Abandoned Past

Chapter 14: Creeping Memories

Mint listened intently to Daddy Sans' explanation, glancing over to the bar top as the new skeletons entertained themselves. Apple had managed to coax Pom into letting him taste test, even though he was just attempting to get the feeling of being drunk. Guava was speaking with Donut who floated an inch off the barstool, either discussing how the skeleghost was feeling or what they were supposed to do on the surface. Dragonfruit glared down at Pom, as if if he kept staring the other would turn to dust. Cranberry was busy looking over the paintings and posters stuck up on the timber walls, finding the pictures interesting to gaze at even if he couldn't read the words on it.

"So what you're saying is those monsters were experiments?"
Mint asked, watching as the human tapped at the full glass of soda. The soft clinks of his nails against the glass distracted the skeleton before it stopped as was replaced with a sigh.
"In short, yes. Their souls are mixes of different monsters across the multiverse. There's always more than one version of a universal character so whenever that monster died, their soul was harvested and put into an environment that mimicked a monsters body."
"So it wouldn't shatter. Correct?"
Daddy nodded, pushing his glass away as he looked over to the others. Pom was pouring glass after glass of alcoholic beverages, Apple downing them as soon as they neared him. Guava looked back at Daddy who nodded his head, watching as the floating skeleton spoke quietly to Apple and then Pom to stop the drinks. He complied.
"But why not bring them with you when returning here? And H ow long did you have them hidden?"
"I never intended for them to be locked away. My original plan was to shut off the power so their cells would automatically open. But my copy made a nuisance of himself and intimidated them enough for them to remain trapped. They were been in there for five, almost six, years."
Daddy explained, using a straw to slip under his mask before drinking the soda. Mints bony brows rose slightly before tapping his phalanges at the timber top table. That meant these skeletons were the first. The first monsters Daddy fell in love with and claimed as his own.
"Then what were you doing after you left the facility? Surely you didn't sit around for five years."
"You'd wish I did. After I left the facility, I created my own universe. It was small but it was large enough for the small amount of monsters I created to live there. At some point, I was forcibly teleported out of the universe and it collapsed. I've no idea when any of the monsters are now. Then I went to another universe. Not quite sure where it was but I joined the Royal Guard down there and was put into a squad. I left and came here then, the rest is history."

Mint fell silent, his gaze falling back to the skeletons at the bar. Pom seemed to be making small talk with...one of them. He was still unaware of their names.
A loud ringing cut through the eased tension within the bar, Daddy fumbling to locate his phone. Managing to find it in his back pocket, he accepted the call before bringing it to his ear.
"Wassup?"
Silence was the response from the other line, his brows furrowing as he leaned on the table.
"Hello? If this is some practical joke it isn't-"
"Dad?"
A knot formed in his stomach. That voice... He knew that voice but from where?
"Who are you? How'd you get this number?"
Mints eyes narrowed, Dragonfruit turning fully in his seat to see what was going on.
"Sorry! I went through your stuff... The stuff you had before you...left."
"Who is this? Answer the damn question."
The other took in a deep breath before being interrupted by another voice. One that confirmed who was on the line.
"Silom! We don't have the time to prank call other monsters!"
A pause was heard on the other line, the weak voice of Daddy catching both of their attention.
"Moose and Silom?"
A muffled holler was heard as Moose obviously took the phone, his gruff voice mellowing out into a sort of plead.
"My apologises, sir. This won't happen again, I-"
"Moose?"
It went silent on the other line before a faint rustling was heard. The original caller spoke up as Moose seemed to quietly hiss as to who was on the phone.
"I... It's Dad."
"Bullshit! You can't reach Dad over the phone! He's not here anymore."
The two argued, Mint seeming just as confused as Daddy. The human knew who these voices belonged to but he was confused for a different reason. He was confused as to how they reached him. Sure he hasn't changed his number but calling over a stretch of timelines was near impossible. The only way to make contact was to project...
"Oh, you little shit."
It went silent on the line again, Daddy's chest tightening as his cheeks went red.
"It was you! You made those visions!"
Standing from the wooden chair in a rush, the human couldn't believe it. All this worrying and whatnot was all caused by those boneheads? Oh, he'd show them.
A rustling was heard on the other line, Silom's voice desperately trying to explain.
"Please, let me explain! We need help! Monochrome's been having the same visions! Visions of an imposter coming to our universe and launching genocide!"
Guava nervously looked to Cranberry who seemed to frown in confusion. Genocide...
"Genocide is the deliberate act of killing a large group of people. I read stories of humans doing that on the surface."
Guava spoke up, Apple shaking his skull slightly.
"Now ain't the time, pal."
Daddy glanced back to the two before he frowned slightly.
"You're big kids. You've got the whole guard rooting behind you. Just attack them all at once."
"That's the thing. Monochrome refuses to fight."
"Oh for fu-! What's his reasoning? Why must you always rely on me to get your problems sorted out?"
The human questioned, feeling his face getting hot again as he tapped his fingers against the table. The bar was silent besides the rhythmic tapping, even Pom quiet for once.
"He won't fight whatever human is coming because..."
Silom trailed off, Moose finally speaking up in a tone that sent chills down Daddy's spine.
"It's you."

He swallowed a lump in his throat, almost dropping the phone. No. The copy wouldn't do it... He knew the consequences so what would drive him to...
It didn't seem plausible or in the copies nature. He was terrified of the original Daddy Sans. To aggravate him enough to have him fight wasn't in his best interest. It would end in his death. So what other copy was there that would launch a genocide upon their timeline?
"I'll be there in a tick."
"Wait, how are you-?"
Ending the call, Daddy placed his phone on the table before rubbing his eyes vigorously. This was all just one big shitstorm. First the science kids, now the guards? Next it would be those who considered themselves the originals.

"Dad."
With the human turning to look back at Mint, Apple was right beside him before taking a step forward.
"I don't... Advise ya to go wherever those monsters are. Somethin' ain't right."
The green skeleton looked to the somewhat glitching monster before diverting his attention back to the human.
"Guess you really don't know him."
Apple glared up at Mint, who continued his cold statement.
"Dad doesn't listen. Especially not if one of his kids is in harms way."
"Well I say that's a lie."
Pom pouted, the human rolling his eyes comically.
"You're not my biological kid. You're Mints cousin."
"Still fam though, Daddy-O."
Shrugging, they all watched as the human snickered before looking to Mint. Leaving as quick as he had returned. That was Dad for you. The minty skeleton seemed hesitant but eventually sighed and let his shoulders loosely fall.
"I'll take them back home while you're gone. But! I'm not letting you head out on your own this time."
Mint frowned sternly, Dragonfruit huffing in amusement as the human swung his arms childishly.
"But Mant, y'all are too slow."
Attempting to ignore the accidental mispronunciation of his name, he shook his skull.
"I don't care. I know what you're like. You're taking one of us with you."
Causing the human to groan in annoyance and lean his head back, Mint huffed before turning to the rest of the skeletons.
"As for you, newbies. You've got some learning to do. Our house, our rules. You don't play by them, you don't stay. Is that understood?"
Guava glanced to Apple who shrugged, Dragonfruit attempting to side step towards Daddy Sans. Emitting an oof as Mint brought his fist up and collided with his sternum, the large skeleton gave off a glare that was quickly counter attacked.
"I said, is that understood?"
The red orbs of Dragonfruit diverted to the human who nodded slightly. Seeming to pick up the only way to continue on was to agree, the spikes on Dragonfruits skull lowered before huffing.
"Yes."
"Good. Pom will close up shop. The rest of you will be coming with me. No goofing off or fucking around. I don't have time for antics that could land you in trouble."
Earning a sweeping grumble from all five of the newly introduced skeletons, Mint could tell this was going to be a long night. Full of questions, learning and a whole lot of patience he didn't have. Basically, a usual night of babysitting. Oh how he loved it.