Just to the Intersection

(Prompt: Kris and Susie take Undyne's driver's ed course.)

You always imagined going out in a blaze of glory. Maybe some horrifying being of immense power in the Dark World, a stray bit of magic tearing clean through your armor, hell, even falling face first into the beam of light at the entrance.

You swallow sharply. Just don't show weakness. They can sense weakness. Just keep the seatbelt on, and maybe you'd get to see your family again. Though, maybe dying in a car accident wouldn't be the most embarrassing way to go at least. Being twisted up in metal and debris, maybe the whole thing even exploding at the end. Could be pretty cool.

A choking sensation builds in your throat. Nope, still not a fan of the idea.

"Hey freak, how fast you think this thing can get up to?" Susie's rumbling voice sends a shiver down your spine, "Bet I could tear through the streets, land it in the lake or something." Her gaze reflects back in the rearview mirror, joy radiating in her eyes.

You stare back, focusing mostly on the sheet-like color you were turning with each passing moment. You didn't consider drowning in a car wreck to be on the list of concerns, but there it was.

"Not messing around on my watch, punk."

A dull click rings out; the ancient vehicle's door being jerked open by the intimidating officer.

"Gonna follow every single regulation down to the letter. That, or you can feel free to try and break out of a jail cell. I can work with either one." A wicked smile breaks out over Undyne's face, yellowed fangs sending a clear message as she begins to scribble on a well-worn clipboard.

A low growl echoes out from the driver's seat as Susie slowly sinks back down, "…lame."

"Arright, now, either of you two try driving before? Can even be illegally. Especially illegally." A wild energy flashes in the fish's eyes.

"Nuh-uh." The scaled drake continues to sulk.

You shake your head, strands of hair dancing across your forehead. Best to not tell local law enforcement about your experience in the Dark World. Or the number of cars you hit in the process. Your gaze drifts to the side. It was at least six from your count. Pretty solid record all things considered.

"Damn. What're you kids even doing these days? Supposed to be blowing things up and hijacking cars." Undyne rolls her eyes, muttering under her breath, "This is why I'm stuck at my stupid desk all day…"

You sigh. Okay, maybe Susie could be reined in. Maybe there wouldn't be a tragic accident and news reports of the first human in town being flung through a car's window.

"Well, driving is easy. It's just a matter of dodging everything and, if you do crash, don't hit anyone. Simple!"

Another knot builds in your throat.

The mauve dragoness perks up, "Yeah? Well sh-" Susie clears her throat, "S-Shoot. That doesn't seem tough." The girl pauses, her eyes squinting in the mirror, "How fast can we go anyway?"

"…how hard can you hit the gas?" Undyne's wild grin returns, the two girls sharing a gleeful moment.

Your reflection turns ghostly once more. Your mom will be okay. She has Asriel, she only needed one child, really. You glance at the door's handle. Tucking and rolling was an option too. Perhaps you could just duck out now. If you sprint hard enough, maybe Susie wouldn't be able to turn the car around before you can make your break. A quiet gulp sounds from your throat. Not that she would aim for you necessarily, but any moving target was fair game to a dragon behind the wheel. You reach your hand out, palm shakily closing in on possible salvation.

"HEY!"

You freeze.

"Your seatbelt secure?" Undyne stares back, nodding towards the plastic band across your chest.

"Yeah nerd, better buckle up." A rumble shoots through the vehicle as Susie turns the key.

You were doomed. Sorry Asriel, it's all up to you to carry out the family name now.

"Alright, seatbelt…ignition…agh, freakin' lists." Undyne continues to scribble on her clipboard, eventually tossing the papers to the side in a fit, "Whatever! You got your boot on the brake, kid?"

The girl's back goes rigid, the top of her head peeking out over the seat, "Uh…yeah! Totally! The…left one?"

Your mouth twists into a grimace as you lean to the side. The scaled girl's features were hidden under the mass of hair flowing down, but…

You lean further out, seatbelt pulling uncomfortably. We're her hands…shaking? Why were her claws digging into the steering wheel so hard?

"Good, then let's get out of here. I want you to pull out of the school, head down the road, and stop when you get to the first intersection. Got it?" The police chief rattles the instructions off, gaze drifting out to the side window.

"S-Sure! Got it. Just…to the intersection." The mauve dragon's claws continue to dig into the steering wheel, punctures forming in the rubbery material.

A second passes. A minute? You stare into the rearview mirror for any life in the girl. She's frozen in place. A grin creeps onto your face. Reaching out slowly, you lightly tap the dragon's shoulder, the girl jumping in her seat.

"S-Shit! Kris! Don't…" Susie whips her head back, staring daggers into the grinning human.

"Watch your damn language punk! Now, come on. Let's get the show on the road!" The officer snaps back at you two, flaring a hand out towards the road.

"A-Alright, fine!" The scaled girl reaches down, hand shaking, jerking the gear stick into drive.

The ancient vehicle creaks to life, crawling slowly down the road. You breathe in deeply, a silent prayer soon interrupted by the car slamming forward.

"…okay, that's the brake. Now, let's try the gas, alright?" Undyne braces herself on the dashboard, the officer's hat having been thrown off her head.

Susie nods, releasing the brake. Within seconds, the car freezes once more, sending your face directly into the back of Undyne's seat. You blink away stars, rumbling tires once more signaling progress. Another slam; you brace yourself against the car door. Another drifting movement, another painful jerk forward. Your head begins to spin, your stomach rebelling against you. Angel and all that is holy, just crash already. Just send you straight through the window-shield. Get it over with, anything but this.

Black dots swarm over your vision as you hold onto the car's fake leather handle for dear life. Reality soon fades back in, a ringing sound echoing in your ears as the world continues to spin.

"Just…just put it into park. Please." Undyne sighs as she fixes her ponytail, strands of crimson hair thrown across her face.

Your stomach continues to twist in on itself. The world shouldn't spin like that. Even fighting Jevil wasn't this bad. The sound of car doors clicking open barely registers in your mind as you continue to hold on to what remains of your consciousness.

"AGH!" You yelp, the car door being thrown open as your seatbelt catches at the last moment.

"Alright, switch out. Let's get this hunk of junk back to school." You stare up, finding the frazzled police officer lifelessly stumbling back to the passenger's seat.

A shuddering breathe escapes your lips. Still alive. Vaguely.

You unhook the seatbelt, barely catching yourself in the escape. Your head continues to twirl, purple shapes blurring in the distance, closing in with each second. That…probably wasn't normal.

"Hell yeah! You see that?" Susie jabs a finger into your arm, "Like to see you do better, freak."

Shapes begin to form, Susie's fanged grin shining back.

"Ugh…yup, great job." You mumble, the mauve dragon continuing to stare on with glee.

"Right? Few years and I can drive us to school." Susie's eyes narrow, "Well, unless you want to drive with your mom."

You shake your head, strands of hair continuing to hang in across your vision, "That sounds…urgh," Your stomach reminds you of its presence, "Sounds great."

"Sweet. Now move out of the way. You're turn behind the wheel."

You slowly meander out from the vehicle, making your way back and around to the driver's seat. Plopping behind the wheel, you shake the cobwebs from your mind, steeling yourself for the drive back.

"So, like I said before, we're just gonna turn around and head back to school. Just park back where we were before. Have to put your foot on the brake and then-"

Your hands grip tightly against the steering wheel, swiftly bringing the car into drive. Before Undyne can protest, the vehicle screams back to life, swerving out across the intersection and back towards the school.

"H-Hey! Look, just take it-" Undyne stutters.

Peering back for one last moment at the wide-eyed dragon in the backseat, you slam on the gas, tires screeching in response. The vehicle tears across the asphalt, a hint of smoke and dust being kicked up as the mass of steel is propelled down the road.

It really was simple. Push down on the gas, aim the car down the road, and try to collect any sources of potassium. You never understood why your mother always seemed nervous about letting you start driver's ed. You were a natural. You were so good that your dad never even needed to see you drive again. The one-time Asgore let you behind the wheel to practice outside of town was enough. Your lips twist into a smile. You just impressed him that much!

With one last twist of the wheel, you guide the car back into the parking space beside the school, just barely lifting one of the tires off the ground. Perfect!

"…g-give me the keys." Undyne swallows sharply, arms bracing against the edges of her seat.

Your chest swells. You already completed the lesson, just with that! Pulling the keys from the ignition, you hand the set over to the pale officer.

"T-Thanks. I think…" Undyne's voice shudders, "I think we're good for the day. You two just go do something else. Anything."

You nod confidently, unhooking your seatbelt as you push open the door. Peering back, you spot Susie stumble out as well, the girl's face drained of emotion.

"Kris…the hell was that?" Susie leans on the car, head hung low, "That was…"

You bite the bottom of your lip. Maybe you…overdid it. You gaze back through the car's window. Going sixty in a small town may have been a bit much. Efficient, but…

"THAT WAS SICK!" A scaled palm slams into your back, throwing you off balance, "Got a lead foot or something dude."

You blow a strand of hair out of your eyes, pouting as another soon falls back into place, "…thanks." You sigh, a gentle grin soon forming on your lips.

"Hey, officer-" Susie clears her throat, "Uh…Ms. Undyne?"

Undyne stares back, eyes formed into a thousand-yard stare.

"When can we do that again?" Susie gently slaps the top of the car, throwing a beaming smile back at the policewoman.

Undyne continues to stare off into the distance, soon shaking with a grunt, "H-Huh? Uh…some other time." The officer blinks, shaking her head ever so slightly, "I uh, have a lot of desk stuff to do now that I'm thinking about it."

The ghostly police chief slowly wanders off into an unknown direction, muttering to herself.

Susie chuckles, jabbing you in the arm once more, "Think she likes us."