To those who had endured the Non-Human, recovery had proved to be a difficult process in itself.

But it had served an important moment, for those who were present within the Hotland Ruins. As it marked a distinct change in how things would progress. Word had spread about what transpired, and that several monsters who once lived there had been killed by the terrible entity.

Their own scattered nature, and lack of unity being a core contributor to what had happened. With the notation that the human children had been a core factor in stopping events serving to complicate the opinions and actions of the monsters who hadn't be swayed, or convinced. The idea that they all could have been purged from existence, were it not for such actions being an alarming wake up call of sorts.

Undyne remained, as she had become. Finding a new set of complications in her present state of existence. On one hand, she had grown more powerful than she imagined possible. And with that power, came something else. Something within her, that inspired action.

She was quick to establish order at the outpost, which had been slipping from it. Dissuading some of the monsters who resided there from siezing the moment to try and gain a human soul for themselves. Notably, with some assistance she hadn't completely anticipated.

03, the catlike warrior who had once abandoned the cause, frustrated with how events had gone, had rejoined it. And was acting as a guardian to the recovering human. Alongside a warrior dog, who was barking orders at those there, to get things fixed up for once.

A few of Heatdrakes friends agreeing to help, in remembrance to their friend. Who sadly, had died early on in the fight. The warrior watching over the outpost, thinking about everything she had learned, and all that had happened.

Muffet wandered over towards her. Having recovered with a bit more effort than expected. She smiled some, and offered a drink.

Undyne took it and sighed. "Before you ask kid, I'm alright."

"You haven't slept." Muffet noted. "It's a bit of a concerning prospect."

"Haven't felt the need to." Undyne replied, taking a drink. "Besides. There's a lot that needs doing."

"Wonderful then, that you have people to help you." Muffet noted with a smile. "Just...take a break now and then, please."

It was a much harder ask, than her adoptive daughter might have imagined. The Caretaker felt a tremendous guilt at how things had gone. Furious with herself for not having done anything sooner. If she had paid more attention, kept an eye on the creature, or a dozen other things, none of that would have happened.

"I'll do my best." Undyne assured quietly, getting a hug. "Dork."

"Love you too, Mom." Muffet smirked.

As those two spoke, the outpost by the exit to the ruins was more active than it had been in years. With people working on repairing broken heat-vents. With the walls made of scrap and excess materials being repaired. With random trash and debris being cleaned up, as people talked that had ignored each other for some time.

The outpost, as it was, was positioned in a big, vast room. With perhaps the only still active stream of water running through it. Coming from a waterfall high above, through one of the cracks in the mountain. The path it took coming down led out of the ruins, and to elsewhere within the underground.

The makeshift base of operations was similar to a shanty-town with walls. Made of whatever material could be recovered. Either that came falling from above, that had been recovered from collapsed tunnel paths, or that smuggled in from time to time. The latter option being much rarer in recent years.

Surrounding the walls however, was sections where the stone had been ripped up. Permitting access to the dirt below. A small variety of plants growing, in the far cooler room. Mostly in sections where the light would pour down, when it was day. A few golden flowers growing along the stone walls of the room at large.

A figure sat there for a moment, gathering a few of these flowers. With the hood of the heavy, dark jacket up. Her orange eyes grasping a few, as she began to tie them together. Recalling something that her potential friend, Frisk, had showed her once upon a time. Repeating the process a few times.

Rising with several wreaths of flowers, she turned and started back towards one of the open doors. Hurrying over to the sentry, a wolfish dog, with blind eyes, she stopped. The man glancing at her.

"Human, I can see you move, whatever you think-" He began, before the girl placed the wreath on the makeshift sentry station before him. "wazzat?"

"Uhm." Aliza smiled some. "For...you?"

Wolfo for his part, was already fairly annoyed with how this human bounded around. Rarely saying anything, but always seeming to be present. He tapped the table a few times, before finding the object that had been provided to him. A wreath of golden flowers. It was silly, stupid, absolutely beyond him why such a thing would be done. However, the girl was fidgeting, making it easier for him to see her, and her hesitant smile.

"It's...uh...beautiful?" Wolfo muttered, putting it on. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." Aliza said, seeming rather enthusiastic, before heading off with her small collection of them.

Another monster glanced at him. "Wow man, wow."

Wolfo huffed. "Shut up. You're just pissed you didn't get one." He muttered, leaning on the desk. Well, maybe this human wasn't so bad. He wondered if the other was similarly polite. But, that wasn't his job. So, he just yawned, and relaxed. The wreath of flowers on his head.

The path of the orange-eyed girl took her around to a variety of monsters who were present. Most seeming confused by the action. A couple trying to say no, only to notice others who had one. Inspiring them, sometimes reluctantly to follow suit, and humor the girl.

To Aliza, this was less about the inherent kindness of the action. Although, she did enjoy that they enjoyed it. More, it was to work on something she often found herself lacking. Bravery.

The experience of the fight had not faded from her mind. If anything, it was pervasive, and haunting. Clinging to her psyche, repeating when she closed her eyes.

And every monster here, in some fashion, felt terrifying and new to her. More so, given that up until the fight against the Non-Human, every one she'd met had been hostile. However, Undyne had assured her that there were options beyond simply fighting someone. Stating that sometimes the way one |ACT|s could create a friend, rather than an enemy.

Aliza steeled her resolve, when approaching each of the monsters. Many of whom looked at her with initial irritation. Only to be surprised when she offered something. And even when she wasn't offering something. Sometimes she would just hang out in the area. Or, try and help with something small.

These little actions seemed to make them more amiable to her presence there. Alleviating some doubt, or reservations. And that, made her feel even braver the next time. Like each little success, could inspire another.

With all but two passed out, she proceeded to the final destination on her little tour of the outpost. A nicer house than most of the rest. Built just beside the door she had been informed was the 'Exit' to the rest of the underground. A cat-monster wearing a mask sitting on the steps, glancing as she approached. Aliza hurried over, and gave one to 03.

03 snickered. "Thanks, kid."

"You're welcome." Aliza smiled, and then headed inside.

The interior of the house, was surprisingly homely. With an old piano present on one side of the living room. A couch and chair, with a tv before it on the other side. Old anime tapes beside the entertainment center the television was placed upon. The kitchen was connected to the living room, notably. With a wide counterspace, and a fridge present there.

On the couch was the resting form of Chara. Who had yet to wake up, even after almost an entire day of sleeping. Of being given healing items. It was...largely concerning. Aliza hesitantly approached and placed the flowers on the resting girl. Taking a seat on the chair.

While it was still true she didn't know the other girl very well, she felt the weight of her inaction on her back. Namely, as she'd accompanied the Non-Human creature right to her. Her thoughts far from pleasant with her, regarding what she might have done differently.

The girl frowned, and spoke. "Chara?" She asked. "I...know...you don't uhm.." She trailed off.

Aliza had never been one for speeches, or inherently eloquent sentence structuring. Conversation, in her eyes, was best left to the professionals. Of which, she certainly, was not.

The soul of bravery looked over to the TV. Ready to play the show that had been left within it. However, it seemed that tape had run its course. So she got up, wandered over, and began searching for another.

While fumbling around, she stumbled across something that felt familiar for some reason. Something depicting a variety of characters, and something about a lord of the underground. Despite having a sense she shouldn't watch this show, she elected to put the tape in anyways. And began to play it.

The fable that begun unfolding was...not something she had been prepared for. It appeared to follow the story of someone being transported to a new world. With a whole empire of some kind at their beck and call. While being really, really powerful. Including, an angel lady, who really seemed to 'like' him.

At some point in the proceedings, the woman got very close, and began to say a variety of incredibly suggestive things. Making Aliza blush hard, as she scrambled to locate the remote. Noting it was no longer at her side.

The scene continued, as the man in the show got flustered. Appearing to show interest in what was being said, even as it embarrassed him. The video suddenly clicking to stop.

"Dork." Chara muttered, dropping the remote to the floor.

"E-eh?" Aliza turned, noticing the other girl turning to face the back of the couch. "Chara?"

The other girl was awake. Inspiring the orange-eyed child to rise, and look her over. Being surprised to find that, unlike what she'd half-expected, the purple eyed one did not. She merely continued to lay there, in her base outfit. Her poncho damaged, hanging nearby. Alongside her bat in its sheath.

Aliza raised a brow, and nudged the girl. Half imagining what she'd seen was some delusion. Only for Chara to glance back, looking annoyed.

"What?" Chara asked.

"Y-you're okay." Aliza noted smiling.

"Yeahup." Chara muttered, before turning to face the back of the couch again. "Whoopie."

The distinct lack of enthusiasm was confusing. And concerning in itself. The jacket-wearing child glanced at the front door, debating going to get Undyne, or Muffet. But, somehow, it seemed that may be a bad idea. As something was clearly bothering her counterpart.

Chara glanced, as Aliza headed around the back of the couch. Leaning over the back of it, so they were looking at each other. Giving a soft wave, as she groaned in response.

"Are you...okay?" Aliza asked.

"I almost died. Again." Chara muttered quietly. "I failed...again." She glared at nothing in-particular. "And people died...because I wanted a break."

Aliza blinked. "That-"

"Wasn't my fault. Blah blah. I've heard it before." Chara grumbled. "But...if you keep being at the center of the blast. Every time. Eventually...you realize...it's not coincidence."

Aliza was even more uncertain how to handle this. It felt like something one of those nice people her parents went and spoke to would need to address. Therapists, she believed them to be called. But in the absence of them, there was just her.

In response, she huffed some. Wandering around to step in front of Chara once more. Taking a seat, and giving a patient smile.

Chara blinked, grabbing the remote. "Shoo...or I'll turn it back on."

Aliza got a bit red in the face, but didn't relent. "No."

"Heh." The soul of perseverance smirked. "You asked for it."

The show began. Playing audio, as they entered a staring contest. The various flirting, the panicked sound of the protagonist. The notes from others laughing, or talking about the idea playing out. All the big, and admittedly dirt collection of words was making the two blush. After a moment though, there was an audible mention of someone being declothed, namely the angel lady.

At this, Chara turned a much brighter shade of red, and quickly hit the button. Stopping the show. She let out a breath, and huffed, as Aliza began to laugh, despite looking equally embarrassed.

Chara sat upright and noted. "S-shut up, nerd." While getting to her feet. "I..It was...I dunno." She huffed, glancing at the screen briefly. "I-I think it's like...an adult show anyways."

She shut off the television. Only making Aliza laugh a bit harder. Eye-twitching as she looked at her counterpart. Groaning a little, before giving the orange-eyed girl a light shove with her foot. Prompting her to fall back, laughing like a smiley idiot.

"You are too easily entertained." Chara noted. "Ugh...moron." Her arms crossed. "Can't believe you made me be the one to stop it."

"S-sorry." Aliza replied, while wiping tears from her eyes. "B-but-"

"Yeah, yeah, you wanted me to get up." Chara muttered. "Well...mission accomplished. What now?"

Aliza had been considering some things. Some questions she wanted to ask. Some things she had gleamed the answer to, at least by listening to those who failed to register her presence. Namely, about the other child.

She had heard Undyne, and Muffet speaking about her. Discussing her name, as though it was something significant. Undyne for her part seemed fairly surprised by it. And had elected to check something, a photo of some kind. Stating she wanted to talk to Chara when she awoke.

In her mind, when an adult wanted to talk to someone privately like that, it usually meant they were in trouble. And she didn't want her new potential friend to get into trouble. So, she had some idea what to start with.

"Should...we leave?" Aliza asked.

"Leave?" Chara asked back. "Like...the house?"

"The Ruins." The orange eyed girl asked, adding. "You...have family...right?"

Chara thought about them. "Yeah. I just...I dunno. I feel like I'd just bring more trouble to them at this point."

Aliza gave her a reassuring smile. "I bet...they miss you."

The purple eyed girl glanced away. She doubted that very much. The prospect that they might, though, it left her conflicted. Both at the prospect of showing up, and being unwanted. And at the prospect of showing up, and being missed. All she had wanted since she woke us, was to see them again. But what if doing so, was just going to get them hurt too? Was it worth it? Was it right to do?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a hug. Catching her by surprise. Aliza keeping her in it, until Chara huffed, and hugged her back.

"I guess...I should at least help you...do you have a family, or something?" Chara asked.

"Something." Aliza replied.

"Okay." Chara sighed, before nudging her counterpart. "Hey...shorter hugs please." The other girl released her, smiling. "You're such a nerd."

Aliza asked. "So...are we?"

"Yeah. I guess so." Chara muttered. "But they'd probably try and stop us so...best they don't know."

For the resurrected princess, the art of escaping from under the watchful nose of others was...easy enough. She was sad to say, she had developed something of a habit of it. She felt guilty about it. But it was honestly for the best to repeat this pattern.

If they invited Undyne, and Muffet to go with them, it would just mean they'd have a higher chance of getting hurt. At least with the two of them, they could just focus on running away, and get where they needed to go. Besides, in all likelihood, her 'Big Sis' would try and stop them.

Make some comment about being worried for the safety. Rightly so, admittedly. But, Chara wasn't going to be deterred. Maybe...maybe she'd come back to this place, after finding somewhere safe for Aliza.

Her thoughts turned to something darker. Maybe she'd find the nearest cliff. Save everyone else the headache she might cause. The thought inturrupted by Aliza poking her.

"H-hey-" Chara huffed. "I'm thinking."

"You...looked unhappy." Aliza noted.

"Yeah, I generally am." The other girl huffed. "Whatever, let's just, go get this done. But, you'll need to do, exactly as I say. Got it?"

"Got it." Her counterpart smiled again.

"Okay. So...what we need to do-" Chara began.

The plan was laid out, and would be set into motion before too long. There was likely to be quite a distance before they got to the castle. So it was best they get started quickly. Before their escape was noticed, at least.

And she had just the plan to make it happen.

The plan had three phases. The first two completed by the time Aliza stepped out. Feeling like some sort of secret agent or something. Her role memorized, a critical step in the plan. The lynch pin to the whole operation. If she failed now, it would all be for nothing.

She pointed off to the side of the outpost. "H-hey, is th-that Chara?"

This statement drew the attention of not just 03, but a couple other monsters who were watching the exit door. Their vision falling on a poncho, resting among a field of flowers. It appeared someone was sitting in them. 03 let out a sound of surprise, motioning for the others to follow, while hurrying over to collect the child.

Chara meanwhile, stepped out from behind some debris. Huffing some. It had been a pain to sneak out and set that up. But, ultimately, it had worked. She motioned, and the duo hurried to the exit door. The girl wearing the bat around her shoulders. Still in her otherwise bloodstained clothes.

Not that she was the only one. There hadn't exactly been a good bit of clothing to replace them. Given that Muffets shop had been ransacked, and the hideout was destroyed. Aliza pushed on the door, starting to open it. Chara meanwhile, gave a glance back at the outpost.

When she envisioned the place, she'd hoped to spend a few days there. Getting to know some of its residents better. But, she knew if she stayed, she might never leave. Besides, she was going to protect at least one human child, other than herself.

The door opened some, as they hurried out. Closing it behind them. A note being pushed through the crack, similar to the one left on the couch, and in the poncho. Explaining their departure, hoping it might help Undyne and Muffet to not worry about them. Even if they knew that was...unlikely.

The girls sprinted forward, and into the dark path that lay ahead. Towards the next door in the distance. Their steps carrying them, until they reached a part where the light poured down. Shining across a patch of grass, and golden flowers. The air lowering in temperature, becoming mild, and bearable.

Whisper commented. "We're not alone."

Chara stopped, and halted her companion. Drawing the bat, while looking around. Aliza seeming confused, before noticing a pair of eyes in the dark. Letting out a breath of surprise, as dozens more began to manifest.

Their attention turning to a figure stepping into the light. Familiar to them both. Temmie.

Temmie greeted. "Hello there friends."

Aliza expressed surprise. "T-temmie?"

Chara squinted, noting. "Just so you know-" It became a glare. "the save is back there. I could easily inform them you're here."

"Wow, look at you, Princess~" Temmie laughed darkly, as Aliza glanced at the use of the word. "Hey, no worries. I'm not gonna do anything. I'm just here, for a favor."

"What is it you want?" Chara inquired.

"You misunderstand, girly. You did me a favor. Helping kill that 'thing' back there." Temmie assured warmly. "I mean, we went through some harrowing things there, didn't we Aliza?"

Aliza was surprised she was being addressed. "U-uhm...yes?" She hesitated. "D-didn't you...die?"

"Eh heheh...adorable." Temmie remarked. "Oh, you have so much to learn. But that's okay." It twisted its head, to an unnatural angle. "Because, my favor, to you, for your assistance, is as follows." The smile stretched, revealing unnaturally twisted, sharp teeth. "You get to walk out of here alive."

Chara asked. "And after that?"

Temmie responded. "Ten seconds."

In response to this, Chara snatched Alizas hand. Yanking the other girl with her, sprinting towards the door. The grim creature watching them. The soulless abomination smiling, as all the shadows smiled with it.

One day, one day soon...it would get what it wanted.