Papyrus' funeral.

The radio; "The dust of a student monster from the municipal institution Ebbot Middle School, who went missing the 12th of this month, was found in a room of a construction site. The crime scene shows no signs of struggle and the police are continuing the investigation by searching for evidence of a potential accident or crime.

"The weather is up next. There will be a slightly strong breeze from the northwest accompanied by rain."

Rain was right. I even needed an umbrella. That was how depressing it was. Everything was in the perfect gloom.

"Welcome home, child." Toriel says kindly, motioning me inside.

"Child, about Papyrus…" Toriel confronts me next to the balcony. "You really don't know anything about what happened, right?"

"Yeah." I lie through my teeth. Then I leave. But Toriel's concerned gaze never leaves me.

I'm on my bed now. It always seems to be where my self-important thoughts happen.

"Papyrus and Undyne died." I whisper. The statement itself is so wild, I don't even believe it.

A light shines from my window. "It's really not that surprising. The symptoms that everything would've turned out this way have been showing for a little while."

I quickly get up to confront Flowey, who's once again inside my room. "And you don't care?" I spit. "Everyone died because of you!"

Flowey sighs, an amused look on his face as he shrugs one of his shoulders. "Just to put an example out there, do you feel like you're inferior to a group of cattle?" I falter. "Do you even know how the food comes to sit on your table?" I look into his eyes, and then I suddenly see something I don't want to see.

I snap my gaze away. "Stop that!"

"My, my," Flowey flicks his tail. "Responding that way doesn't make any sense. If you think what I just showed you was cruel, then you don't understand what's really going on. See, by choosing to become part of a human household, they breed free from opposing natural forces and are sheltered from survival of the fittest. Cows, pigs, and birds, compared to wild animals, generally have a reproductive rate far better than the rest. Wouldn't you say you humans have the perfect symbiotic relationship with them?"

"...you're trying to say you're the same."

"Actually," He corrects, "We're treating you much more equally than the way all of you treat cattle. While this may not be the best arrangement, we recognize that you are sentient beings when we negotiate with all of you." I hunch in on myself. "What? You don't believe in me? Then, how about I show you instead? I'll show you the history through which the Incubators and humanity have walked together."

To my mistake, I look into his eyes. Suddenly, I see. Past rings of rainbows, to the early cavemen, and then to the first princess.

"We got involved in your world before your recorded history." Flowey states. It's like watching a slideshow. "Countless numbers of girls and monsters have formed contracts with Incubators, had their hopes realized, and lost themselves to despair, like the idiots they are. It always starts with a wish or desire, and ends up with them being cursed or falling into despair. It's a cycle which many Magical Monsters have repeated. It's kill or be killed out there, you know. This even includes monsters who have changed history forever and lead your society to new stages."

"J-just stop it already!" I try to look away. "Everyone trusted you. They trusted you and you betrayed them!"

"We weren't the only ones to betray them." Flowey puts in. "It was their own stupid desire. No matter the desire, if it's something irrational, then it will always distort reality in some way if it comes true. Then it's obvious that natural law dictates that only bad could eventually come from that. If you want to call the result of that action 'betrayal,' then having the wish in the first place would be the mistake. But I won't call it foolish, exactly. More like stupid. Though, your kind's sacrifices have certainly further advanced the story of human history."

It finally stops. I'm left panting on my bed, eyes wide and alert.

"Thus all the tears shed until now have led to the foundation on which your current society is based. Your current style of life. If you understand that, then how can you treat the fate of a few humans at most differently than the rest of humanity's?"

I slowly raise my head. "Have you felt nothing watching everyone all this time?" I gulp. "Didn't you try to understand just how much they were going through?"

"If I could understand, we wouldn't have had to go out of our way to come to this planet in the first place." Is Flowey's response. "In our civilization, the phenomenon you call emotions is regarded as nothing more than a disorder attained from the lack of a soul. That's why we were surprised when we found you humans. The existence of a world where every single individual carries their own soul and coexists never even crossed our minds."

"If none of you ever came to this world…" I tried.

"You'd probably still be unclothed living in caves, I guess."

It's still raining. But at least I've found his place.

The hall is dark and the door is uninviting, but I ring the doorbell anyway. A moment later, it creaks open, revealing a skeleton. Sans looks surprised to see me.

"Can I come in?"

It takes a moment for him to respond, but he finally chooses to let me in.

It's the strangest room I've ever seen, that is, if you could even call it a room. The color is an eerily clean white, with the exception of some blue dots decorating the ground. Many assortments of pictures and articles float around, suspended in the air by nothing. Where a chandelier might usually be in a room, it is instead replaced by a large mechanism of gears and metal wheels. A lurking shadow swings itself back and forth from the ceiling. All around me are long benches, intertwining around the center focus of the room, a simple, small round table.

Sans stands on one side of the table. "The Walpurgis Night…" I start, trying to catch his attention, "Undyne had said you two were going to work together to defeat a powerful witch. One that she herself couldn't even take care of on her own." I look around the room, examining the articles and pictures in the air. "You've been getting ready for that here this whole time, right?"

Sans' dark eye sockets narrow, and I realize that it's true. "Is the entire city in danger?" I ask, worried.

He gives me a cold, annoyed look. "Unlike the witches you've seen so far, this one has no need to hide in barriers to protect itself. In fact, just by coming into existence, several thousands of humans and monsters will fall." I gasp a little, but he plows on. "But since no one can see this one either, they'll mistakenly think the damage is caused by a natural disaster. An earthquake, tornado… something of the like."

"So that just means we have to take it out no matter what. Right?" Sans doesn't respond, just looks impatient, as if he's dreading something. "Undyne's gone too. You're the only Magical Monster who's left to fight." An idea comes to mind. "That means I can-"

"I'll be fine by myself." Sans sounds insulted that I'd even thought about the idea of helping him. "Even though it may not have been possible for Undyne, I myself am perfectly capable of taking out the Walpurgis Night. In fact," He turns to one side, "I never really needed her help in the first place. I just wanted to give her a chance to save face."

"Really?" He nods, but I don't think he's telling the truth. "I don't get it." I finally admit, taking a step forward. "I want to believe you. I don't want to think that you're a liar. But," I sniff a little, afraid. "I can't make myself believe that you'll be okay… I can't make myself believe that what you say is the truth…"

Sans is still, a very dark and grim expression on his face. He turns his back on me, hands clenched inside the pockets of his jacket. "There's no way I can tell you how it really is." He growls.

"...huh?"

"I mean…" He sounds frustrated. "I mean, I'm living in a different time than you! How can I?..." He suddenly turns, and a second later, teleports to my side and slips his arms around me into a tight hug. I'm so surprised, I don't even know how to return the gesture. My shoulder feels wet.

"I've come from the future, you know?" He cries. "I've met you over and over again, and each time, I've seen you die. How do I save you, kid? How can I change your fate? I've been looking so long for that answer, and that one only. I've gone back to the beginning. I've done it again and again and again..."

"That means…" I have a hard time comprehending it. It is so bizarre, and my brain just doesn't understand any of what he's saying. "H-huh?..."

"...I'm sorry." He apologizes. "You probably don't get any of this. In fact, you're probably completely put off by all this. 'Cause, to you…" He finally lets go a bit, and looks me in the eyes. There are tears on the edges of his sockets. "I'm just some transfer student you haven't even known for a month." He says sadly. "But to me… you're-" He breaks off mid sentence, tears streaming down his skull.

He hangs down his head. "Each time I repeat this, our time together grows farther apart. Our feelings grow farther apart, 'till I can't reach you anymore. I think… I've lost myself a long time ago. My desire to save you… was the emotion that started this all. But now that I've come this far, the only star that will help guide my way is…" He finally looks up, a determined expression on his face. The tears have stopped, but the streaks are still there. "You don't have to understand. My words don't have to resonate with you. But please, kiddo. Just… let me protect you." At my blank face, his face hardens. "Please. Just let me protect you!"

It's still raining. Something's definitely not right.

The puddles have grown so large, they're like miniature lakes crowding on the sidewalks. Everywhere is drippy wet. The buildings are black like night. The sky is still dark, and the clouds are grey with the foreshadowing of something horrible to come. Sounds of lightning light up the clouds, threatening the citizens with its angry growls. It is going to be a deadly storm.

However, we are safe inside the evacuation building. All the elderly have been escorted and safely gathered. Green mats and orange blankets have been provided for every family. Volunteers go around, making sure everyone is satisfied with what they have.

"Is this like a sleepover?" Asriel asks excitedly. "Is this like a camping trip?"

"Of course." Asgore chuckles, patting him on the head. "We're going camping!"

But their laughter does not reach me. I sit on my own solitude corner of the blanket, worrying about Sans.

I can imagine it perfectly. He would stand on the edge of a lonely bridge alone. The murky waters would rush past him, the wind tossing and turning. The clouds running past him like a river. Steam rising until it surrounded his legs, hiding him from the outside world and trapping him inside of a deadly labyrinth of the witch.

Sounds of rushing wind, explosions, crashing, and the ashes of a burning fire. But mainly laughter. Loud, terrifying, maniacal laughter-

The roof of the safe house shakes back and forth, the lights hanging from it are tossing and flickering. I'm momentarily brought out from my daze. The storm must be really rough. Curious, I stand up, but Toriel notices.

"Is there anything wrong, my child?" She asks, sounding worried.

I lie. "I, um… need to use the bathroom."

We stand at an edge balcony close to the window where I can see the rain viciously attacking the the trees' branches outside, but I am still safe in the building. I am safe, while Sans is out there a battling a witch out in the dark, rainy storm.

"Is it true that Sans can win by himself?" I ask Flowey, who sits on the railing next to me.

After a moment of hesitation, Flowey puts on a pitiless expression. "Nope!" At my set face however, he looks back out the window with me. "There's nothing I can say to convince you at this point though, huh?" He shakes his petals a little, looking nonchalant. "Just watch for yourself. See just how far Sans can get by himself."

"But why would he go so far to fight?" I sigh.

"He still seeks hope." Comes Flowey's amused answer. "If it comes down to it, he might end up nullifying this timeline like how he has done it in the past before continuing to fight. That idiot will keep repeating this meaningless chain of events, coming out none the wiser. Although, giving up and refusing to move forward will basically bring about the same meaning to him now..."

I think I'm beginning to realize what he means, and Flowey confirms it for me. "The moment that he's convinced there's no way for him to change your fate, and that it was all pointless…" Flowey grins. "Sans will fall to his despair and turn into a grief seed."

At my terrified expression, Flowey shrugs his shoulders. "He knows this. And that's why, for him, there's no choice. It doesn't matter if there's no chance to win, because he still has no chance but to fight."

"So you're saying that he'll have no chance for salvation… unless he loses hope?"

"Yep. He's just like every other Magical Monster in the past." He turns to me. "You saw it too, didn't you?

I remember the night Flowey came to me to explain things. How all Magical Monsters in the past were all met with the same fate of falling into despair. Afraid, I tuck my head into my hands to hide. I have to think this through.

There has to be a way to stop this.

"But…" I sniff, head held up with determination. I turn around, ready to head down the stairs. "...but!"

However, a furry hand stops me. It latches onto my arm, firm but careful. Confused, I look back to see a worried Toriel. Flowey has disappeared. We just stare at each other in silence for a moment.

"Child." She starts, eyes narrowing. "Just where are you trying to go?"

"Mom." I look at her stern face, but I know that she is just worried for me. I look back down the stairs. "I have to go save my friend-"

"Leave it to the firemen." She tells me, starting to pull me back up the stairs. "Civilians have to sit still."

I turn to her again, desperate. "But it has to be me!-" I stop when I see her expression. Her eyes are dark, are eyebrows knitted, and her mouth strung into a grim line. She is not holding back anymore. She is angry.

"Do not be selfish." She says, voice a bit louder than usual. "Do you not know how much we worry about you-"

"I know!" I shout back before taking a deep breath to calm down my voice. "I know that very well." When her expression does not change, I continue. "I love you, mom. And dad too. I know you all care about me. I know how much I have to value my life. And that…" I gulp. "And that's why you're wrong. Everyone is important to me. So I have to protect every single one of them.

"This is why I cannot be here. This is why I have to go."

Toriel looks a little broken and afraid. "You…" Her voice trembles. "You can't explain what's going on to us, can you, my child?" I nod. "Then at least take me with you." She insists. I shake my head.

"I can't." I say. "But stay by Dad and Asriel. Make sure they feel better." At her stubborn gaze, I say, "You said I grew up to be a good kid, right? That I don't do bad things. Do you… still believe that? Will you trust me, that what I'm doing is right?"

She seems ready to make a protest, but then stops herself. "You won't mess up, will you? It's not like…" Her eyes flit to the side. "Someone is tricking you, right?"

"No." I promise.

After a moment, she bends down and gives me a hug. A tight, warm, motherly hug that can reassure any child's heart. She finally lets go, and nods at me.

I can't resist the smile. "Thanks, mom." I say, and I turn and let my shoes clop down the stairs, and when I leave, I don't look back.

He lies among the rubble of destroyed buildings. His tibia is trapped under concrete-hard rock. He is bruised and bleeding and dying and there is no hope left for him. The life is seeping out of him, and the darkness and despair, are slowly crowding in on him, and the sky seems darker than it ever was before, but I reach out…

And I hold onto Sans' hand.

"That's enough now." I say at his shocked expression, so I feel obliged to repeat myself. "That's enough, Sans."

"Frisk." He says it in awe, like he cannot believe what he is seeing is true. I notice that there are cracks running through the back of his skull. He's had enough pain now.

I stand and turn away from him, staring at the abomination in the sky. The scene is very familiar, I have seen it before in the dream that started it all. Cities and concrete torn from the earth they were built upon, and were now drifting around in an infinite black space. In the center of it all flies the Walpurgis Night. She is upside-down, adorned in a fancy blue dress, and is beating glowy disproportionate patterns all around her. It is just like how I remember it.

"Kid?" He finally notices Flowey standing beside me, and his eyes widen with dread. "No, you can't be…!"

I turn to him again, giving him an apologetic expression. But my mind is set. "Sorry, Sans." I say quietly.

Please inform me whether you would like the next chapter's section to have a portion of Sans' POV! (Since most of the narration at the end of the anime is made by Homura, not including their perspective would only result in a short and unclear ending.)