Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26006155-20181123023529/@comment-26006155-20181224160532

Chapter 8: “The Night of Gaster’s Darkest Experiment”

a video screenplay by BlackfootFerret ---

(Scene starts with a completely black screen, as Gaster intones the words of Entry 17:)

Dark Darker Yet Darker The Darkness Keeps Growing The Shadows Cutting Deeper Photon Readings Negative This Next Experiment Seems Very Very Interesting…

(spooky) WHAT DO YOU TWO THINK?

Sans “(deadpan) If you ask me? I think we could use more light.”

(The lights flick on, to reveal a laboratory decked out to the 9’s, with a large, dark portal standing inactive against one wall, and many computer terminals surrounding the walls. Off to one side is some gear, including a few Gaster Blasters. And the opposite wall has a doorway leading out.)

(Sans and Gaster are standing in the room, while Papyrus is by the doorway, having just flicked on the lightswitch.)

Papyrus “It is I! The Great Papyrus! Who has located the Switch of Light, and brought happy radiance back to the inky black recesses of this laboratory!”

Gaster “Yes, well done Papyrus. We can see now.”

Papyrus “It was the least I could do for my two greatest friends, the Beloved Royal Ghost Scientist Wingding Gaster, and my brother in bones, his diminutive skeletal sidekick!”

Sans “I love your choice of words Papyrus. They’re always quite.. Humerus.”

Papyrus “Sans! What did I tell you about using your juvenile bone puns in front of Gaster?”

Gaster “He was worried that they might get.. BOOed :)”

Papyrus “Gah! Ghost puns! Not you TOO!?”

Sans “Not to interrupt this haunting conversation, but why did the power go out?”

Gaster walks over to a terminal “It seems there was an unexpected surge in power use. Coming from, Snowdin? What could by be doing, today of all days?”

(Sans activates the telescope to view Snowdin, where a full-blown celebration is taking place, full of blazing lights, a giant balloon of Gaster, and signs that say things like “Our Freedom is at hand!”)

Sans “Hmm.. seems like they’re celebrating. Almost like they knew we were conducting this experiment today.”

(Papyrus idly hums a few bars from an Undertale song, while Gaster turns to him, cross)

Gaster “Papyrus, did you tell EVERYONE about our Top Secret experiment?”

Papyrus “Well..I told Asgore who told Undyne who told Alphys who told Bratty and Catty who told.. Basically everyone?”

Gaster “(cross) Papyrus! This operation was supposed to be a SURPRISE!”

Sans “Easy G. After all, if this experiment works, isn’t it a bone-a-fied holiday?”

Papyrus “Yes! Thanks to your amazing inventions Gaster, all of monster-kind has hope again! You gave us technology we’ve never seen before, made us feel we could do things we never dreamed before! Like build this amazing Core in the middle of a lava field, with the power to do.. Who Knows What! Asgore lent you all of our monster power to make this facility just the way you wanted, so we could finally break the Barrier and be free! That’s the goal of this experiment, right? To set all of us monsters free?”

Gaster “(hesitant) The goal is.. To break the Barrier.. yes.”

Sans “Well then, what’s the worry?”

Gaster “The WORRY is that this has to be done PERFECTLY, and we can’t have any more unexpected distractions! How is the rebooting of the Core going?”

Sans goes over to check the computers “Most systems are normal. Many of the defenses activated, though, we have a lot of monsters stranded by re-activated lasers and puzzles, they’re calling for backup.”

Papyrus “Allow me! It is time to save my kindred from befuddling booby traps and jumbles, and prove myself worry to be a member of the  Junior Auxiliary Culinary Royal Guards in Training!”

Sans “Which Undyne created with you as the only member?”

Papyrus “Exactly!” (Papyrus leaves out the door)

Gaster waits for Papyrus to leave, then chuckles “Quite a friend you found, there.”

Sans “He’s wordy, but he’s very useful! When he’s in the room, everyone’s looking at him, and nobody’s looking at us :) He’d helped us keep up our disguises, for all this time.”

Gaster “And he still hasn’t figured out that we’re both humans, pretending to be monsters. Just like that TV show with the four detective hippie kids and talking dog?”

Sans “I’ve often wondered if Scooby might be some type of monster. Maybe even Snoopy. It would answer so many questions.”

Gaster chuckles, working the computer “Well, I never thought we’ve have an adventure stranger than out last one. But I have to admit, this takes all of the cake, and donuts too.”

Sans shrugs, joining him at the computer “At least it’s been peaceful this time. And the food is really good too. I’ve never met friendlier people anywhere, certainly not in my home village.”

Gaster gases over at him “Have you stopped to wonder though, what would happen if our disguises failed? We’re surrounded by an underground civilization of creatures dedicated to the destruction of humanity. One wrong move.. And WE could bring that about.”

Sans meets the gaze “But once they learn humans were the ones who broke the barrier, they won’t need to destroy humanity anymore, and they’ll live on the surface with us, as friends! Scooby and Snoopy will finally have dates!”

Gaster doesn’t smile, but goes back to the computer. The portal outline slowly begins to glow, as well as a big light nearby. “There, I’ve started recharging the central Core capacitors. Once that light turns green, we’ll be able to start the experiment again.”

Sans ponders “I’ve wondered about some of your Core design though. Why so many lasers, traps, and security robots? I see you’ve made some new weapons. Is there something I should know?”

Gaster “Once we start this experiment, they’ll be no going back. It could change the very nature of reality. Who knows what might happen.”

Sans “Oh! You mean might get visitors? (enthusiastic) We might have to fight aliens from another dimension!?”

Gaster “Something like that.”

Sans grins “Oh Boy! Just like old times!”

Gaster stays focused on the computer, not smiling “Sure…….Why not.”

Papyrus returns “Ahem! Junior Jumble Assistant Solo Chef Royal Trainee Safety Inquisitor Papyrus, returning to report!”

Sans “You must be getting promotions. That title is different every time we hear it!”

Gaster “And what of the trapped monsters? Are the defenses still working at full capacity?”

Papyrus “Well, we switched off enough of the lasers so the monsters in Core could get back to work. A lot of little robots came out of hatches in the walls.. I’ve never even seen those before.. And tried to trap a few people in nets, the guards are still freeing them all.”

Sans “Wow. I hope nobody was hurt?”

Papyrus “The lasers didn’t burn anyone. But…um...”

Gaster, who had been studying the computer intensely, looks over “... BUT?”

Papyrus’ inexhaustible energy fades for a moment “We did find a couple of guards, hidden in a ventilation shaft. Like someone has stashed them there. Probably those robots.”

Sans blinks “Are they ok?”

Papyrus scratches his collar “Yes… and no. They seem fine.. No visible signs of damage, and they’re still breathing. But.. they’re not moving. And they won’t open their eyes. It’s like they’re asleep, and we can’t wake them up. Like they just, for some reason… gave up.. And fell down.”

Sans stares at Papyrus. And doesn’t see Gaster suddenly shiver a bit, leaning against the computer, as if dealing with some internal struggle. Gaster gasps, then immediately regains his composure “It.. must be a glitch in the robot security protocols. We’ll fix the robots, we’ll fix EVERYTHING.. Right after this experiment is finished.”

Sans glances back to Gaster, suddenly worried “Are you ok Doc?” then, brightly “You look like you’ve seen a ghost!”

Gaster manages to crack a smile “Very funny. I.. think I could use some refreshments. I’m going to need all my strength, before this is over...”

Sans “Alright, Solo Irreplaceable Royal Assistant Master Chief Chef Friend Papyrus! We need some food. That sounds good. Can you get us both some Legendary Heroes?”

Gaster “(hurriedly) AND Donuts! But.. not the spider kind.”

Papyrus “Alright my ghastly skeleton crew! When I get back, we shall Save The World!”

Papyrus leaves. Gaster watches him good, then shivers again, and falls into a chair.

Sans “G? Are you ok?” he sits down next to Gaster.

Gaster “Yes, Sans. I’ll be.. Ok. Eventually. I just have, a lot worrying my mind. This experiment today.. what if it goes wrong?”

Sans “Well remember, we’re the good guys Doc! We’re the ones who face impossible odds, and win, because someone has to save the world, and we’re the only ones who can! And if the best plan fails, and everything starts going to hell? It only makes us look cooler when we overcome it all and win!”

Gaster chuckles, shaking his head in admiration. “Ah, Sans. My dearest friend. I’ve always felt kids like you were The Future of Humans. When we traveled here, and realized we couldn’t go home again, I almost gave up in despair. Not because we found a world of monsters wanting to destroy humanity, but because our world would have to face them without You!”

Sans rubs his back “Hey! Look who’s talking! The world would have already been lost 20 times over if not for your crazy inventions! When everything seemed lost, you’d break the laws of physics and pull all of our pajamas out of the fire! What say we break this Barrier, fix that Silver Key machine, then show the world how YOU, Doctor, saved the world of humans and monsters alike!”

Gaster seems sad and thoughtful for a moment “Yes.. save the world. Of humans. And.. monsters.’ he looks at Sans “Sans.. you must understand something. This thing that I’m doing.. I’m doing it for you. I’m an old man, I don’t have that much time left. But you’re a young hero, and the world is going to need you. I’m willing to take any risk to get you back there.”

Sans chuckles “You know me Doc. I live for danger. When you asked me to volunteer and go into that machine, that extracted.. What was it.. Some type of energy out of my SOUL? I didn’t hesitate a second. You’ve already put me through far worse than that, and brought me back. We’ll get back again this time too.”

Gaster smiles, very faintly. “You mother was wroth with me after our last adventure, she told ME I was grounded. Before we left, I promised her that I’d bring you back. (slow, very meaningfully) No matter.. What.. I had to do.”

Sans gives him a thumbs up “I know Doc. And I can’t wait for us to get home again, so I can introduce my mother to Papyrus!”

Gaster doesn’t smile, only looks at him, sad, resigned. Then.. determined. “Yes. We all must do.. What we must.”

The big light on the console flashes green with a ding. Gaster looks at it, almost fearfully, then glances to to the door where Papyrus still hasn’t returned yet. Gaster looks conflicted, then makes a decision, and walks towards the button “And may history judge us fairly.”

Gaster slams his hand down on the button...

AND EVERYTHING GOES TO HELL.

Alarms ring throughout the Core. Lasers reactivate, all of them this time, trapping the very soldiers that were rescuing trapped workers. Hatches open, and robots start to approach any monsters still free.

Outside, the Christmas lights in Snowdin flicker for a moment, their lights dimming as another, white-hot light begins to radiate from the top of the Core.

Sans looks about, confused “G? What’s going on? What’s HAPPENING?”

Gaster stands, resolved, watching the screens “History.”

San’s phone rings, and he picks it up. Papyrus’ voice is on the other line “..sans!...what’s..going...on?..all..the..traps..reactivated!..nobody..can..move!”

Sans “Hang on Papyrus, I’m on my way!” he runs for the door, but Gaster says “Don’t---”

Sans smacks head-first into a force field, sliding back “What the.. We can’t get out!”

Gaster stands, more calmly now, tall, a mad scientist in his element, confidently watching his plans unfurl. “No. Everything in the Core is controlled by this room. And nobody else can get in. And even if they do, we have the Blasters.”

Sans spins to stare at Gaster “What.. Why.. What are you trying to DO?!’

Gaster doesn’t look at Sans, but moves over to the portal, fiddling with some controls, and an unopened box. “Only the power equivalent of seven human souls can destroy the Barrier. And Asgore has collected six. But I found a way to equal the power of a seventh SOUL, without having to sacrifice either you, or I. We can have that power.. If we collect the SOULS of almost all of the monsters.”

The Christmas lights continue to dim and short out in Snowdin, as the Core Beacon grows in brightness. A terror fills the crowd, followed by coughing as monsters begin to feel weak, and start to fall, clutching the ground.

Sans is horrified “What are you saying!? It’s impossible to collect monster souls, they vanish when they die!”

Gaster shakes his head as he works “People call so many things Impossible, because they don’t have the courage and imagination to try. Human SOULs persist after death because they have an energy in them called Determination. Once I figured out how to extract this energy, I could inject it into monsters and steal the souls from their still-living bodies, leaving behind an empty husk that would gradually degrade over time.”

Sans “The.. fallen down guards. That was your doing? You used the determination from MY SOUL to do this!?”

Gaster “That was only the beginning. It takes an incredible amount of power to extract monster souls en mass, so I build an incredibly powerful facility in the middle of a lava field. The Core can already supply monsterkind with all the electricity they could ever use with just a fraction of its capacity. The rest of its potential.. I reserved for THIS..”

Gaster activates multiple cameras, showing masses of writhing monsters all throughout the Ruins and Underground, cowering before the might of the growing, blazing star burning at the top of the Core. “Once the SOUL magnet reaches it full power, it will pull in the SOULs from every monster outside the Core. Snowdin, Waterfall, Hotland, New Home, they will all go empty in one blast as the SOULs are collect by my machine, beamed through this portal, and into the vessel of my choosing. An entity neither human nor monster, who can absorb the SOULs of both, and serve as my puppet to shatter the Ancient Barrier in a single night through the awesome power of science!”

“THEY TRUSTED YOU!” Sans screams “They LOVED YOU! You’re going to GENOCIDE an entire underground WORLD just so we can GO HOME!?”

Gaster laughs, an ugly sound “Genocide? No my dear Sans. I just told you, all the monsters in the Core shall survive. Safely contained by the laser and trap systems I built into the facility from the beginning, just for this moment. Some monsters will live on.. As long as they don’t resist.”

Papyrus’s voice on the phone: “...take this you evil robots! and that! and that! leave my friends alone!! sans, what’s happening!?..”

“I kept my word” Gaster says “The Barrier shall fall this night.”

“NO!” Sans yells, “You can’t do this! YAAA!” then gestures with his hand, picking up a chair with an invisible force and hurling it at the Portal. But Gaster also gestures, deflecting the chair easily in midair to crash against the floor. Sans growls, then gestures with both hands, tearing a chunk of computer out of its base and hurling it at the increasingly bright portal like a boulder.. But Gaster gestures with a single hand.. Halting the massive chunk of metal and plastic in midair, easily matching Sans’ power.

“Now now now” Gaster smiles “We’re going to need that to control our ‘friend’ later..”

“HOW?” Sans sweats, still pushing with both hands “How can you be stronger than me?! You were never this powerful before!”

Gaster raises a second hand, and pushes the computer chunk back slowly into place even as Sans strains. “I told you.. Rrr.. that I learned.. I steal monster SOULs. Aren’t you curious… grrr… where I PUT them? I needed a test subject.. And knew you’d never agree. So I absorbed them MYSELF! Just in case.. You proved… difffficult…AGH!”

Gaster suddenly shudders against for a moment, wracked by an internal pain. A darkness seems to surrounded him, and for a moment it seems he has a second, upside down face on his lower half. For a moment, Gaster’s voice echoes in stereo. “You asked.. If we might find.. Aliiens. We founnnnd onnee..”

Sans seems to wake up. “Doctor! I don’t know what you’ve done to yourself.. But you’re becoming corrupted! A darkness is consuming you! YOU HAVE TO STOP!!”

Sans tosses another chair, but as Gaster blocks Sans gestures at the ceiling and floor, ripping them both free and trying to sandwich Gaster between them, keeping Gaster off-balance with a rapid barage of attacks before going for his real target: One of the Gaster Blasters. Gaster tries to keep it from reaching Sans’ hand, but Sans squeezes his fingers, pulling the trigger remotely, sending a blast full into a shield Gaster hastily throws up just in time. Sans gestures for a second, then a third blaster to rise and fire on Gaster. Gaster strains, then actually laughs, enjoying the sport as his voice echos again, and suddenly all the blasters swing and fire. Right at SANS.

Sans smashes against a computer, breaking it, then falls to his knees, shaken, but alive. Gaster chuckles, seems himself again for the moment, and sends the Blasters back to their rack, before gesturing and surrounding Sans in a cage of glowing force fields.

Gaster smiles, proud “Ah, ‘Sans’. My best friend. With all the amazing psychokinetic abilities I wish my own son had. I set the blasters to Stun, you are too precious to destroy. The Barrier may break, but your monster friend will no go free this day. They will remain prisoners in the cage they helped me construct, as valuable test subjects, and a source of SOULs humans will pay dearly to absorb to enhance their own powers.”

Sans forces himself to stand, shaking, determined not to fall. “Why… why are you.. doing .. this..!?”

Gaster looks disappointed. “You’ve seen our world. How only the strong survive. It’s kill or be killed. We could have left, if you were willing to absorb a monster soul yourself, but I know you’re too innocent and idealistic to ever do such a terrible thing. And even if we left, the monsters would still be down here, plotting their escape and destruction of humanity, a ticking time bomb we had no choice but to stop. You must survive, intact, you are the future of humans. And I am the corrupt old man who will do what MUST BE DONE to save our world, and send you home. You can hate me forever if you want, but you will never break those force fields. Now watch, and LEARN.”

Gaster turns away from Sans, and back to face the portal, full-on, which is blazing with power. He opens the vessel box, revealing a small golden flower, and hooks it up to the portal, and the barrage of monster souls that’s about to surge in.

Meanwhile, Sans lashes about, punching at his energy cage ineffectually.

Papyrus on the phone “we can only hold out a bit longer.. Here they come! Aahhh.. Block their shots, the others must survive!..”

Gaster faces the portal, looking unworldly, darkness spreading around him as the whine of the charging Core reaches its peak. All through the Underground monsters are barely moving, their forms starting to waver, as the angry Sun on top of the Core surges for a final blast.

Sans runs around, looking any way out.

Gaster “The Prophecy is fulfilled. And today the Underground shall go empty.”

Sans stops, blinks, then starts running around again. Faster.. Faster… FASTER…

Gaster “Our world shall be saved, at the expense of this one.”

Sans spins so fast he leaves after-images.

Gaster “And we shall return to our world as heroes.”

Sans is preparing to teleport!

Gaster “And the monster problem will be solved, forever.”

Papyrus “SANS.. HELP!!”

Sans “NOOOOOOO!!!”

Sans teleports.. Passing through the force fields, leaving a trail of after images in slow motion.

He smashes right into Gaster, sending him flying forwards, into the active portal, which immediately short-circuits, bathing Gaster in jagged lightning, tearing his body and soul into countless fragments that are shattered across time and space with one horrific, echoing SCREAM.

The whole Core shakes, warping, the evil Sun wavering, then blasting into colorful fragments that fly to the edges of the Underground.

Sans stares, looking at the haywire portal that Gaster disappeared into. Then he’s rocked by a horrific pain as the screen suddenly rewards him a surging boatload of Execution Points, and one Level of Violence after another, a surge of compounding damnation as his screams echo off the walls. Before the Core circuit breakers give out, and everything plunges into blackness again.

(to be continued)