Underground Spirits

Chapter 1: Ah Shit

Sans' Point of View:

"Come on Sans!"

I struggled not ta chuckle at the twelve-year-old kid before me. She pouted, she crossed 'er arms and gave me quite the scowl. Out in the cold elements, for once she wasn't runnin' around like a maniac. Nah, 'er entire attention was on me while we stood in the backyard of the inn.

"Hey, I'm waitin' on ya Frisk." I shrugged at 'er, knowin' it would make 'er pissed.

"Sans!"

"What?" I mocked back at 'er in the same annoyed, whiny tone she used against me.

With a huff, she turned 'er head. "All you've been doing is teasing me! I thought this was supposed to be a magic lesson!"

"But it is!" I didn't even try ta hot back my chuckles. "I'm showin' ya all m'magical moves!"

It was at that point that the girl pouted and turned away from me, lookin' back ta the house we were quickly hurled out of. Angel had caught a nasty bug. It always seemed she only got sick when it was the worst kinda bug around. Pap didn't want me or Frisk gettin' sick so we were kicked out and sent ta the inn for a few days. Pap had a strong enough immune system ta stay strong even if he got sick, but uh… I wasn't one that did good with those that got sick. I often ended up with it m'self. 'n no one wanted Frisk gettin' sick.

My shoulders slouched when I saw what I'd done. Ah shit…

"Don't think so hard Frisky, Angel's gonna be fine."

"But I haven't seen her this sick in a long time…"

"Ah dang it…" With a sigh, I knew I needed ta be more involved ta keep 'er mind off 'er sister. "How 'bout this? I'll take ya someplace special 'n teach ya about the history o' magic. Could maybe even tell ya 'bout the history of yer family."

That got 'er attention. Frisk watched on with interest, but hesitation. She looked between myself, our home, 'n then back ta me. 'er lower lip pouted out but she slowly moved close ta me.

"Promise me that you'll take me right home if something happens?"

My boney brows couldn't help but soften at 'er words. She still just cared 'bout 'er sister so much. All she wanted was ta be with 'er again. I could never take Angel's place as sister 'n mother in Frisk's life, 'n I didn't wanna.

Frisk didn't need me… Even if it felt like half the time she was like a little spitfire of a sister…

"Kiddo, ya know I an't gonna take ya far. Here, let's take a walk around town for yer lesson. Fair? We'll just go in circles."

"…Okay."

With no hesitation, the young preteen reached out ta grab m'hand. 'er warm fingers wrapped in my phalanges in nervousness as we began our walk down the street. Bein' a somewhat warmer day, the streets were crowded with people. Kids out playin' in the snow, businesses flourishin' under the light of the glow crystals.

"So, let's start with what ya know already Frisk." I cast my gaze over ta 'er while she seemed ta mull a few thin's over. "Gives me a better idea where ta give ya more info or not."

"Okay… well, Angel always told me that magic was a special part of all of us, but it really belongs only to monsters. The strange abilities to affect things out of the norm. But one thing I don't think she ever really got to tell me was what the difference was? What was the difference between human and monster magic? And if magic is associated only with monsters, why do humans have it? Shouldn't we not?"

A whistle escaped from between my teeth. "Ya got any more questions rollin' around in that skull o' yers?"

A pout was directed at me and a tight squeeze of my hand had me flinchin' unintentionally. Frisk saw this and stopped quickly.

"Sorry…"

"Nah Frisk, yer upset. Probably wasn't the smartest move of me ta tease ya." I shook my head before I pulled 'er in the direction of the large tree in town. "But let's start off with yer history lesson on magic. So… yer right. From my own studies of the past, humans never did have magic in the past."

'er voice was sharp when she gasped. "What?!"

"Yeah, monsters were the only ones. For centuries, they were the only ones who could use magic."

"But…"

"Yeah, I know, how come ya n' Angel have it now? Or some other humans above, right?"

Frisk didn't respond, but she didn't have ta. 'er attention was entirely on me while we walked. Out of the corner of m'socket I could see 'er starin' at me intently.

Didn't even matter that we passed by the town center's tree that she always wanted ta stop and look at.

"It was only in the last few centuries that humans that could use magic came inta bein'. Any guesses as ta why?"

"Not really… isn't that when tensions were growing between monster people and human people?"

"Yeah, and those magical humans didn't help. Cuz they were kids of humans 'n monsters. Tagether."

Frisk let out 'nother gasp, but this time she was a bit more careful with watchin' 'er vocal level. The young girl only then seemed ta notice how I was takin' 'er around the outskirts of town 'n away from most people.

I was glad she noticed what was goin' on. The kid was always perceptive. And what I was 'bout ta tell 'er… it wasn't smart ta say it in front of other monster who were still just gettin' used ta the idea of the girl's bein' there. Yeah… didn't wanna rock that boat…

It was when it was quiet 'n the wind was our only companion among the back hills of town when Frisk gave m'hand another squeeze.

"Tell me more."

"No one likes ta talk about it. What monster wants ta admit they could be part human after what happened ta us? And magical humans above? They'd hate ta admit ta themselves 'n other humans their part monster. Scares 'em inta thinkin' they'll be outcasted. But ya know… bonds of human 'n monster magic make the most powerful people. But there's a trick ta it. Monsters can only have kids with humans if their souls are bonded ta each other. Least, that's what the records say. I dunno for sure. Never had a live example ta study."

"But… under it all, you're saying that Sis and I are part monster?"

I paused in our walk long enough ta ruffle 'er hair. Frisk whined at it, but she didn't move. I knew under it all she liked the attention when 'er sister wasn't around ta dot on 'er.

"Yeah, I do." I chuckled at 'er while keepin' up the attention. "Ya wanna here what I think?"

"Duh."

"Watch it, tiny terror. I'll ground ya." She scowled at that, but still a pleadin' look was hidden behind those eyes of 'ers. "Alright, alright… I think ya two are descendants of a long dead species of monsters. Rattlers."

"Rattlers?"

"Yeah, they were monsters that were super unique. They were a single soul that were surrounded by hundreds of glitterin' chains all their lives. They actually were a lot like skeletons, like me and Pap. Their magic made up for thin's they didn't have. But they died out at least a century ago. 'Bout the time we were put in the underground."

"What…?" I was actually surprised ta see the kids lip wobble at that. She seemed so upset at that notion. "Why?"

"Ah Kiddo… they were one o' the strongest monsters we had in our kingdom. But that meant they were… targeted…"

"T-targeted?!"

"Yeah… Not many made it out. And the few that managed ta make it here ta our newly created underground home? They suffered from the reproduction problem that went around monster kind for a few decades. It wiped them out. Hell, there's a lot o' monsters that are some of the last of their kind. Pap and I… there's only three other livin' skeletons besides us. And King Asgore? He and his wife were some of the only goat monsters left after the war. Stress and the sufferin' made it even harder ta keep our numbers alive."

"Oh my god…"

I actually was stunned when Frisk plopped 'erself onto the ground with such a fearful look on 'er face. I was stunned as a similar face I saw on Angel appeared. The fear when someone of 'er kind was responsible for somethin' terrible 'n she took the blame for it...

"Don't even think 'bout it Frisk."

"B-but Sans!" Frisk looked up with such petrified eyes. "W-why?! Why did they do that? You guys have always been amazing! I don't understand why they did all those bad things?!"

"I know, Kiddo. I know." Bendin' down ta 'er level, a comfortin' hand landed on 'er shoulder. "Humans didn't like us cuz we're different. They see us as abominations since all of us look… well… different. They're all practically the same other than some almost discreet features on them all, like skin color, eyes, hair. And… I think they feared us usin' magic would end up takin' 'em out at some point… so they beat us ta the punch…"

'er eyes widened before me, tearin' up. "So that's why…?"

"Yeah. Sucks, but is what it is." I had already made peace with what information I'd found. It would no longer bother me, but I knew the girls were a different case. "Now yer not gonna turn inta Angel and start apologizin' at every single little thin', right?"

But Frisk didn't respond at first. 'er gaze was cast ta the frozen ground at 'er feet. I watched 'er take special interest in 'er own hands. 'er skin. The she cast 'er gaze over ta our interlocked hands. Just like Angel, Frisk inspected our intertwined fingers before I saw 'er shoulders slouch.

"I still don't get it Sans. I don't see a difference between you and me."

"And maybe ya'll never find out." I tried ta show the girl affection. I struggled ta hold back the hauntin' chuckle that escaped me. "Hopefully ya never do. But knowin' ya, yer probably gonna find out in some kinda of insanity filled fashion."

"Sans!"

I showed 'er a true smile at the ugly pout she gave me through 'er tears. "There's the tiny terror I know. Come on, let's start makin' our way back. I think ya got enough history outta me today. And sides, I'll be nice and assign no homework."

The girl's eyes I saw brighten for all of two seconds before she tried ta wipe the tears that still flowed down from anger filled eyes.

"You're just doing that so Angel doesn't find out what we've talked about."

"Guilty Kiddo, now keep my secret or I'll drown ya in homework."

With a huff ta 'er, she stood. She didn't say 'nother world besides showing me an ugly look. But regardless of it all, she never let go of my hand. It showed just how much that human girl seemed ta care for me. Definitely as a friend. I wasn't sure though if it was wise ta think that maybe I could more. We were just friends.

My feelin's for the two of them didn't matter. For their own benefit, I wouldn't let them get any deeper.

My phone went off the second that we started makin' our way back inta the livelier part of town. Frisk watched carefully as I dug out my phone. With a tap of a phalange, I picked up.

"Sup Bro?"

"Brother! I have excellent news! Angel's fever has broken and she has begun to eat more solid foods once more!"

"What?!" I had ta pause in my step at the news. Frisk paused ta watch me, 'er gaze intent at the news. "Yer serious?!"

"Of course! Brother, I am just finishing a final cleaning on the house now that Angel is on the mend and her contagious stage is over. You are able to return with Frisk!"

"Well then, guess we better get goin' then. I know a certain tiny terror who's dyin' ta see 'er sister."

Frisk's sharp gasp was expected, and so were the tears that came afterword with 'er already emotional from the talk we had. And, of course, the fact that she was worried for 'er sister. She then reached ta grab onta the front of my shirt and yanked me closer ta 'er level. I barely had a second ta turn off the call before I dropped m'phone onta the ground.

"Teleport us, Sans!" The pleadin' look she had was almost maddenin' as she watched me. "Please! We have to get our stuff and check out of the hotel and go see Angel! Please!"

"Damn, Kiddo! Hang on!" I tried ta pull myself free with no such luck. "Hey, I know a shortcut. So why don't ya cool it on the tuggin' and I'll take us there. Cool?"

The wobble of 'er lip was what little strength she had left ta hold 'erself back. I knew she was tryin' 'n it wasn't easy for 'er. The young girl took the time instead ta hide 'er face in my shirt and cry, 'er wails muffled by my clothin'.

"Ah shit…"

Witch's Note:

Well, well, well… what do we have here? A new story? Oh my! Is it that time already?

Its so wonderful to see you all again! Halloween Witch and Mystic Girl have returned for the side story you all seemed eager for! Underground Spirits is here!

So, this lovely little start up belongs to Aqwillabee! They had requested we do a little chapter on Angel getting sick and having Sans take over Frisk's magic lesson! But of course, Sans has to switch it up to accommodate for feelings and the fact that he'd rather do little to no work. XD

All the ideas have been randomized and we're both looking forward to seeing your comments about our work now that we're back! Especially now that we have a lot of work to do to make sure we have everything ready to go. But we do appreciate that you all let us have the time off of the last month. Trust us, we needed it. My surgery was successful and hopefully I shouldn't need to go in again for another five to ten years, and Mystic Girl is slowly improving on her health as well.

We are very much looking forward to hearing from you all again! (I turn to my partner in crime.) Ready to start our next chapter?

Mystic Girl: Duh! Do you really have to ask?

Me: Welp, you can't blame me after all the junk we've dealt with in the last month. I mean, I just came to and got my mind working again like a week ago.

Mystic Girl: Yeah, I know, and its been hell just trying to do anything…

Me: Exactly. But regardless, you and I have more work to do! You got those drafts written up?

Mystic Girl: (My best friend unceremoniously drops a large stack on my desk.) You mean these ones?

Me: Yep! That's it!

So anyway everyone, love you all, can't wait to hear from you, and see you next week!

Halloween Witch and Mystic Girl