In return, by the moment at the void. Sans nudge Gaster as he fix his eyepatch "Eh W.D G….Wanna explain to me despite being NON-EXISTENT in that timeline 2…My Soul and form is stable? Like certain residents here? Remains of timeline 1 I mean?" (Besides my eyepatch as I can sense overwhelming Soul Power from my left eye)
Gaster responds, "It seems that traces of your existence persist, much like the echoes of other beings from timeline 1. The stability might be a result of residual energy and connections forged across timelines. Sans, your unique essence lingers, defying the typical rules of non-existence."
As Gaster chuckles "I am assuming it's a pun and curious if it's just an 'accident' your MONSTER soul was affected by that sacrifice of the human from timeline 1 in the age of the Prince' revival and power."
Sans smirks, "Well, you know me, always leaving a trace of my 'soul' in the timeline. As for that sacrifice, let's just say it added a bit of extra flavor to the mix. Now, about that overwhelming Soul Power in my eye..."
Gaster spoke "Well I copied an ITEM code to lend a cover to suppress its MAGIC regardless no sense of time and space here in the void….Hmm what about it? Specifics please since all I can say hopefully it isn't painful.."
Sans shrugs, "Nah, not painful, just kinda trippy. Feels like I got a front-row seat to a cosmic light show. But hey, if it ain't causing any trouble, why fix what ain't broken, right?"
Gaster chuckles with a nod and flowing hand gesture "As I observed…atleast Alphys seems to understand your predicament already…" as Papyrus joins in to speak up "Still I PAPYRUS AM VERY CURIOUS!!!! Infact I can already tell us from timeline 1 remnants are different from you!!! Like in all you VOID-like observations of timelines , RESETs especially underground—" as he tap his chin to add "I meant can you measure a time how long you've been observing and in a void? Despite the void is technically outside time and space which is absent."
Gaster nods, "Time gets a bit wobbly in the void, Papyrus. It's like trying to catch smoke – hard to measure. But, in my best estimate, I've been here for quite some 'time,' even though the concept loses its usual meaning in this place."
Sans winks "Guess there's NO TIME and PLACE to say such infinite LENGTH!!!! Eh Dr.G?"
Gaster smirks, "You've got the hang of void humor, Sans. A timeless classic, one might say."
Papyrus frowns before laughing "Nyeheheh!!!! Indeed indeed! Quite Puzzling so but…which one has a better sense on comedy? Me or Sans W.D. Gaster?"
Gaster grins, "Ah, the eternal debate! Both of you bring a unique flair to the comedy scene. It's a tie for me."
The Skeletons nod with a smile. Meanwhile , Alphys turn to the two humans at the corner as she ask "An-a-Anyways you two….I am a bit curious how long you both are DETERMINED back in timeline 1 to commit 127 RESETs along with base only on these so called pacifist and neutral routes….Like to not crash our world when you save Asriel Dremurr…"
Frisk thinks for a moment, "Well, it felt like a long journey, encountering different scenarios and making choices. I was determined to find the best possible outcome for everyone, especially Asriel. The resets allowed me to explore various paths and understand the consequences of my decisions."
Chara then shrugs "as the 'partner' and 'narrator' as implied by that Wind Dings skeleton's emphasis of this 'game' , at that time I felt dissatisfied neither me nor Azzy can have our PEACE regardless of timeline…" as Alphys nods as she nervously ask "Well there's this one time Sans told me theoretically in timelines and RESETs in theory yet…any motive why you hadn't commit this labelled 'Genocide Route' looking at the CODE Gaster shown me earlier….or hinted at gave me a bit of guess….of whatever reason to harm ALL OF THE UNDERGROUND?"
Frisk sighs, "The idea of harming everyone goes against the essence of the journey. It was about finding a way for everyone, humans and monsters alike, to coexist peacefully. I couldn't bring myself to take that darker path, even if it was just a 'game' or a 'program.'"
Alphys gasp "So besides aware of your POWER of DETERMINATION FRISK AND Chara as your ghostly presence….despite the recent revelation of Gaster if this is a 'game' or not….then why commit certain 'neutral routes' like it still harm certain MONSTERs in those timelines yes?"
Frisk explains, "In those 'neutral routes,' I aimed for outcomes where conflicts were minimized. It wasn't perfect, and I regret the harm caused, but it was a way to navigate the complexities of the underground. The goal was always to find a path where everyone could have a chance at a better existence."
Chara frowns "I was the one SUGGESTING THOSE attempts to also observed SIDES of Monsters…..Like for example if a HUMAN learns self defense or belittled as WEAK AND
HARMLESS…without making us a Manic
MURDERER of course... nope didn't recall a
'Genocide route' committed.."
Frisk nods, "Exactly, Chara. It was about understanding different scenarios and reactions while trying to avoid unnecessary harm. Sometimes it led to tough choices, but it was a process of learning and adapting."
Then they got silent as Sans had a blank eye socket expression "So that's why it seems odd you didn't enjoy those RESETs…you seem
More happy on less harmful 'neutral routes' and of course mostly 'Pacifist' …."
Frisk sighs, "Yes, Sans. The intention was always to find a way for everyone to have a happy ending. I guess I didn't find enjoyment in causing harm unnecessarily. The goal was to save and understand, not to destroy."
Alphys then gasp before exhaling "Eitherway , I just hope our current predicament isn't permanent to how Gaster prepared us for this 'experiment' AMBITION of his…"
Sans smirks, "Well, doc, permanence is relative when you're dealing with voids and timelines. Things tend to be a bit...fluid. Just gotta roll with it."
The human kids exhaled. Until , Gaster and Papyrus joined them. Gaster spoke "Sans…Now up to subject , now that you and Papyrus share the same all as me….Do you recall how we're connected?"
Sans grinned, "Well, G-man, it's like this void is one big network, and we're all nodes connected in our own way. A real spaghetti code of existence, wouldn't you say?"
Papyrus uttered "Only clear memory is that you're a skeleton just like us! No idea whatsoever what else to connect with!!!"
Sans chuckled, "Well, bro, that's good enough for me. Keepin' it simple, huh? Less to worry about."
Gaster chuckles "Maybe in time and space , it is still incomplete hmm.." turns head to Alphys "Dr.Alphys why the curiosity it to ask the human children about their DETERMINATION?"
Alphys stutters a bit, "W-well, it's just that their DETERMINATION is quite remarkable, and I was wondering how it influenced their choices in those timelines. It's for scientific curiosity, you know?"
Gaster chuckles a bit as he gestured with his hands "Nonetheless , as the FIRST Royal SCIENTIST originally. Anyone has guesses despite the absence of the existence of the Prince' birth , the first fallen (Chara) existence and the death of the other 6 fallen humans underground. The King and Queen still split?"
Sans smirks "Guess we're diving into the juicy stuff. Well, Frisk and Chara here are helping us piece together the puzzle. There's more to it than meets the voidy eye."
Papyrus winks "WE KEEP AN EYE out for this mystery dear brother!!!" As he pause "Say humans….Any guesses? While the Prince himself blend in timeline 2 to figure this out?"
Frisk shrugs, "It's a puzzle, but we're working on it together. Maybe with time, we'll uncover the missing pieces and understand what caused the split between the King and Queen in this timeline."
Chara pouts "I just hope AZZY can figure it out for us over there. And slowly let your TIMELINE 2 variant come around partner—" Frisk just scrunch up with a shrug. Before Chara added "First things first , this might showcase to us regardless of my fall or not if the Dremurr family is fated to stray apart…"
Frisk nods, "True, Chara. We'll see how the pieces fall into place. For now, let's focus on navigating this timeline and learning more about the underground and its inhabitants."
Meanwhile , back in timeline 2. Flowey yawns awake while Frisk (of this timeline , not the same in like in the void) was still asleep in the bedroom. He can sniff the aroma of the leftover two B-scotch pie. He decided to crawl over and partially shifted his face into Asriel to take a bite to fast test the food ITEM (Hmmm….Hopefully neither my new power or Frisk of our original timeline change Mom's baking style)
Flowey, now resembling Asriel, savors the taste of the pie and nods, relieved, "Mmm, Mom's baking is just as good as I remember. Timeline 2 seems to have its perks. Wonder what other surprises are in store."
Before he pause , sighing as he Saved the current pie piece to his own INVENTORY. While let the other slice sneakily been placed in the sleeping Frisk inventory. As he held the Heart-shaped golden locket. He reverts his face into Flowey again. Now bouncing to sneakily pop out where Chloe still is placing the rest of the pie by the fridge as Flowey call out "Umm excuse me…May I say something for Frisk' behalf? Still appreciate we're very welcome here…."
Chloe turns around, smiling at Flowey, "Of course, Flowey. What's on Frisk's mind?"
He gulps as his vines gesture the ITEM he hold [the heart locket]. (I can't let her touch this or know ITS ACTUALLY from me) , as he exhales "Curious , that same locket you're wearing underneath your outfit hidden well—do all the other 5 share such ITEM? If so , then is it possible all you 6 fallen humans are tied to the King and Queen of Monsters?"
Chloe's expression softens as she nods, "Yes, each of us has a locket like this, a memento of our time here. And yes, there's a connection between us and the royal family, although the details are a bit... complicated." She glances at the locket in Flowey's vines. "Why the interest in our lockets?"
Flowey then retracts his vines to his inventory discreetly. As he whistles, "Ohh nothing much , just curious. Since it's odd the King and Queen never was able to have blood related heirs as if the monster child could be a prince or princess. Regardless Caretaker Chloe , why can't you nor Ms.Toriel TELL ME AND FRISK the truth if we're really are welcomed guest?"
Chloe sighs, "It's not that we don't want to tell you, Flowey. It's just that some things are complicated, and we need to find the right time to explain everything. Trust me, we appreciate your curiosity, but there are delicate matters involved. We're not hiding anything to harm you or Frisk, but to protect you both."
Flowey resist the urge to morph himself as he uttered "Then why? Or rather protect us from what exactly?"
Chloe glances around cautiously before responding, "There are forces at play, Flowey, forces that might not have the best intentions. The details involve the complicated history of the Underground, the King and Queen, and the six fallen humans. It's not just about protecting you and Frisk; it's about navigating a complex web of relationships and events."
He blinks "So it's basically a personal style of protection….no worry of the Monsters we face outside the Ruins?"
Chloe nods, "Exactly, Flowey. The outside world can be dangerous, and there are mysteries within the Underground that need careful consideration. We'll share more information when the time is right and when it won't jeopardize anyone's safety."
Flowey sighs. Then , Chloe stops and checks his SOUL and ask "You did claim you're as new as Frisk , I won't suspect that but—How come you had a Monster shaped human Soul? Rather your aura gives off both human and monster…"
Flowey hesitates, then responds, "Well, that's a bit complicated. Let's just say my existence involves a unique combination of human and monster elements. It's a result of certain circumstances in the past. But don't worry, I'm not here to harm anyone."
His internal SOULs mindscape panics. As Chloe (of Timeline 1) in it cautiously spoke "Right , we almost forgot that people can still interact with you more now that you have our SOULs…" as Newt added "A PSEUDO-MONSTER soul…that Chloe or any LIVING VARIANT of us in this timeline shall never know the truth from us as it's risky and strange…."
Flowey nods, "Exactly. It's a delicate situation, and revealing too much could complicate things. So, I'm here to be a friend, not to cause trouble."
Then , Sherluke whispers "I still can't trust THIS TIMELINE 2 , Recap…how does the POWER OF FORMAT works as a result of your HOPE Asriel?"
Asriel's internal voice replies, "Well, Sherluke, it's like this power allows me to reshape the timeline's structure, introducing changes. It's not as straightforward as a RESET, more like a nuanced adjustment. The specifics are still something I'm trying to fully grasp. Chloe and Frisk of this timeline seem to be navigating it well, though."
Imla said truthfully "Still, you still are FLOWEY before we accept being part of you. Bits of DETERMINATION that evolved Into preventing you to pass away despite emotionless and soulless at the time. So , Thread carefully how your going to deliver THAT ITEM back to this timeline's frisk."
Flowey's inner Asriel muses, "I understand, Imla. It's a delicate situation. I have to find the right moment and way to give Frisk the locket without revealing too much. I'll make sure not to mess this up. It's important to preserve the harmony of this timeline."
Then , Veronica added kindly "Eitherway it's very sweet in that Re-Formatted ( Reset + Format ) timeline….Your form to revert an improvised Flowey to really treat this Frisk as a friend, unlike originally…"
Flowey acknowledges internally, "Thanks, Veronica. I've learned a lot from the experiences in those timelines. It's a strange journey, but I'll do my best to be a good friend to Frisk in this new timeline. Let's hope things unfold smoothly."