#random guard

Random thoughts from the writer about this chapter: I had originally titled this chapter “I’m floundering here” because, you know, puns. But, I think this title fits better. And I was thinking of the Barenaked Ladies song “Who needs Sleep” when I retitled it.

The Door

Chapter 10: Who Needs Sleep?

Sans stood in front of the door. Around him, wind blew through the pine trees, creating a haunting, echoing, yet hollow sound. It carried with it a lack of joy, a cold reminder that the world he knew was unforgiving. All he wanted now was something, anything, that could bring him some measure of warmth or comfort.

Time continued ticking by as he tried and failed to get a response for the lady behind the door. He had lost track of how many times he had knocked, while inwardly pleading he would hear her voice in response. But each time, he received nothing but silence.

No, that's a lie. It had only been 21 sets of knock, each set consisting of two knocks. It was simple math to figure out he has knocked a total of 42 times. 42 knocks that went from quick and close together to slow, defeated. Dread, of what fate had befallen her, slowly raised in the back of his mind now that the number of knocks was solidified.

The fact his mind brought that up irritated him. That the reason why he was still trying to ignore that he knew how many times he knocked. That he knew, in all the time he had come to the door since meeting her, she had never left him knocking for this long before. Also, he didn't want to admit how dependent he was on her. Or, how desperate he felt.

A shiver traveled up his spine, which felt odd. He wasn't rattling, and the cold didn't bother him. It was something else. A mix of fear, anxiety, a want to fight, and an ever-growing desire to just… stop. He had felt this want for nothingness before, but not this strong.

This thought to cease existing left him conflicted. It felt right and wrong all at the same time. As if it were a pleasant dream with the terrifying undertones of a nightmare, waiting to drag him in. Fighting against it was harder than just giving in, but he didn’t want to just turn to dust. It’s not what his brother or the lady would have wanted.

But with his brother gone it is so much easier to not worry about that...

And the lady not answering...

was she also…?

There were many things he gave up on. There was also an introverted sense of not needing others around to be happy. But this? Being alone? It was terrifying, and as hollow sounding as the wind.

He stared up at the door, feeling the shivering increases, causing a false rattling sound.

“it could be worse…,” he shuttered, teeth clacking together, no matter how tightly he tried to clench his jaw. With a sigh, he glanced down at the red piece cloth, clutched in his mittened hand. He could see specks of his brother’s dust embedded into the material, and tears filled his sockets.

The ability to stand on his own gone, Sans leaned against the door and tried to focus on something else. In this timeline, he was alone.

He told himself to stop it. After all, that might not be completely true. Old Lady could still be alive. Also, the human hadn’t even made it to Undyne yet, either. He wasn't truly alone; a past timeline self, he doesn't remember yet, insists he knows what it is to really be alone.

But, was it worth it to hope she might not be a pile of dust behind this door. Hoping was starting to take a lot more energy than he thought he had. It was a responsibility he had left for Papyrus. Now, he had to do all the hoping himself. And that could include that she just might not be there right now. After all this time, and all the knocks she has answered, she was bound to not answer him eventually. Right?

The law of probability states that her not answering is possible, and considering this isn’t their normal meeting time, that percentage increases. But does it increase enough to outweigh the growing percentage of her being dead? Or to beat his fears and, ever growing, defeatist personally.

“Lady, i don’t know if you can hear me, and just aren’t answering… not there and doing something else that’s important… or, uh, can’t hear anymore at all,” the last part came out darker than he intended. “See, the human… they, well…”

There was so much he wanted to say, but the words weren’t coming. He felt trapped by his inability to speak the words in his head.

“If you are… well, not there anymore… would you forgive me if I broke the promise?” He then sighed and slid his left hand down his face to his mouth. It rested there, as if trying to hide his worn and stress taut grin. “Heh, who am i kidding? The real question is if i can forgive myself. I said i wouldn’t attack the human, right? Keep an eye on ‘em. Well… let’s just say, it is a hard promise to keep,” Sans heard himself laugh bitterly. It was all he could do to keep down the sobs boiling beneath the surface. He wasn’t sure he was ready to cry.

“I won't break the promise, even though you're…,” he paused, noticing his wording. ‘Even though’ not ‘even if’. It sounded more definitive, more set in the belief she is dead. His eye sockets darkened and Sans slumped down into the snow.

He felt so, painfully, alone.

  Toriel opted out of taking Alphys’s offer of sleeping at the lab. It seemed smarter to spend the night in Waterfall and then move out again once they were rested. There are more guards in Hotland, and she was worried a sentry spotted them, taking away any element of surprise.

They had been so careful, moving around the cameras that Alphys had set. The only one that would have seen them was unavoidable. The camera set in front of her door. Apparently, Sans didn't ever know about that one the night he took Toriel Grillby’s, and Undyne saw the video feed the next morning when Alphys was reviewing them.

It was part of the scientist’s responsibilities, watch and review the cameras for humans. “H-had she not been standing th-there, right behind me, I n-never would have t-told her,” Alphys had apologized.

“That is alright, you can't help if she happened to be there,” Toriel had said to calm her down. When Toriel asked if there was a chance someone could see them now, Alphys explained she changed the video feed with recordings of a normal night.

The sentry that might have seen them, had been near the border of Snowdin and Waterfall, at what had been one of Sans’s stations- according to Alphys. They slipped by when the sentry was distracted, but both were sure they were seen.

Even if they did remain unseen, Toriel didn't trust going to the lab. Alphys didn’t tell Undyne she would be away, and the Empress might choose to visit. After all, talking with Alphys, Toriel has learned Undyne enjoys watching something called anime with the scientist.

Toriel didn't want to rest, she felt fine, and would have continued going. Her goal of getting back Sans as soon as possible giving her strength. Based on all she had heard, her dear one needed help. But the short-legged dinosaur, traveling with her, just couldn't keep up anymore.

The two found a safe and dry side cavern that was near the entrance to Hotlands. Alphys told Toriel to just leave her behind, but that felt wrong. Besides, if what Grillby said about Alphys and Undyne was true, she may come in use. Toriel didn't want to fight. Not that she won't or can't. It is a matter of memories from the last war, she no longer wanted to have her magic cause such harm.

Depending on what she will see, Toriel is unsure if she could hold back her wrath. It will be far different than her last fight. When she fought the human child, she could not bring herself to harm them once they were injured.

No.

The human dodged her every attack with admirable grace. Why did she think otherwise?

Unless…

Toriel looked over at Alphys who was still getting comfortable. She felt like she should wait, and ask Sans, but the question was bothering her. Instead, she thought of a similar one to ask.

“Alphys, when I met the child, it felt like I was greeting an old friend. And I felt like I knew things about them. Is that because of these ‘resets?’” Toriel asked.

The dinosaur flinched and took her glasses off, stalling as she cleaned the lenses on her lab coat. “W-well, I, um, …,” she put her glasses back on, and sighed, “o-over all, my knowledge on r-resets is limited, for, well, u-understandable reasons.” She smiled an awkward, unsure smile.

“That may be true, but you know more about the subject than I do. All I desire to know, based on what you know, would that be the probable cause?” Toriel again asked, with patience.

“Based p-purely on my u-understanding, I would h-hypothesize that y-yes, the, um, feeling you h-had were the results of a, um, re-reset,” despite the hesitant nature of her words, there was a confidence hidden in her tone. All her time dealing with Sans, and needing to decode his hidden meanings, made her sensitive to that subtle change.

So, with that answer in mind, Toriel wondered if she had fought the child before? Did they know how she fights well enough to master dodging her attacks?

How many times would someone have to fight another to master dodging that well?

That thought caused a chill to travel from her soul and through the rest of her body. She shivered while trying to subtly smooth her fur, feeling the odd sensation of it standing on end. Once calmer, again she wondered how many times that level of mastery would that have taken? Or, was it as she originally thought, and the child was just talented at dodging?

That would all depend on if the child remembered the resets. And for that answer, she would only trust what Sans had to say. “Thank you, Dr. Alphys. That was most helpful.”

“Oh, uh, yes, I-I mean, y-you’re welcome. Though, well, I w-would need to c-confer with, um, Doctor… I-I mean, S-Sans to g-give you a definitive answer.”

“Doctor?”

“Hm?” Alphys replied as she started to settle back to sleep.

“You were about to say a name. A Doctor Someone. Who was it?” Toriel asked.

“Oh, well, um, about that. W-we, that is, Sans and I, would c-call each o-other Doctor when we were t-talking science stuff.”

Alphys had that grin again. An insecure expression that left Tori wondering what she was so nervous about. The scientist was holding information back perhaps? Toriel was getting tired of this.

When she was queen, she had little patience for all this secret keeping. And right now, considering the current situation, this was all really starting to annoy her. Alphys must have noticed, as she looked away and hummed a little tune for self-comfort.

No, she won't let her frustration get the better of her. For now, she will let that be. She was keener on getting answers from Undyne and, more importantly, her love. She feigned a content smile, like she had when needing to settle scared children. When Alphys glanced back, the dinosaur relaxed, making it easy for Toriel to add, “Let’s rest, thank you for sharing that information with me.”

“Y-you’re welcome,” the dinosaur replied, happily.

  At this point, Sans no longer knew if he wanted sleep or to slip into a comma. Anytime he started to doze off some gruesome image would snap him awake. Once he tried yelling for Undyne, only for a guard to snap at him to ‘shut up.’ He wanted to taunt the guard back, but lacked the motivation for the effort.

That, and it didn't seem like a wise idea.

The gift remained under the pillow, still wrapped. At times, when he laid his head down, it was there, an ever-present hard object reminding him of his failures. He even slipped his hand under to hang onto it, resulting in a feeling of anguished peace, which oddly calmed his turbulent soul.

He had curled up on his side, watching the lightly picked at food tray. He didn't know how many he had seen now. Really. For once, he truly did not know. It was an odd feeling compared to his normal wishful thinking, that if he pretended he didn't the number would leave his head. But, for as much as he had desired this moment, it irritated him. It is just as annoying as losing track of the days. There was a strange abnormality to that feeling. He would almost find it terrifying if his dreams weren't so horrific.

A monster entered the dungeon, snagging his attention as the barely eaten food is pulled away and a new tray is placed in its stead. It looked just as inedible as the last, and he felt no desire to get up to confirm that.

After the monster left, he heard the guard say quietly, “You should eat more.”

“...i haven’t been hungry, guess you can say i don’t have the stomach for it,” He joked, though there is a sharp edge to his words. When she didn’t reply, he figured he went too heavy with his resentment in the reply. Still, he didn’t care to apologize right now.

Giving up, he rolled over, turning his back to the food tray. To his surprise, and her credit, the guard spoke up again, “Undyne will come, and you will need to strength for then.”

Sans turned his head and sat up to look at the guard through the bars. She was a white and black rat; though she had a scar across the bridge of her nose, she wore a peaceful expression. It was clear she was only trying to help, but his mood had soured, “will she? really? because i’ve been waiting a while now, and i’m starting to think she’s just a figment of everyone’s imagination.”

The guard looks like she is about to speak, but then closes her mouth. He sighed, turning his back to her and the bars. Resting his head against the wall, the silence was numbing as he ran out of things to think about. There was nothing left to do other than stew over what was keeping him here, yet again. But just as his mind started to turn to that, guard said quietly, “I… I am not supposed to say this, but… Toriel was seen heading to Hotlands.”

At that news, Sans turned back to face her quickly. The cell spun on him while his vision darkened momentarily, but he didn't care, “tori? tori was seen outside the ruins?” This was troubling. What would Undyne do if she caught Toriel. What would Toriel do?

And yet, he felt a glimmer of hope.

“That is what I have heard,” the guard turned her attention to the door out, listening, clearly worried about being overheard.

“thanks for telling me, i’ll say nothing about it to anyone, alright?” Sans saw her relax and nod in response.

With new found hope, he looked down for a moment at the food. It didn’t look any more edible, but there was a slight feeling of hunger, so he moved from the bed to the floor and, with some effort, ate. Pap’s cooking was far more edible than this slop. Once done he slide the tray out and went to his bed to try sleeping.

  Time barely crawled by. Alphys was snoring lightly a few feet away, but the constant dripping of water from the cavern ceiling was disturbing Toriel. That sound was irritating with her mind flooding her consciousness with endless thoughts and concerns.

How was Sans? How difficult will it be to free him? Will he talk to her about these resets? Will she like what she hears?

That was a given. No, she won't like what she hears. Good things don't cause nightmares. If it was the resets that disturbed his sleep, then the answer to that one night and why he curled up on the floor, ready to die, is there. And why was the child mentioned in his notebook? Are they involved in this or somehow causing these resets? She couldn’t imagine them being the one who caused such suffering.

And yet, they killed Papyrus. Even though she never met the monster, the idea felt unconscionable. And if it was them causing the resets, then they left him dead even though they could clearly change that. That is, of course, if the child really is the one resetting. It was an assumption at this point, but one she is fears is true.

 more loops with the kid in the hallX5, did not see end this time. did not see trick.

the brat killed me and came back to kill me again.

 This was too much, and she was getting no rest. Giving in, she decided to get up and walk around a little. The only thing sitting there was doing was making her more anxious about what she will hear.

Or worry about what condition Sans will be in when she sees him.

Exiting the small cavern, she glanced around, wondering where she should go. She knew Gerson lived around here but she did not know exactly where. It would be nice to have a chat with the old turtle. He had been a friend of the family, and perhaps he would also have some insight she could use.

Just as she was about to wander in a direction, a small, white, furry creature appeared before her. It was a dog, and it just stood there, looking at her with an odd, goofy smile. When she smiled back at it, the dog started to walk in place while wagging its tail. That odd reaction nearly caused her to laugh. “Are you that little annoying dog I used to hear about?” She asked, remembering stories about it from Sans. After all, it couldn’t be the same white dog that ate her cell phone, how would it have gotten past the stone doors?

The dog started to move, and Toriel decided to follow, curious. As she did, the dog picked up its pace, causing her to speed up as well. But it wasn’t trying to run away. It always turned and waited before rounding a corner, making sure she was following. Reason told her it was silly to follow a dog like this, and yet she wanted to see where it was going.

At one of the new paths. she turned the corner and didn’t see the dog anywhere insight. What was there was a small port to the river and the very turtle monster she had set out to look for. He was sitting on a stone, watching the water while taking a drink from a mug. Toriel walked closer, and was ready to greet him. The old turtle beat her to it though, “Is that Toriel I hear?”

“Hello, Gerson,” Toriel smiled and walked beside the wise monster.

The turtle let out one loud, bark of a cackle. “I thought so,” he looked over at her with his one good eye, “I would have to get a lot older before I forget the sound of those foot falls.”

“I’m sorry I didn't come to speak with you before returning to the Ruins,” Toriel found a rock near him and sat, she glanced around again for the dog. Oddly enough, she saw no trace of it, as if it had mastered Sans’s shortcuts itself.

Gerson waved the apology away, “Bah, no reason for that. You were busy, I was busy. Frankly, the whole thing was organized chaos. And I hate to say, but it’s also my fault for all that happened. As much yours or that lad’s. Which is why I’m here.”

“Gerson? How can it be your fault?” Toriel frowned.

“I found Undyne when she was younger. Spry little thing she was. I helped raise her, was like a Gran’dad to her. When she left to challenge Asgore to a duel, I supported her, knowing he’d help her more than I could. He was like a father for her,” Gerson sighed, sorrow weighing on his already heavy shell.

“When the child left, it was more than her best friend she lost,” Toriel said in a hushed tone, understanding now.

“Yes, and I wasn't there for her,” old turtle looked at her, “As her last parental figure I shoulda done somethin. But, I didn't. I let my little girl run amuck, thinking she’d get this outta her system. I figured she would rant and throw a fit like she did when she was younger. Thing is, she’s not some little girl anymore. She's a woman, with grownup responsibility and power. In a way, she did rant and throw a fit, but with the influence of the captain of the Royal Guard.

“I don't know what her life was like before. Some fish monsters are very secretive, keeping to themselves. But she never spoke of her parents, or any siblings. When Papyrus showed up at her house at midnight, or such, her first thought of him as a pest, but potential guard.

“Over time, she started talking about him as if he were her brother. And she became very protective of him. Undyne made her own family, and in one day, she lost most of it,” Gerson ran a hand over his beard.

The two sat, listening to the river as their minds contemplate the words said. All the anger Toriel felt started to die down as understanding took its place. “Thank you, wise friend.”

“Ha! Wisecracker is more like it,” the old turtle grinned. Toriel laughed and Gerson joined in. A boat arrived at the dock, ending that moment between old friends. Gerson stood, his joints popping as he did, “Never known you to take so long before.”

“Tra la la. There was too much traffic today…,” the River Person said.

“Oh, when did we get a ferry?” Toriel asked.

“Not sure, they just showed up one day. Shall we?” Gerson turned to Toriel.

“Thank you, but I was traveling with Dr. Alphys. I do not want to leave her behind,” Toriel smiled and stood, extending a paw to Gerson.

“Ah, smart move,” Gerson winked. “Well, you'll still beat me there, I’m sure. These old legs aren't what they used to be.”

“Gerson, you may say that, but I’m sure you’d still be a terror on a battlefield,” Toriel smiled softly.

With a laugh Gerson said, “I said my legs were old not my arms. They could still wield my warhammer as if it were a toy.”

The two shared a laugh, the kind of laugh that those who went through something like war together could share. Gerson started to get on the boat when he paused, “She respect strength and passion for whatever a person is pursuing. I think she sees you as weak for leaving in the past. Then when you came back, you backed down without a fight.

“Show her the Toriel I once knew,” the old turtle monster then laughed, “you’ll have Alphys there to keep you both inline.”

“Are you saying I should fight her?” Toriel asked, verifying what she heard.

“Maybe not right away, but a duel never hurt anyone.”

Then they parted ways, Gerson on the boat, and Toriel back towards Alphys.

Doctor Alphys was standing outside the cavern, wringing her hands, while pacing anxiously. Upon seeing Toriel, relief washed over her face, as if dumped from a bucket above her.

“I’m sorry, I couldn't rest and thought I should go see a friend of mine while you slept,” Toriel smiled, “If you are ready now, we can get going.”

“O-oh, yes,” Alphys nodded, and the two began walking.

  Sans did manage to doze a little, it was not enough to feel rested, but at least he didn’t feel worse. The food he ate also helped, and he didn’t feel as weak as he did before. But really, it was the thought of Toriel that kept him going.

Sitting up for a moment, he stretched his spine while rubbing the back of his neck. The inhibitor was causing the vertebra it was attached to start to ache, but he knew better than to futz with it, aware it would do more than set off an alarm.

With a sigh, he glanced around his gray surroundings, wishing there was something else to do. Interrupting his thoughts, the door to dungeon slammed open, hitting the wall it is framed to with a loud clang. Startled, Sans struggled to keep his magic in check as it started to swell up in reaction. His efforts were in vain, the shock and forced lowering of his magic from the inhibitor resulted in his vision temporarily deadening, as well as cursing to himself.

A voice bellowed, “Out, and you all stay here, I’m talking to him alone.” The voice snapped him out of his pained daze. For the moment, his vision was mostly dark and what he could see was blurred. As his magic started to filter to his eye sockets, he watched Undyne finally walked into his view.

The fish monster stared at him with her one eye, snarling as she did. She was looking him over as if assessing him. He didn’t care, it’s not like she looked that good herself. The fish monster’s scales have dulled and her eye looked tired.

“and here i trout i’d never get to see that smile again,” Sans winked, acting like everything was normal. But the good humor is missing from his voice; his mood had gone from soured to rotten, and he wasn’t sure if he could muster up any politeness.

Undyne snorted and rolled her eye, “Ah yes, funny as ever.”

He stood, slowly, knowing better than not to. Still cursing the lack of pockets to stick his hands in, he folded his arms. He had no idea what he looked like; but, he could guess from the feeling of himself swaying from time to time. His eyes lighted blinked out more for the sake of conserving energy than intimidation, “how’ve you ever been, undyne? why’ve you come to see me?”

“And here I thought you wanted to talk to me,” Undyne retorted.

“wall-eye did,” Sans grinned darkly as Undyne flinched at the fish pun. “water-ver it was i wanted to talk about i unfortunately forgot.”

“Keep that up and you can just stay in there,” Undyne snapped.

His eyes narrowed, “so what? you planning on letting me go? spoke to al?”

“I did,” Undyne frowned, “and she showed me that tape and told me what you had to say for yourself.”

“so, what then? you still think i’m guilty?”

She grabbed the cell door with one hand and snarled, “Oh course I do! You didn’t fight back, you just rolled over and let it happen. Even with all that timeline crap I never would just give up like you.”

His right eye socket twitched as he felt a new burst of anger. Fine, he was done with this, all of this, “are you kidding me? undyne, you have no idea how i got like this, so please save your self-righteous judgements for someone who actually gives a damn.”

The two stared each other down before Undyne let go of the door and stood back, “No, I don’t. I honestly knew little of you or your brother, even if I did think of him as my best friend. But, I doubt your brother would have given up.”

“heh, you're right, he wouldn’t have,” Sans shrugged, “instead he’d try helping the anomaly, over and over again, no matter how many times it killed him. he’d show it mercy. just as i know, if he was alive now, and saw this, he’d get you to release me and then forgive both of us. because he is papyrus, it’s just that way he was.”

“That is why I could never let him be a guard, and you know it,” Undyne frowned, pointing at Sans, “Alphys relayed to me what you said, and believe me when I say I wanted to come down here and smash your smug face in. I would have let him join, but your brother was too soft, he would have gotten himself killed.”

“no, your ideas for the guard made him too soft to you,” Sans snapped back, “he was a peace keeper, and you can't tell me that the guard can't use those. you can't just fill the guard positions up with people who only think the best solution is beating up the bad guys. if you do you’ll end up with a battalion of bullies.”

“Are YOU telling ME how to rule MY people.”

“well, i mean you pretended to hire someone for a sentry position because you couldn't say ‘no’ to him. someone who, by the way, was a top-notch sentry!”

“I did consider him a sentry,” Undyne frowned.

“oh? did you? because, well,” Sans dared to use a little magic to echo his voice while pointing at Undyne, “i made his sentry station, i kept training him when you started those cooking lessons, and i was the one reminding him his dream could still come true.” He put his hands to his own chest, “you hated me, and yet i was given multiple sentry shifts and had more clout among the other sentries than he did.”

“And what good did that do me? Why couldn’t you have just done your job? One human, you just had to kill one human and not only would Papyrus and Asgore be alive, but we could be on the surface,” Undyne growled.

“i’m sorry, but what part of the human being able to reset did you not understand?” He sighed, “i made a decision only to jump in when i knew i had to,” Sans looked away, frowning.

“And that wasn’t a knew-you-had-to moment?” Undyne’s eye narrowed as she looked at him. “Your brother being murdered wasn't a KNEW-YOU-HAD-TO MOMENT?”

Those words hurt, and he shrunk back a little. He winced inwardly, knowing this would be a sign of weakness Undyne will prey on. “it’s not like that,” Sans finally said.

“Oh, clearly it is not. I would think that family dying would be a moment to fight back. But how would I know.”

“there is more to it than you know,” Sans said, still not looking at her. He was convincing himself of that more than anything. His sockets narrowed as he dared to look her way, “besides, my damage output is still one.”

“Really? Because at this point that is getting hard to believe. If you were so weak why would you choose be a sentry? Why did your brother speak so highly of your abilities?” Undyne laughed, “I used to think he was just talking you up, like how you always spoke positively of him. But then I remembered that Papyrus generally didn’t lie, and when he did try to, he sucked at it. So, he either over estimated you, or you are far stronger than you claim you are.”

“why don’t you take this thing off me and find out for yourself?” he jeered

“Only to have you run off? How stupid do you think I am?”

“do you really want me to answer that?”

Undyne had a that weird grin, the one that was a mix of “I’m so angry right now” and “I’m going to enjoy destroying you.” She slowly grabbed the door and leaned closer, “You know what? Maybe I will take you up on that offer, I’d be worth it, just to see you either beg for mercy or run off like the coward you are.”

“heh,” He was ready to get this over with and widened his stance a little more than what he was used to when fighting. His sleep deprived body would need more stability to stay up. How much has his reaction time suffered? He will have to start strong as he didn’t know how long he is going to last.

“SANS!” A new voice called out. It was not in anger, but bore a sound of concern and love. Sans knew that voice. It cut through his rage and forced him to see how idiotic he was being. When he saw the voice’s owner, a feeling of shame for his behavior caused him look away. Instinctively he tried shoving his hands into his pockets only to remember he didn’t have any. Unsure what to do with them, he just hung them at his sides.

Toriel had arrived and here he was, a mess. When they first met he lacked anything that should be seen worthwhile, and now he was sure he was utterly useless. Why did she put up with him? Would she still put up with him? He wanted so badly to change for the better for her, but he was failing to at every turn.

“Oh Sans,” Tori’s voice sounded tired, strained, and sad. He looked up again, seeing her eyes filled with tears. Not like this? Why did she have to see him like this?

“What are you doing here?!” Snapped Undyne, “And where are the guards?!”

Tori turned to face the current ruler, fire dancing in her eyes, “I am here to collect my friend and love. And I will not be stopped.”

Magic swirled around Undyne’s hand, forming a spear, “Like hell you are! Where are my guards?!”

“undy-,” Sans started, stepping forward, wanting to stop her from trying to attacking Toriel. But in the process his magic swelled again, causing the inhibitor the react. Flinching back, he steadied his magic and tried to shake off the pain.

“How could you use such a barbaric contraction that my ex-husband banned the use of? How could you do this to him?” Toriel growled at Undyne, waving a hand to him. Over all, Sans was not enjoying being the center of attention on this matter, it just reminded him of how pathetic he must look.

“You must know that he’s near impossible to keep in one place.”

“Which shouldn’t have been a problem since you had nothing to hold him on other than speculation,” Toriel then gave a halfhearted laugh, “My, things have gone downhill since I left.”

“At least under my rule, murderous humans won’t be allowed to just run around freely killing!”

“No, instead you will be locking up your own people for saying or doing something you dislike hearing.”

Worried about what might happen, Sans was again going to try interrupting the argument when Alphys finally spoke up, “Stop!” He hadn’t even noticed the scientist was here until that moment, and apparently neither did anyone else. Everyone looked at the small dinosaur.

There was an immediate change in Undyne as she de-summoned her spear and relaxed her expression. Still there was anger in the Undyne’s eyes as she looked between Alphys and Toriel, “What is this about? Why did you bring her here!” There was betrayal there, in her eyes.

Pleading for reason, Alphys approached Undyne, “You are angry, I-I understand that, but this is solving n-nothing. A-and, I, um,” her confidence fading. She had noticed everyone’s attention was on her, “I think we have bigger th-threats to worry about, than, erm… this.” she waved her hand to the whole area.

“You brought the banished queen here just to tell me that?” Undyne glared at Alphys who shrunk back.

“I, um, well, s-she brought h-herself here, but, you, um… should un-banish her, s-since we might need her if what I-I think may happen... happens.”

“And what might that be?” Undyne snapped.

“Um… well….” Alphys looked around at everyone.

“Doctor Alphys?” Toriel asked, looking down at Alphys who wrung her hands.

“I, um…. Would like to talk to Sans about it first, I d-don’t want to start a f-false alarm,” Alphys grinned insecurely as she looked up at Undyne.

“what is it, al?” Sans said, he lit his eyes lights, but it was a struggle to keep them lite. With how skittish his friend could be, he wanted to appear at least somewhat friendly to her. But after all the arguing with Undyne, he was low on energy, and it was hard enough to stay focused on standing.

“Um… do you mind if they-”

“i’m too tired to care right now al, just tell me what’s up.”

Alphys looked up at Tori, “Sorry, I, erm, don’t think you wanted him to know you showed this to me. But,” Alphys reached into her lab coat and pulled out the notebook that he had been using to write the dreams related to the flower in.

The sight of it, and knowing Toriel had seen it, made him feel light headed and nearly fell over. He managed to stay balanced, though the imbalance of magic also resulted in dulled senses. All he heard was the hum of his own magic, but in the background Tori’s voice was saying something. When it cleared he placed his false smile on his face. They were all looking at him with some level of concern, even Undyne. Trying to ignore the looks he focused his attention on Alphys, “oh, that. what do you want to know about it, al?”

Grabbing the notebook out of Alphys’s hands, Undyne flipped through the pages, “What is this?”

“I-it is a record of the, erm, activities of an a-anomaly that came before the human child. An anomaly that I-I…. I fear I accidently made,” Alphys explained before looking back at Sans, “It t-took a while for me to u-understand what you wrote, b-but there is one thing I d-didn’t see, and I’m, um, h-hoping you can answer. What happened t-to it?”

“nothing,” Sans said flatly

“N-nothing?”

“the human beat it when it came to determination. it lost the ability to reset, but other than that, nothing. it is still out there, somewhere,” Sans shrugged. As much as it bothered him that the flower was still out there, the fact it hasn’t really done anything allowed him to keep looking nonchalant.

“S-Sans, um, reading that, I… c-can’t help but be concerned,” Alphys wrung her hands again.

“I don’t understand, what is this about,” Undyne said, shoving the notebook back at Alphys.

“As much as I’m sure we all would like Sans to explain, I hardly think this is the time or place.” Toriel interjected, then looked at Undyne, “Can we please open the door. I don’t believe you have enough evidence to continue holding him here.”

Glaring at Tori, Undyne growled, “Last time I checked I ruled the Underground.”

“I understand that, and I will not fight you for ruler ship, but I think you want to be a fair ruler. And unjustly imprisoning someone is not fair. That is something I will fight over.”

Undyne quietly stared at Toriel then spat the words, “Fine. I was going to let him out anyway.” She pulled out her keys and started to unlock the door. “You never answered my question from earlier. Why didn’t my guard stop you?”

“They tried,” Toriel smiled, “But I convinced them that taking such action would be unwise.”

The click of the cell door lock was exhilarating and Sans genuinely smiled, “thanks, undyne.” There was a small amount of sarcasm in it, but he knew better than to say that dripping with the tone in front of Tori.

Tori swept into the cell before he could move, and quickly scooped him up. A feeling of warmth and safety washed over him and he clung to her. Never again did he want to be separated from her for that long. He buried his face into her neck feeling her soft fur against his bone while her long ear draped over the back of his skull, and he couldn’t help but smiled.

As Tori started out of the cell he felt her move and it was almost like a rhythmic rocking. Desperate for sleep, he felt his mind start to un-focus on any thought. He tried leaning back in her arms a bit, but she was holding him in place.

A question had been asked, and it sounded to be coming from Undyne. Based on everyone’s silence he wondered if it was supposed to be for him to answer. He tried to focus again, thinking on what he heard to see if he could make sense of any of it to estimate what the question was. But he was out of luck. It sounded to him like a mumbled mess of words at best. “the… uh… wha was t’question,” he heard himself slur.

“What’s the deal with this first ‘anomaly?’” Undyne snapped.

He un-buried his face and noticed how blurred his vision was. He struggled to get it to focus, but at this point he might as well keep his sockets closed. “right, um.... it…” he had started to drift off but tried again to focus, “sorry. it, uh....”

Undyne sighed, “Toriel, put him down, you’re holding him is putting him to sleep.”

“please don’t,” Sans heard himself mumble, clinging onto her even tighter.