My eyes fluttered open, a positive pressure wrapped around me. I lifted my head up, to find Papyrus long asleep over me. The corners of my mouth pulled to a smile as I carefully released his hold.

"Getting too attached." I let out an airy laugh as I stood up, "I don't know much about the lifespan of a monster, bud, but I'm almost positive you'll outlive me. Your compassion doesn't deserve that heartache," I pulled my jacket closer to the center of my body, shoving my hands into my pockets as I watched the sleeping form, "but I guess I could make you pancakes or something, next time you need food." I began to opening the door, taking a few steps out before looking over my shoulder, "Sweet dreams, Bro. I'll be back later." And I left the room, quietly shutting the door behind me.

I walked outside, cold winds striking what little flesh I had exposed. The perfect wake up call if you ask me, so long as I don't get too chilled. Now that would make me as good as dead... That's no good. It's not humerus enough.

I looked down the street, a bundled up dinosaur wandering alone, a bright red wagon full of boxes in tow.

"You need some help?" I offered, extending my hand to them.

"N-no thank you." She directed her attention away from me, trying to pull the wagon a little harder. Trying.

"Alright." I laughed, walking beside her, "Suit yourself." I looked at the boxes, "So what's this all for?"

"S-school p-pro-project." She answered, still refusing to look at me.

"School project." I repeated her words, slowing my steps to look at the contents of the wagon, "Does this simple 'school project' require so many power cells?"

She let out an audible gulp.

"Smart girl, too." I laughed, "Plasma cells work a hell of a lot better than lithium-ion batteries." I watched as she began to writhe beneath her cold-weather clothes, "Although, when in the wrong hands, they can be quite dangerous."

"I-I can assure you, I-I-"

"I trust that you don't have malicious intent." I laughed, extending my arm to her, "Let me pull that cart for you."

"Th-thank you." She handed me the handle of the wagon.

"Anytime." I laughed, able to pull the cart just a little easier than her, "So, what's your name?"

"Alphys." She began to rub her hands together, glancing up at me now and then, "You?"

"Just call me Sans." I stumbled for a moment, quickly regaining my composure, "So what's all this really for?"

"I-I'm making a robot." She let out a hesitant laugh.

I watched over her for a moment, "Let me know if I'm wrong, but-"

"Aren't I too young for making world-breaking discoveries?" She finished my words, crossing her arms over her chest and watching the snow, "I-I get that a lot."

We walked a few steps in silence, "I was going to ask if I saw titanium in those boxes or an aluminum alloy."

"Oh..." She ducked her head for a moment, "I-it's actually nichrome."

"Ah, nichrome." I laughed, "With it's melting point of over two thousand degrees kelvin and oxidation resistance, but I've only seen it in resistance wire."

"Is it not a good call, then?"

I shrugged, "You're the inventor." We walked a while longer, just about to enter waterfall, "And no one's every too young to do anything."

"You are the first to say that." She laughed.

"I'm serious." I shot her a smile, mask still in the way, "Take it from me. I took an interest in Schrödinger's cat." I let out an airy laugh, rubbing the back of my neck in a fairly sheepish manner, "I actually almost tested it on the cat. My mom scolded me about that and asked me to properly dispose of my apparatus."

"You tried to kill your pet?" She began laughing up a storm.

"It probably would've lived." I looked around the area, the glowing, yellow glint appearing out of the corner of my eye.

"You alright?"

"Yeah." I sighed, approaching the light and swatting at it. It disappeared.

"I'm sorry." The echo flower went off, spooking me, "I'm so, so, very sorry."

"You alright?" Alphys asked me.

"D-did you not see that?" I motioned toward the empty space.

"See what?"

"Never mind." I sighed, holding my head as I continued to walk, "It was probably a illusion. Just lead the way."

"Thanks for helping me." Alphys took the wagon from me.

"Yeah." I wheezed, taking my jacket from the cart as she began to remove some of her supplies. I looked around, lava spewing everywhere. So this is Hotland? Can't say it's my favorite out of the whole underground.

"S-see you around?"

"Yeah." I laughed, giving her a backwards wave as I began to walk away, "Give me a call if you're ever feeling bonely."

She snickered at my comment, "Bye."

I let out a sigh, holding my jacket close.

Gaster's lab wasn't too far away, and the Core i've been hearing a lot about was visible from where I stood.

I can't say I like, nor do I trust, him. He's always looked at me with suspicion and worry, but there's also something else. Admiration? Kinda hard to tell with him.

Someone spoke behind me, not so understandable with their language. I quickly turned around.

"G-Gaster?" I narrowed my eyes to him, clutching at my chest, "You nearly gave me a heart-attack!"

Something else was spoken.

"Ugh. Give me a second." I sighed, pulling the book I had been given out of the pocket of my jacket, "Are you asking why I'm here?" I glanced up at him, watching as he nodded, "I was helping a girl get home." I shrugged, "I'm not that awful of a soul."

He pulled out a pen, speaking slowly as he grabbed my arm.

"You trying to do something there, funny guy?"

He pulled down the sleeve of my sweater, scribbling something on my wrist and drawing a question mark into the air.

I glanced at my pages, "Have I seen this?" I asked. He gave me a nod.

I looked down at my exposed wrist, a familiar, four-pointed star.

"Y-yeah." I stammered, watching the shape, "I've been seeing this everywhere, lately. There's one in Snowdin, another after entering waterfall," My eyes drifted toward his lab, "And... one there."

His head followed the direction of my finger. He then shrugged, beginning to walk in the direction of our home.

I looked at the note he left, reading over my translations (pronunciation over the characters).

{You may not be able to understand,} I began reciting, my tongue fumbling around every couple of sounds, {but you posses an ability no monster is able to use. It is of SAVES and RESETS, a dangerous power for anyone to have. With help, I can show you how to properly use this power. I would like you to work with me. If you help me find a way to break the barrier, you will remain safe as well as be able to better understand your ability.}

Gaster looked down at me, probably waiting for an answer.

I flipped through the pages once again, before using the note as a bookmark, {Gladly.} I laughed, holding the book between me and the jacket.

At least he doesn't want me dead.