Dad asked if you had a good night’s sleep.

You laughed back and said perhaps you had too much. It’s been a long time since you had conked out for twelve hours straight. That’s Sans level of sleeping right there!

Or rather, you thought it was a long while ago. But you had a feeling that it happened pretty recent in real time. Must be all the looping getting to you.

He chuckled back. “I noticed that you didn’t nap at all yesterday.”

Yep. The fatigue caught up to you in the end.

“Although I know you look up to the skeleton brothers, I don’t think their sleeping patterns are healthy for a human.”

True. Those guys tend to go to both extremes.

Without Alphys and Undyne, the house seemed a bit too silent.

Lonely.

At least Undyne visits him at a regular basis. Dad’s her ‘dad figure’ after all.

Heh. Your phone buzzed like crazy. What’s going on?

Oh uh. They’re looking for Sans. You knew where he went, but chances are Papyrus will answer that question for you.

It happened exactly as you anticipated. Then, you chuckled.

Dad asked you, “Oh? What’s going on?”

You explained Cenna’s nickname to Dad. He smiled back.

“Frisk, I think it’s time for me to let you know a little secret: I realised that she wasn’t merely an aunt ever since we had our spaghetti lunch together.”

The first one all the way back?

He nodded. “The way she speaks about you can only come from someone very close, like a sister. Or at least a sister figure. But I didn’t pry because she must have her reasons to create the illusion of distance.”

You told Dad that it’s a mix of personal guilt and a character test for the monsters. Some people would try to exploit legal loopholes for distant relatives. High chance that she wouldn’t be happy if Mom and Dad took that approach.

“I understand. I wouldn’t want my child to be given into questionable hands either. But it is all cleared up now, isn’t it?”

The thought about family made his ears droop. “Frisk,” he said, “I deeply apologize for the hardships my children had put you through. Especially Chara.”

Dad, it’s okay. It’s all in the past. They’re doing much better at the Magus’ HQ now.

“I know. I’ve received their video messages. But… I wonder if there’s any way to make up for my failures as a father.”

He glanced to the side. “When Doctor Gaster completes his experiment, I thought of asking him to look into Chara’s life. To understand their upbringing and community better.”

That’s the same idea you had. Chara gave you hints, but they’d never tell you the full details.

“Oh, you still care about them despite everything?” His voice wavered in emotion. “Thank you, Frisk. Your support means much to me.”

Dad then went off to settle the daily chores: making lunch, brewing tea, checking up on the Magi guards, and other stuff.

You noticed that the guards were wary at first due to Dad’s politically sensitive status, but his genuine gentleness alleviated some concerns.

Your phone rang. It’s from an unknown number that you don’t recognize. Maybe the other person dialled it wrong.

When you answered it, you were met with surprise.

“Frisk, we need to talk in private.”

It’s Chara.

Maybe they remembered something from the past timeline and needed to discuss about it. You hurried to a quiet spot in the house.

What’s the matter?

Chara huffed. “If we’re living in a giant fanfiction where anime is real, I don’t wanna sabotage my own ending with ill-timed spoilers.”

You’re very sure that they're not phoning you just to give meta-existential commentary.

Did Cenna tell them that you’re snooping into Gungnir’s past?

“That's right. And I’m here to propose you an offer.”

Groan.

Is it about destroying humanity again?

“…Sheesh, since when are you such a smartass? But, yeah. It’s related. But hear me out first, okay?”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Maybe you’ll regret it, but right now Chara is your biggest lead on this whole mystery. You asked for elaboration.

“Long story short, the worst case scenario happened. I won’t tell you how or why. But, I can tell you that I’ve seen crap hit the fan really hard.”

Because of Gungnir?

“No. Because of humans.”

“Humans won’t change. Maybe it’s safer to say that they can’t change. There’re just too many people determined to impose their ideals on others. You’re never going to be able to unite or satisfy them. So, it’s all futile. Don’t make the same mistake as the former Supreme Judges.”

You know it’s impossible, but the alternative of complete destruction isn’t any better.

“Figures you’re gonna say that. Well, let me tell you a story about my ancestor: the Legendary Hero.”

Whoa. Direct or indirect?

“Well, I wouldn’t know. It’s too far back and genealogies can get very fiddly. I had never really put it together until your Magus ‘aunty’ helped us fill in some of the blanks.”

Ah.

“Anyways. Like any other hero, they put their life and limb at risk for others. But humans are pretty ungrateful as a whole. Legends say most of the common folk betrayed them at the end. Shunned or blamed or forgotten, whatever you fancy. They died a bitter person, surrounded only by illusions of past honour.”

“By now you’ve heard quite a bit about Gungnir, right? That’s where I came from. The name didn’t change since its inception. They think they’re the solution to all the world’s problems. But, hmph. I knew better from the very beginning. We’re just another symptom.”

“Never told my bio parents that though. They’d beat the hell out of me for mentioning such blasphemy. Zealous fools. Forever stuck in their strict orthodox ways.”

“See, I told you why I ran away toward the mountain, right? If they cared, they'd start a search. But no help ever came. That's when I grew bitter, hellbent on revenge. I thought: what if? What if the monsters could help?”

“My people whispered all the time about superweapons buried underneath the mountain, just waiting for the right day to destroy the world. Fierce. Ruthless. Monstrous.”

Except, the monsters were absolutely nothing like the legends paint them to be.

“Yep. They’re all fluffy loaves of bread. Lovely, but dang weak! Then one day, I read the Waterfall plaques. It turns out that a monster gains great power when they merge with a human SOUL. Together, Asriel and I, we could give everyone ‘eternal peace’. Or at least die trying.”

‘Eternal peace’. Which in this case means the erasure of existence. Talk about a twisted perception right there.

You remembered that when The Legendary Hero turned into a DEMON, they had tried to the same.

“Yeah. Exactly. Now you know why I still think it's the best idea. Imagine this: the god of my people understood that the human race is fucked up beyond saving long before we came into existence. Nice to know nothing changed.”

“So… are you just going to repeat history? Perpetuate this cycle of stupidity? Don’t tell me that you’ll make a difference, because that’s outright impossible. The problem is never just my people: it’s humanity itself.”

Again, you told Chara that you won’t agree to their plans. It’s not that you don’t understand them. Or want to chide their feelings from your high horse.

You had experienced humanity’s brokenness too. Once upon a time, your interests aligned with Chara’s.

But such a thing… it’s empty. Futile. Pointless. Even if you two destroyed reality, you’d just end up alone. Together in The Void. What are you going to do there? Just lie down forever like some corpse?

“Heh,” Chara replied, “I guess my lifestyle isn’t for everyone. If you ask me, yeah. I could really just lie down in nothingness forever. It’s better than worrying about humanity’s shit.”

Sorry, but that doesn’t appeal to you anymore. You’d be bored to hell. Emphasis on the ‘hell’ part.

“I guess I could take Asriel’s approach and watch how you tackle each obstacle. You’d make a lifelong live-action soap opera for us, with a time travel twist! When we were one, I did quite enjoy how we made those Magi squirm under the threat of RESET. Heh heh.”

Speaking of Asriel, you asked Chara if they’re still sore about his choice to spare their Gungnir brethren.

“Nah. I did throw him off the deep end and under the bus. But, Frisk. He’s not a total cinnamon roll either.”

“Asriel had always fantasized about defeating humans. He heard a fair share of heroics from that old turtle dude. Mister ‘Hammer of Justice’, remember?”

Yup, you remember. He inspired Undyne too.

“Whenever he tried to share his ideas of might and adventure with his parents, they… think it’s just a kiddy phase. Not exactly very approving, you know. A Dreemurr Prince shouldn’t be entertaining thoughts of violence.”

“But I’m not like Mom and Dad. I thought he’s cool! Honest. Asriel had the potential to be the armed hero of his dreams. Except, he’s a soft crybaby thanks to his coddled upbringing. He’s not going to get anything done that way. So, I thought to help provide that ‘push’.”

Chara uttered a cynical snicker over the line. “Well. They’re called ‘fantasies’ for a good reason.”

You snickered back. Then you told Chara that their gambit was set up to fail from the very beginning. There were too many factors unaccounted for.

“Hmph, I hate it when you’re right.”

There’s one more thing on your mind. You wondered: would Sans like Asriel if he was still the cute goatbro and not the murderous flower?

“…Believe it or not, I’d say ‘no’.”

Wha?! You’re surprised. Asriel was very much a fluffy mini Papyrus minus the energy. What can go wrong?

“I can’t put my leaf on exactly why he’d dislike Asriel, but trust me on this: he will. We’re talking about the man who once killed the Prince of Monsters just to distract me.”

“Remember Frisk, he knew of Flowey’s true identity. Since when? I don’t know. Maybe long before our Underground adventure. Yet, he didn’t show a single shred of respect and honour befitting of royalty. Compare that to how he worshiped Mom.”

“You better stay away from him until you find out why. Who knows if you’re next on his hitlist?”

Now that’s paranoid talk there, Chara.

“Whatever you want to believe. I’ve said my fill. Good Luck, Frisk. You really, really, really need it. Bye.”

They then ended the call.

It’s about time you checked the group chat.

Oh, Cenna’s having lunch with Sans. Turns out he got a new phone too.

Hmm, you don’t think he had the time yet to reinstall his human-approved Surface number. Ebott Town’s local communication system works a bit differently. You’re not sure about the specifics, but it had something to do with a unique cloud ID system.

…Which means he’ll only have proper reception within monster territory.

After their meal, Papyrus will pick them up to assist Doctor Gaster. Undyne won’t be available until she finished her day-shift patrols. Then they’ll have at least the whole day to hammer something together.

You hurried to look for Dad.

“What’s the matter, my child?” he asked.

You want to watch the science guys do their science stuff! Math may be your nemesis, but science? Science is cool! Magic science? Even cooler!

That must be the Artificer blood in you talking.

Dad smiled at your enthusiasm. “Let’s start packing for your day trip then. Oh, don’t forget to let your mother know about your whereabouts. We’ll be visiting the experiment grounds after the first round of patrols end.”

Okay!

You let Mom and Papyrus know that you’re getting ready for the Underground.