Author's note: I felt the desire to write this chapter overtake me since I wanted more needed this chapter to be written. Since I knew the updates were needed. I own nothing but my plot and the laptop I write this chapter. And that is the only letter of approval I need to continue my story, and the plot is essential for me to see to the end.

Toriel's Home in The Ruins A Mid-Afternoon

At the kitchen table, you would think it was a funeral procession. Not a meeting between eh family members present. A conspicuously absent and well missed Chara. Who they all knew was outright missing and hiding from the entirety of the underground and the other royal guards who were no doubt looking for her?

It was a mess Asgore was wringing his paws, the nervous habit he had had since the kids were in high school. I love him dearly, but Asgore is both a bit of a worrywart and a softy and, at worst, could be outright cowardly when it came about his feeling and what he wanted or what he wanted. The fact I proposed to him sits in my mind. Both are something funny in retrospect but showed in a lot of ways who Asgore can be when things get tough; he freezes. But considering what he saw, of course, he would be. Right now, his future daughter-in-law, the girl he raised, was out there scared and alone and trying to get home before it became too bad. She can find her way home. That isn't the issue.

Chara's Perspective, The Forgotten Catacombs To The Left Of The Core's labyrinth

It was all over the castle has spread like wildfire with the Royal guard. Undyne has been demoted temporarily for unspecified reasons. Asriel called as soon as the guard came and dragged him to the castle away from his post for questioning. The message was clear hide. And the childish explorations I had with Asriel when we were younger, I knew the underground, every nook, and cranny. Every overlooked cavern and every forgotten passageway, most of it having been given way to modern conveniences. Like public transportation and roads. Such passageways like the catacombs that bypass Heated Heights altogether and leave me just north of the misty mire were forgotten. Unless there's an emergency on the main roads. All I have to do is follow the path. Follow single-mindedly, and I should get there in under an hour; the tunnel was built as an escape access tunnel for everyone to use; only someone who lives down here could find it much less use.

I was pacing I realized not only did Frisk get herself caught. She was brought to the king more injured than I had ever thought possible with Frisk's disguise and mannerism being noted by Undyne, I was screwed. I was so screwed that it was clear who was with her and in the vicinity. My family harbored her and had somehow a foolproof way to conceal her from everyone. All of that will lead to questions about me, and I need to run. I never even met the moron, but I wanted to wring her neck. For her incompetence to stay hidden.

I want to run with Asriel. I can feel the need to, the pressure to run. To save myself.

Lucinda's ghost! She got herself caught, and now she's in the capital, and now I'm going to be scrutinized. Not just for my involvement but also because the king isn't an idiot, a trash bag, but not an idiot. I can already see the concept swirling in that skull of his. Why would they assume they could hide a human as a vampire and get away with it? I needed to go to the ground. Asriel could say I was sick, Toriel covered for me, and Asgore could make sure no one realized the truth. I have no doubt that he has some excuse, and the girl is as good as dead, but he won't get his hands on me.

With a thought of a place to go, there were so many long-forgotten but not abandoned cities still operating and where she could hide, maybe a cavern out of disuse to live in until this blows over or the barrier is broken. If they found her now, her death wouldn't be quit. I know the punishment for traitors too well and dying while being tortured for thinking I could deceive the king and the entirety of the royal guard for close to a millennium? I'm as good as dead.

for a Millennium I was able to blend in and have something close to a normal life after losing everything.

But this bitch, this little girl was able to collapse everything like a house of playing cards; if that girl ever crosses my path, she will wish for death for ruining things for me. My dreams, my happiness, all of it dissolving all around me.

After losing my family and finding the Dreemurrs, I thought the nightmare that was my reality was over. I lost everything when I was too young and had to live knowing that I ran because when I needed help, no one came; instead, up there, I was dangerous too. I was essentially a just preschooler, a smart one, smart enough to evade my pursuers and find the dumbest and only viable option to escape them with my life.

It's like that human saying I flew too close to the sun, and now I'm burning for it. It's been thousand years since I came down here. I was about to heal. I made friends, I got comfortable thought it would last forever. Shame on me; I should know better than expect things to be picturesque and idyllic. Who was I kidding? I should've never let Asriel talk me in to join the guard. Or having such an active life. Him and his dumb loveable face. I thought of a place I could hide right now and knew there was only one place I could go to where the camera wouldn't figure out my location. Since there was a camera on every inch of the underground except the ruins. But the place Asriel and I called our clubhouse might be the safest place for me to hide. But for right now, all I can do is mess with the footage and try to dodge the cameras here in the core's labyrinth. The catacombs aren't on her radar so far, she'd seen three cameras, and they were pretty blatant.

Right now, my ire that Alphys had the entire underground under surveillance bothering me since I knew I was already seemed suspicious from the outset, much less from the position that I was in now when everything came to light. And I will have to use my magic to camouflage myself as different monsters to bypass the cameras. I know what's at stake if I get caught. But considering I'm hiding my position from the core, it's going to be a pretty long trek as well. Using some of the magic, I have learned to disguise myself as a species of monster; pretending to be a friend would be too complicated.

It is the only hope I have left unless the imbecile is somehow strong enough to kill the king herself and free herself, but I doubt she's the violent type if Toriel loves her like she says she does.

Disguising myself and my magical signature as the exit of the catacombs in Misty Mire was coming closer, I took the form of a child big foot knowing that the jungle Is nearby Misty Mire and Murky Marsh is anyone asks what I was doing.

"Howdy there, best friend!" A happy voice echoed in the catacombs. The voice sounded cheery but dead. It was an odd combo that I had never heard before, but the voice itself sounded too familiar to me for me not to listen to it.

"You can try to hide, pretend you aren't you, but I see you! Do you need help from me?"

I wasn't afraid, but the voice sounded familiar but not like anyone she'd ever met. There was a lack of heart in the words instead of comfort, like someone with juicy blackmail something I remember from when I lived among humans, I may have been young when I fled for the underground, but I had to grow up fast in war and saw too many things to leave their world any version of naïve.

"Come closer to the exit. I can help you! Make sure you get home safe!"

The voice in and of itself was trying to sound trustworthy. But it sounds like a half-truth; she was the queen of those and knew one was being told to her. As well, the voice was a high pitch, not a child's voice; the tone and the way the voice spoke; denote a much older person. Maybe it's my heritage giving me an edge to read someone's intentions. And the hairs in the back of my neck are standing onend. Wary, my magic coalescing in my hands, a spell on the top of my tongue. I was well trained and wouldn't let my guard down.

Before she figures out how to avoid this monster, an inky black portal materializes out of nowhere at her feet.

Damn, another one gone before I could steal their soul and this one of my dear best friend! Cleaver very cleaver … whatever it is, whoever is interfering, I will find, and I will kill. After all? They're getting in my way.

I will get strong monster children souls and the soul of my best friend

…

After all, in order to be free of this wretched place, it's kill or be killed in the pursuit of the aboveground world.

The Perspective Of (Aiden's) Grillby's Aboveground Apartment Around 4pm

Slade woke up on the floor; the room was empty, the walls bare. His dresser and mirror and the door to his room were left ajar. The clothes wherein the corner. After a long weekend in the jailhouse being interrogated about the slut disappearance under the mountain. He didn't know anything; how was he supposed to know what she was or what she would do. Regardless of the situation, no matter the fact that I had repeated, I had neither kidnapped nor killed; the only reason I wasn't rotting was she somehow called her the other whore and proved she wasn't dead within the barrier. That I had injured the last human need to free the barrier.

What had humans ever done to help us? Why should I care how she got herself down there, to begin with? What does one girl matter if I know our freedom is assured after so long. We only need one more soul, and we have it. So, she was injured. I'll never understand why the king punished me for something that was of no consequence some random human. Being left to my own devices right in the stockades as getting tested by my colleagues who knew I was there. Who had no shortness of insulting things to say about my actions, but I didn't understand what was so bad about it? Just because the king is acting like the past is forgiven doesn't mean I will allow it to be so. That others don't feel it differently.

"Are you serious?" in front of him, his bags were packed. The car Grillby bought for their convenience had all his stuff and the clothes he would need.

"Hmm, am I serious? Considering what your other half is going through, be grateful; you're not dusted. The king was lenient, considering what you've done."

"How was I supposed to know she was the one to free us?! Much less her importance, to the king! I'm not a god, nor am I psychic; how was I supposed to know!"

"It doesn't matter if you knew of her importance. You and your behavior, you knew the consequences! You aren't a child, and you know damn well how important this was! Everyone and I have been telling you for millennia that you can't behave like this and that you were on the last strike as it was. We were merciful, but you know better than this! You know how to behave. What would your brother think? Your mother would be heartbroken if she knew you were treating a woman this badly; you know better than this!"

"Luckily, all you got was a weekend in the jailhouse. King Sans was amendable to let your other half be punished by the stockades. We were able to convince the police you weren't her kidnapper; if she hadn't called Stephanie, I doubt we would have been able to truly convince them. Though now the timetable of breaking the barrier has moved up." Grillby, for his part, has barely controlled calm.

"So, we need more monsters helping around the location helping to build, and you have more than earned hard labor and finishing up the finishing touches for the last few centuries of actions. I know your agony; you miss your family, and the fact you haven't met your soulmate after so long is disappointing; you know what else is disappointing a lieutenant in the royal army, a decorated officer who was a pride to his regiment? Never succumbed to torture. He was a force to be reckoned with?"

"Is now a petulant child who talks to women like they are meant for his sexual satisfaction and tries to sabotage others because if he isn't happy, no one should be either? The other half of you, while a jerk, can at least stay on task and do his job.

Lowering his voice, "Slade, what would your family think of your behavior? What about Jerry? You said you wanted to prove the strength of your family to prove that you can be good; no great! Did you forget the thing you vowed to do?"

"My family! My family should bow before me, grateful that they never know the horrors we both saw, the personal horrors that torment my mind. I know my father wouldn't dare tell them, and it's why I live in the capital. I can't face them knowing what I did in the crown's name only to have to surrender." Slade said with a hiss.

"Never forget I saw my grandfather and uncle get ripped apart right before my eyes in the middle of the war! I saw him, my grandfather trying his hardest to protect me." he nearly screamed at Grillby's face.

"You weren't there, Grillby! You weren't at the battle of beaches of Ebbot. Mothers who had built their entire lives on those beaches were murdered in their beds, their dust feeding the fire. My men, our people, were torn apart like animals while I was left alive to see it all as they laughed at our pain and misery laughed; I have ripped apart from my psychical body, never forgot; I lost that I feel like a goddamn my magic came from my head! So, no matter who I touch, who I talk to, it feels like ghost touches; no matter what this pseudo disguise conveys, none of it feels real! I can't enjoy or truly feel any of no pain, not joy, not anything."

"I lost my men, everyone who ever matters. I have my family. I lost my grandfather in the attack, and his dust is on my hands! Since I should have been able to stop them be able to decimate them; now, all the humans should pay for the pain they caused us."

"Slade, I don't know who you think you're talking to, but not only did I weather the battle of the beaches for Ebbot not only did I see the devastation to every single monster village? The loss of my men, the loss of my family? The few who remain I hold very dearly and the near extinction at the time of war of fire monsters as a whole?! Who are you to talk about my people, to talk about all monster kind as if you're the only one who suffered! Not only are you not the only one who suffered? Everyone has suffered. I used to wake up from nightmares every time I thought of the war! Every time I think of every monster who suffered and died during that period of how easily they used the King and Queen as the example! Used as an example what would happen to all monsters if we kept fighting! That any who disobeyed, or did you forget that aspect?" Grillby hissed equally as venomous.

"Did you forget all of the things that happen because they don't directly affect you? You aren't the only one who suffered! We all suffered; we all went hungry! We all needed to survive! Right now? We need to work together, never forget; King Sans wants to forgive the beings who killed his parents and left him an orphan! That should be your cue to follow! If he can forgive humanity after what they have done to him personally? Who the fuck are we to be vengeful?!" his anger and finality spoke volumes and sent a shiver straight into Slade's soul.

Chad, or in reality, Slade, his actual name the only name he actually wants to be whether in the underground or above, and he looked into Grillby's eyes; the fire of his anger was stoked palpable, and it was burning as bright as the day he rescued us from our imprisonment. The way he looked like an avenging angel killing those who guarded us and the fact we were so weak and could barely move, but he found the hope for us to survive and gave us hope now to keep forging ahead. I knew he was truly inflamed for the first time in an eon Grillby magic was sparking. Embers popping out his human disguise, I felt fear that he would dust me. He was angry and could feel the echo of my body shivering in absolute fear.

"The king doesn't want to see you in the lab for the next few days! he is giving Frisk the entire tour, and he would like your other half working in the Snowdin laboratory for the foreseeable future! Before you complain of the cold or anything else? Your Parents and little brother Jerry still live there and haven't seen you in centuries.

"I love how you talked about your pain and loss but don't visit the family who loves you so much and ask for you often at the bar. I don't want to hear any complaints. That I personally can decide your punishment for this half since I at least had the presence of mind to contact the king and let him know and keep him updated on the progress. While you, on the other hand, have taken it upon yourself to create strife and problems. I'm hoping by the time the barrier is broken? You aren't in the public consciousness of any who had the misfortune of dating you or 'flirted' with you because of your actions. It makes monsters seem like a contrast to the state of what we are made of."

He said as he dragged him off the steps on the street towards his new roommate, He had been waiting by the car and who had been angry and waiting for him on the sidewalk. In the car's trunk, you could see supplies and building supplies. Clear to anyone who knew anything about the hermit like monster, knowing that his other half is underground with his family the only thing he does above ground is build outside of just enjoying his solitude. So having a roommate at all even someone is annoying as Slade it would be just as much a punishment to him as it would be to anyone else.

"Don't forget to have fun, Chad."

At Stephanie's and Frisk's Apartment

Stephanie was nervous, heartbroken, visibly very upset. Her best friend had been missing for over a week. And had been stuck under the mountain with her phone, unable to send out the message, and had been going straight to voicemail. The text message had been unanswered. She mentioned this might be the case.

It's pandemonium at Mt Ebbot as the rising local entertainer/novelist Frisk Jones has fallen into the mountain. The rescue team seemed to having an impossible time trying to get headway at breaking the ground to excavate them and rescue her from losing oxygen. As all the viewers at home know, mount Ebbot doesn't have any existing connected cave systems. Though so many legends pride themselves on claiming there are monsters that live within the mountain, the only thing that had been detected within the mountain was seismic and magma. Which is one of the fears relayed by the rescuer workers on hand

Yeah, we don't know how she fell in, but she did contact the police to alert them she was still alive; that was about two days ago, and she hasn't been in contact since. There is a worry that she might have passed out from lack of oxygen or might have lost whatever safe haven that she had found herself in while trying to find a way out like she claimed she had. It has been nearly a week since they contacted Frisk Jones, and there is an air of stubbornness since their at least have sign that not all is lost here this channel 17 Owl news Sheila Riverside coming live with the roommate and supposed best friend of Frisk Jones, Stephanie Stonewall."

"Miss, Stonewall I know this is a tough topic to discuss considering that Miss Jones is not only your roommate but it is my understanding that you are a childhood best friend of Miss. Jones and this whole ordeal has been devastating so far I take it?"

"I can barely control my tears she's trapped and I've tried to call her. Its been nothing so far!"

I'm sorry to hear that I have no doubt that rescue workers police and volunteers are doing their best to rescue your friend from within the mountain. Thank you for taking some time to speak with us I know it's a difficult time and it wouldn't be easy to discuss.

"It's in no way easy but I know me speaking about it letting the world know my best friend needs help that hope will help free her I just know it. " Stephanie was putting on a brave face for the camera her eyes holding back tears praying for her friends safety.

Final note: I know! Not what you, my dear reader, are expecting; this chapter is a hodgepodge, but that's the point! Lots of points of views, and seeing the world that is being built, the idea is straightforward but understandable. After this point, it's about the here and now, no flipping perspective willy-nilly. Most of you should have already figured out that some monsters are partially outside the barrier. Meaning the source of their strongest magic is outside the barrier while the most physical part of them was shoved underground. Most of the monsters that fought in the war and survived were boss monsters. Or mini-boss that got captured and tortured. They used a spell to torture them. Their nothing worse than being half the monster you should be. So that's the second plot revelation though, what is going on about Sans if he is lying or telling the truth.