King: I'm still working on this. It's just slow going since I only really work on it on break at work so I have something to do. Anyway, I hope you enjoy as usual.

Knox: Skeletons! It is time once again!

King: Let's have a good time.

/\

"To finally have the chance to challenge and capture a human!" The tall skeleton was over the moon as he shouted his excitement to the heavens. He quickly composed himself again and turned to point toward Jaune, "Now human! Prepare to be confounded by my puzzles and befuddled by the brilliance of the Great Papyrus!"

Jaune was quiet, giving a side glance to Sans who seemed nonchalant about it all. He turned back to Papyrus to speak, "Um… what are you talking about?" He didn't have too many options and the skeleton seemed harmless enough that he didn't feel outright threatened.

"Capturing you, of course!" Papyrus shouted, which was becoming a theme. He was excited, so it was understandable. "It is my duty as a Royal Guard in training to capture you, human!"

"No, no. I got that part." Jaune couldn't find a way to have not gotten that part. "I meant the other part.

"Oh! Of course." Papyrus seemed a little too enthusiastic, "I intend to use my puzzles and brilliant mind to ensure you remain in a single location so I may capture you!"

"Um… okay?" Jaune was getting an idea of what's going on, but couldn't help but feel confused. Why not just capture me normally? I'm right here. Unless… he thought back to Sans' shortcuts and that Papyrus is said skeleton's brother. He must have some crazy powers and is just toying with me! He started to get nervous, possibly overthinking the situation.

Papyrus noticed Jaune's change in demeanor. "But I am, of course, a fair skeleton. Every puzzle can be solved. It wouldn't be fair otherwise."

Jaune's impression of the taller skeleton was improving, assuming he was telling the truth.

Papyrus continued without pause, "But that won't mean they'll be so easy to solve! Sans!"

"yeah?"

"Bring out the first puzzle! We shall begin with one of yours!" There was a pause that stretched on a little too long. "Sans."

"yeah?"

"Where's your puzzle?"

"right there." Both confused parties turned to where he was pointing to find a sheet of paper.

Jaune picked up the paper and read the title out loud. "Junior Jumble?"

"Sans!" Papyrus instantly went off. "Why on Earth is there a kiddy game as your puzzle!?"

"kiddy game? come on, that thing is pretty hard."

"Nonsense! Junior Jumble is the easiest thing ever!" Papyrus groaned and wiped his hand over his face. "Whatever. I can still salvage this! I have plenty of puzzles and plans! I, the Great Papyrus, will not let this stop me! Sans!"

"yeah?"

"Go prepare my grand puzzle by the bridge!"

"ok." Sans walked off and disappeared almost as soon as they lost sight of him.

Papyrus turns back to Jaune, pointing to him in an exaggerated manner. "I will not be so easily defeated next time!" And with that, he ran off down the path.

Jaune just blinked in confusion. As he walked past where the paper had been, he started looking over the 'puzzle'. "Too bad I don't have a pen." Dumb puzzles like this can be pretty relaxing for him. He decided to follow after them while going over the answers in his head. He hadn't been paying enough attention to his route and ended up kicking a rock. Nursing his foot, he looked down to find a line of rocks creating a small maze. Beyond them was a small cliff path with a raised spike trap blocking his way.

As Jaune looked through the maze, he noticed several glowing plates on the ground. They were too large to just step over and had combinations of X and O on top of them. He tentatively tested them by tossing a rock onto one. The X became an O and, when he tested it on the opposite start, vice versa. Jaune could figure out what this was and stepped on each of the X patterned plates. Once they were all Os, the spikes retracted and sealed by an extra metal layer. Jaune internally celebrated as he made his way over the trap and to the next area. He was about to cross through before seeing Sans and Papyrus with a box-shaped machine next to them and a strange flooring over the bridge.

"Human!" Papyrus shouted over the ravine, "Prepare for a new challenge! Behold!" He gestured to the machine and the bridge. "This machine will randomly create a puzzle on the bridge! Even I will have no idea of its solution! When I pull this switch, the floor in front of you will be arranged in multiple colored squares. Pink squares are safe and can be passed by without issue! Red squares act as walls that you cannot pass through! Yellow squares are charged with electricity and will force you backward! Orange squares make you 'orange flavored.'"

Jaune was confused by that one.

But Papyrus continued, "Purple squares are slippery and make you move forward! They also make you Lemon flavored! Blue squares are like water and change depending on where they are. If they're next to a yellow square, they are charged as well and force you back! If you're 'orange' then piranhas will try to attack you and make you go back! Otherwise, they act like pink squares!"

Jaune really hoped he can remember all that.

"Now then, human! Prepare!" Papyrus threw the switch and the tiles began to illuminate then switch places. The blinking became faster and faster until…!

The result was a straight line of pink tiles with red tiles along the outer side, making a straight shot to the other side. Papyrus was just wide eyed before slowly turning and walking off without saying a word.

Honestly, Jaune just felt bad. He crossed the bridge and up to Sans who said, "talk about lucky, right?"

Jaune just sighed, "Yeah but… it just feels…"

Sans chuckled, "you're a good dude, you know that? thinkin' about my bro's feelings like that."

Jaune nervously scratched his cheek, a habit he formed over a year or so ago when he was embarrassed, uncertain, or just called out. "I guess."

"don't worry. I won't tell 'em. go on ahead. you earned it."

"Did I though?"

Sans just shrugged. "don't know. but hey, you're still alive, right?"

Jaune thought a moment before he nodded. "Yeah. I am." He was about to walk away when he suddenly remembered something. "Oh hey! Before I go, I wanted to ask you something."

Sans just stood there with his grin, "what's up?"

Jaune pulled the old communication device from his pocket and opened it to show Sans the picture on the screen. "Do you remember taking a picture like this?"

Sans looked at the picture, his eyes going a bit wide at what he was seeing. After a moment, he returned to normal and replied with, "sorry kid. can't say I have."

Jaune visibly deflated hearing that. "Right. Sorry."

This grabbed Sans' attention. "you seem pretty broken up about it."

"What? Oh!" Jaune sighed, glancing away. "It's just…"

Sans started to chuckle. "got a crush on the girl?"

Jaune's cheeks turned a bright red. "What?! No! No no. I don't know her. I just…" Jaune was quiet a moment, something weighing on his soul. "I don't want to hurt anyone. If this was a real photo, it would give me a little hope, you know? That everything could work out." Jaune kept his eyes on the photo, "After your story…"

Sans nodded, understanding the blond's point. Being willing to take a photo with a human like that after what happened would mean a lot. "i got ya. it would be pretty significant, so i know it didn't happen. but hey, there's a first time for everything, right?" he seems like a good guy. still have to keep an eye on him, though. just in case.

Jaune put the phone away and sighed. "Alright. Guess I should keep moving, huh?"

"looks that way."

"We cannot advance!" Papyrus ran back to the two, shouting, "There has been a freeze over on the path to Snowdin! We're stuck out here until the Dog Guard clears the ice build up!"

Sans nodded slightly, "i was wondering what happened to them."

"The point is!" Papyrus continued, "we're stuck here until it's clear." Papyrus let out a disappointed groan. "And I had the perfect puzzle too. There was swinging pendulums, crossbows, flaming hoops, and an annoying dog! It would have been great!"

"Um… no offense," Jaune interrupted, "but that sounds more like an obstacle course."

Papyrus was silent for a moment before a scream burst out from his maw, "Oh my goodness! You're right!"

Jaune nearly jumped at the sudden outburst. "Um… is that good?"

"It is a little soul crushing to know all the work I put into a puzzle wasn't really for a puzzle! But other than that, it's fine." Papyrus let out a sigh before continuing, "It is nice to meet someone who understands puzzles so well. You are quite wise, human."

Jaune stammered slightly, embarrassed by the praise, "I don't know about that…"

"Well I do! How else could you have bested the puzzles of the Great Papyrus?!"

Jaune knew the puzzles weren't too crazy, and one of them ended up being unfortunate on the skeleton's end, but he did feel a bit better. It was as if Papyrus' enthusiasm was infectious. He found himself smiling and it was nice to be told he was good at something. He was used to 'do your best, even if you fail.' Then, when he did, it was always, 'it's okay.' Followed by some kind of affirmation about himself. It was infuriating and made it feel like he couldn't do anything. He wasn't good at things that usually got praise. Puzzles, word games, video games, riddles, and so on. These are what he was good at and never got praise for. No one in his family could beat him at chess! No one! But it never got a 'you're good at this.' So when Jaune heard that from the taller skeleton, all he could say was, "thanks."

"Think nothing of it!" Papyrus paused a moment before continuing. "Tell me your name. I, the Great Papyrus, cannot simply call a fellow puzzle enthusiast as just 'human.'"

Jaune blinked at first, but answered, "Jaune Arc."

"Excellent!" Papyrus instantly shifted into thinking mode. "Unfortunately, if the Dog Guard can open the ice on the path, we'll have to pass them and then a fight is sure to break out to capture you. And it's so hard to find someone who truly enjoys puzzles. Besides, if anyone is going to capture Jaune Arc, it's me! The Great Papyrus!"

Sans seemed to smile a bit wider. "well, i know a shortcut if you want to get to town."

"Oh right!" Papyrus turned to his brother. "Lead the way brother! Let us make for Snowdin!"

"okay." Sans led the two around a corner and into a small cave, quickly appearing form a small cave in town.

"Wowie! That was a shortcut."

"yep."

Jaune stepped out from the cave and looked around. It was like a small village in the snow with a large tree at the center decorated with lights and baubles. Jaune couldn't help but stare. He'd never seen anything like it before.

"is it that impressive?" Sans asked the blond.

"I think it is. We don't have anything like that on the surface."

"Well we have that stuff all the time!" Papyrus interjected and started to pull Jaune toward the end of town. "Now, come along, Jaune Arc! It is our duty as puzzle enthusiasts to become friends!" But Papyrus narrowed his eyes and looked around a bit. "But it is also my duty as a guard in training to capture you as well… hmm." After a moment of silence, Papyrus suddenly shouted, "That's it! Jaune Arc! I, the Great Papyrus, shall challenge you to one final test! Meet me at the outskirts to the east of town!" Papyrus just ran off laughing to himself.

Jaune turned to the shorter skeleton, "Should I be concerned?"

Sans just shrugged. "nah. papyrus is harmless. worse comes to worse, he'll just capture you in the old shed. it's not exactly hard to get out of, though."

"Alright." Jaune took a deep breath and looked toward where Papyrus had just run off. "Wish me luck.'

"no worries, man. you're good."

Jaune started to make his way to the end of town. He found a river to his right and a snowbank to his left as he walked. As he walked, he saw ice blocks floating down the river as they melted as time passed. As they did, a fog began to roll over the scene, making it hard to see. He kept moving as best he could with what little he could see, only stopping once he saw a silhouette of a figure in front of him.

"Jaune Arc!" The figure was revealed to be Papyrus. "I am, admittedly, torn. It is my duty to capture you as a guard in training! But, it is hard to find someone I could call a friend. As such! I have devised a genius alternative to this predicament. You and I shall have a friendly sparring match! If I can defeat you, then I will follow my duties as a hopeful for the Royal Guard. If you win, then I will dedicate myself to being your friend instead! Is this acceptable to you, Jaune Arc?"

Jaune blinked at first but started to smile. "Yeah. Sure. But, what are the rules? It can't just be us trying to beat each other up."

"Really? Hmm… That's what Undyne always does. But that's fair! How about the first to score three hits against the opponent's body wins?"

"That sounds fair."

"Excellent. Sans!"

"sup?" The shorter skeleton appeared next to his brother.

"Give Jaune Arc one of the training weapons."

"ok." Sans walks over and hands Jaune a wooden sword before walking over to the side.

Papyrus nodded, "Alright! We can begin!"

But Jaune paused, "What about you? You don't have a weapon."

"On the contrary!" Papyrus focused on his now outstretched hands before a staff in the shape of a large bone appeared. "This will be my weapon. Now, have at you!" Papyrus charged forward to engage.

The first blows they exchanged were hardly what one could call skillful. Jaune was self taught at best when it came to using a sword. The best he could ever muster was getting a suitable stick and practicing what little he could understand. Papyrus, on the other hand, had some training, but his nature made him flourish everything long enough that even Jaune could block his attacks.

As they backed off from a small clash, Papyrus asked, "I am curious, why have you come to the Underground?"

"What?" Jaune was confused now.

"This is supposed to be a friendly sparring match. And in thr event you win, I'd like to better know the kind of friend I'm to make."

The skeleton had him there. No reason not to answer. "It was an accident, actually. I was hiking up the mountain. My friends were trying to cheer me up." He trailed off a bit.

But it was still heard. "Cheer you up? From what?"

Jaune paused, half expecting a swing from thr skeleton and that this was all a distraction. But no hit came. And so, Jaune felt compelled now. "I… tried to become a Huntsman." He remembered the different timeliness and that he had to explain. "I guess the best way to describe it is like your Royal Gaurd, but you don't work for a king. Instead, you go all around, helping people as they need it."

"How inspiring!" Papyrus shouted. "Though, if they are comparable, then becoming this Hunts Man, must be quite difficult."

During a small exchange, Jaune answered. "It is. There are academies designed around training you to become one. But… I didn't make the cut. I did what I could, but it wasn't enough." Jaune's hand lowered and tightened on his wooden weapon. "But I'm not done trying. I'll become a Huntsman, yet. Even if I have to go out into the world and make it happen myself!" Jaune's emotions were flaring up, clearly having been holding this all in since he was rejected by Beacon. "I'll push myself farther! I'll go where I'm needed! I'll become a hero that people can look up to! No more 'you did alright' or 'better luck next time's. I'm not done yet!" Jaune swung his wooden blade up and slammed it down onto the waiting staff held by Papyrus, only for the magical bone to shatter at the center as the wooden sword slammed toward the ground.

Jaune paused a moment before slowly returning to a normal stance. He noticed the two staring at him, causing him to look away, slightly embarrassed and ashamed. "Sorry… I just… I didn't mean to unload all that. I've just been so…" he tried to find the words he needed, but found them lacking.

He then heard a light sniffle. By the time Jaune looked back, Papyrus was wiping his eye sockets with his arm. The taller skeleton took a breath before lowering his arm. "I'll admit, Jaune Arc, that was quite the speech. I may not know exaxtly what you've gone through to cause such an outburst, but it's clearly been a long time coming. Well fret no longer! For I, the Great Papyrus, shall say what you clearly needed to hear."

This statement confused Jaune for a moment. He just stood there, waiting for what he could mean.

Papyrus took a dramatic breath before making good on his word. "I believe in you."

Jaune stood there, shock prevalent on his face. "You… what?"

"I believe that you can become a Hunts Man. That you can be a hero. After all," Papyrus dropped his broken weapon, causing it to disappear, "you bested the Great Papyrus. There's not many who can say that!"

Sans just chuckled. "not many can say they tried."

"Exactly!" Then Papyrus caught his brother's tone. "Wait… are you mocking me?!"

"of course not."

While the skeletons bickered a bit, Jaune just stood there, surprised. Had he really never heard I believe in you before? Why did he react like that if he did? His mind ram back over every interaction he could remember. All he could hear were half-hearted affirmations. It was always, do your best, nice try, you'll get 'em next time. Never once had it been, You've got this. He'd never been told I believe in you. Jaune couldn't help it at that point. He quickly brought his sleeve to his eyes. He needed those pesky tears off his face before they froze on. He never hear it because… maybe he didn't deserve it.

"Hey!" Jaune's attention was was back to Papyrus, who stood in front of him, face to face. "I know that look. And stop it! The fact that the Great Papyrus thinks so highly of you should make it clear how you should feel about yourself. If you can't believe in yourself, then believe in the Great Papyrus! Because I believe in you, and therefore you would believe in yourself too! That's how that works, right?"

Jaune was shaking a bit before grinning and nodding once. "Yeah. Close enough. Thanks, Papyrus."

"Of course! What are friends for, after all?" He was cut off slightly by a low tone ringing out from town. "Is it that time already? How time flies! Jaune Arc!"

"Yes?"

"I may be too dangerous to travel in the later hours. It might be best to rest in town for the night until a more appropriate hour."

Jaune looked around. It was really hard to tell what time it was, but he had to concede he was tired. "That sounds like a good idea."

"I know! You can stay with us! Sans!"

"yo."

"Precure some provisions! We have a guest tonight!"

"ok." The shorter skeleton walked off in the opposite direction.

"Come along, Jaune Arc! Let us enjoy the later hours before we rest for the next day!" Papyrus ran off with his iconic sounding laugh.

Jaune couldn't help but smile as he started to run after Papyrus. He wasn't sure what to expect, and he had a hell of a moment back there. But he felt better. That was undeniable. Time will tell how this will all go, however.