i take a deep breath.
* elaborate please.
she sighs and put a hand over her eyes.
* Ah nothing, just, I had apparently the strangest dream.
i put my hand on her shoulder.
* i'm so, so sorry, but it wasn't a dream.
she laughs lightly and swats my arm away.
* Yeah, yeah, it was a vision.
i sigh and recollect the last run.
* we spent the morning on the couch and in the bedroom.
she doesn't visibly react.
* then we made a trip to the ruins and trained there.
she takes a deep breath.
* less training and more showing off after that-
she jumps up from the couch and starts pacing through the living room.
* How, just how did this happen?
i get the medication of this sans and take it.
* Oh god, am I stuck in the loop now as well.
after that i quickly grab papyrus' mobile and dial asriel.
* (ring ring)
i never call him except in emergencies.
* I don't want to be stuck here...
* What has happened?
and i really think this constitutes one.
* just get here, everything else is low priority.
she continues pacing and talking to herself...
the first time resetting to the beginning is always hard.
especially if she saw even a fraction of what i went through.
asriel appears promptly from the bathroom.
he looks pretty hung over.
* Here I am, so what is with Muffet?
with a sigh i try to minimize the drama in my next sentence.
* she can remember the last run.
he gives me at first a concerned look, followed by a disbelieving look before sitting down next to me.
* So, what are we doing now?
i shrug as muffet runs of to the bathroom
* i have no idea, this whole universe seems unreal, to be honest.
we just sit there for a few moments.
i didn't experience this level of strangeness for a long time.
well, there was one other person with us.
* yo, could you check if ace remembers anything?
he raises an eyebrow.
* You think it's infectious?
i shrug non-committally, best not to fan the flames of suspicion at this time.
* just a precaution, don't want her to run around confused and do something she'll regret.
he nods in understanding.
* Yeah, makes sense, disguised as you?
i ponder it for a moment.
* doesn't matter, if she doesn't remember anything she won't react to you anyway.
* Right, see ya in a moment.
he disappears in a swirl of petals.
his transformation into a flower, teleportation and transformation back got really smooth.
i am concerned about muffet, maybe i should look after her.
headache, so, probably bad idea.
oh god, this gets worse and worse.
asriel reappears in another whirl of petals.
* Ace doesn't seem to recognise me.
* that's good, at least the damage is contained.
we sit both down and think.
why is it happening...
what is different...
she didn't seem to remember anything about asriel last time.
so it must have happened in the last run.
* we should really search for the reason, what did we do last run.
asriel looks at me from his seat at the table.
* Well, aside from getting drunk near the end?
i lean back and take a deep breath.
* yes, i don't think that's it, or ace would have remembered as well.
for a few moments we just sit there in silence.
what else did happen?
it must have been something that only happened to muffet...
i build the timeline in my mind.
we did a lot of new things yesterday.
but none of it seems like it could cause this.
i'd say "magic" and leave it at that, but if i accidentally pull more people in the loop... not everyone can withstand the stress.
and she is the only one that can remem-
* ouch!
* Chara?
i rub my head.
that had felt like almost a punch to the head.
and not a weak one either.
* nothing, just giant headache.
* Oh, what is your host not liking?
i blink at asriel.
that's right, headaches are a way my host shows me he doesn't approve of something.
* i just thought that only muffet can remem- ouch!
he crosses his arms.
* So, he objects to that, it seems?
* looks like it.
* Then he remembers as well.
of course, why else would he do that?
i feel kinda slow again.
* great, so what did he do?
asriel shrugs.
* Same as you, I'd say.
* that means, whatever happened, it happened to both of us.
i think, what did we do...
well, one thing kinda stands out.
soulbonding.
could it be the cause?
so many questions, so few answers.
* but, in any case, you should go back and keep watch over the human.
asriel nods and teleports away.
i'm restless.
can't do anything.
need something to do.
i sit, paralysed by doubt, incapable of acting.
with a thought, the music on my headphones starts playing.
staring at the ceiling i lose touch with the world.
darkness creeps in and suddenly i stand on the walls of new home.
* nice to see you here.
i look to my left.
i- sans stands there.
he wears the same clothes as i just did.
looking down i wear the usual parker.
* where are we.
he taps on his skull.
* inside my head.
is he serious?
how did i get here?
* i'm confused.
he laughs.
* you notice you're confused.
why is he saying that.
* that means, there is something that contradicts what you expect.
he... how did he know that?
* i can't tell you exactly why, but my mind is extremely flexible.
within the blink of an eye new home shifts into home, abandoned and ruined.
* i set it up that multiple minds can always run around in here.
that is strange.
* you expected to get possessed by a mind?
he just shrugs.
* no, it just makes thinking easier. one mind for every side. mind stays open.
i give him another look he looks...
relaxed in this situation.
* you're taking this well.
* i've made plans for about any situation.
he waves his hand through the air.
* stuck in a time loop, wake up as a human, human falls down, barrier destroyed over night, civil wars, almost anything that came to my mind.
either he's joking, or he's insane.
who in their right mind would do something like that?
i look down at home.
* you know, you're probably insane.
* probably.
he grins
* said the guy in a time loop.
he has a point there.
* okay, but what do we do now?
he turns his back at home and looks at me.
* what we always should do when the shit hits the fan.
he flashes another smile.
* we think.
i give him a disbelieving look.
* okay, then, you start, because i have no idea what has happened.
he sighs.
* okay, first off, i can remember the last two runs.
* WHAT?
* no need to shout. i think it has to do with... well, this.
he waves with his hand around.
i have no idea what he means.
* please be more specific.
he gives of an exasperated smile.
* whatever we're doing right now is kind of soulbonding.
... okay, that makes much more sense than the multiple minds line.
* so, what about not knowing exactly what is happening?
he pouts as well as any sans is capable to.
* i just thought it'd be more awesome to put it that way.
wow, he's really childish.
* plus, i really have no idea how we're doing it right now, must be something with my mind.
in that point he probably is right.
i couldn't ever talk with another sans this way.
this world gets more and more fucked up.
* so, you're saying you can remember because of soulbonding?
* kinda, i mean, you know how soulbonding works?
i try to recall the books i've read.
* well, when two monsters open a connection between their souls, they share soul matter, exchanging a spark of their own with the other, and if that is done with the intention of procreating, the spark acts like the nucleus of a new soul, host soul and spark mixing into what will become the child soul.
* correct answer, a++. now you ever wondered what happens when no child happens?
i shrug.
i've never bothered much with soulbonding, so i've got no idea.
* they fuse with the surrounding soul. that is why couples' magic usually get more similar.
i try to grasp the implication.
* so, right now, we exchange soul matter.
he shrugs.
* 's a theory at least.
and here i thought i found an easy way to gain information.
* why the long face?
* well, it means i can't soulbond without the danger of creating more loopers.
he pats me on the back.
* while i understand how sweet it is to soulbond, quick info, you only share with others when either you give or they seek.
he smiles.
* and, a bit of feedback, you managed pretty fast to not leak information about you to us when we did it with muffet together.
how is he so calm?
* this can't be real...
* sorry to tell ya, but it is.
* no, i meant physically can't.
we are suddenly in the middle of a road in home.
* elaborate.
* you! you're too calm! just, why don't you freak out?
he shrugs.
* as i said, a plan for everything.
i take a moment.
no still makes no sense.
maybe i'm just daydreaming and imagine the whole conversation.
there is so much i've got to answer.
* paps' phone is ringing, mind if you get it?
i sit in the living room on the couch.
i feel so tired.
had the strangest daydream right now.
or did i actually talk with this sans in his head...
and i feel disconnected from the body, more like controlling a puppet than inside it.
* bahp-deep-bahp-click
* yeah?
* bro, emergency Suckerpunch.
i shortcut to the crossroad.
my head is flooded with emotions.
anger, sadness, wrath, confusion, hate.
i'm glad the human went genocidal.
i need a punching bag, fast.
as if on cue the human walks around the corner.
covered in dust on the way to toriel, planning to end us all.
* hello there kiddo.
i shortcut directly behind them putting my hands on their shoulders.
* i've heard you've been very naughty.
i can feel them shiver as my hands wander down their arms.
they smell like a mix of dust, sweat and, for some reason, boysenberries.
* just because i was lenient the last time we saw each other, doesn't mean you don't have to behave, little one.
i shortcut us to the balcony above home.
* killing is bad. it seems i'll have to teach you that the hard way.
the human turns around, slashing the toy knife at me.
before they even manage to turn halfway, they rocket down to the ground of home.
* through pain.
their little body splatters against the ground.
i'm in the living room again, shortcut to the cross road.
the human comes running, i shortcut us both on the balcony.
* now, here is lesson one.
they try to turn around again but i'm already launching them towards home.
* the higher the fall the bigger the splat.
they crash into a wall, neck broken.
living room.
shortcut to crossroad.
the human comes running again.
another shortcut to the balcony
* lesson two, little one.
they're in the air before they know it.
* at this height i wouldn't even need to give you an extra push for you to go splat.
they land on their back.
with a snap their spine breaks.
it takes a few seconds to reset.
that must have hurt.
* lesson three.
another heavy throw to the ground.
* if you want to live longer, try rolling at the end.
they don't have the chance to roll as they are speared by a rusty fencepost.
i shortcut towards them putting my hand on their cheek
* or, you know, don't try this kind of shit at all, much easier.
* lesson four.
they hurl towards the ground, hitting the road hard.
but, they managed to roll and ended up with only a broken arm and fractured leg, still alive.
* well done!
i shortcut behind them and blast their tiny soul.
* anyway, lesson four, just because you survive the fall doesn't mean you'll survive.
they scream in agony as their soul shatters.
* so, after forty lessons you got so far as to stand here bruised but not broken.
the human pants as i sit on a nearby ruin.
* now, since you're such a slow learner, let us take a five minutes recess.
i get myself one of those non-alcoholic malt beer this sans seems to like.
it's... unusual.
like this whole universe.
* go on, you can save if you want to.
i take another swig of this harsh but sweet drink.
can't say i'm quite fond of it, but it's something new.
just for the experience it's worth enduring a bit.
* or you in need of a bit more pounding?
with that the human starts running towards the exit.
we're far back in home.
it would take them hours just to get back to there.
i give them a five second head start.
after that i shortcut to close range and penetrate their body with bones.
* looks like you're boned, kid.
back on the top of the building, drink in hand.
seems there actually was a place to save around here.
good for them.
i place the drink to the side, still full and go on human hunt.
i shortcut to a nearby tower which is almost collapsing by now.
my theory gets proven right when my full weight is put on the tower and it sinks a few centimetres.
i have to act fast.
i see the human running along on a broad street.
* you know? i haven't done this for a long time.
i use my bones to attack a few weak spots in the structure and let the tower collapse on the human.
i shortcut to them directly and try to pierce their throat with a bone.
* i don't mean fighting one of you in a genocide.
they dodge into a wall that i already covered in bones, a blaster ready to roast them.
* i mean, playing with a human.
* there was this one time, i built deadly traps, papyrus luckily didn't remember all those bits flying around.
the human falls through a hole to the sewers, beneath it the remains of a rusty broken fence.
* actually, i think that was several times, i learned a lot about human anatomy.
* you know, i had this idea for a set of cards, each one is coloured.
i sit at the shore of one of home's rivers, feet dangling into the water.
* each colour was a different activity i'd do that run, can't remember half of it, but one thing that still burns in my mind was the concept of the black card.
i push the human's soul a bit deeper into the water as they try to resurface.
* when i'd draw the only one, i'd just go crazy and kill everyone.
they thrash harder.
* but then i got to my senses, what kind of lunatic would kill their friends.
they fall limp in the water as their soul starts cracking in my magic.
* in the beginning, it was cathartic.
i sit with my back to the wall.
* you know, letting my frustrations out.
the human lies at my feet.
* that was, to be honest, after i finally understood that it wasn't a dream.
their legs crushed by a piece of concrete.
* since i wasn't thinking straight in the beginning, it usually didn't end well.
they claw at their legs, trying to free them.
* i dusted a few times, made much of the underground my enemy, paps usually stood at my side, but i didn't, well, kill monsters. after all, you were there, i didn't think it was a coincidence for even one second. and i wanted you to stop.
clenching their teeth they try to chisel the concrete around their legs away with their toy knife while i monologue.
* oh the things i did to all those humans.
i use my blue magic on them, turning gravity to the side and amplifying it.
* i'd tell you details but, i don't think you can even hear me over all that screa-
the human is on all fours, heaving.
* but one day i realised, you didn't do it either.
i shortcut in front of them, hands slightly raised.
* short break?
they nod before emptying their stomach yet again.
when they're done, i offer them my malt beer.
* here, take this. and don't worry it ain't poisoned.
i don't like it anyway
* we'll continue with this once you calmed down, okay?
they sip the drink in silence.
* that took me an even longer while to figure out.
i stay out of attack range of theirs, in case they're smart.
* because none of you talk for some reason.
this one has bugging me a long time.
* i still have no idea why, but even when you behave different, you don't really talk. you might, at times, say words, but that ain't talking.
i wave with my hands in exasperation.
* if you could talk you'd tell me right now that you could. but why can't you talk freely?
they still just look at me.
* i still don't know and frankly, i stopped caring a long time ago.
with a sigh i approach them slowly.
that doesn't mean i'm not looking for it and one day i'll find out.
i curl my fingers together, thumb over index.
and then i'll punch whoever is responsible in the face.
they lunge at me.
it was their chance to go back.
now, no more chances.
i flick my finger and with a blue glow the human crashes into a building, breaking their bones.
* it didn't stop me from still hating you, of course.
i'm in an old house, looking through their bookshelf.
* because, however you work or this works or anything.
nothing overly interesting among it.
* somewhere there is a choice you make. if there wasn't one, you'd always do the same unless i do something.
the human thought they successfully sneaked up to me, trying to pounce me.
i step to the left, giving the bookshelf a shove, which buries the human.
we're still here, so. the human still lives.
i sit on the bookshelf.
* and what bothers me is how erratic you behave.
i can hear whimpering from under the shelf.
* being truly unpredictable means that you don't possess capabilities to learn, to gain knowledge or to reason at all, absolving your from responsibility because you can't take any.
a slight breeze blows through the caverns of home.
* but you do all that, though it is inconsistent, and as a reasoning being, you must face the consequences of your decisions.
i sit there, enjoying the atmosphere, the breeze, the smell of wood, the rustling of leaves on the ground, which all is dampened by the whimpering of the sack of water that is slowly dying.
* and as long as your decisions result in death, you must face the fact that one of the deaths might become yours.
a last shaking, then silence and stillness.
we have been doing it for hundreds of times.
i had time to talk about almost my whole life.
of the day i woke up in a dark room, naked.
my slow realisation i was stuck in this loop.
all my theories, my hundreds of theories of what is happening and why it is.
why i believe it happens for a reason.
my attempts to gain power to break the loop.
slowly giving up...
losing myself in the endless repetition...
until the day i met my brother.
when i found a spark of myself again.
the adventures we had together.
the misadventures.
and how the little crybaby goat turned into one sassy monster i am proud to call brother.
i turned the road into a field of traps.
bones that sprout when you step on them.
i sit on a decrepit old shop, legs over the edge.
* you know, i think that is what makes me try again.
i shout to the human a few blocks away.
* i now have someone for who i do it all.
* Ahem~
i'm startled by the sudden noise.
muffet is standing behind me, hands clasped.
* you okay?
she shrugs and sits next to me.
* As well as I can be...
we both watch the still city as the human tries to find a way around my traps without me noticing them.
they are learning.
* i guess you've been around since the beginning?
she sighs.
* Of course, how else would I be here right now?
while she tried to hide her presence i noticed her pretty quickly.
but, well, it makes no difference anyway, this whole thing is absurd.
i let the silence do the talking.
* Do you mind me asking, why don't you use weapons?
because they suck?
* i try to avoid engaging my opponent where their strength is.
she looks at me confused.
* My Sans trained how to use weapons.
she puts two hands on her stomach.
* He uses his reaction speed and knowledge of anatomy to wield a knife with precision.
she puts her hands back to the side.
* That combined with his rather cold-hearted nature made him quite efficient in close quarters.
she puts a hand on my shoulder.
* How about you try to gain that?
i stare into the distance.
to be honest, it would be a perfect opportunity to study his speed of thought.
i can feel one trap going off.
* you know what, even if melee is inferior to ranged combat, there is no bad in honing ones skills.
she giggles.
* If I didn't know better, I'd almost think you'd be him.
i give her a questioning look.
* what is that supposed to mean?
she grins.
* You sound just like him, though with less paedophile jokes.
paedo-what jokes?
i sit again on the roof.
we have been here more than a thousand times.
they are truly determined to see me dead
time slows as my mind accelerates.
i try to unravel the magic again, but it seems to originate in the soul, drawing on a component i have never witnessed before.
it is not patience, bravery, integrity, perseverance, kindness, justice or determination.
i'll visit the lab and analyse it once the human finally gives up.
i shortcut to their front and draw the knife this sans has ingrained in his reflexes.
the human attacks and i weave around every attack.
i use only minimal attacks, trying to find out what in his magic he uses to cast the speed boost.
but even with minimal movement, i cut tendons, blood vessels and muscles.
i slow them down piece by piece, making them more and more suffer.
it actually managed to kill them using no magic a few times.
it takes a bit longer since i can't risk being hit,i had a few close calls in fact that i barely managed to avoid by using magic attacks.
but i think i'm getting the trick of wielding a knife while short-cutting.
though it is a bit hard, since i never bothered with offensive martial techniques.
but in a few thousand loops i might have mastered it to perfection.
one thing begs to question though...
i shortcut to muffet decelerate my mind.
* why a knife?
it is the weapon of the human.
* Lies around in every house and fast to wield.
she shoots me an amused and questioning look.
* What would you use instead?
i clean the knife with a rag, don't want it to get dull.
* swords, axes and spears come to mind.
she rolls her eyes in exasperation.
* And, pray tell, where would you get one of those?
i pause in my cleaning.
she is right, all those need to be organised somewhere.
if you expect to fight on short notice...
* holy crap, your sans must be paranoid as hell.
* Ahuhuhu~ Yeah he is.
i accelerate my mind again and dive back into the fight, or rather vivisection, with the human.
two thousand five hundred and thirty seven.
i am now at it for more than seventeen hours.
muffet has been napping for the last hundred tries.
i sigh.
* oh god, how fucking long does it take for you to understand, there is no way out of here?
i am tired.
not of killing the human, but physically, because of exhaustion.
the human looks really angry.
* don't look at me like that, you're the one who forced us into this situation. if you just gave up on killing everyone, we'd all be better off.
they give me another look and throw their knife on the floor.
i sit on the couch with a book in my hand.
i throw my hands in the air
* THANK TROLL JEGUS, THEY FINALLY GOT IT!
i blink.
troll jegus?
what the hell does that even mean?
i get papyrus' phone.
* bah-da-daa-da-daa-daa-daa-daa-daaaa
that isn't pap's phone.
i scramble and look for the origin of the ringing.
oh right, this sans has one.
where was it...
in his coat!
i shortcut to the coat and pull the mobile out.
caller id is muffet.
* 'ello?
* Hey, err, is it every time this abrupt?
so, she still remembers, figures.
* nah, well, when they get this genocide thing in their head then yes.
* Okay, by the way, did you take your pills?
oh, right
* not yet, thanks for the reminder.
i take the pills just as another call comes in
* bahp-deep-bahp-deep-bahp-click
* 'sup.
* Nothing except that it took really long. What happened?
* yeah, this one needed a few more hints.
* A few?
his voice drips with sarcasm.
i am so proud of him.
* yeah, real slow learner.
* Okay, let's see how slow, I'll call you back in a few.
* kay, boochka bro!
he groans and hangs up.
he he he.
i shortcut to alphys' true lab.
if i remember right, i was here only once.
seems like months ago, even though it was just a few hours.
i sit down in the soul matter extraction room and begin tinkering with the equipment.
a few minutes later i set it up to analyse this sans' soul composition.
i didn't do this for a long time, since i didn't think things would change so drastically.
it extracts a minuscule amount of soul matter and begins to work.
since i've got nothing better to do, i think i'll give ace another visit.
not that i don't trust azzy, but i like to double check.
i shortcut to the wall of new home and let my gaze wander.
all of this is so humongous.
and yet so like every other world.
i see the shop "o's delicacies".
thanks to azzy "o" will be my codename in the future.
just to annoy him and to force this joke over and over.
but, that is a strange name for a shop.
i shortcut to the entrance and open the door.
a small bell rings and footsteps come from the back of the shop.
"Welcome to O's delicacies what can I do for, hey Sans."
she doesn't seem too different from the first time i met her.
* heya ace, 'sup?
"Ah, nothing much, with you?"
* same, same.
"So, what are you doing?"
this has been part of what asriel told me.
* aside from creeping on little girls?
she giggles at that.
"Yeah, aside that."
i shrug.
* nothing much, just around and wondering something.
i point with my thumb behind me.
* why is this "o's delicacies" when neither of you is o?
she rolls her eyes.
"I know, right? My dad's a bit too religious in my opinion. Speaking of the devil."
i turn around to see a tall gaunt monster with black, cord like slick backed hair and holes where their eyes should be.
they look at me in surprise and fall on their knees.
a loud bang rings through the air.
a hole is through their torso.
they dust before me.
it was not the human.
this is bad.
something is wrong with this universe.