Chapter One: Field of Flowers
Chara woke up, rubbing her head. She blinked her eyes at the blackness, seeing the light coming down on her.
"Where… what happened?" She mumbled, looking up. "Last thing I remember was… ASRIEL!"
She sat up with a jolt, her head feeling as if knives were shoved into it. She clutched her head, crying out in pain as her memories themselves seemed to be jumbled up. She had seen her brother, but she couldn't remember where…
"What was I doing?" Chara asked herself, looking up. "And… why am I in the Ruins? Didn't we die in the castle? Did mom or dad bury me here? But… why am I on these flowers instead of under them? I should probably get up… best find out what's happened since we died… but… how long has it been? And… how did I come back?"
She leaned over to push herself into a standing position, but fell flat on her face, feeling that familiar tingling in her legs.
"Looks like I should wait for my legs to wake up…" She muttered, rubbing them until they felt normal again. She managed to push herself into a standing position, a little wobbly, but nonetheless still standing. She walked, rather stumbled, over to the doorway that led into the rest of the Ruins.
She panted, leaning on it, physically drained by the simple action of moving to the door. She really hoped this didn't mean her body had severely atrophied (a word she only knew the meaning of because her mom had insisted she learn schooling). It was too chilly to take off her clothes to look, however, as the Ruins had both the top of a mountain and being next to a consistently snowy place to give it temperatures.
Chara waited until she had regained some more strength before continuing to walk into the Ruins.
She made it into the next room, noticing a singular flower pop up into view. It had a smiling face, which struck her as odd… yet familiar. But, as she tried to think on it, her head hurt. The pain drove her to her knees, causing her to tear up and hiss at the pain.
The flower moved back and forth as if there were a breeze, simply looking at Chara with an unreadable expression. When the pain in Chara's head finally died down, she looked at the flower.
"Howdy!" It said, immediately making Chara have memories of her dad, which didn't hurt her head for some reason… perhaps memories before her death were less painful…
"Uh, howdy." Chara said, sitting cross legged because she was too tired to stand.
"I'm Flowey." The flower said. "Flowey the flower."
"I hope my dad didn't name you." Chara sighed. "He's horrible with names."
"Well…" The flower paused, looking Chara over. "Here in the Underground, we all share LV."
Chara was confused at this. She knew what the monsters called LV. It was hammered into her (gently) from a young age. She had often been told she had a higher than wanted level simply because she got into fights as a kid. She didn't kill monsters, however, but when it came to things like sticking up for her brother or sparring with Undyne, she was more than willing to throw down. But, that begged the question of why monsters shared it now.
"What does LV stand for?" Flowey asked, the smile still on his face. "Why LOVE of course."
Chara was still confused as to where this was going. The flower was clearly not telling her everything. She, however, was in no position to move much in her weakened state. She wasn't exactly a superhuman individual, but she could still keep pace with some of the stronger monsters in the Underground.
She watched as several white seed-like spheres began to float up from around from the flower. They spun around, in an almost mesmerizing way. Chara couldn't take her eyes off of them, partially out of suspicion and partially out of curiosity.
"Go ahead, catch them." Flowey laughed, the petals heading towards her. Chara also noticed that her SOUL had emerged, pulling the locket with it, which the flower took notice of. One of the petals neared her SOUL, hitting it. Chara gave a shriek of pain as she felt it tear through her SOUL, sending her back from the pain. She felt a searing pain as the flower began to laugh, his face taking on a distorted version of itself.
"You IDIOT!" He laughed. "In this world, it's kill or be killed! Someone with your LV should get that by now, Chara!"
"That's… that's not what the Underground is like." Chara said, clutching her SOUL as she sat back up. In her weakened state, that had done a great deal of damage to her SOUL, something she may not be able to recover from. It did not occur to her at the time tht the flower had spoken her name.
The flower created a ring of the seeds around her, causing it to close in. Chara covered her SOUL to try and protect it, but something else happened. She felt herself be rejuvenated. She listened as a fireball struck the flower, driving it into the ground.
"Oh dear," A voice that cause Chara to tear up as she looked up from her curled up position to see a tall, goat like monster. She wore a purple robe with the legendary Delta Rune symbol on the front.
"M-Mom." Chara whispered, tears streaming down her face.
"I see another one has fallen down." She walked over to Chara.
Chara kept her head down and clenched her eyes shut, seeing images of her mother's corpse turning to dust, frightening images from some horrible nightmare she could barely remember. She flinched when she felt the arms that were always there for a hug, always open, always inviting… far moreso than the human that had birthed her.
"Come, my child." Toriel said. "It is alright. That flower cannot harm you anymore. I will take you to my home where we can get you all warm and cozy. I am Toriel, caretaker of these Ruins. Do you have a name, my child?"
Chara said nothing, allowing herself to be helped up as she let her long hair flow over her face. Toriel looked at her clothing with an odd look, but Chara figured she knew the look already; it was the look of recognition.
"I suppose you do not have to tell me right now," Toriel said kindly. "You remind me a lot of my own daughter when she first fell down. She was so quiet and hurt, but she seemed to get along well with my son… I miss them both."
At the mention of Asriel, more tears fell down Chara's face as she held onto Toriel. She was surprised the elderly monster hadn't just called her Chara in the first place.
"At first, I thought you were Chara," Toriel sighed. "But… she's been dead for a while. She couldn't have come back, I suppose. But, I guess she's with her brother. I suppose you and her wouldn't have gotten on well. She once told me that there was only one human that she ever got on with… but, she didn't want to talk about it more. But, everyone can change, I guess."
Chara's mind flashed back to when she knew of that one human… such a sweet child… like to flirt more than anything else… always in that blue sweater… some thought she and Chara were siblings at one point… then… well, it didn't matter at this point. Chara made her choice after the humans made theirs.
"What… happened here?" Chara asked, looking up. Her hair was a bit wild, covering her face, but giving her a better view.
"The Underground isn't like it once was," Toriel said. "Once my children died, it became a little more violent, bit by bit. It's been about twenty years since then."
"Twenty years?" Chara asked, looking around. "I… I wonder what else has happened."
"It doesn't matter." Toriel pat her. "You may live in the Ruins with me."
"But… don't you live in the palace?" Chara asked, confusion in her voice.
"That… is not a story for right now," Toriel sighed. "I won't ask you to pity me over it. Now, come. I shall take you and make you a delicious pie. You shall love it, I promise."
Chara wanted to ask some more questions, but Toriel seemed to not want to answer any. Chara was surprised that she wasn't throwing her arms around her, hugging her and telling her not to worry. In fact… she seemed to not recognize her at all. Chara wanted to tell her, but she was afraid of how Toriel would react, what with her being alive and Asriel gone… all her fear of the humans paled in comparison to the fear of Toriel's hatred. She couldn't stomach that. If it happened, she might just go through with what she had tried when she was a child…
"My child," Toriel said, patting Chara's shoulder. "I have a simple task for you to do."
Chara looked at her, her face still hidden by her hair.
"Please walk to the end of the hall." Toriel said. "I want to see if you can do it without my support."
Chara, deciding to follow her instructions, nodded as Toriel walked ahead. She walked, staggering a little due to still being weak form waking up from whatever nightmare she had while she was dead as well as that flower having pierced her SOUL. Once she made it to the other side, she collapsed into Toriel's arms.
"It is alright, my child." She said. "I'm sorry I expected too much of you. You did commendably, though."
"Thanks…" Chara said before passing out in her mother's arms.
Later
Chara's nose wrinkled in her sleep as she began to react to a smell in the room. It wasn't unpleasant, but it was certainly a smell that triggered her nostalgia. She turned over in her bed, falling out of it with a loud THUD.
She pushed herself onto her elbows, groaning in pain. She still hadn't fully recovered from that attack. What the hell did that flower do to her SOUL? She had taken way worse than that before she had died. Just how much had dying weakened her? Or… perhaps there was something else going on.
She looked over to where the smell was coming from, seeing a piece of pie. Chara pulled herself over to it, taking the fork that she had and ate the pie. Immediately, she felt strength running through her, giving her energy. She weakly stood, feeling her legs become a little stronger.
Staggering over to the door like a drunk, she made it over to it. She managed to make it to the table, where Toriel was sitting and drinking coffee.
"Hello, my child," Toriel said with a smile. "Did you enjoy your pie?"
"Yeah…" Chara said.
"Is there something else you want?" Toriel asked her.
"Chocolate?" Chara asked, Toriel's expression pausing for a minute as she looked at the sixteen year old.
"Y-Yes," Toriel nodded, getting up. "But… may I see your eyes?"
"What?" Chara asked. "O… Okay."
She brushed the hair from her eyes, showing the crimson orbs that were pretty much unique to her. Toriel gasped, taking a hold of her chest and standing.
"I… I'll bring you that chocolate." She said with a forced smile.
"Can I tell you something?" Chara asked, not wanting to keep Toriel in the dark anymore. "I… I messed up."
"It is alright, my child." Toriel said, returning with the promised chocolate. "Everyone makes mistakes at one point in their life. What defines them is how they learn from them. How do you learn from yours?"
"I get both me and my brother killed…" Chara mumbled, beginning to eat the chocolate.
"That's a bit… extreme," Toriel said, pausing as a strange familiarity beyond this child's clothing and hair struck her.
"I was why the only human I ever cared about was killed," Chara said, staggering to a stand and turning to face Toriel. "I got me and my brother, your son, killed all because I couldn't get over my fear and hatred. How isn't that extreme?"
"Ch-Chara?" Toriel gasped as her eyes widened. Chara looked down, pulling the locket from her shirt.
"It was my fault Asriel's dead." She said as the tears incessantly came down her face. Immediately, those strong arms that had always been there pulled her into a strong hug, holding her close.
"Oh, my child," Toriel said, shedding some tears of her own. "It's alright. Mom is here for you. I still love you. I always have and I always will."
Chara wrapped her arms around her mother, sobbing into her chest as Toriel held her close, just like she had all those years ago.
"I'm sorry I didn't recognize you at first, Chara." Toriel said with a heavy sigh. "I was trying to ignore your looks because I didn't want to get my hopes up for nothing."
"I didn't tell you because I was afraid of what you'd think of me." Chara said, sniffling. "I… I couldn't take another mother rejecting me."
"You know I'd never do that." Toriel said, running her furry fingers through Chara's hair. "You're my special little angel. It mattered not that you weren't my child."
"I-I know." Chara said, leaning into Toriel some more. "But… there's some things I need to know."
"Like what, my child?" Toriel asked.
"Why are you here?" Chara asked, wiping her eyes on her sweater sleeve. "Instead of with dad?"
Toriel sighed sadly. She knew this question was coming and she had wanted to avoid it as best she could. But, obviously, since this was Chara, she'd want to ask the question.
"Well…" Toriel began. "When you and Asriel… died, he became wracked with grief. In his grief, he became angry."
"Did he… hurt you?" Chara asked, her fist instinctively clenching a little at the thought.
"No." Toriel said firmly. "Your father would never stoop to that level. He began collecting SOULs."
"But, monster SOULs don't stay after death." Chara said.
"You were only the first," Toriel said. Chara's eyes widened at her meaning. Asgore was collecting human SOULs. As much as she didn't care about humans, it seemed odd that Asgore would do that.
"I… found this in the Ruins." Toriel held out a red ribbon to Chara. "It belonged to the first that fell after you. I would like you to take it."
Chara did so, nodding.
"You can use the mirror at the end of the hall to put it on if you like." Toriel said. "Or, I can put it on for you."
"Alright." Chara said. "Can… can you do it?"
"Of course, my child," Toriel tied the ribbon into Chara's hair, in the middle of the back of her hair.
"Thanks, mom." Chara said quietly.
"Let's see how it looks on you," Toriel said, Chara standing and staggering over to the mirror.
She looked at herself, noting her state. Her clothes were clean and nice, something she guaranteed wasn't the same as how she'd first woken up. She wore her favorite green and yellow sweater that she and Toriel had worked on together as well as a pair of red jeans. She wore boots because that's how she managed to keep her feet safe in the Underground. It was exactly what she was wearing when she had died.
Her hair was long and a bit wild and curly, moving over her breasts, its hue a dark brown with the smallest hints of red. Her eyes were crimson orbs, completely unnatural for a human, something she had been made very clear of on the surface. Of course, she was a pure human, so there was no trace of monster in her aside from the ten years' worth of monster food she'd ingested. Tied neatly into her hair was the red ribbon, making her look a slight bit younger.
Her skin was always that pale color with the rosy cheeks she always had hidden mostly by her hair.
"You still look beautiful, my child." Toriel pat her on the head. "But, I must ask: why are you walking like that?"
"I guess it's because I've been dead," Chara said. "My legs haven't been able to fully recover just yet."
"I understand," Toriel said. "I suppose you'll regain them. You're going to get better."
"I… I know." Chara said with some confidence. "I wanted to ask you something though."
"What is it, my child?" Toriel asked.
"Can I go visit dad?" Chara asked.
Toriel paused, contemplating her answer. After a minute, she smiled.
"You may," She said. "But, you must be careful. If I didn't recognize you, he might not either. And, he's been hunting human SOULs to destroy the barrier, so you'll have to be extra careful. Even Undyne might attack you."
"Undyne attacking me isn't anything new," Chara said with a little chuckle.
"With intent to kill," Toriel said.
"We'll have to see." Chara chuckled. "I'll stay safe, mom."
"You do that, sweetie." Toriel said, kissing her forehead. "The entrance to Snowdin is locked. But, it should open for you."
"Thanks," Chara nodded with a smile. "I'll come back mom. I promise."
"That's my girl." Toriel said. "You're… SOUL confident."
"Are you sure dad didn't break up with you?" Chara asked, which got a laugh from both of them.
"If he didn't break up with me when I was giving birth to Asriel and was pregnant, he'd never leave." Toriel said. "But, speaking of him, I'll give you a piece of pie to give to him. I don't like what he's doing, but since you're going, I suppose I can give him one piece."
"Thanks, mom," Chara said. "I'll head there now."
"Be safe, my child." Toriel said. "I know you're strong, but there may be things that you can't face."
"Right." Chara nodded. "I'll try my best to be safe."
"Good." Toriel ruffled her hair. "As much as I want you here, I know you want to see your father too. Just… come back."
"I will." Chara said.
"Well, I have some extra chocolates for you." Toriel said, retrieving five more bars from the fridge. "I'll get more for you later."
"Thanks." Chara said, smiling as she pocketed the chocolate. She walked through to the basement, heading out the door.
"Oh, Chara," Toriel walked over to her. "I got you this as well in case you needed me."
She handed Chara a phone, the red eyed human taking it.
"I'll call you every day," Toriel said. "So, you better pick up."
"Alright." Chara nodded. "I'll make sure to."
After the two shared one last hug, Chara began her slow, slightly staggering walk to the door of the Ruins.
She saw a ghost lying on the ground.
"Hey, Chara," the ghost said, unmoving. "Nice ribbon."
"Hey, Napstablook." Chara said. "How's your cousin?"
"Haven't seen them." Napstablook said. "But, I'm sure you will."
"I'm sure," Chara said, smiling and waving as the ghost smiled. "Say, how'd you recognize me?"
"I never forget someone like you," Napstablook said.
"Thanks," Chara chuckled. "I'll see you later."
"Bye," Napstablook disappeared.
As Chara continued walking, she saw that same flower from before, the one that gave her an unsettling… familiar feeling.
"Well, you aren't giving in yet," He said, his face shifting into a purely evil grin. "But, what happens if you meet a relentless killer? Will you give into your hatred that way?"
"Why do you want me to do that?" Chara asked, standing over him, the ribbon waving in her hair.
"Because," The flower rose up until it was at level with her face. Chara almost jumped back, but held her ground, taking a deep breath. "You're going to give into your sins."
The flower laughed evilly, burrowing back under the ground.
Chara sighed, continuing her walk through the underground until she reached the door with the Delta Rune. She touched it, pushing it open. With that, she walked out and into Snowdin.
Standing in the snow just outside the Ruins, she was immediately glad she had liked to wear sweaters. She cautiously walked, her legs beginning to be able to handle the weight of her now.
She saw something in the bush next to her, something that caught her eye. She looked, noticing a camera.
"Looks like Gaster's playing snoop again," Chara muttered. "Forgot to ask mom if he finished the Core yet. Oh well, I'll ask another local monster."
Immediately, she heard the sound of a twig snap. She turned to see a pair of oozing brown eyes and a mouth that looked like a void of sins.
Chara jumped back, landing on her ass. She looked at the ghostly, writhing mess that clawed its way over to her. It looked like a human female, but… grotesque.
"Looks like you're starting without me," The oozing freak said. "Pity. I wanted to consume their SOULs."
"Get away." Chara said, grabbing her head from the shooting pain in it. "I don't know what you are."
"Oh, poor Chara," The oozing freak said, putting a hand on Chara. Immediately, she gained images of monsters turning to dust in the Ruins. "I had suuuch a fun time with your SOUL. I want to have more fun."
"St-Stay away," Chara said. "Y-you can't be real."
"Oh, but I am." The freak said, making herself look like a strange version of Chara. "I'm as real as you."
Chara's anger began to boil at this mockery this freak was making.
"Why do you look like me?!" Chara demanded. "Why do you look like Frisk?!"
"Wouldn't you like to know, dear Chara?" The distorted human said, giving out a laugh. Chara put her hands over her ears at the sound of the laugh. It rang deep in the recesses of her mind, bringing nightmares to the forefront. Her mom turning to dust, her dad, Asriel, Undyne, everyone.
The freakish thing grabbed Chara around the waist, whispering sensually into her ear.
"I'm in your very mind." She said. "So, let's pick up where we left off before you wrested control from me."
"Why do you look like Frisk?" Chara demanded once again. Immediately, images of the one human Chara had ever cared about had rushed into her head like a flood. She looked so happy, even around the 'freak' everyone saw Chara as.
"Perhaps I'm your guilt at getting her killed." The distorted human said, leaning close enough Chara could feel her distorted breath.
"Shut up!" Chara exclaimed. "Get out of my head!"
Chara thrust her arms to the sides, her entire body erupting in fire as her SOUL began to beat furiously. The freak jumped back, fully surprised. The snow around Chara had melted as she dropped to her knees, sobbing into her hands.
"I just want to be here," Chara said. "With my family. With Asriel. Even Frisk. I… I want to be happy. Is that impossible for someone like me?"
When she'd finished crying, she looked around. The freak didn't seem to be anywhere in sight, so she cleaned herself up, looking at the ground.
"Did I… use magic?" She asked, gasping. "H-How?! I thought humans couldn't use magic anymore… maybe it's all that monster food… well, whatever. I should get going. I don't want to meet that… that thing again."
She began to walk through the snowy forest, looking around. She came up to a large log, noting it with amusement.
"Undyne would suplex this log." Chara mused. She walked past it, hearing a loud snap. She turned around, seeing the log snapped in half.
"Or she'd break it." Chara said. "But… she'd also be around to gloat about it… so… I should probably get to Snowdin. If my own mom doesn't recognize me at first, god only knows what else wouldn't."
She walked forward, coming to a bridge. It had odd bars on it that seemed quite wide.
"Hold up, human," A voice came from behind her. Chara turned to see a skeleton that went up to her breasts in a blue jacket and some slippers with athletic shorts. He had gloves on and had two white dots for eyes. His mouth was a grin that stretched across his face.
Chara took a step back as images flashed into her mind. Images of this skeleton and a glowing blue eye she felt an inexplicable fear towards.
"What's wrong, human?" He asked. "Don't you know how to greet a new pal?"
He held out his right hand, Chara looking back and forth from it to his face.
"Just a handshake," The skeleton said. "Nothin to bite ya."
"Never done one…" Chara muttered. It wasn't a lie, since she'd never had to do one.
"Uh…" the skeleton said. "Just take my hand in your right hand. And, make sure it's a nice firm grip."
Chara slowly did so, grabbing the hand in a quite firm grip. She was quite surprised to hear a fart sound coming from the skeleton's hand. The skeleton sputtered out in laughter.
"The ol' 'whoopee cushion in the hand' trick." He said, laughing still. "Gets 'em every time. Name's Sans"
Chara let out a nervous chuckle, said chuckle escalating to a laugh after a minute.
"You're Gaster's kid, aren't you?" She asked.
"How do you know about Gaster?" The pupils in the skeleton's eyes disappeared for a split second.
"I used to live here," Chara said. "That was his classic prank."
"Well, I suppose it's been a while since you left, human." Sans narrowed his eye sockets a little, looking Chara up and down. "I suppose you're headin' through."
"Something like that," Chara said, feeling a little more at ease.
"Well, my brother's just ahead," Sans said. "He's a human hunting fanatic. He's pretty much harmless. Say, you mind entertainin' him?"
"I'm kinda busy, but I guess I could take a detour." Chara said. "Kinda getting used to walking again anyway."
"Huh?" Sans asked.
"Long story," Chara said. "Perhaps I'll tell it someday."
"Eh, I suppose it's your call." Sans said. "Besides, I'm too lazy to try and capture you."
"I see," Chara said. "Well, I suppose I'll head through."
Chara turned and walked through the gate blocking her path.
While she walked, Sans put his hands in his pockets, a slight glow coming from his eye.
"So," He said, chuckling. "You came back after all, huh, kid? Guess I gotta keep an eye on you after all. Don't make me regret this, lady."
Chara walked to a small clearing where stood a lamp, a sentry station, a couple of icy rocks and… Sans?!
"How did…" Chara began to ask before the skeleton turned to see her.
"Heya," Sans said, a wide grin on his face. "You look like you've seen a skele-TON of questions."
"If this isn't Gaster's relative than I should probably wear ear plugs for this trip," Chara thought.
"Um… hi," Chara said, her hands in her pockets. "How did you get here?"
"I know a shortcut," Sans shrugged. "Anyway, my brother's comin' through here, so hide behind that conveniently shaped lamp."
"Uh… okay?" Chara did so, not really feeling any fear from the situation, but curiosity. His skull was shaped different than Sans' and he had on a strange armor of sorts, complete with red boots and gloves with a red scarf flowing behind it.
"SANS!" He said, getting an angry look on his skull. "WHY HAVE YOU NOT RECALIBRATED YOUR PUZZLES?! YOU ARE ONCE AGAIN AVOIDING WORK!"
"I do work," Sans waved it off. "A skele-TON of work."
"Let's kill him for such a bad joke!" The freak shouted, hissing at Sans. Chara, more pissed off at the freak than fearful at this point, swung her fist at it.
"Foolish human!" The human shouted in laughter. "I'm not physically here!"
"Go away," Chara hissed.
"You can't avoid me," The corrupted human grinned wide with its void like mouth. "You may be able to distill me, but I will forever be a part of you. I'm not going anywhere and you know it. It's only a matter of time before your body is mine."
"Get out of my head," Chara said in a harsh whisper, using her mental efforts to will the demon away. Surprisingly, it seemed to work. Chara, however, was unaware of Sans glancing over at her the entire time.
"SANS!" The taller skeleton shouted, bringing both Chara and Sans back to the situation at hand. "YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION!"
"Sorry, Papyrus," Sans shrugged. "I was just checkin' out that lamp over there."
"NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR YOUR FOOLISH ANTICS, SANS!" Papyrus exclaimed, stomping his foot on the ground. "I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL GUARD AND UNDYNE WON'T LET ME IF I DON'T HAVE A HUMAN TO PROVE IT!"
"Oh, the HUMAN-ity," Sans shrugged, an imaginary bah-dum-chh happening.
"THAT WAS THE WORST PUN YOU'VE EVER GIVEN!" Papyrus shouted.
"You're smilin' Sans chuckled.
"I AM AND I HATE IT." Papyrus said.
"Well, let's go fix those puzzles, alright bro?" Sans said. "I'll just grab some ketchup and meet you."
"YOU BETTER!" Papyrus said, walking out of the clearing.
"You can come on out, kid," Sans said, Chara walking over to him.
"I'm not a kid," She said. "I'm sixteen."
"Doesn't matter," Sans said. "But, that was my brother. Ain't he cool?"
"Not as cool as mine," Chara looked off into the distance.
"Uhh…" Sans decided not to push it further, being too lazy. "Well, you think you can entertain him for a bit longer?"
"As long as it gets me closer to where I'm going," Chara put her hands behind her head.
"I'm sure it will," Sans shrugged. "I'll catch up with you there."
"I'm sure," Chara said, walking forward. She couldn't ignore the feeling in her stomach that Sans wasn't one to take as lightly as he let on.
Eventually, she came to yet another clearing, this one branching off into two paths. She knew one of them was the path to "Photo Fishing", which she and Asriel weren't allowed to go to for whatever reason and the other led to Snowdin Town. She noticed a strange looking box off in the corner. She looked inside of it, seeing a pair of pink fingerless gloves with the word "TUFF" written on them.
"Sweet!" She grinned, taking them out. "I've always wanted a pair of these."
She put the gloves on, flexing her fingers and looking at the area. She sat down, taking a deep breath.
"Man, I can't believe it's different like this," Chara said, leaning on the box. "Killing humans… it just doesn't seem like them in this day and age. I guess me and Asriel's deaths were a big deal. I suppose I'll have to deal with monsters attacking me."
She began to drift off to sleep. After some time, she heard voices. She blinked her eyes open to see a small of monsters near her. Her SOUL emerged from the locket as Chara sensed the fighting intent. The monsters consisted of a Snowdrake, an Ice Cap, and some other, weird monster that Chara felt… oddly disgusted by.
"Looks like we gotta tell Undyne," The Snowdrake said. "She'll know what to do with this one. It's clearly human.
Chara tried to stand, but her legs were a bit asleep from the snow.
"I got this one, kiddos," Sans walked up. "You guys all run home. I'll get it to Undyne."
"Okay, Sans," The three said, running home.
"Thanks, I guess," Chara said, her SOUL retreating back into the locket.
"Snow problem," Sans grinned, eliciting a groan from Chara.
"Lemme help ya up." Sans held out his hand. Chara took it, getting a mischievous look on her face as she yanked the skeleton into the snow.
"What?" Sans asked, looking up at her while she stood.
"SNOW skin off my nose," Chara said, holding a hand out to him.
"Well, I guess you do got some good ones after all," Sans accepted the hand, Chara pulling him up.
"Yeah," Chara said. "Now, where's your brother? I'm in the mood for puzzles."
Next chapter, we shall see how Chara solves the puzzles. I'm curious as to how it will be as well. Also, I made a title pic. If you can't tell, it's Toriel and Chara in front of the mirror with that line from the mirror in New Home.
Note: I know I took some liberties. If you want to know why, please let me know and I'll explain.