Shattered

The Hotland's laboratory, a place where some of the brightest minds of the Underground were located, working hard for the future.

Sans was going there, as usual, his brilliance was noted even by the head royal scientist, who offered to work alongside him as his protégé.

As soon as he entered the laboratory, one of the tallest monsters came to receive him.

"Greetings, Sans."

It was him, W.D Gaster, one of the few boss monsters remaining, and the most brilliant mind in the Underground.

"Heya, so you actually came by here, uh?"

Truth be told, he wasn't a stranger for Sans, once he and his brother lost their parents, the scientist adopted them and took care of them since. And while Sans never called him 'dad', a strong bond was formed.

"Indeed, I had to attend some appointments at the University, and I since I was at it, I came by here," Gaster explained.

"Hotland's university? You found something interesting there?" Sans asked curiously.

Gaster nodded, "Actually, yes, I saw a lot of potential in one of the students, Alphys, if I recall correctly, she seems... shy, but I consider on testing her once she graduates"

"It definitely would be good to see some new faces here," the skeleton said, "Speaking 'bout that, where are the other three?"

"Skathkat and Kio are at the CORE checking some systems, and Pepper is in the hall, in fact, I was just talking to her."

"Nice to know."

"How is Papyrus doing?" Gaster asked, "I apologize not been for him lately, but I have been working hard and couldn't find any time to be with him."

Sans sighed, "Yeah, I left him at school earlier, nothin' special, but he seems to be doing fine there."

A somewhat uncomfortable silence filled the room for just a little bit, until Sans interrupted it.

"So, what are you up to? I know you well, and you don't just show up here without any motive"

Gaster snorted a laugh, "I always underestimate your perception skills, yes, I want to show you something,"  he turned around, "Follow me."

Sans obliged, and after some quiet walking, they reached a hall, where a short but big-headed monster wearing a lab coat.

"Hi Sans!" The little monster greeted, "Nice to see you here!"

The skeleton waved her back, "Heya Pepper, nice to see ya too."

Before any conversation could take place, Gaster, staring directly at Pepper, said a simple command.

"It is time."

Pepper's face became from cheery to serious, and she simply nodded.

"Alright."

Gaster opened the elevator and went inside it, the other two scientists entered in too, though, if Pepper seemed completely serious, Sans was nothing but confused about the situation.

The head scientist pressed some buttons, and the group of three started descending.

"So, can someone explain me why the hell are we going to the basement?" Sans asked.

Gaster remained in silence for a moment, like if he was recollecting his thoughts before speaking.

"Sans, you are aware that, ever since the imprisonment more than a century ago, I've been working mainly on the CORE, making it as perfect as possible." He started explaining.