There are infinite universes, and an infinite upon infinite number of choices to be made. So perhaps that it was this universe that the famed Doctor W.D. Gaster met little Ghost of Hallownest.

Ghost was exploring again. A cave here, a drop-off here, a new path. Ghost backtracked to the new path.

It was a gray door. Unlike the arches and curves of Hallownest, this door was square and pointy. It was also grey, there was no grey in The Resting Grounds, so why was it there?

Only one way to find out.

Ghost walked. And walked. And walked. And walked. And walked. The path would have been as dark as The Abyss, but there were Lumafly Lanterns for that particular problem.

Finally, Ghost encountered a vessel like...thing. cracked like Broken Vessel, tall, but not as tall as The Hollow Knight. But this thing was more intimidating than anything Hallownest could offer

"Greetings young one, I see this is the timeline where you're more curious than violent."

Silence from the vessel.

The not vessel thing focused on a point beyond Ghost.

"This will be the timeline in which I tell you stories, perhaps to aid you in your upcoming battles. Come, young one, sit, and listen."

Ghost sat.

"I can see many timelines unfold, some good, some bad. I see five branching out from you. All changing the future of Hallownest. You will have to fight in all of them. Four require you to delve deeper into the kingdoms history, and to face perils that are a nightmare hidden in a dream. In one, you become an eldritch beast, rivaling the power of the Wyrm. In another, you condemn Hallownest to be eternal. In another you banish the Infection. In another, you set free your predecessor. I hope you find the correct story to guide you.""That is all I can say young one, I truly hope you can solve your own problems. My own kingdom is having a... dust crisis. Farewell young one."

Ghost got up and turned back the way they went. Once out of the door, the door shut. They turned in time to watch the door fade from the physical plane.

Perhaps it was time to explore some more. After all, Hallownest had many paths to offer.

AN:

-the nightmare hidden in a dream is the White Palace and the everything in there. i.e. the white fragment.

-some of the story is the different endings, obviously, and its just story-ified.

-the dust crisis is the genocide route

-the last two lines are Ghost deciding that they should go and save the kingdom.