Underground Spirits
Chapter 13: Highest High, Lowest Low
Sampson's Point of View
What a struggle it was... Was this always how difficult it was to borrow another's gift?
"How's it coming, Sam?"
"Slow..." The words that came out of my mouth didn't sound at all like my own. I, as a small mouse monster, was nothing more than quite tiny with a small voice to match.
The voice that came from me then was Ryu's. Another member of the guard who was one of the few remaining dragon monsters left. His voice was nothing like my own, it had a deepness to it, a power from being in a body that was not only much larger, but had much more lungs to accommodate such a loud voice. His eyes glowed with my magic as the fellow guardsman allowed me the use of his body to practice using the skills of another. I had the ability to use the skills they themselves knew how, and Ryu, the crazy man he was, knew how to pick locks.
How terrible...
It was really horrendous due to the fact that I was an ex-convict. And yet, they were helping me learn these kinds of skills? Something that would have helped in the world I used to live in. It was explained to me that for the very reason that I was not the most physically strong yet, they wanted me prepared for any situation should something get out of hand and I was captured.
What in the world were they thinking?!
Granted, amidst my frustrated thoughts, I noticed that the gated door I was trapped behind popped open the lock on the door. On heavy, old hinges did it swing out, noisy and catching the attention of all in the area. Vinnie, who held my body at the time, grinned at my achievement, showing me a bright smile.
"Great job Sam! Okay, so now that you've done that, let's let Ryu have a break."
"Of course."
Carefully releasing my vice like grip on Ryu, I felt my soul slip out of his own. A small white heart with wispy purple magic floating around it. It slipped back to my own body and quickly did I come to. Slowly I began to sit up in the arms of my companion while Ryu sat himself up against the stone wall.
"Like always, you leave a lasting imprint."
His words were soft in those moments, but deep with his concern about my own abilities leaving residue if someone was trying to figure out how to target me.
"I know..." I sighed as I slowly stood on my tiny feet. "I have been working on it, I can assure you."
"We don't doubt it, Sam." With myself standing, Vinnie kneeled to get closer to eye level with me. "Wanna give you all the tips before your final test with the king."
"W-wait, final test?" I almost lost my composure at the mention of it. It had been quite some time since it was mentioned to myself. Simon didn't have to do such a thing due to his magic not being as... unsettling as mine. Plus he worked with Juryman Red and the human woman, Angel, often.
I, on the other hand, did. But how was one to prove their loyalty? I wasn't able to do certain features that others could do. I was unable to use healing magic, only this... body take over magic... It honestly was the worst magic for myself to use in a test of any sort to prove my honesty.
Vinnie raised an eyebrow at me. "Don't tell me you forgot already?"
"Not forgotten... but it's still some time off, yes?"
I struggled to hold back the fear in my voice when that comment escaped me. How else was I to phrase it? I didn't feel I was yet ready to prove myself. There was still so much to fix... and there was no easy way to do so either...
"Dude, the king is forgiving to those who are trying." Vinnie set his hand upon my shoulder. I was thankful it wasn't my head. His hand was so large it nearly swallowed me. The first time he did it... I thought it was going to crush my skull. "Hey. Don't give me that look. You know you've been working hard at this. You won't let what happened before happen again."
That I knew I wouldn't do. I couldn't. I couldn't be that terrible person who hurt others. I hated how I had been that person. How my only friend Simon had been roped into that horrendous scheme.
I would never let it happen again. Nor drag those that meant the world to me into what I'd mess I'd caused.
With a deep sigh, I nodded to the second in command. "Of course, vice captain."
A flick came to my head that I still hadn't managed to avoid due to Vinnie's quick agility. I yelped at the hit, but struggled to hold back a smirk as Vinnie scowled.
"I told you to stop that shit."
"My apologies, vice captain."
"Now, now..." Ryu stepped in before I could get another verbal jab in, nor Vinnie attempt to actually strike me. "It's time for patrol."
Ah yes, patrol. We of course had to make sure the people of the monster kingdom were doing well in their everyday tasks and that no issues broke out to disturb the peace.
"Very well... where am I traveling with you today then?"
"I'm actually going to send you out with Chandler and Atlas."
"Wait... I'm not going with you?"
I was honestly quite surprised by that outcome. Perhaps it had been some time, a few months...
When was the last time I was trusted like that?
Vinnie stood up then, and it was hard not to be surprised by the difference in height as I stood there, barely to his waist. "It's time for me to let you have some space too, but don't abuse the fact that I'm letting you head out with other members. Okay?"
"O-of course."
"Good. Chandler is just getting back from practice with the captain and Atlas just started his shift. It will be good for you to spend time with the guys out in the field in the instance you'll need to work together."
Ryu also smiled as he stood. The good friend of Vinnie gave me a salute as the two began to leave our training ground of the old castle. Far below where the king resides and part of the original build nearly a hundred years ago, that part of the castle that was used for a prison was old and falling apart to practice some basic skills without bothering anyone.
"Good luck, little mouse."
I was left alone then with only silence ringing in the air. I could only breath in the stale air and ponder my next moves.
This was the most trusting of me the others have been since I was ordered to be by the side of Vinnie in order to reform. And I know I've been watched by the jury. They're everywhere... I had nothing to fear anymore, but at times it was fearful just how much freedom I was being given. Or how quickly I could lose it should I make a mistake the guard couldn't accept.
With a sigh, I began to move on my minuet legs toward where the barracks would be. Where the other guards rotate and never was the entire group there at one given time in order to make sure someone always got rest or that we were always at peak performance.
It was strange to be welcomed in so suddenly... I wasn't expecting the others to come around to me, though I could only assume the jurymen must have been supplying them with more information from when I wasn't with them to help their feelings settle, if they had any negative ones to begin with.
Traveling through the tunnels and up a staircase or two, I finally saw light as in came to where a brightly lit area was. The barracks for the guardsmen were split up into a main chamber that then was split off again between those of the female gender, then male. Those of the royal guard were to the back beyond those rooms, again where there was separation by gender. The captain got the entire female side to herself, being the only female in the royal guard. The rest of us royal guardsmen were to the men's room. A room for us to chat, gather, and change into our respective armor. I'd been using the room along with the royal guardsmen for months, even if I was of the lower guard.
I was a rare exception it would seem…
"Hey Sam!"
Turning in the direction of the voice, I saw it was Chandler who called out to me. I could see the male was coating his tentacles with his armor, finishing up with his tenth leg. His silvery, slippery arms could grip on well when interacting with others in the field.
Beside him stood Atlas, one of the tallest of the guard, a bull monster, sometimes also call a minotaur. He was heavily proportioned to the top half of his body while his legs were a tad shorter. But even then, his legs were still larger than myself. His arms were the size of three of me...
"Hello, Chandler, Atlas."
Atlas turned his exposed shout to face me, attempting not to show any intimidating. "First patrol without the vice cap?"
"That's what Vinnie had said." I softly nodded to them. "If you allow me a few moments to put on my armor, I will be able to head out shortly."
"Hey, s'all cool there." Chandler was the one that time to speak. "Sides, ya get ta put on ya new armor!"
With a nod to my companions, I stepped toward the large locker that held my armor. I didn't even know the new suit was in. I had been handed an older one previously, one that wasn't to my exact specifications nor size. It wasn't noted just how long I would be a part of the guard. Everyone had been skeptical of me in the beginning.
Which was honestly fair after what I'd done under Harry's influence...
With my recovery and newfound determination, I slowly showed the guard members who taught me and empowered me to be a righteous individual. Though it was hard. I still received sneers, I still received looks from those who knew what I'd done. It hurt... something I'd truly never felt before. It was as if all the hard work I'd put in to better myself was... nothing.
And my emotions... They were so powerful now.
I had been numb to many things in the past few years with Harry's influence with my magic. It was like my very soul had been turned by his negative endeavors. The very make up of my being. I used to be quiet. I used to be reserved. I used to do nothing with my life... Simon was all I had back then and the two of us were introverted. Hiding in the shadows of society together with dreams that we didn't think we could achieve.
But... look at us then. The guard members were finally coming around. Vinnie and the others seemed so pleased with my improvement and my change in demeanor. Some of the townsfolk who work with the guard often were even coming around, passing along the word that I wasn't a piece of garbage...
I shook the thoughts from my head as I reached for the new armor of mine. Though I stopped short when I saw the color of it. Our armor sets were colored to show what level in the guard we were. Undyne herself, our captain, wore black as the head of the guard. Vinnie, as second in command, wore red. The two of them were to stand out as leadership roles. Everyone else wore dark grey armor to present to the people. Of course, other guardsmen wore other colors then those three. They were to avoid three colors, black, red and bronze. And silver of course for special occasions or for the royal family.
Apparently, bronze was for the somewhat elusive third in command color. One had not been used in many years... There wasn't even one in the entire guard at the moment. Normally the first two in command were enough.
But there I stood, stunned as I saw an armor set that was my size, in the color of bronze. Stunned fingers that shook as they moved stretched out to touch the metal under my fingers. As I applied pressure, as if to wipe off any paint as if that had been a joke.
It wasn't. The color stayed strong and wasn't bothered by my grimy fingers.
"Guys!" My head whipped around when I saw the bright smile on Chandler's face. "Sam saw the armor!"
Hooting and hollering echoed around the room. Whipping my head around, I felt hands landing on my shoulders, shouts of praise ringing about. I struggled to look at all the others around me, so much larger in size who seemed to be cheering for me...
I was lifted upon the shoulder of Atlas, then able to see everyone's faces. Among the crowd, I could see Vinnie and Ryu off in the corner as they were prepared to head out. He gave me a wink and turned to head out with his close companion.
"Make sure you report to the captain, third in command."
I froze up for a moment before I will myself to shout as loud as I could.
"THANK YOU, VICE CAPTAIN! EVERYONE!"
"Now that's the voice of the third in command!"
"You got this! Triple Cap!"
"You've earned this, Sam!"
I actually struggled to keep the smile off my face. For once in my life, I was wanted, I was needed, and I had others looking up to me.
I honestly couldn't be happier...
Later that Day:
"Simon, I'm bringing home something special for dinner. Don't worry about making anything. It's my treat." I had to pause for a moment while leaving a message on my friend's phone. "Something amazing happened today... Tonight is a celebration. Okay? I'll be on patrol. I'll be able to take your call if you call me back most likely. Talk to you soon, friend."
With a click of the button, the phone call ended. I actually was not even irritated at the fact I had to slip my phone in and out of my armor to put it away. The light of the glow crystals reflected off my new bronze armor as I marched through the streets of Waterfall. Water dripped from the ceiling like rain, clattering against the new suit I wore. The noise it made was rather soothing as I walked the streets.
Freshly broken off into separate roots from Chandler and Atlas, I was working my way toward the Snowdin border. Almost an eager pep to my step as I kept moving. Most people hardly bothered me as I passed by the busy plaza, but some waved, and others even greeted me, congratulating me on the acceptance into the top three of the royal guard. Something that hasn't been seen in so long, or seeing how far I've changed.
Both the king and Undyne had been waiting for me once I'd changed into the new bronze coating over my body. It had been such an honor to have my past deeds forgiven and to show how'd I'd grown. Within a year, I'd paid back the money I'd stolen, gotten into the guard, then become the third in command?
How in the world did I become so fortunate?
"Why did this happen!"
A sharp voice I hadn't heard in a long time caused me to stop as I was just a turn from meeting up with the current sentry station. Carefully I stepped toward the only cavern stone that was preventing me from seeing... her.
"You have to think about this logically, Vivian. That decision was not made lightly."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Following the voice, I saw it was three of the most unlikely people that I thought would be together. My estranged sister, the human woman Angel, and the male skeleton I possessed to commit my crimes, Sans Gaster.
And here I thought the day was going to be amazing... I should have known something like that would happen.
"Not made lightly!? Did they even think?!"
"Hey, hey, I don't like the guy either, but ya gotta think 'bout a few thin's here."
I couldn't believe how even he was trying to advocate for me... What in the world was this day coming too?
"You can't be serious! He ruined ALL of us! Why would you take his side?!"
"Stop that."
Angel's voice was sharp. While my sister stood her ground I could see how her posture became ridged. I could see how Angel was incredibly angry as she faced down my estranged flesh and blood. The scowl was deep on her face while they faced off and Sans appeared irritated in the sentry stand he worked.
"I need you to listen to me Vivian. I understand where your views lie about your brother, but you have to understand that he understands what he's done wrong, he's been healing and attempting to better himself. You do know that his magic backfired on him which is why he became the way he was back then?"
"So what?" Vivian snarled back.
"Sampson has been working ever so diligently in order to fix a mistake that he never could have foreseen. He tried to help someone, and in that instance, he was essentially taken over himself." The woman continued to explain very carefully with a tone that my sister couldn't refuse to listen to. "I don't know about you, but that made me think twice about how I perceive him. Trying to do the right thing all that time ago turned him into a villain? How in the world does that work?"
"He still ruined our family!" The biting words escaped my sister as her form shook from the rage. "My parents are withering husks of their old selves! Constantly asking what they did wrong to let their son become like that."
"Welp," Sans interjected. "Could they've done somethin'?"
And that caused Vivian's mouth to snap shut.
"Look, I hate the kid just 'bout as much as ya do. He took over m'fuckin' body for weeks n' left m'family worried 'bout me. But he's been really fightin' ta get better. He earned that position. Don't matter how we feel 'bout it."
"The king informed us that it was a tough call by the judge and jury to decide on this along with other members of the guard. Those that have been monitoring him, watching his every move." Angel sighed, leaning back against the frame of the stand her roommate sat in. "The work he's done to better himself and be back on the track of what he always dreamed, to help people, will eventually be all that the others know him for. His past will fade as he continues to do good for the people. You're welcome to continue to hate him for reasons out of all of our control, but be aware that eventually, people are going to go against you. I'd start keeping that opinion to yourself."
Vivian shook and screeched at the two of them. I saw her nearly fly into the air before she rushed away from the two, grumbling the entire way. I had to dart out of the way so she wouldn't have plowed into me. She didn't even notice me from how infuriated she was.
Then around the corner I looked again. Sans and Angel were talking quietly among themselves. Many sighs were passed between them before I steeled myself and stepped forward. The crackle of my armor should have given me away, but neither of them looked in my direction at first.
"Umm... Miss Angel? Mr. Sans?"
"Hmm?" Angel turned to face me before a soft smile came to her face. "Ah, Sampson, you decided to come out from your hiding place?"
I couldn't even hide the evident worry in my brow as I stood before them. "You saw me then?"
"No, you were well hidden." She assured me with a warm smile. Pushing back the evident tiredness in her brow. "My magic is a sensory type. It's very difficult for people to sneak up on me."
"Nothin' sneaks by Precious over 'ere."
Sans was attempting to show something of a softer look to me, but I knew that he still hated me. It mattered not. I could have destroyed the underground. I had the judge under my control.
Taking a careful look of my surroundings and seeing no one, I stepped closer to the two. The two of them blinked as they watched me gain on them before stopping a couple of feet from them.
"Judge, Juryman Red, I'm sorry."
The air was silent as I whispered those words. Words I could never say before in the past due to all the people around. I couldn't reveal those that I knew were in that group, it was a sworn oath I took when I first began this, and again when I accepted this armor as an honor.
"I did ruin your lives; I did hurt you. I hate that I couldn't stop myself." I especially focused on Sans when saying my apologies. "I don't expect you to accept this, I only wanted to tell you and that I'm thankful that you stopped me. I'm going to work the rest of my life to save the people instead of hurting them like I did before, no matter what they think of me."
"Well... I'm sure the two of them will appreciate your sentiments." I turned to Angel who had a much brighter smile to her face. "I'm sure we can pass the word along, can't we Darling?"
He just nodded and went along with what she said. "Yeah, I think so, Precious."
The two of them stood there with smiles that… perhaps I was imagining it, but I saw there was perhaps some actually genuine acceptance behind them. They looked… real...
A sigh came out of me that perhaps I'd held onto for far too long. I gave a beaming one back, to show them how grateful I was. "Thank you…"
Witch's Note:
Wow! What a turn around for Sampson! What in the world did we just witness? Amazing! He's now third in the guard?! Didn't see that one coming, but I'm the one who wrote it?!
Mystic Girl: I really liked that chapter. We actually got to see some improvement from Sampson that we hadn't seen before. I'm really glad we got to see this chapter.
Me: And it looks like even Sans and Angel partially forgave him! Something you don't see very often!
This was another one of Raspberries123! Her last one! We're getting closer to the end of the amount of chapters we have for this story!
But anyway, onto some reviews!
Shadow8Phantom: Yeah…. (I sweat dropped in the background.) That wasn't the plan originally, but kinda turned out that way… Hope I didn't make anyone freak out… And Angel nearly did do that! And Millie's haunting from beyond (before) the grave! Wasn't it great?
Thechaosmaster: I know right?! Isn't it embarrassing? I would be horrified too!
Trust me, I would keep that kind of stuff hidden in a very good spot…
But thank you for all the kind words you've been saying to the others and I'm sorry if this feels rushed. So busy.
(You see me typing away furiously at my desk, the keyboard almost on fire from the friction. Mystic Girl watches on in both fascination and horror as I typed away so quickly.)
Mystic Girl: Yeah, I'm gonna come back later…
Dasansi: Well look who we have here! It's been a while since we saw you! So good to see you! And its true, Sans and Angel act more like parents half the time as they grow older. Now, you'll see that more in the future chapters and second story. But don't worry about being here for now, we're not going anywhere! Promise! Maybe the second story will be up by the time we see you again?
RoseCentury: I'm glad you're taking the time to do things at your own pace Rose. I think you doing well! But don't push yourself too hard. Okay? We're here for you!
Yikes… this chapter ending was short-
Mystic Girl: But you have more work to do!
Me: I KNOW!
Mystic Girl: WHY ARE YOU YELLING?!
Me: I DON'T KNOW!
Oh god… I need to get back to work… ugg! See you all! Love you!
Save me!
Halloween Witch and Mystic Girl
A day in the life of Vinnie and Samson (and the other members of the guards with them)
