Explaining this Sans AU of mine b/c he is haunting me 24/7 and I need to tell everyone about it
Funny thing about this guy is that he's not really a Sans, well not the Sans of his world at least. He's a little special. But to explain that we'd have to go ALLLLL the way back. So the story starts off in a world similar to that of Underswap; an Underswap variant if you will.
Backstory
This is actually Sans
(yes I know it's cropped awkwardly. It's purposeful.)
Sans here acts like your typical Swap variant. Confident, upbeat, and that relentless want and motivation to be head of the royal guard.
He lives a pretty standard and normal life in his totally normal and completely safe life in his Underswap. However, it's not really that way on the outside.
Outside of his world the player continuously plays this Underswap, over and over, but over time the player finds this boring. In order to make it less boring they start to add mods and stuff to the game to make the experience more interesting (one of the reasons why Sans looks so different from the typical Swap).
The player started small with smallish mods that mainly changed the appearance of the game, however the mods eventually grew tiring. So they kept adding and kept adding until they decided, they wanted to turn it up a notch...
They were going to delete Sans completely from the game!
When Sans was deleted from the game he didn't completely disappear. His code was just booted from the rest of the game's code, leaving him to just be there, floating... Observing...
This confused Sans immediately since he was once at home, with his wonderful (albeit lazy) brother, his amazing friends and a comfortable home then next he was merely a viewer. Unable to interact with the people he once loved, unable to follow the paths he used to, unable to live. He was only able to watch as his world continues without him.
Because of this Sans became aware quickly that his world was a complete lie. His life continued without trouble and he was forced into a harsh reality of what really happened to him in most timelines.
The world never stopped moving. But that couldn't be possible without Sans? Wrong! The game knew something was wrong when Sans was deleted. The game followed a script and the script was never disobeyed. But how? How is that possible if an entire character was missing?
Simple, the game replaced him! Since the game HAD to continue the script, it had to put something in his place. While the actual Sans walked around his world unable to do anything, the game placed a fraud in his place.
To keep the script continuing without pause or fault the game created a thing to perform the dialogue and actions that kept it going. Nobody in the world can see this thing since it wasn't made to be seen. It was made to trick the world into thinking Sans is there when he's not. It's there to be Sans when he's not Sans.
This thing was made of dark smog and smoke and had no physical form. The reason being is that despite being a replacement for Sans, the game lacked general knowledge of WHO Sans is rather than his role in the game. The game didn't know how Sans acted, how he looked, how he felt, however it knew that he was a skeleton who was a character. So this figure was never complete looking, always disfigured and ghastly.
Sans could see this figure. Sans could see the thing that took his place in this world. Sans could see the creature who's pretending to be him. However Sans couldn't ever do anything about it, since he was deleted.
So Sans would watch, and watch, and watch... Watch how the world repeated... Watch how this figure would pop in when he was meant to say or do something. Watch how his friends and family were dusted or spared plenty a time. It got boring to say the least. It was a shock at first, for sure! But overtime he got tired of relentless murder and runs, he almost wished he didn't ever 'die' then he'd never be forced to remember how it repeats.
Eventually the game started slowing down. With the constant addition of new mods, the player decided to branch to different websites for more. Little did they know this would drag along plenty of viruses and glitches into the game, causing it to constantly crash and pause.
During these pauses Sans found that the world would just stop in place. Everything froze and didn't move until the issue was fixed. It was a little scary at first, but interesting at the same time!
Another thing interesting was that when he was needed during a scene his copy was there and even when the game froze, he never left. Just like the rest of the characters his replacement was frozen, except not really. Since the replacement wasn't actually a part of the game they'd just sit there, waiting for the pause to conclude.
Sans, a little curious decided to get close to them one day. Despite its lack of distinction it was obviously they were a skeleton. This made Sans interested in this creature. Sans tried to communicate with them, which led to very little success.
The replacement didn't respond nor make any gesture of recognition to Sans. Instead they'd stay still until the game was started again and do their business. However, Sans didn't give up. He had a feeling something would change. So every time the game went under pauses or crashes and the replacement was around he'd try to communicate.
It was a struggle, especially since it had barely any good results. Eventually though, one singular timeline he managed to get something, a response even. When talking, not sure of what, Sans received his real first acknowledgement. A head tilt. The replacement tilted his head in the direction that Sans was standing.
It freaked him out at first. This quiet, stoic, scary figure gives no response then all of a sudden is giving their full attention. Even so, it motivated Sans immensely. He knew he was doing the right thing. So he continued, in every timeline afterwards.
Over time the replacement started to show signs of life. He slowly gained movement, however never once was able to gain the ability to talk. This was due to the fact that the figure was never once able to leave the script. They found ways around it though. Eventually Sans grew a little tired of calling his new friend "his replacement," so they agreed on the name Husk for them.
Sans and Husk continued to communicate and genuinely grew close to being actual friends. Sans for one felt grateful that he had someone to talk to during his deletion. And Husk was pretty open to actually meeting someone.
Sans learned quite a few things about Husk in his conversations. One, being that they're kinda in the same boat as Sans. They may look physically alive and okay, but realistically and even in code they are considered 'dead' or not real. Husk didn't have a soul, therefore rendering him as dead as Sans....
However... Sans realized something... Husk lacked a soul however he retained a body in his world... Meanwhile Sans lacked his physical connection to his world, but still has his soul... They knew what they needed to do...
Through some sort of magic (and logic since it's not completely figured how they do it) the two of them agree that they should combine together to make up for what they didn't have. They would complete each other. So that's exactly what they did.
They'd come together, fill in the gaps and create one singular, alive skeleton. With this, their combined selves created a new fresh body for them to share. They controlled this body together and shared it between each other.
Despite being a body made from the two of them, they knew this body was a whole new thing, a whole new person, so they settled on naming the body Ghost.
When they first got the body Husk and Sans agreed on taking turns using the body, so they can experience a sort of freedom on their own. While one was up and rampant the other would rest... However this plan proved faulty quite quickly when the body one day randomly collapsed due to exhaustion, forcing Husk and Sans out of control for a while. From then on, they agreed to control the body together.
Sans was stupid, Ghost was even more stupid. They struggled to hide the fact that they were not Sans at all, that their Sans was gone. Nobody in his world questioned it, but they all knew. Ghost was sure of it! Ghost was never as physically or even mentally healthy as Sans was before. He was completely different.
Before there used to be this confident, radiant being, bringing up everyone's mood and carrying the world on his shoulder. But now that character is hidden under this scared creature, paranoid about what's next, stuttering about everything, and hoarding loads of secrets. People probably noticed and if they did they never said anything.
Ghost was terrified. Being out of the world, unable to interact was definitely one thing. But being back, knowing the world and life you built around you was built on tremendous amounts of code and lies is another. While upset about this Ghost was happy to have her life back, even if she was an entirely new person.
Ghost would never admit to it though. He would never confess that he is more than just that of the blue skeleton before. They would take that lie to the grave and afterlife beyond him.
And so be it.
Remember those viruses? Those things that brought the blossoming relationship between Husk and Sans... Yep... They are also the ones that are slowly breaking the game from its core out.
The pauses and crashes from before slowly started mutating over the course of timelines, becoming far worse to handle. Instead of just the pauses, objects, places, and sometimes even people started to just entirely glitch out of existence. It wasn't too much of a deal at first but it grew surprisingly rapidly. Eventually the world as Ghost knew it, was tearing itself apart.
At this point his world was unlivable. After so many cries and goodbyes his world was gone, glitched out of existence. He lived in a white void for a while, confused and scared at his life just disappearing. Confused why he wasn't gone as well, confused why his world chose him to live, and scared on what he would do with his life. Eventually something, or rather someone showed up.
A grey kid, similar to the Chara of his world, but different. They introduced themselves and offered Ghost a new place to live. Ghost rejected their offer, choosing a different path. The child insisted, but eventually left Ghost alone, as she wished. Ghost sat there for a long time, just trying to wrap their head around the loss they experienced.
However Ghost was a little weird in terms of code. He wasn't really bound anywhere, meaning he was able to travel freely.... Unfortunately he didn't learn about that quickly and low-key kinda sucks at trying to travel to other universes. It's majorly just a flight response he gets from fear.
Relationships
Papyrus:
Of course Papyrus realized something was different about his brother. He's aware of the different universes, the fact their entire world is a game, all that nonsense…. However, he wasn't at all aware of the fact that his brother was replaced completely. When Sans was first deleted he had no clue since the game tricked his system into thinking he was still there. While he didn't see Husk, his code made him believe there was someone there. He was clueless about his brother being gone, since the game followed the script normally. However… when his brother came back as Ghost, he figured something was wrong. While the script has the ability to go a different route it doesn't happen (especially when Husk was there). Somehow, though, when Ghost came in, the script was completely different. This person was not his brother… and it was at the same time. The first thing Papyrus noticed was his brothers confused, hurt, and nervous nature… that was so different from his bro.. Sometimes though, he'd act like his bro, but he refused to get back onto script. He was so different, as if he knew something about his world that Papyrus didn't. Why did he act like this? Papyrus never pressured his brother and instead continued his life as if this change was normal. His brother(?) never cracked either. While they didn't look, act, or even speak like his brother, they still posed as Sans. Since Papyrus never probed for the answer, he never got it.
Error: To put it simply Ghost is an outcode and Error destroys outcodes. To put it deeper, Ghost enjoys Error's company even if he wants to kill him. Error attempted to attack Ghost a few days after his world was destroyed (after Ghost rejected Core Frisk's offer). However Ghost put up a sort of fight. He wasn't as good as Sans when he fought but he was pretty okay. This was the day Ghost learned of his power to travel to completely new worlds. When Ghost managed to get away it fueled Error with a new sense of motivation. Error would find a way to track down the purple skeleton and wreck havoc on the world he occupied. Everytime Error came around Ghost would just teleport away to a new place (typically out of fear). Then it happens all over in a sort of Cat-mouse chase.
Error would view Ghost as a nuisance, an annoyance, something that gets on his nerves. He swore multiple times to destroy Ghost as soon as he'd get his hands on him. He kinda enjoys the chasing, which keeps the destroying entertaining. He'd never admit to that of course.
Ghost was terrified at first at Error. He wasn't ready to die again... However he quickly learned of the other's stubborn and childish nature, even with his position. He found ways to have fun with Error, even if he's being chased to be killed. He finds a kind of comfort in Error's constant drive. He wasn't sure why and sure as hell couldn't explain it.
Star Sanses: Ghost has seen them before while accidentally showing up in random AUs. It was never by purpose that he meets them, but it just happens. He never gets too close to them, always just watching them from the side, watching as they battle or do whatever it is they are doing. Ghost is generally clueless about the entirety of the multiverse so he isn't so sure who these guys are. They're kinda cool looking so he doesn't really care much.
Dream is clueless about Ghost watching them but he can always feel the constant anxiety running in him. It confuses him a lot.
Ink is aware of the constant eyes of the skeleton. He knows who Ghost is exactly, however he just doesn't care. He doesn't think Ghost is a threat so he doesn't impose on the guy.
Swap is unaware.... Ghost doesn't like looking at Swap because it reminds him of what he used to be. What he was supposed to be.
Personality, Behavior and Quirks
Sans, Husk, and Ghost all act so different despite all of them technically being the same person.
Sans: | He/Him | Cis Man | Sexuality: N/A | 4'6ft | After the events of his AU he typically remains the same. He's confident, radiant, vibrant and as Swap as a Swap can be. However he picked up a few traits after being dead for a bit. He likes to make sure he's alive and living even if it's by small actions. He typically does this through senses. Touching, smelling, hearing, all reminds him that he's still alive and he is not gone. When in control of the body he likes to pump it up a level and see what the body can handle. It deems him as a risk taker. Sans constantly tires the body out since it can't even come close to the physical exhaust placed on Sans previously.
When they started travelling through AUs, Sans underwent the name Spirit. 1, being that he didn't want confusion amongst other Sanses. And 2, he's not too comfortable with sharing his identity so easily
He has scars all along his arms from when he was alive. He was too motivated to let a few scars from training stop his stride. So often they'd build up and keep building till the bone would chip away. When alive he'd wear compression gloves because the scars would flare up sometimes and hurt
When he was still just a ghost he'd never wear his shoes or gloves to feel closer to his world around him
He loves boots and would prefer to wear them with every outfit
His favorite color is blue and sometimes green
When he was alive he used to make all of his clothes by hand. He was never really good at fashion but he thought he was
Husk: | They/Them (sometimes he) | Agender | Sexuality: N/A | 5'7 | Husk is quiet. They don't speak. It was a habit that was picked up and was never put down. Instead they prefer to find other ways to communicate, ASL being mostly used. Husk, if in control of the body likes to be distant, alone, and blend into the background. Having a way to live and all these very alive things (emotions, thoughts, ability to communicate, etc) has them kinda overwhelmed. They don't like being in control of the body unless Sans is there controlling it as well.
They're pretty clingy and often affectionate
They doesn't like being alone that much
In his ghost form their physical body was able to morph however they felt. They could be as big and as small as they want. They sometimes use this ability to their advantage
Before when they were a puppet to the game they didn't really have any traits. They didn't have things like emotions, thoughts, etc. Since they are so new to these things they don't express much, finding it all so confusing
Their favorite colors are red and white
While quiet they aren't very shy. They like using sarcasm and sometimes come off more rude than need be
Ghost: | He/Them/Hers | Genderfluid | Sexuality: NwlNw | 5'2 | Despite just being a combination of both Husk and Sans, Ghost acts like they are their own being. It even confuses Husk and Spirit why he is so different. They are unnaturally scared all the time and constantly trembling. However underneath the shield of fear they are a jokester. They like getting into trouble and causing chaos. The body itself is unstable. It's falling apart as he walks and picks itself back up when the possibility of death is apparent.
Ghost is a coffee addict. It "calms" his nerves as he'd like to put it
They are very fidgety and often find their body was moving in some sort of way (tapping his heels against the floor, chewing on his fingers, tapping his fingers against things, rocking back and forth, etc)
He was not a pro at wearing heels and first but now he has mastered doing everything in them; from fighting to running (he still however sometimes trips)
Ghost is pretty clumsy, possibly due to the body being unstable and overall Imbalanced
He has a bad habit of passing out when under high stress or fear. He considers it (jokingly) a defense mechanism
Fashion is one of her favorite things ever. She loves always looking her best. His fashion sense is a mix between expensive, comfortable, and rich auntie/mom. However they aren't afraid to try our new styles.
Anyone who dates them is automatically considered poly (as declared by Sans)
Ghost likes to set high expectations for himself however they are scared of failure
His eyes turn blue and red respectively when Husk and Spirit step away from control (either to talk or situate something). In this phase Ghost can't do anything, see, feel, or literally be anything. However they are still conscious in this phase since Husk and Sans still occupy his head
Anatomy and Physical Features
(an official body ref has not been made yet and is still in the works)
Ghost has dark spots all over his bones. This was due to patches of his body being succumbed to Husk's mysterious figure. Along with this the body is unstable. As pictured above pieces of his body break off and float. It does eventually combine back into the rest of the body, but by then another piece of his body would have broken off. His figure repeats this. All the pieces floating off are technically dead but come back to life when they are conjoined again, leaving his anatomy in a constant dying and reviving state.
The worst of this would be his rib cage, where the bone doesn't ever reform. There is just a constant hole in his chest, leaving his soul vulnerable. Ghost, in turn, likes to wear pretty tight fit clothing, hoping it'd keep his body together. He also prefers to cover up, since they find their body both disgusting and creepy.
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So uh... Yeah.. I think that concludes the explanation. I probably forgot a few details but I can't recall anything else. So if you have any questions don't be afraid to send an ask (I would actually really appreciate it).