You gasp for air as you jolt up from where you lay. Sweat coated your face and neck, though you can't remember why. Something about your dream was calling to you. Or maybe that was something else.

"Can you hear my voice, my child?"

You blink a few times and realize where you were. The dark room was gently lit from the corner by a candelabra. The bin of toys, the various piles of shoes, and even the blankets themselves-you knew them well.

"Toriel?"

As you looked to the side, you see her. She seems to relax as you acknowledge her, though she seems a bit confused, "Oh, I'm sorry, have we met before?"She quickly recognizes your own confused looks and just shakes her head, "Never mind. I am glad you are alright. They were very concerned for your safety."

Your confusion doesn't let up as your rub your head, "They who?" You ask as you swing your legs over the side and look around the room.

As Toriel begins to answer, the door opens and another human comes walking in, one you recognize to be Frisk. As they look around the room, they meet your gaze and smile, hurrying over. Toriel smiles at them, "Oh, there you are, my child. He's just woken up." She tells them. The child holds a plate up to her and tilts their head, "Oh! How thoughtful," Toriel takes the plate and turns back to you, "Here, you must be hungry."

You didn't have to even look at it to know what it was. As soon as Frisk stepped in the room, you could smell the butterscotch and cinnamon. And besides that, it seemed only fitting that Toriel gave you the pie. It seemed right to you somehow. But, even though your stomach was growling loudly as you brought the pie closer to yourself, you couldn't find your appetite. There was something else you needed to do first.

"Is something wrong? Oh, do you not like butterscotch?" Toriel sounded almost sad, "Or is it the cinnamon?"

You smile and her and shake your head to reassure her, "No no, it's my favorite! It's just..." You look at Frisk, "What happened?"

Frisk tilted their head, frowning just a little bit. It almost looked as if they wanted to tell you what happened, but they couldn't. Toriel tilted her head as well, "You must have fallen from the surface. All of the humans who have come down here, even Frisk here, have all come down from the same hole in the cavern. And of course, from there it seemed like you were being picked on by a pesky weaker monster," she sighed, "He has become a nuisance, but he mostly keeps to himself."

"You mean Flowey?" As you said the name, you noticed Frisk flinched a little and looked down.

Toriel gave a smile, "Is that his name? I will have to remember that the next time he tries to pick on someone."

You set the pie down on the bed beside you and stand, looking around, "Is that really all that happened?" You ask them. As you step past them and look more around the room, noticing that it was all exactly the same, you continue, "It almost feels like... there was more. Like I'm missing something here."

"I do not think I understand what you mean."

As you turn back to face them, you feel a tug at your sleeve. Frisk was looking at you, trying to tell you something. They frowned, pulling your arm towards the doorway. Yo tilt your head, confused, "I don't understand."

Frisk quickly looks you over, as if trying to find something on your person. As they gave a little gasp, they smile and hold up your right hand, pointing to your key. As you watch them, still a bit confused, it dawns on you. You blink in realization, "Wait, there was something else. There was... Sans!" Frisk gave a delighted smile as they nodded a few times quickly and hurried out of the room. They gestured for you to follow.

Toriel blinked, realizing there was more going on than she could understand, "Wait, you both know Sans?"

You look at Toriel, "Yeah, do you?"

"We've only ever spoken through the door leading out. He tells the funniest jokes," she smiled at the memory, "You must be a friend of his, then, right? Somehow anyway."

You smile and nod, "Yes. And right now, Frisk and I need to go talk to him."'

Toriel gave a concerned look, "Wait, I can't allow you to leave the ruins! It's dangerous, and-"

"Mom," Toriel looked surprised, her face flushed a little as you smile at her, "We'll be fine. I promise. I will take care of Frisk, and Sans will too."

Toriel blinked, then relaxed as her face fell into a sad smile, "You be careful too, my child."

"Sora." you smile and nod at her.

She laughs a little and nods back to you, "Sora, take care of yourself and Frisk."

"I will!" You wave as you hurry out to catch up with Frisk.

As you head down the stairs and along the long halls, you finally reach the doors leading out of the Ruins. Frisk is there, waiting, waving to you as you approach. Once you get close enough, they smile and point up at the door. You look back and forth between them, confused for a moment. Frisk frowns and points to their right wrist, then to the door again.

You blink and look at your wrist, suddenly remembering your keyblade. As you hold it in your hand, you feel the power coming from it. You smile and look at Frisk, "Right, I got this!" as you jump back, you point your key at the door. It lights up for a moment, a keyhole appearing on the door, before you hear a loud clicking sound. Once the light fades away, Frisk pats your shoulder and smiles, giving you a thumbs up. You smile back as you watch them push the door open and walk out.

Before following them, you look at your keyblade. Something felt off as the power faded back from it, but you shrugged it off and let the key hang again, "A key to open any door. Hey, what's the worst that could happen?" With a smile, you step out into the cold air to join Frisk.

Frisk grabbed you free hand and pulled you along down the path. As you reached the end of the trees and stepped into the clearing, you saw Sans there waiting, leaning against his station. He seemed to be thinking about something. As he heard you approach and stop and few feet from him, the whites of his eyes return and fall on you. He seems to look you both over before speaking. Something about the way he stood there sent a chill down your spine.

Or maybe it was the cold air.

"Heya, you must be new around here to just pop up like this," If he had eyebrows, you could tell one would be raised in this moment, "Or maybe I should skip the introductions. I think we're pretty good friends at this point. Right?"

Though he was speaking to you both, you could tell the question was directed at Frisk. You look at them but they seem un-phased by the question, or anything really. They just nod in agreement. There was a stillness in the air that as beginning to make you uncomfortable. You rub your head and quickly think of something to break the tension.

"Oh uh, hey, Sans?" Sans' eyes flick to you, his shoulders seeming to relax a little, "Why are graveyards so noisy?"

Sans tilted his head a little, "Why?"

You smile and step forward a little, eager, "Because of all the coffin!"

Sans looked a little surprised for just a moment before he started to laugh, "Wow, that's a good one, kid."

You grin, proud of yourself, "Thought you'd enjoy that," you look at Frisk, nudging them a little, but they don't seem to be quite as amused as Sans.

Sans looked at you, waving his hand a bit to get your attention, "Why is the skeleton so calm?" You tilt your head and shrug. Sans smiles, "Because nothing gets under his skin!"

As he laughs, you laugh with him. You both stand there together, just laughing over your own jokes. Not too long after, Frisk pulls at your sleeve, trying to get your attention. You smile and look at them, "Oh, sorry Frisk. I couldn't help myself."

"Seems the kid really has a bone to pick with you."

"Maybe, but I got a femur jokes to tell first!"

It's going tibia a great time! Just relax, Frisk."

"OH MY GOSH."

Silence falls over the clearing as Sans and Frisk look up to see Papyrus coming closer. He seems annoyed by something, and at the same time Sans seems to be enjoying it.

"Oh hey bro." Sans greeted him.

Papyrus sighed, his hands on his hips as he looked down at Sans, "Sans! I knew I heard bad puns! Why must you insist on boondoggling so much?! What if a human comes through?!"

Sans gestures towards you and Frisk, "Who do you think was helping with the puns?"

As Papyrus turns his attention to you both, you give a meek smile and a little wave. You remember Sans talking about how much of a human hunting fanatic his brother was. It takes him a moment, but finally it sinks in. He gasps slowly and smiles, "SANS?! Are those... HUMANS?"

"Yes."

"I did it! FINALLY! I will be able to join the royal guard! I will be so popular! Popular! POPULAR!" Papyrus points at you two, making you jump a little, "Humans! You shall not pass this area! I, The Great Papyrus, will capture you with my magnificent and ingeniously designed puzzles! And once you are captured, you will be delivered straight to Undyne! Who will take you to the capital! And-"

"W-Wait! Who's Undyne?" You interrupt him with your question.

He seems a bit surprised by the sudden question, as he thinks it over for a moment, "Undyne is the leader of the Royal Guard, of course! She is the reason I am out here with my brother looking for humans! And Once I bring you to her, she will HAVE to let me into the Royal Guard! So! You had better! Be prepared! For my puzzles are very difficult! Nyeh heh heh!"

Papyrus turns back down the path and laughs as he marches off. You feel as if nothing had been truly answered. It was almost as if he was avoiding confrontation with you. You look at Sans who just shrugs, as if he knew exactly what you were thinking.

"Papyrus wants to catch a human pretty bad, but, he loves his puzzles just a little more. Play along, huh?" His gaze falls on Frisk again, his shoulders tensing just a little as he turns away, towards the Ruins, "I'll be up ahead."

You watch him walk off for a moment, confused, "Sans is acting kind of weird, don't you think?" You ask Frisk. When you turn back to face them, you see Frisk has already walked up ahead, "Hey! Wait up!" You hurry to catch up, glancing back again. Though the path is a straight shot, you see that Sans is gone.

"Humans! you shall not pass!"

As you and Frisk walk along the path, you come to the edge of the cliff, Sans and Papyrus standing some yards away. You blink at Sans, surprised to see him ahead of you even though he had never passed you. Papyrus continues to speak, explaining his puzzle, but Sans just seems to watch Frisk.

"Well? Go on! Give it a shot then!"

Frisk pulls at your sleeve again, bringing you back to the situation at hand. As you look up, you see Papyrus watching you, holding a strange orb. Tilting your head you step forward, immediately hitting a wall. As you feel the wall, you see Papyrus jump, an electro shock surging through him.

"SANS! What did you do!" he demands, turning to his brother.

Sans winks, looking at him, "I think they are supposed to hold the orb," he tells him.

"Ah!" Papyrus nods, "Yes, of course!" As he starts to walk towards you, through the maze he has created, you see he is leaving footprints in the snow. You try not to chuckle as he tosses the orb in the air and runs back the way he came. Once he reaches the other side, the orb lands on Frisk's head, "NOW give it a shot!"

As you watch, Frisk tilts their head a little, the orb not moving an inch, stepping forward. They followed the path Papyrus had taken, practically stepping in his footsteps in the snow. You cover your mouth to keep from laughing out loud.

As they reach the opposite side, they stand in front of Papyrus. Papyrus nods, "very sneaky, human! You solved it easily! Almost too easily! Even so, the next one will not be so simple, it was designed by my brother, Sans! You will be amazed! I know I am!"

Papyrus laughed again and zoomed off down the pathway-backwards. Frisk followed after him, dropping the orb into the snow.

You walk over after a moment, following Papyrus' path through the maze, and look at Sans. his eyes were closed as you approached him. You tilt your head a bit, "You okay, Sans? You seem a bit-"

"On edge?" You blink as you watch Sans open his eyes, but see no white to them. You feel uneasy, stepping back just a little. Subconsciously, you grab your keyblade in your hand and hold it tight. Sans raised his chin a little, "Let me give you a bit of advice, kid. I would keep an eye on your own back. Cuz if you continue blindly like you are, you're really not gonna like what happens."

You frown, confused by his sudden change in attitude, "What is this all of a sudden? You've never been so serious. And what do you mean, continue blindly?"

Sans' grin seemed to expand a little. He raised his hand and placed it on your head. You blink, confused for a moment, then feel yourself freeze where you stand. As you meet his gaze, you see his one eye has changed, flashing colors between blue and yellow quickly, "I think it's time you saw what's happening before you wake each time. If you want to help like you're always saying you do... then I grant you a bit. My own intuition. Then you'll see."

As you stare into his eyes, everything starts to go dark. Then, in a sudden burst of light images start flashing. They were all similar, but somehow different. And each one ended the same. All the while, you could hear many different Sanses saying the same line over and over.

"If you follow Frisk, you're gonna have a bad time, kid."