It helps to know that there's a few enemies that are totally against what they're assisting in, yet there's not much they can do about it. It's quite sad, especially for Darkness. Dude has it rough with guilt and it'll be rearing it's ugly head here.

Still, it also helps to know that these people have saviors willing to help them. As for Shyren, Napstablook, and Mettaton...their struggle isn't completely over, with a few things still going to be rather hard on them. Especially with what happens after the current battles end.

Undyne: Show me what you've got! I can take it!

Alphys: I have to try...I can't stop here...

Chapter Start!

(The First Island)

If there was ever such a time in which Toriel would be significantly less hesitant to fight, it would be times like these.

She thought about this as she felt someone tugging on her skirt. She looked down and could see one of the monster children gazing up at her curiously, a relatively young human girl. She barely sized up to Toriel's knee. She then raised her arms up to the maternal monster, wanting to be picked up. Toriel smiled as she gently picks the girl up and placed her on her knee. The girl doesn't hesitate to lean into Toriel and wrap her arms around her in a hug. Toriel immediately returns the favor and hugs the child back with gentle warmth emitting from her, reassuring the girl that she was not a threat to her. She was further surprised as other children, human and monster slowly flocked around the maternal monster and sits as close to her as they could. Some sitting right neck to her and lying their heads on her legs. Another small possum monster took up the remaining space on her lap and also hugged her. It wasn't that Toriel didn't appreciate the attention, but she wonders why it was happening.

"Well well this is certainly a surprise." Nikon commented as she slowly stepped up to Toriel, gazing at the children gathering around her. "They don't know you very well. But they heard about how you recently began fighting for them, and they suddenly wanted to get as close to you as possible, as they're demonstrating right now. It's a bit strange, to be honest. They're not likely to warm up to those they don't know very well, so instantly warming up to you is surprising to the parents."

Toriel smiled gently at her while petting on of the children's heads. "Well...I do enjoy the company of children. I have even made the point to become a teacher so I can...well...teacher children! Though I managed to get a higher position in the form of a principal. I'm, as my friend worded, in charge of the entire establishment. I've become quite beloved with the children there. And I've even become a friend amongst most of the staff, and even the mayor herself." She blinked slightly and tilted her head. "Although it's unfortunate that a few of them aren't particularly fond of me. A woman named Linda is the most blatant example. I can't force the staff to like me, but I really want to be friends with her..." She shook her head and lifted it with a small smile. "But other than that, my teaching career has been going well so far."

Nikon smiled softly, though the smile falls as she looks to the side. "...I really cannot believe that you're going through this. Opposing our oppressor in order to free us. You were surely here for your own reasons aside from something like that, and yet you choose to help us anyway. I suppose that represents how deep your compassion goes."

"Indeed." Toriel turns to the sides as her eyelids lower half-way. "Though I must admit...I wasn't always a symbol of compassion. In fact, I considered some phases of my personality to be quite cruel, cruelty that did everyone more harm than good...all I can hope for now is to become a better monster. That means I don't turn by back on anyone in need, human or monster." She blinked and turned to her. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be bringing up my past troubles when you're the one in need of help."

Nikon lowered her eyes and placed a paw on her shoulder. "It's no trouble at all. I won't pry and ask about what you've been through, because it sounds like you've been through some dark times. I'm just glad that the worst is currently behind you." She released her shoulder and turned towards the passing humans and monsters who caught small parts of Toriel's ramble. They seemed worried for her, and the children simply hugged the maternal figure tighter. "Augustine has done many terrible things to the people of these islands, my Queen. What makes it worse is that it's highly likely she's not the only one. There will be others out there who would bring suffering upon humans and monsters alike and not care at all. It's an unfortunate truth that you'll soon discover, should you encounter a situation like this again."

Toriel narrowed her eyes. "If I encounter a situation like this again, then the result will be the same. They'll be stopped." She sighed as she turned to a few of the children. "Alright, that's enough cuddling. I'm about to head out." Most of them pouted at her having to leave so soon, but they understood that she was going to be busy. They reluctantly released her and went back to their parents. She stood up and brushed herself off, turning to Nikon. "Is there something else you can tell me about these people and Augustine?"

"The patrollers you dealt with were the only ones present on the island, since we aren't that threatening to them or Augustine herself. SInce you fended them off so easily, they're very much likely to send more of them after us as punishment."

"They're not going to get past us." Toriel said strongly. She smiled as she bends down to Nikon's level and pulls into a hug, surprising her. "They won't hurt you and your village anymore. We will make sure of that." She pulled back and nodded slightly. "Would you like to accompany us? It might help that someone who knows the archipelago well can be a great help when it comes to liberating all the islands. Is it true that Augustine resides on the fourth island? If that's so, I shall take it upon myself to find her and defeat her. And I'm sure my comrades are liberating the other islands as we speak. One of them has Gerson accompanying them."

"The Hammer of Justice is here as well!? Is that true!?" Nikon said in disbelief. "T-That's rather amazing! A war hero has come to our rescue as well? This is going to be an amazing tale to share!" She nodded softly with determined eyes. "If you're serious about me lending you aid, then I'll be more than happy to assist however I can!"

Toriel's smile widens. "Excellent. I'll be counting on you, Nikon." She nods before releasing her and moving away.

Nikon was left standing in place for a moment, then she covered her cheeks and began to blush. The thought of assisting the queen with the liberation of her people is a very happy one. Not only that, but Toriel was honestly incredibly beautiful. She didn't know how Toriel was able to maintain her youthful appearance despite how old she was chronologically, which made her a bit jealous. But not too much. She was simply very happy to help someone of her status, at least a little. It helps that the liberation of her tribe was her core objective.

Toriel slowly walked to the exit of the Village with Nikon following her. Asriel and Red were seen waiting outside the exit, and began moving as well once Toriel and Nikon were in sight. Toriel could see that Asriel was slightly troubled by something, given the small concerned frown on his face. Before she could ask, she actually took the time to expand her senses and try to figure it out herself. As she suspected, she could sense the magic flares of her comrades clashing with other hostile magic signatures. After this realization, she immediately understood, and had a small frown herself.

"Our friends have gotten caught in their respective battles, it seems."

"I know. I can feel that something bad has happened on their respective islands. I can feel Alphys', Master Undyne's, and Gerson's magic flaring strongly." Asriel said quietly with his arms folded. "It looks like things aren't going as smoothly as we would have liked. Not that we expected any of this to be easy since we had no idea what we were dealing with..."

"Do you think we should go help them?" Red asked.

Asriel thought about the prospect, then shook his head. "No. They're capable of taking care of themselves, so we have to trust that they can get out of whatever situation they've gotten themselves into as safely as they can." In all honestly, Asriel was very tempted to go after Chara and Frisk to make sure they were okay, but he decided against it. He needed to trust in their ability to take care of themselves. Besides, they already have help on their sides, so they'll be fine. He hoped so, anyway. "Anyway Mom, are we going to head out to the fourth island?"

"Yes. They most likely retreated there in order to gather reinforcements. They'll never make it off the island." Toriel said strongly as she turned to the water of the ocean. River Person slowly approached them on the water, stopping before them on their boat. They turned to them and nodded to then in confirmation. "We're heading to the fourth island, and we shall deal with Augustine. She shall not escape me." Toriel declared while glaring with fire in her eyes.

Red nodded at Toriel's current attitude as they all boarded River Person's boat, and began to sail off to the fourth island. Red adjusted her cowl as she clenched her paws. "Dumb Augustine, messing with these people. Doesn't matter who she is or why she's doing what she's doing, this kind of thing isn't excusable. There's no way she's gonna escape our sights, she's going down!"

Asriel sighed as he slowly grasped his Rainbow Locket. He gently squeezed it as he stared ahead at the fourth island. The others would be fine. He trusted them enough to believe that they would. Still, that didn't mean that he couldn't worry.

(The Second Island)

So this is how things are gonna play out now, huh? Undyne mentally said as she was standing across Tempest a few feet away from her. His eyes were narrowed dangerously towards her, and he was still radiating an intense wave of killing intent surging towards her. Yet she wasn't phased at all by it. She was just glaring firmly towards him in return, holding her glowing blue naginata towards him to match the hostility of his golden katana.

Tempest kept his eyes narrowed, yet an eyebrow was raised in curiosity. "You're awfully brave. Are you sure you wish to fight me with such a handicap?"

"The hell are you talking about?" Undyne replied with her eye narrowed.

"Your eye patch. You don't have a left eye, do you? There is quite a bit of importance in peripheral vision when in combat. You lack half of that important aspect with only having one eye." Tempest explained. "With that, you are at a disadvantage."

"Disadvantage he says. Fuhuhuhu! You sound awfully sure of yourself just because I've only got one usable eye. I'll have you know that I'm just as capable of fighting as any one of my friends, so I don't need you looking down on me for something like that." She snapped her fingers as three spears manifested and swiftly shot towards Tempest. He reacted quickly, swinging his katana and deflecting each of them away, dissipating them in into nothing. His eyes narrowed as she leapt towards him while he was deflecting them, and swung her naginata down on him. He blocks the blade, and their magic briefly clashed with blue and gold sparks resulting from how they grinded against one another. "So please, do abandon the mindset that I don't know what I'm doing. That'll get your ass kicked even faster." She then kicked him in the side, ending the clash and causing him to skid across the ground.

He stopped himself from falling over by planting his feet. He grunted just slightly before standing straight again. "Your advice has been noted, though I'm genuinely surprised that you're giving me any at all, considering that we're enemies at the moment."

"I tend to have that kind of attitude." Undyne grinned.

Tempest brushed himself off, before steadying himself and gripping his katana. Undyne narrowed her eye and waited to see what he might do next. She was briefly surprised as Tempest swiftly moved towards her and slashed swiftly with his sword. She twisted her naginata and parried the attack to the side, more blue and gold magic sparks appearing from the grinding of the sharp weapons clashing. He reacted quickly, spinning around once and slashing at her neck. A spear instinctively formed at her side, blocking the blade before it could reach her. Undyne took the chance for a second spear to manifest near her and attempt to piece his side. This was immediately deflected by a golden spear parrying the blue one, rendering both attacks useless. Tempest briefly jumped back when another sword swung at his feet. Undyne twirls her glowing blue naginata and readied it once again, a spear levitating on the left and a sword levitating on the right. Tempest's own weapons levitated by his sides, tightening the hold on his katana.

Undyne's spear shot forth and attempted to pierce through Tempest. Tempest's own golden spear shot forth at the same time, deflecting each other and rendering them into mere particles. Tempest moved forward and slashed at her diagonally, while a sword appeared and slashed at her horizontally. Undyne parried both blades by twirling her naginata and once again parrying the katana, and a sword appeared to parry the levitating blade next to her. When Undyne saw the opening, she grinned as she slashed with her naginata, which was parried by Tempest katana. Instead of backing off, she furthered her offense, continuing to slash over and over while he parried and blocked each and every one of them. She kept up the assault as her eye narrows on her target. A spear manifested above her head and shot straight down on his head, while another appeared by her side and shot towards his middle. Tempest was quick to deflect both spears with his katana and readied himself for another assault from her naginata. But to his surprise, she released the naginata and hand it slice at his arm, forcing him to parry that as well. Undyne took the moment to charge him and swiftly punching him in his snout, much to his surprise and slight irritation as he slid back once again. He stopped himself by planting a golden spear in the ground and holding onto it. he stopped to rub his snout as he stared at Undyne, who was grinning still. He was slightly intrigued, before he found himself slashed in the cheek by a spear that had manifested right behind him. He didn't flinch from the contact. Instead, he simply wiped his cheek with a sigh.

"You're tougher than I thought you'd be..."

"I've been trained by King Asgore himself. So yeah, I'd like to think I'm pretty good. Though you're honestly not too bad yourself, Tempest." Undyne complimented. "Still, I'm gonna need answers to the questions flowing around in my mind."

"Such as...?"

"What am I seeing back there?" Undyne lost her grin as she turned her head back to the camp. "Why is that there? Those people obviously don't want to be there, and they seem awfully miserable in an environment such as that."

"Believe me, I'm not in favor of what's going on this archipelago either."

"Then why aren't you doing something about it?!"

"I would if I could, and if I wanted to. But my free will is being manipulated. As much as I would like to kill the one responsible for enslaving me, my mind is incapable of bringing me to actually going through with it. She puts a mental restraint on most of us so we can't openly rebel against her."

Undyne narrowed her eye. "You let someone put a mental leash on you?"

"It was not my fault, mind you. I am NOT favor this position. But if I'm going to be stuck in it, I might as well do my job as efficiently as I can. Resisting her at the moment is useless." Tempest held his paw upward. "Regardless, I care not for the well-being of these people. I'm only interested in escaping her hold on me with my cousin. These people are not a concern for me."

She clenched her fist tightly. "So if you were suddenly free from her grasp, you'd just leave them to suffer? You wouldn't even help them?!"

"They are not my concern." Tempest replied nonchalantly. "Nevertheless, I have my assignment. I'm going to have to kill you. This is not personal, but your trespassing is going to disrupt things you don't understand. So you need to be removed." Tempest declared as he generated magic within his paw, a spiralling ball of wind. His other paw allowed his katana to dissipate, and hold a ball of fire in that specific paw. Undyne raised an eyebrow as she realized the two elemental orbs began growing in power. She couldn't focus on it though, as two more golden weapons appeared above her head and she was forced to parry them in order to keep them from slashing behind her back. They picked up speed and ferocity, forcing her to begin stepping backwards in order to defend and parry them all. While she was kept occupied by said weapons, Tempest had finished gathering magic in his paws. He slowly released both of the orbs, and they flew towards her swiftly.

Undyne was distracted by the golden weapons, which immediately disappeared once the elemental attacks hit their mark.

The result was an explosion combined of wind and fire. Undyne could feel her skin being scorched from the heat and the razor winds marking her body with multiple slash marks. She felt her jacket being torn, her hair being undone, her sides and hands being burned, and the resulting force of both elements blasting her back across the field. Multiple trees have been knocked over, and others ended up being incinerated. There was a burned crater in which the explosion took place, and the swirling winds eventually calmed down. By the end of a majority of the blast, the land has been scorched and razed by wind. Luckily for Tempest, he made sure that there weren't any life around. Undyne was lying on her side, smoke emitting off her body. Her hair was messy and wild, and her arms were scorched, along with wind slashes on her body. Tempest narrowed his eyes, but he was honestly impressed she was still alive.

Tempest slowly approached her body as he lifted his paw slightly. Undyne was slowly covered by coils of wind that lifted her upwards, causing her hair and remains of her jacket to flap around. He manifested a katana in his paw and held it back, prepared to slash her throat.

SMASH!

Tempest released his hold on her and swiftly dodges out of the way of a hammer almost falls down on his head. Gerson was revealed to be behind the hammer, lifting it from the ground and balanced it on his shoulder. Frisk was seen catching up to Gerson, only to gasp at seeing Undyne unconscious and defeated. Tempest took a look at Gerson, then at Frisk. Only his eyes widened in shock as he sensed Frisk's soul. Something about it had caused him to lower his guard and ponder what Frisk was, because it was beyond being a human with magic. He felt far too powerful to be something as simple as that. He was forced out of his thoughts as he was forced to parry Gerson's hammer by manifesting a golden hammer of his own. He could see Gerson's eye glaring at him strongly when he saw Undyne being briefly defeated.

"Hey hey, there's no need for that."

"Of course there is a need for it. She's still alive." Tempest replied.

"Wah ha ha...I won't let you go through with that. Ya see, I'm quite fond of her. Fiery young lass she is, one with quite a future ahead of her. Can't have someone like you messin' it up, can I?" Gerson pushed Tempest's hammer upward. Then quicker than his age should allow, Gerson spun around and slammed his hammer into Tempest's side. He was sent flying from the tremendous strength put behind the hammer, and had to use wind to keep himself from going out of control. He could feel the heavy damage put behind it, but he he still managed regardless. So there was something to note on that aspect, don't engage Gerson up-close. He hits a lot harder with a magic hammer than he should be able to at his age. Then again, he expected such a thing from a war hero such as himself.

Frisk was meanwhile busy tending to Undyne. He placed his hands over her as his soul turns green, and she was covered in a green healing light. "You'll be okay, Undyne. I made sure I took care of the slaves and all their injuries. Now I'll just have to tend to you really quickly."

Tempest could see Frisk healing Undyne from afar, and he narrowed his eyes dangerously. Two golden katanas appeared in his paws. They sharpened to razor sharp portions, which was highly enhanced by him blowing wind magic onto the blades. The addition of the wind element helped make the weapon even sharper. As a distraction, Tempest swung and kicked at Gerson generating a wind blast that was blocked by Gerson slamming his hammer into the ground and causing a large wall of rock. Though he was too late to realize the ruse as Tempest flew towards Frisk and Undyne, aiming to foil the former attempts to heal the latter. He pulled his katana's back...

SLASH!

Gerson was seen watching the event in horror, his eye wide. Tempest admitted he was surprised by what occurred next when he landed his attack. This was not one of the possibilities he was thinking of when he attacked the unconscious Undyne. He expected her to recover at the last moment, he expected Frisk to leave her behind to die from the attack. What he did NOT expect was for Frisk to stop his healing and jump right in front of Undyne to accept the attack in her place. The force behind the leftover wind magic still succeeded in making Undyne roll along the ground before stopping on her back, her hair spread out and messier than before. Frisk gasped as he dropped to his knees and held himself up wit his hands. Blood dripped from his chest, as a clear 'X' mark was created from a combination of the sharpness of his blade and the sharpness of the wind coating it.

Tempest expected Frisk to either pass out or struggle to his feet and retreat from the battle. He was right about Frisk struggling to his feet, but what he didn't expect was Frisk's soul return to green, and hold his hands out towards Undyne's unconscious form...he continued her healing from a distance, albeit with less concentration due to trying not to lose consciousness himself. Tempest's eyes widened at the display. He's...he's prioritizing her recovery over his own...? I'm sure it's for practical purposes, but he's in critical condition himself...so...why... There had been times on the archipelago when humans defended monsters, but not to this kind of extent. He's...never witnessed this type of prioritizing before except from the older generation. The new generation was much more selfish than he liked...and yet...

Soon, Frisk relinquished his healing dome over Undyne when it was enough for her to regain consciousness. He then promptly falls on his back, his chest still bleeding. Tempest stared in awe, before he jumped back a few feet once Undyne began to stir. She groaned as she sits up and rubbed her head, pushing hair away from her eye. She turned to the side and saw Frisk lying on his back in his own blood. Her eye widened as she swiftly got up and rushed towards him.

"Oh my god, FRISK!" Undyne slid knees first as she picked up the human in her arms. "Frisk! FRISK! C'mon kid, say something!" At the very least, his soul didn't shatter, so it meant he was alive. But still, the wound on his chest was severe. She realized that a majority of her own wounds have been healed, and that Frisk ultimately chose to heal her first before passing out from the pain. She sighed softly as she gently hugged the teen to her chest. "Dammit, Frisk! I was fine, you're the one in need of healing! You had to go and heal me first so I'd wake up sooner, didn't you? Your mom's gonna cook me and serve me on a platter for letting this happen to you..."

Tempest sighed softly as he lifted his dual katanas, moving towards them. "If it makes you feel any better...I won't prolong his suffering. I'll kill him quickly."

Undyne lifted her head, then slowly turned her head towards Tempest, so her right eye was visible and slightly shadowed by her hair. Tempest was temporarily stumbled by the sheer amount of killing intent demonstrated through that single slitted eye of hers as a response to his words. The sclera turned black and the single slitted pupil was white. She slowly sets Frisk down next to Gerson, then stands and turned towards Tempest. A spear manifested in her hand, and she tightens her grip around it as her eye narrows further. "That...is not going to happen." With this, she used her other hand to grab her eye-patch to remove it and place it in her pocket. Tempest could clearly see the scars over said eye, two slash marks.

Regardless, he held his golden katana towards her, his gaze unchanged. "Are your odds supposed to change because you removed your eye patch?"

Undyne opened her left eye, and Tempest was surprised. Not because the socket was empty like he suspected, but that it was crackling with magic. Gerson stepped back a bit with Frisk in his arms, setting him against a tree as well as placing a green barrier around them by jabbing the edge of his hammer into the ground. Undyne grins darkly as her spear changed from blue to white with black sparks surrounding it. She pulled her arm back, and then shot forward with powerful force. Tempest just barely parried the spear, sending it to the side. Though he was left with little time to react to the next attack, her getting up close and headbutting him as hard as she could. He grunted as he stumbled back while holding his head and staring at her in shock.

A headbutt...w...why the...?! He shakes his head and regained focus once again. He held his golden katana and blocked a slash from a black and white naginata. Tempest narrowed his eye as he felt himself being pushed back slightly by her superior physical strength. Multiple golden axes manifested over her head and slashed down on her. Two black and white axes formed above her head and parried the two of them away. Undyne pushed Tempest back and thrusts a knee into his midsection, making him cough and stumble backwards. Undyne didn't let up, moving forward and punching Tempest in the head once again, making him stumble over and fall to the ground. He recovered quickly with a swift roll, before jumping back and shaking his head of the headache growing from the blows. He raised his paw as multiple golden weapons manifested behind him, making ripples in the air.

He lowered his paw and all the golden weapons flew towards her at once. She threw her hand out as multiple black and white weapons of her own and shot them towards the golden weapons. The weapons clash against one another nearly in sync, not one single weapon breaching the defenses of the other. Tempest found himself in awe as Undyne's telumkinesis was matching his to near-perfection. There were no openings for him to exploit, which is highly likely her issue as well. It was essentially a standstill that neither of them can break. During the clash, Tempest gazed into Undyne's eye, seeing how determined she was. She was not going to give in no matter what he threw at her, and she was not going to die so easily. It was unbelievable, but she had to run out of stamina eventually, would she?

Undyne waved her had slowly. All the weapons were still clashing...but one lone mace swerved around and slammed into his side. He gasped as his assault ended. He fell to the ground, his ribs aching from how hard the blow was. He didn't move, as multiple spears were pointed at his neck from every angle. Undyne stepped up to him, daring him to continue. Tempest closed his eyes as he awaited his death. After a few moments, he opened them to realize that he was still alive. Undyne was still glaring at him strongly, though she sighed.

"You're lucky that I don't want anyone dying here." She grumbled as the spears disappeared. She placed her eye-patch back over her eye and helped him up. Her magic soon calmed down the moment she did so.

"You...you spared me...?"

"As much as I wanna continue kicking your ass, I think we can both make much more progress by having you tell us the whole story of what the hell is going on here." She reasoned. "I can tell you're not a bad guy at heart...but you're still gonna apologize to Frisk when he wakes up."

"For now, I agree with her sentiment." Gerson nodded. Napstablook shyly approached them from behind, looking nervously towards them, wondering if Tempest might attack again.

Tempest thought over his options. He could just ignore her and ontinue fighting...but he honestly didn't want to, not for Augustine's sake anyway. Besides, if there was any time he should take a chance to stick it to his 'Master', it was right now. This woman seemed to be much more than she seemed. Making his decision, he sheathed his katana and nodded. "Very well..I concede defeat. Let us find my cousin first, then we can both explain as much as we possibly can to you."

(The Third Island)

Chara has been through ridiculously large amounts of physical trauma for a child, so it's nothing new to him. It's safe to say that he's gained a certain amount of tolerance to punishment. So something like the loss of his left arm, at least to him, was seen as nothing more than an irritation at best and a sign of weakness at worst. He'll have to adjust very quickly if he wants to keep up with the threat at hand. Losing an arm definitely isn't too much of a concern for him, it could have been a lot worse. Besides, it beats having to pull those rock shards out of his arm. That would have been awful to do. At least this way it was quick and somewhat painless.

Unfortunately for him, Muffet didn't share his nonchalant attitude about the incident, seeing as she looked like she would pass out due to concern and horror. Even more unfortunate for him, it didn't stop Darkness and Mettaton Neo from attacking them. Case in point, Mettaton Neo took his cannon arm and multiple bombs with his insignia on them were launched at the trio. Alphys had to scurry to the side, while Muffet was unfocused and was promptly blasted backwards into a bush. Taking the opportunity, Chara retrieved his severed arm, gazing at it curiously. Normally the sight of a severed arm would greatly disturb even a fifteen year old teen. Chara wasn't normal, however, thus he was mostly uncaring about it. So uncaring, that he narrowed his eyes at the detached limb, and it suddenly caught on dark fire, before he drops it back onto the ground, as it burns into cinders.

Darkness was briefly surprised by this action, and wondered why he would go through with such a shocking act. Though he took a close look at Chara's crimson eyes in which stared back into his own golden ones. They lowered as he interpreted the message behind them:

This is what I deserve.

Darkness wondered what the child could have possibly done that would warrant the loss of an entire limb. He was not given the luxury of time to do so though, as Alphys called out to him as Mettaton Neo was busy attacking Muffet and Chara. Alphys stood a few feet away from him, her fists clenched. "How could you...how could you just render him a mindless puppet like this?!"

"I see a weapon, Alphys. My specialty is making the best out of the weapons, regardless of how they are used. So that's what I did. And my 'Master' wants me to use this weapon to kill you and the other intruders here, so that's what I'll have to do." Darkness replied with reluctant finality.

"Why? Just because I might be detrimental to whatever is going on here?! That these imprisoned monsters having prices placed on them like they're nothing but property?! Of course I would try to stop something like that, and Im sure that's why Mettaton attacked you, ESPECIALLY when you all went after Shyren and Napstablook!" Alphys shouted while stepping forward. "There's no way you could possibly be okay with this!"

"You're right. I don't condone this at all. I find it a disgusting practice, even."

"Then why-"

"I can't resist her influence. Believe me when I say that I've tried. My cousin tried even harder, but he failed. My other cousin can't be controlled, but she's far too uncaring about her situation to do something about it. It's a subject of conflict between the two, and I find it rather unfortunate." Darkness sighed and shook his head. "I have no choice but to obey her, until I can find a way to free us. Until then, we have to follow her orders. And my order is to have you killed. Please don't make this harder than it needs to be."

"I can't leave without them." Alphys narrowed her eyes as she gathered yellow digital energy within her paw.

Darkness raised both eyebrows. "Ah yes, your Magic Awakening is Techno-magic. And one of those instances of techno-magic involves the use of digital energy. Truly impressive, Dr. Alphys. I don't have that kind of ability despite my affinity for technology." His eyes narrowed. "However, I can accurately deduct that you've had no time to properly hone these new powers of yours. You're inexperienced with it at the moment. That in itself is a disadvantage." Alphys didn't listen too well, already knowing he was right. Still, she had to try. She pulled her paw back and launched the ball of digital energy towards him. He stared at the yellow digital ball curiously as he stopped it with a ball of wind coiling around it. "It's rather strange. Usually you see data only on computer screens, tv screens, and other technology. I don't think I've ever seen data being manipulated in such a way before. It's honestly a fascinating concept with many possibilities..." He flicked the wind coated ball of energy back to Alphys. It impacted her midsection and blasted her backwards, sliding on her back until she rolled once and ended up on her face.

But despite this, Alphys adjusted her glasses and forced herself back to her feet, breathing heavily as the caged monsters stared in awe and concern of one of their saviors. Shyen was paying the most attention to the battle, as well as her agent. She was really worried about Alphys, for reasons only she knew in full detail. The former Royal Scientist seemed highly determined to see her objective through, which was a concern, because she didn't how far she'll push herself before she completely exhausts herself.

Muffet recovered from the bomb being thrown near her, shaking her head and turning towards Chara. "Chara-Dearie! Your arm! Shouldn't we-"

"There's no time for that, we have bigger priorities to tend to." Chara redirected her focus as Mettaton Neo struck at them, swooping down with his wings and dropping more bombs. Setting her concern aside for the moment, Muffet used multiple webs to catch some of the bombs and did her best to return them to sender. It wasn't that easy, as he managed to dodge a couple of the explosions. Though he wasn't able to dodge them all, as one of the bombs set him off-course and off-balance. With him being disoriented, Chara jumped up and managed a kick to Mettaton's head, sending him crashing in to the ground.

Mettaton was quick to recover, already back on his feet. Chara sighed, already knowing it wouldn't be so easy this time. He floated back to his feet and aimed his cannon towards the both of them. Chara didn't allow him to proceed first, manifesting a black ball of fire within his remaining hand and throwing it towards the robot. He reacted accordingly, spinning once and kicking the fireball away. Of course he did. Chara thought with immense irritation as Mettaton threw more bombs towards them. Once again, Muffet grabbed many of the bombs with her webs and tossed them back to the sender. He learned his lesson by this point though, as a pink shield surrounded him and protected him from the explosions of the bombs. The very moment the shield went down, Muffet grabbing him with more webs and tossed him away from the area, away from the imprisoned monsters. Chara and Muffet followed him to where he crashed, glad the monsters were out of harms away for the most part.

Chara narrowed his eyes as Mettaton Neo once again stands back up. I can admit that he's thought about his previously poor defense.. He could see Mettaton pointing his weapon arm at him again, firing more bombs towards the teen. Muffet was prepared to throw most of them back again, but she was distracted as one of Mettaton's smaller bots began distracting her with smaller bombs of their own, and also serving to separate her from Chara. He remained as the larger bombs flew towards him. Black fire generated right in front of him and defended against the bomb's explosions. Though the moment he sets it down, he was met with an extended punch via the robot removing his arm and having it shoot at him like a rocket. He swore that he was being mocked at this point. Mettaton didn't stop his assault there. Chara disliked the fact that Mettaton's technomagic body meant that he wouldn't ever run out of ammo or get tired...that's rather unfortunate for him being a target of his weaponry. He actually needs to catch his breath.

A pink ball of energy slowly emits out of Mettaton's cannon arm, and he fires it at Chara quickly. Chara dodges to the side, only to be blindsided by the ball suddenly splitting into two and tracking him, slamming into his back. He grunted from the first ball, though the second impact caused him to completely fall on his face. He got up on his knees for a moment, trying to regain his bearings, but Metaton's arm stretched out and grabbed him by the throat, them reeled him back in. Now close to him, he began crushing Chara's windpipe, all without a single sound and a steeled, emotionless glare.

"I...honestly...liked...you better...when you're always...talking...about...yourself..." Chara gagged, shocked that he's unable to break free from Mettaton Neo's grip. He had underestimated Mettaton's jump in power quite a huge deal. He was getting a better understanding of why this might warrant Alphys being executed. He felt himself losing consciousness..

A sudden explosion from one of his own mini-bots rocked Mettaton, sending him flying back while dropping Chara, who began taking in deep breaths of air. Mettaton Neo stood back up and began moving towards Chara. Muffet suddenly jumped in front of him with her arms folded. He punched at her, but she caught it in her right hand. Chara was in disbelief as Muffet tightened her grip and heard Mettton's metal fist denting, as she almost casually pushes the fist aside. She then used her middle left hand to punch him in the chest, sending him skidding back through several trees. Chara gaped in awe as Muffet brushed herself off and folded her arms. "I couldn't agree more, Chara-Dearie. Mettaton wouldn't try choking his friends to death. That quite irritated me..."

Spider strength is not to be messed with... Chara mumbled in his mind, amazed.

Meanwhile, Alphys was thrown back by a combined force of fire and wind, landing on her face, her arms in front of her. She was in terrible shape having many cuts and burns on her body. She had accepted a very clear and understandable realization: She was completely outmatched. Darkness was right about one thing. She's and no practice with her powers. Even if she knows much about what her powers can actually do, she hasn't actually practiced using them. She's at an immense disadvantage to the significantly more experienced Darkness. He had her outmatched in many ways when it comes to fighting, even if it's not his specialty himself. But she won't give up.

At this point, Shyren was begging her to simply stay down and prevent herself from getting hurt even further. She was visibly crying and begging for Darkness to stop hurting her and to just let her leave alive. Darkness hid his immense turmoil and guilt behind a neutral expression, but even that was starting to fail once he fully realizes that Alphys wasn't going to give up. She was really going to die at this rate, and her comrades were too busy with Mettaton Neo to come to her aid. And yet...still...

"I...don't understand. You know you're outmatched, inexperienced with your new magic, you're very close to passing out, you're bleeding heavily...even your friend is telling you to stop! So despite this...why? Why do you keep going...?"

Alphys slowly stood up. Covered in various wounds such as wind slashes, burns, and bruises. Blood seeped from her wounds, and Darkness was horrified to see slight bits of dust emitting off of her. "...Lemon...Bread..."

"Lemon Bread...?" Darkness questioned the relevance of those two words, but quickly deduced it as important, seeing how Shyren gasped loudly.

Alphys slowly walked towards Darkness, her arms swaying slightly. "Lemon Bread...she's...part of an experiment gone horribly wrong...it's because of me...she's terribly deformed...and I couldn't do anything to fix her...or any of the others...of all the victims...she hated me the most...and she still does even after six years..." Alphys mumbled, tears rolling down her cheeks. "...On the night before I left for this archipelago...she reluctantly called me...she said she still really hated me for what I've done to her...and yet still...she tearfully begged for me to bring her sister back...and I promised her that I would do so...absolutely." Shyren hid her face and shivered, trying to keep herself from crying any more.

"Experiments...? Her...sister...?" Darkness muttered softly. Alphys eventually stopped in front of him, and weakly punched his stomach. Since her magic hasn't been honed despite knowing what it can do, it predictably did nothing except bring some dust off her fist. Her lack of experience was going to doom her at this rate. He grabbed her by the shoulders, but she didn't meet his eyes. "Dr. Alphys! You need to stop!"

"So you see...?! It doesn't matter that I'm weak! It doesn't matter that I've failed at lot of things I could have done better in...! And it doesn't matter that someone like you is standing in my path of redemption! If I save her sister...if I bring her back safe and sound...then maybe...just maybe...she'll finally think about forgiving me...just a hint...I don't expect it to be right away...just for her to think about it would be a miracle to me..." She weakly punched him again. " I can't afford to leave without Shyren! I have to bring her back to her sister! I have to win! I...need...to...wi..." Alphys tried punching again...she fully lost consciousness and fell in a heap before Darkness, her glasses falling a few feet away from her face.

"Alphys...no..." Shyren weakly whimpers.

Darkness thought over her actions and what he himself should be doing next. She was fully acting upon her emotions instead of logic. This was not how he envisioned his first encounter with her at all. He didn't want her to hurt her so seriously, but she just wouldn't accept surrender with so much on the line for herself personally. After taking a moment to think it over, he shook his head strongly.

Augustine can punish me if she wants. I can't kill a fellow scientist, not like this one. She has the strength to do something that I hesitate to do. The right thing, despite the harm done to herself. It's very clear that I've been forced on the wrong side for years, but this the last straw. I'm done participating in this madness.

Darkness slowly slid his paws under her and picked her up bridal style. He mentally commanded Mettaton Neo to return to his side, much to the puzzlement of Chara and Muffet. "...Follow me to my lab. Dr. Alphys needs to recover." Darkness nodded his head once. At his, the mechanical locks for the cages holding the monsters disengaged, and the shackles of magic also deactivated, rendering them free to move. With this, Darkness slowly carried Alphys away, with a cautious Chara staring at his back.

I sense that Tempest's battle has ended as well...Augustine has no choice now...

(The Fourth Island)

Augustine was understandably stressed out. All of her cameras have suddenly been knocked out with no intervention on her part. She face-palmed as she knew who was behind it. Darkness was being disobedient. This meant Tempest was sure to follow. She can't influence them to do her bidding anymore. The only thing she has on them now was keeping them from attempting to kill her. Though that meant nothing at this point, as Toriel was likely to do the job for them. Paranoia was beginning to take over, but she tried to keep a cool head.

She tells herself this as she was standing in front of the cell containing Lunar. At first the creature didn't look towards her. But given how her tail was childishly wagging with a sassy motion of 'I told you so', she most likely already knew what she was about to ask. Augustine hated that she was right after all, and was forced to take a huge risk. Lunar couldn't be influenced by her magic at all, no matter how hard she tried. Appealing to her desire was the only thing she could hope for in order to gain her assistance. She sighed, her arms falling to her sides.

"Alright! You win, you insane battle-hungry dragon. You'll get your duel, as long as you help me make it out of this afterwards."

Lunar slowly turned to the woman, amusement in her eyes and a smug smirk on her face. The dragon was covered in red scales and had silver eyes. She wore a tattered crimson jacket with white velvet lacing in the form of a robe, and her somewhat sizable chest was only covered by bandages to effectively restrain them, leaving her midriff exposed. She also wore tattered shorts, leaving her hardened crimson scaled legs exposed. "Was that so hard? I don 't want any of your subordinates interfere with our duel, this is purely one-on-one." I can feel him approaching...Asriel Dreemurr...my next, and quite possibly my most promising opponent yet...and as a bonus, he's coming to ME. She thought with anticipation, as a bright white magic, as well as a heavy dark magic, emitted from her body simultaneously. Her eyes shined with glee.

He might actually force her to use her magic. That's good. It means he was going to be worth her time...

Undyne wins! Spares Tempest, and he stands down so he can explain anything else that they might not know about. Though Frisk got pretty messed up...

Alphys unfortunately loses...but the promise mentioned in the past chapter and quite possibly hinted by the one before it has been discovered. She loses, but Darkness has made it clear that he won't kill her, despite how easy it could be. Chara's loss of an arm so soon made things difficult with Mettaton. Luckily Muffet's there to back him up. Spider strength indeed. Wonder what else she can do...possibilities are wider than one might think.

Augustine prepares to unleash Lunar as Toriel, Asriel and Red are heading towards the island she resides in. She has no choice but to face them head-on. And Toriel has made it clear on how unhappy she is with this situation. Asriel...well, he won't be having much fun either. Lunar has made her intentions quite clear.

Toriel: Augustine won't get away!

Asriel: This feeling...

Red: Time to bust some heads!

And Red shall be Red~