Disclaimer: You should know by now I don't own undertale. If I did this wouldn't be on this site.

-Chapter 6: Destiny's door-

"Hey now. Easy, easy... Slow down there. You're safe. Now explain it to me again slower this time and calmer." I hadn't expected today's patrol to start with me having to calm a small group of thoroughly spooked monsters. Something had really gotten to them, Napstablook being among them.

What sort of thing could scare the bejesus out of a ghost? I was about to find out, and it didn't sit well with me. "It was horrible, Chara!" A loox stammered. "A formless creature blacker than the pits in Waterfall!" A migosp bemoaned. " We barely got away alive. I thought we were dinner for sure!" A vegetoid cried.

A sense of dread sunk into my gut. Napstablook finally spoke. "It was looking for you Chara. It wanted you." So that's how it was. That chill down my spine returned. Taking a deep breath, I spoke. "Get anyone you can find indoors. The ruins aren't safe right now. Once the danger has passed I'll let you all know."

Today was not going to be a good day, clearly. I had my duty to protect these people though. With knife in hand I set out. I was determined to end this before it started, and someone got hurt badly... or god forbid dusted. For safety's sake I made a SAVE at one of those glowing points.

It didn't take long to find the... whatever it was. A swirling mass of black smoke-like tendrils. When I got close however it took a more solid and distinct form. Vaguely humanoid, with a single glowing red line across where its eyes would be. It had been about to attack a small group of froggits, but it seemed my timely arrival drew its focus away giving them a chance to flee.

It spoke slowly, in a voice not unlike one I had only heard in a nightmare, though it sounded like it was muffled as if coming from an old phonograph. This was no monster. "Chara... HP:20/20... ATK:10... DEF: 15... MP: 20/20...?" It tilted it's head like a curious dog as it spoke the last one, not seeming to understand. Did it... just check me?

I already knew what my HP was at. My ATK was something new though. Aggression Transference, Kinetic. Basically just a fancy way of saying how hard I can damage something's HP with an attack that has lethal intent behind it. How magic actually factored into that I had no idea. DEF would be my 'Defensive Emotional Field'. Basically my soul's ability to resist harmful intent and reduce how much HP damage it could take. Apparently tied to a person's force of will.

MP however was a new one. Perhaps it had to do with my new magic talent? I'd call it Magic Potential then, at least until I found someone who knew better what was really going on. I suddenly felt myself pulled into a battle by the thing. "Just... a hindrance... free EXP?" It sounded amused.

I frankly didn't like the way it moved, like some sort of demented and poorly made stop motion animation. I decided to check it and the results were... strange. - HP:50 ATK:? DEF:?, Not a monster. Does not know mercy. - Today was not going to be a good day.

Empowering my knife with magic, I prepared for the worst. This wasn't going to end like that nightmare. Three sharp dark spikes jabbed through the bullet box, as if trying to pin my soul down. I managed to weave around them.

With a fierce swing of the knife, I sent a slash of red magic crashing into it. It's presence seemed to distort from the blow, like a reflection in a puddle when a stone is cast into it. It responded by thrusting an arm forward which turned into a sharp spike which struck into me, sending me reeling.

My vision was blurred a bit from the pain and my HP had been easily drained by a good 5. Calling on my magic, I produced two blades of the stuff, and sent them flying at the creature. Another solid hit. It hardly even staggered however.

Stab after stab, it thrust at me, trying to wear me down. Only a few glancing blows that did 1 HP worth of damage though. My exhaustion was catching up to me however. I needed to end this fast. Closing my eyes, I poured out my magic into an attack.

Feeling like I faintly remembered something, I molded it into a trident of sorts and with a mighty toss, hurled it at the entity. A demon, for lack of a better term. It froze up for a sec as the attack blew a hole clean through it. "Nothing... will...ever... change..." It hissed one last time before bursting into a black mist which faded away. Relief washed over me.

My body had taken a bit of a beating I came to realize, looking myself over. At least half a dozen stinging little cuts and such, and a nasty gash along my left shoulder. I'd need to get those looked at. Monster battles didn't do this much damage to your body.

With the conflict resolved I worked my way back home, letting everyone know it was all clear now. I ate a bit of monster food as well to help tend to my physical wounds a bit and top off my HP. Today was not going to be a good day.

It thankfully didn't take long for me to reach home. I went straight to washing the various injuries and put a bandage across the gash on my shoulder. It was at about this point however that I realized neither Frisk nor Toriel were anywhere in the house.

Had she taken Frisk out to take care of some errands? Was she taking them out to teach them? Toriel always did want to be a teacher. But then Frisk had been staring at the stairs particularly intently today... wait...

No. How did I not notice? Don't tell me the kid... In a panic I ran down the stairs into the hall leading to the doorway. Sure enough there Frisk was, next to Toriel. Toriel seemed particularly sad.

"My expectations... My loneliness... My fear... For you, my child... I will put them aside." She took a heavy breath. "If you truly wish to leave the ruins, I will not try to stop you any further..." She bent down and gave Frisk a warm hug. A slight frown tugged on my face as she let them go. Today was not going to be a good day...

"Hey, kid. Thought I told you to let me know when you were gonna want to leave." They whipped around, a slight mix of shock and shame flashing across their face. "Hey now. It's cool. Just remember for the future." I walked over. "You ok, mom?"

It was not a good feeling seeing her like that. "I will be fine, my child." I managed a smile. "Good. Let's put some tea on then, and bake something tasty." She blinked in surprise. " I promised the kid I'd watch over them if they decided to leave. No way we're leaving right this second though. We need to get some stuff together... and besides. Wouldn't want to leave on such a sad note."

I started making my way back upstairs. " So let's make a happy memory, alright? And besides, I promise I'll be back when it's all over. If you ever get worried I'll be just a call away." A calmed smile washed over Toriel. "Very well, my child. Let us make this a happy occasion, like you said."

Seeing that I had eased her mind helped my own. Tea was served and we made cookies together, Puns and stories were shared around the fireplace. With the end of it some much needed rest was taken. Maybe today wasn't such a bad day after all.

Later supplies were gathered and heartfelt goodbyes were given as I made sure Frisk was wrapped up nice and warm. Standing before the door, I took a deep breath. "Do you really have to leave?" Toriel asked softly. I glanced back to her, smiling. " I do. I made a promise to the kid... and maybe I'll find some answers for myself out there."

Toriel gave a soft sigh, shaking her head slightly, though still smiling. "...I don't understand. Not at all. But... please take care of yourself." Both me and Frisk turned and gave her a hearty thumbs up. "Of course. I'll come back to you. I'll be able to return knowing you'll be there."

To my surprise Frisk spoke up as well, a bit stronger than usual. " Don't ever give up hope... We'll find a way to help everyone, and be together again." I was left somewhere between being proud and keeping my jaw from dropping so much it fell off. That was a near exact quote from the scholar in my stories, and Frisk meant every word of it.

They didn't intend to just leave and be done with it, it seemed. They had much more in mind. Damn, kid... Just... damn. You dream big. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you wanted to find a way to tear down the barrier. I could get behind that.

It seemed Toriel was affected by it as well, tearing up like she was. She pulled us both into one last hug. "I don't want to let go..." A gentle pat on her back and I spoke through slightly gritted teeth. "You... don't have to. We'll see each other again. But... could you possibly hug a bit less tightly? You're kinda crushing us a bit here."

With a bit of a surprised sound, she quickly let the two of us go. Poor Frisk got a bit more of the squishing than I did it seemed. I ruffled their hair back into shape. "I will await your return. If it were possible, I would like to join you, but someone must tend to the flowers. Be safe out there, my children."

"Of course, I got a promise to keep." I looked to Frisk. " Alright 'scholar'. It seems the adventure party is set for now. Let us set off on our quest, just like in the tales of old, huh?" Frisk looked back to me and nodded.

Together we both pushed the door to destiny open, a gust of icy wind biting at us as it creaked wide. The wintry landscape of Snowdin awaited us beyond. Everyone was going to be free, and no demon was going to get in our way. Taking our first steps into the world outside, we set forward filled with determination.

MsYakumo: Alternate chapter title: The chapter where shit gets real.

This chapter was actually finished in a relatively short amount of time (2 days!), so hopefully it's still good. Why it wasn't posted right away though? I had a bit of trouble finding time to go over it with the person helping me edit it actually. I imagine if Chara wasn't human she'd make for a very good royal guard.