Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Papyrus knows that everyone thinks he is naive and too innocent, he disagrees. He knows a lot more than people think and chooses to think the best of others; optimism is a choice he makes every day and will do so for as long as he lives. Papyrus knows how to keep secrets and to not ask questions about things others don’t want to share, he grew up with Sans. If he’s honest Sans, raised him. He tried his best, but Papyrus could always tell that his brother always hid things, so he learnt not to ask rather than be lied to.

He didn’t question the fact that Sans had memory issues, that Sans doesn’t know what his own birthday is, that he always says “your parents” when Papyrus asked about them, that Sans didn’t like doctors but didn’t know healing magic, that Sans was smarter than he acted, that Sans didn’t know a lot of things about history or monster traditions until Papyrus told him when he learnt them in school.

He knew that and could tell Sans wanted to keep it secret, so he never talked about it. When Papyrus got older and thinks back on it, it doesn’t paint a nice picture about what happened to Sans. It worries him, but Sans shuts down when he doesn’t want to share, he thinks Papyrus is too young to hear the stories. But Papyrus knows deep down that’s not the issue. Sans never healed enough to process the stories let alone tell anyone what happened to him.
So, Papyrus waits, he knows what his brother needs is time. and they have a lot of that, especially since now it’s moving linearly.

It was a normal day on the surface, sunny, warm but not hot, Frisk sat at the table making a card for Alphys’ birthday which was soon approaching. As they were drawing Mew Mew they started thinking about birthdays, specifically that they don’t know all their new friends’ birthdays. Frisk decided that today they would learn. They were curious and filled with DETERMIATION to learn more about their friends.
Finding Toriel and Asgore’s birthdays was easy as Flowey told them, He was working on being more open and a good friend, slowly. Mettaton’s was also a quick find as he tends to be very open about himself, and you find his birthday though a fun fact on a menu for one of his franchises. Mettaton is just as big of a star above ground as when in Underground.

Frisk found Napstablook’s birthday by accident when looking for Mettaton’s as every year on Napstablook’s birthday Mettaton airs a special music show with some of Napstablook’s most recent music. They already knew Alphys’ birthday, due to the upcoming party that Undyne and Papyrus were organising for her.
So, Frisk leaves the house to go find Undyne and Papyrus, looking at the time they would be at Undyne’s place either sparing, cooking or party planning. Frisk smiled as they walked to find their friends, seeing the dogs run around and play in the sun. When they reach Undyne’s door they hear battle music from the backyard, so they walk around to find them sparring. Watching monsters spar is beautiful, you can feel the magic in air when it happens. Sparks of power as they bounce off each other’s attacks and blocks it’s electric, Frisk smiles and applauds when either one does an extra cool move.
“That’s right Punk, we are amazing fighters!” Undyne says when she hears the clapping.
“HELLO HUMAN FRISK! ARE YOU ENJOYING WATCHING OUR INCREDIABLE SPARRING MATCH?” Papyrus asks, his voice loud as always.

Frisk nods and smiles brightly, then they sign to the pair of energetic monsters,
*when are your birthdays?* Undyne laughs brightly, and Papyrus smiles.
“THE 4TH OF JANUARY, WHICH BELIEVE IT OR NOT IS ALSO THE WONDERFUL OF SPAGETTI DAYS” Papyrus states proudly.
Frisk smiles and wonders if that fact is what started the tall skeletons love for spaghetti? Then looks over at Undyne, she is smiling fondly at Papyrus’ antics.
“Mines the 7th of august, and don’t you forget it punk!” they both laugh,
*I won’t, promise* Frisk signs to them
*I have to continue my quest to learn when birthdays are!* They sign at the monsters who smile.
“I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK ON YOUR VALIENT QUEST HUMAN FRISK” Papyrus wishes with an overdramatic bow that make everyone giggle. As they leave to go find Sans they hear Undyne say
“Come on Paps, you gotta give me more fight than that!”
Frisk wonders why she said that when they know Undyne always sees how much effort Papyrus puts into their spars, then shrugs it off to go find the shorter of the skeleton brothers.

Frisk does not in fact find Sans. It getting late and they need to head home, they are frustrated by this block in their quest to learn his birthday. As they walk in the door of their house, the sound of Toriel laughing reaches their ears. Frisk walks into the kitchen to see Sans sitting on a chair near the bench and making bad egg puns at their goat mum. They smile excitedly and bounce at the prospect of finishing their quest for birthdays.
“what’s got you so bouncy kiddo? you carrying to many bouncy balls” Sans jokes, amused by their excitement.
“My child, it is good to see you home. How was your day?” Toriel asks.
*I am doing a quest for birthdays, and I am almost done!* Frisk signs.

The goat monster smiles softly, Frisk turns to face Sans and signs to him,
*When is your birthday? You’re the last person on my list* they stand there determined to finish their quest. Frisk pauses slightly when Sans’ eyelights flicker for a moment and his smile looks slightly less real for a second. The moment passes and Sans acts like nothing is wrong, like he always does
“my birthday is one of the days of the year that’s for sure” Sans winks and stands up, “sure you can figure it out from there” Frisk rolls their eyes at his teasing and ask again. Sans sighs realizing that they are not going to give up on this.
“it’s complicated, kid” he looks away from the confused human child and can feel the confusion from Toriel. “i’ll tell you about it when your older,” He then vanishes from the kitchen, leaving two very confused people behind him.

Frisk wonders if he meant it when he said to wait till they are older, they promise to themselves they will ask when they are.

Chapter Text

Grillby’s has a large and unusual crowd compared to a normal Thursday night, the bar well, more of a restaurant-bar now due to the expansion and popularity over the years on the surface. Would normally be filled with humans and monsters, getting drinks and eating dinner chatting about their days.

Today is different, Grillby’s is booked out for an incredibly important event. Frisk’s official recognition by the human government as the ambassador for monsterkind, despite all of the work that Frisk has done over the years they had not yet been recongised as the ambassador due to their age first of all, the human government was heavily against letting a young child hold such an important position.

But today that finally changed Frisk is now an adult and has been for a couple of years. More importantly they have finally got all the qualifications necessary to be instated at the ambassador, the paperwork confirming this has just arrived. So, tonight is a night to celebrate, and at Frisk’s insistence the celebration was to be held at Grillby’s.

So, the bar-restaurant is full of monsters who Frisk is close to and are involved in a lot of the politics, there is to be a more official ceremony next week, so this celebration is smaller. Asgore, Gerson and Toriel are talking in one of the booths, the tension between the two goat monsters having lessened over the years of working together on the surface. Undyne and Alphys are sitting together happily debating the latest anime they have watched. Mettaton is having a blast performing on a little stage, shining and laughing. Papyrus is watching and clapping looking only slightly put off by the grease at this place. Sans was the bar chatting away with Grillby about something or other. Frisk has been floating between everyone and getting congratulations and such for the past few hours.

As the party winds down a few hours later everyone is gathered near the bar, except Mettaton who had to leave due to the fact he has a tour going on needs to fly back to where his next show is, having flown over for the celebration. Frisk having decided a while ago that this was long enough to have grown up, pokes Sans who stops talking with Toriel and Grillby to look over at them. He has to glance up now as much to his slight annoyance Frisk is now quite a bit taller than him.

“sup kiddo, what can i do for ya” Sans says using the nickname that they have accepted will always be used. Frisk looks at Sans determination sparking in their eyes.
*I have a question for you that you said you would answer when I was older* they signed. Sans chuckled softly before responding.
“you’ve always been a stubborn one, kid” he smiles.
Frisk takes that as a sign to go on.
*When is your birthday?* they sign, before adding *and why was it so complicated you couldn’t tell me?*
Sans eyelights flicker out and the glass full of ketchup he is holding slips out of his hand, it breaks on the bar in front of him and makes the rest of restaurant go quite suddenly paying attention. Sans curses under his breath as he starts to clean up the mess he made, making sure not to look at anyone.

“well- ” Sans starts then sighs loudly “god kid, that was about a decade ago, you really can’t let things go, can ya”
He doesn’t look up, debating weather or not to answer at all or well more likely how to answer.
“heh, the reason i didn’t tell ya is cause i don’t know”
Before anyone can speak Sans continues.
“i know, your gonna ask ‘how can you not know your own birthday’ which was the actual question i was tryna avoid…” Sans rests head on his hand eyelights back on and the smile he always has back on his face.
“but we don’t have time for that, it’s long, complicated and best left forgotten.”

Frisk looks unsatisfied with that answer and is about to dig for more when they hear Gerson laugh.
“That’s the most straightforward answer we are ever going to get from you, ain’t it solider?” Gerson says surprising everyone except Grillby, Sans and Asgore. Grillby chuckles sounding like sparks crackling. Undyne stands up very confused
“What the hell are you all talking about?!” she says her voice loud but not quite a yell.
“there’s a ton of rumors about Sans from when he showed up, and no one ever got any answers” Gerson shares “It was a big source of gossip for the old veterans, and the royal guard when you were a kid.”
Grillby nodded before signing to add onto Gerson.
*it became a running joke that he had no history.*
Sans looked a bit uncomfortable, not looking at anyone and sort of embarrassed to have this information shared.

“d- do you, um c-could you tell us, ah never mind” Alphys starts then stops.
“I believe that she is trying to say is that you can tell us your story, if you wish to Sans” Toriel says, “We are your friends and would love to know you better if you would let us.”
Sans looks at Papyrus who has stayed out of this conversation to his surprise, Sans thinks to himself ‘Papyrus deserves to know, hell it has had an effect on everyone here so… maybe I should, if might be nice to talk about, even a little.’ Sans sighs loudly.
“not tonight,” Sans says “it’s long, complicated and can be really emotionally taxing”
“but, if someone makes a day or two and a place, i’ll talk and answer as many questions that each of you have.”
Papyrus’s jaw drops in surprise, not having expected that.

“BROTHER ARE YOU BEING SERIOUS?”
“i promise, Paps”
“WELL THEN I THE GREAT PAPYRUS WILL ORGAINISE A TIME IN THE COMING WEEKS FOR EVERYONE HERE TO GET TOGETHER, SO YOU CAN SHARE YOU STORY!”
Papyrus sounds shocked but excited to learn what his brother has been hiding, and a lot of the why’s behind the habits he does not ask about. He hopes it is not as bad as some of the things he has thought but is not particularly convinced it will be.

Chapter Text

As the week or so passes and the day of this meet up gets closer mixed emotions are in the air. Frisk and Flowey and both curious and hoping to learn more about the short skeleton and possibly the apparent connection to the resets and timelines. Alphys is intrigued but cautious as to this seeing how much Sans has tried to avoid this but wants to be there for her friend, above her curiosities. Undyne is confused and a little annoyed, thinking this is going to be a prank of some kind. She doesn’t know Sans very well and thinks this is all a bit dramatic, but Papyrus wants her to be there, the way he asked made Undyne a touch worried for the tall skeleton. Toriel is concerned for her friend and wondering what the connection between her child and the skeleton is, she wants to be there for Sans like he was for her. Asgore and Grillby are both wondering about the answers to the questions they have had for years. Papyrus is anxious, he has wanted to know about this for most of his life. But now he thinks with the way his brother is acting and preparing himself for this it may be a bad idea.

It's a sunny morning, early enough that the traffic and walk up Mount Ebbot goes quickly. Making it to the small cabin and campsite at the top, just before the sun rises. The campsite is warm and well loved with a campfire that looks to have been emptied of any ashes recently. Folding chairs, well placed rocks and spaces for picnic blankets are on the ground making the cozy atmosphere grow. The log cabin nearby looks quant but just large enough to fit everyone with a little effort. There are beautiful trees surrounding the clearing giving it a sense of privacy while still being open. It’s beautiful and makes perfect sense for the purpose of the gathering.

As everyone arrives the quite cozy atmosphere of the campsite is slightly offset by the unease and anticipation of the group. They chat amongst themselves as they wait for everyone to arrive, surprising absolutely no one the skeletons arrive last. Despite the fact that this is about Sans he is still late. Papyrus walks over and sits down on the warming grass and waves at everyone but doesn’t really engage in conversation.

A few minutes later just as Frisk was about to ask if Sans decided to stay home, Sans appeared in one of the chairs with a pop. Scaring the life out of basically everyone but Papyrus and Grillby who are more used to Sans odd ways of transportation.
“don’t mind me popping in do ya?” Sans joked.
Toriel snorted at the pun still holding her chest from the sudden appearance of Sans. Frisk is smiling, Papyrus is trying not to giggle.
“SANS IT’S RUDE TO SCARE YOUR FRIENDS LIKE THAT”
Sans smiles
“did I make them jump out of their bones?”
A round of groans and a few chuckles fill the air at the pun. This banter continues for a while, Undyne beginning to get a bit inpatient spoke up after about 15 minutes.

“Are you going to stop beating around the bush and start talking or what?”
Sans sighs loudly, and his smile falters for a split second.
“straight to the point as always, fishsticks” Sans jokes weakly “guess I shouldn’t make you guys wait any longer than I already have, given we only blocked out a day for this”
The others stopped their conversations slowly and turn to pay attention to Sans, Toriel smiles encouragingly at him, Grillby nods and Frisk gives a thumbs up while holding a disgruntled but visibly curious Flowey.

“so, where should I start” Sans asks.
“FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, WE HAVE THE TIME” Papyrus responds
Sans sighs and looks around the group,
“ok then, heads up the first part is not going to make a lot of sense, so bear with me it’ll come together eventually”
“sit tight this is gonna take a while”
He smiles in a way that doesn’t reach his eyes before exhaling despite his lack of need for oxygen.

“this story starts a very long time ago, with a human girl by the name of Penelope”
Sans ignores the confused whispers from the others and starts to tell the very start of this tale.

Chapter Text

This story starts a very long time ago, with a human girl by the name of Penelope

She was from a small family her parents were close and loved each other very much, but her dad worked very hard to support them, so he wasn’t around as much as her mother. Being the middle child of three with her younger sister and older brother, she was used to being slightly overlooked. She was 10 years old, after all she didn’t need the same amount of attention as a toddler like her sister did, or a naughty teenager like her brother. Penelope took pride in being good for her parents and knew to wait until they were free to spend time with them.

On the day this story starts (well from the point I can remember best) Penelope and her family had a rare day where they could all do something together. They went on a hike near the town they lived in, up Mt. Ebbot. It was a slightly cloudy day but warm enough, she tied her hair up carefully in a red ribbon to stay cool, she brought the toy knife from the play kitchen to use for the picnic once they reached the peak of the mountain. She has been hoping to do this for months now bouncing along excitedly ahead of her family. Her mother carrying her younger sister, and her father holding her mother’s hand, her older brother was trailing behind listening to music with his headphones on ignoring most of his surroundings.

Penelope was sure her family was right behind her. She looked back and no one was there.

The first thing she did was yell out for them and started to try and back track to find them, she heard her mother’s concerned voice call her name. Penelope was so relieved that she started to run toward where the voice was coming from going off the trail in her panicked dash. She tripped on a raised root and fell off the trail into a part of the woods on the mountain, she stopped and cried out but could no longer hear her mother’s voice or shouts. Penelope remembers being told that if you get lost it is better to wait were you are so you can be found easier, so she sat down and waited,
And waited
And waited
Until the sky got darker and it got colder, still Penelope waited where she was until she felt the first drops of rain hit her skin, colder than the tears running down her face. Then heard thunder booming in the sky, and only then did she move trying to find shelter from the storm. The rain pelting down as she walked for what seemed to her to have been hours when she stumbled upon a cave. It was dark and cold, but it was dry and that was all she needed it to be right now.

The storm raged on outside of the mouth of the cave and Penelope went further inside to shelter from the rain and wind. In the darkness she did not see the hole in the center of the cave floor and so for the second time that day she fell and got more lost than she already was.

She hit the floor, it hurt but was not as rough as she was expecting, it was soft enough that she survived, bruised and battered but alive. There was a patch of soft green grass with a few golden flowers spattered around, it looked like a small field that was starting to be infested with dandelions. Pushing herself off the ground Penelope got a good look at her surroundings with surprised her as she could not tell where the lights were coming from. There was an archway ahead of her carved in stone that seemed purple, with a symbol carved into the top, she didn’t recongise it, but moved, clutching the toy knife in her hands for comfort.

The next room, on the right there were a series of six buttons on the floor in front of a golden lever. On the left there was a sign with a piece of strange advice? Or a quote that Penelope didn’t know. Straight ahead was a large double door with the same symbol that was above the archway, creeping towards the door slowly she could see that it was ever so slightly ajar. Making sure not to touch anything she nudged the door open just enough to squeeze past, taking special care as to not let the door slam behind her.

Sighing she walked on to a mostly empty room with a strange pattern on the floor and a dummy of some kind off to her right, she waves as she walks past it. Stumbling along to see a large line of spikes on the floor with flowing water on each side. With how sore she was, and her overall swimming skills Penelope knew that she couldn’t swim across the gap. Leaning against the walk she sat down, and cried softly for her family, her mother and father would be so worried, her little sister wouldn’t understand what happened or where she went. Even her older brother, who never liked having siblings much, would be concerned.

As time passes Penelope sees something peeking out from behind the wall on the other side and hears the soft fluttering of wings. A few minutes passed then the creature comes closer flying over the spikes towards her, the creature looked similar to a simple ghost drawing but with little legs and arms. The creature seems to be some kind of insect as it has antennas and little wings that remind Penelope of bees. The fluttering noise continues as the creature floats in front of her, after a few seconds she slowly waves at the shy looking being. It waves back and lets out a sound that reminds Penelope of windchimes, but also vaguely of laughter. It flies lower and lands right were the spikes are, Penelope gets up to make sure it isn’t hurt and the spikes have retracted when the creature landed. It takes a step back when she moves closer seeming as scared as she is shocked at the spikes. They stay like that for close to a minute before Penelope speaks up quietly almost whispering.
“Can you help me find some food?”
The creature blinks but slowly nods and gestures for her to follow it, slowly it leads Penelope over the spikes. She takes care to follow the creature exactly not wanting to get hurt, but trusting the shy creature and her need for food more than her worries.

After passing the spikes there is a long hallway that seems to stretch on forever, hearing her own tummy rumble with hunger. Penelope pushes on following the small ghost bug despite the ache in her legs and the slight faintness. Once walking the hall seems even longer than before, it feels like hours have passed by the time she reaches the next doorway. There's a large pillar to the left of the door that doesn’t seem to be attached to anything, Penelope wonders what the pillar is supposed to be supporting. She sees the shy creature enter the next room and gesture left then lost sight of them.

The next room seems to be another hallway without much in it, there seems to be a ghost of some kind lying on the floor. Penelope avoids it so as to not to disturb whatever it is doing. Using a hand on the left wall as support she moves though the room towards the doorway the shy creature indicated at. This room has a small pedestal in the center with a bowl on top that looks to be filled with candy, her stomach growls with hunger and she approaches the bowl without looking around the room much. Then a small round creature with one eye, horns and sharp teeth, jumps out at her.
“What are you doing with my candy you little twig!” the creature growls out.
Penelope jumps and drops the toy knife in surprise and doesn’t move, the creature then throws these strange orbs at her. As the first one hits her pain fills her entire body scared for her life Penelope runs out of the room and into the one right across from it.

Still running she checks to see if the creature followed her, and for the third and final time fell down a hole in the ground. Her hair ribbon getting snagged on the way down and getting pulled out of her hair. The landing this time was a lot rougher she cries out in pain upon the landing, staying where she fell and sobbing for a long time. Penelope tries to get up but is too injured and weak with hunger to stand. Footsteps pass overhead and she tries to call for help, but her voice fails her and the quite sound she gets out is not heard. She stays there cold, hungry and in pain, wishing for her family and trying to hold on until they find her, slipping in and out of consciousness. The last thing she sees before she blacks out for the last time is a floating cyan heart in front of her.

Sans stops talking and looks up at the group, their confused and devastated expressions making him glance away sighing before the questions they were sure to have spilt out.

Chapter Text

Toriel looks close to tears, devastated, she never found this child or even knew her name. Despite her best efforts she never did identify all the fallen humans, but to know this one died in her home, alone, hungry and in pain sends causes a whole other type of grief fill her. Tears roll down her cheeks morning the child she never met and couldn’t help, a child taken from this world too early. Asgore looks deep in thought, not wanting to be the first to speak as he suspects anything he does will upset Toriel more.
“THAT POOR HUMAN…” Papyrus speaks up breaking the silence that covered the group. His eye sockets damp with tears of his own. The group falls back into silence Frisk and Flowey look confused more than anything, but both have a spark of curiosity in their eyes having learnt this. Alphys looks confused more than anything else but doesn’t want to speak up yet, nervous that she might upset someone with her comments.

“What happened to the SOUL?” Undyne asks, everyone turns to look at her some with more confused looks than others.
“Well human SOULs persist after death, right? So, was there a SOUL in the underground we never found?” She elaborates.
“No,” Asgore responds after a few seconds “From what I gathered from Sans’ tale this would have been the human that fell down after Chara” he pauses “Making them the first SOUL collected”
Toriel looks up her old rage at the king of monsters rising back up, sparks flickering in her hands.
“And how, pray tell did you get this poor child’s SOUL from the Ruins?” Toriel asks her voice dark with rage and suppressed grief, a combination she knows all too well.
“The child’s…” Asgore pauses and restarts “The child was brought to me by one of the royal guards from Snowdin along with a Froggit who said they found the human in the Ruins, if memory serves me right that Froggit decided to stay in New Home.” He pointedly avoids mentioning that at this point the human was no longer alive. Toriel fumes and doesn’t meet his eyes, but her palms stop sparking.

After another silence falls over the group they hear an annoyed sigh.
“Not to be rude, but how is this related to you, Smiley Trashbag” Flowey says, his curiosity overriding the manners and patience he has learnt over the years. This comment gains him a glare from Toriel and very disappointed look from Frisk.
“I- I have a sim- similar question.” Alphys pipes up before Sans responds, Sans nods and looks at her to elaborate. Alphys pauses nervous and about to back out when Undyne nudges her and gestures for her to keep going, Alphys is reminded of why she loves her wife so much.
“Y- You told the story in such a way th-that makes it seem like you experienced it, n-not like it was t-told to you.” Alphys says before starting to ramble her voice speeding up quite a bit.
“Thatwasn’taquestionohmygodbutyouknowwhatImeanright?youknowwhatjustforgetit-”
“woah woah, chill out I get what you meant Alph” Sans cuts her off before she starts to spiral any more than she already is.
“to uh, answer your questions. short answer it’s complicated” Sans says, causing him to receive a lot of extremely unimpressed looks form everyone, he sighs.
“long answer is that I did experience it? sorta, wasn’t me but I remember it” Sans sighs loudly.
“I’m going by timeline order it makes more sense later, still it’s really complicated, and I’d rather do it when explaining the other thing, ok?” Sans expands
The others nod, and Flowey look disappointed by that answer and huffs a bit.

“this next bit is more context stuff, I know it happened but like wasn’t there didn’t quite exist yet” Sans starts after a minute or two.
“before you ask that will make more sense later,” He sighs “Paps, this part is going to be a lot for you, I know you have your suspicions and I am ok if this changes how you see me or if your mad I kept this from you”
Papyrus looks worried but nods at his brother, glancing at Undyne for support who playfully punches his shoulder. Asgore leans forwards to hear this next part better, And Grillby sparks with curiosity suspecting this will give him a lot of answers as to what he, Gerson and his old royal guard friends used to gossip about. The rest of the group looks confused.
“first things first, no, me and Papyrus are not related by blood” Sans states and looks at the rest of the group. Papyrus nods like he has suspected that for a long time, Undyne and Alphys both look shocked. Toriel nods accepting this information as she knows deeply that family can always be more than blood. Frisk and Flowey are both taken completely off guard as over all of their RESETs they never suspected the skeletons where not blood related. Asgore nods at the verbal acknowledgement of information that was already basically confirmed. Grillby gives Sans a look that reads ‘Obviously’.
“as some of you know, Papyrus’s mother was a previous captain of the royal guard named Serif.” Sans continued
“Papyrus is the only child she and her husband had, I don’t actually know much about Serif as I never met her. a lot of what I know about her came from Grillby and Gerson” Sans paused for a second.
“Grillbz you might have to help me out here ‘cause I only got like vague events of this next part.” Sans looks over to Grillby who nods.

“so when Paps was around 3 or 4 months old the third human fell into the Underground and from what little information I have, this human killed Serif, Grillbz can tell more details as I don’t know more than dat.” Sans started then gestures for Grillby to take over.
*The third human that fell was older than the one that came before not by much but older, they were less forgiving and more violent* Grillby signs
*They believed that once attacked they needed to fight until the enemy ran away, so there were quite a few monsters dusted. Serif tried to stop them in Waterfall while the rest of guard got everyone somewhere safe* Grillby’s hands start to shake but he continued to sign.
*Serif didn’t make it out but the human was heavily injured, and was taken down in the end by Gerson* Grillby lowered his hands and gestured to Sans.
Sans looks around the group surveying everyone’s expressions before speaking up.
“hows about a break?” He suggests everyone agrees. They can pick back up when everyone processes this. The group split up to collect themselves preparing for when they regroup as they are starting to get the feeling it’s going to get worse before it gets better.

Chapter Text

After about an hour the monsters and human regroup sitting back down, Papyrus nudging Sans awake once everyone is settled back down. Toriel and Asgore are sitting as far away from each other as they can, with tension that is reminiscent of the first few years after the fall of the barrier. Undyne is sitting a lot closer to Papyrus now, having figured out the Papyrus asked her to be here to support him more than anything else. Alphys looks a bit nervous but has the spark in her eyes that says she is ready to learn more. Grillby is sitting on a rock waiting patiently for Sans to continue, he has heard bits and pieces from Sans over the years and is glad the skeleton is ready to give any sort of context. Frisk and Flowey are back in their spot, curious and determined, but waiting for the others, impatiently in Flowey’s case.
“BROTHER, I THINK WE ARE ALL READY TO CONTINUE NOW” Papyrus says, his eyes showing the serenity in his words. Sans eyes soften at hearing Papyrus call him ‘brother’ with such force, he smiles relived that Papyrus still considers him family.
“if you’re sure” Sans starts “this is the last part before it makes sense as to how this is all relevant to me.”

“it starts with a human by the name of Clover”

Clover ventured to Mt. Ebbot with their head full of legends, their favorite cowboy hat, their revolver in its holster and a collection of 3 missing person flyers for children who were last seen on this mountain. Clover’s parents taught them that honesty and fairness were to be valued highly, on the farm they grew up on it helped them understand what each animal needed and that mistakes can be fixed if others are aware. These children who went missing were never found, and some not even looked for by authorities. Clover was going to find them or at the very least look for them because they all deserve for someone to go looking for them, it’s not fair for them to be forgotten. After hours and hours of searching the mountain Clover came upon a cave that is a ways off the path up the mountain, it would have been easy to miss as plants and rocks cover the entrance. The inside of the cave is dark so they find the torch they took with them, turning it on reveals the stone walls of the cave with a few chipped symbols that are almost lost to time, and a very large hole in the floor.

The hole is deep and seems to go on forever the light of the torch not reaching the bottom. As the torchlight reveals the edges of the hole Clover spots a small scrap of pink fabric, inspecting the fabric closer it looks to have been torn off of a tutu. The most recent missing poster from only a month of two ago was about someone who was last seen wearing a tutu, they had found it! Clover found a lead for where the missing children had gone. Looking closer at the hole in the ground for more clues they try to reach down and grab the scrap of fabric. They overbalance and despite their best efforts to regain their footing they fall, holding onto their hat on the way down.

Clover blinks adjusting to the change in lighting to see that they landed on a patch of flowers, buttercups specifically, they were much larger than the buttercups they found on the farm, and a few were squished like something other than Clover had recently landed on them. The sound of approaching footsteps from ahead of them startled Clover into action hand reaching for the unloaded revolver to scare whoever was about to find them if needed. Once they sat up, they saw a figure that Clover guesses is what a pure white award show goat evolved to be like humans but kept their features. The lady? Was wearing a purple robe, a symbol matching one on the archway she was standing under. Her fur was a brilliant shade of white that they had never seen on any of the animals on their farm, probably due to the fact it is impossible to keep any of them clean. The goat-ese lady seemed to look concerned, her red eyes worried but not put off by the weapon Clover was loosely holding.

“Oh, you poor child!” the lady speaks. Before Clover can respond the goat-like lady continues.
“I am Toriel, Caretaker of the Ruins. Do not worry I am not here to hurt you, You are safe here.” The lady – Toriel introduces herself, she has the aura of a worried parent and makes Clover feel safe, warm and protected. They lower the revolver and put it back into its holster with shaky hands. Clover stands up having regained their bearings before looking at Toriel and tipping their hat.
“Nice to meet ya, Toriel.” They greet “My name’s Clover”
“Let me guide you through the Ruins to my home so that I can help you recover from that nasty fall you took.” Toriel says with a smile offering her hand, Clover takes it and follows Toriel through the Ruins towards her home. They notice a lot of creatures interacting with one another, a ghost-bug looking thing, quite a few frogs who look unnerved by their presence here. After going past a few traps and puzzles they reach Toriel’s home. Where she insists that Clover have some pie and a rest.

Once Clover wakes up, they go into a cozy living room with a roaring fireplace giving the room beautifully warm lighting, Toriel is sitting in a very comfy looking chair in front of the fire.
“Excuse me, Miss Toriel” Clover starts “I have some questions if it’s not a bother for ya?”
“Of Course, My child ask away” Toriel responds, Clover pulls a bit of a face before speaking.
“Please call me Clover.” They say “‘pologies if this is rude but can I ask what ya are?”
Toriel nods, and giggles.
“It is not rude at all Clover” Toriel states before answering. “I am a monster, like all of the people down here in the Underground.” Clover looks confused causing Toriel to elaborate.
“You are now in the Underground, the home of monsterkind we used to roam to surface like humans do, but were sealed away a long time ago due to the monster human war.”
Clover nods then thinking about the flyers they have with them, asks.
“Have there been other humans to fall down here?”
Toriel sighs
“Yes, Humans have fallen into the Underground before, One only a few months ago. Despite the dangers of the Underground I have not been able to keep them from leaving the Ruins, I can only assume what has happened to them once they left.” Toriel explains her voice trailing off, not wanting to continue and admit what has undoubtedly happened to the other humans that have fallen. Clover nods.
“I’m lookn’ for the other humans who have fallen down here, can ya show me which way they went?” Clover asks, Toriel’s eyes fill with sadness not wanting to send them into the Underground alone.
“It is dangerous to leave the Ruins and explore the Underground a human, I can not ensure your safety if you leave, young child” Toriel says, her voice on the edge of pleading.
“Sorry miss, but I gotta find ‘em” Clover answers “I know it’s dangerous but they deserve for someone to find them, and ther’ families get some closure.” Their voice firm and final, Toriel sighs.
“I understand…” her voice trails off “I can not make you stay, but please be careful on your journey.”
“I will miss Toriel” Clover says with a tip of their hat before Toriel leads them to the exit of the ruins, her eyes shining with unshed tears knowing that no matter she does this child will leave.

Clover exits the ruins and is greeted by a cold gust of wind, the temperature difference causing them to shiver. They continue though the frozen forest, with tall trees they cannot figure out how they grow underground. They spot a few monsters on their path, all of whom seem scared and run away as soon as they see them. Clover wonders why they are all so scared. After a good 40ish minutes of walking they stumble into a small town, it looks like a Christmas town you would see in a holiday movie. The sign in says that the town is named ‘Snowdin’ they chuckle at the pun. The town seems empty of all people, despite the cheery appearance there is a somber feeling all over the town. Walking up to a shop that is open, they find a purple bunny monster who looks very off put by their presence.
“Howdy?” Clover asks “Could ya help me find a friend of mine? There woulda been a human who passed though ‘bout a month or so ago? Wearin a tutu.”
The bunny shopkeeper looks nervous but nods, her voice shaking as she responds.
“That horrible human went to Waterfall” Clover nods, the bunny monster looks terrified of them shaking badly.
“And where is Waterfall?” Clover asks nicely, the bunny monster gives them directions shaking.
“Thank you” Clover says as they leave wondering what the last human did that scared the shopkeeper that much, to cause that reaction when they asked about them.

Clover follows the bunny monster’s directions and enters Waterfall, once again the entire environment switches from freezing to cool, the snowy landscape replaced by blue stone walls with sparkling gems, flowing aqua waters that seem to glow softly, and these incredible magical flowers that repeat things back to them. Clover stopped checking the flowers when one of them started begging for mercy and crying before stopping abruptly. They start to get the feeling that the human who came past recently was not very nice, and why Toriel’s worries about danger seemed to be unnecessary. Continuing though Waterfall right as Clover is about to pass but a doorway that seems to be a shop as to not scare whoever is inside they hear a voice call out.
“Ya not even gonna stop and say hi to an old man?” the voice is a bit raspy, but loud and a bit joking in manner in the way people who have been through jail or war and know that not much can surprise them, sound jolly and joking. Clover smiles and walks though the doorway they heard the voice come from.
“Howdy then mister,” Clover greets who they can now tell is a very old monster who resembles a turtle.
“Most folks seem a bit scared of me, so I’m tryin’ not to be a bother” Clover continues and the old turtle man laughs.
“My name’s Gerson, and I ain’t scared of you kid.” Clover smiles.
“I’m Clover”
“What are you doing in the Underground human? Not many of your kind down here.” Gerson says in a joking manner
“I’m lookn’ for some missing kids who seem to have fallen down here” Clover states then pause before continuing “It seems like the last one to fall down here wasn’t the nicest…” they trail off
“That’s an understatement kiddo,” Gerson laughs “Also you’re a bit late to find anything other than their bodies.” He adds matter-of-factly, Clover’s eyes widen at this.
“W- What happened to them?” Clover asks their voice shaking with fear and a touch of rage at the deaths of these children who fell.
“Got killed either by the royal guards or the king, not many of your lot fall down here so we gotta get human SOULs whenever we can.” He states while shrugging “King’s orders and all that.”
“Why is your KING, collecting human SOULS ‘pecially from kids who haven’t done anythin’ wrong!” Clover states loudly their eyes full of rage, children do not deserve to die this young, and do not deserve to be harvested for their bodies.
“Kid, some of them deserved it” Gerson says, and Clover glares hand resting on their revolver. “The last one, killed a lot of monsters, my friend and the captain of the royal guard one of them, leaving behind a son who is barely 6 months old. Who I haven’t seen since they fell, people are say they killed him.”
Clover looks horrified and the old man sighs and continues.
“For monsters to leave the Underground and break the barrier, that’s what’s keeping us stuck down here, the king, Asgore needs seven human SOULs” Gerson explains
“Monsters didn’t kill humans at first, hell the first one that fell down here was adopted by the King and Queen” he laughs “But times change and Monsters down here need hope, we want to see the sun again, or for the first time. The kids down here don’t deserve to be stuck here due to a war caused by a human king who was scared of monsters” Gerson sighed, Clover looked conflicted and took their hat off and held it in their hands.
“My pops said, da everyone no matter their differences or race deserve to be free. He also said, dat kids shouldn’t pay for their parents’ choices.” Clover says looking down at their hat before looking up at Gerson.
“Monsters should be free, but you can’t be hurting innocents to get there, if they are bad people you can punish ‘em but your king should give ‘em a choice. They didn’t choose to fall down here, so ya can’t hurt ‘em just for dat.” Clover says
“You’ve got a good head on your shoulders kiddo” Gerson smiles “Asgore’s a real softie make sure you tell him that when you reach him” He chuckles “And there’s a boat just south of here that will take you to Hotland, just tell them, I sent ya and they’ll drop you of so you can walk over to the apartments and get the elevator to the castle to chat with King Asgore” He grabs the hat from their hands and places it back on their head ruffling their hair slightly.
“Thank you, Gerson” Clover says smiling before turning to leave to have a chat with King Asgore.

Clover immediately understands why this place is called ‘Hotland’, it’s sweltering and making them miss the cold snow from the start of their journey. Walking around Hotland seems to consist of platforms above a large pool of magma, there is a large industrial building the seems to be under construction despite looking very finished to them. Having gotten more explicit directions from the River Person in the form of a fun little song, Clover navigates their way toward the apartments and to Asgore. The monsters in this area of the Underground seem to be more angry, than scared, meaning that Clover takes extra care to avoid them as they are not looking for a fight. They almost manage to reach the apartments without any interactions, but before just before they reach their destination. Clover sees a monster, it looks like a coil of rope with a fire ball bouncing on top of it, it seems to be cornering another monster one that looks like a cat that one seems to be crying and trying to get away from the fire-rope monster. Clover
Clover immediately understands why this place is called ‘Hotland’, it’s sweltering and making them miss the cold snow from the start of their journey. Walking around Hotland seems to consist of platforms above a large pool of magma, there is a large industrial building the seems to be under construction despite looking very finished to them. Having gotten more explicit directions from the River Person in the form of a fun little song, Clover navigates their way toward the apartments and to Asgore. The monsters in this area of the Underground seem to be more angry, than scared, meaning that Clover takes extra care to avoid them as they are not looking for a fight. They almost manage to reach the apartments without any interactions, but before just before they reach their destination. Clover sees a monster, it looks like a coil of rope with a fire ball bouncing on top of it, it seems to be cornering another monster one that looks like a cat that one seems to be crying and trying to get away from the fire-rope monster. Clover couldn’t walk past that and let that cat monster be hurt so they walked over and spoke up.
“Hey! Stop scaring that cat monster!” both monsters look at them shocked, the cat monster looks a bit awed that they stepped in to help.
“What are you going to do about it human?” the rope monster laughed. Clover places their hand on the revolver on their hip and glares. The rope monster laughs and throws fireballs at them.
“Let’s see if you can beat the heat” the rope monster jokes. Clover startled runs to avoid the attack once the attack was over, they speak up again panting.
“Don’t do that again, just leave them alone and we can stop this.” They say offering a way out, the rope monster ignores them and while Clover is catching their breath attacks again, this time one of the fireballs hits them. They cry out in pain and instinctively point the empty revolver at the monster and pulls the trigger, three times holding their burned arm wanting the monster to stop hurting them. The rope monster cries out in pain and then collapses into dust. Clover freezes, tears filling their eyes the cat monster looks terrified.
“It was empty, why did it hurt them it was empty” Clover mutters and drops the revolver tears falling down their cheeks. They look over at the shaking cat monster and ask.
“It didn’t have bullets, it makes sound but doesn’t do anything why did it hurt them” Clover sounds devastated. “I just wanted them to stop attacking me, not…” their voice trails into a sob. The cat monster looks up still shaking.
“Intent to hurt works just as well as an actual weapon, monsters are made of magic, and magic is primarily intent so intent can hurt us.” The cat monster stutters out.
“I’m sorry” Clover repeats over and over, kicking the revolver away from them. The cat monster picks it up and scampers off leaving a pile of dust where the rope monster used to be. Clover takes of their hat and places it on the ground next to the dust.
“That was unfair of me, you didn’t deserve that” Clover says to the dust “Rest well, I’m so sorry.” Clover stands up tears still on their cheeks and walks over to the apartment and the elevator ignoring everything else around them, ready to talk to Asgore and be punished for their actions.

The walk though the castle is a blur of tears, Clover only refocuses when they reach a room that seems to glow gold. There are pillars that shine, the orange and yellow checkered floor gleams in the light and the stained-glass windows that line the hall hold the symbol that was on Toriel’s robes. In this hall there stands a tall goat monster with a royal purple cape, a golden crown and a beard, it was the king, Asgore. They approach the king who looks at them surprise and a profound sadness in his eyes.
“King Asgore, I wish to speak with you.” Clover says their voice soft and raspy due to the tears.
“As you wish human, we can speak over tea.” The king responds, Clover shakes their head.
“Asgore, I want to give you my SOUL to help monsterkind leave the Underground” Asgore freezes looking curious.
“I have one request of you” Clover says, Asgore nods urging the human to continue.
“I am not a good human, I hurt, no I killed one of your people” they sob “But not all humans are like me, or the one who fell down recently.” Clover powers on
“The next time a human falls, please judge them fairly.
If they don’t hurt anyone, don’t hurt them, talk to them, find a compromise once they find their way to you.
If they hurt others give them the end they deserve for their actions, but don’t hurt them needlessly.
Monsters deserve to be free and see the sun, but the innocent humans who fall do not deserve to die for the actions of their ancestors.”
Once Clover finishes this speech they look up at Asgore whose eyes hold sadness and the weight of a kingdom. He considers the humans request before responding.
“You have a strong SOUL,” his eyes harden “I will keep your words in mind for next time.”
Clover smiles and looks down to see a floating yellow heart in front of their chest, Asgore holds out a jar, one designed to hold SOULs without damaging them. Clover cups the yellow heart and hands it to Asgore, watching as he places it in the jar then closes the lid. They feel their SOUL disconnect from their body, collapsing watching Asgore turn his face away holding the jar with their SOUL, Clover’s eyes slip shut for the last time.

Chapter Text

Sans looks up at his friends absent-mindedly rubbing at his chest. Grillby seems to be a touch shocked at how well this lines up with what Gerson has said about this fallen human. Papyrus looks heartbroken for the poor child, but at the same time proud of the kid and their willingness to help monsterkind. Undyne’s eyes are full of awe that the fallen human held so strongly to their beliefs, that despite the situation they acted like a hero. Alphys looks shaken and heartbroken that the human died but inspired by the way that admitted to their mistakes and didn’t fight the consequences unlike she did with some of her more questionable science experiments. Frisk and Flowey both look pensive, Frisk is thinking about how the human reacted to killing a monster and how once they did, they keep their morals and stopped regretting it unlike they did in some of the earlier timelines… Flowey is wondering how they accepted their errors but still held their ground on their opinions despite what they did, not trying to justify the murder of the monster like he has done, time and time again.

The two goat monsters both have guilt in their eyes but very different kinds. Toriels eyes are shining with unshed tears, she doesn’t feel she deserves to release.
“I should have stopped them” she says only just loud enough for the group to hear, “I didn’t try as hard as I did with the others!” her voice shakes with rage at herself.
“I was too wrapped up in the guilt of the what the previous child did, that I just let the poor child slip by.” Her voice is shaking with emotions, her rage mixing with grief, and so much regret. She cuts off her rant with a long exhale and sits down, her eyes still shining. Asgore looks down at his hands sorrow in his eyes, he glances at Toriel before speaking up.
“I remember that one very well, they came so soon after the one that spread so much dust, the one that I should have gone and dealt with myself before it got so far out of hand.” He says more to get it off his chest than the desire for the others to know.
“They made me think, their speech of morality the guilt of their actions” he pauses.
“The way that they viewed my actions, how they saw them as justified or at least explainable, but had issues with the death of innocents for the cause.” Asgore reached up to adjust the collar of his shirt.
“I reflected a lot on that human, and what they said, what they did,” his eyes close remembering the moment.
“How they decided our freedom was worth their life, but that I should still try to be fair to the ones who fell after them.” Asgore looks up and glances at Toriel. Silence covers the group as the royals both sit with their sorrows and guilt.

*the cat monster that Clover helped, was that Catty?* Frisk signs. Sans pauses and thinks about it for a few seconds.
“I believe they are related a sibling if memory serves me right, but it’s kinda fuzzy, just remember thinkin’ they looked like one of my- sorry, Clover’s cats think ‘er name as Mittens?” Sans nods, his accent significantly thicker than anyone has heard it before, he shrugs and waits to see if anyone else has anything to say before he continues. Hearing a crackling of flames, they look over to Grillby who signs.
*This was the very start of when Papyrus went missing*
Everyone except Asgore who nods at the bartender makes various sounds of confusion.
“WHEN I WENT MISSING?” Papyrus asked. Grillby pauses slightly shocked that the taller skeleton didn’t know of this.
*Yes, you went missing for a bit over 3 years, it was suspected for a while that the human that killed your mother also killed you* the fire monster signs as the rest of the group look bewildered.
*You showed up again with Sans who nobody knew anything about claiming to be your brother, and no one ever got an explanation of what happened, big source of gossip back when you were young.* Grillby finishes. The group falls into silence, then slowly turns to look at Sans.
“You going to explain that?” Undyne asks slight sarcasm in her tone. Sans sighs and nods.

“so that whole mess starts with Papyrus’s father, the royal scientist before Alphys the man who made the CORE, a skeleton by the name of Wing Dings Gaster or dr W.D Gaster for short”, right before anyone started with the questions about why they don’t know who he is, Sans continues “a man erased form history and memory but that stuff doesn’t really matter until later.”
“once Serif was killed Gaster buried himself in his research, while caring for his son. he was trying to find an alternative way to break the barrier, Gaster specialized in SOUL research and magic leading to him getting a hold of the currently captured human SOUls”

Alphys raises a hand before lowering it embarrassed.
“That would make Dr Gaster the one who made the DETERMINATION research I used, as well as the old samples I found.” She asked, Sans nodded.
“yes that would have been his work, he studied the SOULs and created extractors to get samples and vials of things such as SOUL traits, DETERMIATION and the structure of human SOULs” Sans rubs at his arm and rolled his shoulder like he’s trying to remove tension from his non-existent muscles; he sighs and closes his eyes, he can feel Alphys and her burning questions but brushes over them for now.
“Gaster was trying to create artificial human SOULs to break the barrier, he had been working getting very close when his wife Serif died, then his motives changed…” Sans trails off, and uncomfortable atmosphere settles over the group.
“he was concerned that once the barrier fell, there would be another war and to win it monsters would need a weapon, one that can use magic and follow orders, like a robot but harder to destroy.” Sans’s eyelights flickered and sense of dread filled the gathered monsters, no liking what this information was pointing to.

“the doctor started with robots, using his knowledge of SOULs and MAGIC to create what he called Artificial Protection and Weaponry Machines, or APWMs. these were promising for a while until to use the type of magic and theoretical abilities the APWMs would need a SOUL, one that could be tampered with, one that could be edited while still being strong enough to fight a human and withstand human traits and DETERMINATION. so, the doctor tried a different approach using the APWMs as a blueprint and letting the models gather dust.”
Sans’s eyelights vanish leaving his sockets dark voids. His hands shake slightly, he evens his breath then continues to talk not letting the others comment, so that he can’t back out of this.

“using his magic, a few of his attacks and in one of the prototypes a small chip of his bone, then combining that with some of the human SOUL traits and DETERMINATION he created a weapon with a SOUL, but no conscience or sentience he called them Artificial Magic Support Devices, or AMSDs. after several rounds of prototypes and failures, he learnt that the AMSDs need to have more physicality to be successful and that the best way to create the type of physicality needed and simplify the process of adding the human traits, he needed to start with human matter not just their SOULs.”
Sans voice shakes but he doesn’t stop, unaware of the panicked and confused looks the rest of the group is sharing, his smile doesn’t waver if anything it looks larger like a mask rather than an expression. His voice is shaky and full of emotion, but he doesn’t stop, if he does he will never tell anyone and he will have to deal with this alone for the rest of his life.
“the doctor goes to the king with his findings but not his intentions saying that ‘to make the artificial human SOULs he needs some human matter’ the king granted his request and let the doctor go into the room that held the coffins of the fallen humans. the doctor collected bones from the 4 fallen humans, to test with. he made two prototypes before starting on the final project, to figure out which sections work the best and which combinations create the best results for what he was after.”
Sans rubs at his left radius, shaking to the point the others could notice, but he continues to talk, the others calls if he is alright or if he needs a break falling on deaf ears.

“the final product, W.D.G S4-KR-PJDT, AMSD v41. was created using the bone of the first human SOUL and the most recent human SOUL, it was designed with a small fraction of the doctor’s physical form with the magic signature removed. it was made with the intelligence and maturity of a 20 year old, due to how it was made it could not grow, it had the capacity for major magic reserves, the capacity to hold human traits and DT, it took damage in a way that made it hard to destroy, and a SOUL that could be edited without major consequences.”
Sans pauses for a second here, his breathing shallow and his voice flat as he continues.

“this one was different, it was sentient, it was alive, but the doctor figured that out later and by the time he did, he was in too deep to care that it was. he just kept going like it wasn’t.”

Silence covers the group, everyone looking horrified and scared, with a hollow laugh that wasn’t a sob, but was close Sans speaks again.
“once I saw it’s file I saw that the day it was created wasn’t marked, it was just day 0 with no date, so Frisk that is why I don’t know my birthday.”
Before anyone could respond Sans vanishes leaving no trace it was ever there.