San's gets more answers but isn't happy by any of them and Aster causes even more stress

——

@?£ Multiverse

Entry 34: I feel like im getting closer but I've nearly used up all the DETERMINATION I've gathered. I have requested for more time but the King is insistent I finish this soon or he is shutting the project down. The fool has no clue what he is asking of me but all i can do is grit my teeth and obey. This is the most interesting project I've had in years and i feel it may lead me to a solution for dealing with the barrier as well.

Monster SOULS are such pure things but i never thought i would be tasked to preserve one. It was a miracle it stayed intact for so long, the Kings quick actions likely the only reason it's still so stable. I can see fragments missing but that is to be expected, hopefully with a few tests i will be able to regrow all the missing sections.

Entry 56: All the supply of DETERMINATION is gone but i was finally able to keep the SOUL intact. A true marvel and truly a scientific first but the SOUL is now dyed a light pink. I have no clue what impact this will have if I manage to restore the PrInCeS body but every little step helps.

I requested magic from the King and Queen but was denied, cursing how hard they were making my work. How are they expecting me to make a body without samples? I will persevere but i might have to use donations, curious to see if adding other traits from humans would be a useful substitute.

Entry 70: It's all gone. I've used every scrap left from the humans that died down here and even the secret supply I kept hidden from the royals. I usually wouldn't waste something so precious but i feel so close to accomplishing my goal. The SOUL is changing colour again and i feel I only need one more push to complete it. I feel the CORE will be the final push i need to solve it.

I always knew the CORE would solve all of monster kinds problems and if this works it might also solve the number of monsters Falling Down. Our population was never large but we will need more if we ever hope to survive above ground.

Entry 98: I made a terrible mistake. I hid all my work, every single scrap as soon as i could. The SOUL is a dirty grey and i can see cracks growing from it by the hour. No one remembers what my project was or even their existence anymore. I can feel my own memories starting to fade but small things remain. I grew too arrogant, too careless and im paying for my mistakes. It's funny how close I've become to the SOUL of the ̸̠̻͘p̵̪̳̗̌̆̕r̸̪̂̅́͒î̸̳͈̥͊̊ņ̶̟͍́c̶̡̭͕͒̿e̴̎ͅẢ̷̹s̴̙̈́t̴̼̽̽e̸͙̻̤͒̒r̵̦̘̦̍ͅ. ̴̘̈̇̓and sometimes feel like they are my own child with how long I've spent with them.

It's a shame i know them better in death then in life. I will give them a final gift before i fully forget them as for some reason I cant bare to let them go. I hope i don't regret this but there is one thing i can do to try and save them. May the angel forgIve my tainted SOUL.

Entry 103: I think I've lost my mind. Many past entries are lost or make no sense but my SOUL feels like i recognise it sins crawling on my back but even my assistant has no clue what im talking about. I must have been tired when i wrote this but i have no time for that. I have new projects im going to start. Im unsure why i feel such a rush to complete them but im never one to ignore my senses.

The wounds on my hands have finally healed and the new SOULS are growing nicely. I've had an odd feeling of familiarity for the two small SOULS and i- wonder if these ones will survive.

Entry 120: The King is a spineless fool and he will doom us all. The royal children are all gone and he refuses to do a single thing. It seems things are left up to me and I've finally had a breakthrough with the CORE. Now all i need to do is-

~~~

Sans stopped reading the tattered journal that he found under the tile Frisk had said, feeling a rising hysteria with his hands shaking after he reread it again. It was a disorganised mess and large chunks were gone but this did prove what Frisk had been telling him.

"Crazy old man. Why didn't you learn to let things go? Always leaving me to pick up the pieces.."

He always knew something was wrong with Gaster but this only proved it. Who the hell would play with such a dangerous substance, betting it was a scientist trait when he recalled how Flowey came about.

He was glad he never touched the stuff, the amalgamations already stuff of nightmares and a blaring sign to forever avoid the substance.

He felt Papyrus patiently waiting at his side and he was secretly thankful he wasnt alone right now, feeling he would be breaking down otherwise.

He reluctantly passed over the notes, wondering if they even recalled who Gaster was or if they forgot like everyone else. He wasn't ashamed to admit he was a coward and had been too scared to ask, unsure if he was strong enough to bear the answer.

He gazed back at the deceptively thin glass that separated them from the main part of the CORE, truly the source of so many issues but he supposed the main fault could lie at good old dads feet.

He shuddered at the thought of ever calling Gaster 'dad', knowing he was more of a failed experiment then a child to them. It did explain though why they reacted so harshly when Papyrus had called them that title when younger though, having been quick to dissuade his brother from ever doing that ever again. He didnt think highly of Gaster but giving him a brother is one of the things he would never regret.

"I DONT U-UNDERSTAND. HOW IS ANY OF THIS POSSIBLE?"

He winced at how their voice broke, the urge to bundle them up and hide them from the world growing strong but he pushed that emotion back. Papyrus wasn't a babybones anymore and no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't hide the truth forever.

He was at a crossroads, wondering if he could even explain any of this but a reminder of the picture that felt heavy in his photo pushed him forward, bracing himself to be fully truthful for once, even if that meant talking about their less then pleasant origins.

———

Flowey was expressionless as he kept track of Aster wandering in the flowers in front of his the royals old home. King fluffy buns a truly ridiculous nickname in his opinion usually visited the Underground once a week to tend the flowers and also to check up on the other monsters.

He made sure to keep track of all the major players was this even a game anymore? but as the years passed monotony creeped in, truly wondering if there was such a place for a soulless creature like him in this disgustingly peaceful RESET.

He sometimes missed the dust, the violence that filled his days when he had the power. Even watching Frisk bathe in the monster dust was nostalgic, shaken out of his thoughts when laughter filled the air.

"Look, Mr Frisk! This one is super bright. Do you think i could grab some now?"

"Just a few, Aster. Let me help"

He silently scoffed at Frisks soft heart but also tellingly didnt move away or try to interfere, watching as two collected two bundles of golden flowers, wondering what they were for but it seemed Frisk was on the same page and asked for him.

"What are you going to do with those?"

Frisk asked gently, still off balance after the River Person and what this all could mean. He helped to hold the bunches together, smiling at how they nearly dwarfed the small goat child.

He still worried how much they recalled, trying to do gentle inquiries but the answers were too vague and he was wary of pushing too hard. He grabbed the last flower Aster had insisted they pick and nearly dropped it as two names he hadnt heard in a long time came out of their mouth.

"Im giving them to Asriel and Chara! They've been sad lately and i thought it would cheer them up. Do you think they will like it, Mr Frisk? I hope they arent too angry i got lost for so long"

He struggled not to cry at their genuine question, pulling them closer into a hug and unable to answer their questioning bleat.

"..why are you crying, Mr Frisk? Are you ok?"

He wasnt and was unsure if he would be for a very long time.

~~~~~~~

Gaster: *Growing increasingly unhinged in his journals*

Sans: *Reading them with deep horror but unsurprised*..good old 'dad' truly was worse then i thought

-

Frisk: *Finally calm after meeting River Person*

Aster: *Innocently asking to see Asriel and Chara*

Frisk and Flowey: *New stress level unlocked*