"Papyrus, my child, it is time to go." Toriel's voice was strained, the goat-like ex-queen almost definitely just as pained to attend the Dust Service as anyone else.

Papyrus looked up from where he had been lying on the old green couch, wincing as the bright sunlight streaming from the now-open tent door sparkled in his vision. He nodded blandly, wishing she would just close the flap so he could see.

"I'll... just wait for you outside. You should get changed."

The tall skeleton exhaled softly in relief as the brilliant radiance was dampened to the dull glow he preferred, with the only light in the tent coming from the vague echo of the sunlight outside that was strong enough to push through the tent walls. Papyrus had been spending a lot of time in said tent since he'd 'spaced out' in front of Asgore.

'Hmmm... You aren't trying to ignore me, are you?'

"N-NO, oF cOUrSE NOT," he assured. Papyrus still wasn't sure who he was speaking to, or what the weird dreams he'd been having were about. But he recognized the... changes.

Everything was changing. He couldn't tell if it was a good thing.

'The procedure will be confusing, S̶a̶n̶s̶. But you've always been the stronger one, haven't you?'

"YES. ThaT'S RighT," Papyrus said, not knowing completely what he was saying. Lately, every time he made a decision, it felt like something else was pushing on him, making a difference in his mind. He felt like he was remembering something he never even knew in the first place.

'Good. Good. Yes, this is very good. We'll be able to start again soon.'

"PLEAse, CAN YOU TELL mE what'S HAPPeninG?" Papyrus unsteadily got up from the sofa, pulling on the new yellow and gold clothes that someone had doubtless brought for him in the last few days to wear to the Dust Service, in which the remains of the monsters struck down the recent battle would be scattered on their favourite things from when they were living. Gold and yellows were traditional for those types of ceremonies, as the Golden Flowers symbolized eternal life. Or something like that. Maybe.

Papyrus hadn't ever really understood, and every time the annual Dust Service came around in the Underground, Sans would have to explain to Papyrus what was even happening. Why were they sprinkling powder on that book? Why toss all that grey dust on that tree?

Only now did Papyrus understand. It was for the people they left behind, for the memories that a random shoe would bring back, or the reminder of a lost friend's favourite food when they saw that powdered bowl of soup, or whatever it was. A part of Papyrus wished he was still confused, knowing that his brother's dust would be used as a reminder for Papyrus. As if he would ever forget...

The past two days had swept by in a blur. Papyrus all but completely removed himself from his once social-life to hide in his tent and try to figure out what in the world was happening to him. He could feel something, something big. Not just the voice that followed him everywhere since he'd 'zoned out' or whatever, but also a presence. In his dreams, he was always someone else, someone Papyrus recognized.

Was it S̶a̶n̶s̶? Was S̶a̶n̶s̶ talking to him in his dreams?

'Weren't you paying attention? I remember you being so much more intelligent... I suppose the new adjustments may affect your mental capabilities... A shame. I had hopes that you would be my apprentice again once we'd gotten all this cleared up. Truly, a shame.'

"ExCUse me, mySteRy voICe, but coulD you Please explain what's happening-" Papyrus abruptly cut off his request, skeletal hands flying to his neck as he processed what he had just heard come out of his mouth. For a second, his voice had completely changed from his usual loud, enthusiastic tone into a softer, lower voice that sent shivers down his spine. He'd thought it was just the shock after what had... happened, but now he could tell it was more than that.

'I suppose I will have to explain before you do something dramatic... (sigh). S̶a̶n̶s̶, before our incident I decided to- Oh. Queen Toriel is back. This'll have to wait.'

After announcing her presence, large, white, furry paws tentatively un-zipped the tent door, and the oddly loud, drawn-out rustle snapped Papyrus back into reality. It was time to go.


"Would the family of Ms. Humasirtalakiffi Whimsumara please come forward?" called out a yellow-robed Asgore, his low voice booming out over the field with the help of a lone microphone.

Papyrus could tell Asgore was trying to be collected in front of his people, but since he was sitting in the front row of chairs in the lush green field at the very base of the mountain, he could easily see the dark bags under the king's eyes and the way his hands shook as four trembling Whimsums flew up onto the small stage.

The largest one took the offered mic in both hands and faced the monsters before him, taking a deep breath before speaking timidly. "Tala w-was so happy to b-be on the Surface. For the few mornings she c-could enjoy it, she would drag us out to see the s-sunrise. She met th-the human Frisk in the Ruins where we lived and came back to tell us h-how nice they were to her... even though she was t-to scared to talk to them. Tala's favourite thing was playing Humans and Monsters with her brother, Kampalatoorewen and her best friends, Jessinanhullua and Amamaskilltov. We will all miss her very much, and we believe she would want to be remembered as an optimist. Her dust w-will be spread on our family portrait and welcome mats as a symbol of how much she loved us. T-Thank you," the Whimsum finished and flew off the stage in a tearful blur as the audience bowed their heads in respect. They would spread the dust after the Ceremony concluded.

Many more sorrowful families rose to the stage and gave the short speech about their lost loved one and what would happen to their remains. Papyrus tried to concentrate, he really tried, but all he could think about was when it was his turn to go up there, in front of everyone, and talk about his brother.

'This could be complicated... I'm not sure how much longer you have until we're done. Just... follow along with me. This will be over and then we never have to do this again. Understand?'

"UhhHhhhh... uHhhhhHhh... ok. OK," Papyrus said under his breath and felt his bones start to tingle at the edges. Wow, he really was.. nervous? Was that the word? He didn't have time to finish that thought, because just then Asgore announced, with a worried look down at the skeleton, "And how would the... brother of Mr. Comic Sans Bold please come forward?"

Comic Sans Bold. That was... his name. Wasn't it? Rising to his feet, Papyrus pushed back his strange tingling and walked, if somewhat unsteadily, towards Asgore. As he passed Undyne and Alphys, the blue fish-woman gave him a small pat, as if urging him onwards.

A small gesture, but it helped. If only he couldn't see the nervous expression pasted across her features.

Then he was on the stage, holding the microphone.

What was he supposed to do? He hadn't practiced at all.

'Ok. Breath. Now, uh, what did Sans like to do? Try to keep your voice, um, 'Papyrus-y'.'

"SANS LIkeD THE LOOKING AT THE StaRS A LOT."

'Good! Just talk to me. What other kinds of things did he like? Activities? Foods?'

"HE ALSO LIkED REALLY BAD pUNS AND PRANKS," Papyrus continued.

'Ok, ok. You're doing fine. So, well, did Sans enjoy the Surface?'

"UHH... HE WAS VERY EXCITED TO GO TO THE NEW GRILLBY'S ONCE IT OPENED..." Papyrus supplied, fighting off the hot buzz in the corners of his eye sockets. "AND HE REALLY LIKED HANGING OUT WITH HIS FRIENDS." Now that he was going, he couldn't stop the words spilling out of his mouth. "I KNOW HE LOVED TALKING TO LADY TORIEL BEHIND THE DOOR, AND EATING MY... TerRIBlE... SpagheTTI, AND PLANniNG AWFUL PUNS To TRY anD MAke me laugh, and he was very good at following Frisk around an-"

'Oh dear. Let's wrap this up quickly. Where will you scatter his dust?'

"HHHhhhhhnnnnnnn..." Papyrus moaned, ignoring the frightened looks of his friends in the audience. He had to get off! He had to get off. Had to get OFF-

He was off. He was... in the tent.

'It appears that the process is finished. Welcome back, S̶a̶n̶s̶.'