AhhhhH! Sorry this took so long, this past week has been really busy for me, and I'm exhausted. But, the time has finally come that I update this! I'm quite surprised how popular this has gotten! It means so much to me that I am able to publish something you people enjoy!

To Trondason: This is a pacifist run! And I am in perfect alignment with what you said! Since Eridan isn't human, telling that his soul is as strong as one is much harder, not impossible, but harder indeed! And he hasn't killed anyone because he is unarmed. In my head, Eridan isn't much of a close combat person, and prefers to attack from a distance with a firearm or long range weapon. since he dies without his gun or wand, he doesn't have any normal means which to fight. hell, even fist fighters had to use a stride card from what we've seen! Maybe in the Undertale universe this doesn't apply, and he's doing this for no an invalid reason? Eh, I don't know. Anyways, thanks for the review!

To Rawr: Thanks for pointing that out, I'll fix it asap! And with sans, I'm actually considering mirroring that situation. Eridan isn't much of a pun-person, though he'll use them time to time. Probably next chapter, which will hopefully be uploaded much sooner then this one! Thanks for sticking with this story!

Homestuck belongs to Andrew Hussie and Undertale belongs to Toby Fox.

Now, onwards!

Chapter 4

Tightening his scarf, the prince walked out of the small dining room and into the main entrance. He turned towards the stairs, which he only had a slight glance at before since they only went so far before turning the opposite direction. They were strange, carpeted with a maroon and cream-colored pattern, but the flooring was wooden. There wasn't even any transition between them, like a covering, just crude wood to cheap wool stuff. The surrounding floor had a banister, but the actual stairs did not. The edge of the stairs was also raw, unpolished wood splintering slightly into a dark abyss below. In fact, the space between the stairs was so dark it could be a fatal fall.

For someone so protective, she certainly overlooked this.

Eridan paced over to the steps and began to carefully walk down then. They only lasted a few flights though, until his foot toughed solid rock. The room was pitch black, though in a few blinking seconds his eyes adjusted. The cave was similar to the rest of the ruins. Same rugged, purple stone all around, less foliage though, which was expected, sort of? All the flora so far was growing where it should have been impossible, but whatever. The path was relatively linear, and didn't really show any purpose. Nothing was being stored, and there wasn't anything cultural about it. Unless clawing caverns out of the earth was traditional. Maybe it lead to somewhere?

He paced forward, stepping lightly on his feet. Even so, footsteps echoed throughout the cavern, resonating everywhere at once. The area had a tension to it. The kind when it's too quiet for anything good to happen, even though it was supposed to be quiet. He was alone, wasn't he?

The shadowy backside of a figure stated otherwise.

Eridan internally groaned. He'd hoped this was going to be quick, and, even more so, unaccompanied. He dragged his most innocent voice from his subconscious, which wasn't very innocent at all, and braced himself.

"…Toriel?"

"…" She began to walk away from him.

"Wwhat is this place?"

"Please, go upstairs." Her tone was firm, yet still caring.

He stepped to follow her, his face in a relaxed frown. He had to walk quickly in able to match her speed. "Wwhere does it lead?"

"…This place leads towards the exit of the ruins. The doorway that connects this place to the rest of the underground. I'm…going to do what I s-should have done long ago."

Is she seriously cryin?

"Wwhich wwould be?"

She stopped, her six foot frame dwarfed by what towered before them. A door, larger than any before it, and actually consisting of something other than an empty hole. It was a vibrant violet, and made of pure rock. Chiseled on the front, was the same symbol he had seen everywhere before. The same triangles, the same angel. It almost emanated a light, lighting everything facing it, and darkening the rest. Toriel turned her head, saddened, but determined. Her eyes were set into a scowl and beads of tears dotted the outer corners. Depression filled her pupils vividly.

"Destroy it."

The monster continued. "Every human that has fallen through to this cursed cage suffers the same fate. All killed, all innocent, all so, so young. The land beyond is Asgore's territory." She spat the name, "A being with a soul, like yourself, would only be murdered by him in a matter of time. That fate isn't something anyone should face. Please, leave."

The prince sighed, dropping his façade. His face contorted into a full-fledged look of intelligent and collected villainy, eyes glowing slits in the darkness. He'd had enough dealing with people's emotions for one night.

"Well, I guess thats your problem to deal wwith by yourself, but since wwhen have I said im alright wwith you takin responsibility for me? For your information, wwe are acquaintances, something im not even comfortable wwith. I have full right to leavve this place and do my own thing as I please."

Toriel recoiled from the change of tone, freezing for a second or two. She was now facing him head on, hands clenched at her side.

"I- I know. Yes, you are your own person. But at the same time, you are a minor, and I refuse to lead you into his hands!"

He was beginning to lose his patience.

"Look, I don't know wwhat thoughts are goin on in your head, but it doesn't matter. Just let me through!"

"But he'll kill y-"

"So wwhat if I die?!"

Toriel let out a weak gasp. The tears in her eyes began to pour, and her paw was over her mouth in shock.

"But, what do you…" The seadweller only let out a huff of annoyance.

"None a your business. Let me through."

"…I see. I-if you truly wish to pass. Then prove to me. Prove you can survive out there!"

Eridan felt the wave of combat wash over him. The adrenaline, the rhythm. How everything went so slowly, but moved quicker then light. But something about this was off. It felt more structured, and...turn-based? If that makes any sense. It was different then the quick movements and strategic choices of a traditional strife, in any case. It wasn't like he was armed anyways, so he didn't have any effective means of defending himself.

Wwell, its not like I havve anythin to lose.

For some reason, Toriel's eyes widened, but she tried to keep a straight face. Masking her discomfort, she cupped her hand around something invisible, a flame, white and smoking in between her fingers like a serpent. She drew back and threw it at him. Out of nowhere, hundreds of similar balls of fire shot out like a flock of birds. All moving in twisting patterns, dancing. He managed to dodge most of them, but was scuffed a bit. Which was surprising, considering he wasn't really trying to dodge them much at all. Still, he faked it to the best of his ability.

"Cmon, thats your best shot?"

"…"

The room was alit with light as she swung more flames at him. This time, throwing them with a swat of her hand, almost hitting him. Again, he gave a weak dodge, almost deliberately trying to face the fire. Again, he went almost unscathed.

Hold on a fuckin second…

He prepared his next dodge, eyeing her carefully. Although never smiling, he gave a slight chuckle. An idea was forming in his head. Moments later, a furred paw flew up, and an onslaught of blazes flew out. Each billowing and crackling with an unknown energy. They all shot up, then began to plummet like a bullet. He shifted his weight, eyes reflecting the fire like moons.

He didn't move, the flames swirling around him in a beauteous display of light and shadows. He wasn't hit once.

"Huh, guess I wwas right." He spoke with the confidence of an outlaw who had bested one to many cops. "You dont havve it in you to hurt me, do you?"

"…"

"I suppose wwere at an impasse, then. I cant hurt you, and you wwont hurt me."

"…"

"So noww, wwhat are the chances I can just wwaltz on through wwithout any more dispute?"

"…Alright."

"I understand you want to progress, and I have no right to keep you here. This place, it is actually rather small once you get accustomed to it. One used to open expanses wouldn't be happy here." She turned towards the door. "I- I'm sure you can handle yourself out there."

Then, something unexpected happened. She turned towards the alien prince, tears flowing down her face. And pulled him into a hug. Extending her arms around his thin frame, leaving Eridan shocked. They had just met yesterday, why was she hugging him like a lusus does a wriggler? He didn't return the embrace, but didn't decline it, either. Something told him doing so would be something he'd regret later. Then she turned away, walking back into the long hall. Leaving him alone.

Shaking his head and brushing off his shirt, he walked through the doorway. This place was strange, but reminded him much of Earth, from what he had seen. The culture and architecture were similar, and the general morals nearly identical. How a society could build from so much coddling was beyond him. How did you know someone wasn't going to just…throw it all away and kill someone?

He sighed. He'd done that to, hadn't he? They were a team, albeit a team filled with one to many annoying folks for his tastes, but a team, nevertheless. There was a mutual trust between all of them, and he had shattered it. They'd never forgive him. He tugged at his scarf uncomfortably. In a way, they were their own society. Living together and not harming each other not out of fear, but out of trust. It was a fragile way of life, but a less brutal one. Still strange, though.

He reached another doorway, this time just two brick pillars, no fancy designs or anything and beyond them, a face he really didn't want to see.

"You."

"Hee hee, well, if it ain't mister great and prestigious! What. An. Honor." He smirked, winking an eye. "For someone so powerful, you sure were merciful."

"Shut up."

"She realized you're power. She knew how many you must have slain to gain it. And yet, she did nothing. And so did you. How touching. But, why spare her, and not all the others that have fallen before you? Are you planning on continuing this?" A wicked smile donned his face. "Idiot. In this world, it's kill or be killed. So, you saved her life, maybe out of sympathy, maybe regret, but you can't continue this forever. We are similar, my friend, and that's what makes us so strong. But if you keep this up…heh, you won't stand a chance against me."

And, with a wicked laugh, he disappeared into the earth, leaving the young prince with but a patch of grass and a door.

Wwhat the fuck am I doin?

He walked through.

And, done! I hope you enjoyed!

IceFeather9110