Papyrus, Undyne, and Frisk searched the Cherry house, none more frantic than Papyrus himself.773Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjus6gPwfXR
"I can't believe I was so careless!" The skeleton said, "Sans is such a troublemaker! There's no telling what he'll get up to when I'm not around."
Undyne and Frisk exchanged worried glances at this, as they and those who cared for Papyrus always did when he spoke of Sans as being alive again as opposed to a jar full of dust. Still, neither said a word (which was much easier in Frisk's case) as they looked around for the jar.
The sound of broken glass shot through the house, making all three of the searchers freeze.
"Sans?" Papyrus asked as though he honestly expected an answer. "Sans, is that you?"
"Came from downstairs." Frisk signed to Undyne, who nodded grimly, her glowing spear appearing in her hands.
"I'll check it …" Undyne stopped; Papyrus was already walking down the stairs into the basement. Shaking her head, she hurried after the gaunt skeleton, Frisk flying close on her heels.
Glen's basement was dark when they arrived. It had been like that when they came looking for Sans earlier, which struck them all as unusual; Glen usually left something going, even if she was going out for one of her adventures. To turn everything off implied she didn't think she'd be coming back anytime soon … or that she'd blown another fuse.
"Hey, kid, fly upstairs and check the breaker box." Undyne said, staring resolutely out at the darkness. Once the little girl was gone, Papyrus moved to step forward only for Undyne to hold him back.
"Somethin' broke glass down here." She said in a low tone. "Could be a burgler."
"A ham-burgler, more like it."
Undyne and Papyrus froze, the three eyes between them moving toward the shadow that had spoken.
"Freeze!" Undyne said, aiming her spear at the shadow.
"I am freezing. Kinda happens when you don't have any clothes." The figure said, grasping its shoulders. "AC down here really cuts to the bone, doesn't it?"
A flash of annoyance shot across Papyrus's face, only to instantly change to a look of desparate hope and disbelief. "S-sans? Is that you?"
Undyne sighed. "Papyrus, Sans is dead. I'm really sorry, but there's no way in hell he could be-"
The basement light flickered on, illuminating most of the basement, and rather more importantly, Sans. As he'd said, his clothing was gone, but it was him; the same smile, the same short stature, the same slumped posture.
Undyne's spear clattered to the floor as Papyrus slowly approached Sans. Without a word, Papyrus pulled Sans's coat from his narrow shoulders and wrapped it around his brother before pulling him in for a big hug.
The thump of footsteps echoed down the stairwell, announcing Toriel's arrival. She opened her mouth, presumably to ask what was going on, only to fall silent when her eyes fell on Sans. She covered her mouth with her hands, tears forming in her eyes.
"Hey." Sans said, finally breaking away from Papyrus. "I'm sorry I was out so late, but-"
Toriel swept her husband up in her arms and held him tightly against her chest in a fierce hug. "Oh, Sans." She whispered.
"I know." He said, patting her back. "And I ain't no illusion or trick."
She suddenly held him at arm-length, a worried look in her eyes. "Are you still … I mean, the magical degradation …"
"Gone." Sans said. "I feel great. Guess you're all stuck with me.
There was a gasp from behind Toriel. Frisk had returned, and she wasted no time shooting through the gap between Toriel and Sans and giving her foster father a hug. Toriel pulled them both to her, a big smile on her tear-stained face as Papyrus joined their family hug.
After holding them all tight for a good minute, Toriel released her grip and lowered Sans and Frisk to the ground, but not before giving Sans a kiss on the forehead.
"Then you remember everything?" Undyne asked. "I mean … dying?"
Sans's eyebrow-ridges furrowed slightly. "A bit. The details are a bit fuzzy, but I remember climbing up the hill with Papyrus. When I reached the top he wasn't there. I waited for a while and …" Sans sighed and shook his skull. "Sorry. That's all. Guess whatever's beyond the veil likes its secrets secret."
"But how did you … wait." Undyne looked around the workshop a moment before spotting the familiar green and gray stripes. A massive sharp-toothed grin spread across her face as she approached Glen and said, "Ha! I shoulda known!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Glen said, not facing the group. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some work to do."
"Oh, come off it!" Undyne said slapping Glen on the shoulder.
Glen let out a small cry of pain before clutching her shoulder with a hand that looked to have had an argument with a cheese grater. Even in the low-light of that corner of the workshop, Everyone could see blood, not just on her hand but splattered across her shirt.
"Glenda!" Toriel said, hurrying toward her.
"I'm fine." Glen said, her voice calm. "I just need a little rest."
Toriel turned Glen's chair around and gasped. Saying she was a mess was putting it lightly; her shirt and shorts were shredded, revealing deep bleeding gashes all across her body. She clutched her right arm to her side, the fingers of the connected hand twisted in odd directions. Clear claw marks could be seen on her face, one of which nearly caught her eye.
"My goodness!" Toriel whispered, gently touching Glen's cheek with her soft paw. "Glenda Adams, you're a mess."
"You should see the other guys." Glen said with a slight grin. "Seriously, Toriel, I'll be fine. Go, be with your family."
"I'm not an idiot, Glenda." Glancing back at Sans, Toriel said, "You helped us. Let me help you."
Glen shook her head. "Probably not an option."
Sans approached her, a questioning look on his skull as he asked, "Why not? You just busted me outta the afterlife."
"Turn around."
Everyone turned to see the two figures now standing at the base of the stairwell. Their white wings were neartly folded behind them, and their beautiful faces wore grave expressions.
Toriel looked back at Glen with a quizzical look. "I don't understand."
"It's complicated." Glen's expression softened. "Sans … could you see everyone out of here?"
"What about you?" Sans asked.
"Got to pay the piper." Glen rose unsteadily to her feet and limped toward the waiting angels, only to find her way suddenly blocked.
"If you want Glen, you'll have to go through me." Papyrus said, his voice once again full of confidence. "Me, the Great Papyrus!"
"Paps …" Glen said. "Don't …"
Undyne stepped in front of Glen as wel, spear again in hand. She leered at the angels. "Hope ya brought an army, bird-brains!"
"You don't have to-"
"Yes, we do." Toriel said, fire swirling around her hands. "That's why we're family."
The angels looked at each other uncertainly for a moment, no doubt as daunted by the show of support as Glen was surprised.
"Enough." Said a commanding voice. The angels stepped aside to reveal an old man with a long white beard wearing a blue robe. He tottered down the steps with the aid of a gnarled oak staff before coming to a halt in front of the angels. He shooed them back a few steps as though trying to startle pigeons that had come to rest on his front lawn.
"Told you to keep an eye on him, not to stalk him, you feather-brains." Chuckling, he patted each angel on the shoulder and added, "Don't worry; I got it from here."
The angels bowed and vanished moments later. Glen put her hand on Toriel's shoulder. Toriel seemed uncertain, but stepped aside after a few moments, allowing Sans to help Glen hobble toward the strange old man.
"Ah, Glenda Teresia Adams." The old man said with a grin. "Had quite a busy day, didn't you?"
"I'm not letting you take him back." Glen said firmly.
"That's fine." The old man said. "Not a problem."
Glen paused, clearly not expecting this response.
Her perplexion must've shown on her face, as the old man laughed. "You were expecting punishment?"
"Kinda, yeah." Glen said.
Chuckling again, the old man looked to the monsters.
"I need to have a word with your friend in private." He raised a hand, probably because Papyrus's jaw was already moving to speak. "Don't worry; I'm not here to pick a fight, nor am I here to reclaim Sans. Glenda and I just have a little official business to deal with just as soon as my daughter gets here."
Glen nodded and turned to Toriel. "Tori, I could really use a cup of tea. Could everyone else go and ... er, help for a few minutes?"
"Glen …"
"I'll be fine." Looking at Papyrus, Sans, Undyne, and Frisk, Glen said, "He gave his word. If he is who I think he is, he's good for it."
"Thank you, Missus Soleil." The old man said with a grin.
Toriel still looked uncertain, but she nodded and led the others out of the room. Undyne was the last to go, her spear still in hand.
"He starts any trouble-" She began.
"I'll call." Glen said.
Nodding Undyne left. Eventually, it was just the old man, Glen, and Sans.
"I'm stayin'." Sans said, crossing his arms. "Seems this is because of me."
"Partially." The old man said. "In truth, this has been coming for a while."
As soon as the words left the old man's mouth, a burst of fire flared from the corner of the room. The fires soon receded, revealing a woman with black-feathered wings and a pair of ivory horns sprouting from her temples.
"Ah, Lucy." The old man said with a grin. "How's my favorite daughter?"
"Busy." She said, her eyes moving to Glen. "This her?"
"Indeed." The old man snapped his fingers. A table appeared along with four chairs, as well as a pair of black track pants, a white shirt, and a pair of pink slippers. The clothes floated to Sans as the old man said, "You've got a good friend there."
"I'd like to keep her, if it's all the same." Sans said, slipping into his clothes before sitting down.
The old man laughed, a jovial sound that seemed to bring light into the darkest corners of the basement. "Not to worry, not to worry. I'm quite impressed with her."
"As am I." Lucy said, crossing her arms. "It's not everyday that a third of my legion is taken out by a single person."
"A third?" Glen said, surprised. "Huh. Felt like more."
"I can see that." Lucy said, eyeing the Dreamer's wounds. "Ol' Scratch isn't gonna forget that fight for a long time, and neither are his chums."
Glen wasn't sure how to respond; Lucy's words seemed dangerous, but she looked more amused than anything.
A gasp left the Dreamer's lips as her wounds healed. She looked at the old man as he clapped his hands together and said, "That's better, isn't it?"
"M-much." Glen stammered. "Thank-"
"No, thank you. Most people would've turned a blind eye, but you realized you created a serious problem and took steps to fix it despite the risk. That demonstrates great character." The old man sighed and continued, "Had we known how powerful you had become, we might've met with you much earlier. We definitely would have if we'd known there are more of you, some of whom will join you."
"The Elsewhere-"
"We already have an agreement with the Elsewhere Incorporate, child." The old man said gently. "I speak of your group."
"I don't have a group." Glen said.
"Not yet." Lucy said, "But you will. And when your group comes to fruition, we want to be sure that the balance will be maintained."
The old man snapped his fingers. A golden sheet of parchment appeared in mid-air, facing Glen, already bearing a number of signatures.
The scene froze in her vew, the celestial beings (and Sans) going suddenly motionless. Cold hands pressed against Glen's shoulders. "What is this?"
"The Sunset Accord." Glen said, suppressing the urge to shudder. "For the sake of the balance that goes beyond simple universes, the Dreamers who have signed this agree not to interfere in the affairs of either the Celestial Plane or the Burning Hells, with the understanding that they will in turn not willingly interfere with our own affairs."
There was a definite sense of puzzlement from the intelligence behind the darkness. "This is the secret you kept hidden? This is the darkness in your soul?"
"When Alan Tryth accidentally set off the series of events that nearly destroyed the balance, he did so unintentionally. A simple act made out of love nearly shattered the balance, and eventually gave birth to the Sunset Accord to prevent future incidents." Glen let out a sigh. "Alan didn't know any better."
"But you did." Jagger whispered, her grip on the Dreamer's shoulders tightening. "You knew what you were doing was dangerous, not just to yourself or your skeleton friend, but to all life in existence. Every reality, every parallel dimension, could've been destroyed because you refused to accept your friend's death."
"Yeah." Glen said, bowing her head. "That's about it."
"Your selfishness could've destroyed everything." There was almost a note of gloating in Barbara Jagger's voice as her fingers continued to dig into Glen's shoulders. "You took it upon yourself to put everything at risk, all because you wanted your friend back. Such selfishness … such recklessness … such disregard for the reality you claim to protect."
The darkness surged behind Glen, tendrils creeping into her thoughts and engulfing her body. It moved to take her just as something fell into the base of the chimney with a loud thunk and an electrical whine that grew more shrill by the second.
Lightning erupted from the tesla grenade as it rolled across the floor, some hitting Glen and causing her to fall to the ground even as the darkness fled from her body. As she lay twitching on the ground, another thunk came from the fireplace. Glen could do nothing but watch the tesla grenade continue to drive the darkness away with arcing blasts as metal pincers crawled over her body and attached something to her impulse harness.
"Glen!" Claudia's voice shouted as the tesla grenade started to die, "Get to the fireplace!"
Still numb from the blast, Glen managed to twitch her way to the long-cold fireplace. The moment her head and shoulders were inside the fireplace, she felt a sharp pull on the rope that pulled her straight up. It was a tight fit, and she was certain she left a few patches of skin behind, but she was soon distracted from her aches and pains when she found herself submerged in water. Cheeks puffed out, she struggled to swim to the distant surface even as she continued to be pulled by the rope.
The darkness faded as she grew nearer the surface. Desperation restoring the parts of her that were stunned, she swam with all her might.
Something caught her ankle. She glanced down to see the cabin, darkness writhing around it like some great Lovecraftian beast hungry for flesh. She fought to reach the surface, surely no more than a few feet away, but the tendril of darkness around her ankle doggedly pulled her back into the depths.
Colors swam in Glen's vision as her lungs screamed for air to no avail, when a burst of light shone from the surface. The sun was climbing over the mountains, its light piercing the dark waters.
The darkness released its grip, allowing Glen to be pulled to the surface. She broke through with a gasp, her mind still in a daze from lack of oxygen. She half-swam, was half-pulled to the shore, where Claudia, Jinks, Agent Sans, and UNDRPapyrus were waiting.
Glen collapsed on the shore of the lake, gasping for breath as the others surrounded her.
"Miss Glen?" Papyrus asked, "Are you all right?"
Glen coughed out a little lake water before giving them a brief nod.
"Did the big bad have what you were looking for?"
A grin spread across Glen's face. She sat up abruptly, startling the others.
"I have a name." She said. "Someone who faced the darkness and won."
"It'll have to wait." Jinks said. "Artie's in trouble. We need to get our people out of the Underground."
Glen rose to her feet unsteadily, ultimately leaning on Papyrus for support. "Right. To the Underground then; I've got an idea how we can get in there. Um … where's our car?"
"Probably back in our dimension." Agent Sans said.
"Artie is totally paying for shipping it back to the Warehouse." Claudia said as she climbed into the old rental car they'd aquired.
They were just about to leave when Agent Sans snapped his fingers. "Say, what about that Wake fella? He gonna be okay?"
Glen swore and glanced back at the lake. "Jagger's got him locked up down there. Even if we could get him, he's still possessed. There's nothing we can do for him right now. Maybe, once we deal with the SCP, we can come back."
Alan stared at the typewriter in front of him, the delirium in his mind thinning to the point where he could regain some degree of rational thought. He didn't see the tesla grenade, he didn't know about Glen and her memories; all he knew was the darkness that clouded his thoughts was gone, driven back by some unknown force. He didn't know why it let him go, but he knew he didn't have much time before it returned.
His jaw set, Alan returned to the story, hoping he had the time and the strength to subvert the darkness's plans. He would escape, he would stop the darkness from being unleashed by the power in his words.
He would save Alice.
ns 15.158.61.45da2
