"And, you're sure she can help us?" Marcus asked, facing Percy alone. Percy had come to the others, saying that a woman named Okami possibly knew where Marie was. She had told everyone else, and Marcus had asked if he could talk to her alone for a moment. "As sure as I can be. She's the only lead we have." Marcus closed his eyes, thinking. "...alright, sis." Marcus opened his eyes again, his arms coming uncrossed. Percy smiled and hugged Marcus right. "Thank you, Marcus!" Marcus smiled back, and hugged his sister. "Don't mention it, sis." Marcus let go, and Percy walked to Okami. "Okay, Okami! We're all okay with you coming forward!" "Good." Okami replied, putting a hand at her hood. She lowered it, and Percy gasped at what she saw. Okami was a pretty young woman, with fair skin, dark black hair with a yellow streak in her bangs, and orange, almost amber eyes, with her bangs covering the right eye. But that wasn't the shocking part. The shocking part was that there were ears on the top of her head. Not human ears, either. Wolf ears. Fluffy, black wolf ears. They flicked a little. Percy had wide eyes, her mouth gaping in response. Misty's mouth was wide open, her aqua eyes shimmering with shock. Aaron's eyes were wide and bright, his flames raising. Pebbles was surprised as well. Marcus' emerald eyes were glimmering with surprise. Justin had stars in his bright orange eyes. "WOAH! COOL!" He yelled, running up to Okami. "YOU HAVE WOLF EARS?! THAT'S AMAZING!" Okami did a shy smile. "Heh, well...it's not the only wolf-like thing I have." And in response, Okami lifted her cloak and took it off completely. And in full view, was a bushy and fluffy wolf tail. It was black for most of it, but it held a yellow streak at the end. "But...HOW?! YOU'RE A HUMAN!" Misty exclaimed, shooting up from her seat. "Well...I myself don't know exactly how this happened. I could tell you what I do know, though." "Alright, shoot." Marcus replied, standing with a stronger stance now. Okami took a deep breath.
"Okay, I'm gonna make this quick. So, a while ago, before the war ended, there was a battle just outside of the cave I was living in. I remember hearing the yells and screams, the sound of weapons clanging and magic firing. I remember sitting in the cave in pure terror. I was bunched up against the wall, constantly afraid that they would venture in and kill me. I didn't know much about my magic, and against a monster? I'd be toast. And as the fighting died down, I stayed in that cave out of fear. I remember closing my eyes for seemingly a second, and the next thing I know, I hear the sound of a wolf howling. I open my eyes again, and there's a little wolf in front of me! Looked just like a husky! I remember staring it down before it began to glow white, and I blacked out again. Next thing I know, I wake up, and I have these." Okami pointed at her ears and tail. "And as I'm aware of my new, uh, appendages, I hear a voice, whispering in my new ears. 'You have a great destiny ahead of you, child of wilderness. Use your new power well to unite with the Angel, and claim your destiny.' And next thing I know, I'm having a vision. Everything went white, and then, I saw something. Or rather, someone. I saw the silhouette of an Angel, but...she looked the same as your missing friend. As in, hauntingly the same." Okami now had an urgent expression on her face. "That's why I wanna help you all find her. If she's the Angel, then she might hold the answers as to why I've been given these powers. Why I'm like this now." Everyone else looked disturbed, to say the least. Percy had an alarmed expression on her face. That's why Marie didn't die. That's why she saw the silhouette of an Angel when Marie refused death itself. But, if Marie was the Angel, that meant that she had a difficult path in front of her. To reunite both man and monster. To make the Underground go empty. And to SAVE the world. That answered so many questions, yet it opened up so many more. Percy was shaking, her purple eyes bright with magic. Misty was as well, her tail flicking up and down nervously. Aaron was clutching at an arm of the sofa, his flames burning bright. Pebbles was trembling, their small rocky form filled with unsureness. Marcus' emerald eyes were wide, his teeth gritted. He was clutching at his sleeve. Justin's eyes might as well been stars at that moment, sparkling with awe and excitement. "You mean she's...HOLY MOLY!" Justin shouted, bouncing up. "I know. But for now, we need to save her. I have a general idea where she is, as I saw this weird...blue and yellow glow near some sort of house. A mansion, it looked like. It was shaded with black." That sent a thrill of pure fear down Percy's spine. "THEN LET'S GO! LEAD US TO HER!" Percy cried, jumping up.
"Kid..." Marie barely opened her eyes once she heard Sans' voice. "I don't know how much time we have left before..." Sans paused, and Marie felt a thrill of dread run down her spine. It was weak, but it was there. "...before we might be gone." Marie could tell he was filled with emotions, but she had yet to know which ones. His voice was a lot more rough than ever before, no longer filled with that friendly teasing. His voice was strained, as if he was in pain. "Marie...I'm sorry. I'm sorry I can't keep you awake anymore." Marie felt a thrill of fear through her entire being, shaking her to the core. Her chest was fluttering with barely any warmth. No... "This stuff...this substance...it's not affecting just you. But it's affecting you for the most part. Kid...this might be the last time I talk to you for some time." Marie tried to move. She tried to get free. She couldn't move an inch. But the one thing she did do, that she could do, was take a deep breath. She felt something stir in her chest once more, and then, she tried to speak. Her voice came out as a gurgle, and Marie let out a choking cough, her chest heaving. It was as if her throat had been ripped out. Her voice refused to come. Sans...I don't want to say goodbye... Marie felt tears streaming down her face, falling into the pool of tears below her. "Welp...I'm goin' to Grillby's." Sans' voice sounded faint now, and tired as well. "Papyrus...do you want anything...?" Sans' voice was fainter than ever, and then, it faded out. The warmth in her chest faded. No...NO! Marie wailed inwardly, her tears rolling down. She closed her eyes again. Sans...I'm so sorry...
Okami was up front, charging forward. Percy was not far behind, being the closest. She was ready to get Marie back, no matter what. Marcus was bounding forward, using his magic to create shields for him to jump on. Justin was dashing forward, running very swiftly. Misty was zooming forward, her tail moving way faster than before. Aaron was using his flames as an engine to propel him forward while carrying Pebbles. They all skidded to a stop, finding a mansion of a sort, like Okami said. "Well, are we ready?" "Okami asked, turning towards the others. "Ready!" Aaron called out, his confidence clear. "Let's go." Pebbles said. "We can do this." Misty whispered, her aqua eyes brimming with courage. Water formed in her hands. "READY!" Justin shouted, jumping up and down. His gauntlets appeared on his hands with a flash of orange magic. "Yes." Marcus said, his green eyes brimming with magic. A shield appeared on his forearm. "Ready as I'll ever be." Percy replied, and summoned her sword. Okami nodded, and then, her orange eye shimmered with magic. She turned towards the house, her hands beginning to glow with orange and yellow. And with a shimmer of magic, translucent yellow and orange wolves appeared next to her. They were glowing with a powerful light. Then, the wolves both raised their heads, and loud howls escaped their jaws, sounding majestic and powerful. Percy stepped forward. "DARIEN AND INDIGO!" She bellowed, her voice shaking the ground. Her eyes were now blazing with pure magic. "QUIT HIDING LIKE COWARDS AND FACE US ALL!" Everyone tensed in preparation for the coming storm. And with a sudden laugh, Darien burst out of the mansion through the door, breaking it in the process. "Well, hello there, ugly!" Okami quipped, her eye going wide. Darien had a wide smile on his face, and soon, everyone was fighting, Darien VS everyone. Percy and Okami managed to slip past Darien, and made a break for the mansion. Magic was being flung every which way, and both of them had to be careful not to get hit.
Okami and Percy both raced through the mansion, kicking down doors and running through the halls. "INDIGO!" Percy cried, kicking down another door. "I KNOW YOU'RE HERE! COME AND FIGHT, YOU COWARD!" Okami's eye was wide at Percy's rage, and remembered why they came there in the first place. And then, the both of them heard the sound of laughter.
Both of them whipped around to see Indigo slowly walking towards the two. "My my, what made you so eager to fight, Percy?" Indigo's voice was sly and smooth, sounding condescending and confident. They drew their whip. "And a newcomer. How amusing. Darling, I hope you know." Indigo's eyes suddenly darkened with magic, if that was even possible. "She isn't in control anymore." That sent a blaze of rage through Percy all at once. Okami tensed up as well. She turned towards Percy. "Percy. You must find Marie and save her." Okami urged, her voice quiet yet intense. Percy narrowed her eyes, then nodded. "Be careful. Indigo is incredibly dangerous." Percy warned. She spun around, and made a run for it to look through the rest of the house. Okami summoned a dagger of a sort. "Well, I suppose it's just you and me now, darling." A terrifying smile spread on their face.
Percy zoomed through the house, going through rooms left and right. She kept running and didn't stop, until she reached what appeared to be a ballroom of a sort. Percy had the feeling that this wasn't an ordinary mansion. Then, she heard footsteps. And right through a door, someone walked through. Someone hauntingly familiar. Marie. Her eyes were almost entirely black, with her left eye having a small blue light as a pupil, and with her right having a small yellow light as a pupil. They were glowing, ever so slightly. Percy felt her entire body tense. "Marie...do you remember me?" Percy spoke, her voice shaking. Marie didn't say a word. She summoned a spear. "Marie, please, we can-" And faster than Percy could dodge, Marie raced forward, and plunged the spear towards her stomach. Percy was frozen on the spot, her body tense and trembling. She was waiting in suspense, for the burning pain to consume her midsection and for blood to pour out, yet it didn't. She looked down, and Marie was holding her spear-wielding hand with her other, keeping it from stabbing her. Percy felt a flutter of hope burn in her chest. "P...Percy..." Marie whispered, her body trembling. She slowly raised her head to look at Percy. Her eyes had a bit of white around the pupils. "Help me." Her voice was raspy and strained. Percy gasped, and then, she grabbed the spear from Marie's hand, throwing it to the side. She suddenly grabbed Marie, and held her tight in a hug. Marie was now struggling. "LET GO OF ME!" She shouted, her voice echoing with another. Percy held Marie tight. "I'M NOT LETTING GO, MARIE! I'M NOT LOSING YOU A SECOND TIME!" Percy screamed back, now holding Marie as tight as she could. Even though Marie was taller than her, Percy stood her ground, holding onto her tight. Then, a black substance suddenly jutted out of Marie, and stabbed into Percy's back.
Everything was dark and blurry. Percy couldn't see anything. "...child..." Percy heard a distant voice, sounding gentle and kind. She looked, and saw a bright light. "Child of protection." Her voice was clear as day now, ringing with such kindness and care. Her voice was motherly and sweet, filled with all the love in the world. A silhouette of a tall, motherly figure was seen in the light. "You must bring her back. You can SAVE her. I am the one who guided her to SAVE Lola. Please, I implore you. SAVE her, child of protection. You must help her seek out her destiny. Please." Percy hesitated for a moment. How could she SAVE Marie? But then, Percy felt a strong power resonate within her, within her very SOUL. The light and figure faded, and Percy felt her very SOUL pound with this new power. She would SAVE Marie, whatever it took. And then, with a flash of light, Marie appeared before her.
Marie had a glitchy white censor bar over her face, hiding her facial expression. Her body was completely black, coated in that dark substance. Percy felt HOPE surge through her, and then, a button appeared in front of her. It was rainbow and colorful, with the world 'SAVE' on it. "Before you can SAVE the world...I need to SAVE you." Percy whispered, and pressed the button. With a flash of light, she was in front of someone else. The Lost SOULS appeared! Percy remembered Red, an AU of Sans who Marie was friends with. He was standing before her, with glitches over his face. "You'll never see the light of day again." He threatened, and sharp bones appeared all around. Percy jumped and dodged, twisting and turning as the barrage of bones flew at her. She pressed the SAVE button again, wordlessly. Red flinched. "No. I don't need anyone! Stay back!" He shouted, and gasterblasters shot at her. Percy kept dodging, jumping over the beams. She pressed the button again. "Red, it's okay." Percy whispered, her voice gentle. "Everyone's here for you." And with a flash of light, the glitches cleared. "Wait...nah. I guess I'm rootin' for ya, kid." With a flash of light, Percy was once again in front of Marie. The glitches were a little less dense, and Percy could just barely catch a glimmer of blue and yellow. Percy pressed the button again, and then, she appeared before someone else. She, too, had glitches over her face. It was Undyne. Her ponytail was waving in the wind. "ALL HUMANS MUST DIE!" She bellowed, and spears shot at Percy, cornering her. She jumped out of the circle of spears, and kept dodging until she could press the button again. Undyne flinched. "A human...wait..." Her voice was shaking. The attacks ceased. "A...friend...?" "Yes, Undyne. I'm a friend." Percy replied, and pressed the button again. "It's going to be okay." Then, the glitches disappeared with a flash of light, revealing Undyne giving Percy a huge and friendly grin. "Well, some humans are okay, I guess! Now, GO SAVE HER!" Undyne bellowed, giving Percy a thumbs up. She disappeared with another flash of light. Percy could feel the SOULS bound to Marie resonating fiercely now, beginning to awaken, one by one. Percy pressed the button, and with a flash of light, another Lost SOUL appeared. It was Sans. He had the same white glitches over his face. "Just give up. I did." Sans said, his voice quiet. Bones flew at Percy, as well as gasterblasters. Percy jumped up and down, running past the blasts. But then, a gasterblaster appeared behind her. Percy whipped around, and she was hit head on by it. She let out a scream of pain, feeling that burning pain all over her body. The blast ceased. Percy was just barely still standing, her entire body aching. She was breathing heavily, gritting her teeth. Sans was frozen on the spot. Percy limped forward, and pressed the button. "...kid..." Sans mumbled, shaking. The glitches were still there, but they would be gone very soon. Percy pressed the SAVE button again. "Sans, it's okay. I'll be okay. Now Marie needs you to be okay." At the mention of Marie, the glitches broke apart and disappeared. Sans had his friendly and familiar smile on his face now. "I'm rootin' for you, kid. SAVE Marie for us, okay?" Sans disappeared. Percy was once again in front of Marie. She felt her SOUL resonating, deep within the shell of darkness coating her. "P...Percy..." Marie's voice was glitchy and echoing, sounding faint and strained. "Yes, Marie! It's me!" Percy pressed the button yet again. Then, with a flash of light...
Percy could see the image of Marie laying on the ground in the cave, unconscious and cold. She saw herself walk to Marie and help her up, waking her. Then she saw her and Marie meeting the monsters, and then the current team all together. The images faded, and Percy could see Marie clearly in front of her. The glitches were still there, and she was coated in the black substance still. "Marie, I know you're in there! I know you remember me! Please, hold on! I'll SAVE you, I promise!" Percy yelled, her voice shaking. Tears were threatening to spill from Percy's eyes. "Hold...on...?" Marie whispered, flinching a little. "Yes. Please, hold on to your memories. Hold on to your feelings." "...feelings..." A bit of black on her cracked. "...memories..." Her voice was shaking. "I...know...I hurt..." Marie was shaking now, her entire form quivering. Percy could see tears fall from her. "P...please..." Then, with a flash of light, the glitches disappeared, but the black coating remained on Marie. "PERCY, I'M SO SORRY!" Marie cried out, her voice now clear and loud. Tears were spilling from her blackened eyes. "I HURT YOU! I HURT EVERYONE!" Percy felt her own tears spill, and at last, Percy charged forward, and threw herself at Marie, hugging her tight. "Marie, it's okay. I'm here. You didn't hurt me. You didn't mean to. It's okay. It's going to be okay." Percy's voice was breaking as she reassured Marie. "P...promise...?" Marie whispered, a crack forming near her eyes. "I promise." And with those words, light shone from both Marie and Percy, and next thing Percy knew, she was in front of Marie, in the room. Marie was letting out shrieks as she held her head, shaking. "NO! I DON'T NEED YOU!" Her voice sounded dark and horrible, raspy and shaky. Percy took a step forward. "STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Marie tried to summon spears, but they glitched out, disappearing. Percy kept coming closer, spreading her arms out for a hug. "Marie. You're in there. You know me. You know I won't give up until I SAVE you." "I...I..." Marie whispered, searching for words. She took a step back, but then, Percy zoomed at Marie, and hugged her tight. "I'm here." Percy whispered. She looked up at Marie, and then, she went and kissed her on the lips. Marie let out a gasp of shock, and then, a flash of light threw Percy away. She caught her footing, being knocked a little bit away. Marie was engulfed in a beam of pure light, the darkness breaking away. "You've always been here, Marie. And I'll always be here with you." Percy said, smiling brightly. Tears were dripping down her cheeks. And then, with another flash of light, Marie fell to the ground. The darkness was all gone, her body back to normal. "MARIE!" Percy rushed to Marie. She helped her up. Marie looked at Percy for a moment, and then, she rushed up, and hugged her tight. "I LOVE YOU TOO!" Percy shouted, hugging back. The two were now hugging tight, the both of them sobbing. "I'm so sorry, Percy...I couldn't control myself..." Marie whispered, her voice breaking. "No, it's okay! I'm okay! Everyone's okay! It wasn't your fault." Marie hugged Percy tighter in response.
Marie let go, and so did Percy. "Now, it's time to go help the others." Percy said, wiping her tears. Marie wiped her own. "Agreed. I'm done helping Indigo and Darien." Marie said, a smile on her face. Percy nodded, and the two ran through the house, and outside. Indigo and Darien were out there, and almost everyone was on the ground. Marcus was busy healing Misty and others, while Okami and Aaron were still going strong. "INDIGO AND DARIEN!" Marie screamed, her voice filled with rage and power. The fighting stopped all at once, and Indigo and Darien both looked at Marie. Their eyes widened, and both of them had a look of pure terror on their face. "I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS! IT'S TIME TO STOP YOU BOTH, HERE AND NOW!" Marie summoned a sword, and Percy summoned her own.