Hi!
This is kind of a Xmas special, I guess. I really wanted to do something like this. It's part of the arc of The Judge and The Damned as that is the current arc, though. English is not my first language so if you see a mistake somewhere, please tell me so I can fix it.
Disclaimer: Undertale belongs to TobyFox, Underfell to the Undertale fandom as a whole and the cover art is mine.
With that out of the way, enjoy!
EXTRA - GIFTMAS
19XX - Years ago
The harsh weather acted up again. Snowdin had always been relentless but more so on this time of the year. Wether it had been because of the accumulated magic of the year manifesting at once or something like that, they didn't know. The Underground's weather had always been weird anyway. It was impossible for a closed space to develop so many climates that were dependent on the actual sky for it to not be related to magic in some way, they just didn't know how.
It was always the same, though. It would start snowing, snowflakes glittering on the air before slowly and peacefully falling to the ground, giving it another layer that would become slippery ice with enough time. This was a normal thing, given that their town was known as Snowdin. However, it wouldn't stop. No matter how much time everyone spent indoors, the snow wouldn't stop falling, thicker and thicker as time went on. And then the blizzard would begin.
Such a sight to behold. The blizzard inspired both awe and fear in the souls of monsters, especially those that usually resided in the forest. The local teens would go to the Inn to take refuge and the whole town would help each other out during these times of need. If anyone was outside at this time of the year in the Underground, they would probably be dead because of the cold, no matter what type of monster they were. At first, nobody knew this and they went on with their lives as normal.
That was how the first few died.
It was okay, Sans thought, because now they knew and they always spent their time indoors. They knew what to look for, the signs. It was vital if you were a resident in Snowdin, parents teaching the new generations since they were little. Warnings, tales and legends started. Some people even thought of the possibility of it being a human year what caused it, the Barrier acting as if provoking a rebound of all the magic inside. Nobody knew if it really was a year or not, or even the cause of it, but both Gaster and Grillby would always be so relieved that their houses didn't get damaged in the blizzard that they would always reunite after the phenomenon and have a huge meal all together. It was nice to see the scientist at home, so relaxed.
Such a contrast to the Doc's daily life.
It had started earlier this time, the peaceful snow falling thicker and thicker by the moment while everyone went to do their things. Sans always wondered if the human year theory had some merit, but there was no way to test it out. Was it night or day when it started? Was the sky as relentless outside? Did the humans know?
The white scenery had something alluring to it. It was probably an effect of this weird shiny snow, but it was hard to resist its pull. He wanted to go out and enjoy the snow, go out to play with the rest of young monsters before the weather was too much and they needed to spend a couple of days indoors. Trapped.
It didn't bother everyone, though. His brother Papyrus seemed perfectly content to just sit in the living room with his wooden puzzles or watching Grillby start his preparations for the days to come. Like a tornado of fiery flames, the elemental didn't get a break, refusing even the thought of it just for them to be perfectly comfortable until the blizzard passed. Food was being prepared at an incredible speed before the weather affected the monster too much for him to be able to lift a finger. Fire monsters were not meant for this.
Usually Grillby would go to Hotland until the blizzard passed, leaving Sans and Papyrus with enough food to survive until it passed and he returned home. Gaster couldn't make it this year, though. The scientist was still in the Labs. He overheard the last time the other two talked and Gaster promised to make it on time. It would be too tricky and the time was not on their side. Nevertheless, Gaster promised.
Sans didn't believe him.
He had his own plans, this time. He felt bad for Grillby, but realistically speaking, he wouldn't even notice Sans had gone out at all. He would be back soon enough. He just needed an opening.
A crash answered his hopes, Papyrus having tripped on the glass and wooden table, making a mess. It seemed like he was about to cry. His first instinct was to go help his little brother, but he held himself back a bit. Grillby had gone out of the kitchen to see what the commotion was about and his brother had calmed down somewhat with all the attention on him.
His brother started munching on his sweater's sleeve while Grillby was fussing over him. If Sans wanted to go out at all, this was his chance.
As quietly as he could, he opened the window and went out, being careful enough to close it behind him. It wasn't perfect because it could only be locked on the inside, but it will do. He had promised Greater Dog and Doggo to go play at the forest the day before or to at least try. He thanked Papyrus in his head, a silent prayer for him to be alright accompanied by a pang of guilt. He would make it up to his brother.
The ground itself was shining and so pretty. His footsteps being covered almost instantly because of the falling snow and clinging to his clothes before falling harmlessly to the ground. It was a beautiful day outside.
Walking faster and faster, he managed to evade almost all of the Snowdin folk. He was proud of himself of that feat, even if he knew deep down that it had a lot to do with the way everyone was busy. And by almost, he meant that the bunny lady of the Inn saw him.
"Hey, you! The blizzard is about to start. Go home, kid!" the lady shouted and everyone nearby who heard her went to take a look. If they saw him, Sans would get a reprimand and he wouldn't be able to go with Doggo and Greater any time soon! It was risky, but if he had gone through the trouble of sneaking out of his house he may as well go all the way. He quickly hided on a snow puff, pulling off a Greater Dog tactic.
"Sorry, Miss. Last minute chores." Sans said hoping that that was enough to dissuade her of making a spectacle or to bust him.
"Oh, okay then. Just be careful to come back before the blizzard begins"
Tilting her head worriedly, finally her tone had gone down. Thankfully Sans was out of view of the curious monsters that had been looking at the shouting bunny, so he hurried. To the forest!
No one had seen him take that route, not even the nosy bunny. Or so he thought, his blue coat catching the attention of the shopkeeper just next to the Inn.
"Hey, that's cheating, man!"
"As if! You're just a sore loser, just admit it, pal!"
"BARK"
The snow fort was solid, more ice than anything. Careful to see the other two forts of ice and snow, Sans quickly ducked out of the way when a snowball almost hit him in the face.
A snow battle in two fronts!
Doggo had a pile of snowballs ready to react at the smallest movement. It was easier to see the movement of figures when the background was mostly one color. Any irregularities and he would shoot.
Greater Dog, on the other paw, was quickly expanding his fort with the snow in the ground, carelessly putting it all around him. No organization whatsoever but his enthusiasm made up for it.
Sans himself had just made a basic lump to hide behind it, moving from place to place and making even more lumps. Sure, Doggo could spot him most of the time, but that way he evaded Greater and his snow attacks!
Which were, to be honest, snow puffs more than snow balls. Awesome.
They kept playing and playing, time passing without noticing. The kids were too absorbed in their battle game to pay attention to it.
It was when Doggo was going to use his ultimate snowball that the wind made him stumble and fall into the ice headfirst that the ambient broke.
"Doggo!" Both Sans and Greater went running to check on their fallen friend, his figure slumped and unmoving. Sans checked him over, a nasty hit at the back of Doggo's head making him nervous."He passed out. We need to get him out of here somewhere dry…"
The howling wind, the ice, the snowflakes thicker and thicker by the moment not letting them see anything… Greater Dog whined, his ears flat against his head. Sans just kept looking around, a chill crawling up his spine.
It was the blizzard. And they were outside in the middle of the woods, the path home completely covered and a passed out monster in their hands. Sans started to sweat nervously.
"F*ck"
The door quickly opened and closed with a heartfelt energy, exhaustion exuding from his very form. It was obvious that Gaster pushed himself too far, Grillby thought privately to himself. It wasn't healthy and he was missing out on the skeleton brothers, watching them grow and interact. It would come a moment in time when he would come home and Papyrus wouldn't recognize him.
He got where the other monster came from, his reasons and all. The barrier was a priority for them all, the hopes of breaking it fueling all the Underground's hopes and dreams. The Core, too, was a necessity. This day in particular in Snowdin the extra energy would have been very appreciated. They didn't have a problem with heat or anything, Grillby was a fire elemental after all.
It just… It would have been nice to see more of Gaster's spirit and alluring aura instead of the exhausted and kinda depressed monster he had in his hands now. Without saying anything, not that it was needed between the residents in this house, Grillby passed the scientist a cup of hot cocoa. It was his private stash given that chocolate and anything related to it was so hard to get in the Underground.
Still, just this time, he thought it was worth it.
With a smile, Gaster reached out and let himself just fall into the couch, his hand over his face. He was tired beyond reason, that much was obvious to Grillby. And yet, the other monster instantly started asking Papyrus things and letting the homely ambient get him to slightly doze off.
With a smile, he went to Sans' room and knocked on the door.
"Sans, Gaster is here"
No sound coming from the other side. Grillby sighed, not this again. Sans was a great kid but it was hard for him to talk to Gaster outside of the Labs. If he could give his humble opinion, Sans was hurt, no doubt about it. This was something only Gaster could fix, though.
Going downstairs again and nudging Gaster's shoulder, he made a notion for him to go talk to Sans. The scientist was tired but he agreed nonetheless.
Going upstairs excruciatingly slowly, Gaster almost needed to drag himself to Sans' room door.
He knocked once.
"Sans, it is me. Open the door, please."
Silence.
He knocked twice. Grillby watching worriedly at a distance while holding Papyrus in his arms.
"Sans, stop this nonsense and come out, we are all here and you will not get any hot cocoa if you keep this up."
Silence.
He knocked thrice. Even Papyrus seemed to note something was amiss starting to get upset, Grillby making soothing sounds to try to calm him down.
"Sans, either you come out this instant or you are going to be in trouble!" More silence. "That is it, I am going in."
Charging against the door, Grillby was anxiously waiting for the rebellious answer of such a private monster like Sans was of his space. This wouldn't be pretty and was going to be more trouble than worth. He honestly only wanted them to get along in other aspect of their lives that wasn't work, for them to open up a bit to each other and regain that characteristic relationship that made them both so endearing. It seemed like it wasn't working.
Papyrus only seemed to get more upset. Gaster was silent.
"Grillby, are you sure that Sans was in his room all this time?"
Feeling a twinge in his magma core, Grillby nodded, explaining once again how Sans always played with Papyrus before retreating to his room locking the door. When Grillby took a look past Gaster's figure, he seemed to freeze.
The room was empty. Sans was not home.
And if Sans was not home… Grillby looked at the window full of fear. If Sans wasn't in his room nor any other part of the house that he always checked after cooking… A particularly strong wave of air and snow hit, completely opening the window in the living room with a loud bang. It wasn't locked, but Grillby always locked everything except the front door before starting to cook… Oh, no.
Sans was out there, stuck on the blizzard.
Gaster's exhaustion seemed to evaporate on the air.
"Grillby, wait here with Papyrus. I'm going to look for Sans."
With indignant fury, his fire let some sparks fly off. "Like hell you are, I'm going with you."
With the exchange of stares and worried glares, they both seemed to come to a decision. Quickly pulling on as many layers of clothing as they could, they locked the window and headed out to the Inn to let Papyrus there while they went to look for Sans.
The snow and the wind didn't let them see anything. It was too much and Sans kept hearing Greater dragging his cousin as best as he could, still out cold… Now was not time for jokes, though, they were in trouble.
He wasn't a babybones by any means, that was his brother back home, but his joints and his knees especially started to give out. His whole frame was trembling and he was a skeleton, how much harder was for both Greater and Doggo? They had fur, sure, but they also had flesh and a more material magical form. Sans quickly summoned some ligaments with magic to stop the rattling of his bones.
There was a part of him that told him this was it, they were going to die out there in the cold. That there was nothing they could do about it. Clenching his hands and trying to see what lied before them, Sans told it to shut it. He needed to get back to Paps and Grillby and… heck, even Gaster. The Angel, if Gaster even caught a rumor of this he would be in so much trouble… He really hoped it didn't come to that. Being honest with himself, though, if it was between that and freezing to death, he would choose Gaster ten times over.
Greater whined again and Sans saw the disaster before it even happened. Greater toppled over, falling on top of Sans and bringing them both to the ground. He struggled, kicked, tried to worm his way out… Nothing worked. This was it, Sans thought, now for real. He was so scared but, at the same time, so tired…
Trying to hold on didn't work anymore, not when no matter what he did, he would still be trapped under Greater in the blizzard. Sans tried, he really did, but when Greater slumped, having passed out too, the weight was too much for him. He was exhausted.
His eye-sockets started to close for what would be his end. In the distance, where the trees were the thickest and the cliffs were intimidating with their height and fall, he saw a light. It was warm, it was something he desperately wanted right now. He reached out.
His eye-sockets shut, the feeling of something dragging him from the hood of his jacket before a feeling of weightlessness and a soft something, moving and warm, convinced him to let go and finally embrace unconsciousness.
When Sans opened his eyes again, he was surprised. He supposed that his last thoughts of hopelessness setting in would do that to a monster, but he was relieved. He didn't want to die.
Looking around he saw Doggo and Greater lying on the ground besides him. The ground, dry, a soft blue rock that isolated them from the blizzard that could still be heard in the background. This wasn't Waterfall, it was dry for starters, but he was pretty sure that for the blizzard to be heard he would need to be on the entrance and this wasn't it. They had gone to play on the other direction, too.
A weird sound got his attention, there he saw a monster with horns, the biggest ones he had ever seen. Candles were attached to the ends with a flame that had nothing to envy of the likes of Grillby. He had seen this monster before, though. He was sure he had, somewhere in the cliffs on the forest. He just couldn't remember well enough, but the fur, the four legged disposition, the horns and that weird shape of his head…
"Are you feeling okay?"
Sans suddenly realized, this was Gyftrot. The clanking was of things he had on his horns, making a soft contrast to the howling wind outside. Sans hadn't ever been so thankful before. The monster was kind of a hermit and it was said that the particular shape of his horns and head had something to do with the almost perfect balance on magic. Once upon a time, it was said that Gyftrot could even fly.
It was improbable, it could be fake, but Sans found that he liked that theory.
"What were you doing out there in the blizzard in the first place?"
Sans startled and stopped all movement. F*ck it, it had been a long day and he needed to talk to someone. Hopefully Gyftrot wouldn't get them in trouble, but given that he had saved the three of them, he couldn't give a damn if he did.
And so, Sans explained. From how the snow called out to them, how he sneaked out, how they didn't realize the time they had spent outside, Doggo's accident… He told Gyftrot everything.
The other monster just smiled.
They both had been searching without stop. When they left Papyrus at the Inn after explaining the situation to the bunny lady, her sister the shopkeeper had butted in the conversation. At first, Grillby had been annoyed, that was so rude. But after asking them what Sans was wearing, she told them the direction he had taken.
Grillby wouldn't get mad at her anytime soon, he was even going to offer her something on his bar for free at this rate. In the middle of their search they had bumped into the Canine Unit. Apparently both Doggo and Greater Dog were missing too.
The blizzard was intensifying, it was harder and harder for him as a fire elemental to be out in the blizzard. His clothes wouldn't protect him for long at this rate. They were going to go back to Snowdin to head to the forest again after drying their clothes a bit when they saw a light. The Canine Unit kept sniffing the air like wild, the wind not letting them smell any scent. They all tensed, unconsciously preparing for a fight.
But when the light approached and they could see a bit better, they saw that hermit from the cliffs. He lived in a relatively remote cave, but he was always seen alone. Then why was a figure at his side? Squinting a bit, Grillby took note of the careful way Gyftrot shielded it. What…
Gaster was the first of them all to see what was going on, the first to react too.
"Oh The Angel, My Stars! It's the kids! Sans!"
Hurrying after him, Greater was at Gyftrot's side shivering with cold while holding a barely conscious Doggo. Sans was holding on Gytrot's fur, riding on his back and trying to shield himself as best as he could from the wind. Relieved, Grillby smiled when they got to them. Gaster was crying while embracing Sans and the Canine Unit were trying to make a pile to get both pups warm. Everyone was emotional, including himself.
With a blinding smile, Grillby looked up to Giftrot and smiled.
"Thank you."
When the blizzard passed and everything went back to normal, the tale of what happened to the trio of troublemakers spread through Snowdin at incredible speed.
The Snowdin folk was grateful as a whole and they told Gyftrot as much. The poor monster just nodded and shied away, too unused to the attention.
It was when Papyrus saw him for the first time that it happened.
"Oh, you look like a pretty tree and a reindeer! Like in those humans' books!"
That left the whole town wondering and assaulting the Librarby until they found out what all that was about.
"Christmas. Noun. The anual festival of the *¨+´´+ √™∂¶ ∑∫ commemorating ∑~å∫∂å ^¨Ñ:s∂å∫∂§ an occasion ¶©µ§ ∫∂¶ø™∂å gifts…" It wasn't legible, but the monsters thought they got the gist of it.
"GYFTMAS!" Exclaimed Papyrus while trying to read the actual name of the festival. Seeing as it matches the especial occasion and the name of the monster that made it all possible, once a year that the blizzard took over, they all decided.
From now on, they too would have a holiday like that to commemorate this day. For no more children lost outside on the forest, for no more deaths in the blizzard time. Gyftmas had now officially started!
20XX - Years later
"SANS, THE HUMAN ASKED ME AFTER SOMETHING TODAY…"Papyrus was troubled. He always took it for granted, but was there a reason?
"And why the f*ck would I know what the kid tells you? Even then, why would I care?"Sans grumbled. He was in a bad mood. Even since that human had showed up things had gotten complicated. His promise to the old lady, his worry of the old lady herself, Papyrus' involvement in the whole mess…
"WHY, BECAUSE I AM GREAT, AND IF YOU DON'T SHOW ME SOME RESPECT YOU WILL BE IN TROUBLE! DON'T ASK ME TO HELP YOU OUT THEN BECAUSE I WON'T, YOU LAZY ASS!"
Sans just passively watched his tall brother stomping on the ground. So, he was upset. He had only called Sans lazy once in that whole thing and didn't call him anything else, no mention of him being a loser or anything. Huh.
"Agh, if it will stop your bitching just tell me what the f*ck is bothering ya'."
"WHY DO WE CELEBRATE GYFTMAS? WHAT IS THAT THING SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT?"
Sans remembered hopelessness, cold, the feeling of growing numb. But he also remembered kindness, warmth and a happiness like no other. The monster that made it all possible out there in the forest, alone and marginated once again being molested by those brats.
It hurt.
"I don't know, bro. I don't know."
It was quiet after that.
And, that's it!
Hope you liked it. Sorry if the ending felt a bit rushed but I really wanted it ready for today! Merry Xmas!
Next update will take longer. I'm going to take a little break from this story until I finish my exams. Don't worry, though, it's just that I need to study XD. If everything goes well, the first Sunday of February you'll get double update.
Please tell me what you think. Reviews and constructive criticism are alway welcome!
NellB out :P