You wake up in the dark room on the flower bed. Funny, you don't recall falling asleep or walking back. Standing, you don't spot your satchel or necklace. What the hell is going on? There's the door you went through, you do the same again. Was it all a dream? There's Flowey in the center of the room, you approach him and he says the same thing as last time. Why is this happening? You dodge his attacks this time. He's suspicious and tries again, though you keep dodging.
"You know what's going on, don't you?" His kind voice goes creepy like last time. You're confused, and Toriel saves you, like last time. But unlike last time, you hug her. Her soft fur brushes your nose as she hugs you back, though she doesn't know you yet.
"Mom, what's going on? Why is everything repeating?" You ask her, fear coming out in your voice.
"My child, you must be feeling déjà vu. I can understand your confusion in this world, it must be very different than the surface." Her response does nothing to ease your worries, and it proves you're the only one who knows about the past one. Flowey seemed to have an idea, but didn't remember you. Was this what he meant by reset? You follow Toriel, I think it's safe to say everything happened as it did before. Except there was no creepy dream. During the fight, Flowey didn't scare you this time, so you didn't accidentally hit Goat Momma. You just kept hitting that Mercy button for her until she gave in and spared you. You didn't hold her dying body, she was capable of hugging you back. Her words were different this time.
"You're different. Stay Determined My Child." She left you in front of the door, satchel at your side, her love in your heart. You opened the door and stepped into the cold snow with a smile. You didn't pause at the stick breaking, but you did at the bridge. It wasn't broken this time. Did he fix it before you got here? There's no way, his steps crunched the snow behind you, and you spun around. Images of the boxes in the grave room prevented you from hugging him, instead you took his hand, and withdrew when you were buzzed, just like last time. Does he remember? His laugh sounds forced this time, like something's weighing his mind.
"Heya kid, m'Sans. Sans The Skeleton. Shocker seeing a human down here." Your laugh is genuine, which brings a real smile to his face. He doesn't ramble about his brother this time, maybe he knows you remember. The fight in Alphys's lab comes to mind. Maybe it's better to pretend. You two head over to the clearing where Pap appeared last time. As if on cue, his footsteps are heard. Before Sans can push you, you hide behind the strange lamp again. You don't notice Flowey in the trees, Having been watching you since your fight with him.
"BROTHER! WHY AREN'T YOU AT YOUR POST!" shouts the great Papyrus. Just like last time, his scarf is blowing in a non-existent wind, though there's no spaghetti on his scarf this time. This déjà vu crap is a little irritating.
"Heya Bro," Sans responds the same as last time, it seems not much will be different.
"DON'T YOU 'HEYA BRO' ME! YOU WOKE UP LATE, YOU'VE BEEN QUIET ALL MORNING, YOU'RE STILL WEARING WHAT YOU WORE TO BED LAST NIGHT, AND YOU STILL HAVEN'T RECALIBRATED YOUR PUZZLES. SOMETHING IS WRONG SANS, AND YOU DON'T TRUST ME ENOUGH TO TELL ME WHAT IT IS." Well, that's a little different. Last time it was just the puzzle thing. Is something different this time?
"Na bro, that's not it. Just a stupid nightmare is all. M'kay Pap, nothing to worry about." Uh-huh. Can skeletons have bags under their eyes? It looks as if Papyrus is hurt, but he doesn't push it.
"OK BROTHER. I'LL LEAVE YOU ALONE ABOUT IT. BUT YOU STILL NEED TO RECALIBRATE YOUR PUZZLES. WE DON'T WANT A HUMAN TO SLIP OUT OF OUR GRASP LIKE LAST TIMES. I WANT TO PROVE TO UNDYNE THAT I CAN BELONG IN THE ROYAL GUARD." This statement shocks you. Pap, the most innocent monster you've ever met, is a human hater? Does that mean Sans is just his lackey? Being used because he doesn't have the heart to tell him no?
"M'kay bro." No puns in the conversation. Papyrus leaves the area like last time, saying Nyeh-heh-heh on his way out. Sans's sigh holds a lot of weight as you step out from behind the lamp. Worry is evident in your eyes, the kind of worry a stranger wouldn't have for someone they just met. You shiver, pretending to be freezing, though you're already used to the chill of the snow. It works though, because Sans hands you his fluffy jacket.
"Thank you, Sans." Putting it on, you slip your hand in his and start walking down the path. He doesn't protest, instead falling into step beside you, maybe he's blushing, but it's difficult to tell. The path get's a little slippery up ahead, but you choose to brave through instead of taking the longer, easier path. This doesn't work well though, because you slip on the ice, and because you're still holding his hand, he falls too. Right on top of you, tough he stops himself from actually falling on you, by bracing himself with his hands. You lay there, shocked by how close you are to him. The thought kissing him crosses your mind, you're tempted to do just that. But in this timeline, you should barely know him. He barely knows you. Just because you remember him from a different timeline doesn't mean you can make a move on him in this one. You push yourself up, removing yourself from the near proximity. If you didn't know better, he might look disappointed, but he gets up the same.
"Heh, sorry kid. Didn't mean to do that ta ya." His sheepish smile warms your heart better than his sweater.
"It's ok Sans, I'm the one who pulled you down by accident." He shrugs and continues the path. You stay standing there, wondering if you really should have kissed him then. He stops and looks back, calling your name.
"Coming Sans," You assure him, running to his side, wondering if you even told anyone your name in this timeline. You walk into Snowdin with Sans, monsters staring at you two, glaring at you in his jacket. You cling to Sans's arm. Shy? Scared? You pass by his house and like last time, he goes inside to tell his brother he's walking you home. Wait, you didn't have that talk this timeline. Once again, you wonder if he remembers. Papyrus interrupts your thoughts.
"ARE YOU SURE SANS, WHAT IF SOMETHING HURTS YOU. BRING HER INSIDE AND LET ME MAKE YOU TWO SOME SPAGHETTI FOR YOUR JOURNEY." Huh? Inside? But he wants to kill you, a human. Sans's voice is too quiet to hear through the walls, but based on what Paps says next, you're pretty sure Sans is declining.
"JUST BECAUSE SHE HAS TO BE HOME BY A CERTAIN TIME DOESN'T MEAN I CAN'T FEED YOU TWO FOR THE JOURNEY. OH FINE, I HAVE SOME LEFTOVER SPAGHETTI IN THE FRIDGE. IT'S NOT FRESH, BUT YOU GUYS CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU IN CASE YOU GET HURT IN BATTLE." Awe, how sweet. Wait, no, he wouldn't be this kind if he knew you were a human. You're only saving grace is that you're in a hurry. Sans comes out a few minutes later with two plates of spaghetti, you're stomach growls at the sight of the best food ever.
"Uh, maybe we should leave this for Toby." Sans says. Who's Toby. As if sensing your confusion, sans answers your unspoken question.
"Toby is the dog who-" He cuts himself off before explaining the artifact. You haven't seen that in this timeline. He has to be more careful than that. "Who hangs around the underground." He finishes, hoping you don't notice the pause. You nod, ignoring it, and letting the illusion of strangers continue. To be honest, you don't want to remember, even if it means you remember the smiles, the inside jokes. It also means you remember the grave room, the secrets. His confession. The spaghetti is left by a tree for Toby and you head towards Waterfall. It still captivates you and you're drawn to a path you didn't notice before. But what you find is not what you expected in such a beautiful and peaceful place.
The sign at the entrance says Temmie Town and after introducing yourself to some of the locals, you figure the name definitely fits. It's a cute little town and the shop has many useful items. But what draws your attention is the Temmie running the shop is trying to earn enough for college. It's such a good cause, you wish you had enough to pay for it, but you only have half the price. Sans sees your drawn to helping the little guy and pays it in full, surprising you. But the smile on Temmies face is so adorable, and he makes everything on the menu half off for you two. Definitely forth the 1,000 it cost for it's college fund, and there's a new item too.
"Temmie Armor? What's that?" You ask Sans. He shrugs.
"Probably some boss battle wear." His eyes show uneasiness though his posture is relaxed. You decline the offer and head out of Temmie town, continuing on your journey. Sans looks better now than when in Temmie Town, you guess he doesn't like it there. The same thing happens with Undyne, except you hide in the bush yourself and he looks calmer than the last timeline. That feather thing still bugs you.
"Sans, what're you doing here? The locals in Snowdin spotted a human. Shouldn't you be protecting your brother? I know he wants to be in the royal guard, but we both know he's not cut out for that. You need to keep him safe." Undyne says. Is she suspicious? It makes sense if it is.
"I know Undyne, but he's fine. Besides, I came out here in search of the human. What better way to protect my little bro than eliminate the threat before it reaches him, Am I right?" Oh god, he seems so natural in this role, it scares you. Undyne chuckles, clearly his outright threat against The Human, who happens to be the exact creature he has hidden in a bush beside him, has wiped away any chances of doubt it might have in Sans.
"Ok Sans, I won't send you home. But if you find that human," it spats the word like it's poison. You're not poison. "Send word to me, ok?" wow, this creature really hates you, doesn't it.
"Sure thing Undyne. Oh, by the way, when you gonna ask Alphy out?" You can hear the smirk in Sans's voice, and the thumping of Undynes armor as it stops out of the area, leaving you and Sans alone, just like last time. You step out of the bush and Sans hugs you tightly. Maybe he does remember. You hug him back.
"Thank you, Sans," you whisper in his ear softly, letting him go and continuing on your journey. Sans follows you though you expected him to stay. After all, you're sure it's what he would have done if he didn't remember. So he just proved your theory by sticking with you. Maybe you can clear it up that you remember too, but maybe He doesn't want You to remember. You're in the area of the Hotland sign again when he grabs your arm and stops you both.
"(Y/n), I gotta tell ya something." He says quietly, not looking at you. Wait, is he telling you about the lab? The fight you're going to have with the king? You watch him, waiting for him to explain.
"Um… well, you see… the thing is…." You stop his stuttering by making him look at you.
"Whatever you say won't change the way I think about you Sans. I promise." Oh god, you promised him. What if he tells you he's a murderer, what if he's a rapist? Or worse? What's worse than that? Why did you promise him that? Oh wait, there's no way he's a rapist, he blushes at your smile. There's no way he's a murderer, even if he killed someone. It could have been justice or orders, because he cares about even strangers. Hell, he saved you before you fell into the crevasse last timeline. He couldn't be telling you anything bad.
"Ok… There's a room up there, I know you probably won't like it, but you'll need to see it. You need to know what us monsters have been doing. You might hate me after you see it, but you need to know the truth. But I promise you, I never wanted that. Ok (y/n)." Oh, not what you expected. Is this him trying to earn your trust? You smile kindly at him, he's trying to do better this time.
"Thank you for telling me Sans, for trying to do better this time." His shock is evident, clearly, he didn't expect you to remember. You smile at this and take his hand, leading him into Hotland. You don't really need him as a guide and it's not often you come across a monster that wants a fight, so really, he's just with you for companionship. Maybe now that he knows, you can further your relationship. Wait, maybe you're thinking too quick. Looking back at him, you see him smiling. It's that kind of smile that melts your heart, and you know you're willing to risk everything for him. Too quickly, you're both in front of the lab. You look between the front door and the left path. Somehow, you know the path to the right is to the river person. You don't know how, you just know. You both head down the path to the left, hand in hand. You spot a flash of yellow as you pass through, but it's gone before you can get a second glance. So you continue onward, into the door instead of the hall. There's the king, looking lonely in his thrown. Sans, like the good local monster, kneels. Thinking it may help your case so you don't have to fight him again, you do the same. The king stands.
"Stand." His loud voice shakes you, but you obey, as does Sans. Is it you, or is he standing straighter? The king looks at your traveling companion, they seem to have a silent conversation. Then the king looks at you.
"You are the last one Human. I do not wish to fight you, but to save our kind, we need your soul. This will most likely kill you and I can understand if you are unwilling." His explanation does clear up a few things. For some reason, you are unafraid. Sans squeezes your hand, a comforting act.
"I understand, but king-" you can't finish your sentence as you don't know what to call him.
"Call me Asgore, child." He informs you. Nodding, you resume your sentence.
"Ki- Asgore, I care about a specific monster, and I'm afraid of leaving them." By the look in his face, he seems to understand completely. Could it be he's felt the same?
"Human, sometimes we will love someone as equally as there is a right way. Sometimes going with the one we love is the right thing to do, or doing the right thing may mean to leave them." Is that pain in his eyes? Your mind flashes to Toriel, Sans is watching you two, holding your hand in support of whatever you choose. Sadly, you know what the right thing is, and let his hand go with tears forming in your eyes.
"I understand King Asgore. I'm ready to do what it takes to save your kingdom." He nods remorsefully and brings his trident above his head, dangerous spikes aimed at you. Just as he brings it upon you, Sans jumps between you and the weapon unexpectedly, meeting the same fate as you.
"Sans!" You shout just as the king takes both of your lives, feeling an unexplainable pain in your heart. Then you're in the dark place, for some reason, a dark blue soul is in front of you with two buttons. Save, or Reset. But what do they do. You're holding Sans's soul when your hand hits the save button. Then your hovering on a cliff. Everyone is there, except Sans. He died with you, but why are you still here. You see another human, just as wispy as you. There's Toriel standing next to Asgore. There's a fish woman holding hands with Alphys. Come to think of it, the fish girl has the same red hair as Undyne, who you don't know what they look like.
Maybe that's what Undyne looks like. Then there's a tall pink and black robot with Papyrus on one side of him and a ghost on the other side. You wonder if the ghost would be able to see you. Next to Papyrus is a spot with Sans's jacket. That's where Sans is supposed to be, instead of you holding his soul. In the underground entrance, there's Flowey, all alone. It saddens you to see him like that, maybe if you were still alive, you would be able to take him to the surface with you. Instead, you're taking Sans to the afterlife.
Everything starts to blur, fading to the dark place again. Now it's only the one button. Reset. Quietly, you whisper to his soul, three small words. But you know he'll hear them.
"I love you"
Without hesitation, you push the button, waking up on the bed of yellow flowers again. You've start over.
