Hello, hello ! We're starting the second arc today. I hope you are ready to meet that dear W.D Gaster.

Chapter 10 : Scars from the past

SANS : 0,88/1 HP

PAPYRUS : 33/35 HP

GASTER : LOST SIGNAL.

ARIAL : NO VITAL SIGNS

Sans stared at the small device for a long time, doubtful. They succeeded. They were safe and alive, and nothing bad could happen to them now. At least for now, he hoped. Well installed in the royal carriage, the children were finally enjoying some rest. Undyne, sitting between the King and the Queen, was quietly sleeping, a smile on her face, holding Toriel's hand closely. Next to the skeleton, Charlie was looking outside, watching the scenery go by. As for Papyrus, cuddling up to his brother, he was playing with a small doll he found in the house, in silence. Still a little worried, Sans knew he was keeping a close eye on what he was doing, to be sure everything was alright.

Sans put the device back into his pocket, next to the determination needle that he didn't have to use, fortunately. That didn't mean their troubles were over, however. Of course, getting finally home was a good thing, he was very happy to see his father again, but in the meantime, he was scared of what would follow. His dad would ask him weird questions again about his magic, do some painful experiments on him and check everything he would think necessary even if he wasn't agreeing with any of this in the first place. Now that Papyrus said he could teleport to the King and the Queen, he was sure everything would be worse.

"Sans, when are we going to the Mountain ?" asked Papyrus, bored by his silence.

Sans shook his head to say he didn't know, just like him. Asgore cleared his throat.

"Very soon, we hope so." he answered with a slightly darker tone. "The way is blocked for now by the human army, but negotiations are progressing. They are demanding lab ra…"

"Asgore !" Toriel reprimanded him. "They are just children. They don't need to know for… this." she insisted with a murderous glare. "Do not worry. We are working very hard so that everything can be normal again. It's going to be alright."

Sans became a little tenser. He was about to say "lab rats" and that was not a good thing. If science was on the table, his dad was not far away. The skeleton got anxious. What if joining him was not a good idea ? Between his children and his job, it was pretty clear he valued his job more. Sans was scared to put his brother in an even bigger danger than they were outside. He held Papyrus tighter, who looked at him, a bit scared.

Undyne, woken up by the voices, opened her eyes. She stretched out and smiled at Sans and Papyrus, but her face got much colder when she saw that Charlie was still with them. The human child turned their head away to avoid her. It was still tense between the two of them.

"When I'll be in the Royal Guard, I'll save everyone." whispered Papyrus, hugging his big brother. "That way, you'll never have to be scared ever again, Sans."

"Oh, oh. A future royal guard, I see." smiled Asgore. "This is a very noble career choice, little one. Giving your own life for others is something some people can't understand. This is dangerous sometimes, but seeing all the good you can do can easily replace all the risks we are taking every day. I am sure you will be a great royal guard, Papyrus."

Papyrus lightened up at the King's speech. His soul turned a strong orange and illuminated the carriage for a few seconds. That was something his brother could do. Sometimes, he was so excited and happy that his magic activated without control. As long as he wasn't attacking, it remained calm, but Sans hit his skull slightly, a coded message to ask him to calm down a bit.

Anyway, even if Sans was happy to see him like this, he stayed silent. Deep inside, he knew Papyrus could never make it into the Royal Guard. He didn't doubt his strength, Papyrus was really strong and he was just a baby bones, but he didn't really have the spirit of a soldier. He would die trying to befriend the first human he crossed paths with. But more importantly, his dad would never let him go. Just like for him, he had plans for Papyrus. Sans was desperately trying to delay what would happen, but sooner or later, his father would take him from him. He hoped to be dead before seeing that day happen.

He suddenly realised his expression got darker. He lifted his head, crossing Toriel's worrying stare. For one moment, Sans wondered if she knew. But that was not possible. No one knew what doctor Gaster was doing inside his laboratory all day long, except for his followers. They were more minions than followers anyway.

The carriage slowed down on the outskirts of a new monster city. Contrary to the precedent one, this one was crowded. A lot more crowded. Monsters of all shapes and forms were making their way in, carrying supplies or training. They were all wearing a black armour, just like the King and the Queen. Everyone seemed to have a role to play.

Asgore opened the door and invited them to get out. Undyne jumped happily on the ground, quickly followed by Papyrus, still very excited. He grabbed some snow on the floor and threw it at the little girl's face. She shrieked, surprised, but quickly replicated. Asgore unhooked his cape and put it on Charlie's head, then offered his hand to lead them away.

Sans couldn't make it to the door. Toriel gently stopped him and closed the door back. The skeleton looked at her with surprise and a bit of anxiety. Being all alone with the Queen of all monsters was a bit rattling.

"Please tell me, Sans, is there something wrong ? With your father, I mean. When we mentioned him when we found you, you seemed troubled, and you didn't say a word after this, like you were fearing something."

Sans lowered the head. She couldn't aim more right. He was troubled. Could she read his mind or was it only a coincidence ?

"No." he answered with a cold and controlled voice that surprised himself. "Everything is fine. It's just that… You couldn't understand. It's complicated."

"I can respect that you don't want to talk to me, we just met, it's true." she said, a bit disappointed. "You are very mature for your age, but a child shouldn't have to assume responsibilities like you do so young. If you ever need help, please come find me. I know Gaster is not a great father figure sometimes, nor nice and compassionate. Do not let him hurt you, nothing can ever justify that. Besides, I'm the Queen, Sans, trying to understand and resolve complicated problems is what I do. You can trust me."

Sans nodded, disturbed. So, he was not the only one who was wary around his father. It was sort of comforting. He smiled shyly at the Queen and got out of the carriage. Asgore and the three children were waiting for them. The King frowned a little, but said nothing. Papyrus jumped towards his brother and grabbed his hand, pulling him into the city after the others.

Their little group got saluted from everywhere by citizens, relieved to see their monarchs back in one piece. The monster camp overlaid the entire city. The buildings all served a meaning : secretary, medicine… Monsters had to sleep in military tents, built all around the city. They crossed a lot of people : some of them were building barricades, others tried to transform an old abandoned bank into a first aid station. The more they walked into the heart of the city, the more it militarized. Soldiers were patrolling, others were training on dummies. Two huge properties were very guarded : the royal family quarters, deduced Sans at the banners hanging out around the two sides of the door, and the royal laboratory with his huge forcefield. It was far too familiar for Sans.

Asgore gently pushed them inside the Dreemur's "castle", which was more of a small manor. The house was invaded with golden flowers. Most of them were dying. The King explained to the brothers that Gaster was still working and wouldn't be here before a few hours. They could see him after. Not surprising, unfortunately.

For now, he installed the four of them in a huge room and opened the bathroom so they could take a good warm bath. Toriel cooked them a real meal that their empty stomachs definitely enjoyed. They cleaned themselves, they ate, and, tired, decided next to sleep for a few hours in a real bed. There were only three beds, so the two brothers, like always, shared theirs, in each other arms.

Sans woke up a few hours later. He heard voices outside. He sat on the bed, still sleepy, and noticed immediately that four nice smelling warm parts of pie were waiting on the bed tables. He was still hungry, but the door opened slowly. Toriel and Asgore entered first, followed by a very tall skeleton wearing black clothes that Sans recognised immediately. He seemed relieved. Sans noticed his face was ridged by two ugly scars that didn't exist when he left the house.

"Dad !" suddenly screamed Papyrus, awoken by Sans movements.

He jumped out of the bed and threw himself into his father's arms. He leaned down and gently petted the tiny skeleton in the back. Asgore coughed and, eyes rolling, Gaster hugged him. Sans took more time to get out of the bed. His dad grabbed his hand and pulled him close to his chest. But Sans didn't hug back, contrary to Papyrus, genuinely happy to see him again.

His little brother immediately started to tell their adventures as Sans stayed silent. Gaster thanked the King and the Queen and led the children to another room, at the end of the corridor. His room understood Sans when he saw all the strange devices all over the walls and the ground.

"And then Sans teleported and we were outside ! And then we walked a lot, and my feet hurt, and we arrived in a city, and then Sans found things in the cupboards, and then we heard noise in the room and then there was a human, and, and I went to the human and I said…"

"Breathe, Papyrus." Gaster smiled slightly. "You'll have time to tell me more about all of this later."

He put the two skeletons on the bed, in front of him. Sans refused to look him in the eyes and held his brother's hand instead.

"I was very happy to learn that the two of you survived. You did the task I asked you to do very seriously, Sans, I'm impressed. I am very sorry I had to leave you to do this by yourself. I don't know what I was thinking. You are very brave, Sans."

Sans didn't react to his empty flattery. He knew he was faking everything anyway. He could feel something had changed too. It was not just the scars, there was something that didn't seem quite right in his voice. Gaster noticed him. He smiled mysteriously, which Sans understood like "I'll explain you everything later while testing dumb things on you". Far away from Papyrus, of course.

"I have a lot of work to do." he says, more seriously. "I can't take care of you two for too long. You'll have to help too, with… Well, the very small capacities you have. Sans, I want you in the lab. We have… things to discuss. As for you, Papyrus, you'll help the envoys. Toriel will explain everything to you when you will be fully rested and in a better mood." he said, eyes on Sans, menacingly. "I know I'm asking you a lot after all you have been through, but as you might have noticed by now, there is a war outside and nothing is normal anymore. Please behave correctly, and everything should go very well."

Papyrus nodded, still enthusiastic. Sans growled something vaguely positive. He didn't want to go back to the lab. He knew too well what it meant. When Papyrus looked at him, however, he nodded with a little more conviction. He didn't mean to worry him. All of this was between his father and him.

"Sans, do you still have the monitor I put in your bag ?"

"Yes. And this too."

He gave him back the weird device and the needle. Gaster smiled, satisfied.

"Very well. You can go back to sleep now. Sans, I'll pick you up in the afternoon."

The two children obeyed and left the room. The door closed immediately behind them. Sans sighed, then turned towards Papyrus.

"Papyrus, please promise me that, whatever happens, you will be careful around him."

"Why ? Sans, what's happening ? Why does Dad want you to go to the lab ? Is Dad mad at you ? It's because of your soul ?"

"It's… It's nothing."

"I don't like when you go to the lab. You're always crying after."

Sans stopped, surprised he noticed. He felt uneasy.

"Just… Just promise me you will not trust him blindly. You know he is not always nice with us, and I don't want him to hurt you."

Papyrus lowered his head, a bit sad. But he nodded slowly.

"I promise."