Chapter eight:
Sans is sitting with Alphys in the main room of the lab.
Alphys has them sitting by the large screen so they can check the cameras if needed. "S-So..." She shifts where she is sitting on the floor. She had secretly been dreading when this time is to come.
"We need to figure out a way to test that machine without using you." Sans reminds her and places his elbows on his knees, he is sitting cross legged.
"W-Well do you h-have any ideas?" Alphys questions and Sans nods.
"I actually thought of it when coming here with Papyrus." Sans confirms then adds quickly. "I didn't tell him." He sees her relax only slightly that Papyrus doesn't know. "What if we examine a human soul. Maybe we can use a little magic to replicate something from it? Or put some magic in a container and try it out that way."
"I-I could contact A-Asgore to see if w-we can have a s-soul to study." Alphys offers and Sans nods his head.
The two turn to the screen hearing a beeping.
"What is that?" Sans wonders then gets to his feet as Alphys hurries over to it.
"The c-camera picked u-up a figure t-that is unknown." Alphys explains and Sans hurries closer at hearing this. She turns on the camera that had picked it up.
The two blink in surprise at seeing a brown haired human leaving the ruins. They then notice the knife in the humans hand. They watch in horror as the bunny monster, who tries to stop the human from advancing at noticing the human, is stabbed turning to dust.
"Papyrus!" Sans gasps knowing his brother is in danger and without thinking he teleports. He lands on the path between his old station and the ruins. His heart pounding as he knows he has to do something to protect his brother. He can't let this human kill his only family member he has left. He hears the crunching footsteps of the approaching human. His body starts to shake a little as it brings up images of the dog monster coming. He finds himself frozen staring in terror as a figure is coming closer and closer. His mind projects the image of Dogermy instead of the human. He can't move as if his body became made of stone.
The glint that comes off of the knife manages to snap Sans back.
Sans blinks now seeing the advancing human instead of the dog monster. "Stop!" He calls out to the human who does stop with a gap left between them. "Why are you doing this!?"
"Why?" The human growls clutching the knifes handle hard. She has brown hair that almost reaches her shoulders, brown angry eyes, a black long sleeved shirt with two blue stripes, jeans, and black runners. "Because my little brother came to this mountain. He was always such an explorer. Then he went missing. When I came here I learned that past those ruins humans are killed." She explains glaring at Sans then starts to advance again. "My little brother was killed! I know it! And you all will regret ever laying a hand on him!" She charges swinging the knife at Sans who leaps to the side to dodge. "I will avenge the death of my brother! I am going to kill every monster I come across! Until they all pay for what happened to my dearest brother."
"You don't have to do this!" Sans tries to plead with the human. He takes a step back as she starts to move towards him. "How about we figure out for sure?" He offers to her. "What did your brother look like?"
"Messily cut short brown hair like mine, green eyes, and he loved wearing a shirt with a moon on it." The human explains preparing to attack Sans again. As though not expecting news other than he was killed. She just probably wants to know what monster she should target especially, the one who killed her brother. She pauses to hear the response though the look in her eyes says she'll still kill.
Sans remembers hearing about such human. "I know what happened to him." He tells her making her pause. "He got spooked, a monster popped out surprising him, and fell into water. He drowned. It was an accident!"
"And why should I believe you?" The human demands glaring at Sans. She grips her weapon tightly as she glares at the other. "You're a monster. You could be plotting to kill me right now." She is ready to swing at him to end him. "All monsters beyond those ruins are horrible! Including you!" She swings though Sans dodges once more.
Sans realizes that they have something in common. His memories of the attack make him react as if the dog monsters will hurt him. Even though he is aware that they probably won't. He isn't that different from this human. "I understand." He tells her and lets her charge towards him. "I in a way blamed innocent monsters as well." His words cause the human to skid to a stop stirring up the snow. He hopes that he is getting through to her. He has to keep it up while he has her attention. Which he doubts will be for very long. "You can see the scars I got from an attack." He explains and feels the human look over him. "I then became terrified of those the same species of monsters as my attacker..." His mind pulls up the whole attack again and he closes his eyes tightly. His body starting to tremble. "It... It was horrible... I was horrible. It wasn't their fault... Yet they had to deal with some consequences of another's actions..." He barely manages to get out. His legs start to feel like they might collapse from under him.
Suddenly a hand comes upon his shoulder.
Sans yelps and tries to scramble back only to fall back into the snow. He curls up with a whimper of fear.
"My names Frisk. I'm a human."
Sans opens his eye and sees that the human dropped the knife into the snow. He looks to her face slightly sitting up. He sees that tears have gathered in her eyes. He also spots some start to spill down her cheek.
"I'm angry yes... But something about you... It makes me not able to kill you... I think that something about your reaction... Reminds me of myself... I look at you and I saw myself." She makes sure he knows why she dropped the knife. "However you wouldn't kill or id be dead already. I'm scared." Frisk tells him so Sans gets up looking into the others tearful eyes. "I want to take out those that took my brother away..." She shifts and drops her head down. "But I'm terrified of dying." She takes a shuddering breath then glances back to Sans. "Even so I'll face it for my brother. Because he's the most important person who was in my life ever."
Sans isn't sure what to say for a moment then he decides on something. "How about I take you to where his soul is?"
"His soul?" Frisk blinks in hopeful confusion.
"Yeah. We have the souls of those humans that didn't make it down here in a safe spot. If you hold his soul he can show you that I tell the truth."
After a few moments Frisk nods her head and wipes her tears away.
The two turn as Papyrus rushes over with Greater dog who must have been nearby.
Sans takes a step back seeing the dog monster however Frisk moves to block his way away.
"Don't run." Frisk tells Sans softly then grabs his wrist. She manages to drag the other closer and places his hand on Greater dogs head. She keeps holding his wrist to keep his hand there. She had easily picked up who Sans was feeling fearful of. She looks to the skeleton who is about the same size as her.
Sans finds his fear starting to go away as Greater dog happily nuzzles his hand. He isn't being attacked and this dog is just so happy to be getting pet by him. He hardly notices when Frisk releases his wrist.
Greater dog wags his tail and blinks happily at Sans even panting from the happiness.
Papyrus smiles widely at seeing his brother slowly relaxing while touching a dog monster. "See brother?" He points out making Frisk blink at hearing that. "I knew that you'd see one day that it's okay."
Sans turns to look to Frisk giving her a soft appreciative smile. He pulls his hand away and turns to Greater dog who is so excited. He yells as Greater dog pounces on him. He shuts his eye preparing for pain after hitting the snow. He blinks as his face is covered in licks instead. He lays there still not really sure what to do.
Until Papyrus manages to pull Greater dog off of his brother just barely, clearly struggling against the dog monster. "Stop. You'll scare him again." He scolds the dog who whines apologetically.
Sans slowly gets up and notices Frisk smiling at him. "I-It's okay." He tells Greater dog a little shaky from the scary startle he had.
"How about we go to where my brothers soul is?" Frisk quietly admits to herself that she's a bit impatient.
Sans turns to her and nods. He looks to Papyrus. "Let Undyne know I'm coming through with Frisk? I'll probably teleport. Just so she knows not to hurt Frisk if she sees us." He doesn't want to walk this path and have a meltdown about the attack. He wants to give Frisk some closure first.
"Of course." Papyrus nods his head. "She helped you. I'll tell her to not attack."
Sans nods in appreciation then places a hand on Frisks shoulder teleporting them. He gets her to the entrance to the castle.
Frisk stumbles a little at the suddenness of the teleportation.
"Sorry. I didn't want to break down by walking in that area." Sans quickly apologizes realizing he should have warned her.
Frisk regains her balance then shakes herself off slightly, as if shaking off the feeling. "It's okay. I understand." She knows well that one time petting a monster he's afraid of won't fix everything wrong. She is willing to let him teleport her again if it'll help him. Plus she gets here faster.
Sans leads the way into the castle heading straight for Asgore. He pauses finding the other standing waiting for them.
"Alphys called me." Asgore turns to Frisk clutching his red trident. He has a cape of a deep purple, with the symbol of the monster kingdom in white on it, gold armor on his torso like a tank top, as well as on his legs, no shoes or socks, jeans, a purple long sleeved shirt that looks the same shade as his cape, gold simple leaf shaped shoulder pads to hold the cape in place, and a gold spiky crown on his head.
"Wait your majesty." Sans steps forward, as Frisk looks for her knife only to realize it was left behind. "There's a good explanation for this." He informs the other who doesn't move to try to get to Frisk. "Frisk was just upset thinking we killed her brother. You don't have to hurt her."
Asgore looks to Frisk who nods in confirmation about it. He lets out a breath. "Her soul is the last we need." He sees Frisk tense at hearing this, but as he looks at Frisk he almost swears he's looking at Chara. "I don't want to hurt her."
"You don't have to." Sans tries to remind the king who looks to him. "Me and Alphys are planning to work on that project to be able to use the souls. Without absorbing them or hurting them. We can make an adjustment to the plan, so we can borrow Frisks soul to break the barrier. Then return it to her."
Asgore gazes at him almost wishful yet thoughtful. He thinks on it for a few moments before putting his trident down. "I am willing to give that a shot." He agrees making everyone there really relax. "Put this as yours and Alphyss number one priority."
Sans nods his head to this. "We will." He agrees to it.
"Can I see my brothers soul?" Frisk moves closer to Asgore meeting his eyes.
"This way." Asgore leads the way as they follow along with him. He brings them to the room with the barrier then brings out the soul container.
It is the orange human soul.
Frisk moves closer to the container and crouches beside it. She places a hand on the glass only for the soul to bonk against it. She finds tears coming to her eyes as it does it again.
As if trying to get to her.
"It's okay brother." Frisks tell the soul. She tries to wipe away her tears, while keeping her other hand on the glass. "Don't hurt yourself."
The soul stops as though having heard her.
Frisk looks around at the container and wonders if she should hold her brothers soul. She blinks as the soul suddenly begins glow, and she suddenly finds herself overlooking a place in waterfall. She sees a lot of water that is rushing and dangerous looking. She turns only to see her brother walking along. She smiles softly seeing his head raised as if trying to brave through it.
He is walking past some rather large rocks when a monster, that almost looks like a dog yet not quite, jumps out. He jumps and falls over the edge into the water.
A large fish monster holding a spear rushes towards the other monsters spot. She looks over the edge along with the other monster.
The monster that scared him looks terrified at what just happened.
Suddenly things return to the room where Frisk is looking at her brothers soul.
Frisk can't hold her tears that stream down her face. "It was an accident." She sobs to herself as she can't believe that she thought they killed him. "They didn't mean to kill you. Oh I am so sorry." She hugs the container crying to her brothers soul.
As Sans watches this he really hopes that they'll be able to get the machine done, safely.
After calming down Frisk turns to them. "Can I hold onto his soul until the machine is done?" She requests with hope in her voice.
Asgore thinks it over for a moment though he can't ask her to separate from her brother. Not again. "Okay. But keep him in the container. We don't want something to happen to him."
Frisk nods to this. "I will." She promises and picks up the container. "I don't want something to happen to him. Not again."
Seeing this Sans starts to wonder if they can do something for the dead humans.
"If it is alright you can stay with Sans and Papyrus." Asgore offers to her glancing to the brothers. "I think it'd be good for you to experience monster kind peacefully."
"Thank you." Frisk nods her head as the brothers nod their acceptance.
Papyrus really hopes that this means that she can help Sans more. He will also be there for his brother as well of course.
"I should probably go talk to Alphys." Sans mentions glancing to his brother who looks back at him. "She might be a bit freaked out. Plus I should tell her about starting on the machine."
Papyrus nods to this. "Alright brother. I'll take Frisk home so she can settle down."
Sans teleports after that, just after he leaves Papyrus starts the journey home with Frisk. He arrives at the lab and looks around himself. "Alphys?" He slightly calls though doesn't see her anywhere. He starts looking around then notices the place he isn't allowed to go. He sees that it's open showing an elevator. He approaches it and gets on it. He presses the button to the only other level it has.
Down.
The elevator starts off a bit rocky though it seems to smooth out.
Sans wonders what could be down here. He didn't find Alphys anywhere else. He will apologize to her about going down. He just needs to talk to her as fast as he can. He quickly crouches as suddenly the elevator picks up speed. He closes his eye and as the impact comes he is knocked onto his back. He lays there for a few moments before sitting up. He spots a dimly lit area indicating that he arrived to the bottom floor. He crawls out of the elevator before standing up. He looks around noticing two paths to take. He tries one way and comes to an area with lots of old dusty looking beds. He approaches one to look at it.
The bedding is pretty neatly made.
Sans straightens in alert at hearing what sounds like a groan. He quickly starts to glance around himself trying to find the source.
"S-S-Soo... Cold..." A weak female voice speaks and Sans turns to his right where it's coming from. A melting form steps out of the darkness shakily walking towards him.
Sans yelps in fear at the sight of this thing, thinking that it's some kind of ghost that wasn't at peace. He dashes back towards the elevator trying to get away from it. He looks back as he runs seeing a tall white figure join the other. He looks away wondering how many are down here. He skids to a stop by the elevator. "Wait. What if they did something to Alphys?" He looks around feeling his soul pound with panic. "I have to find her so we can find a way out of here." He dashes in the other direction away from the bed area. He slows to a walk at coming upon a hallway with screens. He sees them flicker on writings like journal entries. He glances to one as he slowly walks by.
I did it. It wasn't easy. But I managed it. I think that the king is going to like this special flower.
"Special flower?" Sans tilts his head at this. He moves on to the next screen looking at it.
I can't believe it. This isn't happening. The flower is gone. Not only have I disappointed those families but now it's like I did it to the king.
Sans wonders what in the world has been going on down here. He turns to the end of the hall hearing a noise. "Alphys?" He is sure that she can explain what's going on. He hurries down the hallway ignoring the rest of the screens. He makes it to the end finding a room with a large ray like device. He must admit that the large horns, monster skull look, and it's evil looking eye sockets making it a bit haunting. He turns to his right, he could go to the left too, upon hearing the noise again. He heads that way hoping to find Alphys. He walks into a room. "Hey. Alphys?" He begins only to cry out falling backwards onto his butt.
There in the room is a large dog, or possibly several dogs combined, rummaging in an old fridge like a dog that had gotten into a garbage can. It pulls back away from the fridge turning to look to Sans. It stares as if unable to care about anything. A stare that gets Sanss soul pounding as if it's going to burst from his chest.
Sans starts scrambling back not even thinking to get to his feet or to teleport. His fear making his mind a whirlwind so he can't think clearly.
The dog, or dogs, starts stalking towards him lumbering with a menace.
Sans gasps as his back hits a wall. He trembles as the attack flashes in his mind. "No, no, no, No!" His breathing picking up in pace as he believes he is trapped. He closes his eyes and brings his arms up hoping that this will be over quick. His tears of fear start going down his face believing he is going to die. He blinks his tearful eye when a very wet thing starts rubbing his hand.
Almost like licks.
Sans slightly lowers his hands finding himself looking at the strange dog.
The dog crouches with its front half lowered. It's tail wagging excitedly as if having met a new friend.
Sans hesitates suddenly finding his mind blank. He's still alive and unhurt so that's something.
The dog barks though it sounds like multiple dog barks at the same time. It's black goopy tongue hangs out happily. It's tongue dripping black dots as it seems to melt off of it. It moves closer to Sans and licks his arm before stepping back.
Sans stares at this strange dog thing realizing that it is of no threat to him. He keeps his hands close to himself though. He can't find it in himself to reach out and pet. He is still working on being comfortable around dogs.
Suddenly there is movement that catches both of their attention. They turn to see more strange monsters coming closer from around the areas they can do so.
A new wave of fear goes over Sans though he can't help wondering if they're friendly too.
Before they get too close a voice causes every single monster to turn. "S-Sans?" Alphys stands there staring worriedly at the skeleton monster.
"Alphys!" Sans uses the wall to try to get up though his legs are still a little shaky.
Alphys hurries over as the dog thing moves out of her way. "O-Oh my goodness. A-Are you okay?"
"I think so." Sans informs her keeping his hands on the wall for support. "Just had a good scare that's all."
Alphys glances to all of the others that are watching. She looks away after this. "O-Oh. Right." She lets out a heavy breath. "I am s-so sorry Sans." She refuses to even look at the skeleton. "T-This is why I-I didn't want you t-to come down here. T-They're friendly. T-They are just h-hungry." She shifts her feet and stares down at them. She finds tears streaming down her face causing her shoulders to shake. "I-I told you! I t-told you I s-should risk dying t-to test that m-machine." She sobs to Sans. "L-Look at what I-I did to them. T-They melted a-and fused. I j-just locked them u-up down here. In this o-old place." She feels a nudge on her arm and she turns in surprise. She sees the dog one looking at her then it leans against her, as if to comfort her.
The rest of them move over to her and join in on trying to comfort her.
Sans moves one hand off of the wall feel a little more stable as he watches this. "Alphys. I think they agree. We make mistakes." He brings his free hand up to cover his injured eye at the reminder of it. "Mistakes that can hurt us and or others. It happens. You have to let them go home." He keeps his hand over his injured eye as he looks to Alphyss face. "I'll come with you."
After a few moments Alphys sniffles then shakily nods her head. "I-I'll fix the e-elevator. I h-heard it break. I-I hesitated on checking it o-out. I g-guess it turned o-out okay."
Sans nods his head to this. "I'll help you."
Once the elevator is fixed they take the monsters up then out of the lab.
The monsters start looking around as if looking at what's new, or perhaps trying to find their family.
Alphys finds some courage with Sans there to support her in this. She leads them all to get them home.
In waterfall the group stops with all the families together heading their way.
"T-They must b-be trying to go t-to the lab to contact m-me." Alphys stutters to Sans before the melted monsters rush past them.
There is a lot of excited noise as the families are reunited with their loved ones.
Alphys takes a breath and starts to walk towards the happy group. She pauses realizing that Sans isn't following. She turns to see hum staring at all of them.
"Y-You go ahead. They need to hear it from you." Sans tells her though he just finds that there is too many dog monsters, plus it is a little wild. He feels a bit overwhelmed by seeing them all. "They'll understand. Trust me. Just be honest."
Alphys seems to understand his hesitation to go down there. She turns away and approaches the group that turn noticing her. She looks down. "I-I am so s-sorry. I tried t-to give them a-a treatment. To s-stop them from falling d-down. It w-went well... U-Until it went h-horribly wrong. T-They melted. E-Even into each other. I-I hid them like a coward. I w-was terrified of if w-what happened was found out. I s-should have let them g-go home earlier."
"Alphys. They were dying when they went to you. Though this wasn't how we hoped things would go. Let alone think how it'd go." Dogamy moves forward. "They're still here alive. You let them come back to us finally."
Alphys is surprised as she is suddenly hugged.
"Thank you."
Alphys hugs back finding tears of relief streaming down her cheek. She is soon surrounded by them all.
Sans can't help but smile as he watches this. He turns in curiosity as he thinks he hears something. He thought it sounded like Frisks voice. He just couldn't make out what's being said. He looks to Alphys a last time then turns away heading to chase the noise. He can talk to her more later, he feels like she needs a little time to finish this. He can hopefully get in contact with Frisk and Papyrus to talk to them a little.
