"Alright. So what's first?"
I sighed, stripping down to one layer of clothing, body sweating from all the heat. God I hate Hotland, already.
Gaster watched me for a moment, turning his attention to a coffee mug by his desk.
I folded my clothes, setting them down on a table before taking my mask off and placing it on top of the lazily-folded pile.
He set the mug down on a pedestal, demonstrating what he wanted me to do. His eyes began to glow as he raised his hand, the mug following.
"You want me to try that?" I let out a hesitant chuckle as the ceramic piece lowered, "Hate to break it to ya, but I don't know how."
He said one word.
I repeated the word, separating it into its individual sounds, "Concentrate?" He gave me a nod, "Alright, then." I sighed, holding my hand in front of me and closing my eyes.
I imagined the cup being lifted from its rest. Five minutes of utter silence went by until I cracked my eyes open. The mug hadn't moved, nor had Gaster, who proceeded to watch me with arms folded.
"Yeah. As I said, no bueno." I laughed, lowering my arm to my side.
He approached me, his boney hand now over my sternum.
"Need something, Bud?" I laughed, everything in me wanting to back away.
His hand glowed a color I had never seen before; one no human is capable of imagining. Energy surged through me, coursing through my every vain. It filled me with determination.
{Concentrate.} He repeated the one word, backing away.
I held my hands in front of my face, "What did you-" I jumped back as the flesh became engulfed with flames of blue. The didn't hurt.
I held my left far in front of me, bones falling from above and onto the ground. My hand quickly went to my side as soon as I heard a crashing sound.
Gaster began to pinch the space between his eye sockets, using his other hand to point at the mug. I guess everything else will be taught, come time.
I closed my eyes again, steadying my breath. This power, will I be able to use this for good? Or will it corrupt me? ... Of course it's for good! I couldn't hurt a single soul if I wanted to.
My eyes shot open as soon as I heard another crash. Gaster gave me an exhausted look, hand twitching in front of him. I looked downward, the mug shattered at my feet.
"Did I..." My words trailed off as I crouched down, hand hovering over the shards. I watched this time, the pieces of ceramic being lifted from the ground, "That's so cool!" I laughed, two of the shards becoming out of control, both grazing my right cheek at lightning speed.
I quickly reached to the abrasion, the ceramic falling back to the floor.
{How about you watch, next time.} The skeleton spoke with irritation, walking over to a cupboard, {We can't risk getting you hurt, yet.}
"Yeah." I sighed, watching my hand as its glow slowly faded, "Maybe we shouldn't, here. Wouldn't it have been better if we went into the forest and worked with the snow rather than risk your work?"
He gave me a shrug as he began to eat some food. His magic must be running low.
"Maybe I should do that, tonight." I gave him a hesitant laugh, shoving my hands into the pockets of my sweatpants.
{Perhaps that would be best.}
"In other news, the queen is still reported missing." The news woman began to rattle off.
"And the Ruins have been sealed." I sighed. As far as I can tell, the only entrance to the Underground is through that hole up Mount Ebott, and these monsters are hoping for a human. Without any more humans falling down, well I just have to be more aware of the company I surround myself with, "Welp," I sighed, forcing myself out of the couch, "I'm going out."
"It gets better, though." Papyrus shot me a pair of puppy dog eyes, forcing my expression to soften.
"I just have to do something." I gave him a chuckle, putting my hand on the door handle, "I'll be back before you go to bed, alright."
He just nodded at me.
I left the house, closing the door behind me before starting my walk to the forest. Snowdin was always quiet at this time, the magic lights dimming in order to simulate night time. I walked in silence, stopping once I reached a clearing.
I raised my hand in front of me, a pile of snow moving upwards and collecting around my arm. I watched as it spun clockwise. I raised my arm above my head, the snow firing above me like a cannon.
I didn't flinch. The power did exactly what I wanted. Well, most of the way. Of course, I moved the second I saw a glowing, blue bone began hurtling toward me.
"Why did you climb the mountain?" A voice began to echo amongst the trees.
"Why?" I looked around cautiously, standing back up, "I'm sorry. I don't know what you're-"
"No, silly human. I think you do know what I'm talking about." The voice sounded both inviting and fearful at the same time, something I never thought possible, "Was it foolishness. Or maybe fate... or maybe..." They stopped, still staying hidden, "Well, I guess only you know."
"I'm sorry." I scoffed, folding my arms over my chest, "I think you've got the wrong guy."
"Oh, you see, that's where you're wrong." They laughed, "You see, that ability you have, that power to RESET, I have it too."
I felt something catch in my throat, my stomach dropping.
"But... since you've fallen down Ebott..." Their words trailed off, "You're stronger than I am, and now you have magic. Granted, you can be dangerous with control... but you're a hazard without it." They stopped, humming slowly to a tune, "Well, I'll see you another time. When I'm stronger, of course, and I'll kill you over, and over, and over again." The forest roared with laughter.
"Why don't you show yourself, now!?" I grit my teeth, extending my arm to my side as the snow formed a familiar shape.
"Oh wow! Nice snowman!" They laughed once again, "Until next time."
And everything was filled with silence.
I turned to my snowman, patting down a lump, "Don't listen to his sarcasm. You are a great snowman."
"Thank you." A new voice went off in front of me, forcing me to fall on my rear.
"D-did I just create life?!" I began to freak out. That would technically make this pile of snow my kid, right? What the fuck do you do with a kid? Do you walk it? Do you feed it? What the hell do snowmen eat?!
I quickly stood back up, pulling my hood over my head and pressing my hands against my ears, "I-I can't take this responsibility." I bolted.
"But Father! Wait!" Was the last thing I heard the pile of snow say.