They're facing Toriel again.

She's unhappy, so sad and unhappy, and they just want to reach out to her. But they can't, because there's more beyond this door that they have to set right.

But then the presence pushes forward, and strikes, right as she's given in to letting them pass.

She shatters into so much dust in their hands, and the presence laughs.

Are you ready to play?

But they're already reaching back.

Maybe this is how they make things right?

[LOAD]

/

They've done it. They've spared Toriel.

They've left the Ruins; they've met Sans.

Things go wrong, again.

They're caught by Papyrus, who calls over Undyne.

The splatter of blood and the shriek of pain in their chest is all they know before they're reaching back, tugging at that power again.

[LOAD]

What did they do wrong this time?

/

They stare at the stars. There's still something wrong.

Asgore's dust covers their hands, and they tremble, just a bit. This isn't right. It's not the right ending.

The presence laughs.

Going back again? Why don't you let me take care of everything? After all, they just want to hurt you.

They stare at the dust covering their hands. Their phone rings, but they don't answer. The vision of Undyne, melting away like wax, flickers through their head.

Well? What do you say?

They don't answer.

[RESET]

/

They're running from Undyne, their feet slipping over slick rocks.

They slip, and fall.

They barely even feel their neck breaking.

[LOAD]

/

They stay with Toriel, this time. They smile and find a place with the kindly woman—Queen—and are happy.

They ignore the tugging in their chest, and they live there with her, in the Ruins.

But Toriel, despite everything, still has that sad look in her eyes, and they are sure that they haven't done it right yet. How do they fix everything, make it all right?

The presence doesn't let it go on forever, though.

They reach forward, dragging at their power forcefully, and push.

They don't want this.

[RESET]

When will they achieve that happy ending they know must be there?

/

"don't come back. you're not welcome."

The words ring hollowly in their ears.

They still haven't gotten it right.

They switch off the phone, dropping it from limp fingers. They're so tired—how many times have they gone back, looking for the way to that happy end?

They reach back.

One more time, they think, but they know it's a lie. Just once more.

[RESET]

/

They die, again, to Undyne's unrelenting fervor for freedom. The spear hurts, and blood spills hotly from their chest.

Say.

The presence shifts.

Are you ready to let me play? We can win, finally.

They think that maybe that's a bad idea, because the presence just wants pain and blood and dust—but they just can't bring themself to care anymore.

They close their eyes, and the presence laughs.

They are swallowed by darkness.

[RESET]

/

The presence is going back. Again, and again, and again.

There are bones, and blue.

(he won't give up—he can't afford not to care anymore.)

But they can barely even remember why they should care anymore, and they're so very tired—

They reach back. Maybe this time it'll go better.

[RESET]

/

They barely get a few steps out of the Ruins before there's blood and pain and blue, so much blue.

They bury themself deeper into that darkness, not wanting to see.

(they've given up.)

(they can barely remember that heat-haze red shimmering, and the sweet-spicy smell of cinnamon.)

Instead, they sleep, and they dream of yellow flowers under a brilliantly blue sky and of a red-eyed twin who hates the world.

/

He comes to them, eventually.

They stare at him, at his black-and-white-ness, and he smiles so sadly. He reaches forward and takes their hands in his own, and they shiver. He's cold.

They don't understand.

They shake their head. It hurts too much, they just want to sleep—

He squeezes their hands tightly, leaning down and holding them gently.

And then they're both reaching back, tugging at that power that curls under their skin, and then—

The presence shrieks in rage.

What are you doing?! I'm winning!

—they [RESET].

/

Asriel stands before them, overwhelming in his power.

The world is ending.

They can't [LOAD] or [RESET], they don't have enough energy.

But maybe…they can save something else?

They reach out and call out to those Lost Souls hidden away within Asriel, fueling his strength.

But no one comes.

Their SOUL shatters.

(but it refused)

They call out again, begging.

No one comes.

Their SOUL shatters.

(but it refused)

They grab at that power, that lets them push and tug everything back. If they can't save themself…

They call out, yanking at that power. It resonates around them, and Asriel stops.

"What…are you doing?"

They think of Toriel, of her sweet kindness.

They think of Sans, of his smile and lazy support.

They think of Papyrus, and his enthusiasm and ability to look forward despite the present.

They think of Undyne, and her determination to save the monsters, to set them free.

They think of Alphys, and her strength, despite how much she hated herself.

They think of Asgore, and the pain in his face, and how much he only wanted for everyone to be happy.

They call out.

Someone comes.

/

They've SAVED everyone. The barrier is broken, and everyone is safe.

They're on the surface.

Everyone is happy.

They look back, and something is tugging at their chest. They stop.

That…isn't quite right.

There's still someone who has to be SAVED.

Someone who's still trapped, and lost, and alone.

They look at their friends, and find themself meeting Sans' eyes. He looks…almost worried. Almost angry.

They close their eyes. The presence laughs.

We're playing again? How cruel, to rip away their happy ending.

They'll reach that happy ending.

[RESET]