A lost 'Interlude' to ACT-2 | Glimpses of the 'Restart' Timeline | Enjoy~

Once upon a time, a few years prior to the present story, a scene had played out. And it began here...

It was like something from a movie. The faint words of long deceased movie stars filling the otherwise static lack of noise in the air. Dancing around some dramatic scene, involving two people in love, who could never be together. The music and ambiance mixing with the noises of a chips being crunched between teeth.

The only real sounds in the laboratory. It was filled with various bags of junk food. Half-eaten burgers, their wrappers covered in sketches and calculations written by a desperate hand. Plenty of them shoved in a nearby, overflowing trashcan. A self-sustaining dust devil rolling around in the corner of the room.

A big cushy couch placed across from a large tv screen, attached to a computer that was being used as a modified vcr player at this present moment. With many more tapes beside it. A figure slouched upon it, watching. Not really to watch, more so out of a lack of motivation to do anything else.

Tears in the rain. A Dust Tale. DanceStory. X-Event. Deltarune. Flowerfell. And, finally...CharacterFell. These were the movies stacked up. Things he'd watched dozens of times in the last month or so.

A story about a man breaking his oath, to confront his brothers killer. One where a man went insane, in a groundhogs day style scenario, and killed everyone for the power to stop a mindless murderer. One which was a sort of musical story, about persuading others towards peace with the power of dance.

A story about a dimensional war, and one omnicidal beings desire to create a 'perfect' reality, spiraling out of control. A story about a teenager, discovering magical worlds hidden in the dark. A tragic story, about the unlikely friendship between a ruthless mercenary, and a kindhearted stranger, who ultimately gives their life to save others.

The last movie, was one he didn't like as much. It was a strange story, about resurrecting spirits, and eldritch entities. About emotional conflict, less than physical one. So many loose threads never addressed, and answers never provided. Not to mention, a lot of the action scenes were rushed, and the drama was overplayed. Plus, he really hated the ending.

The critic, in this case, was slouched down on the couch. A short skeleton, wearing a greasy shirt that read 'Number Pun Scientist.' He had a bottle of mustard at his side, alongside a bottle of something alcoholic. Watching the movie with all the cognitive comprehension that could be mustered, having sat in the same location for the last several hours.

With lazy enthusiasm, he began mixing the two things together, he filled the bottle of liquor with mustard. Giving it a curious look, before taking a big drink. Recoiling some from the unholy taste, before shrugging, to drink it down normally. It didn't matter, in his opinion. Nothing did, really.

A phone nearby rang, a glance revealing the name on it to be 'Tori.' For a moment, the music of the show swelled. Some light flickering back into the skeletons eyes. A hand reaching out to pick it up, examining it.

This was perhaps the only being who made him feel...better, recently. His hand trembled some, he wanted to answer it. The music of the show falling, turning into something sadder, bleaker. Matching his lost resolve, as the ringing continued. His perpetual smile failing to match the distress he was choking down, as he placed it back on the couch.

Every little sound from it making him wince, as he continued to drink. A bit heavier, until it finally grew silent. His body slouching more. Feeling even more miserable than he had just moments ago.

The scene playing out in the film was that the couple had separated. Broken apart by already existing arrangements. By a lack of courage, and honesty to merely address these things. To act upon their feelings, instead seeking to pretend they didn't exist at all. It all felt close to home for him, it's why he picked the movie in the first place. Self-pity, and misery.
However, before he could continue to wallow in his loathing, a distortion appeared beside him. A figure plopping down on the couch.

The short skeleton jolted, letting out a. "Angel damnit!"

Diving off the couch, while attempting to grab something at the side of it. Missing, and hitting the floor with a thud. Before scrambling over, and grabbing the weapon. Turning, aiming it at the couch.

"What's up Sans?" A taller skeleton smirked. "What's with the...blaster?"

Sans, the shorter of the two was presently wearing the weapon of choice. Gripping a handle on the inside of it. It was a sort of arm cannon, that resembled a dragons skull. It charged energy within, and fired it out. Or, normally did so. In this case, he huffed, and removed it.

Lounging on the couch was a taller skeleton. Wearing an orange hoodie jacket, with associated hood. It was, in itself, rather plain looking.

"Papyrus, what are you doing here?" Sans asked in annoyance. "And what'd I say about just doing that...friggen thing to get here?"

"Something along the lines of, 'damnit bro, why ya gotta poof around like that?' if memory serves me right." Papyrus shrugged, glancing him over. "You have got to lighten up." He hummed. "Need a hand?"

"I...ugh...no, I'm fine." The scientist groaned, getting up. "You could have called. Na, you shoulda called."

Papyrus was examining the movie presently being watched. Tilting his head, as he identified its nature. A romantic drama film. While he'd usually deride it a little, this time, he didn't.

"Sans, I tried. You aren't answering your phone. I even stole the queens phone. Tried that." Papyrus replied, eating from the bag of chisp on the couch. "And you still didn't answer. That one surprised me, honestly."

"Wh-yo-why uh...heh, why'd you try that one?" Sans looked nervous.

Papyurs noticed the look. "Oh c'mon, I'm not an idiot, Sans. I see how ya look at each other. Awfully gutsy. I wager Asgore doesn't know?"

"We aren't doing anything but hanging out." Sans replied quickly. "It's what friends do. So, why would he need to know anything?"

"Friendship huh?" Papyrus snickered some. "I mean I figured that's all you two were. It's not like you would take any step to change that dynamic."

Sans seemed very annoyed. "Did you just come here to be a jerk?" He asked, before noticing something. "And what's with that stupid collar?"

Papyrus glanced, while tugging at the black metal collar around his neck. "I'm trying out some new stuff. Nice isn't it?" He grinned. "Thought it looked pretty 'metal' heh."

"Stop with the puns." Sans ordered. "I don't...no. It's weird...just, take it off while you're here."

"Nyeh heh. As if." Papyrus rolled his eyes. "And wait a minute, you didn't like the pun?" He sounded surprised. "When'd you stop findin em funny?"

"Since I got a job. And started being responsible." The shorter one noted, turning off the movie. "Ya aughta try it."

Papyrus was surprised by the icy reception. Usually his sibling was just glad to have him around. Admittedly, he was usually harsh on his older brother. But surely Sans knew that was all in good fun, right?

"Jeez, such an icy reception." Papyrus vanished and appeared besides him. "I came to hang out, like you asked me to do. And now I'm getting the cold shoulder?"

Sans felt confusion grip him. "Like I asked?" He suddenly realized. "You mean when I invited you by a week ago, and you blew me off. Again?" He crossed his arms. "Like the week before that. And the one before that?"

"Did I?" The taller one asked, placing a shoulder on his brothers head. "That doesn't sound right...oh no, hang on I know what happened." He smiled a little. "I was hanging out with this couple a couple weeks back. One of em broke my phone. So I had get a new one."

"Uh huh." Sans raised an eye socket. "Did ya keep the same number?"

"Yeah but the contacts didn't transfer right." Papyrus said, annoyed at it. "And ya know I don't answer people whose numbers I don't have saved."

"Why wouldn't you have my number saved?" The shorter asked, even more annoyed.

"I've been a little busy with uh...well, busy." The taller replied. "Look, we're off topic. Whatcha watchin tonight?" He glanced to the screen. "One of those sad stories. That why you're drinking?"

"It's...a classic romance. Alright?" Sans asked huffing, turning off the screen as well. "What do you really want Paps?" He asked. "You never just show up anymore. You always want something. So what is it this time?" He asked, angry sounding. "Did ya break something, someone, need cash to bail a friend, what, what's the damage?"

The rapid series of accusations, based on some of his past actions was hard to ignore. Papyrus did his best not to get mad in response. He'd promised someone to work on that. And he was doing his best.

Papyrus frowned some, and pulled a cigarette from his pocket. "Sans, c'mon. Is it so hard to imagine, that I just wanted to hang out with my older brother?" He scanned him. "What's up with you, bro?" He asked. "You uh...doing okay?"

Sans sighed, feeling a little bad now. "Sorry. I just...got a lot on my mind, is all."

The taller skeleton managed a smile. It was a nervous one more than anything. But he tried to look reassuring. In truth, there was a lot that was going on in the underground. People going missing, more reports coming in out outskirt towns going silent. Refugees flooding major cities. Food shortages, and the sort.

When he thought about it, his brother had a hand in trying to help fix it all. It was...frankly a lot for one person to bear. And he didn't envy it. In the slightest.

"You still doing all that science stuff for the king?" Papyrus inquired, taking a drag of his cigarette. "What's he got you workin on now?" He wandered over to the fridge. "Some new barrier breaking weapon, food things, and all that?"

Sans waved a hand at the smoke. "Some...confidential stuff. And yeah, I'm working on some uh, side projects. C-can you not smoke in here?" He requested, as his brother took a beer from the fridge. "Or at least step outside?"

"Into the cold?" Papyrus smirked, some. "Na. That's 'snow' good." He didn't get a laugh. "Nothun huh...uhm, heh..." He scanned his brother over. "Hey, you know uh...if you need help with stuff. I'm not the 'brightest' I guess...but I was your assistant once. Maybe I could help out?"

Sans was surprised to get the offer. It was...nice though. He thought about it, but it would be a lot to ask. And he didn't want that weight on his little brothers shoulders.

"It's, fine bro, honestly." Sans assured. "I'm...I dunno."

"Hey, c'mon." Papyrus placed a hand on his shoulder. "I could uh...help with them plants and stuff you're workin on?" He chuckled some. "Get uh, rooted in, a little."

Sans rolled his eyes. "That's...a little rough of a pun bro." He chuckled hesitantly. "Might have to uh...leaf it, behind."

"Hey, there he is!" Papyrus remarked, giving his brother a noogie. "There's that punny guy."

"Stop, stop, geeze." Sans laughed warmer. "Got low hp, gotta be careful with those."

Papyrus knew that was true. "C'mon, Sans. I'm never gonna hurt you. Damn sure not gonna put you in pain, yeah?" He pat his shoulder some. "Just messing around a bit."

"I know Paps, I know." Sans sighed, motioning. "Mind uh...grabbing me one of those?"

"Sure." Papyrus turned back to the fridge, and grabbed his brother a beer. "I couldn't beer, to you without one."

Sans facepalmed, and laughed. As Papyrus began to laugh a bit harder. Even as he was smoking. It was such a dumb pun. But for the moment, it felt like it was sorely needed.

Sans however, couldn't come up with one right now. "I'll think a one later. But it'll be good, trust me."

"Always do." Papyrus hummed, thinking for a moment. "Hey, bro, this is gonna be odd, but...mind if I ask you a question?"

"What's up?" The shorter skeleton asked, watching his brother begin to pace.

"I uh. So hey, I met this guy." The taller one, leaned against the wall, smoking. "Funny, nice kinda person, has this complex with cutesy stuff." He made a motion of his hand. "Guess they're going through a rough patch recently. And, heh, well, I sort of got myself roped in with helpin em out and-"

"so that's why you're here." Sans sighed, heading over to an escalator going up to the second floor. "I get it now. shoulda figured."

"Eh?" Papyrus looked confused, and blew out some smoke, following. "Wait, what's that...ugh, Sans, it's not like that." He sighed, setting the beer on the railing. "I'm not tryin to ask you for nothin. I mean...advise maybe, but..I was just, bringing up somethin I thought up that's kinda funny. That ended not so bad, ya know?"

"yeah, yeah, whatever." Sans rolled his eyes, reaching the top floor. "you're trying to impress some date, and you want my help to do it."

"This ain't like that." Papyrus sighed, as the escalator was stopped by Sans. Prompting him to teleport up behind him. "Like, yeah, I dunno, maybe we're dating, but-" He sighed some. "it's different, yeah?" He huffed. "He's a good person and...I dunno, he's nice to me and a little funny so-"

"and he's dating you?" Sans snickered, taking a drink. "someone nice, and good huh?"

Papyrus blinked, and then glared. "Fucks that sposed to mean?"

"nothin." The scientist shrugged. "just a joke. lot like this actually."

The vagabond glared some. "You got a problem with me bro?"

"na, just...you never seem to learn Paps, that's all." Sans shrugged. "you don't fix nothin, you break things. you don't contribute stuff, you take things. don't save people, ya fail em." The tall skeleton twitched at that. "you've always got some new request, but you never show up when someone else needs help." He noted, turning to face his brother. "am I missin anything?"

Memories flooded back to the taller of the two. Playing over a scene that had defined a lot of his life thus far. Making a bad call, and arriving late at a critical time when he shouldn't have been slacking off. It was something he couldn't take back, and something that led to his life spiraling as it had. Hearing it brought up alongside his other mistakes, inspired distress and anger in him.

"I don't know what's gotten into you, brother. But don't go taking it out on me." Papyrus demanded. "Now, I'm sorry I've been such a screw up. And that I ain't been around a lot. But I'm tryin to get better." He stated. And hey, I actually did come to hang out with you today." He noted. "I wasn't gonna ask you for nothin." He hummed. "And sure, I met someone who didn't treat me like garbage, and thought maybe, I'd share that cuz I don't know how the hell to process it. So I was gonna turn it into a little silly story. And maybe ask you for some advice, so I don't fuck up the only relationship that's going well for me." He explained. "But whatever, enjoy your night bro."

Sans couldn't help but feel irate. "oh don't give me that." He stepped closer. "you know damn well you had some sob story ready to go. so what did you want, cash, food, rent?" He demanded, thumping his brothers shoulder. "something to help you impress someone you'll just dump off in a week?"

"Don't touch me." Papyrus demanded back. "And fuck you. You're only pissed because the only chick you like, is fuckin married. Not that it really matters anymore, given how much those two even talk. And you still don't have the willpower to do anything about it."

"watch your tone, bro." Sans glared.

"Or what?" Papyrus asked back.

Sans moved to shove his brother. However, in terms of speed, it was really no comparison. Papyrus noticed, and snatched his hand, as it approached to thump him again.

In a split second, a decision was made. An instinct of panic resulting in Sans reaching into his pocket. Anger, and alarm blending with a lack of impulse control. Something clicking in his pocket.

Immediately following, a bolt of energy blasted forward. A sound like cracking in the air. At the taller one recoiled, from something that struck his eye. One of the drones in the room whirring.

Sans blinked in surprised, as his brother started to step away. Mana bleeding to the ground, falling into dust. Mental faculties returned to the shorter skeleton, accompanied by a realization. He had hit the emergency activation button in his pocket for the drones. Some swirling around, as he quickly shut them off.

"P-papyrus, are you okay?" Sans tried to ask.

Papyrus glanced back, with a crack through and around his eye. Mana bleeding from it. The expression worn by his younger brother was briefly a mixture of fear, and hurt. Vanishing from the area without responding.

Sans stared for a moment, before scrambling for his phone. Hitting the numbers for his brothers phone. It rang, and rang, and rang. One call, five, ten. But nobody answered. Regret poured into him, the shorter skeleton drinking, stewing on his own guilt with shaking hands. Eventually slouching down, sitting in the isolation of the laboratory.

He hadn't meant to do what he did. But there was no taking it back now. And he knew that well.