In honor of Underverse 0.8 part 1 coming out and Jakei’s year and a half hiatus, I am going to (try to) do this thing I will be calling “Weekly Underverse” where I update weekly with some sort of Underverse related content.
It’s not going to be anything big. Some weeks it will be a 3,000 word Cross fic, maybe a digital drawing I worked on for 5 hours. Other weeks might be as small as a snippet of a poem that was inspired by an Underverse thing, or a little doodle I did in my notes packet. It may even be recycled content I have posted outside of this project.
But whatever it is, I will try to update it weekly until the hiatus is over.
This is because, in the announcement Jakei made on her YouTube page, she was a little worried people might forget about the series if she leaves for this long, and I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want her to worry about something like that, and just want her to get some well deserved rest during this hiatus.
And I know I’m a small creator and this will probably not be seen by a lot of the fandom, but I guess It’s a fun challenge for myself too.
By all means, if you’re a creator, whether you have a big or small platform, if English is or isn’t your first language, you’re 14 or 48 years old, anything! If you’d like to participate as well, please! Be my guest and join in!
Whether you want to send me content of your own I can credit you for, or make your own page for a weekly/daily/monthly/spontaneously Underverse, go right ahead! I don’t want to let this project or this fandom die out, I want Jakei to know we’re with her all the way, and with her however long she needs to, and we’ll be there to support her at the end of it!
Weekly Underverse starts today, November 20, 2024. Updates will (try to) be every Wednesday.
Underverse belongs to: Jael Peñaloza
*if anyone involved with Underverse wants me to stop and take down this project, let me know and it will be gone faster than a heartbeat
Little note: I am nowhere near an Underverse expert, so most things might be fanon, most things might be Cross focused, but maybe I’ll do some learning and write with the other characters. Maybe I’ll give fun facts one week. We’ve got about 78 chances so… we’ll see where this goes!
Notes: Last week for Weekly Underverse, wasn’t sure how I wanted to end it. I’m sad it ends on kind of a weak one, but I’ve had 78 previous attempts to make up for that. (Kind of upset it ends on an uneven 79 weeks-)
But this wraps up a year and a half of weekly Underverse related original content!
We’ve had stories, drawings, even music of all kind.
Thank you to those whose supported me and read, watched, seen, listened every (or most) weeks. It’s been a long project and truly, I’m surprised how few times I was late a week. I also don’t think I ever missed a week which I am very proud of >:))
Also, technically, I’m not sure if Jakei started the year and half hiatus at the start of 2025 or right at the release of Underverse 0.8 Part 1, either way, this is the end of my journey and the end of Weekly Underverse.
It’s been fun and thank you once again
—————
“This is it, the last one!”
“Frisk, what are you doing?”
Core looked to Cross, the skeleton seeing them talk quite enthusiastically to no one in particular. He knew Core could talk to other people from afar, but they waved and everything. Were they practicing lines?
“Talking to them!” Core smiled brightly at you.
“….who?” Cross furrowed his brow, looking around.
“Our wonderful viewers and readers!!”
“Oh… usually we do that… to- like… a camera.” Core laughed, Cross unsure about where or what they were doing again. They’ve talked to their viewers before. Director Peñaloza having done it not too long ago.
“No camera needed for me.” Winking, Cross chuckled a little awkwardly. “Say a little something to the people!”
Cross hesitated, looking vaguely to where Core was too.
“Oh… well… uh… hey everyone!” Cross straightened up, unsure without a script.
“Thank you for waiting for us and our hiatus. We’ll see what Director Peñaloza says, but a full year and a half has passed since November 20, 2024! Crazy how time flies!”
“Who could’ve imagined how consistent we were. Couldn’t even believe we made it through completely.” Core added, nudging Cross playfully. “But it’s been fun!”
“IT HAS BEEN!!”
“AHCK- Bro!?!?!?” Cross was grappled and spun around before finally being rested on XPapyrus’s shoulders.
Slowly, his family started to surround him, smiling proudly.
“What a fun story we’re telling!! And what a role I play in it!!” Cross chuckled, patting his little brother on his head.
“Yeah, and you play it well.” Cross agreed, looking around him.
“What about me!!”
“Blue!” Core smiled, more friends coming over.
“I made an early appearance, but I have no doubt I, The Magnificent Sans, will grace the presence of your screen once more!!” Blue struck a pose, Dream smiling softly, finding a place between Blue and Core, Ink trailing not far behind.
“I’m sure of it, Bro.” Blue smiled up at his brother, a puff of smoke escaping his mouth.
“I still have an incomplete storyline,” a deep voice echoed, Nightmare spoke, their subordinate and castmate by their side. “I better still be in this shit.”
“Brother!” Dream scolded Nightmare for swearing before sending another look at Ink who snickered.
“Sorry, Dreamy, your brother's a natural comic.” Ink shrugged before stumbling.
“That walking oil spill has no sense of humor.” Ink rubbed his shoulder, Fell shoving him over to make room for him and his brother.
“You wanna speak on that, Fluffy?” Nightmare challenged, Cross waving a hand between them.
“That was my nickname, if I recall, all those episodes ago.” Cross corrected.
“Oh shut it-“
“Oh come now, surely name calling one of my creations is not what you’re doing right now, is it.” All eyes turned to the man of the hour, XGaster.
“Why do you call us that…” Cross sighed
“Yeah, Bruh, dats not cool.”
“Dude!”
“Bruh!”
“RADICAL!”
“ANOMALY”
Core chuckled, hearing voices pass by and into the next room.
“Now, what are we doing here? Or am I treating no one to dinner?” XGaster turned to look between his creations who all stood behind Core.
“I was just making a little thank you message, I guess I’ll have to do a do over though.” Looking down, he rolled his eyes as Core explained the situation.
“They should be the ones thanking us.” He grumbled, walking to another room. “Five minutes.”
“Thank you Five!” They all shouted, laughing to each other.
“Well, one last thank you everyone, to the readers and viewers who have been so patient, so passionate, so supportive, and so lovely, week after week.” Core snuck a look around them, before facing forward again.
“We wouldn’t be here without any of you. Thank you for everything. Every view, every read, every comment, every vote, every kudos, every like. Thank you. We can’t wait to see where we go, but more than anything, where you go.”
Notes: Walking around an AU, it suddenly hits Cross. He is flooded with memories he never asked for, but would love to keep.
(Penultimate post!! Last one will be next week, May 20th, 2026!!)
There was a smell. And suddenly, he could see it.
Kept grass, unbelievably clear sky, white puffy clouds. Running, playing tag? At the park, living life until their break was over. Armor piled up next to the playground sign, still made sure to keep neat and clean.
He was younger, all of a sudden. Small. Smaller than now.
A hat, soft beanie. Missing tooth, dirty sneakers. Puffy black coat, a scarf blowing behind him. Black and knitted. Or… was it sewn? Tiny, pattering feet and bright eyes as he ran. Being chased by a friend he couldn't remember the face of anymore.
There was still a chill, hence the jacket and scarf slowing him down as they ran around the bus stop, afraid to be tagged.
It had rained the day before? Or was it just the morning dew?
He could see purple flowers, some not even bloomed yet. All bundled up in a pod, he recalled laying down, picking them up with a gentle hand, the other holding a bundle of them. A bouquet.
It was a moment. Many moments. Little memories colliding together to make something that wasn't the entire truth, but wasn't a lie. Experiences projected in his mind as he smelled the smell of Spring.
“Cross.”
“Hmm?”
His head snapped to Killer, giving him a playful smirk.
“Keep up, bitch.”
Cross scoffed, smiling. “I was having a moment, Killer.” They exaggerated the emphasis on his friend's name.
“Fuck’n Libra.”
“Fuck’n Taurus.”
Cross laughed as they kept pace with his friends. But his memories lingered as he smiled softly to himself, half paying attention to what the conversation the friend group was talking about.
It was Mid-March, and yet snow was melting, some sort of chemical in the air to produce the smell that triggered such a memory. His boots were dirty as they walked along the slushy streets and muddy sidewalk to his destination. He allowed himself one more breath of the spring air, before he focused back on the conversation, fear suddenly gnawing at the back of his mind.
Fear of enjoying it longer than he was supposed to. That the current moment would replace the memories the smell triggered. He would grow numb to the smell, it would become normal. It was just another passing thought, those scenes of childhood lost to time.
He didn’t want that.
So just as quickly as he noticed the smell, he pushed it away, turning his focus back to the conversation between his friends, something about artificial strawberry flavors? Arm wrestling? Who knows. It will keep the old memories at bay for a little while before being resurfaced once more at the sound of singing birds.
Credits:
Nightmare by Jokublog
Cross sans and Underverse by Jael Peñaloza
Art, music, lyric, and voice by App1eS0uce (that's me :DD)
Duration: 2:45
Notes: YOUTUBE BETTER START COUNTN THEIR DAYS. If you're watching this video and going "Wow, this format is weird. Also you're late-" YEAH BECAUSE SOMEONE WANTED TO TURN THIS ALMOST 3 MINUTE VIDEO INTO A FUCKING SHORT. ANGRY.
Art and lyrics under the cut
Our deal…
Is not sealed..
You’ll feel me in every part of your mind
Like a burrowing down parasite
Twisting, turning, we’re intertwined.
You can’t get rid of me
You know I’ll always see
You can’t help but make them scream
When you hurt everybody
I’ll be right there
In the back of your mind
Never alone cause I am by your side
I’ll be your shadow
Sure in the light you cant see
But you’re smarter than he
You know I’ll always be
By your side
You know that I dig deep
You’re Insecurities
Oh I’ll find
And am
And will become
You can’t outrun
Forever.
Yes, I know
You are a part of me
And you will always be
And I will let you grow
Cause I can't grow without you
You know it's true you’re a part of being “whole”
You’re a part of my soul
And I’ll love you
Every bit
You didn’t choose this
You aren't bad nor are you good
Oh I wish you understood
I’m done living in black and white
And fighting purely out of spite
The ending I hope we arrive
Is the ending I deserve
And it’s hard to be heard
But when I die
And you try to find the ones I love
You realize it’s everyone
I’ve ever known and everyone I ever was
“Our deal is not sealed
You can’t get rid of me, Cross
Whenever you suffer, whenever you hurt somebody, I’ll be there like your shadow
I’ll make sure your deepest fears and insecurities haunt you forever
And when the day of your death comes, I will go after everyone you ever cared about."
----
Original lyrics based off of the threat Nightmare directs to Cross at the end of Underverse 0.6
Recording/bad demo of this coming... hopefully next week?? Idk, Jakei expressed how 0.6 is her favorite, and it honestly is mine too. I love the conversation between Cross and Dream, those are some quotes I want to live by. But this ending one after the Cross and Dream vs Nightmare fight before Nightmare and Killer retreat eats so hard. So I made a song about it
Lyrics:
Our deal…
Is not sealed..
You’ll feel me in every part of your mind
Like a burrowing down parasite
Twisting, turning, we’re intertwined.
You can’t get rid of me
You know I’ll always see
You can’t help but make them scream
When you hurt everybody
I’ll be right there
In the back of your mind
Never alone cause I am by your side
I’ll be your shadow
Sure in the light you cant see
But you’re smarter than he
You know I’ll always be
By your side
You know that I dig deep
You’re Insecurities
Oh I’ll find
And am
And will become
You can’t outrun
Forever.
Yes, I know
You are a part of me
And you will always be
And I will let you grow
Cause I can't grow without you
You know it's true you’re a part of being “whole”
You’re a part of my soul
And I’ll love you
Every bit
You didn’t choose this
You aren't bad nor are you good
Oh I wish you understood
I’m done living in black and white
And fighting purely out of spite
The ending I hope we arrive
Is the ending I deserve
And it’s hard to be heard
But when I die
And you try to find the ones I love
You realize it’s everyone
I’ve ever known and everyone I ever was
Week 74 - I'M NOT LATE I WOULD NEVER BE LATE ANYWAY "CROSS'S THEME" FAN-LYRICS AAHHAHAHAAHA
Creator:
Lyrics - Me :))
Song - NyxTheShield Official
Word count: 96
Notes: Based off of Nyxtheshield "Underverse OST - Cross Theme [String Quartet Remix]" I have wrote fan-lyrics (It was written 4 years ago so it may be a little outdated, but y'know- sometimes you have a weekly thing you have to update for the people you love so you dig out the depths)
Uhhhhhh- Imma just a lil busy this week but- hey! It's something this week :DD
(Thank you all for being patient with me and sticking around this one <3333)
Fan-Lyrics:
My world is now gone
And I'll do
Everything I can to
Get
My family back
and live
A
Normal life with them
Again
Things
Just keep getting worse
But I'll stay determined
I'll keep going
No matter what I face
I'll push through
One
Day we'll live in peace
Again
*Insane instrumental*
Everything I've ever known and
Loved has disappeared without a
Trace but I won't let that stop me
Now
No you can't control me
No you can't anymore
Don't even
Try it
I WON'T BE USED ANYMORE!!!
When
Things are at it's worst
I'll just stay determined
Too late to back down
This time it's my choice
This time it's my call
It's up to me
Do we win or do we fall?
Notes:
Cross's first year with the Bad Guys, and a certain day happens to come by. Dust just wants to prepare him for the chaos that's about to befall him.
(If you find any mistakes, go to sleep.)
“.erots ni evah uoy tahw ees ot deticxE” .noinipo s’ssorC ni ,mih no doog dekool ti ,krims tsuD taht saw erehT “.lliw uoy erus m’I”
“.tuo gnihtemos erugif nac I erus m’I” .flesmih ot deckluhc ssorC “.railimaf ton ton m’I ,os cipE wonk I …naem I”
notes: Twas busy today so I wipped this up very quickly. It is ambitious and a lot of characters but I hope to complete it by next week...
It's just a silly wip for now, but Happy 10th Anniversary Underverse!!
Congrats to Jakei and Nyx!! It's an incredible series and I can't believe it's come this far!! It is well loved and I hope Jakei gets all the appreciation and admiration and rest and recovery as she needs!!
Inspired by Karina on Drawfee in their Song Shuffle Drawing Challenge episode.
Human Cross design by me
Human Killer design by Rahafwabas (tried my best to follow it at least)
Been wanting to draw this since the ep came out, but twas very self conscious about my art abilities, also was not sure if I wanted to draw them as skeletons... putting makeup on... or as humans and having to come up with my own human design.
I also wanted to do this with Color and Killer because they're canon, but I didn't know who would be who, Killer putting lipstick on Color, or Color putting lipstick on Killer, so I just went with Killer and Cross instead. Still iffy about the drawing, but I'm happy with it overall. (I like the sky gradient at least-)
notes: How Nightmare, the evil Witch Kraken, recruited Cross, The Little Mermaid. Written in a script-like style.
Wrote this a long time ago, when I was in The Little Mermaid musical at my school.
Uh… it was… alright…. The piece, not the actual musical. The musical was fire.
But I don’t have anything so I had to dig in the depth for this one.
For full effect, listen to “Sweet Child” from The Little Mermaid.
———————————
Dust: Poor child
Killer: Poor, sweet child
Dust: He has a very serious problem, doesn't he?
Killer: Hmm, if only...
Dust: There was something...
Killer: We... could do...
Cross: Who are you two?
~Music cue~
Dust: Sweet child
Killer: Poor child
Dust: So tragic
Killer: So misunderstood
Dust: Dear child
Killer: Sad child
Dust: Life's looking
Killer: Shall we say
Dust: Not good
Killer: No!
Dust: Who will ease his woes and worries?
Killer: Who will help him get his world?
Both: Sweet child,
Both: Perhaps the one we serve
Cross: *spoken* Hold on, you can't possibly mean, THE Nightmare. Guardian of negativity, king of darkness, being of pure hatred, and vengeance, and fear, and-
Dust: He knows your dreams
Cross: *spoken* Ink said he was evil-
Killer: They'll grant your pray
Cross: *spoken* Please, I have to go-
Dust: They'll cast a charm
Killer: A tiny spell
Dust: Why the alarm
Killer: No one will tell
Dust: No one will care
Killer: It's your affair
Both: Sweet child
Dust: Dear child
Killer: Poor child
Dust: Sad child
Both: We'll bring you to our lair, besides...
Both: Bet in half a sec, your world will be brought back to life
Notes: Happy (late) Birthday Toriel :DD
In Jakei's little short, she said that she likes to bake and even taught Cross a little about it!! I thought it was very cute and sweet, so here we are :))
----------------------
“Umm…. Your majesty?”
“Oh, please, young one. Just Mrs. Toriel is lovely.” Her smile was sweet and it calmed the nerves plaguing Sans.
“Umm… Mrs. Toriel…. Me and my brother really like that… umm…. apple roses you made last time we saw you.”
“Well, thank you very much. It was a new recipe so I’m happy you both liked it.”
“Um…. do you….” Sans was nervous, he wasn’t supposed to ask unnecessary or pointless questions.
“You can ask anything you like, my child.” She reassured the other, kneeling down to his height, sensing his anxiety.
“Do you think…. you could….. teach me how to make it?”
His voice was small as he asked, not meeting her eyes, afraid of an outlash.
But instead of yelling, soft sniffling was heard as he looked up to find paws over her quivering mouth, tears pooling to her eyes.
Sans was gonna speak up, worried that he made The Queen cry, before he was grappled into a strong embrace, lifted and spun around as she squealed through teary eyes.
“OF COURSE! I would LOVE to teach you! Oh I am so honored!!”
Laughing, there was a tension Sans was holding onto that immediately flooded away as she hugged him and twirled his little body around.
He was… seven then?
He remembers her showing him how to level the flour and crack the eggs. How to translate his knife skills to apples and arm workouts to folding batter softly. Explaining the impacts of salt and cleaning as you go. Preheating ovens, the smell of cinnamon, dropping butter.
Kneading the dough, rolling it flat, Horror showed him as he watched in a daze. He remembers her light purple apron, little black threads fraying, covered in specks of flour. Horror stretched it with his hands, he remembers pushing little tears and rips back together before she rolled over the dough again. Horror cut the strips out, he remembers her explaining to him the importance of a sharp knife, in cooking too, not just in battle.
It was so long ago. How many years? How many timelines? How many resets? How many overwrites?
And yet, he could remember placing each apple slice by hand, smallest to largest. His hands sticky as she checked the water was the perfect temperature before pouring him soap. Waiting with bated breath to try and roll it himself, watching Toriel do it carefully. Placing each one delicately on the baking sheet, holding his breath so they didn’t fall apart.
The warmth of the oven, her winding up the timer, talking as they waited.
What were they talking about? What was that conversation? What did they say? What did she say? What did he say? Did it even matter anymore?
The sound of the timer going off, Horror opened the oven and the aroma of cinnamon filled the air. It was heavenly, if they believed in a heaven. Melted butter, flaky pastry, sweet apples, spicy cinnamon.
There was a vibrance in Horror’s, yet a dream-like filter over Mrs. Toriel’s. They tasted similar, just as sweet, just as warm. If he trusted his memory, he could almost taste the slight differences, Horror’s apples were crisper, Mrs. Toriel used a little more sugar.
Cross could barely hear Horror talking to him as he chewed slowly on the pastry, almost reliving a memory form long ago.
Nightmare was out of the castle, they went with Killer on a mission and they were most likely not coming back for a while. That’s why Cross decided now was the time to ask for an apple pastry. It would cross his mind every once in a while, but it wasn’t something he craved. The last time he had it was a long time ago. But suddenly, he was seven again, drying the dishes as Mrs. Toriel hummed a soft tune, clinks of dishes as tiny soap bubbles floated through the air. Even though Horror was putting the apples away, he remembers packing them up to bring home for his brother and Mrs. Toriel sending him off with a gleaming smile.
Those days weren’t perfect. Far from it.
But it wasn’t horrible. Far from it.
He had a family, and soft moments. And training, and death. He was so young, he was so old. He lived a thousand lifetimes, he barely got to experience one.
He clouded a lot of memories with a darkness that still left him questioning his own existence.
But there were moments. Soft, dreamy, child-like moments that made him realize, they were all people. Every single one of them had hopes and dreams and fears and wonders. A passion and hobbies and annoyances and grievances. They were souls, real souls, at one point. WIth their own thoughts and feelings.
It was real.
Those connections were real.
Those people were real.
The love was real.
Each peeled apple, each rolled pastry, each boxed treat.
Each fleck of cinnamon, each fished out eggshell, each dirty spoon.
Notes: XGaster sends Cross and Chara to collect research about a very special tree and its very special guardians. And maybe along with the research, they collect a friend as well…
This is an oldie, but I still like the concept!! I thought it was very sweet and very fun :))
Of course, not proofread. I would never proofread anything.
--------------
“Oh my stars!!!”
Cross looked in awe. Before him, a ginormous tree, taller than he’s ever seen. Its trunk was so wide, you wouldn’t be able to see both him and his brother if they stood side by side from the opposite side of the tree. Its leaves were green and vibrant, branches upon branches reaching up and covering a wide radius in shade, letting Cross stare up at its glory however long he wanted.
And of course, the grandness of the tree wasn’t the most impressive feature.
What truly got his attention, what they were there for, were the apples the tree sprouted
As if cut perfectly, symmetrically in half, one side of the tree bloomed beautiful, golden apples, shimmering in the sun as if literal bulbs of gold hung on the tree's limbs as decoration to enhance its ethereal essence. And in the other, blackened apples with a purple-blueish hue, almost illuminating and glowing in the shade as if absorbing all light, a black hole bending the color around it, before consuming it whole and claiming its name.
It was unreal. And yet, here Cross was, standing before it.
”I’ve read about this in books and articles but never have I ever seen the real thing! This is amazing!” Cross exclaimed, feeling the excitement bubble up in him.
“You’re doing your stupid little jumps again.” The voice of his brother and adventuring partner, Chara, noted. Sarcastic and unenthusiastic as always.
“I know I can’t help it!! This is all so-”
“Yeah yeah I know, let’s just get on with the-“
“Uh… hello?” The two jumped as they heard a small voice speak to them.
Looking to where the voice came from, they saw a small skeleton peeking out from behind a tree looking at them.
It took a moment, the two staring at the young boy, before Cross spoke up.
“Hi, sorry if we were a bit too loud and we scared you.” Immediately, his demeanor shifted. His voice soft and playful, his posture changing, kneeling down to the boy's height. “This tree is really amazing, huh? One of its kind, don’t you think?”
The boy wordlessly nodded.
”Ah sorry-” Cross doubled down, creating distance between them. “We don’t mean to scare you and start talking to you, stranger danger and all that stuff.” He chuckled slightly, looking away, trying to figure out what to do next.
“Uh.. where are you parents by chance? Are you lost? Do you need help finding them?” His voice concerned, looking back to the young child.
“This tree is my mom.” The boy answered coyly, his voice unbelievably soft and quiet.
“Oh! You must be a guardian then, aren’t you?” Cross asked, that excitement creeping into his voice again.
The boy, again, wordlessly nodded.
“Sorry, I’m a… a traveler, an adventurer, an explorer from lands away.” Cross tried to explain, looking to Chara for confirmation. Trying to spin the truth for the child, but not exactly lie. He knew the other could probably sense lies, and he wouldn’t be able to earn his trust if he lied.
“I’ve heard about this tree and guardians who protect it and I was just fascinated by it, I had to see it for myself and as you can see, it didn’t disappoint.”
Nightmare didn’t know what was happening.
An explorer from far away lands? It wasn’t new but… not exactly normal. This… hasn’t happened in a long time.
”Let me guess,” Cross started again, taking a better look at the child. “Now correct me if I’m wrong but, by your darker color scheme and the crescent moon on your circlet, you must be Nightmare. Said Guardian of darkness, the night, nightmares and negativity. One of the two guardians protecting this tree of feelings.”
Nightmare tried to hide away, knowing what came next. He found out he was evil, and he’d hate him, hurt him, just like everyone else.
”It’s a pleasure meeting you, Nightmare.” Cross smiled, reaching his hand out, as if for a chand shake.
Nightmare looked at it, playing back the others' response and tone.
Was it a trick? He said himself, guardian of nightmares and negativity. Surely that meant he was bad news? Why was this explorer being so polite to him? Why doesn’t he run?
He wouldn’t run unless he wanted to stay and needed something from him. And what would he possibly want from him, other than his death.
Countless people from far away have come to try and kill him before. He wouldn’t be surprised if this was another attempt.
But… this man sounded so... genuine. He had heard before, that excitement in his voice when looking at the tree. And he could feel no ill-intent radiating off of him.
But what if it was because, somehow, he had found a way to alter his emotions? In preparation to face him? That had to be it. That must be it. There was no way this man could be good news.
“No hand shake, that’s okay. That was very forward.” Nightmare watched as the explorer pulled his hand away, embarrassment as he stepped back.
The other of the two nudged his shoulder and muttered something. He didn’t look as happy, but they could sense excitement and awe. But… there was caution? They were worried about something.
“Let’s go,” Chara muttered, something bad was going to happen, they could feel it. “We’ve seen what we need to see.”
“But we still need to get-”
“Oh, I see there are others who have gotten the fun before us.”
All three of them snapped to the voices.
A pair of villagers came over the hill, one holding a stick and some rocks, the other with clenched fists. Nightmare shivered as he could feel the intent to hurt him slowly seeping into the air. They smirked, making their way to the three stood at the base of the tree.
Standing ground, Cross subconsciously grabbed Nightmare and pulled him behind him. The two newcomers glared at the two as Nightmare watched in fear, gripping tightly onto Cross' jacket, forgetting every fear he once had of Cross, trusting him more than the people who have hurt him before. Especially since Cross was seemingly protecting him from the guys, putting his own body in between the others.
Cross inspected them closely, but it wasn’t hard to see they had no good will. Chara could see it clearly as well, no royal guard training was needed for that.
“Chara no…” he warned his brother as he could see Chara’s hand twitching to summon a knife.
“It’d be so easy.”
“They have a family-”
“Bet they don’t, they don’t got nothing to live for.”
“Chara don’t be rash-”
“We’re far from the village, nobody would hear their screams.”
“Chara- CHARA NO!”
Cross flinched, hugging the child tightly as if shielding him as his brother charged for the two villagers, blades in hand as he fought off stones thrown his way and sticks waving at him.
Nobody from the village could hear their screams, but they sure could.
“CHARA YOU’RE SCARING HIM!” Cross cried as he could feel the guardian tremble in his hold.
Sounds of screams, he wasn’t sure who’s. Sounds of pain, clouds of negativity. He didn’t want this. The explorers were nice at first, but the other one was scary. And they came, and they were all gonna get hurt and it was all his fault. He was evil, he brought this, he brought the harm their way and
“Hey, bud,” a soft voice called to him.
Peeking open his eyes, the strange explorer smiled kindly at him and though the concern in their eye lights weren’t hard to miss, their voice was comforting and reassuring to the young boy.
“How ‘bout we go for a walk, huh?”
—————
The explorer was nice.
Cross was his name.
Nightmare did not want to leave the tree alone so Cross had them walk along the edge of the forest, far away enough from the commotion of the other explorer, Cross said their name was Chara, and the two villagers that had come before. But still close enough to keep the tree in sight.
They talked for a long time, until the fighting ceased, and Cross got to learn a lot about the guardian.
Having been sent by XGaster to this realm to learn more about the Tree of Feelings and the guardians who protect it, Cross got a lot of information.
Nightmare and Dream were the guardians, the tree was there… mom? Creator? “Nim” was the name Nightmare used if Cross could recall it correctly. There were other Trees, the Tree of Feelings just happened to be the well known one in Cross’s multiverse because the guardian’s physical forms were based off of the “sans’s” that were seen commonly in the multiverse.
It was weird, to Cross, to hear his world talked in that way. As if there were more worlds outside of his own. He vaguely knew the existence of alternate universes, but the guardian spoke as if there were other multiverses, other universes in general, other…
Cross… couldn’t really wrap his head around it.
But he wanted to try.
He wrote a lot in his notepad he brought, it quickly got filled with information as he listened to the small guardian who appeared more wise than he looked.
The kid couldn’t be more than six, maybe five? He was young. Very young. But his vocabulary was immaculate, his knowledge never ending, his understanding seemed beyond Cross’s comprehension, saying things that would’ve never crossed his own mind.
Nightmare enjoyed his time with someone who listened. Treated him nicely, was genuinely interested in what he had to say. Laughed with him, talked with him. It was… nice having friends.
Could he call them friends? He wanted to.
He hoped this wasn’t the closest he’ll get to friend, and he hopes it isn’t the last time he’ll ever call anyone a friend. This was really nice, it was like with Dream but different.
Not better or worse, just different. And Nightmare was happy.
Eventually, the sun grew closer to the horizon and the villagers were no longer there anymore.
As the two new friends neared the tree again, the found Chara waiting under its shade smirking satisfyingly as he saw them come over the hill.
“Buncha pussies.”
“Don’t let Dr. G hear you use that word,” Cross chuckled, playfully punching his brother. “You’d be stuck home doing all the chores for a week or so.”
Chara brushed him off, snorting. “You only know from experience.”
“As if you don’t.”
Nightmare watched the two brothers bicker and laugh and couldn’t help but see him and Dream. Of course, they weren’t too physically rough with each other, Nightmare didn’t like it all too much, but throwing jokes and jabs at each other. Sharing laughs and teases.
He wondered where his brother was. He wanted to share the kindness of this strange explorer with him. Dream deserved to know his existence and experience the safety he brought to the small guardian for one of the first times in a long time.
“You ready to go?”
The other… Chara… asked Cross, pushing off the tree looking toward the setting sun.
“Yup, we got what we need so hopefully we can come back again but… more casually.” Cross smiled, waving around the notebook he was writing in.
“Probably not, he doesn't like to make unnecessary stops if he doesn’t need to.” Chara spoke, Cross’s face falling for a moment. “And he complains about humans so much, he’s no better than them.”
“Wait. Are you leaving?”
“Yup, ‘fraud so buddy.”
“Uh- take an apple. The- … the golden one. You could… probably just pluck it. Or wait a bit longer for my brother to come home! He usually comes home around this time, I’m sure it’s not too long.” Nightmare was frantic in his proposition. Wanting to offer the stranger explorers something for their kindness and defense, and if that meant they could stay a little longer too, he wouldn’t say no.
“Thanks, bud, but we really should get going.” Cross spoke sadly to him, kneeling again to his level. “Our… uh… dad… wouldn’t want us staying out too late.”
“But-!”
“How about we save the apple for next time, hmm?” Cross cut him off, smiling brightly. “Gives us a reason to meet again, right?”
“I…”
“We’ll be back, okay?” It was sincere, Nightmare wanted to believe him. “I’m sure our… dad would want a sample- er- want to… try the apple.”
Nightmare didn’t want his new friend to leave just yet, but he didn’t want to get them in trouble with their dad. And if it meant they could come back, he wouldn’t say no.
“Okay…”
“Cheer up, bud. We’ll be back.” Cross pat his back, Nightmare flinched.
“You don’t know that, Cross.”
“No…” Cross spoke dejectedly at his brother's remark. He knew it was true. He couldn’t promise anything to the young boy. “But I can try.
“This is why no one likes you.”
“Hey, many people like me!” Cross exclaimed, snapping at his brother playfully. “Nobody likes you cause you’re always sulking and suuuuch a debbie down all the time!!”
“Everybody loves me!”
“Whatever makes you feel better”
“Piss off.”
Cross snorted, getting the final laugh, turning back to Nightmare, opening his arms.
Though hesitant, Nightmare went in for a hug. It was nice.
When was the last time someone hugged him that wasn’t his brother?
“We’ll be back,” Cross murmured to him in the hug, rubbing his back comfortingly. “Thank you for showing us around, Nightmare."
That was… a little over five hundred years ago.
When he last saw Cross. The strange explorer who was kind.
What did that kind soul do to deserve such a fate? To be trapped in a white void, a figment of what used to be their world for who knows how long?
Sadness, anger, betrayal were just some of the emotions he felt from him.
He was so nice, was it his fault, that because he was kind to the guardian of negativity, that he inevitably was forced to suffer a fate like this?
Did Nightmare deserve to be forgotten, as even when he talked to his old friend, he seemed to have completely slipped his mind?
It was no surprise he looked different, that old guardian was gone. But did the name “Nightmare” not ring familiar?
What did it matter, he wasn’t the same.
Cross seemed different too.
It appeared time had done wonders to both of them.
So if Killer’s gonna drag Cross to a party every once and while, Cross just wants to return the favor.
———
Unfinished piece lol.
Oh also yea, no Valentine special. I don’t think that far ahead, c’mon guys. Maybe next week
Also, a little bit inspired by “Christ Alive” by UnknownArmegeddon on Ao3. In all honesty, I did not finish reading it because I had this idea midway through and went to go write this. And then just… never finished it. So uh… yea. But I just wanted to give credit where credit is due.
———————————
Loud ass honking.
Killer stepped out the front door of their current place of residence to see a familiar car parked on the street.
“What the fuck is he doing?” Killer muttered to himself, quickly snatching their keys and making their way over.
As they neared, the passenger window rolled down, revealing none other than Cross himself sitting behind the wheel. He wore casual clothes, an outfit they wouldn’t have expected Cross to choose yet, didn’t look out of place on him. One hand on twelve, the other unlocking the passenger door, a spark in his eyes.
“Let’s go.”
“What?” Killer furrowed their brow, ducking to see Cross fully through the open window.
“You said to live a little,” Cross explained, referencing the countless times Killer had tried to convince him to go to some party or club or whatever else Killer does. “So let’s go live.”
“No way,” Killer’s jaw dropped. “You’re inviting me to a party!?”
“Not exactly.” Cross gave a sly smile. “Maybe a party is your vibe, and your idea of a good time.”
“So let me show what I see is a good time.”
Killer looked at the other a moment more, before smirking and opening the door, sliding in. “Okaaaayyyy.”
“Buckle.“
“What?”
“Buckle.”
“Come oooooon.” Killer whined, slumping in their seat.
“Seat belts everyone.”
“Fuck off mom.” Killer groaned, yanking at the seatbelt before purposefully missing where the seatbelt and the buckle attaches.
“I don’t remember that part.” Cross half joked, replaying the reference in his mind.
“They were both ginger.” Killer pointed out, shrugging.
“I can’t believe this.” Cross watched as Killer, pathetically and immaturely, struggled to buckle their seatbelt.
“Killer, we’re going on a trip.” Cross opted for a new reference.
“This is not a rocket ship.” Killer pouted, crossing their arms as they eventually clicked the seatbelt.
“Not with that attitude it isn’t.” Cross faced back forward before locking the doors and shifting into drive.
It was quiet for a couple minutes. Cross not explaining himself, Killer staring boredly out the window, watching trees and houses pass as they slowly left the city.
“So,” Killer watched as buildings dwindled, roads stretching out without any sort of offshoots in sight. “Where are we going?”
“Who knows?” Cross spoke simply, not even looking at Killer.
“Am I getting kidnapped or murdered?”
“No.” Cross said unfazed. “At least, not yet.”
“Damn.” Killer joked, eyes turning back to the window.
Cross spared a glance before smirking. Pulling out his phone, he shuffled his playlist and let the songs play.
Killer perked up as the phone’s stereo connected to the cars, blasting the familiar song on the radio and surrounding them both.
“Oh fuck yeah!! I love this song!!” Killer cried, excited.
“Sing along then.” Cross prompted. “Loud as you want.”
Killer gasped, leaning forward in their seat. “You hate my singing!”
”YOU DO THE TALKING SEW UP MY MOUTH IF I CAN'T KEEP IT CLOOOOOOOSED.” Cross shouted, singing along to the song, encouraging Killer to follow suit.
“THERE’S A DOG BARKING RIGHT AROUND THE BLOCK AND A BIG OL WHISTLE BLoooOOOOOOOWWWW!!”
Cross chuckled, dropping out his vocals and watching Killer instead, their voice booming around. Cross had deduced that when Killer wanted to, they could sound absolutely horrid when singing. But when prompted or tricked into singing fully, their voice was something else.
Rolling the windows down, he stepped on the gas. Wind blowing, their shirts fluttered as the air rushed in, drowning out the radio and the others' voices. But looking over to the other, Killer didn’t seem to mind. Instead, they locked eyes as they turned to Cross, a smile spreading widely across their face.
Cross laughed, causing Killer to sing louder, their own laughter altering the notes. Cross sang along as the song neared its end, speeding down the highway, something he normally would never do unless to clear his mind. But he was with Killer now. He was hanging out with a good friend, he let himself enjoy a bit of speeding just this one time.
As the song ended, Cross handed Killer his phone, offering them the choice in music for their indefinite drive.
Killer gasped once more, scrolling through songs and playlists as they carefully chose how they wanted to set the mood.
“YOU HAVE SHIT TASTE IN MUSIC!” Killer yelled over the blowing wind.
“SAYS YOU WHO STILL UNIRONICALLY LISTENS TO ALL SIX MOB RAPS.” Cross fired back.
“YOU SAY AS IF YOU DON’T” Killer aimed the phone screen at Cross again, pointing at a playlist of minecraft parodies. “WHY DON’T YOU NAME YOUR PLAYLIST SOMETHING FUN!?!?”
“LIKE WHAT?”
“THIS PLAYLIST IS JUST CALLED ‘EMO MUSIC’ AND THIS ONE IS ‘SUMMER NIGHT DRIVE VIBE’ HOW UNCREATIVE!!” Killer critiqued, scrolling back through Cross's playlist. “WHY DON’T YOU NAME IT LIKE ‘R/IAM14ANDTHISISTHEFUCKINGSHITMAAAAAAANNNN’ OR ‘WOULD CRASH MY CAR AND DO FOUR TRIPLE FLIPS BEFORE CRASHING INTO A FAMILY OF RACOONS TO THIS SHIT’ THAT’S HOW YOU TITLE A PLAYLIST!”
“JUST PICK A FUCKING SONG DUDE.” Cross rolled his eyes, barely able to make out half of what Killer was saying.
After a moment, a song finally started playing, but Killer didn’t put Cross’s phone down. Cross was focused on the road, but in his peripheral he could see Killer pose as if taking a selfie. Or… multiple selfies.
“DUDE WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING. STOP FLOODING MY STORAGE!!!” Cross cried, trying to both not crash the car and snatch his phone back from Killer.
“YOU SAID TO LIVE A LITTLE!! GOTTA TAKE A PICTURE!! IT’LL LAST LONGER!!”
“OR YOU CAN LIVE IN THE MOMENT, AND LET IT LINGER AS A MEMORY!”
Killer snorted, putting the phone in the center console, before something caught their eye above.
“CROSSSS!!!!!”
“WHAAAAATTT!!!”
Cross turned to look at Killer after they didn't respond, only to find them staring back at them with pleading eyes and a hand hovering over the sunroof as if asking for permission to open it.
Cross took a moment, assessing the situation, before they smiled, turning back to the road.
He could practically hear the squeal Killer gave out, quickly opening the sun roof and unbuckling, standing up and letting his torso stick out the top.
“WOOOOOOOOOO! HOLY SHIT!!!” Killer cackled, raising their hands as they stood half way outside of the car.
Cross chuckled, hearing Killer have the time of their life as they slowed down a little bit for safety. Driving fast enough to keep Killer entertained, yet slow enough to avoid any accidents.
Their music blasted, Killer cheered, Cross continuously laughed as wind blew into his face. He was lost, he didn’t know where he was going, an unfamiliar road he was driving down, but that was exciting.
He had Killer, he had his phone just in case, he fueled up on gas in preparation, he had the moon and the stars, he had the city skyline.
For a moment, he wasn’t in a world he knew, or a town that knew him. He was on a road where he could be whoever he wanted for just the night. With a friend who encouraged to be the worst version of himself that he could be.
Speaking of said friend,
“LOOK AT ALL THE LIGHT POLLUTION!” Killer yelled down to Cross.
“WHAT!?” With the distance, the music, and the wind, Cross couldn’t make out a single thing they were saying.
“THE LIGHT POLLUTION!!”
“THE WHAT!?!?!?”
They laughed, Killer crawling back into the car and closing the sunroof as Cross rolled up the windows and lowered the music. The passenger princess leaned their back against the door, one foot on the floor, the other resting against Cross’s seat, facing to watch out the driver's window.
“Look at all the light pollution.”
“You couldn’t be more optimistic Killer, it’s incredible!” Cross spoke, sarcastic, watching the road, being careful to watch for wildlife as they were far away from the city.
Said city captured Killer’s gaze, bright lights glowing in the distance, a faint skyline of familiar buildings. It was so big, yet so small. It was so far away, but they haven’t been driving for that long, have they?
They joked about the light pollution, but it fascinated them. The different colors, the shining lights, how it glowed like a thousand stars clumped together in the night. And the horizon outlining shapes they knew like the back of their hand, gave a sense of comfort and recognition, as if giving off a feeling of home and reassurance from afar. Is this what astronauts felt like, watching Earth from space?
It was strange. Why did it feel this way? Was it like this with every city? Or just this one that was so close to the place Killer resided?
To see so many people, so many lives. So many stories and souls and possibilities living their life in the way they do. All in a tiny picturesque speck on the horizon.
“Hey, Kills.”
“Hmm?”
“You wanna go for a dip?”
“Oh hell yeah!!”
“I know a spot away from all the “light pollution” that also happens to be a nice, secluded lake.”
“Ooooo~”
“Shut up.” Cross chuckled as Killer sat back up, going to look out their own window.
It was a less eventful drive the rest of the way to the lake. They changed playlist, something more calmer
_____________
———-
Hahah!!
How far are we!!
We aren’t near any beaches!!!
It’s called a lake you dumbass!!
What the fuck is a lake!!
Your mom!
That was weak!
That’s what she said!
Oh stars you’re becoming me!!
I would never.
On the roof of the car.
So, was this a good time.
Better than a party.
A close second.
Oh come on you stubborn bitch. It was way more fun than a stuffy, obnoxious, stinky, overstimulating party full of strangers that you’re not even gonna remember the next day.
CW/TW: Throwing up
Sorry if this confusing, I needed a vent piece and did not know how to translate it into Underverse lol
Not every timeline was perfect.
Chara didn’t remember every timeline.
Their memory wasn’t perfect
But sometimes, little bits and pieces come back.
And usually not the good ones
——————————
“Papy frew up in da bafroom.”
Chara didn’t know what to expect when he agreed with his siblings to watch the Royal Scientists… son??? What was this little skeleton’s relationship with the Royal Scientist? Chara wasn’t sure.
“I wanna play with the friends!”
But… it wasn’t this.
“I’m gonna take you back to my house, and we are gonna have a sleepover, k?”
“Nooooo!!”
“Chara, stop teasing him!!”
It was casually, never really prompted.
“Can Frisk play with us?”
“Mmmmmmm no.”
It would never make sense with the previous sentence.
“Papy frew up in da bafroom.”
“What was that?”
It wouldn’t even wait for a moment of silence.
“I just wanna color…”
“I know but it’s lunchtime, we gotta eat.”
The skeleton would just… say it.
“You don’t want this apple?”
“No!! I want that apple!!”
“But- that’s my apple!!”
How did the Royal Scientist feel about this?
“Come sit!!”
“Under the table?”
The Royal Scientist was at the hospital most of the time now-a-days, with his other… son? Hence why the Royal Families kids were asked to babysit in the first place.
“Ssshhhhhh we hiding!!”
“Ok, Asriel won’t find us under here!!”
None of the princes knew exactly what was happening, but they didn’t mind hanging out with the little baby and skipping out on school from time to time.
“Papy frew up in da bafroom.”
Maybe Chara knew a little bit, he was the oldest of the three.
“I miss my Papy.”
That didn’t mean he always knew the right thing to say.
“It’s wipstick!!”
“It’s chapstick- and you don’t even have lips!?”
He just knew Frisk would put the kid to bed, the Royal Scientist would come back, and their parents would pick them up again.
“This smells like…”
“Vanilla??”
“Straaawwwbeeerrriiiieeessss!!”
“Ok.”
Cross doesn’t know Chara remembers him as a little baby.
“Can you brush your teeth? I know you’re tired, c’mon kid.”
Or maybe he does, Cross never let him know if he did.
“I miss my Papy.”
But despite how much time has passed, every so often, Chara would remember those words, in that voice, and get chills.
“Papy frew up in da bafroom.”
“I know… I know.”
“I miss my Papy.”
“I know, but he’s gotta stay so he can be all better, ok?”
