Betrayal
Sans yawned and walked into the kitchen, where Papyrus was having breakfast with Serifa.
-Why did you two get up so early?
-It's not us being early! It's you being late! Papyrus exclaimed.
-Well, it's not like we have a job to go to for now, so why not take it easy?
-Sans!
-I got up early because I can't wait to start my training! Serifa said, excitedly.
-Oh, yeah... I did promise that, didn't I?
-Yes, you did! You weren't lying, were you?
-It's not that I don't want to, but there's only a little I can show you... The rest is up to experience in battle, and I can't really fight anymore...
-Worry not, Sans! I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS...haven't been so great lately. So, I decided I'll train with Serifa too! Undyne was right, I've gotten rusty!
-Great! There's no problem then! Right, Sans?
-There's something else, actually. Come on, follow me.
They both followed Sans as he descended to the basement. He unlocked the door and opened it. The room was separated in two sides. On the one side, it looked like a normal storeroom. Boxes, shelves, bags filled with items, all neatly tidied. On the other side, things were more messy. Weird machines that looked like they hadn't been used in years were everywhere with dust covering them. It was clear to see which side belonged to who.
-What are all these? Serifa wondered.
-Well, we had a secret laboratory in the Underground. All these machines were part of it and, for many years, they were part of the Lionnite Labs. But you know, technology progresses and new, more efficient machines took their place. I couldn't just throw these away though. Alphys and I spent tons of hours building them, after all! There are a lot of memories that connect me with these old babies...
-These dust collectors, you mean! Papyrus commented.
-You still keep fairy tales from when you were five, Paps.
-They have a special place in my heart!
-Why are we here anyway? Serifa asked.
-Well, I thought that we should maybe check you. You were revived AND you now have magic powers...which is really interesting, from a scientific perspective! Who knows, maybe I can find out how all these things happened if I study you!
-You wanna turn me into a guinea pig? Serifa sounded a little mad.
-Of course not! Remember the machine we used yesterday? I have its first version right here! It's not as fast and doesn't have as many capabilities as the other one, but it'll do the trick. Now, if you let me take some blood from you-
-No. Way.
Serifa was looking terrified all of a sudden. Her arms were shaking and her eyes were widened.
-What's wrong?
-I... I DON'T WANNA DO THIS!
-Yes, I got that, but, why?
-Y-You said take my blood... I don't want you to! Needles freak me out!
-Are you kidding me? I had to forcefully stop you from charging into a building on fire yesterday. And needles scare you?
-Yes!
-Come on Serifa, you aren't a child. Give me your hand.
-NO! she screamed and hid behind Papyrus.
-This is ridiculous, Serifa!
-What do you know? You're a skeleton, no one ever pierces the veins you don't have!
Papyrus laughed at that response.
-Hey, Sans, let her off for today. I'm sure that if we give her a week or so, she'll get used to the idea.
Sans looked at Papyrus and then at Serifa. She awkwardly smiled at him.
-Okay, you two win. For now. Next week, we're analysing your blood.
Serifa reluctantly agreed, but still felt uneasy.
-So, in order to start your training, we have to first find out what you can and what you can't do. Let's start by...summoning a bone!
Serifa summoned a bone in front of her. She still felt weird about it, but it had somehow become second nature to her, as if her brain just knew how to do it.
-Good. Now, move that bone forward!
Serifa followed Sans's instructions. She raised her hand and the bone moved.
-Great job! Now, spin it around. Good! Summon another! Move the first one down and the second one up while spinning it. Nice! Make them both disappear! Good, good!
-You're doing pretty well for a newbie! Papyrus smiled.
-Thanks! Serifa smiled back.
-Now, let's see... You can summon bones, you can move them around pretty decently... But can you play with time, as I did?
-How do I even try this?
-You just...do. I can't explain it, really. You don't teach babies how to move their limbs, and you don't teach people how to use magic. If you can do it...you just know.
-I didn't know I had magic until I accidentally used it though...
-Yes, that's right as well. Oh! I have an idea!
Sans took out his phone and video-called Frisk.
-Hey Frisk! It's the time of your break, right?
-Yeah...
-Why are you in the classroom then? Am I interrupting something?
-Nah, I just didn't feel like going out today...
-Anyway, can you do me a favor?
-Sure, I guess...
-I'm training Serifa right now and I want to know if she got my reset power along with everything else... Can you help?
-What do I do?
-Okay, so, you save right now, then give us a password. You then reload and, if she can play with time, she will know. Anyone who has time powers remembers things from previous timelines.
-Okay...
Frisk created a save point and saved.
-So, what's the password, Serifa? she asked.
-You didn't say anything! Serifa replied.
-She did and then reloaded, you just don't remember. Sans told her. By the way, Frisk, ''paradichlorobenzene''? Really?
-Why not, it was in our last lesson... Wait, how do YOU remember the password? You lost your time powers, right?
-If you once have the power to monitor timelines, it stays with you forever. Even if your other time powers disappear.
-Whatever, gotta hang up. Later.
Frisk quickly ended the call.
-Is she alright? Should we call again? Papyrus asked, concerned.
-Maybe some teacher came in or something. I wouldn't worry.
-Me neither. Serifa added. Let's continue the training! What's next?
-We can check if you got another power I have...the Gaster Blaster!
-Is that the big thing that looks like a head and shoots?
-Yes. Can you summon it? Oh, and, make it face up please. Don't wanna shoot anyone by accident, do we?
-Yeah, we don't. Alright, let me try...
Serifa focused. She somehow knew exactly what to do. It was as Sans had said it: she knew she could do it. However, she could feel her energy draining rapidly as she was trying to summon the Gaster Blaster and give it form. She closed her eyes tightly and focused even more.
-It's alright if you can't do it from the first day. Sans told her. It's clear that you have the ability to-
-Let...me...try...!
Serifa kept focusing. Suddenly, the Gaster Blaster got summoned. However, in order to keep it in control, she had to keep focusing.
-Awesome job, Serifa! Sans smiled, happy for her. That's enough for now.
-Gotta...shoot...
-No need, you achieved more than enough for your first day. Stop it.
-I'll do it!
Serifa's head was pounding. But she had to stay focused. She knew she could do it. She knew how. So why wasn't it just happening?
The Gaster Blaster disappeared. Serifa had gotten too tired. Her head felt like it was going to break.
-Dammit... she uttered.
-It's alright... It took me months to even summon it prop-
Serifa summoned the Gaster Blaster once more. She was able to maintain her focus more easily. If only she could shoot. Holding her head with her clenched fists, she screamed.
-SHOOT! JUST SHOOT ALREADY! SHOOT! SHOOT! SHOOT!
The Gaster Blaster disappeared once more, followed by Serifa dropping down. Sans was barely able to catch her.
-Serifa! Serifa, can you hear me?
Everything was a blur. Serifa could hear Sans's and Papyrus's voices calling out to her. She tried to utter some words, but wasn't sure whether she managed to do it or not.
-Sans, why is she bleeding? Papyrus asked, in panic.
''Bleeding''? She wasn't bleeding, from what she could tell. But then she realised, her lips were covered in some kind of liquid. She weakly lifted her hand and wiped some of it, then tried to look at it. Yes. It was red.
Serifa felt being carried and then laid in a comfortable place. It was probably a bed. She saw Sans's face up close, as she felt him wiping the blood. It was coming out of her nose. Her head was feeling a little better, but she was still dizzy.
-What's...happening...? she managed to ask.
-You brought yourself to the limit! I told you not to do it!
-Is she gonna be alright? Serifa heard Papyrus's worried voice.
-Yes, the bleeding is beginning to stop.
-Thanks… she uttered.
-I hope you never have to thank me for something like that again, Serifa. Seriously, what were you thinking?
-I wanted...to try my best...to be useful...
-When your attempts draw blood from your body, you give yourself a break!
-I'm sorry...
-Look, I promised to train you and you promised to obey me and to refrain from doing reckless things... I need you to keep your word. I need to know that, when I say stop, you WILL stop.
-Okay...
-Rest, for now. Your nose isn't bleeding anymore, but your body is still strained.
-Why are these things so hard?
-A Gaster Blaster...it's like a robot, but not mechanical. They are a form of artificial life. That's why, to control them, you need a lot of strength and-
Sans was interrupted by his phone. He picked it up.
-Hello? Yes, it's me. What happened? Is it urgent? I'm kind of busy right now... Alright, I'm coming there.
-Who was it, Sans? Papyrus asked him.
-They called me from Frisk's school. Something happened between her and a classmate of hers and I have to go there.
-Why do YOU have to go? Serifa asked.
-Well, since Frisk has fallen out with her family, she doesn't want any connection to them. So, even though they legally are her parents, she has enlisted me as her guardian for school.
-I want you to stay with me...
-I can't. But I don't believe this will take that long. And don't worry, Papyrus will be watching you, right?
-Of course I will!
-I still want you to stay...
-I'll be back soon. Besides, you'll probably be asleep. You won't even notice my absence.
-Fine, then.
Sans could tell Serifa was angry at him. He didn't want to leave her, either. But he had to. He kissed her forehead gently.
-I'll be back soon, sweetheart.
The moment Sans walked into Frisk's school, he noticed some tension. He was getting weird looks from the students, and no one seemed to go near him. That was weird. He was used to some people being wary of monsters, but he had never faced such a cold environment. He went straight to the principal's office, where he found Frisk with another boy and his mother.
-Welcome, Mr. Sans.
-Hello.
Sans offered his hand for a handshake that was never returned.
-So, why did you call me here?
-Look what your kid did to my boy!
The boy's mom angrily showed Sans her son's black eye.
-I'm not a kid! Frisk replied.
-Is that true Frisk? Did you do it?
-Yes, and I'd gladly do it again!
-See? The little devil openly admits she would attack my son again!
-Look, we can find a way to-
-What's wrong, Arlen? Frisk interrupted Sans. Hiding behind your mama now? Coward!
-You don't get to talk, monster freak! Arlen replied. No wonder your parents hate you!
-YOU FREAKING-
-HEY, ENOUGH! Sans held Frisk back, who was ready to punch Arlen. Why did you attack him in the first place?
-Because of the recent fires, he started calling me names and mocking me! He even spread rumors about me at school and came to me with some other bullies! They attacked me first!
-My son is the one with the black eye! And he was right too, your monster friends are burning people alive! Two new places have been attacked already today!
-Look, it's not all of us that do this! Sans tried to defend himself, but to no avail.
-We're getting off topic here. The principal interrupted them both. Fact is, Frisk attacked one of her classmates.
-I was attacked first! Frisk shouted out loudly.
-Liar! Arlen screamed.
-YOU are the liar!
-Even if that's true, you should have come here first. the principal continued.
-Yeah, and you'd do nothing, like last year in Sam's case. They had to throw him in a bin for you to start taking action! Oh, and I do remember Arlen being one of the bullies of last year as well!
-Careful how you talk about my son, girl! Don't these monsters teach you manners?
-Can we all calm down a little here? Sans said. Frisk was attacked, she was probably too scared to think of the logical solution and-
-I was NOT scared, not by this piece of trash!
-Before you tell us to calm down, Mr. Sans, you'd better put that kid under control! Arlen's mother yelled. Where are her real parents anyway?
-None of your business! Frisk yelled even louder. Teach that idiot you call ''son'' not to bully other kids and then talk about Sans!
-Restrain the kid you're responsible for already! the principal shouted.
-Frisk, can you tone down for a little? We're trying to find a compromise here! Apologise for your manners, now! Sans said, glaring at Frisk.
Frisk looked at Sans, shocked.
-You know what? I'm DONE with this. Frisk stood up and angrily walked to the door.
-Yeah, leave, it's not like anyone would miss you anyway, monster freak! Arlen mocked her.
Frisk suddenly turned back and punched Arlen's black eye again, then run away amid the screams of him and his mother.
-That's it, Frisk is forever expelled from this school! the principal said, punching his fist on his desk. And the other schools will also be informed of this behaviour!
-Look, I apologise for her attitude. I'll go get her and I'll-
-No, you won't Mr. Sans. You have failed as a guardian and, no matter what, Frisk will never attend this school again.
-No wonder she became a monster, after growing up with them! You should have just killed her and stayed Underground, but she brought you to the surface and endangered everyone! Arlen's mom said in an aggressive tone.
Sans sighed. He knew he'd never be able to reach a solution, not with these people. He left without saying anything and ran after Frisk. He managed to stop her right at the school's exit. She was pissed off.
-What the HELL is wrong with you, Frisk?
-With me? Really? You took their side in there and you ask what's wrong with ME?
-I tried to make things better for you! You don't just punch people out of nowhere!
-HE ATTACKED FIRST!
-I believe you, but you have to take a diplomatic approach-
-With bullies? HELL NO! You saw these people, they hate us!
-Because you gave that boy a black eye!
-No, you IDIOT, it's because they blame you and all monsterkind for those stupid fire attacks! And now they hate me too! There's no compromising with them!
-Well, right now of course there isn't, you got yourself expelled!
-Ha! As if I cared about this stupid school anyway!
-If you had stayed calm-
-Nothing would have happened! Instead, I look like fool now that even YOU don't support me! Who did I do this for if the ones I defend can't defend me back?
-You did this for yourself and that stupid pride of yours! And then told yourself it was for us!
-Is that what you really think of me Sans? That I only care about my pride and not about all of you?
-When you act this way, with no restraint, you KNOW you're hurting us. You aren't helping our case or doing us any favors! So yes, in the end, it IS about you, no matter what you tell yourself!
-In that case, wasn't you trying the ''diplomatic approach'' about you as well? To protect your own image while sacrificing mine?
-I tried to make things easier-
-And I wish you hadn't, I was better off on my own!
-Then why did you bring me here?
-I didn't call you, that idiotic principal insisted on calling!
-Okay, then how about calling your actual parents instead next time? See how that goes!
-How about never speaking a word to ANY of you again?
-Look, I understand you're mad. Come on, I'll ride you home and we'll talk about this.
-There's NOTHING to talk about! YOU BETRAYED ME!
-I BETRAYED YOU? Serifa was freaking sick and I left her alone just to come here for you! How ungrateful can you get?
-Then better run back to her, since you clearly don't wanna be here! Oh, and don't forget to tell her what a terrible ''kid'' I am!
-And that's what I'm gonna do! Last chance, do you want a ride home or not?
-From you? HELL NO!
-Suit yourself.
Sans got on his motorbike and Frisk angrily walked towards the opposite way, as they separated.