"Good friends help you to find important things when you have lost them… your smile, your hope, and your courage." Source unknown
The pain faded as Frisk lingered in a black void for a few breaths.
Then, she felt a pull in her soul and something faded in in front of her.
It was… Rocky?
At least, Rocky with a white, glitchy blob covering his face. He was standing rigid, like a soldier. He was holding his spear with two paws.
Frisk's heart jumped.
"ROCKY!"
Frisk's legs began to move of their own accord as she ran up to the dog to grab him in a heartfelt hug.
However, just as she was inches away his spear slashed out at her, and she just narrowly avoided the attack. She heard the rrrrrrrip of fabric and looked to find a part of her already torn scarf ripped off.
Rocky stomped his spear to the ground and straightened again, almost mindlessly.
"I must serve my people."
"R…ocky? What are you…?" Frisk blinked, worried.
Was this some sort of illusion by Asriel? It felt real enough.
"I have betrayed them. I'm a filthy traitor." Rocky's voice was monotone as he leapt at her again, though she was able to move out of his way easily this time as he was rather slow.
"Rocky, what are you talking about? No you aren't…"
She couldn't see his eyes, his face…
He seemed almost… lifeless…devoid…
Lost.
Rocky attacked again, his large paws thumping on the ground.
"I can't be kind. I can't be me. I have a duty."
"Rocky… can you hear me?"Frisk swallowed. Was this real? Or was her head playing some sort of cruel trick on her.
"You must die."
No… Rocky wouldn't say that… but it's Rocky! Unless Asriel is in control of him or something… Frisk gulped. Well, I did reach out for them… so it's gotta be him. Is his soul messed up?
Avoiding his attacks was relatively easy- she was small enough and fast enough where she could move away immediately. Rocky was a good fighter in the right circumstances. She would have to be careful, as one slip up would render her expired.
Frisk sidestepped out of his way again.
"Rocky, it's me, Frisk. It's okay… please stop."
Rocky let out a deep rattling growl and swung his spear. Frisk moved out of reach with her heart beating fast.
There was a slight ring above her.
Frisk looked up and gasped as her eyes met a dangerously close silver blade.
Frisk avoided the attack just in time, but a few strands of stray hair were not as lucky.
Frisk nearly stumbled over and whirled around, confused.
Silver?
Silver was in the same state, posture devoid of life and her face covered by a glitchy square.
Rocky turned around as well, claws clicking on the ground.
Silver was silent.
"Silver… what's Wrong? Why are you guys like this? If it's him, don't let him c-"
Frisk couldn't finish her sentence as Silver swung her sword at the same time Rocky charged, and Frisk narrowly dodged.
"Don't you remember? The time we all went shopping and then hung out at Alphys's lab? We're friends, remember?" Frisk tried desperately.
She couldn't hurt them… not after watching them die. If this was just a vision created by Asriel, he had driven her into a corner.
But… it felt too real.
Silver twitched slightly at her words.
Frisk's ears pricked.
…huh?
Rocky said something, but Frisk wasn't paying attention.
Maybe…
Frisk ducked Rocky's attack and took a few steps back.
"Rocky, remember when you had that weird crush on me? And how I didn't like the dog biscuits? Feelings are okay…" depending, Frisk added silently. She kept thinking of how peeved Sans had been towards that… her eyes filled with tears once more thinking of him.
Rocky was silent this time and looked up, head tilted.
Silver snarled and threw a dagger. Frisk yelped and sidestepped.
"You saved us from the dogs in Blizzardland! Don't undo that… please remember!" Frisk begged.
Now they were both still. Like they were halfway in, halfway out.
Frisk felt a rush of excitement.
Was this good?
"You're both my friends… I'd never hurt you. We're in this together… even if you don't know it. Please… you guys died bravely, you're beyond this…"
Suddenly, the white covering Rocky's face shattered, little white specks scattering and fading. His azure blue eyes were wide.
Seeing Rocky break free, Silver's mask broke as well. She looked around, confused. The feather dangled from her ear and waved back and forth.
Frisk breathed a sign of relief.
She could see their souls float in front of them.
Did that mean…
"Frisk?... oh my god, I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?" Rocky hunched up in a scared stance. His tail went between his legs.
Frisk shook her head.
I… I saved them… right? So that means I can save them all… I can actually do this!
Frisk took a deep breath.
"… you still have work to do… we will be seeing you, wolf." Silver nodded, as if she knew what Frisk was thinking.
"Hey, wait!" Frisk noticed they were beginning to fade into the black.
She reached out, not wanting to lose what she just got back.
However, the last she could see was the blue of Rocky's eyes turn to black as they both disappeared.
Frisk felt a jolt in her heart, but something in the back of her mind told her it was okay.
They were okay…
Next, Asgore and Toriel faded in their place, faces covered by the same white masks.
Frisk's ears flattened. Asgore was holding his trident.
This was the same deal, huh.
Asgore slammed the butt of the weapon into the ground, summoning a line of fire towards her.
Frisk took a deep breath and called upon one of the Gaster Blasters to shield her. The fire hit it harmlessly, the Blaster letting out a hissing sound.
Once the fire was gone it opened its mouth to attack, but Frisk put her hand up to stop it.
"No, no, don't attack!" Frisk looked right at Asgore. "Fighting isn't always the answer…"
He twitched.
Toriel swiped the air with her hand, creating a line of small fireballs.
Frisk ducked under them, wincing as the heat hit her face.
"Tori… you saved me, remember?" Frisk opened her arms.
"I want to save you now…"
They froze.
"I won't hurt you guys… you've both been so kind to me…"
Asgore puffed his chest and a Toriel raised her hand slowly for another attack.
The Blaster growled impatiently.
Frisk took a step back.
"… please remember me… we can have Butterscotch Cinnamon pie together when this is over…"
They both froze.
Then the masks broke.
Their souls appeared in front of their chests, glowing and white. Healthy.
"…c-child? What… was I…" Toriel hugged herself, eyes wide.
Asgore locked eyes with her.
"I don't know what you have done little one, but you have done well."
Frisk smiled, feeling warmth in her chest.
She felt stronger, like each soul she saved was giving her its strength.
Asgore returned her smile as they both faded away.
Undyne and Alphys took their place.
Undyne wasted no time in summoning her spears and sending them hurtling towards her.
Frisk barely had any time to react, and she narrowly dodged them.
Frisk bit her lip to keep from cursing.
"The humans must die!" She snarled. Frisk couldn't see her face but she was sure she'd be snarling.
"M-my friends lie… they don't like me… they can't like me…" Alphys was shaking.
Frisk felt a pang of sympathy.
"Alphys… we don't think that. We rea-"
Frisk was cut off by Undyne, who came at her with a spear. Frisk gasped and sidestepped, feeling a burn as the tip caught her shoulder. Frisk growled as her chest burned with annoyance.
"Will you let me finish a sentence!" She snapped.
Undyne growled back and attacked again.
Frisk swerved around the the side.
"You still are Satan fish, huh. If you weren't messed up I would pay you back for what you did to Sans's knee… as much as the jerk deserved it."
Undyne didn't hesitate for a moment.
Frisk didn't like how close those spears were getting…
She'd have to get Alphys back instead. At least she wasn't trying to bloodily murder her.
"Alphys, its okay. We like you. I don't think our little group would be the same without ya, you know?" Alphys stopped shaking momentarily.
"We don't care about mistakes from the past Al. You're a really nice and kind person with lots of quirks. We'll help you…you can do it… I know sometimes it feels like you can't… I get it… but you can…" Frisk backed out of Undyne's next attack, trying to sound as strong as possible on that last part. She was still struggling with that herself. She wasn't the most confident person at times, so she shouldn't exactly be preaching.
Alphys was silent and still.
Then, thank the stars, the mask broke.
She blinked a few times.
"…huh? F-frisk…? Undyne! S-stop that!"
Undyne froze at Alphys's voice.
Her mask broke too and she turned to Alphys.
"Stop what?"
"…trying… to k-kill Frisk?"
"What! I think I'd know if…" Undyne's glance fell to her spear. "…oh. Whoops!"
Frisk face palmed.
"…whooops?"
They were beginning to fade away now.
"Yeah nerd, whoops. Get em', ya furball." Undyne flashed her a big, toothy grin as she dissolved into the darkness.
Frisk blinked and waited.
It felt like she was waiting forever.
Her heart was throbbing with hope.
When she saw a glimpse of white and blue her heart soared.
She forgot that he didn't remember her and yelled out his name, her feet carrying her over towards him.
"Sans!"
However, he let out a vicious snarl and snapped at her, his fangs just centimeters shy of her face.
Frisk stumbled back, suddenly remembering that Sans wasn't Sans.
Not just yet.
There was a glowing white and black figure next to him, and she recognized Dapple, Sans's soul wolf.
His ears pricked forward and gums pulled back to show off his fangs. His fur bristled and his tail stuck up in aggression. Saliva dripped from his mouth in thick streams.
Frisk looked beside her to see Snow cowering at her side. Frisk noticed how much smaller she was compared to Dapple… she looked so scared and confused and hurt, close to the ground with her tail snug between her legs and ears pulled back.
Frisk gulped and looked back up.
"…Sans? Can you hear me?"
Sans's body vibrated with a growl and he flicked his hand, summoning a barrage of bones.
Frisk yelped and ran to avoid them, feeling them whir past her. She felt slight stings on her neck and arm and thigh from the bones just slightly catching her, cutting fabric and leaving light scratches.
"Sans, please!" This was worse than Undyne. Even her fighting spirit would never match Sans's primal brutality when he was provoked…
Dapple leaped towards Snow, snapping at the smaller wolf. Snow yelped and rolled over, only to be assaulted viciously. The two ghost wolves tangled together in a yelling and barking pile.
Frisk felt a shiver of fear.
To her surprise, he spoke.
"She'll never love you."
… she? Is he talking to himself? Who's she?
"Sans?" Why did she lose her head when it was him? She thought she had this down, but now she kept calling his name like it would do something.
"All you do is hurt people. If it's not them, it's hurting yourself. Pathetic." Sans spat. His fangs were more bared than she had ever seen them, and he was gripping his upper right arm tightly… the spot where she knew many scars lie.
He was showing much more emotion than the others had… some had hints of their deepest problems, but Sans was nothing but raw emotion and anger.
Frisk took a deep breath.
"That's not true, knucklehead. Come on, snap out of it. Please…"
Sans snarled and raised his hand. Suddenly, she felt something being pulled from her.
He had summoned all five of the Gaster Blasters.
That's what he pulled.
Frisk yelped as they opened their jaws.
However, they stopped.
They looked down at her in confusion and then looked between themselves like they had before.
Sans didn't seem to notice.
"The humans took everything away. He loved them more than me. They make it hurt." Sans was spitting gibberish now, shaking. He had moved from his self hate and doubt to his hatred for humans, it seemed.
Frisk jumped and ran as bones appeared below her, and then above. Each narrow evasion felt like her last.
"I hate them, I HATE them… I hate this stupid curse… I hate being like this… this is why… this is why she won't love you. You'll only hurt. You'll only hurt everyone." The attacks didn't stop, and Frisk was beginning to panic.
"Sans! Stop! I don't know what you mean, but this isn't you!" It crossed her mind how cheesy that sounded. Oh well. She was about to die, no time to pick pretty words.
The attacks were getting ridiculous, but unfocused. He wasn't really aiming at her anymore-if he was she'd be dead.
Suddenly, the Blasters seemed to decide something and flew down, blocking off some of his attacks.
They… they're… Frisk couldn't believe the intimidating skull creatures actually chose her… though, they were probably doing it for Sans's sake.
The attacks stopped briefly, as Sans seemed confused.
Frisk stumbled to a stop, panting.
She was at a loss of words. She didn't know what to say…
But…
Her feet began to drag her towards him.
Her head screamed at her, telling her she was going to get a bone through her chest… but her heart told her it was okay.
Even if that was her fate, she decided, so be it.
If she could pick who she'd die from, she wouldn't pick any differently.
Sans's head snapped up and he bared his teeth even more, summoning bones around him.
He took a step back as she got closer.
The Blasters hissed behind her. They weren't moving.
Frisk opened her arms.
"Cm'ere, tough guy."
Sans snapped at her.
She was aware of a bone floating behind her.
She kept moving, and in one swift motion wrapped her arms around him and rested her body against his.
"If you wanna do it, do it. But I trust you… no matter what decision you take…" Frisk squeezed her eyes shut, trying to stop the tears from rolling down her face. The image of his dust was seared in her eyelids.
Sans stiffened, then jerked involuntarily, like something snapped into place.
Frisk only tightened her grip, resting her face in the fur of his coat. It needed a wash.
He was shaking slightly, then relaxed. His breathing was heavy.
After a few breaths she felt him wrap his left arm around her waist.
"…you are the biggest handful in the history of handfuls…" he muttered.
Frisk smiled a little, a tiny sob in her chest.
"And you're the biggest asshole. I can't believe… you died… you idiot." Frisk tightened her grip even more, trying to muffle the pain in her chest.
"…shaddup, Snap pea. Just shaddup." She felt him ruffle her hair.
She saw from the corner of her eye Dapple cowering on the ground, looking mortified. Snow aimed a few licks towards his face.
Frisk noticed Sans was becoming faint.
"Oh, shit! Don't go!" Frisk stepped back, scared. She didn't want him to fade. What if he didn't come back?
Sans closed his eyes.
"Sorry, snap pea… can't stop it. But… get em'. I'll be rooting for ya…"
"Sans, please!" She grabbed his coat.
He huffed.
"I told you I can't stop it… but ya'know, as stupid as this sounds… I'll be with ya spiritually… if that makes sense. I'll always be. Cause you'll always be my Puppo." He looked away shyly.
Frisk wasn't fazed. She had to bite her bottom lip as he faded away completely, leaving nothing behind.
She had saved everyone… right?
Something was missing…
Frisk grabbed the bone pendant, confused.
What's… what did I do wrong?
Snow looked at her. Dapple was gone as well.
Frisk stared into Snow's deep green eyes, almost like she was being lost in her own.
Something snapped.
What if…
Images flooded her head, of a child. An innocent child, losing their sibling. Carrying them off to a field of flowers. Of a sweet child losing his feelings and soul. A kind child. A tragic child.
Her enemy was nothing but this sad, lonely child…
LOVE wouldn't get her anywhere.
But love…
Frisk steeled herself and called out, determination bubbling in her soul.
"ASRIEL!" She tried feeling his soul, his and his own.
She was thrown back into the place where she had been before, lying on the ground covered in wounds from his attacks.
Asriel froze, eyes wide.
"What… what did you do? WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
Frisk focused on her Determination, using it to try to find his soul. It had to be somewhere. Asriel the child had to be somewhere…
"STOP!" He send a wave of beams at her. And they hit. But she pulled through the pain, never losing focus.
"QUIT IT! I SAID STOP!"
More pain.
Feeling faint…
"Please… I only…"
The beams missed her now.
"I… I didn't want to hurt you…"
Even smaller beams.
"I didn't want to hurt them…"
Only fireballs now.
"I… I'm just lonely… and scared… I wanted Chara back… I wanted to make her happy… I wanted to play with my sis again…"
Only three pitiful fireballs now.
"So please… just stop… just stop! AND
LET
ME
WIN!"
Asriel screamed out as he shot a wave of energy, and Frisk felt like her body would shatter into a million shards at any moment.
She gritted her teeth and held on to that burning feeling. She had no time for fear. No doubt. It was all eaten up by the overwhelming burning. The need to prevail.
Then, as soon as it came, it stopped. Frisk took in a breath and fell over. Still, she held on.
"…I'm so scared… and alone… I… I can't…"
Asriel faded. The big, scary Asriel, anyways.
He was replaced by a tiny child, with long awkward looking fur on his jaw. A crying child.
Frisk pulled herself to her knees, feeling dizzy.
"…I always was a crybaby… just ask Chara…"
Frisk blinked.
He pulled his sleeve away and looked at the ground.
"I… I'm sorry… I'm sorry I hurt you. I… understand if you can't forgive me… Frisk, right?"
Frisk nodded.
Asriel grabbed his arm.
Frisk's mind was a rather straight track. She was tired.
"I… I get if you hate me… it's okay. I acted horrible and mean and strange… I hurt people… I killed your friends… there's no excuse for that."
Frisk looked up, and blinked.
There was only a child in front of her. Not a killer.
How could she not forgive him?
Logic was so cold and hard… she wanted none of it. She wanted none of that coldness, none of that sense.
She only wanted the warmth of what only could be described as dumb sentimentality.
"It's… okay… I forgive you." She pushed out.
Asriel looked up, eyes wide.
"… wha… really? Frisk, come on…" tears bubbled in his eyes once more. "You're gonna make me cry again… besides, even if… if you aren't mad, I… I can't keep all these souls. These souls belong to people, people you know. The least I can do is return them. But… first… there's something I need to do… as an apology, I guess, though nothing could ever make it up to you… but it's something… that should have been done a long time ago."
Asriel closed his eyes and stuck his arms out, and his feet rose above the ground. He floated in the air.
The air began to move.
Colors began to flash as hundreds of souls came out, a bunch of glowing white swirling as the ground shook. Frisk yelped and covered her eyes.
Somewhere, something cracked. Then it shattered.
The air changed immediately.
It was… warm…
She hadn't noticed how cold it had been, but the warmth burned her skin.
Frisk opened her eyes.
What… happened…?
Asriel touched back onto the ground again, opening his eyes.
"I opened the barrier."
The…barrier…so… we're free! We're all free! Frisk was filled with excitement.
Looks like living in a big house with everyone wasn't far fetched anymore.
Asriel didn't share her excitement.
"Frisk… I have to go now. Without the souls… I can't keep this form…"
Frisk's enthusiasm faded.
"In a little bit… I will be back to a soulless flower, unable to feel again. So… it's just best if you forget about me… alright?"
Frisk felt a pang.
Even after that…
That wasn't fair…
Frisk sighed, fighting back tears.
All he was was a child.
Yet…
Frisk grunted and got to her feet, and closed the distance.
She hugged the child that had just put her and all her friends in danger.
Screw logic.
Asriel was taken aback. Then, he gripped her so tight she thought for a moment he was trying to crush her.
"Ha… I… don't wanna let go." His voice was choked.
"I'm sorry…" he added, quieter.
"We are just stupid kids…"
Frisk closed her eyes.
"… Stupid, is one word." A voice sneered.
Frisk's head jerked up.
Chara was behind Asriel, looking more than sour.
Where did she come from?! Was she hiding this entire time?!
"…what a shame. I really wanted to live with you… in our world. But I see even you have been fooled by this filthy world… don't worry sweet Asriel… I will SAVE you!"
Frisk opened her mouth to scream "stop", but the damage was already done.
A knife was pushed through Asriel's back, and he went limp in her grasp.
He coughed a little, splattering crimson on her shoulder.
"…Chara…"
Frisk was too stunned to process the events, mind blank for a few moments. Then, she clutched Asriel, full with rage.
"How could you!?" She snapped.
"F-frisk… don't… get mad… I was going to fade away anyways… she… isn't herself… please… let us be together again… only you…" Asriel closed his eyes and turned to dust.
"Time to take you back to our special little meeting place! I don't have the energy to do much else… but I'll make sure you perish for what you've done!" Chara screeched.
The air grew colder as Frisk felt a horrible dread.
Chara was going to kill her.
Sorry for the huge delay. Again.
Not so happy with the first part. Last part was okay.
I have been feeling worse and worse, lel.
I really, really urge you all to get a DA so you can follow me there. In case anything happens, and so you can be notified about new HT stuff once this is over.
Two more chapters to go! So close, aaaah!
Chara isn't happy, to say the least.
Welp, gotta go!
Stay determined!
Reviews will be answered next chapter.
From the wolf in the mountains,
Comycat
