Undyne's sudden cry silences the Hall instantly, "Your Majesty, the barrier is gone!" The royal family are looking at the aquatic monster with wide, surprised expressions. All of the humans that had been previously sacrificed for the barrier are crowded together anxiously. All things considered, you understood why they were afraid. Had they also had the reset ability like Frisk? Or was Frisk a special case...
A delighted chuckle escaped the Queen and you look back to her, "oh my; you ended everything and freed us as well? But... How did you get here, dear? Did you fall down as well?"
That...made things more complicated. Gaster had blown a hole in space and time; so perhaps memories of him didn't return to the other inhabitants? Sans, yourself and Asriel knew him. Alphys had also remembered him, and by extension, Undyne.
Asriel saves you from your predicament.
"Mother, she was Doctor Gaster's project. Don't you remember meeting her before?" The small child said with a soft smile. It was like saying Gaster's name had unlocked something, as whispers and murmurs started up.
Or was that because they had found out you were an experiment? Suddenly, you are frightened that you will be rejected, even though you now had a monster soul. Sans is at your side in a blink and he pulls you into his arms protectively.
You knew he had questions. That everyone probably did; but you were glad that he had responded to your anxiety so swiftly. His embrace felt safe and you knew he wouldn't put up with anyone messing with you.
"Oh...Oh my..." Toriel's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the short skeleton that she knew as Sans in her restored memories. Her eyes lingered on the way he was cradling you protectively, "are you two...perhaps...?" She trailed off, confused.
Sans offered the monster queen a fond smile, "she is my bond mate."
"B-But, isn't she human?" Asriel questioned in his soft and gentle voice.
"She is-"
"No." You don't mean to talk over the skeleton holding you, but you wanted to be clear about it. Sans' white pupils lower to your face in confusion.
"N-Not anymore..."
You lower your gaze as the royal family's confusion is too much to handle. Asgore clears his throat and Toriel exchanged a look with him.
"Perhaps we should discuss this at a later time." Toriel told you delicately and you nod, grateful. Asgore and Undyne begin aiding the other monsters to evacuate in a calm fashion and Toriel left to help the humans with Asriel trailing along with her. That was probably for the best.
Sans suddenly picks you up easily and throws a look at his brother and Frisk before leaving the Hall of Judgment back towards the Underground. Even though you have been sleeping so much, you feel suddenly exhausted. The adrenaline from the fight has gone. The din from the Hall quiets as he continues to walk until there is nothing but quiet.
Once the skeleton is satisfied with the distance, he stops; the white points of light fading as he stared down at you.
"i...i...saw your soul shatter... _? what happened back there?" To your alarm, tears began to pool in his sockets and you lurch in his arms to hung him; causing his arms to fly up to support your new position.
"Sans! I am fine, please don't cry anymore. It is really over, I promise." You pause as your knowledge of using your magic is limited, "can you call my soul out?"
He hesitates and then sits down so abruptly that you squeak in surprise. His phalanges gently caress your face reverently before he lowers his free hand to your chest. As he slowly draws it away; your new soul easily heeds his call and appears.
It is whole and shining that same soothing teal that you associate completely with Sans. You feel him tense and look up at his face; his sockets half lidded in a gentle expression before they widen in realisation. Human souls did 'feel' different after all...
"you...this soul...," his whites train on your eyes, "you are a monster now?"
You nod with a smile. You tell him how you had seen all of the timelines and how Gaster had appeared.
"He told me to tell you he was sorry," you told the skeleton, "he said he thought of you like a son."
"where is he now?" Sans asked after letting that sink in for a moment.
"He is gone... For good...," you murmur, unsure of what you are feeling, "he is the one that took down the barrier."
You sit in silence for awhile; just letting your new reality sink in. Suddenly, Sans' shoulders begin to quake and you glance up at him to see a wide sincere smile on his face as nervous, but joyful deep chuckling echoes within him. You don't know why, but you begin laughing too and soon enough; both of you are under the mercy of nearly hysterical laughter.
It was over! It was finally over!
And everyone was alive!
It took awhile for Sans and yourself to calm down but when you did; you took his skull within your hands and pressed your forehead to his.
"I love you." You whisper gently and Sans holds you tighter as your soul slowly returns when his free hand curls around your waist with his other arm.
"i love you too, _" His tone of voice makes you shiver, "stay with me?"
"Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way." You murmur and he nuzzled the smooth cheek bone of his skull against your own cheek softly.
"BROTHER! WE ARE LEAVING! HURRY UP; LAZYBONES!" Papyrus yelled down the long hallway. You couldn't see him from this far away and marvel at how much the younger skeleton brother's voice carried.
Sans chuckled and he releases you so you could stand up on your own. He reaches out his own hand once he is up and you take it. When you return to the hall of judgement, Papyrus and Frisk are waiting for you. To your surprise; Frisk runs up to you and takes your free hand, beaming up at you.
"Hey, Frisk. You did great back there." You tell them and they nodded. They began signing with one hand and even though it definitely wasn't Wing Dings; you understood them for some reason.
-Chara is gone. I am so happy we get to leave for good.-
"Me too."
"COME ON! I WANT TO SEE THE SURFACE!" Papyrus whines and Sans' grin is more happy than you had ever seen before. It was a nice change from the sullen and traumatized skeleton that had told you his secret in the darkness of his messy room.
Your group finally breaks free of the Underground and you blink at the sudden flare of light. Slowly, your eyes adjust and the scenery before you renders your voice useless. The sun is rising, sending oranges; reds; and yellows shooting across the lightening sky. Knowing that it wasn't a cave ceiling above you but the true sky makes you feel infinitely small.
There is a forest with lush green trees stretched before you and what had to be a human city on the horizon.
You smile softly. It was so beautiful and warm up here.
As you stand there quietly with your hands linked with both Sans and Frisk; barely hearing Papyrus' loud exclamations; you are happy for once in your life.
This feels like the beginning of your journey and you knew that where ever it would leave you; you would never let go of Sans.
Your hand squeezes his lightly and he returns the gesture just as tenderly as your close your eyes and feel your steady connection to Sans deep within your new soul.
It was finally over and you were ready to live your life by his side.
Where you belonged.