Chapter 36: Forgotten Memories
Nearly a week passed before Sans dropped by Asgore's castle.
Asgore was watering the yellow flowers in his throne room, when Sans appear.
"hey fluffy."
The king turned his eyes widened with surprise.
"Fluffy? That's a new one. Wouldn't have expected that from you, Sans."
"heh, it kind of suits ya," Sans said.
"Was there a reason you stopped by?"
"yeah, i ran into gerson last week and he said he had something interesting to show me."
Sans fetched some photos from his lab coat and showed them to the king.
"Who are these people?"
"you mean you can't remember them either?"
"No, strange do you know them?"
"not at all yet I took a picture with them all the same."
"That is weird. I notice they're all wearing lab coats. Maybe they were your lab assistants."
"lab assistants? what are you talking about?"
"Well I remember hiring someone to fill in the royal scientist position. I assumed from my memories that it was you."
Sans' pupils disappeared as he recalled the memories of what he did as the royal scientist. He had been experimenting with determination injecting it in monsters who had fallen down.
One evening he had dropped by and hit Papyrus after he saw him release one of the amalgamates from it's cage.
'why?'
Tears fell from his eyesockets.
'why did i do that?'
"that's impossible. it couldn't have been me. i would have never agreed to it."
Yet he remembered with perfect clarity making coffins for the fallen humans.
"Yeah that does sound kind of strange. Everything we've done so far has always conflicted with your strong sense of justice."
Sans knows he's referring to the other humans who died underground but there's no way that both their memories were wrong were there?
He sighed before he teleported back. The experiment with box didn't work but he found even if the experiment wasn't a success that he could calibrate the box to his magical signature. He found a way to track the other boxes too.
Still even after all of that he couldn't face Papyrus, not after what he did.
He walked around town wanting nothing more to disappear. He found himself drawn to a pub with a sign that said Grillbys. Strange enough from stepping inside, Sans felt as through he'd been there before but had no recollection of doing so.
Once inside every monster seemed to take notice of him. Sans decided to avoid them and took a seat at a bar stool in front.
"Can I help you?" An orange flame monster asked. He was wearing a black vest over a white shirt which matched his black trousers.
"what do you got?" Sans asked.
The monster names off all the drinks.
"You don't look like you could stand the stronger drinks."
"are you calling me a lightweight?"
"Not at all. I'm merely asking you to consider your choices before doing something foolish."
Sans sighed. His eyes leered at the red bottle lingering nearby.
Grillby seen the sly grin form on the corners of his teeth.
Before he could utter a word, Sans grabbed the bottle.
"ha, you thought you could stop me. give me a break," he drawled haughtily.
He chugged the bottle before he coughed.
"what's in here? it tastes awful."
"You have no self control," Grillby muttered with exasperation. "It's ketchup. Of course it tastes awful."
Sans took another swig before he grinned.
"i don't know. i think it's growing on me. i guess it's an acquired taste."
Grillby grinned.
"what are you so smug about?"
"Nothing. In any case, you seem calmer at least."
Sans' cheeks turned a dark blue.
"do i?"
"You looked kinda depressed when you walked in. Want to talk about it?"
Sans squinted at him leaning over to get a good look at him.
"have we met before? you look familiar."
"Funny I don't remember you. You must be thinking of my daughter. She comes here from Waterfall. It's not easy to get here after that accident in the CORE. I heard they're still doing repairs."
"Hey Grillbz, sorry I was running a little late. Ducky was sick so I had to fill in." A purple duck like monster came in. The monster took a seat next to the skeleton before he turned and saw Sans for the first time.
"Is he new?"
Grillby nodded.
"Hey what's your name?"
"the name's sans."
"Like the font, comic sans?"
"yeah."
"I think I like this guy already. I'm Honky."
"shouldn't that be quackers because you quack alot?" Sans asked, grinning smugly at the monster.
"I can't help what I am," he said smugly.
"it's not a bad thing."
Sans winked.
"so don't let me run up your 'bill'."
"Was that a pun?" Honky asked.
"don't worry you're not the only one with webbed feet."
Suddenly a pink fishlike monster with huge red lips wearing a blonde toupee strutted inside walking up to the front counter.
"Hey smoky, I'm parched get me a whiskey on the double."
"who's that?" Sans asked, pointing to the fish monster a fair distance from them.
"That's Mr Fishy. He always comes around this time. A bunch of trouble if you ask me," Honky said.
"Hey Shorty," Mr Fishy addressed them.
Sans turned towards the monster who was now parading in his personal space.
"are you talking to me?"
Mr Fishy shoved him by the shoulder.
"Of course, I'm talking to you, you smug idiot."
Sans grinned mirthlessly.
"that's one."
"You're in my seat, you bonehead."
Sans frowned.
"that's two."
Grillby came in with Mr Fishy's drink. Mr Fishy took a shot.
"About time."
"This is the third time, you've come by without paying your tab. Grillby says if you don't pay he'll ask the Royal Guard to come by and boot you out of here," Honky said.
"I ain't scared of that ol' flame."
"Sans, can you call the guard?" Honky asked.
"Ha, you're letting this lameo do it? You have no spine."
He pushed Sans harshly against the wall. The monster didn't even notice Sans' pupils disappear.
"that's three. want to make it four, you little a-hole."
A gaster blaster suddenly appeared and blasted him against the wall.
"don't touch me."
Everyone glanced at Mr Fishy, who was black in the face. It has appeared his toupee had turned crisp.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
"DADDY!"
He ran out of the pub in fear.
Suddenly there was a big applause.
"Yeah, you really showed that tuna fish, Sans," Honky said.
For the remainder of the day, Sans chilled with everyone in the pub. This had gone on until Honky left. After that Sans had placed his arms on the counter and rested his head on them falling fast asleep.
Later that evening after most of the customers were gone, Sans had woke up and looked around. Most of the seats were empty. He seen Grillby was occupied with cleaning glasses behind the counter.
"huh, where did everyone go?"
"It's nearly closing time."
"oh. i guess it is gettin' kinda late huh?"
He was going to get up to leave when a thought had occurred to him. The bartender had encouraged him to talk with him about what had been bothering him. Honestly he still didn't want to go home with those thoughts on his mind either.
"listen,have you ever had that feeling that you're forgettin' something?"
Grillby turned.
"I beg your pardon."
Sans explained to Grillby about the accident.
"only thing is i'm not sure who really pushed us in but then i have these memories about my older brother but no one has memories of him. everytime i think about him, my chest hurts like he's someone important to me."
Sans told him about his memories of Papyrus.
"it's strange beause i'd never do that to papyrus. i'm sure of it."
"Well then tell him. If you're genuine I'm sure he'd believe you."
"heh, he'd forgive anybody even if they were jerks."
Grillby was about to say something when a snore cut him off.
He saw that Sans had fallen back to sleep.
Papyrus came in later that evening spotting Sans napping at a stool in front of the pub.
"SANS, THERE YOU ARE. NEXT TIME TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE. YOU KNOW I WORRY ABOUT YOU."
He sighed and picked up his brother in his arms. Papyrus finally noticed Grillby behind the counter.
"I'M SORRY IF MY BROTHER WAS TROUBLE FOR YOU."
"He wasn't trouble at all," Grillby said.
"DID SANS ORDER ANYTHING I COULD PAY FOR HIM IF YOU LIKE."
"He just drank a bottle of ketchup."
Papyrus put some gold coins on the counter. It was approximately 100 g.
"You don't have to."
Papyrus however was already gone.
Sans drooled on his shoulder muttered under his breath.
"i'm sorry papyrus. please forgive me."
"IT'S ALRIGHT BROTHER. I WILL ALWAYS FORGIVE YOU."
He patted his brother's shoulder in encouragement.
A week had passed until the first gathering of the Human Fanclub. Unfortunately besides his cousin Napstablook, there was only one person to attend.
"And you are?" Mettablook asked.
"Er I'm Alphys," the yellow reptilian monster said.
"I see. I'm Mettablook."
"Cool."
"Any reason you decided to join my club?"
"I don't know. It sounded interesting. I mean humans must be cool if they managed to make something like anime."
"What's anime?"
"Here I'll show you," Alphys said taking out her phone.
"What's this?" Mettablook asked. "It looks like a cellphone but a cellphone can't stream video."
The video began to play and she saw a robot woman was fighting a slimy gooey alien and was captured by it's tentacles.
"Don't just stand there you pervert. Help me."
Another woman who looked human stood with blood coming from her nose.
"Ew, what is this?" Mettablook inquired with disgust.
"Is that black lacy underwear. You said you never wear that kind of stuff."
"What's it to you, pervert. Are you going to just stand there or are you gonna help me?"
The human pulled out a katana from her sword sheath that was around her waist and began to hold it out in front of her slicing through the alien's head.
Red blood exploded from the slice before the alien vanished to dust.
Mettablook squealed in fright, her face pale.
"Ugh that was awful."
"It was so cool though. Did you see the way the blood came gushing out? It totally defies all logic. Everyone knows a body doesn't combust and from some flesh wound. I should know I've had my fair share of flesh wounds."
Mettablook chuckled.
"How cute. How do you know humans created these cartoon?"
"They're not cartoons. It's anime."
"Whatever," she muttered with exasperation.
"I found all these DVDs in the dump. I didn't know what they were at first until I saw the DVD player. I figured out how to hook it up to my television."
"You found it in the dump? What if it had germs?"
"Ah it's just a little dirt and a little dirt can't hurt. I also found these bars. I guess it's food on the surface. The package says it can be ingested into instant nutrition without going to the bathroom whatever that is. It's kind of like monster food. I know how much starvation is a common thing in the underground and you know what monster food is made of don't you but if you don't like the idea there's no way I'll be able to convince everyone else with this. I'm pathetic."
'I didn't get any of that but she certainly speaks from the heart,' Mettablook thought.
"Well you're funny and that has to count for something."
The next time Sans dropped by Grillby's, he decided to bring the picture he had found in the box.
"say grillby, did i ever show you that old picture that i found. gerson found the picture in one of the red boxes scattered along the underground."
"No, you haven't," Grillby said.
Sans handed him the photo.
"y'know I've been trying to figure out what happened to my ol' man right? well i found this box and it contained something interesting."
Grillby glanced at the photo.
"Who are they?"
"that's the thing. i don't know."
"How could you not know?"
"I don't."
"You're in the photo."
"i know."
The sound of the bar door opened.
A green fire elemental monster came in with a purple cow monster. Peter piped up from where he was sitting by the jukebox near the right side of the counter.
"Oh look who it is, the cow who wished to be a bull. I hope you don't get angry if someone decides to wear something red," he spat.
Barby let out a sigh of disgust.
"Don't listen to that idiot. The only women he gets probably nail him with a horseshoe."
"hey grillby, is that your daughter?" Sans asked.
"Yeah, she's a bit sassy isn't she? Say Barb, who's that cow with you?"
"Cal," the cow monster said.
Suddenly Cal slipped on the floor.
"Eek."
She landed straight into the counter knocking the glasses in the front of the pub on the floor.
"Hee hah, guess the floor must have been slippery. You should be careful or you might need to polish your shoes," Peter said.
"Ha, you really showed her, Petey."
A large yellow monster that looked like a venus flytrap sat next to Barby who was leaning over the pub table next to where Sans was sitting.
Sans saw it smack her rear with one of it's leaves.
His eyes darkened.
"grillby, who are these monsters?"
Grillby shrugged.
"Who do you think you are? Flirting with the bartender's daughter you cad," Cal spat
Suddenly wine glasses were thrown at Peter and the venus flytrap. One of the stray ones knocked out Grillby.
"I didn't know," Peter said. "Venus, let's get out of here."
Venus wrapped his vines around Barby and pulled her with them.
Sans blocked the exit.
"i don't think so. just where do you think you're going,"
His left eye lit up and his hand moved up. Venus was suddenly slammed into an array of blue bones.
"i'd leaf go if you value your life. Every second you're holding that girl you're slowly draining your HP."
Venus chuckled nervously.
"Oh right."
He let go of her and the bones vanished.
Suddenly Grillby's door slammed open knocking Peter out.
"Cal, are you alright?" Cal's father marched into the place.
"I heard a commotion and came straight here."
"It was nothing that skeleton save me before I could fall," Cal said.
Sans' eyes disappeared.
"some bonehead made the floors too slippery. They won't do it again though."
Peter and Venus gulped.
"there were just trying to make friends, RIGHT?"
"Hehe, yeah."
"If that's the case, I believe you."
With that Cal and her father walked out.
Honky nudged Sans with his elbow.
"I think Grillby may owe you one."
Honky walked behind the counter.
"He still seems to be breathing so that's a good sign. Hey Grillby are you alright?"
Grillby groaned clutching his head.
"Ugh my head. What did I miss?"
"Besides seeing Sans go badass on those monsters?"
"Haha, I guess I ought to thank you."
"Hey," Venus called out to Sans.
Sans turned towards him in curiosity.
"you won't tell Grillby what happened will ya?" Venus asked.
Sans chuckled.
"Do you really think I'm that kind of guy?"
Venus chuckled, nervously.
"i suppose I might be persuaded if you can foot my bill. i'd pay it myself but i'm broke."
"Hey Grillby what did this skeleton order?" Venus asked.
Sans smiled pointing at an expensive hamburger on the menu Grillby showed him.
"What? There's no way I can afford that," Venus sputtered.
Sans grinned and patted him on the head.
"I knew I wasn't asking for too much."
Venus sighed in defeat.
"Fine."
He took out some gold from his pocket and paid Grillby.
"You know I couldn't help but hear your conversation with the monsters. That photo in it where is it?"
Sans showed Venus the photo.
"Y'know I think that orange monster and cat monster looks kinda familiar. I recall seeing monsters who looked very similar. I tend to have alot of connections with the underworld."
"you don't recognise anyone else?"
"No."
"maybe you're not as 'connected' with everyone as you like to proclaim."
"Ha ha very funny."
Grillby returned with Sans' hamburger.
"thanks grillbz."
When Venus and Peter left, Grillby spoke.
"So what really happened while I was unconscious hmm. Those monsters didn't try to do anything with my daughter did they?" He asked.
"the flytrap might have tried to kidnap your daughter but i stepped in before he could cause any harm."
Smoke came from the fire elemental.
"gee grillbz, are you smokin'?"
Grillby cracked his knuckles.
Sweat beaded down Sans' skull.
"you're not intending to beat 'em up are ya?"
"I should of charged them extra for that hamburger."
Sans winked at him.
"oh i got revenge and then some. why do you think i ordered the most expensive burger on your menu?"
The smoke vanished.
"I suppose that will suffice."
"of course it will suffice we don't need ya burning down the joint."
Grillby sighed.
"Are you going to eat that or should I dispose of it?"
He pointed to the burger.
"don't worry i'll eat it. bear with me."
That evening, Sans was heading home when he saw someone from the corner of his eye.
It was a little girl with blonde hair tied in a ponytail.
Wasn't she the girl he'd seen in the photo?"
"hey!" Sans called out.
The girl jolted as though she was severely surprised and ran.
"wait!"
He ran after her but she was fast on her feet.
Finally Sans tackled her to the ground.
"you're that girl from the photo. do I know you from somewhere?"
"No," she said.
Sans snorted.
"liar. i know you from somewhere. where are the others in that photo? you know them. i know you do," he said. "are you the one responsible for this?"
The girl looked surprised.
"Huh? You're wrong."
"who are you?"
She avoided his eyes.
"I can't tell you that."
"why not? i know you from somewhere. i know it but I can't remember who you are. please tell me what happened to the others."
She sighed.
"I'm sorry. I hope you'll forgive me. I know you must be lonely but you gotta move on."
With that she disappeared.
This time however Sans couldn't find her.
The next week, Alphys came by for another meeting with the human fanclub. She was carrying a yellow jeweled bag.
"Alphys, what is that?" Mettablook asked.
"This? It's a bag of yarns, fabric thread, blue paper and sequins. I thought you might enjoy sewing."
"Wow it's so shiny. I like it, thank you Alphys."
Alphys chuckled sheepishly.
"mettablook, i didn't know you knew how to sew," Napstablook said.
Mettablook's cheeks flushed.
"Oh don't worry. I know someone who can teach you," Alphys said. "Napstablook, do you want to know how to sew too?"
"would that be alright? i don't want to be a burden?"
"Nonsense, I'm sure you wouldn't be a burden to them. I'll see about hooking you up with some lessons from my friends."
The rest of the week had been so exhausting by the time next Friday came around Mettablook was barely floating.
"You look exhausted. We could always meet next week," Alphys said.
"You wanted to show me your favorite place to shop."
"I may have been exaggerating a little bit when I said shopping. I meant dumpster diving."
Mettablook groaned.
Alphys showed Mettablook an array of trash near the Waterfall.
"Some of the trash washes over her but most of it can be found down there."
Alphys took a raft from behind a large pile of garbage.
"There's a trail of water that leads down there."
Alphys got in the raft.
"Follow me."
Mettablook and Napstablook followed her until she spotted piles of garbage on both sides of the water.
"I think I might faint."
On the shore was an array of strange looking dummies in the nude looking very humanlike.
"What are they wearing?"
"Just some floral shirts I found in the dump. The humans probably thought they looked cheesy. There's some more in the back, that's how I'm always able to see what looks good on me. Catty! Bratty, are you back there?" Alphys called out.
"Over here, Alphys."
Alphys and Mettablook headed in the back.
A cat monster and an alligator monster were in the back going through the garbage until they spotted Alphys and her friend.
"Say Alphys, who's those two monsters with you."
"Mettablook."
"Er...the other one is Napstablook."
"They looks kind of cute," Catty said.
"Hey Alphys did you hear Asgore is hiring a royal scientist?" Bratty said.
"You always crushed on him. This could be your chance to get close to him."
"What's this? Alphys had a crush on the king?" Mettablook added coyly.
"Shh, shh," Alphys whispered frantically.
Her face was flushed.
"It's nothing."
Catty scoffed.
"Nothing, everyone knows it's more than that. You have a huge crush on him."
"Oh my! That's rather juicy," Mettablook said.
"Mettablook, not you too."
"So Alphys said that you two were going to teach us how to sew."
"Oh that's right," Catty said. "We should get started."
This had gone on for several weeks and both Napstablook and Mettablook had learned alot.
One particular day however Napstablook had caught Mettablook as she left the house.
"i'm sorry mettablook but can you go without me today. its just i want to work on a composition for your friend the next time she visits."
"That's fine, Blooky. I'm sure she'll understand."
Once she had arrived to their meeting place though, Mettablook noticed Alphys was trembling with excitement.
"Alphys, what's the matter? You look awfully excited."
Pulling out some sheets of paper, Alphys showed Mettablook what she had drawn.
"You seem so stoked when we trying some new clothes and I saw you glancing at the male mannequins. It gave me some ideas and I thought of making a robot body to suit your interests."
Mettablook looked at the blue prints.
"How did you know?"
"It was kind of hard not to. You don't seem the type to wear a dress."
"Haha, good point but I love this Alphys. Thank you."
"Hehe," Alphys chuckled sheepishly.