Toby Fox own Undertale and all associated characters. Vigil is mine.
"Yo, you sure you're gonna be okay?"
Chara and Kid stood just outside the boy's home. After they had left the Overwatch outpost and called Undyne in to clean up the place, Vigil had left, apparently to speak to someone about decoding the information they had managed to recover. While her parents had returned to their home, Chara had elected to bring Kid away from the whole ordeal for a while.
"I'll be fine, might have to spring for a new shirt though, this one's gotten a bit… holey."
Kid didn't look convinced.
"Yo, but there's a bunch of dents on you from where you got shot! Doesn't that hurt?"
"Not really," Chara lied, managing a smile. "Anyways, I'll get Alphys to take a look at me once all this is done. Not really time for that now."
"About that…" Kid looked away for a moment. "I can still come and help… if you want."
Chara's smile turned gentle, and she couldn't help but feel touched. Kid obviously didn't want to come along again, and yet here he was, offering her his support.
"I think we'll be able to handle this one, babe." Her expression shifted to one of concern. "Are you alright?"
"I... don't really know," Kid admitted, lowering his gaze. "I mean, it was exciting but…"
"Yeah." Anger flashed in Chara's eyes for a brief moment, fortunately unseen by the boy who still had his gaze fixed on the ground.
"Well, when I get back, we can spend some time together alright? Just you and me. But in the meantime;" she continued, as Kid finally looked back at her. "I called Papyrus while we were heading back. He says he's willing to hang out with you for a while, if you want."
"Yo, really?" Kid asked, perking slightly at the news. "That'd be really cool!"
"I thought you might like that." Chara grinned. "Better be careful though, it sounds like he already has stuff planned for you…"
"Really? That's awesome! Can I go now, or…?"
"If I know Papyrus, he's already ready and waiting for you. Go on, have some fun, okay?"
"Alright!" Kid made as if to run off, then stopped and looked at the mechanical girl.
"Yo… thanks."
"You're welcome. Now off with you!"
Kid laughed and dashed away, leaving Chara feeling warm, satisfied with how she had handled the situation. Out of anyone, Papyrus would be able to cheer him up. She'd talk to him later, see if she could figure out how bad the damage was.
Maybe I'm worrying too much, She thought, striding back out onto the sidewalk. This is Kid we're talking about… he's almost as good at bouncing back as Papyrus is. Still…
She shook her head and quickened her pace. Hopefully, everything would work out. But she wasn't about to take any risks with Kid. Not now, not ever.
It wasn't long before she reached her home, and she slipped inside , quickly checking both the dining room and the kitchen for any signs of her parents, and finding none. Walking into the living room however, she found Vigil, standing near the far end of the room, facing the wall. She narrowed her eyes at him, then called;
"Vigil? Where are my parents?"
Vigil turned at her voice, his head lowered slightly, as if he was having trouble meeting her gaze.
"I believe they went out into the garden." the black-armored man replied, quietly. "They appeared to need some time after the fight, though they told me to tell them as soon as I had anything."
"I thought you left to deal with that. Why are you back if it's not done yet?"
"My contact is working on decoding the information we managed to retrieve as we speak. If he finds anything, he'll let me know. There was no reason to remain with him, and I would like to be able to inform you all the moment I have anything, so I returned here."
"I see." Chara was quiet for a moment, then she spoke slowly. "Vigil… why are you here?"
Vigil raised his head to look at her full on.
"What do you mean?"
"I want to know if I can trust you," the robot stated bluntly. "If you're really here to help, then I appreciate it… despite what happened earlier. But the way you came so fast, how Mom and Dad seemed to trust you right away, all your contacts that you refuse to talk about… it all feels very convenient."
"I… understand your caution." Vigil seemed to gather his thoughts for a moment before continuing, his tone soft. "I am afraid I am… used to working in the shadows, and keeping secrets, since those who ally with me are inevitably put into danger. I will admit to having some goals of my own in this venture, but I assure you, rescuing your brother is my top priority."
"And what do you want from all this?"
"Information, mostly," was the reply. "So far, we have been more successful at finding Overwatch in this area than I have ever been. And wherever your brother is being kept, it will be a far more important place than a minor communications outpost. I hope to learn more about who is backing them, where their other strongholds are, their other plans..."
"You seem very dedicated to bringing Overwatch down," Chara noted.
"They have hounded my people for centuries, and I have spent all my life fighting them. I would see their end, and I would see Monsters able to live without fear. These are my goals. This is what drives me."
"I see. I have one other question for you, then."
"And that is?"
Chara leaned forward.
"You said you saw Frisk being taken. Why were you there in the first place?"
"I had recieved word from a contact that Overwatch was planning a major operation in the area, and I was trying to find out what it was. I noticed your brother, though I did not recognize him at first glance. He was being carried into the back of an ambulance by a couple of paramedics."
"What?" Chara exploded. "You didn't say anything about that!"
"I believe the ambulance was merely a cover, though he did appear to be unconscious when he was being brought in. I would not have realized it was a fake, had I not caught a glimpse of Overwatch's symbol emblazoned on the inside. I tried to chase after them, but to no avail."
"Why didn't you use your wings?" Chara demanded. "I saw you flying, you would have been able to catch up in no time!"
"I was in my human form at the time. By the time I had ducked into a safe spot and shifted, I lost them. Perhaps I should have blown my cover, but I had not yet realized that it was Frisk who had been taken. I did not think it was worth the risk."
"Why did it matter? Can't you just change to another form?"
"No, I only have one Human form. Unlike in my other states, when I am fully physical, I have no magic with which to alter myself. Which means-"
He stopped as his helmet began to buzz. He pressed a finger to the side of his head, turning away from Chara.
"What? You have it already?" He paused, listening for a moment. "I'm impressed, do you have the co-ordinates for me, then? No, no I never doubted your work, if I did, I wouldn't come to you. Just send me the… wait. Are you sure about this? Those co-ordinates, they're exactly the same as… as…"
Vigil's free hand tightened into a fist, and his tail began to writhe about behind him in agitation.
"That bastard." He breathed. Chara looked to him curiously as he slowly unclenched his grip, and stilled his tail.
"No, it's fine. I'll deal with it. Thank you for being so prompt. Goodbye." He removed his finger from the side of his helmet, and stared at the wall before him for a moment.
"What was that about?" Chara asked.
"It would appear that I have been played for the fool." Vigil replied quietly. "And it is possible that we are about to walk into a trap."
"Well, spit it out!"
Vigil looked to the agitated girl, his tail twitching slightly.
"One of my contacts. I have known his family for three generations, and each one, a member of his family agrees to work with me. Their only request has always been that I leave the rest of their family out of the equations, and not to trespass on the grounds of their estate outside the city. And that estate… is where Frisk is apparently being kept."
"What?"
"No wonder I have never been able to find any Overwatch strongholds in this area!" Vigil began to pace, his armored feet making dull thumping noises on the carpet, and his tail coiling and uncoiling about his waist as if it had a mind of its own. "One of the largest ones was under my very nose, and my best contacts have been Overwatch agents! They must have given me just enough correct information so I would not grow suspicious, and kept me running around in circles!"
"Well, you can have a chat with him after we get Frisk back." Chara headed towards the door leading out to the garden.
"It is not that simple." Chara stopped and turned to Vigil as he spoke.
"What do you mean?
"He is the one who told me that there was an important Overwatch operation taking place in the city." Vigil replied. "I don't know why they would tell me about this, but when we get there, they may well be expecting us. Frisk may not even actually be there."
"We don't have much choice, do we?" Chara shot back. "This is the only lead we have, right? Whatever it is they're planning, we'll handle it. And this time…" Her right eye began to glow with power.
"I don't have to hold back."