Chapter 8: Silly Day

"This whole thing has got not just Mom and Dad worried, but everyone else too," Carmen said as she held Alina in her lap.

"Aunty Rebecca looked like she didn't even want to think about that mercy death thing," Frisk said.

Chara nodded, agreeing with her brother. "It made Mom and Dad really sad too," she said.

"But Aunt Rebecca said she wouldn't do that unless there was no other way," Thomas said.

"And she never goes back on her word," Nathan said.

David was holding Andromeda as she napped in his arms and he looked worried. "What if Aunt Rebecca doesn't make it?" He asked worriedly.

"She has to make it," Asriel said as he held Capricorn, who was also sleeping soundly.

"He's right," Julie said softly.

"Everything is riding on Aunt Rebecca freeing that monster from the clutches of the evil mages," Sarah said with a nod.

Kano came in and he saw the children all gathered around and looking sad. "Hey," he said softly. "I know I asked you kids to keep the noise down when I was putting Ida and Hope down for their naps, but I didn't mean for you kids to stop playing."

"Sorry, Kano," Carmen said. "We were just talking about the whole situation with the evil mages and how much is riding on Aunt Rebecca stopping them."

The puppet sighed. "She does have a long road ahead of her," he said.

"I wish we could help her," Julie said.

"I know how you kids feel, but Master did say that she didn't want you kids to be in danger," he said. "You guys are the future after all."

"Yeah, but she shouldn't have to do this alone," Chara protested.

Kano knew she was right. "I know, but the best thing you kids can do is just be there for your aunts and remind them why they decided to use their magic for good and not evil."

Esther had been quiet the whole time before they suddenly heard crying and the puppet sighed. "The stress must be getting to those two as well," he said, standing up. "They haven't been able to get a proper nap in for about three days now."

Esther stood up. "Maybe we can ask our families to join us in playing," she said. "Daddy always plays games with me when I ask him."

"You know, I think we should," David said, grinning before looking at Kano as Andromeda, Capricorn, and Alina were set down on the blanket nearby. "And I think Kano should be our first target."

The puppet looked confused. "First target?" He asked before grunting as Frisk tackled him and they fell to the floor as the other kids swarmed them, all focusing on the puppet, who began laughing as several hands tickled his sides and stomach and he did his best to turn the tables on them, being gentle as they all began playfighting, the puppet grunting as the kids jumped on him again. "Oh, you kids are asking for it," he said playfully as he caught Julie and lifted her up over his head as he sat up, making her laugh as he surprised them with his magic, purple tendrils playfully ruffling the childrens' hair before swirling around their shoulders, making them giggle before the kids began playfully tackling each other. Carmen made sure that the babies were safe in the playpen so that they could watch before David and Nathan playfully tackled her and she began playfully fighting them off, being careful she didn't hurt them.

In the lab, Gaster sighed as he rubbed his eyes tiredly. "If a mercy death is done, we may have some upset family members, but at the same time...we can't leave that monster in misery," he said to himself as he looked over Rebecca's books, hoping to find something to help her.

Alessia came up to him and hugged her husband. "Gaster?" She asked. "Are you okay?"

He sighed and pulled her close to him. "I'm alright, my love," he said. "I guess...the idea of a mercy death is just leaving me unsettled."

"I know how you feel," Rebecca said as she came into the room, having caught that last sentence. She looked grim. "I'm not looking forward to doing it and believe me, if I have to, I'm going to be shedding tears when I do."

"Maybe you won't have to," Alessia said hopefully.

"I don't know, Ali," the mage said, calling the girl by her nickname.

"There's a very slim chance that Rebecca can save the monster from the evil mages," Gaster said. "But even if she managed, the damage those creeps have done will most likely be undoable."

His wife nodded, looking sad. "You're right," she said. "I guess...I guess I just...,"

"Want to hope for a bright side," Rebecca said gently. "I understand, Ali. Believe me, I wish there was a bright side."

Sierra came in then. "Have you guys seen Esther?" She asked. "Sans and I can't find her."

"No, we haven't," Gaster said.

Just then, laughter reached them, along with a few delighted squeals and giggles. "What are the kids up to?" The mage asked.

Just then, Hannah came in and she was smiling. "I think the kids decided there was too much tension," she said, giggling.

"Hannah, what are the kids doing?" Alessia asked.

"Come see."

The adults headed to the living room where they encountered the sight of the royal children all laughing and Esther was right there too, tickling Kano's underarms and he squealed with laughter, his purple magic dancing around in the air and swooshing gently past the childrens' ears, making them squeak and giggle.

"Well, this is quite a silly sight," Gaster commented with a chuckle as he saw his daughter watching from the safety of the playpen. Andromeda and Capricorn were with her and giggling at the sight of their siblings and Esther messing around.

Kano suddenly lifted all the kids with his magic and then gently grabbed Esther, his eyes bright with mischief. "Come here, you," he said playfully as the other kids were gently tossed onto the couches, unhurt but still feeling playful.

Esther squeaked before giggling as the puppet tickled her stomach. "Who's going to save you, Esther?" He asked playfully.

"I will!" David said, jumping on Kano's back and holding on, making the puppet laugh in amusement before he gently collapsed to the floor with the boy still clinging to him and Carmen joined in.

"Dog pile!" She called out.

The younger ones at once jumped on their siblings, Esther, and Kano, echoing Carmen's words as they still giggled and laughed while the puppet gave a grunt and chuckled.

"Okay, you kids got me," he said before they got up and let him up. The babies all giggled, making Kano turn to them. "Oh? It was funny to see your babysitter get dog-piled, huh?"

The babies grinned up at him with their innocent adorable faces and he chuckled. "Ah, you three are just too cute," he said to them before turning to the kids. "How are you kids feeling?"

"Better," Thomas said.

"Are you okay too, Kano?" Julie asked.

He chuckled. "I'm good," he said. "Just haven't had that much fun in a while."

"I agree," Rebecca said as she looked at them all. "The atmosphere has been a bit too tense around here lately."

"Let's see about fixing that, Becca," said Hannah as the two mages joined hands and their magic appeared.

"Sadness and pain vanish to a place long gone," the dark-haired mage said.

"Laughter and happiness are here now," the other mage said.

Hilarity ensued after that.

A few hours later...

Undyne was checking the halls when she came to the living room and smiled at seeing Gaster and Alessia sleeping on one of the couches while Hannah and Rebecca sleeping on couches nearby while the kids were settled around them. Julie was sleeping next to Alessia while David was asleep on Gaster's back. Carmen was sleeping on another couch and Nathan was sleeping beside her while Sarah rested on the older girl's back.

Kano was sleeping in a chair while Esther and Thomas was sleeping beside him while Hannah was sleeping with Frisk nestled beside her and Chara was nestled beside Rebecca and Asriel, who was beside his sister. Andromeda, Capricorn, and Alina were sound asleep in the playpen.

Smiling still, Undyne quietly walked away, seeing Sans coming down the hallway and she motioned him to be quiet, pointing to the living room. He peeked in and smiled. "That would explain why Ida and Hope finally calmed down about an hour ago," he said quietly. "Toriel said they must have sensed something was off."

"I think they all needed a fun day," Undyne said softly. "Let's leave them be for now and enjoy a least some peace before the storm hits."

Sans nodded in agreement because the fish woman was right.

The storm was coming, but for now, they could enjoy a few more precious moments of peace.

Okay, this chapter gave me a cavity.

Just kidding. :)

Next chapter: Rebecca confronts the evil mages' monster.

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