Chapter 14- Fear The Spear

I needed that distraction. Now it's time to face my fear.

By that, I mean Undyne.

I made it into the next room. I had to use lanterns to navigate.

Next room had a lot of water and an echo flower.

"Behind you," it uttered.

I turned around and came face to face with Undyne.

Deep breaths, Frisk, deep breaths. Stay calm and don't let her smell your fear.

Her iron boots clanked as she strode towards me.

I can't let this fish lady know that I'm utterly terrified.

I heard her breathe, then she spoke.

"Seven. Seven human souls."

Her voice matched her appearance, tough and unyielding with only a slight hint of femininity.

"With the power of seven human souls, our king, King Asgore Dreemurr, will become a god."

Oh, so Asgore's the king? I guess Goat-Mom knew that the king and his guards are after me.

"With that power, Asgore can finally shatter the barrier. He will finally take the surface back from humanity and give them back the suffering and pain that we have endured."

I swallowed hard. I'm staring death in the face and I'm regretting it. I can't let Asgore, even if he is a nice guy, win.

"Understand, human?"

I nodded, reluctantly.

"This is your only chance at redemption. Give up your soul or I'll tear it from your body."

Uh, what do I do? Someone help me, please?

I stood still as Undyne prepared to run me through.

Monster Kid popped out of the tall weeds.

"Undyne," they shrieked. "I'll help you fight!"

Uh, Monster Kid, thank you for saving my hide, but I don't think you're trained to fight.

Their gaze darted from Undyne to me and then back to Undyne.

"Yo, you did it. Undyne is right in front of you. You've got front row seats to her fight."

Uh, Monster Kid, she wants to kill me and take my soul.

Another double take.

"Wait, who's she fighting?"

She's fighting me.

Undyne's spear disappeared from her hands and she dragged Monster Kid away.

"Hey, you aren't gonna tell my parents about this, are you?" I heard the small child say.

I walked to the left and then up. I'll meet her again and try to get her to not murder me.

I came across another sign.

However, there is a prophecy. The Angel, The One Who Has Seen The Surface, they will return and the Underground will go empty.

I heard from Turtle Guy about that. Moving on.

Another rickety path overlooking a cliff.

"Yo!" I heard a voice say. Monster Kid ran towards me. "Yo, I know I'm not supposed to be here, but I wanna ask you something." They paused. "Man, I never had to ask anyone this before. Umm, yo, you're human right?" They gave a slight laugh.

"Yes," I said.

"Man! I knew it! Well, I know it now, I mean. Undyne told me, um, stay away from that human. So, like, umm, I guess that makes us enemies or something. But I kinda stink at that, haha. Yo, say something mean so I can hate you. Please?"

What do I say?

"No," I said.

"Yo, what? So I have to do it? Here goes nothing." I could see the small armless child tremble. "Yo, I... I hate your guts. Man, I... I'm such a turd. I'm... I'm gonna go home now." Monster Kid ran off.

And predictably tripped. They dangled off the edge. Should I help them? I mean, they don't have arms and can't climb up.

"Yo! W-w-wait! Help! I tripped!"

Undyne strode into view, prepared to strike. I'll face her after I help a fellow kid.

I took hold of Monster Kid's sweater and pulled them back onto the path.

Monster Kid then turned to Undyne.

"Y... Y... Yo Dude!" they said. "If... If y-you wanna hurt my friend, you're gonna have to get through me first!"

I'm stunned. Monster Kid can be brave. I like them.

Undyne backed away and disappeared. Something tells me that we'll meet again and finally do battle.

"She's gone. Yo, you really saved my skin."

Just doing something nice. I don't want you to get hurt.

"Guess being enemies was just a nice thought, haha. We'll just have to be friends instead. Man, I should really go home. I bet my parents are worried sick about me." They walked a short pace away. "Later, dude." They ran off.

I walked to the right. I'll meet Undyne again, as in thirty seconds of walking later.

This time, I'm ready.

I came across some mountain cave. I looked up. Undyne stood atop the mountain, looking menacing as usual.

"Seven," she said. "Seven human souls and King Asgore will become a god."

Could you cut to the chase, Fish-sticks? I have a fight to get to.

Frisk, this is no time for smart-aleck remarks, even if you're just thinking them.

She turned to the right. "Six. That's how many we have collected thus far."

I swallowed hard. If she kills me, then everything's doomed. All of my friends at the orphanage, the nuns, everyone in the world is going to die.

She then turned to face me. "Understand?" I nodded. "Through your seventh and final soul, this world will be transformed. First, as is customary for those who make it this far, I shall tell you the tragic tale of our people. It all started long ago..."

"No, you know what?" She turned in my direction. "Screw it! Why should I tell you that story when you're about to die?"

Stay calm, stay calm. Deep breathing. Remember what Sister Frances told you, Frisk.

Undyne let out a noise that I assume was some sort of battle cry before removing her helmet.

I got a good look at her face. Blue skin, sharp teeth, fins for ears, and a patch over her left eye. Her one good eye was yellow. Her scarlet hair billowed in the breeze.

"You! You're standing in the way of everybody's hopes and dreams."

Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Just stay calm and don't wet yourself in her presence, Frisk.

"Alphys's history books made me think humans were cool with their giant robots and flowery swordswomen."

I maybe laughed a bit, just to relieve some stress. Undyne, I think you've mistook anime and manga for genuine history. Either that or this Alphys character is a major nerd.

"But you? You're just a coward."

I believe the word you're looking for is pacifist. I'm a pacifist, not a coward.

"Hiding behind that kid so you could run away from me again? And let's not forget your wimpy goody-two-shoes-schtick."

Pacifist, Undyne. I'm a pacifist.

"Ooh! I'm making such a difference by hugging random strangers!" She sneered, trying to mock me. Her fury returned. "You know what would be more valuable to everyone. If you were dead! That's right, human. Your continued existence is a crime. Your life is all that stands between us and our freedom. Right now, I can feel everyone's hearts pounding together. Everyone's been waiting their whole lives for this moment."

Is she done with her monologue? Her theatrics are getting on my nerves.

"But we're not nervous at all."

Nope, she's still doing it.

"When everyone puts their hearts together, they can't lose! Now, human! Let's end this, right here right now. I'll show you how determined monsters can be. Step forward when your ready." She gave a menacing laugh.

Finally, she's done talking. We can fight.

Not that I wanted to fight in the first place. It's more like something I can't avoid.

Just let me take a moment to steel my courage and plan my method of approach.

I stepped forward and took a deep breath.

"That's it then. No more running away. Here I come!" She jumped down from the mountain and appeared before me.

I just need to remember to stay calm.

"En guarde!" With one swipe of her spear, the red heart on my shirt turned green. Some kind of shield appeared in my hand. If she wants me to fight back, I'll defend instead. I could beg for mercy, but Undyne is not the kind of person who'd give it.

"As long as you're green you can't escape. Unless you learn to face danger head on, you won't last a second against me."

Use the shield to block her attacks? Nice to know. She sent a few arrows at me.

"Not bad, but how about this?"

Some arrows came from the right. I swerved and blocked it.

"For years we've dreamed of a happy ending."

Left, right and behind. Just keep blocking her attacks and maybe get her to calm her gills.

"And now sunlight is just within our reach."

Oh, great. Now she's making me spin in circles.

"I won't let you snatch it away from us."

I'm just trying to get home, lady. Is that too much to ask?

"Ngah! Enough warming up!"

Just turn and face her attacks. Use the shield to block it.

The heart on my shirt turned red. Now's my chance.

I ran. Of course, Undyne caught up to me. For one, she's had years of training.

"You won't get away from me this time." The heart on my shirt turned green. One more round, Undyne?

"Honestly, I'm doing you a favor..."

What kind of favor? All you're doing is trying to make me into yakitori.

"No human has ever made it past Asgore."

That's nice to know.

"Killing you now is an act of mercy."

I don't want to die. I'm too cute to die. More blocking.

"So stop being so damn resilient."

Well, the nuns said I was a resilient child. Just keep on blocking.

She's angry now. And the heart on my shirt is red once more.

Well, time to run.

I ran and came across a neon sign. "Welcome to Hotland" it read. I couldn't get very far because Undyne caught up to me.

"You've escaped from me for the last time." She growled. The heart turned green. One last round. I hoped so.

"Alphys told me humans were determined."

Well, this one is. Did that arrow just change direction? Well, I guess I can adapt to that.

"I see now what she meant by that."

Alphys is a woman? Good to know. I think I'll be meeting her shortly. Just need to get this fight over with.

"But I'm determined too."

We're equally matched. One small child wanting to get home and one angry fish woman who wants to free her people from centuries underground.

"Determined to end this right now!"

I think this fight's nearing an end. Just stay determined, Frisk.

"Right now!"

Keep blocking. Keep blocking. I think I had to eat something to recover health.

"Right... Now!"

Keep it steady. Block her attacks.

"Ha... Ha..."

I got her tired. Just keep on blocking.

"Ngah! Die already, you little brat!"

No, sorry. More blocking and more running. It's safe to run now.

My phone rang in the middle of my escape.

"Hey, what's up?" Papyrus asked. Papyrus, this is not a good time to call. Your friend wants to kill me and roast my limp carcass over a fire. That is after she gives Asgore my soul on a silver platter.

"I was just thinking. You, me, and Undyne should all hang out sometime."

Hang out? With Undyne? After getting chased?

"I think you would make great pals."

I doubt it.

"Let's meet up at her house later."

Papyrus hung up the phone.

More running. I found myself in some volcanic area. Sans stood at his station, sleeping. I guess Undyne paused to fume as I dashed across the bridge.

I found a water cooler.

Undyne trudged towards me.

"Armor... so... hot." She moaned.

I looked at the water cooler, then at her. I have an idea.

"But I can't... give up." She passed out. Her skin looked dry.

I walked over to the water cooler and got a cup of water.

I then splashed it on her.

She writhed a bit, then got up and walked away.