Me: I manage to get away from Error for the time being. Just in time to begin this next chapter. And a gotta say, SO much is happening here, even I found it difficult to keep up for a while.
Frisk: We're in deep trouble.
Chara: Trouble is the NICE way to put it.
Asriel: I got off lucky somehow...
Me: Yep. It may be highly confusing, but make no mistake, they have a purpose. The events created from the previous story DO have major effects on this story, both positive and negative. In a certain characters case...it's most definitely the negative.
When I said that this arc would get dark really fast once Error Sans enters the fray and messes with everyone's day...I wasn't bluffing.
Chapter Start!
{?}
Asriel opened his eyes, seeing himself in the darkness. He guessed that it was the Void, but dismissed it when he didn't sense complete and total emptiness. Which meant that he wasn't in the Void, he was just unconscious. He didn't feel too damaged, at least not physically. On an emotional level, however, he was feeling very distraught.
"Frisk...Chara..." The three of them got separated in three different directions when Error Sans ambushed them Mid-Universe Jump. The device was in his bag, but he was currently trying to calm himself down first before he takes any action at all. Recognizing that he was unconscious would also imply that reaching for it right now was positively pointless. As much as he was desperate to just force himself to wake up and get to reuniting with his brothers, he'd hage to be patient and wait until his mind caught up with his body. Which meant he'd have to sit through his immense concern all alone until he does.
That was not a very enjoyable way to pass the time in the least. He couldn't even eat right now, which was just as irritating. Being all alone was also incredibly bothersome. He wondered if Gaster always feels like this, simultaneously existing and not existing. It made his days being soulless seem a bit plain, but at least Gaster kept his emotions.
"Asriel Dreemurr...that is your name, as well as my own."
Asriel's eyes widened significantly as he turned around to the sound of the voice. The shock value increased once he saw exactly who he was speaking to.
Asriel was standing in front of Asriel. It's not the fact that he was standing in front of himself, it's what his other self looked like that served to greatly confuse him. This Asriel was much taller, had scars over his right eye, which was completely white. His fur was faded and slightly gray. He wore a black scarf around his neck that was tucked in by a green lab coat, and he wore brown pants with black shoes. One fang protruded out of his muzzle, which slightly contrasted with his otherwise very sophisticated aura.
"It would seem that your rather unexpected interruption of Universe-Jumping has landed you in my universe. Do not worry, you are mostly unharmed. Just unconscious...and really hungry." His smile becomes a couple tones gentler. "Allow me to indulge my mind a bit. It is an honor to see you in person. Usually, only Toriel and those who remember me are able to see me. However, you can clearly sense my presence AND see me, and acknowledge my existence."
"Only Toriel could see you...you mean Alter!Toriel?!" Classic Asriel's eyes widened. "Then that means ...you're from Altertale! And you're the Altertale version of me!"
"Hm. You're not a genius, but you definitely know how to pick up on certain things." The man now known as Alter!Asriel nodded. "To avoid confusion, you can refer to me as Alter!Asriel or Gaster!Asriel. Because in this universe, you and he have swapped places, just like Toriel did with Sans, and Papyrus did with Asgore. I am also referred to as 'the man who doesn't exist'. Much less mysterious as 'the man who speaks in hands', but I'm not one to complain about titles. And as Classic Gaster was the previous Royal Scientist of the Classic Universe, I was the previous Royal Scientist of the Altertale Universe."
"Wow...Alter!Toriel wasn't kidding when she said it really wasn't that complicated to understand..." Classic Asriel mumbled. "But wait. If only she and your followers should be able to see you and know of your predicament...then how am I able to see you?"
"You're a special exception. After all, you're me. Or more accurately, I'm an alternate, swapped version of you, the original." He shrugged. "I assume you've already met Toriel and Asgore, haven't you? Though I do refer to them as my daughter and son for obvious reasons. I can also assume they'll told you a bit about themselves and the world they live in?"
Classic Asriel nods. "They both did. They said the monsters of their universe made it to the Surface as well."
"Indeed. And...I suppose Toriel tried her best to leave out her little infatuation with Sans?" Alter!Asriel smirked playfully. "It's not as strong as it used to be when she was eighteen...but the crush is definitely still there, if significantly more subtle. Sans finds it flattering and quite amusing. But as far as anyone knows, they simply value each other as the closest of friends."
"Oh, I see." Asriel nodded. Of course she was beyond embarrassed when Asgore pointed that fact out for everyone to hear, and it left her a highly blushing mess mumbling inchorent words that all border on begging Asgore to stop.
"Yes. She mostly tries to play it 'cool' but she can sometimes fall into fits of awkwardness that leaves her quite flustered, which is easy to provoke in her. Despite this, my daughter will be one of the most powerful versions of Toriel in the multiverse that you could possibly meet, and very, VERY few alternate versions of her can be considered weak. And I say this with good reason. Once you see her in action, you'll know why I imply this."
Asriel nodded in agreement. "I know. I sensed how immense her magic was when I first say hee. It's much like how much stronger all of the monsters have gotten when I powered up their monster souls. I was able to tell right away that she's incredibly strong. Her brother isn't too bad, either."
"My point exactly. They are my greatest creations. I wish I could tell them how much I love them, and how sorry I am to Toriel for unintentionally tormenting her in her dreams. She could see me, but could never hear what I'm saying. My presence, aligned with the constant Resets, has caused her to develop very severe anxiety issues, just like it did for Classic Sans and his depression. Except unlike him, she can't hide it as well as she'd like to. She always needs her brother to console her when she breaks down without warning."
Asriel looked saddened when he heard this. Alter!Toriel suffers from heavy anxiety? And his other self is saying that she doesn't hide it well? That explains that one sentence, and that she said it while trying not to look at him:
...it's a different case with you, asriel. we'd best not talk about it.
Asriel lowered his eyes a bit. Then he shook his head and looked up at his Alter! Self. "If we bring Classic Gaster back together, will it effect other universes the same way? If we bring Classic Gaster back into existence, will it bring you back as well? And while we're talking about this, will it also being back almost every other version or variation of Gaster that's been scattered across time and space?" Asriel figured from Geno Alphys' explaining one of the main effects of destriying the True Reset was that changes in the Classic Universe would also effect, significantly or not, other universes out there. He was counting on this to help all the versions of Gaster that didn't deserve the fate they've received.
Alter!Asriel's eyes widened at such a notion. He curiously rubbed his chin to ponder it. "I certainly don't consider it impossible. Unlikely, but not enough to be considered unworthy of an attempt. I'm just warning you that you should be braced for disappointment should this not work. And not only that, if that little theory of yours proves to be correct and it brings me back to existence...then all the other versions of Gaster will come back into existence as well! That will be a multiverse-sized revolution! You've already done it once by powering all of the monster souls and destroying the True Reset! The discoveries we could continue to make, the lost years we could repay, the feeling of existence once again returning to us..." Alter!Asriel cleared his throat a bit and quelled his growing excitement. He shouldn't get his hopes too high, but he doesn't want to drop it all together, either. "The risk is so high that the payoff will be ludicrously beneficial. But...are you willing to take such a high risk that has such a significant chance of failing? As the youth would put it...are you for real?"
Asriel raised his paw and used his thumb to point to the Rainbow Soul in his chest, right next to his Rainbow Locket. "I'm Asreal as it gets."
"...I'm glad I've gotten to meet you. From Royal Scientist to Prince Of Monsters. There may be hope for me yet." He looked around as everything began lightening up, the darkness disappearing. "You're regaining consciousness. Our chat will end. I do ask that you don't tell Toriel or Asgore that you saw me. Not until I come to them myself...IF I come to them myself..."
"...I'll bring you back. Every version and variation of Gaster that didn't deserve to be trapped in the Void...you'll all exist again! That's a promise!"
Alter!Asriel smirked. Asriel said that with Classic Gaster's retudn to existence, he'll bring back every variation of him that didn't deserve to be trapped in the Void. He was not as naive as he used to be. He's taking into account that not every Gaster would be a good one, and that those Gasters deserved their fate. Clever boy, even though it's a bit minor.
"I'm taking you up on that. I hope we see each other again, in reality."
Alter!Asriel disappeared, and Classic Asriel wakes up.
{Altertale Universe}
Asriel squinted a bit as light hits his eyelids. He took a moment to adjust himself before he slowly opens said eyes to gain his bearings.
He could see the sun, and when he looks over to the side and get a visual of Ebott, he could sense a plethora of monsters as well. This Alternate Universe really did make it to the Surface. He must have landed quite a distance away from the city itself. He'd better get over there and see what's going on. Might as well satisfy his curiosity. He focused on the closest monster soul that he would be able to somewhat recognize. Nodding, he teleports there without hesitation.
Moments later, he was in a warehouse that was very similar to Sans'. Speaking of Sans, he could see said skeleton right now. Except he was wearing something very much similar to the Delta Rune robes, black and blue instead of white and purple, and it also came with a hood. He also still wore pink slippers. Asriel noted right away that he seems much more relaxed than Classic Sans.
Alter!Sans looked up from the book he was reading. "Hm. Toriel said that something like this might happen, though she hoped that it wouldn't."
"She thought something like this would happen?" Asriel said, surprised that he wasn't asking who he was or why he was here. Alter!Toriel must have already filled him and others in on what was going to go down. This must have been her anxiety kicking in.
"Yes. And she also said that I should make contact with her if it does. She should still be in your universe, so I'll just let her know you're alright." Closing the book, Alter!Sans stands up and moves over to Alter!Toriel's machine. It was much pinker than Classic Sans' machine.
Asriel took a moment to look around her warehouse. He could see numerous photos of her, Alter!Asgore, Alter!Sans, and what seems to be Frisk, Chara, and...young Gaster?! He calmed himself down when he remembered that he and Gaster swapped in this universe, so seeing a young version of Gaster like this, even if it isn't in person, is still a bit surprising.
Speaking of Gaster, Asriel checked the vials that Geno Alphys had given him. Another one of them has been filled, at least three of them were filled now. This greatly surprised him, he didn't...Gaster!Asriel. Somehow, someway, his essence counted. He would definitely show gratitude to him when he got the chance.
He regained his focus once Alter!Sans started up the machine and looked up towards the screen above the keys. A brief white flash later, Alter!Toriel could be seen on the other side. "Hello, Toriel. I just wanted you to know that I've found your 'friend'. Or rather...he found me. Whatever works."
"oh thank goodness. he didn't land somewhere dangerous." Alter!Toriel breathed a huge sigh of relief. "...though i don't see his frisk or chara. did you get separated?"
"Unfortunately." Asriel lowered his eyes. "We were ambushed by some crazy Sans named Error. He cut us off and scattered us in three different places."
"dammit. so this proves it then...i'm so sorry, asriel. if i had known that error sans was gonna get involved, i would have gone with the three of you straight away." Alter!Toriel sighed. "are you hurt?"
"A bit winded, but I'm fine."
"that's good. do you have the multiverse remote?"
"Frisk gave it to me before we split off."
"okay, so we can still at least follow where they went. this can be turned around if we work quickly." Alter!Toriel nodded. "me and asgore are gonna go after your frisk. you and shamir are going after your chara. and we'll pray that error doesn't interfere for a second time in a row. we don't need that kind of irritation on our minds."
Asriel nodded. "Okay, I understand. Please just go on ahead and find Frisk. I'll be sure to catch up when I can."
"you'd better."
Alter!Sans grinned. "Hm. It seems you've gotten yourself in quite an exciting situation, Toriel. Hope the odds remain in your favor."
She grinned sheepishly while rubbing her neck. "you got it, sans. i've got this in the bag, you'll see."
Asriel blinked as turned towards Alter!Sans. "Hey...is it true that she used to have a crush on you?"
Alter!Toriel's chill look evaporated in mere seconds, and was replaced by immense blushing. "w-w-why do you feel the need to bring that up?! i swear it was just a phase!"
"Ah yes, I do remember those days. She'd ask to eat hot pockets and butterscotch cinnamon pie with me, she'd cuddle up to me when she sleeps, she even sketched a couple pictures of us together in her own spare time." Alter!Sans chuckled. "The Alphys and Frisk of our universe totally ships us."
"sans! wwwwwhhhhyyyyyyyyyy?!" Alter!Toriel moaned in comical dispair, covering her face with her floppy ears. "w-when this suddenly turn into a conversation about the two of us?!"
Asriel blinked. "I...I was just curious..."
"...ha. i know. i guess i can't blame you for simply asking questions. but did they have to be so personal?"
Alter!Asgore suddenly rose up behind her, wearing a cheeky mischievous grin. She could literally sense it on his muzzle.
"...bro. don't you freaking dare."
"How about we tell Asriel about that time that peer pressure got Sans to give you a kiss?~"
Floof.
Asriel could hardly believe what he saw. Alter!Asgore did this on purpose, and was clearly enjoying the results given his hearty laughter. Alter!Sans was trying his hardest not to do the same. He could see clearly on the screen. Alter!Toriel's fur suddenly went floof, it got all fuzzy and fluffy due to her flustered levels going beyond her limit. Words could not express her embarrassment. She was glowing bright pink on her face.
"...wegottagoasrielbesuretocatchupwithuswhenyoucansowecansaveyourbrothersokaybye!" Asriel didn't believe anyone was capable of hanging up so fast. But the second she jumbled her words together and finished speaking, she immediately cut off the connection. He sheepishly rubbed his neck, laughing with a slight sweatdrop.
"Golly...she is REALLY easy to fluster, huh?"
"Unbelievably so. It's adorable." Alter!Sans chuckled. "Oh. Before you leave..." He reached into one of the cabinets nearby and pulled out blue prints. He handed them to Asriel. Curious, he opened the blue prints. His eyes widened.
"...Dreemurr Beamers?!"
"They're Toriel's signature magical weapon. Asgore can use them as well, but simply prefers close combat. I believe that the Sans of your universe calls his version of the weapons, 'Gaster Blasters', right? I can't really use them. Good thing too, it just isn't my style."
Asriel blinked. Then his pupils turned into stars. "Oh my golly...THIS IS SO GOLLY GOSH DARN COOL!" He realized that it looks a lot like the skull used for his Hyper Goner. Which means he could probably use it as well. He looked towards Sans. "But wait...why are you showing me this?"
"Toriel showed me the blueprints regarding her creation. It's one of her darkest secrets...so it demonstrates just how much she trusts me. And I believe she can trust you enough to see this yourself. She even believes you can utilize them as well."
"Really?!"
"Of course. She told me you're a very creative magical prodigy. She believes you can figure out how to use them to your advantage. In fact...she believes your parents can use the technique as well, if they wish. All three of you are talented and hard workers, after all." Asriel smiled at Sans praise. "Now, I suggest you get moving as soon as possible, if you want to go save your brothers."
Asriel reached forward and hugged Alter!Sans. The latter was surprised, but nonetheless returned the hug. "I wish I had more time to discover things about this universe. It seems pretty interesting despite how much similar it is to mine." He released him as he used the remote and opened a rift to another universe. He handed the blueprints back to Alter!Sans. "I'm confident enough to remember the concept on my own. But thank you for trusting me."
"Best of luck to you, kiddo." Alter!Sans waved farewell for now, as Asriel disappeared through the rift. "He's a good kid...wait...what's that smell? Oh shoot, my hot pockets!" He gasped as he turned around and left the warehouse quickly.
{?}
Frisk regains consciousness after a rather uncomfortable crash. Making sure he was relatively unharmed, he slowly stands up and tried to get used to his current surroundings. Judging by the sound of rushing water passing him by, he took a guess that he was in Waterfall. Though...something was different. This feeling. This feeling of emptiness...
He decided to head to the Gaster Room before he checked out anything else. Curiosity wouldn't be very beneficial out here. He needed a straight answer. Luckily he landed right next to the door, so he quickly opens it and closes it behind him. He turns around to see Gaster once again. Although this times he seems much more distraught.
"Frisk! Are you alright, child?!"
"For the most part...yes. I'm fine. Is there any reason why I should...Error Sans." It clicked after a few moments, making much more sense. "Are you talkng about him, and how he attacked me, Chara, and Asriel?"
"Indeed. You should consider yourselves VERY fortunate, Frisk. It's highly rare for anyone to have made direct contact with Error Sans and survive the encounter. He's that dangerous. Of course this may have something to do with his hesitation to attack inhabitants of the Classic Universe. But you were getting too close to his line of 'work' for comfort, so you three forced his hand." Frisk listened carefully to Gaster as he walled up to him, grabbed one of his packed vials, and waited as the Doctor began gathering his essence and flowing it into the vial. "Listen well, Frisk. My form is most stablized here, but I can still somewhat see where your brothers are. Asriel is relatively safe for the time being, but you and Chara have landed in two very unfavorable Alternate Universes. You must not dawdle. As soon as you're done, you must immediately flee and hide. And I do mean immediately."
"What? Why?"
"Frisk. I truly and fully respect that you try your best to give kindness even to those who hurt you. But remember that Flowey wasn't completely wrong, and neither was Asriel. There will come a time when you'll come across someone who absolutely CANNOT be reasoned with, no matter what you do, or what you have to say. Since you're traversing the multiverse, the chances of this happening as increased drastically. And let me assure you, Error Sans is one of those people. He doesn't have the sanity to listen to reason AND have it sink in for a long-term period of time."
Frisk looked like he had trouble acknowledging this. "...Are...are you sure...?"
"Two very important figures in the multiverse have been trying to get Error to see the error of his ways-no pun intended-but they never made any significant progress with him. No matter how hard they've tried, he is simply will not deter from his highly hypocritcal mission. You are not a fighter Frisk, so the best you can do is avoid him at all costs."
"But even I do try to do that, I'm stuck in this alternate universe. I gave the remote to Asriel, so I can't even escape on my own."
"Then you'll simply have to stay out of sight until Asriel comes back for you. But you cannot stay here, it isn't safe. You must leave, Frisk. They'll find you here...and they will attempt to kill you."
"...Who will find me here?"
Gaster couldn't answer him, he loses all stabilization and disappears from the room. Frisk sighed as he puts the filled vial into his bag and turned towards the door. One thing that Gaster was correct about, staying here wasn't going to help him in the slightest. He needed to get out there, better to be on the move than be trapped in here with no possible escape if something dangerous could find him. He opened the door and stepped outside.
Then he heard the voices from the Echo Flowers.
"the hell do you mean we can't reset?!"
"How should I know?! One moment everything was going fine, now I can't access the Reset! That shouldnt be happening!"
"dammit! the only way you could be stripped of the reset is if there was someone with even greater determination than you. but we're the only ones here and alive!"
"Obviously not. Someone here just arrived, and they have much higher Determination than us. We need to find them and snuff them out."
"...eh, i think i can find them easily enough."
Frisk gasped quietly. That was Chara and Sans' voice. What were they doing in this alternate universe? How different was it. It was then that he took another look at his surroundings...
Dust. Lots of monster dust.
No doubt, Frisk had stumbled upon an alternate universe during a Genocide Run. But if that was the case, then why is Sans talking to Chara as if he was...
Oh no.
Frisk got up, and took a step backwards...he bumped into someone. His soul grew cold at the killing intent being aimed towards him.
"hey chara...i think we've found our little determinator."
Frisk instinctively ducked as a knife nearly slices the back of his neck. He hurriedly moved forward as he turned around to see his attackers.
Sans and Chara. The former's eye sockets were leaking black blood, there was a red spot in the center of his chest, and his grin was downright psychotic. The latter's was the same way. It has been too long since he's seen such a look and it was aimed at him. Though he didn't like thinking about those days too much. It was painful enough as it is.
"Frisk...how is this possible?" Chara noted with a confused glare. "My Determination surpassed yours to the point that you could never take control again. And yet here you are, and your Determination greatly surpasses my own...that is far too troublesome to be let go."
"agreed. we can't have our fun if we can't reset, can we?" Sans said with a crooked grin.
"Sans...what are you doing with this Chara? Did you...did you help him kill everyone?!" Frisk gasped. "But...why would you do this?!"
"eh? you said this chara...ohoho! i get it! you're not even from here! you're from another universe entirely!" Sans chuckled darkly.
"From an entirely different universe, hm? That would definitely explain a couple things. But right now, neither of us are in the mood to care about that right now." Chara narrowed her eyes. "I don't know what the deal is with your Chara, but I'm obviously nothing like you expected. And that works out well for me."
Frisk's gasped again as Sans turned his soul blue and pulled him forward, while Chara lunged for a stab to his chest. His soul immediately changes to green as a shield bubble forms around him, effortlessly blocking the strike. Chara's eyes widen in surprise at the sudden maneuver, and jumped backwards. Frisk was panting from having all of that happen so quickly, he wasn't ready.
"What the...Sans, how did he do that?!"
"it looks like he change soul modes at will. and he appears to be very versatile with them." Sans narrowed his eye sockets, his point being that Frisk was using the green souls magic to heal the light nick he got due to the surprise slash from earlier. "looks like this frisk is no ordinary frisk after all."
Frisk dropped his shield temporarily, still trying to catch his breath. "Sans...why? Why are you doing this?! How many times have you done this?!"
"honestly kid...i lost count. i was thinkin' of starting the game over and keeping score from there." Sans shrugged nonchalantly. Frisk was shocked by Sans' lack of empathy. He didn't have a lot when he first met him, but this Sans felt like he didn't have empathy at all.
Chara chuckled at the confused/horrified look on Frisk's face. "You see Frisk...it's really quite simple. Sans and I grew a bit bored after so many Genocides ending with me slicing his ribcage open. So after so many, I offered him a deal...he would join me, and we would make a bigger game out of it. The next time I Reset, I watched as Sans killed off all of his loved ones the first time. He was understandably and highly upset when he killed Papyrus...but he got over that with time. As I told him, he'd get used to it after every Reset. He grew bored of Toriel, Grillby, Undyne, Alphys, Flowey...heh, he couldn't even bring himself to care about his own brother! The more things Reset, the more emotionally detached from the world he becomes. Until it all comes to a close, and you have the Sans you see here. Now unable to feel any sort of emotion. He got rid of them. It was far too much if a burden to have emotions. Don't see why Flowey complained so much about it."
Frisk slowly turned to look at Sans, his creepy grin unchanging. "Sans...you were so full of despair that you actually joined this Chara on her Genocides...? And you're just okay with this decision?! You don't feel the least bit of regret?!"
Sans shrugged. "she put it exactly as you see it, kid...i can't feel anymore." Frisk jumped as a row of bones erupted from the ground, then swiftly puts up his green shield again when he felt Sans telekinesis push him back down into them, destroying the bones. "tch. you're much harder to kill than you're supposed to be, kid."
Frisk rose from the ground, but chose to keep his shield up. He was looking upon Chara and Sans, immense sadness filling his soul instead of anger. If Chara ever saw this, it would be a devastating blow to his self-esteem. And it was low enough as it is, despite how he usually acts. He didn't know if it was lucky or unlucky that he was here on his own, despite the peril he was obviously in.
"Enough. That Determination was ours. And we're getting it back, one way or another." Chara said, quickly growing bored. "Sans. As long as he's here, our game can't continue. End him now."
"right."
Sans rose a hand as a sinster looking Gaster Blaster manifested over his head. Frisk sweats nervously as he sees the dark void of Sans' eyes. They were the deepest that he's ever seen them, because they're truly avoid of emotion. Frisk could feel that he couldn't talk either of them down as they are now. He could try to escape, but they knew the entire Underground layout by memory as much as he does. He can run, but there was literally nowhere he could hide that they won't find him.
He truly was trapped.
Sans grinned. "hehe...seeya." The Gaster Blaster fires his way, and Frisk was prepared to strengthen his shield...
A large wall of fire cuts off the blast entirely, dissipating it within moments. This shocks the two emotionless beings for a bit, and Frisk was also caught off guard. When the fire eventually clears, the ones responsible were revealed.
"NYOHOHO! That sure was lucky! We made it in time AND made it to the correct universe! Golly, this universe hopping is gonna get pretty confusing." Alter!Asgore said triumphantly as he dissipated the last of the fire currently in his glowed paw. He loomed towards Sans and Chara, gasping. "Eeesh! Those two don't look so good."
"that's because they've become emotionless psychopaths, bro. completely unlike our sans and chara, the latter having found redemption already." Alter!Toriel said bluntly. She turned around to look at Frisk, her facial expression turning soft. "are you alright, lil child?" Frisk could sense the motherly tone in her voice, which definitely reinforces that she is indeed a Toriel. He nodded in confirmation. She smiled. "good. now you stay back and stay safe...we'll take it from here." She turned back to Sans and Chara, her glare hardening.
"tori is a lot smaller than i remember." Sans tilted his head curiously.
"don't you dare refer to me by that name! you're not a sans who deserves to call me such!" She shouted in defiance.
"I agree with my sister! You're a rather unpleasant Sans, unlike the Sans of our Universe!" Alter!Asgore glared, flames gathering in his gloves. "You have a chance to surrender and prevent a conflict."
"now why would we do that? things just got very interesting." Killer Sans said, holding a knife out to them, as well as a couple sharpened bones.
"Finally, a really interesting change! I'm gonna enjoy turning these two to dust. And then, I'm coming for YOU, Frisk." Chara grinned madly.
Alter!Toriel buffed as a ring of fire gathered around her, her pink sweaterdress and purple hoodie flowing with the flames. "hmph. you're quite a cheeky brat, aren't you? you haven't had anyone strong enough to discipline you. i'm more than willing to fill the position."
"Haha! Sans was the biggest threat to me here, and he could never beat me! You're merely a Toriel! What could YOU possibly do that can threaten me?!
Her response to this was to sigh and shake her head, closing her eyes. "welp...damn. you're much less pleasant than classic chara and my chara. they've both become decent people eventually. you however...you've got quite the disrespectful mouth on you. that won't do at all."
Alter!Toriel snapped her fingers. The flames around her intensified greatly, and they began manifesting into something over her head. They were forming something above her head, a giant skull just like a Gaster Blaster. But instead it's fangs were slightly sharper, it had horns on top of it's head, and it was slightly bigger than a regular Gaster Blaster would be. It was charging with orange, fiery energy. This was the Dreemurr Beamer Alter!Toriel opened her eyes, the sclera turning black and her eyes, which used to be pink, now a fiery yellow. She wore a grin that promised bad times.
"So the first thing I'm going to burn...is your tongue."
{?}
Chara wasn't an idiot. He was well aware of what kind of Universe he managed to land himself in. The first couple moments he regained consciousness was not very pleasant, because he was trying his best not to lose his cool.
The dust...it was all around him. It was on the ground, on the walls, some of it was even in the water near Waterfall. The memories were coming back. The most unpleasant memories that he would much rather not come back to. He needed to keep his cool, keep his own mind stable. Or else he was going to freak out and fall into a complete panic attack.
This was a very disadvantageous situation for him, because he didn't have Asriel or Frisk, or any of his friends to help calm him down should he start hyperventilating. It wasn't even that he was scared for himself...he was terrified for where his brothers were. He knew they were capable of looking after themselves, but he couldn't help himself. They weren't safe. He knew they weren't safe yet he was not able to go and help them without the multiverse remote.
Well, as long as he was here, he'd get Gaster's essence and simply wait around the dust...the dust...all around him...so much dust...
Stay cool...don't freak out...you need to keep a cool head...
Chara teleported in front of the Gaster Room door, and quickly opens it and closes it behind him. "No dust in here...there's no dust in here..."
"Chara...you seem greatly troubled. I cannot say that I blame you. This world is one of the darkest I've ever seen." Gaster told him, sighing greatly. Chara took his time, taking one of his vials and filling it with Gaster's essence. He figured it was much easier to do while the man was in liquid form. "We do not have a lot of time. I must warn you about why this Alternate Universe is one of the darkest."
"Why? I can already see all the dust out there. I don't see how it can get any worse." Chara mumbled, putting the vial in his back.
"It's not the Genocide Run itself that makes this one of the darkest Alternate Universes...it's the concept of who's behind it."
"Wait...aren't I usually behind it...?" He said this very loosely, and with slight worry. Gaster solemnly shakes his head.
"...Sans...the Sans of this universe...has become content with compromising everything that made him who he is...if it meant stopping your Genocides. The only way he could think of sparing the monsters from your wrath...is if he did it himself."
Chara's heart stopped for a couple moments, and his soul nearly followed. He slowly shook his head. "...Sans...no. He couldn't. He wouldn't!" Gaster solemnly nods his head to confirm it. Without a second thought, Chara turns around and runs to the exit of the Gaster room as the owner began disappearing wordlessly. Chara runs out of the room, just barely bumping into someone. "Gah!"
"Huah?!"
Chara pushed the stranger down hard, making him crash into the ground. Though he could see that it was merely Shamir, shaken by the sudden attack. Chara placed a hand over his chest. "Dammit you stupid cat! Don't freaking pop out like that when I'm so jumpy! How the hell did you even get here anyway?!"
"Alter!Toriel used the machine to manually send us to different universes in order to assist you. I noticed that you are all alone...and everywhere I've been so far has been covered in monster dust..." Shamir narrowed his eyes. "How did this happen, it's so horrific! And tis much like my own...timeline or whatever you call it!"
"We need to stay down and not attract too much attention-" Chara's senses warned him to duck, and to duck immediately. He pulled Shamir down as a blaster just barely hits either of them. He looked behind him fearfully.
"...heh. look what we have here. looks like i somehow missed a monster." Chara turned around to see the attacker.
Sans. Chara couldn't recognize him. Not because of his outward appearance, but the menacing aura that he was giving off. Nevermind his hoodie being white and the dust covering his body. The look on his face spells absolute insanity. Chara figured out exactly what was causing this immense negative energy. Sans has gained LOVE. He...he really did kill most of the other monsters in the Underground. Chara clutched his chest with one hand as it was suddenly becoming harder to breathe.
...Did...did I have that kind of look on my face when...is...is that what I looked like...don't pass out...don't pass out...
"i gotta say, chara. you look different this time around. i don't think i've seen you with a poncho...unless you reslly aren't from here. that's the idea, isn't it? well...it ain't like it matters." Sans raised a hand as a menacing Gaster Blaster manifested by his side, it's eneegy glowing a sinister purple to show how corrupted his magic is now. "chara is chara, no matter which version it is."
"Sans...you killed the monsters...?!" Chara said, still clutching his chest. The memories and self-hatred, they were both coming back. He didn't want them to come back. He couldn't yet handle them by himself.
"...you forced my hand. no matter how hard i tried, you just wouldn't stop." Sans said a bit solemnly, his grin crooked. "besides...it's not like anyone will remember. the timeline will just reset. no one will remember, so why bother being worried about that? i'll gain the power need, and deny chara the satisfaction of doing the deed himself. better to die by me than by the hands of the maniac."
"...Even though you basically become a maniac yourself...?"
"as i said before, you forced my hand. besides...it doesn't matter. the timeline will reset whether i want it to or not. but no matter how many times it does, i'll keep denying you the chance to kill. i won't let you gain any more LOVE...Because I'm taking it all for myself."
Chara slowly shook his head. "You...you...Sans...what you're doing...it's much worse than giving up. You're just turning your back on everyone! Including yourself! This isn't you!"
"it is now, kid. no matter how hard or how fast you kill, i'll always be faster. you'll never regain LOVE for as long as i continue to exist in this timelime."
Shamir looked to Chara, who was noticeably looking more and more distraught by the second. Then his eyes sharpened as he looked behind him. A blaster was charging behind them. "CHARA!"
Chara didn't properly register what had happened fast enough. He moved out of the way, but he didn't hear anything else or want to see anything else, he just instinctively dodged. But due to being a couple seconds too slow about it, he didn't realize that he could no longer feel his left arm.
Gone.
Sans grinned. "hehe...almost got ya. but i guess for the time being, you've been...disarmed."
"That pun is not funny at all! How could you do such a thing?!" Shamir said vehemently. He didn't think that this Alternate Universe business could have such a dark side. He twitched his ears as he looked behind him again. The other Chara, the Chara of this timeline, was coming.
Classic Chara just looked at Sans, ignoring the fact he was now lacking an arm. Or maybe he just didn't care. "...You killed Mom...Dad...Muffet...Undyne...Alphys...even your own brother...just so I couldn't get to them myself...?" Chara mumbled softly. The Frisk of this Universe must have permanently lost control, due to having his soul taken by the other Chara. Though a horrifying thought came to him, as he clenched his remaining fist. "What about Flowey?"
"eh? why you so curious about the weed?"
"What. Did you do. To Flowey?" Chara wouldn't be asking again.
Sans grinned, his left eye socket having a red light and emitting a purple glow. He slowly reached into his jacket pocket and held out his fist. In an agonizingly slow manner, he opened his hand...and watched Chara's horrified face with a look of twisted delight when the flower petals fell onto the ground. Chara watched the petals fall silently to the ground, until they didn't move anymore. To rub further salt on the already reopening emotional and mental wound, Sans proceeded to step upon the petals, digging them into the ground.
"let's just say...i did a bit of weed-wacking."
Chara didn't listen. He just stared as Sans slippered foot stepped on the petals of the certainly dead Flowey. That means...
Chara gritted his teeth as black flames began coating his body, clenching his remaining fist, his red eyes glowing furiously. Why?! Why couldn't the past just leave him alone?! He's been trying to be good this entire time, but the mental torment just won't end! He's been trying to move on from who he used to be and try to live his redeemed life. But for some reason, life just didn't want him to feel like he deserved it. Especially if it's cruel enough to show him something like this. Taking his past sins and placing it upon Sans, just to show him how severe the consequences of his actions could have been.
...Error did this to him on purpose. He was toying with his emotions, messing with his already dangerously low level of self-esteem. Apparently the glitched hypocrite can hold a frightening grudge. He wanted him to see exactly how dark a child he was, and what it could have possibly done to others.
Chara stopped clenching his fist, and relaxed his teeth. He smiled.
"Heh...hehehehe...so this is how it is, huh? Choosing to rub my past sins into my face in one of the worst ways possible..." Shamir felt the great need to create some distance. Chara wasn't sounding very stable. Chara grinned as he held his remaining arm out, dark flames building. "So then, Smiley Trashbag...you gained all the LOVE you need to take on the me of this Universe...well let me tell you right now...that won't be necessary. It's almost funny how this is going to go down."
"how do you figure that, kid?" Sans said with a maddening grin.
Chara's eyes turned black, and his grin became crooked and highly unhinged. "Let's see which one of us is the bigger maniac. =)" He snapped. His brothers weren't here. His parents weren't here. His friends weren't here. Shamir wasn't close enough to him on an emotional level to do anything meaningful. There was no one around at the moment who could calm Classic Chara down.
The Demon Returns.
{The Void}
Gaster was becoming quite fearful, which was a rarity in itself. He didn't think Error would be cruel enough to send Chara and Frisk to those two Alternate Universes, of all places. Then again, Error couldn't be predicted. Asriel got lucky, bless the child. They were close to reassembling him, and now Error was making sure they couldn't get back in time to do so. He clenched his floating hands.
Asriel has received some assistance, but he needs to be quick.
"Nowhere to run now, old man." Gaster didn't change his expression even as Error stepped into the Void, standing across from him. Instead, he glared.
"You can come after me as much as you like, Error. But messing with those kids...now you've gone too far! They've done nothing to deserve your ire!"
"They're a trio of troublemakers and liers. They're brothers of sin, Gaster. Each of them have done something that made a situation much worse than it needed to be. I'm just makin' sure they pay for their crimes. How they pay doesn't really matter to me. Especislly if Asriel or Chara somehow manage to die in the process. That takes away the complications, and Frisk can return to the Classic Universe alone, restoring the rightful balance."
"There is NOTHING balanced about this, Error! You can't even properly justify your actions anymore! You're just making things up and going along with what YOU think is right!"
"Tch. Like I'm gonna take some life advice from the likes of you. Speaking of which...I'm through with this cat and mouse game between us, Gaster. It's time to clean you up, dirty glitch." Error Blasters, which were like Gaster Blasters but black, began manifesting on Error's sides, charging with white. Gaster narrowed his eyes, not disappearing like he usually does by now. Error blinked in surprise. "Woah! You're not gonna try and run away this time! You've gained some guts! But wait, I got somethin' to show ya first!" Error reached his hand to the side as a white portal opened, his blue strings lunging out and grabbing onto something. He yanked his hand back whole saying, "Ta-Da!"
"What the dog biscuit?! Lemme go!"
Red.
"Error, what are you doing?! She has nothing to do with this!" Gaster shouted.
"Oh, I'm gonna have to disagree with ya there, doc. She has quite a lot to do with this. Or at least...with you." Error slowly turns to the canine trapped in his strings. "Think it's time we cut the suspense. You wanna know about your past, dontcha?"
Gaster panicked. "Don't!"
Red still narrowed her eyes at Error, though they raised a bit once he mentioned her. "My past? What could you possibly know about my past?"
"I do my homework. And I hafta say Red...you're a pretty complex glitch. And ya don't even know the craziest thing about you. The truth is...you don't have a past. All of your memories have been implanted by Mr. Wingding over there."
"Error! STOP!"
"Oh come on, G. I think she deserves to know, doesn't she? In fact...it'll be a bit more interesting if she knows why you sealed her within the Artifact." Red's eyes widened as she turned to look at Gaster, who was clenching his fists and avoiding eye contact with her. "Ya wanna know why he sealed you away for centuries before he disappeared, Red? He knew. Both he and that dog have tried to keep you hidden away from the world specifically because of your mere existence in the Classic Universe. In fact, you only exist in the Classic Universe, when you really weren't supposed to. Truth is, there really is only one Red. And Red only exists in the Classic Universe...because she's a glitch herself." Error explained, watching as Red's face lost it's anger and moved onto shock. "This was because of the constant Resetting and Loading and Erasing. Your existence was pure random chance. You're an accident, Red. An accident with a human soul." Error grinned. "The timeline needed to fill in as many missing blanks as it can in order to keep existing, since Asriel destroyed the True Reset. Ya wanna know what blank the timeline made you fill in, Red? Remember those plaques? 'A horrible beast with unfathomable power?' Welp, lemme lay it down for you."
"THAT'S ENOUGH, ERROR!"
"The reason you can't remember anything... The reason W.D Gaster and the Annoying Dog tried to hide your existence. By random chance, the timeline decided that you were to be that beast that absorbed that first human soul. By random chance, the timeline has decided that by having you absorb a human soul, YOU started the Human-Monster War."
Red's eyes dulled from this realization as Gaster could only look on with a heavy sense of failure. She was never supposed to find out. He hoped she NEVER found out. But Error decided to shut down that prospect in the worst way possible.
Gaster has had enough. He turned Red's soul blue and pulled her away from Error's strings, catching her in his arms. She didn't even register that she moved anywhere. She was stuck on the fact that in the Classic Universe, the only one she really exists in, SHE was the one who started the war, that she was the beast mentioned in the plaques. Gaster sealed her away in the Artifact and had the Annoying Dog guard it, but the damage was already done. The war began, the monsters lost, and they were sealed within the Underground. She was stuck on the fact that her entire existence was meant for only one thing...to fill out a blank. And even then, it wasn't supposed to happen. It was pure random chance. An accident.
I'm not...supposed...to exist...?
Gaster, noticing Red's current state, gently sets her behind him before glaring at Error. "ERROR!"
"Oh sure. NOW who's a hypocrite, old man? All I did was tell her the truth, while you and the Annoying Dog were trying to keep this from her, and now I'm the bad guy. Well, I guess it doesn't matter either way. Won't change the fact that you die today, G."
"...You know what? I no longer care. I tire of running from you. You'll continue to ruin more lives if no one stands up to you. If I'm going to be erased, then so be it." Gaster blasters formed on both sides of their creator, as he narrowed his eye sockets. The left glowing cyan, and the right glowing red.
"But know this. W.D. Gaster will NOT be wiped from existence without a fight!"
Me: Huh. I seem to really be into cliffhangers. Welp, Red is...kinda broken right now. Asriel is on his way to help his brothers, unaware that time is running out. Frisk is protected by Alter!Toriel and Alter!Asgore from Killer Sans and his partner Chara of that AU. And Classic Chara...welp...he's angry. In a severely traumatized kind of way. He doesn't like his past being thrown back into his face. Wonder how that's gonna turn out?
Guess we'll find out in the next chapter. Bye!~
