i wake up again.
my face is full of couch, stupid universe.
i don't stand up to grab papyrus' mobile.
same entries, not really sure if also same universe.
i need a quick nap, i leave those mattress for later.
while i usually start my resets sleeping somewhere, i don't really get sleep out of them.
have to wake up and check where i am before i get steamrolled.
feeling the need for some rest i snooze a bit before flowey calls.
* bahp-deep-bahp-deep-bahp-click
* stat's?
* dodged, but seems more responsive this time.
* I think they actually listened.
* g'd, same proc' as usual
* gonna nap now on couch.
* wake when geno.
* see ya.
i hang up and continue my nap. sleep is needed by the mind, not body.
i still have to sleep in the resets.
i can't really sleep my eight hours a day.
each iteration lasts eight hours at most and i still need to play my part.
i can sleep more when papyrus gets killed.
but that rarely happened since i started killing the genociders before toriel.
it seems that most walk down the path of extremes.
either full LOVE or full love.
i lie on the couch eyes closed and think about my fate.
being stuck with versions of my friends, stuck in the same eight ours.
you would think that the resets would wear on you.
but they don't, at least not that much.
i've got friends in all worlds and they vary at least.
no two universes are identical.
and finding those subtleties is what makes me take free-time.
most of the history is similar.
we can reach the surface in any world.
all i have to do is playing my part.
as long as all goes according to the script it will work out.
just, keep playing along.
do it for all of them.
or else i would only train to get out of this thing.
yeah it's not wearing on me.
but there seems to be more behind this.
and finding out what takes the last third of my time.
it can't be coincidence.
but i need sleep.
The steel walls of the core gleam in the dim light of the computer terminals. Footsteps fall and a dumpy skeleton, not that young but small runs into the extraction room, out of breath and near collapse. Sans is standing in a deep part of the sanctum that is the extensive laboratory of W.D. Gaster. He tries catching his breath, even though he has no lungs, but he can hear the skitter of fine talons on steel, no time to stand still yet. He has lost most of his clothing in the chase and is down to his underwear and a single slipper. Knowing what is on the line, he makes a last dash through the door only to be greeted by a steep fall into a sea of flames. With his reflexes he barely holds on to the edge.
* goddamn, this is bad.
The layout of core has been changed, now he has to look for his goal all over again. Pulling himself up, he sees something moving in the twilight of the room he just jumped out of. He takes the scenery in and sees two possible ambush points, three if he considers the nimbleness and flexibility of his predator. But, since he is aware of the points and that is to be expected of him, he might be lured into a trap that he triggers by evading. With that in mind he plans his escape avoiding the secondary ambush points. But sadly, he failed to consider that this might be a trap too. A yellow flash emerges from behind the blaster prototype. His predator expected him to avoid the route below the tables because of the risk of them being trapped, leaving him open for an assault over ground. The yellow monster closing in from above pouncing onto him, the delicate talons pinning his arms to the ground, face covered by darkness, only centimetres away the mouth opens and
* bahp-deep-bahp-deep-bahp-deep-bahp-deep-bahp-deep-click
* what?
* are you alright?
* yeah.
* just had a strange dream
* even stranger than usual.
* anyway, where are we?
* So, they went through the ruins, everyone's alive.
* Get onto your station, I bought you as much time as I could.
* thanks bro, i'll take over for now.
* you deserve some free time.
* see ya at the bitter end.
i hang up.
azzy can chill again, after all he just spent two hours meticulously stalking
they now can't gain the power to end reality anymore.
each time one reaches the end wielding that power they destroy everything in the timeline.
i ran tests, it looks like after i die in a timeline something massive happens.
the whole space-time continuum unravels back to its seams...
unravelling...
i know how dying feels, but how does ending feel?
if i can fix this mess no one will ever know again.
with this cheery thought i shortcut to my sentry station.
the next part is something i like to play with, but since they're playing by the book i do too.
the usual routine.
stalking in the wood.
whoopee cushion in hand.
the conveniently shaped lamp bit.
through the electric maze.
but then they went out of their way to kill a jerry.
fricking jerry.
why?
just... why?
i leave flowey a message that this timeline is shot.
in any case, now i can have fun screwing with the human.
i change the word search.
GETTTTTTDUNKEDON
KJCSDRIBSREWOLFO
BMLUFITUAEBYADXV
DSINGINGTBURNING
DOHELLBLOOMINGUE
EDISTUOUBDORTAHW
Words to find:
What Flowers Spare
Beautiful Blooming Burning
Day Birds Heaven
Outside Singing Friends
as usual papyrus chews me out for doing that halfhearted puzzle.
i grin to myself and let the human continue doing their thing.
i played with what puzzles i leave there.
but it doesn't change much.
papyrus either says it is too easy, the standard response.
or i actually make it hard as hell and we are stuck there.
puzzles that can stop that thing are scarce and almost impossible to solve.
in one early universe i did something just to see how it goes.
i created a puzzle that was actually deadly and impossible to beat.
i prepared everything, and it was a glorious mess.
it was a very cathartic experience.
best use of free time, ever, of all times.
this human talks to me whenever they can.
want to see if something is up with me, i guess.
i give the same standard answers i always give.
i can't even remember when i started giving them.
the tile puzzle, rigged as usual.
the cross puzzle, solved without a second of hesitation.
and the comes the gauntlet.
papyrus notices he doesn't have it in him to hurt the human.
so he stakes out the misty path to capture the human.
the human walks nervously by and gives me a last look.
* you're off the hook for now kiddo.
* enjoy the underground.
then they finally enter snowdin.
i shortcut back home and turn the television on.
by now the news of a human falling down should have spread.
yup, mtt-live displays technical difficulties.
at least the clock works.
eleven fifty-three, odd.
i get out my trusty coin.
i hope for tails, i could use the sleep.
heads, research.
damn working ethic.
in the distance i hear the fight between papyrus and the human stopping.
paps doesn't come running immediately.
the human seems to hold a grudge.
no sense in killing it now.
i feed my pet rock some sprinkles and turn all the lights off.
i won't come back here this loop.
i shortcut directly to hotland in front of alphys' lab.
i give it a knock, she should be busy preparing mettaton's show.
* Who's there?
oh, this is too perfect.
* doctor.
* Doctor Who?
* exactly.
i hear a giggle from the inside as the door unlocks.
as i step inside a big metal box steps in my way.
* EXTERMINATE!
* oh no, a dalek, if i let him escape he will destroy all of the humans.
* No worries, i will have that fixed in a jiffy.
alphys acts like she shot mettaton who promptly starts dying.
* OH WOE IS ME, A POOR DEFENSELESS DALEK WHO ONLY CRAVED FOR THE SCREAMING OF HUMANS.
* NEVER AGAIN SHALL I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF-
* Can it tin can.
alphys turns to me and gives me a warm smile.
* H-hey Sans, lost your keycard?
i have a keycard?
* came here in a hurry.
* what are you doing?
* Errrrr...
* A F-favour for Mettaton.
she picks a box of the table and gives it to mettaton.
* So, this sh-should be all.
* I prepared the cameras everywhere and started printing the flyers.
* B-by my calculations, th-they should arrive, earliest, in about t-two hours, so be back here by then.
* YES, DARLING.
metti turns to me, the box containing the bombs.
seems like the cooking show and the musical are already done.
* HELLO SANS, SORRY I HAVE NO TIME TO CHAT.
* ALWAYS BUSY BEING A STAR.
alphys walks over to the camera control station and seems to check something,
* no prob, just make sure it's fabulous as always, boss.
* OH YOU, WE'RE UNDER US HERE, NO NEED FOR FORMALITIES.
* ANYWAY, SEE YOU LATER.
with that the killer robot left the building.
* hey alphys
* i wanted to ask you for help on somethyawn.
goddamit, i think i really need a nap before i can do anything else.
* Are you alright Sans?
* You look really tired.
* yeah, couldn't sleep.
* running on maybe four hours, tops.
she gives me an enquiring look.
* Problems with Papyrus?
i can't look her in the eyes.
she can barely keep her own life together.
no need to burden her with mine.
* yeah... you could say that.
* Poor thing.
she gives me a strange look, a mix between concerned and having a really bad, but fun, idea.
i have had that look myself more times than i can count.
* Tell you what, you said you want my help, so no sense in going home to nap.
* How about you go upstairs and lie down in my bed for a while?
bed, sleep, what a glorious concept.
* don't mind me taking that offer.
* that is veryawn sweet of you.
* You're welcome, sweet dreams
with that i make my way to her bed.
instinctively i open it.
it's usually folded up to a cube.
but with a few button pushes it unfolds.
it is big and soft and somehow smells like home.
i take my shoes off and throw my hoodie on a nearby chair.
keeping my shorts on, after all i'm a guest.
in mere moments i drift into sweet dreams.
A skeleton, a lizard and a ghost sit a table, it is covered with paper-sheets, bowls of snacks and dice.
* you arrive at the island-temple.
* it is big and cavernous, a musty smell hangs in the air.
* the walls are hewn from stone and look more ancient than time.
* exits?
* errr... several smaller openings and a big doorway leads to another room.
* (dice rolling)
* alphys, karin is hearing chanting from there, sans, winfried isn't.
* Oh, interesting. I run towards the big opening.
* "where are you going?"
* "I think I hear chanting coming from the big doorway."
* i run after her and make myself ready to engage.
* okay...
* you arrive at the same time.
* some kind of altar is being prepared by two cultists while ten others are chanting.
* (dice rolling)
* nobody seems to have seen you yet.
* i check for guards.
* (dice rolling)
* you can't see any.
* okay, do i see more of that strange black liquid?
* which one?
* the one that sapped my strength.
* (dice rolling)
* no sans, you don't.
* Okay. I inch my way closer to the whole bunch.
* What language are they chanting in?
* errr... you don't know the language.
* Okay.
* (dice rolling)
* karin gets grappled from behind.
* it is another cultist who is holding a sacrificial dagger to karin's throat.
* "hey there champ, one wrong move and i'll-"
* i disarm them, winding the knife out of their hand.
* (dice rolling)
* yes, a crit!
* errrr... okay, you got their knife and broke even a few fingers with the force you wound it out of the cultists hand.
* they are about to screaming from the pain which the other cultists will hear.
* Oh g-great, this will be like the h-high school all over again.
* maybe, though back then i had so much luck with my rolls.
* i take the knife and slit open the throat of the cultist.
* "nobody touches my girlfriend."
* GIRLFRIEND?!
* i take it that was in character...
* Oh, y-yes.
* oh...
* wait, i don't think my manoeuvre works and he screams, let me roll-
* i'll allow it because of the crit.
* dammit.
* the other cultists are running, but two guards with swords emerge.
* okay, i wield the knife in a defensive stance and wait for an attack.
* "yes, well, we've known each other for a year, and, well..."
* the first guard reaches you and attacks.
* (dice rolling)
* i dodge
* (dice rolling)
*okay, that works.
* "I thought you liked me too?"
* then i use my first attack to slash their throat.
* (dice rolling)
* (dice rolling)
* you hit, damage?
* (dice rolling)
* six with double damage modifier.
* wow
* (dice rolling)
* he collapses in front of you, slowly bleeding out.
* I t-take a-an a-all-out d-defence action.
* "W-well, even if t-that's the c-case, you h-have to ask f-first."
* the second guard tries to attack karin.
* Oh, I-i d-dodge.
* (dice rolling)
* should be enough, he misses.
* "in that case, would you like to be my girlfriend?"
* i attack him, again cutting throat.
* (dice rolling)
* (dice rolling)
* okay, my dice roll really bad tonight, crit fail on the dodge.
* (dice rolling)
* seven with double damage modifier.
* (dice rolling)
* yeah, he's unconscious on the floor too
* okay, combat is over, so alphys?
* (silence)
* i think it's best if we wrap up here.
* I-i a-agree b-blooky.
* (silence)
* hey, alphys?
* Y-yes, s-sans?
* you wanna grab a bite together?
* I-i w-would l-love to.
i wake up and something soft and warm is pressing against me.
i open my eyes to check what it is.
alphys is in the bed.
sleeping too.
cuddling me.
in underwear.
suppress a scream.
out of bed.
woke her up.
* Sans? Are you okay?
* have to go.
* Are you sure, this bed is pretty soft.
* YES.
i warp.
my lab.
breathe.
after subjective ten years i can think clearly again.
i redid my calculations.
i looked through the scrapbook again.
this me never wrote it down but it was apparent from the pictures.
this is all wrong.
need to find asriel.
call him with papyrus' handy.
* Yes?
* we need to talk.
* Now? I'm kinda busy.
* Keep telling yourself that. Ahuhuhu~
* Dammit, I could have gotten to second base.
* no you couldn't.
* No you couldn't Ahuhuhu~
* Why are you so cruel?
* because-
* -it annoys you. Ahuhuhu~
i sortcut to muffet's bakery and high-five her.
* I hate you both.
* i love you too, bro.
muffet puts two hands on my shoulder.
i swat them off.
* sorry, but there is a family emergency.
* we can flirt later, kay?
* That will cost you~
* sure, i'll treat you to some donuts.
* know someone who makes a great batch.
* The bargain is struck. Ahuhuhu~
i grab the boss monster at his collar and shortcut back to the living room.
i throw his fluffy butt on the couch
* Ouch, seriously, what gives?
* asriel, we have a problem.
* i thought this wasn't possible.
* but, we are not on the central tree anymore.
* What?
* this isn't our multiverse.
DEEPTALE
Arc 1 - Alice is dead
Welcome to Deeptale, down the deep end and back up.
As I said in sequence 1 of this arc, it takes usually 8 hours to the top but the actual on screen time is closer to 6.
Sans' sleep need in this AU is 20 hours awake for each 8 hours sleep.
The first dream sequence has a meaning, won't tell too much, but it is pretty obvious.
Whoever guesses the deeper implications will get a special price.
This sans has died in earlier loops. And yes, it hurts.
Jerry... He is one of the toughest enemies in the whole game, taking at least 7 hits to kill with the best equipment at that point, but only giving 1 exp.
I'm not fond of Jerry.
The whole Doctor Who reference insert was just a bit of nerding around that I wanted in there.
The whole Alphys sequence has lots of strange little oddities in there, most are intended
The second dream sequence is meant to be a role-playing group with Blooky as GM, recorded with a microphone.
They use the GURPS system.
Don't know if that sequence works.
About the creation of this fic:
This whole fic and AU started when I saw so many bad attempts at creating a sans that remembers the resets.
Foremost, I just asked myself "What would I do?"
If I ever write the earlier loops (if I get at least 3 requests for them, I will write them), they will be very NSFW.
The name of the AU stems from a time when this sans had gone down the "deep end", though in case of my interpretation of sans that just means "is quicker to strike".
In connection to the looping, that means gone insane through the repetitions. But, well, in this case it is more gotten sick of the universe fucking with him.
The name of the arc is based on the game of the same name