AN: Okay, so I've been planning this from the very beginning, it's one of the ideas that started this fic. I know it's a pretty big plot twist but I wanted something original... I really hope you like it. I think this is personally one of my very favorite chapters for this story... it turned out so well! Thanks to everyone who have supported this story and please let me know what you think :)
Disclaimer: Toby Fox is the awesome creator of Undertale, not me. The only thing I own is the plot of this story.
The room swirled with blue energy. It crackled like electricity, the impending feeling of a storm building in the air yet no clouds filled the sky. No... this feeling was due, in whole, to a certain tall skeleton trying desperately to save his baby brother. After summoning all of his power, Papyrus pressed both hands firmly against the teens sternum... ignoring everything else around him as he gently infused his magic with his brothers broken soul.
"Please Sans, come back to me..." He whispered, watching as the cracks continued to widen.
Pap hesitated slightly, worried that he would cause the fragile spirit to immediately shatter, before increasing the rate at which his power traveled into the younger monster. He had no choice if he wished to save his bro, after all, what did he have to lose? Sans was already on the verge of death and being careful had proven ineffective. With a resigned sign, he pressed down harder, letting as much of his energy as he could spare transfer to the younger skeleton. The spaghetti lover knew his magic was draining rapidly and still he could see no sign of improvement. As he slumped forward slightly, the normally energetic monster could feel his mentors hands on his scapulae, trying to drag him away and break the connection... but he refused to be moved.
"Come on Papyrus!" The warrior shouted angrily, yet even so he could hear the concern hidden within her tone. "If you don't stop now, we're not only gonna lose Sans, we'll lose you too!"
'So be it...' The normally energetic monster thought to himself as he reinforced his grip on the other skeleton. 'I will not give up on him!'
If his brother was destined to die like this, then he would sacrifice every last fraction of magic he possessed trying to save him... at least then they would be together in their final moments.
"I'm right here Sans!" He called aloud, struggling against Undyne's unshakable hold. "I'm not letting go... YOU ARE NOT ALONE ANYMORE!"
'Papyrus!' Pap could swear he heard Sans' voice cry out to him. "Please... HELP ME!'
All of a sudden a brilliant blue glow enveloped the room as a shock wave shot out from where the brothers touched, causing those present to shut their eyes tightly against the blinding light and throwing Undyne backwards against the wall. Even as he felt the wind whip around him, Papyrus never moved from his post, staying glued to his brother's side as his magic finally succeeded in knitting the damaged soul back together... though the physical wounds remained.
"See brother? I was... finally able to... protect you..." His voice trailed off as he collapsed, phalanges intertwining with his brothers while his head rested atop the younger skelebros chest... just above where the newly restored soul resided.
The concerned voices of his friends were the last thing he heard before the darkness claimed him.
XXX-XXX-XXX
He was lying on something soft. That was the first thing Sans noticed after coming back to awareness. He didn't quite remember what had happened or what he'd been doing before finding himself in this open field, but found it didn't really matter. Green grass and several varieties of flowers surrounded him and the sun was shining brightly, effectively warming his tired bones. He felt peaceful, as if this place was were he belonged, yet in the back of his mind he could sense that something was amiss. It all seemed too perfect and if the time loops had taught him anything it was that if something seemed too good to be true... it usually was. A sudden stab of pain made his breath hitch and, as he looked down, he let out a shocked gasp. The blue heart that made up his soul was cracked so badly he was afraid it would fall apart at any moment. Barely daring to move, the comedian summoned a small amount of magic, stopping immediately upon noticing the cracks spreading further.
"What happened to me?" He asked himself, wishing with all his might that he could remember. "Wait... why am I on the surface? Was the barrier destroyed?"
"Please Sans, come back to me." He heard a voice echo in the stillness and his eyes widened... that was Pappy!
All of a sudden his memories came flowing back. Everything that had happened, every mistake he'd made, every fight against Chara. It all came back in one fell swoop leaving him breathless and panting, clutching the chest of his hoodie in a tight grip as he tried to subdue his rising panic."
'I can't be dead!' He thought, fear coursing through his very being. 'I can feel pain, that means I'm still alive... doesn't it?"
As he stood there, trembling, he heard his brothers voice once more... sounding slightly closer than before. "I'm right here Sans! I'm not letting go... YOU ARE NOT ALONE ANYMORE!"
"Papyrus!" He yelled, reaching out with his magic until he felt the other skeletons presence. "Please... HELP ME!"
Moments later a calm feeling spread through him as he was enveloped by his older bros magic. He watched in silent awe as his soul was pulled back together, the cracks disappearing save for a few silvery lines where the gaps had once been. Tears leaked from his eye sockets as he felt a hand clutch his and, glancing up, he saw his big brother standing beside him.
"See brother? I was... finally able to... protect you..." Sans smiled gently as he caught the taller skeleton's exhausted form and carefully sat down, his injured leg unable to hold their combined weight, before laying Paps head in his lap.
"Let's just rest here awhile, kay Pappy?" He said relieved, eyes slipping shut as he kept a firm hold on his bros hand.
Their respite was short lived however. It wasn't long before the smaller monster felt the world shift around him and, upon glancing up, found himself back in the judgment hall... but this time Papyrus was with him.
Carefully leaning the taller skeleton against the the wall near the door which led to Asgore's throne room, he sighed, rising to his feet.
"Just stay here bro." The pun lover stated, voice filled with new resolve. "You've done enough... I'll take it from here."
Moving into position, Sans once more called forth his powers as he summoned a few gaster blasters. In mere minutes the human appeared, a dark scowl directed towards his very alive figure.
"Shouldn't you be a pile of dust by now?" Chara growled, pointing the tip of her knife at his head.
"Heh, well ya see, long story short..." He began, glaring at the fallen child with cold eyes. "I've got this amazing older brother who would do anything to protect the ones he cares about... even offer most of his magic to heal the soul of his broken little brother. But that's just how he is. He always thinks of others first, always wants to help, but then... you already knew that didn't you?"
"So cute, innocent Pappy is of some use after all... he's like your own personal soul repair kit. But don't monsters fall down if they use up too much magic?" She mocked, relishing the self-hatred she could see lingering in the short monsters expression before imitating his voice to the best of her abilities. "Hey, pap? I think I'm gonna die, how bout you almost kill yourself to give me the power to continue this pointless fight?"
She snorted upon seeing the enraged spark in the monsters dark sockets.
"Really Sans, how pathetic can you get?" The girl continued, red eyes glinting mirthfully.
"Sure, I'll admit I asked Papyrus for help. But if I'd known what was happening, if I'd known he was using up all his magic to try and revive me, I would have told him not to risk his life for my sake... that I wasn't worth it!" Sans declared, magic swirling dangerously. "And you have no right to even talk about him! Pap sees the good in everybody, Chara, even you. He was just trying to save you from the path you chose and how did you repay him... by murdering him in cold blood. Not just once or twice... but countless times. All he wanted was to prove that you could be a better person, that you deserved the chance to be happy, just like we all do... AND YOU CUT HIM DOWN WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT!"
He was crying now, tears falling from his eye sockets in angry streams as he remembered all the times he'd watched his brother die at the dusk covered hands of that brat. The fallen human was currently hunched over, arms around her stomach as she giggled hysterically, though she was silenced as a blaster shot it's deadly beam directly at her face. Sans scowled, the girl hadn't even tried to dodge, instead she just glanced up and smiled cockily before letting herself be killed. The small framed skeleton growled lowly. Knowing it wouldn't take long before she returned, he moved to face the other end of the hall. If he wanted to get out of here safely with his bro he needed to figure out how to defeat her, otherwise... Papyrus would have risked his life in vain.
XXX-XXX-XXX
Upon opening his eyes Papyrus had no idea where he was, though he did notice that his scarf was once again wrapped around his neck instead of his baby bros leg. He squinted against the golden light filtering through the stained glass windows, watching as it fell softly upon a room filled with stone pillars. None of that mattered though, for in that moment he noticed his brother. Sans stood in the middle of the hallway, gaze fixated on the far door as if waiting for something to appear. As the taller monster watched, the teen turned slightly, revealing his glowing left eye before summoning several large bones. Tearing his eye sockets away from his baby bro, Pap stretched to see around the columns, hoping to catch sight of what had drawn the comedians wrath. There was nothing out of the ordinary, at least not that he could see anyways, after all... this was the first time he'd been in this place.
"SANS?" He called, rising to his feet before cautiously making his way toward the shorter skeleton. "What's wrong? What is it that you see?"
The eighteen year old whipped around, panic clear on his face as he rushed forward, one hard outstretched.
"Papyrus... get down!" The younger monster cried urgently, causing the other to look around wildly as he searched for a threat.
Suddenly an attack flew directly towards him from the shadows, but he had no time to defend. He closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable impact, however the move passed right through his body, leaving only a tingling sensation in its wake. Pap dropped to his knees, shaking slightly as Sans reached him. The smaller monster immediately wrapped his bony arms around his big brother, burying his face in the larger monsters signature scarf.
"I th...thought I was going to l...lose you again." He whimpered, barely audible as tears soaked into the red fabric. "I... I wouldn't be able to sur...survive watching you d...die again!"
His voice broke off as a sob wrenched itself from his throat, jarring Papyrus out of his shock. He swiftly returned the embrace, offering much needed comfort to the jokester.
"Shh... I'm here Sans." He began, running a soothing hand over the teens back. "I'm not going anywhere. You'll never have to witness anything like that ever again... I promise."
It took a couple minutes but finally the younger brother had calmed down enough to talk.
"Pappy, you need to get out of here." He declared, eyes warily watching the darkness. "I don't know why Chara's attack didn't hurt you but... I don't want to take any chances. Next time we might not be so lucky. You need to wake up before something happens!"
"WAIT... YOU MEAN I'M INSIDE YOU'RE DREAM!" Pap yelled loudly, the slightest hint of anger in his voice. "THAT MEANS CHARA IS HERE TOO DOESN'T IT? WHERE IS THAT HUMAN WHO HAS CAUSED MY AWESOME BROTHER SO MUCH PAIN? I WILL MAKE SURE SHE REGRETS IT!"
"No Papyrus!" Sans pleaded, grabbing his bros arm as he tried to move forward. "Please don't do this!"
"Brother... I don't understand." The elder stated, eyes narrowed in confusion. "Wouldn't it be easier to defeat the fallen child if we work together?"
"No... I mean, yes... but..." The comedian trailed off, having trouble finding the right words to express his concerns. "I don't want you to be in danger!"
Pap relented with a sigh, not wanting to upset his baby bro more than he already was. "Alright brother, I won't argue with you."
He watched as Sans' posture grew relieved and he nodded, finally letting go of the energetic skeletons wrist. Before he could say anything, however, a noise drew his attention and he pushed the taller monster behind one of the large pillars.
"Stay here Pap, try to wake up." He commanded, waiting for Papyrus to agree before rushing towards the middle of the hall. "I'll keep Chara busy."
The older skelebro knew he'd told Sans that he would try to wake up but he just couldn't bring himself to do it... not when his little brother was in such peril. He sat there for a time, trying to come up with a plan to aid the teenager, when he heard the sound of Sans' blasters powering up. Peaking out from his hiding place, Papyrus watched as they shot their beams down the long hallway, illuminating the shadows enough for him to see... but nothing was there.
'Maybe the human got incinerated already.' He thought to himself, watching as nearly a dozen bones were summoned.
He ducked back behind the pillar when he noticed Sans glance over his shoulder.
'Phew... that was close.' The scarf clad monster exhaled in relief. 'I'd better be more careful.'
A cry of pain drew his attention back to the fight and he glanced once more in his bros direction, only to find the shorter skeleton down on one knee, hand pressed against the shin of his bad leg. The wound must not have been too serious though, for a few seconds later the boy had already regained his feet... albeit a bit unsteadily. Blue magic whirled in the air as bones were sent flying in the opposite direction of Paps hiding place. The frown on the others face told him that his brothers attack had missed it's mark and he waited silently for the enemy to retaliate. He gasped loudly as a jagged femur sliced through the teens defenses, landing a solid hit to his right scapula.
"What?" Papyrus whispered, shock marring his features. "That wasn't a knife... it was a... a bone!"
He continued to watch, unable to turn away from the fight as Sans continued to struggle against the invisible assailant. His eyes widened, taking on an orange hue as he silently observed what was happening. There was no knife, in fact, there was no human... the only thing Papyrus saw was a sharpened bone appear out of thin air each time his brother was attacked. The look of fear on Sans' face stole his breath and left tears streaming down his cheeks. It was clear that the teen was panicking, breaths coming sharp and quick as his attacks grew more frantic. The younger skeleton didn't seem to notice however and that, above all else, is what worried Pap the most.
'What's going on?' The normally rambunctious monster thought apprehensively. 'It looks like Sans' attacks are turning back on him but... but that's impossible... isn't it?'
All at once the puzzle pieces fell into place, the full picture now revealed as the tall monster drew in a shaky breath. It wasn't impossible... in fact that's exactly what was happening. He rushed out from where he'd been concealed, racing to his bros side as the younger nearly collapsed from exhaustion... the wounds he'd sustained earlier re-opening.
"SANS YOU MUST STOP FIGHTING!" Papyrus shouted, concern prominent in his expression.
"Pap?" The other replied, startled. "What are you still doing here? I told you to escape!"
"That's not important!" The elder countered, grabbing Sans by the shoulders in a firm grip. "Sans... you are fighting yourself! The Chara that you're seeing isn't real!"
"How can you say that?" The comedian growled, tearing himself away from his older brothers hold before gesturing to himself. "Do you really think I'd willingly do this to myself Pappy?"
"I'd never think that." The elder denied vehemently, surprised at the anger being directed his way.
Paps sockets widened as he saw a bone fly out of nowhere and he tried to warn his brother. The teen didn't notice in time though and the attack sliced across his forehead as he tried to dodge, making the boy wince as a trail of blood ran down the right side of his face.
"See Papyrus, that was clearly a knife!" The slipper wearing skeleton said, still slightly mad.
"What? No it wasn't!" He exclaimed, reaching out for the younger monster once more, using his thumb to wipe the blood from his baby bros eye. "Sans your magic is out of control! It's making the fear, anxiety, and regret you've kept locked inside yourself manifest in the form of the thing you are most afraid of... the fallen human... the one who has already taken away everything you cared about on numerous occasions. Even when you started opening up to me and our friends you still kept most of what you were feeling hidden within your soul. Don't you think it's time to let it go, brother? Don't you think it's time to forgive yourself?"
Sans closed his eyes, doubt filling his soul as tears began pouring down his face like rain. If what Pap had said was true, then this had all happened because he'd been too stubborn to admit what he was feeling. All the suffering his friends and him had been through in the past few days had been his fault. But... why now?
"How can that be true Pap?" He asked dejectedly, letting his older brother wrap him in a gentle hold. "It's been several months since we escaped the loops. Why would this suddenly start happening now?"
"I... I don't know." The elder admitted, running a calming hand over the jokesters skull. "You were always the smart one Sans. I'm actually surprised I managed to figure this much out on my own."
"Heh, don't say that bro. You're smart about a lot of things." The smaller monster contradicted, burrowing into his brothers embrace.
Another needle-like bone appeared a few feet away, aimed at the slipper clad skeletons back but Papyrus shifted them out of the way with little trouble. Sans' breaths were still coming in ragged gasps as the teen tried to get a hold of his panic.
"I'm still not sure I believe this though, I mean... I saw her Pappy! The brat looked so real. She... She even taunted me just like the real Chara would!" He confessed, beginning to hyperventilate.
A quiet whimper escaped the shorter monsters mouth as his broken leg finally gave out... but Papyrus managed to catch him before he could hit the ground. The older brother softly set the smaller skeleton on the tiled floor, leaning his back against one of the many columns that lined the hall before proceeding to wrap his scarf around the cracked and bleeding bone... exactly as he'd done in the waking world.
"I know it's hard to take in but I'm certain that it was all an illusion." Pap said resolutely once he'd finished, already on the lookout for any other attacks. "I never once saw the fallen human while watching you fight."
"But..." The eighteen year old began, only to be interrupted.
"Sans... I want you to close your eyes, take deep breaths, and try to calm down." His older brother demanded, skeletal hand resting firmly on his scapula. "The Chara that reaped havoc on the underground is gone, she has been for a long time now, you don't have to be afraid anymore. That human can't hurt you, or anyone, ever again. Why don't you try focusing on the good things that have happened since we've been free of the loops. The fun times we've had with our friends or the quiet times we've spent together at home. Those memories are real and we have our whole lives ahead of us to make more."
Another deadly femur flew at Sans as the teen tried to regain control of his magic. Papyrus wished he were able to stop it, but knowing he couldn't, he was instead forced to move his brother out of the way before settling him back down as the danger passed. A thought abruptly entered his head and he came to an immediate realization.
"That's why the attack passed through me earlier." He stated, understanding plain in his expression as the younger skelebro opened his eyes. "You didn't want to hurt me so your magic subconsciously adjusted, allowing for me to escape unharmed."
"I'm glad for that at least and see, you're smarter than you give yourself credit for." The teen responded, agreeing with what the taller monster had just deduced before growing sullen. "At least I did something right, I managed not to let myself hurt you again."
"SANS, DO NOT SAY SUCH THINGS, OU DO MANY THINGS RIGHT!" Pap exclaimed, concern written in his stance. "AND ME GETTING INJURED WAS NOT YOUR FAULT!"
The comedian shrugged, wincing as his injured shoulder was moved. He knew that what his older brother said was true, but still, there were times when he felt pretty worthless... but those moments were growing further and further apart. Now that he'd told his friends about the timelines he was beginning to comprehend that he'd done everything he possibly could. Sure there had been many times when he'd failed, even times he'd given up completely, but in the end he had managed to help Frisk break free of Chara's hold and they had finally escaped the loops. Papyrus was right. Why should he dwell on the past when they have their whole futures in front of them? He glanced up just in time to notice a knife swiftly flying towards them. Raising his hand, the younger skeleton caught it, watching as it transformed into a razor sharp bone within his grasp. Letting his eye light up with it's normal brilliant blue, he forced his wayward powers back under his control. As the attack dissipated into thin air he smiled genuinely up at Papyrus.
"I knew you could do it, brother!" The taller monster proclaimed excitedly, grinning widely. "Now let us wake up and tell the others the good news!"
Sans' smile fell as he remembered what he'd done. Sensing the mood shift, the spaghetti lovers face scrunched up in worry.
"Umm, that might be a bit of a problem for me Pap." The shorter skeleton sighed sadly, rubbing the back of his skull with one hand.
"Oh my god, Sans..." The elder's voice shook fearfully. "I was hoping I was wrong but, I'm not... am I? You used it..."
"Tibia honest... I didn't think I had a choice." He replied sullenly, unable to meet his bros eyes. "I wanted to keep you and the others safe, and also get rid of Chara once and for all. How was I supposed to know my fears were the reason behind everything?"
"But... but what are we going to do?" The scarf wearing monster asked, trusting that his intelligent baby brother would have a solution.
"You're gonna wake up and, well, I'm not... that's what we're gonna do." Sans told him unwaveringly.
"WHAT... NO!" The elder complained, taking hold of the younger skelebros hands in both of his. "I WON'T LEAVE YOU HERE!"
"Please Pap, I don't want you to be trapped here like I am." He pleaded, returning his brothers grip comfortingly. "My notes are in the pocket of my hoodie. Maybe with Alphys' help you guys can figure out a way to save me but, if you can't, I don't want you blaming yourself. I made this decision on my own and you've already done enough. If not for you... I'd still be caught up in that awful illusion my mind had conjured."
"SANS... I... I DON'T WANT YOU TO..." The elder trailed off, incapable of finishing his sentence as he began to cry.
"I know." The comedian said, tears streaming down his cheek bones as he pulled the taller monster into a gentle hug. "I know, Pappy. I don't want that either but, just in case, I want to tell you what an amazing brother you are."
"Sans..." The elder tried to speak but his voice gave out.
"No, just listen." The smaller monster demanded, trying in vain to keep his voice even. "You've always been there for me no matter what. You're the most caring person I've ever met and no matter how bad things seem... you always manage to find something good about the situation. I love you so much, big brother. Please don't ever forget that."
"I... I won't" Papyrus choked out through his sobs. "And I think you're the best little brother in the whole world. Even though you can be lazy at time you still did everything in your power to save everyone and I couldn't be more proud of you."
The two sat there for a few minutes, sharing what could be their final embrace, before Papyrus' body slowly began to grow transparent and he dissolved in a shower of light... leaving Sans alone on the floor of the judgment hall.
AN: Wow, there were so many awesome brotherly moments in this! I really like this chapter and hope you do too. Please let me know what you think :) Thanks!