Unrequited LOVE

•Chapter 9•

"you alright, pal? lookin' a little wing-ed."

You laughed. Hard. "Stars, that was terrible!"

Dust's perma-grin seemed to widen as his mismatched eyelights glanced between your face and wings. "don't tell me you're getting tired already. i've got crow many more."

"But do I raven want to hear them?" You shot back.

"heh. you really winged that one, didn't ya?"

Oh no, he's funny!

Your wings trembled as you chortled. Serial killers weren't supposed to be funny, for goodness sakes! Yet here I am, talking with him like an old friend.

"but i think i'll stop for today," he shrugged, eyelights mischievous. "wouldn't want to kill boss' favorite guardian."

That got your attention. "Huh?"

Dust pretended to examine his nails, which was quite strange, considering he didn't have any. "we've only met three of 'em, but you're the nicest, i guess."

...that was unexpectedly nice. For him, of course.

"I'm honored you think that, Dusty," you joked.

"'dusty'? you're pushing your luck, kid," his left socket glowed a dusky purple.

Not this...

"but i'll let it slide," his ribcage was mere inches from your own. "as longs you never use it again."

A threat, you realized. Strangely enough, his display didn't bother you nearly as much as it should have. You just... weren't scared - wary, but not scared.

"I'm sorry. I won't use it again," you stated calmly. "Is 'Dust' alright?"

Dust seemed to deflate at your words, slinking back a few feet. His eyesights studied you curiously.

"...yeah, that's fine."

A grin made its way to your face. "Glad to hear it, Dust."

He said nothing. Then, a nod. "heh. You really are something else, kid."

And then he was gone, literally poofing out of existence.

A shortcut. You didn't flinch, having had the action previously explained to you. The science behind it was a bit sketchy, but you understood the base idea.

"Have a good day," you said to no one in particular.

***

Far away in an unknown place, a skeleton stirred. Two sockets opened, eyesights glowing a soft light.

Where am I?

The skeleton - dressed in a gray turtleneck and black pants - sat up and rubbed his cracked skull. His surroundings were a plain gray color, endlessly continuing.

It was better than the void he'd been trapped in for Asgore-knows-how-long.

He wondered why he was here, how he was here. Was it karma - repaying him for the wonderful atrocities he performed (for science, of course)? Perhaps the cause was Sans, his estranged 'son', who certainly had a motive to.

Either way, he would find a way out. Everything had a weak spot. In time, a crack could become a cavern; the only thing needed was will.

And I, W.D. Gaster, am nothing if not willful.

Gaster stood up and walked a few steps forward. He raised his uniquely-shaped hands and summoned a bit of magic.

A spark of purple-tinted magic formed in his palm. It twisted and writhed, resembling that of the flame in a dying candle. Within a few moments, however, it fizzled away.

Curious...

Gaster studied his surroundings, searching for any sign of an exit. There was none to be found, unfortunately, just pure, blank walls.

He wandered the timeless landscape, poking at the very threads of it's existence. They held firm and refused to give. Whoever created this world was an exceptionally talented mage, he gathered.

Instead of infuriating him with its futile resistance, the world only served to intrigue him. He pushed a bit further, cataloging ever movement in that overworked brain of his.

Knowledge was exhilarating, after all, and he wanted to learn all about this place.

But then, something strange happened, he felt something.

A ping in his SOUL.

Something was calling out to him. He reached out, grasping at it's energy.

...could it be?!

He recognized the energy; actually recognized it.

...the second one...

Gaster had always assumed his second experiment a failure. She'd disappeared no less than five seconds after the initial transformation and he, no longer able to track her SOUL, gave up.

But now... he could continue his experiment - increase his knowledge!

I'll know more! So much more! His thirst for knowledge was a disease, festering in his mind for as long as he could remember.

She belonged to him!

He followed the ping like a wild beast hunting prey. The signal was faint, but he locked in on it regardless. Blind to anything but his raging ambitions, he traveled further and further.

Closer... Closer...

The signal grew stronger, pulling him in.

Just a bit more...

And then, he hit a wall. Not a traditional wall, but a barrier. Someone was trying to keep him in. And they were strong.

Gaster laid a hand over the barrier, glowing with magic. His own magic pushed against the seal, creating a minuscule crack, but it held firm.

Interesting, but inconvenient.

No matter. He would find a way out and reclaim his prize.

It was meant to be, after all. 

***

Oh no, it's a pun battle! Also, WTF Gaster!

(Anyone notice the background image yet?)