Undertale: (file name not found) part #54

SPOILER WARNING: IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED THE GAME YET, PLEASE DO!

OTHERWISE THIS WILL MAKE NO SENSE OR RUIN PARTS OF THE GAME YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO YET.

SO PLEASE, GO PLAY IT, SERIOUSLY!

...

WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?

YOU BETTER HAVE PLAYED THE GAME BY NOW.

I WANT NO RESPONSIBILITY OVER SPOILING THINGS FOR OTHERS.
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The procedure for repairing a damaged soul isn't as complicated as one would think.

While the soul in question is out and properly examined, the amount of harm done to it can be determined.

With the damaged identified, the soul is then cleansed to ensure harmful contaminants do not interfere with the healing process.

The healing itself is not difficult, it is merely not well known, a magic from long ago when monsters and humans lived in peace.

To heal the soul, magic and positive soul energy must be concentrated around the damage to stimulate the wound to repair.

The concept of creating irritation or injury to stimulate healing has been recorded as early as Roman times and is called prolotherapy, also called proliferation therapy or regenerative injection therapy.

This stimulation on the soul is done for about 30 minutes to insure the healing has been fully activated and the irritation can be quite painful which is why sedation was a good idea.

After all, the human has gone through enough pain for one day, it wouldn't be fair to have her awake and feel such a sting the whole time.

And all of this was happening just below the others as they waited for the return of their friends.

"They've been gone an awfully long time. Do you think everything is alright?"

"I h-hope so."

"HAVE NO FEAR. MY BROTHERS AND DOCTOR ALPHYS ARE THE SMARTEST PEOPLE I KNOW. IF ANYONE CAN FIX THE HUMAN'S SOUL, IT IS THEM."

"For our sakes and her's...I hope so."

Papyrus frowned.

It was not so easy to cheer up his friends at a time like this.

This would take all his skill and charisma to pull this off.

"SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO..."

Taking a quick look around and gathering a few things, he made makeshift figures.

"YOU CAN ENJOY THIS GREAT BY ME, THE GREAT PAPYRUS!"

Toriel smiled in confusion while Napstablook didn't quite get what was going on, but that didn't matter to Papyrus, he was determined to get this room in a better mood and by golly he was going o do it!

"ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A HUMAN..."

This got their attention and they became more interested in Papyrus's little show.

"NOW THIS HUMAN WASN'T LIKE OTHER HUMANS. SHE WAS KIND AND VERY SWEET. ONE DAY, SHE CLIMBED A VERY BIG MOUNTAIN. NOW THIS MOUNTAIN WASN'T ORDINARY, NO, FAR FROM IT. THIS MOUNTAIN WAS WARNED TO MAKE PEOPLE DISAPPEAR! OOOOH...VERY SPOOKY!"

Toriel was trying to keep herself from giggling too much and Napstablook was getting into it.

"BUT THE HUMAN WAS BRAVE...OR RATHER OVERLY CURIOUS AND WENT UP THE MOUNTAIN ANYWAY. BUT ALONG THE WAY SHE FELL INTO THIS DEEP DARK SEEMINGLY BOTTOMLESS HOLE OF NO RETURN! BUM-BUM-BUM!"

"T-then what happened?"

"Yes, Papyrus. Please continue."

"OF COURSE, I WOULDN'T DREAM OF LEAVING YOU IN SUSPENSE..."

[Meanwhile, in Mettaton's room]

The star of the Underground was nearing the end of his daily recharge, which of course meant he was sleeping...and dreaming.

Today's special was one of his favorites as it was one that he had quite a few times.

A fantastic royal ball was in full swing, he was there to provide entertainment, oh such a fabulously grand show it was, then it would happen, he'd spy out into the crowd of party goers and lock onto one lone female figure.

The human.

God how his dreams made her look like a fairytale come to life.

Her ball gown is a gorgeous champagne pink with rosettes woven into the gown with tulle inset, an illusion strapless neckline; V'd back, sleeveless; minimal shoulder coverage, fitted bodice; full skirt with pickups, the hem falls to the floor and trains at back.

All of that was highlighted by her long free flowing brunette hair and pale skin, the faded red ribbon tied into a loose bow around her neck like a teasing present for him.

He'd leave the stage, parting the crowd like Moses did to the Red Sea, leading up to her and offering his hand in a dance, to which she would accept with a cute blush reddening up her cheeks like a rose while they took the floor with music as their guide.

"You look lovely as ever darling."

"And you are quite handsome yourself Metta dear."

"Oh how you flatter me."

"No. I mean it."

"Please. I'm not even in my very best."

"You know that doesn't matter to me. You, the person, is the beauty that I speak of. Not some gussied up suit."

It was amazing how even in his dreams, she was as she is in real life, ever the sweetheart.

"I don't know if you know this dear, but the other ladies are giving you dirty looks."

"So? Let them leer. It's none of my concern if they feel envy towards us. If they were less green with jealousy, maybe they would have a dapper man on their arm like I have."

"My, such tempered words. Careful before that bladed tongue of yours wounds them in more ways than just their pride."

"Oh? And what else would you have my tongue do then?"

That got his oily blood pumping with an eager jump start in his circuitry.

Now this dance of theirs was getting more heated.

"Do you really want me to answer that darling?"

"I get the feeling I already know, you cheeky boy."

He snickered and spun her around before pulling off a rather deep dip move.

"And yet I know you still love me."

"I can not lie there. I do love you."

He smiled with a 'I so knew it' look.

"Then my dear, why not we continue this dance on the more private stage of amour~?"

"Do my ears deceive me, are you proposing we go to a more intimate location away from prying eyes?"

"You said it, not me."

She sighed and flicked his forehead in a playful but 'don't toy with me' way.

"Alright darling, no need to be upset. Just follow my lead."

A few spins here, some twirls there, the two gracefully made their way onto a balcony over looking the Underground.

"It really is a sight to take in."

"I know you are darling."

"*giggles* Don't be so cheesy. It's just us here. You can stop showing off now."

She was so easy to to be around, she didn't care about his fame or his looks, she just liked him for who he was.

"You know I can't help myself around you. I may be a star, but you my dear..."

He held her hand to his lips.

"You are the light of my life."

He kissed her hand and she mocked a swoon, oh how he loved it when she over acted.

"And you call me cheesy."

"I learned from the best."

Now it was moving into his favorite part of the dream.

"So...Have we settled on a date yet?"

"For the wedding or the day you want to spring this up to your mother?"

"A bit of both."

"Well, why not we let her know now? She is looking over here."

"Oh? And how do you intend to do that? Walk right up to her and drop this bomb on her like nothing?"

His gave a sly smirk.

"Like this..."

This was the part he loved most about the dream, the part where he swept her off her feet with a kiss to end all kisses, and then hold her close, rocking to the music of his favorite song plays.

"♪I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream. I know you, the gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam. Yet I know its true, that visions are seldom all they seem. But if i know you, I know what you'll do. You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream...♫"

She smiled and finished it.

"♪I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream. I know you, that gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam. And I know it's true, that visions are seldom all they seem. But if I know you, I know what you'll do. You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream...♫"

"Sleeping Beauty...I loved Aurora's dress at the end of the film. I had one made just like it."

"That one you wore during our TV preferences?"

"The one and the same."

"I thought it looked oddly familiar...Apart from being fabulous of course."

"You know me darling. I make everything look good."

"It's such a shame I'm not one them."

Well that's new.

"What do you mean darling?"

"Happs, I love you...But..."

Wait what?

"I'm not in love with you."

That...that never happened before in the dream.

"Heh...R-really funny darling. You got good. For a moment you had scared."

"Metta, it wasn't a joke."

The whole mood just changed in a big way, the lights were off, the crowd was gone...until a spotlight clicked on.

Two figures stood where the many once were.

Two boney forms that had him flabbergasted.

"No...No, no, no! You can't be serious? Why are they...here...?"

She was no longer in his arms, in fact, she was now over by the skeletons.

"Darling! Please, come back to me! We can make this work. Just get away from those spooky skeletons."

She looked at him cross and the hurt in her eyes stung him.

"You have no right to sling such terms around. You are a ghost in a fancy shell of metal. It is things like that are what push me away and yet you don't learn from it."

"Hey! This is my dream! You're suppose to be on my side!"

Now she was glaring.

"You really think it's that simple? That the world is meant to give you anything you desire while you put in no effort? You foolish boy...You need to wake up and open your eyes to the truth."

She snapped her fingers and a song he didn't know began to play.

"♪spooky scary skeletons. send shivers down your spine. shrieking skulls will shock your soul. seal your doom tonight.♫"

"♪SPOOKY SCARY SKELETONS. SPEAK WITH SUCH A SCREECH. YOU'LL SHAKE AND SHUDDER IN SURPRISE. WHEN YOU HEAR THESE ZOMBIES SHRIEK.♫"

"♪We're so sorry skeletons. You're so misunderstood. You only want to socialize. But I don't think we should...'Cause spooky scary skeletons...♫"

"♪SHOUT STARTLING SHRILLY SCREAMS...♫"

"♪they'll sneak from their sarcophagus...♫"

"♪And just won't leave you be!♫"

The song breaks for a moment, allowing Sans and Papyrus to dance around the human as she remained on her spot in the center of the room, allowing Mettaton to run out to her but only so far, as bones prevent him from reaching her.

"Why are you doing this? How is this song even playing? I don't even know it!"

"It's in your data banks from when you downloaded my MP3. Quite fitting if you think about it. A spooky song managed to ghost its way into a ghost's mind. Blooky would approve of this."

"But why are you doing this?"

"I told you why. You need to understand that even if I love you and you love me, it's not the same as being in love. You are infatuated with the idea of me. I mean really, you got me in a dress in a showy party. I wouldn't do this. And if you knew anything about me, you would respect me enough not to put me in such moments."

"But, I do because it's a fantasy. It's wishful thinking. What makes you think these guys don't do the same thing?"

"Because they talk to me. They bother to take the time to know me and I them. So it you haven't figured out I'm the manifestation of your conscience trying to get through to you. So stop being so tsundere before you end up becoming yandere, kidnap me, and possible kill me. So yeah, please wake the heck up and stop being a crazy jealous robot. Okay?"

He slapped his palm to his face and groaned.

"I really need to stop watching Alphys's anime before recharging."

She simply shook her head.

"You foolish soul...This will only end badly unless you open your eyes to the truth."

The song picks back up again.

"♪Spirits supernatural. Are shy what's all the fuss.♫"

"♪but bags of bones seem so unsafe. it's semi-serious!♫"

"♪SPOOKY SCARY SKELETONS. ARE SILLY ALL THE SAME.♫"

"♪they'll smile and scrabble slowly by. and drive you so insane.♫"

"♪STICKS AND STONES WILL BREAK YOUR BONES. THEY SELDOM LET YOU SNOOZE.♫"

"♪Spooky scary skeletons...♫"

The bones fade away and she charged him, much to his surprise.

"♪Will wake you with a boo!♫"

She tackles him to the ground and slams her head into his own, hoping to knock some sense into the guy, but also effectively waking him up as well.

[The waking world]

"*gaps* ...Ugh...My head...Was that a nightmare?"

Mettaton disconnected himself from the power outlet and stretched, this was not how he wanted that dream to end.

"Let's see...What's on schedule at this hour? *mumbling to self* Interview, done that. Book signing, that's old. Promo shoot, finished that. Go over new script with writer...I hope that dog made something good for my comeback special."

Taking a few moments to buff himself to a spotless shine, a task that is normal relaxing and very peaceful, is then suddenly interrupted by loud chaotic clatter.

"Oh for crying out loud...I do not have the patience for this. Not now!"

So the lord of all drama queens stormed out of his room as if he were in the middle of a closed set audition and the damn intern just walked into his shot making him break character.

"What the hell is going on here?!"

Everything froze and once things settled, the scene is rather perplexing.

Napstablook was hiding behind someone that looked like a lady version of Asgore while a little white dog was engaged in tug of war over a bone with...with...Papyrus.

The nightmare continues for him it seems.

Okay Mettaton, just be cool, Blooky's here and you have to be nice for him, just smile and be awesome.

"Hello there darlings. Welcome to the Lab. But where are my manners, can I get anyone anything? Drink? Snack?"

An explanation?!

"Wait a moment...I know you."

Oh the sound of recognition, it was music to his hearing receptors.

"Oh my, do we have a fan in the building? Do you want me to sign anything for you? Free of charge of course."

At least for the first time.

"T-this is Mettaton. He's m-my cousin."

The woman pondered for a moment before it hits her."

"Yes, now I recall you..."

Cue the moment of fame and glory.

"You're the one that sends my daughter those rather raunchy photographs on her phone."

That gets the room to look his way in a less then flattering way.

Then something clicks for him...This is Lynsie's mother!

Ffffffffffuck my life right now.

Why did I think she'd be human?!

"H-happs? Is that true?"

Crap, and Blooky's here too!

"I-I can explain...You see..."

Wait a second...If her mother and friends are here...Where is the human?

And for that matter, where is the other bonehead and Alphys?

"YOU SEND LYNSIE PICTURES OF SALAD DRESSING?"

Oh my god...Papyrus is adorable.

Note to self, that one isn't so bad, but still be on the look out for his brother.

"No Papyrus. Raunchy, not ranch."

"OH! ...I DON'T GET IT."

"Never you mind..."

The woman then looked at Mettaton like how the human did in his dream, very stern.

"Mr. Mettaton. I think we need to talk...Privately...Now!"

So many regrets right now.

"Y-yes, of course. P-please...Join me in my room."

I'm so dead!

Wait, I'm a ghost, can I die twice?

The goat woman made her way over to Mettaton before forcefully pulling him inside his own room.

Napstablook and Papyrus just looked at the room's door in confusion.

"Do you t-think she's going to hurt him?"

"WHO? LADY TORIEL? NAH...SHE CAN BE SCARY AT TIMES, BUT IS A REALLY NICE LADY. NOW THEN..."

Papyrus yanked on the bone and the dog growled.

"LET GO OF THE BONE YOU LITTLE THEIF!"

"*bark*!"

Napstablook just sighed.

This mini-battle was going to take forever.

And just when the story was getting good.

But a more interesting story was unfolding up in Mettaton's room.

"Now then sir..."

"Please, let me explain..."

"Oh, I want to hear everything. And believe me...You WILL tell me EVERYTHING."

Did the skeletons go through this too?

"O-okay...*clears throat* Miss..."

"My name is Toriel."

"Alright...Toriel...I have feelings for your daughter. I'm sure she's spoke of me."

"She has told me of you. An overly flirtatious ghost in a metal body."

A bit much but if there was any skill he could use, it was his ability to sway critics.

"Sweet lady Toriel. I assure you, my intentions are pure. I care a great deal for your lovely daughter and would like your permission to seek her favor."

"No."

Mentally he could hear glass shatter.

"I...Beg your pardon?"

"I am her mother. But she has made it very clear that I have no standing over who she wishes to be involved with."

"Okay...So why did you say no?"

"Because she is already taken and content in her pairing. There is no need for another to try."

"...You're joking."

She crossed her arm and looked at him puzzled.

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Look...I'm not sure if you know this, but I'm a big deal. I'm the star of the Underground. I can provide anything and everything her heart could ever desire. I can have her likeness made on food for crying out loud. I'm a far better choice compared to any of those skeletons."

"That is not your decision!"

That rattled him.

"You may feel for her and you can offer her many things. But it is her choice and she did not choose you. You must respect her decision whether it is the one you want or not. You can not force her to love you if she doesn't feel it."

What was with this day coming down on him like this?

"But I know if she just gave me a chance..."

"Listen..."

She put a hand gently on his shoulder and her voice went from strong to soft.

"I know you mean well. From what she's told me, she still considers you a good friend. But from what I can tell, your feelings are more of infatuation than real love."

Why does everyone keep saying that?!

"Your heart is in the right place, but it is misguided. If you'd let me...I want to help you understand."

This was going to drive him nuts, so he gave up and sighed.

"Sure. Tell me how I'm wrong in all this."

He wasn't admitting defeat in his feelings, but he just wanted this over and done with.

Toriel sat beside him on his bed and contemplated her words carefully.

"Your feelings are not wrong. There is no right or wrong in love, just good and bad. Infatuation is an intense feeling. It happens when you are attracted to a person's appearance or attracted to them *awkward cough* sexually. Infatuation happens early on and tends to become obsessive. When you're infatuated, you see them through rose-colored glasses based on who you imagine them to be. You have put them on a pedestal and don't acknowledge them for who they really are, good or bad. You may behave irrationally, become caught up in your feelings of what you think love is and aren't living in reality. Now tell me, how does my daughter make you feel."

"Well...When I see her, I feel like all these fireworks go off. I picture all this potential. All these intense feelings that come when I think of her. I get starry-eyed and my stomach fills with what feels like butterflies. It love at first sight, there was definitely a spark the first time I looked into her eyes. She doesn't care that I'm a ghost, or a robot, or a celebrity. She likes me for me. No words can describe that blush-producing giddy rush I feel right after I make her smile. It's like...She was meant for me."

"Okay...But other than those feelings, what do you really know about her?"

That made a flat line in his mind.

"I know she's human. She fell down here. She have the voice of an angel. She's sweet, kind, and just plain amazing."

"Is that all? When is her birthday? What's her favorite food? What are her hopes and dreams?"

To that, he had no answer.

She had figured as much.

"It's easy to say you love them. She may even feel the same for you. But you have to understand the difference in choosing love and actually being in love. Once you understand that, your greatest personal growth happens."

He felt defeated, like the world was against him, but as much as he hated this, part of him knew she was right.

"I just...I thought..."

"Love is choosing them over yourself. It's being considerate of your partner and making choices for the greater good of your relationship. Building a strong foundation of love happens by both people feeling the same towards each other. Taking the time to learn about the other person, appreciating and accepting each others qualities, quirks and differences. Being there through thick and thin, resolving differences in a respectful manner and letting them be who they are without trying to change them to be who you want them to be. That is love. Do you understand this now?"

Slowly the gears in his head began turning, the dots connecting, lights going off, it finally made sense.

"It wasn't real, was it? It was a silly crush the whole time."

His sad tone got to her and he rubbed his back in comfort.

"It might have been. But that doesn't mean things between the two of you must end."

Finally!

Some good news out of all this.

"It doesn't?"

She smiled with care.

"Of course not. If after all this, and those photographs, she still considered you a friend, then I don't see why that would end now. Just please...No more trying to force something that isn't there. If you do, you'll only end up pushing her away till even her limit of kindness runs out and you'll lose her entirely."

"No! I can't lose her!"

"Then settle down. Don't push her. And I promise, she will welcome you with open arms."

"Heh...Yeah, she is a hugger. It's I think it's her best quality."

"She is a very sweet child. Even if her past was less than kind, she remained strong and yet compassionate."

This line reminded him of a past thought.

"Miss Toriel, if it's alright, might I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Where is your daughter?"

This made her strong features falter with concern.

"We were traveling through Waterfall. All was fine until..."

Oh no.

"Until what?"

"She was attacked. Forced to defend herself."

"Is she alright?!"

His panic nearly made her jump.

"Physically, she is fine. But her soul...It was damaged."

"Where is she?! Is she going to be okay?!"

"She is being healed as we speak."

Oh thank goodness.

He sighed heavily with relief.

"How long ago did she...?"

"It's been quite some time. We've just been waiting as Papyrus told a cute story he made up. But this puppy came out of nowhere and tried to take his prop. That's when you appeared."

"Oh...Well...Would it be alright if I were to join you in waiting?"

She smiled to the request.

"As long as you behave yourself."

"Oh absolutely! I will be so well behaved it'll knock your socks off."

"But I'm not wearing socks?"

"Uh...Never mind. Shall we go now?"

"Yes."

With this mess now put to rest, they leave the glamorous room of celebrity and return the common area of the lab.

There, the situation that was there seemed to be resolved.

Papyrus was entertaining Napstablook and the little annoying dog had been put in 'time out' within a cage of bones.

"OH, LADY TORIEL AND METTATON. DID YOU HAVE A GOOD TALK?"

"Yes. Everything is fine now. Mr. Mettaton and I had a nice long chat. We have come to a better understanding of everything."

"So...T-the pictures?"

"*nervous cough* Blooky dear, that's old business. Let's forget that and move on. I hear that there was a story being told?"

"YES. I WAS TELLING MY TALE OF THE HUMAN."

"Mind if I help?"

"SURE!"

And the story continued.

With Mettaton helping Papyrus, a bit more acting was involved more than prop work, but it was just the same.

Papyrus mostly did narration, which frankly he was amazing at, Mettaton acted out the parts and in doing so, learned a bit more.

Though it was mainly from all Papyrus knew of what happened, making up a few filler details and embellishing every-so-often, but the picture was well painted.

From the adventures in Snowdin, the TV shows of Hotland, and even the scary freaky bits.

New light was shed for those that knew nothing.

But of course Papyrus wasn't a fool...No way he would mention the events of a certain night.

That was between the three of them and them alone.

As with all things though, there's always more sides to a single story than what any one person knows.

Such was the case going on down in the True Lab.

As the human slept and healed from the procedure, past friends waited for results as if they'd fallen back into an old routine, just chatting while looking over paperwork.

"so...i'm guessing you don't need anymore dog food shipments since the amalgamates left."

"N-no. Thank you though."

"eh, it was no trouble. just doing my part. after all...this place isn't your burden alone."

"Sometimes I wonder if it would've been better if it was."

"please...if it was, you'd have jumped into the abyss ages ago."

That shook Alphys.

"H-how did you..."

"you aren't the only one watching over others. i keep tabs on just about everyone. had undyne not wandered over there and start chatting you up, i was gonna talk you down if you looked jumpy."

"..."

"ah come on. no need to be all doom and gloom. it all turned out for the best. now you and her are thing. you found your reason to keep going. ain't love grand like that?"

"...Is that what she is to you?"

Sans flinched.

"what?"

"The human...Lynsie...Is she your reason to keep going?"

He chuckled.

"i'll admit, she helps. but pap has always been my reason. that will never change."

"Oh...I guess every little bit helps."

"we all have our sins. some more than others. but we don't have to bare them alone. she taught me that."

"How much longer do you think she'll be out for?"

"all depends. hopefully gaster will keep chara away till she wakes."

"Has he increased in his activity?"

"she says he calms down with dark jokes and he last visited her maybe two days ago. also her power might be blocking him for a time, so there's that."

"I guess that's a bit of luck."

A sudden tension washed over the room.

"odd isn't it?"

"Huh?"

"us being here again. it's been ages and yet...it feels kinda like we never left."

"Maybe this place really is haunted."

"i doubt any of the blooks are down here."

"No...H-haunted by the ghosts of our past. I mean, we did just work on a human soul."

"this was different."

"Is it really? We didn't know if it would work. For all we knew, it could've made things worst."

"alphys..."

"What if her soul shattered completely?"

"alphys."

"We could've killed her. And this is all because Gaster..."

"alphys!"

He grabbed her by the scruff of her lab coat and glared, scaring the daylights out of her.

"do me a favor and that next thought you were going to say, yeah, how about you forget it and shut up."

He let her go with a shove and balled his fists trying to calm down.

"look...you're scared, i get it. you've lived in shame and guilt over being the one left holding the doctor title. but don't think i'll let you speak about my brother like he was the bad guy. he did everything to help us monsters. things that would drive a lesser person insane. yet he did what he had to. he even saw the good you could do and gave you the opportunity of a lifetime. but no matter what he did, damn it, he is still my brother. and you don't know what real suffering is till you lose a loved one. believe me...i've lost plenty."

He knew that part was a half true, she did know the loss of a loved one, even if she didn't remember it.

On every genocide, she would watch helplessly as Frisk killed Undyne and all her friends, but the ties of love that she'd get on a peaceful time line were never made in a time line of genocide...there was no love, but there was LOVE.

Still shook up, she mustered up the will to speak.

"I'm...I'm s-sorry."

He sighed with a heavy heart.

"it's not your fault. i'm just a bit rattled. i don't like to think of that stuff. bad memories and stuff."

"U-understandable."

"i'm sorry for how i acted. today's just been one crazy roller coaster ride. one minute i'm at my post, the next i'm with my sweetheart, her old lady, and pap headed to see her old man. then suddenly undyne jumps her, things get bloody, then sweetheart disappears, and when she pops back up she's fused with my brother who's been stuck in the void of time space. so yeah...i...i need to relax. get my head on straight and just..."

"Sans...It's okay. I-i'd probably be messed up too if I even went through a part of that. I have to admit though, I admire your strength."

If only she knew the truth, this wasn't even close to scratching the surface of the level of madness he had endured over countless time lines, if she was in his slippers she'd kill herself without hesitation.

"thanks...but i think i'm gonna lay down for a bit. a quick nap will make me feel a ton better. a skele-ton."

She giggled, Sans's puns and jokes were always a welcomed sign of good.

She watched him as he headed over to a examination table by the human and make himself cozy.

After that, it wasn't long before the soft sound of slumber came from him, leaving Alphys to look over more paper work as to kill time.

So much research, so much detail, so many experiments, so many dark history.

Even if she stayed awake for a full week, it was possible she'd never be able to get through it all.

But she at least made herself read further into some of the non-soul related works.

Perhaps she'd find something interesting and maybe a way to open a portal into the world of Mew Mew Kissy Cutie...A girl could hope at least.

[About 30 or so minutes later]

Are you really going to sleep this long?

Geez...Just 5 more minutes.

You said that 15 minutes ago.

God, quit complaining.

We are on a time set and people are expecting us.

Do you know how long it's been since I've had a decent rest?

Last night when you were sleeping.

That was sleep, but it wasn't restful, big difference!

Now you're just pulling at straws.

Hey, I nearly died because a fish got pissy, get off my back!

...My apologies.

No...damn it, I'm sorry...I just wanted to take a small break, you know?

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, I understand.

More like all seriousness and no time to settle down makes Lynsie want to put her head through a wall.

A bit much don't you think?

Not really, I've done it before, it wasn't a good time...too much stress.

I forget sometimes that stress can take a harsher toll than mere fatigue.

Either way, all this mental chatter has me fully awake now, so congratulations Gaster, you win.

I'd ask what my prize is but considering you freed me from the Void, I'd say there's no topping that.

It was my pleasure to do so, you're my buddy, the big bro of my best boys, no way I was leaving you to be stuck and suffer.

...Good girl.

My eyes slowly open to a light flutter, pupils dilating to see more clearly in the dimness of the room, and of course the 'I just woke up' yawn.

"O-oh! You're awake!"

Alphys seems a bit surprised by my return to consciousness, I'm not really sure how to take it, but right now I could care less and let it slide.

"Are you feeling alright?"

I yawn again and rub the sleep from my eyes.

"I am a little weary, but okay. Him on the other hand has been waiting for me to get up."

"Him? Oh, right. Gaster...So...He was awake in you the whole time?"

"Not quite. I slept for a time, before regaining consciousness...Dude, do you understand how hard it is to understand when either of us talk when you end sounding like I do? Oh like you're one to talk. Don't think I haven't notice you increasing your vocabulary. Because it feels more natural to speak more eloquently while we share a body. Heh...You really are a silly human. Says the guy that would spend hours with said human and do nothing but converse about the meaning of existence...Touché."

Poor Alphys just stares at me like a deer trying to do advance trigonometry, it just doesn't compute.

"Sorry about that. We'll try to make it easier to understand who is who. Though, the key word there is TRY."

"Uh...Sure. Oh! Your soul. M-may I see how it's healed?"

"Yeah. I'm kind of curious about that myself. Guess the thing went back in me while I was in slumber land."

I bring my soul back out and in a few seconds we're both smiling.

The glitchy flicking of multiple colors is gone, the crack is no more...in fact...it shines even brighter than before even if it's only in one color, a lovely deep blue, the same as if Sans or Papyrus used their magic on me.

"Wow...It's made a complete recovery and in such a short time."

"Really? How long was I out for?"

"Starting at the time you became unconscious, around an hour and twenty something minutes. Mind you, it took about half an hour to preform the procedure. So in total, just a bit over forty minutes."

Damn, that was quick!

Were you expecting longer?

They knocked us out with what is basically a medical tranquilizer, the effects can last a day, and yet we woke up pretty darn early.

You do have a higher than normal healing factor, you forget to take that into your calculations.

Damn it...Quit making me feel dumb.

Only you can do that, I just point it out.

Dear god...Now I know you are an older brother.

"Alphys, where is Sans?"

She points over my shoulder and again I feel dumb for missing something so obvious as him laying on a table beside my own.

"Sleepy boy. How long have you been dreaming?"

"Little over twenty minutes."

"Poor punny bones."

I slip off the table, my legs nearly fail from numbness, yet with some quick support from Alphys I can regain stability and hold myself up on my own.

"We should get back to the others and let them know all is well."

"A-are you sure? Wouldn't it be safer to wait a minute or two before you do anything strenuous?"

I shake my head.

"I can handle this. Just need a quick snack or a soda and I'm up for days."

"What?"

"It's a silly internet thing from the surface."

"Is it true on human internet, there is anime?"

"Tons."

Her eyes sparkle.

"I bet they have all sorts of things Undyne and I can watch!"

"It is endless."

She gets all giddy as I move over to Sans and gently scoop him up to cradle him in my arms.

He makes a small sound of annoyance to the movement but a soft hum from me has him snuggle up to me with a smile.

He's so damn adorable.

You say that about everything.

But I really mean it when it comes to you boys.

Wait, you're including me?

You have your moments.

...You can't see it, but I'm blushing.

Like I said, so damn adorable.

"Should we wake him?"

"No. He's earned some rest. Plus, I like holding him. It feels nice."

I look upon his sleeping form, he's so content and peaceful looking, I love how it is because of me that he feels this way.

Alphys watches me, part of her finding it so sweet of a moment, while another part would love nothing more than to see this become something more, it was her otaku self wanting to see her fanfictions be real as we head back to the elevator.

I hum again to see his smile widen, rocking him just ever so softly before walking and she follows.

"♪If it takes forever, I will wait for you. For a thousand summers, I will wait for you. Till you're back beside me, till I'm holding you. Till I hear you sigh here in my arms...♫"

He nuzzles into me and I can't help the warmth in my heart that come of it while we reach the elevator then enter.

"♪Anywhere you wander, anywhere you go. Every day remember, how I love you so. In your heart believe what in my heart I know. That forevermore, I'll wait for you...♫"

This song, it would always make me cry when I heard it play on the show 'Futurama', and now I understand its message even more.

We begin our assent back up to the main Lab.

"♪The clock will tick away the hours one by one. And then the time will come when all the waiting's done. The time when you return and find me here and run. Straight to my waiting arms...♫"

The elevator door opens up in the midst of my song and loving call of my voice calls the attention of those who were waiting for us.

"♪If it takes forever, I will wait for you. For a thousand summers, I will wait for you. Till you're here beside me, till I'm touching you. And forevermore sharing our love...♫"

Papyrus comes close to embracing me but my hold of Sans stops him, yet this doesn't stop me from wrangling one arm free long enough to stroke his cheek sweetly.

"♪Till you're here beside me, till I'm touching you. And forevermore, I will wait for you...!♫"

His smile beams with relief, the same is felt amongst the others, including the new face I forgot that lives here.

"My child. Are you all better now?"

"Yes mother. My soul has been fully repaired."

"I SEE SANS HAS MISSED OUT ON THE EXCITEMENT. IF IT'S ALRIGHT, I CAN HOLD HIM FOR YOU."

"It's fine sweety. I don't mind. I've missed our cuddles. So this makes up for it."

"Darling..."

Wow...This must be awkward as hell for Mettaton to see.

Do you think he'll cause any trouble?

If he does, we're gonna make sure he learns what a bad time really is.

"Yes Metta?"

"What happened to your face?"

Did he really just...?

May I respond to this?

Go for it, you've peaked my interest.

"Amazing. Glad to see that your immediate concern for my over all well being falls directly to my physical appearance. Bravo good sir."

His face scrunched like he was hit and realization sunk in.

"I...I didn't mean it like that. It's just...You look different."

Like that sounded better.

"I'm aware of my appearance as of late."

"It's nice."

Was that...

A genuine compliment...Unbelievable.

"Thank you."

Don't you dare blush for that.

I'm trying damn it!

"I've meet your mother."

"Oh?"

"She's a very intelligent woman."

"She should be, She is the queen after all."

Shock hits him.

"That's the...She's really..."

I can't help but smirk.

"This be my mother. Queen Toriel, the wife of King Asgore Dreemurr."

If he had normal skin and blood his face would be running pale.

I must have missed something very entertaining as I slept.

So this is what it's like to not know what's going on...I don't like it.

Agreed.

"S-so...What's everyone been doing up here?"

"METTATON AND I WERE TELLING A STORY."

"Oh yes. It's amazing. Papyrus is a fantastic story teller."

"Sounds awesome!"

"Uh...Why is there are dog in a bone cage?"

"Oh...I-it's in time out for stealing."

Oh my god...That dog just doesn't learn!

It's so annoying.

"So about this story?"

"METATTON PLANS TO USE IT FOR A MOVIE."

"And Blooky will compose the music."

Napstablook blushes shyly.

I wonder what this story was.

A soft poke to my shoulder gets my attention and when I look Sans waves childishly.

"hey there sweetheart."

"Hi punny bones."

He half stretches out in my arms

"you okay now? soul-wise i mean."

"Yep. All is good."

"sweet. so...what did i miss?"

"Yo Alphys!"

Suddenly the Lab entrance opens and Undyne blindly rushes in.

"Alphys, I need to talk to you about...something...important..."

She finally realizes that she ran right into the middle of our group and she looks like she's about to piss herself.

"Uh...Hello?"

"Well now...Seem you woke up just in time to see this Sans. A rare glimpse at the endangered species: Karma est canis. Better known as Karma's bitch."

Now this is going to make for a very interesting part for Papyrus's story.