Chapter 4: A %?$!y Time
A/N: Man this was suuuper long. Next ones will be shorter. Probably. I made it long so I could cover the squad meeting them up too. The conversation between Sans and Chara will reveal a lot. Definitely my favorite part to write. The interactions between everyone was also fun to create. Thinking about making a /ko-fi…having some financial problems because of graduate school and my dad's medical fees. We shall see…
Sans: "Wow. That was pretty childish."
Chara felt embarrassed, but she needed to get through to him.
Sans: "Heh, were you serious about making some new material? Well, you came to the right guy."
Chara: […what.]
Chara was confused. In a previous timeline, Sans had this secret codeword that he shared with us to prove that Frisk was a time traveler. This way he could know for sure but…
Chara: "Huh? W-wait that's what YOU told me! Y'know, your password thing! For time travelers! I would never say something so dumb."
Sans: "Nah, that's not it kid. It's actually Joe."
Chara: "Who the heck is Joe!?"
Sans: "Joe mama."
Chara: …
Chara: [Keep your cool Chara. Resist the urge to smack him…]
Sans: "Anyways, I'm just pulling your leg. Feeling better?"
Chara felt much less nervous than before.
Chara: [He's trying to make me feel better…?]
Chara: "Yeah…thanks a lot bonehead."
Sans chuckled and beckoned her over behind his house. There, she saw a silver door hidden behind some trees.
Sans: "Let's talk in here…You've been in here before, haven't you?'
Chara nodded. Frisk and her managed to find their way here in another timeline. She looked around. Everything seemed to be the same. Illegible blueprints were scattered on a table, and a weird machine was covered up in the back of the room.
They sat at a small table, face to face.
Sans: "Now then…Let's hear your story."
Chara poured out her soul to him. She told him everything. Her time as a ghost with Frisk. Her sins. All of the events that led up to her arrival in this timeline. Sans listened intently, never interrupting her.
When she finally finished, there was silence. Sans was deep in thought.
Sans: "That took a lot of courage kid, I'll give you that. Looks like we've both been to Hell and back."
Chara fidgeted in her seat upon hearing that.
Chara: [Empty praise…but that's to be expected.]
Chara: "I won't ask for your forgiveness. Or your pity…that would be far too selfish. Just know that I…"
Her voice began to waver.
Chara: "I…I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I regret everything I did. Even if you don't believe in my guilt, I'll apologize as many times as I have to."
Tears rolled down her face, but she looked at Sans right in the eye socket. The intensity of her gaze burned into his skull. Her fear was strong. But her determination was stronger.
Chara: [No running. No ignoring the past.]
Sans stared into her eyes.
Sans: "That's the expression…of someone who truly regrets the past. I've always wondered…Can even the worst person change? Can anybody become a good person if they just try?"
Chara recognized those words. He had wondered the same thing before they fought.
Sans: "I think…you're living proof that they can. Don't get me wrong. I'm not going to just forget about everything you did. But…As long as you keep that kindness in your heart. As long as you 'stay determined'…I'll believe in you Chara."
He said her name. She always thought the way he addressed her was off. He's never call her by name. It was always kid or kiddo.
Chara: [Right now he's being truly genuine…!]
Sans held out his hand to shake hers. She hesitated, remembering one of her countless death but she pressed on.
Instead of shaking his hand, Chara wrapped her arms around him.
Chara: "Thank you…I won't let you down."
Sans: "Heh, don't sweat it kid. It's practically my job to keep the Princess of the Underground safe. You're the last person I'd want to be enemies with."
Chara: "Yeah that would be pretty…wait the WHAT?"
Sans looked surprised.
Sans: "…Don't tell me. You never even thought about it, huh? Your dad's the king so…"
Chara: "-That makes me royalty?"
Chara: [That's ridiculous! Besides…]
Chara: "Sans, I'm an adopted human so I'm not really their…"
Sans cut her off.
Sans: "You may not be related, and you may not be a monster, but no matter what anyone says you're their daughter. You grew up in the underground. You're practically one of us kid."
Chara was surprised to hear that from Sans of all people. He certainly wouldn't say that about anyone.
Chara: […A monster huh? I'll take that any day over being called a human.]
Even though Chara managed to move on from her dark past, her hatred of humans still persisted.
Chara: [It all started with them after all.]
Sans: "You alright there…?"
Chara wore a blank expression.
Chara: "Ah, yeah sorry about that."
Sans: "Listen up kid."
Sans went back to business.
Sans: "From what you told me, you aren't here because of a reset to a different timeline. You're here because you somehow managed to switch over to this one. That's why your memories don't line up here."
Chara had a vague idea of what he was getting at.
Chara: "So it's like my consciousness jumped into a new timeline?"
Sans: "Exactly. There are technically other possible explanations, but this is our best one."
Chara: [Thank god he's on my side…I don't know what the hell I would be doing right now.]
Sans continued to inform her of the current events.
Sans: "For now, I can't say for certain how you got here…As for that little stunt you pulled earlier, we can only speculate that it's like a shortcut. You somehow teleported in front of my house all the way from the Judgement Hall."
Chara recounted the light she emitted and the pain she experienced.
Sans: "Hmm…if I had to guess, you just have no clue how to use it and control the sensations that come with it. You could probably learn how to use it eventually but I wouldn't mess with it…If it has to do with your saves, it's probably bad news."
Chara sunk into her seat. It was a lot to take in.
Chara: [I don't know how I feel about this. Isn't that just ignoring the problem? I guess I can put that aside for now since there's more I need to know…Hopefully there isn't someone else who can save.]
Who else would even have enough determination to use it?
Chara: "What exactly happened in this timeline? I was a ghost that followed Frisk around but here I am, alive and well. Are we not at war with humanity, or trying to leave the Underground?"
Answers to these questions would give a better picture of what this timeline is like.
Sans looked down at the table.
Sans: "Guess I'll fill you in on the politics of our situation. You and Asriel never died in this timeline, right? So Asgore hasn't declared war, or murdered any children. You've lived a pretty good life in the Underground so far and everyone's on good terms with you…But the problem is that there are people who still want to leave. Desperately so."
Chara: "…Do they hate humanity?"
Chara's expression was devoid of emotion when she asked this. It caught Sans off guard for a moment.
Sans: "Some just want to leave and be free. Some want revenge for being sealed here…and some just want humanity to be destroyed…Heh heh heh, I wonder what group you fall under."
Chara:"…"
Chara ignored the insinuating remark. She didn't want to think about that right now.
Chara: "Anyway, what does that even mean for us? Dad hasn't been collecting souls so-"
Sans: "But someone else has."
Chara: {What…? Who would do-]
One suspect came into her mind.
Chara: "…Undyne?"
Sans: "That's right. She's leading a faction of people who want to leave the Underground, with the help of Alphys and Mettaton."
Chara: [Even though the war never happened, it actually makes sense that they want to leave.]
Chara: "Their motives sill line up despite the absence of war. Undyne wants to break the barrier to free the monsters. It's likely she wants revenge too. Mettaton wants to be a celebrity, so taking control of humanity is appealing to him."
Sans nodded his head. Chara's explanations were on point.
Sans: "As for Alphys…I'm not sure."
Then Chara realized that something very important was missing from the picture.
Chara: "Hold on, what the Hell have my parents been doing then? And what about me!?"
Sans shook his head.
Chara: [Don't tell me…]
Sans: "They're remaining neutral…for your sake. Don't get me wrong. They aren't doing nothing, but they aren't exactly helping either. Toriel has tried keeping children in the ruins but it's out of her control once they leave. As for Asgore, he can only help them if they make it to his castle. They're worried that if they go against the will of Undyne, it could start a civil war."
Chara: "That's…"
Chara: [They know that if they intervene, I'll be killed too.]
Sans: "Undyne's faction could easily kill you, but they're sparing you for now. Other than that the only thing that's been keeping you safe are the other monsters."
Sans winked at her.
Sans: "See what I mean? People care about you here. Even though they could take advantage of you, they won't."
Chara didn't know what to think of it all.
Chara: "Well…what's the issue? Leaving seems appealing, we'll just have to wait for more humans to fall down then, right?"
Sans still didn't know why Chara hated humanity. She seemed indifferent to the idea of another human dying for their soul despite being one.
Sans: "There are some problems with that. One is the complete destruction of monsters. Even with the souls it's still possible we could lose to the humans. Sure, we'd become a lot stronger but that doesn't mean we'll be invincible. If we really want to leave the underground, living peacefully with humans seems to be the way to go."
Chara nodded in agreement.
Chara: [When Asriel and I fused we died. Sure, we didn't fight back but still…]
Sans: "But here's my main reason as to why we shouldn't leave. Not now at least."
Chara looked at him quizzically.
Chara: "What's wrong? Everything seems to fall into place. Well, besides actually fighting them."
Sans: "Undyne, Mettaton and Alphys. Don't get me wrong, they're all strong, intelligent people. But it just seems like something else is at play here. I've got a really bad feeling about this. They're too disorganized yet things have gone so smoothly for them".
Chara: [He's right…they all have their own agendas after all.]
Sans: "Mettaton is always doing his own thing and Alphys is locked up in her lab all the time. Undyne is the only one who could be collecting killing each human but not a single clue has been found. No sightings of her fighting them either."
Sans had an aura of intense seriousness.
Sans: "All of this, coupled with the fact that you came here and some new arrivals in the ruins…I think there's much, much more to this situation. Another player behind the scenes. I think whoever it is has also been manipulating them into trying to leave without peace in mind."
Chara was surprised at his conclusion.
Chara: [Sure, they're disorganized and all that but that doesn't mean someone else is running the show. They could just be giving it their all…but I guess he is right about everything else.]
Chara decided to trust Sans' judgement. He believed in her so it was natural that she believed in him.
Chara: "I think…that you might be right about this. But is there anything you can even do about it?"
To Chara, it seemed like Sans was trying to fight an uphill battle if he wanted to convince everyone to stay. But Sans had waited for this moment of their conversation.
Chara: […Huh? What is that?]
Sans took something out of his pocket and put it on the table. It was the same as something she had.
Chara: "That's the same badge as mine. What's going on here?"
It was designed to look like the Deltarune. Hers was crimson. On the other hand, Sans had a deep blue one.
Sans: "I'll get straight to the point. You and I have been investigating the movements of the Pro-Surface faction. Before you came to this timeline, we were working together to figure out what our next move should be."
Chara: [What the Hell…I knew I'd be learning some crazy things about me in this timeline…but this is too much.]
Upon hearing that her badge felt much heavier. It was the weight of responsibility.
Chara: "…Why did I decide to do this?"
Sans: "Everything I've said today actually came from you kid. Well, the old you."
Sans winked at her.
Sans: "You wanted to do this for the sake of everyone. In your own words, you said-"
Chara: "I refuse to let everyone's sacrifices go to waste…right?"
Sans: "You took the words right out of well, your own mouth."
Chara: [This is strange…The "Me" I know would probably prefer staying here. What exactly was sacrificed?…unless…]
Sans was on the same page as her.
Sans: "Yeah…I think that whatever this is has to do with why you're here. I have no clue as to what was going through her head."
Chara: "Me neither…all we know is that Frisk disappeared and that Asriel and I are now alive."
Sans: "I haven't run into any one named Frisk. Tori would have told me about them."
The facts were becoming clear to her, but where they lead her is still a mystery.
Chara: [I assumed she wasn't here too but I didn't expect her complete absence.]
Sans stared at her badge.
Sans: "I've got one more question for you kid, and I really want you to think about it."
Chara braced herself.
Sans: "Be honest with me. Do you want to help us? I know you were sent here but it wasn't exactly your choice. If you help us out, you and your family would be at risk. If you really wanted to, you guys could live peacefully. I won't force you to put everything on the line for something you didn't agree to."
Chara: [Even though everyone's relying on me, he's still willing to give me a choice…What a softie.]
Laughing, Chara jumped out of her seat.
Chara: "Hahaha! Is that even a question? You've all helped me. I was saved from a life of despair. So it's my turn to help everyone. I'll carry on that will. I refuse to let everyone's sacrifices go to waste!"
Dramatically, Chara declared her wishes for the Underground.
Sans: "Thanks kid, I'm counting on you."
Chara: "No pressure…no pressure right?"
Sans: "Heh, you'll be fine. You've got me around!"
Chara chuckled
Chara: "How reassuring."
Sans: "Welp. I think it's time for us to get some shut eye or Tori will get on our case."
Chara: "Dang, you're right. I'll get going then."
Sans: "Before we leave…just know that your badge is important. People who work with us never stay in contact with each other so we won't draw any attention. Show'em that badge when the time comes."
Chara: [I guess we've got some supporters.]
Chara: "Thanks for the tip. Asriel has one too, so I'll let him know…"
Sans warned her.
Sans: "Papyrus does too, but he doesn't know anything. I gave it to him so people know he isn't a threat. It'd be dangerous for him to get mixed up in all this. You did the same thing for Asriel in this timeline as well."
Chara: "So it's my own choice if I want to drag him into this."
Sans nodded.
Chara: [It would be preferable to keep him in the dark…that's why I'm doing this after all. It's for his sake too.]
Sans took her through a shortcut, and they ended up in her room.
Sans: "Welp, it's been great talking to you kid. Get some rest. Papyrus and I will uh, help you out with your new guests tomorrow."
Chara: [Crap.]
She almost forgot about them. Their existence changes everything. Are they even trustworthy? Her mom said they seemed to be okay but…
Sans: "Just be prepared for tomorrow. Let's just say that there's a bit of a surprise waiting for you."
He turned the other direction and started walking away.
Chara: "Hey! That just makes me feel even more anxious!"
He chuckled and waved goodbye before disappearing.
Chara sighed.
Chara: [You are filled with…sleepiness.]
And with that she passed out onto her bed.
Sans went back into his workshop. He started to work on his strange machine.
Sans: "…Is it really worth it?"
As he contemplated, he took out a poorly drawn picture. It had 3 people in it, smiling. "Don't forget" is written on it.
Sans: "Am I doing the right thing? Maybe I should have asked her…"
…
Chara woke up next morning to the smell of breakfast in the air. Her head was splitting.
Chara: [So tired…I wish I went to bed earlier.]
When she opened the door, Asriel greeted her.
Chara: "Azzy! It's been a while…thanks for yesterday. I'm really sorry about worrying you"
Chara: [ He had shed many tears for me. I feel awful when I think about the look on his face from back then.]
Asriel: "I'm just glad you're okay now…And if you're really sorry then stop calling me that!"
Chara giggled.
Chara: "Haha! Never!"
She heard the chattering of some unfamiliar voices.
Asriel: "I haven't met them either. I passed out the moment Sans brought us here yesterday. Guess it's time to say hello!"
Chara nodded.
Chara: "I hope things go smoothly…"
When they walked in…they saw something incredibly bizarre. The room went silent. There were 3 monsters and a human. They had no clue who the purple girl and the smiley one were. They were talking to each other about something. But the other 2…were the spitting image of Asriel and Chara.
Chara: [W-what the hell? This has got to be some joke right?]
As similar as they looked, there were some differences between them.
Chara's doppelganger had a slightly more disheveled look to him. Seemed a bit younger too. Not only that, but you could tell that he was a boy. Despite that, someone would definitely have a hard time telling the difference between them if they weren't paying attention. What was even weirder was his clothing. It was almost the same what she and Asriel wore as kids.
Asriel's double was much more similar to him. Their faces were almost identical, but his was hidden behind a ridiculous hat, scarf and glasses. His outfit was generally pretty strange. He seemed like very chipper person.
The atmosphere felt very strange. Chara decided to take a page out of Sans' book to lighten up the mood.
Chara: " Well, well, well. Who might you be handsome?"
She winked at the human with a smile. Asriel was very startled by her behavior.
Asriel: "Wha-wha-wha-wha-CHARA! Stop that! You're making him uncomfortable!"
Chara: "Aw, c'mon Azzy isn't he cute? Don't tell me you're jealous?"
She began to tease her brother.
Asriel: "L-look just because he might be doesn't mean I'm jealous or anything!"
Chara: "Aha! So you do admit that he's cute."
Asriel: "We-well, okay but-"
Chara: [Gotcha! Is this how Frisk felt when she flirted?]
Chara: "Meaning! By that logic, you're calling ME cute! It's time to face the music Azzy."
The other 2 monsters started laughing at the expense of Asriel.
Asriel: "Grrrr…you're so annoying, you're just fishing for compliments!"
Despite their squabble, they both did think he was cute despite what others may say about his creepy disposition. Asriel thought he was cute because he looked like Chara. Chara thought he was cute because…well, he looked like Chara.
Her bias aside, she felt something when she saw him. It was like he was a kindred spirit. It was his subtle behavior. She could tell that he's dealt with his fair share of mistreatment in his life.
Chara: [He doesn't look like a threat…]
Toriel: "Now, Now Chara. Don't tease your brother too much."
Her mother entered the room with some food and tea as everyone could settle down.
Toriel: "It seems we all have a lot to talk about. Why don't you all introduce yourselves."
She looked at the boy and beckoned him to talk. He looked down as he tried to hide behind Toriel.
Chara: [Well at least he seems comfortable around my mom]
Chara approached gently approached him and extended her hand.
Chara: "C'mon, I won't bite."
Chara: [Well, not yet at least.]
Chara: "Greetings, I'm Chara Dreemurr. What's your name partner?"
Kris: "K…Kris. N-nice to meet you."
Chara giggled.
Chara: [He's got a stoic face, but he's so shy and awkward on the inside.]
Chara: "I hope we can be friends!"
Chara reached out to shake his hand. Gingerly, he accepted it. It was a soft handshake.
Chara: "And you three?"
Ralsei: "Hi! My name is Rals-
Smiley monster: "That's Toothpaste boy!"
Purple monster: "Heh heh, that's right."
Ralsei: "No it's Ralsei! And I'm the Pr-"
He got cut off once again.
Lancer: Hohoho! I'm Lancer! President of the Lancer Fan Club! We've only got 2 members though. I'm both of them!"
Asriel: "Anyway, like I was saying I'm also a-"
And again.
Susie: "I'm Susie. Founder of the %?$! squad. Which we're all a part of."
She smirked at the annoyed "toothpaste boy", as he and Toriel looked disappointed at her foul language. Asriel perked up.
Asriel: "Chara, what does that mean?"
Chara: "You don't know? Well it means-"
Toriel: "CHARA!"
Chara couldn't contain her laughter as she got yelled by her mother. Asriel was confused by the exchange.
Toriel: "Okay, let's all eat our breakfast before it gets cold."
They all went to the breakfast table. However, the minute the all sat down…
"Thppbbth"
An orchestra of whoopie cushions.
Chara: […Really?]
Sans: "Man, that never gets old."
Sans was here to witness the carnage of his immature joke. The audience, however, had mixed responses. Kris was indifferent, the Goat trio and Chara were disappointed, but Susie and Lancer were cracking up.
Susie: "Dude, that was awesome! Look at Ralsei's face!"
Lancer: " An opponent strong enough to prank the %?$! squad! Who are you, challenged one?"
Sans: "The name's Sans. Sans the skeleton. Number 2 comedian in the Underground."
Asriel: "Wait, who's number 1?"
Sans: "Joe."
Ralsei perked up.
Ralsei: "Oh, who's Joe? Is he famous?"
Chara: "Sans I swear…"
Sans: "What? The dude's name is Joe. Met him a few days ago. Funny guy."
Chara: [He HAS to be doing this on purpose!]
Toriel: "Sans! How have you been?"
Sans: "I'm alright. Sorry 'bout keeping the kid out late. She looks pretty tired."
It was true. The bags under her eyes were certainly noticeable. She put her hands on her face in embarrassment.
Toriel: "It's quite all right. She's the one who wished to speak with you. Chara, please do not take up Sans' time! Especially late at night!"
Chara: "Sigh…Yeah, yeah."
Chara: [I can't catch a break, huh.]
Susie: "You've got a good mom Chara. Speaking of which, there's something that we all uh, need to discuss."
Toriel and Kris nodded.
Toriel: "Apparently, the coincidences don't end there. According to Kris…I look just like his mother. In fact, not only do we share the same name but we both have a son named Asriel…"
Susie nodded.
Susie: "Yeah, I can attest to that. We're also from the surface."
Alarm bells were going off in Chara's head. In the past, the saves and resets had consistent outcomes. The only thing that would change between each timeline was Frisk's own decisions. But this was different. It was as if they were talking about an alternate world…
Ralsei: "Also, um…We're heroes! From a prophecy! Want to hear it? It's an amazing st-"
Susie: "We have to restore the balance of light and dark or some crap."
Ralsei looked downcast.
Chara: [Guess he really wanted to tell the story…but that still doesn't explain much.]
Chara: "So…that's why you're in the Underground?"
Chara: [Maybe they're here to help create peace…?]
Lancer: "Actually, we're supposed to be in the Dark world! Where I'm king! My dad was grounded."
Chara almost choked on her chocolate milk.
Chara: "Come again!?"
Ralsei: "Like I was saying earlier I'm a prince too!"
Susie: "Hah! You don't even have any subjects. Even being the founder of the %?$! squad is a higher position."
Lancer: "It's good to be king! Kneel before me clowns!"
Ralsei seemed saddened by his position being undermined.
Ralsei: "A-anyway…Aren't you guys the prince and princess of the Underground? I couldn't believe Ms. Toriel was a queen!"
Toriel: "Hee hee, I'm not acting queen but…their dad is officially king."
Dad was said in an odd way.
Chara: [Seems like she still has something against dad.]
Chara: "A room full of royalty, huh? Maybe…"
She thought their influence could help them out, but it would be too much of her to ask. But then she realized…
Chara: "Hold on, that means you guys have to cross the barrier right!?"
Susie: "Uh, yeah. We gotta get home eventually. We tried going to the Dark World to visit Lancer and Ralsei for a bit but we ended up here somehow."
Chara looked at Sans nervously. Kris could be targeted for his soul…
Sans nodded at her. They both filled everyone in on the current situation. The possibility of war and manipulation would put their lives at stake.
Ralsei: "That's awful…Does that mean we can't leave?"
Lancer: "Boo hoo hoo, now I'm the grounded one…"
Kris finally broke his silence, looking up at Chara.
Kris: "I'll help you…Guys will you help out too…?"
His companions nodded in unison with a smile on their faces.
Susie: "Heh, I knew you'd say that Kris. Course we will. We're a team."
Ralsei: "Aww Susie. You've grown so much since we first met!"
Susie: "Sh-shut up! Lancer! Let's show them our awesome teamwork by getting out first!"
Lancer: "Yeah! And get those monogram track jackets!"
Ralsei: "Okay but I don't want that word on the back of them…"
Sans looked at everyone.
Sans: "It's gonna be tough and there's no turning back. If you can help us stop whoever is behind all of this, we should be able to get you all home. You sure you're in?"
Kris stood up and walked over to Sans, and reached out his hand.
Kris: "…Yeah. Let's do it."
Sans shook his hand and the whoopie cushion strikes again! But…!
Sans: "Nice one kid."
Chara: [Sans is on the receiving end!]
Lancer: "Hohoho! He got a taste of his own pie!"
Susie and Lancer laughed Kris' antics.
Sans: "Alright. Let's get going then. I'll show you around Snowdin since it's safe there. See ya Tori."
Toriel: "Sans…Thank you for helping them. Not just my own children, but everyone. Hee hee, you're not as lazy as they say."
They all walked to the exit. Sans waved good bye. Before they left, she hugged Asriel and Chara. She patted Kris on the head and whispered to him.
Toriel: "Get home safe and tell your mother to do a better job!"
Chara watched him give her a warm, gentle smile.
Chara: […Took him long enough.]
Kris: "I will."
Each of them exited and the door closed behind them.
They walked along the snowy path.
Sans: "Oh, by the way."
Sans: "My brother, Papyrus will probably give you all a warm welcome. I'd appreciate it if you guys could play along."
Ralsei: "Oh! That sounds great!"
Susie: "Hold on, what do you by play al-"
Right on cue, the trousle of bones was heard in the distance.
Sans: "You'll see."
Sans pointed to 4 oddly shaped objects.
Sans: "Quick, behind those conveniently shaped lamps."
Chara: [Here we go again…]
A/N: Get ready for the japes that will ensue next chapter!
