A/N: Wow, it's been so long! I'm really, REALLY sorry for the absolutely LONG delay, but I've had a large lack of inspiration for the past... I don't even know how long. But, it's finally done! I think I'm going to update the summary to include a note that states: "irregular updates" because that's basically what's happening right now. Anyways, usual disclaimers apply, and let's jump right into the story!

Chapter Twenty

Chara sighed, bored, as Frisk finally started heading into Waterfall, after hanging out with Papyrus. She manifested herself into the mortal plane, her footsteps making no sound as she effortlessly kept pace with her sister.

"So, sis. What's the plan for this damp, wet hole in this unearthly mountain? Please don't tell me that you're going to try to, ugh, befriend everyone here, too." She pretended to gag at the mere thought. "Seriously, when are we going to see some action, Frisk? I'm bored to tears after that pathetic performance in that skeleton's house."

Frisk rolled her eyes, responding mentally as usual. Don't worry, Chara. After I meet with an old friend of ours, we'll get to see some action real soon. After all, Undyne still has it out for any human that crosses our path, remember? Of course Chara remembered. That Undying fight would be stuck in her memory for a long time to come.

She changed the subject. "So, who's this friend of yours, sis? Not that comedian, I hope." She felt Frisk hesitate. "I knew it. Sis, at least befriend someone who has flesh on their bones and can't kill you with one hit while still being the laziest monster in the Underground. Ugh, that comedian is the laziest living thing in this world, I tell you. If it weren't for his brother, he'd probably hibernate thirteen months of the year."

Frisk sighed. He's a good guy, Chara. Just because you've never met him when you were alive doesn't mean that he's responsible for your death, or whatever you have against him. He's just looking out for his friends and family, something I bet you'd do if our roles were reversed and he was the one killing everybody on the Surface, including your only family. Chara's mood darkened, and she snapped her head away from Frisk, in the mood to kill.

"That's not your decision to make, Frisk. And I'm done arguing with you. Go ahead, be stupid, for all I care. I'm going to take a nap. Call me when the action picks up again." She faded back into her mental cell, and reclined in the mental cot Frisk had installed for her. She let her ghostly mind wander as she faded into a light slumber.

Frisk shook her head at Chara's antics. She noticed that she was nearing Sans's station, and slowed her pace. She hoped her skeletal friend would be there, and that he'd be receptive to getting some food at Grillby's. She terribly needed to speak with him.

Sans was reclining in his Station when she strolled up. He was snoring lightly, evidently asleep. She hesitated, biting her lip. She didn't want to anger him, but she really did need to talk with him. She gently took his shoulder, shaking him carefully. "Sans," she called softly. "Sans, wake up. I need to talk to you. Sans…"

The skeleton groaned as he woke up. "Hmm? Ugh, kid, give me five more minutes, would ya? A skeleton needs his rest too, ya know?" He rubbed blearily at his eye sockets, which wore a sleepy white glow.

Frisk rolled her eyes. "Sure Sans, like you wouldn't just fall back asleep and then get yelled at by Undyne or Papyrus for sleeping on the job. I'm doing you a favor, here, trust me."

Sans snorted. "When'd you get so smart, kid? Oh, right, when you hurt people the last time." His eyes sharpened into focus, dimming but not quite turning full-on black. "You'd better not try any funny business like that again, kid. I'm serious."

Frisk nodded dutifully. "I hear you. Listen, before I go on with my journey, there's something I want to talk with you about. Want to get a bite at Grillby's?" She knew for a fact that Sans couldn't turn down an offer of food. It's against his religion or something. She mentally rolled her eyes. Or it could just be because he's a guy. Guys devour everything.

Sans yawned, then stood up, walking around the counter. "Sure, kid. I'm always up for Grillby's. And, besides, I know a shortcut." He winked, and Frisk smiled. She felt much more at ease with this laid-back Sans than the deadly one in the Judgment Hall.

And so they warped to Grillby's, the first time in ages. Sans took his seat at the bar, and Frisk tentatively sat down beside him. Sans smirked at Frisk's hesitant posture. "Settle down there, kid. Sure, it's been a while, but that doesn't mean we can't have a good time, can we?" He waved down the flaming man who stood cleaning a glass. "Hey, Grillbz! How 'bout some fries? Just put it on my tab." Grillby rolled his eyes with a long-suffering groan, and went into the back to grab the fries. Sans turned to Frisk, who felt awkward at returning to this friendship this quickly.

"So, you said you had something to tell me? I'm guessing it's important, if you'd wake me up like that." His eyes were glowing white, but had a quiet seriousness to them, and a clarity that scared Frisk. "So, what is it?"

Frisk wrung her hands, unaware that the usual hubbub of Grillby's patrons had come to a sudden halt behind her. "Well, um. Firstly, I want to thank you. For giving me a chance to prove myself. I understand that you don't trust me—I don't really trust myself anymore, either. Which brings me to my second point. I also came here to warn you, Sans."

Sans frowned, his eyes becoming deadly serious. "Warn me about what, kiddo? Is there something you're not telling me?" Frisk gulped, as he'd unintentionally jumped right to the heart of the issue. She avoided his searching gaze, staring at her small, pale hands.

"In a way, yes. I'm here to warn you, Sans, about… something. Something's got it out for you, Sans. I can't tell you exactly what it is, except that it's your unofficial archenemy. That something is out of my control, and it… It wants to kill you, Sans. It wants to destroy you, permanently. I'm trying to stop it, to hold it off, but there's only so much I can do. So… if something bad happens, then please, Sans. Don't do anything… stupid. Just… just be careful, alright? I promised—"

Frisk interrupted herself. She couldn't let anyone know about her promise, least of all Sans. He might not even remember that. I don't want to remind him, if at all possible. She forced a smile that didn't meet her eyes. "Um, I should go. But, um, thanks for talking with me, like this. I needed to get that off my chest." She slid off her stool, the dull roar of Grillby's flowing around her. She turned to say goodbye to Sans, but he was already gone, having disappeared into the shadows. She shrugged, heading for the door, her mind swimming with worry.

Frisk shuffled through the freezing snow until she came to the entrance to Waterfall. She mentally looked over her shoulder at Chara. She was still sound asleep, her blazing red eyes closed peacefully. Frisk let out a relieved breath. Sure, she didn't like going behind Chara's back like that, but she just knew that Chara wouldn't like it at all if she'd been awake for that whole conversation. If it prevented her friends from being killed, Frisk would do whatever was necessary. If that meant stealing behind Chara's back while she was asleep, then so be it.

Chara yawned, sitting up in her cot and rubbing her eyes sleepily. What did I miss, sis? She noticed that they were in Waterfall, nearing the portion of grass where they would meet that fish lady for the "first time". I hope I didn't miss any action?

Frisk seemed preoccupied, but then again, she was running the body, which was no easy task at the best of times. Huh? Oh, you're awake. No, there wasn't any action that you missed. Just a meeting with an old friend. But don't worry; there wasn't anything there that you would've found interesting.

Chara narrowed her eyes. Something about Frisk was off, different somehow. She listened in on Frisk's thoughts, casually leaning against the mental cage that held her. There wasn't much; Chara's sister was very careful with her thoughts when she was around. But, there was a slip, a gap in her protective shell. Was that… the comedian, smiling at Frisk as though they were friends, even with all that's happened? She quickly schooled her expression into one of cool indifference and slight boredom.

So… are we gonna meet with the fish lady, or are we just gonna stand around for an age or two? Because I've already been there, done that, and it's not fun, trust me. Frisk rolled her eyes and carried on, hiding in the tall grass that swayed slightly in the breeze.

After meeting with Undyne, and almost getting killed multiple times, Frisk and Chara came to the rocky bluff that was Undyne's fighting grounds. The Captain of the Royal Guard gave Frisk a warning, and Frisk hesitated before moving forward, Saving at a Save Star.

Chara had a plan as to how they could beat the tough fish lady. Let me take control for a minute, and fight her. Let me just roughen her up a bit, get her HP low. Then, when she's near death, I'll let you take over, and you can spare the fish if you want. This way, I get my action, and you get your mercy.

Frisk hesitated. You promise you won't kill her? Because she's really nice and a loyal friend when you get to know her. I think you'd like her, if you just tried to be friendly for once.

Chara nodded, rolling her eyes. Yeah, yeah, whatever. I promise. Just let me have my fun, alright? Frisk mentally nodded, and let go, letting Chara take control. Chara unsheathed her blade and stepped forward, a confident smile growing across her lips.

Chara took a deep breath, and then called out to Undyne, "Fish, I know you can hear me. I'm not one for words, so let's just fight already, instead of trading long speeches." She grinned as Undyne hollered in joy from across the cavern.

"Yeah, I'm not one for speeches, either. Let's fight!" She summoned some spears, and hurled one over to Chara. "Here, use this to defend yourself. It doesn't look like you have any other weapons, anyways, so fight with honor, and I'll take your Soul when you die." She hurriedly added that last part, loosening her muscles as Chara catched the spear and twirled it through the air.

Chara nodded, and decided to let Undyne start the fight, tapping the spear on her leg as she waited for the fish to make her move. Undyne sent out a volley of relatively slow spears, letting Chara melt into the action slowly with this first basic attack. Chara easily dodged, a playful smile on her lips.

What an easy opponent. This won't take long, sis. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy the show. Chara launched herself at Undyne, who was about thirty yards away. Chara ran about ten yards, then hurled herself into the air in a giant leap that surprised Frisk. Mid-jump, Chara lashed out with the spear, and Undyne fell back, parrying the attack with her own spear.

Undyne jabbed at Chara, who slipped to the side, her eyes glinting in the dark blue light. Chara slashed out with the knife that she held, hidden, in her off-hand, but the reach was too short, and Undyne batted the dagger out of Chara's hands almost effortlessly.

The knife landed a short distance away, and Chara's eyes hesitated on the hilt for a moment too long. Undyne impaled Chara on her glowing spear, her yellow eye glittering with triumph. Chara gasped as agony tore through her, and tasted blood as her vision blackened. She fell back into the Void, feeling empty and annoyed. She cursed violently before digging her hands into the Star, bringing herself and Frisk back to the brink of the fight.

Chara wasted no time, flinging herself across the room towards Undyne before the fish had time to utter a single word. Chara slashed out with the knife, but it was deflected off the fish's armor, and Chara growled in frustration as she was forced to dodge Undyne's counter-attack.

Undyne jabbed out with the spear, but Chara grabbed hold and pulled, and the two became locked in a tug-of-war battle for the spear. Undyne won, and kicked Chara in the ribs, sending the demon child rolling down the short incline that they battled on. Chara surged to her feet, rubbing her bruised ribs, and stumbled toward Undyne, lashing out with her knife.

The blow connects, with a bit of force, on a weak spot in the armor, and the fish stumbled back, surprise on her face. The shock quickly faded, however, and was rapidly replaced with a fury that intimidated Frisk, who mentally shrank away from the yellow rage that surged from the fish's eye.

Undyne sprang forward, hampered slightly from her wound, and reached out, grabbing Chara by the throat. Chara, startled and slightly panicked, stabbed Undyne's hand with her knife. The fish recoiled, screaming in a fresh wave of agony as Chara ripped her knife out, severing almost a third of the fish's right hand in the process.

Chara wasn't finished yet, though. She advanced on the howling fish, and shoved her back. Undyne, caught off-guard, falls to the ground. Swiftly, Chara puts the dagger to Undyne's throat, ending the fight as the fish stiffened in fear. Both combatants were panting, and flakes of dust fell from Undyne's wounds.

Undyne took a deep breath. "You're stronger… than I thought, human." She glanced at the knife. "I… suppose that you're free to go, then. It's… not as if I can stop you, now. I promise… I promise that neither my Guards nor I will attack you again."

Chara smiled, a cruel, terrifying smile. "Ah, you are right, fish. But in the wrong way. After all, what makes you think I'd let you live, after all that's transpired? No, you're too much of a threat. I can't let you live, for my own sake." Her eyes hardened, and the knife flashed. One moment, the Royal Captain was looking up at Chara in terror, and the next she was just a pile of dust on the deep blue floor.

Chara strode past Undyne's dust, sparing not a glance for the fallen Captain. She marched quickly to the entrance of the Hotlands, and kept going, despite Frisk's vehement protests.

What was that?! You promised not to kill her, you promised! I thought… I thought you were going to be good, for once, that you'd finally learned your lesson. I guess I was wrong. Frisk's tone was disappointed and angry, but resigned. Sans was right to call you a demon. You're nothing but pure, unrestricted evil.

Chara slowed, but didn't stop. She hated the Hotlands with a passion, but she wasn't about to relinquish control just yet. There was something she wanted to do. Don't be stupid, sis. I was just protecting us. She'd have just followed us and fought us when we least expected it, or make one of her minions do it for her. She's strong, and although I wounded her greatly, she's not the type of monster who'd give up at any point. Especially if she knew what I plan on doing next. So shut up about me killing her. As to me being evil… I'm not, really. I'm just avenging my death, and the death of my best friend. Is that such a bad thing? And, I'm about to make us super powerful, and give us an edge in any fight. That's definitely not evil.

Frisk crossed her arms, her mentally green eyes glaring at Chara. You cut off her hand! She's not stupid; she knew you were stronger than her. She actually told you that! And she promised that she wouldn't attack us again, and she never, ever goes back on her promises. Trust me; I know her way better than you do, Chara. And I don't care what you say, you're still evil and insane, and I can't let you keep on killing like this! It's not right, and I have to put a stop to this, for my sake and the sake of all of my friends.

She stepped forward, and felt as though she was filled with Determination. She narrowed her eyes in stubbornness. I'm afraid I'll have to take control now, and keep you from killing any more of my friends. She tried to wrestle control over her body from her inner demon.

Chara turned on her, her eyes glowing red in the dark confines of Frisk's head. Oh, you think so, do you, sister? Ha, you've no idea what you've gotten yourself into. You made a deal, Frisk. You let me have my fun, and I swore I wouldn't destroy you. Now, whether you want to or not, you must keep your promise. And I have a few plans that I have yet to initiate. Don't worry; you're not going to get hurt. In fact, if my theory holds true, we should both gain strength from this next exercise. She cackled softly, and Frisk shuddered slightly, her eyes widening in fear.

Wait, you're not going to… hurt anyone, are you? Chara turned away, suspiciously silent. Frisk didn't need to read her demon's mind to figure out the answer. Chara, you know I have to stop you! I must protect my friends! Wouldn't you feel the same, if it was Asriel's life on the line? Chara stiffened, and Frisk's blood ran cold as she realized her mistake.

Chara slowly turned to face Frisk, her face full of a cold fury. You have no right to bring my brother, my best friend, into this conversation. Be glad that I have need of your abilities, or you'd be dead where you stand. You will not breathe a word from here to the scientist's lab. If you so much as utter a single sound, I shall destroy you and everyone you love. Understand? Frisk nodded, frozen both body and mind in pure terror. Good. Now, let's move on. Chara strode forward, marching ever deeper into the bowels of the Hotlands.

A/N: Dang, that took forever to write! Yeah, Frisk made a big mistake there at the end... But, Chara shouldn't underestimate Frisk, 'cause she's got some tricks up her sleeve that even Frisk doesn't know she has. Also, if you guys have any ideas on how to cure a bad case of writers' block, PLEASE let me know, because that's KILLING my story-writing right now! As always, have a great day or night, and I hope you've enjoyed this chapter!