Life is funny.
No, not...seriously? More... Ironically. If that makes any sense.
"Fuck!. Get hi-...control-"
Not to say life isn't good.
...well. For some anyway. Who knows what someone may be going through.
"-mon' bro. Got-"
Hell, maybe the person sitting ten feet away from you is about to get a very special call.
"Up.,.-ake up!"
Maybe that call will be fantastic, you can see the happiness in their eyes from where you're sitting!
"Please. Ple-... n't fall on-"
Maybe... you could feel the anguish, rage, disbelief, denial, all of it. From where you are, trying to avoid looking at the person on that call.
...
The world was dark. So very dark.
There were harsh, panicked voices from the far left.
What happened?
He- name. What's his name?--Poppy- felt a distant but familiar feeling of unwelcome panic bubble up from his very soul.
Something is wrong.
He tried to move, only to be met with exhaustion. His body. It was damaged. Too damaged to move.
How? Why?
The exhaustion faded and in an instant, from his skull to his shins; agonizing pain erupted. It set his nerves aflame, his bones screamed in protest, so loud it burst into the open air.
He was fading. Fadingfadingfadingfadingfading falling down-
The light was so bright. Too bright. I just made things so much worse.
He stares at the crystals. Trying to ignore the group of —- above him. The other monster's teeth reflected a harsh light for just a moment...
They swung bashing the—-. Laughing—-. Shards of glass buried into his skull—-.
Why did it hurt so much!
He was fadingfadingfadingfading falling down—
Dust was practically pouring out the side of—
This was it.
No one would find him here. The older—- made sure of that.
He's gonna die here.
Alone. Cold.
It's so painful why!
At least he won't have to go back to—-.
Please just make the pain stop!
Make it stop make it stop makeitstopmakeitstop-
"-rus! Kid, calm down!"
He screamed, not because he was being forced to the cold, unfamiliar ground; but because the action made everything hurt.
His ribs cracked in protest. His skull throbbing from the extra weight. His own dust flew back in his face, choking him, reminding him that he could be on death's door. The weight shifted from his skull to his shoulder blades. The person on top grabbed his arms, trapping them within their hold.
There was too much pressure in too many places. Every time he moved his ribs would bend and flex in warning, but he couldn't stop because now they were going to pull his damm arms out of their sockets. His throat was raw from unheard screams. His eyes burned as dust continuously overflowed from his sockets.
"Makeitstopmakeitstopmakeitstop-"
Was that him?
Was he the one repeating those sounds?
The person on top of him pulled his arms tighter, they strained and popped in violent warning.
They were going to break him.
"Stop please!"
It was him. He was the one screaming.
"-till you calm down kid. Got it."
The pressure increased yet again. It was the final straw.
The voices grew quiet as a series of cracks and snaps echoed through the room.
The noise stopped as his body finally fell from tension.
—:—-:
-Ppy...
Poppy...
Hello?
Don't trust them.
What?
You need to run.
What happened.
They will hurt you.
How do you know?
...
Why do I need to run?
...Doctor S. Is here.
==============. ================.
He was suddenly awake, alert, alive.
Doc. S. grunted in irritation as his back collided with the wall.
He stood in silent protest to his doctors' appearance. He was not going back. Not now. Not ever.
Poppy tried to relax his arms, they were tense and sore. His shoulder blades screamed in protest when he shifted, making him wince.
When he looked back, the Doctor did not move. He made no sound. He just sat, staring back with those lifeless eyes.
To say it was disturbing was an understatement.
The doctors looked down on him with lifeless expressions. Slowly. ever so slowly, doctor s. brought the needle fourth.
The air inside the room was cold. Tense.
He felt the presence of others, so many others. But he could not see them.
The doctors always demanded his full attention. He gave it. The consequences were far worse if he didn't.
He wanted out. He didn't belong here. He could feel it, this wasn't his home.
"hey... listen."
Doctor s. Snapped his fingers, and just like the old days,
They both stopped. Staying completely still as the doctors analyzed their physical condition. His —-had refused to obey the first few times, just as he had. They both learned it was a bad idea to do so. It bothered him that—-scars were more visible.
It bothers him that every day, their soul loses more of their beautiful glow. It bothers him—-
"—ood. do not leave my side. got it."
A horrifically familiar weight settles against his vertebrae.
Nononono not again.
The weight multiplied, and two thick leather- straps held them down.
Chara struggled next to him. No matter how many times—-.
They always stayed determined.
Doctor s. continued down the unfamiliar hall. They were following two larger monsters. They looked like royalty. The kind the others use to tell him about in the books. Nice, shiny, elegant gowns and flowing capes. They both looked at him. Their expressions laced with concern.
Doctor s. grabbed their attention again, telling them something he didn't care enough to listen into. The lady in the gown bristles, looking directly at him.
Don't look.
He followed their direction, looking away from the royals.
It served him well, the lady goes back; talking to Doctor s.
The tallest one stays back with him.
Poppy was tense. Though he didn't know why. Sure, he had never met this monster before and yes, he does look like a king; but the larger did nothing wrong. Nothing to warrant his distrust.
Nothing to warrant your trust, either.
You have a point.
He looks up at the bold monster.
He was so familiar.
—-
The doors opened, a gaping void of loneliness was obstructed by the form of —-.
"This is where you will stay, with— they cannot find you in—-abandoned for—.
The large monster took his hand, guiding him—-.
He would miss them. They did save him from—.
He really didn't want to leave.
—-.—.
"What is your name, young one?"
He was startled by the deep voice. Glancing over at the giant goat.
Should he? Was it safe?
It's ok. He's...
He's ok, but don't tell him about...us.
"..."
They walked in silence, the other had assured him that he did not have to say. Still, it felt as if he were... how to put it... betraying? Rejecting?
Whatever it was, it didn't sit right.
"Poppy"
His voice was raw and quiet, still the larger noticed.
"Pardon? I'm afraid this old man is a tad hard of hearing."
Poppy glanced at the other, noting the patient yet immersed look. It was nice. Like he was genuinely committed to the person he talks to. The look gave him a sense of peace, letting him relax just a bit.
"My...name. They call me Poppy."
"Well, Poppy, they call me Asgore."
That name. So distant but so familiar.
"Are you aware of your situation, Poppy?"
Asgore looked down on him with the same patient smile as before.
"I know I'm not... home.
The other's smile turned forced.
"hmmm. Unfortunately yes, you are no longer in your home universe-"
"Home universe?"
Do notinterrupt me again! You had plenty time to adjust yourself to the rules!-
"Ah- yes well, I was told all about it. But to be honest, if you want more... what's the word..."
The conversation temporarily dropped as the taller monster mumbled to himself.
Poppy sat in shock as the memories flashed by. The images were too fast to see but the feeling, the words were clear as day. He was spiraling into memories he can't remember. He needs to stop. He need to distract himself he needs to think-
New universe. So the multi universe theory was correct. Cool.
Already caught by his previous Doctor.
Bad.
High security restrictions in place.
Double bad.
Doctor most likely talking about him to the higher-ups. Queen? He doesn't seem to include the King in the conversation.
Triple bad with a slice of possible escape partner...
...
God. my arms hurt like a bitc-
"Ah! I know!"
Asgore's loud ass voice nearly scared him to the next dimension. The king's giant fluffy paw rested on his shoulder.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
Poppy really tried to at least hide the fact that he was tense. Didn't work.
Rip.
"What I meant to say was if you need more... In depth information, you can ask this universe's version of Sans. He knows plenty."
Dear god he tries. ok. He tries but apparently he's just that easy to read.
"Are you ok there? Was it something I said?"
Another Doctor, Another threat.
That's not right. The doc here is not the Doc you know.
Are you defending someone without any proof to say otherwise?
No. I'm Just Saying.
"Uh...no it's ok. Could I talk to anyone else...?"
Asgore just sat there for a minute, looking somewhat astonished by the question.
"Well... Alphys. The retired head scientist…"
The goat sputtered, looking towards the doc.
"I'm sorry I just find it odd. Is it the doppelgänger idea? Why are you so opposed to talking to the Sans of this universe?"
Poppy didn't say anything. He couldn't say anything. One, the Sans here is not the doc. Yet the thought of just speaking to him sets him off.
Two, the doc was right there. Not even five feet away. If he said anything, escape could quickly be washed down the gutter depending on the reaction.
Instead, he just glanced. To the doctor. To the king. To the doctor. And back again. Fast enough for the other to -hopefully- see what's going on and make a connection; yet slow enough not to look too suspicious. He didn't wanna out the only person who could potentially help him.
Asgore went quiet again, looking towards Doctor S.
Good. It seems he did make the connection.
His expression slowly morphed into one of recognition and worry.
"Why does he bind you?"
...
What.
"Those straps on your wrist. The necklace -hugging just a bit tight I may add, you should probably fix that- I may not come from your universe, but I know a magic restrictor when I see one."
Poppy let the silence settle in, but the royal would not let this go, he wanted- needed to know why the restrictors were there.
Was it because of his LV?
Would he be a danger to any monster or human?
What precautions would they need to take, especially in these fragile times, many were against their presence on the surface. With all these new skeleton monsters popping up, they needed to make sure it won't jeopardize their freedom.
You need to tell him.
Oh yeah? Why should I.
...Ask him why he needs to know. You won't take my word for it if i tell you.
…
"Why do you need to know."
Asgore looked down on him, expression stern yet forgiving.
"We need to know your Level Of Violence, our people have just made it to the surface. I cannot have anyone run around hurting humans- or monsters."
…
Ok. fair.
I told you,
Shut up. I wasn't speaking to you.
…
"... Control"
"Pardon?"
"These are here. For control...
Poppy made sure to lower his voice, hoping the Doc was far enough away.
The doc knows if i can get away from him, he won't ever be able to catch me."
There it was again. The look of concern. Of Pity and silent contemplation.
"Don't."
"Do not do wha-"
"Pity. I don't want it. If you're gonna do that. Don't do it around me."
Oof he didn't mean to sound -that- rude. Rip.
"Ah, I am sorry. I had not realized I was doing thatt. Is there anything I could do? Perhaps talk with your brother-"
-_-_- When these are here. I am. Not, your brother._-_-_-_- Address me as Doctor S.-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
_-_-_- screaming as their soul was ripped-_-_-_-_-_
…._-_-_-_-
The beats slowly stopped. Their soul shook before shattering in the jar. Their body had stopped seizing from -_-_-_-_-
They were dead.
"That Doctor is not my brother."