Chapter Text

UNDERTALE

The Two Determined

Once upon a time,

There were 8 human children. One by one, they each fell into the underground, and perished.

…Except one.

Their name was Frisk. Through trial and error and despite all odds, they, with the help of Asriel Dreemurr, destroyed the barrier that trapped Monsterkind beneath the earth. With hopeful spirits and dreams rekindled, they all made haste to reintroduce themselves to Humanity.

…But humans were not so welcoming.

First came fear, then aggression, and finally a surprise attack.

Panic ensued amongst Monsterkind, and with nowhere else to go, they made retreat to their place of banishment...

MT. EBOTT

201X

Across the surface, the unbridled wrath and fear of humanity converged upon them.

And soon, their worst nightmare…

Another War

{ Chapter 1 }

Smoke, bursted from human-made explosives, poisoned the once azure sky, and the slopes of MT. Ebott were consumed by horror and violence. Monsters fled up the inclines and forgotten paths back home, and every step of the way the humans cut down any monster brave enough to fight, and any monster who wasn't fast enough. For many, it was the worst day of their lives, but for some, it left them in a state of despondence. It felt as though they had traveled back to the Great War through a time machine, or a fever induced night terror. That was especially true for King Asgore, who stood at the base of the mountain where human soldiers were amassing like a great barrier between his people and his old enemies. In the name of Monsterkind, in the name of his dear, sweet Tori, he laid waste to Human after Human without mercy, without a second thought. Frisk tried desperately to get through to him, but failed to lift the enraged father out of a deep abyss of grief and loss. All Toriel wanted… was peace. She tried to greet the frightened soldiers in the city with kindness, but with their state-of-the-art weaponry the humans made her pay for such hope with her life. Cries called to hold fire, but there was nothing Asgore could've done to save her as she turned to dust in his arms. In her final moments, she cast aside her anger and caressed his cheek, pleading;

"P-please...

"Don't hurt them."

"They don't understand."

He reflected on those words of hers for just a moment, then drove his grand Crimson Trident into the belly of a human soldier who got too close and hoisted them high for all to see. That was when it began. Now, Monsters fled with tears and fear back into their prison, ironically serving as their only haven from the pandemonium. In the ensuing battle alongside King Asgore was Captain Undyne and her Royal Guard, Mettaton turned Neo, Spiderbaker Muffet and many more. Sans, Papyrus, Alphys and Frisk were all tasked with aiding the retreat and help any monsters too weak or wounded to reach the Underground alone. Far, far too many monsters had already been captured or dusted by the advancing forces, of which there were hundreds. The strength of The King, The Star, and The Warrior combined however was a force to be reckoned with, and the humans of today were much weaker than their predecessors. Yet even so, many of them were still filled with the Perseverance, Patience, and Bravery to push onwards, to protect Humanity from a self-perpetuated threat. High up along the path monsters took to vacate the underground almost an hour ago now, atop a jagged edge of the cliff that overlooked much of the mountain's face was The Great Papyrus.

He looked down with nervousness as he watched Undyne, who swept through the slopes of the mountain, and Mettaton, who razed the surface from the skies, both of which narrowly escaping one close call after the next. He could not begin to understand where it all went wrong, he thought he and Toriel were so close to soothing human's fear. Before Papyrus became too lost in what could of's, his resolve quickly bolstered. He faced the monsters at his back, who were ascending the mountain's climb. They could not move too quickly, lest they trample one another, but too slow and they'd surely be caught in the crossfire that hammered the mountainside.“DON’T LAG BEHIND NOW! YOU SHALL BE SAFE BACK UNDERGROUND! HURRY, NOW! HURRY!” The towering skeleton urged them, moving away from his perch and striding to and fro with purpose and confidence amongst the line of monsters. To think they were once excited to make a good first impression. For so many others, it was just a chance to start anew. Now, they were sentencing themselves back down under, and for the first time, they looked to him for guidance and protection. Papyrus cast away his burning desire to join Undyne, and stayed close to the people who needed him most. Not far from the entrance now...

At the end of the winding dirt roads and just beside the great cavern that led into the underground was the eighth fallen human, Frisk. There, they ensured each and every monster got along safely, trying not to glance outward to the conflict not so far away now. They sealed within themselves this writhing feeling of anger, denying that it ever even existed. Yet even as they managed to suppress these feelings inside and keep away from the cliff edge, (Where, not long ago, they took a long-needed respite with all of their friends), from beyond the veil, a force that fed off the hate and violence of others took form at their shoulder as war was brought back to Ebott. But they've truly been beside them for longer than Frisk cared to recall.

Why haven't you reset yet?

Their voice reverberated through the air as if trapped in a great, empty void. An icy chill creeped up Frisk's spine as they tried not to even acknowledge them. I presumed you would've after someone put that old goat to sleep. They hardly seemed to care though as they continued to ramble. Maybe you enjoyed watching her die? Frisk immediately shook away the thought as shame pulled on their soul. My smile grew widely as they felt it. Pathetic. How eagerly you dismiss your true nature, as if it doesn't even exist. Don't worry…

I will never forget what we did together

The sound of tumbling rocks and clamoring metal rose up from over the cliff, and in the corner of Frisk's eye, Undyne jumped up from below and stood on the edge of the cliff of respite. Only when she approached, sweat rushing down her forehead, did Frisk finally notice of her. “How… huff… how many more are there left to go?” Undyne asked them. 40 left. Frisk tells Undyne not many now. From a ways down the path Papyrus hurried alongside the rushing monsters, worry sprayed over his face. “U-UNDYNE, HOW ARE YOU…FARING DOWN THERE?” The skeleton questioned with a few huffs of his own. In response, a toothy grin replaced her gnawing exhaustion. Undyne straightened her posture. “… Ha! You say that like I'm struggling!” You can't fool me, fish. When the King of the Mountain exerted a war cry that echoed across the duststained mountainside, that optimism faltered. Undyne looked out at the dust and blood covered slopes, trying to spot their King from afar. “It's King Asgore you should be worrying about. He's… he's got that look in his eye.” Just thinking about it made her smile fade out completely.

“W-w-what look?” A small yellow lizard chirped out, having snuck up on everyone. She had come with the last of the monsters in tow, but who could say just how many were displaced? “A-Alphys! You shouldn't be up here.” How did she outlive the goat? “I-I-I know I just-just-just-” As she stammered for words, a blast from what sounded like a cannon rang out, and a human corpse suddenly hurtled over the cliff face and descended down on them and the surviving denizens. “LOOK OUT!” Undyne shouted as she spotted it and summoned her luminescent spear, but it was Papyrus who raised a tall bone wall from the earth to stop it, leaving the body to slump down before the frightened crowd. Gasps, screams, and urges to run followed. Shame he isn't always that reactive. Undyne thrusted a palm towards them. "Stay calm! Running is gonna make it that much harder to escape!" The heroine roared, and it immediately brought some sense back to the monsters. But it only broke the composure of the scientist. “H-how are we going to stop them!? T-the barrier i-is destroyed! A-a-aa-” Alphys started to hyperventilate, Undyne's eye widened as Papyrus stepped towards her. “ALPHYS! DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE!” He exclaimed as Frisk just stood there, uncertain what to do. Monsters moved by, eyes glancing over the scientist with pity. What a sorry sight.

Undyne cast away her spear and knelt down to cut the distance between them and squeezed alphys' shoulders tightly. "Alphys! Alphys, look at me, alright? Just… just look at me and don't stop lookin'." Alphys did just that, locking eyes with the captain as the cacophony of war failed to cease for even a moment. Better say goodbye now before you can't. The ground rumbled with the arrival of a great cupcake-like spider monster, with Spiderbaker Muffet riding atop and Bartender grillby at her side on his feet. “Misssss Undyne!” Muffet hissed. Bartender Grillby struggled to keep his balance, but his body still burned brightly. Aw, I would have loved to fight him. Undyne did not stand up but shifted her head slightly as Alphys continued to keep her eyes trained on the captain. “Thisssss… the last of the Monstersss.” She said with fatigue in her voice. Though Monsters did not bleed, she and her pet looked heavily beaten and bruised. Not even Grillby's suit was spared, tattered with loose seams, tears and missing buttons. Undyne locked eyes with the royal scientist one more time. “I don't know how, but we're gonna figure it out together, okay?” Undyne told Alphys softly, giving her the sincerest smile she could as the world burned around them. Her lies are just as strong as her depth perception.

Alphys nodded, wiping away the tears that built up behind her cracked glasses. Undyne stood up tall, emitting her constant aura of strength. “Awwright, ladies! Everyone head down below and wait for King Asgore!" The heroine shouted into the cave entrance. He'll know what to do next!” That'd be a first. The last of the Monsters rushed past her, including what remained of the Core's battalion. In this world of blinding light, there was safety only in the darkness. Papyrus paused before even taking the first step down, noticing a vital member of their cast missing. “SANS? …BROTHER!!” He hollered all around with a worried nyeh, wondering where he made off to.

“right behind you.” The shorter of the skeleton brothers said. Papyrus moved aside to reveal him, and not one of them realized when he had walked up. Frisk hadn't seen him once since this all began... With an exchange of smiles (Although Sans' was more like a faint shadow) Frisk, Alphys and the brothers joined the others in the depths of Ebott. Mettaton landed where Undyne had on the precipice. He stopped right at the stairway, unable to face Undyne. His mouth was agape for longer than it should've been, struggling to capture the right words to say. “… He doesn't look good,” was all Mettaton could muster before rushing down the stair. Undyne hesitated before she summoned her spear, gripping it tightly as she jumped from the jumped down from ledge to ledge in search for the King of the Mountain, now the final monster who kept humanity at bay. On the way she encountered many humans, and chucked countless spears like javelins through their chests. She had sustained only a few cuts and bruises by the time she found him, following the sound of his struggling voice. She climbed a short hill, and just over the peak saw the towering King. When the scene became clear to her, Undyne nearly froze; He stood atop a smaller hill of his own making, comprised solely of mutilated and dismembered humans.

But there wasn't time to be hesitant. Shaking away the ice building at her boots, Undyne stepped forth. He had indeed held humanity at a standstill beyond, shielded by large bulky cars and shields. They made no longer made any attempt to fight him head on and opted to attack from afar. Undyne became another target for their assault, but she made quick work of their bullets and arrows.“Asgore! All the citizens have made it back underground! It's time to join them!” She yelled through the curdling screams of humans set ablaze by the King's flames of hatred and the endless barrage of gunfire. Asgore deflected their projectiles over and over again, but one look at his body told Undyne he had still been hit hundreds of times despite his efforts. Yet it took her ages to just knock him down. Was he... letting them hit him? Silence held dominion over Asgore as he gasped for breath, standing tall but crumbling. “Asgore! I… we need you down there!” Undyne pleaded. A stray swordsman grew brave and tried to flank her, but she easily hoisted him by the arm and flung him back toward his allies. “Leave me.” The King muttered softly under his beard, just loud enough for Undyne to hear. She gritted her teeth, stepped over the corpses and reached for his broad, gold-plated shoulder now riddled with battle scars. “Asgore!” Undyne begged, her voice cracking with desperation. At the slightest touch, he gyrated his upper body hard enough to push Undyne back.

“I said leave me!” The Mountain King roared; his voice so grandiose it shook the ground beneath. His teeth were bared, and his eyes burned with fire and tears. For the very first time, even if for just a moment, Undyne felt truly afraid and petrified by his gaze, now cruel and cross. He shifted away from her in haste. “Protect our people. That is my final order. Now go.” Holding back the urge to cry, Undyne bit her lip hard and retracted the hand that reached for the one that never came. She turned mountainward, ran and did not look back. Because if she did, she'd be unable to obey him.

⪼⪻

Down a grand league of stairs between the surface and where the barrier once existed, monsters had gathered in a large unaltered cavern. Light beamed down from above the stair, and many unseen cracks through the ceiling. There, they talked amongst themselves in hushed tones and tended to one another, anxiously awaiting their King and his Spear of Justice. Mettaton comforted a troubled Alphys, Papyrus looked after every weeping child, Sans stood by himself away from everyone else, and Frisk eyed the stairs like a hawk to prey, or a deer in headlights. Any moment, they would come. But once they did, what then? Ever since Toriel was taken away, Frisk had been subdued in a blurry haze. This run was supposed to make everything right again... Suddenly, footsteps echoed over the low rumbling of the crowd. Everyone silenced and looked up to the top of the staircase and felt a burst of hope. But it only took seconds for it to crack.

The Spear finally descended, but without their King. The heroine appeared devoid of emotion.

*You ask Undyne where Asgore is.

Clenching a fist, her eye fell to the cold stone floor.

“He’s… not coming.”

Chapter Text

THE POWER

{ Chapter 2 }

Today was as mundane as the last, and every single one before it, cycling through them like the worn hour hand of an equally worn-down clock. He stepped off the bus that drove him to work every day and drove him home every day. He would use his own car, but it sat collecting dust in his driveway, and his license long absent from his wallet. The suspension had been over for months now, but ... he could not be bothered to renew it. After a long day of working as a Soul Instructor at his local University, all he wanted to do now was do nothing at all. He absentmindedly drifted down the sidewalk, unmoved by the sunset's vibrant colors and stretched shadows. For every evening that he made his way home, his eyes glared into the side of MT. Ebott. So fiercely they'd cut through Ebott's rocky slopes and come out the other side if they could. But the time would always come when he'd reach 1342 East Starlight Street, turn right, and open his fence gate. The white paint upon the fence, which was once one of the cleanest in the neighborhood, now appeared cracked and aged, shedding in patches here and there. The fence itself didn't age well either, leaning inward and close to tumbling over. But he didn't pay it any mind, and walked across his walkway, trampling dandelions that sprouted through the cracks in the stone. He unlocked and pushed open his squeaky door and entered. All that met him was darkness, stuffy air, and a ruminating voice in his head.

He hung his hat and tie on the rack that stood just next to the door. Then, he used the tips of his feet to push his shoes off by the heels before he slinked deeper into his broken home. He threw his clothes in the washer, made himself a dinner nobody would be proud of, and after that? Sat alone on his chair in the living room. He would sink deeper into the seat and his thoughts until exhaustion took hold and pulled him into a dreamless slumber. The sun rose, like it always did, and cast twilight into the household. And like it always did, the sunlight smothered his face from the window and woke him up. After a hot shower, and half a breakfast, he readied himself for work, like he always did. He instinctively grabbed for his car keys on the side table, and when he looked over, found himself looking into an old family photo. It didn't happen very often at all anymore, but when it did, he needed just a few minutes to collect himself.

...They all look so happy, especially him. Things weren't perfect, sure, but they were good. Until those monsters took her away. So many times, he stood over the descent on MT. Ebott, and so many times he nearly jumped down. Maybe try to find her so everything could go back to normal. Or, to forever seal this nightmare in his heart. But he was never determined enough to go through with either, even as children went missing every year. Leads always ran dry for the police, but he always knew. He knew they'd chase after those old legends, just like she did. Bundled in his brown overcoat for the chilly weather (But not motivated enough to button it) and fitted with around hat to keep out distractions, he opened the door and- “Yo!” A small, armless yellow monster greeted him on the doorstep. He was frozen solid, wondering if he had finally lost his mind. The monster looked him up and down curiously with a big smile on its face. “Nice Coat, Mr! You look awesome!” The little creature then bounced high at the sound of a gun discharging, but he hardly even flinched. “Woah! What was that?!” The monster exclaimed as the unknown thrilled its soul, running off toward the noise before the human could even respond.

In fact, when he raised his head and looked around, all kinds of monsters were lurking about the neighborhood now, all who now stood confused or frightened of the low rumbling howl that suddenly travelled the air. His hand that held onto the doorknob fell to his side, and he calmly walked back inside. He moved into the living room, where they'd all fall asleep awaiting Santa Claus. Then to the fireplace he made his way where dozens of ghost stories were told through the shadows cast by comforting flame. Upon the mantle a legendary sword was displayed, sheathed with white wrappings. The blade was smithed with a beautiful gold cross-guard and hilt. The pommel was stained red, molded into the shape of a Human Soul It was the heirloom of his ancestor, and it was claimer of countless Monster souls, named Cor Ruptor. He grabbed the sword by both ends and pulled it off its rickety stand, knocking it down onto the hearth. He ripped away the wrappings (Changed every anniversary of the ancient conflict) and examined the red tinted edge. A horrible smile creeped onto his face. His name was Nayenez, and he understood exactly what must come next. It was his oath to finish the Human Monster War, and save his child.

When Nayenez resurfaced from his home, most of the monsters had run away from armed soldiers who swarmed the area. Gunfire cursed the city and screams were endless. None of it fazed Nayenez as he gradually made his way through the streets, toward that distant Mountain for the last time. Soldiers shouted, but he did not heed as he walked onto undeveloped land, short rolling hills that laid between the city and the slopes of MT. Ebott, now plagued with the odor and destruction of battle. Clumps of dusty powder increased in frequency over every incline, potholes from explosives lay all around like great gopher holes. Smoke poisoned the sky; bullet casings riddled the earth. The most disheartening sight of all, however, was humans who laid dead. Nayenez did what he could for each one, then went on his way with greater burden and hate stirring in his heart. Somewhere along the way he came upon a small, winged creature sobbing into an unparticular pile of ash. Was the pile once something it loved? Or had it simply become overwhelmed with despair? Nayenez pondered these questions for as long as it took the monster to notice him looming over it, which wasn't very long at all. It first saw Nayenez's great shadow, then, when it confusingly looked over its shoulder, it flittered its little wings and tumbled backwards into the dust. It whimpered and buried its strange features into its tiny hands. Nayenez raised his blade, and with a single swing across its body, its form completely broke down, becoming indistinguishable from the pile it was bawling over. Nayenez slayed his first monster. It was weak and it was useless, without an ounce of fight at all. Yet erasing it from existence felt so... satisfying. Just. As he contemplated this peculiar feeling, Nayenez erased slightly greater stragglers, and they all went down the same. With every life claimed, he felt stronger. And that feeling continued to pulsate. The next hill leveled out into a great field directly in the shadow of the mountain. Near where the path up the perilous slopes lay was a concentration of what appeared to be more of the city's national guard. A cluster of soldiers stood before the largest monster he's seen yet. It appeared regal, donning a purple robe, almost like… a King.

Nayenez approached to get a closer look when three out of seven soldiers noticed him right away. “Stop there, sir! This place is not safe for civilians. We have the situation under control.” one guardsman told him in a well-disciplined tone, standing to halt the man's advance. Nayenez looked right past him and at the monster that was actually lying on the ground. Just how big was it? It sure did not appear to be moving much, and Nayenez swore he could hear wheezing. “I need to talk to him,” Nayenez told the soldier with a hollow, deep voice. His eyes were obscured by his hat, but not his stern jaw and small mouth. “You mean…?” The soldier glanced behind himself, not altogether able to catch on at first. Then it clicked. “Contact with the monsters is not advised, sir. Again, we have-” “You don't understand. They have my child under that mountain. Now please, move."

The guardsman was without certainty and looked back to his colleagues for recourse. Even having listened to the interaction, none were quick to oppose. One soldier looked over the king again and then said "Let him have his word. It's not going to be hurting anyone anymore." They each nodded with hardened expressions, and the guardsman obstructing Nayenez promptly moved clear. Nayenez gave a subtle nod of the head and moved over to the dying monarch's side. Somehow, it was even bigger up close. Its hands lay splayed in either direction, its chest was riddled with holes in the chestplate. Nayenez now looked to its face, resting back as its eyes gazed into the clouds. “Where are they, monster?” Asgore winked slowly, trying to regain his focus as the voice came to him and an unwelcome sight stained his perfect view of the sky. It was one of his favorite things about the Surface. “Where is my child?” Nayenez interrogated with venom on his tongue. Asgore had grown tired of looking at human faces and decided to close his eyes. “I wish to join my family in peace, human. Get out of my sight."

Nayenez clenched both his teeth and his dusty blade's hilt. He raised a boot aloft and stomped it down on its plated stomach. The Monster King tried to release a soul freezing growl, but it quickly broke down into a coughing fit. Only a couple soldiers startled in response, while others looked on with grim satisfaction or plain apathy. Still, two soldiers closest to Nayenez reached out to restrain him. “Get off him!” One of them ordered. Nayenez turned his head before their hands reached him, and eyes of crimson pierced their souls. They recognized that demonic hue and became instilled with heartsink. “I am not done!” He returned to the fading King, hovering the tip of his sword over its chest. “Tell me where you're keeping her!” He yelled. "Where is she?” He screamed. “Where is Chara!?” He cried. The monster's lips curled into a weak smile, so faint, you'd barely notice it. But Nayenez did. “Chara i-is… with their mother."

Nayenez's hands trembled for a moment before he screamed a deep anguish and plunged the blade straight into the King's chest. It bared its teeth painfully and just when its body began to dissolve, Nayenez pulled out the blade and stabbed it once more. A third time, he attempted to pierce the Monster, but a couple of the soldiers had regained their courage and grabbed a hold of Nayenez's arms, wrangling him away from the fading soul. “F-further resistance will be met with lethal force!"

Although who'd deliver it? Certainly, none of those who stood so very still, watching Asgore lose all form.

"Release me!"

Nayenez commanded. He fought against them like a wild boar, before he became too much for them and broke free. The Human spun around on his heels and raised his blade to attack. All he saw in that moment was red, and an overwhelming bloodlust seized his mind. Then Nayenez saw not their drawn weapons, but their faces. They were Humans, not Monsters. Humans. The blood fled from his eyes and sense flooded back. He aimed his blade backward, down at the dissolving King of the Mountain. "This is what they want, for us to fight amongst ourselves." Then Nayenez drew his blade close, shifting into a defensive stance. "You killed our greatest bargaining chip!" One soldier shouted, aiming his rifle. "I avenged those who have fallen!" Nayenez rebuked resolutely. Everyone was at a standstill, those with weapons drawn waiting for their companions to do the same. But very few made any such movement, indeed, they only watched, sympathy absent from their eyes. The soldiers who did take to arms held their axes, spears and rifles firm. The soldier closest to Nayenez started to squeeze the trigger. “Stop!” A disembodied voice ordered from behind the guards, whose voice was far gruffer than Nayenez's. Every soldier froze to attention as a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped between them and before the swordsman.

His green standard issue coat was decorated with a variety of medals and badges. In the center of them all, was a patch of a yellow soul. It was General Tobadzi, sent forth by his Commander in Chief. He looked past Nayenez and at the large pile of monster dust, then Nayenez's especial sword. "What do you think you're doing here?” He spoke somberly, his composure unbroken, even as he sensed Nayenez's vicious intent. “Finishing the war.” Nayenez looked up at the man and showed him his eyes, with only a faint redness in them now. But even that seemed to physically unsettle the General. “You have…” He dared not finish. Very few souls in the world were imbued with such a strength, the power of Determination. He had his orders, and all his battalion needed was a few more hours. But with the appearance of something so infamously unpredictable... 

Tobadzi breathed in deep, then stepped aside. “Let him on through.” Many men agreed with the sentiment. "General, with all due respect-" A soldier, who did not, protested, but when the General raised his left hand, he immediately went silent. “We will be his rearguard, but our mission has not changed. That will be all.” Nayenez smirked, then looked off to the distant cliff high above, where the formal entrance to the underground must reside. “Try to keep up." He said in a low voice, then walked away with renewed confidence. Another guardsman leaned into the General and whispered; "Sir, top brass is not going to be happy about this." The General sighed. "They will be if they remember the unparalleled danger harbored by souls of Determination." It seemed to only hit the guardsman now as his eyes widened and watched Nayenez head closer to the distant cliff. "We only came here to contain the Monster threat. With any luck, this problem will resolve itself."

⪼⪻

Down under amongst the remnants of Monsterkind, Captain Undyne was barraged with questions about Asgore, and what they should do next, if they were going to survive. Frisk had absconded from the crowd, wracked with dread and shame. As they should be. Is it time, Frisk? Have you realized yet how miserably you have failed in playing the savior? Frisk refused to answer, but willed into view the menu, which displayed their stats, items, and what they were looking for... the Reset button. From afar, Sans watched them without a flinch in his gaze. But you stopped caring about what he thinks a long time ago. Now, come on, we can always try again. ♥︎ Frisk hated every second of their presence, and even if Frisk wouldn't admit it, they knew Chara was right. They had to try again. Maybe next time they should go find Asriel, or perhaps try harder to make humanity understand, or… maybe not leave the Underground at all. As Chara's grip tightened over their shoulder, Frisk's hand hesitated for just a second… but they gathered the will and hit Reset.

…but it wasn't possible.

Frisk tried again. They pressed the button harder, they hit it, they punched it. but it wasn't possible. They could not reset.

Well, THIS is new.

“Someone is coming down!” A monster called out, and Undyne whipped around, her eye scanning every step upwards until it landed on a human figure. Down the stairs Nayenez descended, every step reverberating through the vast silence of the cavern. For him, it felt like walking down into the depths of hell, the light beckoning for his return from behind. There were so many of them, each one as vile and disgusting as the last, no doubt eager to steal his soul. He could already see their hate and their fear, stricken across their strange and alien faces. They now understood a fraction of his pain, but nowhere near the full extent of it. Soon enough they will. They watched him hold his sword up beside him as they were greeted only by red glowing eyes and a serpentine voice.

"Your days of hiding are finally over, Monsters."

Chapter Text

BATTLE AGAINST MONSTERKIND

{ Chapter 3 }

Monsters were drawing back at the sight of him, but no amount of distance put between themselves and the human would ease their endangered souls. Undyne simply scoffed and closed her single eye. She held out her right hand, willing a spear into her palm. As the Captain grasped onto it tightly, she flashed the human a toothy grin brimming with pride. “Is that what humans call it?” Undyne drew back her spear. "Well, if that's how it is..." Pointed down the human with an armoured finger and said aloud; "Then I'm gonna make you wish we never stopped hiding." Her eye opened wide, burning with passion. Undyne lunged forward, and as she glided across the ground, she unleashed a fearsome battle-cry. “NGAAAAH!” But when they came face to face, The Captain caught two eyes made of rubies meeting hers. She couldn't explain it, but somehow… It reminded her of something truly horrible. She'd only see flickers of it here and there, like it was a twisted sense of déjà vu. A memory that slipped her mind. A nightmare of incomprehensible loss. A chilling wind paralyzed Undyne's entire body, completely interrupting her attack. Nayenez blade rode up to meet her. She did not see it however, lost in the eyes of black hatred.

Nayenez strode past in the middle of his assault. Yet she made no attempt to dodge, chase him, or even turn around. She wobbled in place before finally moving her body the other way, reaching out desperately to try and grab him. But he was already too far. Horror filled the crowd of monsters as they were witness to a great wide gash lashed across her chest. It dug through armor and her entire abdomen. As both halves started to slide away, Undyne's legs shook uncontrollably, and she collapsed onto her knees. “UNDYNEEE!” Alphys screamed from near the front of the crowd. She rushed forward with no regard for herself but was halted by Mettaton's arm, who then stepped out ahead of her. “...I'll handle this, Al.” She looked at him with distress, and he met her with a face of repressed anger. He stepped forward with three great strides. “N-no! Mettaton-wait!” She pleaded but could not bring herself to ignore his unspoken plea. Mettaton stood at an angle, and looked across the great cave, heartbroken that they were back right where they started. And how poetic was it that a human stood in the midst of it all? Looking to take whatever they had left. Mettaton side-eyed Nayenez, then struck him with a cocky smile; "Did you think it was going to be that easy? Because let me remind you, human..."

"You've walked into a den of monsters, remember?"

There was shuffling in the crowd, figures pushing past the rest until surfacing at the front. It was what remained of The Royal Guard, except for Lesser Dog and RG02, who were reduced to dust up above. RG02 himself met his end shielding a distracted RG01. RG01 spared a moment to remember his soft, sweet voice, then raised his scimitar high into the air. “For Monsterkind!” He bellowed. Together now, the rest hoisted weaponry and cried out alongside him. Canine howls echoed off the walls, as did Mettaton's jet thrusters, fitted onto the soles of his magnificent legs. A wounded Grillby and Muffet did not shy away either, more motivated than ever to fight till the last monster. Mettaton's great wings stretched outward like an angel's, and after a short shuffle with his legs, Mettaton roared; "It's showtime!" Like a rocket he blasted off the ground, joining the charge against the Human. Papyrus tried to follow suit, but he stopped as a hand grabbed onto his own. He looked down and found it to be his brother's. “papyrus you… you need to help get these people somewhere safe.” Sans couldn't even look him in the eyes when he said it, but his grip was unwavering. Papyrus stood there, wrought with indecision.

“B-BUT-! UNDYNE NEEDS US!” Papyrus tried to protest, and Sans' head fell lower, his grip tightening. "Papyrus, Undyne is…” His voice hesitated, lacking the heart to say it. “IS STILL FIGHTING, BROTHER,” Papyrus finished for him with calm in his voice. Sans finally looked up, bombarded with confusion. “what?” He replied, altogether confounded. Papyrus looked onwards at the stand against extinction, and at Undyne, still dormant on her knees. “THE UNDYNE I KNOW COULD NEVER GO DOWN THAT EASY. RIGHT NOW, SHE’S STILL FIGHTING, FIGHTING TO STAY ALIVE. ALL SHE NEEDS IS... JUST A LITTLE PUSH! I KNOW IT.” As he went on, all uncertainty seemed to melt away. He almost looked… reassured? Sans couldn't understand it. So, in order to try, he followed Papyrus’ eyes as best he could, and past the moving shapes, saw Undyne, clenching her fists tightly, refusing to fade away.

Sans looked down, his thoughts a jumbled mess of whats and ifs and hows, but at the very center, it still revolved around one person. “if you go now, who’s going to push them?” The younger brother looked away from the future and met Sans’ eyes. “i can make a crowd laugh, sure, but i can’t move them like i know you can. they need you.” Then, Papyrus gazed back to those without a light to follow. They stood huddled together, mostly unmoving, watching with despair in their eyes, almost like... like they were waiting to die in the darkness. He tipped his head back down to his older brother, the greatest friend he's ever had, sunken in thoughts Papyrus could only imagine. “YOU… YOU’RE RIGHT. SEEING HER FRIENDS FIGHTING ON... IT WILL BE THE PUSH SHE NEEDS, I’M CERTAIN. BUT SINCE THE OTHERS ARE PREDISPOSED…” He paused, gathering his courage once again before he spoke aloud, throwing a hand high. “I KNOW YOU’RE ALL VERY SCARED, BUT THE ROYAL GUARD WILL PROTECT YOU! INCLUDING I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS!" The crowd's attention was captured, and to him they looked, as the battle roared behind him. AND KNOWING YOU ARE OUT OF HARM’S WAY WILL HELP THEM FIGHT EVEN HARDER! NOW FOLLOW AFTER ME, TO THE CAPITAL!" The skeleton ordered, and many monsters finally broke from their trances and pushed down their shock, at least for now. When Papyrus looked once more to his brother… his glove was empty and without kinship. “SANS…?” Papyrus closed his hand, and couldn't help but look back at Undyne now, so far away...

Frisk had hardly moved an inch from the back of the crowd since the other human arrived, unable to do anything except watch their friends fight someone just like them... What a twist of fate. And they even slew the Water breather like she was nothing! They must be the one with rivaling Determination. They looked on, watching the human spiral and spin with a battle experience unknown to most monsters. Now, I can't put my finger on it, but something about them seems so familiar to me. Chara hovered on the edge of Frisk's shoulder, now lost in thought, encapsulated by the ongoing violence. Frisk started to realize what Flowey must have felt when themselves first arrived. This is what it felt like to be deprived of control…

Nayenez was quickly environed but managed to hold his ground against the onslaught. He blocked and parried a barrage of sword swings, punched Doggo in the snout and sent him stumbling over, used the blunt end of his blade to obstruct Grillby's fist of fire, hacked through Muffet’s webs, and just barely dodged Mettaton's own sword (that had sprung out from his left wrist) every time he swooped down, like a pestersome seagull. He laughed high above at Nayenez, his very demeanor inspiring the others to fight on. As Mettaton swooped down for another attack, Grillby conjured a storm of fire to hail down from behind Nayenez, and from the left and right, Greater Dog and RG01 conducted a pincer move. Nayenez closed the space between his legs, pulled his arms close, and wait for Mettaton to arrive first. Their blades met and clang against one another. Nayenez had slipped by, hoping the fire would pummel the machine. But Mettaton was swift and maneuvered the flying flame with ease. Lucky for Nayenez, two monsters were about to strike. He backstepped just as they swung their weapons, leading them to shield him from the projectiles. Would they focus on him, or tank the attack? To his surprise, Greater Dog towered behind RG01 like a shield while he guarded Greater Dog. Nayenez raised Cor Ruptor to swing, but a nasty metal boot dug suddenly dug into his side. He was sent sliding across the floor while Mettaton flourished a flip before landing on his feet. He flicked his spiked hair through the air, then marched on the recovering Human. Nayenez propelled himself onto his feet and into Mettaton, their steel meeting again. This time, the contact was long, testing each other's strength. Nayenez was pushing him back. Mettaton forced the blade aside and hauled up his Hand-cannon. "Say cheese."

The light built inside the chamber and would have blown Nayenez's head off had he not moved back and allow the monster an inch or so. But with it, Mettaton begun a speedy barrage of lunges, swings and overarching slashes. Doggo followed the movements quickly and tried to enter the duel from the side. He effectively made pace with the two, and traded blows with Nayenez until he upped and grabbed Doggo by the shirt and pulled him between them. He drew Cor Ruptor up to Doggo's neck and pressed the edge against it when he was abruptly hoisted into the air by the back of his coat. Greater Dog had him in his grip and threw him hard against the ground. The mighty royal guard then took hold of his Annoying Halberd and prepared to skewer the Human. Nayenez was aching, but invigorated. He was already on his feet, and jumped forward as the tip of the Halberd came. He jumped onto the edge, ran along the shaft, used Greater Dog's head as a steppingstone, and intended to drop-down right-on top of that wretched machine. But somehow, he was waiting, soaring high and fast. He spun his body, and roundhouse kicked the Human right in the head, knocking him down once again. Mettaton soared ever higher and posed dramatically.

“You can't cut down a shooting star!”

While Mettaton postured without an ounce of fear, his eyes constantly strayed to Undyne, whose knees were bound to the ground, forced to watch as friends fought on without her. “I… I should be helping them…” she mumbled to herself. “But I'm too weak… too…” She looked into her hands as matter crumbled and dissipated into dust. The strength in her knees finally gave. She fell forward, struggling just to push herself off the ground with what remained of her disfigured palms. Memories flooded in, and they were enough to draw tears. “Papyrus… Alphys… Asgore… after all that I… I still failed you!” Something in the far reaches of her mind urged her to give in, yet she continued to hold on. Though despite her undying will, what remained of her power was fading fast. With a great effort, Undyne willed herself to look up one more time. She could see... Mettaton, fighting like it was his final day on earth, but on his face… she could see he would not last much longer, even with the strength and courage of the guard. She could see Papyrus, trying so hard not to look her way as he guided monsters back to the Capital. There was Frisk as well, standing so very still. They shouldn't... have to see her like this. None of them should. If only she were stronger. If only...

Even just keeping her eye open took effort. She closed it, for a moment, or two, or even three. When it opened, she gazed even closer and saw Alphys, looking back at her from afar, with an expression that begged her to get back up. But she couldn't, not anymore. She didn't even have the strength to apologize. Undyne balled her fists, but even those were almost gone. Footsteps encroached on her right, and with a glance she realized it was… Sans? His eyes were closed, and his hands tucked deep into his pockets.

“someone told me you could never go down this easy…”

Then his eyes opened, absent of any judgment.

"so... is that true?"

He offered a smile, waiting patiently for an answer. But she was already... already...

Something strange happened then. It was as if… as if her very SOUL was ablaze, like a once dying flame given kindling. That kindling was not just Sans, not just her friends, but all of Monsterkind. Those who still live, those who have fallen. Those who did not fear death, those who terrified of it. Knowing how much was at stake, she could not just lay down and die. Not while something neither human nor monster tore down everything she ever loved. Everything she fought to defend. She outright refused it! Knowing that the world was hanging by a thread, feeling its heart beating as fast her own... she was filled with DETERMINATION. From that rising fire, she gathered a power once unseen, now brimming in her entire body. In the meanwhile, her friends were being overpowered. Dogaressa shielded a badly wounded Dogamy, Doggo was thrown by his collar into the distance and Greaterdog… Nayenez slashed straight through his leggings, bringing the giant to his knees. He lost grip on his spear, now frowning, and let out a sorrowful whine. Nayenez ground his teeth over its feigned innocence and drove Cor Ruptor deep into Greaterdog's chest, rendering him nothing but dusty powder. “Greaterdog!!” Dogamy snarled, reaching out past Dogaressa, who pushed him back before he could go any further. "Dogamy, stop!" She begged him, dropping her own ax just to hold him away.

A grimace came over Mettaton's face as he hovered. Electricity pulsed along his blade, and Mettaton throttled his thrusters into overdrive, descending onto the Human like a comet from the endless beauty of space. For Nayenez though, it felt like time had slowed to a crawl. He knew that irritable machine was bearing down on him from behind, but after enough assaults and flybys, he had finally seen it all. Tightening his hands on Cor Ruptor, he pulled it closer and waited until monsters moved clear of its path, until he could hear the machine's thrusters pounding his eardrums, until he could feel Death taking hold over his very soul... Now. Nayenez took an elegant step to the side and shifted very little as he drew Cor Ruptor up at an angle. The machine had missed completely, permitting the human's blade to cut clean through Mettaton's arm like butter, and by the end was cleaving through his neon wing as well. The machine could do so little in response, save for a single maneuver. At such close range it wasn't going to end well, but he must retaliate. In that moment, Mettaton threw forward a powered hand-cannon, yet as the light was expelled from the chamber, Nayenez was smiling so devilishly, as if nothing they could do could ever hurt him. The human pulled his blade back. The cannon was discharged. Servos and sparks danced between them, and those left in the cave startled in sync.

The cannon's force blasted them both opposite sides of the cavern. A plume of smoke enveloped the human, and part of it trailed off from the main cloud like a snake's head, carrying Mettaton. He crashed hard into the stone, skidding towards Alphys, while Nayenez was flung near the staircase, just a few feet ahead of Undyne. Alphys couldn't come up with anything but more tears as she looked upon her friend, now torn asunder at her feet. “I-I-I-I'm sorry A-A-alphys, I…h-ha…haaa.ha… I thought I h-had hi-him.”He struggled to speak, for his voice modulator glitched, sped up, slowed down and garbled his words. His wings' color was dying, cracks riddled from his cannon to his chest, his eyes losing light…

Nayenez once only felt this much pain in his aching heart, and now it laced his entire body. But he must press on. His duty was not yet finished, far from it. Determined to march, Nayenez stood back on his own two feet. His clothes burned and singed, with some of the fabric molding into his skin. Even his hat was scathed with the left portion of the rim burned away. His blade took the brunt of the damage however, perhaps saving him from death. Few monsters remained in the cavern now, thanks to Papyrus' efforts. Still there now was the last of the royal guards, Sans, Alphys, a fading Mettaton, and a petrified Frisk. Once the smoke cleared, Nayenez was met with their mixture of emotions. He found himself unable to hold back a wheezing laugh, tickling his burning ribs. Chara was the only one to join in, and it sounded as if his voice had doubled. Despite all that power, it wasn't enough. He felt... so strong. “It… it doesn't matter if you descend your entire race upon me… you will never be strong enough to kill a true human!” Nayenez declared, his eyes a blood red.

“I've killed your King, I've slaughtered your heroes, and I will massacre all of you until there's nothing left but dust! Then and ONLY then, will your debt to Humanity finally be repaid.” He proclaimed, regarding them with the tip of his blade. As Nayenez spoke his hymn of doom, a tall, foreboding figure grew tall behind him, overshadowing the human in height and size. Their hair flowed in the air like a crimson ocean, their spear gleamed brighter than the clearest sky, and… if you listened very closely… you could hear the wind howling. Nayenez heard it well, and his eyes dilated as a piercing agony riddled throughout his body. Suddenly, he was hoisted in the air against his will. He couldn't understand why at first but after looking down… he saw the end of a spear, now coated in blood, piercing his chest. The Impaler leaned close and whispered into his ear, "This is for Asgore", before letting loose a deafening cry. Two hands gripped onto the spear, Nayenez was hurled overhead and halfway up the stairway to the surface leaving him to tumble back down each one at a rapid rate. Each step he could feel his skin splitting, each step he could feel something cave in. Undyne looked back to her friends, whose faces were all painted with surprise, and joy. Her suit of armor was much darker now, her chest pounding with an unbreakable heart, and a faint arrow fading in and out of her hollow eye socket. She shot them a familiar grin and proclaimed with sheer determination..."I won't let your hopes and dreams be buried down here."

The human's body hit the base of the stairs against unforgiving cobblestone. As he laid there, motionless, Nayenez didn't understand. He was a human, right? Why... how... it didn't compute in his brain at all. It was too difficult to think with this frigid cold washing over him. His journey was finished before he even... Before he even got to see... ... No, Nayenez couldn't let it end like this. He would not let all of this be for nothing. All this death, all this power... It cannot be for nothing! Nayenez tried to stand up, but he couldn't feel his legs. Nayenez tried to breathe, but he seemed to have forgotten how. Nayenez tried to open his eyes, but they felt glued shut. Trapped in the darkness, paralyzed, cold, and alone. ...But that wasn't completely true, was it? No, there was a spark of warmth still left in him somewhere. Not in his arms or his head, not in his legs or his feet. It was in his SOUL. That's right... The very culmination of his being. But what to do with it? What to do with it... He could not touch it, talk to it or move it, so then... what? This awful cold! He couldn't think at all because of it. It was calling to him, beckoning him to let go. But how could he ever let go, knowing Chara is somewhere all alone? Alone, surrounded by Monsters. He ignored the cold; he outright challenged it. "Take me if you can," he thought to himself. Even when everything seemed so hopeless in the darkness, flickers of Chara's face flashed into his mind. Knowing she was still out there waiting for him, Nayenez was filled with Determination. Yet, it was slipping away. Don't let it slip away...

Pained relief covered Frisk's face as they pointed a small finger out to Nayenez, urging them to look. Undyne did first, then everyone else. His face was planted against the ground, and his body was crumpled and limp. His own weapon had been cast away from his infernal grip, laying a few inches in front of him. Nayenez's soul exited its vessel, and floated there, shivering like a dog left out in the winter. It was just as red as Frisk's, swathed in Determination. Yet, unable to sustain the trauma, it shattered into two halves. Undyne's smile grew a bit wider in triumph. They had won. Maybe not the war, but they had won the battle.

... But it refused.

The cracked halves shook violently, before they rejoined in perfect harmony. The soul steadily lowered back down by will of its own, until it resettled back within the human's body. Like it never left at all... Undyne's grin broke down completely, and Frisk's heart felt like it'd shatter next. Nayenez's body twitched and convulsed before his nails scraped against the ground, grabbing for something. His head craned up and reached out again for his blade. His desperate fingers found the hilt and gripped it tight, pulling it against the ground towards him. Using it as a crutch, he slowly rose like an angel of death, emitting another wheezing cackle.

“You're…haha…”

“You're gonna have to try a little harder than that.”

His bloody eyes pierced their souls, and behind him, human soldiers descended at long last.

Undyne painfully realized something...

The battle had really only begun.

Chapter Text

Burning Hopes and Fading Dreams

{ Chapter 4 }

The Battle was about to grow exponentially in just a few seconds as the humans raced down the stairs in uniform lines. Gunfire followed and came down like piercing hail, whilst Nayenez watched on, stuck between pleasure and wrath. Undyne stood tall before all of the humans and in front of all the monsters, perhaps standing as tall as The Fallen King himself. Before Nayenez could be shielded by a wall of flesh, she hurled herself right into the fray. Humans were pushed aside in her wake. Nayenez painfully rose his sword to meet her spear, and together they clashed their weapons and desires. "You're not getting away from me that easy!" She glared into his glowing eyes, her own now void of any fear. "At least your King was wise enough to stay down and die when I cut him open," Nayenez taunted, unable to resist cracking a bloody smile. But Undyne did not grind down her teeth, in fact she smiled back. "Because now his strength has become my own! And with it, I, Undyne, will strike you down!" Nayenez's grin faltered, and in that moment of weakness, Undyne desire won out as she pushed all her weight forward and knocked the human off balance.

She jabbed her spear at Nayenez over and over again, and he clumsily tried to parry and dodge each one. He met with little success in his defense, now riddled with punctured skin across his chest and tears down his bloodied sleeves. The soldiers made their distance while few finally turned fire on them. Nayenez worried not and would weather whatever pierce his flesh. Undyne on the other hand thought she couldn't possibly escape so many bullets, but in this state, it felt like she could see every individual shape and trajectory. She still wouldn't be able to avoid injury, but she could easily minimize the damage. She spun herself rightround from a set of bullets and kicked Nayenez into a group of soldiers, then came the full way round to cut away another spray of lead. The rest ricocheted off her armour, or grazed her face. From the assault new wounds were opened, but it mattered not. She could barely even feel it! She was ready to throw herself at them all over again as they reloaded their guns or cast them aside for melee, until they all heard a loud harmonized shouting erupt from the other side of the cavern, the southward entrance.

She looked back and watched as a small band of Monsters poured out. Final Froggits, Whimsalots, a grand Knight Knight and others whose faces were lost to the crowd, but not to her heart. It seemed Papyrus was not able to hold them back. No, the fire in their hearts would not be extinguished. She could feel them beating as one, longing to avenge the fallen, to save their future, to fight till the very end of all things! As soldiers were caught between indecision, Undyne remembered why she continued to persist. It wasn't to slay a single human; it was to be their spear of endless Justice. Shots were fired at the captain, but her focus had not faltered. She leaned back and stomped a foot hard enough to send her gliding backwards. She knocked aside a wall of humans to help her people in their shared fight for their burning hopes, and their rising dreams. Dogaressa returned to the capital with her injured husband, but Doggo had found his way back to the battlefield thanks to the waves of movement. To his eyes, it was like an ocean flooding into the Underground. It was hard to imagine they could possibly win against it... But when even a single Monster began to doubt, it was Undyne that cut away the uncertainty with her unbreaking spirit. Even if the odds were mountainous, even if one human soul was the equivalent of a thousand monsters… they refused to give up their hope, even if fickle.

*You couldn't look away as Humanity descended upon Monster's last frontier, clashing against each other in a mass of violence and death. As much as you tried to, you were unable to understand why. They had once again taken everything, and driven Monsterkind back underground. But that still wasn't enough. You felt your determination slipping when without warning a bone cold hand fell on your shoulder, and suddenly… you felt your sins crawling up your back. “hey kid,” the comedian said in a monotone voice. You flinch quite heavily, but he was unfazed. You turn your head to him and nearly pull away with fright as haunting eyes met yours, dark like a bottomless chasm. “you should join Papyrus with the others. or, you know, do your thing. I… dunno why you haven’t already, honestly.” Sans said with disinclination, contemplating it even now, you reckoned. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again his pupils returned. You refused to answer and look away from him. He gazes off to the stone ceiling before he putting his hand back into a pocket and with a sigh, left for the eye of the storm. You reach out for the skeleton but quickly pause as you hear him murmur;“I guess i just thought.. we were friends for a while there." His words struck you deeper than any bone and any Gaster blaster. His hollow voice rang through your head as screams and battle ruptured your ears. It was then, unable to face the consequences of your actions, you ran away. What a shame too, for I was really enjoying the show. = )

The battle raged on for a long time, and Muffet had grown incredibly tired of this human filth. She could tell just by their reckless footsteps and indifferent faces; they loved to torment spiders. She'd relish the chance to see them try to mangle a spider their own size! She rode her pet across the craggy cavebed, crushing humans along the way, even jumping right over the frontline and plunging deep into enemy territory. "Muffet? Stop! We have to face them together!" Undyne yelled over the roar of battle and bullets. All Muffet could do was laugh at her words. "We can handle ourselvessss just fine!" She responded gleefully as her voice grew distant. Muffet's pet dug its legs into the ground at a rhythmic pace, impaling some humans, and kept most away. When they started to spray their ammunition at the spider cupcake's side, Muffet spun webs from her dangly fingertips and cast them like fishingnets. Each one caught their target with flawless precision. Their struggles against the silk were fruitless, and they soon collapsed over themselves. But there was always more of them, and those with melee weapons cut right through her cobwebs. Muffet's pet jumped, shot out its appendages and chomped down on many a human.

But there was always more. The spidercake's ability to keep up faded rapidly, and when Muffet tried to lead a retreat, halberds and swords dug into his legs... He groaned in agony and flipped over onto his side. Muffet was flung to the ground, forced to watch as her pet writhed in pained confusion as humans continued to lay into him. It continued until it was nothing but a large pile of dust. Muffet stood up, biting into her lip and feeling purple tinted tears falling from each of her five eyes. She was completely surrounded. Undyne desperately tried to push through the line, but every move of foolhardiness was punished with a jab or a bullet. Muffet was hardly deterred though and now fought only for revenge. Boiling hot tea scorched one man's face, a teacup was smashed over a woman's unshielded head, and she tried to whack another human upside the head with a teapot. He caught her wrist.

She grinned and whacked him with the other. His head jolted from the blow, and blood quickly ran down his face. Despite the injury, he displayed little more than irritation. She tried to jerk away, but his grip was strong, growing tighter every second. She bashed him with the last of her porcelain before hopelessly throwing punches and tearing at his clothes. He would not let go. Her last teapot fell from her hand and shattered at their feet. He raised up his blade, and when she saw it, she lunged forward and bit into his arm with her fangs. Nayenez breathed in sharply through bared teeth before pushing his blade through Muffet's abdomen. That was all it took. As Muffet turned to dust, all she could wonder was what was so human about the face that watched her die. It didn't appear very monster, either. As she was nearly gone, Nayenez whispered; "You deserve this." He opened his hand, and a clump of dust fell to the stone. On the monster's side of the frontier, Undyne's minor injuries started to stack, she felt her lungs burning up as she struggled to keep up with the onslaught. Her armour was losing its ability to defend against their firearms, and the humans' magic imbued weapons acted as though it was not even there. She couldn't even rescue Muffet, not seen since she ran into the maw of the beast. Undyne realized even with this power, she was still so…

As the frontline shifted and lost its form, a familiar face abruptly appeared beside Undyne in the madness. It was Sans. She could only spare him a single glance of acknowledgement before moving her gaze back outward for coming threats. “What are you doing here!? You should be with your brother, we can... we can take it from here!” Another human rushed out behind them from the flow in hopes of taking her by surprise. But at the first sight of the smaller monster, their focus immediately shifted. They raised a blade to attack the unaware skeleton. Undyne sensed the human and spun around to defend Sans while shouting; “I said get out of-!” Just as she made it around however, a trio of airborne bones had impaled the human through their chest. Albeit still breathing, they collapsed onto their knees, then their chest. That couldn’t have been… She looked to the skeleton brother, his left arm hanging up beside his head, his fist balled. "Sans?” Undyne called as she bent over to look into his eyes, taken aback at the nothingness within them.

In that instant he closed them shut as his arm fell, and when they opened again, the light of his pupils returned. Although he craned his head up to Undyne, it quickly dropped back down, hesitant to meet her gaze. “i… hate stretching my ‘mussels’, but we both know…” He paused as two more humans approached them with indifference in their expressions. He snapped his thumb together with his middle finger, causing their souls to melt into a deep blue. Amidst the confusion, he reached out towards their hearts as sin weighed them down heavier than gravity. “we’re fin'ished if we can't stop ‘em here.” With a slow raise of his left hand, a great invisible force wrapped around their fleshy bodies and hoisted them into the air. The two struggled for freedom, but nothing worked, and it was never going to. Sans chuckled and looked at the dust coated floor. “i think she would’ve loved that one.” Sans said softly before two patches of unnaturally long bones erupted from below, sharpened grottily. With a swift pull of his hand… the humans were brought down and impaled. Their souls ejected and shattered into countless pieces. There was no hesitation.

Undyne had never seen this side of him before, only now sensing a once dormant power inside him, concealed with a disposition of laziness coupled with rather terrible comedy. How long had it been sleeping? And… how powerful was he? She'll just have to see soon enough. The prospect of it struck Undyne with a boost of confidence, and after throwing a hand on his bony shoulder, she gave him a toothy smile. “Then let’s stop ‘em right here, right now! … Together.” He finally met her eye, and though she could not determine so with certainty, Undyne swore his smile grew a little more genuine. His attention moved to an oncoming wave of humans who had just slain Knight Knight. “heh, alright then…” The skeleton aimed his hand forward again, and from behind Undyne and Sans a large skull almost resembling a dog materialized in the dusty air. Parting its fleshless mandibles, a white light glowed between them as it emitted a loud drone.

The soldiers were stiffened at first, but when they realized Sans’ attack was too slow, they charged on and took aim with firearm and steel. She had to protect him! The heroine slid across the floor to stand in front of the skeleton, ready to take the oncoming barrage like a shield. Suddenly…! Sans somehow appeared on her right, just a couple steps ahead, and shrugged without a care in the world. How did he keep- He moved again with a swift dodge, now shielding her. "here we go." He uttered in a deep voice. Pushing his palm against the air, a blinding beam barreled directly into the humans following a ghastly growl from the oversized skull. The geyser disappeared as quickly as it appeared, leaving a strange feeling in everyone close by and a bundle of souls in the air, which broke apart one by one into a pile of multicolored shards. Undyne’s mouth hung ajar until she regained her composure and smiled down at the skeleton.

“Not bad… Not bad at all!” Undyne remarked. Seeing her friends fight on, even someone like Sans… it strengthened her Determination. Undyne rushed further into battle and drove a mighty uppercut into another soldier, and as they were flung through the air, was blasted into pieces by a Gaster Blaster. A trio of Humans saw Undyne’s ferocious figure marching toward them and fearfully tried to lose her in the crowd. But a line of arched bones protruded up from the rear and halted their retreat. Summoning another spear to occupy her free hand, she was upon them like a tidal wave. A human on the left swung down their hammer in a rush, while the one on the right lunged with their sword confidently. Undyne met both of their weapons with the base of her spears, then pulled away, catching their weapons between her spears' barbs. They were completely disarmed. As the weapons hit the ground, Undyne drove the spears forward once more, skewering the two and tossing them overhead and out of mind. All that remained was the human in the middle. In her terrified eyes, Undyne grew even taller…

With nothing else to do, the human thrusted her own spear at the monster without precision, and subsequently felt her body not only freeze up, but levitate… Below Undyne appeared out of nowhere a small skeleton who shrugged mockingly, (almost) aiding the warrior's every move. Undyne threw down her spears, and grabbed the Human by her breastplate, then, with one arm, chucked her across the room like a football. “Go long! Fuhuhuhu!” The two moved across the battlefield in a rapid frenzy. Or well, Undyne did, while Sans effortlessly kept an arm's length from every single attacker. Eventually their combo streak ended as they moved into their own corners of the cave. Human after human fell, but soon enough Doggo had become too greatly disoriented and overwhelmed by the constant movement. His focus gave out and he could no longer differentiate distant shapes and ones right in front of him. A lanky human caught sight of the monster's troubled state and rose to the occasion. It happened in a flash, and Doggo felt something drive through his stomach. But before his strength could dissipate completely, he plunged his own sword into the human. "That's for Ma and Pa." He proclaimed weakly. "And this is for G...D!" He growled, thrusting his other blade into the human's side. The two retracted their blades, now covered in blood and dust. The human hit the ground, but Doggo still wobbled to and fro aimlessly.

"A-and this is for..." he mumbled until losing his sense of sight completely and collapsed to the floor. But as he broke into dust, he smiled real wide. The fight eventually led Sans and Grillby to be side by side. They gathered the attention of 5, no, 8 human fighters, who now tightly encircled them. Trading glances, the two read one another like unpaid tabs. Grillby cast a flurry of fireballs in every direction, forcing the humans with no shielding to fall back. As they did, an outer array of bones surrounded the soldiers, trapping them between a combination of fire and calcium. Before they could do anything about it, Sans and Grillby clenched their fists in unison, and both fire and bone closed in at an incredible speed. Shield or no, they were either burned, run through or both. Those surviving fled, but gradually their places were filled up with ever more eager soldiers. “… There are too many.” Grillby mumbled under his crackling flames, but Sans heard him loud and clear.

“you're tellin’ me, they just… keep coming.” Sans replied as a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. A raging human came at Sans with a halberd, but after painting his soul blue, all he did was flick his wrist and sent him flying. “Even if they’ve grown… weaker, they are still without exhaust or numbers.” Grillby said, then flung a fireball at an oncoming slew of bullets, melting them into liquid metal, from which another human slipped and fell. “endless souls and endless energy, huh.” That thought gave Sans an idea, but… it could never possibly work in their favor. Unless… maybe…”i'm gonna try something. you should get out of here.” Sans suggested, but Grillby simply pushed up his glasses. “… And let you die without paying your tab…? I don’t think so.” Sans laughed a little bit, looking to Grillby with some relief, before taking a shortcut through the crowd. If this battle finished, and they all failed… The humans would hunt down whoever is left, they’d hunt down Papyrus. He wanted to believe that Frisk would put a stop to all this… but he knew his brother would do anything to keep Them safe from harm, even if it meant... Sans understood he cannot let it come to that. Near the rearend of the cavern Alphys hopelessly tinkered with Mettaton’s circuitry, cross connecting wires and fastening bolts (very poorly) with her bare claws. Bullets strayed overhead and screams echoed in her ears, but her mind tuned it all out, disregarding every element of danger. All that mattered in the world was what laid wounded in front of her. But despite fervent troubleshooting and ruthless jerry-rigging, he refused to come back online. “O-oh Mettaton, I’m so sorry...” The scientist wept, clutching onto his metallic hands, now colder than ever before.

The world seemed so quiet and lonesome, until something heavy hit Alphys hard, knocking her over sideways. She pushed herself up in a daze, rubbing the aching side of her scaly dome and looking for what collided with her skull. Nothing laid upon the ground, save a looming shadow. She followed it and found a battered human soldier standing over her, younger than all the rest. He must have been little more than a teenager. His uniform was cut and torn, with a spear even dug deep into his shoulder. And yet he persisted with a fire in his eyes, brimming with BRAVERY. Feeling his bloodshot eyes burning into her soul, reality finally started to set back into Alphys. “N-no... l- Leave me alone!” She tried to crawl away as he slowly encroached. “You didn't leave us alone, did you? No, you killed my friends. So now I'm going to kill you.” He lunged forward, banging his knees against the stone and grabbed at the collar of Alphys' lab coat. Faintly Mettaton’s eyes flickered, and his body twitched with anguish, but she was too frightened to notice. When the human pulled her closer, she squirmed in his grasp and clawed his face wildly, inciting a pained groan. He balled up a fist and plunged it into her face. He lost the strength to hold onto the monster and fell back on himself.

Touching his face to assess the wound, his hand became smeared with the blood oozing from his skin. “You should have never crawled out of this dirty hole.” He growled. She cowered as he got up and approached, awaiting now a world of hurt. But another assault did not come, only a muffled swoosh, and a series of injured moans. Alphys unveiled her eyes to see the soldier with a long bone jutting out of the ground and into his stomach. Trying to dislodge it without success, he succumbed to his wounds and fell limp, grimacing with hatred till the bitter end. When the bone retracted and left his body to fall, Sans was standing right behind him, hands in his pockets. “heya, are... you okay?” He asked her in a low voice. Again, tears welled up behind her glasses (with now a shattered lens), blood blending into her teardrops as they fell. “Y-you saved me.” A trembling smile found its way to Alphys as she slowly stood up.

But when she attempted to approach Sans for a hug, he held out his hand like a stop sign. “wait a sec.” She blinked blankly before pulling herself away. “S-sorry” She said, sniffling. Alphys tried to wipe away the tears, until she felt the sting of her cuts and bruises around the left side of her face. "O-ouch" Sans had become distracted as he stared at the human's body. When Alphys words finally reached him, he looked up for just a second. “oh, uh, no, that’s not it,” he said in a rush before lowering his hand but did not stow it away. When she was about to ask what it was, the fallen human’s soul exited its vessel and quivered in the air on the verge of shattering. Right on time. “no time to explain, but...” Sans suddenly reached out, and grabbed the orange-hued soul, giving it an expression of resentment before closing his eyes. “we gotta start taking bigger risks.” Then, he looked over Mettaton’s unmoving body. Though he was first unsure what to do next, a compartment upon Mettaton's waist with the branding of a monster soul conveniently cracked open. "how inviting." Sans remarked quietly. Alphys’ eyes darted back and forth with bewilderment. Until it clicked. “Wait... Sans- wait!” She reached out to stop him, but it was already too late. “sorry Al, can't.” He tossed the soul over, and it found a home within the Human Eradication Robot.

The compartment sealed tight and rotated until it resembled that of a human soul. The chamber glowed dimly. “That kind of power- it’s too much for him! I never designed his power cells to sustain that kind of energy!! I never even finished-” Alphys went on but fell into silence when Mettaton’s body rattled violently for a few seconds, enough to even cause Sans to take a cautious step away. Once it was over, Mettaton continued to lay stiller than a rock. Maybe this was a mistake after all. But Sans would soon realize... it was exactly what Mettaton needed. His eye-lights shuddered orange before sustaining the charge indefinitely. His systems were rebooting, programs recalibrating, and energy levels rising rapidly. Carefully, Mettaton stood back on his own two brilliant legs. Alphys at first tried to offer a helping hand but hesitated and withdrew. He looked down at his fleshless appendages, or at least what remained of them. A disfigured arm, and a hand-cannon riddled with tiny cracks.

“good to see you back on your feet,” Sans said with a chipper tone. Mettaton, so lost in his own head, had almost completely forgotten about the two beside him. “Thank you, Sans. I...” He said quickly, trying to think clearly, but... Where were they again? Trapped underground? No, they were forced back. Yes, that sounded right. But... where did all these humans come from? While he desperately tried to reload his memory banks, Alphys could keep quiet no longer. “M-Mettaton... Are you okay? H-How are you feeling? I-I’m sorry I-” She stammered along until... “Alphys.” Mettaton interjected. The sternness of his voice, and especially that unforgettable look when he turned his head... it took the breath right out of her. He sighed and eased up. “I... don’t know what’s going to happen, and I don’t think I’ll... ever become the shining star I always wanted to be...” Mettaton said, looking into his hand, then off to the battle that would determine the fate of Monsterkind. “But... because of you, I became part of Monsterkind’s hope instead.” He looked down at Alphys now, smiling through the dents and busted metal. “I never properly returned the favor, so I will right now.” Mettaton faced back towards the endless fighting. “But first, I need everyone to stand back.”

Sans nervously scratched the back of his head, still contemplating what he’d really done. “right... i’ll do what i can,” he replied before walking... through the entrance to the throneroom? Alphys wasted no time trying to question it. “Mettaton... what... what are you going to do?” Alphys asked anxiously as she remained in place, squeezing her hands so tight they began to hurt. “Don’t worry about me, darling. Just, this one time, worry about yourself. You’re part of Monsterkind’s last hopes, as well.” Mettaton took a step, assessing the functionality of his legs before marching on. “Mettaton... w-wait! Don’t go!” Alphys pleaded, and against his wishes, immediately tried to chase after him, until she was stopped by Sans, who had grabbed her shoulder. She swung around, and saw he brought RG01 with him... somehow. She looked at the two, startled and flummoxed. “get the royal scientist to the capital, captain's orders,” he told the guardsman, keeping his head low.

“Alright, doc. Come with me, You’re vulnerable out here!” She shot Sans a nasty look, trying to catch her breath. “No...” She said with a huff, stepping away. Suddenly, she turned tail and broke into a sprint, hoping to get away. “I won’t leave him!” She yelled but was promptly stopped with only the slightest of effort, picked up and held like a child. “There’s no time to be a hero, Doctor Alphys! The Royal Guard will kill the rest of the invaders!” Hastily RG01 moved to retreat whilst Alphys hollered and cried out without pause. “No! Nooo! Mettaton! Undyneee!” Mettaton’s movement had not ceased while he internally battled memories of the past, memories of the people he abandoned to pursue his dreams; Napstablook, Alphys, and Sandra. This is Mettaton’s last chance to make it up to them all.

Sandra. Who... who is Sandra?

Then it hit him: He was no longer facing just his demons, but also those belonging to the human soul powering his systems. This human’s fury and sorrow… Even his endless bravery through it all... All of it flowed through Mettaton now. All he could do with it... was redirect it towards the enemy. Still... it was a sensation unlike any other, almost like they were fighting for control. Distracted by this feeling, Mettaton failed to notice until now that humans have stopped swarming down the mountain descent. This was his chance! Eradicate the last of the murderers, and cave in the entrance. It would not hold them back forever, but it gave Alphys time to think of something. She... she had to think of something. Interlopers came to Mettaton with wrath in their hearts, unloading their magazines of ammunition into him. Their bullets left holes, dents, and grazes, but he was happy to leave far greater.

From the hollow point of his ruined arm, power began to stir. “Get- hngh... get...!” Mettaton struggled to speak as electric sparks rushed out of his inorganic limb. The loose sparks grew in greater volume, and from them an arm of blue and orange took form. Fluctuating and releasing a consistent zapping, Mettaton attacked. "Get out of my way!” He commanded with an electronic pulse. Swinging his arm like a sword through the humans, they convulsed with electric shock before collapsing. Meanwhile, Undyne ceaselessly chased after her own breath as her form failed to keep up with the endless flow of Determination. But she did not stop fighting for even a single second! Spears hailed from above and fell down to inner earth, Undyne exercising every last ability in her arsenal. “Fuhuhu! Is... IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!?”

“undyne,” a voice she did not immediately recognize called out to her. Heated by the throes of battle, she swiftly turned around and nearly plunged a spear into Sans, who flinched and rose his hands up. “hey-woah, nice to see you too." He chuckled nervously. Undyne pulled her spear away slightly as her eye blinked a few times, trying to register everything all at once. That makes the third time he's appeared out of thin air. "Mettaton wants us to fall back. he absorbed a human soul-” Sans tried to explain, huffing over his own words. “He WHAT??” Undyne exclaimed as her mind pushed everything else to the side. She immediately looked up and around, trying to spot that hunk of metal. “listen, more time we spend here, less time we have to get out of the crossfire,” Sans told Undyne, piercing a human that tried to catch her from behind with a bone to their leg. There was so much transpiring all around and within her that it made thinking straight like trying to see with the lights off. But what was right before her eyes was the distress written across Sans’ face. Even now, he tried to hide it through his smile. But not even he was free from fear.

“Then what are we waiting for?!” Undyne roared, casting the fog from her head. The weary skeleton was reluctant to find another shortcut but felt his feet leave the ground and a powerful force wrap around his waist. The captain had scooped up Sans as though he were a sack of potatoes. Which... wasn’t too far off from the truth. As she braved through what was left of the humans and Monsters, Undyne raised her spear aloft and called out for the monsters to rally behind her. Sans looked up to her face and mistook melting flesh for falling sweat. Despite such a horrible affliction... her toothy smile was never brighter. But in the shadow of the cave, Nayenez stood tall, nearly fully recovered now, impatiently watching as lesser men and women died over and over at the hands of puny insects. Decades of self-indulgence and complacency have made them just as weak as their mortal enemy. Their ancestors would surely be frowning from their heaven. His wounds had healed enough. He decided it was time to finish the job.

…! What is this...? He felt something piercing his soul. Ambushed...? No, no one ever got close enough. Nayenez held a hand over the center of his chest and felt nothing. No spears or anything. Yet... when he looked up and into the shifting crowd, something immediately pulled his attention, something truly annoying. That damn robot was still kicking, and it was making its way through the army. Its eyes burned a fierce orange as they stared into his. No, not into his eyes, his SOUL. Something was different about it this time. It had even... grown that arm back? Nayenez decided he’d seen enough of its prolonged existence and marched to meet the autonomous mimicry. However, just as he did, Mettaton stopped dead in his tracks. ... That's right, that human is what brought him down earlier, what nearly killed Undyne, what took so many innocent lives. “Let’s see just how powerful humans really are,” Mettaton said aloud, swatting away one more group of soldiers before pouring all of his power reserves into his hand-cannon. A deep roaring rose from the chamber, then slowly emanated from every facet of his body. Dawn has broken, and its great star will gather the bravery to scorch the very surface for all those who could not bask in the sun, and for those who lie in wait for the return of their heroes, their friends...

Taking aim and using his electric arm to keep the nozzle steady, Mettaton thought about so much in so little time as power levels soared to maximum output. Within his motherboard of thought, it came back to one thing over and over again; the desire to protect that echoed inside both souls. Humans truly believed monsters were nothing but the name that hovered over them. If that is all they want to see, then that will be all Mettaton showed them. Humans riddled his body with bullets and sliced away at his metal skin with swords. But he endured the damage and zapped away those foolish enough to step close with swift swipes and kicks. Nothing could hinder his overwhelming COURAGE. Power had reached 101%. Mettaton fired. With an ear-piercing boom, a great laser-beam left the chamber of the hand-cannon and headed for its greatest adversary, blasting through a dozen humans on the way. Nayenez’s eyes opened wide, overcame with surprise at such sheer power. Running on nothing but instinct, the human charged to meet the stream of energy. He planted his boots like weeds, and used his sword as a shield, its flat end ready to absorb the beam.

Forged from the finest metal, and fueled with a human's determination, the ancestral blade demonstrated incredible strength. Mettaton effectively matched it. When the tail end of the beam finally left the hand-cannon, Nayenez redirected the last bit of it away to his left. it nearly killed several human fighters before creating a sizable hole in the wall. Stone fragments went flying and pummeled both monster and human alike, but it was humans who were drawing back. Undyne did not spare a second. "Now's our chance! Go! Go! Go!" Those left formed a line of defense a few feet behind the machine as well, the humans finally started to retreat, unloading what ammo they had left. Mettaton was not done yet. Far, far from it. Brimming with unlimited energy, the cannon discharged another beam. Then another, and another thereafter. Beam after beam with little pause in between. In fact, it was so little, his arm strayed from its path several times from such force, obliterating humans caught in the crossfire. The heroine came close to the killer robot. "Mettaton! You're going to destroy yourself! Do you really want Alphys to see you as nothing but bits and pieces!?" Undyne shouted at him, but Mettaton could not hear her- No... he certainly could, but if his destruction gave Monsterkind a chance? Well... then he intended to die like great stars always do... Supernova. That being said, the resilience of this killer... is it what Asgore and Toriel faced so long ago? In the war that cost them their freedom in the first place...

Every warrior watched on with shock and awe as blinding light scarred the room with its destructive power. Electric currents that gave strength to Mettaton's arm leaked out the crevices in his sheared wing and gave it life anew. With it, Mettaton slowly took to the skies once more with the aid of his rocket boots, exuding streaks of orange flames lined in purple. It seemed as though the fighting would not end, locked eternally in combat. And yet... Mettaton relented for a second, grimacing at his weapon, which started to vibrate violently and discharged sparks everywhere. Then he met Nayenez's gaze, affixed in place by hate. Any more of this, and his arm would explode. The woes of being unfinished, just like his plans, his hopes, his dreams. If he couldn't save his own, then at least... he could save theirs. Mettaton routed all power to the cannon; his wing and arm of electricity retreated back into his body, glamorous lights, optical ability, all of it came offline and undone. He cannot lose! His life... it has to mean something! He must drive Humanity back! “Hopes and Dreams... must prevail!” The Dreamer cried out. Unleashing all the power his body could possibly muster; the star of the Underground gave this relentless destroyer everything he ever had.

Nayenez met that challenge as a seemingly never-ending stream of light struggled against Cor Ruptor's surface, rushing past his face on either side, scarring the stone floor. It continued on and on as Mettaton broke into a long scream, energy seeped out of every cavity in his body, like leaks in a ship, from such an explosion of Soul power. Nayenez’s eyes flared a deep red as he too began to howl, his hands enduring unimaginable punishment as the weight of the whole world crashed against his shoulders. Nayenez would not be defeated. Not now. Not ever. Mettaton’s power cells were finally completely drained, and with feeling, Nayenez deflected the beam back at the robot. As soon as the tail of the beam left the hand-cannon, power levels defaulted, and base systems rebooted. The first thing to do so was Mettaton’s eyesight. But even then, it was too late.

“Oh dear...”

⪼⪻

Papyrus did not like waiting. No, not one bit. And awaiting his friends' return was unbearable. He knew he should stay right where he was, but... what if something happened? What if because he wasn't there... Papyrus made a spur of the moment decision while monsters talked anxiously to one another within the capital plaza."EVERYONE... I MUST SEE HOW OUR FRIENDS ARE FARING UP AHEAD, AND AS SOON AS I KNOW, I WILL BE RIGHT BACK!" He was already booking it to the elevator when several monsters, including Dogamy and Dogaressa and Monster Kid, called after him. But he shouted over their concerns."I SHAN'T DAWDLE! THE GREAT PAPYRUS NEVER DAWDLES!" he said in a rush and hit the button for the top floor. he felt a tinge of guilt, but his worry was far greater. Just a quick pop in... As soon as Papyrus reached his floor, he jumped out of the doors and walked with haste through the bright grey halls.

When he entered the throne hall, Papyrus was immediately confronted with the sound of... crying? The barrier was just ahead, but to leave while someone was in need? He treaded carefully across the flowerbed in search of it. The closer he got to the King's throne, the louder it became. Yet no one sat upon it. Perhaps it was a ghost? Then, the lanky skeleton thought it could be from behind the royal chair! Papyrus peeked over and was surprised to find- "FRISK?" When Papyrus' voice reached Them, They choked up. When did he come in? They didn't hear his boots against the buttercups at all, perhaps... They were just too busy crying to notice. Frisk could not meet his gaze, continuing to stare into the golden flowers. He stepped around and took a knee before Them. "HUMAN... WHAT- WHAT IS WRONG?" He asked gently, but Frisk did not respond. They looked at the flowers, trying to keep any more tears from falling, simultaneously trying not to see Flowey's mocking face. "I... I WANT TO HELP YOU, FRISK! BUT... I CAN'T IF I DO NOT WHAT IS TROUBLING YOU," He pressed, and it made Frisk dig Their hands deep into the flowerbed, crushing the golden pedals between Their fingers. 

*You tell Papyrus there isn't anything he can do, nor anybody else. Not even Themselves. His face seemed to sink at your words as he reached out a comforting hand. But you shifted your body away, because who needs this worthless pile of bones anyway? Papyrus' hand froze from the rejection, and he somberly pulled it away. "I KNOW THINGS ARE... REALLY SCARY RIGHT NOW, BUT IF WE GIVE INTO FEAR, WE WON'T HAVE THE COURAGE PROTECT EACH OTHER WHEN WE NEED IT MOST!" The Skeleton said with hope, but you only feel your soul's cracks grow bigger. You look at him with a pained expression and ask him what makes him believe that anyone can protect each other from humans. The ones who are strong enough to kill any Monster, no matter how brave or hopeful. You tell him Undyne was sheer proof of that...

Papyrus looked away for a moment, gathering his thoughts before looking right into Frisk's eyes. "BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN US. I BELIEVE IN EVERY MONSTER; I BELIEVE IN YOU AND... I BELIEVE IN UNDYNE TOO. I KNOW SHE'S IN THERE, STILL FIGHTING WITH EVERYTHING SHE HAS. EVEN MY BROTHER IS IN THERE HELPING, CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?" Papyrus chuckled weakly. Then, he looked at the Buttercups too. They were really beautiful, he realized. There were hardly any flowers in Snowdin, but on the surface, there were hundreds. Or in places like this, tended to with love and care. And water. "AND... EVEN IF I'M WRONG, I DO NOT THINK IT WOULD BE SO BAD."

*You cusp your hands together and ask Papyrus what wouldn't be. You saw his smile light up. "TO BE WITH MY FRIENDS... TILL THE VERY END." You were not able to hold it back any longer and burst into tears. Papyrus opened his arms wide instinctively, and you also couldn't help but run into them. He hugged you tightly. You tell him through your weeping that you don't deserve his kindness. Ugh, what an awful sight. "NONSENSE! I HAVE YET TO FIND ANYONE WHO DOESN'T!"

All was quiet in that moment, until it wasn't. A great roaring came from ahead, past the throne room, from the final corridor and inside the barrier's cavern. It shattered their moment of tranquility. They traded anxious glances before breaking their embrace. The two stood up and ran towards the doorway behind the throne. But Frisk stopped before They even left the room. They realized whatever was happening out there, it was a reminder of Their failure. They could not bear the sight of seeing their friends hurting anymore. The thought alone was enough to paralyze Them. Papyrus noticed immediately as he passed through the doorway, halting his movement and grabbing onto the doorframe. "FRISK, WE NEED TO HURRY!" He said in a panicked voice, looking ahead and back to Frisk frantically.

Frisk shook Their head rapidly and even took a step back. "THEN... THEN JUST WAIT HERE! I SHALL BE RIGHT BACK!" Papyrus marched through the darkened hall and noticed RG01 wrangling with a wild scientist. "WHAT ARE YOU TWO-" He tried to say, but when RG01 was caught off guard by his voice, Alphys finally escaped his clutches and ran for the end cavern. "Doctor! Stop!" RG01 gave chase, and so did Papyrus. As they approached, Undyne's voice rang out from ahead. "Sans! Grab him!" One after another they ran into the next room, and when the skeleton was next, he joined everyone else who watched as a great beam of white light ripped through the rightmost half of Mettaton’s body. Alphys stared with empty eyes as her best friend soared through the air one last time. Papyrus' pupils fell on someone else as he proceeded past RG01 and Alphys. He passed Undyne, who passed him running backwards before jumping high at an angle to try and catch Mettaton. As she wrapped her arms around his waist, she broke the crash into the back wall, and plummeted. Suddenly a great heap of bones raced up to break their fall, but did not lower... As Papyrus moved closer to the front, he was able to make out the culprit very quickly; A sword wielding human, who just finished cutting down a dewinged Whimsalot... Grillby looked on with confusion as Papyrus now passed his brother without a second glance. “papyrus... wait!” Sans yelled but was too weak. He tried to chase his brother but fell on one knee. Why? Why was he here? Why now? Nayenez watched Papyrus' approach with intrigue, another hopeless freedom fighter, was it? Grillby refused to stand by and watch another monster be dusted and hurried to try and stop him.

“I DO NOT KNOW WHY YOU WANT TO HURT US SO MUCH." Papyrus said softly, looking down at his gloved hands, rubbing them together anxiously. "Papyrus, stop." Grillby ordered firmly, but just as he tried to grab Papyrus, a plethora of bones shot up from the ground and encaged the bartender. Papyrus kept moving. “BUT... I CAN’T LET YOU HURT ANY MORE OF MY FRIENDS.” Smaller and smaller the gap closed between him and Nayenez, yet only a puzzled look captured the Skeleton’s face, internally trying to understand. "Papyrus, what are you doing!?" Undyne screamed at him, unable to do anything from her perch, not with Mettaton in her arms, not from so far up. Papyrus ignored her and glanced up at the killer, who simply waited eagerly for his prey.

“I’M JUST... I’M SORRY FOR WHATEVER WE DID TO MAKE YOU SO VERY ANGRY WITH US.” “papyrus!!” Sans again cried out, falling over himself onto the ground as he reached out for his brother. “STILL. THIS ISN’T RIGHT. I HOPE YOU... YOU REALIZE THAT, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.” Nayenez readied his blade to cut away this rambling fool but stumbled as the ground began to quake. With a disappointed frown, Papyrus parted his hands and clenched his fists tightly. Nayenez realized something all right, that the monster was attacking! Regaining his razor-sharp focus, Nayenez lunged at Papyrus with intent to sever his head. As he jumped through the last few feet, from below the earth a great wall of packed bones erupted upwards at an alarming speed. They nailed Nayenez in his chin, sending him barreling backwards across the floor. The bones extended the full length of the room and in a single line, burrowing deep into the cave ceiling. The humans' genocide had been halted. But not for long, not for long at all.

Chapter Text

I wish I were somewhere Else

{ Chapter 5 }

Humanity had won, again. Except unlike before, banishment was no longer enough to satiate their endless cruelty. ‘Is this where it ends?’, ‘What are we going to do now?’ ... ‘Should we ever have left?’ Questions just like that and more circulated around what remained of Monsterkind, and the answers could not be more elusive. Now, all they could do is await the guidance of their heroes in the Capital Square. Those heroes had been whittled down to nearly nothing; Sans was still trying to catch his breath from the stone floor, Undyne's strength had wavered from Humanity's onslaught, Grillby stood idle in his boney cage, RG01 tried to cut down the bones that kept his captain high above, and Alphys was despondent. Papyrus meanwhile stared at the crevices and outlines of the wall of bone. He wasn't thinking about its durability, no, instead he wondered if his words had meant anything to the human on the other side. He could only hope so. "Papyrus! Get me down from here!" Undyne's strained voice yelled, breathing in deep for air. Papyrus' body jolted as he returned to the real world and turned around to face his friends. He hardly remembered even breaking Undyne's fall, or trapping Grillby, or-! "SANS!" As Papyrus rushed toward his fallen brother, Undyne, still clutching onto Mettaton, was steadily lowered back to the ground, and Grillby's jail retracted instantaneously. The lanky skeleton quickly grabbed his brother by the underarms and lifted him upright, brushing dust off his jacket with a grimace. "BROTHER, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?" He asked him as Sans rubbed the ribs behind his clothes and only gave Papyrus a passing glance. "yeah, i'm fine, thanks," Sans responded plainly, his mind swirling around with sudden urges, with sentiment he knew he shouldn't say. However, "...he was going to kill you, papyrus."

His voice was stone cold, causing Papyrus to freeze up for a moment. "THAT IS... CERTAINLY WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE." Papyrus replied awkwardly, rubbing his arm as some poor distraction. "did you honestly think he was going to listen to you?" His anger really began to show now. Sans had spoken like this to his brother so little, that when he did, Papyrus felt chills down his spine. Just formulating a response felt like choking on pasta. "WE- WE WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN UNTIL I AT LEAST TRIED!" He expressed, throwing his hands out with hurt covering his face. Sans sunk into his jacket, unable to repress his true feelings anymore. "and look where trying's got all of us." Sans said quietly. Papyrus heard it though, and felt his bones heating up, and without a second thought shouted; "YOU HARDLY TRY AT ALL!" As soon as the words registered in his own ears, he covered his mouth as though he said something truly awful. Sans didn't say anything back, only settling deeper into place. "W-WAIT, I- I DIDN'T MEAN THAT. SANS, I AM SO SORRY. I-" He reached out for him, but Sans shrugged him off as soon as he felt his gloved hand. Grillby, unable to watch the brothers fight, quickly came between them. "...We are still alive. That is what matters." Grillby said, acting as a wedge between them with his palms faced towards each skeleton. Sans chuckled to himself hearing that, but no one could see his expression. He was faced away from everyone now. Silence lingered above them, too long for Undyne to handle. "We need to get to the Capital, everyone is waiting for us." She said, trying to keep her head in one piece. She wanted to say so much more, but... she just didn't have the strength.

Alphys was first to leave, in fact she seemed to have left before Undyne even said a word, who was next to go. RG01 followed her, then Grillby. This left only two bags of bones. The tallest of the two stood near the doorway, waiting patiently for his brother. "...ARE YOU COMING, SANS?" He asked, speaking gently so as to not upset him further. "i just want you to be safe," Was all Sans said as he kept his back turned, staring at the new makeshift barrier, standing amongst piles of dust. He was glad that, unlike humans, monsters turned to dust upon death. He wasn't sure he could cope seeing their lifeless eyes stare back at him. Papyrus looked away, the guilt already tearing his soul apart. "I WANT YOU TO BE SAFE TOO. THAT'S WHY-" Papyrus tried to say, but when he looked back, Sans was gone. He... must've gone up ahead. Papyrus sighed, before leaving the cavern behind, and the countless dust piles of their friends. The weary group passed through the doorway, its chiseled pillars standing taller than all of them. Walking upon gray stone through a short hall, surrounded by darkness, they saw a small Frisk peeking past a wall up ahead, where light from a high placed gap illuminated a single patch of grass. The only monsters not to meet their gaze was an empty eyed Alphys. The rest did, but any smiles they shared were feigned. Not even that hopeless optimist could hold any face of blind hope.

*I'm surprised you can even look at them in the eyes, knowing what you did. Even when you chose not to fight, even when you think you've picked all the right options, traveled down the correct route, everyone still dies. Isn't that simply hysterical? You know you did them a favor last time, but you're too spineless to admit that. You noticed that lazy hack didn't come through, but since his brother wasn't crying his eyes out, he must be taking his sweet time. They entered the throne room, and Undyne's pace grew slower and slower. She struggled on defiantly, until Mettaton's weight proved too much, (Or perhaps the weight of seeing The Queen's draped throne sit alone in the corner) and one knee came down onto the golden flowers, growling through bared teeth. "Undyne! Are you all right?!" RG01 asked frantically, reaching his hands out without any direction. "I'm fine, I just... I just need a minute," Undyne responded through a cough. You and Grillby stopped as well, but Papyrus moved in close and held out his hands with clear intent. "I CAN CARRY HIM, UNDYNE."

Undyne was hesitant to let go. She rebuked his words deep within. She would not let go; she would not give up. “I... I can do this.” She said with a huff, as though trying to convince herself, even as one of her fins started to melt. Frisk felt sick with themselves just from seeing it. "Yeah, she can! You got this, Undyne!" RG01 chimed in like a cheerleader. Undyne tried to force herself up with great effort, but Papyrus placed his hands just under hers. “I-I KNOW YOU CAN! THERE WAS NEVER ANY DOUBT ABOUT THAT.” He affirmed, then smiled weakly. “AND... YOU KNOW I CAN TOO.” Undyne hesitated again, but when she looked into his eyes... she saw a bruised, yet unconquerable kindness. Despite everything that had happened... he was still so… The indecision faded, whether she wanted it to or not. She finally relented and eased her grip over the unconscious superstar, leaving him in Papyrus's care. As soon as all of Mettaton fell into skeletal hands, his weight nearly brought the two into the flowerbed. “HE IS-! MUCH HEAVIER THAN I THOUGHT!” Papyrus remarked before regaining control of his footing and standing at his full height, as Undyne did the same. She couldn’t help but laugh, rubbing a hand across the back of her neck. “Haha! Yeah, he's… yeah.” The thought slipped away, as did some of her own weight that clung onto her soul. Her fin seemed to hold together as well. When silence fell, Papyrus looked over Mettaton's ruined body, taking in every jagged edge and exposed piece of circuitry. Not even his face went unscathed. "WHEN I CAME TO SEE YOU ALL, METTATON WAS UP AGAIN, AND... OF COURSE, SO WERE YOU! NOT TO MENTION WITH A NEW STYLE..." Papyrus began. "SO, WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I LEFT? IF THAT IS NOT.. TOO MUCH TO ASK." It was fresh in everyone's memory, yet each monster looked away, hardly in a rush to relive it. In truth, Frisk could not hide their curiosity either. You never could, could you? = )

As much as she wished she could, Undyne could not leave him in the dark. "When that human cut me down in a single blow, I felt... so weak. I thought for sure it was over for me. But, even despite that, Grillby, Muffet, The Guard, they all continued to fight. And your brother, he told me..." She paused, trying to recall his exact words. "He told me I could never go down so easy, and, ha, he was right!" Papyrus remembered saying just that to him. why would Sans...? "You should have seen him, Papyrus. He was unlike anything I've ever seen. He... might just be as strong as I am." Don't flatter yourself. As Undyne went on, Papyrus' felt his soul grow heavier and heavier. Why, why did he have to go and say that? "Then, someone gave Mettaton a human soul, and I have no idea who, but-" "... I think it was Sans," Grillby interjected before the captain continued. "You think so?" She asked him, and he nodded firmly. "Heh, I wouldn't have believed you yesterday. Now?" Papyrus was clutching onto Mettaton tighter now, and Undyne caught onto it quickly. She crossed her arms and told him; "I know you didn't mean it when you said it, but..." She looked right into Papyrus' eye. "He really did give it his all in there. Because of him, Mettaton was able to give everything he had for us, as did so many others," Undyne said as her arms dropped to her sides, balling her fists hard. "I won't let any of it go to waste," Undyne didn't smile, but her resolve could still be felt as it stabbed at the air around them. Papyrus even felt his own heart beating in pace with hers.

"YOU ALWAYS KNOW HOW TO KEEP SPIRITS UP, UNDYNE," Papyrus complimented, but Undyne was not about to take all of the credit. "What can I say? I learned from the best." She smiled brightly, and Papyrus found himself doing the same. Frisk joined in for a moment, but it did not stay for long. It seemed like every time hope rose above the ashes a greater despair tore it apart. Frisk moved on without another word, as did Grillby. Undyne looked around while papyrus too moved along, trying to spot Alphys. Either she blended in really well with the flowers, or she had already gone up ahead. The throne Room hadn't changed much, she noticed. Except for its atmosphere, now a conflicted mess. The birds were still chirping though, and sunlight ceaselessly shone through the stained glass, and yet the tranquility felt only like a soothing lull before eventually thrusted right back into the thick of it. After all, the humans were only a bone and a skip away. That gloomy reality notwithstanding, she could not deny the calm felt nice, even for a moment. She wished Alphys stayed to enjoy it too before they pressed forward.

"Should we, like, get going, Captain?" RG01's voice suddenly hit the heroine, enough to nearly spook her out of her armor. "How, uh, how about you scout up ahead?" He threw up a salute and said, "aye aye captain!" Before running off, leaving Undyne all by herself. She found herself thinking about how lonely Asgore must been couped up in here as she plucked a couple of Buttercups. She couldn't stay for long; she had a mission to complete. She took a moment and stood over Asgore's throne. "I... I hope you and your family are happy, wherever you are. When I get there, I'd love to spar for old time's sake." Undyne smiled faintly, but she could only hold it for a few seconds. "Just, give me enough strength to last until... Until I'm ready, all right?" The silence met her, but Undyne could still hear his warm voice. What would he say in this moment? "...Thanks" Undyne stood tall at the exit across from the throne, a thin divide between golden walls and gray bricks. She gave his throne one last look before setting off deeper into her home. Upon his golden seat, two freshly picked buttercups now rested peacefully atop one another.

It was fair to say everyone had grown tired of New Home's colorless decor. Gray was a hue of the middle road, not too dark and not too bright, it reminded them too much of their plight. Sadly, they lacked a certain something to run through it all and get away. Soon enough the band caught up with Alphys in the winding corridors. She was walking at a snail's pace, so slowly it brought concern to everyone, Undyne especially. RG01 had waved hello as he passed her moments ago but met no reaction. Frisk tried to talk to the scientist, but they went unanswered. It made Frisk feel terribly cold inside, their bitterness for Humanity steadily growing. A bit longer, and they entered the Final Corridor. RG01 was standing just inside, saluting again. "Coast is clear, Captain!" Golden light painted the hall up and down and cast great shadows of each and every Monster, some longer than others. Frisk's, of course, was longer than all the rest. When they dared to look at it, they could see my soulless eyes.

Looking ahead, a familiar silhouette came in view. Hands in his pockets, gazing out of the stained glass. Many were elated and relieved to see him again, but no one seemed to know what to say, so they simply walked on, hoping he'd join them this time. All the while, the closer they came to the Capital, the greater Undyne's mind became occupied with the preservation of the Monster Race. She did not look forward to meeting the survivors, not one bit. All those lost eyes traced on her, looking for answers she didn't have... It scared her. Maybe Alphys could offer some counsel. Undyne lagged behind in order to match Alphys’ slowness, casting a bold silhouette over her tiny form. The others gradually passed by the two, unable to shake the concern on their faces. Though she was hesitant to speak, Undyne refused to let this reluctance persist any longer. She walked at the scientist’s right, looking down at her with a worried frown. Alphys did not even acknowledge her. Taking a deep breath... ”Alphys, can I... can I talk to you?” She asked, but Alphys still did not respond, she didn't react in even the smallest way. She just continued to walk, like a machine on patrol. “I’m... I don’t know what I’m going to tell the others. At the capital I mean. Not a single idea. Do you-” Undyne mouthed aimlessly until; “We’re going to die down here.” Alphys replied unflinchingly. Undyne stopped dead in her tracks for a moment, uncertain if what she heard just now was real or a trick of the mind. “Wh-what?” Undyne resumed walking, faster now, the shuffling of her armour echoed through the hallway. Alphys' speed, however, hadn't changed at all. “Asgore, Toriel, so many monsters... killed. Not even Mettaton, with the power of a human soul, could stop them. Now he’s gone like all the rest.”

Her voice was so hollow, so devoid of hope. “Alphys, you don’t... you don’t know that! He could still be...” Undyne tried to reassure her, but Alphys rejected it. “Have you seen him? No one can survive that kind of damage.” She didn't even turn around as she said it so matter-of-factly. It dug deep under Undyne’s deformed gills. The distressed heroine moved in much closer now, throwing her hands here and there. “Don't say that! I know you can save him!-” Undyne’s voice grew bolder, echoing aloud. But Alphys threw herself around violently to face Undyne, and cried out; “I CAN’T save him! And- and I can’t save you either! You’re going to die too and there’s NOTHING I can do about it!” Alphys’ voice reverberated across the hall as her head fell towards the ground, into her own reflection. “Nothing at all.” She trembled. An even deeper silence overtook the old. Everyone stopped moving, as if a spell had been cast. Undyne stood there, unable to think of anything to say. She could almost feel Alphys’ heart slow down. Alphys would cry if her eyes were not so dry from so much of that already. The others waited quietly, hesitant to move in either direction, even Sans was now looked on with unease.

Undyne looked down at her own hand. its form had become... questionable, not exactly as it used to be, nor completely deformed either. Caught between life and death. “If I am going to die,” she started, clenching her hand tightly and restoring some of its shape through sheer Determination alone. “Then I will turn to dust making sure you survive, every last one of you.” Undyne spoke with stoic confidence and strode past Alphys. Though the captain paused for a moment, it led to nothing but another moment of soundless sadness. So, she continued on. “Come on,” She ordered the others, moving past them too without a second glance. “Our people need us, now more than ever.” Everyone seemed to follow Undyne without question, with Frisk walking along last after standing idle for a few seconds. When it seemed like everyone was about to walk by Sans, Papyrus stopped just ahead and turned to face him. Frisk did the very same as the rest promptly left the hall. “BROTHER, PERHAPS YOU SHOULD-” “on it, we’ll catch up.” Sans chimed in before his brother could even finish, and Papyrus was just fine with that. In fact, he couldn’t help but smile. “YOU ARE A GOOD FRIEND, SANS,” He said proudly, hoping to ease his brother's tension. Sans only nodded as Papyrus walked backwards. "LET US GO, FRISK," He said, then turned around. Frisk's eyes followed Papyrus, but They... They needed to tell Sans. Just as Their eyes reengaged his, Frisk felt a jolt of anxiety when Sans' skull lines crunched up with a deep-seated frustration. "unless there was something you wanted to tell me?" His voice was hard, indicating an unspoken suspicion. All of Their built-up bravery suddenly shattered apart. They were too afraid to say anything, or perhaps too guilty, and reluctantly followed after Papyrus. Their expression told him well enough that They were hiding something. What though, he didn't know. They clearly were not ready to clue him in anyway. That was partially his fault probably, but he could no longer mask his contempt.

Alphys was inspecting her glasses, drawing a finger along each crack that perverted the single lens. A lingering aching began to picture them as the same scars across her soul. “You don’t need to w-waste your time with me. I-I’m right behind you," She said softly, without need to turn around to tell Sans had stayed behind. He swallowed his mounting grief and gave Alphys a friendly wink, even if she was faced away from him. A habit, perhaps. “really? huh, am i looking at your afterimage right now?” Sans joked with his classic smile. It caused Alphys to blow out of her nose a burst of air like a bull before turning about, clutching her glasses tightly in her hand, exacerbating the splitting. Her eyebrows were furrowed, and her eyes narrowed with fire igniting within. “How can you keep telling jokes a-at a time like this?” Her voice cracked with intensity, motioning to the invisible bubbles against the back wall holding the past with her free hand. “Doesn’t a-any of this mean anything to you!?” She yelled as much as her timid voice allowed before needing to draw heaps of air. Sans seemed to be upsetting everyone today. He wasn't doing it on purpose, he just... He lowered his head and looked off gloomfully. "more than you could ever imagine," he replied somberly. Alphys had so much she wanted to hurl at him, or was it just at the earth itself? His response though, his expression... if only for a time, her anger grew still. Sans lifted his head and moved his gaze back to the arched windows that not only allowed warm color to flow in, but displayed the crest of the Royal family, and simultaneously the symbol of Prophecy: The Delta Rune.

He suddenly realized something about it, but it didn't much affect him at this point. “things are looking bleaker than ever. most of us are dead or… " Sans' mind trailed off. "close enough to it. humanity is right on our doorstep, and no matter what we do about it, we're still just running from the inevitable. can’t even keep my own brother out of harm’s way," then, he looked at Alphys with a strained expression, a smile on skull alone. "pretty lousy brothering, huh?” He asked but expected no response. His despair sucked out all of the blazing fire in Alphys' throat as she watched his gaze return to the emblemed panes. Hers only sunk back to the checkered tiles beneath her feet, made up of varying shades of orange. She gathered up so much rage, but all that came out now was an extinguished sigh. She put her glasses back on, even if they've been rendered even more useless than before. The thought hardly crossed her mind. "At least it isn't your job to save us. I-I’m supposed to be The Royal Scientist. I'm s-supposed to know what to do. I... I really thought things were going to be different after the barrier was broken." She wrapped herself in her own arms, and squeezed, like she was about to tear at the seams. "But they're worse than ever. B-but because of me, M-Mettaton is gone. Undyne is melting away and... God, I wish- I wish I was..." Alphys closed her eyes tightly, unable to speak, unable to escape her demons. Sans wanted to help, really, he did, but... how? Everything up to this point, hasn't made any difference at all. "somewhere else." Was the only thing he could say, and Alphys' eyes and mouth opened up. She quickly closed her mouth and looked away.

". . ."

The silence now stretched between them, until Alphys was able to come out of her own mind for a moment, her arms easing up, but still clinging on. "H-how do they do it?" Alphys asked, and it took the thought absorbed skeleton a second to notice. He looked over and cocked his skull, uncertain if he missed a word or two. "how does who do what?" “Undyne a-and Papyrus, how d-do they just… keep it up? E-even after so much death, even if the reality is we stand no chance, they still keep pushing on. Smiling and confident. Even Mettaton was, and he… he knew what was going to happen. But he still just- A-and Undyne too...” Before the shattered scientist could even finish, those dreadful thoughts were quickly overwhelming her once again. “beats me." Sans responded bluntly. So frankly, he caught Alphys off guard. She looked at him, bathed in the light that he frankly had no desire to be in anymore. "maybe they’re better at ignoring it, that reality. staying in the moment, not thinking about anything else but the people beside them. believing, no matter how pointless it is. and when they’ve decided on something, you’ll never be able to shake their resolve.” Sans had not intended it, but his own words got the two thinking. Alphys' arms finally fell back to her side, limp as worms. “I wish I could be more like Undyne." She said longingly. "heh... heh heh heh." Alphys' eyebrows scrunched up as embarrassment welled up in her stomach. “I know it’s stupid, but you don’t have to laugh at me.” Alphys said sourly. “no, no, it’s just…" Sans grew silent before he looked up higher than ever, then met Alphys in the eye. He had done so a couple times before already during the conversation, but this time felt... different, it felt real.

"i wish i could be more like papyrus."

Chapter Text

Rising Tension

{ Chapter 6 }

Nayenez fixated on this irritating obstacle before him: Bones, stretching far and high enough to penetrate the walls and as tough as the real thing. His blade could easily cut through bone, but this much density... It would take too long, far too long. Nayenez concluded the next course of action in the first few seconds of seeing it. So why had he been standing here for... however long? He was... ruminating, scolding himself from within for his weakness. If he had been just a little faster, just a little stronger, he would not be idling like a fool at all. Every second he remained stuck here was another second Chara remained alone with those wretched, horrible... He hoisted his sword and slashed a barely visible cut into the wall. Not a solution for his predicament, just a vain attempt to quell his brewing frustration. It took no time at all for human soldiers to file back underground, assessing the situation and retrieving the dead all whilst keeping a firm distance and wary eye on Nayenez.

He was flesh and blood just like them, but... his demeanor, his terrible blade, his power, the way his soul linked back together... It seemed so inhuman. Word of his refusal of death itself had quickly spread amongst their rank by the squawking of scouts. They who had been watching like hawks from the peak of the staircase before he even engaged the monsters. It is written that Determination can do as such and much, much more. However, there was a great difference between reading grandiose tales of death-defying kings, and another to witness a still, blood drenched corpse cling onto life and rise again like a marionette.

“My men tell me you came back from the dead," General Tobadzi said, who had snuck up on Nayenez. Truth be told, the swordsman had long heard his approach even through the harsh screeching of his blade against the bones. He slashed again, again, and again, small and miniscule etchings becoming blatant scars that formed a crude X. "So it would seem." Nayenez replied dismissively, continuing his pointless assault on the wall without any pause. "Those cursed with such power are rarely permitted to walk free." The General told him, knowing Nayenez's very presence here implied he was an undocumented case, or an escapee. Nayenez was about to take another swing but slowly lowered his sword and looked back at Tobadzi with a heavy glare. "Are you going to arrest me, General?" Nayenez responded with repressed anger, but Tobadzi was calm even as he felt Nayenez's aura had worsened since last time they encountered. "You've clearly gone this far unseen, save for today. If you just go home now, then everything can go back to normal. Isn't that why we're here now?" Then Nayenez's glare faltered, considering it for a second, and only for that long. He stood sideways now and met Tobadzi's gaze again, stubbornness steadily crawling up his throat. "I can't. Not when I'm this close." Nayenez said defiantly, closing his eyes to envision the perfect future lying just beyond. The General puffed hot air before stepping closer. "Do you not wish to return to your life up above? Back to your friends, your family."

Nayenez winced faintly at the mere mention of them. He raised his blade in the direction of the wall and said bitterly; "My life will never return to normal unless I get past this wall." Tobadzi could see the anguish swallowing him up, but from what, he couldn't possibly know. "The monsters are beaten. Neither you nor I have anything more to gain from this violence. The War is over," He argued, trying hard to sway the man before him, battered and torn beyond what any human should be able to endure. Nayenez took a passionate step forward in return as the General's words only seem to enrage him, the distance between them suddenly shrinking. Nayenez's eyes bulged, as if they'd pop out of his head any second. “Don't you know anything?!” Nayenez roared, and it was just enough to provoke Tobadzi's men. They closed in, locking and loading their guns and drawing close their armaments. "They will regroup. And-and when they do, they... they'll retaliate harder than ever before!" Nayenez stumbled, trying to think of what to say with little regard for the weaponry pointed in his face. It flummoxed The General. Had the fear of mortality completely left him? ... Was it ever there to begin with? Tobadzi's eyes sharpened. "What are you talking about?"

Nayenez chuckled, amused by such a foolish question, falling into his own illusion. “Do you think they broke the barrier with nothing but spears and fire? No. Only the power of seven human souls could have broken the spell, as it was seven wizards who conjured it, to seal the Monsters underground, and protect Humanity from destruction...” Nayenez spoke as if reciting a fairy tale, recalling almost every verse and every chapter from the Story of Humans and Monsters, the book he used to read to her every night. Then to himself through endless tears beside a long dead fireplace. Tobadzi looked to Private Oscar on his left with a confused expression, wondering if he was the only one who couldn't make sense of Nayenez's rambling. Oscar validated that bewilderment with a shrug and a shake of the head. Tobadzi refocused his attention on Nayenez, wholly unconvinced by his spiel. “You know as well as I that whatever power they may have stolen, it's gone now.” Tobadzi rebutted, and Nayenez was left to stare, thinking urgently for a response. "The very fact they took it means they must face Justice!" He screamed. The General looked to the left and right, and his stern expression fell into gloom. He splayed his arms out at the reality around them. "Is this not enough carnage? Your desire to slay them all ... will their extinction fully satisfy you? Or is Monsterkind only the beginning?"

The mere implication evoked more emotion, but it was more than just anger. There was a tinge of fear. "I would never harm a human. Never. Never." Nayenez repeated adamantly, shaking his head roughly at every 'never'. Tobadzi extended his gloved right hand, faintly coated with dust. "Then give me the sword, before you do something you regret." Tobadzi's confidence in the face of this killer was ultimately feigned. He stood no chance in a forward confrontation, none of them did. But it was evident enough that this problem was not going to make itself scarce. That's just his luck, isn't it? So maybe, just maybe, he could talk him down. What else could they do? Amazingly, it seemed to be working as Nayenez's hands had started to shake, lowering his weapon. But more painful memories resurfaced, and he slowly drew it back up with both hands. "I can't, I... I have a mission to complete, I have to make them pay." Nayenez looked away, his mind a jumbled mess of desires, conflictions, and contradictions. "I have to find her," he muttered under wheezy breath. "Who?" The General asked against his better judgment, before he remembered what his men told him earlier. "Chara?" Nayenez's head jolted up, and it was then Tobadzi finally attained a clear look into Nayenez's eyes. He at last realized there was no changing his mind. Tobadzi rested his face and sighed, before taking one step away. "Then you will have to do it alone." he took a series of steps now, turning his back to the monster hunter, and the soldiers slowly backed away.

"Wait."

Nayenez squeaked out with a hand grasping the air between them, returning it to his sword when Tobadzi and subsequently his men stopped in place. "I need your help. I cannot break this barrier on my own. I... I can sense it. Your SOUL is stronger than anyone else's here. Combined, we can shatter it, together. That is all I ask of you." Nayenez was desperate, more than he'd ever been in his entire life. The General did not move an inch, not even to look at him. "I will not aid your genocide." Nayenez couldn't see his face but understood everything from his steely voice. Nayenez began to grimace in pain. His mind was screaming with reluctance, but his soul pounded with perseverance. "Do not make me take it from you." Nayenez forced the words out, fighting with himself every step of the way. He was so disgusted, but it would be worth it. It was worth everything. The soldiers' aura grew fiercer, their grips tighter and resolves greater. Fear may have attacked their hearts, but bravery continued to beat within each one.

Tobadzi was forced an ultimatum. Condemn the rest of Monsterkind to execution, or themselves to this madman. Maybe he and his men could overcome him, restrain him before he could resurrect, but how many would have to die trying? Would he even be able to land a single hit on Nayenez anyway? The Monsters were their sworn enemy, the lives they've claimed great. So, have they really been served true justice? Tobadzi's features squeezed together. His job wasn't philosophical contemplation. His duty was to defend humanity. No, that wasn't right. It was to protect all that was right, good, and just. And this human, or whatever it was, stood opposed to all of that, driven only by self-indulgence and desire, no matter the cost. It was an injustice to everything they've worked for. His eyes opened up, and his features relaxed. His mind was now made up as well.

Tobadzi raised his hand, baffling every soldier ready to feed Nayenez lead. But they still trusted him, and hesitantly lowered their weapons, as did Nayenez. "You'll never get the chance." Nayenez's eyes widened as Tobadzi threw back the left of his overcoat and pulled out something holstered to his hip. He spun around with grace and took aim with a long-barreled revolver. Nayenez shook his head in protest and quickly brought up his sword one more time. But before he could utter a single word, The General's left eye snapped shut whilst the right gleamed yellow before a light started to build in the revolver's chamber. Suddenly thereafter with a squeeze of the trigger, a yellow bullet with a streaking white tail shot through the air. Nayenez held his blade high, eyes filling up with a deep red.

They'll regret ever refusing him, the cowards. When the bullet entered his proximity, he swung downward at an angle, hitting the bullet with eerie precision. Incredibly, the edge of his sword had absorbed it, and a yellow outline began to glow along the edge, growing brighter every second. He did not have long. Committing to the angle, Nayenez guided the sword around in an upside-down arch. Spinning his body around at the same time, he left a large diagonal, orange scar upon the bone wall. Tobadzi's frown deepened, and he shot again without further delay. Just as Nayenez finished coming around, he struck the second projectile the same way, this time in the opposite direction. Another scar left on the towering wall, forming a long X. 'This fear... is this the very same we drove into the Monsters?' Tobadzi found himself wondering as the sight twisted his gut into agonizing knots.

Perturbed yet undeterred, he fired another round unflinchingly. This time, Nayenez stood with his left leg to the wall but his upper body still facing Tobadzi. Nayenez held his blade low and outward, and struck the bullet of light with an upward arch. He completed it, and slashed downward, leaving the final etching. The length of the gashes extended from their ends at a rapid rate, expanding the X for all to see, digging deep like termites into wood. Cracks shot up and down from the etches, shaped like bolts of lightning. As a terrible rumbling began to shake the earth, and the light within the barrier's wounds flooded out from the crevices, Tobadzi squeezed the trigger and fired one final bullet. It was bigger than all the rest, with the strength to bring down a thousand monsters. Nayenez emitted only bravery in the face of it and met it with planted boots.

Nayenez swung his blade horizontally, and once more Cor Ruptor was imbued with unfathomable energy. Nayenez prepared to unleash its might upon every last human. "Everyone! Get back! Now!" Tobadzi commanded wildly in retreat as he discharged a flurry of blazing yellow gunfire. Nayenez's sword simply absorbed those too, and even the ones that did manage to hit him had no immediate effect. As regular bullets peppered his body, he bled without emotion. How dare they stand in his way? They were just like monsters! ... Monsters. No, no they were humans! Just like him. Nayenez wrestled out of his megalomania and redirected the tip of Cor Ruptor towards the ground. As the barrier combusted into an explosion of dust and debris, Nayenez stabbed the earth, creating a shockwave of gold. It shielded him from further harm but brought on more to the military unit by throwing them across the room, albeit inadvertently saving them from being crushed by the falling chunks of bone.

...The barrier was destroyed.

Tobadzi had thrown himself back up as soon as the wave of energy knocked him down and a-ways from where he once was. He kept his pistol close, expecting an assault from the red-eyed maniac. As the dust settled and brought visibility back to the room though, Nayenez was nowhere to be seen. He had fled deeper into Ebott. Tobadzi lowered his gun but was too anxious to let it leave his grasp. He surveyed the aftermath, the place a cluttered mess of dust, blood, broken bones and shattered souls. It was almost like a window into the war of the past. Suddenly, he felt the strength in his legs falter, and when he looked down, he realized his undershirt was riddled with tiny holes, and leaking blood. Those who had redoubled themselves and moved towards Tobadzi felt a sudden pep in their step at the sight of his injury. "Sir! You're injured!" One of them proclaimed worryingly. "No kidding..." He stood at his full height (As best he could that is) and already started walking towards the staircase out of the Underground. Despite the massive downpour of debris, it was, thankfully, mostly unobstructed.

"Sir... Orders?" A Corporal asked, following Tobadzi as he fought a limp in his leg. "Go home, Corporal." He replied simply, trying hard not to think of the hell that's been set loose on the remnants of Monsterkind. "And... what about that man?" One more questioned, helping his friend along with one arm over each other's shoulders. "Is that what he is?" Tobadzi asked, and received no answer, not that he expected one anyway. He came to an abrupt halt and looked back to his men. They should be celebrating, relieved and joyful, yet here was nothing but an uneasiness choking the air. "He's right where he wants to be, right? All we need to do is ensure he never leaves." He looked forward and marched as blood snaked down his leg. "I want everyone out of this hole in less than five, and explosives planted at the entrance. The strongest we’ve got left." He ordered.

"Let him lie under the mountain with his fellow monsters.”

Chapter Text

Reunited

{ Chapter 7 }

Within the Underground Capital, New Home, in the center of stories high towers and along the winding roads of stone was a large circular plaza. It had several branching paths that stretched into city streets and divided rows of businesses and homes. There wasn't a single pigment of green anywhere, in fact the whole city seemed to be coated in gray from the sidewalks to the shops, even the very walls were touched by the monotone theme. The only differing hue was from the incandescent lightbulbs of the Lamp Posts, stationed evenly across the Capital. Around the the plaza was at least twelve, two for each breaking path and four illuminating a 13-step staircase connected just south of the Plaza. Crowding around within it was Monsterkind's survivors, and even the few who had yet to leave at all. They speculated, contemplated and ruminated in hushed tones. Many couldn't do anything but watch the elevators up the stairs, which were built firmly into the walls, and did not go back very far. With their hands clenched tight, they waited and waited. Except Monster Kid, for he had none. Well, he had no arms that is. Still, he stared on, harder than anyone else, so much so he felt his eyes drying up. He only allowed himself to blink for less than a second every other minute. Any time now, Papyrus would come through the center elevator amongst three, which led to upper New Home. Then everything would be alright.

So would Frisk, and... Undyne. He didn't know how to feel about her anymore. For so long, she was the coolest monster ever. At least that's what it seemed like. Then, the more he really saw her, she became less cool and just... mean, but when the humans attacked, she was the first who leapt into action! Was she really as bad as he realized? Maybe it was more complicated than that. Papyrus though, he was just as cool as the day he really saw him! Which was only a few hours earlier! He knew when Papyrus came back, everything would be okay! Even with Undyne too, and-! Suddenly, he heard that familiar ding. The elevator doors were sliding open, and Monster Kid was already bounding forward with unbridled thrill. Having put his feet before his eyes, he slipped and tripped right onto his face in front of the staircase. Yet when Monster Kid face planted, he was back on his feet in a flash and rushed up the perfectly chiseled steps. The others were catching on as well, and their words fell gradually into bated breath. Every step the scaly boy ascended, more did the silhouettes in the elevator take shape and fill with color.

He took the final step and reached the apex of the ascent. Not wasting a second, he was already charging at the elevator. Oh, he couldn't wait to see Papyrus and his scarf of greatness! His stronger than rock Battle body! His scale chilling laugh! His... Monster Kid slowed to a crawl as a mass of monsters tried to push themselves out of the elevator all at once. The tallest of them ground her teeth and cocked her neck back. "ONE at a TIME, dunderheads!" She hollered, bringing the rest to stillness. She managed to push herself out first and stood before Monster Kid. Her hair had grown so much longer, her armour was darker than ever, and her eyepatch was completely gone. What stood out to him the most though, was a great white heart at the center of her cuirass, beating with every breath she took. She looked... so cool! Monster Kid looked to her eye with a wide smile, but she could barely exert any of the same energy. When it seemed she only just noticed him, the ends of her mouth curled slightly. "Hey kid," she said somberly, he had never seen her so downtrodden...

Monster Kid's smile steadily fell as he watched the rest file out of the elevator. There was Grillby, missing his black vest and his tie undone. There was Papyrus as well! But... he was carrying that purple robot he'd seen on tv, motionless in his arms. The skeleton himself seemed so dejected. Frisk was here too, clutching their arm, but at least gave him a little wave. Besides one of The Royal Guards with a bruised armor shuffling to Undyne's side, that was it. What happened to them? When Undyne started to move again, so did the others, and though the monsters could not yet see their heroes fully, excitement was already growing. Monster Kid shook it off. Maybe they were just tired from the fight! It must have been a tough one for sure, but they pulled through, just like he knew they would! Perked up, he jumped to Papyrus' side. "Yo, Papyrus! Did you show the humans who's boss? I bet you hit them all with an unsolvable crossword! Stunned 'em in place with your words! Or... something!" He said with a hop and a skip, but Papyrus barely batted an eye. "UNDYNE, SANS, METTATON..." He looked down into his arms, before back to Monster Kid. THEY DESERVE YOUR PRAISE. NOT ME." He could hardly feel the weight at all now. Monster Kid looked at them as well and felt the strength in his legs rescind as he realized half of their head- no, half of their body was missing. Undyne and the others then stood together at the peak of the stairs and looked upon the last of their people, and they collectively all looked back. What erupted from the crowd was a thundering ovation for their unconquerable heroes. They've saved Monsterkind from Humanity! That wasn't true though, was it? No, they could not accomplish a single thing. Undyne ground her teeth again and shut her eye tightly. Their shouts and cheers slowly morphing into the sound of nightmarish warfare. "Stop!" She yelled, throwing out her arms in broad strokes. Like she had cast a spell of silence, the celebration dropped dead.

"U-undyne! Are you okay?" RG01 asked her. Undyne did not face him, sharply taking in breaths of air. "No." She responded through clenched teeth. Monster Kid took a step toward Undyne, not altogether certain what he was going to say. But as Frisk walked up to him, he stopped for the moment. They didn't look straight on at first but seemed to be working up the courage. "Yo... Frisk, why... why do they look so sad? We beat Humanity! Showed 'em what happens when you mess with Monsters!" He smiled triumphantly, his eyes looking for certainty that it was all going to be fine, that this feeling inside him was just tangled nerves. "...Right?" He asked, scared that this feeling wasn't going away. Frisk didn't want to say it; they didn't have the heart. But lying is not an option anymore, is it? Are you ready to shatter another spirit? You've already done it a hundred times before, what's another?

*Again and again their voice wormed its way into your ears. You stopped thinking of Chara as the first fallen human, and more a constant reminder of your sins. Maybe that’s exactly what Chara wanted. Their very presence steadily ripped away your will to continue, and with every death, human and monster, they only became stronger. You push out of another haze and faintly shake your head in response to Monster Kid. You kept your vision averted, unable to watch as you strip away his hopes. You tell Monster Kid that the humans are much stronger, that their leader is stronger still. He then looked back to the lift, as if any second, they'd storm in from it. You tell him they hurt a lot of people... you tell him they killed Mettaton.

"He's not dead!" Undyne shouted in a long wreathing agony. Monster Kid's frown now left his mouth ajar. From the breaking of the quiet, the plaza's unease was born anew, and whispers of panic resurged. "Dead? Who's not dead?" A monster made up of a blazing green fire with a school uniform questioned aloud, asserting herself to the front of the crowd. "What happened to Mettaton?" A series of acknowledgements and reiterations surfed through the crowd until... "Where is my Whimsimi!?" A distressed Whimsun questioned frantically. The other families to the Core's warriors began to forward similarly charged questions, but no one answered. Undyne opened her eye and found herself in a new chaos, one she could not fight her way out of. All of their words became a towering amalgamate in her mind, and she was unable to discern any of it. Except for names, countless names. "Whimsimi", "Frolly", "Oliver", The names of those who have gone. "Doggo", "Muffet", "Asgore", the names of those who the humans struck down. "Undyne", the name of the captain who failed to protect her people, now standing on death's door. "Undyne", "Undyne", "Undyne". Her own name rang like a deafening church bell, a call she was losing the strength to answer. "Undyne," "UNDYNE," "Undyne," Nevertheless, she must answer the call. "undyne," Must protect Monsterkind. "U-Undyne," Must destroy the Humans. "Undyne," Must avenge them all.

"Undyne?"

The heroine awoke from the nightmare and craned her neck down to meet Monster Kid's bewildered eyes, which looked to hers for answers just like everyone else. "Are... are we going to be safe?" It was an honest question. It was the one at the center of everything, and everyone wanted her to answer it, even those too scared to ask it themselves. She could see it all over their faces. Why did it have to be her? She's no king, she is no royal scientist. All she knew was battle. That's it. None of this... should have ever happened. "I... I don't know!" She yelled at him. "I don't know anything more!" Her voice cut through the air and stole every voice, both big and small. She moved around Monster kid, and slowly walked down the staircase absentmindedly. "I thought for a long time that my mission was to lead the charge against Humanity, so Monsters could finally stand on top!" Undyne rose a fist high into the air, but it deflated like a balloon and fell. "It was only a few hours ago I learned that there was more to life, more to everything than meets the eye. Then we left the underground and were attacked, and all that's been racing through my mind since is 'don't die', 'stay alive', 'protect the people'." Undyne stopped a few steps before the last and sat down. Her body sagged, resting both arms on her armor-plated legs. The fire in her eye dim. "Yet, despite how hard we fought, so many people we care about, that we love, are gone now, turned to dust." her voice had become a murmur of its former self as she stared deep into the ground. Undyne felt the grip on her body slipping, the disfigurement continuing to make progress. Her Determination was fading away. In the plaza, a wretched realization was hitting them now. The monsters who left the elevator were the only ones left. Tears were falling, children were bawling, and many were losing their will to continue as well.

"But you're not!" A voice proclaimed from the top of the stairs. Wasn't that...? Undyne, perplexed, turned halfway round and surveyed up the staircase until she saw him. Monster Kid was standing just on the edge of the top, looking down at her. "You're still here! Papyrus too! Frisk, Grillby, that robot, me, all of them!" He said, jumping down two steps at a time. "And if we're still here, doesn't that mean-woah!" Monster Kid was cut short as he stepped wrong and fell. A bundle of gasps escaped the crowd, but as he nearly beat his record for airtime, Undyne reached out and effortlessly caught his shirt as he passed by. Dangling, she set him down beside her. "S-so doesn't that mean there's still a chance?" He was so... naive. Just a little kid; how could he understand anything? He could never fathom this all-devouring despair. She looked away, but that expression... that fierceness in his eyes. He understood something else that Undyne, in her hopelessness, had forgotten. Undyne cocked her head back to him. "...Do you believe that?" Undyne put a hand on the upper left side of his body. "I do!" He responded in the blink of an eye, just as she would. She squeezed her hand on him, her voice becoming desperate. But he didn't seem to mind at all. "With all your heart and soul?" He nodded adamantly with a great big grin. Undyne's hand slid down, falling to the stone as her eye followed it. "I'm not sure what to believe." She said gloomfully. Then, Undyne suddenly flashed him a tooth filled smile. "But if there's anything I can believe in, it's YOU." Stars began to shine in his eyes, just like old times (Relatively). Undyne drove a boot hard into the ground before standing high and facing the crowd, looking into her own hands. She could feel that flesh and metal had become one.

"This... this must have been what it was like after the war between Monsters and Humans. Scared, without hope, without direction..." The monsters held their tears for a moment as the heroine started to speak, awestruck as she spread her arms out wide. "But it was Asgore who continued to believe in us! He never stopped believing, even when it seemed we'd be trapped here forever. Since then, we've all made terrible mistakes, sure, ones we can't take back." Undyne threw an arm further back, gesturing up to the fallen human. "But it was Frisk that still believed in us too! That we were more than just monsters. If we just believe... anything is possible. No matter the odds! 'Sooner we realize it, we'll again bask in the burning dawn!" Undyne approached the Monsters, who now wiped away their sadness as a different feeling was boiling inside their hearts. "MK believes we'll all be okay, and I believe in all of you, so that begs the question... what do YOU believe in!?" Undyne finished with the jut of her arm to the crowd, pointing at them. She held her finger on no one in particular, but every single Monster felt like it was aimed right through their souls. Besides Undyne catching her breath, all was now quiet. "I believe in my gang ;)" Came an Aaron with slicked back hair, pulling a large Moldsmal and a tall man in a trench coat close. "I believe in becoming a teacher one day..." A pinkish bear in an olive jacket said hesitantly. "I believe in seeing the real stars!" A small onion shaped monster said with a bounce. More and more of the monsters joined in, even Papyrus and Grillby! "I BELIEVE METTATON WILL BE OKAY!" The skeleton said with hope. "I believe we will make it through this." Grillby said softly. "I believe in all of Monsterkind!" Shouted RG01, raising his scimitar to the sky.

*And you... you believed in all of your friends. Watching Undyne and Monster Kid reinvigorate hope in Monsterkind... fills you with Determination. Just... not enough to regain control of your save file. You started to wonder if Sans and Alphys were all right, they should have been back by now. Maybe that human who took away your little powers caught up and attacked that bag of bones? Maybe he killed them both already? = ) I instilled a sudden panic within you, and already you were moving towards the elevator. As you step before it, you could make out your blurry form reflecting through its surface. You could make out mine as well, hovering beside you. Just as you became frozen in place, a familiar ding broke the spell, and the elevator doors parted. The Skeleton and the Scientist had arrived, fashionably late to the powwow. The Monsters left on the platform turned around, Papyrus' face lighting up with relief at the sight of them, as would Grillby's if it could. “ALPHYS, SANS, IT IS HIGH TIME YOU JOINED US!”

Frisk felt this sudden urge to run away as fast as they could, but their legs were solid ice. As Sans looked at them and stepped out, a rush of terrible memories flashed before their eyes. "'scuse me," he said with an edge in his voice, then walked right past Frisk. When their legs thawed out, they turned around to watch the skeleton slowly walk towards the stairs, exchanging a nod with Grillby. Alphys moved to the fallen child's left and smiled at them as she passed by. "Hi Frisk, s-sorry we took so long." They were surprised to say the least but couldn't deny a faint relief that Alphys was feeling just a little bit better. No thanks to you, of course. Grillby had now walked down to join Undyne, and in his place was Sans, opposite to his brother. Alphys walked down the center and looked on at the rumbling crowd with trepidation, but Undyne before them all fearlessly. 'Guess she didn't need my help after all', Alphys thought. "I want you to onto those hopes, and never, ever let them go!" The heroine bellowed, and many monsters followed suit, even those who could not see past their tears. "With them, we can overcome this. ...For now, I need you all to take shelter in Doctor Alphys' lab while we secure the Underground!" Despite the building fervor before, they were not so thrilled now by the prospect of hiding away. "No one likes it, including me! But you'll be safe there, you and your families. Leave the bad guys to us." Undyne said with one hand on her hip and a thumb pinned against her chest. "So no one else can be taken." Undyne ended with her brows furrowed. “I-I’ll lead you there!” Alphys addressed the monsters as she walked down beside Undyne across the great stone steps. Undyne’s expression immediately softened just by hearing her voice and seeing her beautiful face. But they still had a job to do. Undyne's expression stiffened as she knelt down to Alphys’ level. “No. I need you to be at the Lab before us.”

Alphys frowned at the mere thought of separating again and fell into another stuttering mess. “B-but I want... I want to stay with all of you. I-if this about earlier, I’m-” She was on the verge of falling into a pit of endless apologies, but Undyne shook her head. “It’s not, trust me. All of us... we all have a part to play, and yours is being the smartest nerd there is. I believe in Monsterkind, and that means you too," Undyne said slowly, poking Alphys in the chest. “I..." A brimstone of protest still burned in Alphys, but it had completely gone out, and seeing that determined look in her eye, Alphys knew she could not change her mind. With a sigh, Alphys relented. “Okay,” her voice laced with vexation. "Thank you," Undyne smiled weakly, trying to again show Alphys her softness. After everything that had happened though, it was harder to control much of anything besides her grip to the world.

Frisk rubbed their hands together anxiously before easing into a stifled approach towards the blue jacketed skeleton, still and foreboding. In one instant, he could be the most easygoing lazybones in the entire Underground. In another, he was the Judge of every misdeed, every evil, every sin. And if your curiosity knew no limit, he was the brooding executioner. The final consequence of "what if". Frisk was quieter than a mouse, but they knew he could hear them anyway. They walked up beside him, trying to stay composed. He was just watching everyone, his sockets low and dreary. When Frisk called his name though, that expression greatly shifted as he looked over. His sockets tightened into an unspoken anger. "yeah?" Frisk stood their ground, even if he caused chills to run up their spine. They looked away, squeezing their left hand for dear life.

*You say you have something to tell him. Something... important. Sans' eye-lights vanished a moment afterward. "if you can't even look me in the eye, i don't wanna hear it," Sans said with an empty glare. You took a deep breath and forced yourself to be pulled into it. Only then Sans' pupils returned, and he faced you properly. With a shrug of his shoulders, he said "alright, make it quick." Maybe I didn't give you enough credit. Fessing up to the skeleton who despises you. That takes guts. Fumbling, you tell him you didn't want any of this to happen. "then why haven't you done something about it?" Sans replied unforgivingly, looking off to the distant skyscrapers. You take a sharp breath, and released the force from your arms, causing them to sway at your hips. You tell him... You tell Sans you can't. His eyes fall back on you, more focused than before. "can't, or don't want to?" His eyelids drooped lower as he searched your expression but found not what he was looking for. You tell him again without hesitation, you can't. Sans' aura of frustration seems to take a back seat for something else as his right eyelid scrunches up while the other remains wide open. "and why's that?" You dig your fingernails into your palms, and break eye contact with him. Now I've given you too much credit. Sans' curiosity falls away as that earlier disposition of anger returns. He turns from you and takes a step downward.

Frisk forces through their teeth that they aren't strong enough. Sans stops, and retracts his step, but does not turn back towards the human child, only giving them his ear. Frisk told their old friend that the human who hurt Undyne, who... hurt Mettaton, and so many others, was so much stronger than them. So strong that they aren't able to- "Sans!" Undyne's voice came, disrupting Frisk's train of thought and the skeleton's focus. Sans looked down and saw the heroine looking up right at him, with another point of her finger, she shouted; "That's right, I'm talking to you!" Sans sighed and finally looked back at Frisk. "shouldn't leave a fish hangin'." Sans was already back on his way down, leaving Frisk to feel like they had totally blown it. As Chara came creeping into vision, Sans stopped for a moment. "and... thanks, for being honest with me." Then, he continued his descent. Papyrus called out to him as well, but Sans didn't even look at him, wrapped up in his own thoughts with a strange look on his bony face. Papyrus tried to keep positive and descended the staircase as well, with Frisk doing the same thereafter. Chara rolled their eyes and frowned before following behind. The two (Three if one of them wasn't hovering) walked down at the angle and found themselves soon walking side by side. "HELLO FRISK!" He said as cheerfully as he could. Frisk found themselves smiling back... and said hello.

By the time Sans had reached the captain, he looked as though he had just gotten out of bed. That is, his normal state of being. "what's up, captain?" The shift in his tone caught her off guard considering earlier, but Alphys was quite used to it. “Sans, I... I don’t know what else you can do, but clearly, you've got more under your sleeves than just bones. Can you do anything to get Alphys to the lab as soon as possible?” He looked at the two and shrugged his shoulders. “sure, but... it’ll just be a simple shortcut. nothin' special,” the lazybones said with a wink. Undyne was unamused. She folded her arms and raised a suspicious eyebrow. “Must be some ‘shortcut’ then. I wonder why I’ve never seen it. My whole life." The warrior remarked with a sassy tone, wondering if he was acting sly on purpose. “beats me, but you ‘betta’ believe me when i say it’s-” Undyne suddenly set out a hand for him to stop while holding a fist just below her proboscis. Alphys giggled faintly a little as Undyne lowered her fist and threw a thumb over her shoulder. "Just take your ‘shortcut’ already.”

Sans raised a hand to form a sloppily made salute. “eye eye, Captain.” He said with his eyes shut before marching forward, the crowd splitting in half for him and the Scientist. Alphys took one more look around, at her people and at her friends. The odds of their success were incredibly low, but she... she wanted to hope, like Undyne always does. It couldn't hurt much more than anything else, could it? Undyne stood there still a second, trying to regain her cool when the comedian's joke finally clicked. Her pupil shrunk before aiming him down from the distance with her index finger. “THAT WAS A CHEAP SHOT AND YOU KNOW IT!!” Alphys jumped a little at the sudden boom of Undyne's voice and looked back. Albeit hesitantly, Alphys waved her little hand in farewell. Frisk and Papyrus waved whilst both hoped Sans would look back too before the crowd closed the gap, but he didn't. Letting out a gust of agitated breath, Undyne returned the wave just as it did, then promptly turned to the skeleton’s big brother. Or was he the little brother? ...Doesn't matter. “Allllll right, Papyrus, I have a mission for you too,” she told him, glancing over Mettaton’s still body, before returning to Papyrus’ gaze. “...O-OH! WHAT IS IT?” Papyrus stammered, having lost himself lingering over his brother. The captain saw it and felt even more resolute in giving out this assignment. She will not let him idle around and sink like she had been. “I need you to head back to the cavern, see if the humans have made any progress, then head straight back here and go to the Lab. Understood?” She relayed, taking Mettaton out of his hands all the while. “JUST LIKE INSPECTING THE SENTRY POSTS! EASY PEASY LIVIN' BREEZY!” Papyrus shouted confidently, striking an elegant pose. Monster Kid was utterly starstruck by it, while Undyne caught a chuckle. "Hey, isn't it Lemon squeezy?" "NOTHING WILL BE SQUEEZED TODAY EXCEPT FOR MY HAND IN TRIUMPH AS I MAKE GOOD ON THIS TASK!"

*You chime in and tell Undyne that Papyrus shouldn’t go by himself, in case something happens. She grins in response and says, “That’s why you’ll be going with him, in case something happens,” She stepped away now, holding Mettaton firmly. “You’re both really strong, and together? Even stronger!” You felt something within that has not been felt in quite a while. It was happiness, joy in seeing your friends smile and laugh. Papyrus and his pride, Undyne's untamable energy, even Monster Kid seems to have rediscovered his love for the Heroine. This moment of respite helped you remember what was thought completely lost, but it's not going to last for much longer. “Now get moving! Every second counts,” Undyne at last set her eyes on RG01, who stood patiently to the side. “You’ll be guarding from the rear, soldier!” He threw up a hand in a proud, far more proper salute. “Anything you say, Captain! Forever and always!” He exclaimed triumphantly. “That’s what I like to hear!” As the two hyped each other up, you and Papyrus started ascending the steps, but Monster Kid seemed to be panicking over his departing heroes. "W-wait! What about me? Can I go with Papyrus? I wanna go with Papyrus!" The scaly monster jumped up and down, throwing his head towards Frisk and the Master of Puzzles over and over again. Any more of it and he will surely induce a migraine, assuming he hadn't already.

"Uhhhh" Undyne face broke into confusion as Monster Kid seemed like he was going to jump high enough to hit the ceiling. Undyne shook her head and displayed a fierce stoicism. "You can't." She replied frankly, and Monster Kid's excitement was already dwindling as he stopped his jumping spree. "Because you need to be in the vanguard, with me!" Undyne bore her spear-like teeth, and Monster Kid's eyes grew wide, like a cat at the sight of a flittering moth. "Awesome!" But still he was uncertain, his smile drooping once again as he looked up to Frisk and Papyrus, now at the peak of the stairs. "B-But what about them?" Papyrus was ready to set the yellow monster's heart at ease and planted his glove on his battle-body. "WORRY NOT, MY FELLOW IF BUT TINY MONSTER, WE SHALL RETURN FASTER THAN YOU CAN SAY THE GREAT PAPYRUS. AND IF NOT, THEN WE SHALL RETURN RIGHT AFTERWARDS! OR I AM NOT THE GREAT PAPYRUS!" After a moment of silence... "THAT ONE DOESN'T COUNT." Monster Kid burst into a joyous laughter before saying; "Hah ha! Alright, Alright! I'll see you guys soon then!" The two finally headed uninterrupted for the elevator. Undyne looked down, and a mix of emotions washed over. Some were sad at first, but hope began to flood back in. She refused to give up on Mettaton. She refused to give up on anyone for as long as her deformed soul continued to beat. Frisk and Papyrus stepped into the lift, and just as the doors began to close... "STAY SAFE YOU TWO! OR ELSE!" Came a vicious shout from afar, with a hardy laugh following it. The doors clamped shut, and Papyrus pressed his skull against the doors, yelling; “THAT WE SHALL, UNDYNE! THAT WE SHALL!” Then, he stood back. Once the elevator began to move... "I THINK SHE HEARD ME.” He said confidently. Frisk gave him a solid thumbs up.

*The Elevator droned, shuddering about as it traversed the cavern shafts. The noises, strangely, started to sound different after a while. It almost sounded like- “THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME WE'VE BEEN ALONE TODAY! I MUST SAY, WE ARE GETTING IN PLENTY OF FRIEND-TO-FRIEND TIME." Papyrus recounted. Has he been keeping score? "THAT BEING SAID... HOW ARE YOU FEELING?” You weren’t expecting that kind of question. Though, perhaps you should have from Papyrus. Still, you didn’t know how to answer it. You've been feeling a lot of different things today. Physically you were just fine, but in your mind... well, it’s as cluttered as Sans’ room. “I WOULD NOT BLAME YOU FOR FEELING UNWELL. I... HAVEN'T BEEN FEELING QUITE MYSELF EITHER. EVER SINCE WE ESCAPED FROM THE MOUNTAIN, IT HAS BEEN..." Papyrus opened his mouth but seemed to lose track of his thoughts. When the words didn't come out, he lifted his jaw for another minute of white noise. All the while, you tried to decipher what you were hearing underneath it. "WELL, SUFFICE TO SAY, I AM JUST GLAD WE ARE ALL STILL TOGETHER. I AM SURE THE PEOPLE WHO... COULDN'T BE HERE TOO, WOULD BE GLAD ABOUT THAT AS WELL." It became quiet again, and still you worked to understand that familiar sound. What was it... “CAN I ASK YOU SOMETHING?" Papyrus looked to you now, and though it took you a moment to consider, you nodded. "I KNOW I SHOULDN'T BUT... WHAT DID YOU AND MY BROTHER TALK ABOUT?” You wasted no time in telling him it was... something important, and that... hopefully he doesn't hate you anymore. Not that you had any right to blame him. Papyrus seemed greatly perplexed by that idea, as though such a thing was not possible, the ignoramus.

"WHY WOULD HE HATE YOU?" Frisk tells him... because of everything that's happened. "HATE AND SANS GO TOGETHER LIKE GREASE AND FOOD. IN THAT... IT DOESN'T! MY BROTHER MIGHT SEEM UPSET BUT... HE COULD NEVER HATE WHO HE CARES ABOUT THE MOST! I AM CERTAIN IF IT WERE SOMEHOW TRUE BY SOME SLIM CHANCE, I DO NOT THINK HE WOULD EVEN BOTHER TALKING TO YOU. AND HE DID! NO ONE COULD EVER HATE YOU, FRISK." It was then Frisk finally realized what that torturous noise was. Of course, as if it could be anything else. It was the cries of all whom humanity had slain. When Frisk closed their eyes, they could still see Papyrus’ head missing from his body. I am glad you'll never forget either. "I DO HOPE SANS AND I GET TO HAVE THAT TALK OURSELVES SOON." The faint screams faded as the lift came to a smooth halt. The doors promptly opened up with a light swish. “OH! IT APPEARS WE HAVE ARRIVED! …AGAIN. AFTER YOU!” Papyrus gestured ahead. However, Frisk didn't move, trying to erase those grisly images from their mind, but you lost that chance when you resuscitated this world, remember?

"FRISK? DID THE ELEVATOR JOSTLE YOUR SENSES? I KNOW THAT HAPPENS TO ME A LOT." Concern took over Papyrus' face, but Frisk at last snapped out of it with a shake of their head. They tell Papyrus they're fine, and instead offer he go first. He did not believe them but still obliged their kindness and led the way. The two moved through the wide doorway south of the elevator and entered Judgment Hall. Footsteps reverberated as golden light cast shadows onto the right wall. "FRISK, I KNOW YOU SAID YOU WERE FINE, BUT I GET THE SENSE THAT-" Papyrus began but was cut off by something. He came to a stop, and a confused Frisk looked up, then ahead, realizing they were not alone in the corridor. At the opposite end was a tall figure about Papyrus’ height and brandished a sword that fought against the light that flowed in through the tainted panes. It was no monster, and it wasn't truly human either.

It was Nayenez.

“Found you.”

Chapter Text

Enemy Approaching

{ Chapter 8 }

Sans had taken the northmost path away from the Plaza, keeping a slow but steady pace just ahead of Alphys. There was much on the Scientist's mind as she tailed him, and that included confusion concerning this "shortcut". It wasn't even in the direction of the Laboratory. She was willing to conclude this involved more of his tricks but decided against questioning it aloud and instead looked back to the crowd. The more their distance grew from it, the more individual shapes fell away and became an amalgamate of... She quickly averted her gaze back to Sans' and the passing buildings, lacking the fortitude to dare continue that train of thought. She had never seen the Capital so devoid of life. All of the gray started to give it a much bleaker atmosphere. The silence, like a looming plague, was falling over them again. Soon enough, not even Undyne's ever bellowing voice reached them. When there was such a silence, unwelcomed thoughts tended to shuffle in like alleycats and alleygators.

"hey Al," Sans voice called out, scaring off those intrusions. "Y-yes?" She responded while Sans kept his back to her and stayed a few feet ahead. "how much do you know about determination?" He asked her abruptly. So abrupt it made Alphys' head tilt. "Not... what I thought you'd wanna talk about right now." She said with a nervous laugh, but Sans didn't seem to be joking. "guess it was the only thing i could think to talk about until we get there." He replied stiffly. She wasn't sure what to do except, well, oblige him. Trying to understand Sans was like trying to comprehend people's love for Mew Mew 2. "Okay well... As you know it is an inherent quantity found in all souls. But that found in Human souls vastly exceeds our own. So much so, it grants them abilities unseen in any other human. Even the power to d-defy death." Her thoughts drifted to the horrible scene at the barrier... "Should a Monster find themselves with such a great amount themselves, the effects are mostly unpredictable, except for the fact t-their physical form cannot handle it. After some time t-they tend to-"

"what else could a human do with determination?" Sans interrupted, searching for something else, something more specific. But what? She almost felt foolish for not knowing. Alphys had paused, looking for the right words to continue with. "W-well... if the history books are anything to go by, those whose souls are dominated by determination seemed to be able to conjure far more potent magic than other humans. B-but Frisk doesn't conjure any themselves. Maybe human children are too young to exert the power of their own soul...?" Alphys distracted herself with that question. Thankfully Sans was there to reel back her focus. "what if they had enough of it to alter the time space continuum?" Albeit with a hook as sharp as Undyne's spear, which seemed to do just the trick. "W-what? Are you... are you talking about those old reports?" She asked him, but he didn't answer... What was going through that skull of his? They had spent so much time together mulling over those readings. But with so little to work with, it ultimately became a dead end. Yet it seemed Sans still thought there was more to glean. He gradually came to a stop, although still not turning around. "let's say, hypothetically, one did, and with it they could bend time and space whenever they pleased. now, what if there were two with that same power? what would happen then?"

Sans was thinking hard about this, maybe harder than he had about anything. The idea that more than one person could manipulate the world like Frisk... It unzipped a jacket full of possibilities. He thought knowing more would answer some of his questions, but all it had done is create a hundred more. He could never hope to answer any of them. Maybe though, with Alphys' help, he can find the answer to just one. Alphys didn't answer him immediately, most likely running over the hypothetical herself. "I- I'm not entirely sure. That kind of cosmic strain could have unforeseen consequences on reality itself. Either the fabric of reality would completely tear in half or keep itself stabilized by way of opposing force. If body A is stronger than Body B, Body A will have superior dominion over time. H-however strength is derived from energy, and that is an incredibly flexuous thing, even with humans." Alphys explained carefully, and the picture started to become much clearer to him. "then it's a stalemate." Sans muttered under his jawbone, holding a hand on his fleshless cheek. "Sans... what is this about?" Alphys... he didn't want to wrap her up in all this. Even if she'll know he's not telling her everything, in the end it won't matter. She already had so much weight stacked on her shoulders. He finally peered back at the confounded scientist and gave her only a simple smile and a dismissive shrug. "just something i never really considered, i guess." That's it, then. ... Must it really come to that? Sans held onto hope it wouldn't, but all of his hopes have been shattering as of late...

"But-" Alphys tried to press harder, but her concentration broke as they approached a large slit between two towering buildings. "right through here, and we're there." Without further ado, he walked into the deep darkness. Save for a faint light peering from the other side, one'd assume it was a portal to the void. Alphys hesitated to move forward, growing all the more skeptical about Sans' shortcut, and him in general. Even after all that they've been through, he still kept his secrets behind his ribs. Yet seeing how well she guarded her own, she couldn't really blame him. Maybe it made her a hypocrite, but she couldn't help feeling hurt. Sans paused as he stepped into the shadow and lifted his head. "you coming?" Alphys gazed forward into the near lightless crevice. She took a deep breath and thought about what Undyne told her... "I am. Let's go." She reluctantly followed after him, their footsteps finding much less room to echo here. As soon as light retreated to her back the scientist was hit with the stinging stench of garbage. To either side against the walls were white dumpsters, countless trash bags, and toppled trashcans. It was all obscured by the darkness but became clear to the eye as they passed by, but Alphys struggled doubly. Only by leading with her sense of smell could she avoid tripping over the mess. "W-why is it so dark in here?" Alphys asked him timidly. She was long used to dark places, but they were hardly ever a place of comfort, they were more like chambers of contemplation. She barely made out Sans throwing his shoulders up. "i couldn't tell ya. could be your local hooligans. maybe everyone thought it just looked nicer in the dark?"

"Nicer if you wanna t-trip and fall maybe..." Alphys remarked. They had reached the halfway point of the city chasm when it somehow had suddenly grown even darker than before. Alphys couldn’t even see the light at the other side anymore. Did something get caught in her glasses? Maybe exhaustion was finally catching up to her. It felt like today would never end. Shaking her head to try and rouse herself, Alphys then took off the damaged frames and rubbed her dry eyes with her offhand. She was in the process of brushing the glasses against her Lab coat when she remembered one of the lenses was missing and the other riddled with cracks. In silent embarrassment, she moved to put them back on, but in doing so bumped hard into Sans' back. Nearly tumbling over backwards, Alphys regained her balance and prepared to deliver a lengthy apology. “O-Oh, I-I’m sorry, I…” She stammered as she pressed the half empty frames back on her face but fell quiet when confined walls and reeking garbage no longer surrounded them, and instead the plated walls of her lab, blanketed in similar darkness. She was back home, just like that.

“welp, we’re here. pretttty nifty shortcut, huh?” Sans mused with a cheeky wink of his right eye socket. "H-how..." Alphys asked subconsciously in a daze, looking around at her old home. Though now that she thought about it, it could not really be old if she only left mere hours ago. She had turned off the lights and the computers before she went after Frisk, but the fridge still buzzed incessantly against the wall and the conveyers continued to... convey. “what can i say? i know my way around,” Sans was all smiles, but Alphys did not say anything in return, in fact her eyes weren't even on him anymore, still taking it all in as she walked past him. “I-I know I would have come back here regardless of what happened, what with the core a-and my stuff, but being here now... It...” Alphys started to quiver, loathing this inflammation of emotion. “It... it's like I've been t-through this all before. This nightmare..." Alphys said shakily. It was a horrible déjà vu that occurred only at the strangest of times. It sprung up when Undyne was struck down, when she spoke to the Monsters in the capital, and now again as she stood here with a heavy heart. She braced herself against it and clung on to reason. Undyne was alive, she was still alive. But every time she lets herself be dragged down by the weight of her own soul, Undyne's odds decline. Alphys realized the same went for everyone else.

The right words didn't come to the skeleton fast enough, if there even were such anymore, but still he called out. "Al..." Sans took a step, but Alphys suddenly held up a firm hand. "I-I'll be okay. I won't break on you again." She said with a single sniffle. The scientist found her resolve and walked off to the other side of the lab while Sans' was left with just an expression of unwanted concern. This veil over the Lab sure wasn't helping the mood. “you... uh, want me to flick on the lights?" She didn't respond, continuing to observe the Lab in its current state at a slow pace. “alphys,” Sans spoke a few notes deeper. “W-what?” She started as he seemed to finally rush to the forefront of her mind. “Y-yeah. Go ahead,” Alphys told him, her voice still carrying a tone of detachment. Sans, with a hushed sigh, walked over to the light switch, glancing around as old memories resurfaced. Particularly so when he gazed at the elevator which descended to the True Lab. Soon enough, it would be Monsterkind's last bastion for safety. Which ironically, is deeper underground. Sans flipped the switch with a single finger, and almost instantly fluorescent bulbs cast down their light. Alphys' unaided eyes were caught off guard by the illumination but didn't stop moving, causing her to bump waist-first into her desk. “Come on,” she hissed as a tinge of anger came and went. Now thoroughly in the brightened present, Alphys dragged scaly fingertips across the wooden surface as she walked alongside it. Piles of unsorted documents were as untouched as they were before she left, stacked dishes still ran risk of towering over, and the figurine of Mew Mew hadn't moved a muscle... Yet.

With her hand still gliding along the rim, she let it guide her until brushing against a document. It was already halfway off the table, and Alphys hand had sent it over the edge. But she swiped her hand down and caught it. When she looked over it, Alphys realized it was the first concept design for Mettaton. Already feeling like choking up, she averted her eyes and set it back where it belongs. Alphys took the final steps toward the master console and stood before the looming screen and its motherboard of controls. She took a deep breath, exhaled, and proceeded to press a trio of buttons in a smooth flow, navigating its control scheme in her own established form. As each one lit up with a green hue, adjacent buttons across the board lit up, and shortly after so did the monitor. But instead of a clear image, all she could make out was a strange wriggling of some organic matter... She tilted her head and leaned in, squinting her eyes. Was that… “what’s up with the feed?” Alphys tensed up in surprise, she didn’t even hear him walk up. For someone consisting of nothing but bones, he sure could be stealthy. “You really shouldn’t do that to-” Alphys began a reprimand, but a single glance at Sans’ grinning face told her it was futile to continue with that. “I don’t know. Something is messing with the signal, or... o-obstructing the lens itself,” She replied, debating the options herself before flipping a series of switches in an attempt to resolve the issue. It yielded no results. “W-well, this is just one of many in Snowdin. M-maybe some foliage fell over it? Or Dog Hair...”

She giggled after that, but she knew it could never fool Sans. She wrapped her claws around a rotary dial and steadily spun it clockwise to cross each camera. They both came to know it was not isolated. Every camera from Snowdin to Hotland was greatly obscured by this veinlike anomaly, leaving only tiny circular peepholes to the other side. “W-what is this?” Alphys' anxiety grew, and Sans' suspicion was rising fast. This seemed familiar to him, like déjà vu... He had a terrible feeling about this. Both their building fears boiled over when something much different was displayed on the first camera in New Home. Amongst the crawling and slithering of this unknown quantity, a gruesome face had been formed, smiling wickedly at them through the screen. Sans physically stood aback at the sight of it before moving much closer as Alphys frantically swung the dial, passing by an unaffected CCTV in her panicked haste. But Sans caught it, and not only that but spotted two distinct figures. “go back. last corridor.” Sans ordered coldly. Alphys paused before doing just as instructed, and what she saw evoked a horrified gasp. “Oh my god,” Alphys covered her mouth with her own hand, watching helplessly as Papyrus talked to a battered human wielding a sword. It was him. He slowly encroached on the skeleton and Frisk, who seemed to be acting as a divide between Human and Monster. She looked over to Sans but only found empty space where he once stood. Her eyes were so locked onto the terror before her, she didn't even realize he left. “S-Sans?” Alphys called out, taking a quick survey of the Lab, but she couldn’t see him anywhere. She stared back at the screen before pulling out her phone and quickly dialed Undyne's number. Ring... Ring... Ring...

It went to voicemail, ringing on the slopes of Mount Ebott.

Alphys found herself all alone, unable to do anything but watch. Just... just like always.

⪼⪻

When Papyrus and Frisk had departed, Undyne took lead and shepherded Monsterkind west of the city to another bank of elevators. As a whole, they helped connect all of Hotland, but for Monsterkind's needs, only one was required. The main elevator to MTT Resort, the closest they could get to the Lab. Which would... still take a good while what with so many people to guide. Undyne consigned to the process and with RG01's help, sent the smallest Monsters first, including the children. The way she attempted to fit as many people as possible into one trip at a time reminded her of that game Alphys showed her called... Tetrio? Something like that. From all of the grunting and hollering however, it was evident Papyrus was still better at it than her. It was slow going, but eventually after at least 15 elevator trips, it was finally Undyne and Mettaton's turn. She stepped in and rode the elevator down, wishing she could have gotten everyone. A handful of monsters had stayed behind in the Capital, some with their families. They believed they'd be safer there than in the lab. Did they really believe that? Or... were they just tired of running? Did they think it'd be better to accept their fate and... Undyne set all of Mettaton's weight onto one hand to brush sweat off her forehead, and with a single look realized it was more of herself.

She was like ice cream melting in the heat. That thought made her chuckle... How long could she keep this up for? Another battle and she might just become... a puddle on the ground. But she still couldn't stop fighting, not until they're safe. Not until she is safe. Undyne's head fell to her injured comrade in arms. "I can't do this on my own, Mettaton... Wake up." She looked into his lifeless eye with intensity. "Wake up!" The heroine commanded, shaking him briefly. "Please." Nothing. Her eye followed along the rims, dents and damage along his body, until it reached his soul port, or at least that's what she remembered Alphys' calling it. Inside, a still beating human soul. Just one could carry the might that rivaled all of Monsterkind. And it is said that if a Monster absorbs one, they become a being of incredible power... Seeing what it did for Mettaton... She could only imagine. It could give her the power to continue, the power to save them all. She was certain Mettaton would not mind if- Ding! The elevator doors opened, and there, Monster kid had waited. He smiled up at his hero. "Hi Undyne!"

Undyne pushed her way through the crowd, cramped together like it was Mettaton's great debut. He was far from his former glory, but she could still feel their hearts beating for him, racing just a little faster as she walked by. Monster kid mimicked her movements to a T and stayed close enough so he would not be swallowed up by the mass of Monsters. Once the three reached the entrance... "All right, everyone! We're moving out now! Don't lag behind!" her voice broke out amongst the rest, and from there onward a long line took form, as though they were marching to battle. But it couldn't be more the opposite. Over exhaust vents, up and down more lifts, and through searing heat they travelled. Sometimes they would even come across monsters who had yet to leave, only for them to join their mass movement when brought up to speed on their crisis. Or they would just... stand there, trapped in utter disbelief.

Undyne would try her hardest to lift their spirits, but some were just... beyond help. Maybe Papyrus would have had better luck in this land of overbearing heat. And speaking of... Since they started moving through Hotland, Undyne worried it would have impeded her, but it did not take her long at all to realize she could not feel any of it. Would Snowdin's frigidness be the same? Would she never again feel the cool breeze of Waterfall? ...Funny, that even as their existence hung in the balance, she found herself down in the dumps about something so inconsequential. She fought on so her people could still enjoy this beautiful world, regardless of if it meant she was no longer able to. "Why do you look so much cooler now?" A voice chimed in, breaking Undyne from her internal thoughts. She followed the voice down to the candid Monster Kid. "What?" Undyne asked, did she hear him right? "Your new look! Why do you look like that now? It's awesome!"

He really just blurts out the first thing that comes to mind, doesn't he? Her new look... The form she took on after defying death itself. "...Because I couldn't give up." Monster Kid nearly tripped over himself from amazement, not that he quite understood what she meant. But it sounded so inspiring anyway! "Coooool! So... What is it like?! Do you feel stronger? Do you have more moves??" Undyne snickered at his overbearing excitement. She remembered fawning over Gerson exactly the same way. It was... embarrassing to think about. "It feels like I can do anything. My abilities now feel more... amplified and flexible than new. Even if it's... a little hard on my body." And that's all he needed to know. "Woah... do you think I can do that too?" Monster Kid asked and started thinking about his own powered up form, exciting himself even further with a flood of ideas. Undyne, with a single look at him, felt a chill roll down her scales. She looked away to gather her composure, then shot him a smile. "Ha! You're plenty strong without it, Kid! I bet you could break boulders with that forehead of yours!" Monster Kid paused and looked over with surprise. There was simply no way the real captain Undyne complimented him just now. "You really think so!?" Undyne gave him a single firm nod of her own. "I know so." There was no doubt in her face, only determination. It filled Monster Kid to the brim with a similar confidence. "Then I better keep practicing!" Monster said with passion in his voice and a headfirst charge. As he moved to the distance, running left, right, and in short circles... Undyne's smile dropped. Indeed, he didn't need this power, no one did, and no one ever should. She will make sure no one ever will. She could never do it alone, either. She could never do any of this without them.

Undyne hoped that her friends were doing okay.

Chapter Text

In my way

{ Chapter 9 }

Unique, and yet so familiar, isn't it? This scene before us: Monster vs Human, Sinner vs Judge. You tricked yourself into believing you could make a real difference in their lives. But no one can outrun fate. The birds have stopped singing, the flowers are drying out, and now, you find yourself in the comedian's slippers. The human was approaching, his eyes locked onto Papyrus. But the skeleton stayed his ground. “I KNOW THAT LOOK, AND I-I PROMISE THIS WON’T MAKE YOU FEEL ANY BETTER!” Papyrus pleaded, but his words drifted right past Nayenez, who moved his right arm over his chest and held the blade up straight. His visage reminded Frisk of what they saw in every reflection during that unforgettable run... They ran from darkness and stood in the light, and for several moments, the human stopped his mindless march. He finally saw Frisk, and his demeanor started to shift. "A child..." He muttered under his breath as his blade drooped ever so slightly. "OH, I DO HOPE THAT MEANS YOU'RE FINALLY WILLING TO LISTEN!" Papyrus expressed with a spark of joy, but it only reignited the human's dustlust. He took a weighted step and sharpened his glare on Papyrus. “I will not allow another child to be killed by you monsters.” Nayenez declared and proceeded forward. But Frisk thrusted both hands out and became a sort of barrier between them.

*You urge him to stop right where he is, and you tell him desperately Monsterkind has never meant any harm. Not before, not now... not ever. But he did not stop, he didn't even think about it. You could see his hands quivering with fury... “Is that what they’ve told you? Seven children have fallen down into this horrible place. And with their innocent souls, they destroyed the barrier. Because of them... I lost everything!" He screamed, swinging his blade at the air as he took on a ferocious stance. Glaring eyes, gone blood red not with vengeance, but hatred. Are you not interested in what new possibilities this could bring? A thousand new ways to complete our mission all over again. I wonder, does he yet understand the true power his determination brings? = ) “...WE’VE ALL DONE THINGS WE REGRET, THINGS WE WISH WE COULD TAKE BACK, BUT EVEN IF WE CAN’T, WE CAN STILL LEARN FROM THEM, AND DO BETTER! IF WE ONLY JUST TRY TO. EVEN YOU, I’M SURE OF IT!” Again, Papyrus tried to break through to his frozen heart. Yet he remained undeterred. You and Papyrus were forced back to where you came from at the end of the hall, and soon would find yourselves outside the corridor entirely. The human kept a steady pace. He could easily charge you both right now, but... It was as if he was playing with you.

“I will make you regret hurting them. All of them,” Nayenez snapped. His teeth had begun to crack from the ceaseless grinding but had not the control to stop himself anymore. He needed to eliminate this blabbermouth and liberate this confused child from its clutches. No more games. His approach grew in speed, and he began to raise his sword high in preparation. There was so many openings to attack, but he knew the fool would have tried long ago, instead of just foregoing the inevitable. Just as Frisk passed the threshold out of Judgment Hall, Papyrus in haste threw up his hands. A thick wall of bones shot out from the ground and blocked Nayenez in. He knew the human would break through, but hopefully not before they escaped through the metal lift. Papyrus bolted around and pressed his hands against the doors, but was shocked to find it remained shut, even as he rattled red gloves against it. Time's up. Nayenez cut through the wall with two rough slashes and brought it down with a left hook. Papyrus pushed Frisk behind him now, and slowly retreated down the grayed corridor.

“I KNOW IT IS SCARY TO STOP, THINKING THAT IF YOU QUIT NOW, IT WILL ALL HAVE BEEN FOR NOTHING,” Papyrus continued on, walking backwards with a view of the great capital on his left. It was a shame that in this moment... There was no time to appreciate its magnificence. What if... they could? “J-JUST LOOK OUT THERE!" Papyrus threw a sweeping arm over the city. "LOOK WHAT MONSTERS CAN DO IF WE JUST... PUT OUR MINDS AND HANDS TO IT! I'VE SEEN HUMANS DO THE VERY SAME." Papyrus smiled down at Frisk, and it then seemed the human at last listened, giving their beautiful home a long look over. In the process, he gradually came to a stop. "HUMANS AND MONSTERS ARE CAPABLE OF INCREDIBLE THINGS, AND IF YOU JUST PUT DOWN YOUR SWORD, I KNOW WE CAN CREATE SOMETHING EVEN BETTER THAN A CITY. FRIENDSHIP! ...IS THAT NOT A WORTHWHILE REWARD ALL YOUR EFFORTS?” After a few agonizing moments of silence, his sword arm fell limp to the side, his head drooped to the ground, and his overbearing hat obscured his face. “Maybe... Maybe you're right. God, I've been such a fool,” He admitted, a great defeat enveloping his voice as he slouched over. “YOU ARE NO FOOL, HUMAN, ONLY MISGUIDED. BUT! WITH MY HELP, YOU SHALL BE SET BACK ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW!”

*You try to warn Papyrus, but instead compliment him on his outstanding people skills. “OHO! I HARDLY HAD TO TRY AT ALL! BUT… THANK YOU ANYWAY, FRISK!” At the same time, Nayenez opened his arms wide. “I should have done this a long time ago,” the human acknowledged, albeit still squeezing the hilt of his sword. Papyrus failed to pay it any mind, the blind fool. “A HUG OF ACCEPTANCE? NYEH HEH! LONG AGO DOES NOT HAVE TO MATTER, ONLY WHAT YOU DO IN THE HERE AND THE NOW!” You hopelessly grab at his leg, but your grip could not hold him back, for Papyrus was lost to the happiness gained having converted someone to the path of redemption. “Come here, friend,” the redeemed human said, like a great burden was about to be taken off his shoulders. Papyrus stepped closer and closer until... the embrace gave way to reality, and the human lunged at Papyrus, swinging his blade directly for his head. Papyrus moved his hands and tried to work his magic, but he was far too slow and far too close to do anything about it now. the human would be victorious. Yet... something happened in that moment of betrayal. Papyrus, the killer, not even you knew what it was. Although, if you asked me, I would say it was the Earth letting out a pitiful cry for help. Would you believe me if I told you…

Someone answered it?

It started with the elevator doors sliding open. the human looked away, and the world's light was stolen for a fraction of a second. And within that fraction, was an echo that reached everyone. It was the sound of two fingers snapping together, which reverberated around them until light returned. The human felt as if a million pounds had been placed inside his soul, and like a brick, fell onto his knees instantly. It was as though gravity itself had turned against him. He fought the great force upon him just enough to lift his head up. It was then all came into place. That skeleton from before, with that eyesore of a jacket, stood in the way of his target. “S-SANS?” Papyrus fumbled, barraged with confusion. Sans’ eyes were completely devoid of life, and, slowly, he craned his neck down at the killer. “N I C E T R Y.” Sans mocked with a deep voice. In a fit of desperation, the killer tried to once again leap forward, this time to kill his attacker, but no one could defy gravity. Except cheating skeletons. With just a single wave of his hand, Nayenez was flung and flattened back first against the right wall. “Agh!” Sans then balled his fist and jerked it left, sending the human spiraling off the edge and down, down into the Capital. It won’t be enough to stop him though. Not with that level of Determination.

*Watching Sans unleash his inner strength... it filled you with dread. You could see indecision infect Papyrus' movement, but soon enough he conquered it and tried to set a hand on the shoulder of his beloved brother. But like a faulty lightbulb, the world’s light flickered again. Now, Sans was far ahead, standing before the elevator and looking into it with a single hand rested on the doorframe. “sorry about this. you two better get to the lab.” He almost looked your way, but something within kept his gaze averted. Papyrus instinctively broke into a sprint towards him, and you quickly followed after. “BROTHER, WAIT! YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS ALONE!” Papyrus tried to assure, throwing out an arm for him, but Sans walked into the elevator anyway, and its doors clamped shut just as Papyrus came within reach. “WE... WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER...!” His voice lowered in its usual intensity as he pressed a gloved palm against the door. The elevator rumbled while he stood there gloomfully, trying so hard to understand. “WHY MUST YOU ALWAYS PUSH ME AWAY? …WHY?” He was on the verge of tears.

*It inflicted a deep pain inside to see the greatest royal guardsman in the underground, be consumed by sorrow. You wiped away the buildup in your own eyes before tugging at the sentry’s boot, even if it took a couple of them just to wrangle a glance. You tell Papyrus that Sans is... just trying to help. Papyrus, whose smile had gone to the Waterfall dump, took a long look at the Elevator door. All that met him was his own sadness, and regrets. But you tell Papyrus that you're both trying to help as well, and if you want to help him, you have to get down there as fast as possible! As you spoke to him, a slightly fiercer expression overtook the sadness, until eventually... “Y-YOU’RE RIGHT. WE MUST MOVE QUICKLY. MY BROTHER IS VERY STRONG, BUT... LIKE UNDYNE SAID, WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER.” Papyrus swirled a finger at you, prompting an order to turn around. When you did, he hoisted you up by the underarms and placed you just behind his neck. He moved into a runner's stance and held your legs firmly. “HOLD ONTO MY HAIR, NOW. THIS WILL BE A BUMPY RIDE,” Papyrus advised before breaking into a dash. Though his enthusiasm had been shaken, his motivations had not. Still... your own heart raced thinking of what peril Sans was about to face.

⪼⪻

Nayenez felt... strange as he laid sprung across his bed. A sensation of frigidness had overtaken his body. Oh, he must have forgotten to set the sheets last year. What a pain. Nayenez reckoned he'd best awake and make breakfast for the lost. Reluctantly, he finally opened his eyes, met that disgustingly gray ceiling that coated most of his life since she ran away. And when Nayenez pushed himself off the stained ground, the next thing he saw was an endlessly expanding room of streaking black. Squint as he might, he simply could not see the end of it. Trying to reach it would be a fool's errand. Nayenez pushed himself up again, (Once wasn't enough I guess) and noticed there were 7 glass containers in front of him, each one squirming with thousands of monster souls, shifting like parasites. This was not the laundry room... "Honey, do you know where the..." Nayenez tried to call out as he turned around, now finding himself in a hallway stretched beyond time, crimson light bleeding in through the cracked stained windows. And before him was The Bergentrückung. Cor Ruptor floated by, and Nayenez quickly grabbed it by the sheath. He remembered it was trash day already as he gripped the hilt and cast the scabbard aside.

Yet... something was off about the King of the mountain. His face was completely shrouded by a broken cloud, constantly fading and overlapping on itself. “I failed everyone.” Asgore said grimly, only confusing the Monster Slayer further. “I failed her,” The King uttered. Nayenez was wondering why he was even talking; the dead lose their ability to speak. Perhaps it was different for child murderers. “I failed my children,” That was more than enough. Memories of that kind should remain out of sight. Nayenez swung his blade without remorse, and Asgore turned to dust in moments. But this display of pathetic deprecation did not end there, for just behind Asgore, was a female monster Nayenez did not recognize. She was almost as tall as the King and wore a purple dress with a monster insignia sewn onto the front, riddled with bullet holes. “I left them behind,” she mumbled softly. Nayenez raised his sword once more, his patience even thinner than before. “When they needed me most,” Toriel uttered and was promptly struck down without mercy, her ashes joining the Monster King's.

Worse yet, there was a whole line of these beasts. All of different sizes and with different dreams, but beasts all the same. “I must protect them all,” the fish proclaimed with troubled confidence, her face melting on itself like a rotting pumpkin. She was cut down. “I have to right these wrongs,” The machine whispered, missing half its body, he was cut down too. “I can't do this without her,” That short lizard sputtered, an etch across her chest was if it was destined for his blade. “I CANNOT LET MY FEAR SLOW THEM DOWN,” The foolish skeleton said hesitantly, albeit without his head. “i can barely see the point anymore,” The jacketed skeleton blabbed, bleeding through his chest. Each and every one Nayenez hacked away with malice. But just as he raised his blade to cut the last away, the short corpse dodged to the right, yet dusted from head to toe anyway. Behind him was the human child in the purple striped shirt. “How can I stay determined?" They said with sorrow in their voice, but just when Nayenez was about to speak, they lowered their head, and in the blink of an eye, the color of their stripes converted into spring leaves and golden flowers. "...How indeed."

Time slowed as skin grew over his mouth, no longer born with the ability to speak. His sword dripped from his hand and clattered on the ground as he ran after her, playing tag, her favorite game. Judgement walls and halls wound in dizzying circles as he pursued, always seeming so near, yet somehow out of reach. She ran through a gray door, slamming shut on its own behind her. Why... why was she always running away? Even as he did everything to make her happy. She was going to be late for school again, the runt. Nayenez ran straight into the door, and when it did not fly open, he grabbed the handle and turned it round, but it would not budge. Had she locked it as well? He jiggled it, pulled it, and even kicked the door in anguish. Countless voices rushed past Nayenez, sounding just like his. "Open this door, young lady!", "Open it now!", "You have till the count of three!" He drove his foot into it, CHARA! he shattered himself against it, "CHARA!" and finally, bashed it with every ounce of strength in his shoulder. CHARA! The door could not withstand the drunken stupor any longer and flew ajar. Nayenez ran inside but was met with nothing. A vast nothing where dark, yet darker things hide. Confused, he turned back to where he came and found only more nothing. Nayenez rubbed his eyes in disbelief, and when he pulled away his hands... he realized they were covered with blood. His eyes were bleeding with sorrow fueled rage for all he had failed to protect.

Nayenez felt a sudden need to throw up as a tingly sensation wrapped itself around him like a warm blanket, and the urge to leave had struck him again. Nayenez then faced a direction without definition, only to see something manifesting in the distance. It was difficult to make out anything more than a mess of white sludge. Rotten milk, forgotten like his love. Nayenez approached to clean it up and forget it all over again, but no matter how close he got, the blot remained an eternal stain. And no matter how much of the void he traversed, he didn’t make an inch of progress. He could feel his sanity slipping, and holding onto it was akin to wrangling a fish out of water on a sweet summer afternoon. I had heard enough of the father's inner rumination and writhed and shifted this undefined mass. From the mass an idea was realized and then several more; a poorly crafted smile paired with hollow sockets and a skeleton-esque dome, far less solid and complete. From its liquefied body of licorice and latex, a hand morphed and extended outward. The limb held forward, displaying misshapen fingers and a circular hole in its palm. When the limb moved into the position of a dead spider, its face lit up. Smiles grew wider with cracks and ripples, and two white marbles lit up in its skull. Nayenez felt his wrecked soul tear away from his chest, and gravitate towards incomprehension, of which began to disfigure and change again into spring leaves, golden flowers, and resentment. Nayenez looked at his own hands and watched his scarred flesh melting. His heart melting away. Melting so far away. I’m melting. I’m melting. I’mmeITINGIMmeltingimmelting

Nayenez awoke on his back, staring up at the cave wall miles above. For a moment when his eyes jutted open, he thought something had been hovering over him. He must have been dreaming, but any attempt to recall it only caused it to fade away. So far away... All he could remember was Chara. That's right, that's why he's... Nayenez squeezed his fists, finding he still clutched his sword in one hand, and proceeded to lift his upper body up. And there, just beyond the gap between his legs was a golden flower. Smiling at him. “Howdy! I’m Flowey! Flowey the-” Nayenez at once swung his blade, nearly decapitating the flower by the stem. But it ducked, as if it had a will to live. “HEY! Just what do you think you’re doing, PAL!?” the flower shouted, that once joyful expression dissolving into what seemed like... anger? It was no ordinary flower. It was a "Monster,” Nayenez hissed, his eyebrows furrowing scornfully. The flower smiled again, this time far more smugly. “Please, I’m only as much of a Monster as you,” Nayenez irritably attacked the flower again, causing it to retreat into the ground and resurface a couple feet away.

“In that I’m NOT!” He yelled at the human, bending a stem in his direction. Were all humans idiots? It really seemed like it judging from this one's kill-first-ask questions-later approach. The Monster Slayer, groaning from lingering pain, stood up on his feet, with a violent look that suggested another attempt on his life. “Before you swing that sword of yours, won’t you just hear me out?!” Flowey yelled, and that seemed to have ignited some curiosity in the human brain, but it was still deeply overshadowed by his lust for dust. “Why?” The human questioned him, lowering his blade ever so slightly. Getting there... “Because we both want the same thing!” Nayenez's eyes blinked with confusion. As if his mind was working overdrive to comprehend something so simple. “...The destruction of Monsterkind.” Flowey's voice distorted, followed by his face contorting with a villainous smile. “I’ve seen what you’re capable of, and by golly, you’re strong enough to slay anything in a single blow! But...” Flowey wormed it in last, and it caused Nayenez's to shift. “But?” He bit, like a fish on bait. “But you still won’t win.” The Slayer’s blade elevated, and Flowey moved to talk faster than he could swing. “Because! Because you don’t know these monsters like I do. And trust me, I’ve had the displeasure of knowing them my whole life,” Flowey said, reliving many of his previous runs in just a couple of seconds. This one was the worst of them all, he noted personally. But it still breathed opportunity. The killer did not move, as still as a statue. It was almost unnerving and reminded Flowey of something that he could not put his petal on.

“And… you don't know this place either! While you’d be wasting time mentally charting this labyrinth, they will use that time to regroup! To scheme and plan a way to stop you. And as you have probably seen... they’re pretty resourceful when they want to be. Having a helping stem will save you plenty of time, plenty of energy, and plenty of deaths.” Flowey stuck out a green tongue with a wink, but this time Nayenez did not swing his weapon in response. Making progress. “What are you suggesting?” He asked the sentient plant, now lowering his blade completely. Got him. “Let me be your partner! We both want the same thing, don’t we? And since they’ve got a human on their side, having me in your corner will even the odds!” Flowey leaned in closer, but Nayenez was reluctant. “They are only a child.” He scoffed, and Flowey frowned. “A child who survived the fall, bested the strongest idiots down here, AND helped them break the barrier in a single day! They’re no ordinary child, buddy.”

“Broke the barrier...” Nayenez mumbled under his breath. That could not be. There must be a reason for it. Children were easily manipulated after all. His gaze grew harsh. “Why should I trust something neither Human nor Monster?" The flower's poorly held composure dropped completely now. “Agghh!” Flowey groaned, his frustration spilling out like water from a busted watering can. Frisk was an idiot, but at least they were an idiot with ears. “Any second now, that bonebag who tossed you down here is gonna come through that elevator and try to finish you off. He’s worse than the Fish and the Robot combined! But when you get past him, my offer will be waiting for you.” As if on cue, a distant ding sounded out from past the apex of a long set of stairs that Nayenez didn't even notice until now. Doors parted, and shut again. The two looked up at the same time, but Flowey was the first to look back at Nayenez. “Think about it!” He shouted, then returned to the earth.

Then, at the very tip of the steps, that short skeleton came into view, looking down at him from above. "heya.” Sans said, staring at Nayenez with eyes of endless darkness.

Chapter Text

✛MEGALOMANIA✛

{ Chapter 10 }

Sans closed his eyes and descended one step at a time, with no rush or mishap while Nayenez glared at him like he was the scum of the world. "i was secretly hoping that fall would have put an end to all this," Sans remarked, opening his eyes with a strain on his sockets. "but you really aren't gonna stop, are you?” Sans asked, however had no need for a direct response. His own intuition was far more trustworthy, and he intended to find the answer himself. He squinted his sockets with a slight hunch forward, as though reading words suspended in the air. "no… judging by that expression, i’d say you've barely even begun.” Sans concluded grimly. In spite of it, Nayenez did not react, did not move an inch. All he did do was tighten his grip around Cor Ruptor, with a desire to see the monster's dust growing every second. Sans leaned back in place. “well, i got news for you...” The air grew still as Sans took the final step and shut his sockets. They were maybe a foot away from each other when Sans causally took his hand out from his left pocket. Nayenez knew exactly what it meant, but no chance was given to react when he finally wanted to, a crippling weight already setting in. Sans had snapped his fingers together, and the killer's soul flickered between blue and red before finalizing on the former. No longer in control of his own body, Nayenez was violently pulled forward toward the monster. The tips of his boots skidded across the floor, and in the blink of an eye, he was arched over, looking the short skeleton dead in his barren sockets. It almost reminded the human of something, but the thought faded away as Sans' voice deepened.

“n e i t h e r h a v e i.”

Suddenly, the skeleton pushed his palm forward, and subsequently, Nayenez was flung backwards, his back leading as his limbs were pulled along. He was not airborne for long as he hit the ground and rolled across the plaza, too fast to stop on his own. With a firm hand, the monster slayer stabbed the stone laid earth and tried to bring himself back onto his own two feet. Halfway up, his soul flashed back to red, and two giant skulls appeared on either side of him. At first glance they were reminiscent of a turtle's with a circular hole in the middle and a slit driving up the forehead. Within the sockets, were two bulging white pupils. Nayenez paid them no further attention and sprang after Sans. From behind, the sound of two weapons discharging, overlapping over one another. Nayenez did not care to look back. When he was nearly in range to cut Sans down, the monster merely shrugged as dozens of bones began to materialize, levitating in the air with absolute stillness. Without command, the bones propelled themselves through the space between Sans and Nayenez, leading with the base like arrows. They bore an incredible speed, but Nayenez was filled with bravery and a frightening swiftness. He swung his sword with crude aggression and agility, slicing every bone through like a monster's chest. The ones he severed clattered onto the ground whilst others off target whizzed by and disappeared. Just when it seemed he had vanquished them all, a searing pain exploded in his shoulder and shot down his arm. Craning his neck down to the source, he could see a thinly shaped bone halfway through it, fresh blood dripping from the head.

There was no time to bother with it, for in this moment of distraction, another great skull appeared just in front of Sans. Nayenez was caught off guard, with only the instinct to raise his sword up as his only line of defense. Its mandibles parted, and as its pupils exploded with light, Nayenez was engulfed in white. When it was over after several agonizing seconds, Nayenez was barely able to hold himself up. He collapsed down to one knee and used his blade as a crutch to keep himself from crumbling completely. But then, he could feel a rumbling just beneath his dust-stained boots. Eyes widening, he dived forward and hit the floor anyway. In the rear, four bones shot up from the stone and ripped themselves from it, drifting into the air. Nayenez grunted as he rolled his body over just enough to defend himself, and when the bones came down on him, he barely managed to slash them away.

“huh, i always wondered why people never use their strongest attack first.”

Nayenez immediately moved to free his body of the bone lodged inside his shoulder before the monster launched his next assault. He sat on both knees and grabbed at the front half and tried to break it apart, but he wasn't strong enough. Nayenez tugged and pulled and tried to bend it out of shape with all his might... nothing. Despite all the monsters he'd slain, all of the strength he attained... it still wasn't enough. "karma isn't so easily brushed off." The comedian mocked. He had fought too much, exerted too much energy. One attack was all it took, and now he's... Nayenez looked down, wrought with shame. Sans watched patiently, waiting for something when out of the blue a thorny vine shot out from the floor, scattering about tiny chunks of debris. His eyes followed the winding green vine to the top, its end coiled around a small, half unwrapped bar of... chocolate? Frantically surveying around, he quickly spotted that flower at the top of the steps. It was mimicking a bite into its own leaf. Nayenez hesitantly took the chocolate bar, and the vine promptly returned to the earth. Sans tilted his head. “yeah, you seem like the kind of guy to make friends with weeds.” Sans joked with a glance to the side as bones shot up the stairs towards Flowey. A tiny shout of surprise escaped the flower before retreating, but the human stared long at the candy. It felt like he was forgetting something again, fog that was on the verge of dissipating completely. Maybe… Oh, that’s right. Chocolate… chocolate was her favorite.

Nayenez’s eyelid twitched, then his hands trembled. Remembering was always so painful. Yet he could never escape those memories. Not even miles below the surface. Nayenez's mouth opened wide, revealing a set of grayed teeth. He chomped down on the chocolate bar, gobbling up most of it with a single bite. Off brand. His eyes flashed red as he remembered something else... chocolate was his favorite as well. Nayenez threw the rest of it aside and gripped hard onto the bone still burning inside his shoulder. Nayenez pulled. He pulled until he was screaming loud enough that it could surely reach the surface. The bone budged slightly, until it was soon sliding and eventually torn right out of its resting place. Blood oozed through Nayenez's undershirt and trailed down his coat, splattering across the gray floor. All that remained was a fleshy, gaping hole. A gory window to the plaza statue. “When I am done with you, they won’t even be able to collect your remains!” Nayenez yelled before throwing the bone to the ground and crushing it beneath his boot. Quickly, his wound began to close as he broke into a furious charge at the skeleton with intent to kill- no, to maim. “that's pretty morbid. but hey,” Sans closed his eyes, before again showing him eyes of darkness. “the feeling’s mutual.” Nayenez covered the space unchallenged, faced only with the monster's feeble attempts to intimidate him. Nayenez knew he should show patience, and yet he moved in closer and closer and swung with all of his might! Suddenly... Sans dodged to Nayenez's right with a taunting shrug.

“what? you think i'm just gonna stand there and take it?”

Sans winked at Nayenez's disgusted bewilderment. At the same time, from the stone steps behind the monster, a bone broke through the white brick and extended with such an unbeatable haste that it passed Sans and hit Nayenez in the schnoz, knocking him over backwards onto his back. As he pushed himself up, Sans closed his eyes, looking inward at this feeling that has been nagging at him ever since he first met the killer's gaze. Out of all the thoughts and emotions which swirled around his skull, this one was stronger than all the rest.

“y’know, it’s funny. although we’ve never actually met before, the way you move, the way you swing that sword…”

Sans paused his metabolism of thought when Nayenez shuffled back up and decided to initiate his next attack. Two rows of bones came from both the ceiling and the ground, protruding until very little room remained between them. Evenly spaced out, with the top row traveling toward Nayenez, and the bottom away. They reached even behind Nayenez, and with two walls of bones keeping him in, Nayenez was given no choice but to jump over the oncoming obstacles. It became a precise game of leaps and ducks, and he was just about getting the hang of it. Until, that is, Nayenez stepped wrong at the last one, an awful panic surging through his soul as he hit the ground. The monster killer pushed his hands against the cold floor and looked up, attacking the skeleton standing over him with a fierce expression of scorn. Sans made no move to attack however, only returning to his bloodshot eyes a feigned smile.

“and the way you look at me? feels like some kinda deja vu. weird, right?”

Déjà vu... nothing but tricks of the mind and jumbled memories. Nayenez jumped up to his full height and disregarded every word of his enemy. Did it think Nayenez cared? That this small talk would slow him down? Was it meant to mock him, or waste his time? Inevitably, all it did was push him to fight harder, to dig his blade through its bones and silence that irritating voice forever. Nayenez braced his body, then lunged at the monster, swinging overhead at a now empty space of air. Sans had dodged effortlessly, unsurprised of his wordless reply. The monster's pupils fell to the blood on the floor.

“listen, i dunno why you’re doing this, and honestly? it doesn't matter.”

Two narrow bones rose up on either side of Sans, then two more just a couple feet ahead of those. A pattern began and picked up speed, closing in on Nayenez. The killer started to back up before completely turning tail and running away. He ran circles around the plaza statue of King Asgore, invigorated by the thought of the pain he plunged into it before dusting away. With every pass, Sans mocked him with an irritating "heya", and with every pass, he maneuvered wider and wider until the skeleton was dead in the middle of one. Sans didn't even try to stand clear of the approaching threat, but his bones continued to gather speed. Just as they nipped at his heels, Nayenez jumped forward and slashed at the monster with even more force this time. But Sans dodged backwards and shut his sockets.

“blood and dust, humans and monsters…”

A wall of bones manifested in front of Sans, and it was glowing a light blue… It came directly at Nayenez, but when he tried to cut it down, the blade phased straight through. No effect! Then it phased through him next, and he immediately felt like his very SOUL was on fire. Nayenez groaned in anguish as he realized more of these blue walls were approaching from every direction. The monster killer dove and dodged until he was in the clear. The assault led him away from the skeleton, and by the time he tried to eliminate that gap, more of those impregnable walls were pursuing after him. And surely his predictability was what resulted in those obnoxious dodges. In a change of tactic, Nayenez took aim with his sword, holding it up like a javelin. In only a few seconds, he chucked it through the air, and it soared through the sky until it smacked against the stone steps and clattered down to the bottom. Sans had dodged and gazed at Nayenez with a strained expression.

“at the end of the day, we’re just gonna end up right back where we started, without any memory of it.”

A single small and thin variant of the skulls, (fittingly named Gaster Blasters) appeared on Nayenez’s left. He didn't give this one a single glance either and bolted for his sword. But more of them began to manifest in a row only a couple of feet ahead of each other and him. As they started to fire, Nayenez picked up the pace, grazing by each wave of destructive light. But with every dodge, the gap between both beam and monster shrunk rapidly. Sans was standing still, having not moved far at all from where the sword landed. A medium sized Gaster Blaster took form above the blade, charging up a mighty beam in hopes of destroying it. Nayenez dived for it, and in a swift set of movements from picking up Cor Ruptor to swinging it upwards, Nayenez slashed the Gaster Blaster in two. The skeleton was next, but he dodged easily away from the stairs and shifted his pupils to the left.

“but sitting back and watching everyone i love die doesn't really appeal to me, either."

Nayenez moved towards the skeleton, but in that same moment, Nayenez's soul turned blue, and he was suddenly pulled backwards deeper into the plaza. As the distance stretched, before his very eyes a perpendicular wall of bones surrounded Nayenez on three sides, his airtime stopped only by the wall behind him, his back smacking hard into it. The only path left was forward up a slanted, green ramp that appeared alongside everything else. Despite how its colored differentiated, it seemed to fit snuggly in its cold environment. As the bones continued to rise on every side, Nayenez ran up the slope and stopped at its edge. Beyond that point and below was a pit of sharpened bones. Just above it, a single hovering platform. He jumped for it, and right as he was about to land, the square-shaped platform jutted to the left. However, Nayenez's heart did not sink, no, it pulsed on without skipping a beat. The killer flipped Cor Ruptor in his hand and pierced through the platform's surface and thin volume. There, as Nayenez dangled, he looked down at doom, then back to the way for the future. He grabbed hold of the side and his blade tighter as he hoisted himself up. His fate was endowed wholly to the sword, for the platform's surface was without flaw, isometrically perfect and slick. Nayenez reoriented himself before leaping through a small opening forward, slicing an overhanging bone coming his way, and at last made it out of the obstacle course. The monster stood only a few inches from the exit, and quickly Nayenez swung his blade without hesitation. But again, he dodged away with incredible haste. At the same time, his eyes again narrowed on Nayenez.

"and i can't kill you, can i? nah, not really."

Sans gestured his head and pupils to the left with two swift nods. Nayenez blindly followed the skeleton's directions and was awarded a bone striking his cheek from the opposite direction, knocking him off balance. The human shook it off, grimaced, and moved to swing at Sans. Raising his sword to strike, the skeleton ducked, and a flurry of bones flew over his head. Nayenez had acted too rashly, drew too close, and was only able to take a small step aback before having to defend. He was fast, certainly, but he was still a human. At least he was supposed to be, personally Sans couldn't tell. Nayenez cut down most of the coming projectiles, but one flitted past the breadth of his weapon and traveled through his chest. It ravaged his insides before exiting out from the other end. He stumbled and hacked blood onto the ground but still pushed on. With a savage leap, he slashed at the skeleton, but to no avail as Sans easily dodged to the left. He had moved so little since the battle began. How could he be struggling with something so weak...? Sans looked away again as his cheekbones shifted up.

"you’re too ‘determined’ to know when to stay dead."

Bones suddenly streaked up all around and encased Nayenez. He looked up and watched as two rows of forest green platforms appeared above, dividing the structure into three floors. They traveled through holes in the walls, while more filed in at the adjacent side, like an endless stream. The breaks in the walls were not big enough to escape through, but large enough for… Nayenez realized there were openings in the wall on the bottom floor as well. He looked out a gap in front of him, greeted by a smiling Gaster Blaster. The human instinctively bent his legs like a loaded spring and jumped high for the overpassing platform. Below, the whole first level was obscured for a few seconds by a great ray of light. As he scrambled his way onto the platform, he heard that terrible sound of a beam charging up just behind him. Nayenez ascended again before it could eviscerate him. Up and down Nayenez parkoured until the undead walls retracted and the floating floors disappeared under his feet. The rug was pulled out from under him, but he managed to land firmly on his boots into a huddled position. As soon as his hardened eyes found their target, he lunged at the irksome monster. He swung across and rushed past Sans who dodged aside swiftly, giving the human a contemptible wink.

"so, i'm here to stall you instead."

Sans tapped the tips of his slippers on the stone one at a time before walking towards Nayenez, the first time he's decided to use those legs of his for something else other than evasion. The killer tilted his head in confusion of such a move until its tactic became quite clear. With every step, Sans ascended off the ground thanks to singular bones protruding out of the ground like stilts without straps or handlebars. His sense of balance was unlike anything Nayenez had ever seen. The monster slayer was making to flee as Sans walked faster and began to step sporadically here and there and everywhere. Even when he staggered (intentionally or not), the bones were there to catch his feet. On top of that, such sudden movements conjured great swathes of bone poles racing to keep Sans from falling. Nayenez helplessly ran from the skeleton, and when he wasn't tried to shatter the thin bones. But by the time he had the chance and severed one in half, Sans was already standing on two more. Nayenez continued to bob and weave, watching the skeleton closely as he moved until a pattern was recognized. When Nayenez could accurately predict the skeleton's next step, he grabbed onto a rising bone and ignored the burning pain brought with it. He swung at Sans on the way up, but he dodged backwards midair onto another set of stilts.

"because there are people way smarter…"

The bone Nayenez gripped to was growing much higher than all of the rest proceeding it. Before it took him too high, he planted his boots against the bone's side, then pushed himself off and flew through the air. He pulled his sword arm over his face and prepared to deliver a terrible strike. But just as he was in reach and uncoiled his arm like a loosed catapult, Sans had dodged yet again. Well... sort of. More accurately, the bones retracted and brought the skeleton back to the ground, leaving Nayenez to fly overhead and crash into one of the eastward streetlamps with a hard clang. The battered hunter fell and laid there; face planted. Seconds passed, and despite such a blow, Nayenez was back on his knees and pressed his hands against the ground, staring into it, too distracted by his vessel's internal chaos to move yet.

"And way stronger than me…"

Nayenez coughed up a handful of blood, painting the mundane world a warmer coat, a blot on a white canvas. He could feel his strength fluctuating endlessly… blood vessels burst and sealed, bones broke apart and mended back together... His body was trapped inside an endless agony. But it would not stop him. It cannot stop him. Nayenez lost his focus in that moment of thought and only realized now what an error it was. He looked over to where the skeleton should have been and was forced another face to face with the perfect darkness inside Sans' eyes. He was leaned over and smiling just a little wider than usual as he peered into Nayenez’s SOUL.

"that are gonna send you back down to hell."

Nayenez threw a reckless swing in a panic, and several more as he jumped back up. But the monster dodged each and every one, until Nayenez was left there to steal the underground's oxygen and satiate his covetous lungs. Sans looked at Nayenez for a long time, barely shifting in place. When it became clear Sans wasn't going to make the first move, Nayenez took a strong step forward and raised Cor Ruptor for battle.

“. . . but it doesn't have to end like that."

Nayenez froze in place, waiting for an attack. But the air was calm, and all was quiet. Even as Nayenez scanned every possible point of attack, no such attack came. No bones, Gaster Blasters, obstacles… nothing at all. He looked back at Sans, who reclined in his position, almost... relaxed? Nayenez knew better than to waste his breath, but it came to a point where it felt as if he was missing something.

“What?”

Nayenez’s voice was sharp enough to cut glass. He gripped his blade ever tighter in a confused wrath. Sans closed his eyes, before he opened them and looked off to nowhere in particular, recalling words from a friend as if he'd just heard them yesterday. Because even if it was years ago, Sans could never forget his endless speeches of goodwill.

"… someone once told me that, no matter how bad a person might seem, if you just stop and listen, it will make a world of a difference. for them, and for you. i know i said before that the reason you’re doing this doesn’t matter. but, if i said that it did, would it make a difference? someone so determined must have a better motive for being here other than to kill for killing's sake so, if you just put down your weapon, i'll listen. and who knows? maybe, just maybe … this can all come to a happy conclusion. or sumthin' close to it, anyway."

Sans sat by patiently, hands resting in his pockets without purpose. It would be so easy to make a move on Nayenez, but he chose not to. For once since Nayenez had met him, there was no judgment in his expression. But as the human’s wounds mended themselves, only one thing permeated his mind while the skeleton had rambled on. ‘If I attack him now, he won’t be expecting it.' Nayenez didn’t want to think twice and lose that chance, so he jumped forward, hoping to take advantage of Sans' weakness. But it was not to be, as he just dodged to the right. The skeleton sighed and looked off somewhere else, wishing he was there.

"no dice huh?"

Sans' eyes refocused onto Nayenez. He wasn't quite sure what he was expecting. But at least now, no one can say he didn't try. Not even him. Sans gave the murderer a gleeful shrug and a wink of his eye.

"guess you’re nothing..."

The light from the skeleton's eyes faded away, and Sans suspected he would soon follow. But until then...

"but an empty husk."

Without any warning, the whole world went black. Nayenez couldn’t see a thing, as though he’d been blinded. When he was again suffocated by the light, he breathed relief to know his eyesight was still intact. But a sharp intake immediately followed as he looked inside the open maw of a Gaster Blaster. Its beam discharged and enveloped his whole body, bringing him down to a knee. The world's light vanished again, and upon its return bones were coming at Nayenez from the front and back, like polls traveling through the ground. Faced with short blues and tall whites, he squatted down and sprung high to begin his defense, but all was shrouded in shadow once more. He could no longer feel himself bound to gravity with the only light now being the blue hue of bones, of which have formed into a wormhole with a square entrance. He swung his sword, but nothing could stop gravity from dragging him through it. So many... there were so many piercing his body… hurting him. By the time it was over, he was spit out the other end and splayed across the ground. There was no movement whatsoever. Nayenez's soul then left its vessel behind and hovered there innocently before breaking in two with a harsh snap. Sans took this newfound respite to breathe, almost hoping that the fight was over. But history is doomed to repeat, isn't it? Nayenez refused to die, and with artificial light stinging his eyes, he pressed his numbed palms against the world, then his tired feet, and stood up. Sans was idling inches from him, and with a howl, Nayenez swung his blade at him. Sans dodged again as though it were child’s play.

"when we finally reached the surface, i really thought things were gonna change for the better."

Sans took out his hand after what seemed like ages and aimed his white palm at Nayenez. No, that’s not right, at Nayenez’s SOUL. With a twist of his boney arm, the killer was suddenly flung upwards, hurdling through the space above the plaza. Then, he was violently thrown back down. As his body smacked against the earth, Nayenez could feel it rumbling… That meant-! Nayenez got up as fast as he was able and threw himself over backwards as a cluster of bones appeared where he had been laying seconds ago. Sans picked him up again, jerked his thumb left, barreling Nayenez far enough to collide with a building just outside the plaza. He could feel the wall vibrating with movement. Suspecting what would follow, he fought against this weight upon him with every limb until he was back in the air. Bones jutted out from the stone bricks, then with a broad swing, Nayenez was sent the opposite way until he smashed through the head of the King's memorial. "sorry, asgore" Sans reined in his hand before finally releasing the monster slayer, returning red to his soul. He rolled against the ground, leaving splatters of blood with every 360 until he rested just beneath Sans. Nayenez took the brunt of every attempt on his life, and continued to stand back up, a rabid dog that cannot learn. Following an equally rabid lunge, Sans dodged out of the way and looked to the side.

"you can take a good guess what happened next."

Sans stole away the light, returned and retaken in a nauseating flurry. In the midst of every return, Nayenez was met with various attacks; He stood before a long line of Gaster Blasters, and as they charged up, he tried to find cover. To both his detriment and advantage, great bones erupted everywhere from the ground, and the plaza became patterned with them. He hid behind many, constantly changing positions along with the patrolling Gaster Blasters. Next flash, and the plaza was completely empty. But just as he approached Sans, the skeleton subtly pointed his finger upwards. He presumed it was another cheap trick, but as a bone pierced the ground beside him, he was compelled to gaze skyward. From the ceiling a thousand bones rained down on top of him. Keeping his head craned Nayenez dodged, slashed, sidestepped, and dove until they had all made impact. With a whimsical ding, the bones vanished. To finish off this barrage of flashes, an army of blue bones marched through the grayed stone towards him. He skipped, hopped and jumped over all of them until Sans was back in range, where Nayenez swung at him wildly. But this monster's speed... It was at odds with his own. Perhaps it even surpassed it. Following another effortless dodge out of the way, Sans felt safe enough to close his sockets.

"you can't understand how this feels."

Nayenez's soul blinked into another shade of blue as Sans hoisted his hand into the air. Nayenez unwillingly followed it off the ground until he was suspended like an actor trapped in a stage harness. No matter how he resisted, his gravity was in the hands of this monster, who only now opened his eyes again. Not a second later bones gunned for him from every direction just beyond sight. The killer spun himself around in his tiny center of gravity in order to protect his hide, then used his blade to ricochet the last one at the undead puppet master. But he had long seen that coming and dodged aside, the bone impacting the stone beside him. Sans' sockets strained with an expression of pain.

"knowing that no matter what we do, we’re always gonna be beneath humanity."

With a downward thrust of an undead hand, Nayenez was forced back to the earth below as his soul cast off the indigo and reembraced its crimson. Denied a respite of his own, more Gaster Blasters appeared to destroy Nayenez, but they were much larger than any of its predecessors. And when a clean swing succeeded in leaving only a faint scratch, Nayenez was made well aware they were even stronger than before too. With little effective offense to respond with, the monster slayer was reduced back to hightailing it across the ruined plaza. By now, there were potholes across the ground, lampposts bent out of shape or missing altogether, and part of the fountain's wall smashed from the remnants of Asgore's chiseled head. As water splashed against his boots with every step, lasers came at him from every possible angle. The proximity of the beams was wider than ever, and eventually one caught his left arm on his way back to his mortal enemy. Nayenez bit wounds into his lip and held back the urge to scream, but it did not stop another attempt to kill this monster, even if the attack was wasted by another dodge.

"that even after we reach freedom, someone else will be there to push us back down."

Walls of blue bones rushed at Nayenez in a spate. Try as he did to out-space or slice them apart, nothing worked. As the coated bones passed through him, more the sensation of flame engulfing his skin intensified. It hurt so much. Lamenting yet stubborn, Nayenez sluggishly stepped towards Sans, and with a silent command one more towering wall emerged from the earth inches in front of the monster. It spanned the width of his peripheral vision and was coming in too fast to evade. Out of ideas, he stood still, held his blade close like a cherished memento and braced for that searing agony. Yet when it phased into him, it left not even a faint discomfort. It was like only when he accepted fate, and let it consume him… In that moment of revelation, Nayenez felt more passionate than ever before and slashed his ravenous blade at the contestable skeleton. Like every time before, and surely every time thereafter, Sans dodged and wiped away a bead of sweat snaking down his forehead. His eyes closed up, and then opened up without their highlights.

"and right now... that someone is you."

An obscured twinkling sounded from the human's LOVE-filled heart before soaked in skeletal blues. Sans now thumbed to the left, and Nayenez felt his center of gravity shift as he fell parallel to the monster's hand. After a moment of disorientation, he watched buildings fly past him at alarming speeds. The fight had been taken into the abandoned capital of Monsterkind. His head leading, he looked up to see he was rushing towards a charged-up animal skull. Nayenez was close enough to the ground and pushed himself further into the air. The beam scorched the space beneath him before gravity rotated. Now leading with his feet, descended, passing the skeleton and forced into the other side of the city. Sans repeated his strategy, and thus Nayenez repeated his with even more confidence. He pushed his feet against the floor, and flew up high, avoiding carnage. Again, gravity turned like a noisemaker stick. Only this time, just as he was about to pass Sans, the skeleton thrust out his palm, and Nayenez was sent spiraling backwards towards the Plaza monument. A Gaster Blaster manifested where the head once rested, and now having been thrown at an angle, Nayenez was away from the ground. He resorted to old reliable and hid behind Cor Ruptor from the beam of destruction. It discharged with a harrowing howl, pounding against the blade's surface whilst streaming off to the sides. He felt the skin on his fingers being torn asunder, but persevered, springboarded himself off the skull’s face when he was close enough and flew towards the Skeleton. Sans waved to him, and Nayenez returned the greeting with another swing, which Sans dodged perfectly. Nayenez slid across the scarred stone and banged his head against the steps while Sans simply looked off to Asgore's ruined tribute.

"which makes me wonder why i'm even doing this in the first place. i should be doing this for them. but i'm probably just doing it because… heheh... "

Nayenez rose, the skin tissue on his fingers reforming in real time. He stumbled his way to the monster relentlessly, but as he swung his blade, Sans did not move away. Instead, with a fleshless hand Sans raised the killer high into the air and furrowed the lines around his eye-sockets. He stressed his skeletal fingers and squeezed Nayenez’s soul tightly as white pupils faded. The monster slayer groaned through gritted teeth, trying to keep himself whole. He began to realize this was more than any mere monster. It was a demon from hell.

"you deserve it."

Sans started to gyrate his hand by the wrist, and in turn, Nayenez's body began to spin around. The Monster Slayer picked up speed quickly and he became just a brownish red blur. When Sans deemed his world had spun enough, the skeleton tossed him into the stratosphere, or what counted as much underground. In the sky all alone, the killer was released from his deathly grip. But the chains of sin would clamp onto him forevermore. When Nayenez finally lost momentum, he plummeted. As speed was gained, he simultaneously fought off pestersome bones and skulls of doom. He could hardly keep his concentration or movement steady and could feel the blood rushing to his head and his SOUL aching endlessly. This chaotic scene continued until he crashed against the ground. It was then, punished beyond what any human could handle, his soul shattered in half. But he refused to die like a measly monster. Like a marionette, the killer's chest was propelled upward. With only the heels of his boots remaining grounded, Nayenez was brought upright. When the rest of his soles hit the floor, and his gravity centered, the killer slumped forward, his eyes rolling out from his head. Knowing how far he's come, Nayenez's spirit filled with a magnificent feeling. He marched up to the skeleton and swung, cutting through air as the monster dodged back. Despite it all, Sans was unmoved by the theatrics, seeming to only smile wider.

"and i think you also deserve to see my special attack. ever heard of one?"

Sans dodged without provocation to reveal a cluster of blue and regular bones levitating just behind him, which sprung at the killer on sight. Nayenez committed to a dodge of his own and followed it through with a lunge, the tip of his blade leading. But just before it could even press against his jacket, Sans dodged again, unveiling a bundle of attenuated Gaster Blasters, which started to fire at random intervals. Nayenez jumped back and used Cor Ruptor to block their puny beams until they were out of juice and joined a steadily growing pile on the floor. Sans turned and gave it an unaligned salute, eyes closed firmly. His chance to attack appeared once more, and swiftly Nayenez brought down an overhead slash. But Sans dodged backwards and opened his eyes with a terrible glare.

"it’s a real doozy."

Nayenez's soul was branded blue, and following such the monster lifted a hand and pulled it in with a masked aggression. The human's boots skidded across the floor as he forcibly approached the skeleton, but he would not make it close enough to attack as bones ruptured from the ground and acted as angled spears. Nayenez moved to swing, but the bones retreated, and so did he by no choice of his own. He couldn't see behind himself at first, and it took great strength just to turn around. By the time he did, the bones had jutted up before him again. The cycle repeated; He raised his blade, they fled out of sight, and he was forced into a different direction. This continued until Sans was practically pushing him hands free while he did everything to resist. Left, right, forward, backwards, countless times over. Only when Sans seemed tired of his own attack did he release Nayenez mid push, causing him to stumble over himself and hit the ground on his back. His head was spinning and noticed the rumblings below just a few seconds too late, and his slowness was punished with a bone jolting from his abdomen. The breath was stolen from his lungs in the way he stole so many people Sans cared about. Nayenez could never adjust to the pain, but there was always strength to be found in it. He severed the head of the bone with his blade before clumsily getting to his feet. As blood covered his clothes and the stench of copper grew, he marched towards Sans, allowing him to observe as his wound closed up before he took another swing at him. Unsurprisingly, he dodged, if slightly disturbed.

"and after this attack i'm going to use it. not that it'll end this, you're just boring me to 'death' here."

Sans flicked the metaphorical light switch again, warping Nayenez between a slew of random, short assaults. Another obstacle course came at Nayenez, this time with no ramp, only a tight entrance through a wall that zeroed in. He didn't waste a second looking for a way to avoid it though, for he had grown accustomed to these endless games. Because at the end of every round, came another swing of his blade, and with every evade, the skeleton came closer to his doom. Nayenez jumped into the entry point and stood atop the bones, packed so tight you could not see between them. Every step felt akin to stepping atop burning coals, so hot it was like walking barefoot. But he ran across them without any hesitation until reaching a wall of hardened tissue. His instincts immediately said to jump, and as he did, Nayenez reached out for something to grab. Sure enough, he had grappled onto the rim of the wall and hoisted himself upwards. Yet before he could even fathom it, the light faded out. Blinking in again, and Nayenez found himself hopping over little bones and ducking under longer ones just like earlier. One more look into abyss, and he was running from a single giant Gaster Blaster. Its voice was deep and resonate, chasing Nayenez towards Sans. Slashing without care, the skeleton dodged with a lousy shrug, as though he were so above it all. “Just die already!” Nayenez screamed like an insolent child before devoured by a great swath of energy from the Gaster Blaster.

"let me think about it. ... nah, i'm not feeling it yet, that or my special attack."

One flicker, and Nayenez was weaving left and right between two rows of horizontal bones jutting from the ground and moving in opposite directions north and south. Another flicker, he was facing down Sans in a corridor of skeleton, the monster standing a few inches beyond the end. A clench of his fist, and the corridor closed on itself rapidly like a beast's maw. Nayenez dashed for him, and just barely made it through. Before he could even raise Cor Ruptor, a final flicker, and Nayenez was looking down at a jumble of bones scattered on the floor. No, that wasn't quite right. Tilting his head slightly, he realized they were crudely placed to form the words... ‘Lunch Break’. Flummoxed, Nayenez looked ahead, and from a few feet away watched as Sans drank from a red bottle with a tipped lid. ...Ketchup? When Sans finally noticed Nayenez, the skeleton winked innocently at him. The monster killer showed his gnarled fangs and committed to a barbaric charge at the trickster, ruthlessly swinging his sword once in range. Sans held firm to his drink as he dodged backwards and lazily threw up his shoulders.

"can’t fight on an empty stomach, y'know?"

"You don't even have one!" Nayenez blurted out angrily, to which Sans looked off to the side with the bottom of his sockets lifting up. "no kidding?" He replied as if surprised. The light flickered right afterwards, Sans now without the ichor he so relishes. It was then he cracked his neck side to side and weakly balled his fist. Nayenez scoffed with amusement, he wasn’t really going to fight a human bare handed, was he? Especially after the clear display of reliance on magic and cheap ruses. As if on cue, bones from nowhere whooshed by Nayenez as discreet as shuriken. He moved into a defensive stance, until it became evident they weren't after him, instead joining together at a single point a feet or so above Sans, assembling together like clockwork until…

Well, it appears he had been dead wrong, for a giant hand of skeleton had taken form, capturing Nayenez in its overhanging shadow. When Sans lightly waved his hand downward, the giant hand followed the movement with a second of delay; connected as one by an invisible thread. Had Nayenez not jumped back as it smashed against the ground, he would have been reduced to a human pancake. Sans swung his fist with little effort, but that force was applied tenfold through the giant fist. Left and right, up and down, the hand pursued and attacked relentlessly until inevitably slamming against the killer's side. He left the surface for a few seconds before tumbling back into the fountain's puddle. His soul could not handle the trauma and lost its ability to hold its integrity. A lightning shaped crack traveled down the middle, and Nayenez's soul broke apart.

But he will always refuse to give in, and as he willed it, his SOUL mended back together. Nayenez towered, his shadow as tall as he, and despite the turmoil, blood loss and misery, he could feel it. He could even see it more clearly than ever now. The skeleton was slowing down, sweating more profusely, struggling to catch his breath with every attack. Knowing victory was so close at hand, Nayenez was brimming with DETERMINATION. The skeletal hand lunged itself at him, and Nayenez did the very same. But even if his body was moving to meet it, his eyes were affixed to the judge of Monsterkind, giving him a fierce expression. The hand rushed at Nayenez front and center, and as it came in, Nayenez dropped and slid across the ground. The hand brushed the brim of his hat and flew past. Getting closer. He could sense the hand coming back around and waited just as he did with the machine, counting seconds and embracing heightened senses. As it felt like death itself was about to claim him, he bounced off the floor.

It grazed against the soles of his boots before flying up into the sky. Almost there. As he made landfall and continued his rush, the hand swerved back and bore down on Nayenez at an angle. The monster slayer channeled this wondrous feeling inside his soul into Cor Ruptor, and when it was nigh impact, Nayenez dual handed the hilt. He met the angle and slashed the hand clean through. It parted in two halves, and each traveled past him as he practically floated through the air. Sans' body shifted with surprise, and when Nayenez saw it, he bolted for him faster than a cheetah. Now! The killer swung once more with obsession, and of course Sans dodged without fail. But even still, Nayenez could not be more driven. Every miss now was euphoria, anticipation for the final blow. Sans noticed that look, and realized he wasn't going to get another chance. He closed his eyes calmly.

"all right. enough games. survive this, and i’ll show you my special attack!"

Nayenez’s soul flashed blue as he was abducted from earth, but this battle had gone on for what seemed like years. By now... he was ready for anything. Sans slammed him down, but the claimer of monster lives landed firmly on his boots. He did not even need to sense for the bones racing up to jump high into the air. His gaze met the ground, and just as the bones ate away the stone, Nayenez swung Cor Ruptor. The bones erupted and were split seconds after surfacing. The ruined tissue parted, and as he reconnected with earth a second time, one, then two, then three and many more Gaster Blasters encircled Nayenez. Before even a single one could unleash beams of devastation the killer curved sheer determination through reality and sliced them up, their bulgy pupils disappearing moments ahead of their bodies. They showed no sign of stopping however as Nayenez spun around over and over again, his sword flying to and fro as if it possessed a will of its own. But no matter how many times his world revolved, Nayenez experienced no dizziness, only resolution.

When he did vanquish the last, he wasted no time to correct his direction and dart for the monster devil. Unbeknownst to the human, the last Gaster Blaster he sliced to nothing miraculously reformed. Expelling the sound of gasping, it discharged a plethora of bones. No ordinary human should be able to compare to its speed, not even Nayenez. And yet his reflexes had adapted even further throughout this arduous struggle. The noise alone sparked his senses as he spun about, cutting away each and every last projectile, all while keeping his progress by running backwards. He will kill this monster once and for all, but for the second time in the entire fight, Sans drew his hand up snapped a lengthy forefinger with his thumb. Nayenez turned to face him again as the rattling of bones echoed from above his head, and when he looked up… a vertical obstacle course had formed in no time at all, stretching higher than his very eyes could perceive. Nayenez stopped in place but realized quickly not of his volition. Control of his vessel had been wrestled away from him, indicated by a blue painted soul, and an extended hand. Sans winked at the defendant.

"going up?"

The judge sneered, and by throwing his arm to the sky, sentenced the guilty to his inescapable fate. Nayenez, by no choice of his own, was sent to the heavens, trying to keep his body still against the rush of air. The obstacle course was confined inside a perfectly square shaped tunnel. Inside, bones protrude and retract, and while Nayenez did his best to shift and maneuver through the tight space and teethlike bones, his speed was too great. His movement not swift enough. Without perfect reaction, he scraped against the edges and ends with his arms and legs several times over. And with every hit, he felt even closer to true death: a broken spirit. He could see that damnable skeleton through the crevices at certain intervals, shrugging, winking, idling, glaring through empty sockets, and combinations of the former. Eventually, Nayenez came to a stop so abrupt he felt his guts shoot up his throat and cram into his brain. His vision had become blurry from the looping tunnels, but as topsy turviness centered, he made out a large gap in the obstacle course all around him. Just ahead, both halves of the enormous skeleton hand from earlier hovered up from hell and rebound itself like a shattered soul before closing its palm.

When it opened, Nayenez saw that each fingertip was fitted with a Gaster Blaster. Every finger curled or straightened out one after the other before they unleashed their combined power against Nayenez. Like the definition of madness, he tried to move out of this atrophy. With no quick results he hopelessly moved to block it with the dull side of his blade. At first it held strong, but the opposing power was so intense, so grand that it riddled cracks across Cor Ruptor from top to bottom. The agony was too immense for Nayenez to even register what had happened, and when the Blasters used up all their energy, he was forced upwards to finish Sans’ obstacle course of vengeance. The tunnel spun in winding loops before straightening with patches of bones on the left and right at uneven intervals protruding outwards. The patches closed in, tighter, tighter, and tighter like a ribcage until… wham! His head crashed against the ceiling. He couldn’t feel anything anymore. Creaking his dreary eyes open, Nayenez first noticed that the bones did not actually reach the ceiling, rather stopped only a few feet beneath it. On top of the bone wall across from him was Sans, looking at the sinner with sockets of emptiness, as deep as their mutual hatred for each other. Sans raised his left hand; his smile and head becoming crooked.

"g o i n g d o w n ?"

Sans thrusted his arm down without an ounce of remorse, not that such a thing ever existed inside him to begin with. Not for those who revel in the darkness inside their hearts. With the swing, Nayenez was dragged down through hell all over again. The world was an unstable mess in his eyes, and it took great effort alone to fight the urge to vomit. He could not keep up with the speed anymore and bounced against the obstacles back and forth, the blunt ends of bones pounding against him like sledgehammers. At the halfway point, he caught a glimpse of the Skeleton hand crushing a heart of hardened tissue before descending the final stretch. The monster slayer was driven mad with anguish and started to slash his blade around fervently. There was no longer a target to cut down or an enemy to slay, all he wanted was for the pain to stop. After what seemed like an eternity, he was reunited with earth, his face the first to be so. And there, just ahead, was Sans, like he hadn't moved an inch. As he watched Nayenez struggle to move, he was losing his second fight, exhaustion crawling up his own boney legs and burrowing into his soul. But the hate he harbored for Nayenez was so much stronger... To persist only to destroy, to refuse death in the name of a blood drenched ambition...

And for what? Justice? Revenge? Fulfillment? Sans let go of the power that gave life to the nightmare above, and without his magic, it shattered and smashed against the capital, heaps of bones barreled into buildings and windows. The great hand of skeleton fell atop Asgore's statue, his trident of Justice piercing through its palm. When the hand reached the base, the skeletal fingers rested on the scarred stone, and left Nayenez in between the thumb and index finger. Of course it did not crush him, just his luck. Sans looked at his own hand, quivering after using more magic than ever. His bony fingers throbbed and ached, but he ignored it, and reached out for Nayenez’s dirty soul once more. His monster heart rejected it at first, but Sans’ wrath granted him the last bastion of energy he needed. He grabbed onto the culmination of Nayenez's being hard as his fingers curled and seizure. Within his left socket a magnificent indigo flame ignited and engulfed his pupil. Karma flowing, he battered Nayenez against the roof of the hand, and the sides of the fingers, over and over again. Down, left, left, up, right, down, right, it didn’t matter. He no longer considered the direction or his own life. Sans' only want now was to see him hurt. To see him die. To make him pay the bottomless toll for toying with existence. That raging fire within Sans steadily faded in spite of his wishes, exhaustion running like a waterfall. His arm slowed until he could no longer feel it and unwillingly released the human.

The brutalized father tried to push himself to stand. Even as his arms gave out, he clutched onto Cor Ruptor. It was the only existing remnant of himself left. His breath like a faded whisper, he rolled himself onto his side, and attempted to arch his back, but felt something snap and crumbled back down. Sans simply observed and judged, catching his own breath all the while. The killer could hardly feel anything now. It was so very quiet too, left with only the sound of his racing heart in his ears. His muscles screamed for rest, and blood was slowly starting to pool. Nayenez wondered if this was it, that this is where his story ends. Destined to die down below, where Chara died as well. Chara… That’s right, he was… he was here for her. To avenge- no, to find her. Could she even still be alive after all this time? Nayenez hadn’t a clue. And if death takes him, he’ll never really know. He’d never be able to say… Knowing so much was left unsaid, unknown, and unfinished, Nayenez was filled with the Determination to see it through. ‘Just one more attack’, he thought to himself. And if it wasn't this one, it would be the next. Or the one after that. His broken body forced itself back together, and hauntingly, Nayenez rose up to his feet, facing his adversary with that familiar hate. Sans looked down with closed sockets, and nearly chuckled in amusement, but it was stifled by desolation.

"guess really nothing can stop you, huh?"

Nayenez did not respond, and instead took a great stride forward, his footprint marked in blood.

"heh… heheheheh, okay, i think we've both waited long enough."

As the words came to him, Nayenez's body locked up and prepared for action. This was it; the finale was at hand! Clutching his fissured blade closer than his own sanity, he waited with patience. Sans idled, staring blankly at Nayenez with that obnoxious smile across his skull. The skeleton looked around at random sights, Distant buildings, the ascending steps, broken bones, and a rotten human. Nayenez spared Sans his infernal gaze for mere seconds at a time before focusing back on him, silently wondering what game he was playing now. If he thought he could catch him off guard, that skeleton was dead wrong. Sans proceeded to… yawn? That long present fury rolling around in his gut suddenly shot up into his throat and left his mouth like fire.

"Where is it!?"

Nayenez roared, his patience breaking down instantly like a house of cards hit by the slightest breeze. Sans’ expression suddenly sharpened, shifting his hands in his pockets. After laughing at Monsterkind for so long, the joke will now be on him.

"right behind you."

Nayenez was ready. He denied fate at every turn, rose again from every gaping wound, abandoned every chance to turn back, just to reach this moment. Nothing would be able to stop him. His entire body whipped around at the speed of lightning and struck true, yet that is all Nayenez was met with... nothing. Nothing but dust polluted air and the intoxicating scent of copper.

"made you look. that’s my special attack. whadoya think?"

Nayenez turned right back around to face the skeleton. He blew steam from his nostrils, his very eye twitched as he bared his teeth, tainted with blotches of red. He’d been duped.

"woah, that expression… it’s priceless."

Sans’ pupils drifted dismissively as his cheekbones shifted up while Nayenez fumed with rage, and it all came out as a guttural scream before he jumped forward and swung at his mortal enemy. But his speed could not be topped, and he dodged out of the way with a hands up shrug.

"face it, buddy, you're never gonna be able to-"

A horrible pain then shot through the back of Sans' head. At first, his mind couldn't discern this terrible ache from exhaustion or injury until a green vine slithered out of his eye-socket. It lingered a moment, before retracting violently, causing Sans’ body to shudder. He lost feeling in his hands, and they fell to his side. The shuddering grew into a stumble, and after a couple steps backwards, fell onto his backside. It had only just happened, but already Sans could feel his life slipping away… So far away. He almost felt relieved about it, really. All of these emotions, all of these thoughts, all of these fears… It could be nice finally letting them all go. He hoped nobody would care that much. And without having to worry about his lazy brother, maybe Papyrus can start focusing on what really matters.

"well, i guess i should’ve expected that. just… don't say i didn't warn you…"

Nayenez could see pieces of Sans break off and dissipate into the air. The battle was over. He had won. So why was this hollow pit inside him forming? His blade was clean, without a speck of dust, and it made him feel robbed, of his time, of his strength, of the finishing blow. Meanwhile, the world became an unrecognizable blur to Sans, and he lost feeling in most of his body. He no longer resisted it, this urge to sleep that has plagued him for so long.

"it’s been … such a long day…"

Sans closed his eyes for the final time, and... somehow... he could already hear their voices again.

"papyrus... i'm gonna… take a load off, if you don't mind..."

Silence responded, and Sans met Nayenez with a different kind of expression, as though he wasn't even looking at the same person anymore. He was no longer able to keep his eyes open, not that he seemed to notice. And faintly, for just a moment, he was at peace.

"thanks... that means a lot."

He dozed off into a sleep he’d never wake from, and his body turned to dust. Now that the way was clear of obstruction, Nayenez saw that talking flower just behind where Sans had been sitting. He was smiling wickedly at the pile of monster dust, snickering with devilish delight. “That’s payback, you smiling trashbag! Ha! Ha ha! But I guess you aren’t smiling anymore, huh? You obnoxious, irritating-” A bloodstained boot suddenly crushed the mound of dust, a foreboding shadow now cast over the golden flower. “What are you doing?” Nayenez interrogated with an unexpected impassiveness despite eyeing the flower with ruby eyes. “Giving you that helping stem, just like I said I would!” Flowey had already disregarded the dust as his grin of contempt became one of sincerity, accompanied by a joyful little bounce. Nayenez’s eye twitched again as he took a sharp breath. “I did not yet accept your offer, flower.” He said, withholding that near uncontainable rage. Flowey’s face grew smug, saying; “It’s Flowey,” before sticking out a small tongue and winking a teasing eye. “And let’s just say I was feeling charitable. Call it a free sample of… me having your back!” Nayenez harshly curved his foot, bent over close to the flower, then dug a thumb into his chest... If Flowey possessed a soul, Nayenez’s eyes would be piercing right through it. “That comedian was mine to kill!”

“Of course he was! But don’t you remember what he said?” Flowey’s very face then morphed into something resembling the skeleton's. “i'm here to stall you,” Even his voice was a perfect mimic. It was beyond unnatural. But in a flash his face reverted back. “So, while you were about to spend hours trying to kill a single monster, I made it so you can kill dozens. Honestly, you should be thanking me!” Flowey sassed, and turned away, folding his leaves with his head held up. Nayenez continued to lament inside. He knew the flower was right, but he still found himself looking into his blade, wishing so badly to see it coated in dust. A testament to his conquest, to his power. Since his blade was so spotless, he was able to gaze into the reflective surface, but he did not immediately recognize the face which gazed back. He had come down here with purpose. But… again he struggled to recall, what was that purpose? All he desired right now… was to feel powerful again. He would gladly murder this flower to that end, but then he'd lose a guide. ‘Later’, he thought, ‘later’. “Take me to the rest. We shall… vanquish them together.” Flowey slowly turned to him with a smile, and a non-thorny vine erupted from the ground to meet Nayenez. “It’s a deal then?” Nayenez shook it with a firm grip. Very firm. “It is.”

“Great! I’ll show you the way to the Core, lead you to the Lab, and then? The real fun can begin!”

Chapter Text

Heartache

{ Chapter 11 }

Papyrus, for a long time, yearned for fame, companionship, recognition. He tried everything to obtain it. He attended club gatherings that he may or not have been invited to, created an online persona and shared his fan made Junior Jumble to every thread that he could find, even set up a PnQ (Puzzles and Questions) in the middle of Snowdin! But nothing seemed to work. Only after starting his training as a Royal Guardsman under the abrasive Captain Undyne did those faraway wants come just a bit closer to fruition. Sure, he had Flowey and Undyne, but sometimes when he looked to his brother, he felt... envious. And Papyrus loathed that feeling more than anything. But everywhere he looked, that envy took inevitably took root; Sans’ mailbox constantly full of letters, his follower count in the hundreds, and when he walked into that grease bucket fittingly known as Grillby's, everyone recognized him. Everyone called him friend. Everyone loved him.

All without even trying. It almost seemed… unfair? Papyrus refuted the thought whenever it took form, but sometimes, as he sat awake in his bed late at night, he just couldn’t keep it below the surface. Flowey once told him that everyone wants to be recognized, and if anyone deserved it more, it was the great Papyrus! Yet, as he watched his only brother turn to dust in the shadow of the Monster Bank, he wished he’d never let himself be so selfish. He wished he realized sooner just how much he really had. Something in his chest cracked, and if Frisk hadn’t tried to run for Sans’ vain rescue, Papyrus would have stood there forever. He quickly reached out and picked them up, holding them tightly. Frisk writhed in the skeleton’s all-encompassing arms, reaching out for his brother as if he was so close, but he couldn't have been farer away.

*You tell Papyrus to let you go- No, you demand him to. But his embrace only grows tighter, and your tears only flow harder. But It’s not like you haven’t done the fool in yourself before. I do wonder why that weed decided to be useful this time though. This was supposed to be your happy ending, and yet it has all come undone with so little effort. You would do anything to reset all of this. Wind back the clock, far enough to try again. Because even if it meant I haunted your shoulders forever, even if you'd be plagued with these memories of horror, at least your friends would be okay. But as long as determination fuels that monster murderer, there’s nothing that can be done. Nothing at all... That renewed determination inside you abandoned your soul and stayed behind with Sans, another person you failed to protect. It was agony to think that already you could not tell his dust from the gray stone on which it laid.

Papyrus held back the water building in his sockets as he ran through the decimated city streets of New Home. He hurdled over chunks of buildings which obstructed the road, ducked under overhanging bones, and minded every step for potholes. To think that Sans… No, he kept his thoughts forward and tried to keep a single image stretched across his shaken mind. “Go to the Lab”, he mouthed it to himself over and over like a mantra. That was all that had to matter, for if he let himself, even for a second more think about his brother- Oh, too late, the tears are falling like rain drops, left behind in a city stained by judgment.

⪼⪻

Alphys stared blankly into the computer as the human and… and that flower walked off screen, presumably to come and find whoever was left. She should be setting off alarms, sprinting through Hotland to warn Undyne, something. But she couldn’t pry her eyes from what remained of her friend. All that he did, all that he was... reduced to a pile of colourless particles by her own experiment. Even now, her failings continue to take their toll. The muscles in her hands tightened, and she was unable to feel her nails scraping against the console’s surface or the ear wrenching sound that came from it. Alphys’ throat was tightening, seemingly unable to get enough air into her lungs whilst a slew of memories rushed by. He was one of the only people who understood. A faint glimmer of light in an endless darkness, now faded completely.

Her ears were ringing again. At first, she assumed it was just the near dead silence of the lab, akin to the lonesome Capital. But it was so much more than that. The ringing grew louder and louder as Alphys realized she was never going to see his smile ever again. She felt she was going deaf and wished she had been in his place. Not just so he could live, but so she could escape this h-

“alphys”

A warm hand grabbed her by the shoulder as the ringing crescendoed into his somber voice. But when she jolted around to greet him, it was Undyne, her face ridden with worry. “Alphys, what’s going on out there? And-” She paused, looking somewhere to the left. “Where’s Sans? I swear if he’s taken off-” Alphys gulped. “I tried to tell you,” She whimpered as her eyes dove for the floor, her hands shaking wildly as they hugged her sides. Undyne shook her head slightly and blinked a couple times, trying to understand if she heard her correctly. “W-what?” Undyne asked her in a soft but confused tone, and suddenly the scientist, as though under interrogation, rummaged through her pockets with incredible haste for something. “I-I did! I tried to call you r-right after he left, but you didn’t pick up! I-I don’t know if it’s because you didn’t have it on you, or if it was damaged in battle or- or something but I did try!” Alphys rambled without taking a breath as she took out her cellphone and scrambled for the call history before raising it up to the Heroine’s face as evidence. Nothing but unanswered calls. “There wasn’t anything I could do b-but watch! H-he was doing so well and-” Alphys suddenly ran out of steam, arm falling to the side as the still bleeding memory ruptured in her mind again. She suddenly fell dead silent, as if she had forgotten how to speak. She tried to put her phone back in its pocket without looking but missed and dropped it on the floor. It clattered amidst the silence, but Alphys didn’t react. Undyne could sense Alphys’ heart picking up speed again. No, it’s been beating fast this entirely time. Only now, it’s just gotten faster.

She looked up past Alphys, at the computer, trying to find answers elsewhere. It was displaying light grays… New Home? She kept looking at it… That was the center plaza, right? It appeared ravaged… And there was something else. It was small and choppy, like a pile of- Undyne squinted her eye… dust. Undyne’s pupil shrunk as everything fell into place. Alphys found her voice and started to rant again, but right away it devolved into an indiscernible mess of jumbled noises. Undyne said nothing but dropped on one knee and grabbed Alphys’ fluttering hands. “I… I… I...” The scientist mumbled until the letter stopped coming out. Undyne then gently pressed a forehead against hers and held that peace for several long moments. Alphys wasn’t exactly sure what was happening, but she could feel the pulsing warmth in Undyne’s great hands enveloping hers, their foreheads nestled together in mute understanding. Undyne’s eye opened up and loosened her hands so that Alphys’ would open hers as well. The captain started to pull away gingerly, but Alphys grabbed hold of her fingers. Surprise smacked Undyne’s face as she looked into the troubled scientist, but Alphys continued to look down as she said, “I don’t want to let go.”

Undyne smiled at her. “Alphys,” the heroine called. It took Alphys time to gain the courage to look up, but when she did, Undyne’s hands slipped out of Alphys’ fingers, slid across her sleeves, gripped her shoulders, and pulled her into an embrace. The peril would surely set back in afterwards, they both knew that. But for just a moment it melted like ice. Alphys felt so warm, so safe from the cold. Her shaking claws hovered and grabbed onto Undyne’s upper arm tightly. “When this is over, you’ll never have to again, I promise,” she said into Alphys’ ear. It was so nice, the scientist started to sniffle. “You can’t promise that.” She clutched on harder, but Undyne pulled back with a nervous chuckle. “I’d like to see you stop me.”

With her senses not so clouded, she glanced to the side and only now noticed a race of monsters flooding the east side of the lab on her left, standing around rather awkwardly. Many moved their vision elsewhere, except one distressed Burgerpants who blew up with exaggerated frustration. “Is now really the time??” He yelled with his rattling hands up. A soundless panic attacked Alphys as she pulled from the captain, stood straight, and brushed down her lab coat. “I- I- I didn’t realize everyone was here. With you. Inside.” She shot Undyne an embarrassed expression, who only smiled it off. “It didn't feel right for them to stand outside in the heat.”

“Then let’s n-not make anyone else have to here!” She said clumsily and returned to the central computer, albeit rather stiffly, and kept her head low enough as to not look at the screen any more than she already had. There was… nothing she could do about it now but help the people still alive. The scientist pressed a couple buttons, and the camera viewport switched to black, where a small confirmation window popped up. Without looking, another button was pressed and the elevator to The True Lab slid open. Alphys raised herself up and said to the crowd, “Smallest to largest, p-please. You’ll… you’ll be safe down there.” She noticed that despite the fact there wasn’t much space to move, they did not push or shove. They stood together not like an army, but lost souls clinging to each other’s light. They were unified. A unity that Humanity always feared. When she was done talking, Alphys shrunk back down. Undyne, however, did the exact opposite. “You heard the doctor! Let’s go, everyone! Time is of the essence here!”

Dogaressa went first with her husband, despite Alphys' orders. "We'll make sure it is safe down below, She informed the anxious crowd. "Safe as a doghouse," Dogamy added in a low voice. It was sent down and returned empty as before. A group of Froggits reluctantly walked up to the elevator and winced at its tight space. Whilst the other elevators were hardly so out of the ordinary, this one was… uninviting, not that they could exactly explain why. Perhaps because of what unknowns wait below. But there was little else to do, and they did not want to make Undyne angry. So, into the elevator they went, and with a couple of distant clicks, were sent down to the dimly lit chambers of the laboratory. Monsters above anxiously counted the seconds for the lift's return, worried that any time the rampaging human would finally reach them. When the elevator opened back up, the cycle repeated. Almost ten minutes later, the last monster left to board was RG01... and a stubborn Monster Kid. He stood defiantly with his back to it and his front to Undyne. “But I want to stay and fight with you! I'm part of the vanguard, remember?”

Undyne pit her fists against her hips and arched down to him. “If you’re up here, who’s gonna keep everyone's spirits up down there?” She tilted her head, and Monster Kid pondered that question, but not for very long. “I’m just a kid, why would they listen to me?” Undyne snickered in response as she showed her teeth and raised her chin. “You got me back on my feet, didn’t you? And I need someone to back up RG as well!” The words captured Monster Kid, and he couldn’t fight back a growing grin of courage. “Then... I’ll do my very very best!” He turned around and headed into the elevator before turning back towards Undyne. “You’ll tell us when it’s over, right?” He asked his hero, and without hesitation, “I won’t waste a second,” she said with an affirming fist. “Then show ‘em what for, Undyne!” He shouted with a deep passion as the doors began to close up. "Like, see you soon, Captain," RG01 said with a nod of the head which Undyne returned. When the door was inches from sealing completely… “Oh! Tell Papyrus I said hi!”

There was a long idleness when those doors closed for the last time. Alphys set the pulley mechanisms to lock up once it touched down, effectively cutting off the true lab unless the human strangled the passcode out of her. Which started to feel a likely possibility. She looked over and noticed, faintly, that Undyne's whole figure slouched in place, her gaze fallen to the ground. It was difficult to see without her glasses intact, but she swore something on the side of her head had moved unnaturally- “Alphys…” Undyne called her name, but before she could say anything more, the East entrance door let out a smooth swoosh. The two looked over, and in the door stood Papyrus. He walked in, though it seemed to take great effort just to get his boney legs inside. Frisk tailed closed behind, holding a firm hand to his. The distraught on their faces read like they’d seen something truly horrible. Papyrus used to smile so much, Undyne recalled. But lately that joyous face seems to crop up less and less. Not that she could ever blame him. Whatever Alphys had seen herself was gone now as Undyne stepped up to Papyrus, standing near identical in height.

Nothing happened at first, and Papyrus couldn’t seem to keep his eyes in one place, as if watching mice skitter across the floor. A determined eye pinned around the skeleton’s, waiting, waiting as patiently as ice wolf. His jaw went ajar, voiceless as the words seemed delayed in his invisible throat. “SANS IS-” He started. “I know.” Undyne interjected. Papyrus met her eye for just a second, surprised. But as that eye drifted to Alphys next to her computer, the surprise faded, and his head dropped back down. More silence passed. “I TOLD HIM WE COULD DO IT TOGETHER, BUT… HE- HE DIDN’T-” Papyrus tried to force out as tears welled, but the captain’s patience ran dry, and she hugged him with a tight squeeze. “If it weren’t for your brother, so many more monsters would be gone right now,” she said over his shoulder before she pulled away and held his shoulder. “Whether he wanted to be or not, he’s a hero.” But Papyrus wasn’t looking for a hero, he was just looking for his brother. Frisk had stepped back, rubbing their arm with anxiety. Undyne’s observant eye caught them, and promptly arched a knee with her arms out wide. “Do you need one too? Last hug I’m giving out today.” She smiled nervously. Frisk shifted towards it, but do you even deserve it? …They stepped back further, and gently shook their head.

Undyne’s expression quivered but remained by a few threads as she pushed against her knee. “Need to prepare for it, I get it! Don't worry, just like me, it’s not going anywhere.” Haha, we both know that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The trio of monsters and their single human companion lingered in place amidst the chirps and drones of the lab. “WHAT DO WE DO NOW?” Papyrus asked to no one in particular, faced with an unfounded sense of aimlessness. But Undyne’s brow furrowed as determination powered her once wavering smile. “We pick up where your brother left off.” She turned on her spiked heels and walked back over to Alphys. “First, information! We need to find out where the human is right now.” She gazed down at the scientist, a bright white star burning in her eye. “Think you can manage?”

Alphys fell into her gaze and was filled with a strange feeling. Undyne’s whole expression brimmed with nothing but confidence and certainty. Although the heroine had asked if she could, Alphys sensed Undyne already knew the answer. So bright, so… overtaking. Alphys looked away in a fluster, and quickly rubbed her hands together. “I- I think so,” Alphys said with just a smidgen of calm and faint glee. She hobbled back to the computer, and let her claws flow across the console to and fro. Once the CCTV program was reopened, she spun the dial steadily, scouring the capital, but there wasn’t a sign of him anywhere now. Alphys was struck with a thought... She input a number code, and the feed was transported back to the last corridor. It was empty. But as she turned the dial a couple times…

“There he is.”

The human was walking through the gray stone corridors, marching toward the Dreemurr residence. And though it was hard to see clearly, perched on his right shoulder was “That golden flower…” Undyne mumbled, recalling the little tyrant who restrained her and her friends before Frisk freed everyone. She looked closer as the identity of the human's partner troubled Papyrus and caused a spike in Frisk’s heartbeat. The skeleton was the first to break from his stillness, then Frisk. Soon everyone was gathered around the computer now, with Alphys at the forefront, a fearful expression across her face. And would you look at that, back to a weed and already riding on someone's else's back. “WHY WOULD FLOWEY BE WITH THE HUMAN?” Papyrus wondered worryingly. Undyne thought back, back to the many conversations she’d had with the skeleton, and it seemed she dismissed one too easily. “I really thought that he was just some… imaginary friend.” She admitted. “NO NO, HE IS VERY REAL! BUT... HE NEVER LIKED BEING AROUND OTHERS, OR... ME TELLING OTHERS ABOUT HIM." Which tracks for a coward like him. Two useless fools in a rotting pod.

“Have you ever seen him before?” Undyne's attention fell to Alphys, who unbeknownst to her hadn’t blinked once since she saw that flower again. Deep within, there was a distant hope that when it appeared in the barrier, it was just another nightmare. But this was real. It was real. Alphys was too scared to open her mouth, too afraid to see her heroine’s gleam of wonder morph into disgust. As it felt like vines were entangling her feet, Frisk was there at her side. They laid a comforting hand on her balled fist and nodded gently. Alphys knew they were right. She made a promise to herself. Her eyes dart away, and the scientist confessed, “I made him.”

Undyne’s body shifted back a little, and Alphys looked at her. There was surprise, and she knew it would soon become what she feared most. But what will all of this have been for… if she doesn’t learn to keep her heart open? “When I was researching the human s-souls for Asgore, I messed around with the Determination inside them. But I…” Alphys drifted. “I didn’t know what I was doing, and I injected Determination i-into a G-golden flower from Asgore’s Garden. One day it just… left.” Alphys met Undyne’s face again with a feigned smile. “I guess we know where it w-went. Ha… ha…”

The corners of Undyne’s mouth fell, and Alphys’ expression followed as she cleared her throat. “I wish you told me sooner.” The heroine closed her eye, then suddenly threw it open and slammed a hand down onto the console. Everyone, except Papyrus, jumped and started. “So I could have smashed his petals in way sooner!” The CCTV was hit with a wave of static, which lifted along with Undyne’s hand. I suppose it is only permissible for a monster to manipulate life. Hypocrites. She looked at the screen, then back to Alphys. “Sorry,” she said with a tinge of embarrassment. Alphys couldn’t help and meet it, but the idea of hurting Flowey had effectively shifted the cloud of concern to Papyrus. “F-FLOWEY ISN’T SO BAD ONCE YOU GET TO KNOW HIM!” The skeleton tried to convince them, (Undyne mainly) but she responded with a frown. “That’s not what his first impression told me.”

“I THOUGHT YOU DIDN’T CARE FOR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?” Papyrus remembered well. “And I really didn’t care for his!” The three distracted, only Frisk noticed what was happening on screen, and hastily alerted the scientist by tapping her sleeved shoulder. She looked over and followed Frisk's pointing finger back to the computer. “O-oh, they're going into the D-Dreemurr's home now. I don’t have any cameras there. O-obviously.” Rolling the dial a click, the point of view shot to the front of the home, planted securely in the rightmost back corner of the ceiling. Home sweet home. Everything here too was coated in that all-encompassing gray, even the very tree leaves. She had run a few experiments to try and understand the phenomenon a long time ago, but they were something far beyond anything she could understand.

They all stared at the slightly staticky image for a while, but the human and his floral ally did not surface. “DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS YET?” Papyrus leaned to Undyne, who was still glaring, her eye starting to dry up as she nibbled at her lip. “I was hoping you might.” But none seem to come to either. Alphys rapped a claw against the metal, before taking a breath of confidence to ask a boiling question. “Undyne, where’s M-Mettaton?” Undyne broke from the staring contest and gave an eye to Alphys. “I uh, left him on the table upstairs.” Alphys pushed herself away from the console, and everyone moved accordingly to let her through. “O-okay. While you think of a plan, I’m gonna… try and w-wake him up. Use this dial to change the camera, and this stick to adjust the movement,” she said with physical instruction before turning around and walking towards the escalator. “I know you can do it, Alphys,” Undyne said with certainty, but Alphys only sighed with her hands limp as the steps ascended beneath her. “I hope so.”

The heroine, the skeleton and the human child exchanged mixed glances before returning to observation. Silently plotting, scheming, planning until their time runs out.

⪼⪻

“At least that’s what I’m guessing they’re doing. In fact, I bet they’re watching us right now, thinking they’re so ahead of the carnage.” Flowey grinned wickedly, his vines firmly around Nayenez's shoulder. Granted there were still some dirt particles, but the killer didn’t seem to care. In fact, he hadn’t said a thing since they set out. Via his instruction, the human took the elevator up the stairway and now steadily marched past his last checkpoint before he was tossed over the side. Flowey enjoyed seeing that. Beyond here would be more uncharted territory for the human, but with him at his side, it should be relatively smooth walking. As Nayenez crisscrossed through the hallways, Flowey turned his head. “When you’re not being angry, you’re awfully quiet.”

“I have nothing to say,” Nayenez replied stiffly. “Not even why you’re here?” the flower prodded as he set himself upright. Nayenez did not give him even a side eye. “Do flowers know curiosity killed the cat?” He questioned him with harshness, passing another protrusion of the corridor. Flowey’s face started to contort… “What doesn’t kill you,” until he was smiling wide enough to bare a full set of teeth. “Makes you stronger.” Nayenez at last looked his way with a menacing red in his eye. “Strong enough to kill a human?” Flowey’s expression broke until he had reverted back to normal, moving away with a nervous face. “Haha, no… When a human sets their mind to something, no monster is strong enough to stop them. And again, I’m not even a monster!”

Nayenez lost interest and set his attention forward once again, letting Flowey breathe a little easier. He rounded one more corner before coming to a flight of stairs carved into the stone, as rigid as everything else. Nayenez looked up, unable to discern much. Flowey followed the killer’s eyes, then retraced his visual steps. “Up there is the royal family’s place,” Flowey said preemptively. Nayenez was appeased enough with that knowledge, squeezed Cor Ruptor’s hilt, and ascended. He was prepared to kill whatever resided within, but he was wholly unaware its only living resident had become something else entirely.

He wasn’t sure what to expect, but after nearly reaching the apex of the stairway, the air of the place began to become clear. But not as clear as the elongated painting high atop the wall to his right, where it seemed as if nothing had been painted on it at all. Nayenez made a right turn and trudged up the remaining eleven steps until finally standing level inside the house. All was quiet, and all seemed empty. He was walking on something other than stone now, wood. The planks were coated light gray, as was most of the furniture. He was long tired of seeing it. “Don’t worry about anybody watching you here. That scientist couldn’t get the King to agree with her spying on his whole family,” Flowey said with his tongue out. But only the mention of Asgore caught the human’s ear.

“This is the Monster King’s home?” Nayenez scanned the area, from the miniscule bookshelf just ahead to the three branching rooms that divert south, east and west. It must have been the foyer.“The one and only!” He readied himself and slowly moved across the room, floorboards creaking every other step. He approached the closest branch first, east, and suddenly jumped into the doorway in hopes of catching an unsuspecting monster by surprise. However, the hall was without life. “Relax, Stabby Mcstabberson. The idiots who lived here are too busy being dead.” Flowey swayed, while Nayenez gave him a split-second glance and eased up. He took the words into consideration before moving away and positioning himself amidst the intersecting line of all three paths. When his eyes set south, he started to march. “Woah woah, you’re leaving already?”

“If there is nothing to kill, there is no reason to stay,” Nayenez's voice said mundanely, but his soul ached for something, the pleasure of violence. He had been without a victim for too long, and that sense of power was fading fast. When it did, he would surely start to remember again. “Y-yeah but what if there is? Or if not that, a better edge against whoever else you find?” Nayenez stopped and held his blade up horizontally. “Nothing can compare to Cor Ruptor, passed down since the Great Monster War,” Nayenez replied defensively before pointing an accusing finger at Flowey, who pulled away from its tip. “And was it not you who said no one else remains alive to be here?” A bead of sweat trailed down Flowey's head, but he shook it off and waved a leaf dismissively. “I said the idiots who lived here. Anyone else running from your rampage would think this place a terrific hiding spot!”

Nayenez sharply took in a gust of air, and not so graciously let it pool back out before turning back eastward. “I know I got carried away earlier, so let me be a good friend and help you dot your i’s and carve your t’s,” Flowey insisted with cheer to his perennial silence. He traversed the hall, eyeing the first door on his left. Just beside it was the first trace of colour in this wretched world. A golden flower, just like his guide. He gazed into it for a rush of moments before grabbing the gray door’s handle and pulling it open. Leading with his blade as he stepped inside, Nayenez found no monsters. But what he did discover was a well decorated bedroom.

Two twin sized beds, toys and poorly crafted drawings. This was a children’s bedroom, he was certain. Nayenez stepped further in, ignoring the two empty red and white gift boxes. An uncomfortable sensation wriggled around the human’s stomach as he looked upon the perfectly made beds, which appeared as if they hadn’t been used in years. He took to the wardrobe that stood taller than he and pulled open the right door. Hung up onto a wooden bar was a dozen of the same shirt, golden flowers and spring leaves. Some two striped, some single striped. “She survived the fall.” Nayenez backed away as Flowey tilted his head. “Who survived the-ack!” The human caught sight of a picture frame on the nightstand left of the room and darted right for it, forcing Flowey to clench his vines.

Nayenez snatched up the framed photo and brought it up to his face. Inside the yellowish photograph were four people; The King of Monsterkind, its wife no doubt, a small monster child, and the one he lost so many years ago. “Chara…” Flowey’s eyes widened as Nayenez whispered their name. “Is that why you’re down here? For Chara?” Flowey asked, but Nayenez was quiet and still. He hadn’t seen her face in so, so long. She was just as beautiful as the day she… “Do you know what happened to her?” Nayenez answered with another inquiry, but did not break gaze with the aged photograph.

Flowey wondered just how much he knew about them, what he was to them, if he knew why they came here in the first place... But first things first. “I do, but I don’t think you’re going to like it," Flowey eluded, leaving his last few words high pitched. Nayenez started to clench his hand, and cracks broke out across the plain frame. “You are going to tell me, or you are going to die like all the rest,” he threatened, and in seconds the glass shattered completely and scattered at his feet. He moved aside the mess between his fingers and snatched onto the photograph beneath. He proceeded to tear the photo section by section until only the fallen child remained. “Alright alright I get it! But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Flowey conceded, and as Nayenez left the room, the pot-less plant got his story straight. The killer walked to the end of the hall and stood before a long mirror. In the reflection he could see it, the thing they called ‘you’.

“Long ago, a human child fell deep into the Underground. In the golden flower patch, the prince of Monsters found them, injured and alone. Lending a helping hand, he led them back home to his parents. Not too long after that, Chara was adopted by the royal family. They lived together happily for years, until one day, the prince fell ill. With no cure or recovery in sight, he eventually perished in the royal garden. The King blamed the human child, accusing Chara of murdering the young prince, and in anger took their soul. And it was then, The King vowed to collect seven human souls, shatter the barrier, and take vengeance on humanity.”

Nayenez was lifeless. “Where did they bury my child?” Was all that he wished to know, peering empty eyed into his own ruined figure. “Chara was buried far west, beneath the flower patch they first fell upon-” Nayenez suddenly rammed his fist into the glass, driving a dozen warped ripples in every direction. Somewhere along Flowey's answer, he was seized by an unseen fury, and now both his and Flowey’s reflections were split and fractured. Each one displaying a different self, and a different lie. “Monsters!”

Flowey grinned to himself with utter delight, and Nayenez would have noticed if not for the sound of a faint gasp. His head snapped to its direction and followed it immediately. He broke shards under his careless step, then stood before another colourless door. He leaned in and pressed his ear up to it. Flowey copied him and joined in hearing a shuffling just beyond the wood. In a flash, the killer kicked the door in and stormed inside with his blade hoisted… nothing. Just ahead against the right wall was a desk with a couple books and a lamp. Nayenez disregarded it and stomped forward, using his left fist to knock the wooden chair across the room.

Still nothing. The room was well decorated too, but the human wasn’t looking around to take it in, he was looking to take something else. A large bed against the rightmost corner, a wardrobe and drawer set at the left. Where to check first… tap tap, a light tapping came to Nayenez’s shoulder. He looked over to his left; a thin, green vine poked and prodded. Now to the right, Flowey hung over the side. “Allow me,” he said with a smug expression. That very same vine, along with three more, dropped to the ground and slithered like ravenous snakes. Two of the lime green ropes wrapped around the wardrobe handles and pulled them both open. As nothing but Hawaiian shirts were revealed, the other two investigated underneath the bed, and began to thrash around following sounds of struggle.

The vines receded and pulled out from under the King-sized bed a small monster. Flowey’s vines hoisted it into the air, giving Nayenez a proper look over the creature. It seemed to be quadrupedal, but it wore a plain blue shirt with its front feet slipped through the sleeves. It had a head of black hair, with two sets of ears protruding from the sides and the top. Were they dog ears, or cat ears? And which were which? It was already beginning to hurt to look at. “Ow wow wOw! Plz- plz let me gOes,” It tried to keep a smile as the vines pressured its tiny little limbs, whining in broken English. “It- iT hurtZ”

Flowey reveled in its hopeless desperation and unheard pleas, but no matter how much it ached and cried, Nayenez could no longer find appeasement in lingering suffering. “pLz stop… StoP… i cAnt feel mY wiMbs” Its voice was strained, every word irritating the killer to no end. “I don’t care about making you suffer anymore,” he concluded, his voice a hollow murmur. The monster was caught between confusion, and the growing pain in its body that evoked tears. “W-whua-” It voiced confusingly, but Nayenez spoke over it. “I’ve realized that no amount of your agony will ever right your wrongs.” Nayenez raised his blade and moved his left hand to join his right on the hilt. “All that can satisfy me now…”

“Is Monsterkind’s total extinction.”

Temmie’s tear-blinded vision was darkening, only able to process two ruby eyes and a demonic face burrowing into her. She had never known such fear before. The blade in the human’s hand gleamed and shot her frightened expression back, and the pressure across every limb increased tenfold. She thought that any second she’d come undone like a cardboard box. She could even swear the human started to smile. “pLZ! Let mE’s go! I’m Sowwy! i’m soRrY! I’m sorr-”

S L A S H

Flowey and Nayenez left the forgotten bedroom, leaving behind nothing but a pile of dusty powder. No one could tell for certain how, but... the world felt so much emptier.

Chapter Text

But Heroes Refuse to Die

{ Chapter 12 }

Undyne wasn’t sure how much time had passed since she started watching the monitor. So religiously did she watch that she couldn't remember how much time had passed since they’d been condemned back underground. Hours would be the most likely answer. But it felt like days, years even. Years spent fighting just to stay alive, to stay whole. Seconds kept ticking by, minutes stacking high. She hardly moved an inch, if only to relieve herself of the stiffness which grew as she idled there. After what must had been a lifetime, the human at last emerged from the abandoned home of power and royalty. Undyne blinked her eye, drier than Hotlander rock. And it was then, Undyne, Captain of the Royal Guard and anointed Spear of Justice, was struck with a devastating realization; She had no plan to thwart his onslaught of genocide. No ideas or clever schemes, ploys or plots. Her mind drew nothing but blanks, and it made her stomach tighten into a knot.

The world suddenly started to move without her. Was everything growing taller? No… she was getting smaller. Undyne felt something give way as she fell backwards to the ground with a loud clang. She was looking up at the ceiling now, the fluorescent light stabbing at her eye, now stricken with miosis. When she planted her arms and elevated herself with just elbow strength, Undyne began to understand what had happened; her legs were melting, the left mostly a puddle from the knee down while the other strained to hold form altogether. And even then, the sides were sliding away. She looked up to see Frisk and Papyrus staring down at her, utterly paralyzed. She shrugged weakly. "Guess the pressure is getting to me, hahah…”

“UNDYNE!” Papyrus shouted and broke free of his petrification. His instincts brought him over to bend down on his knees beside her. He slid a supporting arm behind her back and pulled her up, while his free hand lingered without purpose. Frisk stayed where they were, as if the ground might collapse beneath their feet. “Papyrus, stop it.” Undyne looked away, burning with shame, but the skeleton paid no thought to her pride. “WHAT IS WRONG? WHAT’S- WHAT’S HAPPENING TO YOU??” Papyrus panicked, looking up and down her armored body as the gruesome process creeped further up her left leg. But Undyne kept her gaze averted. “PLEASE, ANSWER ME! I… I CANNOT LOSE YOU AS WELL,” Papyrus said shakily as he felt something in his chest cracking even more.

Undyne just sighed. “Every breath takes so much effort now. It's felt like if I skip even one, I’ll die. And right now, it feels like… like I’m drowning.” Undyne’s head fell back, fighting against a teary sensation in her eye. “DROWNING ON… ON WHAT?” Papyrus asked sincerely, and Undyne could no longer hold down the building anger. Her head flew up and hit Papyrus with an expression he’d never seen before, that no one had ever seen before. It was one of fear induced wrath. “My failure!” She cried as a stream of tears trailed down her eye. “I- I can’t beat him, Papyrus,” she admitted as her sight drifted over to a now vacant screen. She wondered just how long it'd take him to reach them and... “I don’t know how. I… Haha, I don’t even know how to keep myself in one piece anymore.”

A feeble smile of denial sprouted on Papyrus. “W-WELL THAT’S OKAY! YOU JUST NEED A LITTLE TIME TO-” “We don’t have any time! He’s coming. And I- I have to stop him!” Undyne suddenly lunged forward, reaching out a hand at the heavy air for something so far away as she tried to pull herself back together. Despite how desolate the situation had become, Undyne was somehow still determined, but someone so weak could never handle it forever. This was a long time coming. Her body was solidifying, but the task demanded a price greater than she could hope to pay, but pay she was nonetheless willing to do as her SOUL appeared, shuddering violently. Frisk had done nothing but watch the scene unfold before them, but when they saw Undyne’s quivering soul fighting to stay alive…

*You take a step and plead Undyne to stop. You exclaim that much more, and she’ll kill herself. You tell her urgently that she won’t be able to help anyone if she dies. She gave you a look of surprise as the wind was knocked from her gills, and she slumped back down. Undyne’s body continued to unravel, her will to persist breaking apart. As her eye closed, even the side of her face started deforming… “If I don't stop him, who will?” You were about to speak up, but the words evaporated in your throat as Alphys walked over from the west side of the lab on your right. When Papyrus heard the pitter patter of her feet, he looked over. Undyne did as well, but only after following Papyrus' eyes.

“Is… is this what you’ve been holding back all this time?” Alphys asked, but her eyes did not drift, they stayed locked onto hers. Alphys was comforted by the fact it was one of the only things that remained constant throughout everything, that undying life in Undyne’s eye. The heroine tried to look away, but she lacked the strength. “I’m sorry you have to see me like this. You wouldn't at all if I was just... strong enough.” And yet despite her sorrow, Alphys laughed a little and smiled. “Now you're starting to sound like me. It’s okay.” Alphys walked closer and repeated herself with an even soother voice; “It’s okay. You don’t have to do anything else.”

Alphys walked back and went for the console. Papyrus could see how her smile faded as she turned away, Undyne noticed how her fists balled up, and Frisk could feel something so very different about the scientist. Her aura was unrecognizable to all of them. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Papyrus asked Alphys, but her response came late as the screen’s point of perspective began to flip and change. “What I can.” She replied solemnly. The monitor eventually rediscovered its target. The human had entered elevator 11A, and it was descending to The Core's hind entrance ... She set the power into an input loop, and the elevator subsequently ceased all functionality. It'd eventually self-correct, but it’d give her some wiggle room. Anything beyond this would require more time, time she could not spend here. To see the elevator’s occupants smacked with confusion, making them feel an uncertainty once only she knew… It filled Alphys with something she couldn’t yet describe.

“Undyne,” Alphys called, looking down at the array of controls. “You have always been so strong for everyone, even for those who might not even deserve it. N-now…” Alphys hit another button, and a well concealed drawer popped out just beside her waist from the console. She turned around to them, showing a face that expressed an incredible resolution. “It’s time I-I do the same for you,” she declared as she reached inside the drawer, and took out a wide remote. Looking at it, Alphys finished with… “For everyone.” She could judge by their own shifting expressions that they were catching on, and that meant it was time to go. “I love you guys so much.” She booked it for the east entrance while Undyne tried to lunge after her with great panic. “Alphys! No! STOP!” But she didn’t, she couldn’t run from this now. Not now, not ever again. The door opened in her wake, and promptly shut behind her.

“D-damn it! We- we have to go after her!” Undyne said in a rush, her head snapping between Frisk and Papyrus. “Help me up.” The captain ordered them, but the two were fraught with indecision. It was happening again; the world was speeding up faster than they could comprehend. “UNDYNE-” “Help me up, please!” She screamed, and it brought the two immediately to action. Frisk finally ran to her side, and reached out for Undyne’s hand, but as she did the same, they both saw that it had become a mass of melting flesh. Undyne tried to twiddle her fingers, but couldn't even feel them anymore, nerves lost somewhere within the mound of black and cyan. She clenched her teeth…

Knowing that Alphys was running headlong into danger, believing she might never see her again, Undyne was filled with the DETERMINATION to continue! Where flesh and limb once again split asunder, now pulled itself back together with feeling. The most severe points of disfigurement such as her hand and legs held not a fragment of familiarity to her anymore, but it didn’t matter. If her hands could wield a spear and her legs could stand semi-upright, it would do. Her reformed hand flew forth and grabbed Frisk’s with an unconquerable strength. Frisk pulled, Papyrus lifted, and Undyne planted her reshaped legs. There were ridges here and there, but she hardly cared. She would have fallen over on herself too, if not for Papyrus' swiftness. “You don’t mind holding on for… a little longer, do you?”

Papyrus immediately shook his head. “NOT AT ALL.” Undyne nodded her head, but her mind was somewhere distant. Somewhere where the future may lay barren and hopeless. She shook herself back to the present and tried to focus her thoughts. “Then… Then let’s go! There’s no time to lose.” Without question, they shambled eastward for the lab entrance. It was rough going at first, but the two quickly adjusted to walking as one unit, and their movement steadily increased in fluency. Frisk followed silently. Are you so quick to forget the ones you claim to love? Frisk stopped with a tremble, and looked back to the escalator…

*You run up just ahead of Undyne and Papyrus, urging them to wait for only a second. You ask about Mettaton. “I… even if he was awake, he can’t… walk. We have to go without him.” Undyne said begrudgingly. But you refused to leave him behind. You decide to stay. You could tell they were not happy to hear it as they traded concerned glances, and yet despite their expressions of worry... “THEN SIT TIGHT, FRISK! WE WILL FIND ALPHYS AND MAKE OUR WAY BACK.” His face became the happiest it’s ever been, but you know it isn’t as real as you so badly want it to be. “I don’t know if we’ll ever see the surface again, but, Frisk… Thanks for giving us the chance to see it at all.” Despite how half of her face remained deformed, she managed to give a unsteady smile with the unaffected side. “See you soon, punk.” Then, they moved on with as much speed as possible.

*You watch them leave, most likely for the final time, and when the doors close up, you make your way to Mettaton through a now empty lab, save for the monsters hiding deep below the earth's crust. But I float by and drop down, and keep in front of you, because I just don’t get it. If you truly wanted to save them all, and reset… Why stay here with a broken machine? You try to ignore me and you step onto the escalator, slowly carried up to where the fallen star should be resting now. Is it fear? Hilarious, that someone who has defeated a God of Hyperdeath and murdered countless monsters should be afraid of a mere human. I could feel my face lighting up with a funny realization. Is that what you fear? You had kept your back to Chara the whole time, but suddenly for a moment you were instilled with a deep desire for violence as the first fallen human phased through you and turned around to show you a very, very creepy face. Dark ink pooled from their eyes and their mouth, accompanied by buttercups.

Yourself?

*You cover your eyes with fright and wait there unmoving until the escalator practically throws you off. You stumble forward as your hands are forced away from your eyes. You prepare for a gruesome sight, but nothing was there to deliver it. You then spot hints of purple and black further in the room on your left, and so you carefully make your way there as if you were up past bedtime. Past bookshelves and that strange machine laid graciously upon a large wooden workbench was the former star of the underground. He was now reduced to a broken shell of himself, lost in a deep sleep, or even…

*It is difficult to keep looking at him like this, the mess of exposed wires and circuit boards making your stomach feel queasy. Sure, it was all just metal and silicone, but it was also his guts spilling out. Even so, you’d feel all the worse if you averted your eyes. It was uncanny to again see him so still. Only a few hours ago was he unleashing the sickest dance moves the Underground had ever seen, and standing to defend Monsterkind... You noticed a wooden stool just below the table. You think about it, then proceed to pull it toward you and climb on top of it. Now you can see both sides of Mettaton, the right side mostly untouched. You reach across the table (scrambling a bit over Mettaton in the process) and grab onto his ruined Handcannon. You pull it over and onto his chest, wrapping your tiny hands around it, with little care for the bent metal leaving small lacerations in and around your palms.

*You wish with all your heart for him to wake. But he never will. You startle as Chara’s voice attacks your left ear, and when you look over, they float there beside you with a smug expression. You grip tighter onto Mettaton and close your eyes, as if it makes any difference at all. Like it or not, you’ve doomed him. And no amount of determination can change that. Certainly not yours, anyway. For a moment you felt a tinge of movement, and your head darted for Mettaton’s face. But as his motionlessness persisted, you guess it must have only been your imagination. How pitiful.

Frisk left Mettaton's Handcannon on his chest and went looking into their own palms, left with traces of fresh blood. Memories resurfaced, and just as they did, a hand of blue and orange landed on their right palm. Frisk fell into a wild panic and lost their balance, slipping right off the stool and hitting the ground. Chara’s grin curled hard before they broke out into rolling laughter. Holding their stomach, they slowly drifted away. “H-h-hel-lo-hello?” A distorted voice called from atop the table, although it sounded like two overlapping each other. Frisk swiftly made their way back up. They squeezed the edge of the table and stood on their tippy toes until Mettaton’s head craned up with a stressed mechanical whir. Half of his face was still missing, but that did not stop a smile from curling on what remained. Frisk quickly realized that amidst ripped steel and loose wiring, an arm of pure electricity had taken form where the old used to be.

“Oh, F-F-F-Frisk. It's g-g-good to see you again, darling,” he said with relief in his malfunctioning voice. Frisk told Mettaton they thought he had died. “Yes, well, I guess Alphys should have worked more on the defenses,” he said as a frown manifested. “Not that I could blame her though, I became so absorbed in myself that I…” Before he could travel any further down that avenue of regret, he looked around the empty bedroom. “Is she here with you? It feels like I’ve been sleeping for so long… How much have I missed?”

Frisk looked down; they couldn’t possibly go over it all. It was too much, it hurt too much… Frisk tells him that monsters are in the true lab. Alphys has gone after the human with the sword. And Papyrus and Undyne have gone after her. Mettaton’s face quickly turned into shock at the news before his head fell hard against the table. “I want to get up. I want to fly across Hotland to stop her. But I know it would not do any good. Hahah, I am certain if I tried t-t-t-t-get up now, I would just fall over and hit the f-floor.” Mettaton pulled his head up again with an expression of confusion. “Why did you stay behind? Why are you not with-with them?”

Frisk tells him that they refused to leave him all alone, and even if they did, there’s nothing they could do to stop a human. Mettaton laughed distortedly. “Darling, you've already done-done-done what no human ever could, and we’ve all put everything on the line to persevere that. F-for us, it’s even… worth dying for.” What a load of nonsense. Are you truly comforted by this drivel? Yet it seems that they were, for Frisk was wholly captured by the fallen star's words. “I-I-I know there aren't many left now. But even if there’s just a single monster alive, then… They’re w-w-w-worth fighting for, don’t you think?” Frisk smiled hard and nodded, trying to fight a longing to cry.

“I kn-knew-knew you’d agree. I... don’t know as much about humans as I’d like to, but only you can know if this will help. I-I clearly could not do much with it, haha...” Frisk didn’t understand until the compartment branded with a soul opened wide like a box. Inside… a human soul. Frisk was shocked to see it, but it would explain that awesome display of power back in the barrier room. He reached his hand of electricity in and gently removed it. It was beaming orange, shining with an unbreakable COURAGE. “Only because of this have I survived this long. Only because of this have I started to understand hu-hu-mans a little more.”

He offered it up to Frisk. The last fallen human adamantly shook their hands and risked dropping off the stepping stool again. They tell him he needed it to survive. They affirm he needed it more. “F-F-Frisk, you are the greatest human I have ever met, and I know… I know you’ll find a way. Take it-take it-take it and be the shining star I failed to be.” Mettaton extended his hand further. It was evident enough he would not take no for an answer. Reluctantly, Frisk took the human soul and cradled it in their hands. Mettaton smiled brightly with a closed eye as his arm dissipated into the air. “Thank you.”

*He laid his head back down, and after a few silent seconds, you look up and call his name… But he was already gone. Now, in your grasp lies unimaginable power, and you cannot even use it. What a pity! So, what will you do now then, as your world shrinks smaller and smaller? Frisk sits down and stares into the dazzling soul of the fallen. Tears started to hit its surface, born of Frisk’s bottomless sorrow.

⪼⪻

The elevator stopped violently, shuddering Nayenez's body enough to nearly knock it down. But he kept his footing firm and drew up his blade. “This plan, huh?” Flowey mumbled under his petals as his face rolled upward with a self-satisfied grin. “What has happened?” Nayenez inquired, but he already suspected it was the doing of monsters as Cor Ruptor fell back down like a pacified hound. “Doctor Alphys has shut down the lift.” Flowey replied plainly, and already Nayenez contemplated hacking away at the door and its controls. “And the way to undo this is...?” Nayenez asked, but Flowey just shrugged his two green leaves. “We wait!” Nayenez grimaced. He had already waited for countless years. Without thinking, he raised his sword toward the panel of buttons. “Don’t they have elevators on the surface? Break the controls, and when we do start moving again, who knows where we’ll end up!” Flowey chimed in before the human could do something he'd surely regret.

Nayenez fought the burning desire to lash out, hammered mentally by better judgment. He could not constrain it, and turned towards a solid wall of metal. With a heavy slash, he left a great gash across the elevator and even severed the handlebar. His nostrils flared as he said, “There must be something we can do,” unable to mask the desperation in his voice. Flowey was rather indifferent to his frustrations. “If my vines were stronger, maybe. Anything else will just take it that much longer to proceed," he began, then his tune quickly changed. "But don’t worry! It’ll only take a few minutes! Shutting these down completely takes way more time, time they do not have.”

Nayenez faced the lift doors again and would not move another muscle until the doors opened. “...Very well.” And there they waited in silence, Nayenez counting each and every second. “Who is Chara to you?” But it seemed too much silence for the plant, apparently. “What does it matter to you?” He responded without even a glance. “It will make the time go faster, won’t it?” The flower insisted. Nayenez could not get a read on what this plant was after. Something, certainly. But a being so little and frail could hardly possess any complicated wants. It was truly a terrible creature, and yet it was the last thing which remained at his side, the only one who shared his hatred for Monsters. But even still…

“No.” Nayenez replied flatly. At the corner of his vision, he could see the plant roll its eyes, grow still, then jerk its head up as if it had been struck by something. Flowey leaned in. “Well, I only ask because I was Chara’s best friend.” Nayenez finally looked over, and although his face persisted as a bundle of stoicism, it was now laced with silent interest. Subsequently, Nayenez’s curiosity could not be constrained either. “I was Chara’s father,” Nayenez revealed. It was the first time in years he'd said as such. So many years… “Chara never mentioned you before," Flowey replied with intrigue, or was it suspicion? Nayenez was too distracted by his own thoughts to tell.

The monster slayer was confident he had nothing more to say, and his head fell, however faintly. “But I do know that they hated humanity more than anything else,” The flower told him, and it immediately dug under his skin. How could she? The words suddenly rose up into his mouth faster than dragon breath. “It was Monsterkind that trapped her underground. Not us. Not me.” The fury was boiling hot, feeling as if he'd been sent back to that day, that day when everything changed. “It was her who did not listen. I just wanted her to listen so she wouldn’t-” Nayenez choked and covered his mouth, cusping it tightly. Not a second later, the breach in his composure, in his mind, had already been sealed up. He lowered his hand and looked back at his only companion, unable to mask the sorrow in his eyes, widened like a madman's. “Only we can do it, Flowey,” he told him, whose smile had long vanished. The flower hesitated to speak. “Do what exactly?”

“Only we can make it right.”

Shudder shudder, the elevator regained functionality and was back on the move. Neither one flinched. Only a few seconds after did the elevator cease its movement once again, and its doors slid open. They must have been only a foot or so from the bottom. “No time like the present then,” Flowey said with half a smile as the time came to proceed. And proceed Nayenez did through a hallway that too was unlike anything he’d quite seen before. Cyan panels layered the floor, with bulging purple cords breaching various points along the silver plating against the lower walls. The rest was coated a deep blue. Metal clunked beneath Nayenez’s boots, and there was a distant scent of ozone and… something else.

“One more room to cross, and we’ll be in the CORE, the facility that feeds power to the entire Underground,” Flowey informed him, but his face barely reacted. This human’s stoicism was similar to Frisk’s. Except his eyes were often shot with blood, ever longing for something. Humans never had enough, Flowey believed. They take for granted what they already possessed and continued to take and take what isn’t theirs. Flowey was sickened by it. “But you better be careful! Who knows what they have in store for us in here.” he warned him as the human stepped into the darkness of the next room, where Frisk faced Mettaton. (And where Flowey did the same a million times over)

“But I wonder if any of them are stupid enough to face you head on?” Flowey asked himself aloud. “I guess some of us are.” A distant voice admitted, coming from the end of the enclosed arena. Nayenez stopped, and both he and Flowey looked forward. Spotlights flashed on, and doors locked up as the earth took another stand. Ahead of them now stood the royal scientist, ready to die. It might happen instantly, or it just might take a while, but none of that really mattered. Just like Nayenez, she had to make things right as well. Even if it means she must take action.

Chapter Text

ALPHYS TAKES ACTION!

{ Chapter 13 }

Cor Ruptor is a storied sword of Humanity. During the first Monster War, accounts suggest it was used to cut down over a hundred Monsters. It is said that when all is quiet and still, you can hear the screams of its victims, their precious essences trapped within the cold steel. Alphys spent plenty of time reading about Monster Human History, and only noticed now the human’s blade was the very same from the stories. The heart shaped pommel, red as blood, complimented by a golden hilt and a crossguard with quillons curving sideways. Even if she saw how dust caked along the cracked blade, even as she stood in the face of her own creation and a human… She was not afraid.

“You have come here to die,” Nayenez’s voice stabbed through the distant droning like a knife, but the scientist scoffed in his face. “I-I know. That’s kind of self-explanatory, I think.” Alphys slouched and looked to the side with a reassured expression. He seemed a lot scarier from the monitor, but up close... Vines pulsated like veins along Nayenez’s body, as if he was in the process of transforming into a plant. Suddenly, two vines came out from behind Nayenez and wriggled on either side of him. Flowey’s smile thinly curled as his eyes sunk into his face. Darkness filled around his dotted eyes, his mouth an abyss. “So is this,” Flowey said in a high-pitched hiss. The green ropes became dead still, then lunged towards her. She calmly brought the remote in her hand close and tapped a button with her claw. A couple feet ahead of her several panels opened up in different places along the floor, and numerous beams of white blazed up near the ceiling. Flowey was too slow to stop his floral extensions, and several inches were burned down to black ash. The vines retreated and drifted up to Flowey. He looked at them, as if they were his own hands, with despair. That despair quickly turned into a wrath that warped his expression.

Alphys shook the remote in her hand and smiled at the two. “Nifty thing, huh? Useful when you’re stretched thin and… want to help a friend.” Alphys’ smile weakened as she looked into the device, stolen away by an old memory. Nayenez, however, was on the move, keen to capitalize upon those tricks of reminiscence. Alphys snapped back into the now and drew away her right hand. It shook and twitched until she slung it like she was pitching a baseball. Nayenez went for a side slice once in killing range, but three shapes rushed up and halted Cor Ruptor's advance. Three little square machines with tiny arms pushed against the steel with no regard for themselves. They pushed and pushed until Nayenez’s strength surpassed theirs and sliced through their hands, then their metal bodies.

Cor Ruptor would have continued uninterrupted, but Alphys did not make a waste of her machine's sacrifices. With controlled action, floor panels were open all around the chamber, in front of Alphys, behind Nayenez, and right under him. He reluctantly took evasive action as the monster was obscured by beams of white fire. He dodged swiftly until he was at a distance, and it was then the panels gradually shut tight in exchange for more upon the west wall. Streaming cyan lights started to shoot across the room, but Nayenez was unamused. He ran and aimed to pass right through them. What was a little more pain if it meant progression? He moved through one and suffered a paralyzing stinging. “Agh!” The human exclaimed and stumbled onto his knees. The hubris cost him, for now his entire body was trapped amidst a cloud of cyan. Alphys pressed a couple more buttons before pausing. “Actually, when this all started, I really thought I’d be one of the first to die," Alphys said as if she was talking to a tape recorder. Either way, it'd be her last chance to air these thoughts, even if onto her killer.

Flowey made his move while she was busy blabbering. Countless vines slithered down from Nayenez’s pant legs and crept with haste against the ground, where the lasers could not reach. “And lately, I’ve… been wishing I was,” She confessed, then resumed inputting commands into the remote before regret could paralyze her again. She had to stay focused. Several panels on the wall closed while a handful beneath the vines opened and fried more of their length. The vines suddenly hastened, vastly underestimating Alphys' attentiveness. The diverting of beams freed a few that pinned Nayenez, and it was then Nayenez saw an opportunity to rise up, Cor Ruptor leading to block the last of the deadly laser sentries obstructing his offense. As he sprung forward, the vines retracted like they were attached to a hose reel. More invisible signals were sent all around the chamber until the floor was vacant of danger. The aftermath of transition left only two rows of projectors across the wall in a horizontal line. But that line began to move along the surface like a box of scrolling text.

A seemingly endless row of projectors chugged along steadily, and the once pure stream of cyan became a disorienting pattern of cyan coupled with orange. It was deemed manageable, so Nayenez's eyes returned to his prey, stopping and starting in sync with the rotating lights. “And-and If I was, a lot of things wouldn't have happened.” Alphys turned a dial that caused the rotating projectors to go faster and faster. Nayenez's steady march became an unraveled confusion of jolting and freezing, leaving him much too focused on avoiding catalyzation than progressing towards the monster. Now's a good time as any to have a partner.

“I wouldn’t have berated the one I love.” a bundle of Friendliness Pellets manifested around Nayenez, and spun through the air towards the projectors, skirting along the edges of the zapping beams. The remote wasn't spared a moment of respite as some projectors broke from their fixed position and evaporated Flowey's bullets. But his supply was virtually endless, and his pattern recognition was unmatched. Inevitably, the metal orbs were hit countless times over until many ceased all functionality. Panels slid and sealed the wall until Alphys remained the last obstacle between him and her friends. But with the click of a button, the room’s spotlights merged as one and centered on the two killers.

Flowey squinted, while Nayenez's eyes were protected by his brimmed, albeit damaged hat. The rest of the chamber was swayed in a deep dark, with the only thing left in the void being Alphys' nasally voice. “I wouldn’t have watched my best friend die.” Her self-reflection in the darkness was followed by the low rumbling of defenses activating beyond their gaze. “On your-” Slash! The sound of his sword cut Flowey off, having sliced a bullet in half just as he warned. “Not bad, human!” More bullets came from the void beyond the light, projectiles that were cut down or shot away by a sinister blade or little white pellets.

Then something else came. “Wait, don’t-!” Flowey tried to say, but Nayenez ignored him and directed Cor Ruptor dead into a Plus sign marked bomb. It emitted a two-beat beep, then detonated. White searing light shot to the left, to the right, and into Nayenez’s chest. Far from the spotlight he flew and slammed against the cold metal wall. Meanwhile, the scientist sneered in the dark to herself. “And I wouldn’t be here to stop you from killing everyone else that’s left. Isn’t it weird how that works?”

Alphys’ voice seemed to be bouncing across the chamber, but only Flowey noticed, for Nayenez was too focused clutching a hand over the burns beamed into the center of his chest. The flower tried to spot Alphys through the darkness, but time in the spotlight made his eyes struggle to adjust fast enough. He instead turned his attention to the human, his expression gone sour. “What are you doing out there??” Flowey questioned, completely unfazed by Nayenez’s wounds. “I’m fighting,” he rumbled. “Not very well!” He reprimanded directly into Nayenez's ear. When its high-pitched nagging assaulted his eardrum, a great rage was disturbed as his head snapped to the flower perched too comfortably on his shoulder.

“What would you have me do, Mya!?” He returned with hatred boiling in his pupils, blood coating those veiny windows. To Flowey, it seemed he held no awareness of what he just called him. The flower was in the middle of mouthing a word before a long strip of the floor suddenly slid open a foot in front of the human. Flowey looked over (while Nayenez was still too busy glaring) and watched as seven bombs popped up from below. The floor closed with a speedy swish, catching the explosives. “RUN!” He cried to the human Nayenez returned to sense as he turned his head over and was already jumping to his feet, charging forward. He ignored the pain in his mind and leapt high over the bombs.

They sounded their unkind warnings, and the chemical reactions within reached their climax and exploded all at once. Light broke through the void in several directions, none of which Nayenez was caught in. The light faded just as Nayenez landed, and the joined spotlight ahead was on the move. At first the two were hardly concerned with it, until its white light flickered between orange and blue in a semi consistent pattern. “I thought the history books were bad, but…”

He was back on the move himself, pursued closely by a circle of ever-changing hues, soon to be ensnared again. But at least when he is, his mind will have already mastered the game it demands him to play. “You will make your value known here and now,” Nayenez told Flowey, who smiled deviously in return. “As if I haven't already.” a few more broad steps, and suddenly Nayenez stopped in place, as if caught by sandpaper. Cyan light bathed his body, and in an instant, he was spinning about under the weight of orange...

“Seeing you now, s-seeing what you’ve done...” Mechanisms whirred, projectiles were discharged under a veil of night, and a great wave of vengeance came right for the two in every direction, perceivable only seconds before impact. In a great flurry, both human and plant became one. Flowey’s green tendrils (with recently sprouted thorns) thrashed wildly at oncoming umbrella-wielding robots, while Nayenez cut away pale bullets in a blur of savagery and elegance. Notwithstanding their indefatigable dance, they came to a grinding halt every time the spotlight flickered without a second of delay.

The two were masters of their element, conquerors of the unknown. It’d unnerve Alphys, if she were not so consumed by her own ceaseless resilience. Maybe, deep down, it was a bit of apathy as well. Nayenez dodged bolts of electricity that rushed through, and Flowey’s Bullets decommissioned airborne projector orbs. On and on they went with little more than warnings between each other amidst a gaggle of sounds. “On your left,” Flowey whispered, “Coming northward,” Nayenez relayed, so in sync were they the scene had become a haze of bleeding colors and small, controlled explosions.

The doctor didn’t realize it at first, but Flowey had taken to breaking three of the four spotlights stationed in each corner behind the cover of the disorientating scene. When Alphys did catch on, she flinched and quickly set the last one into roaming mode. It would maneuver along the ceiling with great speed, while keeping its gaze affixed to the human and his partner in slaughter. but as it passed over Nayenez, his fervent dance concluded with his blade flying skyward, shattering the spotlight. Glass rained, and all was plunged into darkness. Alphys was forced to power on the external lights that lined the room’s floor and walls between thin slits. As visibility returned, Alphys saw that as fast as the blade left his hand, it was already back in his infernal grip. She looked on at Monsterkind’s bane, ready to kill her without an ounce of remorse and trap her essense in the sword along with everyone else. “Humans are so much worse in person.” She could feel her soul turning black just by being in the same room as him.

When Nayenez faced her, Flowey said, “You blab as much as that smiley trashbag!” And in a flash, the human broke into a mad dash. Alphys nearly swallowed her composure, knowing no machine could possibly answer the call of duty in time. Well, except for... Nayenez continued to run, determined to wrap this up before she could make another move. But it was clear she’d still hopelessly try and mount a defense, pressing another button on her little remote.

Nayenez realized too late however that she perfectly calculated when to open one of the floor panels. Nayenez’s foot dropped in, and he tripped over onto the ground with a slick thud. “Ow!” Flowey exclaimed. Alphys looked into her right hand worryingly and considered something. She was uncertain if she should use it even when she first decided to take on the human herself, but now was no time to be cautious. She worked her arm, curling fingers and pulling it back like one would an arrow in a string, manifesting a weapon he taught her to use a long time ago... By the time the human was out of the makeshift pitfall an awfully familiar sight was there to greet him like an evaded reaper that had finally caught up. As he looked upon a great Gaster blaster with yellow piercing eyelights, he wondered… was this the skeleton's revenge? As though it could hear his thoughts, The blaster’s mandibles parted to respond, and a blinding light was unleashed to punish his sin. “Get out of the way you idiot!” Flowey shouted, and Nayenez subsequently dove like a dolphin to the right. When its beam was exhausted, it returned to a world beyond their own.

Alphys looked into her quivering hand, unused to the demands of such powerful magic, and yet she smiled faintly. “That smiley trashbag taught me a lot.” She clenched her scaly fist and gave the rising Nayenez and his floral underling a sly smirk. “And I won’t let you forget about him.” She flung her arm to the right, and another appeared just beside the human. Flowey desperately threw dozens of Friendliness Pellets at it, and although they drove cracks across its interior, it did not stop the coming beam. Nayenez backstepped, leaving it to blast the eastern wall. At her command, a row of turrets hung low one after another from the ceiling in front of the north entrance, and pelted Nayenez with a torrent of bullets. He raised his sword and swung like hell while Flowey sent his own to cancel them out, expecting to break through and easily destroy the sentries.

“Or any of the people you’ve hurt,” Another swing of her arm, and a third Gaster Blaster manifested behind Nayenez. He could hear it, but Flowey twisted around and took the initiative. From the ground, stalks of green formed below the Blaster and the Turrets simultaneously. In a blink, the thick stalks shot up and entangled the Blaster. Green crawled out of its eyes like snakes and wrapped around its jaw. As the sentries were crushed by great pillars of green ropes wound tightly together, the commandeered Gaster Blaster was pulled southward toward Alphys. It tried to resist, but Flowey’s malice was stronger, and its jaw was forced wide. “Hahahahahah!” The light raced towards the scientist, where it stopped and tried to push through a wall of yellow electricity, summoned by two arms now dangling high in the air. Flowey forced the Blaster’s jaw wider and wider until it was broken off, and the whole skull dissipated along with Flowey’s stalks. Nayenez sliced up the last of the projectiles from the disassembled turrets, then returned to the monster. Oddly, it seemed like she was standing straighter than before.

“Not Sans,” She shouted with anguish as she brought her arms down and thrust one at them. A great Gaster Blaster came to life, already in flight towards its target, and began to fire. Nayenez drew up Cor Ruptor and let it take the full weight of the light. Unbeknownst to him, the blade cracked just a little more. As the floating skull approached, Nayenez brought his sword overhead and cut through it down the middle. “Not Mettaton,” Alphys pressed another button harder than normal, and two large portions of the west and east wall opened up. From the darkness within, Mettabots shot out like tennis balls, and, with the help of their parasols, gracefully fell through the air. Blowing digitized hearts and combusting into flames like proximity mines, there seemed to be no end to them. The two nonetheless fought through them all until Flowey formed two great stalks from the ground and propelled them at a sideways angle against the openings. He effectively kept back the tide of machinery and sealed them inside. Any that squeaked out were dispatched by pellets and steel, meanwhile the rest were subsumed inside a booming explosion. The chamber shook, Flowey winced, then allowed the foliage to break down.

“Not Undyne”, Alphys’ voice strained, trying not to spare a thought more for her heroine's state, only the endless love she felt for her. The scientist threw her hand up sideways, and yellow tipped spears appeared everywhere. They surged from the floor like spike traps in a mechanic rhythm, danced around the chamber, and dropped down from the ceiling like rain. The two fought past it all with unmatched experience. Nayenez led with countless swings up and around while his feet moved with eerie precision. It was hard to tell if any of the spears hit him, because if they did, he didn't care. No, this human didn't care for anything but himself. Alphys felt herself boiling over. She had to make them feel it, feel the pain of all Monsterkind! The scientist dropped the remote on the ground, and drew back both arms before she screamed with a powerful voice;

“And definitely not me!”

Very little of the room’s defensive parameters remained intact, but Alphys could feel her own power within surging. She realized now that metal and robotics wouldn’t be enough, but she might be. The Royal Scientist clenched her hands tightly, then lunged both forward with all her might, unleashing a nauseating mishmash of everything she’s been taught, everything she’s learned. More spears invaded the room, Gaster Blasters took aim and fired, Mettabots assaulted the air with digital love, yellow bolts of lightning struck everywhere with a vengeance, and it was all for them. Alphys kept on, she had to keep on. She pushed herself harder, worsening the battleground. Nayenez and Flowey kept on as well, striking, dodging, blocking. A flurry of yellow tipped spears pierced along the human’s arm like it were a pin cushion, and lightning bolts singed the flower’s vines, but it still had little effect. Indeed, it was like they were beyond pain completely.

But she wasn't. No matter how much her soul urged her to fight on, her body could not sustain it. her toes clung to the metal floor, her arms shuddered horribly, and tears finally found their way back into her eyes. Sans'- everyone's murderers were right there, and she was giving them her all, so why… “Why? Why won’t you die?!” … Because she wasn’t strong enough. Alphys' body finally gave in, and she slammed down to her knees. Her palms flat against the floor plating. As her tears hit the ground, so did all of her magic. All of it fell hard and disappeared, except her tears. No, those only became a pathetic puddle on the floor, like something out of Waterfall. Her special attack was not enough, just like his wasn’t. What was she expecting to happen?

Alphys bit her lip and balled her fists, seething with hatred.

“Is... is that it?”

She sniffled, then lifted her upper body and swayed there with disbelief before the angel of death.

“Then what are you waiting for?!”

…Nayenez stepped forward. He did not utter a word, for it would only be wasted. He did not hesitate in his movement, for there was more work to be done. With every hollow step, a grin slowly etched its way petal to petal on Flowey’s face. Every last lingering vine returned to Nayenez, again where they belong. They rested well knowing he'd would do the rest. Alphys thought she could keep it together in the face of doom, but being here now, alone in a ruined chamber, waiting for her death sentence to arrive... She realized now that she would have never been ready, that she could have never beaten him. Her head bowed low as she said, “I would be relieved to die, if I- I knew it’d end with me. But it’s not going to.”

Alphys’ brow furrowed hard, and she gritted her teeth. “Y-you’ll make sure E-Ebott is nothing but a mountain full of corpses and broken dreams.” Alphys caught the remote in the corner of her eye. Fighting was pointless, so then why did she still feel like doing it? She reached out for it in a last surge of defiance. Friendliness Pellets assaulted her hand en masse, and she withdrew it with a howl. She cupped her left hand with the other, and grimaced. As the initial spike of pain passed, she closed her tired eyes and breathed deep. “Even after all this time… I…” Alphys' could see her life flashing before her eyes, all while Nayenez looked upon the monster and its sadness with utter indifference. “I never- I never even got to-”

Swish! The door behind Alphys opened, and Nayenez halted his advance. Blue light poured in, and a long, disfigured shadow was cast over the weeping doctor. Alphys' eyelids parted and took in a confusing sight. She twisted around, and saw in the doorway Papyrus, and “Undyne?” Alphys fought the stinging in her skin and stood up. “No, no! You t-two, y-you two need to-” Yet as she came over frantically, Undyne nodded to Papyrus, and he let her go. she shambled forward until falling to her knees. She grabbed Alphys by her stiff shoulders and pulled her into a kiss. Peril would surely set back in afterwards, Undyne knew that. But in this moment, it all faded away, for the both of them, melting like ice from the love that pulsed in their racing hearts. Alphys’ hands tensed up at first but quickly soothed into ease with the rest of her aching body. Undyne was the one to break the embrace after what felt like eternity, the two grinning like idiots. “I really wanted to do that earlier but, you know...” A nervous laugh escaped Undyne, uncertain if this is even what they should be doing. Alphys smiled weakly, then it crumbled. “I'm sorry I ran away earlier.” The warrior laughed again. "You should be sorry," she replied in a sudden coldness, then squeezed Alphys' shoulders. "Sorry for not telling me you could fight!" Undyne yelled with a grin, while Alphys smiled awkwardly.

“What is this filth?” Flowey interjected with utter disgust. Undyne and Alphys turned around, with the heroine keeping the doctor close in her arms. Moving ahead of his friends, Papyrus greeted them; “...HELLO FLOWEY, HUMAN.” Then stretched his finger bones in his red gloves. They were at a standstill for now, but should that change... “Papyrus,” Flowey uttered his name reluctantly, not the least bit happy to see him here. “You’re going to die as well; you do realize that? All of you!” Flowey lashed out, but Nayenez remained dead quiet. “SOMETIMES YOU’RE WRONG, FLOWEY. AND… AND I THINK YOU’RE WRONG NOW.” “You think you stand a chance against a human?" The flower smiled devilishly, snickering at the skeleton. "If you truly believe that, then you must be a special kind of idiot.” “FLOWEY, YOU THINK EVERYONE IS AN IDIOT.” Papyrus smiled, almost charmed by how little Flowey had changed, even if he… Papyrus looked down, then Flowey again with a dispirited expression. “FLOWEY, WHY DID YOU KILL MY BROTHER?” Flowey’s stem bent out of shape as he tried to draw away, but there wasn't anywhere to go. “You saw that?” Flowey seemed surprised. Papyrus’ eyes sunk in. “I WAS THERE." Flowey tried to say something but only ended up tripping over himself. "Why aren't you killing them??" He looked up to Nayenez, whose face was without emotion, but his eyes were still very much alive; Scanning, surveying, analyzing. Papyrus felt a sting in his ribs. Perhaps he should have expected Flowey to be so cruel. But they were friends, weren't they? Or... Was it all just...

Undyne's face scrunched up; suddenly she jolted up and past both monsters, leaving pieces of herself behind with every step. “Because he’s afraid! Afraid of what will happen now that- now that we’re-” Undyne’s voice died as a wave of lightheadedness hit her. She stumbled backwards, surely to fall over again like before. “I got you!” shouted Alphys and Papyrus at the same time. The skeleton grabbed her by the shoulder and back, while Alphys wrapped hold of her legs and kept them steady.

“I… lost my boat of thought,” Undyne said with a huff, resting a hand on Alphys’ head. The scientist was worried for her heroine, nearly forgetting all about the slayer idling before them with a flower wiggling anxiously on his shoulder. Papyrus brushed aside the hurt cracking his soul apart. Flowey made his choice, but so many others haven't even been given the chance to make any yet. That was up to them to do now. “YOU DON’T NEED A STEP FURTHER, UNDYNE. WE SHALL MAKE OUR STAND RIGHT HERE!” Papyrus slid his arm up and stretched it over, holding Undyne’s right shoulder firmly. “TOGETHER!” She swayed her head over down to Alphys, who looked up to her and let out a nervous laugh. “I-I would appreciate some backup. I… I almost had him!” The doctor said with a face of feigned bravado. her brain knew better, but her heart never did.

Undyne gazed at the bane of Monsterkind, then into her disfigured hand. Fight remained within her. It was an abysmal thing now, battered and deformed, but it was there. It would be a shame to let it go to waste. She clenched her fist, and said, “Let’s do it.” Undyne grinned, then hung her right hand in front of Alphys. “Take my hand. I won’t let it go again.” Alphys faintly blushed, then wrapped her claw around it. It didn’t look at all like it used to, but it still felt the same. "FINE, I'll kill them myself!" Vines slithered out of hiding, an army of pellets was amassed, then it was all unleased like a whirlwind. The pellets led ahead the vines, but even they started to outpace them. The three monsters raised their hands in various directions, and in such a short amount of time; Bones sprung out of the chamber and blocked pellets, electricity paralyzed the vines, and spears of justice chopped them up like meat. The battlefield cleared, and they were left untouched. Flowey growled and opened his mouth- “Hey, human, or WHATEVER the hell you are," But Undyne spoke first, and looked Nayenez dead in the eye, as though they were back in the barrier's cavern. “I never did repay you for Mettaton, did I?” She hoisted her left arm high, and summoned countless spears, warped and bent though they be.

“Let me do it now, on behalf of all Monsters!”

When she balled her hanging fist, spears passed between the three with incredible speed, and it took Nayenez a split second to begin his defense. He stood as he was, without a word delivered. Papyrus raised his own hand, and bones began to lace the room again, but none even tried to harm him, only obstruct. Alphys reinforced Undyne’s offense, and hurled streams of electricity and Bombs, but she no longer held the strength to bring forth anything more. Not long into their assault Undyne’s hand began to melt into Alphys’. She tried to ignore it. As Undyne’s flesh seeped through her fingers, Alphys just held on tighter. Papyrus realized he could no longer move his other arm, having been swallowed up by Undyne’s body like it was a warm lava. He gulped nothing and simply adjusted his footing. Nayenez noticed right away just how weak they were, even as one, and yet the flower hadn’t done anything more to help. Where had all his animosity gone?

The arrows warped more and more out of shape until they melted before ever reaching Nayenez. Even when they did, they cut like butter and stuck to his blade like it too. Alphys almost didn’t want to look, but when she did, Undyne was now at level with her, pulling down Papyrus. “Undyne! You’re- you’re everywhere!” Alphys shouted, unable to free herself either. Undyne just smiled with endless Determination. “Don’t worry about me! Keep fighting! Keep fighting for all of Monsterkind.” The heroine’s voice began to become wet as her face was melting apart, her armor nothing but a viscous fluid now. “for frisk” She whispered. “Undyne! No! No no no!” Alphys’ attacks merged with Undyne's, while Papyrus frantically tried to free himself. The scientist dug into Undyne, trying to find something else solid to hold, but it was pointless.

In the end, she held Undyne’s soup-like cheek with a hand full of her and looked into her eye as it strugglingly looked back. “Please don’t go. Don’t go, I love you. I need you.” Then, Undyne’s eye became nothing but white ooze and blended into the rest of the mess. Alphys started to wail, and Nayenez finally approached. "Leave her alone! Don't come any closer!" Alphys screamed. His earlier suspicions were correct. Now all that was left to do was raise his blade and...

SLASH

Undyne was struck down the middle and quickly dissipated. Not even dust was left behind. It was like she never existed at all. Papyrus fell over once his arm was released, while Alphys just stood there, staring down where once her love melted. She looked up at Nayenez, then jolted her head to Papyrus. “Papyrus, run!” She said with a fling of an arm, but as he was in the process of getting up, vines wrapped around his bones, restraining him in place. “FLOWEY, DON’T DO THIS!” He pleaded, but Flowey was dejected, his face unable to emote anything other than vacant stares.

SLASH

Alphys went end over end against the cold ground on her back, a great gash drawn across her chest. Lying there, she was at last able to understand what kind of pain she made so many other feel. This is probably what she deserved, but being here now, she discovered how much she wanted to stay, but her body could not grant that wish. Her head fell to the side, towards Papyrus. She tried to reach out a claw, but it only managed to move a couple inches before her body reduced to dust.

All threats had been neutralized; thus, Papyrus was released from Flowey's restraints. Despite a bit of a wobble, the skeleton retained his balance, staring blankly over at the royal scientist’s remains. Nayenez descended on the last brother now. Papyrus began to back away, towards the southward door. “I WISH YOU’D LISTEN TO ME, HUMAN. I REALLY WISH YOU WOULD.”

He continued to walk backwards, but he seemed more preoccupied gathering his own thoughts than running. Flowey’s face had hardened, as if it hurt just to look at the skeleton. “IF YOU DID, I THINK WE ALL COULD HAVE MADE THINGS A LOT BETTER. FOR EVERYONE.”

“I SEE NOW THAT NOT EVEN I CAN CHANGE YOUR MIND. I DO NOT THINK YOU WANT IT TO BE ANYWAY.” Papyrus had already reached the door, and it slid open as soon as it detected him. But he still did not run. He stood his ground. “SO ALL I ASK NOW IS… PLEASE DON’T HURT FRISK.”

Nayenez stopped a foot from Papyrus, meeting his frightened eyes with something unreadable. “FRISK IS KIND, UNDERSTANDING, PATIENT, QUITE THE PUZZLE SOLVER, AND… THEY ARE HUMAN, LIKE YOU ARE. THEY DESERVE TO EXIST.”

Papyrus tried to keep himself from shaking, still hoping deep in his fractured heart that he was listening, even if he never did before. Maybe Sans would be ashamed of him for that, and he's sure Undyne would be screaming for him to fight. But that's not what he believed. No matter how bad someone is, no one can fully snuff out the light inside of them. And... if his friends shun him for it, if his brother hates him for it, then that's okay. “SO, YOU WON’T HURT THEM, WILL YOU?”

…

...

...

SLASH

Chapter Text

My only Friend

{ Chapter 14 }

Papyrus’ head thunked against the metallic floor, persisting long after his body turned to dust all around him, specks of such sprinkling over his crown. Nayenez looked down at him in his sorry state, almost impressed by his cling to existence, but it was a trend with these last few monsters; The stubbornness to exist, even when no one wants you to. Flowey kept his vision against the door, and only the door, as if staring would make this all go a little bit faster. In just a few seconds, they’d proceed and forget all about this. Papyrus' eyes first appeared aimless, then moved up and pinned to the uninterested flower. Someone he once called friend... hadn't even the strength to look at him as he died. But he felt he could see it... a linger of regret.

“YOU CAN DO A LITTLE BETTER, FLOWEY.”

There was a faint touch of movement in the perched flower when the head said that.

“I WILL NEVER STOP BELIEVING THAT.”

There was a shaking in his eyes as the head went on.

“NOT AS LONG AS I LIVE.”

And there came a comforted stillness when the head turned to dust.

Nayenez thoughtlessly stepped on the powdery remains as he exited the chamber at long last into what Flowey called 'The Core'. The smell of ozone was much more potent here, and it was as bright as the golden corridor. It took both their sets of eyes a moment to adjust. When Nayenez's did, he took a couple steps forward and looked over a steel railing into an abyss of white steam. Who knows just how far it went down? Were one to fall, they may be torn apart before ever finding out. To his right was the walkway over the white abyss, and the human took to crossing it. The glassy flooring clinked with every step taken, a repetitive sound that joined those emitting from steam vents, blaring machinery, and an alarm with an ever-persistent droning.

“Not long before we reach the lab!” Flowey told him over the cacophony that echoed throughout the facility. He appeared chippy as ever, even after they had just exterminated several monsters, and one he seemed to hold a connection with. Was it not he hated Monsterkind? As he pondered it, Nayenez could see something written into his expression, but had not the power to discern it from relief, or regret. “Yep!” He said in place of the human's silence. "Do you have any plans after we’ve concluded our killing spree?” The plant enquired curiously, but Nayenez hadn’t given a second thought about the aftermath. While Flowey waited for a response, they passed into a series of hallways where intricate machinery inside the walls lined down the corridors and unique patterns etched into the floors and ceilings. One of Flowey’s vines slithered out of Nayenez’s sleeve and pointed the proper way forward, but he promptly walked the other direction. “I don’t intend to leave.”

Flowey tilted his head with a funny smirk, that same vine falling limp as it retracted back into hiding. “Haha, well dontcha wanna go home?” The flower’s eyes jumped between where Nayenez was heading, and his face, so blank and hollow. “All that awaits me up above are my people who mistake me for a monster, and a home that offers nothing but old memories,” Nayenez said resonantly, fighting even now to keep away those painful moments stained into his brain. “So, I will stay. Once we are finished, Monsters will never hurt Humanity again, and I can finally leave this life behind knowing I did right by those I cherished.”

Flowey’s smirk was quickly descending into worry. He's heard that talk before, and it was the kind of talk that only led to bad decisions. “What are you going to do?” Flowey asked him with considerable haste as he wandered into a room and halted. It was loaded with what looked like Reactors that ascended from a pitch-black chasm over the platform they stood upon now. At least six were in this room, pulsing with electricity and flashing lights. That was more than enough to convince Nayenez. “You said this place powers the entire underground. I’m going to destroy it,” he said with an unnerving cool, and started to raise his sword while stepping up to the closest reactor. “But- If you do that, you’ll kill all of us! Me included!”

“And we both will take satisfaction knowing our greatest enemy will be washed away forever.”

Nayenez channeled his power into Cor Ruptor and swung with intent to set things right. A crescent of red left the blade and sliced through the reactor’s steel plating like butter. Sparks were flying, and smoke was pouring out of its vents as programmed emergency warnings began to sound in a robotic drawl. “REACTOR REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION OR RISK CORE MELTDOWN. ADVISE. . . ADVISE. . . ADVISE. . .” and so it would repeat. “Wait, wait!” Flowey pleaded, but Nayenez already turned on his heels and cut the air with determination, driving another arched stream of crimson energy into the opposite reactor.

With his task concluded, he turned to leave. The damaged reactors will do the rest. “It will be comforting to die with a friend at my side.” Nayenez admitted with a heart that was learning to feel at peace with the thought of Journey's End. He noticed on his way out, however, Flowey was looking down at the ground, devoid of the same relief he felt. The vines that called his body home slithered along his undershirt and snaked out of his sleeves and twirled around his pant legs. “A shame we aren’t really friends though.” Nayenez face began to finally show emotion when the sprawling vines suddenly tightened everywhere, legs, arms, neck, and chest. He was snared in place. His struggle was instantaneous against the floral chains, but Flowey’s hold was tighter than a magnet, and his strength somehow seemed parallel with his own. “Remember when I said I wasn’t a monster?” Flowey stared into him with a tranquil smile, and in an instant his vines sprouted countless thorns and pierced Nayenez’s flesh in countless places, like he had fallen deep into a rosebush. The human choked back a scream as he was forced to his knees, and when his eyes returned to Flowey, his face had grown into something like a demon wearing a wide grin.

“I’m much worse.”

“Traitor!” Nayenez shouted as the vines tightened harder around his wrist until Cor Ruptor was forced from his grip. It clattered on the ground as Flowey began to speak. “Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard that whole song before,” He swayed his head back and forth with his eyes closed, his voice stained with irritation. But it was only in passing, for his enjoyment was always resplendent. “I mean come ON! you weren’t REALLY expecting me to just let you kill us both? ‘Sure thing, buddy! We’ll sing kumbaya as we’re engulfed by lava waves!’ Hahah! As IF!” He laughed in the human's face as he gritted and struggled, but it seemed they only became tighter with every tug.

‘I really didn’t want to do this so soon, but you just HAD to go and force my hands, trying to be some kind of martyr! Or... were you just trying to escape your own guilt?” Flowey chuckled. Nayenez could hear tiny explosions shooting off around them, but his attention was immediately brought back with a squeeze of the vines and the stinging of pressing thorns. “Doesn't matter either way. You see, I got plans, human, and you just happened to be the perfect unhinged psychopath to help set the dominos, before I knock them all down.” Blood dripped from opening wounds, and the thorned ropes started to move again, lacerating his chest as they went like snakes covered from end to end in fangs. “I should have known you were an enemy of Humanity as well. I could see it the second you laid eyes on that skeleton. You're just like the ones who took away my- ” Nayenez said strenuously while Flowey rolled his eyes and talked over him. “You are so pathetic, you know that? Using dead kids and people you don’t even know to justify your rampage,” Flowey lectured, his vines gathering around the left side of Nayenez’s chest, circling in a spiral.

“Just drop the act and bathe in the massacre, like I do,” Flowey's face shifted in between Nayenez's blinking into one of nightmare. The white upon his face had inverted with the darkness of his eyes, sporting an eerie smile. And if that was not enough, his pitched laughter came and pounded against his ear. Its face so used to mangling rattled the last strands of sanity Nayenez had left. With as much speed as it appeared, it was already back to normal into something like nostalgia. Flowey looked off to the side. “But I’ve had enough of that, honestly. I want to feel again, I want to be whole again," He spoke with a longing only Nayenez could comprehend, then shot him the original friendly smile now tainted by his deceit. "Your SOUL will do just that, and so much more!” The wriggling vines ceased movement altogether, then those once spiraling violently burrowed into Nayenez’s chest, deep enough to reach the chamber of his beating heart. Nayenez could no longer hold back a howl of anguish as he lurched back, thorny green veins wrapping around and squeezing it like a stress ball. Other vines forced Nayenez’s hand to close in and overlap one another, and in the palm of the top hand, his SOUL appeared. “There it is, the very culmination of your being!” Flowey giggled. It was as bright as Frisk’s, as red as Chara’s. The flower waited patiently amidst the delighting cries of the human to finally take over his body.

“You want to die, right? Then let go, and I’ll end your pitiful existence as soon as I’m done with Frisk,” Flowey whispered to him, and the name stung Nayenez deeper than any of the thorns perforating his heart. Frisk. The human the Monsters had captured, the one he had forgotten all about. He could finally let go of his agony and allow the underground to be utterly annihilated, but if he killed a human child in the process… he’d be nothing short of a monster. They’d all be right about him after all. Mya would be, too. "I'm sure I've got enough time to kill them before this thing goes kaput," Flowey thought aloud, thinking of the endless ways to steal away that brat's soul.

He knew just by catching the human off guard, the rest of this takeover would be a cinch. He was clearly too weak to resist, and Flowey has had plenty of time to practice the best ways to incapacitate the living. Now, his focus divided between slicing the human's will to ribbons and contemplating the next steps. He would have liked to take over once the survivors had been erased, but plans change, and they accelerate. But Flowey thought this was even easier than expected! Any second now, he'd give up, and the true god of this world would assume ownership over his vessel for however long it lasts.

Yet, he was still resisting, and Flowey could feel just how quickly that resistance was growing. “What do you think you’re doing?" Flowey questioned in confusion. The flower clenched his teeth as Nayenez’s soul started to shake. "I thought you wanted to bite the dust!?” Nayenez’s head slowly turned to Flowey, blood filling up in his eyes like they were old syringes. “On my own terms.” The human’s fingers curled as vines sped up to crush his heart, but it felt like attempting to bend a rod of iron. "Agh! Just give up, you idiot!”

In an effort to dispose of this problem, vines untangled themselves from Nayenez's body, but by some exertion of will, he could not remove his vines from Nayenez’s heart. In fact, Flowey could not even remove himself from the human’s shoulder as he glared into him with a creepy smile. “S-stop making that creepy face! You’re sick!” Flowey was panicking now and decided he no longer cared for this vessel anymore. It was a risky plan from the start, he knew that, and now it was time to hit the brakes. Vines loosened from Nayenez’s legs and arms and sped straight for his soul to shatter it to pieces. But as they made impact, Flowey felt a wave of something he’d not felt since he was a monster. He screamed as the ends of his vines were absorbed by the SOUL, redirecting his takeover.

“Aghhh! L-let me go! It burns! It burns!” Flowey cried and wrestled his stem against the shoulder it occupied, trying to break free. Something was happening to him, and he wanted nothing more than to run away. However, every excruciating second that passed, Flowey felt more at one with Nayenez, and all the pain that brimmed within the human was beginning to divide between them. “I won’t let you abandon me too,” Nayenez told the writhing plant, stepping to his feet despite the excess difficulty. The Core’s warnings were overlapping, and further alarms began to sound. It was going into meltdown, a near unprecedented event, and there were no more scientists left to quell it. But Nayenez couldn't hear the sirens anymore. He could only hear a distant call from somewhere he could not see.

“Not while we still have one more thing to do.”

It was slow going, but soon enough, the Core Approach was reached. A bulbous green arm laden with bloody thorns reached out with crimson claws, snatching onto the doorway. The rupturing Core behind them was just fading static now. He must keep moving. He must save Humanity.

⪼⪻

You honestly believe that will work? What if I just...

*You affirm this is the only way. Whatever happens after, you say you will accept it.

Even after everything, I still can't seem to understand you.

*You guess you don't either.

Don't be surprised when things don't go your way. = )

*You won't be, not anymore.

Chapter Text

✧ DETERMINATION ✧

{ Final Chapter }

Standing over the lava lake in the not so far distance, the Core raged with fire and rupture, explosions big enough to cause the ground to tremble. Not long now until the Underground collapsed in on itself. Frisk had left the lab some time ago and stood at a precipice that ran along in view of the facility's front, watching it go up in flame. The work of the other human, they presumed. They also presumed that he’d make his way here to kill whoever remained. That is.. if he gets past their friends. Would they be able to push on knowing they were truly alone?

Frisk brought forward the RESET button, the source of so much misery, and the only sure way to check. They hesitated at first, before attempting to press it. . . . but nothing happened. Which means he must have- Slain them all? Of course he has. I know you weren’t thinking a dying fish, a bonehead and a failed scientist could best a human when they could not even defeat a mere child. Chara was right. From the moment their friends raced off to fight, their fates were already sealed. They even knew it themselves. Frisk could see it in their eyes, hear it in their voices. But that did not stop them from trying, and it did not stop a faint glimmer of hope in Frisk's heart. It was all too clear it would take more than hope to change fate, but… Frisk had never fought a human before, not like him anyway.

But you’re still a human too, I say to Frisk as I walk over and stand beside them at the edge. The toes of our shoes hung over the verge between persistence and subsumption. They both watched the Core now and waited for him. And you wield all the power that comes with one. Your determination was enough to resurrect me, after all. Frisk wondered if that was even a good thing. This incarnation of Chara was cruel and unyielding, but Frisk reckoned it was their own actions that necessitated it.. Haha, and even if you fail now, your plan acts as a wondrous stepping stone.

Frisk tried not to be afraid. This plan could be enough to save everyone. To save everything. Chara looked at them, smiling as always. It is time to see who was right after all. Frisk returned the gaze, only for Chara to move backward and make room for a view of an encroaching danger. It appeared like a monster at first, but something was clearly wrong with it. Very wrong. Through tears and holes of a scarred trench coat laced something green that pulsated like veins. One hand and several vines gripped a blade’s hilt, while the other barely resembled a human’s arm anymore. It was as thick as a tree, with a green surface that was jagged and coarse, covered in pale spikes, with three red thorns where fingers should have been. Frisk had seen something just like it not so long ago in their worst nightmare.

On approach the human kept their head down, and the closer he came, more could Frisk hear a pained panting for breath, as if existence itself was laborious enough. On his shoulder was a faceless golden flower, swaying to and fro with every heavy step forward. Each one of which left behind a boot print of blood. Frisk stepped away from the edge, and directly in the human’s path, although whether that term applied to him anymore was uncertain. Nayenez hadn't even realized anyone was there yet until the sound of their tiny footsteps alerted him, his awareness hindered in way of inner dreams and rumination. He promptly looked up, and they faced another for the second, and last, time. Frisk noticed he was shaking, his face holding an everlasting grimace. Blood trailed and stained the skin beneath his right eye and travelled down to his cheek. That same eye socket was in bloom, sprouting the disc of a golden flower. But the most unnerving thing came when the ends of his lips began to curl in a disturbing smile. Was he in agony, or pure bliss?

“Frisk.”

He tried to reach out his dangly monstrosity of a limb, but was suddenly assaulted by a deep gnawing, and gripped at the bundle of vines around his heart. He seethed hard. When the pain passed... “That’s your name, isn’t it? Frisk. You’re Frisk the Human,” he looked into their eyes, who was compelled to nod slowly in reply. A long wheeze left him that morphed into a pitched snickering. At the same time, earth rumbled again from the distant core. Frisk and Nayenez were shaken about, but it did not derail either’s focus. “Your captors are dead, Frisk. You can return to the surface now unopposed. You can finally be free.”

Again he stressed his arm toward Frisk, much slower this time, and offered a thorny paw. Frisk did not move. They tell him those captors were harmless. They tell him they were their friends. “They were monsters, killers,” Nayenez snapped as countless faces of those he’d slain flashed before his eye. Frisk looked away, and told the human if that were the case, then he is just like them. A heartless, irredeemable monster. The mere suggestion sent Nayenez aback. “That’s not true. It’s not,” he started to raise his voice, but another terrible ache rattled his skull, and he took a moment to ease himself. “Just- come here, I will take you back home.”

Nayenez reached much farther than before and scraped his boot across the ground in a struggling advance, but Frisk raised their hand and smacked it away. They tell him this is their home, and they are not going anywhere with a monster. They tell him he’s barely human anymore. “Stop, stop filling my head with this doubt! It’s not true. It’s not…” Nayenez told himself fervently, looking into his vine covered hand, glaring into his beastly paw of thorns. This was human, he was the strongest human of all. Frisk tells him if he leaves right now, then maybe all can be forgiven, that maybe he can redeem himself, that maybe... They can forgive him.

Nayenez’s eyes fell into the orange stone at his feet, feeling fire swirling in his throat. “You sound just like them! Just like those monsters you cherish above your own kind,” he growled. Then, a thought came to mind. Something he somehow did not consider until now. “Just like a monster.” His eyes were widening. It was an insane realization, no, it couldn’t even be true. Nayenez pulled his head up and looked long and hard at the human child. Or at least... what he took as one. As unlikely as it seemed, he could not dispute the connections he saw woven through the air. The Monsters' overprotection of them, their endless sentimentality despite how much they’ve taken from him.

And here Frisk stood now, denying his graciousness. Nayenez pointed a thorn, before lightly shaking it at them. “You, you’re not really human, are you?” Frisk became confused, and asked him what he meant. “I... I mistook you for one earlier, but no true human would so willingly defend these- these filthy creatures. Now that they’re all gone, you- you no reason to pretend!” Nayenez took more than one step forward, and as Frisk took more than one away, they started to reach for something in their pocket. “Looking for a weapon are we!?” Nayenez started to laugh as the gnawing worsened. “I knew it, I knew you were just- just…” The human lost his train of thought as he gripped his own chest, growling behind his teeth. The gnawing was excruciating. His mind was so noisy. His eye was boiling hot.

He was being eaten alive. Nayenez began to scream as two masses began to grow and bulge from his back, pushing against the trench coat and each other. They swelled and writhed until bursting like spider egg sacs. Flesh tore first, then fabric, and from Nayenez’s back sprouted a screen of blood and two great golden attachments. They fluttered and stretched at their full wingspan, red ink still dripping from each one. Two flower petals, contorted into wings. Somehow, Nayenez remained on his feet through it all, and his ear-piercing howls came to an end. His pain was indescribable, and so was his power. Heaving, Nayenez craned his neck over his left shoulder, then the right to marvel at his ascension. “Is… Is this it?” Before Nayenez even realized it, he was floating off the ground and into the air with only sparse flaps of his wings. He looked into his thorned paw and saw only strength. “The true power of the human soul?”

Frisk couldn't feel their legs. They imagined this encounter might be their most difficult yet. The future they’ve been working towards at stake. “I feel like I can… do anything now. Anything I could ever want.” Nayenez, wrapped in a pain that could not fade, also found he had reached the zenith of his journey. The slaughter of dozens of monsters had led to this single moment of unsurpassable strength. None could ever hope to meet it. No living human. No living monster. No one.

...Yet, even so, Nayenez couldn’t explain it, but something was not quite there, he could sense it. Something was missing. Something he forgot, or… something he didn’t know until now? There was still a gap. A divide between himself and ultimate authority. He looked upon Frisk, and began to understand it was they who stood between that gap.

They were not a child to rescue. They were the final enemy to eradicate. Once they were, Nayenez was certain his power would be fully complete. Maybe he’d even be strong enough…

To resurrect the dead?

One more monster, and he’d be able to do more than he ever could before. Just one more monster.

Frisk stepped back even more and rummaged into their pocket urgently. As they did, Nayenez flapped his great wings. Frisk covered their eyes from the spate of debris. At first, he moved away, but with another thrust of his newfound appendages, he soared through the air towards the monster child. He coiled his blade over his right shoulder, and once close enough, swung it broad. Frisk’s instincts kicked in and they hit the ground at just the right moment. While the human flew overhead, the child quickly crawled and kicked to get away and back up. But Nayenez graciously met the ground in no time at all. He turned swiftly on his heels, and marched towards his final obstacle, who squirmed like all the rest. When his foreboding footsteps racked against Frisk’s eardrums, they rolled onto their back and continued to scoot away. They cried out in a harrowing plea that it still wasn’t too late to go back. They yell how much they understand the endless spiral of violence he is tumbling within now. The high of your first kill. The power gained from hurting others.

“Did you enjoy hurting Chara as well!?” He shouted as he plunged Cor Ruptor down at Frisk’s chest. They rolled over to his left, and with ease he repositioned his hand upon the hilt and pulled out the blade before swinging it at a left side arch. The child managed to plant their feet and push their shoes against the ground into a jump. Back on their feet, Nayenez went in for another swing, just grazing their striped shirt. They reminded him they’re just as human as he is, and in response he moved in and ran a fist into the side of their face. “Liar!”

They were repelled to the ground, crumbled up like paper. Their body only shifted slightly, pushing at dust and rock. They sat on their knees and grabbed fistfuls of gravel. “Your deception and evasion of death ends here. Save yourself the agony, and accept your fate.”

*He was a lot like Chara in the way he spoke, in the way he urged them to give it all away. Except now, fate would be forced upon you. Not by the whispers of a vengeful spirit, but a manic human. Gosh, you think for a second just how relieving that might be, for this burden to be lifted. No more battles, no more loss... no more choices.

*And yet, you wonder… if you were gone, who would be left to undo his choices? How much more loss and suffering would your friends be left with if he gained full control? …

Nayenez raised his hand, and as his blade came down, Frisk jumped away, flinging two handfuls of debris into Nayenez’s face. At the same time, they shoved hands into both pockets and pulled out handfuls of something else. Over their head, Frisk tossed a heart shaped locket, and an orange human SOUL. Frisk landed and took a single step to the side. From thin air a hand materialized in range of the soul. It opened wide and caught it. Once held within its palm, another hand appeared and snatched the heart locket by the chain right before it hit the ground. Starting from the hands, a person was manifesting into the physical plane. Wrists came second, then soon arms were realized. A torso next, a pair of legs, and finally a neck and head. They were dressed much like Frisk, their hair length and height the same, but that was where the similarities ended. Past a striped shirt of golden flowers and spring leaves was a pale face with rosy cheeks, curled lips, a head of brown hair, and closed eyes.

The human soul, now absorbed by the first fallen child, found its home deep within their chest. Chara laid a hand there, feeling for something. It was quiet at first, but then it came, a faint thumping. They breathed out, and their eyes opened up to the world; eyes of crimson pierced through the bangs that hung in their face. All that the soul of bravery carried now belonged to them. Vestiges of love, sorrow, revenge, and acceptance. The essences of those residing within had no objections. As they spoke, their very eyes changed color.

“I knew you couldn’t do this without me.”

Nayenez had no hand to rub his eye clean, relying only on his building tears to expel the contaminants. With enough blinking and enough fluid, his eye was mostly cleared out. Now, though, the veins were popping black with irritation. He looked on now at a dreadful sight, attributing it to his fractured mind. So, he blinked, then he blinked again. Yet no matter how many times he tried to regain sanity, she still stood there, grinning. She wouldn’t leave him. She never would, would she?

Chara did not move but instead swayed an arm over to the left. “Greetings, I am Chara,” they said delightedly to a petrified Nayenez. They tilted their head slightly. “But you already know who I am, don’t you?” Nayenez shook his head hard, but the apparition of his child still remained, almost close enough to touch, almost real enough to believe. He was speechless.

“And I already know who you are,” Chara said, who, on the other hand, couldn’t be more at ease. “Granted, that is only thanks to this soul. I remember… so much, too much for my liking.” The fallen child rambled as they took to pulling the locket over their head and around their neck. Chara held the golden heart in their palm and looked at it with a deep familiarity before their gaze begrudgingly moved back to the malformed human. “And to think you finally grew the spine to chase after me. Or did you just want to take your anger out on a bunch of strangers? Yes… that sounds more like you.”

Nayenez tried to speak, but his voice came out as a sputtering whimper. Despite being scatterbrained, he pulled back his strength. “I’ve amassed all of this power for you. I’m doing you,” he gestured to her with a thorny claw to convey a fragile yet distorted appeal. Smiling, Chara rebuked him. “You’re doing it for yourself, just like you always have, just like you always will.” Nayenez’s claw folded as he drew it back. He had fought so hard to find her again, and all she met him with was scorn and wrath. She should be grateful; she would be grateful.

Nayenez ground his teeth and glared at the apparition whose schemes had been unveiled in his eyes. “No daughter of mine would be so unappreciative,” he said with a shiver. Chara nearly snickered and furrowed their brows. “You must not know your children very well.” The fallen child jeered before Nayenez rose to his full height and disregarded the ghost. His hateful gaze fell upon Frisk now. “Monster, I will show no mercy. I will hold nothing back. I will take control of this world, and make sure Monsterkind pays for what they’ve done to us, what they’ve done to me! What they’ve done to… you…” His face softened as an eye drifted to the ghost of his child, which glared at him with a look he remembered so vividly.

“That’s why I wanted this, isn’t it? Isn’t that why I came here? Is that…” Nayenez's voice fizzled out, losing his place in time inside his own shattering mind as he subconsciously returned to the air, legs dangling without life. Frisk sensed something horrible was about to begin and hastily dug through their stuffed pockets. Their fingers traced along something rigid, pulling out an old toy knife. They tossed it to Chara, who caught it by the handle with ease. Frisk took for themselves a manly bandanna and a tough glove. Now they were ready for their final encounter. “If it’s a fight you want, then I’ll be happy to oblige you. = )” Chara balanced the knife's end on their fingertip, before graciously flipping it into the air and back into the newfound warmth of their palm.

The hybrid human’s attention wandered into musing but seemed to recenter at the sight of the monster’s preparation for battle. “Already taking up arms? Always eager for a fight, aren’t you!”

The two determined eyed each other down as the Core resembled less and less of itself, broken pieces descended into the lake of lava. It was finally here then…

The end of their world.

“This is going to be therapeutic,” Nayenez said with a sly grin before ascending into a harrowing laughter. Coarse and raspy, his vocals unused to this level of mania. From the moment it ended, Chara and Frisk were barraged by flowing crescents of crimson conjured from the blade of Nayenez. His movements were elegant, delivered with an etiquette mastered in his youth. Frisk swerved right from a vertical line of red, and Chara jumped over a different one with an incredible precision. The resurrected child was already on the move and slashed the next oncoming curve of blood. It instantly lost form from the swing and became nothing but splattered blood on the ground behind them, where Frisk was just trying to keep their footing.

Nayenez hovered a foot away from solid ground and dangled over the lake of lava. He extended Cor Ruptor out far from where he came. At base length, it just barely cast a shadow upon the rock below it. Thus, the sword extended over the ground’s entirety via a beam of red. With a swift lunge forward, the blade of blood was swept across. Chara jumped high, but he was not aiming for an illusion. Its trajectory began to shift upward as it closed in on Frisk. Should they jump? Duck? Without much time to consider, they choose the former. The pole of magic scraped against the soles of their shoes, but they made it. Nayenez drew Cor Ruptor close as he twirled back over solid ground, ending his dance with a downward slash. The extension broke off and rippled against the orange rock, shrinking down, then expanding its mass out like a wall. The two fallen children were quick to turn about, and it was Frisk who balled their fist tight and punched a great hole into the barrier as soon as it came in range. Chara opted for their own way through and pierced the viscous barricade with an arced slash.

The two had faced countless battles together, many Frisk wasn’t proud of, many they regretted. But at least now, the experience then could be used for something better, something worth fighting for. The hybrid raised his prickly arm as high as it could go, then, with a short aerial ascent, plunged it straight into the rock. His malformed hand suckered to the earth, claws digging away gravel and stone. The ground at the children’s feet rumbled violently. Something sinister was coming.

It was violent enough to break Frisk’s balance, and no matter how hard they tried to recover, the child eventually tripped over the edge. Chara’s eyes suddenly flashed with an orange light as they lunged out a hand and gripped Frisk’s wrist. Frisk’s feet teetered upon the rocky edge. They could let them go and eliminate a player in the game. It would be so easy. Chara smiled wickedly, and with a firm tug, the last fallen child was level once again. Frisk looked at them with hope, a silent thanks Chara's expression suggested they were wholly unused to. Stone was upheaved and ash spread across the Battlezone, and the two hastily refocused and moved in opposing directions to avoid the approaching attack. From the mounds of earth shot up monoliths of green and red, great thorns protruding just like cactus needles.

Chara was snagged by the arm, but seemed invigorated by the ichor welling up from their realized flesh. Unseen by their eyes, vines slithered through the stone below in intricate patterns, poking out of the cliff faces on either side. The floral towers shrunk and returned to an even deeper world, then jutted out again in other places. Countless times the process repeated with no end in sight. Another explosion of azure fire enveloped the core, shrapnel was flung far and wide. With too much speed to possibly dodge, an emerald tower was struck through by a sharp, jagged rod of metal. Blood spurted from the floral and Nayenez groaned in anguish. The spire unraveled, revealing itself to be a thick wad of vines. Back into the earth’s flesh it returned, and the rest retreated along with it.

Since Nayenez’s arm left the earth whole, it was spewing blood from microscopic wounds. The arm failed to reform and balled into a writhing mass. His upper body pulled back to the right, obscuring his bleeding abomination. In a flash, Nayenez flung back forward and launched the arm like a rope with a scream. It expanded exponentially with unbelievable haste. Frisk dropped onto their back as it raced over while Chara skipped out of its way, covering their face with their forearms as they nearly tumbled into the lava themselves. Nayenez lifted the arm up, then threw it down. Frisk rolled out from underneath before it squashed them, then delivered a mighty punch into its side. It wasn’t enough to do any damage, but enough to push it towards Chara. As the arm moved up to strike at the child, Chara brought down the edge of the toy knife, slicing half of the arm off in a flood of seeded crimson.

Agony escaped Nayenez’s throat, so intense even the seemingly lifeless flower at his shoulder shuddered before bending over on its stem. What was left of his arm retracted back and pushed through the punctured green to make way for new thorns. He was weak without optimal vision, he lamented. Nayenez tried to open his right eye, but his effort amounted to enough. He tried it again, and again. In rage he hoisted up his blade and held it steady with his thorny implement. The hybrid cut a vertical line into the disc of the flower sprouting from his socket. He felt weak to the knees and halfway collapsed, kept on his feet by Cor Ruptor, now lodged into the earth. The hybrid looked up, and blinked with his new eye, much larger than the other, bleeding from the lid. His green colored iris shook and adjusted to the tainted world, until he was ready to fight on. He raised his blade and abandoned all technique and barraged the enemy with a blurry flurry of bloodborne swings. Frisk wasn't confident the tough glove could break their keen edges and opted for evasive maneuvers. Chara, however, found themselves fueled by a power unfamiliar, enough to inspire a lethal level of courage. With every impact of the toy knife against the crescents of red, sparks of orange splashed all around as the colors blended into ever deeper hues.

A pool of fluid formed from the pouring and dripping wounds upon Nayenez’s arm, but it was of no concern to him as he raised it high and thrust it into the puddle. It returned to the underground to deliver more carnage. “Sooner or later, you’ll be dust like all the rest,” the hybrid said with a terrible rasp like that of a beast. Vines surged back through their tunnels and popped up from out and above the cliff faces. The face of every floral rope underwent metamorphosis, sprouting into beautiful golden flowers. Their disk florets began to bleed one after another before enclosing their petals and spitting out pellets dripping with crimson. Blood was covering the whole precipice, causing balance to become even harder to keep. The pungent stench of copper assaulted their sinuses too, harming their focus further.

Still, the two fallen children fought on, bashing away blood-soaked pellets, and cutting stems of pestersome flowers. To worsen the already pandemonius battleground even further, Nayenez repeatedly slashed the air with a fervent hatred, filling it with even more crescents. Chara continued to swing their knife ferociously, even as pellets struck their back, their leg, and their chest. The bullets did not damage their clothing, but on impact inflicted a great deal of pain. As an added bonus of misery, the blood stained wherever it landed and burned like acid. Frisk tried to keep themselves oriented, but so much happening all at once was beginning to cause a sensory overload that effectively slowed them down. It ended with a crescent meeting Frisk’s arm, lacerating it all the way around. Frisk receded into themselves, covering their face behind a pair of arms, and standing still, taking blow after blow. Blood burned into their flesh

“Stop cowering and fight!” Chara yelled out. “Is that all you have left!?”

*You didn’t want to believe so, but you sensed it really was. His assault could not compare to Asriel’s Hyperdeath, but this battle drained you on a much deeper level. Every time he hit you, you could almost feel his malice burrowing into your skin. Every time you looked at him, you could only see a reflection of yourself. It was a kind of pain only Humanity knew how to inflict. You remember it awfully well, and every time it became too much, you'd retreat into yourself, just as you are doing now. You’ve been doing it more than ever recently… But it is in these moments of weakness where you often find your inner strength.

*So, you started looking again, deep within the dilapidated house of contradiction that was your subconscious. There was plenty to see here; memories of the people you know, the people you’ve mostly forgotten, and the people you wish you could forget. Places you’ve lived and visited paint the world all around in fragments; shards of ruins scattered here and there, waterfalls flowing from the sky, shopping carts drifting without masters, and School lockers flung open, filled with judging eyes of varying colors. Blue, Red, White. To any normal person, it was a disarray of remnants, but to you, it was home. You moved past the convergence and into a place of deep darkness. Flowey was there, frozen in time, grinning wickedly. His great vines were emerged from the black, entangling your friends and suspending them in air.

*You’re certain you’ll never forget this moment. You were so afraid, so petrified by what was to come. Yet, even in pain and amidst an atmosphere of crushing despair, Undyne, Toriel, Asgore, Sans, Papyrus, Alphys, Undyne, they smiled through the piercing thorns and believed in you. They conquered their own woes and frustrations just to be there at all. Will they ever know it was only because of them that you succeeded? You won’t be able to tell them if you give up now. Figures turned into beautiful colors and rearranged into The Human, with a battered body, a dusty blade in hand, and a claw reaching for RESET. Just behind him, clouds of dust kicked up and floated there. In each one, you could make out all of the friends he took away without contrition.

*Your friends believed in you, in life, until their final breaths. You will not tarnish that dedication, that determination to push on. You can feel something resonating deep within you. Once a flickering flame now burning brighter than a STAR. You’re certain now, if you just fight a little harder, dream a little bigger, if you STAY DETERMINED, you can save everyone.

Chara, who tried to stay brave through the blood covering their face and hands, was failing to see the attacks railing them from every blind spot. Much more of this, and this resurrection will be very short lived. All the while Nayenez remained right he was, whose own mind hardly seemed to be entirely there. He was rambling to himself, not that they could even hear any of it. His eyes were darting all around, as if enemies surrounded him on all sides. He was open to be cut down. But where to move to, what to aim for... Chara defended from several more attacks while trying to figure it out. They moved backwards to find a different place to mount their next assault when something stopped them. The first fallen child looked back to see Frisk, bracing their back against theirs. Frisk's brows were low, their fists tightened. Chara looked away, seemingly unimpressed. “I would have been fine without you,” they responded coldly. “... But at least you decided not to die like a coward,” Chara admitted, and Frisk smiled weakly. Balance firm and blind spots eliminated, they revolved round and round in perfect harmony. Not a single projectile broke through them again. Frisk fought with a renewed vigor identical to Chara’s. More rubble and debris were rocketed towards the battle. Extra vines wormed out from the rock and tangled into netting, catching chunks of the searing hot metal. Nayenez soldiered through the burns and barreled heaps of heated scrap at the two.

Chara braved the danger of the coming scrap and drove a horizontal cut through one pile, Frisk was determined to punch another back into a row of flowers and did just that. Another was hurled from the destabilized core, too big to be netted. Flowers from other parts of the cliff took the places of those cut down, then attempted to construct a sturdy ramp. Nayenez still possessed enough sense to calculate the positioning perfectly, and the great pillar of galvanized steel landed against the green stems before rolling onto the vein of land and right for Chara and Frisk. They nodded to each other in immediate understanding before breaking from their position to pounce at the coming scrap side by side. Combining their strengths as one, red and orange light burst from the attack, and the cylinders of debris were hacked in half and punched back onto the ramp. It at first managed to hold the weight, but unravelled from its force, dropping the debris into the lava below.

*You ask the human if that’s all he has. He appears stupefied. His left eye started to twitch, and his bloodstained teeth were showing like a wolf's fangs. He was overtaken by endless rage and began to scream once more as all plant life receded from the cliffs and returned to the originator. The ground vibrated from such an intense withdrawal, and once the arm escaped the line of earth the human broke into a running charge, then broke into flight away from the ground unworthy of him. He raised the storied blade that emanated with the full extent of his lethal Determination, so overwhelming it bled through the metal's cracks. Chara rushed to meet him, and so did Frisk. The first Fallen Child jumped into the air, their knife racing to find Cor Ruptor's. Nayenez decided he would oblige the challenge of this hallucination. Afterwards this memory of the past is finally erased from his life, the monster child's blood would coat the ash covered rock.

As blades of plastic and steel neared connection, as both humans came closer together than they had been in forever, Nayenez realized how much life flowed in the figment’s eyes. In a moment of clarity that came too late, he realized it really was Chara. Their lips curled into a smile that made Nayenez's heart stop as they whispered;

“Feel the weight of Humanity.”

Blades collided in a show of opposing force- no, of will. The desire to save, and the desire to erase. Ever since their awakening, Chara had desired the latter, it was why they were brought back after all. But now, as they faced a being who had only ever known destruction, a forgotten desire burned inside Chara's chest. The same desire that led to their own destruction; the desire to save their family, to save everyone shunned by the world, just like them. The essences of those within the Fallen Child now cheered them on. They had not realized what they were missing for so long, and it was too late to realize it when they already had it. Maybe, after all of this, they can tell Asriel they're sorry for leaving. So many thoughts, desires, and memories were overpowering Nayenez. All of it happened in an instant. Even against something as inoffensive as a toy, Cor Ruptor was pushed to its breaking point, unable to sustain anything more. Light shot from the cracks, exacerbating until it completely shattered apart. Their knife grazed Nayenez's cheek as pieces went flying, and countless wisps of grey escaped in every direction. Frisk had jumped seconds after Chara, and as an invisible force pushed Chara and Nayenez away, Frisk practically flew in, driving a five fingered fist into Nayenez’s face. He went flying, this time by no choice of his own. Chara and Frisk landed on their boots, whereas Nayenez’s floral wings broke his fall as he skidded hard against the stone, kicking up a cloud of dust that consumed him. He could not fight any longer.

* You won. 0G, 0 EXP.

As the dust settled, Nayenez laid there, motionless. Save for his unchanged arm, which raised a hand above his eyes. All that remained of Cor Ruptor was a damaged hilt. A hundred years of history reduced to rubbish, with even a crack that ran down the middle of the heart shaped pommel. The hybrid wrestled himself from the stabbing heat of the stone and faced the two children. The wrath from his face was gone, any semblance of bloodlust seemed to have vanished entirely. It was difficult for him to see clearly. To see anything clearly at all. Maybe he was just too afraid to try. He was just about to speak, when Chara raised a hand and stopped him.

“Nothing you say now will ever undo what you’ve done.”

Nayenez’s mouth closed, and the vines across his body started to wilt and die. His floral eye limped dead. The thorns on his disfigured arm shed, and its scales drifted away, so far away, too far for him to ever reach. Nothing but lingering determination held the hilt in his hand now. Seconds passed, and the silence was interrupted for but a moment as the remnant dropped into the dust. White overtook the red in his eye now as emotion left his face entirely, only a yearning stare. The Human turned around, and walked away. As he did, the flower atop his shoulder was freed of its tether, swept away by hot winds. It danced slowly through the air and fell towards the ground. But Chara caught it. What was at first an instinctively firm grasp quickly became soft and gentle. Nayenez never looked back.

The once lost child looked at Frisk, expressionless. But they knew what it meant. Frisk knew it was time. Time to try again, before the Core takes all that remains.

*Hesitant at first, you held out your hand. Before it, the reset button appeared, bright and orange. Was this battle enough to regain control? And, if it was, will things just turn out the same way all over again? You were scared it would, so much you began to pull your hand away. Chara’s suddenly fell upon the back of yours. You looked at them, fearful, wondering if this is right.

They nod their head, but they do not push your hand forward. That was, and will always remain, your choice.

You reach out one more time... and try to RESET.

. . .

Long ago, there lived two races

Humans, and monsters.

But how might one define a human, and a monster?

By the flesh on their body, and the horns atop their head?

The kindness they share, or the cruelty they inflict?

Maybe it is just where we come from.

Even so... Human, or Monster, it will never stop you from trying to reunite them, will it?

Frisk opened their eyes, blinded by the sunlight that shone down from far above the cave's descent. ‘Grass and flowers had never felt so comfortable’, they thought. If they were here now, that means everyone else would be too, without any memory of their sacrifices. Frisk feels, this time, they've earned that much. Frisk will carry that burden, so they don’t have to. They wanted to lay there forever like this, with nothing but the cool breeze from the surface gushing down into their face.

But someone was a bit too impatient for that. “Are you going to lay there until the barrier is broken? Or what?” Chara said, spooking the heebie-jeebies out of Frisk. They were still nervous, but no longer afraid. Chara did not seem like their old self. No, they seemed… whole. No longer trapped in one dimension. But that isn't also to say they are not completely unchanged, either. Perhaps a discussion for another time. For now, and together, they moved through the cave that was engrained in their minds by now, and encountered Flowey, who fled in confusion. Together, they caught Toriel, who was making way to the very beginning, like she did every single day. Frisk started to cry, and Toriel did as well, for her child had finally come back to her. The child she thought lost. She didn't believe it at first, but that changed when she heard their voice. Chara wasn’t sure exactly how to feel, but they embraced their mother’s warmth anyway.

Together, they were safely escorted through the ruins, Toriel completely breezing past every test and puzzle they once guided Frisk through. Not a single Monster tried to fight, stopped in place by the sight of the Dreemurr's child, written in history to have died long ago. They made it to Home, and while Toriel made preparations to leave for the Capital (Something Chara had to convince her to do), Frisk and Chara stood before the mirror at the end of the hallway.

“Guess I finally got what I wanted. Something entirely new,” Chara said into the reflecting glass. It was difficult to believe how much they’ve both been through, and just how much more awaits them. This time, things will be better. Somehow, someway, they will make it right, for everyone. Chara looked from the mirror, figuring out something to say, but it may never quite amount to everything Frisk has done. Still, they looked to the last fallen child. Frisk met their eyes kindly.

“Thank you, Frisk, for never giving up, for finding the strength to continue, even when the odds were stacked against you, even when I... never made it any easier. I don’t know what will happen next, and I don't know what will happen if we meet him again, but… regardless of whatever comes next, we’ll figure it out one way or another.”

“Because despite everything, it’s still you.”

I looked from your reflection and at my own. Green leaves, and golden flowers. Just as I remember, and a little more too.

“And, it’s still me, too.”

THE END