Meanwhile...
Today hadn't gone the way it was meant to go. For a variety of reasons. Then again, his entire week had been rather miserable, so why not add one more problem he couldn't deal with to the pile?
Sans opened a door, and ventured into a room with a strange machine in it. Like a computer, a tarp left on the floor. A counter space covered in papers, and notes. The skeleton examining the machine, hitting a few buttons on it as the screen began to change.
When confronted with the concept of an undead, and potentially extradimensional rendition of a deceased princess, there were only a few things one could do. The first of these things however, was what he was doing now. Checking the screen, various lines began to spread across it.
He raised an eye-socket. It had changed. He hit a few more keys, and watched the readout alter.
There were various numbers, associated with different individuals in the underground. Playing out their 'timeline' as it were. With a through line representing the whole of it. Various lines, and 'branches' forming, and stopping. Indicating when a timeline stopped and started again.
There were dozens, and dozens of branches. Most of them seeming to have happened only recently. Never lasting all that long. Minutes, hours maybe? Longer than he'd interacted with the kid.
However, the big thing of note, was that there was a glitching line that existed there now. The usual 'red' which he believed to be the anomaly was still present. But, there was also a purple line that he was fairly certain hadn't been there before. It seemed to alter the flow, change the predictive model.
"what the hell's that supposed to mean!?" He demanded of the machine in exasperation. "why? what do I do about that?"
Naturally, it gave him no answers. It never gave him answers. Only nagging, annoying theories. Well, that and depression.
Taking something from his pocket, he produced a cigarette, and pulled a chair over. Trying to make sense of this. Trying to determine what he was supposed to do next. Where he needed to go. If it would matter.
The original concept of, 'observe' and let live, was presently facing a single large obstacle. Outside of this development. And that was the ever so alarming realization that the check prompt, an instinctual action provided presence by the laws of reality- spoke to him directly.
It wasn't meant to do that. It had never done that. He'd never heard of it doing that. After several more attempts, and a rapidly dwindling cigarette he groaned, and put it out.
"stupid. damn. machine." He grumbled, realizing his next move would need to be played carefully. "specially if we're dealing with two. i don't wanna think about what that's doin to the timeline."
What he needed now, was information on the kid. And what the kid might be. Humans usually called skeletons and the sort undead, but that wasn't accurate. Not, 'true undead' were a myth, a fabrication. At least, he thought they were.
With that, he went to the only place he knew he could go with even part of all this crap.
Vanishing from the room after locking the door, Sans appeared somewhere new. Touching down against the pale tile of a laboratory. The air was hotter here, and smelled like junk food.
The space he'd appeared, was a spot beside a computer. Said computer being far more traditional than the one he'd been at previously. Though it was covered in various sticky notes, each covered in chicken scratch writing, or scribbles.
There were also various machine parts, DVD's, VHS tapes, and other such material. Sans felt a sensation of alarm, noticing something out of the corner of his eye. Teleporting forward he managed to avoid a series of yellow, and white blasts coming his way.
"a-alphys, hey, hey-" Sans laughed nervously, strange machines floating in the air. "would ya chill out for a second?" The strange tiny machines stopped. "jeez. ain't like I'm here to monitor ya, figured you newt I was comin by."
There was a low groan, followed by a lab coat wearing yellow lizard monster stepping from the shade. Clapping her hands together, lights came on in the lab. The small collection of floating robots moving over to the desk, their cannons retreating into them. Adjusting her glasses, she gave him a glare.
"I did guess you'd come here, when I saw you run away. If that's what you meant." She added, as he shrugged. "Not like you to chicken out, Sans." Her voice full of sarcasm. "Bail on work, responsibility. Your various jobs. Your pet rock." The skeleton sighed. "According to your brother, picking up your socks."
"are you done?" He asked.
"I'll show you 'mercy' I suppose." She then added. "Still...you ran away. From a fight you should easily be able to win."
"heh, didn't think you saw that." Sans admitted, making a mental note. "or I'd have tried just a little harder."
Alphys smirked a little. "Sansy, I've got my eyes everywhere. Heh heh heh." Her little laugh rolling into a serious expression. "So, care to explain this fascinating specimen you encountered." She tilted her head. "Or, are we going to pretend I wasn't able to discern its identity?"
While she was asking this, the screen behind her, on a larger monitoring terminal came on. It displayed the image of the kid, and the flower. It appeared they were in the middle of gathering a stick.
A second display appearing in the corner of that, showing over the various images of the royal family. Namely, old pictures of them. On one of them, was Toriel, looking much happier than he'd seen her before. She was hugging two children, whose identities he could guestimate at this point.
The former prince wore a forced smile, and appeared to be trying to avoid the photograph as much as possible. The human, however, seemed remarkably pleased and content hugging Toriel. He recognized Chara immediately, noting the only difference seemed to be eye color.
The photo was old with faded colors, as most things may well be from that particular point in time. Yet, even in the long-faded photo, he could make out the shading of the eyes was the same as Toriels. Red.
He pondered the meaning of the check briefly, of her resurrection to the land of the living. It was guaranteed that the eye color was somehow associated. Though what it meant or why it might change were still unknown.
"al, c'mon-" He began. "this is literally the first place I showed up. and you're the first one I've told." Sans remarked, leaning on the table. "figured, since we're such good friends, I aughta come share the good news."
"You're an awful liar Sans. Pretty sure Sun-Wukong has a better poker face than you." She scoffed.
"bout that-" Sans pushed a hand into his pocket, the drones quickly arming again. "heh, no need, just had somethin I was meanin to drop off-" He held up a copy of Dragon Crystal Z. - Resurrection of C. "found this and thought-" It was promptly snatched from his hand. "you might like it." He chuckled. "I'm an excellent judge of taste though."
Alphys let out a gasp, her intimidating expression shifting into raw excitement. "Where did you get this?" She asked. "I've been trying to secure a copy for months!?" She noted, breathing faster. "You probably don't even know the plot, do you?"
Sans replied. "na." He decided, against his better judgement to say. "but I figured you could tell me bout it?"
The expression that spread across Alphy's face was one he hadn't seen in a couple years. The raw, unrestrained glee, leaving her looking like she might cry at the suggestion. Then again, he knew that the only other person who listened to her talk about her shows was presently...awol. So she probably hadn't in awhile.
As he anticipated, Alphys promptly descended into an excited rant about the events that led up to the movie. Wandering around the area, finding the other various dvds and comics that referenced or explained these things. Alongside several fanfictions she'd composed to fill in gaps from the parts that hadn't made their way underground.
Sans struggled to follow along with this, as she picked up a figurine. It depicted a space emperor. She also had one for his brother, who she explained was 'non-canon, but cooler' so she didn't mind.
She then talked about a warrior monkey man, who was the protagonist. Having started to make instant ramen while doing this. Apparently this character could turn into different colored monkey spirits, or something? Using magic to create projectiles, and strange attacks, not unlike how monsters did.
She continued, commenting about resurrections, and the return of a fan favorite character. Someone who apparently was non-canon, but the creator really liked him. So said character was reinvented. And then she talked about a sexy green alien that everyone was really into on the forums.
"And that bastard GreenPix74 thought he was so high and mighty, cuz he had the only known copy!?" She began to cackle maniacally. "WHO'S LAUGHING NOW GREENPIX?"
The little robots began to laugh with her, playing along recorded tracks she had specifically programmed for these moments. In truth, while her behavior and evil laughs concerned countless people, Sans found it comforting. As he knew, at that moment, he was safer there than perhaps anywhere else.
"funny you bring up the only copy. I uh, heard this jerk talkin bout it. mentioned makin fun of 'mewmistress69' for not having seen it?" Sans grinned a little wider.
Alphys blushed some. "I-I can't change the username Sans. It's iconic at this point!" She noted, adding tiredly. "Honestly...you make one stupid name choice as a teen, and nobody lets it go."
"hey I ain't judgin. just hope you like it." Sans remarked. "you uh...write some 'interesting' stuff ya know?"
"There's no way you read my fanfiction." She replied.
"I read the reviews." He replied. "some are...pretty funny."
She shifted some and asked. "So...what do you want for it?" She clarified. "The dvd."
"believe it or not, just to know you'll enjoy it." He told her, while taking a seat on a cluttered couch. "had it around the house the last week. been meanin to give it to ya."
"You're right, I don't believe it. Though, I suppose you knew I would be curious about our little monarch anyways so..." She hesitated. "Thanks...Sans."
"don't mention it buddy." He replied, adding. "so, regarding the kid."
"Not here. In the lab." She motioned. "I'll meet you down there."
"alright. see you there." He gave a little salute and vanished.
Manifesting in a dark place, Sans arrived in a location known to very, very few. The list being Alphys, The King, and himself. The 'True Lab' to this place, a location that he normally liked to avoid. Even if he did slip in a week prior to confirm a suspicion.
His urge to leave hindered by his curiosity, and a desire for further information. He hadn't recognized Chara, afterall. Though, he knew of her. Given Alphy sharing his curiosity, he hoped she had found something usable relating to the being.
Looking around the dark he made a mental note. The moment something got near him, he'd do one of three things. Too close, then he'd bail. The moment he heard a noise, he'd blast the damn thing. Third, he'd try and toss the source into a room and seal the door. He was not about to become a meal for what he knew was down there.
Stepping over, he leaned against the wall beside the elevator. It wouldn't be long before his counterpart arrived. As he waited, he heard a noise.
Motioning, a blaster formed in the air beside him. The massive skull styled weapon, glowing red. Turning, to see something rushing at him. His eye flashed, and it fired. Tearing through the screaming abomination. The thing reeling back, crawling to the dark, with a sickening roar. Sans glanced at his blaster.
"best you stay on standby bud." Sans suggested, as it vanished. "and I know some of you all can hear me...maybe some part of you will even understand me. if there's enough left for that."
The creatures lurking in the shadows watching him. Squirming through cracks. Hiding in reflections. Disguised as things, listening.
"You know damn well I'll tear every last one of you apart." Sans warned, with his serious tone. "The things you've done, the things've been done to you... you ain't worth sparin."
He waited for a moment, hearing noise as they slunk back into the dark. Avoiding the Skeleton, or his hostile gaze. The elevator tinging, opening to Alphys, presently cleaning her glasses.
"Did they give you trouble Sans?" She asked.
"nothin I can't handle." He chuckled. "so-"
"I moved the records to the old rec room. C'mon." The Doctor motioned, as he followed along. "You know, I could use your hand with-"
"I don't do this stuff anymore al. I'ma sentry now." He responded. "sides. I just retired. gotta have time to enjoy that."
"Which is a waste of talent." She said, giving him a side-glance. "Honestly, I don't know what's gotten into you Sans. I wager something happened, not that you'd tell me." He glanced away. "But it is nice to see you take some initiative regarding this...peculiar situation." She added. "Even if the reasoning is a bit 'selfish' on your part."
"pardon?" Sans inquired, getting a knowing look from her. "heh...well, my business is my business. so."
"Until it's not." Alphys said in a warning tone.
Through the facility they went, passing place after strange place. The vents producing an odd sound to go along with the awful scent carried here. It was sort of like something rotting.
Eventually, Alphys opened a room, and they headed inside. Finding a space not unlike a living room within the depths of the facility. It was primarily composed of a few tables, an old couch, and an entertainment center. With an older looking tv in the center of that.
There were video tapes, files, various scattered documents and papers. All stacked on the tables, or part of the couch. Sans didn't know what he was expecting, after feeling briefly surprised that she hadn't tried to organize at all.
Sans glanced at the couch and chuckled some. "you kept this?" He then noticed a blanket he didn't recognize. "new additions i see?"
Alphys glanced. "It's a little hard to remove a couch. Besides I use it sometimes." She then snatched up the blanket, and put it in a corner. "And uhm, I-I simply forgot to toss that out. Probably a dust magnet at this point."
"you know you ain't gotta pretend or nothin, right?" He asked, walking through the room. "it's okay to say we're friends al."
"Were...at the best." She noted.
"I dunno, lots of jokes, and laughs last week." He recalled.
"Until you bailed again. Leaving me to clean up the mess that was that...machine you were messing with. Still haven't even told me why you needed it."
"I uh, w-well I was just confirming something." He told her. "didn't expect it to go that haywire."
She glared. "Ugh, you're infuriating Sans." She added. "You just do whatever you want, everyone else be damned. And then when things go wrong, you fuck off to Angel knows where. And now...now I hear you've somehow gotten even lazier."
The commentary was scathing. But definitely not unearned. He met her angry gaze, which softened some after a moment.
"sorry al. just had a lot on my mind recently." He admitted. "it's...it's a lot. a lot of stuff."
"Well...toughen up Sans." She requested. "If you don't, someone will kill you...you're not exactly playing with a full deck in the HP department." She reminded him. "And...I don't...want you to die." She shifted some, and let out a breath. "Especially not now. There's far too much work to do, and you're not allowed to slack off, just cuz you're dead, got it?"
Sans chuckled. "got it boss."
Alphs smiled some. "Idiot...went and got us distracted." She spoke, adding. "I've completely forgotten what I was looking for."
"undead human princess from a few hundred years ago suddenly wandering around. question is how, what the hell, and more importantly, why the hell?" He reminded her.
"You just...nevermind. Alright. Gather everything you can on humans here." She ordered. "I know there were files here about Chara when she was 'alive' properly. So...maybe those will be useful."
"down here?" He asked.
"I don't remember what they were about. Probably nothing, but you never know." She reasoned. "I'll see if there is anything on undead. O-or, things like that. As for the rest just...put them to the side." She sighed some. "I've been meaning to organize this mess."
"you got it boss." He remarked, giving a slight salute. "should we do one of those anime moments?" He asked, as she raised a brow. "ya know, where they get strangely epic for a moment, before heading to do some important thing?"
She let out an exasperated sigh, but was smiling anyways. The duo beginning their hunt for, anything that might be important.
As it turned out, trying to find a needle in a haystack, metaphorically speaking, was a chore.
The two mulled over everything they could find. Including notes on humans, and what they were supposedly capable of. Undeath, oddly, was never really mentioned. Aside from noting that some humans 'believed' they could defy death, but no evidence could support that claim. And it was largely just myth.
Further, information on undead beings, creatures or constructs was even more vague. Most of the records they could find just detailed human superstitions. And then proceeded to note why they were factually wrong, or misguided.
Their search was briefly intruded on, when a phone began ringing. Alphys raising a claw, as she stepped out of the room to go answer it. Sans continuing the hunt, flipping over a file he had found.
He was familiar with his peers experiments with determination, and the extraction of said components. The idea of infusing a being with these things. To empower them, or 'save them' from death. Not that it had gone well, exactly.
The file he found; however, he couldn't quite recall. It seemed to reference work on artificial souls. Sans briefly recalled an experiment into that. There had only really been 'one' success, and it was still a massive failure, compared to what it was meant to be.
This file however, seemed to show the roots of the concept within the True Lab. It contained images, and notes from the various autopsies performed on the captured humans over the years. Tests that were performed to test them, and study on how they may function.
The further he went though, the more he simply didn't recognize this document. It wasn't in Alphy's handwriting, nor was it in his own. The skeleton showing a bit of interest, leaning over to give it a better look.
It was a plain manilla folder. Older looking than the rest. Clearly something left behind by the former royal scientist, whose name he could never quite recall. The paper only really included the first three humans, this paused him for a moment.
Flipping to the back, there were study notes on the first human to fall. They were different than the rest. As there was no autopsy page, the body marked as 'unrecoverable.' It appeared to be something like doctors notes, and visits instead.
Notably this page referenced another experiment 'Vessel Experiment.' The author suggesting that combining the two projects was the new 'project goal' aside from developing The Core. The note detailing it as 'absolutely necessary to reign in Asgores decline.'
That suggestion inspired Sans to look around for the documents mentioned. This, undoubtedly, had to be a clue to what was transpiring. Sifting through, he finally found one bearing that mark, in the same handwriting.
"Hey, Sans, your brother is wondering where you're at." Alphys stated, entering back in, while covering the receiver briefly. "I told him you had to stop by to pick something up. Go get the noodles in the fridge, and head back."
"oh, oh crap right-" Sans scrambled some, gathering up the documents in question. "sorry al. gotta go."
He had gathered many on the table, shuffling things around. He waited for her to glance away. Snaking the two documents he'd found, shoving them into his jacket. Before placing the rest onto the table.
"Hey-" She motioned at him. "keep the...whatever that is distracted. At least until we can either verify the identity, or confirm the human is a fake."
"what do we do if she ain't, her?" Sans asked.
"Handle it like the last human." Alphys remarked, before saying. "Now get going." She hummed and put the phone back to her ear. "Yeah, yeah, he's on his way...don't you tell me what to do you bag of bones."
Sans gave a little wave, and promptly vanished from the area. Alphys letting out a sigh, as she hung up the phone. Her focus darting around the table. Looking over the files. It would take hours to find anything, and somehow, she knew Sans wasn't going to be all that helpful.
