Memories of empathy

Like any other day, the sky was bright but the air around was dull. Everyone inside seemed to be doing their own thing, but for the people who came from the Copytale Universes had a hard time getting used to being in the mansion even for this long. They all stayed to themselves, until the door opened to the front of the house. Footsteps walking out of it. They were calm but serious, “What do you want?” Spade said as she was sitting on a big rock near the door smoking, she turned her head a little shocked to see Alex but thought nothing of it.

“I need help.”

“And why would I wanna help you?”

“Because it’s about Lisa.”

“...” Spade became quiet, her long elf-like ears twitching. She was listening, she never said no to hearing anything new about Lisa. Alex leaned on the door frame, taking her mask off. Revealing the smell of rotten flesh, blood, and Alex’s face that Spade had never seen before. Spade gagged a bit, not from the smell but what made it. On Alex’s right eye, was skin like a humans. Muscle, and blood that flows through the face on the skeleton monster, dripping blood on to the wood of the porch of the house. It looked like it was ripped off, or growing on her face, doesn’t matter. Spade shivered a bit, having the image stuck in her head.

“That’s.. Put the mask back on.” Alex did so, putting it back on. “When did it start?”

“For as long as I can remember, but recently I’ve been seeing things. It’s like a memory, the only thing is it never happened to me.”

“Like a vision?”

“..No.” Alex sat across from Spade on a rock, Spade dropping the cigarette and crushing it under her foot. “It’s like I’m seeing through the eyes of a little girl. Most of them seem.. Happy, like she’s playing to what seems to be her mother, and then I see Lisa in a few of them. Though, she seems- different.”

“Different how?”

“Different as in, she seems-..Happy as well, like- She’s laughing, she looks different, she seems- younger as well.”

“Ok, so what do you want me to do? I don’t exactly do science magic. Want me to go into your brain or something?” She smiled, wiggling her fingers jokingly. Alex sighed, wanting Spade to be serious, Spade caught on and went silent. “..I want to confront Lisa about it. But I’m.. a little afraid too.”

Spade eyes widened never hearing Alex admit she was scared, or even being scared in the first place. “Why?”

“It’s a gut feeling, like I’m supposed to find out but once I do I’ll never be the same again.”

“Might as well find out, you might just change for the better.”

“Or for the worse.” Alex looked at her hand, opening and closing it. Spade patted Alex’s shoulder, Alex looked up, her eyes widened a bit. In shock Spade had even touched her, “Look, I know that- we kinda hate each other because of what happened..But this, we can restart here. Take advantage, I’m not saying to be a different person. Just, do what you think is right.” Alex smiled a little under her mask, then sighing while fixing her bandana. “I’ll go with you.” Spade looked at Alex while standing, scratching the back of her neck. “You owe me though.”

“Like what?” She stood up.

“Hm.. a bottle will do.” She smiled, hands behind her back as they walked in the mansion. Alex started to head her way to the basement, “Wait, now?”

“Are you not ready?”

“..nah, Let’s go.” Alex nodded, they walked side by side going down into the basement. The sound of a pencil dancing across paper grew louder as they went down. They went down, seeing Lisa in a comfy white turtleneck instead of her lab coat. She stopped writing, closed her book. She turned to them.

“Hello Alex, what is it? And Hello to you too, Spade.”

Spade glared at Lisa then looked away from her, hands in her pocket. “I want to speak with you about the things I’ve been seeing.”

“And that is?”

“It’s like I’m seeing through the eyes of a little girl, and it feels like happy memories. Then sometimes I see you.” Spade leaned against the wall to the side, watching and listening. “What am I like?”

“Your, Happier- Gak!-” She felt the pain of a needle in her neck. Lisa extracted some type of liquid from Alex, pulling it out with an aggressive force. “What I thought.” Spade stood up, not doing anything yet, but on guard.

“W-what was that for?”

“I removed all the medicine from your body. You’ll feel it, the melting sad feeling I feel everyday. Only thing is, you’ll be in your original form.”

“W-what?-” Alex fell on her knees, coughing, then suddenly screaming. She started melting into some white slime like liquid, the smell and the sight became horrifying. Spade covered her mouth, gagging at the sight. Shocked as she ran up the stairs leaving Alex screaming for Spades help, trying to reach up the stairs.

“You're a special type of Amalgamate. Instead of pouring human determination into your soul, I simply not only merged a monster and human soul, but your bodies at the same time. You have two minds at war with each other, and this is what happens when they go back to fighting that same war. They acted if I had died long ago. They wanted to create a perfect society so I destroyed it.”

Alex continued to scream in pain, melting into a white and black monster. She was listening, but once more Lisa rambled. “I’ll take out my anger even on the universe, if I have too. Till I feel satisfied I’ll keep creating monsters like you. Doing all the other things that I did to our universe till I’m happy. I’ll take out my anger on you and the demon, and anyone. Now leave me be, save yourself.”

She threw a bag at Alex, and with Alex’s remaining controllable parts of her body, she stabbed herself with a needle. Injecting herself with the medicine, her body reformed to normal. Breathing heavily, traumatized. She quickly grabbed the bag and ran up the stairs in fear. Lisa sat in her chair, watching Alex leave.

Alex ran through the halls crying and panting. Never feeling such a strong emotion like this, actually upset and afraid. She bumped into another, She looked up tears running down her face. It was Jacob, “Woah- hey, hey, are you alright?”

All of a sudden Alex had a change of heart in that instant, she started talking whatever she could think of. “She lied! She’s not who you think she is! I-I’m a monster! I-I hurt people- S-She killed me!”

“You look like you’ve- been through something-  is everything ok?” He got worried for the stranger, “S-she controlled me-”

“Who- is she?” Another sudden feeling in the back of his head popped up, but he shook it away.

“I-i don’t know anymore!- S-she’s not even there! She’s not- alive?!- I-I don’t know!-”

“Hey, It’s alright, I know how it feels, what’s your name? I can help you” He gave a small smile. She started to get hiccups, wiping her tears away. “Alex- Alexandra-” She started to calm, still panting. He held her shoulders, “See? You're ok, no one is chasing you, ok?”

She looked down, her voice breaking, “I hurt so many..”

“That makes the two of us, see? You're gonna be ok, You can live with those mistakes, you can still be happy.”

“But all those people..”

“The past is the past and you can’t do anything about it.” He sighed, “You have the power to stop it, you're free now, it’s alright.”

Alex took a deep breath, “Thank you..” Jacob let go of her, as an idea popped into his head. “Here, why don’t you relax in my room? Just keep the volume low, I just put my kiddo to sleep.” He opened the door, gesturing to her to go inside while thinking of how to solve his other problems. Alex had thanked Jacob again while walking in, Jacob closed the door behind her. Alex saw the bean bag and immediately fell on it, falling into a deep sleep. She drifted away to her dreams, her body no longer at war with herself. Her body became more peaceful, and like that over night as she slept she looked and was a different person. Sleeping like a child, her dream soon became a memory of who she once was before, a little girl.

The next day she woke up looking around, she had almost completely forgotten what had happened. She sighed trying to stand then suddenly failed, she hit the ground confused. She winced at the pain that she felt. That melting pain that scared her, it began with her legs. She started hyperventilating, her mind not focused on the medicine that she needed. She reached for her bag only for her body to become numb, “S-shit-” She coughed, choking and panting. As if she felt her lungs melt, suddenly the door opened. Jacob walked in looking towards Alex, “Hey I’m- Woah!- You ok? What’s wrong?” He went to her, on his knee patting her back.

“My- bag, there's something- like- a- pen with a needle- stab me- with it-” Jacob managed to understand what she was saying, he did just what she said. Going into her bag trying to find it, after he did, even with hesitation he stabbed her with it. Alex laid on her side, the medicine injecting itself in her body. She calmed, going back to the way she was. “Did I do it?” Jacob put it back in her bag, looking at her.

“Yeah, thanks-”

“What was that about?” Jacob sat her up against the bean bag she had slept on.

“I’m.. I don’t even know myself.” She grabbed her bag and took the note that was inside reading it.

“What’s it say?”

Alex repeated what the note said, “‘Take the meds daily, once every 5 hours. How to make more are below.’ It’s.. just some medical stuff I didn’t know about. I’m alright. Thanks… I never got your name did I?” Jacob felt his face heat up out of embarrassment, “I guess you're right, It’s Jacob." Alex chuckled a bit, after resting for a few minutes of awkward silence the sound of a small cry was heard. “Oh, it seems the kiddo is awake.” He got up and went to Sam who was in the crib, he picked her up and sat down on his bed rocking her a bit. Sam continued to whine and whimper for gods knows what.

Alex got up sitting next to him. “She’s been crying much more these days, and sleeping less. Same with eating.” Alex looked at him, seeing the face of a caring and worried father. She hesitated to touch, “May I?” Jacob looked at her and nodded. Alex felt Sam’s forehead, warm to the touch. “What’s her name?”

“Sam.” Alex smiled a bit, “She seems to be sick, It’s alright most babies when young catch simple things to get sick.”

“She’s sick? Damn, I need to get used to this baby stuff.”

“Isn’t her mother helping?”

“She uh- Let’s just say we had a falling out.” He gave an awkward smile, she nodded understanding. “Well, I can probably find out what she has for you. Then we can start the process of curing her.”

“Are you like a doctor?”

“Um.. Less doctor, more scientist. Or was at least, doesn’t mean the knowledge doesn’t come in handy, I’ve studied for almost everything.” The sounds coming from Sam stopped, as she fell asleep. They both sighed, Jacob getting up putting her in the crib.

“Would you really help me like that?”

Alex stood up too, “Of course, after all you kinda did help me, twice in fact. You also let me sleep in your room.” Jacob smiled, “Thanks.” Alex smiled as well, proud. “I’m gonna go see if there's anything in the house to help her, if not I’ll come by and tell you that I’ll be buying it from the stores nearby.”

“Can I come with you if you're gonna buy stuff?”

“What about Sam?”

“I have a few people who can watch her, I have my brother who I give her too when I have to go out, I come back to her sleeping all the time.” Alex smiled, ”Well that’s good. Sure, I’ll be back.” Alex opened the door walking out to find anything that would help Jacob and his daughter. She walked down the halls, going into the kitchen only to see Spade. Spade turned away from the counter, drinking black coffee. Her eyes widened seeing Alex, she choked on her coffee. Alex felt a shiver going down her spine, she awkwardly walked in.

Spade then busted out laughing, "Oh wow! A sight to see! Look at you! You have make up, and look all neat now! What the hell happened-"

"Shut up."

Spade looked at Alex, "What?-"

"I said. Shut up."

"Hey what's wrong-"

"You left me! Do you even know what happened yesterday?! I do! Do you?! No! YOU LEFT ME!" Alex clenched her fist, shaking, about to cry even. Spade stepped away silent, filled with guilt, to the point her palms hurt. "I- ..I'm sorry Alex-"

"DON'T SORRY ME! ..." Alex went silent, Spade did too. Spade left her cup, walking away in her room in guilt. Alex then felt guilty as well. She then walked back to Jacob's room. She opened the door, Jacob looked up. "Find anything?"

"Oh.. right, sorry I forgot. I ran into someone, I'll just find some stuff at the store."

"Alright, Sam's already with my brother."

"Why's that?" Alex tilted her head.

"Just a hunch, there's no other babies here that I know of."

Alex smiled, softening. She almost forgot what happened in the kitchen. She opened the door fully, "Well?" Jacob smiled, getting up and going on her side. Alex and Jacob walked out of the mansion together awkwardly. Jacob scratched the back of his head, as he thought of counting Alex as a friend as he followed her.

In the basement, Lisa groaned. Waking up on her desk with a massive headache, she got up remembering she was writing. She sighed heavily, looking at her coat that was stained with black ink. She took off her coat, putting it on the chair she had sat on. "...Malware?" She looked around, as if she heard or felt the presence of him being in the room. She looked down at Sage, who was trying to eat the floor. She looked around, then staring at a framed picture of what she used to have. She grabbed it, she slid down the wall that she was against sitting down. She used magic to grab Sage, making him float towards him. Sage sat in her lap, the back of his head feeling her heartbeat.

"This is my husband Gaster, then my first son Sans, second son Papyrus, then, that's me." She pointed at the faces with their rightful names, it was what seems to be a family picture. She smiled a small bit, Sage looking at the picture as well. Feeling that his mother was feeling a different emotion, then a sudden change.

Lisa held Sage close, "You know.. He's terrifying." Sage shifted, already knowing who she was talking about. Ready to hear what she had to say about his father. "He..has the face of my first child, and is a terrible father. He's something so powerful, and he's something I could never imagine. ...You're the only thing that reminds me of what I used to have, you're just a child. He's just using you.. he really does scare me." Lisa began to shake a bit, Sage felt it. Unsure of it, question if he should feel anger for Lisa saying such things or for his father scaring his mother.

"He's a monster, I know that... Y-your just a baby, you don't even know what I'm saying." She sniffled, tearing up. Sage never felt, or seen his mother feel these emotions...Back outside the mansion Jacob had followed Alex into a small store, having absolutely no idea what to do or look at. Alex was looking at liquid medicines, and other things to help Sam. “So uh, what should I look for if this happens again?”

“Oh, you should get some Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen also known as Tylenol. Better to get the liquid versions, since her body is small you only need to give her a small bit. Though it will make her sleepy so make sure to feed her before you give it to her…-”

As Alex continued to ramble Jacob was staring at her lips move, completely ignoring what she was saying for the entire time. “Jacob?”

“Huh- oh, what were you saying?”

Alex sighed smiling, “Just keep buying her these, and give her small bits every time she’s hungry.” Jacob scratched the back of his head nodding, he looked out the store window to see a Cafe on the other side of the street. He smiled, “Hey uh, there’s a Cafe nearby, wanna stop there?”

“Hm?” She looked at him, “Sure why not.” She went to pay with him, then left with ease. They walked out of the store, and walked to the Cafe. They went inside, as they found a nice spot near a window. They sat down, as Alex set her bag down as well. “So, um..” Jacob scratched his chin, not sure how to start up a conversation. Alex chuckled, “Well, I might as well take this time to get to know you better.”

Jacob smiled, “Heh, well, first- what are you gonna get?”

“Maybe- honestly just sweet coffee and a chocolate bar.”

“You're into sweets?” Jacob smiled, Alex chuckled. “Oh yeah, I can never stop my craving for sweets.”

“Chocolate dipped, strawberries.” Jacob gave a confident smile, Alex’s eyes sparkled. “Yes, they taste amazing!” Jacob nodded, “I’ll get our stuff.” Jacob got up, and went to buy what they wanted. Alex stared at him from afar, with a stupid smile on her face. She sat up, as he saw him come back. Jacob set her down, as he sat down himself.

“Where’s yours?”

“Eh, I’m not a coffee person. But do you know what I did get?”

Alex reached for the sugar and cream that was set up on the table putting it in her coffee, interested. “What?” Jacob pulled out a strawberry donut, with a smile you’d see on a little kid who entered a candy store. She laughed, Jacob smiling proudly as he took a bite out of it.

“So, your brother- what’s his name?”

Jacob looked to the side, “Ares, He’s pretty cool. I have Will and Adam too, their.. Alright to say the least… Why?”

She giggled, “I just wanted to know, 3 brothers- you guys close?”

“Uh, depends- I have my mom here too, she’s a little, let's say overprotective, for good reason of course. Now I wanna hear about you-”

“Well, not much really, I kinda just restarted when I got here. Kinda when I first met you heh, still I don’t know how much to thank you for what you did.”

Jacob smiled, “Don’t worry, It’s fine.” He got shy all of a sudden, After a while of talking they took their leave back to the house. Jacob getting Sam back and heading to his room, “Told you, she’s always asleep.” Alex giggled a bit, trying to be quiet for Sam. They went into the room as he put Sam in her crib, still sound asleep.

“Thanks for helping me.”

“No problem Jacob, You can always ask me for help.” She smiled.

“Do you have a room yet?”

“Oh no, am I taking up space?” Alex looked worried almost, Jacob shook his head.

“No, I was uh, actually wondering if you just wanted to share the room. I could always just have another bed be brought in here.” Alex smiled, nodding. They both smiled. Alexandra had settled in Jacobs room with Sam, Jacob didn't find it weird even if Alexandra wasn't her partner. Jacob and Alexandra shared a room, an extra bed for Alexandra. Of course if either of them needed privacy, they would both gladly give each other space. It's been like that for about a week, a whole week of Sam being sick. After a while, her sickness drifted away, Alexandra took Sam's final temperature. "Her temp is normal, Sam is healthy and good to go- see? It only took like, a week till she was all better!" Alexandra laid Sam on the bed before turning around to Jacob as she put her hands on her hips.

"Still a week.. Y-Yeah sorry, I've uh- never had a daughter before clearly-" He wiped sweat off his forehead, still not believing his baby girl got sick. Alexandra chuckled a bit, "It's alright, again as I said baby's at her age get sick a lot. At least you know what to do now, and personally, I think your doing fine." Alexandra smiled, so did Jacob taking it personally. "Y-yeah, this single parent business is hard- I really need, a mother for her.." He cracked his neck, looking to the side to nervous to make eye contact. Concern in his voice.

Alexandra took notice, "I'm sure you'll find one soon, plus I don't see why anyone wouldn't wanna be with a guy like you, heh" Alexandra saw Sam squirm, as she went to pick her up Sam have given an adorable giggle. Alexandra held her, as Sam reached for Alexandra's cheeks pinching them. "O-ow, watch it- heh" Sam had giggled once more.

"Well, once they find out you were associated with a homicidal murderer, Astral Grandma, and of course the 5 planets that were turned into an asteroid belt, It's a bit hard." He crossed his arms, looking at Alexandra.

"Well I was tricked into murdering and working for my newly found insane Aunt because I came back from the dead with no memory, and now I'm here. Holding your daughter, and now sharing a room with one of the nicest guys, and only guy I know because he saved me from crippling depression. As you told me, the past is the past, your you now. You've changed and you can prove it!" She smiled, Jacob did too feeling less tense than he did before. Sam smiled, not know why, but just doing it because everyone else was doing it too.

"Knock Knock" Both Jacob and Alexandra looked to the open door with Betty leaning on the door frame. Jacob had a sudden shiver go up his back, seeing Betty. "Don't mind if I come in right?" Betty walked in anyway. "..Oh great.." Jacob mumbled under his breath as he watched Betty closely, "Hey Betty, didn't uh- see you. There." Jacob kept calm.

"Whatever dummy, I'm just here to see Sam then I'll be off." Betty walked past Jacob, as he looked at her in disgust from behind. Betty walked to Alexandra, who had to look up to look Betty in the eyes. Betty grabbed Sam from her, and held her. Jacob made a face, as he felt unsafe seeing Betty hold his only hope in life. Alexandra also gave a face having no idea who Betty was just snatching Sam away from her.

Sam looked up at Betty, the connection of mother and child reestablishing itself, almost like she never left. Sam had offered her a teddy bear as Sam smiled with joy. Betty took it, lifting its limbs. She shoved it to Alexandra's chest, looking at Sam. While Sam's eyes wondered her mother's face, Betty looked at them with indifference, Melancholy. Not even possibly registering Sam's existence.

"She's a very healthy girl. Whatever your name is, your doing good."

Alexandra looked at Betty speechless, and not even sure what to say. "Alright, give her back" Jacob demanded, "Catch." Betty tossed Sam over to Jacob, Sam oblivious as she was screaming with glee.

"B-BETTY!-" He staggered, barley catching Sam, he inspected he to make sure she wasn't hurt at all. Sam giggled, wanting to be tossed again. Betty left the room, leaving the three be.

"...So- that's- her mom?" Alexandra questioned, going over with concern. "Yeah, yeah it was." He closed the door, wanting to keep Betty from coming in again. "Is Sam alright?"

"Y-yeah, thanks heh-" Jacob put Sam back down, resting her on her the bed as she giggled. Alexandra noticed the air getting tense, "The mood seemed to go down, why don;t we head out? Sam can home, shes been in here since she got sick." Alexandra smiled, Jacob did too.

"Yeah sure! Why not-" He picked up Sam, "What do you think sweetheart? You wanna go get ice cream?"

"Yay!" Sam smiled, Alexandra grabbed her bag. "It's a yes" Jacob looked over a smiled on his face, as they walked out and into the hallways.

Together, Jacob and Alexandra, with Sam of course, walked around the park with Ice cream. "How did I know you were gonna get strawberry?" Jacob looked at Alexandra, "What? Strawberry is delicious!" He said, taking a bite out of his ice cream, with Sam in his other arm.

"it is, but I'll always stick with my cookies and cream-" She took a bite of hers, smiling. Jacob smirked, "Cookies and Cream." He made an inside joke to himself, about another Black and White skeleton he knew. Alexandra shrugged, Jacob looked at her, beginning to stare. He thought, she was sweet, kind..Beautiful, he could only wish if Betty were at least one of those.

"Jacob?... Jacob?" She pulled his arm, and made him move to the right of her. "Jacob, watch were your going- almost hit a pole dead on dummy-" Jacob came back to reality, "W-what? oh, sorry uh- got distracted." He stuck to her side, Alexandra done her ice cream. "I can hold Sam if you want" Jacob nodded, giving his arm a break by giving Sam to Alexandra. As he finished his ice cream.

"How about we sit down, there's a bench over their near the fountain." Alexandra pointed, Sam copied, just because she could. Jscob scratched his chin, "That's fine, it looks nice enough to be worthy of Sams presence." They walked over sitting down, Jacob finsihing up his ice cream.

While he did, Sam sat in Alexandra's as she looked around in awe. "She's an Angel hehe" Alexandra chuckled watching Sam just, look around." Jacob finished.

Jacob sighed, "I don't know how I could ever repay you, You've been- such a big help to me and Sam the past few days. You've been a real mother to her." Alexandra smiled of embarrassment, "O-oh well- Anything to help, honestly- I've never had any experience with children, It's kinda like- Instinct?" As Alexandra chuckled to herself, Jacob took a deep breath, putting his hand on top of hers. His cheeks burning.

Alexandra looked at him, her cheeks burning too feeling his touch. "Hm?"

"Sam seems to- clearly like you.. and I- I think I've fallen for you as well.." He scratched the back fo his neck with his free hand, not even able to make eye contact with her. Alexandra felt her face just burn up, speechless.

He looked up, his mind immediately began to rave, "(O-oh shit- too soon?)" Alexandra swallowed nervousness choking her. "I-I uh.. Feel the same way-.. heh-" Jacob looked up at her, dumbfounded. "Excuse me?"

" I feel the same way heh-" Alexandra smiled. Jacob nailed it into his brain, "Wow.. I've never- been in a non-toxic relationship before-" He smiled, "I've never been in a relationship before, heh so-" They both smiled, they held each others hands, "..sorry- it's still sinking in heh-"

"Same it's...happening all so fast.. heh-" He smiled. She chuckled, "Heh, I know- well, as I said before- I don't, see why anyone would not wanna be with you- heh" She smiled.

"I know something, that could- help sink this whole thing in faster..-" His face was red, steaming almost. "How?" She questioned, holding Sam tight. Sam still looking around, ignoring everything. Jacob leaned in, kissing Alexandra on her soft lips, closing his eyes, a bit afraid. Alexandra's cheeks turned red, she kissed back closing her eyes as well. After a minute, they pulled away, looking at each other flustered.

"W-wow, I feel- like a weight been lifted off my shoulders..-" He smiled. Alexandra did too, "Same here." They both smiled, looking at each other. Sam interrupting, "Look!" Sam pointed at the bird on the ground, Jacob and Alexandra looking at Sam. Sam reached for Alexandra's bag, Alexandra grabbing whatever she took out her bag. "Why do you want- crackers? you just had ice cream-"

Sam smiled, "Momma! it's- for the- birds!" Alexandra and Jacob starred in Awe, at Sam calling Alexandra- Momma.

The End