The red went in afterwards, stabbing at his soul. He felt his energy wane, nearly throwing him back into his normal form.
'Just a bit longer,' he prayed. He teleported away to the pale blue shadow, letting his soul dictate his actions His tail glowed with red energy and he swung it, slashing the pale blue shadow in half. 'Two left.' He whipped around, focusing on the dark blue shadow. 'That one first.' His soul turned orange as he charged, His claws glowed with energy as he approached. The dark blue shadow swung a kick in defense but he ripped through it, wincing as the dust from its soul sprayed into his face. He glanced at Gaster, who was watching him with a passive expression. 'What is he up to...' he wondered just before the red shadow slammed into him.
"Do you know what the opposite of Determination is Sans?' Gaster asked. Sans raised a shield, watching as the shadow banged against it without care. Even as it's body began smoking. "It's Hate. A shock I know, but also fascinating at the same time. I would have assumed Hate was its own entity." Sans growled, crouching beneath his shield as it cracked. "How interesting that Hate can tear down anything in its way."
'Fine,' he thought, 'fight fire with fire.' He let the shield shatter, the shadow's blade catching his shoulder and sinking in. He roared, whipping his tail around as the shadow tried to free itself. The tip caught them in the chest, slamming all the way through. Their soul throbbed for a moment before shattering, the shadow melting away. Exhaustion struck him in waves, forcing him back to normal. 'No...not yet.' Gaster approached him, kneeling before his shaking form.
"Oh dear," Gaster said, "look at what you've done now." He grit his teeth as Gaster laughed. "how pitiful. I'll have to find a new specimen. I'm afraid you've finally worn down." The elder stood, turning away.
"I still have a bone to pick with you G," Sans said. Gaster turned back.
"Learn when to give in," the skeleton said.
"Sorry G," he said, "that ain't my style." A spear of red energy burst from the ground, piercing Gaster's stomach. The skeleton collapsed, only a few inches from him.
"I may have...miscalculated," Gaster murmured. He reached out, grabbing Sans' wrist with a maddening grin. "But I will be reborn. That still remains true." Gaster faded into inky blackness, and Sans hurriedly shook the goo from his hand. A black ring was left singed into his right hand and he stared at it as the barrier faded. The colors fled from his soul, leaving it pale white once more. Even the red that once colored it no longer showed.
"I KNEW YOU'D DO IT BROTHER!" Sans grinned at Papyrus, sticking his right hand in his jacket as he got to his feet. Frisk smiled at him, and he ruffled the boy's hair.
"Let's get ourselves home yeah?" he asked, "we all gotta be tired after that." There was a murmur of agreement and he summoned the last of his energy, teleporting them all back to Snowdin. As they said their goodbyes Sans inwardly thought back to his hand.
'Hopefully it's just nothing.'
So there you have it. The last chapter is the end for this story. However, there will be a sequel. It may take a little while to get up. What with YouTube, work, and college taking up too much of my time and all. Anyway, thanks for reading, and I'll see you in the next chapter.