Chapter ten:

Sans and a few others are stalking around the edge of town in the early morning. They are out there with the sun having just risen above the horizon. They're spread out while checking on possible ways inside. They have done so at the request of the Queen, to make sure that what she is planning for the attack will be possible.

Sans watches from the bushes as oblivious soul monsters start their morning. He takes mental note of how many there are and what kind of buildings he can see. Carefully he moves back out of the bush after a little bit. He turns and starts to head back to their home. He watches out for royal guard members as he doesn't want to lead them to the Soulless home. He knows that they can use their magic in the area just like Soulless can use their magic.

The only advantage Soulless monsters would have would probably just be knowing the area better.

Sans does spot the others also turning and heading back just like him. He floats himself to a tree branch at seeing some movement. He waits and watches only to see Greater dog head along. He is relieved that the other isn't close enough to smell any of them. He lets the other move away a bit further before floating back down. He continues on his way still alert though. He makes it along with the others to their home, and they head straight to where the Queen is.

The Queen comes over to them as they enter her throne room. "It is good to see you!" She greets them nuzzling them all briefly one at a time. "What news have you brought me?"

"The spot I checked had royal guard in the area. It was by some schools." One of the others explains. "I don't think we should start there." Going silent for the next one to speak.

"There was monsters going about their morning in the area." Sans explains to the Queen. "Though there was only a few at a time."

"In my area there wasn't really anyone. Some got their mail or newspaper. Before heading back inside." The second last one adds her own explanation.

"And finally my area had some younger, maybe teens by how they looked, hanging around in groups."

The Queen nods to this. "Thank you all. Your information has been very valuable. Feel free to take a break. Aqua has already been sent out to get me some magic."

With this dismissal the four had off separating to go in their own directions.

Sans pauses to glance back to the path leading to where the Queen is. He has a feeling that things are going to take off soon. He turns away and flies off elsewhere in their home.

...

Day has come around and Papyrus has left Frisk, who is checking a map, in his home for now. He remembers her telling him that she wanted to figure things out.

She also wanted to write down her findings while also deciding what she'll do next. She assured him that she can at least take her time to plan things out well.

So Papyrus now finds himself standing before Grillbys. He takes a breath then heads inside. He notices some customers, and Grillby who looks up hopeful at him. He walks over and gets behind the counter with the other. "I may not be happy with your choice. But that doesn't mean that all that time together gets thrown out." He tells Grillby who smiles gratefully. "I still hate Gaster. But I still care about you." He heads to get ready for work but is stopped as the other gently grabs his arm. He looks back to the other.

"I'm glad to see you again Papyrus." Grillby tells him. "And I'm not going to push you to like Gaster. I thought it'd be nice if you did. But I think it is asking for a bit much right now. I care about you too. And I don't want to throw all that time of helping each other out. Thank you for that Papyrus."

Papyrus smiles and nods. He is let go and gets all set to help out. He heads back out and checks how the customers at the tables are doing.

Later in the afternoon Sans is carefully moving along the land. He needs to find some magic to replenish himself. He stays quietly alert for any signs of anyone else that is out here. He notices someone checking out some of the flowers. He hasn't seen her before and swears she looks like she's the same as Chara, a human. He can't be sure as he's only seen Chara, which the last time was a good while ago before the banishment. He shrugs it off bringing his focus back to this new potential human. He moves closer keeping low. He stops behind a rock only to peek around it. He can see the fierce determination in her eyes.

Even though she is just checking on plant life. She turns and approaches a tree looking for any markings.

Sans wonders if he can take her determination like he would with magic. He hasn't tried to take anything from a human before. However before he can get close enough to try Frisk notices him.

Frisk looks a little thoughtful then blinks as if a lightbulb went off in her head.

Sans knows that him being spotted means that he won't get close enough to take anything. He turns and hurries away to try to escape the area. He doesn't want to get caught especially as he knows that he is needed for the Soulless. He heard the other start chasing him. He believes that he should try to fly away from here.

"Are you-" Before Frisk could finish Sans takes off into the sky. She slows to a stop and stares up at the sky as the other flies away. "Come back!" She tries to call out but she doesn't see any sign that he had heard her. "Are you Papyruss brother...?" She says her question to no one still watching the sky. She sighs closing her eyes and turning away. She opens her eyes wishing she could have tried to talk to him. She had hoped she could make the other see what he's missing out on; by not being with his brother. She heads off hoping that maybe she'll get another chance.

Sans lands on the ground after going through some leaves of two trees. He looks back listening quietly for a bit only to not hear any signs of being chased. He turns away after this confirmation. He can't take the chance that the human knew about the Soulless from Soul monsters, and that she might have tried to take him down. He wonders if she was getting some plant data for Gaster. He supposes that he'll probably never know, though it really shouldn't matter right now. He heads off needing to complete his hunt for more magic so he can get back to the others. After getting magic for himself he heads home. He notices that others nearby the entrance are heading inside quickly. He quickly heads to a white with black spots cat monster. "What's going on Crystal?"

"The Queen has called a meeting." The cat monster, Crystal, is wearing a violet pull over hoodie with the sown on wings of the Soulless. She also has on a pair of black sweatpants, and dark red runners. She heads into their home with Sans following behind her.

The two of them get the space and crawl along the wall; upon seeing that the standing space is full. They look to the Queens throne where said Queen is sitting. They wait for her to begin as they stay on the wall side by side.

The Queen glances around confirming that everyone is here. So she looks forward as she begins speaking. "I have called you all here for a very important reason. An event has caused me to believe that we must make a move." She continues on as everyone continues to listen to her. "One of our own noticed that Gaster was by the edge of the city. He escaped before a ball of gas hit them when Gaster threw it." She can notice that her subjects glance around, knowing that something really bad could have happened. She does notice that they turn back to her as she continues on. "Thus I have decided to move the plan forward. Before they can truly weaponize this and take us down! We strike tonight." She begins to explain the plan, and calls out different members names for what role they will play.

Sans, after getting his instructions of what he'll be doing, thinks about how good of a chance they might have with the surprise attack. He does think that the Queens plan makes sense. He leaves with the others to prepare as soon as the Queen dismisses them for now. He stays inside the Soulless home to wait for the time to come.

After helping Grillby out for the day Papyrus heads home. He enters and Frisk comes over to him. He gives his new friend a smile of greeting. "How did things go? Do you have a plan for yourself?"

"Yes I do." Frisk admits with a nod flashing a smile back at him. "Though I'll admit I did step out to check out some things. Like some of the plant life. But that's not important." She waves it off and her face turns sympathetic. "I think I saw your brother. He was watching me but fled before I could speak to him."

Papyrus glances away a little sadly. "Yeah. He does run off a bit especially if noticed. Though I guess with so many Soul monsters hating them, and the royal guard trying to get rid of them, they are all probably really skittish around those who aren't Soulless. I don't know if he knew you were a human. But if I had to guess it's maybe why he hesitated. The Soulless can be quick about getting those that they feed off of."

Frisk nods and puts a comforting arm around her friend. "I understand. And who knows. Maybe we'll see him again and be able to talk to him."

"I doubt it." Papyrus sighs as Frisk hugs him a little tighter. He appreciates her attempts at comfort. He just knows that Sans is smart and has easily gotten away before. He wouldn't be surprised if he always fled before even Frisk could talk to him. He gives her a hug in return. "I'll be okay. I've accepted that I'll probably never have my brother back. At least I have a nice friend like you and Grillby."

Frisk nods to this looking up to meet his eyes. "And we'll be your friends until the end. You're a wonderful friend too Papyrus. I know we'll both be there whenever you need us."

Papyrus smiles softly at hearing those words. "I know you will."