"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Past speech"

"other"


"MOVE! HEAVY! FIRE FIRE!"

Shephard sleeps, but not peacefully. Memories of the last two days flash before his eyes like a slideshow, with several voices from his journey through Black Mesa along with them. The landing, the confusion, the arrival of both Black Ops, Race X, and the realization of what was actually going on hitting him like a freight train, he remembers it vividly.

"Make sure you don't forget about us you hear?" Said an overweight security guard. Despite his appearance, Ottis was an excellent shot, saving Shephard plenty of times from all sorts of Xenian life.

"Oh no, your one of them. Can't we all just get along?" That was Shephard's first hint that something was wrong. That something was very wrong. He should of asked the scientist to clarify what he meant, but he didn't. Instead he had Ottis stay with him and guard the man while he went ahead.

"Where's Freeman?" The large towering form of sergeant Harris asked while pushing a decrepit scientist further into a closet. Another clue of what was really going on below the surface, and yet again, he ignored it, opting to head to the VTOL outside instead. Only to be left behind.

"HE-lp MEEEEEE!" A former Black Mesa security guard said, as he lumbered over to Shephard with claws outstretched, ready to rip into the marine's flesh. A .357 magnum round collided with the crab on the guard's head, blowing both the crab and the head apart in a shower of human and alien blood.

"What the hell are these things Corporal?" A medic dressed much like Shephard, minus the gasmask and with the red cross on his helmet to signify his role, asked. No one at the time had the answer, so the question was left up in the air, clinging to everyone's mind. The medic died shortly after. A bolt of green electricity fried his brain before he could even scream. The offender was quickly filled with lead courtesy of Shephard and the rest of the medic's squad.

"Shephard, our orders are not to evacuate the science team, there to kill." That broke him more than anything else at Black Mesa. That his comrades, his BROTHERS have been mindlessly executing civilians. It even hurt more when he found out that some were even enjoying it. They were enjoying the slaughter of innocents. Adrian joined the marine corp for many reasons. To serve his nation, protect his fellow citizens, and upholding the values of his nation. However there was another reason. He joined because he was alone. He wanted to be a part of something, or more importantly a group. People he could trust with his life. Livonia, and now Black Mesa have broken that.

"No one told us about Black Operations in the mission briefing." Private Jenkins asked "Yeah, I mean were all on the same team right? Right…?" He killed what felt like hundreds of Black Ops assassins over the course of two days, and honestly he could care less about the actual numbers. Those bastards were even more brutal than his fellow marines, targeting anyone and everyone. They didn't even hesitate to open fire on the HECU. It was the final straw in Shephard's mind. Everyone had betrayed him. His fellow marines, and his nation. While some of the marines admitted to feeling guilty about executing Black Mesa personnel, and some even disobeyed their orders, but that didn't make up for the deaths in his mind. They were all guilty, even him.

"Did you really hate me that much?" A familiar voice said.

The slideshow of memories was abruptly cut off by the image of Toriel crouched down near a large door. Her hand was covering a massive gash on her chest, trying to stop the flow of dust flying off of the wound. What the hell is going on? Adrian wondered, worried for the monsters safety. Suddenly Toriel, Caretaker of the Ruins, turned to dust. He wanted to scream, he really did, but he couldn't move. There was no feeling throughout his entire body. For all intents and purposes he was nothing but a viewer. A figure clouded by darkness walked over to the door, not even bothering to glance at the pile of dust on the floor.

The figure comes into the light, revealing a purple sweatshirt, brown hair, and a toy knife swinging around aimlessly. Reaching the door, the figure turns and face Shephard. Those eyes, Adrian thought to himself. The same uncaring expression he seen time and time again in the eyes of the many Black Ops assassins he's killed. No empathy for the innocent life taken, just simply hollow of all emotions other than irritation. The girl turns back to the door, closing it on her way out, and letting consciousness reach Adrian once more.


'2041'

Chara repeated it over and over again in her mind, as if simply uttering the truth would make her forget what she saw. Something isn't just wrong she told herself as she floated through an endless void. Everything has changed. From Frisk, to the voice, and now the date. What else is new, the ghost wondered. What else could be different from the last thousands of Resets? That line of thought was then interrupted by the change in her surroundings.

No longer was she simply floating, but instead Chara found herself in a spacious orange room with only one window with human scientist looking in from behind, in front of her is a large machine unlike she's even seen before. The closest thing she can compare this all to is the Core, but with less lava. A large ball of energy emitting a loud humming noise floats between both the base and the tower of machine, both of which are feeding a continuous beam of… something into the ball of energy. Suddenly a voice cut through the room from one of the many speakers aligning the wall.

"We've just been informed that the sample is ready Gordon. It should be coming up to you at any moment. Look to the delivery system for your specimen."

A figure in a bulky orange suit of armor climbs down from a ladder behind Chara and walks over to a caged off section of the room with red blinking lights. The lights turn blue as a machine holding a large crystal arrives on a platform inside the cage. The crystal itself is like no other, not because of its appearance, but due to the strain put on her eyes just looking at the damn thing. It simply has an aura of wrongness around it, like the very Universe despises its existence. The cage surrounding the machine and crystal suddenly retracts, allowing the figure in the suit to position himself behind it.

"Standard insertion, for a non standard specimen." The voice from before announces, but with a hint of uncertainty present.

The figure pushes the machine closer and closer to the central beam, causing Chara to tense up despite knowing it's simply a "dream." The figure reaches the beam, and every so slightly pushes the crystal into it. The two make contact...

And all hell breaks loose

Once a soft orange, the ball of green energy not unlike the portal she saw Shephard emerge from takes its place. Like the portal, large arches of electricity smash into the wall of the containment room, blowing holes and raining down debris all over the figure and Chara. While not affecting her, the large pieces of wall does force the figure in the orange suit to run over to a sealed blast door. The light from the ball of energy has grown both in size, and intensity, forcing Chara to shield her eyes. Panic voices can be heard from the speakers, before one of the arches of electricity blows through the window, silencing the screaming scientists for good. Another beam smashes into the man in orange, who disappears once it reaches him. This goes on for a few more seconds, with more and damage being done to the room around her until suddenly one of the beams hits Chara dead on in her chest. Pain, actually pain surges through her body causing her to close her eyes in shock before the feeling abruptly stops.

Opening her eyes, Chara can see the scene has changed. Now she stands over the corpse of many dead scientists in what looks like an office. The walls and the equipment is painted red in the blood of those that once used them. Strange sounds reverberate throughout the room. Screaming, roaring, and gunshots follow close behind.

Then, like nothing ever happened, she back in the bed room with the sleeping form of Adrian, staring at the same damn calendar.

'What the hell was that?!' Chara thought to herself. She then remembers what the voice said before the dream. That her answers would come to her in due time, but in fragments.

'Are those what these dreams are? Its way of revealing why all of this is happening?'

A rattling noise comes from Sparky. The creature is facing her direction staring at the ghost. Now that she thinks about it, Chara has never gotten a look at their Souls. Both Sparky and Spitball hid inside of Adrian's backpack, never showing themselves unless told to by their ride. So she never got a chance to actually take a peak of the creature's Soul to determine what it is exactly. While she isn't one to speak, as she is a ghost held together by the power of Determination alone, Adrian's story of fighting aliens before arriving just doesn't seem that believable. Again, she one to talk considering their trapped inside a mountain with magical Monsters and (possibly) a time traveling murderer, but she actually seen all of that. Besides, Adrian hasn't really disclose much of what happened with the aliens or anything really, only repeating that he fought them off. Chara has a hard time believing that one soldier, Determination or not, could defeat an alien invasion. Hell Frisk died at least twenty times when she first arrived in the Underground before reaching Asgore, and that's being generous.

Chara walks away from the calendar and towards the creature on Adrian's chest. Sparkie immediately starts to make a series of noise by producing some type of rattling noise. After getting halfway across the room, the ghost stops, and allows herself to look into Sparky's Soul.

The process of looking at another beings Soul isn't all that complicated. You simply get within a certain distance, and will the Soul to become visible. Now normally, a human would never be able to see a Soul unless it's brought out by a Monster, but she's an exception since she technically dead. It might also have something to do with her giving her Soul to her "brother" after her death, but that only an assumption.

The world around Chara and Sparky becomes fuzzy, and out of focus. She wills the creature Soul to show itself to her, and it does. She wasn't expecting what she saw.

All Souls take the form of a heart, whether it be Monster or human. Now of course there are differences between them all. For example, a Monsters Soul is always upside down and primarily white in color unless said Monster specializes or is very skill with one form of magic, while a human, or an animal, is always right side up with six different variations of colors. Each color representing a certain trait, like red meaning Determination. So she was expecting something very similar with Sparky.

Instead, she gets a star purple in coloration. While it is purple like perseverance, it's much lighter in tone. Another difference between it and any other Soul is the fact that its "connected" to Adrian's Soul. Overall, Chara got her answers.

They are indeed aliens.

She isn't an expert when it comes to Souls, but all of her research and experience with them show that they have always been a heart. Their could be other colors for different traits sure, but never have a Soul been shaped in such a way, nor has one been connected to another. She doesn't count, since she isn't connected, but rather "fueled" by another's Determination. But who's to say that an alien would follow those same basic principles?

The Soul disappears and her vision returns to normal. Sparky is still staring at her, but has stopped making any noise.

"AH."

Adrian quickly picks up Sparky and bolts up out of his bed, with pistol in one hand, and aliens in the other. His eyes are wide open, with him searching his surroundings really quickly. He quickly calms down and lowers his weapon, and spots Chara over by in the middle of the room.

"Adrian, are you okay?" Chara ask.

He nods his head. "Yeah, just a bad dream, I'm fine now."

Chara doesn't speak.

"Anyways, how long have I've been out?"

"About…" Chara stops. Looking around the room, she sees that it's been 9 hours since her "dream" if the clock on the wall is anything to go by. Has she really been out that long? Chara wondered. Apparently so, because Toriel has already brought in a slice of pie while the two were out of commission.

"Nine hours. Toriel brought you a pie while you were sleeping."

The Marine hums. He then proceeds to holster his pistol, and head to the nightstand with the pie on it. He takes the small plate and sits down on the bed.

"You want a piece?"

Chara smiles and nods sitting down next to Adrian, who then gives her a slice that she snatches out of his hand with the speed comparable to a squirrel taking someones candy. The marine just watches as the ghost besides him devours her piece of the pie.

"Wait, how can you eat if your a ghost? And how are you holding that anyways?"

Chara shrugs her shoulders, "Don't question it" temporarily forgetting about the date and shoves the rest of her pie into her mouth. "Sooo goucood."

Ignoring the childish antics of the ghost besides him, Adrian takes his slice and takes a bit of it. Almost immediately his eyes light up with pleasure as the Monster food fills his stomach and he marvels in awe as it starts to heal some of his minor injuries.


After a few minutes of eating the rest of their pie, Chara and a fully geared up Adrian walk out of the room and into the living room, where they meet Toriel on her rocking chair.

"Ah, Adrian, you're finally awake. Did you enjoy the pie I made?"

"It was delicious, definitely better than the MRE's we're giving back in the corp." Adrian replies smiling.

Toriel smile's brightens, before a serious look befalls on her face."That's good to hear, now please take a seat, I think we need to talk about a few things."

The two sit down, although Toriel only sees Adrian, and not Chara who's staring at her intently.

"Now first off, I want to apologize Adrian for not getting to you sooner. I normally look around the entrance to see if any humans have fallen, but none have done so in so long that I've been kinda slacking on my duties. I really thought for a while that another human wouldn't fall in. It's been so long after all"

Adrian leans further into the couch. "It's fine, I managed fine on my own. Most of the Monsters weren't that aggressive, with the exception of one demonic flower."

The Caretaker nods in understanding. "I've seen that particular flower around a few times, he's always causing trouble scaring some of his fellow Monsters. You didn't hurt any of them did you? The Monsters I mean." Toriel ask, fear present in her eyes.

"No of course not. Again, they weren't that bad." Adrian interjects, not telling her about the large amount of gold given to him by said Monsters, or his ghostly companion.

The Caretaker of the Ruins visibly relaxes, and rocks on her chair. She gestures to the bedroom. "That's good to know. While some might not be that… Advance, their still part of our species, and they mean no harm. Anyways I've meant to ask you. What were those creatures sleeping with you?"

"Their companions of mine. I'm guessing you saw them when you delivered the pie."

"Yes, in fact the blue one was quite hostile when I came in." A soft laugh emanates from her.

Taking both of his aforementioned allies from his backpack, Adrian smiles as the two latch onto his arm like toddlers. "Sorry about that. Sparky has always been very protective of both Spitball and I." An irritated rattling is heard right after and followed along with a gentle, "Oh be quiet you."

"It's no problem my child. Anyways, I need to speak to you on your current situation. Your are currently in the Ruins, which itself is part of the Underground. The Underground is home to all of Monsterkind, who have been trapped here for centuries thanks to the use of a powerful magical barrier set up after a bloody war with Humanity."

Shephard doesn't interrupt.

"However, their something else I must tell you. Your still young, but you are an adult by human standards. An adult who has seen plenty of bloodshed if your uniform is anything to go by. So I have no power over what you do next, however…" She pauses, before collecting herself and continuing. "Beyond the Ruins is the rest of Monsterkind, who are desperate to reach the surface. The King… Asgore…" Adrian notices the large amount of venom in her voice when the name was mentioned. "He will kill you. I've seen time and time again. Children would fall down here, and would continue forward despite my warnings, and they die. He has already collected six human Souls, and with one more, he will be able to break the barrier, and continue the war with Humanity." The former Queen of Monsters (not that Shephard is aware of that) leans forward, and with a pleading look begs him to stay down here. To live down here with her. "I know it's not much, but we can make the best of what we can.

Adrian doesn't say anything, opting to stare at the Monster instead while in deep thought. Most of that information isn't that shocking considering Chara already gave him a brief summary of the Underground and its inhabitants after their first interaction. Of how Monster are given a large boost in power when they absorb a human Soul. Not that means anything, Adrain has to continue, for he watches. Even now, Adrian is sure that bastard is somewhere in this very room, with that same damn briefcase and same damn smirk. But that's not the only reason why he must go forward. This king, this Asgore, is a threat to all of humanity, and he sure as hell didn't go through all of that effort in taking down the aliens in Black Mesa and saving the world just to have some magical Monsters destroy everything. Shephard might be a wanted man by the government he swore to protect, but he still doesn't want it to be brought down to ruins, or the world for that matter. He might not know how powerful this guy is, but the point still stands. Even if he does stay with Toriel however, what's stopping another human from falling, and what if they find another way through, past the watchful eye of Toriel. There is no choice in the matter.

"Toriel, I have to go forward, there's no choice in the matter. What if someone else falls down here, or worse, what if he finds a way to break this barrier without the Souls? I know of Asgore, its my mission to stop him. I'll take the Souls, and send them somewhere safe." That last part is a lie. Adrian has no idea what will happen to the Souls once he gets them, but he has to convince Toriel to let him go and hope that he won't do anything to bring ruin upon everyone.

Toriel looks down trodden from his answer, but still manages to smile through it anyways. Whispering to herself, "So much like her." She looks Adrian dead in the eyes. "Alright then, I'll let you continue but you need to answer me this."

He nods, "Of course."

"Where they bad, the people you killed? I can see you've taken a lot of lives Shephard, so I must know if it was justified. I know that might be a little hard for you to answer, as you are a soldier, and trust me, I'm sadly all too familiar with war myself." She sits back and waits for his answer.

Adrian takes a deep breath. "Yes, they were bad people. They murdered countless of my comrades and plenty of innocents. I don't know how many I killed, but I do know that those bastards don't deserve any sympathy." Adrian says, intentionally leaving out the part about aliens. That because the aliens weren't terrible as well, but rather to not sound like a nutcase. Although he does wonder why Toriel isn't that concerned about either Spitball or Sparky.

Again, the Caretaker smiles. "While I wish there was another way you could of dealt with who ever you were fighting, I'm happy that you are at least telling me why you killed them. Now, normally, I wouldn't allow you to leave the Ruins considering I know nothing about you personally or who exactly you've killed, I do know this. You're not a murderer. That might sound crazy considering we haven't met before, but I lived for a long time Adrian. A long time. And in that time, I've gotten to know many people, and have become well versed in the ways of reading them, both by their Souls, and their eyes. And when I look into yours, I see a kindred Soul, one who has seen far too much bloodshed not of their own fruition. I see a child struggling with the weight of sins thrust upon him. Adrian, I can see the look of both lost, and betrayal in your Soul, but despite that you've continued. I have faith that you will not disappoint me when it comes to what you do in the Underground."

Throughout all of that, Adrian shoulders slumped more and more with the weight of Black Mesa being brought back into his mind. He can only nod along mindlessly as she continued on. He's also touched that someone has so much faith in someone like him, a bloodied marine with two aliens and ghost companion. Not that she knows of Chara, of course. Although it is a little disturbing that she could read him so easily.

"Now Adrian, when do you want to leave?" Toriel suddenly ask.

"In a few minutes. I don't want to stay long. Don't want to take up any room. Besides, I'm kinda stinking up your house." Adrian replied sheepishly.

"Sorry I can't offer you a place to shower, I normally use the one further into the Ruins but it's quite a way away."

"It's no problem. Hey, does your food normally heal bullet wounds?"


Walking down into the basement with Toriel, Adrian double checks his backpack for supplies. Ammo is still the same, the only difference being that he replaced the half empty mag in his M4 with a fully loaded one. Food is looking much better, with plenty of water and snacks for him and his aliens pets. (and Chara?) All courtesy of Toriel of course. Suits recharged, and all of them have been well fed and rested. All in all, their looking in good shape. Toriel, Adrian, and Chara round the corner of the hallway only for Adrian to momentary freeze in his tracks. In front of them is the same door from his dream. The memory of Toriel turning to dust comes back to his mind.

"Adrian, are you sure your okay?" His ghostly companion asked. Although Adrian does notice that even she looks a little uncomfortable around the large door.

"Yeah, sorry. Lets go." He says quietly to not alert Toriel.

The two reach the Caretaker, who turns to them and explains that "this is the exit to the Ruins, and the only known way into the rest of the Underground." She smiles sadly. "I wish you luck in your journey my child. I only ask that you avoid killing the other Monsters. The Royal Guard will try to capture you and bring you to the king."

"I'll try my best Toriel, but if it comes to the choice between me, or one of the guards, I have to choose them."

She looks frowns but nods nevertheless. "I understand, just try." She turns around and opens the door, which Adran walks through, with Chara in tow. He turns around last minute however. "Toriel, thank you, for everything. I will never forget it. I'll stop the king, he won't harm anyone else. I promise." He takes a hand off his rifle and offers it to the Monster in a handshake. The Monster gladly accepts it, enveloping Shephard's hands due to her sheer size.

"Please Adrian, don't come back, I hope you understand."

The marine nods. "Bye Toriel."

She shuts the door, locking Adrian Shephard, and his companions in the Underground.

Chara speaks up, saying exactly what Adrian was thinking. "That was surprisingly easy."

It was he thought. But something been bothering him lately. A few things actually. First off being who was that person he saw in his dream? Another random thought, something he hasn't thought about is…

What is he going to do once he meets Asgore?


I wonder what I should call the Chara Shephard ship? Chard, Shephara? Eh. I think of something. Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter, I might of went a little overboard with it but it's fine. Hopefully. And no, Adrian doesn't know the date yet. I'm also pretty sure you guys know what the date entails. Hehe.

Their finally out of the Ruins. After more than 14 thousands words were finally out of the tutorial of Undertale. I promise the other sections won't be too drawn out. Again, hopefully. See ya!