No pov~

Red smiles as he watches you and Papyrus cook a breakfast. You had suggested coffeecake as that was one of the few things you could think of first thing in the morning.

Papyrus would never admit it,but he loved teaching things to someone like an older sibling. Maybe when Nightmare thinks it's okay, Red can take you over here again for combat training with Pap, maybe invite Black over as well. They'd make a day out of it.

Red was stirred out of his thoughts by a knock at the door. Papyrus' head snaps to look over at the door. Red's eyes widen as he realizes that his brother didn't invite anyone over.

"*Kid, follow me. We're going to visit my room. Pap has a visitor over." Red says,trying to divert the curious child's attention away from the potentially dangerous situation.

You nod and hop off the step stool that Red often uses to get to the top shelf. It may be humiliating, but Red needs his sweets God damnit, and Papyrus insists on keeping them on the top shelf.

You take Red's hand and follow him up to his room as Papyrus goes to answer the door. "I'M COMING, I'M COMING!! WAIT A DAMN MINUTE. I HAVE OTHER THINGS I HAVE TO DO!!"

You giggle as you walk into Red's room. His room was pretty empty. There was a small bookshelf filled with only about fifteen books, a mattress on the ground with messy sheets, and a wardrobe. There was also a door in the room. Oh yeah, and a self-sustaining tornado made of small bits of trash.

"Your room is weird." You say as you hop onto the messy mattress, slightly surprised at how soft it is. Red smirks as he shuts the door.

"*Yeah, well... There are weirder things in the world." Red shrugs as he sits down next to you, pulling out a comic book from under his pillow.

"Yeah, like that one time I hugged Death when he was waking me up and I didn't die. That was weird. I didn't really think about it at the time but, looking back on it that was super weird." You mutter.

Red looks at you oddly. "*You HUGGED the specter of Death as he was waking you from a coma you definitely would have died in if not for your adopted father's weird voodoo magic. Yeah... Hate to break it to ya kid, but your whole LIFE is weird."

You shrug as you let yourself fall back into the mattress. "Yeah, I guess your right. It kinda makes me wonder WHY my life is so weird, though."

Red hums as he flips through his comic. "*A curse? Maybe it's karma from a previous life? Or maybe your just fate's little play thing?"

"That's weird. You have weird ideas." You say, pushing him lightly. Red rolls his eyes.

"*Yeah, sure. I'M the weird one. Here I'll give you a piece of candy if you drop it." Red says, fishing a small hard candy from his pocket.

You grin as you snatch the candy from him. "Deal!"

----

Papyrus looks down confusedly at the small, yellow mad scientist at his doorstep before he's even had breakfast.

"DOCTOR ALPHYS, WHY IN THE EVER LIVING F*CK ARE YOU AT MY DOOR AT SEVEN IN THE GOD DAMN MORNING?!" Papyrus asks, obviously not amused.

The lizard shifts nervously as she adjusts her glasses. "Captain. My apologies. I simply found some odd readings in the area that I thought your brother might have something to do with."

Papyrus rolls his eyes and leans against the door frame. "AND THIS COULDN'T HAVE WAITED UNTIL LATER, AT A MORE REASONABLE TIME? I HIGHLY DOUBT THAT. MY BROTHER GETS UP TO A LOT OF CRAZY SH*T IN HIS PRIVATE LAB. HE'S SOMETIMES GONE FOR DAYS. YOU'LL HAVE TO COME BACK LATER."

Alphys smiles mischievously as she pushes her glasses up. "Ah, see that's where you're wrong. I saw him walk into town with a... Creature yesterday afternoon and come with it in here. I believe that thing is what all these readings are about."

Papyrus glares down at the scientist for a good minute, before sighing and getting up and opening the door wider for her. "I SHALL GET MY BROTHER FOR YOU, IF YOU SWEAR TO KEEP THIS TO YOURSELF. MY BROTHER IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH POWERFUL BEINGS THE LIKES OF WHICH YOU'VE NEVER DREAMED OF. THE CREATURE YOU ARE INTERESTED IN IS THE ADOPTED CHILD OF ONE OF THEM. DO NOT DO ANYTHING TO MAKE THE CHILD EVEN REMOTELY UNCOMFORTABLE OR OUR ENTIRE UNIVERSE IS DEAD, YOU HEAR ME?!"

Alphys stares at Papyrus for a moment before nodding slowly. Papyrus sighs and closes the front door and marches up the stairs, grumbling to himself. The things he does for his older brother.

------

You frown as you scan over the panel of the comic. "But, wait. That doesn't make any sense. Isn't Ace supposed to be the strongest hero here?" ((A/N: Right, bit of an explanation here. This comic book series here is based off of an RP me and my friends do with our own original characters. Thought it might be fun to include here. If y'all want I can write something based on it eventually.))

"*That's the thing, kid. Ace isn't always the hero. She's the keeper of balance, that means if things are too peaceful and good for too long,it is also in her job description to stir up trouble, kill a few people, act as the bad guy, that sort of thing."

"Oooooohhhhh. Okay, but then what makes her different from the Black
Empress?"

"*Well, see Black is someone who sees no value in any life. She thinks that existence is a game in that you are either a pawn or the gamemaster, and she wants to be the gamemaster because-"

The in depth explanation of the comic book you were reading about superheroes in a group called the T.A.B.S Squad (Trans, Ace, Bi, Straight) was interrupted by the door being slammed open suddenly by Papyrus.

"DOCTOR ALPHYS IS HERE TO ASK YOU ABOUT SOME ODD READINGS, BROTHER. OT SEEMS THAT SHE WONT LEAVE US ALONE UNTIL YOU TALK TO HER." Papyrus growls out, obviously not happy.

Sans sighs and gets up with a loud groan. "*Fiiiiiiiiiiiiine. I guess I should go see what she wants so she can leave. Can ya look after the kid for a bit?"

Papyrus gives a light smirk. "I SUPPOSE I COULD GRACE THEIR PRESENCE WITH MY MAGNIFICENCE FOR A SMALL BIT. OH! IF I DO THAT, COULD YOU TAKE THE COFFEECAKE OUT OF THE OVEN WHEN THE TIMER GOES OFF?"

Red gives his brother a lazy thumbs up. "*You got it, bro." Red turns on his heels and slowly walks down to the living room.

Papyrus looks to you and gives you a slight smile. "SOOOOOOO... ANY IDEA ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WHILE WE WAIT?" You give a wide smile and nod excitedly.

----

Red plops onto the couch as he watches Alphys pace. "No, no, no, no, no. These readings make absolutely no sense. It's like multiple human and monster souls all in one place. Unless this thing was a monster who absorbed a few human souls or a human who absorbed a boss monster soul. But, that still makes no sense based on the readings. Why is this so confusing?!"

Red chuckles lightly. "*Probably because you are trying to make sense of something that is quite literally out of this universe."

Alphys jumps and clutches her notes close to her chest as she whips around. "SANS! Don't scare me like that!"

Red shrugs as he pulls out a bottle of mustered. "*Well, you shouldn't be looking into this, yet here we are." He mutters taking a sip.

Alphys huffs and sets down scattered sheets of data showing magical influxes in the area just outside Snowdin town and within starting yesterday and being a constant up to today. "These readings are highly concerning, Sans. I would appreciate being kept in the loop so I know what to tell Asgore when he inevitably asks about them!"

Sans sighs and shakes his head. "*Simply tell the king that I said "a Nightmare was in town". He will understand what it means. As for your own curiosity, I suppose I could let you in on the secret. You've been snooping around enough and the Boss shouldn't mind as long as you stay outta our way."

Alphys tilts her head curiously. "By "boss" I assume you don't mean Papyrus?"

Sans chuckles as he waves a hand, papers magically appearing Jin his hands. "*Yup. The Boss I'm talking about is someone completely different. So, how much do ya know about the Multiverse theory?"

"That is the theory stating that there are multiple possible worlds similar, yet completely different than our own. Similar to alternate timelines, but they can take place in completely different settings, or have different beings in different or new roles."

"*Yeah, well it's true. Get that outta the way. Everything you just said is true. And on top of that,there are powerful beings that can travel between them to keep everything running properly. There is a Guardian of the multivere that helps to create these alternate universes or AUs named Ink. There is also a destroyer who gets rid of unnecessary or damaging universes named Error. They used to work alone until Ink ran into a being made to protect and now, help induce and maintain positivity named Dream, and a version of myself who acts a bit like a WAY more innocent and excitable version of Pap nicknames Blueberry or Blue for short."

Red pauses letting Alphys process the overload of new information. "*Are you following Al?"

Alphys sits down and holds her head for a good minute before nodding. "Y-yes. I just- it- it's a lot to process."

Red hums nodding. "*Do you want me to continue?"

"Yes."

"*Right, well. Where there is light there is darkness. Dream has a twin brother named Nightmare who basically became a God after being betrayed by Dream, probably unintentionally one too many times. Nightmare goes around feeding off of and creating negativity in other universes. Nightmare has also taken to destroying useless and stuck universes. Put them out of their misery for lack of a better understanding. Nightmare eventually befriended and recruited Error and several more of us. I am currently working under them. Are you following?"

Alphys nods, scribbling down several notes frantically.

"*Right, well the influxes of magic are due to his adopted kid coming here with me for a bit because he wants us to get to know them or something, I guess? Anyway, they'll be gone tommorow evening and everything should go back to normal. As to WHY the kid has such a weird magic signature, well..." Red pauses thinking of the best way to put it.

"*Long story short, they were in a coma for WAY longer than a human has naturally lived without aging thanks to some sort of spell the Boss put on em and the literal specter of death woke them up."

Alphys looks up at Red in confusion. "*Oh, yeah. Gods are real in a few different universes and Nightmare is friends with Death."

Alphys sets down her notes and leans back, letting out a long, tired breath. "Wow... That- that's a lot of information."

Red smiles. "*You kept up with it well."

Alphys returns the smile and sits up. "You know, Sans? Your not as bad as I thought."

The moment was cut off by a loud ringing from the kitchen. Red sighs and heaves himself up and wanders over to the kitchen.

Alphys watches him for a moment, before packing up her papers. She's grateful for the information, but she still at least wants to see the child that threw all her systems into chaos.

Red wanders out of the kitchen a few moments after Alphys put away the last of the papers and glances over at her. "*You're welcome to stay for breakfast. I think the kid would like it."

The scientist gives a grateful nod. "Thanks, I guess." She mumbles following Red as he makes his way up the stairs to Papyrus' room where he heard muffled talking.

Sans opens the door, only to burst out laughing. There, on the floor was his captain of the royal gaurd brother reading a children's book with you, dressed up in his pirate costume from this last Halloween.

Papyrus looks up at his brother and glares. "NOT. A. WORD. BROTHER. YOU EITHER DOCTOR." You glance up from the story,only to freeze when you see Alphys. Your hug on Papyrus' arm grew into a vice like grip.

Papyrus looks down at you worriedly and Sans stops laughing immediately once he notices the sudden change in your demeanor.

"*Kid? You okay?"

You don't move or respond. Your eyes, glazed over and frightened. Papyrus picks you up and sets you on his lap so you are facing him and puts a hand on your shoulder. "(Y/N)? ARE YOU ALRIGHT?"

Papyrus' eyes widen in terror when he hears your slight whimpering. Red pulls out his phone as Alphys takes a careful step forward. "It seems like a panic attack, do we know what caused it?"

You begin to shake as you feel the scientist approach you. Papyrus glances down at you before looking back up to Alphys. "I HAVE NO SOLID PROOF, HOWEVER I BELIEVE THAT SEEING YOU MAY HAVE INSTIGATED THE ATTACK."

Alphys freezes and slowly backs away. Your shaking becomes less violent. It becomes even less violent as you are brought into a hug by Red. "*Hey, Sweetheart. I need you to calm down. I called Nightmare and he'll be here soon but, you need to calm down so you can tell him what happened. Can you do that for me?"

You close your eyes as you lean into the hug and nod, silent tears still escaping your eyes.

A few seconds pass before the shadows in the room become darker and Nightmare walks out from them. "Where are they?"

Red glances up and nudges your side. "*Nightmare is here, sweetheart. Think you can go tell him what happened?" Red asks gently, keeping you in a loose hug.

You nod and slowly get up stumbling your way over to Nightmare who catches you and picks you up. "Hey there Moonlight."

You nuzzle into his shoulder and hug him tightly. Nightmare sighs and pets your hair slightly. He glances at Papyrus with a questioning look before glancing at the bed. Papyrus nods and Nightmare takes a seat on the bed. "Starshine, I need you to tell me what's wrong."

"Labcoat." You mumble, clinging to your father figure. He sighs and flashes of terrifying images of a lab break out fly by his closed eye. "Would you be okay if Alphys took off her labcoat? Or do you need to come home?"

"I'll be okay, just... Memories. Not mine but, they're scary." Nightmare nods and looks over to Alphys. "I'm sorry, but would you be willing to rid yourself of your labcoat. I believe that is what started the panic attack."

Alphys quickly takes her coat off and runs down stairs, placing it neatly in the briefcase she brought for the data and slowly makes her way back upstairs. "I- I got rid of it."

Nightmare nods and pulls away from you gently. "Starling, look. No more labcoat. You're okay. You're okay..." Nightmare mutters soothingly as he turns you ever so slightly for you to see for yourself.

You shyly glance over at Alphys before relaxing completely once you saw the red and black stripped turtleneck without the bright white coat over it.

Alphys smiles gently at you and waves. "Hello there. My name is Alphys." You give a shy wave back as you keep one hand firmly gripping Nightmare's jacket. "H-hi... 'm (Y/N)..." You mumble quietly.

Nightmare smiles and brings you into a hug once again, nuzzling the top of your hair. "There we are. That's my Starlight." You giggle quietly and hug back. "Thanks Papa..."

Red smiles as he watches the sweet scene next to his brother. Red lets out a silent breath of relief before standing up straighter and claps his hands together. "*Right, who's ready for breakfast?"

((A/N: Two chapters close together?! What is it? Christmas?? My motivation to write is through the roof right now!! Let's hope I can stay in this role! Who else is excited to see why (Y/N) is so freaked out, and what the weird dream was about?? I know I can't wait to share it! Have a wonderful day my wonderful readers! ❤))