You remained face down in the snow, a million situations running through your mind. A million facts. A million fates...

Sans voice still spoke in your ear but you were numb towards it. "Sorry Sans, I need to think this through. I'll call you back later..." You said quietly.

You moved numbly to your feet and started walking in a random direction. West maybe, but with no compass or sun, you couldn't be sure.

'If I'm in an alternate universe, that means that the experiment blew me here. Currently no one, except the melted pile of pup, trusts me. I need access to the right materials to recreate the experiment and blow me back into my own dimension. But if that doesn't work, I could end up in a dimension worse than this. I need to talk to Gaster...'

You looked up to see a large door, just a few feet away. It was the entrance to the ruins. Nostalgia helped calm your nerves as you recalled book club with Toriel. As you took a trip down memory lane, the door creaked open and you yelped in surprise.

You swan-dived into a snowy bush nearby and peered out at the newcomer. A neatly cut mop of brown hair peaked right above the bush, a small child skipping  below it in a blue and purple-striped jumper. You knew better than to jump out and hug the child, but it was getting hard to restrain yourself.

Frisk had always been the most accepting and foremost best friends back home. Seeing them was all you needed to feel better. They walked by you, not noticing you in the slightest. Staying concealed, you crept near them until you both faced the gate. Frisk seems amused by the uselessness of it but a hidden sense of danger stood you hairs on end.

From the corner of your eye, the familiar flash of golden yellow blurred and you jumped from your hiding spot. Frisk was alarmed by your sudden appearance but didn't move to stop you. "Who are-"

"Frisk, do NOT trust that skeleton! He's a just a fat-oversized dick that attacks what he can't understand."

Frisk looked a bit more scared. "H-How do you know my name?"

You grinned sadly. "We've met before, just not like this." You said quietly.

Frisk was both confused and a little scared. To be honest, you were scared too. Footsteps crunched in the snow and you jumped in front of Frisk, shoving your arm out in front of him protectively. "Please, Frisk. Trust me.
I couldn't hurt you even if I wanted." I pled, not bothering to look for his reaction.

A small tug on your lab coat gave you a reassuring feeling. A sigh escaped your lips as finally you saw the skeleton clearly.

"Heh beautiful, seems you just keep running into me, huh?"

You rolled your eyes. "Back off Asswipe, Frisk is under my protection. And if you plan on greeting him how you greeted me, we're going to have an issue." You warned.

He chuckled deeply. "Watch your language dove, there's a child in our presence."

"I know for a fact Frisk's had heard worse." You scoffed.

Frisk looked at you again with that peculiar curiosity. It was odd being in this position, knowing everyone but them not knowing you. You held Frisk hand comfortingly and pulled him up on to your hip. He was only 7 so that made it easier.

"If you're here because he needs a guide, forget it. I know the Underground like I know the back of my hand. I can help Frisk, and I won't leave him unless he says so." You sneered.

You shoved the skeleton's shoulder as you passed through the gate. "Darling~" he started.

"My name is (Y/N). Not princess, or sweetie or darling or any other disgusting nickname you have in storage. Back off PonyBoy."

You grinned, knowing that it wasn't likely he understood the reference to the Outsiders. He looked almost astonished by your cold demeanor, but he quickly covered it with his usual shit-eating grin. "Gaster!Sans." He said gruffly, offering a hand.

The two syllable name sent chills down your spine, and he knew. He chuckled as you stiffened. "Call me G." He insisted.

"No thanks, I'll stick with PonyBoy." You countered, turning away.

Your legs carried you quickly through the feet of snow, Snowdin showing over the horizon in less than a hour. Frisk shivered against you shoulder. He hadn't spoken since before the encounter with Gaster!Sans. Setting him down a moment, you removed your lab coat and wrapped it around him.

"It's not much, but it's better than nothing." You said, masking the new discomfort with a grin.

Frisk looked nervous about taking your lab coat but still took your hand as you walked into Snowdin. You both made a beeline for the Inn. You pulled four twenty-gold coins from your pocket and set them on the counter without a word. The cheery worker handed me a room key and Frisk raced ahead of me to the room. Deciding to grab some food, you handed the key to Frisk and took a detour to the small store next door. You purchased two hot cinnamon buns and retreated to the room, but the entire way you felt eyes on your back.

Shaking it off, you quickly got back and gave Frisk a warm treat. He devoured his while you barely nibbled on yours. Your eyes darted towards your watch and you groaned. "It's only 4:30?!" You groaned, flopping on the bed.

Frisk giggled. "What's so funny kid?" You asked.

"You're just a funny person." He responded.

You rolled your eyes and rubbed your palms into your eyes. "Do you wanna do something?" You asked the young boy.

Frisk shrugged and sat on the edge of the bed, kicking his legs. "We could go to the Waterfalls." You suggested. "I'm pretty sure the echo flowers are in season."

"What's an echo flower?" Frisk asked.

You almost choked on air. You went from lying down to your feet in milliseconds. "How do you not remember?! Even if you've reset you'd still have those memories!" You sputtered.

Frisk head fell to the side like a dogs. "Reset?" He asked.

Your heart fell as you realized how much deeper in shit you were. "God dammit! It's the first timeline!" You growled.

Before you even realized, you had sent a text to Sans and Alphys, telling them about your discovery. As soon as your phone was down, you grabbed Frisk's wrist and dragged him out of the room. "Where are we going?" He asked.

"I'm taking you to Waterfalls, but we're using the river so you can avoid Papyrus."

"Papyrus?"

You nodded. "Not a bad guy but he'll fight you before you can pass."

Frisk gulped and clung closer to your side. Quickly you boarded the river guide's boat and you sailed towards the Waterfalls.

"Tra la la... Love buds from roots of hate..."

You rolled your eyes as the boat docked. Flipping a coin towards the guide, you ushered Frisk forward with your hands over his eyes. "I can't see (Y/N)!"

You snickered. "I know. It's a surprise."

You felt like you needed this. You needed to make this place a bit more like your universe so you didn't go mad. Soon you stood over a wild patch of the blue flowers and you uncovered Frisk's eyes. He gasped delightedly at the sight. "Wow (Y/N)! These are beautiful!" Frisk said in awe.

"I know. And if you tell them something, they'll repeat it back. Try it."

Frisk thought a moment them leaned over and whispered into the closet flower. After a moment processing, the flower sang Frisk's message.

I trust you.

Those three simple words filled you with hope. Your heat lightened as you teasingly swung Frisk around before hugging him. "That means a lot more than you know." You muttered under your breath.

Frisk nodded and sat, cross-legged in the flowers. "I trust you, but I also wanna know more about you." He said.

"What?"

"I wanna know about you. Why is it that you know me but I can't remember you?"

You sighed and cradled your head in your palms. A sad chuckled rang in the air and you shook your head slowly. "I warn you. You might not understand." You said.

Frisk shrugged. "I'm walking through what I used to think was a legend. I'm pretty open-minded." He reassured.

Anther deep breath and you sat up straight. "Just keep in mind that all of this is theoretical..."

You spent an hour explaining your situation and answering his questions. "So we're best friends where your from?" He asked.

You nodded. "You're like my little brother, hence why I'm so protective over you."

Frisk grinned and wrapped his arms around your legs. "Don't worry (Y/N)! I'll help you get back to your world." He whooped.

You laughed. It was clear he knew nothing about how it would happen, but you could feel his enthusiasm like an infection. You played with around Waterfalls until a ring filled the air. Your (E/C) eyes glazed over the screen and lit up.

"Who is it?" Frisk asked.

"It's my Sans! I hope he has news."

Wanting to show Sans you'd found a good soul, you swiped so you were in a video chat. It opened to the side of Sans head and you laughed. "Sans, video. I wanna see your face." You teased.

The screen immediately swiped around and you saw Sans. He grinned at you, filling you with a wave of calm. "Do you have any good news?" You asked.

He shook his head. "Sorry kiddo, but Undyne won't let anyone back into the lab until she's completely sure it's safe."

You rolled your eyes. "Isn't it Alphys's lab though?"

"That's her main reason for acting that way. She wants to protect Alphys."

You groaned and instantly Sans grin fell. "How're you holding up?" He asked.

"Well I found out I landed in this AU's first timeline. BUT... I found a friend."

Sans chuckled. "Did you steal Whimsum from the ruins?"

"What? No!"

You handed the phone to Frisk and he waved at Sans. "Hello (Y/N)'s Sans!" He chirped.

Sans fell silent a moment before laughing. "Looks like it's just the skeletons that are messed up there." Sans mused.

"I don't know Sans, everyone seems more distant than in Snowdin than they are back home."

"Oh? Are they giving you the cold shoulder?"

Frisk giggled but you just groaned. "If I was in the same universe I'd smack you." You threatened.

Sans shrugged. "Worth it."

You gave the phone to Frisk. "Imma take a break. How about you and Frisk talk?"

Sans nodded. "Yeah sure, let's see if the two match up."

You rolled your eyes and walked a few feet away. You hadn't slept in about three days and the lack of distractions was starting to get to you. You were a scientist! You needed to be working constantly or you'd get tired. But with no real home, you were stuck. Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad... but you didn't want to go back to Snowdin yet.

"First! I'm going to rest in the echo flowers. Come get me when you're done." You yelled back.

He nodded and went back to his conversation with Sans. You giggled seeing how blue Sans's face was. Frisk always knew how to mess with the skeleton. 

You laid down on a bed of echo flowers and stared at the ceiling of the dimly lit Underground. Shards of crystal poked out from the ceiling in swirls of twinkling light. 'The Underground's Stars.'

They were beautiful when one was alone in the dark. The crystals themselves emitted an array of colored lights that seemed to cause to laid back feeling. Your eyes lolled shut as you gazed at the brilliant lights. A sense of ease tugging you towards sleep.

It hadn't occurred to you how tired you were, just that you needed sleep. Sleep took you in its warm arms as a dream appeared, replacing the crystals.