AU: Son of Science

Context: After getting worried when he doesn't hear from Sabre for weeks, the Professor looks for him. What he finds... you'll find out :)

Warning: Bodies, death

Some of y'all knew this was coming lol

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[Professor Red's POV]

Holding the device in my hands, it points me in the direction he hopefully is.

The forest nearby would seem beautiful if I had the time to look at it. But I have to focus on finding my son. Walking through plains, I watch the compass-like device I had made for any change in where it's pointing. I know it seems insane to have a way to track him, but... I've always worried for him ever since he left the Kingdom. I had to have a way to find him in case something happened. Besides, I'm sure he noticed the chain of his warp quartz pendant has a small little device on it. Whenever he visited he'd be looking at the necklace all the time.

The compass device has a small light start blinking on it, and I know I'm close. As I follow the needle of it, I start to see remains of stone buildings and paths in the distance. Is he exploring old ruins again?

...No. Those... those ruined buildings aren't old at all. They're... newly destroyed.

I begin to panic and run towards the ruins. As I get closer, I see damage left from fireballs and lightning. Blown apart and in pieces now, the wrecked buildings now only look like worn stone fencing-

I stop in my tracks when I see a black ooze pooling near one of the building pieces. It's coming from inside the ruin, but that's not what I'm worried about.

Where is my son...?

I start running through the destroyed town, seeing more and more broken buildings, but these are more complete... less torn down. Houses and shops, covered in Darkness and damage and destruction, and... bodies.

This was a Yellow Steve town. The lifeless remains of those who once lived here lay in the street and can be seen inside the structures through broken doors and windows. Darkness is already creeping towards them, some having reached their victims and begin to invade. Others... seem to have died infected.

The compass still points further into the town.

I need to find him. Where is he?

Don't look at the destruction. Look ahead. Find him.

He has to be safe, right-? He has to be! He's just- just hiding somewhere- he promised- he promised he'd be alright-

I stop.

In the center of town, standing in a sort of central garden, is a dark figure holding an eerie sword. The body of a Yellow Steve, backed up against a tree, sits motionless in front of him. The blood is on his blade.

I look at the compass. It points to him.

He has the pendant.

In an instant, I put away the compass and take out a prototype of a weapon I've been working on; a redstone staff. This one is simple and just a rod with small spikes on either end, but it'll get the job done if necessary.

I speak, prepared to fight this stranger if need be, holding the staff as it points at his back.

"Who are you and what did you do to my son?"

The being looks up from staring at the body, but doesn't face me. He... twitches, for a moment.

"...Oh. I know about you." He says in an unnatural, chilling voice. "He thinks of you alllll the time."

He starts laughing. A low, quiet laugh that's getting on my nerves.

"Turn around and face me, you abyssal murderous creep." I say as I grip the staff tighter.

"Very well then."

He turns,

And my heart drops.

The face of the one I had loved so much, now near unrecognizable, and the smile that had always brought me so much joy now twisted into a sinister grin.

"Hello, 'father'. He's missed you quite a bit, you know."

This... horrible reflection of him just stands there, smiling at me as he brandishes his sword.

It feels like I can't breathe.

"You just missed it; he had a small moment of clarity a bit before. Maybe you could've said hi."

My hands shake. The spear lowers.

...I can't do this. Not again.

"Oh well, you'll get the chance to once this is all over."

Not again. not again. not again not again not again not again not again not again not again not again not again

"I wonder... would he stop fighting if you were infected? You raised an excellent warrior, although he's been a bit of a nuisance to command."

He raises his sword. Takes a step towards me.

I can't.

I teleport away.

like a coward

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I don't silence the lighting as I arrive back in the lab. I can't focus right now.

Tears already cloud my vision as I fall to my knees, dropping the staff. It clatters to the floor.

"Colle?! Colle, what happened?!"

"I-I don't know... the Biome Steves, they're...

gone."

Crumpling to the ground, I openly sob as the weight of what just happens crashes down on me, crushing my heart like it has been crushed so many times before.

"Where did he go? When is Colle coming back-?!"

"Goggles... Colle isn't coming back."

"Wh-What do you mean? Boss, what-"

"I'm sorry Goggles, but... he's gone."

The Assistant rushes in to see what's going on, but I can't hear his words as he kneels to my side, trying to lift me off the ground.

"Are they going to be okay?"

"...We don't know. Both of their damage was pretty severe... Beef got the worst of it. They might... change, because of its influence."

I simply hold him close in a hug when he sits me up, still crying. He's trying to ask what happened.

"Sharp...?"

"I'm sorry... I can't do anything to reverse it. I... have to stay here. In this library."

The Red Leader comes into the room, followed by Maroon. They're worried.

"Spark, you can't-!"

"Yes, I can! Nobody else will suffer like he did, and I know how to handle such power!"

"Spark no! Don't use that on yourself, it'll-"

"AAAAAUUUUUUUUUGGHHH!"

"SPARK!"

They try to ask what happened too. I only manage a few words.

"I can't just stand by and watch you turn into a monster, Beef!"

"Oh, so that's what you think of me now?! A monster?!"

"No, you- you need to stop this! Your infection is only progressing this way!"

"I'll show you a monster-!"

"Sabre-"

"Boss...? Boss, what did you do...? What happened to... y-you didn't..."

"...I'm sorry, Goggles. You were a good friend."

"He's-"

"...Goodbye, little friend. Say hi to Colle for me, okay...?"

"C-Corrupted..."

I only burst into more sobbing. Saying it out loud...

The Leader and Maroon look horrified. The Assistant... he wraps his arms around me and returns the hug, holding me close. Silently, Maroon and the Leader join, tears streaming down their faces as well.

...my son... my wonderful little anomaly...

My little boy...

not again. i can't lose someone so dear to me again... not another...