“It is time. I need to know that you are with me, Sans.”
“I…yeah. Till the end.”
The Scientist by @talkingsoup Chapter 10
She smiled mirthlessly. “The whole time I was in exile, I never missed Asgore. Or I certainly tried not to. When I would begin to miss him, I would simply remind myself how much I hated what he had become. But it is hard. When you are with someone for so very long, and then you part, even under awful circumstances…a piece of your soul stays with them, I think.”
Sans set down his fork.
“But I would not let myself miss him,” she went on. “And yet now that he is truly gone…I can’t help it. I paid him nary a thought for all those years, and yet…I find myself thinking about him all the time now. I hated what he was, but…I never wanted him to die.”
It was the most she’d said on the subject the entire time Sans had been here. Sans stared at the table, fingers curled loosely against the wood.
“Anyway,” Toriel said, giving a faint, tired chuckle. “That’s silly, isn’t it?”
“Nah,” he said, looking up at her. She looked as tired as she sounded. “I think that’s normal.”
How to SAVE the World by talkingsoup, Chapter 2
---------------
Sans and Gaster's relationship in The Scientist fic trilogy, especially by the end of Part 1, reads to me like an allegory for an unhealthy marriage and divorce. Being expected to permanently abandon your home, friends, and family to run off with someone to someplace unfamiliar…
There's quite a bit going on symbolically in this piece, so let me explain it all.
At the center of the north side of the frame is an Irish Claddagh ring, which is typically a ring that can be worn either in a casual or engagement context, which felt fitting here since Sans and Gaster's relationship is meant to be ambigious in the fic. These types of rings usually consist of three symbols: a heart at the center, a crown above the heart, and two hands on the side. The heart represents love, the hands represent friendship, and the crown represents loyalty. Both the visuals of the symbols themselves (specifically the heart and hands) and what they represent felt very fitting for Sans and Gaster. I added the hand holes to the hands so that they'd clearly read as Gaster's, though from what I understand the hand holes aren't really a thing in this fic; I added them anyway because they're very recognizable and just look cool. I chose to make the heart a white diamond and turned it upside down so that it could represent Sans' soul (and also to give the ring a more obvious engagement ring vibe.) I fashioned the crown after Asgore's, since I figure if something like Claddagh rings were to actually exist in the UT universe, monsters would probably design the crown to look like the most well-known crown in the Underground. As for the ring Gaster is actually putting on Sans' hand, I don't have the skill to redraw a ring this complicated so much smaller and at such an odd angle, so instead I opted for a typical gold band there just to get the point across.
On the sides of the ring, found both in the northern and southern parts of the frame, are two types of plants: bluebell flowers (hyacinthoides non-scripta), and deadly nightshade berries (atropa bella-donna). The bluebells are meant to represent Sans' side of the relationship, and reference several things. First, the flowers symbolize loyalty, constancy, truth, hope, humility, gratitude, etc. Second, they reference the children's playground song "Dusting Bluebells". And third, by virtue of being a species in the genus Hyacinthus, they're also connected by name to the Greek myth of Hyacinthus and Apollo. Rather than explain all the connections I have in mind there, I'll just link their pages for perusal. The deadly nightshade berries are meant to represent Gaster's side of the relationship, and symbolize silence, falsehood, betrayal, danger, death, etc. They're also one of the most toxic plants in existence.
At the northeast and northwest corners of the frame are hunting dogs with caught game in their mouth. Specifically Italian Greyhounds, which I chose because they're the smallest breed of "sighthound", a category of hunting dog known for their speed and sight rather than their endurance and sense of smell, which I felt fit Sans the best given his good dodging ability but low stats. They also function as both hunting dogs and companion dogs (pets). This is in reference to Sans' role in the fic as Gaster's "hunting dog", "pet project", and genuine friend. The dog on the northwest corner is holding a swan (bloodied and killed by the dog), which represents the blue soul human and their ballerina motif. The dog on the northeast corner is holding a quail (retrieved, but not dead yet), which represents the green soul human. I just liked that both "quail" and "quiche" start with the letter "q", and certain types of quails have a crest on their head that to me resembles the antennae headband that the green soul human wore. As well, I think representing the green soul human with a bird at all is quite fitting given their egg and cooking theme, and quail eggs are commonly used in cooking.
The symbols on the south part of the frame are a bit more self-explanatory. We've got a Blaster at the center, the thing Sans "inherited" from Gaster, and that I feel represents every negative thought and behavior that Sans internalized from his relationship with Gaster. And at the south corners are the soul containers. Sans was essential to finishing their design, and without them Sans would not have been able to capture and contain the souls of the humans he helped kill for Gaster.
Was thinking about how much their souls change over the course of The Scientist fic trilogy, and how they both know what it feels like to have souls that are "broken" in some way (I think Sans would've helped Gaster navigate through those feelings, along with giving him advice on how to deal with the physical symptoms, if Gaster had lived.) I wanted to visually chart their journey.
Took some creative liberties here and there, so it's not entirely accurate to the fic's descriptions.
"… When monsters die, their dust will be spread over what they loved.
An object that symbolizes their existence. That object will be buried…
And in such a way, their soul be able to rest, within that object, and the earth." — Book about Monster Funerals, Deltarune Chapter 4
Thinking about The Scientist series by @talkingsoup and what Deltarune shows us of monster burial traditions.
Thinking about how Sans was never able to truly mourn Gaster at first due to memory loss and Gaster not actually being dead. But by the end of the series, after everyone gets their memories back, after Gaster passes on for real, Sans can finally grieve.
Thinking about how burials include a photo of the monster and an object of significance that represents them. Thinking about how serendipitous it is that Sans owns both of those things, what may very well be the last physical traces of Gaster left in all of existence.
Thinking about how Gaster didn't leave any dust behind to properly complete the ritual, to "connect his spirit to the divine" as Father Alvin puts it, but it's a thoughtful gesture nonetheless.
(Gaster never really believed in that sort of stuff, anyway.)
------------------------------------------
In my head, the story behind this art would go something like this: at some point post-HTSTW, Asgore and Toriel are tasked with overseeing the transfer of the Underground's gravesites to a new cemetery in Outside. This creates the perfect opportunity to finally make proper burials for Gaster, Betas, and the followers, whom everyone now remembers and misses.
Asgore and Toriel end up asking for Sans's input on what should be included in their old friend Gaster's gravesite, since Sans was the last person to truly be close to Gaster before his death. Sans doesn't really think he's the right guy for the job; Asgore and Toriel knew Gaster for much longer, he points out. In response, Asgore recounts a newly-remembered memory of a phone call he had had with Gaster, long ago now—one about a promising new hire—and the way Gaster had sounded...happier, more hopeful, than he had in a long time. This is enough to finally convince Sans, who agrees to spend some time thinking about it.
After some rumination, Sans decides to go back to the Underground to retrieve the last remaining photo of Gaster that he had left behind in his old basement, along with several other sentimental odds and ends he wants to take back home with him. The memories associated with these items aren't as painful as they used to be, and he no longer wishes to let this stuff rot away, abandoned and forgotten. Sans doesn't go alone, though—Undyne accompanies him to ensure a safe journey there and back, and she expresses her surprise and confusion over Sans going so far out of his way to do something nice for Gaster, let alone wanting to be involved in his burial at all. Sans simply says that it's complicated.
Back on the Surface, Sans and Papyrus go to a human store to get the photo professionally framed. Sans doesn't really know what he's doing, so Papyrus helps him pick one out, asking Sans what type of person Gaster was and what kind of frame he would've liked ("Something high-quality, but not too ostentatious. He'd never forgive me if I cheaped out.")
Sans also decides to part with the chess piece that Gaster gave him, but not before giving it a fresh new coat of paint to cover up the wear and tear from all the times he fiddled with it in his pocket.
There's a funeral service for Gaster, Betas, and the followers, and Sans gives a eulogy for all of them. In typical Sans fashion, it's a mostly serious and sincere speech punctuated by some actually tasteful jokes here and there that get teary chuckles out of the crowd.
------------------------------------------
Additional commentary:
Your standard king chess piece is normally topped with a cross, so I turned that into a similar, but different shape: the four pointed star associated with Determination. I wanted the chess piece to feel unique to Gaster, to make clear that it was special and not your average, everyday, run-of-the-mill chess piece.
I imagine in the Undertale universe (specifically on the Surface in the post-pacifist timeline) it is common for monster graves to be located above the ground rather than below the ground since monsterkind has so much trauma and baggage associated with being trapped underground. The graves would probably look something like the SOUL coffins that were interred at Asgore's castle, or like tombs. Gaster's grave would be no exception, seeing as how he toiled for over a thousand years trying to find a way to escape the earth, not go back to it. I think just pasting the Deltarune version of monster burials into Undertale with no alterations would mean ignoring the differences between the two universes' histories and would be symbolically questionable as well.
The object representing Gaster doesn't have to be the chess piece—that's just what I went with for this art since it seemed like the obvious choice for an object associated with Gaster that is instantly recognizable, highly meaningful, and can be found in the fic itself. Plus, since it contains some of Gaster's essence, it would make for a suitable substitute for his dust which probably no longer exists. In truth, however, I think I'd rather Sans not part with the chess piece permanently like this, especially since I headcanon that the reason why Sans seems to keep it with him in his pocket everywhere he goes is because he wants to share his Surface experiences with Gaster, at least symbolically. The chess piece being all by its lonesome stuck in one place would go against that idea. As for what item could be used in its place, I'm not sure. Something sciency that represents Gaster's passions and legacy, perhaps.
That being said, with regards to "their dust will be spread over what they loved", in this case I imagine the chess piece representing the time Gaster spent with Sans playing their chess games, and that being what he loved.
I think Gaster's dust would simply not be included in this ritual since by all accounts it shouldn't exist anywhere, but here's a thought: what if Gaster saved some of his dust from his near-death experience (maybe for research/experimentation purposes) and Alphys finds it hidden away after one final sweep of the True Lab? I don't think that would realistically happen (Gaster's erasure probably would have destroyed it anyway) but if you really wanted Gaster's dust to be included in his burial somehow, that's how I'd rationalize it.
As for Betas and the followers' graves, I imagine Alphys and their families were in charge of those.
Years ago, I posted a playlist for the fic The Scientist by @talkingsoup that sought to retell the events of the fic in the form of a musical. At the time I wasn't able to make cover art for it due to technical issues...but now I have, along with adding some new songs.
Below the cut is some more context, the updated tracklist, and this time around, a more detailed breakdown of each song choice. Long post ahead.
So context. Lately I've been thinking about this fic again, as well as the musical playlist that I had made for it that was still missing its cover art. Feeling equal parts nostalgic and dissatisfied, I decided to finally remedy the issue by making the cover art that I had planned all the way back then: a fake playbill for this fake musical. I've also updated the playlist with five new songs (four additions, one replacement, all marked with an asterisk *) along with creating a new Spotify and Youtube playlist, since the old Youtube playlist doesn't work as intended anymore. As for the Spotify playlist, I have a free account, so I have no idea if the songs will actually play in the correct order or not. If it force-shuffles on you, the Youtube playlist exists as an alternative. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Like I mentioned, I've decided that this time around I'm gonna do a better job of setting the scene: listing who I imagine is singing in each song, what the context is, which lyrics I believe suit the situation and character(s) best, and exactly which passages/events from the fic inspired the song choice in the first place. Hopefully this will make the imaginary "play" a bit easier to envision. ^-^
Tracklist:
(1. Lost in the Darkness - Jekyll & Hyde (2012 Concept Recording)
(2. Once We Were Kings - Billy Elliot: The Orginal Cast Recording
(3. Something to Point To - Working (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
(4. Half as Big as Life - Promises, Promises (New Broadway Cast Recording 2010)
(5. The Impossible Dream (The Quest) - Man of La Mancha (New Broadway Cast Recording 2002)
(6. *The Way That It Has to Be - Maybe Happy Ending (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
(7. Transformation - Jekyll & Hyde: The Gothic Musical Thriller
(8. Perspective - She Loves Me (2016 Broadway Cast Recording)
(9. Life, Life - Young Frankenstein
(10. *A Sentimental Person - Maybe Happy Ending (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
(11. *For the Rest of My Life - The Prince of Egypt (Original Cast Recording)
(12. Things Are Different - Glory Days (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
(13. His Work and Nothing More - Jekyll & Hyde: The Gothic Musical Thriller
(14. Just Go - A New Brain (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording)
(15. *I Shouldn't Be Surprised - Water for Elephants (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
(16. Falcon in the Dive - The Scarlet Pimpernel (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
(17. A Stranger - Giant (Original Cast Recording)
(18. Patterns - Closer Than Ever (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording)
(19. *It Works - Back To The Future: The Musical
(20. Sonya Alone - Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812 (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
(21. The Plagues - The Prince of Egypt (Original Motion Picture)
(22. I Am Damaged - Heathers: The Musical (World Premiere Cast Recording)
(23. A Hundred-Year, Minute-Long Intermission - Razia's Shadow: A Musical
(24. It's Not The Same Moon - The Last Ship (Sting Album Version)
Replaced/Removed Song: (11. Legal Assassin - Repo! The Genetic Opera
Song Breakdown
(1. Lost in the Darkness - Jekyll & Hyde (2012 Concept Recording)
Singer(s): Gaster
Context: Gaster watches as the humans bury the cave entrance to the surface, the last bits of light vanishing. He declares his undying commitment to saving monsterkind, and his intentions to maybe even reunite with his dead family one day.
Lyric Snippet(s): If I could reach you / I'd guide you and teach you / To walk from the darkness / Back into the light / Deep in your silence / Please try to hear me / I'll keep you near me / 'Til night passes by / I will find the answer / I'll never desert you / I promise you this / 'Till the day that I die
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 1
“I am just glad you’re safe, old friend.” The relief in Asgore’s voice was painful to hear. “What about your family? Did they ma—”
“That is not important right now.” Gaster’s hands shook, but he kept writing. There was no time. The light was already starting to fade as the humans buried the entrance. He gestured at the barrier, at the last glimpse of filtered light.
“Something needs to be done about that.”
Notes: Common throughlines in many of the songs I've chosen for Gaster are light/darkness, heaven/hell, dreams, and stars. In my mind these motifs represent his ambitions of freeing monsterkind from the darkness and suffering of the Underground, his desire to unlock the secrets of Determination and Saves, as well as his willingness to get his hands dirty to accomplish all of this.
(2. Once We Were Kings - Billy Elliot: The Orginal Cast Recording
Singer(s): All of monsterkind.
Context: Monsterkind begins their solemn but hopeful march into the cold darkness of the Underground to find a new home, taking comfort in each other and the possibility of reclaiming their old glory one day.
Lyric Snippet(s): We once were heroes / Once were kings / But all great things / Must come to pass / We know the first will soon be last / And in the ground we may be lain / But a seed is sown to rise again / So we walk proudly / And we walk strong / All together we will go as one / The ground is empty and cold as hell / But we all go together when we go / ... / We fought for all the things we saw / The battle's lost but not the war
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 1
The cavern became cramped sooner than anyone could have predicted. Within only a few decades, monsters were starting to trickle out of Home in search of a better place to settle. Questing parties had found a chilly cavern not far from Home; and beyond that, a massive network of rivers and waterfalls. The caverns only grew larger the deeper the monsters travelled.
After the first trickles came the flood. Soon there was a mass exodus out of Home, with the king and queen leading the way. Gaster and his scientists went with them. The old city was nearly empty in a matter of months, and the long journey through the dark began.
Notes: The end of the song is punctuated by what sounds like a heavy door or gate closing, and I imagine this representing the door leading out of Old Home/The Ruins.
(3. Something to Point To - Working (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Singer(s): Gaster, the monsters who helped build the Core, and those who work there
Context: Monsters sing about the construction of the Core and their pride in it.
Lyric Snippet(s): (G) See that building / (G) I was the one who did the design / (NPC) I was the one who drafted the plans / (G, NPC) Every detail and every line / See that building / (NPCs) I ran the crane that lifted the beams / I was the guy who worked up above / Look at those bricks, those bricks are mine
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 2
He watched out one of his laboratory windows as monster teams shaped the skeleton of the Core. Monsters transformed rocks into steel. Other monsters welded things together with their fire magic.
Notes: If this were an actual play, I imagine during the lyric "Everyone should have something to point to, some way to be tall in the crowd", you'd see Sans walking through Hotland foot traffic heading to his job interview with Gaster.
(4. Half as Big as Life - Promises, Promises (New Broadway Cast Recording 2010)
Singer(s): Sans
Context: Sans in his job interview with Gaster. He says not to underestimate him just because he's small.
Lyric Snippet(s): I know that / Inside of myself there's a man / The kind of man / You would like / If you were just willing to look / I've got / Lots of dreams and my dreams will / Take me far / Very far / A cover is not the whole book / Half as big as life they say / But they're gonna see how wrong they are some day
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 2
“You must be Sans.”
The skeleton grinned up at him.
“That’s me. It’s an honor to meet you, sir. Let me guess—I’m shorter than you thought I would be?”
(5. The Impossible Dream (The Quest) - Man of La Mancha (New Broadway Cast Recording 2002)
Singer(s): Gaster
Context: Gaster sings about his intentions to claim the power of Save and Reset (the "star"), no matter the cost.
Lyric Snippet(s): And the world will be better for this / That one man, scorned and covered with scars / Still strove with his last ounce of courage / To reach the unreachable stars / This is my quest / To follow that star / No matter how hopeless / No matter how far / To fight for the right / Without question nor pause / To be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 3
“’Save’ is the ability to create a fixed point in time and space to which one can return at will,” Gaster said as he unrolled a blueprint onto his desk. Sans leaned down to study it closer.
“’Reset’ is the actual ability to return to that point, as well as the ability to essentially ‘start over’ from an even earlier point. Both of these, and in fact all of the abilities of humans, stem from their sheer force of will. Their Determination. If we were truly to unlock Save, Reset, and all the rest of it, we would need some way of instilling true Determination in a monster. It is extremely difficult to artificially produce Determination. I believe that actually extracting it from a human soul would be vastly more efficient. That is what this machine is designed to do.”
Notes: Gaster doesn't have his literal scars yet, but in my mind the lyric "one man scorned and covered with scars" would serve as foreshadowing for that.
(6. *The Way That It Has to Be - Maybe Happy Ending (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Singer(s): Sans
Context: Sans confides in Gaster about his 1 HP problem, saying that, really, his low HP is not as big of a deal as Gaster thinks it is. He also learns that Gaster is dying.
Lyric Snippet(s): When that final moment comes / I'll say "Hi." and shake its hand / Be polite and let it in / But if I'm still here for now / I know how to live / Don't resist the way things are / Don't forget how good it's been / ... / You know you're stronger than you think / You know you're made to take a lot / And if it doesn't come for free / Well that's the way that it has to be
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 4
“I mean, yeah, a lab accident, or a rock falling from the cavern ceiling, or drowning in one of the waterfalls, or falling into the Core…yeah, any of those could kill me, and they could also kill anyone else.” Sans shrugged, a grin easing its way back onto his face. “I’m not made of glass, Doc. I’ve lived my whole life like this. It’s not a big deal. People tend to get…funny when I tell them, but it’s not like I hide it. I just don’t make a fuss about it.”
Notes: This song and the Gaster ones that follow right after (Transformation and Life, Life) establish Sans and Gaster's opposite outlooks on life. Sans has come to terms with dying and is okay with how things are, meanwhile Gaster tries to defy death and fate at every turn.
(7. Transformation - Jekyll & Hyde: The Gothic Musical Thriller
Singer(s): Gaster
Context: Gaster makes the difficult decision to inject himself with Determination in order to stave off his own demise. Unfortunately, there are a host of bad side effects.
Lyric Snippet(s): I have started this alone / And I must finish it alone / There is no longer a choice / I know that I must use myself as the subject of the experiment / No, there is no choice / I must put aside the fears I feel inside / There's no place to hide / So it comes to this / One last final chance that only I can take / Now everything I've fought for is at stake / Like a warning light / Glimmering in red / Like crimson bloodshed / Shimmering in red / ... / Heat spreading strongly through my veins / A slight feeling of...euphoria / Lightheadedness / No noticable behaviorial differences / I must be wise / I must try to analyze each change in me / Everything I see / How will it be? / Will I see the world through different eyes?
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapters 4 and 5
“He…llo?”
Even his voice was weak. It didn’t matter. The lights throughout the laboratory were all off. Everyone had gone home, even Sans and Dr. Betas. He was alone. He had to do this alone.
***
The universe seemed to rupture. Energy rushed through him, sparking and burning, searing its way into his soul. The pain was worse than dissolving. It felt as though he was melting, shaping into something else, like a spent candle. The sheer power was immense, infusing his every atom.
***
He took a seat at his desk again and unlocked one of the drawers, pulling out a notebook. These reports would be entirely for his benefit. He couldn’t risk someone else learning about what he had done. The entire Underground would then be clamoring for access to Determination. Other monsters might not react to it as well as Gaster had. There were some lingering side-effects that were…concerning. Every once in awhile the energy constantly rushing through him would spike, to the point of being almost difficult to control. His head ached on and off. His color vision hadn’t fully come back, and he was starting to think that it wasn’t going to. Occasionally his thoughts ran away from him and scrambled themselves. The physical effects were one thing, but Gaster was more worried about the psychological effects. He needed to keep a careful watch for any odd changes in his behaviors.
Notes: In my mind, the metallic banging sounds and hissing steam that accompany Jekyll's transformation represent the looming presence of the Core in the back of Gaster's mind.
(8. Perspective - She Loves Me (2016 Broadway Cast Recording)
Singer(s): Sans
Context: Sometimes, Sans lets himself be manipulated into doing things he doesn't really want to do. But it's better than confrontation.
Lyric Snippet(s): Bowing, scraping, nodding, beaming / Always humble / Not an ounce of self-respect / Yes, sir, yes, sir / You're so right, sir / Black is white, sir / 'Scuse me while I genuflect / How do I remain so calm and cheerful? / How do I retain my peace of mind? / Let me just explain my rationale / It's all in your perspective!
Fic Excerpt:(s) The Scientist Chapter 5
Perhaps a bit of guilt would grease the wheels.
“I have not made peace with that idea, Sans. I don’t know how much longer I have left. When I am gone, you will be the one to continue the work on Save and Reset. It will fall to you to find a way to free monsters from the Underground. Who will I count on if something happens to you?”
Sans rubbed the back of his skull, looking almost sheepish. “Jeez, Doc…”
Time to pull back a little. Gaster sighed. “I am sorry. Forgive me for sounding so dramatic. I understand your trepidation, and I will not push you any further. If you do not wish to do it, then…”
“Hey. I never said I…didn’t want to. It’s just…you know.”
(9. Life, Life - Young Frankenstein
Singer(s): Gaster, Dr. Betas
Context: Gaster uses the power of the human souls to give Sans a new lease on life, with the assistance of Dr. Betas.
Lyric Snippet(s): (G) But now we call on science / To end death's evil reign / We shout in brave defiance / This soul shall live again / ... / Tear the night asunder; cast your light upon the dark / The lightning bolts and thunder will ignite a mortal spark / Life, life, 'ere the break of dawn / Life, life, let my dream be born / ... / Now, Igor, throw the third switch / (B) Not the third switch! / (G) Yes, the third switch—throw it, damn you, throw it!
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 5
Gaster shifted the machine on its arm so that it was pointed squarely at Sans’s chest.
“The machine will convert the energy in the human souls into magic. It will then channel that magic directly into your soul. The trick will be keeping the stream of magic constant so as not to overwhelm your soul. From there, your own soul will do the rest of the work, sending the magic where needed.”
“Yeah, I remember. I’ve been reading over your guys’ notes for days now. So…” Sans gripped the arms of the chair. “Ready whenever you are.”
Gaster flipped a few switches while Dr. Betas typed on the computer. The machine’s hum grew louder and the human souls began to glow brighter. Sans took a few deep breaths.
***
Sans gave a strangled little whimper and went rigid. The bottom dropped out of Gaster’s stomach. He had never heard a sound like that.
“It hurts, please, it hurts, it feels like I’m burning, please…”
“Doctor, w-we should—we need to shut it down!”
“Not yet, not yet. It’s almost over, Sans, just a little longer.”
Context: Gaster internal monologue during dinner at Sans' apartment. He reflects on his need to stay detached, and his failure to do so.
Lyric Snippet(s): I am not a sentimental person / That's what they always told me / Don't need someone to hold me / I'd rather stand apart / I'm not a sentimental person / It's not what I'm designed for / Can't say I've ever pined for someone to break my heart / So why does the moon seem brighter? / And my feet much lighter? / ... / If I'm a sentimental person / It's all because you found me / I change when you're around me
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 6
But perhaps that was Gaster’s constant distance from people that made him believe that. Or perhaps it was the Determination. Or perhaps it was the thought that had been slipping its way into his mind lately: If he successfully Reset this timeline, then everything here, everything from the last several thousand years, would be erased. Not a single thing here—not a single monster—would matter anymore. They would all be gone. Forever.
That had been the goal all along. Since the moment he had seen that last speck of sunlight wink out. But Gaster hadn’t fully realized what that meant.
Until now.
(11. *For the Rest of My Life - The Prince of Egypt (Original Cast Recording)
Singer(s): Sans
Context: Sans grapples with the painful truth that he killed a human for Gaster.
Lyric Snippet(s): (S) The crimes I do, I do them in your name / But I feel just as guilty all the same / Like a brutal soldier / Who does anything he's told / There's a weight on my soul / For the rest of my life
Fic Excerpt: The Scientist Chapters 6 and 7
Sans called on his magic. It was so easy these days. No effort. No pain. All thanks to the good doctor.
He was quick. It was over before the kid even spotted him.
Sans stood back, watching a red liquid spread from the fallen human. He covered his face with one hand.
“I’m sorry.”
***
He hesitated, studying his friend. Free of the soul, Sans had shoved his hands in his pockets and was staring into the air at some point near Gaster’s chest.
“I am sorry…” Gaster said slowly, trying to choose the right words. “I did not mean to push you so hard. I only—”
“Gaster.”
Gaster went quiet. Sans glanced up at him, meeting Gaster’s eyes for just a moment.
“Please don’t make me do something like that again.”
Sans’s voice sounded hollow. Gaster stared down at him. The hallway was thankfully empty, and the quiet seemed at once oppressive.
Notes: This song has replaced "Legal Assassin" from the original playlist since it has lyrics better suited to the situation. The lyric "There's a weight on my soul" can be quite literal in the case of this fic.
(12. Things Are Different - Glory Days (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Singer(s): Sans, Dr. Betas
Context: Dr. Betas approaches Sans in private and informs him about Gaster's radically changed behavior. Sans sees it too, but nonetheless refuses to give up on Gaster.
Lyric Snippet(s): (B) Don't look at me that way, I'm not crazy / I don't really care how you'd like me to feel / Now if it doesn't bother you that he's changing, fine / But don't pretend that this is not a bigger deal / Jack is go— / (S) You are out of line, just so you know / He's your friend, and that's the end of it / ... / (B) What are you asking me to do? / (S) Just let it go / (B) Is this for him or for you? / (S) Let it go / (B) Why are you putting this on me? / (S) Look, I'm not saying I disagree / But please, for me / Keep quiet
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 8
“I know we keep pretending th-that everything’s fine, but I…I don’t know how much l-longer I can do this. What if he just—goes off on one of us someday? Wh-What if he loses it a-and points that…th-that Gaster Blaster at us?”
Sans shook his head vehemently. “He wouldn’t do that. He’s changed, yeah, but he wouldn’t—he—even on his bad days, he still keeps in control…”
“Y-You know that’s not really true, Sans. E-Especially after last night.”
“…No, yeah. I know.”
***
“If anyone can convince him to get help, it’s you. I…I just don’t think I c-can talk to him right now. I r-really don’t know how much more of this I c-can take.”
Sans looked up at him again. “Betas, he’s not just our boss, he’s our friend. We can’t just give up on him.”
“I’m not! I wouldn’t!” Dr. Betas waved his hands. “I w-want to help him. I-I just don’t know how. And…and I can’t. N-Not right now. I’m t-too nervous after last night…”
(13. His Work and Nothing More - Jekyll & Hyde: The Gothic Musical Thriller
Singer(s): Sans, Gaster, Dr. Betas, Alphys
Context: Sans confronts Gaster about his behavior. Meanwhile, Dr. Betas tries to convince Alphys not to intern at the lab (not an actual scene in the fic, but that's just what I imagine here for the other two singing parts.)
Lyric Snippet(s): (G) John, I don't need you to turn on me as well / More than ever now I need a friend / Don't you see and don't you know I've been through hell? / Don't condemn what you don't comprehend / (S) Henry, I'm not questioning your motives here / But is what you are seeking worth the price? / You've turned your back on everything you once held dear / You're choosing to ignore your friend's advice / ... / (A) Father, you know Henry won't just walk away / The only way he knows is straight ahead / (B) Lisa, you've not heard a single word I've said / My fear is he's in over his head / He could lose control, and that I dread
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 8
“Okay.” Dr. Betas took a very deep breath. “I…need to go find my d-daughter.”
“Alright. I’ll…head downstairs. You know…Alphys might still like working here.”
“Maybe,” Dr. Betas said. His voice took on a rare, hard edge as he turned away. “But until I’m sure it’s safe, I don’t want her anywhere n-near Dr. Gaster.”
***
“Don’t misunderstand me. I am grateful for your loyalty. Your friendship. That is why I find this all so disappointing.”
“It’s disappointing that I’m worried about you?” Sans was no longer looking at him. A voice in the back of Gaster’s mind told him to stop, to pull back. That he’d gone too far. Gaster ignored it.
“It is disappointing that you have lost faith in me. In our goals.”
(14. Just Go - A New Brain (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording)
Singer(s): Gaster, Sans
Context: Gaster claims that it's too late to save him, but Sans refuses to abandon him.
Lyric Snippet(s): (S) Sometimes you're a doozy / Sometimes when you talk / I get so damn woozy / You're so crazy / (G) Hah, I'm only a little crazy! / (S) Go ahead and use me / Make a pass and I will save your ass / (G) Go, look at me just go / (S) I'm not goin' nowhere / (G) Just go / I can't even walk across the room unassisted / So go, go, goodbye, 'cause if you make me cry / Then I'll probably have to kill you / (S) And I'll probably have to kill you / (G) I will, you know / Just go
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 8
“I think it is too late to help me, Sans,” Gaster said, watching his hands flicker. He closed his eye and it stopped. He opened it again and it was like the world was trying to shatter around him.
“Yeah, I don’t buy that.” Sans reached up and took hold of Gaster’s hands, pulling them down until Gaster didn’t have to look at them anymore. Gaster looked at Sans instead.
“You’re still you. You’ve been fighting to stay you this whole time. You haven’t gone crazy.” Sans smirked a little. “You do have a crazy flair for drama. But hey, between you and my bro, I’m used to that.”
Gaster couldn’t help it. He laughed. Quiet, a little broken, but still a laugh.
***
“And you think that will be enough? You think you can help me? The next time I lose myself, I might hurt you again. I might kill you.”
Sans actually shrugged. “I’ll stop you.”
(15. *I Shouldn't Be Surprised - Water for Elephants (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Singer(s): Sans, Gaster
Context: Sans and Gaster consider all the troubles they're going through, all the pain they're causing each other, and everything they should've done but couldn't. Gaster also ruminates on what is likely to be his last act of true kindness: giving Sans a much needed respite and letting him go home early for once.
Lyric Snippet(s): (S,G) I shouldn't be surprised / (S,G) I've seen it all before / (S,G) I know I should have done much more / (G) Oh, cruelty / Where there should be kindness / Can only be / A kind of blindness / (S,G) But I can see it all / (S,G) The pain that's in your eyes / (G) I wish that I could be surprised
Fic Excerpt(s): Chapter 9
Sans had been putting in more effort lately than Gaster had ever seen from him. He arrived on time. He didn’t leave work until Gaster did. He worked hard and barely ever fell asleep at work anymore. It meant that Sans was constantly exhausted, but he never once complained. He was always there. When Gaster felt himself slipping, there was Sans, tugging his sleeve and telling him a bad pun. When his temper broke, there was Sans, talking him down. When reality began to break around him, there was Sans, pulling him back.
***
“Of course not. I am quite serious.” Gaster stood as if to prove it and put his computer in sleep mode. “There just isn’t anything more we can do tonight. We should both go home.”
Gaster didn’t miss the grateful expression on Sans’s face, though the skeleton tried to hide it. This was right. Kind. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been kind.
He wondered if he would be able to again, after this.
(16. Falcon in the Dive - The Scarlet Pimpernel (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Singer(s): Gaster
Context: Gaster—frustrated, impatient, and growing increasingly violent—desperately needs to acquire the soul of the most recent human visitor in order to complete the time machine.
Lyric Snippet(s): Hunt for this man / Comb the city, every street, every grate / You put a guard at every gate / Drag him out / Shout the moment that you find him / ... / A man can learn to steal some thunder / A man can learn to work some wonder / But when the gauntlet's down it's time / To rise and climb the sky / And soon the moon will smoulder / And the winds will drive / Yes, a man grows older / But his soul remains alive / All those tremulous stars still glitter / I will survive / Let my heart grow colder and as bitter as a falcon in the dive
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 9
Gaster paced the basement lab. Sans and Dr. Betas watched him warily.
“The human must be somewhere between Waterfall and Hotland. There aren’t many places in Hotland for it to hide, nor is Hotland a particularly healthy climate for humans. So where could it be? How has it not been captured yet? The guards must be useless. I would be better off tracking down the damn human myself.”
(17. A Stranger - Giant (Original Cast Recording)
Singer(s): The green soul human
Context: The green soul human passionately sings about the new life he wants to pursue in the Underground, desperately trying to persuade Sans to spare him. Perhaps this drawn out appeal will buy Sans enough time for the guards to arrive.
Lyric Snippet(s): When you're a stranger in a strange new place / You learn how much you never knew / You think the center of the world is your home / But then you travel and you find that isn't true / To be a stranger in a strange new land / Is sometimes frightening to be / But then you learn to your surprise / That the Mona Lisa's not the only art there is to see / You discover what you love / And what you love leads you to a place you've never known before / ... / When I'm a stranger in a strange new world / I want to stay that way and not go home
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 9
“At first I wanted to go back, but I think I could r-really live down here, you know? I got a job and all. No one complains about me cooking. My dad always hated it. My mom, though…” He hugged his frying pan. “She’d be proud. I was thinking of all kinds of new recipes…there’s a lot of cool ingredients down here. I just…I just want to cook food for people. That’s all. I don’t want to die. Can’t…can’t you just let me go? Can’t you wait for another human? I-I haven’t done anything wrong. I know it’s n-not fair that all of you are trapped here, but i-it’s not fair that I have to die, either. I-I’m only fourteen…”
(18. Patterns - Closer Than Ever (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording)
Singer(s): Sans
Context: Sans reflects on his concerning pattern of behavior, of always letting himself be manipulated, of always following Gaster's orders in the end.
Lyric Snippet(s): Patterns in my life that I trace every day / Patterns as I say the things I always say / Patterns in the ceiling as I lie awake / Why are patterns haunting every move I make? / Just look, here I am on cue, again / Upset, feeling torn in two, again / Afraid, saying I'm okay / Making little jokes / 'Till I run away, again / ... / Just look, as I'm thrown a curve, again / I leap, then I lose my nerve, again / In tears, running home I go / Secretly relieved / Safe with what I know, again
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 9
Sans’s mind had gone blank. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t breathe. His bones felt tight. It felt like everything was coming apart around him.
The human took a step back. Sans extended a hand. There was a ding and the human’s soul turned blue, the glow appearing at the boy’s chest.
“What…wh-what did you do?”
“I’m sorry, kid.”
Gaster always knew exactly what to say. Sans almost started laughing. This was just like last time. He had let himself be manipulated again. What an idiot he was.
(19. *It Works - Back To The Future: The Musical
Singer(s): Gaster, Sans
Context: The time machine finally has all the soul power it needs to function.
Lyric Snippet(s): (S) It's a time machine? / Wait a minute, wait a minute, Doc / Are you trying to tell me you built a time machine out of a DeLorean? / ... / (G) That blunt force trauma when I slipped and hit my head / Shook something loose in me / Some high fruit in the tree / And that's when I could see / How fluid time can be / It gave me the connection / After decades of rejection / I never really thought I'd get to see how well it works!
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 10
“There you are, Sans.” Gaster gestured expansively at the fully charged, fully operational time machine. “We were forced to begin without you. You are just in time for the first test. We shall certainly need your expertise.”
Notes: This song is somewhat disjointed from the rest due to its more comedic tone, but how can I resist including a song that actually mentions a time machine?
(20. Sonya Alone - Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812 (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Singer(s): Sans
Context: Gaster's mental state continues to rapidly deteriorate. Sans reaffirms his decision to stay by Gaster's side no matter what and hold him back from tumbling over the edge.
Lyric Snippet(s): Hard as it is / In the coming days / I watch my friend / In her strange, unnatural state / Don't let her out of my sight / She trails off / Stares at nothing / Laughs at random / And the letters come / ... / I know you've forgotten me / I know you so well, my friend / I know you might just throw yourself over / But I won't let you / It's all on me / And I remember this family / I remember their kindness / And if I never sleep again / I will stand in the dark for you / I will hold you back by force
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 10
The lack of sleep didn’t matter. The lies to his brother didn’t matter. Even the time machine didn’t matter. At this point, Sans no longer cared whether it worked or not. All that mattered was pulling Gaster back from the pit before him. Sans had to at least try.
The days since Dr. Betas quit had been rough. Gaster slipped away faster and easier. There were long stretches of hours during which he muttered to himself or communicated entirely in summoned bullets. Even when he talked normally his voice was becoming harder for Sans to understand. Sans had never had trouble with Gaster’s speech before now.
(21. The Plagues - The Prince of Egypt (Original Motion Picture)
Singer(s): Sans, Gaster
Context: Gaster intends to let monsterkind and humankind alike die to the volcanic eruption that'll result from the Core destablizing. Sans is going to stop him.
Lyric Snippet(s): (S) Once I thought the chance to make you laugh / Was all I ever wanted / (Chorus) I send the thunder from the sky I send the fire raining down / (S) And even now I wish that God had chose another / Serving as your foe on his behalf / Is the last thing that I wanted / This was my home / All this pain and devastation, how it tortures me inside / All the innocent who suffer from your stubborness and pride / ... / (G) How could you have come to hate me so? / Is this what you wanted? / Then let my heart be hardened / And nevermind how high the cost may grow / This will still be so / I will never let your people go
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 10
“Isn’t that hilarious, Sans? They trap us down here, and a few thousand years later, we send the literal underground right back up to meet them! Of course, every monster here will die as a result, but that seems a fair enough trade-off. Ah, I remember in the war, so many of them thought we were demons or some such nonsense. ‘Go back to hell!’ They screamed that as they slaughtered my family. ‘Go back to hell!’ And now here we are, bringing hell to them! Isn’t it funny, Sans? Why aren’t you laughing?”
Sans lurched backward, one hand clutching his chest, the other covering his mouth. He felt sick. He stared up at Gaster in horror.
Every monster. Every human for miles. Thousands upon thousands of people.
(22. I Am Damaged - Heathers: The Musical (World Premiere Cast Recording)
Singer(s): Gaster, Sans
Context: Gaster finally snaps out of it, but it's too late. Gaster's final act is to sacrifice himself to save both Sans and the timeline, leaving it to Sans to deal with the resulting fallout in his place.
Lyric Snippet(s): (G) I am damaged / Far too damaged / But you're not beyond repair / Stick around here / Make things better / 'Cause you beat me fair and square / Please stand back now / Little further / Don't know what this thing will do / ... / I'll trade my life for yours / (S) Oh my god / (G) And once I disappear / (S) Wait, hold on / (G) Clean up the mess down here / (S) Not this way!
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 10
“What are you doing?” Sans cried, wrapping both arms around the railing as the catwalk began to sink and buckle. “You can’t—the timeline—!”
“I’m not.” Gaster could feel the rest of his body starting to melt. He could no longer feel his legs. “I can seal the darkness. Stop the destabilization. But you, Sans—you need to survive.”
“No, no, don’t you dare—don’t you—”
(23. A Hundred-Year, Minute-Long Intermission - Razia's Shadow: A Musical
Singer(s): Gaster
Context: Gaster uses his corrupted Save file to fix the tears and seams of space-time.
Lyric Snippet(s): Pull the strand to satisfy the need to compose / This entire naive glow / Set the needle on its path / Bobbing up and down and past / Tears and seams all turn to one / Every stitch and each spool spun
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 10
Spacetime tore like fabric. Gaster spread into every corner, slipping between the tears and seams. Determination kept Gaster alive and conscious. Just long enough.
With many hands, he took hold of each scattered piece of spacetime and pulled it back. He pulled the tears closed. Held the seams together.
(24. It's Not The Same Moon - The Last Ship (Sting Album Version)
Singer(s): Sans
Context: Sans wakes up in a broken, divergent timeline. The play ends.
Lyric Snippet(s): Did you ever hear that theory? / Does it carry any sense? / That a choice can split the world in two / Or is it all just too immense for you? / That they all exist in parallel / Each one separate from the other / And every subsequent decision / Makes a new world, then another / ... / Now if a man were to reconsider his position / And try to spin the world back to its original state / It's not a scientific proposition / And relatively speaking, you're late / ... / Just accept that things are different / You've no choice but to comply / Once smarter men have failed / To see the logic as to why
Fic Excerpt(s): Entropy Chapter 1
Sans dragged himself upright, groaning, breath quickening. If Sans was alive, that meant the machine had worked. It had triggered a Reset. Sans looked out the window again. There was still a world out there. This had to be a Reset, and yet…
Notes: I didn't want to leave the "play" on a cliffhanger, so this dips a bit into the sequel fic Entropy. To note, there's another song with the exact same name on the actual musical version of this album, but the lyrics are completely different.
Replaced/removed song no longer in the playlist:
(11. Legal Assassin - Repo! The Genetic Opera
Singer(s): Sans
Context: Sans kills a helpless little human and delivers its soul to Gaster. The choice haunts him.
Lyric Snippet(s): (Whispers) Villain / Butcher / Demon / Monster / Killer / Assassin / Murderer / ... (S) I am the monster / I am the villain / What perfection / What precision / Keen incisions / I deliver / Unscathed organs / I deliver / Repossessions / I deliver / I am the repo / Legal assassin
Fic Excerpt(s): The Scientist Chapter 7
Sans walked toward Gaster, shifting the soul container into his hand. Up close, Gaster could now see Sans’s expression. He looked exhausted. Strained.
“I know that it must have been extremely stressful. But you are alive, and the Underground is safe, thanks to—”
Sans reached Gaster, held up the soul container and shoved it against Gaster’s chest. Not hard enough to hurt, but hard enough to be startling.
Notes: This song's lyrics don't fit the situation perfectly, but I think the "killing someone in order to obtain a valuable and sought after part of them" premise fits the soul acquisition stuff pretty well, at least. In any case, the song I replaced it with (For the Rest of My Life) is a better fit for the fic lyrically.
