Degeneration

Chapter 2: Babybones

Undyne watched in concern and horror as there was a bright flash of multicolored light and both of them vanished. Only the overwhelming warmth of the sheet where they sat giving any sign that they were there to begin with.

"SANS, PAPYRUS!"

-

Alphys had just entered the room as the two vanished. The light struck Alphys as similar to the magic flash that Sans uses to teleport. She had almost dropped the syringes she held in shock at the sight.

"W-what just happened?" Undyne stammered in surprise and worry.

Alphys couldn't possibly give her an answer. She knew something may have been off but hadn't had the counter drug in the room and on hand. She may have just dusted two of her closest friends.

Alphys shivered at the thought.

"Alphys, don't cave in now. We need to look for them." Undyne said sternly but caring. She walked over and rubbed Alphy's arms gently, soothing the scientist. "We need to look for them." Undyne repeated much gentler.

"O-okay. Let's check up here first, then the labs downstairs." However, she could only hope that they weren't down there.

-
Elsewhere
-

It was dark. Far too dark for their liking. The cold room seemed even colder as they snuggled up to one another for whatever faint warmth they could get. The last thing they remembered was sitting in their cell after today's magic lesson. But they had a feeling of unease that disturbed them. Both brothers were alert despite their physical exhaustion.

"Huh? Where'd the lights go?" One asked, timid and frightened. "He always leaves one on outside our room."

"I don't know. He never shuts them all off like this. I wonder if it's something with the core." The other replied, trying to keep a more confident and cheerful tone. "It's so dark! Wow!"

They tried to light up the room a bit with what magic they had - not at all happy that there room was plunged into complete darkness - but their magic's glow was too faint. Any light they produced barely lit up their faces.

"I have another question....w-what are we wearing?" The younger said as he looked down at his flashy clothing that were far to large for his body. "What happened to the other clothes we had on?"

"I don't know but this coat is so warm!" The other said as he hunkered further into the faded jacket around him. He looked up at his brother, "Hey, that scarf looks good on you Papy."

"Does it?" Papyrus replied, with a somewhat strained smile. "Do you think he gave us some drug along with our normal shots? What is going on?" He began to tear up, "What if we die Sans!"

Sans wrapped his arms tightly around his brother, a strange feeling in his soul, "We won't die Paps. We've survived everything so far, we can survive this." Papyrus nodded as Sans wiped his tears away. "And do you know what else?"

"What?" Papyrus sniffled.

"Hear that?" Sans said, shushing him. The sound of sharp footsteps could be heard from above them, faint but clear. Similar to the frantic steps they hear when the Core malfunctions.

"I think someone's upstairs. Someone who isn't that evil man." Sans grinned widely, his eyelight shining brightly. "Maybe they'll help us!"

Papyrus looked skeptical, "Remember last time?"

Sans nodded, a hand moving over his eye."Maybe this time will be different."

"You'd better hope so." Papyrus huffed under his breath. He moved to a corner of their cot with mild difficulty from their oversized clothing and laid down. His body ached all over and he didn't want to deal with it in any way, shape, or form.