Title: UnderMind: An Undertale AU
Disclaimers: I do not own Undertale, but I DO own UnderMind. Please do not use my AU version of the characters without my permission. BratTale is set in a WorldView setting like MommaCQ, so, I want to give credit to AlainaPrana, who owns MommaCQ.
Sugar and Sour are Co-owned by AlainaPrana and Alannahablar
Notes: I started this AU idea being influenced by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. They match kids with young adult mentors. Four times a month, they hang out together doing anything from studying to playing sports. This program lowered the possible drug use and possible chance of jail time for a lot of kids, allowing them to have a better future! I wholeheartedly support them! Also, Undyne's fraterity is in no way a nod to monster university. just a coincidence. Also, as requested by Sugar's owner, he will not be making any appearances.
Summary: Cooler gets adjusted to his new normal, and meets someone new. Is love in the air for our boy? Papyrus grows as a person.
Song Choice: Please Take Me by Beth Crowley
"Regular Talk"
'Thoughts'
phone calls, texts, and sign language
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Cooler's POV
Undyne pushes the wheelchair as Papyrus gets what little I had at the hospital. "But seriously, I missed you, Undyne." I say, happy the medicine is working beacause my leg is being jostled a little. "I missed you too, punk! Oh! I finally got a girlfriend!" Undyne says and I smile. "That's great. Who did the fish catch?" I joke. She chuckles. "Professor Alphys" She says making me speechless. "It's not against the rules since I don't take any of her classes" Undyne points out. I shake my head. "Muffet thought we had the hots for each other" I say and Undyne chuckles. "Seriously? You're more like a brother to me, punk" She says as we get inside. Undyne whistles. "Talk about an upgrade" She says. "It's just until my leg heals" I say.
"And you can walk again on your own power" Gaster says bringing in a bag of clothes from my old apartment. "Anyways, shouldn't your leg be already healed?" Undyne asks. "The doctors don't want to risk making my soul unstable with how it is. Healing magic has a tendancy to put a strain on the soul." I say. "That, and Cooler's soul is at a delicate balance. Anything could tip its magic too low or too high" Gaster says and Undyne nods. "So, how are you going to do your classes?" Undyne asks as we go into the living room. "I spoke with the Dean and explained what happened. They agreed to allow Cooler to take video classes until he recovers." Gaster says and she nods. "That's fine and all, but who's going to help him when you are at work and Papyrus is at school?" Undyne asks. "I am right here, you know? I can..." I say before they both shout no.
"I will hire a caretaker for him." Gaster says. "I don't need a babysitter" I say. Gaster looks at me. "We already went through this, Sans. You are not in the condition to overexhert yourself. The doctor said that not only does your leg need to heal, but your soul as well." Gaster says surprising Undyne. "Sans..." She says. "When I used my magic to freeze the river, I overdid it...by a lot. That's why I caught pneumonia. My soul was weak enough that the cold of my magic made me sick." I say. "And so, he's not to strain himself. As weak as his soul is, he could very well fall ill again." Gaster says. "A lot of effort for someone that saved your son." Undyne says. After making sure that Papyrus is upstairs doing his homework, Gaster comes back. "That is because Sans is my son as well." Gaster says.
Undyne blinks a few minutes. "Wow, yeah, I can definitely see it. Explains why Cooler is so flipping tall. Can't tell you how many times his head hit the ceiling at the frat house. That first time, well, I never heard him cuss so much. I'm not talking about his ice versions either." Undyne says making Gaster look at me. I look away. "When I bumped my head, it happened to be the spot where my scar is. It's really sensitive, even now. Hitting it that hard blinded me for a few minutes and talk about hurt. It was like a hot poker being jammed into my head. You'd cuss too" I explain. "Once your leg and soul are better, we are getting that seen to" Gaster says and I nod. My eyes start to droop, and Gaster smiles a little. "I'm afraid Cooler needs his rest now, Undyne." He says and she nods. "Get him to bed. I'll wait so you can explain to me why he suffered alone as long as he did in college" She says as Gaster takes me to a room on the ground floor.
Song Choice: Only Hope from A Walk To Remember
Later, I wake up to singing. It's not unpleasent, or loud, but it's there. It moves through the house, coming closer to my room. It then stops as a knock is heard. "I'm awake" I say. The door opens to reveal a Masic or human, one I recognize. "Good to see you again, Cooler" She says with a kind smile. "Just how many jobs do you have?" I ask as she helps me sit up. She smiles sadly. "Just two. The one in the main office and this one. This one actually counts towards my college credit though." She says sitting beside me. "What do you mean?" I ask. "Well, I'm taking courses in advanced medical care and diagnosis, along with the usual courses expected for one wishing to become a doctor. So, I'm able to work towards residency while still in school by looking after you." She says.
"That's quite a workload, not to mention costly." I say and she nods. "I actually got a scholarship through the hospital you were in." She says surprising me. "Really?" I ask and she nods. "Those possessing healing magic are automatically put on a strict teaching schedule as soon as the magic presents itself..." She says trailing off. She looks to be lost a moment, like she was remembering something...something painful. "Are you alright?" I ask. She chuckles. "I should be asking you that" She says, but her smile doesn't reach her eyes anymore. "I'm fine,but you seemed lost for a moment." I say. She looks down. "It's...difficult to explain" She says. "You don't have to if it makes you uncomfortable." I say and she smiles a little. "I..have another form" She says.
"Really?" I ask surprised and interested both. She nods. "I usually don't stay in it while I'm not at home." She says. "That doesn't sound too healthy for your soul. From what I heard, dual form users must use both forms on a regular basis or they get sick" I say and she nods. "I...I don't really like my other form. It makes me feel naked. I mean, for a skeleton, It probably isn't but I was born in masic form." She says and transforms into a skeleton with soft pink smoke like hair and eyelights. I gasp. "What?" She asks a little nervous. "You're so beautiful, you know that?" I ask making her blush. I notice three scars that stretch across her left eye. 'I didn't notice any scars in her Masic form.' I think. "You have scars...is that another reason?" I ask and she nods.
Song Choice: Dear Me by Nichole Nordeman
"A lot of people like to stare and gossip. It tends to get out of control, and it hurts...trying to get through my classes in peace" She says and I nod. "I say let them talk. Your scars just prove that you survived. Don't let them stop you from being yourself...Speaking of you, I never got your name. Pretty uncool of me" I say and she smiles. "Tibia honest, I'm pretty shy at the office. My name is Alyssa." She says and I smile. "That's a nice name." I say and she smiles. "Thanks. Now, let's see about getting you changed and in the chair." She says making me blush. "Look, I've seen it all, ok? No need to be bashfull" She says.
Alyssa's POV
I smile at him and my hair and eyes turn red, making he stare. "Oh...*hair and eyes change to a sky blue* They change according to my mood" I say and he nods. "How about we start with picking an outfit?" I say and he nods. I go to the dresser. "I should have some basketball shorts. They'll do since my jeans are not going to be possible with my leg" Cooler says. I nod and get a pair of blue and white shorts, underwear, a blue shirt. "I won't need a hoodie or my jacket since I'm not going anywhere" He says and I come over. "Cooler, I want you to know right now. I always...um had a crush on you. This isn't how I wanted to see you. Trust me" I say and he smiles softly. "Thanks...I...I think I am ready to do this" He says and I help him get dressed.
After about a half hour of work, I push cooler to the kitchen for some breakfast. "I know it probably makes you feel less of a man to need help, but it doesn't cooler. Besides, how often do you get a girl like me to completely focus on just you as her job?" I say making him chuckle. "You have a point there, Alyssa." He says. I start cooking Cooler some breakfast. "So, Gaster and Papyrus are gone?" Cooler asks and I nod. "Father-son outing. They really needed to relax a bit." I say and he nods. "They've been worried about me." He says. "And they have every right to be. Gaster is your father after all. Even though Papyrus doesn't know how true it is, he sees you as a brother...and family looks out for each other." I say and finish cooking. "Are you alright?" Cooler asks as I put the plate before him. "I'll be fine. It's nothing for you to concern yourself with." I say and turn to go clean the dishes.
Cooler grabs my arm gently, but also firmly. "Alyssa, you have seen me naked, you can at least be honest with me. Trust is a two way street. Do you not trust me?" Cooler asks. "I..." I start to say when we hear the door open. Cooler lets my arm go. "We're back, Alyssa" We hear Gaster say as he and Papyrus come to the dining area. I smile big. "Welcome home, Sir" I say. "I hope Sans hasn't been too much trouble." Gaster says. "He was no trouble at all. I just got him some breakfast, and was about to do clean up." I say. Gaster nods and smiles. "It is nice to see you embrace your other half, Alyssa." He says making Cooler look at me in confusion. "It's just better in this form to assist Sans given I have more strength." I say and get to cleaning.
Papyrus soon comes in and stares at me. "Papyrus, it is rude to stare. You've met Alyssa. You have been told about this form." Gaster says. My back is to them, so my panic is staying low. "It is fine, Sir. I'm used to it." I say. "No, it isn't, Alyssa. I do my best to make sure Papyrus is open minded about the world and accepting of others" Gaster says coming over. "Papyrus, come take over the cleaning. Alyssa and I are going to take a walk in the garden." Gaster says. "Yes Father." Papyrus says and I follow Gaster to the garden. When we get there, Gaster and I sit down on a bench. "Are you sure Sans didn't do anything?" Gaster asks. "I'm sure. He just wanted to know...more about me. Things I'm not sure I'm ready to face yet." I say and he nods. "I know, Chimera. I know" Gaster says rubbing my back.
"I thought I asked you not to call me that" I say gripping my shirt with my right hand above my heart. "Apologies. I tend to forget." Gaster says. I nod. "However, I think it would do you good to tell Santious about it. You cannot continue to keep this locked away. It's not how your magics work." Gaster says. I watch a hummingbird for a moment. "Do you remember how you found me?" I ask. "Of course I do. It's not something I can forget...Alyssa, your name and place in life can always change. However, until you forgive yourself for what happened, you will never control it" Gaster says and gets up. I follow him back to the kitchen where Papyrus and Sans are playing a card game. "Got a four?" Sans asks. "Nyeh heh heh, Go fish, brother" Papyrus says as we come up.
"Sans...can we talk alone?" I ask. He looks at me. "Not going to run away again, are ya?" He asks. "I...I won't" I say and he nods. I take him out to the garden, where the roses grow tall enough to hide us from the house. "Not planning to dust me, are ya?" Sans asks and I shake my head. "Just want some privacy is all." I say and sit on the ground next to his chair. "There are worse things out there than what you are going through. Things so horrible, that they'd even give Nightmare nightmares...My name wasn't always Alyssa. I was born to a pair of skeleton scientists that are...dust now. The things they did to me...their own daughter...I still have flashbacks and nightmares from it." I say. "How did you get away?" Sans asks.
"...I didn't. Gaster's unit was doing a raid on the area because of the reports of drugs being manufactured in the area...One of the criminals he was chasing ran into the lab where I was locked up. I don't really remember much of that day, but Gaster said he found me there, almost dust in his arms." I say looking at the roses across from me. "...I'm sorry..." Cooler says and I look up at him. "For what? You were right. If you are going to trust me to see you naked, I at least need to give you some trust. It's just a hard subject to talk about..." I say and hug my knees, hair going blue again. "I'm a killer, Cooler...I killed my parents." I say. "Alyssa, look at me" Cooler says and I look at him. There's no fear in his gaze, only concern. "They did things that parents shouldn't. They hurt you, and probably would have never stopped. You had every right to defend yourself." He says and I smile a little, pink mixing with the blue in my hair and eyes.
"My magics...they made themselves known and I destroyed their souls...as if they were just made of glass." I say and Cooler looks surprised. "I have both healing and creation magics. My creation magic allows me to make cloth, stone, or crystal objects. However..." I trail off. "When mixed with healing magic, you can heal or destroy a soul." Cooler says and I nod. "I was five when Gaster found me. You would have been seven at the time. When they were sure I was back to health, I was isolated. I had to undergo a lot of soul therapy and training to keep my magic under control...I was so lonely, but they didn't want to risk that I would shatter someone's soul. Some never thought I should be let to walk with the public...said I was just a monster...one that shouldn't even live" I say the pink vanishing from my hair and eyes.
"Every soul is precious and deserves to live, Alyssa" A voice says and we see Gaster come over. "Alyssa's parents were working on projects involving soul manipulation. Alyssa has a rainbow dual soul. Through their experiments, they forced it into many different situations. That included situations where it was extremely weak. If Alyssa had not lashed out, her parents would have been put to death for their crimes against her and the illegal experimentation on souls." Gaster says and Cooler nods. "My original name...It's Chimera..." I say. "I can see why you'd change it. Try to leave it all behind, but that's not healthy, Alyssa." Cooler says and I nod. "I have sessions with Mettaton once every two weeks." I say. "Well, how about we leave all this bad air, and go out for some lunch?" Gaster asks. We smile and nod.
Cooler's POV
Alyssa is quite strong for everything she's been through. She just tries to keep smiling despite everything. It's endearing, to say the least. I can't help but watch her. Her eyes and hair changing color to suit what mood she's in. Pink, she's happy, and it's my favorite. Light blue, she's sad...I could do without seeing that one on her. Green...I guess that's when she is experiencing a mix of emotions. I smile at her as we ride in the car to a small resturant with Gaster and Papyrus. After everyone is out of the vehicle, Alyssa pushes the wheelchair behind Gaster as Papyrus follows behind us. The hostess greets us warmly and shows us to a table, pulling away a chair so I can be at the table. I smile seeing Alyssa is still in her skeleton form as she sits between me and Gaster.
Song Choice: A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman - Nightcore Female version
"So, how have you been, Alyssa. I, sadly haven't been able to check on you like I used to" Gaster says. Alyssa smiles. "It's fine, Gaster. I've been doing fine. I developed a method of treating weakened souls. It's been quite successful in helping children recover and lead happy lives." Alyssa says surprising me. "That's amazing, Alyssa." Papyrus says as we order. "The patent alone would be a nice sum for you" Gaster says. Alyssa hides behind her menu, hiding her hair and eyes from view. "It's already gone. A lot of things came up that I needed to take care of." She says. 'What is she hiding?' I think but let it go. "What things, Alyssa?" Gaster asks with a frown. "Nothing bad...I promise you that" She says. "Can you look me in the eye when you say that, Alyssa?" Gaster deadpans. Alyssa says nothing at first and then lowers her menu. Her hair and eyes are a bright red and she's blushing like crazy.
"It's nothing bad, just something I really don't want to have to explain, all right?" She says playing with a whisp of her smoke hair. Gaster sighs. "You donated it, didn't you?" Gaster says and Alyssa nods. "I make enough with the soul therapies I'm helping create. I don't really need so much money, Gaster. Sure, it's nice to have anything your soul desires, but in the end, does that really make one happy?" Alyssa says as our orders are brought out. "...You make a valid point. So, which charity was it this time?" He asks, making Alyssa nervous again. 'She's adorable when she's blushing like that.' I think. "I'd rather not say, Gaster." She says making me curious. "Why not? If it's a fraud, I don't want you taken for what you're worth." Gaster says. Alyssa looks at me, making me feel uneasy.
"It...I donated to the college to help pay off the tuitions of a few students. I got to see the list of those that couldn't get aid or didn't want a mountain of debt. I then looked at their grades and choose accordingly." Alyssa says and I realize that I was one of those students she mentioned. "Explains why I don't have to worry about it anymore." I say and Alyssa blushes. "I really wanted it to remain unknown what I did, but..." She trails off. Gaster sighs. "I just had to go investigator on you." Gaster says and she nods. "Cooler, I didn't want you to know because of how I felt about you. I didn't want love if it's built on some kind of need to repay me. I...I don't want that." Alyssa says, her hair and eyes going light blue as she stands up. "Please, excuse me" She says before going to the bathroom.
Alyssa's POV
I go to the bathroom to clear my head and to think. Gaster just couldn't leave it be, could he? I really don't want any kind of credit, or a pat on the back...I just want a family of my own with a man I love and loves me without any pesky overhang of one form or another. I don't want some fake love built on money or power...I want the real kind, the kind that lasts. I sigh and collect myself, my hair and eyes returning to my neutral green. I go back to the table, but get stopped by the owner of the resturant, Alexander. "Alyssa, it's been ages" He says and reaches his hand out to shake mine. I leave my hands where they are at my sides. "No offense, Alex, but I...I really don't want to be touched right now." I say and he nods, lowering his hand.
"Are you alright, kiddo?" He asks looking a little concerned. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I say. "Because you look like you are about to cry and your hair is light blue again" He points out. I sigh and manage to get it back to green again. "Just been one of those days" I say. Then, Papyrus runs up. "Alyssa, there you are. We were so worried when you left like that. Are you ok?" He says. Alex looks from him to me. "I guess I should leave you to it. Remember, I'm always around if you need to talk." Alex says and leaves. I sigh. "I'll be fine, Papyrus. I just needed a moment." I say and he nods. "Well, they just brought the food out." He says and we go back to the table. Gaster looks at me. "Please, Gaster, just no. Let's just enjoy the meal and try to laugh. ok?" I say sitting down and he nods.
"I have something to say before we do, Alyssa" Cooler says. I look at him. His face is calm, but his one eyelight seems to tremble. "I do not care it was you that did what you did. I do appreciate it, but money has never been a defining trait to me when it came to girls. It's the soul I look at. Are they kind? Are they smart enough so I can hold a intelligent conversation with them? Do they have good morals? That sort of thing. What I'm trying to say is that I was kind of an idiot not to have noticed you long before now. I'll kick my own tail everyday knowing how much time I wasted that I could have had with you" Cooler says and I blush, my hair and eyes going red. "I guess, I'm trying to ask you to be my girl, Alyssa" He says and I nod still blushing.
Gaster and Papyrus both smile as I lean over and give Cooler a quick kiss. Cooler blushes this time and he's so flipping cute with his blue blush. I giggle, my hair and eyes returning to pink and we enjoy our meal. A bit into our meal, Alex comes up to us. "Hey, Alyssa, Can I ask a small favor?" He says. "Sure, what's up, Alex?" I say, having already finished my lunch. "Besides the ceiling, roof, and sky? My singer for the house band is running a little late. Would it be possible for you to cover for him until he gets here?" He asks and I sigh and get up. "Sure thing, but only until he gets here" I say and follow Alex to the stage.
Song Choice: Boys Like You by Anna Clendening (Alyssa sings this. not going to type out the lyrics)
Cooler's POV
I watch Alyssa leave with the owner of the place. "I didn't know she sang" Gaster says. "I did. Heard her this morning before I got out of bed. She has a nice voice. Music starts and we look to see Alyssa come out on the small stage the place has. I smile as her eyes meet mine. She smiles a little and starts to sing. The change in her was almost immediate. She almost seemed lost in the music, her hair and eyes a beautiful light purple color. I find myself wondering if I would ever get tired of hearing Alyssa sing. Gaster and Papyrus seem just as captivated as I am, staring at the stage. I could barely see it, but Gaster was swaying to the music. I smile and clap when the song is over and Alyssa returns to the table. "That was amazing, Alyssa. You truly have a beautiful voice" Gaster says, making Alyssa blush. "I used to want to be a singer when I was young, but when my magic came, It was clear that my path was elsewhere" Alyssa says and we nod.
To be continued...
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Notes: Please leave a Review! I REALLY would like to know how I'm doing with this story!