A/N: I was really debating whether or not to continue, but DETERMINATION won out so here's a new chapter.


Kendall's eyes opened slowly. Her vision was blurry, but at least she was alive. She looked up above realizing that the sky was impossible to see. All there was was darkness above her head. Her breath caught in her throat as she noticed where she was. She turned to her aching side curling up to a smaller ball. Her blue eyes stared blankly at the darkness.

Yellow flowers brushed their petals against her face, but she didn't move. The golden petals waved back and forth with her own breathing. "Howdy!" a child-like voice called out. Kendall stiffen in fear as she searched for the source of the voice. "I'm right here," the voice called again. Kendall zoned in on a bouncing yellow flower with a smile on its face. The flower was just outside of the flowerbed she was laying in.

"H-hello," Kendall stuttered sitting up and scooting away.

"I'm Flowey the Flower," the flower continued bobbing on his stem. He waited for a second the smile dropping slightly before returning. "Golly, that was quite a fall," he stated looking up toward the sky.

Kendall backed a little more although the flower seemed harmless she couldn't trust a single monster. The flower seemed to grin wider at her reaction. "It's going to be alright. After all, I am your new best your friend I need to warn you that the Underground can be dangerous."

"Why should I believe you? you're a monster, aren't you?" Kendall said getting to her feet so she towered over the tiny flower.

"I'm not like the others. I just want to give you some helpful advice," the flower said still bobbing his strange dance. Kendall relaxed only a bit, but still ready to bolt if the flower turned out to be malicious. "Many monsters in the Underground will not hesitate to kill you, but don't worry, your friend, Flowey, has your back."

Kendall narrowed her eyes a bit at the comment feeling something wrong. The world around her turned black and white as the air seemed to still. An ugly muddy-colored heart appeared in front of her chest causing her chest cavity to chill as if it was missing something. The girl looked at Flowey in anger. "What are you doing? What is that?"

The flower's trademark grin dropped to a frown. "That is your SOUL. It is the accumulation of your being." Kendall looked at the floating heart wondering if it was supposed to be that color or glow that dimly. "The only way you're getting out of here alive is to strengthen your soul."

"How do I do that?" Kendall asked. Flowey's smile widen to an almost wolfish grin.

"Just follow your pal Flowey and you'll get through the Underground in one piece," the flower said disappearing into the ground. The world around Kendall regained its color with a whoosh. "Over here," Flowey called from a stone archway. Kendall followed after the flower walking through the archway. The flower disappeared again, only to reappear again several feet ahead.

He gave the girl a wolfish grin. "There's a stick in that corner, you should pick it up so you can have something to defend yourself with," he said with a little bob. Kendall couldn't argue with that logic and picked up the thin branch. There was a loud click and Kendall looked up to see a new doorway. "Monsters are obsessed with puzzles, deadly puzzles," Flowey said. "But you're smart. I am sure you can handle it," he continued in an almost sarcastic voice.

"Thanks," Kendall said unconvinced.

"I'll meet you up ahead. Just remember.. in this world it is Kill or Be Killed," he said with an eerie giggle.

Kendall narrowed her eyes, but didn't comment as the flower disappeared under the earth again. The girl brushed the dirt off of her maroon skirt before moving forward again. Her steps were measured when something large flopped onto the ground. Kendall backed away from the large frog-like creature. The world around her turned black and white as her muddy-brown heart floated in front of her; her chest once again became cold from the lack of the SOUL. She looked at the monster as her heart started to race.

Kendall tightened her hold on the stick in her hand. The frog croaked at her before she swung the stick as hard as she could. The pointed end struck the frog across the face. Its bulbous eyes widen in shock before its body crumble to dust. The silvery dust floated down into a pile on the stone ground. She could feel a power surge through her as she relaxed. Her blue eyes looked down at the silvery dust that coated the stick and her own fingers. An almost foreign ease spread from her chest; she could do this, she would do this. She could get out of the Underground. Kendall tightened her grip on her weapon before continuing through the Ruins.

She crossed a short bridge to be stopped by a wall of metal spikes that reached her waist. "Over here, quick before the caretaker of the Ruins finds you," Flowey called from a marked switch that Kendall had managed to over look. Kendall flipped the switch while the flower looked up with with a grin before disappearing undergound again.

Kendall crossed the room flipping the correct switches. A couple of monsters appeared but were quickly dispatched with a swipe of her stick. Flowey bounced at the exit of the room his smile growing wider with every new pile of dust.

Kendall continued forward passing a training dummy with barely a glance as she walked into the next room. She crossed the floor only to be stopped by a long pathway filled with more metal spikes. "Flowey, how am I supposed to get through this?" she called out to the plant.

He popped his yellow head out of the dirt beside her. "Where would you be without your good friend, Flowey?" he asked and Kendall sent the little flower a glare. The little plant sprouted green vines that snaked a path into the spikes to about halfway through the spikes. Kendall followed the green line watching as the spikes retreated from her feet.
She stopped at the end of the vine as Flowey repositioned himself at the other end of the spike field guiding the girl the rest of the way. Another monster, another pile of dust. Kendall was finding going forward easier, though sometimes Flowey's grin made a part of her shiver.

So far everthing seemed so easy most monsters seemed to dust with one hit or two. Kendall heard the footsteps of a large monster. Whatever it is was a lot larger than all the small monsters she had fought since she fell. "That sounds like Toriel. What do you plan to do?" Flowey asked grinning with needle like teeth. Kendall shook as panic and fear took over; there wasn't any way that she could beat a boss monster.

Kendall ran down a different hallway than the one the footsteps were coming from. Flowey popped up beside her making her jump holding out her stick before realizing that it was the harmless flower. "Really smart," he said sarcasm peppering his words, "And if she comes down this hallway?"

Kendall shook a little at that comment she hadn't thought of that. She looked down at the flower hoping that he would be helpful. The flower lowered his head to the ground, "Just remember what we talked about and you'll be fine," he said with a giggle. With that the flower sunk beneath the ground again.

"What a brave child you are," a warm female voice said from behind Kendall. The girl spun quickly to face the voice. She took a small step back as she looked up to look the goat-like monster in her warm brown eyes. "You must be terrified. Don't be afraid; you are safe here," the monster continued a gentle smile on her muzzle. Kendall lowered her stick not trusting the monster, but also not fearful of the other. "My name is Toriel, I am the caretaker of the Ruins," she continued. "Just follow me. My home is just up ahead," she said holding out her paw to Kendall. The girl looked down at the clawed paw and wondered how many humans met their end from her paw.

Kendall took a step back away from the boss monster who only gave a pained smile. Toriel turned her back to Kendall and motioned her to follow her. Kendall didn't care to follow the monster, but she also didn't want to anger the taller being. Toriel padded softly as Kendall stayed outside of her arm reach. The goat monster tried her best to get Kendall to speak to her, but the teen kept to herself.

The blonde girl bided her time fully intending to escape the boss monster as soon as she could. Toriel kept her eyes on her like an overprotective mother. "Here we are. It isn't much, but I hope you like it," Toriel spoke up looking proudly at the quaint stone house.
Kendall looked at the simple home with its yard filled with red leaves. Amongst the red leaves, a tiny yellow flower watched a grin on his face. She turned away and followed Toriel into the house before the boss monster noticed the little flower.

UT~UT~UT

Searifa was a early riser; it was a trait that her father complained about much as she grew up. The reptilian monster paced by the glass door to her restaurant looking at the clock on the wall. She frowned to herself; it was still to early to open for breakfast. She stalked back to the kitchen to check on her inventory for the third time and alphabetize her spices.

Searifa walked back to the clock and shrugged to herself; a couple minutes earlier than her sign wouldn't hurt any. She looked at her reflection in the door and straightened her red chef coat. She walked back to her kitchen to check once again whether everything was in order. A soft bell sound broke her obsessive counting. The reptilian monster hurried to the door to see the last monster she expected. "Good Morning, Grillby," she said with a smile. The fire elemental gave a small nod.

"Good Morning, Searifa," he said his voice soft like the flickering of his flames. He looked around the restaurant with what the reptile hoped was approval.

"Please, have a seat," Searifa said motioning to one of the tables. Grillby sat down before picking up the menu that Searifa had placed down on the table ahead of time. Searifa stood beside him for a moment before speaking, "Thank you for coming. Honestly, I was afraid no one would come."

Grillby looked up at her before speaking, "You're very welcome. I wouldn't worry about business today." He chuckled a little, "Snowdin is a small town; everyone in town will be in here. They will all want to see the new monster in town. I'll have the stuffed French toast."

"One stuffed French toast. I'll prepare that immediately," Searifa said cheerfully turning back to the kitchen to prepare said meal. Moments later she walked out with Grillby's order; she placed it in front of the fire elemental and hovered nearby. He glanced at her once after he took a bite giving her a little knowing smile. Searifa could feel herself leaning forward in anticipation and nervousness. "Very enjoyable. I wished that I heard about you before you opened your own restaurant; you would have been an excellent addition to the bar."

Searifa smiled at the compliment before crinkling her nose, "I do not see the pleasure in mulling the senses with drink." Grillby chuckled a little.

"I'll have to keep my eye on you. Could be bad for business," he said in a joking manner.

"Don't fret. I am scheduled to close early every night. So monsters who wish to eat at your establishment can choose do so," Searifa continued. She grinned a little allowing her voice take on a joking tone, "Aren't I merciful?"

The reptilian monster didn't realize that she had ended up sitting on the opposite seat from the flame elemental. "Indeed. I am sincerely grateful," the older monster continued the joke. Searifa grinned showing off her sharp teeth.

"This is a bit of an odd question, but may I take a picture of you?" Searifa asked lowering her green eyes to the table.

"Of course, as long as it doesn't end up on the Undernet," Grillby responded.
Searifa shook her head, "It's just a habit." She ran to her kitchen and returned with her camera. Making sure the shot was perfect, she pressed the button. She waved the printed picture in the air showing Grillby the finished product. The fire elemental nodded his approval when the bell on her door rang again. She put the photo in the large pockets of her chef coat careful not to fold or crinkle it.

Grillby was right; the amount of monsters that filled her restuarant had to be the entire population of Snowdin. Some didn't stay longer than having a quick look around, but many sat down and eat. She sighed to herself as the crowd died around lunchtime. In fact, by two in the afternoon she was alone. The reptilian monster reswept the floor for the second time. She put away the broom and dustpan; she looked over her work proudly.

She looked at the clock before going to the register. Underneath the machine, sat a large scrapbook. Searifa removed the pictures from her pocket to find that they were all still pristine. She stuck them within the cover before putting a sticky note on the cover with a short reminder to actually glue the pictures in. The bell rang again, but Searifa couldn't hear it over the voice that sounded.

"SANS, YOUR LAZINESS HAS CAUSED US TO BE LATE," Papyrus's loud voice filled the entire restaurant.

"On the contrary, I believe you have remarkable timing," Searifa spoke up coming within view of the two skeletons. She could see the confused looks on their faces and sighed a little.

"EXCUSE ME, MISS. WE ARE LOOKING FOR A FRIEND. HER NAME IS SEARIFA AND THIS IS HER RESTARUANT," Papyrus continued looking around the restaurant. Searifa sighed again knowing the reason for the confusion.

"That's me, Papyrus. We met yesterday, she responded.

The taller skeleton looked shocked, "BUT YOU'RE NOT.."

"A skeleton?" Searifa interrupted while Papyrus finished with a loud 'CLOTHING MONSTER'. Searifa paused at the end of the sentence; this was definitely a first. The trio grew quiet before the reptilian monster laughed; she flinched a little as she heard her almost hissing laughter. Sans gave her a look that almost seemed to be threatening, his eye sockets completely dark. Papyrus looked almost hurt at her laughter. "That's the first time someone thought I was a clothing monster. It's rather refreshing," she said calming down a little to continue, "Most hear my name or see my dad and assume that I am a skeleton. So hearing a new question is..." Searifa shrugged as the word escaped her. She shifted a little feeling awkward now with both skeleton's look. She cleared her throat, "Perhaps we should start over. Hello, my name is Searifa." She held out her clawed hand to Papyrus who was standing closer.

"THE GREAT PAPYRUS DOESN'T DO HANDSHAKES," the taller skeleton said, "I GREET WITH WARM HUGS." Searifa didn't have enough time to prepare herself before being crushed. She froze blinking a little confused before being released. She gave a soft smile to the taller skeleton before turning to Sans.

She darted her green eyes around unsure how to word the question on her mind. "Do you also prefer hugs?" The shorter skeleton looked really amused, but shook his head.

"Nah, the best way to greet a new pal is a handshake," the short skeleton held out his hand. Searifa grasped it only for a loud noise to fill the air.

"SANS," Papyrus groaned loudly as Searifa was still trying to figure out what happened.

Sans chuckled at his brother's reaction. "The old woopee cushion in the hand trick. It never gets old."

"IT GOT OLD THE SECOND TIME," Papyrus squawked. Searifa chuckled a little putting her hands over her mouth to muffle the sound. The two squabbled for a bit and the chef could feel a sense of longing; it had always been just had been her father and her. She wondered how her life would differ with a sibling.

"Papyrus, I hate to interrupt such a touching sibling moment, but I am sure both Sans and you are hungry," she spoke up.

"yup, we're just skin and bones here," Sans replied while Papyrus groaned. Searifa gave a little chuckle.

"I suppose I could fix that. Actually, not really since you are skeletons, but I can prepare something for you both," Searifa said as her chuckles slowed.

"SPEGHETTI?" Papyrus asked. Searifa responded that she could make the dish. "MAY I HELP?" the tall skeleton asked.

"Of course, cooking is more enjoyable with friends," Searifa responded, "Sans can help as well." The short skeleton politely stated that he was 'too lazy' to help before climbing onto a counter to watch. Searifa opened her mouth to complain about how he was dirtying her kitchen, but shut it just as quickly; she really didn't have friends and it wouldn't do to start picking meaningless fights.

"I'LL BEGIN WITH THE SAUCE," Papyrus stated followed with a Nyeh-heh-heh.

"Then I'll start making the noodles, "Searifa replied as she pulled out the flour.

"WOWIE, YOU MAKE YOUR NOODLES FROM STRATCH?" Papyrus asked with awe in his voice which made the reptilian monster stand straighter with pride.

"It is the best way to make any meal," Searifa said as she continued her task. "I have an apron hanging beside the oven if you wish to protect your clothing." The taller skeleton was quick to put on the offered protection tying around his back before the reptilian monster had a chance to offer her assistance.

The chef focused on her task measuring each ingredient exactly from memory. She looked at Papyrus as he set down the tomatoes... and smashed them into bits. The slam was loud enough to wake Sans who fallen asleep on his perch and caused Searifa to jump. She could feel the frills on her head flare in surprise. The chef blinked blankly as she took in the red paste that now marred her kitchen. It was everywhere, the silver stainless steel counters, the stove, even the ceiling. It was staining everything and destroyed her perfect order. "NYEH-HEH-HEH... SEARIFA, IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG?" Papyrus asked noticing the stiff silence from the shorter monster.

Searifa blinked twice looking at the taller skeleton who looked totally oblivious to her crisis. "I KNOW SOMETIMES MY GREAT SPEGHETTI COOKING SKILLS LEAVES ME SPEECHLESS AS WELL," he continued a large smile on his face which quelled the shout that the reptilian monster was sure was going to past her lips. She took a deep breath to calm any anger.

"Papyrus, how are we going to put your sauce on the noodles? It is currently all over the kitchen," she asked clasping her clawed hands together to keep herself from cleaning the mess.

"NORMALLY UNDYNE AND I WOULD JUST SCRAPE IT ALL TOGETHER AFTER THE NOODLES ARE DONE COOKING," Papyrus explained as if it was obvious.

Searifa recognized the name, but couldn't figure how the Captain of the royal guard had anything to do with cooking. It didn't matter because she found a way out of the awkward situation. "You must understand. I cook a lot of different recipes in this kitchen. So if we were just to 'scrape' off all the ..sauce it wouldn't taste right," she explained hoping that the skeleton would just let this attempt go so they could work together.

"I HAVE NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT BEFORE. OKAY, I'LL CLEAN THIS UP AND START AGAIN," Papyrus said and Searifa sighed in relief. She pointed out the necessary cleaning supplies and turned back to her work. She kept an eye out for what the skeleton was doing and was impressed with how thorough he was in his task. She had finished cutting the noodles into the correct shape when Papyrus had finished.

"You did a wonderful job," Searifa noted with a smile as the counter looked better than before the mishap. Papyrus glowed with under the compliment. The two then moved onto the sauce and under Searifa's guidance, three plates of spaghetti were done in record time.

The three monsters sat around a corner table. The two cooks stared at Sans as he took a bite out of the spaghetti his eyelight bouncing between the reptilian chef and the royal guard trainee. His eyes widen in surprise. "this is pretty good, bro," he stated which resulted in a cheer from Papyrus and a soft smile from Searifa.

"You should come by more often Papyrus. I have plenty of recipes that I haven't tried yet and it would be beneficial to have a second set of hands," Searifa stated turning to the skeleton.

"I WILL DO MY BEST, BUT MY SCHEDULE IS HETIC WITH MY ROYAL GUARD TRAINING," Papyrus stated in his loud voice.

"You're training to be in the royal guard?" she stated feeling a little intimidated now by the skeleton; he had to be strong to be training for the guard. "You must be really strong then," she said amazement leaking into her tone.

"yeah, my bro is pretty tough," Sans added a look of pride clear in his expression.

"Are you training to be in the guard as well, Sans?" Searifa asked trying to rope the quiet skeleton into the conversation.

"Nah, I'm happy being a sentry. I could nap all day and still get paid," the skeleton said his grin widening as Papyrus complained about his laziness.

"You shouldn't eliminate that pastability though Sans," Searifa stated to get a chuckle from the shorter skeleton and a shocked face from Papyrus.

"NOT YOU TOO," he complained with a groan. Searifa put her hands over her mouth to stifle her hissing laugh.

"He's like this all the thyme," Sans said winking his left eye. Searifa didn't know which was making her laugh more: Sans's well placed pun or Papyrus's reactions.

"I'm sorry Papyrus, I'm done for now," she said wiping tears that started to form in her eyes.

"I guess it tarragon for too long," Sans said with another wink and a complaint from Papyrus.

"THOUGH THAT WAS A HORRIBLE PUN, SANS HAS A POINT. WE SHOULD BE LEAVING BEFORE IT GETS TOO LATE," Papyrus said once he has calmed down.

"Wait before you leave, can I have a picture?" she asked pulling her camera from her inventory.

"WOWIE, YOU WANT MY PHOTOGRAPH?" Papyrus said his enthusiasm infectious. "I HAVE A BRILLANT IDEA; YOU SHOULD BE IN PICTURE AS WELL. SANS TOO," he shouted motioning for the reptilian monster to scoot over on the booth.

"But who would manage the camera?" Searifa asked.

Papyrus thought about it for only a moment before responding, "THE GREAT PAPYRUS WOULD. MY ARMS ARE LONG ENOUGH." The reptilian monster handed over her camera reluctantly before scooting close to the brothers. "READY?" One blinding flash later, the skeleton pulled out the developing picture. Searifa shook the photo as the image became clearer. The three monsters were a bit off center and the lighting wasn't the best, but the three smiles made the photo perfect.

"Wonderful job, Papyrus. You might have to add photographer to your resume," she said looking over the photograph.

"NYEH-HEH-HEH, THE GREAT PAPYRUS HAS DISCOVERED YET ANOTHER TALENT," he said with pride putting his hand to his chest as his scarf billowed in the nonexistent wind. Searifa had half a mind to question it, but let it slide.

The three made their way to the door. With quick good-byes, the skeletons left the restaurant. Searifa put away the new photograph and started cleaning the dinning area from the day's filth.