In an effort to get a head start on, what could possibly be, a long chapter I am writing this right after I finished the last chapter. Anything I got from the last chapter will be acknowledged at the end Author's note.
I honestly don't have anything else to say.
Disclaimer: I don't own Undertale.
Muffet was on a verge of a mental breakdown. Putting aside the fact she was attacked, the fact that she was saved by a suddenly violent Frisk, and the fact that Sans had completely terrified her, she was now talking to a sentient flower. Has her sanity completely faded away? Where was the sense of world? Why is this happening to her out of all people!? She just wants to make a living with her baked goods, and keep her family safe! She possibly might want to find someone to spend her life with at a later time too. Are those things really too much to ask for? She already feels as if she is going to snap. How much can one person take!?
Her breathing quickly becomes ragged as she looks around rapidly "Oh god, she hyperventilating." Hearing that weed speak more only makes her breathing get worse as she falls to her knees. Her top left hand clutches her ribbon as she struggles to steady herself. The rest of her hands dig their fingers into the ground just so she could grasp anything. She needs something physical to make sure she's actually here at the moment. The feeling of cold dirt surrounds her sharp fingers as they bury into the ground, but it isn't enough to convince her that this is actually happening. She doesn't want this to be happening. The flower that partially haunted her dreams only a few days ago is actually real.
The thing that crushed her leg before breaking her arms one by one exists "I-I know you... "A part of her dream flashes before her eyes to remind her of what she awoke from. Her pain was agonizing, large thorns have pierced her leg while the vine squeezed her blood from the open wounds. The pressure was far too much as the bone cracked before shattering. Her screech of pain echoed throughout the darkness that surrounded her, but the terror truly began when she heard that voice.
"Howdy! I'm-"
"Flowey," She didn't need to look up to tell that the three of them are looking at her "Flowey the Flower." The name that eluded her in the dream came forth from her lips with such ease. To her, this creature's name is both familiar yet new at the same time. Her mind hurts terribly as she feels visions almost coming to the forefront of her mind, but they're all getting in each other's way as they try to force her to see them all at once. It's all too much. Her mind can't handle such pressure. The pain in the back of her head returned with a vengeance as it quickly becomes unbearable. Quickly removing her top right hand from the dirt, the young girl cradles her head with her two top hands as she tries to endure the onslaught of pain.
The pain quickly gets bad enough that she's almost curling up in a futile attempt to protect herself "I think seeing me sparked a good amount of alternate memories." God, the more the flower speaks the more of the unwanted visions emerge. Her body trembles from the pain while she does her best to hold in her whimpers by biting down on her bottom lip using her fangs. She can see so many ways she can die. Barrages of white pellets quickly show to be a common trend, but that doesn't make their impact any less painful. Then there is the vines. Piercing straight through her heart, being shoved through her mouth and down through her stomach before the thorns grow. Each of her limbs being pulled apart slowly while she screams in painful horror.
Phantom vines could be felt crawling all over her body as she was shown millions of ways she might have died. As more images of her death pass through her mind faster and faster the young girl faintly realized a growing trend with these images. With each passing 'death' it was taking longer and longer for these visions to end. With what little mental capacity she could use at the moment, Muffet grew horrified as it seemed that these versions of herself were tortured more and more before being allowed to die. Her resolve was breaking, her spirit couldn't take any more of this hell that was brought onto her. Desperation clawed at her heart as her fingers clutched onto her skull. Soon, her fingertips broke through the flesh before her blood slowly streamed down her face.
Then the visions changed. They were passing by quickly once more, but there was something different about them. There was something else causing her demise within this set of horrors. She no longer felt the sensation of vines tearing into her body. Instead she could have sworn she could feel something metal striking her down. Oddly, nothing pierced her. It was more like someone was swinging a metal object into her body. The change in pain was welcomed a bit as it was considerably better than being violated and torn apart by vines. With some of her focus back, Muffet noticed something odd about these new visions. Amidst the quickly blurring scenes that rush past, there was a single thing that remained in focus. Almost like the thing was taking the same path through each time until it attacked her.
This constant seemed so familiar to her. As if she knew what this was. All she needed to do is examine- The young girl nearly lashed out in surprise when she felt a pair of arms wrap in between her lower and middle sets of arms. The only reason she didn't was because the sensation comforted her for some reason. Still, when she was pulled up against a warm body she squirmed in an attempt to free herself from this unknown comfort. In her state of mind, the spider monster couldn't tell what was her friend or what was her foe. Her middle and lower hands gripped the dirt in fear for her life.
It was only the sight of small vines coming out of the ground around her hands that scared her into letting go. Curling up against the warm comforting body, Muffet tries to shield herself from any assaults on her body. Not a very easy thing for her when she's simultaneously attempting to sort through the mess of painful visions. The chore is quickly draining her mentally. How long can she continue to try before her sanity is gone? Probably not that much longer. However, the feeling of a hand gently rubbing her back helps fortify her mind somehow. The presence of serene aid may have been the only reason she could hold on. A new sense of purpose blooms within her as she throws all of her mental ability into processing these visions.
She has a small inkling of who might be holding her, and that thought only bolsters her efforts. The young girl can feel herself becoming more determined to withstand this torture. That still proves easier said than done when a barrage of fresh pain is inflicted upon her. Her body feels the effects of being killed in hundreds of different ways. The attacks that brought her to the edge of death may be even worse than the actual deaths. Each sped-up strike in her vision builds up the pain lingering from the last, but when the vision version of her dies the pain only builds more. She didn't bother trying to count the ways she died, the number of strikes that hit their target, or the amount of torture she had to endure.
Just like the color that her people were connected to, she just persevered. If the clans have been doing that for generations she could do it for however long this lasts right? Her family has endured famines, undue assaults from people that tower over them, and predators that desired to eat them. Being stomped on, frozen, burned, torn apart, dissected alive, legs sliced off, starvation, fighting against their own. Spiders have always made it through the worst of times, even if they have to move to a new home. If her ancestors and relatives survived through that, then she will damn well make it through this. The sense of purpose grew more and more as she held on fast against the tide of brutality being thrown at her.
The young arachnid refused to lose to something as insignificant as images. No, she would take everything this hell has to offer before laughing mischievously in it's face. Despite the intense mounting pain, her lips twitched up into a slight smile. Isn't that what she always does anyways? This shall be no different. Her limbs shook as she forced her top arms to fall down to her side. Her hands balled up into tightly packed fists as she willed them not to move. She commanded her eyes to open once more as she gritted her teeth harshly. What she saw before her was a short skeleton that looked very concerned, and a living flower that looked genuinely surprised. She didn't know why, but as the pain was building up to soul shattering levels she couldn't help herself.
As if venting every last bit of damage inflicted upon her through the hellish eternity in her mind, she released it all with a single scream. The young girl's pain reached its peak as her voice raised in pitch. Her own rings were ringing as she forced all the air out of her lungs. The skeleton in front of her took a step back while the flower winced harshly. Yet, the hand that was rubbing her back wrapped back around her stomach as she was pulled even closer to the person holding her. It was the extra bit of reassurance that she needed when the last image flashed by her eyes. What she saw was nearly an identical showing of her nightmare. However, instead of vines there was a being that broke her arms with ease. The thing laughed as it told her to crawl away, yet the vision version of herself refused to.
Instead, she defiantly laughed at the unnatural thing. In the last moments of her vision she could see surprised outrage on the face of her killer before a blade was buried through her top eye. Then in that instant, the soul shattering pain was gone. Her lungs gave out only a moment later as Muffet gasped for air. Her skin felt clammy from her sweat. Her entire body was trembling from the effort she exerted throughout the ordeal. That didn't matter to her though. She just felt so tired, and the warm body behind her feels so good. Without a single thought the young arachnid leans back into the comforting embrace.
A smile grew as she felt the arms tightening around her. To her, it was a declaration that the person would protect her, and while she normally would be offended a bit by the idea it was a nice offer at the moment. Glancing lazily down to the arms holding her only makes her smile grow more. Sleeves of purple and blue in a repeating spider pattern. With a content sigh she allowed her eyes to slowly close while leaning her head back to rest on the person. A soothing sound greets her as she rests her head on them. The rhythmic beating of a heart offers to send her to dreamland until she is ready to awake once more.
As amazing as that would have been for her, there were other things that took priority "Golly! I never knew she could handle the influx of alternate memories." Or there were annoyances that just couldn't keep their mouths shut "In all of the runs that I did, she never showed this capabi-" Mentally exhausted and out of any form of patience, Muffet growls out in irritation. Her eyelids furrow before she blindly holds out her middle right hand at the source of the sound. Forcing her web out of her palm, the sound of muffled screams could soon be heard.
The sound of deep laughter follows suit "N-nice shot spiderwoman." Knowing that the others wouldn't let her get a moment of rest at the moment the irate monster opens her eyes. She turns on the voices with the full intent of releasing her unrestrained fury, but she pauses when she sees what's she's done. The webbing that she shot was aimed with a startling accuracy, but she may have used too much. From the mouth down, the living flower was entangled with webs. The glare that it has is far more amusing to the young baker than threatening, and it only gets more amusing as the vines it uses get tangled up along with it's main body. Sans is laughing without restraint at this, and she soon follows suit.
It doesn't take long for the wonderful sound of Frisk laughing to join them as well. Of course, the source of their laughter isn't taking this well at all. It's muffled screams could only be assumed to be death threats or promises of extreme violence. Yet, soon it just droops as it gives up trying to free itself. Feeling much better at this point, Muffet shakily stands from the human's embrace before walking over to the flower. Crouching down in front of it, the living plant looks up at her with an annoyed glare. She only gives a mischievous smile in return before using the fingertips of her center right hand to grasp the web around its mouth. For a moment she just toys with it causing the flower's glare to harshen.
In response, she raises her eyebrows at the sight "My, my!" She openly grins at the flower with her fangs in full view "Is that anyway to get my help dearie?" At that the flower reluctantly drops the glare while its stem bends. It looks kind of like the plant is slouching in defeat. The sight was so pitiful that the girl decided to give it some mercy. In one fluid movement, she pulls the webbing off of its mouth. Surprisingly, the flower didn't yell at her or promise to give her eternal torment.
For some reason, she feels as if that would have been this creature's normal behavior, but it instead just mutters a thank you before examining her with curious eyes. Her skin feels like it could start to crawl again from its gaze alone. Even more so when she sees a growing bit of interest within the dark eyes it has. Not liking the stare-down she is being given, Muffet stand back up before turning to face the other two present. From what she can see, both Sans and Frisk look to be in a heated, yet hushed, debate about something. While she did get the sneaking suspicion that it was about her, the young girl tiredly decides to let them continue. She did ask to interrupt whatever the human was doing. She didn't have any right, or energy, to stop them.
"Why are you here?" The voice of the flower reaches her ears as she watches them "Shouldn't you be at home resting?" At this point, she can't say she's surprised by those words. After experiencing the pure torture she just went through, a talking flower who helped to stop a blood-thirsty Frisk is easy to accept. Hell, it just makes her feel that her decision to come here was even more justified. It's proof that there are things happening that involves her friend. Ironically, it makes the reason why she was here even clearer.
"I was worried for Frisk." Looking over her shoulder, she meets the flower's gaze with her own "After a sudden outburst of violence like that, I couldn't just stand by and wait for them to come back." Her answer was quick and certain. The words just flowed naturally from her, but it must have had a different effect on the Flower. The living plant's eyes looked downward with a wistfully sad smile gracing its expression. Was that a look of regret? Or was it a look of longing?
Muffet felt that it might be both "That must be nice." Both confusion and sorrow blossomed from the sentient plant's words. What must be nice? To have friends? To have someone care for you? True, it is a touching thing. Does the flower not have any friends? She sneaks a glance back over at Frisk as they seem to be considering something. If Frisk was around here they must care for the living flower right? Maybe the creature just doesn't realize it yet.
Crouching down once more, the spider baker gives the being a kind smile "It is nice." Maybe not the best choice of words considering it just looks more bitter now "But you have a friend too." That sparked a much better reaction as the flower looked up at her in confusion "After all, you have Frisk as a friend right?" That sad smile is back again. Unsure of what she might of said wrong, she was going to try and comfort it. Unfortunately, the sound of Sans clearing his throat, which is technically impossible, catches her attention.
Turning to the skeleton, he looked just as casual as ever with his hands in his pockets "That, uh, was quite the display of determination." Determination? When did she display that? "So, since you managed to withstand the onslaught of alternate memories," Okay, she's heard that several times now. What are these 'alternative memories'!? "We've decided to include you in our little 'club', so to speak." Frisk and Sans share a glance before the human steps forward. With more and more questions being added onto the pile she already had, Muffet looks to him with confusion clear on her face.
"Muffet," Oh god it's nice to hear that voice again "What you are about to learn may be difficult to understand." That's probably a vast understatement at this point "It will change how you see everything." She's already made peace with the fact that there is a talking flower who could probably kill her, how much harder could this be? For a brief moment, the spider monster regrets thinking that. She's probably asking for trouble with that line of thinking.
"And you'll never see me in the same way again." Now that grabbed her attention "But before we can start, I need you to meet someone." No, no, no, no, no. Forget meeting someone, what did they mean by never seeing them the same way? Did Frisk really do something bad? Did the human that she ador- likes really do something terrible enough to warrant Sans keeping a close watch on them?
Her questions would have to wait a moment as Frisk rests their hands over their chest. Watching with a bit of interest, she witnesses them slowly pulling their hand out. A chill ran down her spine as she saw a hint of light red following the human's hands. There was only one thing that she knows that is that color. She saw it for only a brief moment in their first encounter, but she could never forget the sight of it. The beautiful shine that it held, and the brilliance of the determination it represented. Why is Frisk pulling out their soul!? Her first instinct is to rush over and stop them, but something seemed wrong about what she is seeing. After a re-examination, the color of the soul looks a tad bit darker than what she remembers. The simple detail could be insignificant. Yet, it could also be the most important detail about the situation.
The small difference is enough to stop her as she watches the human continue to pull the soul out. Her eyes narrow at the thing as she gets a very bad vibe from the thing. A brief shot of terror goes through her that makes her stumble back in shock. In that moment, she felt more terrified than she had ever felt before. Facing Sans felt as easy as baking her goods compared to what she felt. Nothing good could come from this. She's certain of that. Her suspicions only grow as the entire soul is pulled out. With widening eyes, she sees that it isn't a complete soul. Instead a fragment of a soul hovers above Frisk's hands.
"This is who we would like you to meet." Muffet couldn't say a thing as she watches the fragment hover out in front of the human. She barely notices Frisk stepping away from the incomplete soul, but she keeps her focus on the fragment. Soon she's rewarded with a blackness oozing out of invisible crack that the soul piece has. The goopy substance flows down towards the floor before just stopping on the ground. With the stuff continuing to flow forth, it builds on top of itself while forming a rudimentary shape of a figure. It doesn't take long for the soul fragment to be overtaken by the unknown material, and even less time for it to form the rest of the shape.
There was something horrifically familiar about the shape before her. The young girl just couldn't place where she saw it before. Some movement catches her eyes and she looks beyond the shape to Frisk. The human seems to be shifting back and forth anxiously while trying to stand still. With a growing frown, she puts her focus back onto the dark figure presented to her. She's a bit startled to see it changing from black to several different colors. Brown hair is revealed on the figure's head, some of it's surface changes to a slightly light skin color, brown pants with brown shoes adorn the bottom half. However, the most noticeable details are the unnatural black eyes with crimson pupils, and the green and yellow shirt the figure is wearing.
The thing in front of Muffet slowly grins as widely as a psychopath wielding a machete would "Hello Little Miss Muffet," The simple way it says her name fills her with the urge to plead for her life "My name is Chara."
Ending there! Aren't I terrible? I said I would explain things, but all I did was make more questions arise. That wasn't my intent, but it happened regardless.
However! I cannot avoid answering a multitude of questions in the next chapter! Seriously, there is no way around it. So, I hope you guys can wait for the next chapter patiently.
If there was any parts that really confused you, please tell me. I might have to come back and rewrite certain parts if it's bad enough. I hope it wasn't.
So, I'll let you guys drive yourself mad with questions while I attempt to go write the next chapter. I'll need all the time I can get. However, if you need a boost of Undertale inspiration I suggest listening to 'Waters of Megalovania'. I've been listening to it the entire time I was writing.
If you enjoyed this chapter, please review! Or pm me telling me what you thought. It help motivate me greatly. Just please have an actual reason for reviewing if you're going to. Nice things, criticism, noticed errors are some of the acceptable things that would help me.
However, giving reviews that are negative for no reason, or proclaiming hatred for a character that is in the story is not acceptable. A good example of what not to do would be, and I'm just spitballing here, 'Red sucks'. See how pointless that kind of comment is?
Extra Note: I have kinda written two separate chapters that goes down two paths. One is more depressing than the other, so I do have the temptation to switch moods if the next chapter doesn't fit well with me. I want to warn people of that.
Anyways, I have to go for now! See you later! Bye!
~DeathOnWings1203~
