This counts as a first Ben 10/Undertales crossover to write, for me. It's something both Steelcode and myself put together.

Macy Monroe and Tommy belong to me. Sage Jocklin belongs to Steelcode. The Jocklin Sisters and Megan, along with the Grant Mansion, belong to GoldGuardian2418. The rest belongs to their respected owners.


To Pun or Not to Pun; That Is the Question

Sage yawned, as he sat down by Macy's feet in his wolf form, before casually scratching his ear.

"Man, it seems like it takes longer and longer for them to get out," Sage said.

He and Macy were outside Tommy's school waiting for the students to be let out. The pair had decided to take Tommy for an ice cream since he had aced a math test the past week.

"I know, right? I just wish the school would be over already so we can go and celebrate!" Macy agreed.

Sage smiled wagging his tail. "This kind of reminds me about my anticipation about us graduation from college," he replied, as he thought of the future.

"I suppose so," Macy smirked. "I should probably warn you. When it comes to Tommy being in an ice cream mood, he's probably gonna do some ice cream jokes and or puns,"

Sage gave a wolf chuckle. "It's all good. They honestly aren't that bad."

"They can be when he constantly uses some that are very terrible," Macy remarked, yet gave a tiny smile. "His latest one was saying the situation was 'in-cone-ceivable'. Or between the choices involving a plain cone or waffle cone, he asked if they have a 'pine-cone'. Or that joke when said 'How on earth do astronauts enjoy a bowl of ice cream? In floats, of course,'. They're annoying yet that's what makes him happy."

Sage laughed. "You know, my mom was telling me about someone she's giving cooking lessons to has the same problem with puns. Apparently, he can't stand them to a certain extent."

"Is it that King of Puns guy you told me about once?" Macy asked, folding her arms. "I bet whoever can't stand puns like me would have us getting along pretty well."

"I think Mom said it was his little brother that couldn't stand his puns," Sage replied, thinking back on that discussion to recall.

"Still, I bet my little brother would love to meet them both. Mostly the King of Puns," Macy said.

Just then, the school bell rang. Lots of kids began running out the door with excitement.

"Looks like school's out. Which means Tommy should be coming any second now," the Brunette smiled.

Sage stood up, wagging his tail, as the sea of kids passed by; soon spotting Tommy.

BARK!

Sage barked, catching Tommy's attention. It was, as he came up, though, that Sage noticed something was off with his little brother.

"Huh? Oh, hey, Sage. Great to see you," Tommy gave a tiny smile.

"Hey, little bro. How was school?" Macy asked.

"It's was okay, Sis. Been exhausting. I'm just glad it's over," the young boy replied, tugging his backpack.

Sage nudged the young boy's hand, licking his fingers in concern.

'Little bro, what's up? You seem down in the dumps,' Sage asked mentally, since they were in public.

Tommy lifted his hand up from that. "Sage, I already told you. I'm just exhausted."

"Well, I know what would help you calm your nerves down and cheer you up. Sage and I wanted to take you out for ice cream to celebrate you acing your math test!" Macy exclaimed with a smile.

"Ice cream? For real?!" Tommy grinned at that idea, only to drop it. "Uh, actually, Macy, I'm not sure if I'm in the mood for that."

"What?! Why? You love ice cream," Macy questioned, clearly noticing that this wasn't like his brother to turn sugar sweets down.

"And I still do. I just...don't feel like it today. I just want to walk back to the Grant Mansion," Tommy reasoned.

Sage whined with worry, gently taking the edge of Tommy's sleeve in his teeth, and pulling him towards the woods where it wouldn't be crowded. Once in the shelter of the trees, Sage turned to Tommy.

"Tommy, out with it. Something is up," Sage said stiffly, with worry.

"Nothing's wrong. I prefer not going to an ice cream shop today," Tommy argued, folding his arms.

Sage gave him a look that spoke lengths of 'Eh, try again.'

"Ugh! Fine! I don't want to go because I'll be tempted to make some jokes or puns which I know everyone will hate and prefer I stop!" Tommy nearly shouted in anger. "Happy now?!"

Sage backed up a couple of steps with his ears going back and tail slightly tucked between his legs. Normally, he would have been okay with Tommy's reaction, but, for some reason, the sheer force of his anger had startled him.

"Tommy..." Sage whimpered a little.

Macy soon showed up to see her brother mad with Sage stunned.

"What's going on?" Macy asked with concern.

Tommy sighed. "Nothing. Let's just go home or the Grant Mansion." He said, walking out passing his sister.

Macy turned her head towards Sage. "What was that?" She questioned, pointing to Tommy's exit with her thumb.

Sage looked at Macy. "From what I could get, he's avoiding places that get him in a punning mood. Seems like something happened that made him give up puns."

"What?! My brother has quit making puns?!" Macy exclaimed in shock. "Okay, this just got serious."

"No kidding. Especially with how he shouted at me," Sage said, with a whine.

"We need to figure this out and snap my brother out of this funk somehow," Macy said.

Sage nodded, his ears still slightly back. "Any ideas on how to get him to open up? My try got me yelled at."

"I'm not sure, yet. Maybe we'll think of a plan once we reach the mansion,"

Sage sighed. "Well, this isn't going to be an awkward walk home," he said sarcastically, as he went up the trail to the road.

"Just play along, until then," Macy said, catching up with her brother and Sage.

Sage nodded, keeping his head low, as they walked down the pathway at an easy kept walk.

A while later, Sage shifted to human form and looked at his phone; finding he had a missed text message.

^Sage,

Had to leave with your mother. Megan is at home with a sitter. Please, go straight home.

Love you.

-Aunt Rachel^

"Looks like Mom and Aunt Rachel got called for work. So, we got a sitter for the night," Sage said, putting his phone in his pocket.

"Great. Maybe, by then, we'll find out why Tommy's gone on a pun strike and help him by then,"

Sage nodded. A while later, after their continued silent walk, they soon arrived to the Mansion gate. Outside, Sage could hear Megan squealing and laughing excitedly from the other side of the hill.

"Huh. Guess this baby sitter is into laughter, too."

"Sounds like it," Macy agreed, hearing the loud laughter from a distance.

Tommy shrugged. "Probably out tickling one of the residents, like everyone else. I'm gonna go inside."

The young boy went to the Grant Mansion, kicking a rock in the way.

"SAGE, SAVE ME!" Megan yelled, coming around the corner at top speed, swiftly hiding behind Sage.

Sage, seeing her smiling face, figured it was a game of chase. "Meg, what's up?"

"Uncle Sans is chasing me!" Megan squealed, before hiding.

"Uncle Sans? Is he another alien we don't know?" Macy raised her eyebrow.

"Now, where'd my barrels of laugh niece run off to?" a skeleton in a blue hoodie called, as he came into view.

Sage froze, for a second. "Yeah, I don't think that's an alien."

Macy yelled in slight terror, getting in a defense stance. "Back off, Bonehead!"

"Whoa, now. Hold your horses. What has your bones so rattled?" the skeleton said with a chuckle, as he held up his hands.

Sage looked at the skeleton, before a thought came to mind. "Hey, are you the one that my Aunt and Mom call the King of Puns?" he questioned.

The skeleton smiled. "A pun is its own re-word."

Macy blinked twice, completely disbelieved. "You've got to be kidding me," she muttered.

"Sorry. Don't mean to get under your skin. It's part of my bone-fide nature," Sans said, laughing. Megan giggled, before racing to Sans and hugging him tight.

"A skeleton. An actual...walking...talking...skeleton," Macy responded, still stunned. "The King of Puns my little brother wanted to meet had to be an undead skeleton. Of all the weirdness I've encountered, this takes the cake,"

Sage just gaped at the sight. So, his uncle was a living skeleton.

"Well, that's a new one." Sage said, in amazement.

"First, my brother stops making jokes and puns, and now this?! What next, Rath in a tutu?!" Macy exclaimed.

Sage snorted with laughter as he tried to hold back his laughter.

"Now, I don't know whether I want to see that or don't want to see it," Sage chuckled.

"I was trying to make a point on how insane this day keeps getting," Macy deadpanned.

"What's more in-Sanly amazing than a talking skeleton drumming on your rib bones?" Sans asked, with a laugh.

Macy facepalmed, groaning. "Great. If my brother hadn't paused on making puns today, I would say that now there's two of them,"

Sans looked at Macy, curiously. "Your brother's a punner, as well?"

"Yeah. He bugs me constantly with so many puns and jokes. Even got excited to hear that there was a King of Puns in the Grant Mansion," Macy answered, lowering her hand from her face.

"Awe, so I have a fan. Well, I would like to see how good this brother of yours is." Sans said, happily.

Sage lowered his head. "You might have a bit of trouble with that."

"What? Why?" Sans asked.

"Apparently, something has got my brother to quit making puns and jokes. Today!" Macy replied. "We don't know why yet, but we were thinking of a plan to figure it out and get him back as his annoying goofball self,"

"A punner giving up puns?! That's unheard of! Let's see if we can tune up his funny bone," Sans said, smiling.

"That might be a challenge. From what Sage told me, Tommy is avoiding anything that will make him do puns," Macy warned.

"Even the people." Sage added

Sans rubbed his lower jaw. "Hmm…Tricky, but doable."

"Well, at this point, I'm open to suggestions. If you have a plan, I would love to hear it," Macy said.

Sans smiled. "Well, do you remember the cat fiasco that you three dealt with?"


Half an hour later, Tommy sat in Sage's bedroom; noncommittedly reading.

The young boy sighed sadly. He was bored and felt like he was gonna miss telling and hearing puns plus jokes.

"It's for the best. I'm not as funny as I thought," Tommy muttered to himself.

"Says who?"

"Huh? Who said that?" Tommy asked, lifting his head up from the book to see who spoke.

"I did, kiddo." Sans said. moving into the doorway.

Tommy short screamed, followed by falling off the bed. Even peeked half way with caution.

"Who are you? What are you?!" Tommy questioned.

"Names Sans. I'm a friend of the family, small fry. No need to cause an earthquake on my account," Sans said smiling.

Tommy reluctantly went out of hiding to look at Sans better. "I'm Tommy. Are you...a real-life skeleton? Or just an alien that looks like one?"

"Real living skeleton. Even have a little girl near or around your age, who's human," Sans said, with a smile.

"For real?! That is so cool! Is she around, too?" Tommy asked, in wonder.

"No, she's at her uncles' for right now. I came by to keep an eye on Megan and you three. So, what's this I hear about you not teasing everyone's funny bones anymore?" Sans asked, sitting down on Sage's bed.

"Well...I was told by some kids at school on how I'm not funny at all. And when I am being silly, I don't take things seriously," Tommy answered, looking down sadly.

Sans gave a soft smile. "But does being so serious make you happy?"

The young boy sighed. "...No. And believe me, I know what it was like to be serious for a long time with my biological parents. Especially when I had to help them out in sorting illegal bad stuff,"

Sans pulled Tommy close, opening his hoodie and pulling the boy inside before zipping it back up.

"So, why do something that makes you so unhappy? Believe me, there are times to be serious, but there are times where laughter is key to everything in life."

"I guess. But it's not just school. My own sister and brother don't even like my jokes or puns. I feel like that, whenever I try to be funny to lighten the mood, I just push them away," Tommy replied.

"Have you ever talked to them about this? Maybe you're just misreading the moment," Sans replied, calmly.

"I'm not misreading them. I keep hearing and seeing their reactions whenever I pun or joke around. Especially my sister. She keeps saying how corny and lame they are with Sage whining, as if his ears were in pain,"

Sans began chuckling, before laughing heartily.

Tommy looked up to Sans in confusement. "What's so funny?"

Sans rubbed his eye sockets. "Sorry, kid, but you pretty much just described my little brother, Paps. He does the same thing when I do puns and jokes."

"He does?!" Tommy exclaimed, unable to comprehend what he heard.

"Yes. He, too, 'hates' my puns and jokes. However, I know it's an act," Sans said, while air-quoting.

"What do you mean?" Tommy questioned.

"Tommy, when times are trying and the air is stale with nerves, it takes a great person to find a way to bring a sense of humor out of that kind of situation. Now, I'm not going into detail, but my little girl has had a rough childhood, just as you have, and my joking ways help to keep her relaxed and calm, during the times she has flashbacks or is scared. Papyrus, my brother, only groans and moans because he wishes he could do the same thing when our little one is upset. Do you see what I'm getting at?" Sans asked.

"You mean...it's not that my siblings hate my puns, but actually the opposite? Even when lightening up the mood?" Tommy elaborated; a bit unsure if that's the answer.

Sans nodded. "That's right. Tommy, what do Sage and Macy do physically when you do a pun or a joke?"

"Well, like I said, Macy facepalms plus groans in frustration while Sage covers his ears in annoyance,"

"What about their eyes?"

"Their eyes? I'm not sure what you mean by that," Tommy cocked his head in confusion.

"Ever heard of 'the eyes are the windows to the soul'?" Sans questioned.

The young boy shook his head in response. "No. Not really,"

"It's an old saying, and it's the truth. You can tell everything by looking at someone's eyes." Sans replied. "Now, your brother and sister hide there's, but I bet you dollars to donuts that they are smiling in their eyes."

"How will I know that their eyes are smiling?" Tommy questioned.

"Just like the corners of your mouth, the corners will turn up in a smile," Sans said with a grin. "They also brighten, like when they see something cute."

"Huh...I'll keep that mind," Tommy answered thoughtfully, moving a little inside the jacket. "Can I please get out of this cage now? It's pokey with side of ribs," he quipped, talking about getting out of Sans' skeletal ribcage.

Sans chuckled. "Oh, I suppose we wouldn't want you to overcook now, would we?"

"Well, if you think that I want to be a bone petit meal, then you're out of your skull," Tommy replied with a smile.

"I may be out of my skull, but at least I'm not out of digits," Sans stated, playfully wiggling his fingers.

"Now you're just pulling on my leg," Tommy jested, already finding a way out of the jacket while tugging San's leg in emphasizing the joke before moving away.

"Oh, am I?" Sans asked, continuing to wiggle his digits, as he stalked towards Tommy.

Tommy squealed, quickly getting away from Sans' boney fingers. "I've heard of a rib tickler, but this is in-Sans!"

"Oh, why are you running? You know it's no use to escape me grating your stomach and sides," Sans said, racing after him.

"You mean you have a bone to pick with me! And I like to see you try!" Tommy hollered, running faster.

"Oh you think this bag of bones is slow as a turtle huh?" Sans chuckled before teleporting in front of Tommy catching him as he rushed him instantly tickling his sides and stomach. "COOCHIE COOCHIE COO!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! STAHAHAHAHAHAP!" Tommy laughed.

"Nope. Time to make you laugh and play the night away." Sans said tickling him further.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! QUIT PIHIHIHIHIHICKING ON MY FUHUHUHUHUHUNNY BOHOHOHOHONE!" Tommy squealed.

"Only if you promise to never give up what makes you happy no matter what anyone says or does." Sans stated smiling.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I PROMISE! I PROHOHOHOHOHOHOMISE!"

"Good boy." Sans said kindly as he stopped and started rubbing Tommy's back gently, instead.

The young boy took this time to catch his breath, still exhausted from all that running and laughing.

"I think you owe someone an apology." Sans said as he continued giving his comfort.

"I do? Who?" Tommy asked.

"Well it wasn't me you yelled at earlier, was it?" Sans questioned.

"...Ohhhh. You mean Sage," Tommy realized, now feeling bad about what happened.

Sans nodded. "From what I understand things became quite heated."

"Yeah...I never should have lashed out to my wolf brother," Tommy replied in guilt. "I need to make this right. Do you know where he is?"

"I think he's outside on the front porch watching the sunset with your sister." Sans said with a smile.

"Then that's where I'm going," Tommy stood up and went to find his siblings. Before leaving, he stopped and turned around towards the blue jacket wearing skeleton. "Hey, Sans...Thanks for cheering me up."

Sans gave a half smile with a thumbs up. "Go get'em, tiger."

Tommy nodded his head before making his way out the mansion to look for Sage and Macy.

Sage and Macy sat on the front porch watching the sky change color as the sun set. Miraculous colors of gold orange and yellow settled across the land, Sage had his head resting in Macy's lap as she stroked his fur calmly. Megan was dancing and singing happily on the grass enjoying the beautiful evening.

'Wonder if it's going to be like this when we're older?' Sage thought through their bond as he sighed contently.

'Not sure. It might,' Macy shrugged, saying that through her bond.

Creak

Sage turned his head to the front door finding Tommy standing in the doorway.

"Sage! Macy!" Tommy shouted, waving his hand while moving up closer.

Sage moved into a sitting position, his body relaxed.

"What's up, Tommy?" Sage asked, calmly, not wanting to scare him.

"I...I wanted to say I'm sorry for what happened. I never should have yelled like that," Tommy apologized.

Sage sat quietly, for a moment, before getting up and nuzzling Tommy's hands and stomach. Very quickly, he felt Tommy's arms wrap around his neck while his face buried itself deep within his fur.

"It's all right. You were hurting. It's natural to lash out with confrontation." Sage said giving his temple a small lick.

"But next time, you should tell us about what's bothering you. We were really worried about you," Macy replied.

"I know. And I nearly gave up something that made me feel happy," Tommy responded.

Sage nodded. "Never quit being true to yourself. As long as you're happy, the rest will figure itself out."

Tommy smiled. "Yeah. I have a certain skeleton to thank for helping me realize that. Have you two met him yet?"

"You could say that," Macy muttered, hiding a smirk.

Sage gave a wag of his tail. "He's a family friend and one of my Uncles. Also known as the King of Puns and Jokes."

That got Tommy's eyes wide, staring in disbelief. "Are you telling me...that I actually got to spent some time with THE King of Puns and never realized it?!"

Macy chuckled. "It would seem so,"

Sage nodded, his tail thumping on the porch. "Kind of surprised you didn't catch on who he was."

Tommy facepalmed. "Well, with the day I had, I barely even noticed."

Suddenly, a chuckle caught their attention. "Well, you were having a distracting day." Sans said, as he appeared in front of the porch.

"Sans!" Tommy smiled.

"Hey, buddy. I was wondering when you'll be joining the party," Macy replied.

"Can't start without the king of entertainment," Sans said, with a smile.

"Alright! I can't believe you're the King of Puns! I should have known," Tommy exclaimed.

"Yeah. You'd think after saying so many puns, you would catch on and take the hint," Macy remarked.

"Ah, come on, Mace, it's not his fault that he was bowled over with emotions so much that he didn't strike the gold," Sage said, laughing.

Macy groaned while facepalming. "Ugh! Really? You, too, Sage? I expect more from you,"

Sage gave a playful growl, before tackling her and licking her face.

"Tommy, look at their eyes," Sans said, from behind the young boy.

The young boy stared at his siblings' eyes to see something in them. It looked like a small, bright bit of happiness in them. One that Tommy recognized instantly. He couldn't help but smile at this.

"See? Eyes are the windows to the soul and the soul only speaks truth." Sans said smiling.

"They sure are," Tommy agreed.

"Heeheeheeheehee! Sage! Get off me!" Macy shouted, chuckling uncontrollably while trying to push the Wolfblood off her.

"Only if you say I'm the only one for you," Sage said, as he continued giving puppy licks.

"Come on! Hahahahahahaha, you already know that!" Macy argued.

"Yeah but I like hearing my moon remind me," Sage replied.

"Heeheeheehahahahahaha! Fine! You're hahahahahaha the ohohohonly one for meheeheeheeheehee!"

Sage stopped, shifting to human form, and giving her a kiss on the mouth. "And you're the only one for me."

Macy smiled as she kisses him back.

Tommy, meanwhile, stuck his tongue out in disgust. "Aw, yuck! Why do you people keep ruining the moment? You're out in public, for crying out loud!" he groaned, holding back his barf.

Sage chuckled. "Oh, wait till you get to my age, kiddo. Then, you'll feel the love that night." he replied with a chuckle.

Tommy scoffed. "Yeah, right! That is so not gonna happen."

Sage smirked. "Oh, you say that now, but, someday, you'll get an Achilles heel that makes you so warm and happy, you'll almost forget to breath. She treats you like you're important, and you better treat her the same or you'll lose something really special."

"That will happen...when pigs fly!" Tommy retorted, folding his arms.

"Huh, what do you know, a flying pig," Sage stated, as he looked past Tommy.

"WHAT?! Are you kidding me?!" Tommy exclaimed, turning around to look for it.

Sage held back a laugh for all of five seconds, before he toppled over with laughter.

"OMG, THE LOOK ON YOUR FACE!" Sage hollered with laughter. Macy did her best not to laugh very loud or hard. Although she knew that was gonna happen, she couldn't help but think how funny that was.

Tommy just turned around, glaring at Sage with a deadpanned look. "Not cool, Sage."

"Hey just giving you a Fang-tastic joke. Not my fault that your bacon didn't fly with it." Sage said with a smile.

Macy finally laughed very hard and fell on her back. Tommy just stared a bit surprised.

"Now that's something you don't see every day. My sister laughing at a pun and or joke," Tommy quipped.

"Hey, just means she's got good taste and I'm the catch of the day." Sage smiled, as he ruffled Tommy's hair.

"I still find it unfair," Tommy replied, glaring while folding his arms.

"Oh? Well, maybe I should make you smile again," Sage said, wiggling his fingers.

"Oh, no. I already had my daily rib-tickling experience from Sans. I don't need another," Tommy defended, raising his hands a bit.

"Well, are you going to smile instead of be a sad faced omlette?" Sage asked, smiling,

"Alright, I'll smile!" Tommy chuckled.

Sans chuckled. "So, now that we've all got happy bones, let's eat. I made cheese quesadillas."

"Aw, yeah! Thanks, Sans! You're awesome to the bone!" Tommy exclaimed.

Macy sighed from that joke yet smiled lightly, before walking back inside the mansion.

And so, the day ended happily with Sans the skeleton being a great babysitter. Macy may not enjoy the 'cheesy' puns Tommy made up while having quesadillas, but she was happy about her little brother back to being his pun-loving self. And she never wanted anything different from Tommy.


It's been a while since I posted stuff. Especially with the new year here. Hope you all enjoy. No flames please.

Stay safe and healthy, everyone.