Hyperdimension Neptunia - Across the Multiverse
A HyperDimension Neptunia Fanfiction by Dumbrarere1
Chapter 5 - The Value of Mercy
Andrew woke up in a daze, finding himself in an unfamiliar room. Questions began swimming in his head. Was he Undyne's prisoner? Was his fate about to be sealed? And why didn't Undyne strike him down? Then he saw Papyrus and Neptune standing over him, and it was making perfect sense. He felt the mark left on his head, wincing. He always had an exceptionally fast recovery rate, having shrugged off even gunshot wounds before, so he was definitely going to walk away from this one. He'd look to see Undyne, looking uncharacteristically depressed. With a sigh, he sat up.
"You okay?" Undyne asked him rather shakily.
"Yeah. I've shrugged off worse, so it's no big deal." Andrew replied as he got to his feet. Hearing this somehow filled Undyne with relief. She wasn't wearing her armor, and Andrew wondered if she gave up the role as leader of the Royal Guard.
"I just realized! I gotta go to the bathroom!" Papyrus shouted, before he leaped through the window, shattering it. Neptune watched the whole ordeal and had the most obvious Nepu face.
"Did Papyrus leap through a window?" she asked after a few moments of confused silence, still wearing the obvious Nepu face.
"I guess he did." Andrew responded, blinking. After a bit, he shook the thought away, before turning his attention back to Undyne. She gave a hefty sigh before she spoke.
"I don't know what came over me… When I first laid eyes on you, it was about doing what as Asgore ordered me to do… Then you guys transformed and helped the people of Snowdin in their time of need… I was grateful… but also full of rage… This… woman in Blue and Black… told me that I'd have to kill you guys to finally break the barrier keeping us all down here… And when I had you, on the ground and ripe for the final blow, a- a feeling of guilt and regret washed over me instead of a feeling of pride and accomplishment…" she said. Andrew nodded in response to what she was saying.
"I see…" he said.
"Papyrus told me to follow my feelings... I knew he was right… After that, I… just couldn't find the strength to lead the Royal Guard anymore." Undyne added. Andrew placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile.
"Worry not, Undyne. Neptune and I harbor no hard feelings or ill will against you. And I forgive you, of course. You are a brave, strong, loyal woman. And you have a good heart. Perhaps, when the time comes, you may reclaim your position as head of the Royal Guard in protecting the multiverse from destruction." he said. The words and even the suggestion gave Undyne a bit of a smirk of confidence.
"Okay, punk, I get it! If you think I'm capable of getting past this, then I'll pray to you and give it my all!" she exclaimed with a fist pump, causing Neptune to jump back slightly in surprise. Andrew nodded and removed his hand from her shoulder. "Here, make yourselves at home while I fetch something to drink." Undyne added, standing up and heading to the fridge, pouring everyone a glass of iced tea. The three of them conversed for several minutes, where Undyne began to understand the purpose of the Sharicite and why they sought it in this world, as well as Andrew's plans on how to help the monsters once their journey through the underground is over. Papyrus returned, leaping through the same window he smashed earlier, happy to see Undyne and the CPUs getting along.
After the conversation ended, Undyne suggested that Andrew and Neptune visit her girlfriend Alphys in her lab in Hotland. That was where they were headed.
"Jeez, I'm sweltering… How is it so hot here?" Neptune asked, trying to fan herself and keep cool as best as she can.
"They don't call this place 'Hotland' for nothing, apparently. The place is like a volcanic wasteland." Andrew said, wiping sweat off his forehead. He looked around and saw the lab in the distance. The building seemed simple, yet practical and functional in nature for a research lab deep underground. He led Neptune to the building, and knocked at the door. Nothing. Yet it seemed the only way to progress.
"Do you think she's not home?" Neptune asked.
"I don't know…" Andrew replied with a shrug. He'd be surprised as the door suddenly opened on its own. The two of them walked into the lab and the loving embrace of cool air conditioning.
"Oooh, that feels so good…" Neptune groaned in relief as the cool air rushed over her.
"I'm surprised that even a lab down here with no connection to the modern world has modern air conditioning." Andrew mused as he relaxed.
"W-with all th-the junk that falls from the surface- I-I did s-some tinkering and… and made an air con-conditioner for my lab! C-couldn't get anything to keep it g-going so… so we used magic to help!" a voice nervously declared. Andrew turned his head to see a female, large yellow lizard in a lab coat standing meekly in the hallway of the lab.
"Ah. You must be Doctor Alphys. Your girlfriend, Undyne, sent us here." Andrew said with a smile. "I'm Andrew Hawker, Paladin-Knight of Planeptune. This is my wife, Neptune." he introduced.
"I-it's nice to m-meet you." Alphys replied just as meekly. After some time conversing, Alphys warmed up to them both. "I've watched the two of you since you left the Ruins. The things you've done for our community is just amazing, and I want to be a part of that." she explained.
"I see. So you want to aid us?" Andrew asked, verifying Alphys' intentions.
"Of course. I know a way right to Asgore's castle, no problem!" Alphys proclaimed.
"Sounds neato." Neptune cheerfully
"I'm sensing a 'but' in this…" Andrew said with a sigh.
"There's a tiny problem… You see, about a month ago, the Shadow Puppets started appearing. As a result, the elevator up to the Capital has been disabled in order to contain the situation. There's about five still roaming around the CORE, perhaps more, and the Royal Guard has been trying to hunt them down with little progress." Alphys explained.
"So we gotta head to the CORE and defeat the Shadow Puppets there before we can head up to Asgore's castle in the Capital, right?" Andrew asked.
"Precisely. It'll be tricky, due to the CORE's modular construction and ability to be reconfigured, but I feel the two of you can fill the shoes of what the Royal Guard is trying to achieve there." Alphys replied with a note about the modular construction of the CORE interior, before she handed the two of them a pair of magic stones. "These stones were enchanted with ice magic. They should help keep the two of you cool in Hotland." she added.
"Oooh, it's ice cold…" Neptune childishly mused.
"Ice cold, yet it doesn't feel like it's freezing like ice… it's strange." Andrew replied as he put the stone in his pocket.
"I'll do what I can from here to guide you through Hotland and through the CORE, but beware, I don't know much about the Shadow Puppets beyond my research." Alphys advised.
"Don't worry. We figured out their weakness against magic and aversion to Share Energy. We've got this." Andrew replied. Hearing his words, Alphys smiled greatly. With that, and giving Alphys contact information for the N-Gear, Andrew and Neptune were off.
The Guildmaster was somewhat stressed, pacing around as he pondered the meaning of the rogue CPU. The concerned look he had did not sit well with IF or Arfoire. "Do we have any idea of what she's capable of?" he finally asked.
"Beyond using dimensional gateways and manipulating people through their nightmares, no. I've asked my colleagues to look into her profile to try to distinguish a connection and motive for tampering with the other CPUs' and Candidates' Shares. They've told me that they should be done with their task within the week." IF responded.
"Good, IF. But not good enough." The Guildmaster replied somewhat caustically, but not with hostility.
"Sir?" IF asked.
"Think about this. Tampered Shares, the forced mobilization of the Gold Third, the request of aid from other dimensions for the third time… Something big is happening. I just don't know what…" The Guildmaster said, explaining his caustic response to IF's initial report. "We may not be able to get the info we need before the end of the week… Arfoire, I want you to halt your current investigation. Go to the crash site of Jose Carter's stealth fighter in Aurelius and ascertain the meaning and identity of the dark entity fragments that IF and her sources reported." he added a moment later.
"Of course, Guildmaster. I shall see to it at once." Arfoire responded quickly, before taking her leave. Soon after, Linda and Warechu walked in. IF raised a brow at seeing two criminals in the office of the Guildmaster, but made no comment.
"Linda. Warechu. Do you return with any good news?" the Guildmaster asked.
"We do, sir. But the news is anything but good." Linda replied, opening a file she stole from somewhere. "It seems your suspicions about the former Avenir CEO and Ganache prove correct. While they've been aiding CPU Black Heart openly in a number of industrial and commercial venues, they've recently been secretly helping with the return of an unknown woman or entity at the behest of a "Lady of Nightmares" or something like that. This document has all the evidence." she finally said as she placed the stolen document on his desk. IF muttered Kurome's name at the mention of a Lady of Nightmares, but wasn't heard. The Guildmaster leafed through the stolen document and sat down once he'd finished.
"It's not much to go on, if anything, but it's enough to launch a full scale investigation and take those two in for questioning. Though your methods are… questionable, they've served the Guild well. I thank you for your services. Now then. I'd like the two of you to lead the investigation into the Avenir Corporation's actions. I want bank records, testimonies, anything you can provide me. IF, once we've apprehended the CEO and CFO, you will handle the questioning. Until then, continue with your investigation into this "Kurome Ankokuboshi" and what she is intending on doing." he finally said, handing out his orders to the three individuals in the room.
"Sir!" the three of them responded in unison, before taking their leave.
Having left the lab, Andrew and Neptune were heading north through Hotland towards the CORE. The stones they had kept them cool, as Alphys promised. Though they didn't have any topographic maps, they felt they had a good idea of where they were going.
"I don't think I've gone on this long without rest since our first adventures in Gamindustri together." Neptune mused, rubbing the back of her head.
"Me neither. Though it's only been a few hours, if the clock on my N-Gear is correct." Andrew replied. As they were talking, they were approached by two armored figures.
"Halt!" one of the two armored figures demanded. Andrew and Neptune stopped as the two figures asked of them. Looking at their armor, it was easy to assume they were part of the Royal Guard. "We are to you both in to the capital on orders of His Majesty, the King." the Royal Guardsman declared.
"Hey… you two are part of the Royal Guard, right?" Andrew asked.
"Quit stalling." the Royal Guardsman said. With a sigh, Andrew and Neptune transformed, showing the two of them that they weren't Human. The two Royal Guardsmen looked ready to attack, but quickly backed down.
"As you can see, we're not Human. We're on our way to the Capital ourselves in the hopes of peaceful negotiations with Asg- I mean, His Majesty, but the way is blocked by containment protocols over Shadow Puppets in the CORE. We'd like to help." Andrew explained to them.
"That information is not readily available outside of those who have the proper clearance in order to prevent widespread panic in Hotland. How did you learn of it?" the Royal Guardsman asked, his hand ready to grip his sword.
"Consider it a need-to-know basis. Dr. Alphys told us about it." Andrew replied.
"The Royal Scientist? I don't know why she trusts the two of you- whatever you are…" the Royal Guardsman said somewhat aggressively.
"We're CPUs…" Neptune explained.
"CPUs. Right. I don't know why she trusts the two of you CPUs with that information, but we can assure you that the situation is well under control." the Royal Guardsman said.
"Are you sure about that? I mean, we've been unable to kill any of those Shadow Puppets with our weapons." the other Royal Guardsman replied.
"Shut up!" the first Royal Guardsman shouted towards his colleague.
"Ahem." Andrew replied, breaking up the argument before it can start. "We have fought these Shadow Puppets before. They seem to be immune to physical attacks, but that immunity can be broken with the Share Energy radiating from me and Neptune. They also seem rather weak against magic attacks, as Undyne demonstrated in our efforts to protect Snowdin the moment they attacked." he explained.
"You? Protect Snowdin? And you say that Undyne helped you? What a laugh!" the first Royal Guardsman said in disbelief.
"Actually, I think he's telling the truth." the second Royal Guardsman replied.
"If he were telling the truth, he wouldn't have told us!" the first Royal Guardsman snapped.
"And that is of course if you don't believe the truth." Andrew replied. The first Royal Guardsman fell silent. "Regardless, we can't get to the Capital anyways as long as there's a risk of collateral damage from the Shadow Puppets in the CORE. Which means we're at an impasse. Either you accept our help, or you don't." Andrew continued. A low groan could be heard from the Royal Guardsman.
"Fine. But once it's done, we're heading to the Capital. Capiche?" the first Royal Guardsman said, declaring his future intentions.
"We understand." Andrew responded. With that, he and Neptune left HDD and continued on their way to the CORE. While walking there, they passed by a Sentry Station with a startling and strangely suspicious amount of snow on top. It was there that they ran into Sans again, who helped get the two Royal Guardsmen off of Andrew's and Neptune's backs.
"Heh. We need to stop meeting like this, guys. People will talk." Sans said with a wink.
"Nice to see you too, Sans. That was getting mighty uncomfortable, with those Royal Guardsmen always looming over us." Andrew said with a bit of gratitude.
"Care to explain why you haven't cleaned the snow off your roof, you big bonehead?" Neptune asked cheekily.
"It's merely comforts of home. What's a little snow done to anyone, anyways?" Sans replied in an equally cheeky manner. The only thing keeping Andrew from questioning the fact that snow was allowed to exist in a sweltering geothermal paradise like Hotland was the fact that Sans alone, and the unique rules of the world they were in, put all conventional logic into question.
"Eh… You do you." Andrew finally said with a shrug.
"So, where are you headed off to?" Sans asked.
"We're on our way to the CORE to deal with the Shadow Puppets that are in the area, so that the elevators to the Capital can be reactivated. We're going to grab the Sharicite and then get the monsters stuck down here into our world where they can live in peace." Andrew explained whole-heartedly.
"One step at a time, my man. One step at a time." Sans said somewhat abrasively, but not in such a way that it was threatening. Neptune understood it as a "try not to do too much at once" kind of comment.
"That's the plan." Andrew replied with a smile. Sans gave them both a reassuring and approving thumbs up in response. That was when Andrew got a call on his N-Gear.
"Andrew. Neptune. It has come to light that Avenir might be secretly involved with all that's been happening. What sort of progress have you made towards the second Sharicite?" Histoire asked.
"We've made good progress, but we have to deal with a few Shadow Puppets before we can finish up in this world. We've had quite a bit of help from all of the monsters trapped down here, and believe that the best solution to their suffering would be to give them a new home in Gamindustri. Can you arrange for that?" Andrew explained, giving details out to Histoire. She smiled at the noble and courageous gift that he had in mind for the people of the dimension he was in.
"I shall personally see to it." Histoire said, before closing the call.
"Wowzers, Histy seemed humbled." Neptune said in surprise. Andrew didn't know what was going on with the story anymore, and shrugged.
"We've gotta get going. We'll see you up ahead, Sans." Andrew said with a wave.
Their journey to the CORE was met without resistance from the locals. Many began to see them as friends and heroes, rather than the sworn enemies of monster kind that they were portrayed to be by Asgore. That was, until they were stuck in a room full of spider webs.
"Ahuhuhuhu… Did you hear what the Lady in Blue and Black just said?" a distinctly feminine voice asked. The context filled Neptune with a minute sense of dread.
"W-who's there?" Neptune asked.
"She said a CPU and her husband will come through." the voice said, replying to her own question. Andrew made no comment, but felt what was coming wasn't anything good. "She said that they hate monsters." the voice said again.
"Not true…" Andrew finally said, loud and clear.
"She said that they love to fight them." the voice said once again.
"Enough of the lies. Show yourself!" Andrew demanded. The form of Muffet came into view.
"I heard that they're really stingy with their money!" she declared.
"Ah, not this again… Look. Whoever you are, whatever you were told by this Lady in Blue and Black… it's not us. We only fight and kill ravenous monsters who have been extremely hostile to anything that they see. The monsters down here aren't that kind of monster." Andrew said in response.
"Now, who do I believe, dearies? A pair of CPUs who fight monsters, or a lady who exposes your darkest secrets?" Muffet asked.
"That's the thing. We have reason to believe that this lady in blue and black are involved with the sudden appearance of the Shadow Puppets we've fought here in the Underground. She's manipulating you into stopping our efforts to help the people here and-" Andrew replied, trying to explain their side.
"Oh, don't try convincing me of that story, sweetie. I know everything about you CPUs." Muffet replied, refusing to back down.
"But you don't know that we donated about eighty gold to the spider bake sale over in the Ruins." Neptune interjected.
"Oh? Where's the proof?" Muffet asked, before Andrew pulled out a punched Thank You card from that exact bake sale.
"This should be enough to prove our word against hers." he said as he handed it to Muffet. She looked long and hard at the item in question to verify its validity.
"Oh you're right… Maybe she was wrong about you two. I'm terribly sorry for this mixup, dearies. I never would have suspected you to be helping us if it weren't for that lady's words." she said meekly as she finally stood down. "I don't suppose you'll end up in the Capital meeting Asgore?" she asked.
"That's what we're counting on, if we're to find any peaceful resolution to this mess. We have a plan on how to get the monsters out of the Underground without resorting to violence even." Andrew explained. Muffet held some sort of frown.
"That's very kind of you, dearies, but it'll be a hard sell." Muffet said.
"Really? How so?" Neptune asked, somewhat irritated.
"As kind as King Asgore is, he is a very stubborn one. He won't stop until you both lie dead at his feet. I've always believed that stubbornness to be reason why the Queen disappeared in the first place." Muffet replied with a sigh.
"Can't say I blame him. " Andrew said with a shrug, understanding the kind of emotional pressure Asgore must have felt at the loss of his son Asriel. "We'll be certain to try, regardless. We didn't get this far in our adventures without at least trying for the best possible outcome, after all." he said afterwards. Muffet let out a soft chuckle.
"I'm sure you will, dearie. I should let the two of you go, now. I'll be praying for you." she declared happily.
"Thanks." Neptune said with a wave, before she and Andrew departed.
"Damn… All my efforts are wasted in this world. This is a load of utter bullcrap." Kurome swore under her breath.
"Patience. Everything is coming together nicely. You may reveal yourself to these pests." a voice echoed.
"Master, you are not strong enough!" Kurome warned, noting that if she were to perish at the hands of Purple Heart and her husband, then the True Goddess' plans would be forfeit.
"Worry not, Kurome. You are an able agent of mine. I do not doubt you have the ability to do my bidding while continuing to devolve these worlds into delusion. I leave the means of revealing yourself in your hands." the voice countered, before stopping her commentary.
"Of course… It's a good idea to crawl before I walk. Hmm…" Kurome replied, noting the benefit of starting slow.
The rest of the way to the CORE was mildly uneventful, and they reached it without much trouble. It was outside the CORE entrance that they spotted the first two of the Shadow Puppets, walking inside. It was almost as if they were trying to goad the CPU and her husband into following them, but Andrew and Neptune knew they had to follow and take them out in order to progress. Once inside, they both activated HDD and transformed, before scouring the area for their targets.
"Could they have configured this place in a more contrived and confusing manner?" Neptune asked nobody in particular, her HDD form's personality taking over.
"If the idea was to contain them in one area until they were taken care of, why not?" Andrew asked. That was when they got jumped by all five of them at once, close to the elevator leading to the Capital directly from the CORE.
"Impossible! They weren't that intelligent before!" Neptune cursed as she readied her Odachii. One Shadow Puppet struck her square across the face, but she quickly recovered and retaliated, slicing it apart. "One down!" she shouted. Sixteen more Shadow Puppets took its place.
"We're overwhelmed… No backing down, though. Ready, Nep?" Andrew declared.
"Ready." Neptune replied as she stood ready.
"Now! Joint Assault!" Andrew shouted as he and Neptune unleashed their cooperative EXE attack on the mass of Shadow Puppets. Both of their ends of the attack were rapid and devastating, basically showing no mercy for the dark creatures that have been just as merciless towards the residents of the Underground, and they fell one by one. Soon enough, there was nothing left of the last of the Shadow Puppets that were in the Underground, and Andrew and Neptune both left HDD.
"Phew! That was a workout!" Neptune chimed.
"Didn't expect there to be so many, nor for them to show that level of intelligence. Regardless, we-" Andrew replied. before being interrupted by his N-Gear.
"Who's calling?" Neptune asked as Andrew pulled the N-Gear out. The text looked oddly corrupted, making it impossible to determine the caller. He went to decline the call, before it was accepted autonomously, which was scary.
"CPUs. About time we got to talk for the first time." a sinister-sounding, female voice they never heard before said. There was no picture beyond a blood-red smilie to discern the caller.
"Who is this?" Andrew asked.
"The real war has just begun. Everything is falling into place." the voice replied.
"Who is this?! What are you talking about?!" Andrew demanded.
"See you soon." the voice replied, before the call cut out.
"What was that about?" Neptune asked.
"Noise… Nothing but cryptic noise…" Andrew replied with a sigh. "At any rate, we should get going." Andrew said as he led her onto the elevator and took it straight to the Capital, and King Asgore's Palace.
The elevator came to a stop at the Capital, and the door opened. The city was rather large and elegant, but it paled in comparison to the Royal Palace in the distance. The streets were bustling, and the monsters all smiled at the two of them, as if knowing that the duo was the key to ending centuries of torture and suffering. Beneath the hustle and bustle, and all the other nonsense, it was easy to see that the city was overcrowded. Regardless, the people looked to be increasingly hopeful.
"It's an amazing city, but… I can see even these people have it rough. They're so full of hope, though… They must know the end of their suffering is finally in sight." Andrew muttered to himself. "All the more reason to get to Asgore, fulfil our promise to Arngier, and bring these monsters to Planeptune." he added, steeling himself for what was coming. Neptune nodded, before they were on their way.
"Hey. You two must be the CPUs we've heard so much about." a kind, womanly voice said. Andrew turned around and nodded with a smile.
"Of course. I'm Andrew Hawker of Planeptune. This is my wife, Neptune." he introduced.
"Greetings." Neptune said cheerfully.
"My two daughters and I have been aching to finally meet you when we heard about you and the things you've done for us in Mettaton's show. The way you protected Snowdin and defeated those Shadow Puppets was amazing." the monster said happily.
"Hi hi!" one of the monster's daughters shouted playfully, holding a stuffed teddy bear in her arms and jumping up and down.
"Hi hi to you too, little one." Neptune squealed as she knelt down to meet the kid at eye level.
"Have you got a plan to get us out of here?" the mother asked.
"We do, but it requires Asgore's cooperation in peaceful negotiations to put into action." Andrew replied honestly.
"We'll be praying to both of you, mister." the other daughter said quietly, handing a buttercup to him. Andrew smiled and gingerly took it.
"Thanks kiddo. We appreciate it." he said, before standing back up straight.
"Good luck to you both. We'll await the news." the mother said with a wave, before ushering her kids to follow her back home.
"Awww, they're so sweet." Neptune cooed, looking at the Buttercup flower in her husband's hand. He despawned the flower and put it in his inventory.
"We're pretty much a pair of celebrities down here." he quipped, before getting Neptune to follow him towards the palace. It wasn't much farther, and the Palace finally came into view. It was even more elegant from up close.
"Wow… So this is the Royal Palace…" Neptune said as she walked up to the entrance.
"It's like our place back home, Nep. I admire whoever built this place." Andrew replied as he opened the massive doors and walked inside, into a rather large concourse that branched out in three directions. Ahead, past a fountain in the middle of the palace courtyard, was the throne room. He suspected that was where they would find the King, and so he pulled Neptune in that direction, figuring now would be the best time to reactivate HDD and get into proper attire. They did so before entering the courtyard.
They traveled through the courtyard, towards the doors to the throne room. Two Royal Guardsmen stood guard, but stood at attention when Andrew and Neptune approached, as though told to expect their arrival. So far, everything was going as one would expect from a diplomatic meeting between two different leaders. With a nod, they entered the room, finding the throne surrounded by buttercups. Asgore was standing in the middle, watering the flowers.
"Your Majesty." Neptune spoke, getting the attention of Asgore.
"Oh? Is someone there? Just a moment! I have almost finished watering these flowers!" Asgore said, keeping the air of propriety despite being caught off guard. "...Here we are." he said once he had finished, before turning around. "Howdy! How can I-" he began, before being caught off guard. His face wore an 'Oh shit!' expression, not expecting the CPUs to come to him. Andrew maintained a neutral, if reassuring smile to fit the diplomatic role of their arrival.
"Oh." Asgore said rather quickly.
"I'm Andrew Hawker of Planeptune. This is my wife, Neptune. We've come to you, in good faith, with the hope that we might be able to give you and your people a better life in Gamindustri." Andrew declared pleasantly.
"I so want to say "would you care for a cup of tea?" but… you know how it is." Asgore replied. It was as if Andrew's declaration went unheard. "Nice day today, huh?" the King asked. "Birds are singing... Flowers are blooming… Perfect weather for a game of catch." he continued.
"Your Majesty?" Andrew asked, trying to clarify what's going on. There was a bit of silence, before Asgore finally made clear his intentions.
"You know what I- what we must do. Please, follow me." he said. He motioned for the duo to follow him, and follow him they did, although an air of suspicion and dismay fell upon them. They continued to follow the King until they stopped in front of a room with a shimmering wall of magic. The barrier, as described in the history text Andrew read in the Library in Snowdin. The outside world glistened through, rays of sunlight fighting to overpower the magic that kept the monsters isolated from Humanity.
"This is the Barrier… It's what kept you and your people trapped down here for so long…" Andrew said, expressing the thoughts on his mind.
"Yes… Centuries ago, this barrier was erected by Humanity... The result of our defeat at their hands… The time has finally come to break the seal, and end our suffering..." Asgore said. A hint of pent up rage echoed through his voice.
"Asgore… There is another way. We can bring your people to our dimensio-" Andrew spoke up, trying to reiterate their peaceful solution, only to be interrupted by Asgore.
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR ALTERNATIVE!" he boomed. "Humanity stands as the greatest threat to me and my people… Their imprisonment down here in the Underground, just as they've done to us, is a kindness." he continued. Andrew and Neptune both knew he was so mad with grief and rage over the loss of his son and disappearance of his wife that he felt that the only way he could settle the score was through violence.
"Asgore… Contradicting prophecy is not going to go the way you think! If you choose war, if you break the barrier and fight Humanity, your people will be slaughtered! After that, what will there be left to save?" Neptune spoke, trying to talk sense into Asgore through the same words Andrew spoke to Undyne. An emotional pain went through Asgore at that moment, but rather than relent, he drew a magic trident that glowed a brilliant ruby red.
"Silence, CPU. This is the only way. I will end this war one way or another." he said, staring the purple duo down with anger and contempt.
"I see... " Andrew said with a sigh, changing from his formal HDD attire to the standard battle attire in a literal flash. Neptune followed suit. Together, the glow of their purple wings outshined Asgore's trident. "It is unfortunate that we could not come to a peaceful resolution, Asgore… You chose this path, and refuse to stand down." Andrew replied. To their sides, seven cylindrical capsules rose from the ground. Six of them had human SOULs stashed inside.
"Goodbye, CPUs…" Asgore said in a more solemn voice, before he drew the first strike. Neptune blocked, and Andrew ran behind him and drew an attack that was easily parried. The hopes and dreams of all the monsters in the Underground added to their Shares, and on the second strike, Andrew broke through the King's defense. He deliberately avoided seriously hurting Asgore, despite knowing the chance that the battle could only end one way. Asgore retaliated, throwing a stream of fire magic in Andrew's direction, but he quickly blocked it with his shield.
"I don't want to kill you, Asgore…" Andrew said after weathering the King's attacks, only to block another attack from his trident.
Asgore whipped around, knocking Neptune down, before focusing all his attention on Andrew. The latter could feel the former's rage in his attacks. Asgore soon unleashed an unexpected kick, before knocking Andrew down as well with a forward lunge of his trident.
"Asgore, No!" a familiar voice cried out. Just as Asgore was about to strike Andrew down, the king was hit with a sudden blast fire magic. Then, Toriel and Frisk entered fully.
"What a miserable creature, torturing such honorable CPUs." Toriel declared, glaring at her former husband.
"Tori… You came back!" Asgore proclaimed in astonishment.
"Do not 'Tori' me, Dreemurr! You pathetic whelp! If you cared at all about our people, you would have listened to what the CPUs had to say and worked out a peaceful means to end our suffering, rather than go against our people's wishes and prayers for peaceful resolution by cutting Purple Heart's husband down!" Toriel retorted in contempt. It was heartbreaking to watch, but also expected due to the tyrannic actions Asgore displayed since the death of their son. Neptune swore she saw tears in his eyes.
"...Tori… You're right… I've been so blinded by grief over the loss of our children, I-... I could not see any other possibility… I'm sorry…" Asgore
"Andrew, Neptune, are you alright?" Frisk asked as she ran over to them.
"Yeah, I've had worse." Andrew replied as he stood up, before helping Neptune to her feet. "What are you doing here, Frisk? Isn't it a bit too dangerous?" he asked Frisk as he turned to her.
"Frisk told us that she was drawn here to aid you, and asked me to help as well. She said she didn't know why she had to come, but Then I remembered the prophecy. 'A goddess from another dimension and her husband, with the aid of a human, will lead us out of despair and a better life.' That means Frisk is that human, and you two CPUs are the goddess and husband from another dimension. It all makes sense with that context." Toriel said to Andrew.
"The prophecy, of course!" Andrew muttered in understanding. Soon after, Undyne, Alphys and the others ran up and told them not to fight.
"Undyne? Alphys! You guys came, too?!" Neptune exclaimed in surprise.
"Of course! We wouldn't want this to end in a bad way and tarnish everything you've worked so hard to achieve!" Undyne exclaimed in return, showing a big smile. Their reunion was cut short when Asgore, Alphys, Undyne, Sans, Papyrus and Toriel were caught in a rather large vine.
"MOM!" Frisk yelled, seeing her adopted mother in this mess.
"You IDIOTS! While you two CPUs were busy fighting DOLTgore, I stole the Human SOULS!" Flowey declared.
"You utter maniac… Do you realize what you've just done?!" Andrew asked, resummoning his sword.
"Yes, and I LOVE IT!" Flowey shouted. "And now, not only are THESE under my power… but all of your FRIENDS' SOULS ARE GOING TO BE MINE, TOO!" he exclaimed.
"Asriel Dreemurr! What has gotten into you?!" Toriel asked, finally recognizing who the flower was. This began to set off the final event in the chain that would begin Asriel's return, and the finale of Andrew's and Neptune's adventures in the Underground.
"So, you finally remembered who I was, mother… But Asriel is long gone…" Flowey replied to Toriel. Asgore knew something was off.
"CPUs… Human… Whatever you do... Save mine and Tori's son back from his madness..." he begged.
"But- But I-" Frisk whimpered, clearly afraid.
"Do not be afraid, my child. We and the CPUs will always be there to protect you." Toriel said soothingly.
"Yeah, punk! Asriel ain't got nothing on you!" Undyne shouted, continuing to encourage Frisk.
"We believe in you, human! For the future of humans and monsters, you have to stay determined! You and the CPUs must succeed! And I know you will!" Asgore added.
"The odds are completely against you, but I know, deep down, that you'll get through this!" Alphys said. Everyone was in agreement, that Frisk, Andrew and Neptune would save Asriel Dreemurr. As a result, their Shares skyrocketed. Flowey growled in frustration, then in a flash, the bodies of the six monsters who have been aiding the purple duo in their adventures disappeared.
"MOM!" Frisk cried out. She and Neptune looked around an empty black void, and lay their eyes on a figure about Frisk's age, who flexed his muscles.
"Finally… I've been so tired of being a flower…" the figure said, before turning to face the three of them.
"Asriel…" Andrew muttered.
"Howdy!" Asriel finally said.
"Asriel… Don't let power blind you… Remember your compassion…" Neptune called out.
"Do you remember me, Chara?" Asriel asked, addressing Frisk. "It is I. Your best friend." he added. In a flash, he transformed into a much older version of him that appeared to be in his late teens.
"Looks like we'll have to help him remember another way… We have to fight…" Andrew said, looking towards Frisk and Neptune. Frisk summoned what appeared to be a broadsword and shield made out of pure DETERMINATION, and stood resolute.
"I've had no family up until I met Toriel… I'll do anything for my new mother…" Frisk said. Neptune realized that this fight spurred on a more soldierly side from the little girl, allowing her to fully unlock her SOUL's powers. Before them, Asriel suddenly started to glow in many colors at once, creating a rainbow effect as he moved around the battlefield. It soon occurred to Andrew that the stolen SOULs were praying to him and his wife, not just for their release, but for the absolute best possible outcome for them, Frisk, the monsters, and Asriel. He knew at that moment that Asriel's true form was unstable, and knew what he must do to fix that.
"You know, I don't care about destroying this world anymore… After I defeat the three of you and gain total control over the timeline, I just want to RESET everything." Asriel declared.
"You'll have to try a lot harder than you think! Dimension Blitz!" Andrew shouted, before going in with his signature combo attack on the power-crazed prince. Asriel retaliated with Chaos Saber, attempting to gain the upper hand, only to be parried and countered by Frisk.
"All you've done, everyone's memories! We'll start over from 'zero'!" Asriel proclaimed, readying Star Blazing.
"You think this is all a game, Asriel? Maybe you need a wake-up call!" Frisk replied in a very adult-like manner as she launched herself off a supporting attack from Neptune, punishing Asriel with a devastating critical hit. She came around again and slashed the prince in the back before leaping back towards Neptune and Andrew. Then Asriel unleashed Star Blazing, an equally devastating Area of Effect attack using stellar magic, but was easily blocked by Andrew and Frisk. It wasn't easy to notice, but Asriel's willingness to perform the evil deeds he was doing was slowly waning as he slowly began to remember his compassion.
"You'll lose to me again. And again! And again! All because you want a 'happy ending'." Asriel proclaimed. "Isn't that delicious? Your DETERMINATION… your Shares… it's going to be your downfall! But enough of this nonsense. It's time to purge this timeline." he said as he charged a powerful attack, Hyper Goner. Andrew, Neptune and Frisk readied themselves as the attack reached its peak, and shot out a powerful magic-based laser that dwarfed the Gaster Blaster that Sans used. The attack instantly broke their defense, but they kept standing, because DETERMINATION and Share Energy kept feeding their resolve.
"Even after that attack, you're still standing in my way?" Asriel asked.
"You underestimate what a CPU is capable of. Come on, Asriel, remember!" Andrew replied.
"Wow… you three really ARE something special… But don't get cocky. Up until now, I've only been using a fraction of my REAL power. Let's see what good your DETERMINATION and Shares are against THIS!" Asriel declared as he powered up yet again, taking the form of the Angel of Destruction. "Behold, my TRUE POWER!" he declared.
"T-the heck? Why can't I move?" Neptune asked, trying and failing to move her body. She felt paralyzed, and could only stare at the now overpowered Asriel.
"I- I can't move either!" Andrew replied. "Asriel! Stop this!" he shouted, trying to get through to him.
"Still hanging on, huh? Show me what good your Shares and DETERMINATION are now!" Asriel shouted spitefully.
"Andrew! Neptune! Perhaps we can weaken him by reaching out to our friends and the Human SOULs!" Frisk shouted.
"Of course!" Neptune mused, as she closed her eyes. Andrew and Frisk joined in, and soon, they began to glow as they called out to the Human SOULs and the SOULs of their friends. The SOULs answered, and they began to break free of Asriel's control. Asgore. Toriel. Undyne. Alphys, Sans and Papyrus all return in an almost instant. Then the other Fallen Humans return, their SOULs representing Patience, Bravery, Integrity, Perseverance, Kindness and Justice. While the Monsters return to the real world, the six other Fallen Humans stick around, adding their SOULs to the collective pool of strength.
"Huh?! What are you doing?!" Asriel asked as the link between the Human SOULs gets stronger, Frisk acting as a focal point for that link. Suddenly, Asriel began to feel conflict, his compassion and love winning over his will to destroy. "W- What did you do?! What is this feeling? What is happening to me?" he asked, questioning everything that was going on.
"It is compassion that you feel, Asriel. The same compassion and will to do the right thing present in all of your kind." Andrew replied. "Surely, you remember the pies you and your parents had." he continued.
"No! NO! I DON'T NEED ANYONE!" Asriel proclaimed, even though he felt his heart and SOUL begin to writhe in grief and loneliness.
"That's where you're wrong, Asriel. Even the most reclusive and antagonistic of people deserve kindness. Merely the act of forgiveness can bring others together." the Human representing Kindness spoke.
"STOP IT! Get away from me! DO YOU HEAR ME?! I'LL TEAR YOU APART!" Asriel demanded, the evil side of him that was Flowey still trying to fight back.
"Every wrongdoing and hurt requires time to mend. In time, you will learn to love again fully." the Human representing Patience spoke. Andrew understood that these very adult-like word choices coming from these human kids weren't actually the humans, but their SOULs speaking for them. The moment Patience spoke, Flowey's control over Asriel broke further, and the prince began to be more of himself.
"Chara… Do you know why I'm doing this? Why I'm fighting to keep you around?" Asriel asked, specifically towards Frisk. He looked to be on the verge of tears.
"No…" Frisk responded.
"I'm doing this… because you're special. You're the only one that understands me. You're the only one who's fun to play with anymore." Asriel replied.
"And yet others stand before you, young prince, ready to become your friend no matter what. Frisk, here, is one of them." Perseverance spoke.
"That's not JUST it… I… I'm doing this because I care about you! I care about you more than anybody else!" Asriel declared.
"And so you begin to conquer your fears and insecurities. These darker traits will have power over you no longer." Bravery said.
"I'm not ready for this to end… I'm not ready for you to leave… I'm not ready to say 'goodbye' to someone like you again…" Asriel said.
"You can learn to let go. Moving on from loss is a part of life. We all did it once, ourselves…" Bravery and Patience said in unison. Asriel began to break down into tears. Frisk suddenly gained the ability to move again, and used it to hug Asriel, refusing to let go.
"Please… STOP DOING THIS! JUST LET ME WIN!" he cried out, focusing all of his power on a direct magical attack on Frisk. "STOP IT!" Asriel shouted again. She took the attack full force. But, despite inching closer and closer to death, she held on. "STOP IT NOW!" Asriel shouted yet again. Andrew and Neptune were amazed at what was happening before their eyes. As suddenly as the attack came, it faded. Frisk, who stood only a razor's edge from death, smiled patiently at Asriel as though nothing had happened.
"I-... I'm so alone…" Asriel said mournfully.
"It's okay, Asriel… I know that feeling of loneliness…" Frisk said.
"I'm so afraid…" Asriel added.
"I've been afraid, too…" Frisk replied.
"I… I…" Asriel said, trying to speak. His more terrifying forms faded as he returned to his true form, his compassion returning in full. "I'm so sorry…" he finally whimpered.
"We forgive you, Asriel…" Andrew replied as he walked over to him, the paralysis faded from existence.
"I've always been a crybaby, haven't I?" Asriel asked nobody in particular.
"You're a strong boy… You have the compassion and the courage…" Neptune spoke, before she and her husband both left HDD. Frisk was still hugging him.
"I know, Frisk… You're not actually Chara… Chara's been gone for a long time… She wasn't the best friend one could hope for, though… She did a lot of evil things when she was alive… she wanted to destroy Humanity… to make those who wronged her suffer…" Asriel replied. He then looked to Andrew and Neptune. "What are your names?" he asked.
"I'm Neptune. This is my sweet hubby, Andrew." Neptune introduced.
"Heh… Neptune and Andrew… I'll remember that…" Asriel muttered. "You know… I haven't felt like this for a long time… As a flower, I was soulless. I lacked the power to love other people. However, with your help, I not only have my own compassion back, but I can feel yours and the CPUs' as well. You… My parents… your other friends… You all care about me so much… And I care about you all too..." Asriel monologued. He then remembered that all the SOULs he absorbed were no longer in him, and that his form would give out on him. "I- I have to go, now… Without everyone's SOULs, I can't keep this form…" he said. That's when Andrew put his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"There is an alternative… I'm willing to do a Share Transfer on you in order to stabilize your form. It may be hard to accept, and you will gain all that terrible power back as you become a CPU… But you will maintain your true form, and your compassion. That first form you used when you attacked us would be your HDD form, and you can use all that power you had to do the right thing." Andrew explained.
"A- A Share Transfer? But, I…" Asriel wasn't sure what to say. He didn't expect this much kindness from a CPU after all the terrible things he'd done as a flower. Andrew simply returned his insecurity with a kind smile. Perseverance, Bravery and Patience all walked forward.
"To use your terrible power to save lives, protect the ones you love and care about, and do the right thing is not something to be fearful about. Take this opportunity to remain yourself rather than fall back into despair." the SOULs spoke.
"It may take time for you to learn to control your power fully and unlock new abilities, but if the CPUs believe in you, then we will believe in you as well, Asriel." Patience said.
Asriel looked to the ground, pondering. Was this the right choice? Would it have consequences? But the addition of keeping his ability to feel compassion and love, and be able to do the right thing and protect those he cares about… After a moment, he looked up to Andrew and nodded. "Do it." he said. Andrew closed his eyes and began the Share Transfer. Both he and Asriel began to glow as a portion of Planeptune's Shares are transferred into the young boy. It seemed like a solid eight hours, but the process was complete, making Asriel an Auxiliary CPU of Planeptune.
"Thank you, Andrew… I don't know what I'd do without you or Neptune's kindness." Asriel said. The brief reprieve would be short lived as a feeling of dread befell them.
"Someone approaches…" Bravery spoke.
"Asriel… I trusted you… You said you wouldn't doubt me… Yet here you are, siding with other humans and two CPUs of Planeptune." a voice spoke.
"Chara…" Asriel whimpered, afraid.
"You've betrayed me, and for what? Compassion? Love? Forgiveness? Humanity doesn't deserve these things. It's a disease. The abuse I took from my former 'parents' are proof of that." Chara replied.
"That's why we CPUs exist. We root out these injustices and answer peoples' prayers." Andrew replied. It was obvious that a major battle was coming.
"If you will not destroy these people, then I will." Chara said toxically, a black aura of Negative Energy forming around her, as felt by the three CPUs.
"I'm sorry, Chara. You may have been my friend once…" Asriel began, before he activated HDD for the first time, entering his new CPU form. "But I won't let anyone hurt my friends. As a CPU, I swear that I will protect the ones I care about with my life!" he continued. The prayers of everyone in the Underground and on the Surface began trickling in, empowering the three CPUs. Frisk and the other Fallen Humans took combat stance against Chara as well.
"So be it, Asriel." Chara replied just as caustically towards Asriel's denouncing her as a friend. She leaped first, drawing a worn dagger from seemingly out of nowhere and attempting to slash at Asriel, but Frisk blocked her attack. Justice ran back and leaped into the air, firing three magic rounds from his otherwise-empty revolver at the demon child, gaining some good hits. Neptune transformed next, before hitting her with Neptune Break. Andrew followed suit with Dimension Blitz. Chara, taken by surprise and finding herself outnumbered, attempted to summon more Shadow Puppets, but was quickly stopped by Kindness as he slammed his pan into Chara's head. The demonic child, fueled by Negative Energy and DETERMINATION was beginning to feel the heat as seven SOULs and three CPUs combined chipped away greatly at her strength and vitality.
"You cannot stop the whirlpool of delusion! Kurome wills that this dimension suffers!" Chara proclaimed. Perseverance opened his torn notebook and began to chant something in latin. Magical symbols appeared underneath Chara, and ghostly purple chains came out of the ground, binding her.
"She's invincible." Frisk yelled.
"Our SOULs combined can break that invincibility and give the CPUs the edge they need to end this battle!" Patience suggested.
"Let's make it happen." Bravery replied, liking the idea. The Fallen Humans, with Frisk in tow, enter a sort of meditative state where they begin to break Chara's invincibility.
"What are you doing?! You cannot beat me! You cannot-" Chara cried out, swearing at the world.
"Now, CPUs. End this!" Kindness shouted in his meditation. Andrew, Neptune, and Asriel all charge in at once, and deal the final blow against Chara.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-" Chara screamed as her body fades away from existence and the Negative Energy was dispelled. All three of the CPUs left HDD, whilist Frisk collapsed.
"Human? Human!" Papyrus was yelling out towards the unconscious Frisk. Andrew, Neptune and Asriel were kneeling down beside her, periodically checking her pulse. Eventually, she did finally wake up.
"Oh, thank god…" Toriel cried, embracing her adopted daughter.
"Mom!" Frisk cried in response, hugging her back.
"Yes, my child?" Toriel asked.
"If we leave, I wanna stay with you." Frisk said. Asriel chuckled in response.
"Straight up, this is the best day of my life." Papyrus said.
"Papyrus. What does a skeleton line its roof with?" Neptune asked.
"Hmm… snow-proof roof tiles?" Papyrus asked.
"No, no. It does it with SHIN-gles." Andrew replied, teasing the skeleton. Toriel, Frisk, Asriel, Neptune and Sans were laughing up a storm.
"Okay, I change my mind, this is the worst day of my life!" Papyrus replied almost instantly.
"Oh jeez." Toriel said, finally calming down.
"Tori… I know I messed up. A lady named Kurome took advantage of my grief and turned me into… that… Will you forgive me for what I've done?" Asgore asked. Toriel looked ready to instantly say no. But the CPUs and Frisk had other ideas.
"Mom… maybe Dad should have a chance to earn your forgiveness…" Frisk said.
"I agree with Frisk. Even if it doesn't seem worth it now, with what he's done, I'd say he's more than capable of redeeming himself. It just takes kindness, patience, and perseverance. While it's a good idea to spend some time apart after all that's happened, but from what I've seen, love will find a way." Andrew said, before winking subtly at the other Humans. Toriel thought about it, and sighed.
"Alright. I forgive you, Asgore. But if you want us to be a family again, you need to work to earn the right to be called my husband again." Toriel said. It was a bit harsh, but a fair agreement.
"I- Okay… I'll agree to that." Asgore said, relenting to the solution that was provided to him. It was then that the Sharicite Fragment finally showed itself. Andrew and Neptune did what they needed to and returned the Shares in the Fragment to their respective nations.
"Okay, so… We got the best possible ending to all that madness, but that barrier is still up!" Undyne complained, mentioning the barrier still exists.
"That's another thing that I wanted to handle." Andrew said. "Neptune and I intend on opening a dimensional gateway to Gamindustri and give everyone down here a new home in Planeptune City." he added.
"Oh- A home in another dimension?" Toriel asked.
"Yeppers! Mine and Andrew's nation is the most technologically advanced nation in Gamindustri with a largely compassionate population. The monsters here will fit right in." Neptune exclaimed.
"I like that idea. Hey, Papyrus, you could open an italian restaurant." Asgore said with glee. "I'll send word to everyone, letting them know of the development." he added, before turning to Asriel. "Son. Now that you are a CPU, what do you plan on doing?" he asked.
"I'll still visit you, mom and Frisk when I can, but in the meantime, I'll follow whatever Neptune and Andrew suggest. I want to be the best CPU I can be." Asriel declared.
"Good boy. You make your mother and I proud." Asgore said.
"I will, dad. And thank you both for everything." Asriel replied. Andrew and Neptune turned, and, with the help of Asriel, opened a dimensional gateway towards Planeptune's plaza. This small group was the first of the monsters to come through, to ensure that Planeptune's newest citizens were to be treated fairly. After a short speech given by B-Sha and Nepgear, Andrew and Neptune took Asriel aside.
"Histoire, this is Planeptune's new Auxiliary CPU. Meet Asriel Dreemurr, son of Asgore and Toriel Dreemurr and prince of the monsters we're bringing back." Andrew introduced.
"Howdy!" Asriel said, raising his hand as his white fur glistened in the sunlight. Histoire nodded, before looking to Andrew.
"An Auxiliary CPU? I assume the Share Fluctuation we had was due to a Share Transfer?" she asked.
"It was the only way to stabilize his form. I left the choice up to him and he took it." Andrew replied.
"I see. In that case, I will make no arguments against your judgement." Histoire said, before turning to Asriel. "I suggest that you remain here in Planeptune while I teach you the fundamentals about being a CPU, Asriel. After that, I shall leave you in Andrew and Neptune's care for actual training while they perform their duties in the Multiverse." she said.
"I understand, Histoire. I'll be happy to learn from everyone." Asriel said.
"Now then. Andrew, Neptune, you must both continue on your mission. The fallen CPUs and CPU Candidates are starting to awaken, but they still need Shares to fully recover. We'll ensure everyone comes through and gets settled in, and ensure they find proper jobs." Histoire said, addressing Neptune and Andrew.
"Of course, Histoire. We leave it to you." Andrew said, before opening a new portal to a new world and new exciting adventure.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
-It was more of the same as last chapter, but once I got back in the groove of writing, it became fun again. I certainly had a lot more fun with this chapter in particular than I did the last one. This trend, hopefully, will continue in the next phase of the story.
-The revised True Pacifist Ending of Undertale for this story adds more flavor and protein to SOUL Mechanics than the vanilla Undertale SOUL mechanics. Essentially, SOULs can effectively take control of a person in order to effectively promote preservation of the person the SOUL belongs to, and that their power can link together into a focal point or in a certain pattern to achieve a specific goal. Thusly, the six Human SOULs aid our heroes in their quest.
-those who regretted finishing the Genocide Route are given closure as the main villain of Undertale, Chara, gets the justice she deserves at the hands of a now-CPU Trio.
Alright, then. Eat pudding and keep Nepping. Even when you're all out of pudding! Cya!