Monsters. Humans. Since the dawn of time, both races have coexisted in harmony. They traded and fought alongside each other as brothers. For a very long time, the world was at peace.
But all eras must end. The humans grew fearful of the monsters' magic, and wished to vanquish them from the face of the earth. The monsters, desperate for their lives, lashed out ruthlessly. Their magic tore through mortal flesh, and revealed the true power of the humans. Their souls. With this newfound power, the monsters established dominance and spared the humans. It seemed peace had been restored.
But the humans had one more trick up their sleeve. They had determination. They tried for centuries to destroy monsterkind, and every time they failed. The constant warring brought unhealable scars to the land and it's people. Finally, the humans had had enough.
The monsters prayed for their surrender, but they got something no one could have predicted. The humans unleashed a strange and powerful weapon that tore and poisoned the Earth. Countless monster and human lives were lost. On that day, both races decided it was time to end this. Too many lives had been lost. They were too tired to keep taking more.
Seventy years passed, and society managed to rebuild itself and the shaky peace between monster and human. But do not be fooled. Peace is a concept long forgotten to the people of New Earth. War will take this world once again, it's only a matter of time.
"Another drink? Sans, you've had three already," Grillby stated, cleaning his glasses.
"Awww, c'mon, Grillbz! Just another for your favorite patron!" Sans hiccuped.
"I don't play that game," Grillby said.
"What game?"
Grillby sighed and looked the skeleton in the eye. "Whatever. You get one more." The fire elemental returned to the back of the bar, where he kept all the vodka. He returned shortly, placing a glass in front of Sans.
"Hey, can I get some ketchup with that?" the skeleton asked.
Grillby muttered something under his breath, but he slid the ketchup towards Sans. The skeleton poured the ketchup into his vodka and took a swig.
"That's disgusting," Grillby commented.
"I like to call it 'revolutionary'. Why do you think no one has ever come up with this before?"
"They have," Grillby said. "It's called a bloody mary."
Just as Sans was about to reply, the door swung open, letting the harsh winter air in. Patrons swivelled their heads to see the newcomer.
It was a battered kid, shaking from hunger and cold. Their ratty hair had frosted with ice. All they had for protection was a dirty sweater and a dull kitchen knife. The kid's almond-shaped eyes glittered at the sight and smell of food.
They collapsed in the stool next to Sans. Grillby rushed off to find them something to eat.
"Hey, kid," Sans said. "You look a bit worse for wear. What's your name?"
"Frisk," they said, holding their hand out to the skeleton.
"Well, Frisk, I'm Sans. Sans the skeleton." He grabbed Frisk's hand. A rather inappropriate sound rang through the bar. The patrons around the duo groaned with distaste.
"Hey, good ol' whoopie cushion in the hand trick," Sans chuckled. "It's always funny." Frisk giggled, despite their weak physical state.
Grillby returned with a small piece of stale bread and a bowl of stew. "It's not much. I apoligize."
"No, no! It's no trouble," Frisk said. "It smells amazing."
"Please call if you need anything." Grillby said, rushing off to fill more orders.
Frisk wolfed down the food, enjoying the feeling of moist meat and vegetables on their tongue.
"Woah, kid. Slow down. You'll make yourself sick." Sans commented.
"Right now, I couldn't care less about being sick," Frisk replied between bites.
"You should. Medicine is hard to find around these parts. Where are you from, anyways?"
"Does it matter?" Frisk asked.
"Eh, not really," Sans shrugged, swigging his drink. "I get it. You don't wanna talk about it. I wouldn't, either." Frisk just grunted a yes.
It was silent for a while. Sans finished his drink while Frisk plowed through their food. Sans liked the kid. They had guts. Of course, it didn't matter. Their paths would likely never cross again. Sans would be wherever, doing whatever with Papyrus and Undyne. Frisk would be who-knows-where.
"Whelp," he said, slurping the last of his drink down. "I should head up to my room. My team is waiting on me."
"Team?" Frisk asked, looking up from their now-empty bowl of stew.
"Yeah. We've got training or something tomorrow, so I best be off. See ya, kid."
"Wait!" Frisk called. "You're a Protector, right? I mean, you have a team?"
"Well, I mean, it's not official, but-"
"Please," Frisk said. "That's why I'm here. I want to be a Protector. Can you please help me?"
"Kid, I'm sorry, but I'm not in charge of that. Like I said, I'm not official. I'm just tagging along to make sure my family doesn't get hurt."
"Please," Frisk pleaded. "This is all I've ever wanted."
As much as Sans wanted to say no, he couldn't bring himself to do that. From the little Frisk had said, it sounded like they had been through hell just for this opportunity. Sans couldn't bear to send them away after all that.
"Fine," he caved. "I'll talk to my team. I'll see what I can do."
"Oh God, thank you. Thank you so much," Frisk cried.
"Let's see what we can do."
As it turned out, Undyne was already in a good mood when Sans walked in. She was polishing her prized spear, gushing about some anime to a half-interested Papyrus. The two looked up at Sans.
"Hello, Brother!" Papyrus exclaimed, throwing his arms around Sans.
"Hey, Paps," Sans replied, hugging the taller skeleton. "Hey, we need to talk. Like, as a team."
"Sure," Undyne said, setting her spear aside. "What's up?"
Sans told them the story how they met Frisk. While Papyrus looked happy about the idea, Undyne was frowning. "Sans," she said. "You realize that, by taking this kid in, we'll only have another mouth to feed, right?"
"I know," Sans said. "But by saying no, we'll be throwing an innocent kid back on the streets to die."
"But we could direct them to the city!" Undyne argued. "They'll have a chance there."
"I don't think they will," Papyrus interjected. "I don't go there as often as you do, Undyne. But I hear that there's a lot of crime, and few Protectors are willing to fight back."
"It's a human!" Undyne exclaimed. "I don't know much about humans. But I know they're durable. The kid will be fine."
"Undyne," Sans said. "This kid almost died. I don't think I'd be able to forgive myself if I sent a starving child to fend for themselves. Undyne bit her lip. That hit hard with everyone in the group. They had all experienced hardship. Every Protector has.
"Well," Undyne said. "I'm obviously outvoted. Get the kid, Sans."
"Sure," Sans said. "Thanks, by the way."
He stepped out into the hall, where Frisk waited. "Hey, kid," Sans said. "Come on in, I need to introduce you to your new team."
