Chapter eight:

After hours while the two are cleaning up Grillby approaches Papyrus. "Papyrus I need to talk to you."

Papyrus turns pausing in him wiping down one of the tables. "What is it? Is something wrong?"

"Well. Things are going to change a bit." Grillby begins the explanation he made in his head. He knows that Papyrus will be upset, though he hopes that he can calm him down enough to be okay. He continues on as Papyrus looks confused at him. "Me and Gaster have come to a decision. That we are going to try going out together. See how it goes."

It happens like a switch, Papyruss face turns from confused to enraged. "What!? Why would you go with him!? After all that he has done! After what he did to Sans! He is a disposable monster!"

"Now Papyrus. I knew you'd get angry so I wanted to talk to you alone." Grillby tells him as Papyruss hands clench into fists. "All of us have made bad choices in our lives. Doing something that isn't so great. I've been there and so have you. And yes our bad choices do have the chance of hurting others. But there is more to Gaster than that choice he made. You focus so much on it that you don't let yourself see that. Please can you give him a chance?"

"It doesn't matter. He has proven that he is not good in anyway! He doesn't deserve another chance." Papyrus turns and runs off leaving the cloth on the floor.

Grillby watches him go. He closes his eyes and lowers his head. He'll let Papyrus cool off for now. He opens his eyes and picks up the cloth to start cleaning.

Papyrus runs outside of town going through a field then into some trees. He slows to a stop as he begins to breathe heavier than before. He looks down at the ground as he can still feel the rage inside of him. He can't believe that Grillby is serious about wanting to be with Gaster. He always thought of Grillby being on his side. He feels hurt and betrayed by the others decision. He noticed that he couldn't talk the other out of it, so he can't stop it. He lets out a frustrated growl, then sends bone attacks flying at some trees. He jumps when a surprised yelp comes from that direction. He turns to where he can still see his bone attacks. Yet he doesn't see anyone. "Hello?" He calls out and moves closer to the trees. He tries to peer around the one in front looking for movement.

Brown hair then a face peeks out hesitantly from behind the tree. Looking right at Papyrus.

"Who are you?" Papyrus questions not daring to take a step forward. He is aware it could be a Soulless who might be trying to lull him into relaxing. He feels a small amount of hope that this is actually Sans.

"My names Frisk." The figure explains to Papyrus as she moves more around the tree. She stops beside it with her right hand on its trunk. She has on a black long sleeved shirt with two purple stripes in the middle; the purple is a little on the lighter side. Her shirts sleeves reach to the base of her fingers. She seems to hide her thumbs under the sleeve, since there is no where else for her thumbs to go. She also has on a pair of slightly light colored brown multi pocket cargo pants. Her shoes are dark blue runners that have velcro on them. Her hair rests on her shoulders and her eyes are chocolate brown. "And who might you be?"

"The name is Papyrus." Papyrus introduces himself watching Frisk but also staying alert. "If you don't mind me asking where do you come from? And what are?"

"I'm a human. I came from a village that's a good walking distance back that way." Frisk turns pointing to the direction behind herself, with the hand that was against the tree. She lowers her arm so it's at her side. She then turns back to Papyrus.

"You're a human!?" Papyrus never thought he'd see a human out here; other than Chara. His mouth hung open in the shock of the reveal.

Frisk blinks at him almost as if wondering what has gotten into him. "Yes. Of course I am. Aren't you a human too? I'm guessing an Aboriginal or something based on the skull you have either painted on, or is a mask."

"No. I'm a skeleton." Papyruss words cause Frisks eyes to widen.

"A real life skeleton!? I thought that the monsters were just myths. No wonder the area is off limits." Frisk admits as she moves a little closer in wonder and curiosity. She notices Papyruss curiosity so she decides to give him her explanation. "Everyone else was too scared of the supposedly scary monsters out here. So I had thought that I might as well go check it out. I snuck into the area. I just kept going for a good long time. I even had to camp for the night. Not that I minded as I enjoy adventure or sleeping in a camp. I wanted to go in as far as I could. And you surprised me when I was taking a break on the other side of the tree." She doubts that even if anyone snuck in like she did that they'd go this far into the area. She knows how heavy the fear is not to mention that most explorers go back when it gets late. She also knows that there is no way to get a car into the area, not with how the only entrance is built. She has also heard any pilots flying over the area would no longer be allowed to fly. So a traveler would have to be on foot.

"I see." Papyrus nods a bit intrigued by this. He places a hand on his chin in slight thought. "I hadn't actually thought of why we haven't had any human visitors. So I guess it being such a big and out of bounds area prevented this." He lowers his hand. "Since a human, other than a girl who was adopted by the royal family before we were banished out here, hasn't been here I'm not sure that we really know what to expect to happen. At least you're not a soulless. I am starting to think that they probably wouldn't dare imitate a human."

"Soulless?" Frisk tilts her head then lets her eyes meet with Papyruss own. "What are Soulless?"

"Monsters who have no souls. They have the ability to change themselves to look and sound like others. They can be anyone they want to be. Looking at them you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It's how they speak or act that give it away. They try to get you to let them close then they steal all of your magic. Taking you out."

"Wow. They sound kind of scary." Frisk admits as Papyrus glances away. "Are you okay?"

Papyrus takes a breath before responding. "My brother is a Soulless." Papyrus admits as he shifts where he stands in guilt and sorrow. "You see the Soulless were once monsters with Souls. Until Gaster and Asgore took their souls."

"I'm actually now interested in hearing about this."

Papyrus sits with his back to the tree as Frisk sits next to him. He begins to tell her the tale.

...

A group of monsters have been brought together by the edge of town. They're surrounded by members of the royal guard. It is easy to tell who is a part of the group by the matching wings they had added to their clothes; that look like the one who seems to be the Queen.

Many other monsters are there as well having been called by notices to gather here today. They watch as they are ready to witness whatever it is Asgore has in store.

Papyrus remembers Sans adding the wings to his hoodie one day. He never really thought about it because he believes Sans should look how he wants to look. He wants to rush to his brother though Asgore speaking gives him pause.

"I was told of you gathering together." Asgore begins as he stares at the group surrounded by the royal guard. "At first I believed it to be harmless. However it appears that I was wrong. Your activities threaten our way of life. Such as teaching each other fighting moves. More than is needed for an emergency. You've turned your backs on the rest of us to follow your own leader. So I along with my royal scientist will make sure you don't get the chance to try to take over. We've worked on this as he also believes what you're doing threatens us. You are all traitors to the rest of us!" He nods to Gaster who links hands with him.

The two focus their magic so that it becomes strong enough to do stronger magic. They fire a beam at the group casing them to glow and float a little.

The groups souls float up to above them before vanishing. Once all of their souls have vanished the beam stops, and they are lowered to the ground; the glow vanishing.

Asgore and Gaster let go of each other's hands.

"Your souls have been taken. You are now Soulless monsters. Weaker monsters. Leave and don't come back. Us Soul monsters will take you out the next time we see you. This is your punishment. So you can regret what you've done in exile." Asgore declares and the royal guard part to let the group leave into exile.

The group starts to head off away into exile not having a choice.

"Wait! Sans!" Papyrus races for his brother grabbing a hold of his arm. His action causes Sans to pause to turn to his brother. "Please don't go. It doesn't have to be this way." He pleads with him. He really badly doesn't want to lose the one who raised him. "We can fix this. We can get your soul back. Just don't go." He feels his soul sink as he sees an emotionless look on Sanss face, as though his emotions had been taken from him.

"It is how things are Papyrus." Sans slips his arm out of the others grasp, without either of them getting hurt. "You just have to accept it. I'm going with them." He turns and follows after the group as Papyrus stands there... Staring in disbelief and heartbreak.

Present day...

"And as time went on they seemed to discover they could now drain monsters of magic. And as they did they started showing new abilities that they all seem to have. With no sign of their old abilities. It also became known that they can transform into anyone that they want. The Soul monsters came to believe them as indeed traitors and needed to be taken down. The royal guard does patrols to try to keep the city safe." Papyrus feels a hand rest against his arm as he brings his explanation to an end.

"I'm sorry that happened." Frisk apologizes to Papyrus feeling sympathy for what he had to go through. "Have you been able to see your brother?"

"Every time I see him and approach he leaves. Disappearing and I can't find him." Papyrus explains with a heavy sigh. "Though I guess I've just accepted that it's his decision. And that I should just accept how things are." He blinks in surprise when the human hugs him.

"He's forgotten what he's missing out on. You're a really nice skeleton." Frisk mentions giving Papyrus a very small smile.

"Thanks Frisk." Papyrus thanks her and moves one hand to gently pet her head. "You're really nice as well." He lets her let go of him after a moment of hugging.

Frisk remembers a comment Papyrus had made. "So the royal family had adopted a human?"

"Yeah." Papyrus nods. "They named her Chara. When she was really young she was found with her parents in the snow. The parents had placed her in the snow then left. Asgore who had seen it happen couldn't leave the child there. He gave her a blanket and waited out of sight. The parents never came back. He took her in and raised her along with his own son. He couldn't just leave her out there all alone. His wife Toriel agreed to that."

"That's so sweet of them." Frisk smiles at this though it turns into a worried frown as an idea comes to her mind. "Say. What were you so upset about? Were you just frustrated about your brother?"

At this Papyrus glances away. "Well no. That's not why I came out here." He admits to her. He takes a breath before he continues. "You see. There's a monster named Grillby. He helps me out ever very soon after the group was banished, and is like a father figure to me. I help out at his restaurant slash bar to try to pass the time. As well as thank him. Though whenever Gaster came in hed serve him because I'm still angry at him. Today Grillby told me that he is going to try having a relationship with Gaster." His hands clench into fists at the memory of those words being spoken. "He told me that everyone makes bad decisions in their lives. But I know that Gaster doesn't regret what he did. He's thankful that he did it. How could Grillby want to be with someone like that!?" He clenched his teeth feeling the rage bubble up inside of him again. "I thought that Grillby was on my side."

"Papyrus. I think that he still cares about you a lot. Yes Grillby wants to be with Gaster, but you need to accept that is how it is. You can't force someone to do what you want them to." Frisk tells him hoping that the other is actually listening. She does see that he isn't looking at her, instead his gaze is straight ahead still holding anger within. She doesn't blame him for the anger. She just hopes that she can talk a little sense into him. "Grillby is not a copy of you. He will even become friends that you might not like. Trying to make him give up his free will so you can pick his friends is cruel." She pauses for a moment though Papyruss eyes only shift a little downward. "I'll give an example. Look at us. I'd say that we're friends at this point. What would happen if Grillby doesn't like me? Imagine him telling you that you can't be friends with me, or you lose him. How does that make you feel?" She pauses again hoping for a response. She does actually get one this time.

"I know what you're trying to do Frisk." Papyrus informs her. "And I appreciate you trying to help settle things. Even with the what if's scenario you put before me I still feel angry about it. I don't think anything is going to change that right now. If it'll ever change at all."

Frisk lets out a breath at least knowing that she tried to help. She finds it helps soothe out the disappointment in her mind. "I understand. I mean a lot has happened as you've told me. So it's alright."

"Thank you Frisk." Papyrus flashes her a smile that Frisk returns.

Asgore in the meantime walks down a hall before stopping a lot a set of wood double doors. He glances around before placing a hand on said door. He uses his magic to remove the lock allowing him inside. He lowers his hand as the doors swing inward to open. He goes through them entering into a room with white tiles on the ground, light grey paint on the walls, and a line of black objects on the other side of the room. He heads towards the black objects stopping to stand over them. He stares down at some black coffins he had secretly made. He counts six closed coffins with a seventh thats open and empty. "All I need is one more. Then, if that were to happen, I can destroy all the Soulless. Bringing peace to my subjects. Once they see me much more powerful than before I'll make them fall to their knees. Fearfully asking for my mercy. Though no matter what I'll ensure that they come to fear us." He opens one coffin looking inside.

Inside is a soul held within a jar.

Asgore puts the lid to the side then picks up the jar. He looks at the soul before speaking once more. "Your patience is probably what's keeping you sane. I deeply apologize that you had to drown to death. Your body has been buried do not fret. The time will come." He puts the coffin lid back on after putting the jar back. He looks at the other coffins. "Suicide, getting lost without proper attire for the cold nights, accidentally fell off of a cliff going to the rocks below, left for dead by another human, and poisoned after eating toxic berries." He lists off the deaths of the souls to himself. He has a special task force that is sworn to silence. So he doesn't have to worry about others learning of humans arriving and dying in the wilderness of their area. He's kept it well quiet for this long and he plans to continue. "I can not bring myself to kill a human with my own two hands. So hopefully there will be another human who dies by other means." He looks to the empty coffin turning his head to do so. "And if that happens. Then I can do what must be done myself."

"I keep suggesting to just use the royal guard. You really don't have to go through with this method." A voice comes from the entrance to the room.

Asgore doesn't even need to turn around to know who is there.