The light through the windows bathed the hall in golden light. There was heavy breathing, a hand of bone clutching a wound, red swiftly staining the formally white hand. He looked up tiredly to them, who stood before him. They were stone silent, watching him as he sat there, trying to take in another breath—each one more difficult than the last. Their clothing was covered in dust, and in their hands, was a knife stained with that same dust, as well as blood.

They stepped forward, their red eyes opening fully as they gave a silent, wide smile that sent chills through his bones. Sans took another shaky breath. How many times was it…? So many times, he had killed them, but they kept coming back…and now… His form quivered. They had finally won.

Sans coughed, pain jolting through him as he hacked up dust. It really was the end…and that child found merriment in his suffering. Slowly, to their surprise…he started getting to his feet. "… … … So…" The child frowned, tilting their head in slight confusion as he managed to stand, his breathing faltering as he struggled to speak.

"Guess that's it, huh?" he asked, looking down at his wound with that same old smile of his. He let loose another shaky breath. "…just…" He slowly looked up at them, his smile oddly grim. "Don't say I didn't warn you." He took a shaky step to the side. "Welp." Another step. "I'm going to Grillby's," he said as he started through a shortcut, his vision hazy, and for a moment, he swore he saw…

"Papyrus…do you want anything?" He flickered out of existence…and found himself in Snowdin. He was crumbling, but he still moved, trying to reach the building before him. He reached out, struggling to reach the door. It was empty…he knew that. However…it was his safe haven. He just, had to go…a little…

He fell into the snow, shakily breathing, his body starting to crumble. Still, he reached out, determined to crawl the rest of the way, if need be. There wasn't anything left to lose…he could just die where he was resting, but…even if it didn't change a thing…if he clung on a little longer, wouldn't he spite the human?

Just a little longer…couldn't he manage that? He reached a little further, before dropping into the snow. No…it seemed he reached the end of the line. Sans groaned, and rolled over. "Heh…" He laughed. "Hey Paps…don't let this rattle you…but I've been worked down to the bone." The smile remained, but there was nothing but pain in his voice as he trembled over his words.

"Hope you don't give me a skullding over this…tibia honest…" He gave a weak chuckle, unaware that the King had fallen…and so had another. The world itself was ending…but Sans was oblivious to the facts. He gave a wide grin, ignoring the pain as death started to fully claim him. He was crumbling. "Hey, Papyrus…" he mumbled.

"That was my last show…" The voice dropped to a near whisper. "Hope you found it…humerus…" Sans laughed, but the sound didn't hold its merriment. It was empty and hollow, and swiftly morphed into a choked sound of grief, pain, and anguish. "Papyrus…" His smile finally faltered. "I'm sorry…"

His eyes closed, as the crumbling continued. Sans drew his last breath…and the world ended. However, they happened in the same moment…and so just as Sans's form was about to give way fully…

Something refused.

There were voices…Sans could hear them. Had he fallen asleep…no, hadn't he been dying? "Hmm?" a familiar voice asked. "You see something? In the snow—oh—" There was a surprised gasp and something rushed over. "Hey—are you all right!?"

"Huh…?" That voice…it was…no, it couldn't be. He slowly opened his eyes, before they snapped open as another skull was directly in front of his own.

"Phew, you were just sleeping." The skeleton drew back, revealing the orange scarf around his neck. "Nyeh—heh—heh…don't worry me like that. I thought you were in trouble. You must be quite the lazybones to not manage getting over to a bed." He tilted his head, pausing. "Hey…are you feeling all right?"

Sans could do nothing, but stare in shock. "Pa…pyrus...?" he questioned.

The other skeleton gave a wide smile. "Wowie! You already know my name!"

Sans blinked in stunned surprise as his words registered. "Wait…" Sans groaned as he slowly sat up, and then pointed to himself. "You don't…know me?"

The taller skeleton shook his head, but his smile remained. "While I, the Great Papyrus, do enjoy making new friends, I'm afraid I do not know you. What's your name, Friend?"

He opened his mouth to reply, but was quiet for a few long moments. "…Sans…" he managed.

"Sans, hmm?" Papyrus asked.

He nodded. "Are you…sure…that you don't know me?"

"Absolutely. I don't anyways…" He turned. "Frisk, you spotted Sans. Do you recognize him from somewhere?"

The skeleton frowned at the foreign name, and turned to follow the skeleton's gaze—only to stiffen. Standing there, bundled in winter clothes, was a brown haired human. The attire was different, but…a chill rushed over him as he recognized the child. They looked up to Papyrus, and shook their head with a helpless shrug.

"I'm sorry," Papyrus said, though Sans didn't move his gaze. "I'm afraid even they don't know—and they're good with making friends. Isn't that right?"

The child hid their arms behind their back with soft little giggles of sheepishness, drawing circles in the snow with their foot. However, they paused when they noticed Sans's gaze. Papyrus blinked, and then looked back. "Sans…are you all right?" he asked. A million questions raced through the smaller skeleton's mind. Nothing made sense—but the child that had killed his brother was right there.

"Get…get away from them…" he managed shakily, as he got up, stumbling a little, though Papyrus caught him.

"Easy, Sans—what's wrong?" Frisk gave a concerned look and stepped forward, reaching out, only to gasp as Sana's eye began to glow.

"Papyrus—get back!" he shouted, blue magic taking his brother, and yanking him away. Papyrus yelped as he landed, sliding in the snow, while Frisk whined, stepping back as everything turned gray.

The taller skeleton swiftly got to his feet, racing back. "Wait! Sans—stop! They're not—"

Gaster Blasters fired…and Frisk was not prepared. Their heart shattered.

Frisk gave a choked gasp as they jerked away from the golden star, whipping about to get their bearings. Lesser Dog's station… They touched their face, breathing shakily. "Frisk!" They turned to see Papyrus, who rushed over, and scooped them up. "Oh my gods—are you all right!? That happened so fast—I thought…" They patted his skull, and Papyrus sighed softly.

"I know, I know…you can't really die…you just reset—but that doesn't stop me from worrying!" With ease, he placed them on his shoulders and started to move. "All right, the next time we get to Snowdin, I want you to stay behind—I'm afraid that 'Sans', was quite…" Frisk murmured the word, and Papyrus nodded. "Scared. Is there a reason for anyone to be afraid of you little one?"

The child reminded him that they were human. "Yes, but…most monsters don't notice that…" Frisk shrugged, but as Papyrus continued to walk, sliding through the icy path in the woods, they made a hum of concern. "Hmm?" Papyrus asked. The child was quiet, but when they spoke, Papyrus halted, staring forward slowly. "Frisk…" he murmured quietly, before turning his skull to look at them with a concerned gaze.

"What do you mean…?" He gave a long hum. "We tried this on just about everyone," Papyrus reasoned. "As far as we can tell…I'm the only one who notices what happens when you…get hurt like that." He shook his head. "Why would you think this 'Sans' would have the same thing?" Frisk shrugged, but insisted that with his behavior, they could confirm it themselves so long as they got back there at roughly the same time.

"Regardless," Papyrus said. "Once we get to Snowdin, I'll confront this strange monster, while you sneak back to the house, and lock up. Don't open the door for anyone except me…or Undyne. Just in case." Frisk whined at that idea, and mumbled that they'd reset if that happened. With how Sans reacted, they weren't sure what would end up taking place.

"I'll do my best to talk to him," Papyrus assured. "He seemed scared…and scared people do things they normally wouldn't." The skeleton gave a sheepish laugh. "You tried to hit me with that stick of yours when we first met, remember?" The child mumbled something into their hands as they hide their face. "Nyeh—heh—heh…"

"In short," he continued, walking across the bridge. "I'm certain if he's approached by a calm collected monster with clear reasoning, he won't be so scared…I'm afraid I don't know why he's so terrified of you—you're one of the friendliest people here—and you haven't even met him before. Wowie…"

He rubbed his skull with a hum of thought as he entered town, before swiftly darting to the side of the shop, and setting Frisk down, handing them a key. "Now go, all right?" he asked quietly. They nodded, but didn't move away at first, and instead, came forward, hugging his leg. Papyrus smiled, and ruffled their hair.

"Never fear, tiny human. I, the Great Papyrus, will smooth this relationship out—and hopefully start on the right foot this time. Now, run along." Frisk hummed, but didn't let go. The taller skeleton smirked, and tickled their sides, causing them to squeak, and fall into the snow. He stooped further down, laughing as they scrambled to their feet and darted away.

As soon as they were out of sight though, his smile faded a little. He came back around the house. It was early for the Underground, so not many monsters were even awake, much less wandering about. Though, that worked out for Papyrus. With that, he stepped forward.

He found the skeleton walking about a bit frantically, looking around, and when he heard Papyrus, he jumped with a whirl, raising an arm as he readied himself for a fight. "Wowie—! Cease fire!" Papyrus shouted as he raised his hands. The smaller skeleton blinked, and then shoved his hands into his hoodie pockets.

Sans leaned to the side, trying to glance past Papyrus as he looked warily about. Papyrus could tell he was anxious, his pupils darting about in his eye-sockets. Now, however, Papyrus decided to test Frisk's theory. "I haven't seen you around before," Papyrus said, taking a step forward. "Are you lost, friend?"

The skeleton jerked, a look of dismay on his face. "But we just…" He slid back, burying his face into his hands with a low moan.

"…you remember, then?"

Sans paused, and slowly peeked out between his fingers. "What do you mean?"

"You remember talking to me?"

"Of course I do, Papyrus—" Sans stepped forward, lowering his hands, his voice desperate. "Why don't you recognize me?"

"Easy there, Sans," Papyrus soothed, raising his hands. "I think we've both got a lot of questions to ask the other. You act like you know me, but I think I'd remember seeing another skeleton monster like myself."

Sans went to speak, and then paused, confused, placing a hand on his skull as he thought it over. "Wait…" he mumbled. "If I—then time reset." The skeleton was muttering to himself, but Papyrus was picking up on the words. "Yet…you still know my name…"

"Of course I do," Papyrus stated, slowly getting Sans's attention back on him. "I know this must be confusing to you, trying to understand how time is so broken here, but…at least you're not alone. I'm immune to when Frisk 'resets' as well."

"You…can remember?" Sans managed numbly. "…but I was the only one…"

Papyrus smiled. "Not anymore," he said. Then, he offered a hand. "You look a little lost and confused—how about we get you something to eat? I'm not much of a fan, but Frisk loves going to Grillby's, and he should be opening up shop soon. Maybe if you eat, we can talk a bit more. I've learned that food helps to calm another's nerves…"

Sans was obviously hesitant, but Papyrus was patient, waiting happily. The smaller skeleton wasn't sure what to think. That was his brother…why didn't Papyrus recognize him? But, it seemed he was willing to talk—perhaps he could figure something out. So, slowly, he raised his hand and took Papyrus's.

"Nyeh—heh—heh! See? That wasn't so difficult, now was it?" Papyrus asked as he gently pulled Sans along, though the other didn't offer much of a response. The taller skeleton didn't let that get him down as he approached Grillby's. He looked at the lights in the window, and then knocked on the door.

Sure enough, the fire elemental answered. "Greetings Papyrus," he said warmly. "I'm surprised you're here so early…" He glanced down to the smaller skeleton. "And without my number one guest," he joked. "Who is this?"

Sans's eyes widened while Papyrus explained. "His name's Sans…I was wondering if I could order him breakfast? I don't think he's eaten in a while."

"Sure," Grillby stated. "Let me get a menu—"

"No need," Sans murmured, looking down. "…could I have some French fries and ketchup please?"

Grillby's flames stilled briefly, and then he smiled. "Of course…anything for you, Papyrus?"

"Hmm…no, but a breakfast item for Frisk would be nice. I'll take it to them when we leave."

"Should have known," Grillby replied with light amusement. "Have a seat wherever you like, I'll get to work." As the fire elemental moved to the back, Papyrus led them to the booth closest to the windows, taking the seat by the window so that Sans wouldn't feel cornered.

He folded his gloved hands, looking to Sans. "Where do we want to start?" Papyrus asked. "Hmm…oh! What do you think of trading questions? I'll let you ask first."

Sans blinked rapidly. "Um…I…uh sure…" He rubbed the back of his skull nervously. "This is probably an odd one…but…don't you have any siblings?"

Papyrus shook his head. "Not a one," he replied. "My turn." His gaze softened into concern. "Why do you act like we know each other?"

Sans frowned, staring at the table, as if inspecting the wood. "If…I told you the most insane story…what would you say?"

"I'd probably say that's an insane story." Sans flinched. "But I'd believe you." Papyrus laughed softly. "After all, we both know about the time altering matters here—if there's anything more insane than that, I'd like to see it."

Sans winced. "…I think we're good. Um…" Sans sighed. "I…don't know what's going on. But…with how Grillby and you are…" He looked up worriedly. "Either I've been forgotten, or…" He shook his head, but then he paused, his pupils vanishing as he went stone silent.

Papyrus looked at him nervously. "Erm…Sans…?"

"Or…" he mumbled. "I've fallen out of my timeline…"

"Sans!" Papyrus quietly exclaimed as Sans was jerked out of his trance, his pupils returning. "I don't…I don't understand—what do you mean?"

"Wait…" Sans managed. "Let me ask a few…before I state what I think's going on." He looked up. "Pap…uh—Papyrus…do you live in the house pass the library?"

Papyrus nodded. "Yes. I used to live by myself there—but once Frisk came along, I set up the spare room for them. A woman I know mentioned that humans need lots of rest."

"A woman?"

The other skeleton gave a hum. "Right. To afford the house, I do a lot of shifts at different sentry stations. One time, my scarf got blown away in Snowdin, and I had to chase it down to the Ruin Doors. When I got there, I was complaining to it—and much to my surprise—a lady spoke to me through the door. I sometimes visit her and talk to her, as she seemed a little lonely."

Sans was starting to realize that with all those details…the idea that he had just been forgotten was less and less likely. "…have you talked to her since the human came?" Papyrus nodded…but it didn't ease Sans by much. "…why did you take a human in?"

"Because they were all alone out here," Papyrus said. "…and…" He smiled. "I made a promise. I'm going to protect them."

"I made a promise like that, too," Sans murmured, before looking up, the pupils vanishing.

"That promise is the reason I'm here."

The taller skeleton watched Sans's strange display. "Um…I'm not quite sure I'm following."

"I'm…from what you would call another 'timeline'," Sans said. "I'm not sure how it happened, but instead of dying, I fell into another…one where everyone is still alive…but I never existed."

Papyrus hummed, grabbing his jaw. "I must say, this is getting very confusing…what do you mean by…still alive?"

"Then, I'll make it perfectly clear," Sans stated coldly. "In my timeline. My friends…my brother…they were all killed by a human." He looked at Papyrus squarely. "The same human you're taking care of."

Papyrus was quiet—aside from the slight interruption of Grillby serving the food. The moment he left again, Papyrus finally spoke. "Sans—you must be mistaken. This human wouldn't hurt a fly—much less kill everyone."

"They have to be the same human," Sans insisted. "They can reset."

"Only because you took their health to zero!" Papyrus exclaimed in a loud whisper. Sans flinched, and Papyrus sighed. "Look…this might be better to talk about with Frisk around…if you don't pull that thing again."

"Heh…sure," Sans said, drenching the food in ketchup. "But um…just so you know, Papyrus…if they give me any reason…" He looked up with that chilling gaze, and while Papyrus didn't fully understand his tale…he could tell from that look, that this monster had gone through so much, and there was no guarantee that he could ever be who he had been before.

The pupil-less stare bore into Papyrus, and he was hesitant to let this emotionally broken being see Frisk. Sans, however, kept a wide grin as he drank some of the ketchup bottle, leaving a bit of red on his teeth, before he finally finished his statement with an odd lifeless vibe to it.

"I won't hesitate to do it again."

"I am not about to watch another Genocide."