I moved on towards an empty space and found Papyrus on the other side, waiting for me. I was about to take another step, but then he stopped me with a raise of his arm. ""OH-HO! THE HUMAN ARRIVES! IN ORDER TO STOP YOU, I HAVE CREATED SOME PUZZLES! I THINK YOU WILL FIND THIS ONE… QUITE SHOCKING!" Oh! That's right, it was the electricity maze. "FOR YOU SEE, THIS IS THE INVISIBLE… ELECTRICITY MAZE!" Called it. "WHEN YOU TOUCH THE WALLS OF THIS MAZE… THIS ORB WILL ADMINISTER A HEARTY ZAP!" Papyrus brought out a sky blue orb. It was smooth and shiny, not to mention very pretty. I wondered if he had given this exact one to all the other people that had passed by here. "SOUND LIKE FUN? BECAUSE! THE AMOUNT OF FUN YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE, IS ACTUALLY RATHER SMALL I THINK." He sounded uncertain, and that just made me chuckle a little inside. "OK, YOU CAN GO AHEAD NOW."
I knew what was going to happen. I would walk forward, Papyrus would get shocked, and then he would go through the maze and give me the orb, leaving behind a trail of footprints. But I didn't really want to see Papyrus get zapped. That would probably not be a very pretty sight.
"Uh… I think I have to hold the orb." I pointed out, hoping it would convince him to give me the orb right away.
"OH," Papyrus mused, seeming to realize this too. "OK." To my relief, he came over without question, threw the orb into the air, and ran back to his side. I caught the orb in mid fall with my hands, and then placed it on my head. There was no way I was going to catch that with my head, though I had no idea how the character in the game always managed to do it.
"OKAY, TRY NOW!" Papyrus ordered me once I had balanced the ball on my head. I raised my eyebrows before starting to follow his exact footsteps through the maze. Personally, I found balancing the orb on my head to be much harder than solving the maze itself. However, I had finally managed to make it to the end without dropping the orb.
"INCREDIBLE!" Papyrus marvelled at my maze-solving and orb-balancing skills. "YOU SLIPPERY SNAIL! YOU SOLVED IT SO EASILY… TOO EASILY! HOWEVER! THE NEXT PUZZLE WILL NOT BE EASY! IT IS DESIGNED BY DR. ALPHYS HERSELF! YOU WILL SURELY BE CONFOUNDED! I KNOW I AM! NYEH HEH HEH HEH HEH!" He then excused himself by quickly running away backwards.
I didn't follow him yet. Apparently, Sans' puzzle wasn't next. Papyrus had just skipped on to the puzzle after his, which was Alphys'. Maybe it was because Papyrus had already realized how useless Sans' puzzle was from the previous people, and was learning from his mistakes. That did make this less fun… but I wasn't going to let it dampen my spirits! I finally took down the blue orb from my head and realized that Papyrus had never taken it back. Maybe I should return it to him later. For now, I would keep it in my backpack.
Moving on, I had finally met the Nicecream Man. In game, I had always had trouble figuring out what animal he was, but close up I now understood completely. He was a bunny. With red fur inside his ears. And his eyes were closed, and quiet.
"I don't understand why these aren't selling… It's the perfect weather for something cold…" I slowly approached the Nicecream Man's bright red cart with the big umbrella on it. I didn't know why it was needed, since I was pretty sure it never rained or snowed in Snowdin.
Suddenly, one of the Nicecream Guy's eyes opened, and his face suddenly brightened up as he smiled in delight at my appearance. So he had finally noticed me. Although I admit, he looked a lot more adorable when he was happy.
Oh wait, he wasn't an octopus. He was a bunny with blue ears. And the inside part was red. Figured.
"Oh! A customer!" He nearly shouted, "Hello! Would you like some Nice Cream? It's the frozen treat that warms your heart! Now just 15G!" That didn't seem to be that bad of a deal, but I figured it would be more worth it once I reached the Waterfall. That way, I could use an umbrella for discounts and receive punch cards. Plus, right now really wasn't the perfect weather for a cold treat. A cold wind suddenly blew by, and I shivered at the thought of it.
So I politely refused his offer. "Well then…" He pondered, "Tell your friends that there's icecream in the middle of the woods!" I nodded my head, even though I didn't have that many friends in the Underground yet. But I guess every customer counted.
I crossed another small bridge, and couldn't help looking down into the abyss below it. Sure, there were trees down there, but I really doubted that they could help once someone fell. I hoped no one else fell down there. I carefully made my way across the bridge and found the snowball on the paved area. Relieved, I stepped there and shook snow off my pants.
I was up for the snowball-golf challenge alright. For some reason, this also felt like destiny. Like it would tell me what my future foretold. Before starting though, I went ahead and took a good look at the terrain ahead. There was ice that would get in the way, and the path curved around in a backwards S shape, but that was all. Satisfied, I headed back to the snowball and took a deep breath. And then I started.
With the easy part ahead, I started with strong controlled kicks that moved the ball around where I needed it to go. I tried not to make too many rash movements, but I still kicked quickly and accurately. Soon, I was at the ice section. I skirted past it, and gave the snowball a final kick before it bounced into the hole at the end. Suddenly, a reg flag shot up from where the snowball disappeared, and I was curious as to see what it would say.
"Bravery. Justice. Integrity. Kindness. Perseverance. Patience. Using these, you were able to win at 'Ball Game,'" I had never gotten this result before, and it delighted me to know the flag thought so highly of me. But even then, why hadn't it mentioned determination? Was that not a thing?
I mused for a moment before reaching down into the hole, and grabbing handfuls of gold! I smiled in delight as I reached in and picked them all out, totaling a great big 52 G! I couldn't help wondering where the extra 2 G came from, until I realized that maybe an earlier person had played the game and forgot their share. I shrugged, and decided to give it back to them later, once I found out who it belonged to.
Moving on, I realized there was no Sans to sell me any fried snow. Now that was a disappointment. I sighed before continuing on and passing by the area where I would usually do Sans' Word Search puzzle. Now the place was deserted, except for a single piece of soggy paper lying on the snow. I went forward to investigate, but only found it to be the abandoned word search. I debated on taking it with me, but then decided to leave it there for the next people. I was pretty sure James and Elaine would've liked to see this puzzle.
Moving ahead, I found a note, a table with spaghetti on it, and a microwave. I went to the note first, and chuckled as I read it. Papyrus had never failed to amuse me, and it really helped to lighten my spirits. Honestly, whoever used the word japed? That was just too funny to ignore.
I also went to read the labels on the microwave, and that didn't fail to keep my spirits up either. I shook my head good naturedly as I went to the hole in the side of the wall. Once again, there was the squeaking of mice present there. I looked back to the table and microwave and figured I would never be able to heat up the spaghetti. But knowing that the mice might one day find a way to heat up the spaghetti… now that filled me with determination. I felt all my past bruises heal, and I smiled before continuing.
But Lesser Dog showed up. I grinned at his happy composure and wagging tail, although I had to admit his neck looked pretty long already. It was probably from the petting that the previous people had given him. His white fur was white and fluffy, and very tempting to pet. I started petting him between attacks, and his neck stretched to where no dog had ever went. I continued to pet him, even as his neck started coming back down. Soon, the neck stretched no longer. I knew I had to spare him, and I was sad to see him go.
Then, I was quickly warned by Dog Marriage, and I knew what was coming up. I quickly went to flip the correct switch without using the map, and went on to meet the two Dog Guards. They remarked on my weird smells before engaging me in a fight. I did all the necessary requirements to beat them, although rolling in the dirt wasn't exactly the first priority on my list, but what had to be done had to be done. By the time they had thanked me and left, I was covered from head to toe with mud. Disgusted, I used the snow to clean myself off, but that only made myself colder. Good riddance.
Now completely dirty and soaked, I went on and finally met the button puzzles! Now these were easy. But solving the puzzle would mean walking off the path and trudging through snow again. I sighed before going on ahead to step down on the shape in the snow. I had no idea how the shapes changed once I stepped on them, and I wasn't going to figure out anytime soon. Finishing the puzzle, I stepped on the large grey button in the middle of the snow.
"WHAT!?" Papyrus was here again, "HOW DID YOU AVOID MY TRAP? AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY… IS THERE ANY LEFT FOR ME?"
If he was talking about the spaghetti, then there wasn't much to lie about, was there? "I left some for you." Well I think it's perfectly fine to bend the truth.
"REALLY!? WOWIE…" Papyrus looked admiring. "YOU RESISTED THE FLAVOR OF MY HOMECOOKED PASTA… JUST SO YOU COULD SHARE IT WITH ME? FRET NOT HUMAN! I, MASTER CHEF PAPYRUS… WILL MAKE YOU ALL THE PASTA YOU COULD EVER WANT!" Cue laughing. "HEH HEH HEH HEH HEH HEH NYEH!"
I followed him past the now sheathed spikes as he continued to rant on. "MY BROTHER STARTED A SOCK COLLECTION RECENTLY. HOW SADDENING…" He frowned. "SOMETIMES I WONDER WHAT HE WOULD DO… WITHOUT SUCH A COOL GUY TAKING CARE OF HIM? NYEH HEH HEH!" I smiled good naturedly at his self-confidence.
Soon, we had finally reached the next shape puzzle. "HUMAN!" Papyrus declared, "HMMM… HOW DO I SAY THIS… YOU WERE TAKING A LONG TIME TO ARRIVE, SO… I DECIDED TO RESET AND IMPROVE THIS PUZZLE… BY ARRANGING THE SNOW TO LOOK MORE LIKE MY FACE." Typical Papyrus. "UNFORTUNATELY, THE SNOW FROZE TO THE GROUND. NOW THE SOLUTION IS DIFFERENT! AND, AS USUAL, MY LAZY BROTHER IS NOWHERE AROUND." Yeah, he's too busy sleeping at home to even come and greet me. "I SUPPOSE WHAT I AM SAYING IS…" His cape suddenly began to flow behind him from the cause of invisible wind. "WORRY NOT, HUMAN! I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, WILL SOLVE THIS CONUNDRUM! THEN WE CAN BOTH PROCEED! MEANWHILE, FEEL FREE TO TRY THE PUZZLE YOURSELF! I'LL TRY NOT TO GIVE AWAY THE ANSWER!"
I already knew the answer to the puzzle, but I was feeling mischievous. So I headed over to the tree next to Papyrus and found a switch there, which I pulled. Then I stepped on the grey button, and all the X's turned to O's.
"WOW! YOU SOLVED IT! AND YOU DID IT ALL WITHOUT MY HELP…"
"Yep."
"INCREDIBLE! I'M IMPRESSED! YOU MUST CARE ABOUT PUZZLES LIKE I DO! WELL, I'M SURE YOU'LL LOVE THE NEXT PUZZLE THEN! IT MIGHT EVEN BE TOO EASY FOR YOU! NYEH! HEH HEH! HEHEHEH!" Then Papyrus strode on ahead, making me feel proud of myself, even though I knew I had sort of cheated.
Going on, I finally met Alphys' puzzle, introduced by Papyrus himself. After the explanation, which wasn't needed since I had already memorized everything, I told him I understood and allowed him to turn the puzzle on. Papyrus told me that the puzzle created would be one that I had never seen before, and that even he wouldn't know the answer. Of course, I wasn't worried. It would just…
My eyes widened as I saw the puzzle. It was colorful, with different colored tiles everywhere. There were not many pink tiles in sight, meaning that the puzzle machine had actually worked! I faced Papyrus in a confused manner, but he was already twirling himself away. I decided not to call him, and tried to do the puzzle myself.
It was a good things I remembered the rules, or else I wouldn't have made it. Sometimes, I would think that there was no other way to continue, but then I would find the tile that smelled like lemons, and I could pass by the piranhas. Surprisingly, the blue tiles actually were water, and I found myself getting more soaked than I already was. I had to lift my backpack above my head to keep it from turning wet. I grumbled as I continued the puzzle.
I had eventually got the end, after getting shocked, soaked, and bitten on. Fortunately, the fish actually weren't actually piranhas, they were just harmless fish. Even then, they were annoying. I flipped my hair pensively as I went forward.
Moving on, I found dozens of snow dogs with long necks stretching out from the ground all around me. They were all deformed and twisted, but still kinda cute. I remembered that it was lesser god that made those sculptures, and realized that it must've taken a long time. Knowing that dog will never give up trying to make the perfect snowdog filled me with determination. I went on to talk to the doe in purple.
"That dog considers itself and artist, but doesn't ever know what to create. It probably doesn't help that its brain is the size of a piece of kibble." I glowered at the deer and stuck out my tongue at her before quickly leaving. Although I didn't see her expression, I was quite sure it would've been priceless to see.
Ahead, I found the last shape-ice puzzle. But first, I headed down to the right, where I found two snowman. Or at least, one of them was a snowman, but the other was just a lump of snow. I admired Papyrus' handiwork and the red marker that was scribbled onto the snow by Sans. Feeling slightly left out, I gathered up some snow built a little snowman of myself, right in between the other two.
Backing up, I could see it wasn't my best work. But seeing three cute little snowmen lined up in a row really is impressive. I grinned in satisfaction as I headed back up the slope to the shape-ice puzzle. But when I looked more carefully, I realized that the puzzle was already done. I slapped my forehead and shook my head. Someone had already solved this, so there was no need for me to do it again. I then took a careful step onto the ice, and immediately slipped.
I feel on my behind as I slid forward to the grey button. Now my behind was cold as an icicle. I grumbled as I picked myself up and walked onto the icy platform, which only made me slip again. As I was sliding, I felt snow drop onto my head, and I wondered how I could get any colder or wetter than I was already. Finally reaching the end of the ice platform, I shook the snow hat off my head and moved onward, not even bothering to head down the other path. If Sans wasn't there, then there wouldn't be a need for me to go there.
I passed by some snow piles and found some G in the last snow pile before continuing. I approached Greater Dog and flew around in the air, only to occasionally come down to interact with the dog. In the end, I found his departure to be quite humerus. (Wow Sans)
And then, I was at the bridge of doom. It swayed intimidatingly in front of me, and I debated on how to cross it. Obviously, crossing this would finally lead me to the town, but it didn't exactly look safe in real life. The frail rope that hung to the side as support did not accomplish much in making me feel safer. But after taking a deep breath, I took a wobbly step forward and carefully made my way across, trying not to look down.
But towards the end, I was stopped by Papyrus. I gritted my teeth as I waited for him to finish his speech on the Gauntlet of Terror and leave, so that I could get off the wobbly bridge. The wind that blew around me shook the already wobbly bridge and thin rope, and I growled.
Things started descending above me, and things rose from below. I couldn't help wondering how Papyrus had managed to keep those items there without them falling. What were they even attached to? This was something I felt Papyrus should be rather proud of, even if it didn't work. But would it work this time? He must've learned his past mistakes with the others by now.
After Papyrus claimed that he would be activating the trap that would "definitely work this time", I waited. When nothing happened, I realized that Sans wasn't here to intervene, so that I would have to fill in for him.
"Well?" I chattered, cold and holding on for dear life, "What's the holdup?" Papyrus looked shocked for a moment before openly denying the holdup. "That, uh…" I tried to find the best way to break it to him. "Doesn't look very activated." Papyrus paused before explaining that the puzzle seemed too easy to defeat me with. Then he retracted the weapons to who knows where. Then he claimed his victory and gave an uneasy and almost nervous laugh as he retreated to the town.
Just a few more steps, and a huge happy sign covered with snow greeted me there. I grinned as I read it, feeling hopeful and determined. For the first time, the cold around me felt a little less chilly, and the soaked clothing a little less freezing.
Welcome to SNOWDIN!
Da fuq? Why was this chapter so long?... I guess I wanted to get the snow part over with so that we could finally meet Sans. :3 And travelling through the snow area apparently took a complete two chapters? Whoops... seems highly unnecessary. But what's done is done, and there's no going back! :)
Thanks once again for reading! Alternate endings are still available to ya'll! :3 ~Pizza
