Alice in Undertale

By Lolitafreak88

Chapter 33 Queen Me

'Alice' sashayed into the throne room, twirling the knife with the same professionalism as a knife-thrower in a circus. Dust gently blew from her clothes and weapon in the faint but cooling breeze that blew within the room, some of it faintly covering the golden flowers on the floor. She didn't care much for the beautiful flowers or the enchanting scenery, simply she was focused on the large brute of a king that stood in the middle of it all. It was delightfully odd how birds could still sing when the atmosphere of the Underground was changing radically. Perhaps they actually are singing praises of doom and despair at all the deaths, 'Alice' thought with a grin, that'd be fascinating. Killing Sans after what felt like a full-scale war would definitely be songworthy. Chara had nothing to add to the conversation despite taking what was the first glance at the ruler of the Underground and the key to getting out of here. 'Alice' pouted at how boring he had suddenly become in this regard before clearing her throat to get Asgore's attention. To her disappointment, Asgore did not show any reaction beyond talking to himself.

"Curious. I've never seen a plant… Cry before." He sounded much less scared than she expected.

"And I am the self-proclaimed master of curiosity! I must say that does sound awfully curious if it weren't for the mere fact Flowey is scared half to death now. You must be talking about him." 'Alice' giggled as she feigned being upset.

"...huh? You must be the one that flower just warned me about. Master of curiosity you say… Howdy! ... Erm… curiosity aside, what kind of monster are you?" Asgore finally turned to face 'Alice' looking only slightly startled by the dust on her pale clothes and the brandished Knife.

"An Alice!" She held her arms out as though to say 'surprise'.

"Ah, a human name. Yet I don't think you are so human anymore if what the Flower said is true. Well we can always-" The goat attempted to play stupid in his response but 'Alice' knew what she wanted.

'Alice' stomped forward aggressively, her knife instantly wielded and at the ready. Asgore seemed mysteriously patient even as some of his beautiful blossoms were crushed, watching her and perhaps even welcoming her embrace of death. That was not what 'Alice' was after though. Maybe Chara but not her. She had more cunning uses for Asgore that required him to still be breathing.

"Look, look. I do not need your head to be offed quite yet. I'm desiring the six, very much still human SOULS that you've been safeguarding. If you've been warned and yet do not fully understand the conviction of an Alice then you must realize those are the things that upset me." 'Alice' scolded him.

Chara was now very much confused in her head, having desired a quicker, painful end to Asgore. He began to nudge her mentally to swing her knife already, which was more of a distraction than a nuisance. Asgore regarded her differently much to her delight. As opposed to a glum yet humble kindness, he now gave a more concerned and even wary expression.

"And what will you use the SOULS for? To become even more of a monster?" He asked, anger in his tone.

"True I have commenced enough Genocide that I can never redeem being an Alice. Alas, I still do not believe in staying amongst this hollow and empty realm. It is important that to compensate for the grief you all have given me that I need to free myself and perhaps even all of you by breaking the Barrier. Plus I've been so eager to see what it looks like!" 'Alice' clapped giddily.

Not quite a lie but it would suffice. She did want to see it and was in no mood to staying where REAL monsters dwelled yet she had bigger plans to solve this riddle. 'How do you get to Wonderland?' Her curious excitement and somewhat mad demeanor did well to fool Asgore into actually considering what 'Alice' was saying. Even Chara seemed to be understanding that 'Alice' wanted to seize the power to fully destroy the world through the other SOULS. Even though they already had the immense power of two SOULS at their disposal, greed was a common trait amongst human beings. 'Alice' had been a human before so even before becoming a monster, she had human traits still being an integral part of her character. Asgore ultimately nodded at Alice.

"I'll take you to see the Barrier. After all, there's no reason for either of us to fight and a peaceful freedom is the best case scenario right now. You won't see the SOULS though if you strike me down." Asgore eyed 'Alice' harshly before leading her down a corridor on the far side of the room.

'Alice' saw no dignity in replying and so she didn't. She did look over the golden flowers one more time as she put her hands to her back and strolled along after him. They'd make for a lovely flower crown like I made with Dinah, she thought cheerfully. Such a shame I will never see her again but her memory will be avenged. Following after Asgore led her to the Barrier itself. It's howling, pure white form and never-ending aspects didn't disappoint. It looked absurd, trying, nightmarish, and fitting of a Barrier indeed. Having come to the end, she stopped and stared as Asgore looked like as though he was at a funeral.

"This is the Barrier. This is what keeps us all trapped underground." Asgore explained to the curious 'Alice'.

"Humans or Monsters?" 'Alice' inquired as to the creator of this Barrier.

"... Both." A clenched fist said all that needed to be said.

"Oh. Mmhmm… A reasonable description I suppose. I'm still positively fascinated by the idea of humans having magical abilities. Yet something as ordinary as a knife is the strongest weapon against that…" 'She' looked at her knife with a tone of disgust.

"Violence is overpowering, as is the metals and human's lack of mercy. It's not terribly surprising after the way my son was killed…" Asgore didn't turn away from the Barrier.

This terrifically naive and hilarious statement made Alice cackle out loud. The cackle echoed within the room and the Barrier itself, making for a haunting sound. A sound quite a number of monsters had been subjected to as Alice laid them to rest. Asgore looked more offended than anything and rightfully so. Such an insult to his son going unchallenged would make him look even less worthy of a ruler than he already appeared to be. Although not knowing the truth about his son does deem him rather stupid, Alice considered as she stopped laughing. Just as he knew nothing about what Alphys was doing.

"Why are you laughing? Is your lack of empathy so far gone that you can't sympathize with the loss of someone who was about your age?!" He bellowed.

"I'm terribly sorry but I simply think your son would've made such a great ruler. Instead the Underground has had to endure your idle leadership. I don't think you realize the fundamental rules of how this place works. Unlike Wonderland, this place balances nonsense with reality. If you aren't nonsensical enough… you aren't sharp enough to kill and end up killed. If you deny reality… you lack the power to kill and become killed as a result. Containing both traits allows you to kill and helps you survive in this kill or be killed world. You are hardly nonsensical and your realism is contained to just hunting down human SOULS. It's unremarkable." 'Alice' sneered at Asgore.

Asgore turned to face 'Alice' summoning his lance and staring down at her with great anger. Chara seemed bored however despite all the mindgames 'Alice' was playing and how much fun she herself was having from making the King twitch and jolt. Chara started to push for her to get the SOULS and use them to destroy this world and 'Alice' was actually considering it but she wanted to hear the king's defense. This was a trial between a would-be ruler and the current ruler of a fantasy world after all. Nothing was more important, no date more important, no sentence and verdict more important.

"I've endured suffering from the humans for so long that they are a necessary sacrifice for freedom. I never wanted to continue this crusade for as long as it has however. All the monsters were pushing me so hard and for so long to attain freedom. It's still very much possible to get that seventh SOUL… but how can I now? You massacred my people and according to the flower, would just demoralize and do the same to the human world. Freedom is not for someone like you who can't even behave rationally and whose nonsense is erratic and destructive." Asgore made a surprisingly strong argument in 'her' mind.

"My, my. No more nonsense indeed. Is this your idea of giving me good advice? Telling me I shouldn't be free? Ever since I fell down the rabbit hole I haven't been free, I've been an outcast on the run. Why else would I think to defend myself against so many monsters chaining and hunting me down? Your former queen locking me in her home? Off with her head! A skeleton with so much nonsense it was a pity to see him go? Off with his head! Your overly ambitious Royal Guard captain? Off with her head! Then we get to your Royal Scientist who will be next on the list for certain after the way she treated those Momeraths… and also how she brought that flower into existence. She chained you to an eternal wait on progress towards breaking the Barrier! Her robotic creation of flamboyant tastes? Off with his circuitry. Then finally the skeleton who knew the most about this world and would also make a better ruler for you…? Fresh dust on my blade. I don't need to listen to a King who displays such unlikable incompetence. Now show me the SOULS." 'Alice's argument was far stronger in 'her' mind.

Asgore's reactions shifted quickly from fury to shattered disbelief to horror to a deep shame. Points against him were blades of sin against his heart and the knowledge of who exactly 'Alice' had slain was even worse. Toriel… Undyne... He thought grimly, starting to tear up. There were a number of steps he could take based on what 'Alice' was presenting to him. Deny her the SOULS and slay her with no remorse. Join them in what was perhaps a much more hopeful and peaceful afterlife than what remained here. Or ultimately just give her the SOULS and perhaps strive to survive alongside her and keep her from doing anything wrong. 'Alice' was rocking back and forth on her feet like an excited child waiting impatiently for something. Her expression seemed like a very innocent smile but there was no telling what she had cooked up in her insane head. Asgore decided to leave this world's fate in the hands of her.

"... Fine. I'm tired of this pain…" Asgore then triggered the switch.

The Six SOULS. Teal Patience. Orange Bravery. Blue Integrity. Purple Perseverance. Green Kindness. Golden Justice. Seven tubes containing the six of them emerged from the ground by her. 'Alice' frowned at the empty one but she looked positively jubilant at the sight of the six authentic SOULS. They brimmed with life, magical power, possibilities… everything she needed. She skipped over to them, posing with subtle elegance yet also a strange delirium. As though she was a harlequin clown.

"What a colorful array! So these are the end result of curiosity killing the Cheshire Cats… poor humans. Did you happen to know any of them Asgore?" 'Alice' turned around to look at the king.

The sight of Asgore's lance being swung powerfully greeted her but even she had expected being sneak attacked by him. She simply ducked under the lance before propelling herself upward from a backflip, the lance instead breaking a few of the glass canisters and leaving the SOULS ripe for the taking. She grabbed onto Asgore's shoulders and then pulled herself onto his shoulders, wrapping her legs around his neck and choking him as he began to reach for her. 'Alice' responded accordingly. She stabbed him in the head with her knife. 9999999999 damage. Free EXP. Free Execution Points. Another clean kill and another dead corpse in the Underground. Asgore couldn't process exactly what to say or think as his brain instantly went dead. Before getting off of him, 'Alice' took off his crown and tore off his cape by pulling down on it as she slid down his body and got to the ground. Chara told her 'good girl' which honestly creeped her out more than anything but it was a compliment nonetheless. 'Alice', not even feeling any shame about what she had done, simply walked over and picked up the SOULS that had fallen, teal, blue, and purple. At this point Asgore's lance had crashed to the ground with a thundering slam and she could hear Asgore grunt. Then with the same casual strut as someone shopping at a boutique, she waltzed over to the other SOULS and broke the pedestals with the hilt of her knife and grabbed onto their SOULS. That was when she heard a very interesting sound of bullets being conjured and hitting their mark. Chara seemed very happy to hear this sound but for all the wrong reasons. Alice merely gave a bored expression as she could feel the six SOULS unite with her SOUL as it had with Frisk's. It was so fun to find his hiding place… she thought.

"Much less uncomfortable than I expected. Calloo callay! Guess this will be my Unbirthday gift for the day! 'Alice' said in a sing song voice as she heard something else get pelted with bullets.

Still having her back turned to Asgore, or what she could guess was now the dusty pile of Asgore, she then decided to harness their power as she suddenly felt supercharged with emotions and energy. Taking Asgore's crown in her hands, she waved a golden energy over it, transforming it into a smaller and much more 'Alice' appropriate tiara. It was silver and marked with four gemstones of a blue spade, a white diamond, a green club, and a red heart. She put it onto her head proudly as she finally heard a sound that confirmed who made those bullets.

"See? I never betrayed you! It was all a trick, see? I was waiting to kill him for you!" Flowey, sounded frantic but trying to smooth over the situation, spoke.

"...And?" 'Alice' sounded bored as she draped Asgore's cape around her form, creating a bread-and-butterfly clasp of DETERMINATION to hold it around her neck.

Chara didn't understand at all what 'Alice' was doing and in fact was started to get frustrated. They were questioning 'Alice' deeply on what the heck was she up to and if she was going to destroy the world or not. They were also pleading heavily to 'Alice' to slaughter the damn weed already. Such foul language, 'Alice' thought which also served as her mental response to him. Finally prepared to deal with Flowey, however it may be, she turned around to face him. Flowey practically lurched back, at this point regarding the little girl as scarier than a coming hurricane. Shockingly, his expression turned into something else as he made his next plea,

"After all it's me your best friend!"

ASRIEL. 'Alice' suddenly grinned in a rather inappropriate way. She had seen the cute goat in her dreams and she had gathered a LOT of clues as to what exactly happened to him. Or if he was still even around. The secret lab had answered EVERYTHING that was still mysterious to her (There was no way she was not going to leave the elevator and where it went down to unexplored). The side effects of DETERMINATION, Alphys's demented sins, and also a certain flower and how it ascended into becoming Flowey. This form that Flowey took, of clear and surprisingly developed conscious will and emotion, meant that he could only be Asriel. Perhaps some afterthought of him, perhaps the ghost of him, perhaps a reincarnation of Asriel. It was STILL Asriel. He must be regaining his emotions and heart if he's gone this far, 'Alice' thought to herself. Still, would it be enough to save him from being yet another kill? Would it save him after helping to scar her for life and helping to steal her away from everything she knew? For now, she teased him.

"Aww… but we've never ever met before." She said, pouting childishly.

Kill him. Chara said.

"I-I'm helpful, I can be useful to you. I promise I won't get in your way." Asriel the flower begged.

"Ah, but what if you can't help that?" 'Alice' tapped a finger to her cheek and started marching over to him.

KILL. HIM. Chara was beginning to irritate her.

"I can help… I can… I can…" Asriel was beginning to tremble most pathetically.

"But I don't want to be among helpful people." 'Alice' smirked.

KILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILL! That was the last straw.

"Please don't kill me." Asriel sounded the most fragile and most beautiful he had ever sounded.

"SHUT UP CHARA!" 'Alice' bellowed furiously.

Harnessing her empowered DETERMINATION, she casted Chara's influence and presence out of her body like a shotgun fired. They crashed into the Barrier and landed roughly on the ground. Asriel looked completely shocked and stunned as he saw what was his true best friend in pain and in the flesh. Green and yellow striped shirt, brown hair, pants, shoes, everything that had belonged to the first human to fall in the Underground. Chara was the one who was most stunned though and furious, looking at 'Alice' with seething hatred as she simply politely stood in attention with her hands on her apron.

"C-Chara… h-how… t-then who are you…?" Asriel looked up to 'Alice' in dismay.

"Considering you and they worked together on this topsy turvy plan I'd think you'd answer this riddle yourself. Regardless, I am an 'Alice' and the eighth human. Now appropriately a monster but it's really the nature of this world to turn one into a monster. Violence was the only way to survive, not pacifism." 'Alice' sounded slightly sad as she answered, still staring at Chara who had stood up.

"What the hell are you doing…? Since when were you the one in control? Why did you resist my influence like that? Did you not want to eradicate the enemy and become strong?! What are you even after you delusion of a fairy tale?!" Chara shouted at her.

"You've been around Frisk too long my dear. That may have been what he wanted some time ago but ultimately I seek different things. In fact, it was thanks to Asriel and Asgore that the idea came to mind. This whole world is an oyster of possibilities. I'm apparently quite late to the tea party of time but in this realm I have the freedom and the magic to make it into my own image. Whereas I was once the hunted outcast, set to be tried to death like in Wonderland… now I can turn this INTO Wonderland. It'll be my own kingdom with me at its queen. I'll live happily ever after without having to worry about the things you tried to get me to fear." 'Alice' held a hand to her heart and spoke passionately.

"... Turn into Wonderland…?" Asriel looked hopelessly confused.

"You betrayed me…! You refuse to destroy the world…? This pointless world with nothing left? Then I'll just tear out those SOULS from you and do it myself! Break the Barrier, free myself, destroy the enemies of the surface... I know exactly what was wanted in all these timelines after all!" Chara, on the contrary, was simply hopeless.

Chara transformed into a ghastly, ghoulish, horrifying form as red lights flashed quickly in time as they charged for 'Alice'. They were fully intent on killing her. Yet even they had to understand they were at a severe disadvantage. Alice had all eight SOULS of the Underground within her and it was clear her deranged imagination still served to make her on par with a goddess. Something Nightmare Flowey couldn't even hold a candle to.

"If this world doesn't have a point, my imagination will fill in the point. It's not like 'why is a raven like a writing desk' after all. And even I have answered that." 'Alice' flicked her wrist as though casting a magic incantation.

In a mere second, Chara's rampaging form was transform into a small playing card, the Jack of Spades, and floated into her hand. Asriel stared transfixed, and horrified. What they had done was only to ensure that the future of the Underground still had a chance. That the events would keep continuing until the desired outcome of the narrative they sought came to pass. However it seemed as though something else entirely was happening. That the fate of the Underground was now firmly compromised by the whims of this 'Alice'. With how many had died during this girl's genocide, it was unlikely going to get any better for the monsters themselves. But for her… she seemed so happy. 'Alice' held the card firmly with two hands.

"A raven is like a writing desk for the mere fact that within the Underground. In this kill or be killed world. When both are pitted against the flames of DETERMINATION… they both are burnt into dust." 'Alice' ended the demon with her own two hands, tearing the card into two halves.

The pieces were dropped from her hand and landed harmlessly onto the ground. Asgore the Flower could only stare in a near-broken silence. All he had known was lost for good, after finally regaining the empathy, the depth, the emotions that Toriel, Asgore, and Chara had once helped him experience. Now he was at the mercy of this 'Alice' who… looked significantly calmer and even relieved after doing the deed. She had carried herself with a mad swagger, a dangerous playfulness, and yet a composed elegance that made her so unpredictable. Now here, she somehow resembled the girl that had first fallen into the Underground. Only she wore a tiara, his father's cape, and was draped with layers of dust. 'Alice' sighed and looked to him with earnest compassion.

"It's over and done. Truthfully it did take a lot of planning and hiding my ideas carefully from Chara. Otherwise they would've tried to take over my mind… I couldn't have that now could I?" Alice said softly.

"... T-thank you sparing me… b-but why did you have to take everyone out to do it…?" Asriel whimpered.

"*Sigh* Not everyone is gone. Maybe those who were connected to you but reason a bit on the shameful job they did carrying on your legacy. They pretended you didn't exist anymore and hunted down humans mercilessly after you tried to show such compassion and were the most innocent of them all. They just wanted to be free and then slaughter humanity with said freedom as though it was excusable. They wanted me to die… you and Chara taught me to survive by killing. Clearly it's worked..." 'Alice' bit her lip.

"I wasn't in the right mind… you scared me so deeply and badly that I regained my ego and consciousness within this accursed flowery form. I'm… sorry you had such a hard time…" Asriel deeply apologized but for naught. Too little too late, 'Alice' thought.

"I-I did… I couldn't bear to imagine what my sister or Dinah would think of me now… BUT! I've made this terrible situation turn into a dream come true! I can make this place into my Wonderland and live here forevermore! As the Queen of Determination! But, I will need a king to rule alongside me… and ultimately an heir. That is how a monarchy is supposed to go yes?" 'Alice' sounded briefly crazed and passionate after lamenting.

"... B-but that's impossible… if you want me to be the king anyway. I'm only a flower." Asriel was flabbergasted and also a bit scared so he denied it calmly.

"Aww… I didn't mean to frighten you so badly! *Giggle* I mean when the time arises to produce an heir, not right away! Besides, I have a solution to your flower power. With all these SOULS within me, I'm sure I can spare you at least one. And all you need is a pure SOUL and some magic to return to normal." 'Alice' giggled and sounded calm once more.

Asriel felt ashamed of himself but still, he couldn't deny feeling a surge of hope rising within him. Could he have his true form again? SOULS did clearly possess powers of reincarnation and revival and ever since he was born into this form, he knew if he had the SOULS that he could change and assume a more powerful form. It was what had been done in previous timelines after all. Yet to fully return to his original goat form… it required a far more potent power than what was possible. Yet 'Alice' with her seven additional SOULS and imagination seemed confident she could do something to help with this. Was it right to entrust anything to someone who slaughtered his parents? Ultimately… maybe this was what would best secure the remaining monster's lives, by having him be at her side as a fellow ruler and use the teachings he had applied so long ago to rule the Underground. It wasn't the freedom he long desired but if it meant maybe he could do atone for the horrid actions he had taken, it was a start.

"If you really can do that, then I trust you 'Alice'. I'm sick of being a soulless flower…" Asriel nodded with more bravery than he had displayed since the day he turned into Flowey.

'Alice' grinned and with a strange, magical gesture she reached into herself and pulled out a red SOUL. It was Frisk's SOUL that she had claimed from Frisk's hiding place. Then she walked over to Flowey and laid the SOUL on top of him and channeled an immense amount of magical power. With the six human SOULS still inside her, such a feat was possible. In a magical, picturesque transformation, Flowey's silhouette was engulfed in a golden radiance and grew bigger, more solid, more bestial in nature. Sweat trickled down 'Alice's forehead as she was expending a lot of energy for this forbidden act. Regardless, after a few moments of silence and the light fading, Asriel appeared. Green long-sleeved shirt with yellow stripes and black pants and an expression so adorable that 'Alice' felt her heartbeat quicken. In truth, she had come to pursue these feelings ever since she realized the state of her future and seeing so many sacrifices of love. Seeing the writing on the wall about what really happened to Asriel and finding herself so disgusted with the royal family and Alphys for just letting his memory falter evolved into sympathy and compassion. With no other hopes for finding romance and no longer wanting to escape to the surface, Asriel simply was the best bachelor for her. A true King of Hearts to match the Queen of Determination (She still disliked the Queen of Hearts enough to not use her title).

"Welcome back to the world of the living Asriel Dreemurr." 'Alice' curtsied most elegantly as she formally greeted him.

Asriel looked over himself in stunned silence that quickly evolved into joy as he jumped up and stretched and looked so relieved and blessed at this renewal of his identity. It briefly got him to forget all the sacrifices that been made to make it possible. Then he saw all the dust on 'Alice's clothes more clearly and the fact her knife was still clasped in her hands… and the tiara and cape that were once his father's possessions. So ultimately he gave her a neutral smile and thought deeply about what would come next between him and 'Alice'. How would she go about continuing this so-called transformation of the Underground into Wonderland?

"Thank you… this really is a miracle… a bittersweet one though with no one who knew me to appreciate it." Asriel sighed.

"I appreciate it. New as I may be. Regardless, we have so many important things to do now. For starters…" Alice took the knife in her hand and flung it towards the Barrier.

When the knife hit the Barrier, it seemed to stick itself into it and then twist. A distinct locking sound was heard and suddenly, a Doorknob with a keyhole appeared at the spot where the knife had pierced the Barrier and the knife itself turned into a key. Then the rest of the Barrier metamorphosed in a gorgeous golden aura into the shape of a door. Asriel was at first very confused but then 'Alice' said ominous words. Words that would confirm the end of the Genocide Route and the beginning of what would be the ending and epilogue of 'Alice's journey. As the ground beneath Alice's feet started to turn into lush grass by the sheer magical energy she was channeling, she declared,

"With this, no one will ever be able to leave Wonderland. Ever again."

"...!" Asriel flinched in horror as Alice turned around and made her way.

Rose-bushes and trees with white roses started to fill the room as the grass beneath her feet extended, transforming the entire room into what was deemed to be part of her Wonderland. It was gorgeous but also haunting. A reminder of the power 'Alice' now possessed. 'Alice' paid no heed. She was done with mercy and violence for quite a long time. Now came creating the world of her own. The reason she followed Chara down the rabbit-hole now truly coming to fruition. All it had taken was a lot of DETERMINATION, losing everything she had ever known, and becoming a monster of Genocide to do so. Asriel followed after her, the one fortunate enough to be spared and the only possibility of hope for the monsters who feared 'Alice' in the Underground. He was designated king of this Wonderland but he had no idea what to expect. 'Alice' had once said she didn't want to be among the mad people but now...

"Come Asriel. We have a Royal Scientist to execute and subjects to greet. The age of Wonderland begins now." She was among the mad people.

"Ahh…!" The Alice of reality woke up with a start.

Truthfully she didn't imagine she would still have those kinds of dreams anymore but it seemed as though it was integral to her. It had been a nightmare… hadn't it? Or was it more of a double-edged sword kind of dream? Her first instinct was to mentally note how tired she still felt despite all the rest she had gotten. The intensity, discoveries, and trials of that dream were profoundly exhausting. Something terrible had happened to the monsters she had come to love and appreciate in the Underground but 'she' had survived. 'Alice' had made her own sort of Wonderland and ensured she would never be hunted down or tortured or crushed by despair again. Then there was Asri-

"ALICE! THANK GOODNESS! I JUST KNEW YOU'D ARISE SOON! NOTHING EVER GETS YOU DOWN FOR THE COUNT!" A cheerful but sudden and confusing voice interrupted her thoughts.

Unfortunately, said voice also brought reality crashing down on Alice who took into account what had previously transpired. Asgore's encounter, a futile plea, having to defeat him, seemingly pacifying him, Flowey's assassination of him, the SOULS stolen, Nightmare Flowey unleashed, dying once, reviving once, losing Napstablook but winning the war, and then ultimately sparing Flowey simply based on Toriel's philosophy and believing there was more to him than what she had seen. That was the true reason that she was feeling tired right now wasn't it? If that dream is right, then my assumption is also right, Alice thought albeit half-heartedly. The pain of recalling all that had happened eliminated any curiosity and instead made Alice feel vulnerable and concerned. Even if she did know something new about Flowey, how could it ever revive the king or bring back the six lost SOULS that denied the Underground any clear chance of freedom? In fact, it looked even worse for Alice as she was the direct catalyst to all these events. Was she the one who, in 'Alice's words, made it so that 'no one will ever able to leave?'

"YOOHOO, ALICE? THE GREAT PAPYRUS IS STANDING TO YOUR LEFT." Alice heard him but felt incapable of reacting to him yet.

She looked over herself. Her right arm was in a cast, likely because of the bullet hole she sustained and there were bandages along her left arm and some around her legs and of course on her back. The mouse doll with the red shorts and yellow shoes that Papyrus had handed to her the first time she slept over at the brother's house was in her lap and she had been covered with the same blanket as well. She had slept upon the same couch and it almost made her wonder if she somehow transported back in time to that day she had slept over after sparing Papyrus and shaking off Chara. The wounds served to cruelly deny that fact and remind her of the two deaths that were on her hands. For a moment she struggled on what to do next. Respond and risk some sort of demand or scrutiny for being so incompetent in making due on her promise to find another way of breaking the Barrier? Cry when she felt like she had cried out all her tears during that battle? Maybe go back to sleep and pray she'd finally return to that park with her sister and Dinah. Ultimately, she took the courageous route and turned to face Sans and Papyrus. Both of whom looked concerned but offered friendly smiles that reminded her they were on her side.

"I… passed out… right?" Alice asked, feeling like she needed to regain concentration and stability after her rest and ordeal.

"frankly kid, i'm glad just for that, sleeping beauty is better than dead beauty and that kind of stuff. you took a big beating alice… are you alright? some of the snowdin residents helped dress your wounds." Sans spoke in a strangely soft tone for him at least.

"... I cannot say yes. I… I failed miserably didn't I…?" Alice, despite how informal it was, already felt the tears come to her eyes.

"I-I DON'T KNOW WHAT THERE WAS TO FAIL OR SUCCEED AT BUT YOU HAVE NEVER FAILED IN MY EYES ALICE. PLEASE DON'T PUT YOURSELF DOWN." Papyrus tried to cheer her up like he always did.

"... there's a lot of commotion going on outside right now. undyne in particular is pretty devastated. she's trying to keep the underground hopeful right now but we'll need to do something before it's pancreasmonium outside." Sans made an obscure if clever pun.

"SANS!" Papyrus grimaced.

"... A-and Napstablook…?" Even speaking his name was truly painful yet she couldn't just pretend he never existed.

"nobody's seen him since he went off with you i'm afraid. mettaton... mettaton is back in action already and he's planning a special concert at the snail farm he worked at in memoriam of him. it's actually pretty selfless of that guy." Sans looked down, clearly understanding Alice's feelings on the matter.

"I-it's all my fault… i-if I had only offered my SOUL… he'd still be alive as well…" Alice's mind was awash with negativity.

"YOU HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW THE KING WOULD REACT OR WHAT UNEXPECTED HAPPENINGS MAY HAVE HAPPENED ALICE. OFFERING YOUR SOUL WOULD BE JUST AS HEARTBREAKING IN MY MIND…" Papyrus said in a more somber tone.

Papyrus's tone suggested understanding but Alice had a hunch Sans had been the one to fill him in on whatever hey may have already deduced based on past timelines. In truth, Frisk had also told her that Papyrus seemed to know Flowey as a sort of acquaintance. Were Sans were to tell his brother that Flowey had outright murdered the king and brutally attacked Alice with Napstablook as a casualty, who could guess how the good-natured Papyrus would take it? Alice could only envy his blissful ignorance (Even if she understood he too was upset about Asgore's death) as she could only think back to all the joyful memories she had had with Napstablook. Encountering him in the Ruins, admiring his style and mannerisms, seeing him off after he escorted her to Toriel's, him jumping in to help her dispel the Mad Dummy, visiting his house and lying on the floor in their own universe, partaking in a Snail Race and helping him make a profit, a sad departure, learning the truth about his past and his connection to Mettaton, his phone call that helped Mettaton see the error of his ways, coming to rescue her in the Hall of Judgement, him trying to plead for Asgore to change his mind alongside her, him being the one to revive her, and then ultimately dying in battle to keep her alive long enough for the human SOULS to rebel. It was a life worthy of being chronicled in a story but it was much too soon for Alice to bear.

"Alice please… if you need a glass of water or something to eat, don't hesitate to ask." Sans put surprisingly gentle hands onto her cheeks as Alice's head rambled on.

"Do I really deserve such kindness and mercy Sans…? I was supposed to use my mercy to save the Underground and instead I locked you all down here forever… and Asgore… h-he never reveled in taking the human SOULS or declaring war on the surface… he just w-wanted to be with his family again… *Sob* just like I desired." Alice couldn't help herself, a river of tears flowed down her cheeks.

Papyrus left to probably fetch some tissues while Sans just watched in a hurt sort of awe. He seemed intrigued to hear this vulnerability from Alice, perhaps a sort of human vulnerability he hadn't known through all the timelines, but was also incredibly empathetic to her. As cruel and distant he had tried to be as a defensive instinct, he now could only hope she would be able to carry on. after all, there's still always another chance to go back… He thought.

"And Napstablook… he saved me twice. He treated me with utmost kindness and charity a-a-and love and courteousness. *Sniff* It didn't matter that h-he was a ghost to me… he was a gentleman and he was coming out of his shell… *Sob* Now no one will be able to see any of them again. *Sob* Asgore's wife… Napstablook's cousin Mettaton… no one." Alice leaned her face on the couch and bellowed.

"Alice… do you happen to know who Asgore's wife is? Or where she might be…?" Sans pupils grew serious for a moment as he considered Alice's words.

Alice simply shook her head. Even in a state of intense grief and feeling disgraced, Alice would not betray Toriel's promise. In truth, she wasn't sure how Toriel would respond to news of her husband's death considering how she grew to distrust and condemn Asgore for his treatment of fallen children and how he abandoned Asriel's philosophies. Still, she suspected there would definitely be pain in Toriel's heart at being the only remaining survivor of the original royal family of the Underground. Part of Alice's denial to answer was to spare Toriel a little longer from hearing this devastating news but Sans was fully aware. He was fully aware that at some point, Asgore's wife would have to be told the truth of what transpired and she ultimately was in the best position to reclaim the throne. Sans himself was never one to brag about his leadership and even his forbidden knowledge could not provide the comfort the Underground needed right now. Toriel was simply the only one with the credentials and heart to do this important task. He did deeply respect Alice for maintaining her trust and promise of not revealing Toriel's whereabouts to the very end but in a past timeline, he had known this would happen. i guess it'll be nice to meet her in person again for the 'first' time, Sans thought more bitterly than cheerfully. Papyrus arrived with a box of tissues and tended to Alice with faithful care and concern.

"THERE THERE ALICE… THIS ISN'T ALL HOPELESS OR BAD. WE STILL HAVE EACH OTHER AFTER ALL… THERE'S NOTHING OUR FRIENDSHIP CAN'T OVERCOME WITH A FEW SWINGS AT IT." Papyrus said.

Alice managed the faintest of smiles as Sans pulled his hood up and appeared to go out for a walk outside. These brothers had been so kind to her in the Underground and it seemed that they would now be her caretakers. That seemed like such a lovely thought but it had a twinge of irony that it was much too good for her and left uncertainty in the air. Would she stay in the Underground for the rest of her lifespan? How would the Underground cope without Asgore and what would they think of her still wandering around? How could she go on with the knowledge of being the only one to witness Napsta's last moments without feeling shame whenever she encountered those who knew him as well? Her sister would've probably scolded her for such negative thoughts but Alice had no idea how to think in this case. Right now she felt the only ones she could turn to had reasons to push her way. If anything she felt numb and disoriented and like she had changed several times. Too many times. There was no more change for her left here and none for the monsters as well.

"I appreciate it Papyrus." Alice's smiled but her eyes appeared to have completely lost their innocent sparkle.

…..

About three days had passed in the Underground and much had transpired. Some endearing, some sweet, but a great deal of shocking change and even more startling occurrences had happened. Alice stood tall yet pale amidst Snowdin Forest, in the area with the north path leading to where the Snowman dwelled, wearing the cape that Sans had given her. She had been drawing pictures in the snow, of which had a bittersweet meaning. Napstablook, Asgore, and Dinah had their faces presented gracefully upon the snow. Alice felt it'd be too painful to draw her sister on both a talent perspective and an emotional perspective. Right now she just felt… absent-minded. In truth, she had wandered the Underground after excusing herself from the brother's home and stayed randomly in different places, much to their concern. She did promise to keep in touch with them via phone calls using the phone provided to her so long ago. It was at that moment that the ringing of the phone broke her out of her daze. She answered it calmly and answered with a quiet voice,

"Sans is that you again?"

"heya. Is anyone there…? well, i'll just leave you a message…" Sans teased her, having wanted to make her laugh and smile more ever since she woke up.

"Sans I do believe you and your brother can recognize my voice by now." Alice responded with a miniscule smile.

"sorry alice, but i have to make sure it's not some creep or dog who stole your phone and that i'm talking to a femur-liar face."

"Are you calling to give me more updates on the status of the Underground?"

"yeah... uh, some stuff has happened. i told you that the queen returned, and is now ruling over the underground. she's told me she's… not holding anything against you. she's instituted a new policy… all the humans who fall here will be treated not as enemies… but as friends."

…...

Toriel stood in the garden of golden flowers with a haunted expression, Sans to her left and Undyne to her right. Meeting Sans for the first time, that coveted voice from across the door, was the only joy she had gotten so far on this day. From what she gathered, Alice was also alright but there was the deep, deep pain of loss suffocating the Underground. Her husband, foolish and disrespectful as he had gotten, still knew her so closely and carried so much meaning and importance in her heart that his loss was a deep stab into her heart. While thankful there was no dust in the throne room, the empty sight of the throne and the small tracks in the grass of which he had no doubt walked along carefully were the last bits of evidence that yesterday he existed. Then there was the matter of Napstablook, someone Toriel had seen visit the Ruins on occasion and was clearly very close to Alice. Two lives lost and it was probably Alice was probably blaming herself right now wherever she was. It was that, as well as the Underground's need for sanctuary and peace that convinced her to listen to San's argument and agree to take upon her husband's place as ruler.

"It's the same as it always was... " She opened up with wistful words.

"He never gave up his green thumb that's for sure… I really appreciate you doing this your 'new' majesty. Though I can't believe you hid in the Ruins all this time. Snowdin gets too cold for me to explore over in the Woods so I never thought to check there…" Undyne, who had calmed down somewhat thanks to Toriel's return, remarked.

"I simply wished to isolate myself in a place that could hold new and welcoming memories for me. I had no intent on returning to Asgore after all he had done. The humans as well who would fall down here would need a mother to take care of them and instruct them on the right way to proceed through the Underground. Alas… something tragic always appeared to happen despite my best efforts. This is the first time that a human hasn't died from falling into the Underground but we've lost two of our own." Toriel approached the throne.

"It wasn't her fault Toriel…" Sans began to defend Alice much to Undyne's chagrin.

"I know Sans… my child could never do something like this. I'm just so relieved to know she's alive from whatever took away her friend and Asgore."

"Yeah but even still, had she just given up her SOUL to us, the king would still be here! So would my neighbor! How will we ever get free from this blasted place?!" Undyne's temper though, had not calmed down in the slightest.

"... I think we have to begin to live in a way that looks for solutions that prevent more loss. To keep humans or monsters from falling due to violence. Ever since the Underground seemed swayed into gathering six human SOULS, our instincts have become aggressive and we can't learn from history. I've lost too many because of our desire to be free of the Barrier… the first child… poor sweet Asriel… my husband… *sniff*" A tear fell from the goat's face and onto the seat of the throne.

"..." Undyne and Sans both went silent.

"Yet despair is not going… *sniff* to help anyone, let alone Alice. I… I know you want her to pay for her part in my husband's death as you cared about him deeply as your superior Undyne but… we cannot continue this cycle of pain any longer. That is why… I'll rule the Underground and bring about an age of mercy and forgiveness that my husband could not." Toriel wiped her tears away, calming herself quite maturely, and sat upon the throne with a newfound air of power.

"Whatever you need us to do we'll do Toriel. Papyrus as well. We're both your hands and tools of mercy." Sans, sounding strangely jovial but no less serious, knelt to the ground in respect.

"... *Sigh* I guess I got no choice… I'm just hoping at this point Alphys can come up with something. I do appreciate you coming to serve out of remembrance of him. So I'll obey your command and wishes your majesty." Undyne knelt down in return.

Toriel smiled. It was not a big one nor was it built on particularly happy thoughts, but it was the smile the Underground would need to continue to survive and have peace.

"I'm very relieved and thankful for her. In some regard, I don't deserve her mercy and she had every right to want to continue her husband's method but it really does show where her heart lies." Alice looked down at Asgore's drawing in the snow.

"yeah... she's an angel. ultimately, even if she would've wanted to continue, the six human souls that the king gathered seem to have disappeared for good." Sans sighed.

"They are at peace now. I think they've earned it." Alice bluntly stated in a defensive manner as she felt they had been imprisoned in spirit and in life down here for too long.

"... I guess you're right. that's definitely a mission abort then. but even though people are heartbroken over the king and napstablook… and things are looking grim for our freedom… the queen's trying her best not to give up hope… she quickly approved and funded mettaton's plan of holding a memorial concert for both of them. I think she understood how close you were to Napstablook and vaguely how close he was to Mettaton. sure was nice of paps to accompany you. i would've come but papyrus insisted i maintain sentry duty." Sans took no offense to Alice's bluntness and recounted a fairly positive memory for Alice.

It was a full day after Toriel had ascended to the throne that the concert was held. At Blook Acres, right by the Snail Farm, a stage had been set up meticulously by the efforts of Queen Toriel, Alphys, Undyne, and Mettaton. The snails were now within Queen Toriel's care and she took them with her to the castle to raise and take care of them. Many a monster was within the crowd, as well as Alice who stood side by side with Papyrus. Most of the monsters in the crowd did react in a small stir when they saw her but others didn't react significantly to her and a few of them even said hello to her. The thing Alice hated was that she couldn't tell if they were only being nice to her because Papyrus, recently forever robbed of his dream of being in the Royal Guard when Toriel disbanded it, was with her or if they genuinely didn't blame her for what happened. Each attendee held some kind of material offering whether it be candles or flowers or a cup of tea or baked goods (in Muffet's case) or soundtracks (Like Napstablook had loved) or pieces of junk found in the nearby junkyard. They were to be set in Napstablook's home as a sort of time capsule and memorial after the concert ended. All of it felt very sweet on the Underground's part in Alice's eyes and she wondered if they were to do the same for Asgore. Asgore's funeral was currently being planned carefully by Toriel and she wanted Alice to give a eulogy as the last person to see and speak to him. I don't really know if I can make such a commitment, Alice though unsure.

After a few moments of a serene yet sad silence, Mettaton stepped out onto the stage accompanied by Alphys and Undyne. Mettaton was in his true, 'smoking hot' form as Papyrus had put it, but was hooked to a special power generator that Alphys and Undyne were carrying to make sure he didn't run out of batteries for this performance. Alphys had been able to repair him over the few days of Alice's battle and the change in leadership, but she had never been quite the same. Even now she looked weary and very sad, no doubt from losing one of her crushes and the one who appointed her Royal Scientist. Alice did her very best not to look at her for she feared if she did, Alphys would become very fragile and perhaps look vengeful. Undyne though did look for and spot Alice, offering her a fierce glare of bitterness. Alice could only clutch Papyrus's arm tightly for support. Papyrus reassured her quietly that if they got a chance to talk together over a nice tea break or dinner, she'd come around and love Alice. Alice thought that was absurd at this point. Undyne and Alphys had every right to despise her for failing to fulfill numerous promises and bringing false hope to the Underground. Mettaton on the other hand looked still and respectable, not looking fragile in the slightest.

Mettaton sat down in a stool and began to share his story. His story of him and his cousin Napstablook possessing an unbreakable bond and having a love for entertainment equally. He lamented though how he let his more selfish desires start to cloud the support Napstablook gave to him and how Napstablook recognized early on that Mettaton looked to be ready to leave the snail farm much like their other ghostly relatives had. He recounted the chance meeting with Alphys and the offer she made that she could not refuse (It was at this point Alphys did indeed spot Alice in the crowd and closed her eyes most sorrowfully) and how it transformed him into the star of the Underground. Yet he had forgotten all about Napstablook and in that time he let himself change into a caricature of what he dreamed about as opposed to a genuine star of good heart AND good talent. It wasn't until Alice came around that he rekindled with his roots and with Napstablook and he held nothing against her for also doing the same for Napstablook, bringing him so much strength and courage that Mettaton had never imagined his cousin possessing. Papyrus patted Alice on the shoulder victoriously as the little girl started to cry out of being so touched by his words.

"And that is why I have to perform this concert. I want to dedicate all my SOUL to him, to what he was about, to his final moments spent in heroism and DETERMINATION. Napstablook… my dear Blooky… listen to my song and remember you are cherished, wherever you are." And with that, Mettaton began to sing a stunningly soulful ballad set to the music Napstablook had crafted.

"It was a very beautiful evening and affair. Napstablook would've been honored." Alice said, smiling softly to herself before she turned away from the snow drawings.

"glad to hear it… though I'm not so sure how I feel about papyrus's uh…'closeness' to mettaton now. he doesn't seem to respect boundaries that well…" Sans showed a rare moment of natural insecurity rather than complex insecurity.

"I think they'd be happy together but I understand your concern as a sibling." Alice said, her heart feeling a bit warmer inside talking about something so mundane as relationships.

"it is the kind of thing that brings more hope to the underground i imagine. so... if we're not giving up down here… don't give up wherever you are, ok? who knows how long it will take… but we will get out of here." Sans asked.

Alice frowned deeply. The thoughts of that dream and the thoughts of negativity that had been growing within her recently were advising her that it was not possible anymore. Then a new voice rang out on San's end of the line.

"SANS! WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO?"

"oh, nobody." Sans replied casually to his brother.

"WHAT!? NOBODY!?"

"Unless you count the wonderful Alice as one yes." Alice chuckled half-heartedly.

"ALICE! SANS, YOU MUST LET ME TALK TO HER!" Papyrus demanded.

"here, knock yourself out." Sans handed the phone.

At this point Alice could only imagine weakly about whether or not it was possible to finally be free. The goal of pursuing another way to break the Barrier was promising yes, but it dashed a lot of hopes of monsters who wanted to be out much sooner and more realistically. All this time she had been hanging around the Art Club, MTT Resort, and Muffet's den as their occupants seemed to not judge her particularly harshly and anything was better than Hotland. They never said anything about what they felt in regards to freedom but Alice feared they did hold some sorrow or bitterness about the loss of their king and the sudden shifts in change. There was also one other lingering concern and even mystery that had developed yesterday that made the idea of finding a way out seem more fruitless.

"HOW ARE YOU DOING? I'M DOING FINE! WELL, BESIDES TWO THINGS… AS YOU KNOW THE QUEEN DISBANDED THE ROYAL GUARD AS PART OF HER NEW COMMAND. I MEAN WOW! YOU ARE SAFE BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE." Papyrus admitted hastily.

"Perhaps you could pledge your time to perfecting your recipes as a cook?" Alice offered.

"NYEH… THAT RAISES A LOT OF PASTA POSSIBILITIES THERE. I'LL THINK ABOUT IT. I WANNA BE ABLE TO MAKE A PASTA WORTHY OF SATISFYING METTATON'S PALATE. THOUGH I AM NOT SURE HOW ROBOTIC TASTE-BUDS WORK IT'S WORTH A SHOT. ON THE SUBJECT, METTATON HASN'T HEARD FROM ALPHYS SINCE THE DAY AFTER THE CONCERT AND HE'S TOO BUSY TO CHECK UP ON HER AS TORIEL HAS REQUESTED HIS SERVICES FOR 'MORAL SUPPORT'. SOUNDS MYSTERIOUS." Papyrus described the second concern in detail that Alice could only speculate about.

"I'm sure Queen Toriel has good intentions with the moral support. As for Alphys's disappearance I'm really not certain where she went and I'd rather not visit her Lab to investigate. I hope she's ok at the very least." Alice said, ignoring the cowardice behind her words.

"UNDYNE IS THE ONE HAVING IT REALLY BAD AS A RESULT. SHE LOST HER JOB AND A VERY GOOD FRIEND. HER HOUSE WAS ALSO LOST… SOMEHOW. FORTUNATELY, THE GREAT PAPYRUS AND SANS ARE TAKING CARE OF HER NOW. SHE LIVES ON OUR COUCH. IT'S LIKE A SLEEPOVER EVERY NIGHT! A SLEEPOVER THERE'S NO ESCAPE FROM! OH, WE GAVE HER A JOB, TOO." Papyrus then turned the topic to the one monster that still scared Alice.

"A… job you say? Does she receive payment?"

"HOUSING AND BENEFITS! SHE WORKS AT SANS ILLEGAL HOT DOG STAND! SHE HATES WORKING THERE! BUT SHE MAKES A MEAN HOT DOG. … OH YEAH. SHE STILL BLAMES YOU… FOR ASGORE'S FATE. WE'RE TRYING TO GET HER TO UNDERSTAND HOW TRULY WONDERFUL AND HARMLESS YOU ARE BUT SHE'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT REVENGE. ACTUALLY SHE'S BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT ALPHYS AND I THINK SHE SAID SHE'D GO INVESTIGATE HER LAB TODAY. WELL, KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED WE'LL GET THROUGH TO HER." Papyrus said.

"... Papyrus, tell your brother that I'll be repaying a snowman a certain favor today and not to worry about me. I hope you two are having a pleasant day and… goodbye. *Click*" Alice hung up the phone as she suddenly felt very heavy and grim. Then she made off to perform the deed, not quite realizing she was being watched...

Sans and Papyrus were at the original sentry station with the lamp nearby where the crazy adventures and bonding of the past week had started. Now that Toriel was residing at Asgore's castle, it was imperative for the brothers to keep on the lookout for any new and future humans coming into the Underground. The Ruins were still full of monster residents but they had been instructed carefully on how to behave and they promised not to harm or frighten the potential fallen children too heavily. Papyrus was still rather nervous as to when a new friend would fall down Mt. Ebott for the sole purpose of what would they be like? How would Toriel's new policy work if this human wasn't at all like Alice? Would Undyne do something drastic should she find out a new human have arrived to the Underground? And Sans…

"SANS ARE YOU REALLY SNOOZING ON THE JOB?! NON-EXISTENT ROYAL GUARD OR NOT THE QUEEN IS EXPECTING US TO NOT LET HER DOWN AND STOP BEING LAZY!" Papyrus scolded his brother who had elected to sit down with his eyes closed and put his feet up on the counter.

"eh, i'm just getting some shut-eye paps. so did alice sound alright to you?" Sans opened one eye to seemingly wink at him.

Really Sans was waiting patiently for something to happen and had to hide his insecurities about this something having not happened yet carefully in front of his brother. So he assumed a chill demeanor. He was a bit surprised internally at the developments of Mettaton's concert and Alphys's disappearance but at the same time they bothered him greatly in terms of the fact that time was being spent here much longer than average. Alice's behavior had also become much more reserved, quiet, and melancholy which was understandable given what ordeals she had gone through. Sending Napstablook in with her worked but I wonder if I should've told him not to push himself too heavily, Sans thought with some regret. A plan succeeding but at the cost of a sacrificial lamb was one of the worst feelings in the Underground considering that was exactly what the 'Seven Human SOULS' plan was about. Either way, better take it easy and play around with Paps for now. Undyne and Queen Toriel can take care of anything unexpected until Alice RESETS. That's when Sans noticed after he stopping daydreaming that Papyrus had taken a surprising about of time to think of a response.

"... I SO BADLY WANT TO SAY YES BUT SHE DID SOUND JUST AS GLUM AS LAST TIME. WE SHOULD BUILD HER A HOUSE OR SOMETHING." Papyrus sounded understandably disappointed.

"... well i certainly wouldn't be lazy about an idea like that." Sans considered.

"NYEH HEH HEH HEH! PERFECT! NOW I JUST NEED YOU TO APPLY THAT MOTIVATION INTO-"

"Moooooooooooommmm!" A stunningly loud and clearly emotional voice seemed to pierce the atmosphere and erased the sentimental atmosphere.

In response, Sans right eye turned blue and Papyrus jumped up in shock and slight fright. It was clear by this reaction alone who was more experienced with this sort of thing between the brothers. Both brothers were concerned it was a new human but there was something odd about it that Sans was the first of the two to deduce what it was.

"W-WAS THAT A HUMAN?!" Papyrus looked towards the path lined by trees and saw nothing.

"No… It came from further into Snowdin Forest itself. It might be one of the monsters…!" Sans looked frazzled.

"BUT HAVE THEY BECOME SEPARATED FROM THEIR MOM OR ARE THEY CRYING OUT IN ANGUISH ABOUT HER?" Papyrus asked nervously.

"... Or they found her." Sans, for the first time since Alice awoke, sounded completely uncertain of what was to come.

To Be Continued...