what's updog chapter 85
The dipping sun beamed warmly over Mount Ebott, heartily greeting the monsters flowing from the cool, dark caverns below. Asgore greeted them, too— every single one, as they passed through the light-festooned threshold and out into the fresh air, with a hearty handshake, a thump on the back, or a warm, steady hug. Of course, questions about his appearance abounded: it certainly wasn't usual to see the King of the mountain with mismatched eyes and a broken horn. He was repeating himself an awful lot, but Asgore was touched that they cared enough to inquire. He was glad he'd remembered to shake his own now-colourless dust out of his fur and cloak, though.
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A cool, strong wind blustered down from the peak above and around the newcomers, ruffling fur and feathers, and gifting a brisk chill. So many monsters had no memory at all of this place— the taste of the fresh air, the heat of sunlight, or the immensity of the sky. Unabashed excitement sparked in the crowds along with the caution and uncertainty.
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The stoney plateau was large, but it couldn't hold anywhere close to the amount of monsters that were emerging from the mountain. Some of the guards who had come out alongside the early groups were already escorting others down the slope. There was still a wooden lift a ways down — part of it was visible from the top of the makeshift path— but otherwise, the valley beneath the mountain was almost entirely forest. A campout was a strange way for a whole kingdom to spend their first night of freedom in this incorrect timeline, but Asgore was sure he could make it palatable.
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At a small lull in the crowd, Asgore took just a moment to look over his shoulder at the sky beyond. Every once in a while, he would scan for any sign of humanity's flying machines: airplanes, helicopters, jets; drones. He'd asked Boyd to keep an eye out as well. So far, neither of them had seen anything of the sort. The only occupants of that vast sky were little, tittering silvery birds and the occasional pair of honking geese.
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Boyd, Ellie, and Mak were still nearby, out of the way of the evacuees, with a good vantage point to look out over the sprawling forest below. Ellie gleefully bounced from spot to spot, greeting monsters who came close to the edge and eagerly pointing out the massive castle near Anthelion in the distance. Boyd, on the other hand, had pulled Mak to the side. The man squatted down, checking the boy over, gently pulling a scrap of stone from his fluffy hair. A little focus of the ears, and Asgore could hear Mak snickering, assuring, Boyd that he was alright despite the man's muttered, worried questions.
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The huge monster smiled to himself. He recalled that Gaster's missing daughter had been concerned about what Boyd might have done in the underground. He wished he recalled the details, but he was happy to see her vision of doom had been subverted. He had a feeling she would have been happy to see it, too.
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Boyd caught his eye, gave a nod towards the sky and held up his hand in an okay sign. Mak and little Ellie both copied him, and the latter waved excitedly. Asgore chuckled quietly and waved in return.
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He turned back to the citizens making their way up the stairs. So many faces he'd known for years. So many he'd been given the honour of naming, even. It was so lovely to see them all in the sunlight.
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He found himself wishing that Undyne was with them. She was so strong; so steady when she had to be. So decisive and determined. The other guards were doing well, of course, but he could tell that, without Undyne there to lead them, they were a bit more hesitant in their actions than they usually were.
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He would have loved to stand on this precipice with her again. He halfway hoped that he'd see her in the crowd, making her way out of the shadows with her blaze of red hair and that sharp-toothed, bright grin, though he knew it wasn't possible.
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"Hey, King?"
Asgore turned his eyes from fantasy to the shadowcat and snakebird that now stood before him. He smiled warmly. "Howdy! Professor Scathkath and Doctor Kio, it's so good to see you," he said.
"You, too, King Big-Guy," Scathkath said. His black eyes wandered up along the King's head. "Uh."
"What happened to your horn?" Kio asked worriedly. "A-And your eye?" She put a wing on Asgore's arm. "Oh, dear, do you need a healer?"
"I'm very much alright," Asgore said for probably the hundredth time. "There was just a small accident with some stones as we were clearing the path out."
"Oh. Well. That's good that… that's all it was," Scathkath said. "Uh. But, we were wondering, if y'can say or not, I dunno, but—"
"Have you seen Gaster?" Kio cut in, making Scathkath's whiskers bend out of shape. "Or his sons? Or Doctor Alphys?"
"I know all this seismic activity's been comin' straight outta the CORE," the shadowcat explained. "I helped start the evacuation in Hotland. But I haven't heard from those guys down there in a bit, and we couldn't get close."
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Asgore nodded. He gently pulled them aside so as not to block the others, a massive paw on a shoulder each. He waved to the on-comers and pointed them towards the closest guard before returning his attention to the two monsters before him. "You are so kind to be concerned. They're all alright. Why, I saw Sans… not long ago at all!"
"So, did they… fix it, then?" Kio wondered. She lowered her voice. "I haven't noticed nearly as many shifts since things stopped shaking."
"I've also noticed the magic of the whole mountain feels a little calmer, don't you think?" Asgore said.
"I, um…" The shadow's ears lifted high and his whiskers straightened out. "Hey, now that you mention it…" He frowned. "Oh, no, what'd that old bonehead do?"
"What do you mean?" Asgore wondered.
"I'm sure he's fine," Kio said gently. "And if he's not, those boys are giving him a proper talking to."
"What if he threw himself into the damn CORE again?" Scathkath asked.
"Oh, no no, my friends," Asgore said swiftly. "That has for absolutely certain not happened because I remember him perfectly. Which I definitely didn't the first time he did it." He let out a small chuckle. "Golly, could you imagine?"
"No," Kio said.
"Yes," Scathkath grumbled.
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Asgore smiled fondly. "He is lucky to have such good friends as you two."
Scathkath bristled bashfully and Kio tented her wings, a small smile spreading on her face.
"I'm sure they'll all be out as soon as they can be," he continued. "But, you know them. They'll be the last ones. So! Feel free to explore while you wait, if you'd like. It's a beautiful day." He turned his head towards the horizon and smiled. "Soon to be a beautiful night, I'll bet!"
The couple looked at each other. Kio's eyes glimmered a little and she grabbed Scathkath's hand.
"We'll stay close by," she said.
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Though Scathkath dragged his heels a bit, the pair headed off to take a look at the scenery and were quickly jumped by Ellie, eagerly pointing them to her favourite sights. Asgore's smile only grew. He returned to his post, greeting and welcoming monsters; guiding them on their way.
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After some time, the crowds began to thin, little family groups passing by him with wider gaps between. As Asgore dipped to give strong hugs to the dear daughters of an old friend, he caught a large form in white and lavender coming up from the shadows in the corner of his eye. He could't help a grin.
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Toriel, with little Suzy walking alongside her. They were the last ones.
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He waved the two sisters off as they hurried to join a friend close to the edge of the plateau, then he turned to Toriel. Before he could get a word out, the woman rushed him and grabbed his face.
"T-T-Tori?" he blabbered. "Wh-What are you—?"
"Oh hush, you big baby," she said. "Don't move. Let me look."
Asgore froze as she glared into his red eye, then allowed her to bend his head to look at his fractured horn more closely. Her fingers preened through his mane insistently. His cheeks burned beneath his fur.
"Is there any pain?" she asked.
"N-No." He cleared his throat and straightened up. "No. It feels perfectly fine. Thank you, Toriel. H-How's the evacuation?"
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"New Home is clear," she said as she drew back casually and folded her arms, "though I sent a pair of guards to double-check. I asked that someone check in on the other regions, as well." She paused, eyes wandering as a pair of red birds flitted around nearby before coming to settle in on Asgore's horns. A small smile crossed her face. "Those from Hotland should have come through with the group from New Home. Thankfully."
"And the rest of them, are they still on their way?" Asgore asked.
Toriel dipped her head. "The evacuation of Waterfall is almost complete, but some of the larger, water-bounders are staying with Whorl for now. I also received a text message from Muffet, in the Ruins— she claims she and the dogs of Snowdin have it under control over there, and they'll come as soon as they can." She cracked a small smile. "The dogs are apparently attempting to fetch something from the deep caverns in the valley."
"Ah. Perfect. Thank you so much." Asgore clapped her on the shoulder. "I would still very much like to return to New Home. Just in case. Um. Do you think that's alright?"
"Oh, you do not have to worry. But, if you must to set your mind at ease, I can keep watch up here while you go," she said. "It would probably be best for the others to see you as we get situated below before you leave, though."
He nodded. "Thank you, again."
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Asgore looked down at Suzy. A warm smile spread across his snout. He knelt to the ground and offered her his hand. "Little one, I apologize for not greeting you right away, but I'm so glad you're alright!" He cocked his head to the side. "What happened? Did… the accident frighten you off? I'm so sorry."
"Oh! Uh. N-No. No, it's, uh…" She looked up at Toriel, and the woman gave her a little nod. Suzy grabbed two of his huge fingers in both hands. "Oooh boy, Mister King, it's a really long story."
"I would love to hear it, if you would like to tell it," he assured her.
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Suzy scrunched up her snout, clenched her little fists, and she nodded with a very determined look in her eye. She was just about to start when Boyd's voice called to them. He jogged up, looking pale and wide-eyed. His daughter followed, looking just as concerned.
"Hey, sorry t'interrupt," he said quickly, "but have any of ya seen Mak?"
Asgore straightened up right away and Toriel frowned, her ears pinning back.
"I am afraid I have not, Suzy and I just arrived," she said. "Has something happened?"
"I dunno, the kid was just beside me and then… I dunno where the h— heck he couldda got to." His heart was beating so loud that both of the flop-eared monsters could hear it clearly. He pointed down the slope along where the crowds were making their way downwards. "I'm gonna go check, yeah?" He looked down at his daughter. "Kiddo, stay with the King or Queen, okay?"
"Kay," Ellie said, though her little brow was still wrinkled with confusion.
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As Boyd dashed off, Asgore grimaced. He looked down at Suzy.
"I'm sorry, my child, may we take a rain check on that story of yours?"
"Oh. Yeah, that's okay," Suzy said quickly.
"Um! Mister Mountain King?" Ellie said, sticking her hand up high. "C-Can I ask something?"
"Anything, little one," he said.
"Who's Mak?"
Toriel's eyes went wide and she looked at Asgore worriedly. Asgore couldn't conceal his surprise either, his brows shooting upwards and his jaw hanging agape for a second.
"…Makena?" he said cautiously.
Ellie stared back at him blankly. The two huge monsters shared an alarmed look.
"You know! Golly, it's a very big mountain, actually! Let's go help your dad!" Asgore announced, bending to pick the child up.
"Let's," Toriel agreed swiftly.
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Just as the large monster knelt to get Suzy, the little crocodaur pointed behind her, towards the edge of the plateau, frowning quizzically.
"But isn't that him there?" she asked.
Toriel's brows shot up and she whipped around, as did Asgore.
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At first, neither of them saw much out of place. It wasn't until another pair of red birds looked as if they'd appeared from the middle of empty sky that a faint divide of different blues stood out like the gap in a broken window. Mak paced across stone of a slightly different shade, peering out over the edge of the cliff.
"Child!" Toriel called.
He didn't seem to hear, disappearing again as he walked, as if there were some wall between them.
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The woman rushed towards the gap, eyes darting back and forth. "Makena?"
No answer but the wind.
"What on earth is that?" Asgore asked.
"…Incongruous time?" Toriel wondered under her breath. She edged closer, and reached her hand out. Her fingers stalled in midair, a hair's breadth from where the world appeared to change. A chill ran beneath her fur.
"Tori, be careful," Asgore said.
"Makena?" she asked again.
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A few seconds later, the young boy's pacing brought him back. He shielded his eyes with his hand as he paused and looked around, his gaze directed down the slope. Asgore released a breath he'd held without thought.
"Child, come back this way," Toriel said quickly.
Mak didn't reply. He turned around to face the edge, then back towards her with a puzzled, scrunched expression as he rubbed his hair.
"Makena?" she asked again. She cautiously reached towards him but, before she'd touched him, he took a step forward and bumped right into her. "Oh!"
"Aah!" The boy looked up and his face softened. "There you are, I thought—"
"Come." Toriel carefully shepherded him towards her. "Come, come, dear one, away from the edge."
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A paw on his shoulder, she drew Mak back to the others. Asgore mumbled a little phrase of relief under his breath and Ellie instantly lit up.
"Hi, Mak! Where'd you go?"
"I thought you just said you didn't know who he was," Suzy said.
"Whaaaat? No! That's silly," the girl protested. She grinned. "Look, look, I get to ride on the King!"
Mak snickered. He looked at the others apologetically. "Sorry, I… guess I got confused? I thought everyone left, I couldn't see you at all." He scratched his head and looked back into the sky with a puzzled frown. "But I thought I saw…?"
"Was there something interesting that pulled you away?" Asgore asked.
"…I dunno, I just maybe thought there was some people in the woods?"
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"People? Goodness…" Asgore said quietly. "Down there already?
"Monster people or human people?" Suzy asked.
"I dunno, actually," Mak said.
"Could it have been a wild bear?" Asgore wondered. "They can sometimes walk upright, as well."
"I'm not sure, it didn't super look like bears, though," the boy said. "But, um, I dunno."
"That's alright, child," Toriel said. "Come. We must catch up with Ellie's father. To assure him you're not harmed."
"Was daddy worried?" Ellie wondered.
"Were you napping?" Suzy teased.
"What, no!" the tiny girl protested.
"Alright, alright," Asgore said with an amused chuckle. "Come on, little ones." He beckoned to them and took a look around the plateau. "We will simply reunite with him"
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Those that were still there were slowly meandering towards the path downwards, with the exception of Scathkath and Kio. Asgore waved to them and began on his way. Mak and Suzy hurried after him, though Toriel hung back a moment.
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She cast her eyes across the woods below. The wind buffeted the leafy treetops, but no matter how intently she stared, she didn't see a soul down below. Her ears pinned back and she caught the odd variation in colour from the corner of her eye. A brief thought of poking her head through it crossed her mind before she shook it away. It wasn't worth the risk when she could simply take Makena's word for it, she decided. Perhaps he'd seen someone from some other time, if that's where he'd accidentally slipped away to.
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She drew her notebook from a pocket in her sleeve and added it to the ever-growing list of changes she'd observed. This one, window-like as it was, seemed a bit unusual to her, even amongst many of the other things she recorded. This was one fit for discussion— but, later.
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As she stashed it away again, she heard her name called and twisted around. Gaster and Alphys had dragged themselves out of the lab and into the daylight. She smiled fondly and waved. Alphys blushed sheepishly and returned the gesture and Gaster, though his eye sockets were dark, beamed. He strode up to her and embraced her.
"He's alright," he said quietly.
Toriel gave him a squeeze. "Good."
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"G, you're not dead!" Scathkath called.
The skeleton snorted. He pulled back and straightened his jacket out. "Not yet!"
Kio gave the shadowcat a gentle whack on the arm before slithering over with a big smile. "It's been so hectic, I'm glad to see you two are alright. And hello to you, your Highness!" She looked around curiously. "Where are the boys, did they come up with you?"
"They're in Snowdin, for now," Gaster said.
"Wait. Waaaait wait wait." Scathkath slid up with raised brows and a sly grin. "Then why are you up here?"
"A little break for the both of us, I think," he said, shooting a fond look at Alphys. "Good to catch the sun before it sets, eh?"
"That's true," Alphys said. "I keep f-forgetting how warm it is."
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"Hm." The shadowcat tilted his head to the side, squinted, and leaned in close to the skeleton's face. "…What did you do with Gaster?"
Alphys snorted laughing and Kio grabbed Scathkath's arm, tsking playfully. The skeleton smiled and shrugged.
"Sans said the same," he said.
"Smart young man." Scathkath crossed his arms. "Seriously, what's the catch?"
"Back to it tomorrow, I guess," Gaster said, "unless something in the CORE goes catastrophically wrong in the next few hours."
"I-It's really stable right now," Alphys assured them quickly. "There's, um… Well…" She looked up at Gaster. "There's still, um, s-some tremors, but the main pillar is r-really secure, for now."
"Well, that's a relief," Kio said. "You'll let me know if you need any extra support structures, won't you?"
"We very well might," Gaster said. "But more so for Sans's machine than the CORE. Uh. Hopefully."
"Hopefully," Scathkath echoed with a sideways smile.
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Toriel chuckled. She beckoned them onwards. "Alright. The boys are familiar enough with the surface, I think we can leave them to it, can we not?" She turned her eyes on Gaster and Alphys. "And I am sure Asgore would love to see you."
"You know what happened to the big galumph's head?" Scathkath asked.
"An… unfortunate accident, I'm afraid," Toriel said. "While we were clearing the path out."
Kio nudged the shadowcat with her elbow. "He told you that."
"I wanted to make sure he wasn't just fibbin' to make us feel better!"
Toriel let out a light laugh. "No, no. Just… Don't fret. He is fine."
"Maybe just a little fret," the snakebird joked.
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Though Scathkath looked only marginally more convinced, he smiled. He put a hand out to Alphys and beckoned to her as they began to walk.
"Come on, hun, give us all the science updates from down there on the way," he said.
"M-Me?" She looked a little flustered. "I mean, wouldn't Gaster—?"
"I spent a hundred years talkin' to Gaster," he said, throwing the skeleton a little wink, "but we've only talked to you a few days, and you're the new head honcho!"
"I… Um." Alphys blinked, her scales flushing as Kio slithered closer to give her a reassuring smile. She puffed herself up. "Yeah, I g-guess so!"
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As they moved on, the old CORE scientists fawning over the new, Toriel took a moment to catch Gaster on his own before he fell into step behind them. The old skeleton was absolutely beaming with pride. Toriel smiled and patted him on the back. She leaned her snout in close to the side of his head.
"Where is it?" she whispered.
"With Papyrus," he said quietly. He smiled sideways. "He insisted."
"I had a thought," she said. "Do we… brace the human with the information? Or do we withhold? Until Papyrus arrives." Her brow furrowed softly. "Considering the circumstances, I do not wish to be deceptive, and I do not wish to withhold the truth, but I wonder if we wouldn't seem more trustworthy delivering the news and the… And their friend all at once, so we do not appear to be covering anything up."
Gaster frowned thoughtfully. "…What do you think? One or two?"
"At once," she said.
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Both of them held out two fingers at the same time. Toriel nodded. She clasped onto his arm and patted his hand reassuringly.
"Patience, then," she said.
xXxXx
Though the streets were slick with ice and the roof of the cavern glittered with spider web, Snowdin was mostly back to its windy, wintery self. The flooding had receded, as had the overwhelming, deep snow. Sans's ice wall was still up in parts, though the middle had been smashed through to clear a portion of the path. Someone had piled up some of the shards into a little pyramid off to the side.
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As the skeleton brothers slid down the road and up to the giant boulder in front of their house, Papyrus touched it and stopped, readjusting his grip on the soul canister—partially concealed in one of the ends of his scarf— beneath his arm. He looked up at the cavern with a brow raised and then back at the rock.
"Somethin' wrong?" Sans asked as he casually slid backwards by him. "Or, uh, should I move that again?"
"Again?" Papyrus repeated.
"Yeah." He stopped in place and gave the rock a little push with his elbow as the orange-white dog bounded up around his ankles. "It was in our roof."
Papyrus squinted at him. He made a snorting sound and headed up the stairs to their front door. "No. Don't move. I will be riiiiight back."
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Sans looked at the dog and shrugged. He sat down on the ice and the pooch was in his lap instantly, wiggling his front paws all around. A little scritch of the ears and the dog flopped over onto his side and began to snore right away. Sans was a little jealous. He loafed around, rubbing the little beast's belly absently as he waited for his brother.
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The distant sliding of many feet caught the skeleton's attention, though it wasn't enough to make him move. Soon enough, many mid-sized spiders scampered by them with socks on their little feets, followed by one that was almost as big as the house. It paused to look down on him with a worried furrow over all eight of its eyes. Sans gave it a casual wave and received one in return before the large monster moved on.
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"What are you doing sitting in the middle of the road, dearie?" Muffet, bundled up in a purple and white, spider-themed sweater and a snug, jester-like cap with a pompom on each of two ends, leaned down over him with her hands on her hips. "Have you fallen due to your lack of legs?"
"Nah." Sans tapped the ground below him and it raised up in a short, icy seat. "Just chillin'." He pointed upwards. "Nice work."
"Ah! Well, thank you very much," she said. "As mayor, it was my pleasure, dearie. Also as mayor, I must ask, do you have news from elsewhere?"
"New Home's out, Hotland's out, Waterfall's about halfway," he said. "Here?"
"Well," she said, folding her arms, "some of the Ruins-folk were fairly stubborn, but I'm also fairly persuasive! So! They'll be along shortly. Aside from that, the good people of Snowdin are making fairly good time!" She pointed down the road. "And I will be waiting right over there to make sure everything goes smooth as silk, as it were." She chortled to herself.
Sans snickered. He leaned back a little and cast a look to the side. "Sounds good."
"So what exactly are you doing heading back here?" Muffet inquired.
"Dog stuff, mostly."
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Papyrus emerged from the house with a grumble, wearing new pants and a large messenger bag over his shoulder. "Sans, the house is a dis—!" He paused at the sight of the spider lady. "Ah! Hello, there!"
"Ah, Sans's taller brother!" Muffer said. She cocked her head. "My, you… look different, don't you, dearie?"
"Oh! Um! Iiiit's… just for a movie! A new one! Very hush-hush," he said. He put a hand to his chest, covering a little more of the green staining on his exposed ribs. "This is! A! Costume test! For, um, wear and tear! And such."
"Oh?! A secret new movie, I see, I see." The spider flashed fang in a sly smile, her many eyes gleaming. "Well, I won't say a word." She continued onwards towards Waterfall, waving at them daintily. "Loved you in BLACKLETTER, by the way."
"Thank you very much!" Papyrus called after her.
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Swiftly, the tall skeleton slid over to his brother. He hefted him up and onto his feet with one had and stole the orange-scented dog with the other. "Sans! The. House!"
"Yeah, I know," Sans said. "Flooded."
"It's like the blizzard went right through it!"
"Yuuup." He rifled around in his pocket for his phone. "Oh."
"Oh what?"
Sans smiled sideways. "Ah. Was gonna say, I got some of your stuff from upstairs, but I forgot to get my phone back from dad. And it's all there."
"Oh! Well. Thank you for thinking of that, at the very least," Papyrus teased.
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They skated on their way through the frosted town until they caught sight of Lesser Dog, wearing an extra scarf and mitts, waiting for them near the inn. He instantly perked, tail wagging, and ran to greet them. He beckoned to them and guided them behind the building and back through the trees just a few feet, to a set of steep, stone ramps that zig-zagged their way down to the valley below Snowdin's cliffs.
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The tiny creamsicle dog jumped ahead, curling up into a ball and summersaulting his way down the precarious path like a pinball. The others followed, though a margin more carefully.
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"So, it's the caves, right?" Papyrus asked.
Lesser Dog nodded.
"Hm! I don't think I've ever been there! You, Sans?"
"Couple times. Not recently," the short skeleton said, "and a lotta 'em are blocked off by ice."
"That's a little strange, isn't it?" Papyrus said. "If people live there, why're they blocked?"
"S'far as I know, it's hibernators," Sans said. "Usually older guys, y'know? Sleepin' some years away."
"Oh?" Papyrus raised his brows. "Well, I'm sure they have their reasons. But! Don't you do that, alright?! Even if it sounds tempting."
Sans chuckled. "I already do that— just broken up into sections."
"Sans, please."
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Below them, dim forest stretched out, the mass of pines pinpricked with sparse lantern light. Beyond that lay a large swath of valley dotted with little, warm cabin homes. From their height, they could see more little lights shifting— monsters packing up and starting to head out. The shape of one creature, a particularly large one, stood out even from afar: dog-shaped, and pulling a huge sledge. Lesser Dog pointed a claw to direct the skeletons' attention.
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Papyrus came to a halt and peered off, shielding his eyes with his hand and letting out a quiet noise of awe. "Wowie, she's huge! Who is that?"
"Graetsif, yeah?" Sans asked.
Lesser Dog nodded. The short pooch beckoned to him and, once they'd matched the height of the tops of the trees, jumped down and vanished amongst them. Papyrus and Sans shared a look, and Sans shrugged and stepped off into the drop and plopped. Papyrus let out an alarmed nyeh and leapt down after his brother. They both landed safely in deep, soft snow. Lesser Dog smiled brightly and waved them along again.
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The woods were dark and quiet, even the sound of the monsters' footsteps muffled. It was cozy, in a way, the whistling wind cut by the many boughs of pine. A nice place to take a nap, if one didn't mind the bristles. The air was absolutely frigid, though— so much so that even the skeletons could feel a little of its bite.
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Coming out on the other side of the forest and into the valley, they got their first good look at the massive wolf that was Graetsif. Standing tall enough to peek over over the roof of the two-storey cabin behind her, Graetsif had to have been once of the largest land monsters in the underground. Her black fur looked as if each strand was made of glass and gleamed with a faint, teal sheen as she shifted her weight. Peering down upon them with eyes like a winter's sky, she smiled; her snout split a little too wide with enough pearly teeth to make a shark blush. The sledge lashed behind her was made from the trunks of full trees, and was currently laden with cut blocks of ice that glimmered faintly with cool, cyan magic.
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Papyrus's jaw dropped. Sans gave the huge wolf a casual salute, and Graetsif's features softened and she dipped her head. Papyrus quickly pulled himself back together.
"Nyeh! Hello! You must be Graetsif!" he said brightly, putting a hand to his chest. "I am the great Papyrus! And this shorter skeleton is my brother, Sans! It's nice to meet you!"
Again, the wolf nodded politely. Big Dog emerged from around the huge monster's legs and Doggo, bundled up in a thick, puffy pink coat and earmuffs, popped out from behind one of the ice blocks. Lesser Dog waved. Big Dog was instantly upon Papyrus, wrapping around him and snorfing at his neck.
"Oh! Look who came!" Doggo said a little too loudly. "Wait. Papyrus, that's you?!"
"Of course it's me!" Papyrus huffed.
"Did you get a haircut?!"
"I don't have any hair!"
Doggo squinted. Lesser Dog woofed.
"Oh?!" The spotted pooch looked to Sans. "Right! Ice! That'll be helpful. We can cover a ton more ground."
"So we're…? Getting old folks out of the caves, right?" Papyrus asked.
"Any folks, really," Doggo said. "We already did a few."
Sans raised his brows. He pointed to the ice blocks on the sledge. Doggo nodded and gave the closest one an affectionate pat.
"Alright. Gotcha," the skeleton said. "Got a direction?"
Graetsif lifted her head and pointed her snout way down the valley, off to the northeast. "There." Her voice was deep and smooth, with the faintest lilt of a lyrical accent. "Twelve caves. Check thoroughly."
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In an instant, Big Dog swirled their body around each skeleton, then ducked, lifting both brothers up onto their back. Papyrus nyehed loudly and grasped tight to the mushy shoulder fur of the beast, and Sans gave the mass of pooches a pat on the side. Baying to the wind, the amalgamutt took off, kicking up a cloud of powdered snow in their wake.
.
The valley was vast, broken up only by the base of cliffs that had been partially cut away, combining several deep snowfields into one, ages ago. The river that flowed through much of the underground outlined portions of its edge far above. The water ran close to the road, then cut across to the far side of the valley before weaving back to pinch it off at the end, carving Snowdin in half and moving onwards to Waterfall. From below, one could catch the rushing river casting down small waterfalls that froze into shiny spikes of ice crystals long before they hit the ground.
.
The group crossed the smooth snowfield with long, grand strides, cold wind whipping by their heads. Papyrus clutched tight to his shoulder bag and squinted through the dark. He became transfixed by the bobbing of Big Dog's ears against the backdrop as they ran.
.
They sped by another cabin where a couple penguin-like monsters were packing up their stuff. Papyrus gave them a wave and they returned the gesture before getting back to work.
"Seems like lots of space for so few people," Papyrus mused. "Is there something wrong with down here?"
"Just way too cold," Sans said. "Plus." He pointed upwards. "Groceries are a hassle."
"Hm. I guess so." Papyrus straightened up and looked around. "Do you see these caves anywhere?"
Sans leaned back a little and cast his gaze around the blurring cavern walls. The time shards in his vision might have shown a few, but it was hard to say what was real or not. "Dunno yet. I'm sure the big guy knows the way."
"You think so?"
"Well I ain't drivin'," Sans said with a laugh.
The giant goopy amalgamate let out a resounding answer of, "WOOF!"
.
When they reached the next patch of woods, all six of Big Dog's legs shrunk as if they were suddenly the largest dachshund in the world. They ran as close to the ground as they could to avoid the bonking of heads on the boughs, long body weaving between trunks like a big, bendy serpent.
.
The forest ended where the sheer cavern wall began. Big Dog straightened and ran right up the rock, verticality being no obstacle at all. Both skeletons had to hold on tight until the monster scrabbled onto a ledge and stopped suddenly. Two caves, entrances sealed by thick ice marked with the Delta Rune, stuck out along the path. The outcrop of stone carried on into a series of small ramps that lead to higher up along the wall, undoubtedly to more caverns.
.
Sans hopped down from Big Dog's back and gave them an appreciative pat. "Thanks, bud." He rubbed the back of his skull, then took a look at the closest cave and rested his hand against the ice. "I guess I just, uh…"
The smooth surface glowed where his bones met it. Sans's fingertips shone blue and passed through as if it were liquid. He imagined the ice shifting away and it did just as he wanted, sliding off from his fingers and lining just the edges of the little cave, opening the way up. Papyrus gawked.
"Sans! That's…! Really good, actually!" he said.
"Eh. Thank Undyne."
.
Papyrus peeked down the dark corridor that stretched before them and looked down at his brother. "I'm coming with you on this first one."
"Uh. Sure, but—"
"Who knows what's down there?!" Papyrus insisted. "Let's just both see, and then we can split up after."
Sans smiled sympathetically. "You don't gotta worry 'bout me."
"Too late, I'm always worried about you," the tall skeleton teased. "I mean, who knows, what if there's a really sudden drop in there, or some kind of puzzle that you'd for sure be too lazy to deal with?"
Sans snickered. He beckoned to his brother. "Alright, alright, come on."
.
They stepped into the frosty darkness and Papyrus set his eyes alight. His soul glowed bright along with them. The ice shone like pale, clear amber, gleaming down the length of the cave, towards a bulbous end.
As the skeletons drew closer, Papyrus's light glinted across the sharp lines of a large block of ice situated in a rounded area at the end of the cave. As soon as they reached it, the block gleamed softly with magic, faintly illuminating the rest of the chamber with a bright cyan. Papyrus dimmed his eyes and peered around.
.
Aside from the block, a chunk of ice stood nearby like a pedestal and beside it was a wooden box with a sign on it that said, JUST IN CASE. There was a spiral of rope and some ice picks jutting out of the top. On the other side of the block was a long slab of ice like a table, with two more wooden boxes on top. One contained a bunch of extra scarves, mitts, and coats, and the other was full up with packaged snacks.
.
Papyrus approached the pedestal and curiously wiped the frost off the top. There was a slate with words etched into it.
"Mimo. Mammoth. Age: two hundred and seven," he read aloud. "No family. Needed a break. Time left: forty two. HP, one-fifty, reducing." He stared for a moment longer, then and and reached out to touch the block.
The surface shined and the fog of the ice cleared just enough to see a fuzzy, elephantine monster slumbering within, cozied up in striped pyjamas and a night cap.
"Oh. Nice," Sans said.
"So are these…? All people who were falling down, maybe?"
"Or people who were worried 'bout it and decided to just skip a decade or five." Sans gave the place another glance around. "S'tough, y'know?"
"I can't imagine wanting to miss so much," Papyrus said quietly. He turned to his brother with a lightly furrowed brow. "Did we ever do this before or is this from some sideways time? Because I don't remember any of this at all."
"Oh. Nah. This's normal," Sans said. "Think you just missed it. Back in the, uh… The time where the town got wrecked, we were just kinda lettin' 'em chill—" He grinned in anticipation of his brother's unamused scoff and was duly rewarded. "—for a while until there were places for 'em to live. Think only two or three got pulled out by the time everythin' went backwards."
Papyrus tapped his chin. "I seeeee."
"Yeah, very."
The tall skeleton couldn't contain a snort. He shook his head. "So do we wake them up?"
"I think we just chuck 'em somewhere. Then, uh… Who knows, maybe the sun melts 'em." Sans raised his hand and fixed his magic on the ice and gave it a little test push. "Hm. Easy. What d'ya think, I open the others and then we split up?"
"Welllll, I mean, I could probably just blast through them, but if you're offering—"
"Ice is… Heh." Sans grinned sideways. "Real smooth. It's easy."
"Pff. Well. I'm glad." Papyrus clenched a fist and put on a determined grin. "Okay! Let's get the Mimo outside!"
.
With just a wave of Sans's hand, the ice block slid forwards and down the passage. He pushed it farther until there was no stone left, letting it hover in the air as he and Papyrus came back out. Big Dog was stuck to the wall above them like a salamander, oozing black goo from their face hole as they stared down at the brothers; tail whipping back and forth.
"What next?" Papyrus asked them.
The amalgamate gazed far off back into the snowfield.
"I dunno," Sans said. "Not sure if I can get it that far without flyin' on it."
"HmmmMMMM." Papyrus rubbed his chin. "Oh!" He looked up at Big Dog. "What if we dropped them right down, could you catch them?"
Big Dog let out a deep woof and scuttled down the rock face and all the way to the ground below. They stared up and wiggled in anticipation.
.
Sans carefully let the ice block of Mumi the mammoth drop, and Big Dog's body stretched out like a hammock to catch it. Papyrus whooped and the amalgamutt, tail wagging, ducked down and zoomed away.
"I think we got it, brother," Papyrus said.
"Heh. Guess so," Sans said.
.
The skeletons got to work— Sans defrosting the entryways; Papyrus rushing in to push the dozing monster out of the caves and down to the awaiting Big Dog. Sans's task was done first, so he trailed his brother around to the last couple caverns. He didn't recognize any of the names on the slates— he supposed they must've been from before his time.
.
When the brothers finished up, they were the next ones falling down the side of the cliff. Big Dog caught them, just as they'd done for the ice, then whisked them away back to the open field.
.
Breaking the tree line, Graetsif and Doggo were already there to meet them, carefully loading the blocks onto the sledge. Papyrus jumped off their squishy friends' back and ran to help. Sans rested his cheek on his fist for a moment as his eyes skimmed over the massive monster and all of the frozen monsters she'd be carrying.
"So. Uh. Question," he said, "how we gettin' out of here?"
"Oooooh right," Papyrus said quietly
The other monsters froze and looked at him with big eyes.
"What is the issue?" Graetsif wondered.
"Well." Papyrus smiled awkwardly. "I mean. It's…"
"Do not prance around the porridge, pup," the wolf said with raised brows.
"Well, it's just that, what I think the reason my brother asked," Papyrus said, "is that you are extremely tall and the sleigh is extremely long and there were several cave-ins on the way out."
"Were there?!" Doggo asked. "Crap."
"This will be fine. We can take the river, and shatter things where needed, no?" Graetsif said. She looked at Sans. "You… are a sentry, am I right? You should know the paths."
Sans gave a shrug. "Yeah. Problem is, stuff keeps shiftin' around."
"From the seismic activity!" Papyrus blurted.
Sans snorted. "That, too."
"Hm." The wolf nodded. "We can take our time. No need to fret. Shall we continue?"
The short skeleton gave a smile and an easy shrug. "Lead the way."
.
With Graetsif's direction, Sans, Papyrus, and Big Dog headed out again to another set of caves, a little higher on the side of the cliff. Some of the caverns had two blocks of ice instead of only one, but it didn't make a great amount of difference.
.
As they finished up, the sound of howling hounds surged in on the wind. Graetsif answered with a howl of her own, charging the air with motes of cyan for just as long as the sound lingered.
.
Big Dog grabbed the skeletons and took off in a blaze, barrelling off between trees and across the snow field until they came upon Dogaressa and Dogamy near another large pile of slumbering ice blocks and a pair of lanterns with blobs of white magic bobbing up and down within. The married dogs were wearing matching blue scarves and warm hats with pompoms, but even so, they still looked a little chilled.
.
With a bark, Big Dog skidded to a halt. Sans tumbled off and landed on his back in the snow with a quiet oof. Papyrus scoffed and hopped down to help him up.
"Oh! You guys!" Dogamy said. "Wow. G-Good to see you! Uh." He stared a little extra moment at Papyrus before shaking his head quickly, tossing his floppy ears back and forth. "We're d-done over here!"
"Oh! Well, that's good. Um." Papyrus cut his eyes at Big Dog. "What the heck was the rush, then?"
"Wellllll…" Dogaressa stepped forward, pulling a scrap of paper from her pocket. "I just thought we could check on p…" She sneezed shrilly. "Oof! 'Scuse me! On progress." She held out the paper so they could see it was an old, hand-drawn map with a lot of little dots on it, and she pointed out four of the sections. "We've done these ones."
"I think we just did these two at the end here," Papyrus said, looking back at Big Dog for conformation.
The big beastie woofed and wagged their tail.
.
"Oh! Th-That's…!" She sneezed again and clapped her paws against her snout.
Dogamy cooed and put his arms around her. "That's g-good," he finished through chattering teeth. "You guys are f-f-fast. There's one more, but Greater D-Dog got it, so we should be g-good to just h-help load."
"Ugh, here, let me help," Papyrus said, striding forward to wrap the dogs in a hug. He set his soul ablaze and it was like all of them were suddenly at the edge of a pleasant campfire. "Is it really that cold?"
"W-We're…!" Dogaressa sneezed again and sniffled. "We're sh-short-haired!"
.
Some soft yipping interrupted them and drew their eyes and snouts towards a shifting spot a few feet away. The tiny, orangey dog burst up from a little lump in the snow and quickly shook his fur. He barked and hopped up and down.
"What do you mean, a huge door?" Papyrus asked. "Why is that so exciting? And how huge? Because you're extremely small, you know."
The dog pranced in a circle and sneezed. Sans scratched his cheek.
"Hm. Kay. But why would it be locked?" he wondered.
"Wait, wait, this sounds familiar," Dogaressa said. "Did it have any markings on it?"
The little dog aroo-ed and ran off. The others scrambled to follow him.
.
For a dog of such tiny stature, the little guy was extremely quick. He lead them away across the valley, towards one of the rough arches beneath a cliff. As they got closer, the shards of time in Sans's eyes became a little more numerous; a little more vibrant. He caught Papyrus try to swat one away before pausing abruptly, cheekbones flushing slightly.
.
By the time they reached their destination, the fragments of time that were scattered about almost looked like hundreds of shards of broken glass, suspended in the air. Most of them only showed more snow. Some shifted with shadows. Sans did his best to keep focus ahead at what the dog wanted to show them. There was a cavity in the stone delved deeper into the wall, downwards into some roughly-hewn steps that vanished into shadows. Dogaressa raised her lantern, and the white light dribbled down the stairs and marked the outline of a tunnel. Big Dog took a seat at the top while the others went deeper down.
.
The lanterns quickly revealed the door the small dog had yipped of. It had to have been over twelve feet high, made of thick, dark stone, and looked as if it had been there forever. Patterns of paw prints and claw marks followed around each edge, and the Delta Rune was carved near the arched top. In the centre, there was a simple image of a pointy-eared dog's head with a carved, round cavity in the middle of the forehead in lieu of eyes.
.
Dogamy reached up and rubbed his paws all over the door. He gave it a little push. "Still l-locked," he said.
"I… Hm." Dogaressa tilted her head. "I think I heard stories of old places like this."
"It's very mysterious," Papyrus said. He shared a look with Sans and the shorter skeleton nodded— of course, all those time shards were probably connected, too. He took another careful step forward, unconsciously moving to avoid a shifting fleck before him, but froze mid-step as something let out a little pulse of magic.
All the monsters turned on the boy curiously. Papyrus scrambled for his pocket and pulled out the gleaming, red orb. The tiniest dog's eyes got big and round, and he hopped and barked frantically.
"You think so?!" Papyrus gawked. "Is that safe?!"
"Yup," Sans said.
"Are you suuuuure?! Because we need this. As in, very badly need this."
Sans tilted his head to the side. Even if he didn't have a feeling they'd be walking away with that orb in a few minutes, he could see it falling into skeleton hands in one of the shards very close to where Papyrus now stood. "Yup."
Papyrus stilled looked a little nervous. The tiniest dog stared up at him with, huge, hopeful eyes.
"Oooookay!" The skeleton said. "Let's give it a try!"
.
Papyrus hurried forward and clunked the red orb into the pit in the door. It clicked into place and, in a flash, all the markings around the outside edge of the stone lit with the same, vibrant red. The stone growled and groaned and, slowly, began to slide to the right. The dogs erupted. Papyrus squeaked and hurried to pull the orb out again, though it had latched firmly in place and his sharp fingers could hardly gain purchase. The tiny dog yipped in alarm.
"I understand but this thing is extremely important!" Papyrus said. "The thing in the void hole entrusted it to me!"
"Paps, it's fine, we can get it on the way out," Sans said.
"Nnnnnot if the wall eats it!"
"The wall ain't gonna e—"
"But it might! And I—!"
.
Almost as soon as he'd said it, the orb popped out and into his hands, while the door kept moving. The skeleton blushed. He clutched his prize tight.
"Phew," he said as he blew out a sigh.
"Told ya," Sans said. He winked. "C'mon, y'think I'd risk that thing?"
"No, but—"
The tiny citrus dog, now somehow on the top of his skull, leaned down and gave him a little lick on the forehead. Papyrus laughed sheepishly.
"Sorry, it just… It has a little bit of my sister's magic in it," he said, holding it close. "While she's away, I… don't want to lose something like this."
"That makes sense," Dogaressa said. "But, look, it's still opening, so I think it's oka—"
.
The door finally vanished inside the cliff wall and let out a resonating, earthy boom that echoed far down the valley and caused all but Sans to jump. The quiet was punctuated by the faint chime of falling icicles and nothing more.
.
The tiny dog summersaulted off Papyrus's head and into the threshold, doing a little spin before running inside. Papyrus chased after him, and the others followed, the married dogs holding their lanterns close.
.
The edge of something large and fluffy caught on the light. Papyrus lit his eyes and a chamber revealed itself. It was roughly hewn with no amenities, and the only thing within it was a massive dog in a heap on its side. The fur was pale, but dim. Dull. More grey than white.
.
The tiny dog hunkered down, touching his nose against that of the heap of canine and let out a little despondent huff.
"Wh…? What? Who's th-that?!" Dogamy asked.
"I've never seen her before," Dogaressa said quietly. "Smells… so faint."
"Oh no," Papyrus breathed. He raced to the ancient dog's side and put his hand on her neck. "Hello? Huge dog? Are you okay?"
"…How long has she been in here?" Sans asked quietly.
"I think something's wrong," Papyrus said swiftly. He lit his hands with healing magic. "A-Are there any notes around? Anything at all?"
.
The others cast around the dark cave quickly. Dogaressa's lantern caught on a little groove in the floor and she knelt down, peering at it closely. She drew in a sharp gasp.
"Here! I-In scratches! It's a bit… archaic? But I think… I think it says… My condition is bad. Door s…? Oh! The seal on the door, is protection. Wake when… Sun? Wake when sun, but I might…" She gulped. "I might not wait."
"Oh. Shit," Sans said quietly. He sat on his knees and rested his hands deep into the dog's fur, feeling the vibrations of her faint magic down his bones.
There was a vacant, fragile feeling to it. Any warmth at all was being pumped in by Papyrus. His soul dropped and he looked back at the married dogs.
"Yeah, she's gonna dust if we don't get her into the sun, like, now."
.
Papyrus squawked in alarm and the frost of shock only lasted a single second before the married dogs scrambled back out of the cave, barking and howling.
"I should just keep going, then, right?!" Papyrus demanded.
"Yeah." Sans got up quickly. He reached his blue magic onto the dog's soul, but when it caught, it felt as fragile as tissue paper. He released her, grimacing. "Don't stop. Don't, uh… Don't even stop touchin' her, alright?"
"Got it, brother."
.
The short skeleton hurried back to the door and reached his magic out into the snow and dragged a heap of it down the stairs to make a smoother ramp. "Think you can pull 'er out?"
"I will do my best!" Papyrus called. He hooked his arms under the massive dog's forelimbs and slowly got to his feet.
With the little worried dog at his heels, Papyrus pulled her up and dragged her up the snowy incline.
.
By the time they were out, Graetsif was just skidding to a halt beyond the arch of stone above them. Greater Dog, Lesser Dog, and Doggo peeked out with concern from between the ice blocks on the sledge.
"What is…?" The huge wolf's words vanished in the wind as her eyes settled on the scene. "Oh." She straightened up. "EVERYONE ON, NOW, WE WILL GO," she boomed.
.
The canines scrambled and Greater Dog reached out to help Papyrus heft the unconscious newcomer to an empty spot on the sledge between tethered ice-blocks. The skeleton sat down, cradling the massive dog's head and shoulders. His magic flared, illuminating the golden mark on his forehead. Lesser Dog dropped down to hold him, too, putting a cautious paw against the downed dog. He looked around and the others did the same. Big Dog squished down behind Papyrus to brace his back.
.
Sans took a deep breath. The shards of out of place time seemed to to follow that huge dog around, but he'd worry about that later. He stuck his fingers between ice blocks and climbed up to sit behind Graetsif.
"Hey, so… Long story, but I got all Captain Undyne's magic in me for now," he said, "so if you need me t'blast somethin'…"
Graetsif turned her head to look at him with a raised brow, but she nodded. "Everyone is on?"
Sans turned to double check, then gave her a thumbs up. The wolf's eyes shone like neon and she looked forward. Her fur flared out around her as if wind whipped up from below. Her hackles raised and her fur gleamed in a streak of aurora from brow to tail as she lifted her head and howled. The dogs howled in reply. Magic shocked the air, the wolf braced her feet, then took off so fast she left a crater in the snow behind her. Sans grabbed onto the ice and those in the back held onto each other and their charge tightly.
.
An aura of teal, green, and pink chased Graetsif's heels and her magic swelled before her, building into a ramp that lead towards the oppose side of the valley. As the height climbed, she hardly lost momentum, even as she dragged the huge sledge behind her.
.
When they were parallel to the rushing river, she leapt, sailing through the air until she collided with the water. It froze immediately underpaw and she loped onwards towards Snowdin. Just to their sides, huge chunks of ice cracked and lifted up and hovered to follow them.
"Sentry," she said. "Hold those, and more, if you can. I will need them."
"Right. Uh." Sans's eye flared with blue as he reached out to grab the ice, ripping out more as they went. "You got the cave to Waterfall?"
"Yes. Until the turn."
"Uh. Right." He looked back over his shoulder at the dogs and his brother. "Paps?"
"What do you need?" Papyrus replied.
"Dirges. Power boost. Don't think we make it otherwise."
"Ooookay. Okay. I can't, uh… Can one of you get my phone? It's in my pocket!"
.
Sans let out a small, relieved huff and he leaned forwards to Graetsif, squinting against the frigid wind pouring into his eye sockets. The turn towards town was coming up. He dug his fingers into the ice again.
"We're gonna power boost everyone," Sans called.
"Whatever you can do," Graetsif agreed.
Behind them, three of the dogs began to howl the melody of the spell and, as soon as they finished, magic surged in a torrent over all the monsters with an electrifying burst. Graetsif's speed nearly doubled and she plunged forwards.
.
Sans's head spun as his blue eye blazed and flickered gold, and he turned all his focus ahead. Snowdin was a blur and Waterfall was coming up, along with a sharp left turn. He grimaced and pulled up more ice and, after a deep breath, all four of his blaster skulls as well. He hoped desperately that, with everything, he'd be strong enough.
.
He sent the blasters sailing, aimed at the corners of the tunnel, and shot them as hard as he could, running the beams up towards the top of the cavern and down into the water as well. Stone seared away like it was made of chalk. Graetsif howled and banked wide. The sledge clunked onto the path, scraping stone with an unsettling creak, but with a good push-off of the frozen water, the wolf bounded forward and sailed around the widened corner with just a bit of wood-shards left behind. Sans almost melted with relief.
.
"Good work, sentry," Graetsif called back to him. "Wide right next."
"Got an exit plan?" he asked.
"…We may have to annihilate Asgore's home," she said.
Sans squinted. "Dunno if we got time. Buncha cave-ins, too. Lid's off New Home. Think we can boost up that far?"
"I…" Graetsif's ears flicked backwards. "We may have to. How is she?"
Sans looked back. Every monster back there had their hands on the limp dog, their magic like a prism, trying to give any sort of colour to her body. Papyrus was glowing bright with motes of gold seeping from him and trailing behind them over the ice. Even so, the unconscious monster didn't look better at all.
"Still there, at least," he said.
.
The dark wolf picked up the pace, more chunks of ice coming along with her. Sans did his best to pull up his own and keep hers running along with them. He tried to fathom how much of it would be needed to get out of the mountain, but—
"WALL," Graetsif said.
.
Sans leaned around to look and, somehow, there was a wall before them with just a little gap of a cave below the water, with no opening besides that. That wasn't normal— the river was supposed to weave eastward from there.
.
Sans's blasters shot out again. He aligned them around the size of the wolf and sledge and shot as hard as he could. White lasers plunged into the wall. The stone sliced in huge chunks, but it wasn't enough. Graetsif let out a percussive, magic bark that slammed into the wall so hard that it fractured along the blaster lines and collapsed forward.
.
A torrent of water surged forwards into darkness over the edge of a great drop. The wolf leapt through the crystal-lit air as the monsters in the back wailed in alarm. Sans whipped around and dragged some of the ice into a sheet just below the sledge, giving it the slightest ramp to bounce down before hitting the newly-frozen river marked by Graetsif's frigid paws. Somewhere, something snapped.
"You okay?" Sans called back.
"We're fine!" Dogamy said.
"Sans, are you sure you can hold all that?!" Dogaressa asked.
"Kinda have to!" he answered.
"Sentry, up here," Graetsif called. "On my back."
.
Sans raised his brows, but he called back one of his blasters. He stood up, grabbing a horn, and ferried himself forward, dropping down between the wolf's shoulders as the blaster skull vanished.
"I do not know this path," she said.
"Gotcha." He didn't know it, either— it wasn't where it normally was. He called up a row of sharp, gleaming bones, and shot them out ahead into the dark.
Each plunged into the walls at farther intervals, marking the shape of the wall, straight on for a while until a wide, right turn. Graetsif followed and Sans went back to focusing on the water.
.
Finally, they caught a straightaway, and the wolf broke into a powerful lope. At the slightest hint of her slowing, the dogs in the back repeated the boost spell, and everything picked up all over again.
.
Sans's bone markers found another curve and Graetsif banked carefully. They blazed by lines of crystals and bioluminescent blooms, the world becoming streaks of darkness and cyan as they passed.
.
Finally, the glow of orange joined the other streams of colour and a shock of hot air hit them. The suspended ice wavered and Sans put all his focus into them to try to hold them steady. Even so, the droplets they formed were hooked in his grasp, too. He hadn't quite expected that, but he'd take it.
.
The river forked— one stream towards the CORE, the other around the edge and into New Home. They followed it, blasting by the lab; doing their best to ignore the heat. Graetsif was starting to pant.
.
"Guys, this dog is getting a bit weaker, I think!" Papyrus shouted.
"The breathing is very shallow!" Dogamy added.
"We will get to the canals," the wolf croaked. "Then we lift the ice. As from the valley. You…" She sucked in a deep breath. "You said the mountaintop is open?"
"Yeah," Sans said.
"I hope that will be enough."
.
The howling of dogs, and another boost of invigorating magic surged through them. Graetsif took a deep breath. The streaks of colour in her dark fur gleamed. She gritted her sharp teeth and her shoulders steadied. The ice she formed cracked beneath the strength of her steps.
.
As the canals of New Home loomed, the wolf became laser-focused on the light that pooled down into the cavern on top of the dismayed city, its centre a sunset-tinted hue that stood out starkly from the dim shadows cast by what was left of the mountain still blocking the sky.
"Our path is about to end," she said, "and we must make our own." She raised her snout and her ears flared. "Are you ready, sentry?"
Sans wasn't sure. He peeked back at the others again. Greater Dog had gotten up. He had all his weight on one of the ropes that held the blocks of sleeping monsters, dragging it downwards. The tiny soda-stained dog latched to it with his teeth. Lesser Dog clung to one of the lower blocks from that stack as if for dear life, and Big Dog curled around him to try to anchor him. Even so, every dog with a free hand stuck their thumbs up at him. Sans took a deep breath and turned forward again. His fingers locked deep into the huge monster's fur.
"Yeah."
.
Below them, the water began to rise into a platform that froze at Graetsif's touch, then was yanked forward and fused, pulled into an ice ramp to lift them from the canal. Sans chucked the ice he'd saved forward, building the path upwards along with her to raise them over rooftops. It was thin though— breaking into shards before the end of the sledge had even crossed it. Graetsif pushed herself faster, but it wasn't helping much, even as they began to sail above the city. With each reassembly, losing a little of their material was inevitable.
.
Sans got up and stood on the wolf's head to get his bearings. Getting higher— hard to reach the ground from here, but with all this magic surging through him, there might be more he could do. If he could just support them long enough for Graetsif to cross…
.
Mind whirring with probabilities, he focused hard and conjured bones larger than he'd ever done before from the ground, crossing them into X shapes and laying out tracks across the tops as if for a train. The ice, dragged up from what they left behind layered across it, and the wolf could go even faster.
.
Finally, the shadows broke and true daylight poured down upon them. Sans turned back to look at the dog, only to see no change at all. The unconscious monster still looked grey as dust.
"It's not enough!" Papyrus called.
"What else?" Sans asked.
"Real sun?"
Sans looked up. It was true that the sun itself was nowhere in their field of view. The skeleton's soul thumped. Sunset. Did they even have enough time?
"Keep goin'," he urged the wolf.
"I will do my best," she said. "If we get high enough, we may catch it."
.
Sans looked down, then up again at the gap in the ceiling. He winced. There was only so high his supports could go before he couldn't reach to hold them steady any longer. He dragged on the ice as hard as he could, shoving it upwards; pulling what fell back up to the front. Graetsif did the same, and soon they were out of range of the supports.
.
As they climbed higher and higher, they caught just the shine of the sun flaring against the edge of a cloud. The wolf rushed forward and Sans nearly stumbled. The ice faltered a fraction before he shoved it back together, but they were starting to run out as it tumbled down below their reach.
"Careful," he warned.
"If she sees the sun, she may be saved," the wolf said.
"We're almost outta ice."
"…I know." Her gaze snapped ahead and what ice they had surged upwards steeply.
"Need another boost, probably," Sans called.
"Aaaah, just a minute!" Dogaressa shouted back.
.
A chill ran through Sans's whole body. He did his best to grasp every bit of ice that he could, but within second, he felt himself falter. Graetsif felt it, too, and let out a howl. The air charged with motes of cyan and grew cold. Even so, their path of frost broke beneath her paws. She aimed her nose towards lip of the mountain. The immense drop filled Sans's mind, but before he could warn her to stop, she leapt towards it.
.
For just a second, they glimpsed the edge of the sun. It dipped back behind rock and they did, too, as massive wolf and her charges succumbed to gravity.
.
The dogs wailed. Sans grasped tight to the wolf's fur, pressing himself tight against her.
"BLUE!" he shouted to his brother. "FLY THE SLED." He reached deep into the massive monster and seized on her soul with everything he had.
.
Behind them, the sledge lifted. Sans held the wolf, too and looked back at his brother for a split second. Papyrus's eyes were absolutely blazing as he gripped tight to the unconscious monster and his blue magic wrapped the wooden logs as best as it could. Sans took a deep breath.
.
Wasn't gonna be pleasant, but it was their only shot without having to start again and probably losing that dog.
.
In tandem, Sans and Papyrus flung both sledge and wolf upwards as far as their blue magic would allow in a burst. They sailed upwards to the sounds of panicked baying. This time, they cleared the rock and sailed straight out of the mountain.
.
Graetsif hit the ground hard and slid down the rocky slope on her side, stopped only by her tethering to the sledge, which slammed down on a relatively flat surface and jammed against part of a boulder. It was clear by the sound that at least part of it had snapped.
.
The sun was still up, but dipping lower. Papyrus struggled upright, dragging the massive dog with him. He pulled her up on top of the highest block of ice and held her up as much as he could into the sunlight, sweat beading at his brow.
.
A pause. A breath. A long, deep breath, in fact. The sun's rays bleached the dog's greyed fur a soft white. The edges glowed with its golden light, just as the clouds did.
.
Papyrus burst out laughing and collapsed, hugging the huge dog to his chest. The other dogs barked and cheered, rushing to embrace them.
.
Sans sat up from his spot slumped on Graetsif and rubbed his skull. "Whew. Shit."
The huge wolf chuckled hoarsely. "That was… an adventure, no?"
"Could do without so many of those," Sans joked. He got off her and pet her head. "Y'alright?"
"Hm. I have been worse."
The skeleton set about unfastening the harness around her neck and shoulders. As soon as it was loose, the huge wolf sat up, shaking out her fur. She looked up at the sun and her eyes gleamed.
"I was just a few years old," she said quietly, "when I saw it last." Her ears flattened, and she tossed her head back and howled.
.
The sound swirled around the mountain, caught in the wind, and carried out across the forest. Far off, a reply came of roars, howling, and shouting. She smiled.
"Well. We know where they are now, hm, pup?" She looked down at Sans. "Nice work out there. And yet, you are a sentry only?"
"Ah. Yeah." He grinned sideways. "Like I said. Borrowed the Cap's stuff. She, uh… Saved my life. Normally, I'm no good at this crap."
"Hm. I will not pry," the wolf said. "Whatever has happened, you did well." She got up and climbed up the cliff to see the others. She was greeted with cheers and hugs.
.
Sans took a breath, wiped his brow, and sat down on a big stone. He looked out at the dipping sun and instantly wanted to take a nap.
.
A burst of familiar magic far off caught his attention and he turned in place to see a burst of fire dissolving in the air. A shape made mostly of purple waved to him from much lower on the mountainside, near some trees and another group of small shapes. He smiled tiredly and flicked a little burst of light blue into the air in reply.
.
It would take several trips to get the monsters napping in their blocks down the mountain with their transport broken as it was. Graetsif would handle it, but delivered the dogs and skeletons to the base of the mountain, first. There was still a little ways to walk before they'd run into all the other monsters who had evacuated, but it wasn't an unpleasant trip.
.
The large dog they'd found was still unconscious. Speaking with her didn't help, nor did more healing, but she didn't seem to be getting any worse, either. She was too large for Papyrus to carry on his own, too, so Big Dog dog had to lend their incredibly pliable back to the task, stretching their strange form out to be hammock-like once again.
.
The first sign of monsters was the sound of singing and the scent of burning pine. A little farther in and things opened up. A small clearing had been cut in the woods, the trees already being repurposed into tables and chairs. Colourful tents were propped up all around, and a large crowd had already began to party around a large bonfire. Signs just beyond the edge pointed the directions to where other monsters were gathering, not too far away. The dogs were elated to join in the group here, but the skeleton brothers moved on with Big Dog and their unconscious charge.
.
A little search for higher ground lead them to a creek at the base of a small waterfall, with a plateau above unblocked by trees. There was a pond up there that seemed to bubble up from underground, and a swath of soft grass, a couple bushes, and another stoney outcropping behind it that lead a little farther up the mountain. Once they checked it over, Big Dog placed the limp monster down gently before twirling away to go rejoin their family.
.
Sans flopped in a lump beside the unconscious dog and let out a long, loud sigh. Papyrus chuckled. Very, very carefully, he drew a hand back from the monster, waiting a few seconds, and then rubbed his fingers through her fur again.
"I… think she's going to be fine. Eventually," Papyrus said. "I know it's a little late, but… You think this'll be enough sun for her?"
"Hope so," Sans said. "At least to tide her over 'til tomorrow, maybe?"
"I reeeeally hope so." Papyrus shot him a look. "Hey. Sans?"
"Mhm?"
"You did actually did a good job today. Real rescue work and everything!"
Sans snorted. "Thanks."
Papyrus leaned back, passing his hand through the grass. His eyes fixed upon the setting sun. "…Are you happy?"
Sans gave a little shrug. "Guess so."
Papyrus snickered. "Good." He ran his hand over the hole in his ribcage. "You know. I think even I'm going to get a long sleep tonight."
"Hope so, bro."
.
Papyrus smiled fondly. He got back to his feet and stretched, popping his back. "Aah. Well. Alright. Guess I should get going."
Sans raised his brows. "Uh. Where?"
His brother patted the messenger bag over his shoulder fondly. "Have to bring a certain someone back to another certain someone," he said. "Aaaand I think I should probably talk to dad first. Since he seemed so worried, and all."
"Ah. Alright." Sans sat up. "Y'want me to come?"
"That's very nice, brother, but actually, I really want you to stay here," he said. "You can watch our new friend. And I'll be back soon." He grinned confidently. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."
"Yeah. Kinda think so, too. But, uh, just watch it anyway, alright?"
"Absolutely I will." Papyrus gave a thumbs up and bounced back down to the ground below. "Byeeee, I'll call you!"
"Dad has my phone," Sans said.
"What?! Nyeh! Then I'll get your phone for you!"
.
Sans smiled to himself. He leaned back and flopped into the grass again, listening to the sounds of his brother fading off into the distance. He folded his arms behind his head and just lay there for a little while. His lids began to droop, but every time they did, he thought of New Home. Of June. Of Undyne. He winced and rubbed at his eye socket.
"Man, what a dumb day, huh?" he said.
"…Mhh."
.
Sans almost jumped straight upright. He leaned forward, eyes wide, and stared at the huge dog. "…Yo, you up?" he asked quietly.
The dog didn't reply, but she flinched ever so slightly. Sans scooted forward and scooped the dog's huge head into his lap. He set a cooling magic aglow in his fingertips and brushed them around her temple.
"You're alright," he said quietly. "Take your time, you're good."
.
The canine didn't stir for a while longer, but her breathing smoothed to nothing less than the drowsy dog huffs Sans was used to.
.
From the woods, the sounds of revelry began to echo faintly, and from more directions as the sun drifted farther downwards. Still, Sans didn't budge. He simply pet the dog, waiting.
.
After a while, he heard another little creak of voice. He perked up and watched as, finally, the dog's eyes cracked open. Not just the usual two, though, but two more aligned vertically on her forehead— the centre-most iris beamed red, with odd little flecks around it. She blinked slowly, as if her lids were sticky, and looked up at him cautiously. She stared.
"Do… I know you?" she asked softly.
"Uh. Nah," he said. "Think you were out a while, huh?"
"I…" She looked up and her eyes dilated. "Oh… We… W-We…" Her jaw fell open. "Sun and moon, we… We're free?" She jerked her head back to stare up at him. "How long?"
"Uh. Few months, I guess," he said.
"Does that mean…? The Angel came? The prophecy, did it…?"
"Oh. That. Heh." Sans smiled sideways. "Yeah. Kinda did."
"Who?"
"Kid named Asriel. King and Queen's son."
"Asriel?" The huge dog stared back at him blankly for a few moments. Her red eye flashed and she almost tried to get up before slumping again. "Asriel made it home? Did he make it home?"
.
An odd sensation ran through Sans's soul. Dread? Anticipation? Hope? He wasn't sure which, and he wasn't sure why. Nonetheless, he nodded.
"Yeah. Asriel's comin' home," he said.
"Aah." The huge dog drooped a little farther, smiling to herself. "Good. Good. I'm so glad. I never expected… to know." She closed her eyes. "…I… am sorry. If I… still fall down. Please do not blame yourself, alright?"
"Hey. Chill. Try not to think like that," Sans fished inside his pockets and found a couple monster candies. He unwrapped one and passed it over to her. "Eat this."
The dog did so without question. "Ah. Sweet."
"Just, uh… lie around, yeah? Focus on feelin' better. No rush," he said. "And, uh. If anythin' happens, I got this great little kid who can turn back anythin' she wants, so once she's here, you'll be just fine. Don't stress."
.
"Hm." The dog's ears lifted. Again, her eyes grew wide. She managed to lift herself upwards a little, already taller than he was, seated. "A… timechild, you mean?"
"Uh." Sans smiled sideways. "Not sure how you—"
The huge dog's face split into a warm, tired smile. She closed her centre eyes and leaned her forehead against his. He froze, but he knew dogs well enough that this kind of thing never bothered him. He reached up and patted her fluffy cheeks.
"You're alright," he assured her.
"No. You are alright." Her posture slackened and she melted against him. "They'll…" Her voice drifted drowsily. "Be so… pleased."
.
Of course, Sans had about a hundred questions. But, the dog was in no state to answer them, and he was in no mood to pressure her.
.
The sun was going down. Soft gradients of golds, purples, and blues painted the sky. The wind was cool; the air, warm. The soft, constant trickle of the creek was enough to put just about anyone to sleep, especially two monsters too exhausted to even stand.
.
In the deepest blue, pinpricks of stars had already begun to appear. Sans leaned back a little to watch them as the huge dog on him began to snore. He smiled to himself and chilled his fingertips to rest on her temple again. He hoped she'd make it through the night. He'd do his best, regardless. Whatever strange things she'd said could wait— for another, safer timeline, if need be.