A/N: New chapter name. Can you guess why? XD Anyway, I hope everyone who is following this story is enjoying it so far ...

The gnawing feeling in his stomach was definitely not letting up. A part of him is kicking himself for making a child cry and hurting one of Papyrus's friends.

Then again, was the human child really his friend?

Sure, they were nice and all; they were friendly and clicked really well with everyone in town. But perhaps, a little too well and that's what Sans was worried about.

He felt like an ass but then again, he was just protecting his family ... Somehow, the child knew things they shouldn't have known. Every area of Snowdin, Papyrus's quirks, even Sans's taste in sauces ... It was uncanny how they were so at home in the Underground. And Sans didn't like it. They were on to them. He reasoned with himself. They've been researching them.

And they had a good reason to. Appearing in Snowdin one day was strange and Sans had been counting on the unassuming nature of monsters to not question it so long as they both didn't disrupt the peace of the town. But then came Frisk. The second human child who fell in after Chara ...

How much does the kid know about them anyway? Were they working with Chara on something? If so, Sans needed to take action. He couldn't afford to risk his brother's safety and let this pass.

Sigh. He thought. Chara had seemed creepy enough ... now with the addition of another human child who seemingly knows everything, he's got a lot on his hands.

And why would they ask if he believed in time travel? Out of all the things he's heard from the kid (which, he noted, wasn't a lot; they weren't really a talker), the question on time travel unnerved him the most. This most certainly confirmed Sans's suspicions the kid was a spy, or at least, someone sent to investigate him and his brother.

How would they know though? Sans had covered all his tracks ... He'd gone to such lengths after all, even replacing Papyrus's memories ...

All this thinking kept Sans awake 'till the next morning. The sun had just come out and a few minutes later, he could hear Papyrus cackling excitedly in the next room. Then, he heard his brother stumble down the stairs and ... a loud metallic clash of equipment from the kitchen?

Hurrying down, Sans saw that his brother had opened a cupboard which was stuffed with pots and pans they'd never used, causing them to crash onto the floor.

"'Sup brother." Sans raised a hand.

"Sans! I'm going to make spaghetti! This is truly a cause for celebration! Santa gave me what I wanted for Christmas!" And then Papyrus pulled out an action figure from behind his back. "Look! It's an action figure of ME as a Royal Guard!"

Sans's grin grew. "I guess you could say the gift was SANS-ational!"

Papyrus rolled his eyes. "Ugh! Will you stop trying? What does that mean anyway? You didn't get me anything!"

Then Papyrus pulled out something else from his back. It was a small parcel clumsily wrapped in shiny foil. Sans took it from him with surprise.

"That's your Christmas present. Unlike you, I never forget to get you something!" Papyrus said proudly as he watched his brother unwrap it. "Oh, and by the way. The human helped me pick this out for you!"

Sans took off the last piece of foil and revealed a ... rock sitting in the palm of his hands.

"Uhhh ..."

"It's your pet rock! Now you can never get BONELY again! NYEH HEH HEH!" Papyrus cackled with glee.

Sans was officially skele-done with his brother.

"Don't cry," said the River Person. "Won't you hum with me? Tra la la. See? That feels better doesn't it?"

Frisk nods their head and attempts a smile. They were lucky the River Person had stopped by Snowdin to see the Christmas lights and parties. Now they could ride to Waterfall in peace. They didn't really feel like encountering anyone right now ...

Frisk would have gone straight to Hotland if it weren't for the possibility that Gerson, the vendor in Waterfall, may have something that could help them open the diary. This was still their first priority. Frisk still didn't have a plan as to how they can convince Chara to change their mind so hopefully, this diary will help them formulate one.

They arrive in Waterfall, feeling like the weight of the haversack had increased ten fold. They wondered why Sans was so hostile toward them. And why did he say it didn't believe in time travel? Surely he is aware of the timelines and Frisk's ability to SAVE and RESET right? They wished Future Sans had warned them or hinted them at the possibility of a less-friendly Sans in the past. Maybe he could have given them a secret codeword to let himself know that Frisk could be trusted ...

They tried to hold back the tears that had sprung up again thinking about Future Sans and the adventures they shared. Once again, the feelings of loneliness had gotten to them and Frisk was as homesick as ever.

Then again, wasn't this Frisk's home too?

Well, they thought. It used to be. Now I don't know anyone anymore ...

Looking around, they realised they're in the Quiet Area of Waterfall. And then they remembered, this was where Undyne and Napstablook live!

A little spark of excitement ignited in them. These were people they knew! Hopefully, they'll be as friendly as Papyrus too!

They walked to Undyne's and knocked on the door. No one answered and Frisk frowned. She doesn't seem to be home. Shrugging it off, they made their way to Napstablook's.

As they were coming up the path, they noticed Napstablook coming out of his door.

"Ohh ... oh no ..." Napstablook looked sad and horrified at the same time. "I ran into somebody who had the misfortune to see me in this state ..."

Frisk cautiously approached the ghost, afraid to scare it away. "Are you alright?" they ask.

Napstablook averted their eyes. "Why are you talking to me ... I am a mess."

They come closer and saw that he looked more depressed than he usually was. Filled with concern, they asked again if something was wrong.

He closed his eyes. "I must be imagining things ... Nobody would want to talk to a sad ghost ..."

"Blooky," they start hesitatingly. "Why are skeletons so calm all the time?"

Napstablook does not answer.

"It's because," said Frisk flashing back to a memory on the surface. "It's because nothing gets under their skin."

A ghost of a smile (no pun intended) nudged at the corners of Napstablook's mouth.

"Oh ..." he opened his eyes and looked towards Frisk. "That was kind of funny ... I want to show you something too." And then he started crying tears that rose to form a hat on top of his head.

"Do you like it?" he asked eagerly. "I call it -"

"Dapperblook!" Frisk finished excitedly.

Napstablook's hat disappeared and he suddenly looked crestfallen again. "Oh ... you know. Just like how you know my nickname too. I must be really unoriginal and boring ..."

Frisk covered their mouth. Oh no ... how did they let that slip up?

"No!" they said quickly. "I only know because I heard about you from all the monsters! They all think it's really cool."

Napstablook looks a little hopeful. "Really? Wow ... Maybe I should let them listen to some of my favourite music too ..."

Frisk laughed, remembering how much Aaron and Woshua were spooked by it the last time they encountered them. Napstablook took the laugh as encouragement and smiled back.

"Hey ... you're really nice." Napstablook sounded genuinely happy. "I'm about to go work in my snail farm but ... if you want, you can come in my house and sit down. Or you can just ... forget about me and get on with your life ..."

They indicated they wanted to follow him to work. A little surprised, the ghost said he was fine with that too and that was how Frisk found themself farming in Blook Acres with Napstablook.

It wasn't something they didn't enjoy though. In fact, they were quite happy with the company Napstablook provided. Even though he seemed more down than usual, working and talking to him was a welcome distraction from their thoughts.

Then, after some time had passed, the two of them saw another ghost come up the path. Napstablook immediately went over to greet them. Frisk stared curiously. Who is this ghost? They've definitely not encountered them before.

"Hey ..." said Napstablook coming over with the other ghost. "I want you to meet my cousin ..."

Frisk's jaw dropped. Cousin? Does he mean ...

"Mettaton?"

"What ...?" Napstablook looked baffled.

The ghost jerked suddenly. "Oh my," they said. "How did you know the pseudonym I came up for myself?"

Napstablook frowned. "I ... I must be missing something ... Oh no ..."

"Oh, Blooky. I guess, there's no point denying it anymore ... You know I've always wanted to become a star ..."

"But you said ..."

"I know, I know. I will never leave you ... Besides, I don't think I'll ever be able to find my perfect body anyway ..." Blooky's cousin - Mettaton sighed.

A dozen things ran through Frisk's head at once. So this was when Mettaton was still living next to Napstablook? That means ... they haven't met Alphys yet!

"How ..." they said unsurely. "How should I address you ...?"

"Oh, my dear. Mettaton is fine. It's nice to actually have someone call me that instead of having imaginary fans scream my stage name ..." Ghost-Mettaton smiled.

"How did you find out though?" they asked, intrigued.

Frisk mentally berated themself for slipping up again. "I, uhh ... I don't know why. The name popped up in my head the moment I saw you ..."

"Oooh. Is that so?" Ghost-Mettaton looked delighted. "Well, great ghouls think alike!"

Napstablook looked flustered with the exchange. "This conversation is way over my head ..."

Laughing, Ghost-Mettaton hugged (more like wrapped their ectoplasm around Blooky's) Napstablook with affection. "We need to get to work."

"But ... you were the one who was late ..."

Now, with the three of them on the farm, things got more interesting. Ghost-Mettaton confided in Frisk about their fascination with humans, and their dream of becoming a star.

"The only thing holding me back, is my body," Ghost-Mettaton sighed as they languidly counted the snail eggs. "Well ..." they said as an afterthought. "... that and Blooky - Oops! I just lost count ..."

Time had passed so quickly that Frisk didn't even realise it was evening time until Napstablook mentioned dinner. He invited them both back home and offered ghost sandwiches. Then, he explained to Frisk that they had a family tradition of lying on the ground after dinner. But, before he could ask Frisk to join, they were already on the floor, beckoning him over.

Frisk felt reminiscent of the first time they met Napstablook as the three of them watched the cosmos and contemplated their life. It was then that they remembered they had to get a key to open the diary. Silently, they kicked themself for wasting another day. Although it had been fun to befriend Blooky as well as Mettaton, or Ghost-Mettaton again, they really needed to come up with a plan to save Asriel soon ... what if Chara had already finished plotting their's?

They didn't have much time left ...

Sitting up, they thought now might be the right time to ask Napstablook why he was so depressed.

"Huh?" Napstablook uprighted himself. "Why am I sad? Well ... I guess. I'm just lonely ..."

The cosmos disappeared around them. Ghost-Mettaton yawned appreciatively and then turned to Frisk. "Blooky just misses ol' Cuzzy, don't you?"

Napstablook hangs his head.

"They used to live here together but he moved away to become a training dummy," Ghost-Mettaton continued to explain.

"The house feels so empty ..." Napstablook looked as if he was about to cry. "Do you think he moved out because he couldn't stand me ...?"

"No of course not!" Ghost-Mettaton said quickly. "Darling, he was just following his dream! You must be happy for him! Besides, you have me and this adorable human here!"

Frisk nodded encouragingly. Although on the surface, they were reassuring Napstablook, inside Frisk, all they could think about was how much sense it made now. They only partially understood Mettaton's diaries the last time they read them. But seeing all the events Mettaton had described actually act out in real life was something else altogether.

Then perhaps ... Frisk should introduce Ghost-Mettaton to Alphys now too?

Oh right ... they haven't "met" her yet. But they can still tell Ghost-Mettaton about her right? If Mettaton knew that such a person exists now, they can rise to their stardom even earlier!

"Speaking of dreams, I think Alphys can help you," Frisk said, looking pointedly at Ghost-Mettaton. "She's the Royal Scientist and can probably help you achieve your dream body. Why don't you look for her in Hotland sometime?"

Ghost-Mettaton looked hopeful. "Really? I think I might, then!"

Then, it was their cue to leave. They were on a mission after all.

"Blooky," said Frisk quietly, causing everyone to look up. "I'm sorry but I have to go."

"Oh ... Okay. I am sorry for wasting your time ..." Napstablook said apologetically.

They smiled again. "You didn't. I was very happy to meet you."

Napstablook returned the smile brightly and Frisk's heart soared. It was just so rare to see him happy!

"Wow ... That's the first time someone has said that to me ..." Napstablook was practically glowing now. "I'll see you out ..."

Making sure they got all their things, Frisk left the house with Napstablook while Ghost-Mettaton went back to their place. As they walked down the path, however, they heard the sound of clanging metal come closer to them. They both paused.

Ahead, appeared a figure clad from head to toe in silver armour that had once been shiny but was now muddy and dirty ...

Frisk had to hold themself back, remembering what happened when they got too excited meeting Napstablook and Mettaton again. "Who's that?" they whisper.

"That's Undyne ... she lives next door ... and she's so, cool ..."

They didn't wait any longer and started running ahead. "Undyne!"

The armoured character removed their helmet. Fire-red locks fell from the back of a blue scalp. "Yeah?" Her gruff voice sent shivers down Frisk's spine. "How can I help ..."

Undyne trailed off as soon as Frisk ran close enough for her to realise this child ... was human!

"You're from the Surface." Undyne stated.

They stop right in front of her and nod. Part of them was scared she might capture them and another part of them was hoping she'll be convivial. Honestly, they didn't quite know what to expect anymore ...

"Why are you here? Did you fall in?"

More questions. "Yes."

Undyne let out a long sigh. "I suppose you want to get home. You're lucky, punk. If the Royal Family hadn't adopted a human child before you came, I would have killed you on the spot right now."

Five seconds of awkward silence passed as Frisk registered that. It was uhh ... nice getting told they'd be killed if they had come before Chara. But at least, this wasn't as bad as getting attacked from the moment they set foot in the Underground ...

"Okay, listen." Undyne seemed slightly irritated. "You can stop looking like you're gonna piss your pants now. I'm not killin' someone as wimpy as you. If you need to go home, just head to Asgore's. It's right up ahead. Goodbye."

And then she started walking past Frisk, back to her place as she angrily muttered under her breath about training useless Royal Guards. Napstablook stepped out of her way, staring in awe.

They couldn't help it, they panicked. This wasn't how they'd thought their interaction would be like! They had hope they'd be able to become friends with Undyne just like before.

"Undyne!" Frisk shouted, or at least, tried their best to.

She looked back and they were instantly flooded with relief. "What?"

Umm ... good question. They had called without thinking again. Frisk wracked their brain for something ... Undyne, Royal Guards, useless, training ... Papyrus!

"I have someone I want to introduce you to!" Frisk said as loudly as they can. "He wants to be a Royal Guard and he's really good at uhhh ... fighting. He's dedicated too! He won't miss training, he doesn't have off days -"

Undyne paused. "Send him to me. I guess I can actually use someone with real talent right now." Then she started walking again, murmuring, "... Unlike those buffoons I'm currently training ..."

They stared after Undyne. That's it? Oh, but then again. It's not like they had any real reason to become friends. After all, Papyrus was the one who had brought them together. Well, at the very least, she didn't attack Frisk with spears and kill them on sight.

"That was ... pretty awesome ..."

They glance at Napstablook who seemed to be glowing. "She has never been at least 5 metres from me for more than 10 seconds before ..."

Frisk came over to him. "Hey, Blooky. Do you happen to have a pen and some paper?"

"Interesting ..." Gerson said, inspecting the lock with his magnifying glass.

Frisk waited patiently. They were hopeful that the old vendor would have something ... After all, Mettaton's key to their home was in Bratty and Catty's shop. So who's to say that Gerson wouldn't have Chara's key to their diary?

"Eh,' said the vendor, clearing his throat. "The lock's pretty unique. Never seen such an intricate mechanism before."

They waited for him to continue but Gerson went back to inspecting the lock closely again. Frisk tapped their fingers on the table, starting to feel restless.

"Patience, child. And stop that tapping!"

They stop.

A few moments later, Gerson gave a laugh. "Wahaha. I don't think I have the specific key to this lock but you can check out my key collection!" Setting down the diary, he bent down and pulled something from under the table.

It was a dusty old, brown box and he put it on the table, next to the diary. Frisk opened the lid and saw that the box had many compartments and shelves in it, all containing keys!

"Go ahead and try 'em." Gerson gestured for them to help themself.

They took apart the shelves in the box and reached into one of the compartments for a rusty off-silver key. They tested it on the lock. It didn't even fit. Putting it back, they took out another key from another compartment, and tested it on the lock again.

In this way, Frisk went through the first shelf of the box.

And then the second shelf ...

And then ... the third one, when they were halfway through it, they found one that fit the lock! They gasped and looked at Gerson who chuckled. "Well, turn it."

They turn it but the key wouldn't move.

Frisk sighed and pulled it out of the lock. They put it back in its compartment and tried another one. Finally, they reached the last key Gerson had. Nothing. It didn't work.

A little disappointed, they thank the vendor for his time and helpfulness. Gerson closed the box and put it back under his desk.

"There, there, young 'un. Now I may have something else." Then he stretched out his hand to show them a lock-picking set.

Frisk took it from him, staring at the small rectangular box registering the separate tools. Then they looked up at Gerson, thrilled. "Thank you so much!" This set might just help them get the lock open!

They paid Gerson with what little money they had left and went out of the shop, feeling lighter already. As they went on their way, looking at the lock-picking set, they suddenly realised however, they didn't know how to pick-lock. Frisk scratched their head. They suppose they can get Papyrus to help but they were much closer to Hotland at the moment. Perhaps they should look for Alphys? Anyway, they had been looking forward to meeting her.

So they trudge along to Hotland, the temperature gradually increasing.

When they entered it, they saw that the place was still as warm and steamy as ever. The cracks on the dry, earthy ground, the burnt rocks and cooled lava ... Carefully, Frisk continued walking, watchful of where they step.

They crossed the wooden bridge where Undyne had stopped chasing them the first time they met. They also remembered the water cooler ...

It was still there but to their surprise, Sans was there too.

"Hey." He said, raising a cup of water.

Frisk waved back apprehensively, recalling what last happened in Snowdin.

"Want a cup of water? You're looking a little bone dry." Sans grinned wider.

They shake their head. "I have to go."

"What's the hurry, kid? I didn't know you were working against time." Sans said, taking a sip from the cup. "I'm not a big fan of those. You know, time limits, deadlines ...:"

Frisk bit their lip. They wished they were anywhere else but here. Had Sans been following them? Or was it just their misfortune that they ran into him again?

Sans finished chugging down the water. Crushing the cup in his hand, his gaze turned hard and steely. "Anyway, kid. Whatever it is that you're working on, I hope for your sake you aren't gonna screw up and piss me off. Let's be honest here, I'm not so fond of you right now. Touch me or my brother, and you're going to have a bad time."

"I don't plan to do anything to you or your brother." Frisk returned. They felt offended that Sans would even think that way.

"Right. And that is why Papyrus is with Undyne now, looking to join the Royal Guard. He hadn't even a notion of what that was until you came along."

Frisk looked surprised. That was fast. (They silently thank Napstablook for delivering the letter telling him to find Undyne.) Does Papyrus checked his mail every half an hour? But they regained their composure and focused on Sans. "I just thought it might be something he was interested in."

Sans looked cynical. "How would you know?"

Because I'm from the future!

"I have to go," Frisk repeated and then ran past Sans who thankfully didn't stop them.

They headed straight to Alphys's lab, entering it quickly.

Just like the first time they got here, it was dark. Then, Frisk heard a resounding crash from upstairs and a muffled scream.

"Alphys?" They call. Frisk hurriedly went over to where they heard the crash. As they went up, they saw a huge boxes and books on the floor, squashing a yellow tail ...

Alarmed, they rush over and started pulling the boxes off, revealing a frightened and pained Alphys underneath.

"Oh ... oh my god." She stammered trying to sit up. Frisk helped support her, passing her the glasses that had fallen onto the ground. Thankfully they weren't cracked and Alphys put them on.

She peered around the place and then at Frisk. "Oh my, thank you for, for saving me! I ... I was just ... trying to unpack my err ..." They both looked at the manga volumes scattered across the floor.

"... my Human History collection." Alphys laughed nervously. "I'm so sorry. I ... I was just appointed - just moved here. E, everything is so, m - messy ..."

Sure enough, they could make out, even in the darkness, dozens of huge cardboard boxes, a variety of electronic and futuristic-looking gadgets in corners, and a variegation of metal parts strewn across the floor. But, it didn't bother Frisk. They were just happy to see Alphys.

"Don't worry about it." Frisk said, patting her back.

Alphys looked even more apologetic. "The, the lights ... the electricity isn't running, y, yet ... I'm sorry. I must have err, met you somewhere? You ... you know my name."

However, before they could speak, Alphys cried out loud. "Please forgive me! I have a r, really, really, b, bad memory ... I've met so many people this w, week. I, I can't remember everyone."

Frisk smiled, "I'm Frisk. I'm a human. I heard about you and came to find you."

Alphys looked surprised. "Human? Y, you heard a, about ... me?"

They quickly replied. "I fell into the Underground. The monsters said you can help me with something."

"Oh, oh my ... I didn't think - I thought ... I mean. I just moved here ... I didn't know Asgore would err ... publicise m, me so quickly ..."

Frisk pulled out the diary from their haversack and showed it to her with the lock-picking set. "I have to open this lock. I lost the key. Could you help me?"

Alphys adjusted her glasses, peering at the diary and then the lock-picking set. "I'll help you! After all, you ... you saved my life. But we err, won't be needing that," she pointed to the lock-picking set. "I ... I actually have something that c, can ... destroy the lock. Would you mind?"

They shook their head. They just need it opened anyway.

"G, great! B, but ... the electricity isn't up yet ... so ... I, I need a while to put together everything ..." Alphys looked at Frisk worriedly.

They wave it off. "Take as much time as you need."

As Alphys goes on to set up the Lab. Frisk awkwardly helped her unpack her items, arranging the books neatly on the shelf. Although the scientist was surprised to see that they had arranged it exactly how she would have done in her mind, she was more mortified to explain that she had a passion for anime and manga.

Alphys was also embarrassed to reveal that she had idolised Undyne for a long time when Frisk asked about the scale cream and armour polish they had found in a separate box.

"I ... I, had been uhh ... meaning to g, give that away to Undyne ..." Alphys stammered, her face red as beetroot.

Then Frisk thought that perhaps they should give away the lock-picking set to Papyrus. Anyway, they didn't need it anymore now that Alphys had something more efficient. It would be a nice, late Christmas gift too. So they told Alphys they were going to head to Snowdin for a bit and left.

When Frisk arrived at Papyrus's and Sans's house however, they found that no one was home. A little puzzled, they wonder where Papyrus could have gone. Then, they remembered Sans saying that Papyrus had gone to find Undyne!

So they hurried to Waterfall, going over to Undyne's place. And sure enough, just as they arrived at the doorstep, the jagged-toothed doors opened and Papyrus stepped out.

"Bye, Undyne!" He waved cheerfully and she happily waved back.

Frisk came over to Papyrus and passed him his gift.

He looked absolutely delighted. "WOWIE. A Christmas present? For me? Thanks, Human! Of course. Someone as great as me would deserve all this good fortune lately! Did you know that Undyne accepted me into the Royal Guard?"

Already?

They were happy for Papyrus though, of course. And told him they knew he was going to be accepted from the start which practically made him glow with pride. They then bid him goodbye, saying they had something to do but will visit him again in Snowdin.

After Papyrus went off, Frisk knocked on the door to Undyne's. Perhaps they could talk to her and find about her meeting Papyrus earlier. Something just seems a little off ...

The door opened and Undyne looked surprised, then happy to see Frisk there. "Oh. It's you. Come in!"

Frisk entered the brightly-lit house, feeling strange Undyne was a lot warmer than before.

"Make yourself at home," Undyne gestured to the table with chairs. "Do you want anything to drink?"

They paused. "Tea?"

"Got it!"

There was a moment of awkward silence before Frisk finally broke the ice. "So you met Papyrus?"

Undyne jumped at the name. "Yeah!" she said enthusiastically from the kitchen counter as she prepared the tea. "He's actually pretty good! Just like what you said! I'm glad you recommended him to me!"

Frisk nodded. A few more seconds passed.

"He's a great guy," Undyne continued, putting in massive amounts of sugar in the kettle. "I'm going to give him cooking lessons too! We're both really into spaghetti!" Then she paused. "Okay, maybe him more than me ..:"

It was a little strange Undyne was so hyped up. Usually she was more ... brash.

"So ... you let him join the Royal Guard?"

"Uh huh!" Undyne said, switching off the fire as the kettle whistled. Then, she started pouring the tea into two cups. "He's really cool," she said quickly as she turned around with two cups of boiling-hot tea.

She walked to the table and set them down. "He's enthusiastic and funny ... He loves making his geeky puzzles ... And you know," she said thoughtfully as she sat down, "he's really good at listening to people and making others laugh."

They were starting to get a little weirded out at this point. Frisk was getting more uncomfortable by the second and felt like they should stop Undyne.

"Hey, Undyne," they start.

"Hmm?"

"Have you seen Alphys lately? She's got some scale cream and armour polish for you," said Frisk.

"Alphys? Who's Alphys? I'd love to meet her though, if she's got scale cream I can use. They are starting to flake ..." Undyne looked at her arm, frowning. "But," she said brightly, "Papyrus told me they looked fine. Did you hear that? He said they looked fine!"

Frisk stopped breathing. Undyne hasn't met Alphys? Does that mean that only Alphys knows who Undyne is? A cold feeling of dread washed over them. They may have just messed something up ...

"Undyne ..." they said with trepidation. This was so hard to ask. A lump had formed in Frisk's throat. They swallowed and took a deep breath. "You don't like Papyrus, do you?"

Undyne flushed and her face turned an even darker shade of blue. Her yellow eyes showed panic then anger, then embarrassment.

"N, no!" she huffed, crossing her arms. "I, I mean I do! But as the Head of the Royal Guard. I, uhh ... see a lot of potential in him!"

Frisk had never felt worse or more sick in their life. "I have something to do," they said as they backed towards the door. "I'll see you later, Undyne. Thanks for the tea."

Then they ran out, leaving the cup of tea on the table untouched.

Frisk wanted to die. Literally. If only monsters still attacked them! It would make things so much easier! Feeling like they had suffered some sort of blunt trauma, they paced back and forth in the Quiet Area of Waterfall.

How could this have happened? Perhaps they should have introduced Undyne to Alphys first. Was Undyne troubled or lonely? She mentioned how Papyrus was good at listening to people. Maybe, if Undyne had talked to Alphys first, things would work out the right way.

There's only one thing Frisk can do now. They wonder if they were still able to do this, though. It's been a while ...

Frisk stopped pacing and stood still. Then they closed their eyes and let the darkness envelope them. The noise disappeared. Thinking hard about what they wanted to do, they manage to summon the glowing, orange, RESET button.

Frisk struggled to keep their breathing even, fully aware that all progress made will be lost. Fighting against their instincts, they press hard and fast on the button, before they change their mind.

And then, the ground opened up as they fell into the darkness. Frisk could no longer feel anything, anymore ...