Frisk opened their eyes.

Above them a small patch of light shone from the hole they fell down from.

They clenched their fists and felt the soft petals of golden flowers.

Frisk inhaled and the scent of the flowers along with the damp smell of being deep beneath the earth filled their lungs.

They were back.

Frisk jolted up and winced as they felt their body complain at the sudden movement. Ouch…oh, that's right. I'm bruised from the fall.

It had been awhile since they'd been bruised. Frisk almost forgot what it felt like (almost, not quite). The monsters down here preferred to cut and make Frisk bleed rather than bruise them.

Frisk took a deep breath and shakily stood up. They didn't need to take in their surroundings. Frisk knew where they were. The cavern hadn't changed at all, it was small with the little patch of golden flowers and grass soaking up the little bit of sun that came through the hole. It was lucky the patch had grown there- Frisk wasn't sure if they would have survived the fall from above otherwise.

Although maybe surviving was actually unlucky, Frisk thought sadly. Frisk suddenly scrunched up their nose and shook their head fervently to dislodge the thought. If the RESET had worked- and Frisk was assuming it had- then there was no need for those thoughts anymore. Frisk would set everything right. Their second chance was here waiting for Frisk to begin.

I hope.

Frisk moved forward down the tunnel, flinching as their bruised body whined in protest of the movement. Frisk noticed they didn't have any of the weapons or clothing they picked up on their journey through the Underground. It didn't matter much, Frisk was assuming they wouldn't need them with the plan they had in mind. But Frisk felt a small longing for the comfort of protection each item offered. They almost felt naked without the items- defenseless in their striped blue sweater and old worn out jeans.

Frisk stopped at the end of the tunnel and looked up at the archway that loomed before them. Past this was…was…Frisk frowned at their fuzzy memories. They couldn't remember exactly what was behind this archway.

I guess it didn't matter much. Frisk shrugged and walked forward.

It was dark, and Frisk automatically reached out to the wall next to them for balance. The light from the previous room didn't shine into this passage and only Frisk's determination kept them moving forward into the gloom. They walked slowly, as so not to trip over the uneven rocky floor. It took a little while, but eventually Frisk saw a small light ahead of them. Frisk moved faster, eager to be able to see where they were.

The wall disappeared under their hand as Frisk stepped into another room. The light they had seen was another hole in the earth allowing a bit of precious sunlight into the Underground. Beneath the rays was a small patch of grass and one lone golden flower.

Oh no. Frisk gasped and their heart began to beat loudly. Their hands shook and their legs trembled.

At Frisk's gasp the flower swiveled around. If Frisk hadn't been watching for it, they would have never seen the scowl on the flower's face before it morphed into a big, cheery grin.

"Howdy! I'm Flowey. Flowey the-hey!" Frisk bolted past Flowey before they could finished their greeting. Oh no no no no. They did not want to go through Flowey's little 'lesson' of kill or be killed again. There was no way they were dealing with Flowey unless they absolutely had to.

Frisk attempted to run away from Flowey but they were immediately stopped when a thick vine came out from under the ground and wrapped around their ankles. Frisk wobbled and smashed onto the ground. Quickly they turned around and began to struggle, tearing at the vines with their hands.

"You're a strange one." Flowey's grin was gone, replaced with a puzzled look that was quickly morphing into an evil smile. "You seem to already know what's going on here. I wooooonder why that is?"

Frisk cried out. The vines were wrapping themselves tighter and tighter around their ankles. Slowly the vines slithered back to their source, pulling Frisk closer to Flowey.

"Have you done this before?" Flowey asked in a sugary sweet tone. "Did you do something bad?"

Frisk tried clawing at the ground to prevent getting closer to Flowey but it wasn't working. They weren't strong enough to resist the evil plant. For a single, sickening and desperate moment Frisk wished they had more LV. That thought was enough to stun them, stopping Frisk from struggling. Flowey noticed, and ever the one to take advantage of a situation, Flowey quickly reeled Frisk in faster.

Little white pellets appeared around Flowey. "I guess it doesn't matter now. You're going to die and I'll take your soul!" Flowey laughed his horrible cackle that sounded so wrong coming from a small golden flower like him.

Frisk was frozen, unsure of what to do. A million thoughts ran through their mind. If they died this time would they come back? Would Flowey actually be able to take their soul this time? Did the RESET affect any of this?

Frisk wouldn't be able to fix their mistakes.

Frisk cried out one more time and threw their hand up in a protective gesture; their eyes clenched shut.

"Ah!"

A bright flash of light flashed through the darkness and Frisk immediately felt the vines around their ankles loosen and shrivel away. Frisk's eyes snapped open and looked to the spot where Flowey once was. He was gone, and the vines that had entrapped Frisk were now only deteriorated brown husks, the source of their power gone.

"What a terrible creature! My child, are you badly injured?" A soft voice from behind Frisk spoke.

It was as if ice cold water was poured into Frisk's soul. For a moment they sat, trembling and staring at the empty space in front of them. Then, Frisk slowly turned around and looked at Toriel.

She looked the same. A dark purple robe set over her soft white fur. Kind eyes looking at Frisk with the utmost concern for their safety and wellbeing. The scent of cinnamon and butterscotch so strong that Frisk could smell it faintly from where they were sitting.

The robe was splattered with dirt and blood from both of them. Her fur was matted with sweat. Eyes looking at Frisk with hurt and betrayal as they landed the final, accidental blow. The disgusting stench of death left when she burst into dust.

"Please, do not be afraid of me my child. I mean you no harm." Toriel kneeled down and offered one of her hands to Frisk.

Frisk wailed and threw themselves at Toriel, gripping the bottom of her robe and they blubbered out incoherent sentences. Toriel seemed shocked for only a second before she was picking Frisk up and cradling them in her arms. Frisk continued to cry and gripped Toriel tighter.

"Oh my child. It is alright now. There, there." Toriel hugged Frisk and gently stroked their brown hair.

"I-I-I-I'm s-s-s-oooorrryyy!" Frisk blubbered.

"Whatever for? It was not your fault the creature attacked you." Toriel said.

She didn't remember then. If this was a true RESET and Frisk was sent back to the very beginning of their journey, then of course she wouldn't remember the terrible thing Frisk did. Toriel only knew them as a human child who had just fallen down into the Underground. She didn't even know Frisk's name.

Frisk wished they could feel relief at this discovery. If Toriel didn't remember, then surely nobody else would. It was the fresh start they had been desiring. But instead they were overcome by another wave of grief and nausea. It wasn't right! Toriel would never forgive Frisk if she remembered what happened before! She wouldn't be treating them so kindly if she only knew.

Frisk continued to cry and hold onto Toriel tightly. They didn't deserve her kindness but Frisk could only sit in Toriel's arms and accept the love she gave them. It hurt but Frisk craved it so badly that they continued to let her comfort them.

"It's alright." Toriel murmured over and over. Frisk wasn't sure how long they sat there crying their heart out, but Toriel held onto them tightly the entire time murmuring comforting words. Well meaning, but her words only had the opposite effect on Frisk who would burst into sobs again when Toriel attempted to care for them.

Eventually Frisk did finally run out of tears. By this point the little light from the sun was dimming. Frisk sniffed and removed their face from Toriel's robe. The spot they sobbed into was now wet with their tears and Frisk felt a small flash of guilt. But when they looked into Toriel's gentle red eyes they could tell she didn't mind.

"Are you well now my child?" Toriel asked.

No.

"Y-y-y-yes." Frisk said. Their eyelids drooped. Frisk suddenly realized they were exhausted. The emotional and physical strain of-of just everything had taken its toll.

"Perhaps it would be best if I took you to my home to rest. Would that be alright?" Toriel asked Frisk.

Frisk nodded their head tiredly. They were having trouble keeping their eyes open. Toriel continued to hold Frisk as she started walking throughout the ruins. Frisk managed to stay awake for the first few rooms. Frisk hazily recognized the crumbling stone walls with ivy threading up them. A few Froggits and Whimsuns looked at the little human curiously but didn't dare to come closer with Toriel carrying Frisk protectively.

Before they reached the house in the ruins, Frisk was sound asleep.


The second awakening after the RESET was much more pleasant than the first. Frisk woke up slowly, curling up tighter underneath the warm blanket thrown over them. They let out a contented sigh, and for a few brief moments they felt content and happy. Frisk held onto this feeling as long as they could, but as the threads of sleep dropped away Frisk became aware of their surroundings.

It was uncomfortably familiar. The room was dimly lit but Frisk could still see the outlines of all the furniture as well as the large piece of cinnamon butterscotch pie sitting on the floor.

Quietly, Frisk hopped out of the bed and picked up the piece of pie. It was still slightly warm.

Holding the pie carefully so as not to drop it, Frisk left the bedroom and walked into the living room where they were sure Toriel would be. Sure enough, Toriel was sitting on a chair reading a book about snails Frisk remembered her reading to them last time. A cheery fire burned in the fireplace giving the room a warm glow. Next to the fireplace was a small bookshelf filled with books. Frisk couldn't remember what books Toriel owned. They vaguely recalled she read a few of them to Frisk before they left the ruins, but Frisk admittedly could only remember her book about snails.

At Frisk's entrance, Toriel looked up with a bright smile. Frisk ignored the painful clenching on their heart at her grin.

"Hello my child. Did you sleep well?" Before Frisk could answer, Toriel noticed the pie in their hands. "Ah, I baked that for you while you were sleeping. Are you not hungry? Or perhaps you do not like cinnamon butterscotch pie?" She asked anxiously.

Frisk shook their head and sat down on the floor. They tried to speak but felt their gut clench up when they attempted to make a sound.

Frisk bit their lip. They had spoken to Toriel before, but now that they were calm they were struggling to form words. Frisk opened their mouth and tried again but only a strangled noise came out. Embarrassed, they ducked their head and stared intently at the pie- too ashamed to look at Toriel.

A quiet rustling alerted them to Toriel's movement. She knelt in front of Frisk and gently held their head up to look at her.

"Are you having trouble speaking?"

Frisk nodded.

"Would you like a pen and paper to write down your words? Or do you prefer to use sign language?" Toriel asked.

Frisk knew a little sign language, but only the basics. They never had time to learn more of it although they wanted too.

Frisk mimed writing on their hand for pen and paper. Toriel got up and plucked a small notebook off the shelf and rustled around in one of the side table drawers for a pencil. Discovering one in the bottom drawer, Toriel handed the items over to Frisk.

Grateful to Toriel for being so understanding Frisk quickly wrote- 'Thank you.'

"You are most welcome my…oh! I just realized I never got your name! Nor have I introduced myself." Toriel laughed. "I am Toriel, caretaker of the ruins."

Frisk already knew that, but since Toriel didn't remember anything they needed to keep up appearances. Already they messed up by crying and apologizing to Toriel. Frisk quickly jotted down an introduction.

'Hello. My name is Frisk. Thank you for saving me.'

"You are most welcome Frisk. I am sorry you were set upon by that terrible creature. I healed your wounds best I could, are you in any pain?"

Frisk blinked and looked down at themselves. Now that Toriel mentioned it, they didn't have any physical pain. The bruises and cuts from the fall and Flowey's attack were gone.

'Thank you for healing me.' Frisk wrote.

"Of course. So, are you hungry? Did you want something else besides butterscotch pie? I could whip up some snail pie instead if you would prefer that." Toriel said. Frisk made a face and shook their head.

'I like this. I wanted-' Frisk hesitated, looking down at their writing. Before they could think better of it, they scribbled 'I didn't want to eat alone. Want to eat with you.'

"That sounds delightful! Why don't you put your food on the table and I will go get something for myself and some drinks." Toriel said.

Frisk did as she asked and when Toriel came back with a slice of pie for herself and two cups of water they ate happily as Toriel chattered on about the Ruins. Much of the information she told Frisk was stuff they already knew, but they were more than happy to listen to Toriel speak. Frisk noticed she never spoke of what lay outside the ruins. Once Toriel started to say "The rest of the Undergr-" but stopped herself before she finished the sentence. She hastily changed the topic to the creatures of the Ruins and what Frisk should do if they encountered one without Toriel.

It was the calmest and most peaceful moment Frisk could remember having in a long time. They tucked it away in their soul, trying to remember every single thing about their lunch (dinner?) with Toriel.

Because Frisk knew what they needed to do next.


Frisk spent the next few days paying as much attention to what Toriel had to teach them as possible, especially when it came to other monsters. The day after Frisk arrived, Toriel took them to the training dummy and told Frisk to be kind. Whereas before Frisk had ignored Toriel's advice and hit the dummy with their stick, this time Frisk attempted to speak to the dummy despite how silly it felt. To their surprise it seemed…responsive? Frisk wasn't sure but there was a lighthearted feeling in the air after they complimented the dummy.

After their first session, Frisk would quietly slip away from the house when Toriel was sleeping. She never let Frisk out of her sights and their only chance to practice was when she slept.

The first few times Frisk tried speaking to the inhabitants of the ruins were disasters. The Whimsuns would run away, Moldsmals just sat there and wiggled, and the Froggits would automatically attempt strange attacks that made Frisk want to fight back- which was a no no. Frisk couldn't bear hurting another Underground inhabitant, so they tended to take Whimsun's lead and run away from those fights.

That night Frisk was done trying to talk to the monsters. They were already exhausted and running away from a fight with a Froggit. Frisk didn't know what to do to make the monsters like them. They already seemed intent on being scared of Frisk. To be fair I guess they have good reason to be. Considering I killed them the last time around. Frisk thought bitterly.

Suddenly Frisk was jolted out of their thoughts as a sudden looming white figure on the floor caught their attention. Frisk tried to stop before they ran into whatever was blocking them, but instead ended up tripping over a small rock.

"Oh…no…I'm sorry." Napstablook looked at Frisk who was now lying on the floor along with the sad ghost. The air between them felt uncomfortable and heavy.

Tears fell from Napstablook's eyes and Frisk winced as the tears hit them. How is it possible for his tears to fall sideways, hit me, AND hurt? Frisk thought annoyed.

"Oh no…I'm sorry again." Napstablook said. Despite his apologies, tears continued to fall from his white eyes.

Frisk wasn't sure if Napstablook was being sincere or not. They brief encounter with the ghost before the RESET wasn't the most enlightening encounter. Napstablook allowed Frisk to hit him with their stick over and over, only to end the fight by apologizing and admitting he was only acting like it was hurting him. After all "You can't kill ghosts…you know that, right?" Napstablook asked Frisk.

Frisk stood up, desperately trying to avoid Napstablook's tears. They just kept coming until Napstablook sniffled and they stopped.

Frisk thought about running away. But there was nowhere to run but backwards where the Froggit Frisk was already running from would be waiting. Frisk needed to get back to Toriel before she woke up and realized Frisk was missing. There was nothing to do but stand and fight.

Frisk's mind raced. They could simply keep hitting Napstablook like they did last time. Their hits wouldn't hurt the ghost, and eventually he would disappear when he was bored with the fight.

But I don't want to do that.

Frisk didn't want to raise a finger to hurt any of the monsters. Even if Napstablook couldn't feel it, it felt wrong to Frisk to attack the ghost. So that plan was out.

Napstablook sniffled and Frisk was alarmed to see tears beginning to gather around the edges of his eyes. Whatever they were going to do, they needed to do it fast.

Maybe…maybe a joke? Napstablook seemed awful sad, and if Frisk cheered him up maybe he would let them go?

Frisk held up their hands towards Napstablook in a 'Hold on a second' gesture. Napstablook paused in his sniffling, looking confused as Frisk pulled out their notebook and pen they kept in the little backpack they'd found in the bedroom. They couldn't think of anything really funny at the moment, but then they remembered one of the bad jokes Toriel told them.

Frisk scribbled it down, praying it would work. They turned the paper around for Napstablook to read.

"I'd tell you a chemistry joke but I know I wouldn't get a reaction." Napstablook read out loud. For a second Frisk was scared it hadn't worked, but then a small smile worked its way slowly onto Napstablook's face.

"Heh." Napstablook chuckled.

Frisk smiled, but their grin was quickly wiped off their face when a few more tears fell from Napstablook's eyes and almost hit them. Frisk dodged quickly, their heart sinking. Did it not work?

But, Frisk wasn't sure if they were imagining it, there may have been a few less tears than before.

I'll try again. Frisk decided. They scrawled another joke on their notepad and almost shoved it into Napstablook's face.

'A friend of mine tried to annoy me with bird puns, but I soon realized that toucan play at that game.'

"Heh heh…" Napstablook's smile didn't get any bigger, but Frisk felt the air lighten slightly as they had with the dummy.

Frisk braced themselves for more tears, but instead Napstablook said shyly, "Can I show you something?"

The tears they were waiting for did arrive, but instead of aiming themselves at Frisk, the tears fell upwards around Napstablook's head. To Frisk's surprise, they began to form a white top hat.

"I call it, Dapper Blook." Napstablook said nervously. "Do you like it?"

'I love it! You look amazing!' Frisk wrote. The heavy and uncomfortable atmosphere was gone, replaced with a similar feeling to Frisk's first meal with Toriel- warm and hopeful.

"Oh gee…I usually come to the ruins because nobody's here…but today I met someone nice." Napstablook rose up from the floor, still wearing his top hat. "I'm happy…"

Frisk was too.

Napstablook bid farewell to Frisk and apologized for being in their path before fading away. Frisk didn't mind at all anymore. They were ecstatic. Finally, Frisk managed to solve a problem peacefully! If they took what they learned from their fight with Napstablook, maybe they could take on other monsters in the same way. No fighting, just talking and sparing each other.

Clutching their backpack excitedly, Frisk began their trek back to Toriel's house, their mind whirring with the new information they gained.


Frisk began paying closer attention to atmosphere around them when they interacted with the monsters. When first meeting a new monster, the air was harsh and filled with an unpleasant tension. At first Frisk tried telling jokes to lighten the atmosphere as they did with Napstablook, but it didn't work for any of the other creatures of the Ruins. After a few more failed attempts Frisk fully understood what they needed to do during a fight with Moldsmal.

While not as bad as the Froggits, Moldsmals did have some attacks Frisk needed to dodge. During the battle Frisk was hit and their tolerance for the conflict reached its tipping point. Irritated, Frisk childishly imitated Moldsmal's stupid wiggle dance. They stuck their tongue out at Moldsmal mockingly.

Then, they felt the pressure around them alleviate. The Moldsmal wiggled a little differently at Frisk before settling down. Frisk waited with baited breath for the next attack to come, but it never did. Moldsmal seemed to be content with having Frisk near it now.

Frisk let out the breath they were holding and plopped onto the ground. What happened was a little confusing, but Frisk was a smart child and put together the pieces.

I guess each monster needs a different gesture to show it that I'm friendly. Frisk looked at Moldsmal, thinking. I just need to figure out what makes each monster peaceful.

Easier said than done, but Frisk felt their determination strengthen. They didn't need to battle the monsters, Frisk had proven to themselves they could stop the attacks in a nonviolent manner.

Abruptly the Moldsmal jolted, and began to wiggle its way away slowly. Frisk watched it shimmy away, baffled as to what spooked it.

"My child, what are you doing?"

Frisk cringed at Toriel's icy tone. They turned around to see Toriel looking at them with disappointment.

"Frisk, were you fighting the Moldsmal?" Toriel asked sadly. Frisk shook their head frantically and pulled out their notebook and pencil, their handwriting shaky with nervousness.

'No. I was making friends.'

"Ah," Toriel relaxed, "Next time please do not do so without me with you. While the monsters here are friendly, they get a little scared of newcomers. They could attack and hurt you if you are not careful."

Frisk fiddled with the pencil. They didn't want to tell Toriel, they wanted to stay in the safety of the ruins with her forever. But they had a mission and Frisk needed to see it through.

'Wanted to do it by myself.' Frisk wrote.

Toriel frowned and said, "There is no need for you to do this alone. I will be with you."

She didn't understand and her kindness was killing Frisk.

'Have to do it by myself. Need to learn for future when I am alone.'

"My child, I told you, you will never be alone." Toriel tried to comfort them again.

'Need to learn for when I leave the ruins.' Frisk wrote.

Toriel started. When she spoke next her voice was a lot less calm. "Frisk, it would be best if you stayed in the Ruins."

'I need to leave.'

Toriel's face hardened. "I need to go to something. Stay-" Toriel looked around and sighed. Frisk knew she was going to tell them to stay put, but in truth Toriel would never leave them out in the open like this. "Come with me to the house."

Frisk did as she asked, and the walk back home was quiet and intense. When they reached the house Toriel said, not looking at Frisk, "Go to your room and stay there until I come get you."

She left, running down the stairs without even checking if Frisk was going to their room or not. Tears burned at the edges of Frisk's eyes. They clenched their hands into fists and looked down the stairwell.

It wasn't too late. Frisk could let Toriel destroy the exit to the Ruins and continue their pleasant life with her. Everything would be peaceful. Eventually Frisk would make friends with all of the monsters in the Ruins, and they could lead a happy life here.

I can't do that.

It wouldn't be fair of Frisk to take this happy life after everything they did. They didn't deserve it. Frisk needed to make things right, which meant it was necessary to face what was coming next.

Slowly Frisk walked down the stairs after Toriel.


She was waiting for Frisk at the exit to the Ruins.

"Every human who falls down here meets the same fate. I have seen it again and again. Please do not make me do this." Toriel said with her back turned to Frisk.

Frisk took another step forward.

"Very well." Toriel said. "If you are so determined, prove yourself. Prove to me you are strong enough to survive." Those were the very same words she'd spoken to Frisk before. And Frisk had attempted to show her they were strong enough. They'd proven they were strong enough to beat her.

Frisk didn't want to do that again.

The battle began and Frisk did their best to dodge Toriel's fire. Talking to her wouldn't help (if Frisk could speak at all, which they doubted). Whenever Frisk took a hit Toriel flinched, but her actions remained resolute. She was driving Frisk back, attempting to scare them away from the exit.

Previously Frisk would have stood and fought Toriel. Nothing else worked. They couldn't reason with her or 'make nice' as they did with the other monsters. Unsure of what to do Frisk simply stood there and took Toriel's attacks head on. They wouldn't fight back. Frisk needed to move forward but they wouldn't let Toriel die because of their selfishness.

"What are you doing?" Toriel demanded suddenly.

Frisk paused at her question and recoiled when one of Toriel's fireballs grazed their shoulder.

"Fight or run away!" Toriel insisted.

No. No more fighting. No more running away.

Frisk stood, determined, in front of Toriel and looked her in the eyes.

The fight stopped.

"Why." Toriel cried, "Why do you need to leave? You could stay here and live! Why are you being so difficult?" She buried her face in her hands.

The silence rang in Frisk's ears. Haltingly- unsure if Toriel would attack again- Frisk approached Toriel. When she didn't make any move to acknowledge them, Frisk gently grabbed onto her robe and tugged it slightly.

Toriel didn't move.

Anxious, Frisk pulled a little harder.

Toriel lowered her hands and looked at Frisk through blurry, tear filled eyes.

'I love you.' Frisk signed.

Toriel inhaled deeply and swooped down to crush Frisk in a strong embrace. "I love you too, Frisk."

Neither moved for a long minute. They both knew what would happen when they let go.

Frisk was the first to move away. They looked at Toriel expectantly. She smiled sadly and shook her head.

"I understand. You would be unhappy trapped here. The Ruins are no place for a child to grow up." She was wrong. Frisk would be more than happy to spend the rest of their life with Toriel in the Ruins, no matter how small they were. But Frisk didn't want to let her know that, otherwise Toriel might change her mind in letting them go.

"I will put my fears aside. For you." Toriel got up and walked past Frisk, leaving them standing alone in front of the door out of the Ruins. "But Frisk…" Frisk didn't turn around at Toriel's parting words, "when you leave, I cannot help you. You will be alone."

Frisk knew that. But they nodded for Toriel's sake.

They heard her sigh and say "Goodbye my child."

They listened as Toriel walked away, her footsteps getting fainter and fainter.

They looked forward, took a deep breath, and walked out of the Ruins.