A/N: Hi everyone. This chapter is shorter than usual, but I am going on a trip and wanted to post something before I disappeared for a while. Thank you Caligulagula for following and favoriting this fic. Thank you for those of you still reading.
Kendall felt a little unsure with the new cavern the reptilian monster led her into. The mysterious light that illuminated the past caverns was dimmed. Dark shadows consumed the walls. Her own shadow stretched far in front of her contorted into a grotesque shape. It was unsettling, but Searifa didn't seem bothered by it. "Is it normally dark here?" the teen asked.
"We are underground, Kendall. It is only natural that it is dark," the monster replied with a slight chuckle in her voice. Kendall frowned deciding she had liked it better when the monster was nervous. " There are locations in the underground where the light from the Surface doesn't reach. In fact, off the main path there is a cavern that many nocturnal monsters live in. Those monsters are able to be awake with the rest of us because of the lack of sunlight. From what I learned in history class, it allowed for a more unified Underground."
Kendall nodded along although she was already thinking about something else. Her blue eyes staring off ahead at the tall grass that grew feet in front of the pair. Searifa didn't even falter her pace as she stepped into the grass first. The grass brushed beneath the monster's jaw but barely covered Kendall. The teen groaned in irritation as the plants brushed by her face. She kept her head down to watch her steps. If there was a snake, she would scream. Kendall spared a glance to her companion and chuckled to herself as the reptilian monster flicked a forked tongue. She guessed there was already a snake in the grass.
The taller female's eyes widened before a heavy arm pushed the shorter into the dirt. Kendall was forced into a kneeling position beside the hunched monster. "He-" she started to complain before noticing that Searifa held a clawed finger to her lips in the universal sign for silence. Kendall shut her mouth watching her guide's steady gaze forward. Her green eyes didn't stray from a fixed point above.
Kendall could feel the warm staticky feeling from before swirl around her. Although the monster didn't look her direction, she knew that it was her magic. Just the presence of the energy made the human calmer as she gained the courage to look in the same direction as her guide.
She had to crane her neck upwards to see what the other was staring at. She squinted to see what appeared to be a suit of armor standing menacingly a level above. Kendall looked back to Searifa to see what the monster suggested to do next.
The golden reptilian monster was so still she could be mistaken for a statue. Kendall turned her attention back to the armor. "Who is that?" she whispered her voice barely a breath.
"A royal guardsman," Searifa replied just as softly. The frills on the monster's head were folded flat against her skull. Kendall waited for a further explanation, but her guide said nothing further. Her silence made Kendall's stomach do a flip. Her guide was supposed to go into a long unnecessary explanation.
The armor turned its helmeted head back toward Snowdin. "UNDYNE, UNDYNE," a loud and awefully cheery voice broke the tense athmosphere. Kendall shifted her eyes to Searifa who seemed to relax a little. Her shoulders and stance becoming less tense as the owner of the voice came into view. A small smile crossed her snout.
Kendall nearly shrank into the ground at the sight of the newcomer. The tall skeleton monster sauntered up to the royal guardsmen and gave a sharp salute. "Hey, Papyrus. I got your call. What's up?" the suit's voice echoed from within the helmet.
"UNYDNE. I WANTED TO REPORT THAT A HUMAN HAS FALLEN TO THE UNDERGROUND. THE DOGS ALERTED THE TOWN," Papyrus replied his voice loud enough that Kendall didn't have to strain to hear it.
"A human," Undyne shouted with a fist pump. "Where are they? I'll get them." The armored monster was too enthusiastic making Kendall nervous. "Did you see them? They didn't fight you, did they?"
The skeleton shifted uncomfortably, "I AM FINE. I DIDN'T ENCOUNTER THE HUMAN AT ALL, BUT I WISHED THAT I HAD MET THEM. THEY ARE VERY GOOD AT PUZZLES. ALL OF MY PUZZLES WERE EXPERTLY COMPLETED." Searifa spared Kendall a glance; the girl responded with a shrug. She hadn't solved any puzzles, but didn't want to tell the monster that. Monsters loved puzzles after all and it would probably insult the reptilian monster.
"Uh, that's great Papyrus, but are they still in Snowdin?" Undyne asked taking a step closer to the skeleton. Her voice was patient with an edge of worry in it.
"THE DOGS LOST THEIR SCENT AS THEY ENTERED WATERFALL. THE HUMAN MUST HAVE KNOWN THAT DOGS CAN'T TRACK THROUGH WATER. THEY ARE PRETTY SHARP."
Kendall lowered herself closer to the ground as the suited monster looked around them as if to search for her. The grass rustled by her left hand. The teen held her breath as both Papyrus and Undyne looked her direction clearly drawn to the sound. A glowing blue spear formed in the armored monster's hand.
A blinding flash of light made her entire vision white followed by what sounded like a camera shutter. "My apologies," Searifa's voice sounded as the dots finally disappeared from the girl's eyes. Kendall looked in disbelief as her reptilian guide stood up from her hiding spot. "I didn't mean to frighten you," she said as she shook what appeared to be a photo in one hand.
"Pft. I wasn't scared," Undyne said crossing her arms as she raised her head.
"SEARIFA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Papyrus asked stepping closer to the edge of the ledge.
"Wait, you know her?" Undyne asked. Kendall watched the trio of monsters talking to each other in rapt attention. She readied her feet beneath her in case Searifa decided to sell her out.
"pst. howdy," a new voice whispered near Kendall's left hand. She drew her attention away from the monsters to look at Flowey who sprouted next to her. "It's really rude not to greet a friend." He frowned slightly before sticking out his tongue.
"Not now Flowey." Kendall hissed looking back up at the monsters. The trio didn't seem to hear the flower or her. In fact, Undyne and Papyrus seemed to be posing as Searifa took another picture.
"Those idiots are not even paying attention. I say we just leave and get you out of here," Flowey responded pointing a leaf to the trio of monsters who seemed to be laughing at the picture. Kendall wondered briefly how Searifa managed to climb to the higher level. The flower tapped the girl's hand with a leaf to get her attention.
"I don't think that's a good idea Flowey. Seari said she'll get me out," Kendall stated.
"And you believed her?" Flowey asked his beady eyes widening. He chuckled, "You're an idiot, too. What will she do if Undyne, captain of the royal guard finds out your hiding here? Or the inevitable confrontation? She'll pick her own kind over you, a dirty little murderer." His voice had a sharp edge as his face morphed into a more vicious smile.
Kendall clenched her hands into fists grabbing at the dirt. The plant was right, but what else could she do? Go back to murdering everything in her path in the hopes of escape? The thought made her queasy. "Kendall, come on out. It is okay," Searifa's voice called.
The teen froze as she looked up to see all three monsters looking her way. Undyne and Papyrus didn't strike out nor did they look frightened. "Her little parlor trick won't keep you safe forever. And then you'll see that I was right: It's kill or be killed," Flowey said from deep within the grass. With that the plant, disappeared into the ground.
"DON'T BE SHY LITTLE MONSTER. UNDYNE ISN'T AS SCARY AS SHE LOOKS," Papyrus called helpfully, his natural smile widening. Kendall looked at the captain who tried to look harmless and failing.
"Yes, Kendall. The surplex wasn't as painful as it looked," Searifa added. Kendall shook her head ignoring the odd sentence as she got to her feet slowly. She put her trust in the reptilian monster as she took a deep breath to walk out of the plants.
"I don't see many fire elementals outside of Hotland," Undyne commented putting a hand under her helmet.
Fire elemental? Kendall wrapped her arms around herself. She knew that the reptilian monster could create illusions, but why not make her invisible. Kendall could feel the monster looking over whatever illusion Searifa cast. She really hoped that it held under scrutiny. "You two need to get to New Home as safely and quickly as you can and with a human running around that's going to be pretty tough." The captain put her hand down as if she finished her thought. "Hey, Papyrus, are you up for a special assignment?" She asked the skeleton.
"A ROYAL GUARD IS ALWAYS READY FOR SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS," Papyrus chirped his hand already creating a salute.
"Right, you are to escort Searifa and her friend to New Home while I go kil-capture the human," Uydyne ordered her posture becoming intimidating. Kendall swallowed the lump in her throat at the monster's slip.
"Yes, Sir. Ma'am. Undyne," Papyrus replied. "COME SEARIFA AND KENDALL. WITH THE GREAT PAPYRUS AS YOUR ESCORT, YOU WILL REACH YOUR DESTINATIONS SAFE AND SOUND," He gracefully jumped down from the higher level into the tall grass below. Kendall backed away from where he landed fists clenched in case he decided to attack.
"Okay, you three be safe. I'll find the human," Undyne called out loudly before walking into the shadows she had appeared from.
Kendall watched the Royal Guard Captain disappear feeling dread in her stomach. "JUMP, SEARIFA. YOU CAN TRUST ME TO CATCH YOU," Papyrus's loud voice reminded the teen that she wasn't out of the woods yet. She looked back to the pair of monsters. Searifa was leaning over the edge of the higher level to look at the skeleton.
"It is rather high. I don't understand why I let you convince me to climb up here," Searifa replied, her voice clearly nervous. "A fall from this height will break bones," she added.
"Come on, Seari. Trust the skeleton," Kendall complained. "We're wasting time."
"KENDALL IS RIGHT, TRUST THE SKELETON," Papyrus replied, "YOUR FRIEND IS A GOOD JUDGE OF CHARACTER." Kendall smiled a little at the comment.
Searifa sighed dramatically mumbling something about dust before jumping forward. Kendall stepped forward in case Papyrus missed. She closed her eyes not wanting to watch the reptilian monster hit the ground. "SEE, SEARIFA. THE GREAT PAPYRUS IS A GREAT CATCHER." The teen girl opened her eyes to see that Papyrus was true to his word and caught the chef.
"Thank you Papyrus. I shouldn't have doubted you," Searifa said with a relieved sigh, "But could you return me to the ground?" Papyrus apologized before setting the monster on her feet. She brushed herself off, her hands were shaking slightly. "We should get acquainted before we continue our journey. Papyrus, this is Kendall. She is a friend of mine."
"IT IS NICE TO MEET YOU, KENDALL," Papyrus greeted, "MY NAME IS PAPYRUS, FUTURE ROYAL GUARD." He held up his arms before Searifa put a hand on the one closest to her.
"She doesn't like hugs," Searifa added her fingers were firm against the skeleton's arm. Kendall gave the reptilian monster a strange look, but didn't comment. Searifa's face told the human that she would explain later.
"THAT'S QUITE ALRIGHT. MY BROTHER, SANS ISN'T A FAN OF HUGS EITHER," Papyrus said putting his hands on his hips as Searifa released her grip. Kendall froze again; this goofy skeleton was brothers with the one that tried to kill her. It was strange to think about.
"How is your brother?" Searifa asked while the two monsters took the lead walking through the tall grass. Kendall followed a couple of steps behind still a little weary.
"MY BROTHER DECIEDED THAT SINCE THE HUMAN HAS MOVED ON FROM SNOWDIN THAT HE'LL SPEND THE DAY IN GRILLBY'S," Papyrus responded with a disgusted look on his face. Kendall wondered how bone could shift to convey that emotion.
"I am actually planning on visiting the grill. Grillby came to my restaurant the first day and it would be nice to return the favor," Searifa said.
"I RECOMMEND THE MILKSHAKE. IT IS THE ONLY ITEM ON THE MENU DRIPPING WITH GREASE. MILK ALSO MAKES BONES STRONG."
"I will take your suggestion into consideration," Searifa replied. Kendall stayed behind the two conversing monsters watching as Searifa offered Papyrus a cinnamon bunny as she ate her own. Kendall rejected another offered cinnamon bunny that was offered to her. She didn't understand how the reptile could be still eating. Papyrus looked back once and gave her a smile. The human hoped desperately that the skeleton didn't see through her disguise. "Are you feeling well, Kendall? You haven't spoken in a while." The golden monster looked over her shoulder, her green eyes concerned.
Kendall frowned as both monsters stopped their movement and looked down at her. She gave the reptilian monster the angriest look she could. "PERHAPS SHE IS FRIGHTENED OF THE HUMAN?" Papyrus suggested. "THERE IS NO NEED TO FEAR YOUNG ONE. I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS WILL ENSURE NO HARM BEFALLS YOU OR SEARIFA. AS A FUTURE ROYAL GUARDSMEN IT IS MY DUTY TO PROTECT THE MONSTERS OF THE UNDERGROUND."
"So you are not a royal guard yet?" Kendall asked her voice relieved.
"Kendall," Searifa hissed her eyes showing that she disapproved of the slightly rude comment.
"NOT YET, BUT SOON. MAYBE IF I CAPTURE THE HUMAN, UNDYNE WILL FINALLY ALLOW ME TO JOIN. THEN I WILL FINALLY GET THE RECOGNITION I DESERVE AND EVERYONE WILL WANT TO BE MY FRIEND."
Kendall would have normally whispered to a friend that the skeleton was such a loser, but with her normal lackeys gone she had no one. "But you won't get this human if you are protecting us."
"PERHAPS, BUT ANOTHER HUMAN WILL FALL DOWN. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW POPULAR I WOULD BE WHEN I CAPTURE THE FINAL HUMAN AND WE ESCAPE TO THE SURFACE."
"King Asgore would probably celebrate you as a hero," Searifa added helpfully. "Let's just hope that the next human doesn't take as long to fall."
"When did the last human fall into the Underground?" Kendall asked. She remembered the stories of the young boy that disappeared near Mount Ebott recently. Did he even have a chance to leave alive? Did the monster kill him?
"Nearly fifteen years ago," Searifa answered putting a claw to her face to think. "I was a young hatchling then. I was still wearing stripes."
"I DO NOT REMEMBER THE LAST HUMAN. I WAS JUST A BABY-BONES THEN," Papyrus responded. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY WERE LIKE, SEARIFA? DID YOU SEE THEM? WHAT DID THEY LOOK LIKE?"
"They had a gun," the other monster responded, her green eyes looked far off. "They hurt a lot of monsters. I didn't really have the opportunity to know them."
Kendall swallowed thickly, but didn't point out that the other didn't really answer the skeleton's question. "Did all the humans kill monsters when they fell?" she asked her heart pounding. She hoped that to Papyrus the question sounded like a young monster scared of humans.
Both monsters looked at each other and shrugged. "THIS IS THE FIRST HUMAN THAT I REMEMBER FALLING TO THE UNDERGROUND. AND I HAVE A GREAT MEMORY."
"And I wasn't born when the fourth human fell," Searifa added. "But there is no use dwelling in the past."
"RIGHT, WE MUST KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND GET YOU HOME, KENDALL." Kendall looked up at both smiling monsters. They should look frightening, but she couldn't see how anyone could be afraid of them. Her stomach twisted with guilt as she looked down at her now dust-free hands.
