Work Text:
Alphys stood outside of the Judgement Hall, preparing herself. Asgore had discovered the amalgamates. She was so sure he would arrest her, or judge her himself. But, he didn't. He just hugged her as she sobbed for forgiveness. She really, truly was devastated that this was what all her research has led up to. Fallen monsters being turned into grotesque, fused things that wandered the lab now, or she had just called The True Lab. Sounded mysterious like her animes, but now she realized just how childish she had been when naming it. Asgore had taken her back to the palace to talk and find a solution, but Alphys had nothing. No cure, no antidote, nothing to fix what she had done. So, Asgore told her she should be judged. By The Royal Judge.
Now here she was, preparing herself for whatever would lie on the other side of this door. She knew the judge was only meant for humans. Any human that fell would be judged by them, and they would determine if the human was worthy, or justified enough to face Asgore. But now she was the one going to be judged. This was unprecedented, but she knew she had to be judged. Asgore was too biased to judge her. He was also not fit to judge her mistakes, when hes made mistakes of his own. Finally, after too long of just standing there, she entered the hall.
She didnt see anyone. Not a single soul in the golden, cathedral-like hallway. It really was beautiful here. Shed only ever been to the Judgement Hall a few times. She walked forward, passing large golden pillars. After about 15 feet of walking, she stopped to stare at the golden paned glass windows that let the core’s radiant light in. The Delta Rune symbol was shown, almost like a promise. A promise of hope, and an oath of freedom. She found it ironic that humans would be judged here, under the symbol. When she looked forward again, her eyes widened. There, in front of her by a couple feet, was Sans.
Sans??? Why was he here? She was going to meet the Royal Judge any seco-...
Oh. Oh my god…
“S- Sans? Why are you here?” she said. Sans was one of the only other people she told about the amalgamates. He didn't tell Asgore he knew. Sans had covered for her. He had tried to help her find a cure. Oh my god.
“to judge you, i guess.” He said, shrugging as his hands stayed in his pockets. He had that tired smile, the one he gave her when he was not excited for something. When he wasn't looking forward to whatever was about to happen. They stood there in awkward silence, before Alphys felt her heart drop. He was the Royal Judge. Her ex was the Royal Judge. She had a hard time believing or processing any of it.
“B- Bu- But that doesn't make sense! Y- You- Is this a prank?” she stuttered, giving him that nervous smile. He shook his head. “‘fraid not. look, i dont wanna talk ‘bout it right now…” he muttered, loud enough for her to hear. She let out a huff of shocked breath. “What!? You c- can’t just not talk about i- it! Oh- oh my g- g- god…” she started, then everything clicked into place. When they dated, he would sometimes make remarks about the humans that had passed through. Like he had met them. Or he would have knowledge of things they did, how they were. She hadn't met these humans, and Papyrus didn't meet them either, Sans made sure of it. “S- Sans, you know about the amalgamates, what I've done… you c- c- can't judge me p- properly.” she told him, her breath growing more panicked as her anxiety grew. She was freaking out.
He saw her panic and stepped closer to her. “asgore doesn't know. Look, i promised i'd help. And that's what i'm doin.”
“B- B- But you can't! Sans, i- i cant ask you to cover for me to this extent. If A- Asgore finds out h- he’ll… y- you could l- l- lose everything!” she clutched her chest, trying to calm herself down but it was no use. She could feel hot tears flood her eyes. Why did she care so much? That's right… because she still loved him. He had left, but she still needed him. Even after everything, she couldn't bear the thought of him getting hurt, especially because of her. Her panic grew, and she broke down in sobs. Her thoughts raced. How long has he been the Judge? He hates humans, why was he chosen to be judge. Why was it always him!
Her thoughts halted when she felt arms wrap around her quickly, his arms. She couldn't help but grab onto him and just sob. It had been a rough couple of days, and she couldn't do it anymore. She was trash, garbage. She was useless and a failure. She couldn't even fix her own mistakes. She heard him say a couple things, but most of it was muffled by her sobs. So he just held her as she cried into his shoulder.
The two stayed in the hall for a long time. When they came out, they had promised each other to not talk about what happened. The amalgamates, Sans being the Royal Judge, and everything else. Sans would continue to help her hide the amalgamates and he told Asgore he deemed her worthy of another chance. Asgore let her stay as the Royal Scientist, and she spent her days in pain, loneliness, and hurt. That was, until a human child, with a soul of red, found their way into the True Lab.