I ASKS FOR FORGIVENESS!

I completely forgot to post this here!

I have been mostly messing around on AO3 lately,so much so that I don't come to fanfiction to look for stories.

._.'

so...

yeah,
here's chptr 10

Grillby had been at work when the foreboding presence passed through Snowdin. The atmosphere in the bar had been calm and relaxed, as it always was, but it quickly became tense and suffocating with fear when the feeling of a very powerful magic passed the establishment. Grillby had never felt such a magic before. It felt… dark; evil almost.

No one moved as the, Grillby didn't even know what to call this, thing passed, and once the immense pressure of magic was gone the fire monster raced to the daycare. The presence had to pass the daycare as it made its way from the bar and that terrified Grillby. Sans and Papyrus could be in danger, and Gaster was probably still at Home seeing the King and Queen, so Grillby took it upon himself to make sure the boys were safe.

Banging his fist on the door, and having to argue with the monster behind the door after a few more knocks, Grillby sped into the home and what he walked into could best be described as a mess. Children of all ages and species were all a crying mess. Toddlers were screaming their lungs out while the older children huddled in corners trying to hide. But through the sea of children, Grillby spotted the two he was looking for.

Sans was holding Papyrus to his chest tightly while the pair hide inside the small playhouse in the back of the room. The older boy's sockets were an empty blackness, Sans pupils always disappeared when he was under great emotional stress, and Grillby could see thick tears rolling down his cheekbones. Papyrus was clinging to his brother's shirt while he too cried with soft whimpers and hiccups.

"Are you two alright?" Grillby asked when he managed to get passed all the other children to the toy house.

Neither boy spoke, but the moment they spotted the fire monster they ran right into his opened arms. Both were shaking, enough to make their tiny bones audibly rattle and clack, and as they dug their tiny hands onto Grillby's clothes it was obvious they wouldn't be letting go. Lifting the boys into his arms, Grillby gathered up their things and took them home.

He had hoped Gaster would be there by now, but when the house was found empty it was clear he was not.

"W-where's Daddy?" Sans asked as Grillby sat them all down on the couch. "Is he a-alright?"

"I'm sure he's fine, Sans." Grillby cooed as he gently rubbed the boys' spine. "He'll be home soon… I hope."

"W-W-Want D-Daddy…" Papyrus whimpered as he buried his face into the adult's chest.

"I know, I know you do." Grillby spoke softly as they all just sat in the silence of the room. Whatever that thing was that from earlier was long gone, but its magical presence still lingered. It was a dark and powerful magic that made you feel small and inferior to it. The pressure this magic had was an uncomfortable one and it made you feel claustrophobic.

Grillby didn't like this magic. It felt like the exact opposite of what monster magic was. Monster magic and monsters themselves were made up of positive energies and thoughts. This magic that still lingered in the air… was a negative force with horrendous feelings behind it. It made Grillby's magic flare up in a protective way; a shield around him and the two boys he held. Grillby would have gone even farther and enveloped the house with his magic, but he needed to monitor his use of it; just in case he needed to use it if that thing came back.

"I'm scared…" Sans spoke as he pressed into the warm body that held him. "I d-don't like this magic. What is it?"

"I don't know." Grillby said as he leaned in and nuzzled the boy's skull. "Don't worry; I'll protect you and your brother."

Sans knew those words held more truth than he would ever be able to know. Grillby was a powerful monster and would keep him and Papyrus safe if anything happened, but much as Sans cared for Grillby his father brought him the most comfort and protection. Gaster always made Sans feel safe and the boy knew that even though his dad was a busy man he would always be there for him.

Gaster wasn't here right now though, and even though that thought alone scared him Sans knew he was safe with Grillby.

Relaxing, as much as he could, Sans closed his sockets and allowed the warmth Grillby offered to lull him to sleep; Papyrus soon following while sleepily nibbling on his scarf. Grillby felt exhausted as well, this dark magic had an almost draining effect, sucking all the good magic in the air, but he knew he couldn't sleep now.

That thing could come back at any time and Grillby needed to be ready.

So he would stay awake and be on his guard…

At least until Gaster came home.

Whenever that would be.

Gaster wasn't sure how long he stayed hidden in his lab. For some time he guessed, as Frisk had fallen asleep but later woken up wanting to be fed. After feeding the child, Gaster scanned the area with his magic. The presence from earlier was gone, but a trail of magic still lingered in the air; a remaining touch of the unknown entity.

This magic made Gaster's face scrunch up as if he smelt something foul. It was nothing but negativity and malicious thoughts; the opposite of what a monster's magic was supposed to be.

Whatever it was that had passed the lab… was nothing good. And Gaster hoped it wouldn't be coming back.

Scared. Worried. Scared.

Frisk was resting against Gaster's chest, her head just above his sternum, and though she was calm in appearance their bond said otherwise. Frisk was terrified, more than that even, and she made very sure that Gaster knew it. Not once since the magical presence passed had she let go of Gaster. Her little hands were always gripping some part of him, from his shirt to his fingers, and Frisk would pitch a fit if Gaster tried to set her down.

"I know you're scared, little one." Gaster said as he ran his hand through the messy mop of brown hair that Frisk had. "… I don't blame you."

Gaster was afraid himself, but he knew he had to be brave; for Frisk's sake. If that presence did come back Gaster couldn't let his fear stop him from protecting his child… his child… oh no.

"Sans and Papyrus!" Gaster shouted as he finally realized that this presence had to have passed through Snowdin; meaning that his boys were probably as much a mess as Frisk was. "Oh god, I need to go to them."

Gaster needed to get home; fast.

Moving to get his coat, Gaster paused. Looking down at the small bundle he held, Gaster felt his magic pulsate in fear. He didn't want Frisk out there with that kind of magic lingering around, but he couldn't just keep leaving Frisk in the lab all alone either. Thinking for a moment, Gaster came up with a plan.

His house had a basement that he had made into a lab/workshop. He mostly used it to just finish up on things he couldn't here at the lab, but it was sound proof and a good place to hide Frisk until he got around to explaining her to his family.

Nodding his head, Gaster decided that this would be the safer thing to do. Pulling on his jacket, Gaster buttoned it over Frisk to keep her hidden and warm once they got into Snowdin. Gaster wasn't sure how a human would take to his teleporting so it left him with only the option of walking all the way back to Snowdin.

Frisk fussed at being suddenly confined to the inside of his coat, but settled once Gaster got her comfortable and to where she wouldn't fall. Once satisfied that Frisk was safe, and out of sight, Gaster made his way to the exit. Reaching the door Gaster found himself stopping in his grasp for the handle. The lingering magic was thicker by the door, and probably even more so outside. It washed over both Frisk and Gaster and the two shuddered as the magic seemed to crawl over them.

Parental instincts told Gaster to stay hidden in the lab, until this magic dissipated, but those same instincts also told him to go out and hurry back home to his boys.

The latter having won out, Gaster grabbed the handle and pulled the door open.

What Gaster saw waiting for him outside was not what he was expecting though…

"Thank goodness you're here! You will be able, no, you must help my son!"

It was the king, Asgore, and the boss monster looked like he had just run a marathon from how he was panting and leaning against the lab's wall. His expression was a mix of both fear and worry as he stared up at Gaster and from the way his body shook those emotions were strong.

"Y-Your Highness!" Gaster gasped as he clutched as his chest, moving his jacket in a way that shielded Frisk from view. "What is it?"

"Asriel, he… he changed." Asgore voice shook as tears started to form in his eyes. "He took Chara's… Please, you must come and help him."

Not giving Gaster a moment to decide, Asgore pulled the skeleton by the arm and deeper into Hotland. It was a workout in and of itself as Gaster tried to keep pace with the larger monster as well as make sure Frisk wasn't jostled around too much. Gaster found himself jumping and skipping steps as the king pulled him down the path, and while doing this he noticed a few things.

The path the king was taking them down was the one that led to the construction of the core. Gaster knew this by the large pieces of metal and other equipment that were scattered around as they ran. The skeleton also realized that the farther the king took them, the more the dark magic felt thicker in the air and dense enough that it was smothering. And Gaster wasn't the only one who took notice of this.

Monsters who had been working on the core cowered in fear in any nook and cranny they could fit themselves into. Their bodies shook madly, eyes were wide and blinded with fear, and many of the monsters were mumbling incoherently. What Gaster could make out was 'beast' 'dark' and 'evil'.

Gaster felt pity for those monsters and what they obviously had seen, but he didn't have time to deal with them. Asgore was still pulling his arm and the rest of Gaster down the path, even as it led into a dark cave. Gaster didn't remember this cave in the schematics details and as Asgore pulled him deeper into it he began to wonder how it had not been noted.

He soon found out how this cave had been formed as soon as the king finally slowed down…

Lying on the ground, coating a thick layer of dust and blood, was a monster Gaster had never seen before. They were as tall as Asgore and Gaster combined, and that wasn't including the horns the monster had. The last bit of magic that leaked out of the monster struck Gaster in such a way that he physically recoiled and wrapped his arms over Frisk's hiding spot.

This monster was the source of the dark magic that had passed the labs earlier.

"Please, you must help him." Asgore said as he finally released Gaster and went to the fallen monster's side.

No, this couldn't be the prince, Gaster thought, nothing about this monster was even close to what the prince was. Asriel was a kind and gentle soul, his magic just the same, and last Gaster check the prince was just a mere child and not a towering beast of a monster!

"Why do you stand there?" Asgore shouted with tears falling from his eyes. "Do your duty and save your prince!"

There was no mistaking it now, this monster, this dying monster, was Prince Asriel.

Snapped out of his musing, Gaster slowly brought himself closer to the two royals. Bending down to where he knelt down at Asriel's shoulder, Gaster tensely brought his hand closer. The moment his hand touched the prince, Gaster pulled back. The magic that coursed through Asriel was so dark that it was disgusting. It coated Gaster's hand, along with the dust and blood, and seemed to eat away at his own magic reserves.

"I-I… I can't." Gaster said as he clutched at his chest. His body shook in an uneasy motion, feeling sick from the tainted magic now surround him.

"What do you mean you can't?" Asgore cried as he stared at Gaster. "You must do something!"

"F-Father…"

Both adults stared down at the still form of Asriel as his eyes slowly opened, revealing watery eyes that stared up at nothing.

"It's a-alright… I understand…"

The room fell eerily silent after that. Gaster wanted to help the prince, but he just… couldn't. From what he observed, Asriel had obtained far too much damage for Gaster to be of any help, and this magic was another problem. How could Gaster help a monster whose magic made him violently ill? The answer…

He couldn't.

"What happened?" Gaster finally spoke after finding his voice.

"H-He absorbed Chara's soul." Asgore said as he stared down at the dying form of his child. "She wanted to see the flowers again so… s-so he took her body back to the surface. He found an opening in the barrier and when he got there…"

Gaster had never seen the king look so fearsome before in his life. Asgore was known for being a big old softy and always gently, but the look in his eyes now was terrifying.

"The humans did this to him." Asgore spoke as he closed his eyes tightly.

Gaster found his arms going back to his chest. Frisk was terrified, she shook enough for Gaster to know it, but thankfully she was quiet. Something told Gaster that if Frisk made her presence known right now… it wouldn't end well for either of them. The king was a gentle being, but even the kindest of monsters were known to snap when under the right circumstances.

Turning his attention back to the prince, Gaster found that the poor child looked absolutely pitiful. His form, as powerful as it was now, was slowly turning to dust and bathing the ground below him in his ash. It was only a matter of time now before…

"You won't be able to hide them forever." Asriel's voice is soft and quiet; so much so that only Gaster hears him. "If w-we can sense them…how long will it take for others?"

Before Gaster has a moment to question what the prince meant by what he said, Asriel gave one final sigh as his body gave way to dust. The powdery gray remains of the prince fell in a heavy heap to the ground before the two adult monsters, and the moment the ash touched the earth something that could only be described as otherworldly happened.

Jumping up in both shock and fear, Gaster watched as the ground around him and Asgore suddenly erupted in bright yellow flowers. The plants continued to grow with each step Gaster took to get away from them, and only when he bumped into the wall did they finally stop. Now settled, the patch of flowers covered up a majority of the floor, but in the center of the room, where Asriel had once lain, was bare.

Asgore remained where he was, still kneeling before the bare patch of earth where his eldest child once was. His body was still, his head hung low enough to where his horns almost touch the ground, and he was silent. It was a bit unnerving to Gaster, seeing the king like this. Daring himself to walk across the flowers, the scientist made his way over to Asgore.

"Your Majesty?" Gaster spoke as he finally reached the king, making sure to avoid the barren blotch of earth. When the king did not reply Gaster slowly reached out to him. "… Asgore?"

"Let it be known that from this moment on that any human who falls down into the underground shall be reaped of their soul and brought to me." Asgore spoke out firm and unwavering as he stood. His expression was blank, emotionless, even as tears fell down his cheeks. "And when we have gained the seven souls to free us all… I will pursue my vengeance for my child… The humans will pay dearly for what they took from me."

Gaster found his breathing hitch. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. His body shook as he wrapped his arms around himself and Frisk…

This couldn't be happening.

"And every monster is to bring any human they find their soul to me." Asgore continued as he turned away from Gaster. "So I decree."

Gaster wanted to scream. He wanted to cry. He wanted to hit, kick, and crush down on such a ruling. This couldn't be. It just couldn't! He was so close to ending all the secrets, to stop with all the lying. But now…

Gaster ran as fast as his legs could take him. Frisk shook in fear at feeling Gaster's emotions and it only made the skeleton run faster in fear she may cry and be heard. He ignored all the monsters he passed that screamed at him to stop and explain what had happened. He had to get back to the labs. That was the only safe place now; the only safe place for Frisk.

Where else in the underground would a human child be safe with a law that clearly stated that humans were to be…

To be killed?

The answer…

Nowhere.

So Gaster ran. He ran and ran and ran. By the time he reached the labs he felt about ready to collapse but he knew he could; not just yet. Pushing his way into the building, Gaster pushed past the few monsters that had finally come into the lab and made his way to his office. Once he was there he locked the door and leaned against the door.

Now alone, Gaster allowed the tears he had been holding back fall as he slid down to the ground. Unbuttoning his jacket, Gaster pulled Frisk out and nuzzled her forehead. The child was quietly crying along with the skeleton; both sharing the feeling of fear.

Gaster didn't know what to do now. Frisk was no longer safe outside the lab with the new law the king had made, and everyone was loyal to Asgore to a fault so Gaster knew no one would keep his child a secret.

"This can't be happening." Gaster said through sobs as he held onto Frisk. "Why? Why now?"

Of course Frisk didn't give Gaster an answer; only more crying. The child didn't know why her caretaker was feeling this amount of fear, but she didn't like it and it upset her. Clinging to his sweater, Frisk tiny fists dug into Gaster with a grip as strong as steal. Whatever was making the skeleton upset gave the child the feeling of 'going away' or 'taken' and she didn't want that.

Rubbing her back soothingly Gaster tried to calm her down as well as himself.

But as the second kept ticking, it only reminded Gaster more of what had just happened.

Frisk was no longer safe outside the lab.

Anything and everything, or anyone, outside these doors were a potential danger to his child.

A danger that he couldn't risk by bringing her home…

The only safe place for Frisk now was the lab.

And there she would stay.