Frisk's thoughts were scattered and muddled. They tried to piece together what was going on, but for some reason their brain wasn't working right. They… they think they're dead. They thought they felt themself die. For some reason though they couldn't remember how, or why.

So what was going on now? It felt like they were still alive. But they also felt… strange. They felt a primal urge to kick and did so. They also felt like they were surrounded by some sort of liquid and they had a strong urge to inhale. They tried to resist, but the instinct to breathe overrode their will. They took a massive gulp of the liquid. They felt it enter their lungs, but oddly, it didn't feel like they were drowning. In fact, as they continued breathing, they felt perfectly fine.

They were breathing which meant that they were alive. Their brain still felt slow so they couldn't understand how. Maybe… they didn't die. Maybe they just fell asleep or passed out. But what were they doing submerged and breathing liquid? It felt weird. It was nothing like water. And it was everywhere; in their nose, mouth, lungs, their fur, their ears-

Their slowed mind registered something wrong with that assessment. They went over all parts of themself again, trying to figure out what felt wrong. Then it hit them. Fur. They had fur. In fact, they felt fur all over their body. And now that they thought about it, their body didn't feel right, either. Their ears felt longer than normal and their legs weren't… right, either.

They decided to try and find out what was wrong by looking. After a brief moment of struggle, they managed to open their eyes. The first thing they saw were their hands which looked smaller and were covered in white fur. Also, for some reason, their vision wouldn't focus. Everything was blurrier than normal and wouldn't clear up.

They saw that their arms and legs were curled up in a fetal position. They uncurled and saw that their whole body was different. They tried to think on what might have happened but their mind struggled to keep up with their racing thoughts.

They heard a muffled tap and looked up. At first, all they were able to see amidst the blue liquid was a fuzzy white shape. They blinked, hoping it cleared up their vision. It did, but only slightly. They were able to make out long, floppy ears, a muzzle, a pair of fangs, a pair of small horns, and two red dots which might be eyes.

Though their mind was slow, they did recognize this person as a source of comfort and security. A deep, instinctual part of them recognized her as their mother. With that knowledge, they felt themself relax. She would protect them. They reached out with their hands to her and touched a barrier. They pressed against it and they saw her own hands press on the other side and she smiled.


Toriel sighed in relief when Frisk reached out to her. They were conscious and it seemed like they were aware of what was going on. She could see it in their eyes; they remembered her. She was so overjoyed. Three months of heartache and worrying and now it was over.

"Frisk. I am so glad you are alright," she said with a note of relief. They gave no indication they heard her. They just kept looking at her. "My child, how do you feel?"

"I wouldn't bother," Alphys suggested. "I doubt they can hear you. And if they did, I don't think they would understand you."

"Why?" Toriel asked.

"The liquid they are suspended in mutes almost all sound," Alphys explained. "And I doubt they are old enough to understand speech yet."

"But… they knew it before," Toriel insisted, confused.

"Yes but their mind might not be able to process it," Alphys explained. "I don't know if everything they are is intact, including intelligence. And even if it was it would be limited by what this infant body is capable of. They might have the memory of an eight-year-old, but their intelligence and just about everything else would be that of a newborn."

Toriel sighed. She lightly tapped the glass with a clawed finger and Frisk mimicked her. "They are fine in this liquid, right?" she asked. "They will not… drown?"

"It should be fine," Alphys confirmed. "I made sure the liquid that filled the tank was a perfluorocarbon so it's breathable."

"Can they come out?" Toriel asked.

"I want to do some readings first to make sure the body can sustain itself," Alphys recommended. She checked her instruments, interpreting the measurements on them.

As she did, Toriel kept watching Frisk. They were looking themself over. She wished she knew what was going through their mind. "Doctor, if their body is this young, will they be able to speak?"

"Probably not," Alphys guessed. "I don't think their muscles will be developed enough for that. But I have made it so they age at three times the normal rate. So, they might start speaking when they are a few months old. Plus, if they do retain their memories they might be able to speak sooner."

"Well, I think I will be able to manage," Toriel affirmed. Frisk was tapping the glass and they looked anxious. "It is alright, my child. Just a few more minutes and you will be out of there."

That time passed by fast for Toriel. Alphys finished her readings and determined that Frisk was healthy. She still didn't know what to make of the second Soul or what effect it might have, so she recommended Toriel bringing Frisk over on a weekly basis for a checkup.

Alphys pressed a few buttons and the top of the chamber opened. Frisk floated to the top and Alphys pulled them out, passing the infant to Toriel, who wrapped Frisk in their old cloak. She patted them dry and Frisk watched with some degree of fascination.

"Well, that takes care of that," Alphys announced. "If you don't mind, I'd like to do a few tests now to make sure they are fine outside the solution."

"I suppose that will be alright," Toriel decided. Alphys brought out a stethoscope and held it to Frisk's chest, testing their heart and lungs. She was giving them a full workup and Frisk watched everything she did.

Mid-way through the examination, Asgore showed up. "Howdy," he greeted everyone.

"What are you doing here?" Toriel asked sharply.

"Alphys texted and said that Frisk woke up," he explained. "I also have something else to tell you and the timing couldn't be more perfect."

Frisk smiled when they saw Asgore. It was clear they recognized him. But then they took a closer look at his head and saw his crown. It took them a few moments, but they made the connection and realized who he was. They started fussing and curling into Toriel's side.

"What's wrong?" Asgore asked, puzzled.

"Oh! Your crown," Alphys realized. "They didn't originally know you were the king."

"And I have warned them of the king of Monsters," Toriel added.

Asgore looked down sadly before getting on his knees, bringing himself eye level with Frisk who only had one eye facing him. "I don't know if you understand me entirely but know that I am sorry for my earlier deception. But you may relax. The war is over and I have no desire to harm you." He reached out a hand to them and they curled a little more into Toriel. Asgore's hand hovered within their reach, but he made no move to close the gap. "I understand what happened and I am sorry for everything you had to go through. So consider the Underground your home. As long as you remain here, I will protect you. I promise."

Frisk looked at him with a little fear in their eyes. Eventually, they reached out and grasped one of his fingers. When nothing happened, they reached with their other hand and grabbed another. Asgore smiled softly at them.

"Incredible," Alphys remarked. "They are able to understand your speech and reason. That implies sentience and that they are self-aware, but how self-aware? And how much intelligence do they retain? And what of their memories? They clearly recall you both from before, but how clearly and in what context?"

"Let us not worry about that right now," Toriel suggested. "I wish to take Frisk home with me. It has been lonely without them."

"Oh! That's another thing I came to tell you about," Asgore announced as he stood up. "I just received word; your house is finished. It is fully furnished so you can start using it right away. Sans and Papyrus are already moving your personal possessions to it. Well, Papyrus is. I'm not so sure about Sans."

"Thank you, Asgore," Toriel said politely. She turned to Alphys. "And as for Frisk?"

"Oh, yes," Alphys realized. "They are fine. You can take them home with you. I would like to make an appointment for them in a week to make sure they are growing correctly. I can call Sans and have him take you home."

"No," Toriel politely declined. "I think I will take the long way. Let Frisk see the rest of the Underground."

"Okay," Alphys said.

"Good luck," Asgore beamed. "I will be checking in regularly."

"I do not need it, Dreemurr," Toriel grumbled. Clutching Frisk to her chest, still wrapped in their cloak, she walked out of the lab. As she walked, Frisk looked around at the cave they were now in. They tapped her shoulder to get her attention, then pointed to the magma below. "That is magma," she told Frisk. They looked at her, curious. "Do you… not know what magma is?"

Frisk shook their head. Now Toriel was slightly concerned.

"How much of an education have you had, Frisk?" she asked. When she realized they wouldn't be able to give anything but a simple answer, she decided to add on, "Raise one finger for minimal, two for some and three for standard."

Frisk held up a closed fist instead.

"None at all?" she asked. Then it clicked. "Of course, it would be none. You do not have schools on the surface anymore, do you?"

Frisk tilted their head to the side and made a questioning cooing noise.

"Do you not even know what a school is?" she asked, surprised. She sighed as she could easily guess the answer. "Well, I suppose I can teach you some things. You are clearly quite smart for your age."

Frisk made a happy noise.

"Well, after we get to our new home I will start teaching you," she said excitedly. This would be good practice for when she eventually became a teacher.

She made her way through Waterfall, answering Frisk's questions about it to the best of her ability. They would point at something, make a noise and she would tell them what it was. After wading through water and tall grass, she made it through the marsh of Waterfall, now just outside Snowdin. And there she saw Sans at a sentry station.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, curious.

"i work here," he answered. "i have a post here and in hotland."

"How come?"

"the king asked," Sans said. "haven't you ever seen a guy with more than one job before?"

Toriel giggled.

"anyway, alphys texted me, said the kid's awake." He stepped around his station and Toriel lowered herself so Sans could see Frisk. "hey, there," he greeted. Frisk looked up at him and he could see they recognized him. "yep. still me. nice to see you're still around." He patted them on the head with a bony hand. "and you look very cute."

Frisk giggled at the compliment.

"anyways, the king told ya your house is all finished?"

"Yes, he did tell me," Toriel confirmed.

"cool. my bro's finished moving all your stuff to it."

"Sans, you do not mind that I am moving out, do you?"

"nah. don't mind at all. besides, house was getting too furry for my tastes," Sans joked. "glad you and the kid are getting your own place."

"Thank you for hosting me these past few months," Toriel acknowledged. "You are always welcome to come over if you want to. And the same goes for your brother."

"thanks, lady. now you should probably get going, before the kid gets hungry," Sans recommended. He went back to his station, plopping down in a lawn chair.

Toriel continued on to Snowdin and when the white snows became visible Frisk started making happy noises. "You remember?" she asked. "Yes, we are almost home." She kept walking, entering the town. She went north to enter the residential district. After navigating amidst several houses she found hers.

Frisk looked at it in awe. It was bigger than Sans and Papyrus'. It had a patio that stretched the length of the front, was two stories and was quite large.

Toriel looked at it happily, but then glared when she saw Asgore waiting by the front door. He was holding a potted plant in one hand and a paper bag in the other. She stepped onto the deck and Asgore turned to face her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I forgot to give you the keys," Asgore said jovially. He held out the hand holding the bag and hanging off one finger was a set of keys.

Toriel took them before turning to the front door. "Are there any other reasons you are here?" she asked.

"Indeed. This is for you. A housewarming gift," he smiled, gesturing to the plant. "It's from my garden."

"That is a golden flower," Toriel noticed.

"Indeed. The flowers that came from the surface," Asgore confirmed. "I thought Frisk should have a small piece of what their home would have been like if it weren't for… you know."

Toriel opened the door to her new home, stepping into the living room. Asgore followed, setting the plant on the table in the middle.

"And what is in the bag?" Toriel asked.

"These are for Frisk," he answered. He set the bag next to the flower, then reached inside. The first thing he pulled out was a stuffed bear. "I thought Frisk might appreciate a companion for when they slept." He held it out for Frisk, who looked at it curiously. "This was my son's, before he… well, it hasn't seen much use for quite some time."

Frisk took it from Asgore, looking it over. It had clearly seen a bit of use, indicating how much the previous owner had adored it. Frisk liked the feeling of it and hugged it quite hard. However, they did it so fast that a small dust cloud came off it, sending Frisk into a small sneezing fit.

"Oh, sorry about that," Asgore apologized. "It hasn't been washed for some time."

"I think it is fine," Toriel said politely. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes, there is." Asgore reached into the bag again and pulled out several folded up clothes. "These should be about Frisk's size." He handed them to Toriel, who realized that they were baby clothes. One-piece suits with holes for the hands and feet. "I guessed that you might not yet have anything for them to wear."

"Thank you, Asgore," Toriel acknowledged.

"One more thing." For the last time, Asgore reached into the bag, his arm going deeper and pulled out several things. Jars filled with jellies and pastes and a bottle. "Food for Frisk. The newest formulas for babies," he explained.

Toriel was surprised by that. Asgore was going all out with this. "Thanks," she said.

"You are welcome. Now, I'd stay for a while, but I still have much to do so I must leave you." He picked up the now empty bag. "If you have a need for anything, just let me know." He left the house after that. "See you around," he said.

Toriel looked down at Frisk, who was wiping their nose after their sneezing fit was over. They looked up at her, cuddling the stuffed toy to their chest.

"Well, I suppose you are hungry?" she asked. Frisk nodded. "I guess we will try out some of what Asgore brought over." She took Frisk to the kitchen setting them on the table. She looked over some of the jars, settling on one that was carrot flavored. She filled the bottle with the liquid. "Okay, first thing we will try is this carrot-flavored one." She cradled Frisk in one arm, holding the bottle in the other. "Open up."

Frisk didn't, looking at the bottle with a confused expression.

"Do you not know how to drink from a bottle?" she asked. Perhaps they had never seen the like before? "Just open your mouth and suck on it," she instructed. "The food will come out."

Frisk still looked confused, but they opened their mouth regardless. She popped the tip of the bottle in and they started sucking. They kept on sucking, slowly draining the bottle of its contents.

"Tastes good?" she asked. Frisk nodded, still sucking. The doorbell rang just then, confusing Toriel. "Who would that be?" She set Frisk down, taking the half-empty bottle out of their mouth. She went to the front door and opened it to find Sans and Papyrus on her porch. "What are you two doing here?"

"WE CAME TO GREET YOU!" Papyrus proclaimed happily. "SANS TOLD ME THAT FRISK IS BACK AND I'VE BROUGHT A COUPLE THINGS FOR THEM!" Without waiting for her permission, Papyrus stepped into the house, Sans following behind. "WHERE IS OUR LITTLE FRIEND, ANYWAY?"

"In the kitchen," Toriel answered. "I was feeding them when you arrived."

"well, we won't take long, then," Sans said. "just dropping off some stuff."

"Oh? Like what?" Toriel asked.

Papyrus reached into a bag that was slung over his shoulder. He pulled out a children's book. "I THINK THEY WILL LIKE THIS. IT'S PEEK-A-BOO WITH FLUFFY BUNNY. I THINK IT WOULD MAKE A PERFECT BEDTIME STORY!"

Toriel took the offered book "Thank you," she said. "I am sure they will like it."

"I KNOW THEY WILL! MY BROTHER READS IT TO ME ALMOST EVERY NIGHT," Papyrus explained.

"Every night?" Toriel questioned.

"yeah, pretty much got it memorized by now," Sans admitted. "so, feel free to have it."

"AND ONE MORE, THOUGH I DON'T KNOW IF FRISK WILL ENJOY IT," Papyrus revealed.

"i think the kid will love it," Sans rebutted.

"WHATEVER." Papyrus reached into the bag again and this time pulled out a much bigger book.

Toriel took it and examined the cover. "Monster Sign Language Dictionary," she read aloud.

"MY BROTHER'S IDEA," Papyrus admitted.

"What for?" Toriel asked.

"well, seeing as the kid can't speak yet, i thought why not have them read this?" Sans explained. "this way, they can talk to you until they're able to speak on their own."

Toriel leafed through a few pages. It was incredibly comprehensive. "This could work," Toriel agreed. She closed the book. "Thank you, my friend. Frisk is definitely smart enough to understand what we say. This might allow them to speak."

"no problem," Sans remarked. "anyway, that's all we got."

"YES. NOW WE MUST HEAD HOME," Papyrus explained. "WE HAVE OUR OWN SUPPER TO ATTEND TO."

The skeletons departed, Toriel waving to them as they left. "See you around," she waved. Once gone, she closed the door. She looked at the two books again, particularly the sign language one. Why would Sans have something like this?

She returned to the kitchen and paused when she saw Frisk sucking on the bottle. Her eyes went wide as she saw that the bottle was almost empty by this point. "What…" she muttered as she walked over. "How did you…" Frisk popped the bottle out when it was empty, setting it down. She took it from their hands, looking at it in amazement. "You are a lot smarter than we thought," she mused. "Which is good, because Sans came by and dropped this off." She set the sign language book down in front of Frisk. She helped them sit up so they could look at the cover. They appeared confused by the title, however. "This book contains all the gestures you will need to know to speak in sign language."

Frisk let out a puzzled coo.

"You are not old enough yet to speak. Until you are, you can use the gestures in this book to talk," Toriel explained.

Frisk looked at it excitedly. Toriel could remember a few basic words. She flipped to a certain page so Frisk could look over the signs. Then, she tapped them to get them to look up at her. "First one." She made a fist and raised her pinkie, tapping her chest. Then she crossed her arms over her chest. Then she swept her right hand and pointed to them.

Frisk found the right words on that page and their eyes lit up when they realized what she said. Then they repeated the gestures back, but added one more. They had their left hand open, touching their thumb to their chin, then moved it an inch away.

Toriel smiled at them and they smiled back, which quickly became a yawn. "Sleepy?" she asked. Frisk nodded. She closed up the book. "We will read this some more tomorrow. For now, I shall put you to bed." She picked them up, handing them their stuffed toy as she did. She carried them out of the kitchen and upstairs. She went into one of the rooms and inside was a crib. She laid them down in it, covering them with a blanket.

"Goodnight, my child," she whispered as they closed their eyes. A few moments later and they were asleep. She turned the light off as she left, heading back downstairs. She could tell it was nighttime, so she fixed herself some supper before going to bed.

Upstairs in their room, Frisk slept peacefully, the toy clutched tightly in their grasp, not caring in the slightest that it was partially dusty.

End of Chapter 8


A/N And Frisk's alive.

And now, we transition into the main part of the story. Stuff is going to go by really fast. Unlike my other story, this one takes place over the course of years, as Frisk has to grow up. Luckily, the accelerated aging means we fast forward through many years. And don't worry, the next chapter is the entirety of their infant years. Or rather, year, since they're aging at three times the normal rate.

Last chapter, someone asked why they don't reload their SAVE or Reset. At this time, Frisk is unaware of the SAVE file. They know the points heal them, and leave them feeling fully rested and refreshed, but they're unaware of the power to turn back time. By extension, they have no idea how to Reset. And the way I do it, you can only reload if you're 'determined' enough, at at that time, Frisk had given up.