Ooh, look! An early update!

Despite how much time had past, school hadn't been that different. Although for Papyrus, it seemed that classes had always gotten more and more complicated, each year. At this point, it wouldn't surprise him if they asked what the square root of a dog was.

It was lunch time, and Papyrus was sitting at an empty table. He was eating a peanut butter sandwich while doing some of his homework. One good thing about lunch was that he was always able to do homework as soon as possible. And once he was done, he could just do whatever he wanted later.

Papyrus looked up from doing his work, he saw his brother walk over, carrying a hot dog and some french fries of his tray.

"hey, bro," Sans said as he sat next to Papyrus. "whatcha workin' on?"

"Oh, I'm just working on poetry," Papyrus said as he tapped his pencil against his skull. "Unfortunately...I have yet to write anything down."

"well...maybe i can help," Sans said as he took a bit out of hit hot dog. "does it have to be anything specific?"

Papyrus shook his head. "No, not really."

"well...then why not write a poem about yourself?"

"Are you sure about this?" Papyrus asked, raising a non-existent eyebrow.

"sure i'm sure," Sans replied, "who knows? they might actually like it."

"Hm..." Papyrus began writing as words started popping into his head. "I think you might be right about this!"

"see? what'd i tell ya?" Sans asked as he winked at his brother. Papyrus continuously wrote words down onto the paper. It might not give him an A, but it could be enough to give him a B or a C...and to him, that was good enough.

Meanwhile, at another table, Ricky was glaring at Papyrus from afar. "So I guess we weren't able to break him, after all."

"Well...you know how stubborn he is," Sclara said as she took a bite out of her fries. "You try to insult him and it'll barely do a thing!"

"Well...maybe there's a different way to break him," Ricky said as he tapped his fingers against the table. "but how're we supposed to do that?"

"Honestly, would you give it a rest?" Sclara said bitterly. "Face it, he's not the kind of monster who breaks that easily."

Suddenly, an idea formed in Ricky's mind. "Right...he isn't very easy to break, but his brother is! Both physically AND mentally."

Sclara stopped herself from eating as she placed her fries back down on the tray. "What? So you're saying that we should go after Brittles, instead?"

"Just think for a moment," Ricky said, grinning. "If we convince Brittles that his brother HATES him, then it'll break Rattles in the process!"

"Honestly, that sounds like a dumb idea," Sclara said with a deadpan expression. Ricky shook his head. "Nah, I'm sure it'll work!"

"I dunno, Ricky-"

"Either you're in or you're not," Ricky grumbled as a fireball formed in his claws. "And if you're not in, then I won't hesitate to treat you like everyone else!"

Sclara felt herself shutter. As a bully, she had her limits. But as a friend, she couldn't just abandon Ricky. Either way, she was screwed.

"OK, fine!" Sclara said, reluctantly. "Just tell me what I gotta do!"

"Make sure to talk to Rattles before he gets home," Ricky said as he handed Sclara a voice recorder. "And make sure to use this!"

Sclara looked at the voice recorder with sheer curiosity. "What? You want me to just record him or something?"

"Exactly!" Ricky said, "But make sure to ask him about something that he doesn't like or it won't work!"

Sclara began to frown. She really didn't want to do this, but she didn't want to face Ricky's wrath, either. What was she going to do, now?

School was finally over, Sans and Papyrus had said good-bye to each other and headed their separate ways. While Sans headed off into Hotland, Papyrus decided to just return home for the day. He didn't want to take any chances with the bullies.

...Speaking of bullies...

"Hey, Rattles!"

Papyrus felt himself jump upon hearing Sclara's voice. He looked back at the Astigmatism, frightened. "Whatever it is, I don't want to fight you for it!"

"Relax, I'm not gonna pick on you or anything!" Sclara said as she caught up to him. She pulled a tape recorder out of her bag. "I'm just here to interview you for a newspaper!"

Papyrus tilted his head. "Really? I didn't know you worked for the newspaper."

"Well, um..." Sclara started to rub her arm uncomfortably. "I just started working for it, it's really fun."

"Oh," Papyrus began to smile, "Well, I'm glad that you were able to find a job you like~!"

"Yeah, whatever." Sclara turned the voice recorder on. "So how do you feel about your brother?"

"Sans?"

"No, I'm talking about King Asgore," Sclara said sarcastically.

"But the King's not-"

"YES, I MEAN SANS!" Sclara snapped. Papyrus flinched, defensively. "OK! OK! You don't have to shout!"

"Ugh..." Sclara placed a hand over her face. "Just answer the question!"

"Well," Papyrus placed a hand over his jaw. "He's practically my best friend...or rather, he's my only friend." Papyrus smiled. "but regardless, I'm lucky to have someone like him around."

Sclara nodded. "Right...but does he ever bother you at all?"

"Well, he can be pretty lazy at times. Plus his jokes are TERRIBLE...but other then that, he doesn't bother me that much."

"Huh...I see..." Sclara began to look down at the ground. Despite how stupid this plan was, she somehow felt guilty. She was beginning to wonder why she bullied these skeletons in the first place. Was it because of the way they talked? Or the way they acted?

"Is something wrong?" Papyrus asked in concern. Sclara shook her head. "I'm fine, let me just ask you another question."

"OK, lay it on me!"

"Um..." Sclara began to think. As nice as he was, there HAD to be someone that Papyrus couldn't stand...anyone would do. Suddenly, Sclara had the perfect idea.

"What are your thoughts on that UFO-looking monster? What was he called? Jerry?"

"Jerry, huh?"

Sclara nodded. "Yeah, have you heard of him?"

"Honestly..." Papyrus started to frown. "Don't tell anyone, but that guy just gets on my nerves!"

"Wait, really!?" Sclara asked in complete shock.

"Don't get me wrong, I've TRIED to like him," Papyrus said as he adjusted his hat, "But he's just so GROSS! Not to mention that he's annoying, selfish, and he always leaves a scent that could make my skin crawl!"

"Great..." Sclara turned the voice recorder off. "That's it, thank you..."

"Wait, that's it?" Papyrus asked in disappointment. "Are you sure you don't want to ask me anything else?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Sclara said in a deadpan tone. She began to walk away. "I'll talk to ya later, chump!"

Papyrus frowned, he wondered what had gotten into Sclara all of a sudden. Although perhaps it was just a personal issue. Whatever it was, he thought it was best to leave her be. She did have Ricky to talk with, after all.

Meanwhile, Sclara continued to examine the voice recorder in her hands. She was willing to toss it into the trash, or throw it into the river, but Ricky would be quick to notice right away.

At any rate, it was best to just stick with the plan.

As another school day had gone by, Sans and Papyrus were walking through New Home. This time, the younger of the two was escorting Sans out to Hotland.

"So how's the lab been so far?"

"it's been fun," Sans replied. "alphys even said that she'd even take me to the garbage dump with her friends, next week!"

"Who's Alphys?"

"Eh...don't worry about it," Sans said with a shrug. He took a pill out of his coat and tossed it into his mouth. Afterwards, he pulled out a water bottle and drank from it.

"Hey, Sans?"

"yeah, bro?"

"I've been meaning to ask you...why do you carry those pills around?"

"oh, alphys gave them to me so i wouldn't get sick on the elevator," Sans replied, "they've been working pretty well, so far."

"That's good," Papyrus said happily, "Just try not to take too many of them. And make sure you take care of yourself back at the lab, all right?"

"whatever, mom!"

As the two skeletons made their way to the elevator, Papyrus picked his brother off the ground and squeezed him. "I love you~!"

"heh..." Sans patted his brother's skull. "i love you too, pap!"

Papyrus gently placed his older twin down. They said their good-byes and started heading their separate ways. Maybe today, Papyrus might borrow a few books from the library? Or maybe he'll just sit on the couch and play with his puzzle cube? As long as it helped pass the time, it didn't really matter.

Sans was already on his way to the lab, the small skeleton kept his hands in his pockets as his lab coat dragged along the floor. He was quickly getting used to walking through Hotland, which thankfully, didn't cause him any problems since working as Gaster's apprentice. He no longer worried about the lava underneath the platforms, nor did he worry about the elevators. Maybe one day, he might even bring Papyrus over for a walk.

Meanwhile, Sclara was hiding behind a nearby cactus, debating on what she should do. She pulled out her cell phone and started to call Ricky. The phone rang a few times before someone finally picked it up.

"So how'd it go?"

"I haven't done anything yet," Sclara replied, "Are you sure we shouldn't just call it off?"

"Of course not!" Ricky said in an upbeat tone. "Besides, isn't it healthy for siblings to fight?"

"Well, I guess so, but-"

"Then stop wasting time and go after Brittles!"

Ricky hung up the cell phone, causing Sclara to panic. "Ricky, wait! I don't wanna-"

Suddenly, Sclara was surrounded by a blue hue. Before she could comprehend what was going on, she began to hover in the air. She was floating upside-down and face-to-face with an annoyed Sans. "whaddaya doin' out here, ya creep!?"

"U-um..." Sclara felt herself tremble. "Well...I didn't want to tell ya this, but your brother's been saying really nasty things behind your back!"

Sans dropped Sclara onto the ground, glaring at the monster in front of him. "you're lying!"

"No I'm not," Sclara said as she pulled out her recording device. "See for yourself!"

She turned the recording device on, allowing to play some edited audio.

"Don't tell anyone, but that guy just gets on my nerves!"

"Don't get me wrong, I've TRIED to like him, "But he's just so GROSS! Not to mention that he's annoying, selfish, and he always leaves a scent that makes my skin crawl!"

Sans raised a non-existent eyebrow, "so he was just trying to get rid of me? is that why he wanted me to be dad's apprentice?"

Sclara nodded, looking down at her feet. "yeah...pretty much."

"and how do i know that this isn't made up?"

Sclara just shrugged. "Hey, either you believe or you don't...but I'm telling you that's HIS voice!"

Sans began to frown. He knew it had to be a joke, but given how vain Papyrus could be, it wouldn't surprise him if it were true. He had to go back, he wanted to know if what Papyrus said was true or not.

Sclara felt herself shutter, again. Not from fear, but from rage. She threw her cell phone into the lava and watched it melt. She never wanted to talk to Ricky, again.

Meanwhile, back in New Home, Papyrus was sitting on the couch, playing with his puzzle cube. He was able to complete one side, but the biggest question was: How was he going to finish the other sides?

Suddenly, he saw the door slam open. Sans was out of breath, he looked like he was about to collapse at any second.

"Oh, hello," Papyrus said, looking over at Sans. "Aren't you supposed to be at the lab?"

"d-don't worry about it!" Sans said as he tried to catch his breath. He looked up at Papyrus with a cold glare. "did you mean everything you said?"

"Um..." Papyrus tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"do you really think i'm annoying and selfish?"

"WHAT? NO!" Papyrus yelled. He walked over to Sans and examined him. "Are you stressed? Maybe you're dehydrated? Or maybe haven't been getting enough sleep?"

"gees, pap! I'm fine!" Sans protested. Papyrus let out a sigh of relief as he wrapped his arms around the smaller skeleton. "You know I love you more then anything, so why are you having these bad thoughts all of a sudden?"

"...heh...hehe..." Sans buried his face into Papyrus' chest. "i guess i was just being stupid, i knew i shouldn't have listened to Sclara."

"Odd...she actually talked to me, yesterday," Papyrus said frowning. "She said she wanted to interview me...although she did ask me about Jerry yesterday, so maybe you heard me ranting about him, instead."

"ugh..." Sans rattled his bones in disgust. "no wonder you said all that stuff, that guy is TERRIBLE!"

Papyrus picked his brother off the ground and gently placed him onto the couch. "Here, I'll call dad and tell him that you're staying with me for today."

Sans couldn't but feel bad about leaving his father at the lab, but he was certain that he would understand, nonetheless.

Papyrus grabbed the phone that was hanging from the wall and started to call him (or rather, one of his assistants). While Gaster seemed disappointed, he was all right with letting Sans spend the rest of the day home. Sans let out a deep yawn, curling up on the side of the couch before falling asleep. Upon seeing his brother sleep, Papyrus grabbed a nearby blanket and wrapped it around Sans. After all, someone had to take care of him while Gaster wasn't around...

Not the best chapter, but I tried my best.