The Sundancing Timeline [The Bad Sanses and other Undertale AUs]

Chapter 9: Are You Traumatised Or Not?

Had to generate a fake image because I couldn't find a relevant picture TvT

Oh but yeah, enjoy the read like always!

I began dreaming, with wide-open eyes. Or was I?

I couldn't feel the carpet beneath me anymore. I felt cold and hollow. I couldn't feel anything. Something was clenching at the crystal heart in my pocket. 

Random memories flashed in and out as if channels on the television were switching, trying to find something worthy of watching. 

I saw, from my point of view, myself tripping and stubbing my toe on the couch leg. It was painful and I went on to apologise to my couch. It happened a week ago. I was confused.

Then it went a few years back; I looked around at the place I knew so well. I was walking through my college's hallways. The confusion went away as I began smiling faintly. The beautiful sunrays decorated the corridor's path, made of green granite. I remember this day specifically because it was Graduation Day. But before I could snatch a moment to feel nostalgic, the memories switched again.

Another leap back in time. It was the local park near my old home— our old home. I could even hear my parents laughing, sitting on the bench. I was running through the sand pit, trying to catch a squirrel. I ran quite fast back then. The girl who was making a sand castle screeched loudly and left the sand pit to complain to her mother. The other children paid no mind as they ran around the jungle gym.

But before I hit my head on the sand castle and caused its demise, the memory switched. I was at school. Kids around me were listening intently while my third-grade teacher was saying something. I could hear more clearly this time, but her voice muffled in and out while she spoke.

"..So yes. Remember this, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise...

The ones who truly love you will always guide you home no matter where you are. So keep faith in yourself... and be good, alright?"

I teared up.

Soulstealer POV

How is she so pathetic if she's had such a good life? Where's the traumatic experience that changed everything for her? I couldn't find it. Tch. Should've asked Nightmare more about this idiot.

Or did she just become like this over time? That can happen? Eh, I dunno. Must be human loneliness.

I spotted small beads of water under her eyelashes and smirked. I kept my hand up towards her and kept repeating it over and over. Whatever she was looking at must be pretty damn interesting.

But she didn't cry with agony. She was crying with eyes staring into nothing with an almost smile. It irked me a little bit. She was crying with joy.

I lost contact with her Soul Reedemer when I got shoved back on the floor. A huge, and I mean HUGE skeleton hovered over me. It was Horrortale's Sans. He looked terrible with a gash in his skull, a single menacing eye and an equally menacing grin.

"Looks like good ol' me is in for a treat for some scrumptious bones!" He lifted and stared down at my left eye socket.

"Mm, yep! Looks like he's got an eye for your eye, new pal." Something New's Sans grabbed my throat and stared at me with his plain black sockets closely before I could move away.

"Move." A quiet rumble gave away Dusttale Sans' interruption as he loomed over my head. I couldn't see his face, therefore I had no idea what he was thinking. Not like I am good at reading people anyway.

"Heh- *cough* What's up, Murder?"

Silence fell among the three. The other two Sanses slithered away. Murder's fists clenched and he slammed his foot back on my forehead. I yelped. He rested one elbow on the propped-up knee and whispered dangerously.

"Never call me that again."

"Ouch- But ain't that your name-"

"I said... Never. Call me. That. Again."

Cross POV

I was leaning on the pillar. Something happened and our bodies had gone a week after we heard a splash and thin glass breaking. The Murder Time Trio managed to get a hold of that jerk and pinned him to the ground. I squinted my eye sockets around, finding Sundancer limp on the floor. She was breathing heavily, apparently still sobbing. That menace did something bad but none of us could see. We were blinded by darkness.

"B-boss? Sundancer's hurt! Where are you?!"

I yelped. But nobody came.

I managed to push myself off the pillar with a groan and began shuffling over to her. "Jill? Hey, buddy- You up?" I called out. She turned her head towards me. But she was... smiling? I got confused. I threw myself one last time in her direction and crawled towards her.

"You good, dude?"

"...better than I ever was, thank you Cross."

I was glad that she was alright. I smiled back.

The next thing I saw was Killer being thrown in my direction. We ended up hitting our heads as he rested on me with his full goddamn weight.

"Dude, get OFF-"

"..yeah... mmph... that weird eye socket guy uses potions... love ya Crossy."

Great. Just great.

Sundancer POV

Cross' presence didn't help the shooting ache in my heart and the dizziness that took over me. Every cell in my body felt like abdicating the body. I lay, staring at the ceiling. My throat felt dry, and I couldn't see anything other than the faint darkness.

I'd never felt like this.

I turned my head to look around (or at least try to). A wave of panic surged through me.

The green crystal heart lay shattered in two equal pieces. Must've happened when I collapsed. I was told to not let it get damaged, but never knew what would happen if it were to break.

Killer came flying like a dart and hit Cross like he was the dartboard. Cross cursed at Killer while Killer couldn't bother less.

"..yeah... mmph... that weird eye socket guy uses potions... love ya Crossy."

My vision was fading in and out like my hearing was a while ago. I lifted my aching head. Dust was being held against the wall by the new skeleton. I couldn't find Nightmare anywhere. Horror was on the ground. But I couldn't tell what was going on with him but his face was covered with sweat.

I let my head fall back down. I took a moment to close my eyes. My heart was dying, and my throat was draining any remaining life out of me. 

Despite the pain, I inhaled. 

Those were the only friends I've had in a long time. And they'd be dead, all because of me. 

I couldn't stand the thought. I couldn't move an inch but my slowing heart burned with something. A thing I'd never felt before, but it didn't hurt like the other stuff I was feeling at the moment.

It was weird, though. Considering I'd never really done anything for them other than show them kindness. Even that's something I rarely do.

...I guess that's all it took, huh?

That's when I realised something: I'd grown attached, also. Attached to something that wasn't mere objects.

We've traded affection with each other from the moment I came in. Being spared by Killer was a fluke, his mere will. But that led to... all of this.

I couldn't bear the thought anymore. 

I couldn't let them die for me.

I'd finally felt what I'd longed to feel in a long time.

Love, ambition... DETERMINATION.

I propped myself up with my elbows and sat up slowly. The evil bastard looked at me in the eyes while Dust dropped limp on the floor. Not gonna lie, I was shivering with fear. I was still a coward. Until I proved it otherwise.

No. I don't wanna be a coward anymore.

I'll save them. I'll fix everything.

...I ain't alone anymore.

End of Chapter 9