The forest laid buried beneath a thick blanket of snow, its ancient pines standing silent and unmoving, as they had for hundreds of years. The landscape stretched out in a pristine, almost eerie emptiness, with little sign of wildlife—no burrows, nests, or dens dotted the terrain. The only sign of life was Snowdin, the solitary town that had stood since the beginning of monsterkind's imprisonment. In this frozen expanse, it was the one place that could truly be called "Home."

The snow crunched under each step as boots pushed through the thick snow. Even though it was piled high, a small skeleton kept moving forward, focused on getting back to town. He wasn't in a hurry, just determined to reach his goal.

"Heh... heeh... the snow here is quite thick. Nevertheless! The Great Papyrus shall march onward with courage!" The skeleton muttered to himself, determined as ever. He continued trudging along, his short frame barely making a dent in the heavy snow until, at last, he spotted a clear path ahead.

"Ah ha! I knew it was here! Hmph!" Papyrus declared triumphantly, jumping over a small snow ledge. He landed with a thud on his bottom. "Ulf! Now, which way do I go?" he mumbled, brushing snow off his scarf as he looked around, trying to get his bearings.

In the distance, Papyrus noticed a peculiar mound of snow. Curious, he hurried over and began digging through it. Soon enough, he uncovered a small stash of five gold. Though pleased with his discovery, he couldn't help but feel puzzled by the strange find buried in the snow. Funnily enough, he found a couple more earlier when he fell into a hole.

Papyrus held up the five gold coins, a mix of curiosity and excitement flashing in his eye. He wondered why there were so many scattered in such odd places, but his thoughts quickly shifted. With a grin, he pulled out a pouch from his pocket, adding the new coins to his growing collection.

"Fifty gold! Now I can buy those boots from Ms. Shopkeeper!" he thought eagerly. He hoped they were still in stock, and without wasting another moment, he made his way toward town.

Papyrus approached a wooden bridge, pausing to glance over the edge. In the distance, he spotted the lone house that had stood there for as long as he could remember. Its origins were a mystery, even to the oldest residents of Snowdin.

He thought to himself, "The person who lives there must be very lonely. Maybe I should bring some snacks over and visit sometime." Curiosity tugged at him as he imagined the idea of making a new friend.

As Papyrus stepped off the bridge, he found himself facing a large banner strung across the entrance: "WELCOME TO SNOWDIN" The vibrant letters fluttered slightly in the cold breeze, a cheerful greeting that brought a smile to his face. Snowdin sprawled out before him, a familiar sight filled with cozy homes and friendly faces, all nestled in a thick blanket of snow.

"I'm finally here!" Papyrus exclaimed, sprinting to the shop. He tossed the pouch of gold onto the counter, the clinking sound echoing in the cozy space. Due to his short figure, he had to take a few steps back for the shopkeeper to see him properly. He stood there, beaming with excitement, eager to make his purchase.

"Oh! Hello, Papyrus! Let me guess... the boots?" The shopkeeper greeted him with a soft smile.

"Yes! Yes! The red ones please!" Papyrus excitedly shouted. He'd been saving up for nearly a week, doing side hustles like delivering letters for as little as two gold, but it was worth it in his mind.

"Alright, sweetie." She pulled out the red fluffy boots that Papyrus had been expecting. "You're lucky, y'know. These were the last pair as well; I managed to save 'em for you."

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Papyrus' eyes… sockets? Shined with joy. He took off his current boots and replaced them. Taking a few steps in the snow, his red boots stood out because of their bright color. "It's a perfect fit!"

The shopkeeper chuckled, finding Papyrus' joy endearing. "You worked hard for it, after all. This past week, I've seen you running around with logs on your back and delivering food. You even tried helping out with gathering ice."

"In the end, it was all worth it!" Papyrus grinned widely, showing off his new boots with great pride. "I should probably get home; Sans might start worrying." He grabbed his bag and admired his boots one last time.

"Your brother is a pretty chill person. I wouldn't worry too much about him, considering how well-known you brothers are in this community."

Papyrus waved. "Thank you again!"

"Have a great day!"

Papyrus ran off, passing the inn, with familiar neighbors all around. One he especially recognized was the "Gift Bear," known for handing out presents wrapped in various colorful patterns and for setting up the festive tree as part of tradition.

"Hi, Mr. Bear!" Papyrus shouted.

"Oh, Papyrus! I see those side jobs were worth it. The boots look good on you."

"Thanks! Are you setting up the tree again this year?"

"Yep, I'm planning on adding more crystal-like decorations this time. Maybe icicles would work? I'm gonna have to find some first, though."

"Icicles...?" Papyrus rummaged through his bag until he pulled out a few. "Would these work?" He held out a handful of icicles he had collected during his walk through the thick snow.

"Perfect! These are just the right size and should be light enough to hang. All I need now are hooks and strings. Thanks again, Papyrus."

"No worries. Bye bye!" Papyrus waved as he continued on his way.


"I guess you could say, I'm a bone-afide comedian."

The man of flames chuckled, his fiery head flickering. "How do you come up with these puns?"

"Heh, I guess you could say they just rattle around in my head." The skeleton grinned, giving a playful wink.

"Typical Sans, always finding a way to squeeze in another pun. How about a drink? On the house."

"Nah, thanks for the offer, but I'll stick to my ketchup." Sans replied, one eye closed in his usual laid-back manner.

"I know you like ketchup and all, but I can never understand why you drink it all the time."

"Eh, no particula' reason. I just like it, I guess..." Sans shrugged, taking another sip.

"To the point where you have a whole stash in that 'secret' cupboard of yours over in the library?" The flame man crossed his arms, smirking.

Sans nearly spat out his ketchup. "Uhh... how'd you know 'bout that?"

"I didn't. Well, now I do." The flame man chuckled, shaking his head. "Seriously, you've got some weird taste, Sans."

"Ah, well ya got me there, Grillby." Sans raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin never wavering. "So, what's next?" Despite the playful tone, his eyes carried a hint of smugness.

Grillby leaned against the counter and nodded toward the door. "What's next is me closing the pub for the day, and you walking with your brother."

Sans glanced out the window, spotting Papyrus waving both arms enthusiastically, calling out his name with a bright grin. "Heh, Paps is as cheerful as ever." With a small chuckle, Sans slid off his chair. "Thanks for the company, Grills. See ya tomorrow."

"Take care, Sans," Grillby replied with a slight nod.

Sans barely had time to react before Papyrus lunged at him, pulling him into a tight hug. "Woah! You're pretty happy, ain'tcha? Wait a sec... you got the boots, bro."

"Yeah! I managed to get them a couple minutes ago! Doesn't the great Papyrus look incredible!? HEHE!" Papyrus beamed, puffing out his chest with pride.

Sans chuckled, giving him a pat on the head. "Yup, you look cool, bro. It's getting late though. Tomorrow you can show 'em off to your friends."

The two brothers grinned at each other and began walking back to their house, holding hands. As they made their way, Sans noticed Papyrus was quieter than usual. His brother's gaze stayed fixed ahead, clearly lost in thought. Something was on his mind, though he didn't say a word about it.

"Hm? Somethin' the matta'?"

"..." Papyrus remained silent, his mind wandering. "Maybe I should visit that house in the distance.I hope someone's there. It'd be a shame to go all that way and find it empty." he thought.

"-aps? Paps? Helloooo? You there, bro?"

"Huh!? What were you saying again?"

"You seemed lost in thought. C'mon, talk to me."

"Well... I was wondering—could I go over to the house at the edge tomorrow? I thought maybe the person living there might want to talk... maybe even be friends." Papyrus looked straight into Sans' eyes.

"Hmm... hmm... hmm..."

Papyrus sighed, deadpanning. "Brother, can you give me a straight answer?" His voice was flat.

"Hmm... hmm—"

"SANS!"

"Hmm... yeah sure, bro. I was just messin' with ya." Sans chuckled, amused by his own tomfoolery. "Anyway, what do you want for dinner? We got some leftover stroganoff. We can just reheat it if you want."

"Yum! Sure, let's have that!"

As Papyrus thought about food, Sans gave him a quick look before effortlessly lifting him onto his shoulders. "Wah!? Sans!"

"What? Ya too old for a shoulder ride? I thought the Great Papyrus liked being regarded highly?"

"Hrgh! Okay fine! Just this once. The Great Papyrus shall ride his magnificent steed back home!" Papyrus declared, raising his hand outward with confidence.

"Uhh... that's not what—oh, never mind." Sans paused, letting out a small sigh before shaking his head with a grin.

"Hey Paps?"

"Yeah?"

"Y'know you're my favorite brother right?"

Papyrus raised his skeletal eyebrows, confused. "Sans, I'm your only brother."

"Hehe, I know. My one and only."


"Toriel—I'm fine, really! It's just a small bruise. It'll heal in like what—two weeks?" Subaru protested as Toriel gently but firmly pushed him down into a nearby chair.

"Subaru, it is already deep purple, and you got it mere minutes ago. If we wait any longer, it might get infected." Toriel placed her hands over his shoulder, and a soft green light began to glow from her palms.

"Wait—hold on, is this... healing magic?" Subaru's eyes widened with interest as the bruise quickly faded, his skin returning to normal.

*(HP Fully Restored.)

"A-amazing! Are there other types you can do? H-how about fire magic? Water? Earth? Oooh! What about shadow?"

"Subaru! Subaru! Calm down. While it is delightful to see you so excited about magic, you are getting ahead of yourself. For now, let us enjoy a sweet and enticing snack. Stay here while I prepare a few things."

As Toriel walked around a corner into the kitchen, Bow tapped Subaru's shoulder. "Does it still hurt?"

"Nope! It's honestly what I expected of a power like healing! You think we can learn magic too?" Subaru's eyes shone with spinning stars.

"Hopefully, a fantasy adventure isn't complete without magical abilities."

"Oh right, were you a maid before falling down here?"

"I—I don't remember anything from my life. Everything before you 'found' me is a blur," Bow said sadly. She tried her best to remember anything, but to no avail.

"Even your parents? Siblings? Friends?" Subaru asked, surprised.

"Well, that's a big problem."

"Don't worry, we'll figure it out. I promise." Subaru stuck out his pinky. Bow returned the gesture with a pinky promise.

"Now then, we should probably discuss the important matter. Earlier, Toriel said she couldn't see you, and you also appeared from a flashing light when I equipped these things." Subaru pulled out the Toy Knife and pointed at the Faded Ribbon on his shoulder.

Bow paused. She herself didn't know what her situation was, but she had a plausible theory. "Hmm, maybe... I'm a phantom of sorts. Hear me out. We're basically in a fantasy world, right? Do you think I somehow gained phantom abilities? What about you? Was there anything weird happening with you specifically?"

The first thing that came to Subaru's mind was his popup, which was only present in 8-bit style video games. He opened up his menu, displaying options in each section for him to choose from. "Something like this?"

"What is this thing?" Bow took a closer look.

"It's a menu of sorts. Specifically, ones you would find in 8-bit style games like Pac-Man or even Tetris." Subaru looked over to Bow, who looked confused. "You've played these types of games before, right?"

"I'm sorry, but I've never heard of 'video games' before. I've played croquet and horseshoes. Pac-Man and Tetris are unfamiliar."

"What...? You've never heard of video games before? C'mon, there's no way you haven't! Kids in school talk about these things all the time!" Subaru exclaimed.

"Subaru, my answer is honest, I swear. Whatever you're talking about, I haven't heard about."

Silence filled the room.

How could she not know what video games are? Bow looked to be around the same age as him, right? What plausible explanation could there be other than she was living under a rock? "Croquet and horseshoes? Who even plays those in this day and age?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, but those are quite popular among our age group." Bow crossed her arms.

"No, they're—wait, now that I think about it, you're British, am I correct?"

"Yes, I am. I assume... you're of Asian descent? Japanese, perhaps?"

Both of their eyes widened. "Hold on, how can YOU understand me?" Subaru exclaimed. "I'm pretty sure you don't speak Japanese (Nihongo)."

"Yeah, I don't understand it either, yet here you are speaking English (British)."

"English? What are you talking about? I'm clearly speaking Japanese. Even Toriel is speaking the same thing and also understands me."

"But if we're speaking different languages, how are you able to communicate with me then?"

"That I—I... I don't know..." Subaru struggled to find the right words. They were speaking different languages? But how? To him, he was clearly speaking Japanese (Nihongo), and Bow, along with Toriel, could understand him and speak it. Yet, from Bow's perspective, it was the complete opposite. During his vacation here, his parents struggled with communication, especially since they were in a foreign country, but he had never once understood English.

"Okay, let me get this straight. Me, Natsuki Subaru, am speaking English (British) from your perspective?"

"Correct, and I, on the other hand, am speaking Japanese (Nihongo) in yours?"

"Yep. So what I'm wondering is if some magical translator is messing with our voices."

"That might be possible. Yet, even with the existence of magic proven, it does seem a bit of a stretch, does it not? Maybe we should ask Toriel first before making conclusions." Bow offered.

"Good plan, good plan. Let's talk more about our situation later." Subaru nodded his head in agreement.

A voice called out from the kitchen. "It is ready! I am so sorry for the long wait, but I hope it was worth it." Toriel came out holding a large pie in her hands.

"Holy cow! That smells good! What flavor is it?"

"This is my Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie. It took me a couple of hours to make, but it is ready to eat." Toriel placed the pie on the table along with two plates and forks. "Dig in, my child."

Taking a slice from his plate, Subaru paused for a moment to admire the magnificent piece of art before him. Its golden-brown color and crumbly texture hinted at the mixture of flour, butter, sugar, and possibly cinnamon that made it. The crust was golden and flaky, while the filling had a warm shade of caramel brown, exuding a warm and inviting aroma.

The pie's appearance was grand, but the real test was in the taste. Subaru picked up his fork, carved off a piece, and took a bite. The butterscotch flavor was the most predominant, with a sweet, creamy richness that reminded him of indulgent caramel. The cinnamon spice added a layer of complexity, balancing the sweetness with its warm, spicy notes. The filling was smooth and velvety, a luxurious creaminess that melted in his mouth.

"This is really good, Toriel!" Subaru exclaimed, taking another bite, then another, before stuffing the entire slice into his mouth. "Ch'ew hind of ey kqab anyer lice? (You mind if I grab another slice?)" he mumbled through the mouthful of pie.

Bow bursted into laughter at Subaru's display, while Toriel shook her head, trying to maintain her composure. "My child, do not talk with your mouth full, and please, have some etiquette," she said, half-laughing. "It is wonderful to know the pie is delicious, but at least try to savor it."

"Sorry about that," Subaru said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "I just haven't had pie this good in a while. My mom bakes desserts from time to time. Sometimes, I even help her out in the kitchen." He smiled softly, memories of him and his mother.

Toriel gently stroked his head, her touch warm and comforting. "She sounds like an outstanding mother. You should consider yourself lucky to have someone as wonderful as her."

Subaru looked into Toriel's eyes. There was a sense of empathy there, but also a flicker of guilt, almost like she was carrying her own burdens. Though he noticed it, he decided to hold back from asking questions. "Yeah, I really am."

Bow watched from behind, noticing the quiet exchange between Subaru and Toriel. There was a strange sadness that settled in her chest as she looked into Toriel's eyes—those brown-red irises that seemed to hold both sorrow and a nurturing warmth. Despite having only just met her, Bow couldn't help but feel a connection growing between them.

"Come with me, I want to show you something," Toriel said, extending her hand. Subaru hesitated for a moment, recalling the warmth of her touch when she had offered help in the flower bed. Taking her hand, they rose from their seats and began walking, with Subaru also holding onto Bow's.

As they entered the foyer of the house, Subaru and Bow barely had a chance to take in their surroundings before being ushered inside. The walls were painted a pristine white, with a small table to the left and a cabinet shelf to the right. A delicate vase containing a yellow-bell hopper plant adorned the table, while the cabinet housed an assortment of books with colorful hardcovers. However, the focal point of the room was the staircase leading down to what seemed like a basement.

"What do you think we'll find down there?" Bow whispered.

"I don't know. Maybe a sword that will give me magic powers?" Subaru began daydreaming of himself shooting a light beam from the sword.

"Subaru..." Bow smiled at his witty nature and creative imagination.

Entering the hallway, the walls shifted to a dim yellow hue. "Woah, talk about a color change," Subaru remarked, glancing around in awe.

"Here we are!" Toriel announced, stopping in front of a door. She looked back at Subaru with a playful smile. "Fufu, can you guess what this is?"

"Hmm... will there be a magical scroll or orb that allows me to master all elements!? Or what about a cool armor that makes me resistant to all damage!?" Subaru's imagination ran wild, envisioning all the items that might grant him protagonist status in this fantasy tale.

"You are such a silly child. But no, nothing of that sort. Simply put, it is your very own bedroom."

"Wait, what—" Subaru's eyes widened in surprise as Toriel opened the door

This revealed a medium-sized room adorned with a large rug covering the floor. To the right stood a sleigh bed, its inviting comfort evident at a glance. A cabinet sat nearby, and a table displayed various items, including a picture frame that caught Subaru's eye. Next to the table was a brown chest, while a stool with a small lamp completed the cozy setup.

"This is..." Subaru glanced at Bow, who shared his astonishment, equally at a loss for words.

"Yep, I cleaned up the room a bit for you since you will be living here now," Toriel said, her voice warm and welcoming. "You go ahead and explore more about your new room. I will be in the living room, reading a book near the fireplace. For now, you should get ready for bed since it is becoming nighttime"

"This is nice, thank you." Subaru's lips soured slightly.

As she left once more, Subaru turned back, his eyes dimming with uncertainty. "What's wrong?" Bow asked, patting his back gently.

"It's just— I appreciate what Toriel is doing for me, but... isn't this a bit too fast? Does she think I will be living here when I have to find a way back to the surface?" His voice was laced with concern.

Bow didn't know how to respond. Toriel did seem like a genuinely good person. She was the first person to take them under her care, even healing Subaru's bruised shoulder however he got it. "Let events play out for now, I know you'll get your answer, including mine."

"Yeah, I guess. Thanks for that by the way."

"No problem, always happy to help."

Subaru blinked his eyes open, remembering suddenly. "Oh right! Snap! We forgot to ask Toriel about our language situation."

"Let's just ask her tomorrow for now," Bow suggested, leading the way into the bedroom. She perched herself on the edge of the bed, while Subaru jumped on top, laying down with an exhausted sigh.

"Today was... a lot," he muttered, staring up at the ceiling. "I never thought I'd end up in a fantasy world, let alone with a phantom."

Bow smiled softly. "It is kind of surreal, isn't it? But we'll figure everything out eventually."

"Yeah, hopefully," Subaru echoed, feeling the weight of the day slowly fade as sleep began to pull him under.

"Subaru, I forgot to ask. How exactly did you end up here? I am unfamiliar with this location."

How was he going to explain this? He 'fell' down? Sure, let's go with that. "For starters, I 'fell' down. Yeah, you heard me—'fell.' This place is called 'The Underground'; it's inside Mt. Ebott."

"Inside of... Mt. Ebott? H-how are we going to get out then?" Bow asked, panic creeping into her voice.

"I don't know. I fell and found you all on the same day, so I'm just as clueless as you are. What I do know is that magic exists, as well as monsters. This also." Subaru pulled up the menu, the options illuminating the dim room.

STAT

["Subaru"]

[LV 1]

[HP 20/20]

[AT 0 (3) EXP: 0]

[DF 0 (3) NEXT: 10]

[WEAPON: TOY KNIFE]

[ARMOR: FADED RIBBON]

[GOLD: 3 KILLS: 0]

Bow leaned in closer, her eyes wide with curiosity. "You opened this up earlier. Is it some sort of magic tool? Could you give a more extended explanation of its function?"

"It's a menu of sorts. Think of it as a way to translate runes and access items. Kind of like a game, really." He tapped through the options, showcasing his stats and inventory. "See? It even tracks my health and exp"

"That is... fascinating," Bow said, her voice filled with awe. "But as I've said before, I have no idea what 'video games' are so some of terms you're referring to are unfamiliar to me"

"Ah! Right, forgot about that, sorry."

"Well since I've gained this ability I never actually gave it a name. You have any suggestions?"

Bow stared at the ceiling, her finger resting on her chin. "Were there other pop ups that appeared before you met me?"

Subaru recalled the day's events, and one detail stood out. Whenever he interacted with the star, that same word repeated over and over. Reappearing not once, not twice, but three times.

*(The shadows of the ruins loom above, filling you with determination.)

The first appeared after meeting Toriel.

*(Playfully crinkling through the leaves fills you with determination.)

The second came when he began his journey alone.

*(Knowing the mouse might one day leave its hole and get the cheese…)

(It fills you with determination.)

And finally, the third appeared near the mouse hole right before he met Napstablook.

"I'll call it... DETERMINATION!"

"Determination? You sure?"

"Sure, this word appeared like three times before I met you. Calling it something like 'system' sounds boring. Pretty generic name from leveling mangas."

"Whatever suits your tastes, I guess," Bow shrugged.


.

.

.

.

.

"Hey, Chara."

"Huh? What is it, Azzy?"

"Do you... do you think we'll ever get to see the surface?"

"Asriel, the surface is a dangerous place. Humans only breed violence. That's their despicable nature." Chara turned away with a scowl.

"Chara, you know that not all humans are like that, right?"

"And how exactly would you know that? I've experienced their cruelty firsthand—how selfish they are, how they're willing to sacrifice anything for their pride, and their destructive potential. I don't believe in second chances. Not anymore."

"Well, for one, I'm confident that you're wrong. Sure, humans can be cruel and dangerous, but they can find beauty in this world and care for it. They can change for the better."

"Then what's your reason? Why aren't all humans the same?"

"Because..."

...

"You're here with me."

.

.

.

.

.


The bright morning sun began to rise over the capital, its rays reflecting off the crystals embedded in the mountain walls, casting a warm glow that illuminated the entire Underground.

A young skeleton monster flung open the door to his older brother's room. "Sans! Sans! Wake up! I made breakfast! C'mon, c'mon! Try it!"

"Eugh... what?" Sans groaned, squinting at the clock: 10 AM.

He buried his face deeper into his pillow. "It's too early, bro... just let me sleep for, like, another day." The moment his brain switched off, drool pooled on his pillow.

"Wake up!" Papyrus began thumping him with a pillow. His stubby arms made the hits more adorable than effective. "Sans!"

"Alright, fine, bro. Just... aaahhn, give me a minute. I'll be down..." Sans rubbed his eyes and yawned.

.

.

.

"Alright, bro, what'd you make? -That smells really good. Hold on, did you make—"

"Tada!" Papyrus presented a plate of delicious spaghetti, garnished with a small leaf. "Papyrus' Excellent Spaghetti! A special just for you, dear brother." He puffed out his chest, beaming with pride.

"When did you learn to make this? Did Undyne—"

"Yep! Undyne has been teaching me cooking lessons whenever I visit. Here, take a bite!"

The spaghetti looked perfectly cooked, perhaps 'al dente'? The sauce was rich with chunks of meat, hot dog slices, and meatballs. Sans found the little garnish cute, a classic touch from Papyrus, who always added a finishing flair to everything. While the presentation was impressive, taste was what mattered most.

Sans twirled his fork, gathering a generous chunk of pasta. He glanced at Papyrus. "Heh, Bone-Appetit."

"It's 'Bon Appétit,' Sans."

Sans chuckled. "I know."

He took a bite. It was... bland. Chewing the pasta, he still couldn't taste anything. "There's no flavor." He tried a meatball, and the result was the same. "Uhh, bro? Did you forget to—" He cut himself off, seeing Papyrus's eager expression, waiting for his feedback. "Aww snap."

Not wanting to hurt his brother's feelings, Sans forced himself to finish the entire plate. It wasn't enjoyable—just bland—but it was edible nonetheless.

"So! How is it?" Papyrus asked, eyes wide with anticipation.

"It's... it's good, bro. Good job," Sans said reluctantly.

"I knew those cooking lessons would pay off! WAHA! The Great Papyrus does it once again!" He raised his fist triumphantly, causing his apron to fall off. "Oops."

"Practice makes perfect. Sooner or later, you'll be able to make more dishes." Sans patted Papyrus on the head. "I'll help you make some sandwiches for your visit."

"Oh right! Thanks for reminding me. I'll go take a shower!" Papyrus exclaimed, dashing off with enthusiasm.

Sans sighed, a small smile creeping onto his face. "Heh, always the outgoing little bones that I know."


"Subaru. Subaru. Wake up. It's morning already."

"Mmm, five more minutes, Mom."

"Subaru, get up."

"zzz..."

"Subaru!"

"zzz..."

"Wake... UP!

SMACK!

"OOOOOOOOUUUUUUCCCCCCHHHH!" Subaru let out a girlish screech, sitting up abruptly. "WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?"

Bow leaned on her leg, crossing her arms. "As mean as it may seem, you weren't going to get up no matter what I did. So, I chose the only thing that would definitely work."

"Y-you're—ow—you're supposed to be my friend! SEEEHH. You seriously hit hard! This better not leave a handprint." The stinging pain on his back was very real, but Bow hardly used her strength.

"I didn't even use that much force..."

"It still hurts, y'know. God, you're like a gorilla."

Bow smiled but looked irritated, giving Subaru a gentle bonk on the head. "That isn't something you should say to anyone, especially a girl. But I'll forgive you since you're my friend."

"Y-yes, ma'am."

Subaru got out of bed, just as he was about to doze off again. He switched into a short-sleeved shirt and shorts he found in the nearby closet. "Hey, Bow?"

"Yes?" She turned to look at him, still wearing the same maid outfit from yesterday.

"Hold on, did you sleep in that outfit last night!?"

"Actually, I couldn't sleep. I also found another problem." Bow reached for the closet handle, but her hand passed right through it. "I'm having a bit of a 'phantom' issue, including this." She walked straight through the bedroom door and back in, demonstrating her dilemma.

"That seems really bad now that I think about it. Maybe that's why Toriel couldn't see you; it's because you're a phantom, a ghost!"

"Honestly, that appears to be the case. I don't have an appetite at all. I'm neither dehydrated nor feel fatigued." She glanced at her hands. They looked human-like, but deep down, she knew she wasn't human anymore.

At first, Subaru saw this as a good thing. Bow would have a low-maintenance lifestyle, free from physical problems. But soon, pity crept in as he realized her humanity had essentially been stripped away.

"Hey. At least nothing can harm you anymore. Let's focus on the positives."

"I guess you're right. Stay positive," Bow encouraged herself. "Well, if we need to enter any restricted areas around here, I can do that. So it isn't entirely a bad thing."

"Huh, you're right. I didn't think about it like that."

.

.

.

"WAIT, HOLD ON! YOU WEREN'T WATCHING ME SLEEP, WERE YOU!?" Subaru yelled.

"What!? No, no, most certainly not! I wouldn't do that to someone."

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I went into the kitchen because I wanted to try some of the pie from yesterday. I can't interact with physical objects, but I can sit on things like chairs and this bed."

"That really sucks. But why are you able to physically interact with me then?" Subaru poked his finger at hers, their fingertips touching. "See? If that's the case, why am I the only one who can see and feel you?"

"Maybe... it's because of those items you found?"

"The Faded Ribbon and Toy Knife?" Subaru pulled out the items. "Maybe that's it. After all, you do disappear when I take this off." He tugged at the ribbon, and a pop-up appeared.

*(5 Minutes Remaining)

Both of them reacted simultaneously. "HUH!?"

"What is this implying?" Bow asked, her eyes wide.

"Maybe once this timer ends, I'll disappear like before. But that might also mean if you equip it back on, I'll reappear," Bow explained.

"I'm not risking it." Subaru shook his head firmly.

FADED RIBBON

USE

*You equipped the ribbon.

"Whatever this timer means, I'm not risking putting you in danger. Last time this thing didn't appear. These items boost three stats in both categories anyway, so it's best to keep them on for now."

"I guess the right choice is to wear them," Bow agreed. "Better safe than sorry. Also, thank you. It's nice to know there's someone I can trust in this foreign land."

"I watch your back, you watch mine. We'll make it back to the surface where our families are waiting."

Subaru went over to the counter and grabbed the toy knife. "Even if I set this thing down, it's still considered my equipped weapon. It might get removed if I'm far enough away, though."

"Where do you plan to keep it?" Bow asked.

"Yesterday I kept it in my pocket, but the knife took up most of the space. It's a single piece, so it's kind of bulky."

Thinking quickly, Bow rummaged through the closet and found a holster that looked like it would fit around Subaru's waist. "Here, try this. It might not match your outfit, but it should work for now."

Subaru wrapped the holster around his waist, adjusting it as he slid the toy knife inside. "That works, I guess. Thanks! I'll just hide it under my hoodie so it isn't too noticeable."

"Should we get going? I heard Toriel was planning to make pancakes."

"Sure, let's go!"


Author's Notes:

Sorry that I've been inactive for over 6 months. I had a bit of a writer's block and I'm currently finishing Senior Year since graduation is next year. Safe to say, I have NOT abandoned this story.

I recommend reading the google doc of this chapter since AO3 and Fanfiction pretty much screwed over the fonts I used to express the characters more as well as the game components of Undertale.

document/d/1dl2x9zmWHkGO8md4-FObk55vOgx6Equz9f-FmIJpayI/edit?usp=sharing

It took me about 5 different versions of the chapter and 3 different variations of the story to finally find one that fit what I was going with since I had to find a way to implement Bow's situation as a phantom as well as her relationship with Subaru. I also wanted to introduce Sans and Papyrus with some brother bonding and their interactions with Snowdin's residents.

Something I also found out was the fact Toriel doesn't use contractions. So, I gotta go back to the other chapters and alter her dialogue but for now I'll take a break.

I also tried to bring out more of Sans' personality and his relationship with Papyrus since these two are absolute fan favorites.

That's pretty much it from me. Honestly hope y'all enjoyed this chapter!