#s!gaster

“Which alone is impossible. I don’t understand how you had two.” 

“Well, I did, and both seem equally worthy of becoming my assassin servant.” 

“One of them will rebel.” 

“If you’re so smart, tell me what to do with the other!” 

“You could give a child to the scientist.” 

A long moment of silence past between the conversers as a new creature joined their conversation. 

“I experiment on monsters, it wouldn’t be a good idea to give him to me.” 

“A prince should not be treated to such a pathetic life.” 

“Rude.” 

“But he doesn’t have to know that he was ever a prince.” 

“That’s impossible. Their eyes will show that they are related.” 

“Not if you changed them with magic.” 

The Gasters floated silently as they observed the third. They pondered what the stranger said. 

“Shouldn’t you keep them separated anyway? So they don’t find each other and rebel?” 

“We’ve already taken care of the other two children, surely they won’t find each other.” 

“It’d be devastating to our plan if they somehow did all meet.” 

“Exactly. So, change one of the other’s eyelids with magic and send him with the scientist. Your plan will be flawless with them never meeting each other.” 

“But the bond of brotherhood is so strong-” 

“Do as he says. Take the smaller one as your son. I wanted him less anyway.” 

“I am not a father. I conduct experiments, and I’m about to enter a new project with the spring kingdom’s Gaster by testing my subjects with magic!” 

“Who says the child can’t be one of the subjects?” 

A grin appeared on the scientist's face. He rubbed his hands together. “You, sir, are a smart lad.” 

“I try.” 

“My son will become a prince that everyone fears. He will become a heartless killer. I already see it in him.” 

“If he refuses?” 

“He doesn’t have a choice. I’m sure you’ll make sure of that?” 

“Of course. None of the children have a choice in what happens to them anyway.” 

“But if they find the rebellion?” 

The king snapped a deadly look at the scientist, his eyes lighting up. “Solstice will never find the children, let alone bring them together. I see no flaw in our plan.” 

“But-” 

“You dare question your leader? I’m sure he has the rebellion taken care of.” 

“Take the small Sans, I no longer need him. Make sure to keep him far away from the other kingdoms. And watch the other children from afar.” 

“Yes sire.” 

The scientist scooped up the former prince into his arms and darted off. 

“Do you believe that this plan will work?” 

“Indeed, old friend.” He smiled wickedly. “Soon, you will have four connected AUs ready for your command.”

The stranger floated and nodded silently, smiling to himself. 

Summer observed the sun indents his skull, the scars on his upper ribs toward his shoulders, and his sunset tongue. However, he couldn’t distract himself from his eyes. The modified orbs felt weird in his eye sockets as if they didn’t belong. 

He knew that they didn’t belong there. He didn’t want to change his eyes or any of his body to be altered, but he had no choice. 

The procedure was incredibly painful; no matter how many times Summer begged, Summer!Gaster refused to give him any relief. Summer would often be called into the lab for his dad to experiment with him. He was told it was for the ‘greater good’ or ‘gaining knowledge.’ The only knowledge he got was how painful the experiments were. The eye procedure had been the most scarring of them all. He had trouble seeing out of his eyes for a while and guessed it would take a bit to get used to the new bulbs. It was worth it if it meant his dad loved him, right? 

He had tried to run away once. After he came home from school with Summer!Alphys, he tried going to the ocean to avoid his dad. The fear of another procedure every week scarred him. However, when Summer!Gaster found him, he cried profusely, asking why he couldn’t do a simple thing to help his father out. The endless tears that ran down his dad’s cheeks overwhelmed him with guilt, and he never ran away from a procedure again. 

How strange, Summer thought at the time. He stopped crying so quickly after I said sorry… Maybe S!Gaster believed my apology. Summer didn’t think about it much. As long as his dad accepted him, it was fine. 

He didn’t feel like he was accepted at all. Despite not making many friends in school, his father was never home. The only times he saw him were before and after he was tortured. He wished his dad would play catch the ball with him on the field, but he was always too busy. Maybe if I help him with his studies… he could play ball with me! It would go faster for both of us! He smiled to himself, but it came as quickly as it faded. But… I don’t want that magic to hurt me again… 

Summer stared into his eyes once more. He wondered how many more alterations it would take for his dad to be happy with how Summer was. What kind of magic would he use next time? What would he change about Summer next time? Would he refuse to let Summer go again? 

He felt a hand on his shoulder. Summer flashbacked to the eye procedure as the horror flooded back into him. He turned around in fright, clenching his head as tears started to fall on his face. He hyperventilated as the vision faded, revealing who had touched him. 

S!Gaster seemed unphased by his reaction. “How do they feel? Can you see?” He asked quickly. 

Summer wiped away his tears and shoved his dad’s hand off his shoulder. He tried looking at S!Gaster’s long yellow robe. It was decorated with various sun colors and was in long, elegant swirls. Two blue gems were attached to the scientist’s shoulder. More gems were on his big shoes, but Summer could barely distinguish them. S!Gaster wore his water-droplet glasses and brushed some orange dust off his red and orange onesie. 

“I-I can s-see,” Summer lied; everything was so hazy he felt like he would faint. 

S!Gaster wrote something down in his journal before glancing back at him. “Don’t lock the bathroom door, please.” 

Summer lowered his head. “I-I’m sorry…” 

S!Gaster wrote down something again. “Are you afraid, Summer?” 

Summer nodded. He couldn’t pinpoint what he was afraid of exactly. All he knew was he felt afraid when his dad was around. To him, it didn’t make sense because he wanted his father to like him and catch a rubber ball with him. He told himself he could figure it out when he was a big kid. Summer!Alphys—his teacher—told him not to worry about it, as he was only seven. 

Or did she say that about the burnt pie? 

“Tsk tsk,” S!Gaster clicked his pen, shaking his head. “That won’t do… no no, that won’t do…” he turned around and headed for the door. 

Summer got off the counter and followed him. “D-Dad?” 

“What?” S!Gaster muttered, scribbling things down in his notebook. 

Summer gently tugged on his robe. “I got a new ball!” His face lit up momentarily. “Could we go play catch by the ocean today?” 

Summer’s heart dropped when S!Gaster tugged his robe from the boy’s hands and closed the door. “No,” he could hear his father outside of the bathroom. “Dad is busy today.” 

The monster kids quickly packed up their bags as the bell rang. Summer wasn’t in a rush like them. He didn’t want to go home today. I hope the ocean isn’t cold today… He sighed, putting the papers that he drew inside of his bag. One of them caught his eye. Huh… He stared at one of them; they had a big rock on them; Mrs. Alphys called them the ‘Winter Mountains.’ They looked very cool to him, and he wondered if they were real. He planned to ask his questions tomorrow, as they would be going over it again. 

S!Alphys erased the board and glanced back at Summer. She adjusted her glasses and set the eraser down, glancing at the only other one in the room. “Hey Summer,” she called his name sweetly. “Are you doing okay?” 

Summer shrugged, swinging the bag over his shoulder and walking towards the door. “Yes ma’am.” 

S!Alphys picked up her sunflower dress and waddled over to him. “Just wanted to make sure, you didn’t look up at all during the lesson today.” 

Summer glanced up at her without a word. “I’m sorry-” 

He would never forget the horror on her face. It was so surprising that it cut him off. S!Alphys bent down, barely able to formulate words. “Summer… what happened to your eyes?” 

“My dad needed me for an experiment,” he shrugged. “It’s okay, they don’t hurt anymore.” 

S!Alphys’ breath was shaky. She motioned for Summer to sit down on a desk nearby. Once he did, she took a few breaths. “And these… experiments… do they hurt…?” 

Summer nodded again. He felt an insane amount of guilt engulf him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you upset…” 

“No, Summer, it’s not you. Don’t worry,” S!Alphys spoke through watery eyes. She looked away from him for a moment. “What all has he done to you?” 

“I don’t know,” Summer sighed. “He does them every week. He’s said that he’s only helping me by removing stuff I don’t need, like my previous eyes, or whatever fert-fertility is…” He had trouble pronouncing the word. “Sometimes he adds things, like this sun print,” he pointed to the sun indent on his face. “It’s kinda cool, I guess…” 

His teacher nodded slowly. “I’m so sorry, Summer…” 

“Why are you sorry?” He asked curiously. “It makes my dad happy. I want him to be happy… maybe if he’s happy enough, he’ll come play ball with me one day.” 

“Does he not play with you?” 

“No,” Summer shrugged. “He’s too busy. I think he will one day though!” 

S!Alphys wiped away the tears forming in her eyes. “Honey… I don’t…” She paused. “Will some of the boys here play ball with you?” 

“No,” Summer shook his head. “They like hopscotch more. I don’t like hopscotch, it hurts my feet.” 

“Did your dad experiment on your feet too?” 

Summer nodded again. 

S!Alphys sighed. “What he’s doing to you isn’t okay. You know that, right?” 

Summer tilted his head. “It’s not?” 

“No,” she said. “It never will be…” She thought for a moment again. “How about this? You come to school tomorrow, and I’ll bring a friend who loves to play catch. How does that sound?” 

Summer’s eyes lit up. “Really? Yeah, I’d like that.” 

S!Alphys smiled. “Okay, I will make that call right now. Be careful when you’re home, okay?” 

“Will do, thank you Mrs. Alphys,” he replied as he hurried out the door. 

For the first time in a while, he felt happy. He couldn’t contain his smile. Oh boy! Someone is going to come play catch the ball with me tomorrow! I’ll have to bring my new ball! I hope they like the color red… 

Once his feet came in contact with the sand, Summer slid to a halt. S!Gaster stood there, waiting for him. None of the other kids were around. Already? Summer cowered under his backpack. But I just had a procedure… I don’t want another one. 

“Summer, let’s go home,” his dad ordered, offering his hand. 

Summer didn’t want to upset him. He grabbed his hand and felt a sting through his ribs as S!Gaster teleported them immediately to the lab room. 

Summer shrank back in fright, realizing where he was as his eyes slowly adjusted. “Dad, please, I don’t want to do another experiment. They hurt,” Summer begged, backing away. 

“Don’t disappoint me, my child,” S!Gaster salvaged through the drawers. He turned around and held the needle in his hand. It didn’t take him long to grab Summer’s arm and set him on the bed. “I am helping you. This is for the greater good.” 

“But-” 

“This experiment will be to your soul. It will neutralize your emotions. You don’t want to be afraid anymore, right?” 

Summer couldn’t control the waterfalls falling from his eyes. “N-No b-b-but-” he caught off as he felt a burning pain when his soul was brought up. He let out a cry of pain, trying to jerk away from the magical needle. He hated the magic, he didn’t want anything to do with it. His chest tightened as the pain got more severe. He wanted to flee, he wanted to run far away. He just wanted the pain to stop…