~Frisk~
The kids left the Judgement Hall, walking past some grey brick walls. Frisk held their head down, hiding the tears in their eyes. They felt guilty. So guilty. Yet so touched at the same time.
"That darn flower..." Clover growled. "If I EVER see him again..."
"Flowey seems to know a lot about you," Faye said, giving Frisk a glance. Frisk nodded, looking away.
Flowey and Frisk knew each other very well. Neither of them liked that fact.
"You two got some kind of history?" Clover asked Frisk. They nodded again, grievously.
"Well, no wonder you tried to protect us from him," Melody said. "You knew the truth."
"Sans said something about timelines," Percy frowned. He gazed at his notebook. "So... is Sans like you and Flowey? Knowledgeable about the 'true nature' of this world?"
Frisk nodded, wringing their hands together.
"That usually doesn't happen in a video game," Clover pointed out. "This, uh..." She clicked her fingers, trying to remember the phrase.
"Breaking the fourth wall?" Percy suggested.
"Yeah, that." Clover nodded at him. She frowned, then stared at Frisk. "So. ASGORE's right through there?"
She pointed at an archway. A sign was next to it.
"Throne Room," Percy read the sign. "I believe it is, yes."
"We shouldn't be excited," Melody sighed. "From what it looks like, we're stuck down here forever..."
"Hey! NOT YET!" Brayden stared at her. "Sans said we could make a plan or somethin'!"
"I'm tryna do that right now." Clover frowned, massaging her temples.
"I'll, um, t-take notes for you if you want." Percy offered, staring at Clover. "I-In case, you, um, u-uh, w-want - um, uh, need - n-n-no, want-"
"That would be great, Perce." Clover interrupted, grinning at Percy.
"O-okay Cody - I mean Clody, I-I mean Clover!" Percy responded, breathing heavily.
Frisk raised their brow at Percy's stuttering. A faint smirk appeared on their face. They walked over to Clover and gave her a nod.
"You wanna help too?" she asked. "Awesome."
"Let's make a battle plan!" Brayden suggested.
"I would rather just walk around..." Faye sighed quietly. "I want to enjoy... just being alive for... these last few moments." She bowed her head. "Maybe I'll get some ideas on the way..."
"I'LL GO WITH YOU!" Brayden jumped up, walking over to Faye. She faintly blushed.
"You two really wanna miss out on this?" Clover asked them incredulously.
"I need some time to think about my ideas." Faye replied.
"AND I ALREADY HAVE MINE!" Brayden cheered. "BEATING THE CRAP OUTTA ASGORE!"
"Alright, fair enough." Clover shrugged. She glanced at her brother and Melody. "What about you two?"
"I'll stay here." Melody said, glancing at her hands. Cody made a face.
"I... I just wanna walk around by myself for a bit." he admitted shakily, standing up.
Clover narrowed her eyes.
"Come on sis, it's not like there's anything that can hurt me here." Cody pointed out. Clover's expression darkened. Cody pouted.
"Just let him go, Clover," Melody sighed. "He's not in any danger. And if he is, I have a feeling he can look after himself."
"Anytime he's left alone, he gets in trouble." Clover growled.
"I'm not going far..." Cody grumbled. He glowered. "I'll be fine, Clover. I'll be around this place." He gazed at his pan, his tone almost dark. "I'm not breaking any promises."
"... fine." Clover sighed. "Go. And stay out of trouble."
Cody walked out of sight. Clover gritted her teeth. Faye and Brayden also left, leaving just the four kids. They sat down in front of the Throne Room.
"Right." Clover cracked her knuckles. She nodded at Percy. He hastily opened his notebook. "Give me the lowdown, Perce."
"U-uh, yes m-ma'am." Percy said, gazing at his notes.
"You don't have to call me that." Clover told Percy, raising her brow.
"Oh, um, s-sorry," Percy stuttered, cheeks bright red. He took a deep breath, holding up his notes. "The Barrier requires seven human souls to shatter it, but we have to be dead in order for that to happen. Chara needs seven human souls to raise them from the dead, so they can destroy the world. They are relying on Asgore for that - in other words, waiting for him to kill us. Asgore is the only boss monster, so only one person will be able to pass the barrier if they absorb his soul."
"Alright," Clover said, tapping her chin. "So it seems we're pretty screwed no matter what we do."
"Unless there is something we can do, as Sans mentioned," Percy replied. "One of us kills Asgore, they pass the barrier and gather help from the surface to save the rest of us. Chara can't take our souls unless we are all dead, so we cannot die under any circumstances. We must defeat Asgore unless we want the world to be destroyed."
"We can't just talk to him...?" Melody asked.
"No," Percy replied. "Unless we want to remain trapped down here. Killing Asgore is our only hope of escape. And that applies to monsters too. If one of us passes the barrier, they can gather seven souls of previously deceased humans from the surface, and with those, they can shatter the barrier."
"I see your point," Melody shrugged at Percy.
Clover folded her arms. "Sounds like a plan, but I wanna hear everyone else's opinions." She turned to Frisk. "Whaddya think, pardner?"
Frisk gave Clover a thumbs up. They were more than willing to kill Asgore. He was another obstacle in their way...
"I'mma find Brayden and Faye and talk to them about this," Clover said, standing up. "We'll need their input."
"Clover..." Percy fumbled with his fingers, watching her.
"Off you go," Melody told him, squeezing his shoulder. "Go on."
Percy stood up, standing next to Clover. The two walked away.
"..." Percy looked down, shivering next to Clover. His breathing picked up. He trembled, putting his face into his palms.
"You alright, pardner?" Clover asked him.
"Clover, what am I gonna do if you die?" Percy panicked. "If we all die? What if we're stuck down here forever..."
"That won't happen, pardner," Clover told him, wrapping her arms around him. "We're gonna get outta here alive. I promise."
Percy began hyperventilating into her shirt. "O... okay..."
His cheeks were so red. He wondered if he'd ever be able to impress her...
He breathed out. "If we get back to the surface-"
"When," Clover corrected.
"Um... if... when... we get back to the surface," Percy continued, "would you... um... would you, perhaps, want to... um..."
"Hmm?" Clover stared at him.
"... hang out...?" Percy squeaked, shutting his eyes.
"Sure," Clover grinned.
Percy hid his burning cheeks. "Oh, um... thank you. At my house, then...?"
"Sounds good, pardner," Clover put her arm around him, making him blush even more.
Brayden and Faye were walking through ASGORE's home once again. Brayden kept running forward, but turned back every few seconds to make sure Faye was following him. She was walking slowly, but she stayed behind him. Brayden eventually walked at her pace.
"Hey," he said, giving her a smile. "You okay about all of this? Like, y'know, Asgore, Chara, all that stuff?"
Faye looked down, wringing her hands together. "I'm not sure..."
"Well, I'm feeling pretty UNBEATABLE," Brayden grinned, flexing his arm. "True men NEVER get scared!"
"Sometimes, the greatest form of strength a man can have is showing weakness." Faye replied.
Brayden didn't respond to that. He looked away for a brief moment, before looking back.
"Faye," he said. "Y'know, back when we weren't hanging out at school... I really missed you. Those bullies were kinda cool I guess - BEFORE I KNEW THEY WERE BULLIES - but you... you were, like, the one I missed and all that. I, like, wanted to see you again, y'know? If that doesn't sound weird or something."
"It doesn't sound weird..." Faye replied, faintly blushing. She smiled at her friend. "It sounds really sweet. And... I missed you too, Brayden."
Brayden's face was flushed. He cleared his throat. "You think we're gonna get outta here alive? I bet we will."
Faye paused. She nodded, her tone optimistic. "If you think we will... then I suppose I do too."
Brayden grinned. "Told ya you should stay with us! You're like, way happier now!"
"Yeah..." Faye blushed. "You... made me feel better. Thanks, Brayden."
"Don't mention it!" Brayden gave Faye a thumbs up. "It's what best friends do!"
Faye's blush grew. She looked down, her voice shaky. "I'm still a little scared though. I... I don't want anyone to die..."
Brayden grabbed Faye's hand and squeezed it. Faye blushed.
Brayden was staring at her. "No one's gonna die on MY watch. So don't be scared. Yeah?"
"Yeah." Faye replied, squeezing Brayden's hand back.
The two stared into each other's eyes.
"Well well well," a voice chuckled, eyeing the both of them. Flowey appeared, a malicious grin on his face. "Isn't this just adorable?"
"HEY!" Brayden yelled. "IT'S YOU!" He held up his fist. "GET OUTTA HERE BEFORE I BEAT YOU UP!"
"Calm down, you hyper brat," Flowey growled, his face darkening. It returned to a smile. "I've actually got a little something to tell you about your girlfriend there."
"W-WHAT?" Brayden asked, blushing. Faye hid her face. "F-FAYE'S NOT MY-" He shook his head, glaring at Flowey. "ARE YOU GONNA INSULT HER AGAIN?! DON'T YOU DARE!"
"Insult her?" Flowey asked. "Oh no. I'm here to tell you some things you may find... interesting." His tone was manipulative. "For example, your girlfriend is a straight up LIAR. She's been hiding things from everyone, even you. Her best friend. She knows a lot more about the world than you would think she does. But she doesn't tell anyone. She keeps her private information to herself, and only gives away details to manipulate the situation. Then when the time's right, she'll take advantage of your trust and use you for her own personal needs."
"W-WHAT?" Brayden growled. He stared at Faye, who flinched. "THERE'S NO WAY THAT'S TRUE! FAYE'S THE BEST!"
Faye's lip trembled. She didn't say anything.
"See that guilty look in her eyes, kiddo?" Flowey asked menacingly. "You know she's playing games with you."
"NO WAY!" Brayden yelled, falling to his knees with shock.
"You don't know anything about her," Flowey added. "But she knows everything about you."
"FAYE!" Brayden walked over to his friend and shook her shoulders. She kept her head down. "SAY SOMETHING!"
Brayden panted heavily, glaring at Faye. She still didn't speak. Brayden gritted his teeth with frustration, clenching his fists. He looked like he wanted to punch something.
"There's nothing for her to say," Flowey chuckled. "Because she knows I'm right."
"NO YOU'RE NOT!" Brayden bellowed. "YOU'RE THE LIAR!"
Brayden ran over to Flowey, holding out his fist. He attempted to punch the flower, but he disappeared beneath the floorboards.
"Hee hee hee," Flowey's laugh echoed through the halls. "You really think you can beat me?"
"I'LL KILL YOU!" Brayden bellowed. "WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU?"
"Brayden, look out!" Faye squeaked, holding out her hand.
Brayden looked around, but it was too late. A vine went through his chest. He fell to his knees, his face expressing pure horror. Blood was everywhere.
"B-Brayden..." Faye yelped, gazing at her best friend, her eyes full of tears. She looked up and realised Flowey was surrounding her with vines. There was no escape. Faye hugged herself.
"Don't worry," he chuckled darkly, staring at the girl. "You'll be joining him in HELL."
Suddenly, a bullet went through Flowey's stem. The flower dropped all his vines, coming down to the ground.
"Not today, you cheatin' vermin." Clover growled, holding up her gun.
"Ooh, I'm so scared!" Flowey put on a mocking tone. His expression was twisted. "You idiots. You may've got me this time, but I'll be back. There's no escape."
He disappeared beneath the floorboards. Clover glared at the spot where he had been, before running over to Faye.
"You okay, Faye?" she asked Faye. Faye shrugged, holding her head down. Clover glanced at Brayden. Her breath grew shaky. "Oh, G... God. D-Damnit. I'm not much of a doctor." She stood up, tapping her foot in frustration. She removed her bandanna and handed it to Faye. "Use that as a bandage or something. And your own bandages as well. Just look after him. I'll get my bro and the stick kid."
She raced off, calling out for her brother and Frisk.
Faye wiped away some of her tears, observing Clover's bandanna. She wrapped it around Brayden's middle, sniffling quietly. She gazed at his soul. It was covered in cracks.
"Not now, not now..." Faye cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Not now! NOT... NOW...!" She put a few bandages on the wound, praying that they would do anything to help her friend. She continued sobbing.
"This is all my fault..." she cried. "All my fault..."
Frisk chewed on a Nice Cream bar they stole from another timeline. Frisk often stole things from themself in other timelines, including GOLD, so they always had a limited supply. That meant they could eat food for pleasure rather than just to heal themself. And they could use the food to heal their friends as well.
Frisk found Cody sitting in a room with Chara's coffin. Alongside their coffin were seven other unused coffins. Cody looked contemplative about something. He was eyeing Chara's coffin, which was covered in golden flowers. A red soul was painted on top of it.
Frisk sat down next to Cody, finishing their Nice Cream. The two of them sat in silence for a moment, gazing at Chara's coffin. Cody finally spoke.
"... Chara really was a bad person?" he said, looking at Frisk. Frisk paused for a moment. They shrugged.
"I just don't want to believe they're bad..." Cody sighed. "I talked to them and they seemed pretty nice, actually." He frowned. "My sister says I'm too nice to people... I guess she's right."
Frisk gave Cody a smile. He returned it. Then his expression grew curious.
"You know about Gaster, right?" he asked them. Frisk nodded hesitantly.
Cody pursed his lips. "And... how he's... supposed to be dead. I saw him die with my o-own eyes. But then... I saw him again before... alive." He looked at Frisk. "M-maybe it was just a vision, I... I don't know..."
Frisk patted his shoulder. They had a comforting glance in their eyes.
"Yeah, it was probably just a vision..." he sighed. His smile became melancholic. "I... really am sorry about what I said to you. I didn't want to hurt your feelings... I just wanted to give Chara another chance."
Frisk shook it off. They weren't mad at Cody. They were mad at Chara for being so manipulative. And at themself...
Suddenly, in the corner of their eye, Frisk saw something. They twitched, their palm glowing red. They knew what it was. Anger flared up inside them. They couldn't let this disrupt their plans anymore.
Frisk stood up, their face shrouded in shadows. Cody glanced at them.
"Are you okay?" he asked them, also beginning to stand up. Frisk gave him a cold stare. He sat back down again. "O... okay, I'll stay here."
Frisk walked off. Determination was pulsing through them. They exited the room, their sword forming in their palm. Cody saw the red glow reflecting against the walls. Concern and curiosity raced through him. He couldn't help himself. He stood up, discreetly following the child. At the end of the hall, something was waiting for Frisk. Cody saw it and his heart nearly stopped. He covered his mouth in case Frisk heard him.
It was Gaster.
He had returned.