Whoo! I'm back already and with a much longer chapter today! Fun fact, this was supposed to be two separate chapters but I just couldn't stop myself so it ended up being 1. So I hope you like it!

Now for once I don't have anything to say so I will just shut up and let you all read this extra long chapter. Enjoy!

Nick hesitantly approached Toriel as she sat in her chair. It was just like before. She was sitting there, by the fireplace, reading her book about snails. She looked so happy and peaceful, such a contrast compared to the last expression Nick could remember, right before he failed his first fight. He could still make out the tears that were threatening to break through in the old goat woman's eyes.

A twinge of guilt hit the boy, but he managed to swallow it down as he caught her attention.

"Oh hello my dear." Toriel said sweetly, slightly setting her book down on her lap. "Did you need something?"

"Well, um…actually I…" Nick felt his words jamming in his throat. He didn't know how to speak to her now. After what transpired between the two before, all Nick could see was that cold glare she gave as she attacked him and then that hurt look after she accidently killed him. The only thing that made it worse for him was the fact that now she looked so happy, and knowing that he would basically have to force her to once again go through those feelings, to make her behave like that again…it basically felt like Nick had to betray her.

Toriel meanwhile worriedly looked down at the child. She knew something was on his mind, yet she wasn't sure what. Not wanting to press the boy further, she gave a gentle smile and chuckled softly. "You know," she started, changing the subject in hopes of calming the boy's nerves. "I want you to know how glad I am to have someone here." She looked over at her bookshelf as she continued on. "There are so many old books I want to share."

Nick felt his guilt riding deeper inside him as he listened to the familiar words.

"I want to show you my favorite bug-hunting spot. I've also prepared a curriculum for your education."

"Really…?" Nick played along, already regretting the action. He should just go ahead and ask her about leaving this place. It worked last time, yet he couldn't help but listen on to the woman's words even though he knew exactly what she was going to say next.

"Oh yes. This may come as a surprise to you…but I have always wanted to be a teacher...Actually, perhaps that isn't very surprising." She gave a warm, motherly smile as she looked down at him. "Still, I am glad to have you living here."

And there it was. The line that reminded Nick just how serious she was in keeping him here. From what he could remember about what she told him as they made their way through the dark purple halls beneath this sweet looking home, Toriel only is doing so in order to keep him safe. But Nick just had to get out of here. He had to return to the pizzeria.

He wouldn't doubt that Toriel would take wonderful care of him. He would bet anything on the idea that she would be a terrific mother figure, loving and nurturing him for as long as he was stuck here. But when he thought back on his family back at the Pizzeria, the idea of them being worried sick, doing all they can in hopes of finding the lost boy again, Nick couldn't bare it. So when he heard Toriel ask him in such a sweet voice about what he wanted earlier, he gave one last nervous gulp before asking, "When can I go home?"

A small frown formed on the woman's face, creases forming around her suddenly nervous eyes. "What? This…this is your home now." She quickly flipped through her book hoping to change the subject again. "Um…would you like to hear about this book I am reading? It is called '72 Uses for Snails.' How about it?"

He hesitated only slightly before responding. "Toriel, how do I exit the Ruins?"

Toriel looked around nervously before down at her book. "Um…How about an exciting snail fact?" She quickly scanned the page before picking one fact. "Did you know that snails…have a chainsaw like tongue called a radula? Interesting."

"Toriel, please, how do I exit the Ruins?"

She grew quiet before sighing softly. "…I have to do something. Stay here."

And just like Nick predicted, she stood up and walked away. He waited only a moment before turning around and following after her.

It didn't take him long to once again to make his journey down the stairs and find Toriel waiting for him, her back to him. "You wish to know how to return 'home,' do you not?"

"…" Nick didn't have time to response. All he could do was mentally prepare himself for the fight that was about to come.

"Ahead of us lies the end of the Ruins. A one-way exit to the rest of the underground. I am going to destroy it. No one will ever be able to leave again." She paused, letting out another sigh. "Now be a good child and go upstairs."

Nick watched as she stepped ahead, and he was quick to follow after her this time.

Noticing he was still behind her, Toriel continued on. "Every human that falls down here meets the same fate. I have seen it again and again. They come. They leave. They die. You naïve child…if you leave the Ruins, they…Asgore will kill you. I am only protecting you, do you understand? ...Go to your room." And once more she walked ahead.

When they both reached the corner, she slightly glared down at him. "Do not try to stop me. This is your final warning."

Nick didn't hesitate anymore as he followed her to the same door, the door that was his key to return home.

Toriel gave a sharp, stern look at the boy, shaking her head. "You want to leave so badly?" She closed her eyes, letting out a deep breath. "Hmph. You are just like the others. There is only one solution to this."

"Here we go…" Nick whispered.

"Prove yourself…Prove to me you are strong enough to survive."

And just like before, the room around them darkened as his Soul popped up in front of him as well as his four options. To Fight, to Act, to pick an Item, or perhaps the most important of all in Nick's mind at the moment, to show Mercy.

"I just have to Spare her…" Nick whispered to himself, hand hovering over the Mercy button. "Just Spare her." With a deep breath to calm his nerves, Nick pressed down and began the 'fight'. "Please work."

Toriel didn't seem to react much as Nick did this, and instead took her turn and shot out small balls of fire in his direction.

Feeling a bit more prepared, Nick was able to dodge fairly easily, trying his best to ignore the icy stare the mother figure in front of him was giving him. Once he saw his four options pop up again, he instantly hit the Mercy button and tried again.

"…." Toriel didn't give much of a reaction again as she sent out another wave of fire attacks.

"Oh come on Toriel…" Nick muttered, doing his best to dodge the fire. He gasped in surprise when some of the fire that his Soul dodge almost hit his actual body. "Crap, got to pay attention…" he complained, hitting Mercy again. "This has to work! Please work!"

However just like the last few times, Toriel ignored him, looking through the boy as she sent out her attack. Nick was starting to grow worried that this wasn't the right method at all as he repeated his actions at least two more times.

After dodging yet another wave of fire balls, Nick decided to try once more with Sparing Toriel when finally, finally, she said something.

"What are you doing?"

"Huh?!" Nick questioned, not even caring that she just attacked him once again. She finally spoke! "Maybe I am getting through to her." With a small smile, Nick spared her once more.

"Attack or run away!"

"No way!" Nick shouted, instantly going to spare her. After that, he stood his ground, determination shining in his eyes as he prepared for another attack. Then, suddenly an odd thing happened.

The fire started out looking like it would run right into him, but instead they split apart and completely avoided him.

"Huh?"

Toriel took a deep breath as she shakily spoke out again. "What are you proving this way?"

Nick, thrown off by the last 'attack' she gave, hesitantly hit his mercy option again.

Noticing this, Toriel attempted to act as aloof as possible as she sent out more fire attacks. Each ball of flame instantly flying away from Nick.

Out of curiosity, Nick actually moved his Soul closer to one of the slow moving balls of flames, but the magical attack seemed to pick up speed and moved away, avoiding any contact with him.

"Fight me or leave!" Toriel's voice cut through after the flames vanished again.

Nick, finally understanding what the woman was doing, sadly looked at her and hit mercy again.

"Fight me or leave!"

Nick just stood completely still, letting the fire fly away from him that was sent out, all while sadly locking eyes with the goat monster.

"Stop it." Toriel felt tears starting to form in her eyes as she helplessly let out more attacks, knowing full well she wouldn't let even the smallest contact come to the boy. She couldn't stand the idea of hurting him anymore. She just swallowed back her nerves as she looked down at the boy. "Stop looking at me that way."

The two once again went through this little pattern they found themselves in. Toriel once again trying to put an end to this with her words.

"Go away!"

But Nick wouldn't stop. He kept hitting Mercy and Toriel just sent out wave after wave of attacks that wouldn't even come close to hitting the boy.

Finally, Toriel let out a very shaky sigh as a tear finally broke though. "I know you want to go home, but…"

Nick noticed how she finally stopped sending out her attacks. She just now stood their tiredly, her tear filled eyes staring down at him with so much hurt and loneliness.

"But please…go upstairs now."

Nick saw his options pops up again and instantly hit mercy.

"I promise I will take good care of you here."

The boy didn't notice as tears were starting to fill his own eyes, as he once again hit mercy.

"I know we do not have much, but…"

Nick choice mercy again.

"We can have a good life here." Toriel gave a small attempt at a smile, her tears showing just how much effort she was really giving just to do that simple act.

Feeling his throat tighten up and his hands begin to shake, Nick hesitantly hit mercy again. I'm sorry Toriel.

"Why are you making this so difficult?"

Because I need to get home. He thought, unable to actually speak out now. He didn't want to risk letting her hear how shaken up he was becoming.

"Please…go upstairs." She tried once more to reason with him.

"…" Nick just couldn't stop himself as he hit mercy, his own tears finally falling.

"…." Toriel sadly looked down, before a very faint smile hit her face, though no joy was in her eyes. "Ha ha…pathetic, is it not? I cannot save a single child."

"…"

"No, I understand." She said after Nick's last sign of mercy. "You would just be unhappy trapped down here. The Ruins are very small once you get used to them. It would not be right for you to grow up in a place like this. My expectations…my loneliness, my fear…For you my child…" Toriel makes sure to lock her eyes directly with Nick's. "…I will put them aside."

Suddenly the color around them seems to return and Nick was once again surrounded by the unsettling amount of purple.

Toriel took another deep breath as she spoke again. "If you truly wish to leave the Ruins…I will not stop you. However, when you leave…please do not come back. I hope you understand."

If Nick knew just how heartbreaking this would be when he first met this woman, he would have done all he could to avoid her, just to stop the aching inside him. This pain…he recognized it too well. From way back after his death outside of Fredbear's Family Diner, he remembered seeing the pure anguish his own blood family went through. The tears and cries his mother and brother would let out was enough to fuel his own guilt of leaving them behind. It was the same feeling as he was experiencing now.

And to hear Toriel not wanting him to return, hit Nick even harder.

It took all he could to hold back a sob he knew was threatening to come out, but the next action Toriel took almost broke him completely. The motherly woman knelt down and wrapped her arms tightly around the boy in a warm embrace.

"Goodbye, my child."

Before Nick could even hug her back, she let go and walked away. Not wanting her to see his tear-stained face, the boy kept his back to her, not even knowing how she turned back once more to look at him before finally walking away.

Nick stood there, not even knowing for how long. He already missed Toriel. It took all his willpower not to turn around and run after her. But as the images of all the animatronics and other ghosts left behind at the pizzeria popped into his head, Nick let out a breath to calm his nerves and wiped his eyes.

"Goodbye Toriel," he whispered before finally opening the large door and walking down the dark hallway on the other side.

Nick didn't know what to expect as he walked down, trying to ignore the purple hue that surrounded him. "Why is it that no matter where I am at, purple has to be haunting me…" Nick muttered, doing his best to forget about the pain he just went though.

It didn't take long for him, however, to finally reached what looked like the end. He let out a faint sigh of relief, but it quickly got caught in his throat when he noticed a familiar, smirking face waiting for him on the end. Flowey.

The smiling plant gave a condescending look up at the child. "Clever. Verrrryyy clever."

Nick instantly felt all his guilt and sadness melt away as he scowled down at the flower.

"You think you're really smart, don't you?" Flowey continued. "In this world, it's kill or be killed. So you were able to play by your own rules." His eyes grew dark as he let out a twisted smirk. "You spared the life of a single person. Hee hee hee." His eyes returned to normal, not missing a beat with his words. "I bet you feel really great. You didn't kill anybody this time."

"This time?" Nick questioned, his mind instantly remembering the fact he was able to basically revert time somehow after his 'death' from Toriel. Is he possibly referencing how I was able to do that? Could I really go back all the way back to the beginning somehow?

"But-" Flowey's voice brought Nick back to reality as he glared down at the plant. "what will you do if you meet a relentless killer?"

"…already have…" he whispered thinking about how Daniel use to be, but Flowey didn't seem to hear him.

"You'll die and you'll die and you'll die. Until you tire of trying. What will you do then?" Flowey's face contorted into a large toothy smile. "Will you kill out of frustration? Or will you give up entirely on this world…and let me inherit the power to control it!?"

Nick felt his nerves return tenfold. "What are you talking about?

Flowey just laughed insanely. "I am the prince of this world's future. Don't worry, my little monarch, my plan isn't regicide. This is SO much more interesting." He let out another wave of insane laughter before vanishing from his spot.

Nick stared down at the spot Flowey was just at, still trying to process the words. However, before he could even think of something to do or say, he heard another voice.

"Enthusiastic, isn't he, partner?"

Startled, Nick jumped in the air and looked around confused. "You again!" he shouted in the empty hall. "Where are you!?"

"…All in good time partner. All in good time…" was his only response before the voice went away."

"…" Nick felt his breath slowly return to normal as he shook his head. "Okay, so I am either completely insane or there really is some mysterious voice talking to me in my head. But if that's true…just who is it? I still don't know that."

But since the voice didn't seem eager to talk more, Nick just sighed and continued forward, bracing himself for whatever was to come. Settling his gaze on another door he quickly opened it and was greeted with…pure coldness!

"Ah! Why is it so cold!?" he shouted out, startled as snow blew in his face. "Snow? Really!?" He questioned before looking around. He looked to be in a forest area. Lines of trees were to his left, all completely covered in the thick, heavy, snow. Directly to his left, however, seemed to be a large bush covered in snow as well. Nick was about to walk away, down a path that seemed to be laid out in front of him when something caught his eyes with the bush.

Leaning closer he was able to tell what it was he saw. "…!? There's a camera hidden in the bushes." He tapped the lens, confused, before nervously walking away. "Oookaaay…?" he muttered, moving towards the path.

Once he was on the path, he walked down, scanning the area while he did so. Eventually he came across a tough-looking branch that was on the ground. Curiously, he tried to pick it up but realized it was too heavy to do so. Shrugging he just left it and walked away. However, when he only got a few steps ahead he heard a loud snap that echoed around him. Swiftly turning around, he saw the very branch was now broken in pieces.

Eyes wide as saucers, Nick quickened up his pace. "What the heck!?" he whispered loudly, his fears starting to inch up him. He kept walking farther and farther, trying his best to calm down. Suddenly he heard faint footsteps, but when he turned around, no one was there. Gulping he turned back and continued down the path.

Soon enough, he found himself standing at a small bridge, over the center stood four large logs, resembling a gate almost, though they were so far spaced apart it wouldn't stop anyone. Nick was about to step forward when he heard the footsteps again, this time much louder than before. He felt his entire body freeze up, unable to move a single inch as the footsteps came closer and closer. "Oh no…"

Suddenly the noise stopped, but Nick didn't have time to calm down as a deep and icy voice spoke out in his ear.

" . D o n ' ? ."

Nick felt his entire body move almost on autopilot as he fearfully did as he was told. Closing his eyes, he turned around and hesitantly lifted up his hand. Instantly something cold and…boney clasped his hand and then…

…a loud fart noise splattered out in the air.

"Wh-" Opening his eyes Nick almost jumped in fear when he saw a skeleton, not much taller than himself, in front of him, holding up his hand to show a small whoopee cushion tied to it.

"hehehe…the old whoopee cushion in the hand trick." The skeleton spoke out in a much calmer and friendlier voice then before. "it's always funny. anyways, you're a human, right? that's hilarious."

Nick didn't know what to say as he carefully examined this talking skeleton in front of him. A large grin was spread over the skeleton's round face, and inside the dark empty looking sockets were two white dots that moved around like pupils for him. The skeleton was dressed in a light blue jacket, his hands resting inside the pockets, and black sweatpants. Looking down, Nick also noticed he was wearing pink slippers that were dusted with snow.

"i'm sans. sans the skeleton."

"Sans…" Nick repeated. "Um…nice to meet you."

"same kid…" Sans said. "anyways, i'm actually supposed to be on watch for humans right now. but…y'know…i don't really care about capturing anybody."

"Capturing?" Nick questioned.

"now my brother, papyrus…he's a human-hunting fanatic. hey, actually, i think that's him over there."

Nick turned around and sure enough could just barely make out a figure way in the distance.

"i have an idea. go through this gate thingy." Sans gestured with his head at the gate Nick was now looking at. "yeah, go right through. my bro made the bars too wide to stop anyone."

Nick didn't have time to think things through as Sans slightly pushed him ahead. The two walked through the gate and to the other side. Instantly Nick could make out a small little structure and…a lamp?

"quick, behind that conveniently-shaped lamp."

"Uh…okay?" Nick questioned more than agreed as he walked to the lamp and surprisingly, when he stood still his body matched the shape of the lamp almost perfectly, keeping him completely hidden from view if anyone were to be in front of the lamp. "Weird…"

"sup, bro?" he heard Sans speak out.

Peeking a little, Nick was able to see another skeleton step forward. This one was much taller than Sans, wearing what looked like a white suit with red gloves, boots, and finally a red cape. He had a dashing grin on his face as his eye sockets narrowed down at his brother. "So that's Papyrus?"

"YOU KNOW WHAT 'SUP,' BROTHER!" the taller skeleton spoke out in a much higher pitched voice than Sans. "IT'S BEEN EIGHT DAYS AND YOU STILL HAVEN'T…RECALIBRATED. YOUR. PUZZLES!"

"Puzzles?" Nick wondered, thinking over the puzzles back in the Ruins.

"YOU JUST HANG AROUND OUTSIDE YOUR STATION!" Papyrus continued. "WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING?!"

"staring at this lamp. it's really cool. do you wanna look?"

Nick felt his eyes widen at that. "What is he doing? I thought he was helping me hide!?" he whispered-yelled.

"NO! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT!" Papyrus complained, stomping his foot on the ground. "WHAT IF A HUMAN COMES THROUGH HERE!? I WANT TO BE READY! I WILL BE THE ONE! I MUST BE THE ONE! I WILL CAPTURE A HUMAN! THEN I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS…WILL GET ALL THE THINGS I UTTERLY DESERVE! RESPECT…RECOGNITION! I WILL FINALLY BE ABLE TO JOIN THE ROYAL GUARD! PEOPLE WILL ASK TO, BE MY, 'FRIEND?' I WILL BATHE IN A SHOWER OF KISSES EVERY MORNING."

Nick didn't know why, but there was something very silly about this guy. He couldn't help but stifle a giggle as he looked at the wacky skeleton.

"hmm…maybe this lamp will help you." Sans suggested.

"SANS! YOU ARE NOT HELPING! YOU LAZYBONES! ALL YOU DO IS SIT AND BOONDOGGLE! YOU GET LAZIER AND LAZIER EVERY DAY!"

"hey, take it easy. i've gotten a ton of work done today. a skele-ton."

Nick couldn't help but chuckle at the pun, thankfully Papyrus didn't seem to hear.

"SANS!" Papyrus screamed out, clearly annoyed.

"come on. you're smiling." Sans chuckled at his brother.

"I AM AND I HATE IT! SIGH…"

Nick raised a brow when Papyrus actually said the word 'sigh' instead of doing it.

"WHY DOES SOMEONE AS GREAT AS ME…HAVE TO DO SO MUCH JUST TO GET SOME RECOGNITION…"

"wow, sounds like you're really working yourself…down to the bone."

"Hehehe…" Nick giggled again.

"UGH! I WILL ATTEND TO MY PUZZLES…AS FOR YOUR WORK…PUT A LITTLE MORE BACKBONE INTO IT! NYEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!"

Nick watched as Papyrus walked away. He was just about to step away from the lamp when Papyrus poked his head back in.

"HEH." This time he left the area for good.

"ok, you can come out now." Sans spoke to the child.

Nick did as he was told, a smile still in place at the scene the two brothers put on. He walked over to Sans next and the skeleton instantly spoke to him.

"you oughta get going. he might come back. and if he does…you'll have to sit through more of my hilarious jokes."

"Hehehe, right." Nick agreed, walking away. He looked around, eyes locking on the conveniently shaped lamp and then the small structure built not far away. Stepping closer he examined it better. It was some sort of checkpoint or sentry-station. But looking closer, Nick could see bottles of ketchup, mustard, and relish sitting inside.

Shrugging at the odd sight, Nick stepped back and went to walk further down the path. But just as he was about to step away, Sans stopped him.

"actually, hey…hate to bother ya, can you do me a favor? i was thinking…my brother's been kind of down lately. he's never seen a human before. and seeing you might just make his day. don't worry, he's not dangerous. even if he tries to be. thanks a million. i'll be up ahead."

Expecting Sans to step ahead of him after that last bit, Nick stepped aside to let the skeleton through first, but to his surprise, Sans just turned around and walked down the other way. "Oh?" he spoke out in surprise, watching the skeleton leave. "Okay then…" Turning back the way Papyrus left, Nick smiled, no longer feeling guilt or fear, and walked ahead.

Sans, meanwhile, felt his usually permanent smile twitch slightly as he finally stepped away from the boy. "what the heck is going on?" he questioned confused. "where the heck did frisk go?"

His memory of what happened right before the latest reset popped into his head. Despite it all being blurry and mixed together, he definitely remembered what he was doing last. Frisk was there…the two were fighting heatedly. He won, again and again, but the kid just kept coming! Lasting just a little bit longer each time. He knew what was coming very soon. After maybe one more death or two, he finally would have lost. There was only so much Sans could take before his energy finally gave up on him. He was preparing himself.

He could still remember just how bone tired he was as the red eyed Frisk kept swinging at him, looking just as tired, but only more determined then when they started. After he managed to win the last battle, he just shakily fell to his knees, ready for yet another round, but another round never came. When he felt the world shift and his memories began to blur, he just expected to see the same brightly lit room as before, but instead saw bright and cold snow.

He looked around, completely confused for a moment, his hands clenching into tight fists. "you're really doing this to us again kid!?" He had asked, annoyance and anger seeping in his bones. However, when he saw the new kid walk through the doors to the Ruins, he knew something was up. Frisk didn't return like all the other times. Instead of this new kid, who had the same innocent and naïve look Frisk had when they had first found themselves stuck here.

So…did something happen to Frisk? Sans wondered. "no, then we would be free…right?"

Sighing, Sans teleported away, this time appearing hidden by trees, not that far from the confused looking human, who clearly didn't know where to go from here. Taking in a deep breath, Sans felt his left eye glow a bright blue as he checked the boy's status. That is when he felt it. A jolt of fear as he observed the boy's LV.

"what the heck!? LV 35!? not even frisk's LV was that high when I faced them off." Sans instantly thought about Papyrus, Undyne, Alphys, EVERYONE! This boy's LV was already so high. How? Even if he killed everyone in the Ruins already… "!?" Sans let out a panicked gasp as he teleported back to the door that would lead to the Ruins.

Staring at it desperately, he knocked on it. "…tori…?!" he called out…hoping to hear her voice. Suddenly remembering how he had to pretend he didn't know her name, he knocked again. "uh…hey…lady? you there!?" come on tori!

He stood there for who knows how long, about to give up when he heard a voice on the other side. "Wh-who's there…?"

Relief came flooding through Sans as he sighed out. she's alive still…thank goodness. Smiling, he looked at the closed door as if he was actually staring at Toriel. "uh…pasta…"

"Pasta who?"

"a human kid just pasta by here." Sans informed her.

"Oh…yes…"

He felt himself tense up at the tone of voice. "Uh…you okay?"

"Oh yes. It's nothing…" She grew quiet for a moment before speaking again. "You remember our promise, right?"

"hu-huh? oh, yeah. sure do…"

"This boy is very special to me. Please, please make sure he stays safe for me. Will you do that my friend."

"special, huh?" Sans nervously looked over his shoulder, almost half expecting to see the glowing red eyes of the boy behind him, ready to swing a deadly attack. "…yeah, of course, lady. no problem."

"Thank you my friend."

"…" Sans kept thinking about the high LV of the boy's. If he didn't get it from the Ruins…then how? Despite his worries, Sans nodded. "yeah, no problem."

Yay! Sans is in the mix finally! Took a lot longer to get him here then I first thought, but I'm not too upset. Anyways, it seems Sans isn't trusting Nick one bit, especially since he now knows the boy's LV.

Oh Nick, I guess all those night guards you killed will come back to bite after all, huh?

Well anyways, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I know I did. More will come hopefully soon.

So until next time! Bye! And don't forget to review!