Jeesum Crow! This took FOREVER to write; Sam and Dean just wouldn't do what I wanted and thus it became a 21-page epic! GAHHH! And for those who think Frisk isn't being well represented here, your right, I'm working on it though, its just so hard when you factor in actual dialogue between characters and how certain ones will respond to each other. Damn frustrating! Oh well, next chapter dang it!
On a more serious note I apologize if this chapter seems too expositiony and ooc, I wanted this chapter to be more than a rehash of this particular meeting in the game or god forbid a straight up copy and paste. BLEGH! As always, I have little notes and such that help smooth down some of the more OOC moments of these characters. -cough-Sans-cough.
Anyway, as always enjoy, comment if you like, and stay tuned for more!
"Amazing…" Breathed Sam as he cautiously stepped out onto the winter tundra, his boots sinking in with an audible crunch. Dean followed suit, his eyes roving over the multitude of trees growing along the path, Frisk trotting safely by his side.
Dean shivered, (1)John Winchester's jacket doing the bear minimum regarding the frozen air.
"Great, real fascinating, if the monsters here don't kill us than we could always just freeze to death." Snarked the older man as he tried (and failed) to pull the leather coat more securely around himself.
Sam snorted, "Don't be a drama queen Dean, its not that cold and dad's jacket will hold out until we find shelter." Turning he crouched down, brown eyes level with Frisk's amber ones.
"You doing okay? Not too cold?"
She smiled brightly before scratching a response down on her notepad.
"I'm okay! My coat and sweater are very warm, Mom really knows how to keep the cold away!"
Sam chuckled, "No arguments there, this scarf is probably warmer than half the ones I've worn on the surface." A thoughtful expression settled on his face. "Hmm, maybe it has to do with her magic? It's not a stretch to assume that Toriel's (2)flame magic has other qualities than the obvious."
Dean snickered, "Whoa there Sammy, careful not to liquefy the kids brain with all your nerdiness."
Sam stood, throwing an annoyed glare at his brother, "You just used the word "liquefy", correctly might I add and I'm the nerd? Sure Dean, denials not just a river in Egypt."
CRRREEEEAAAKKK!
All three startled at the groan of concreate slowly grating against stone. They turned towards the Ruins, watching as the ancient (3)exit way creeped to a close.
"Guess there really is no go'n back, no way but forward." Dean's voice was devoid of emotion as the last bits of the door firmly closed. Sighing he shifted his gaze catching a very out of place bush just slightly off to the left.
Pointing he spoke, "Check it out Sam, don't that just look suspicious and totally out of place."
"Yeah, way out of place. We should-wait? Frisk! Don't just-!"
Frisk (who had been just as curious about the funny bush) easily passed by both adults and made her way over to the towering shrubbery. Heedless to Sam's verbal attempts to stop her, Frisk stuck her tiny hands in, searching around inside. A squeak of surprise escaped the child as something cold and metal made contact with her skin. The sound drew both men forward.
"Kid! You okay!?"
Frisk nodded, her hands gesturing wildly, "Inside! Look what I found!"
Cautiously, Dean peered past the twigs and leaves to the area that Frisk was so eagerly pointing to.
"Is that?"
"Yep. Nothing I hate more than be'n watched by (4)creepers on the opposite side of a lens."
Hidden within the bush was a moderately sized (5)CCD camera planted firmly in the ground, the ON light flashing a steady green.
"This isn't good Dean, someone knows we're here."
"No doubt, but I don't think we need to worry all that much. I mean this camera's been film'n us for a while, probably since we stepped out, and still no ones come down here to do us in? While we've been standing around like a couple of gawking pre-teens whoever's been watch'n us had more than enough time to sound the alarm."
Sam frowned, Dean's logic was sound, no one had shown up yet, he stared at the lens contemplatively.
"Maybe their waiting for us, to do something worth reporting?"
Dean shrugged, "Who knows. We'll just have to be alert, try not to stir the hornets' nest too much."
"I guess…"
Frisk watched the exchange, a pensive look on her adorable face, even The Voice was unusually quiet. Mouth scrunching up in Determination Frisk gazed resolutely into the camera's round lens.
Her bright smile quickly replaced the scrunch, (6)"H-Hello!" The child chirped, tone nothing but friendly, little hand waving cheerfully at the person behind the electronic.
Both brothers chuckled lowly, say what you wanted about kids, this one had personality in spades.
"Come on Little Miss Friendly we gotta get go'n; we'll all start turn'n into ice cubes if we stay out here too long."
Giggling Frisk stood, arms stretched out towards the older Winchester a hopeful look on her face.
Dean grinned, "Eh? You look'n for a ride there squirt?" A nod. "Well, with an argument like that how can I possibly refuse?"
(7)Bending down Dean swept the child into his arms, smile softening at the giggles tumbling passed the kids lips. The sound briefly reminding him of the times he had done the same for Sam when he'd been younger.
With a bit of shifting Dean got Frisk comfortably settled on his shoulders, the kids head whipping this way and that as she took in the sights Dean's height offered to her.
"You good squirt?"
Frisk bobbed her head, yes, she was very good. A faint shuffling in the back of her head and an odd sense of weariness made Frisk blink, (8)The Voice must be watching them, though why it (9)seemed scared the human child could not discern why.
With the kid situated Dean turned to address his brother, catching the creepy smiling, knowing look the younger man was shooting his way.
"What!?"
Sam's smile widened, "Nothing Dean, its just, its just nice seeing you be so…parental."
Dean gagged mentally, "Dude."
The younger hunter laughed. "It's a good thing Dean, it just shows how mature you've gotten, I remember when you couldn't stand kids. This is a nice way of seeing how those types of things change. It's cute."
"Ugh, leave it to you to make that sound even worse by explaining it. Let's go before you infect me with your girliness Samantha."
The taller man scowled even as he fell into step with the older hunter, "Wow, I take back everything I just said about you being mature. You're such a jerk."
Dean snickered, "And you're a bitch. Bitch." Pause. "Crap." He patted Frisk's leg. "Forget I said that."
Frisk giggled but nodded, a strange tingling in her head made Frisk believe that maybe, The Voice was laughing too. That was good, the funny voice was really helpful, and Frisk didn't want it to be scared.
As the three moved along the path Sam couldn't help but analyze the nature surrounding the path. Tall, thin trees devoid of any leaves that had grown uncomfortably close to one another. It almost felt as if they had grown that way on purpose, tight and suffocating to discourage anyone from veering off the icy path.
(10)"Man, this place is spooky, almost feel like we're be'n watched." Grumbled Dean his grip slightly tightening onto the child wrapped around his neck. Green eyes darted carefully over each row of trees, unfortunately the gaps were to small and dark to see anything lurking around.
Despite their growing anxiety they continued to walk at a sedate pace, no reason to freak the kid out over nothing, right?
"Careful Dean watch your step. There's a stick in the way."
The hunter looked down, yep definitely a minor inconvenience, he effortlessly hopped over it. Ignoring Sam's scowl of disapproval all the while, his mirth only growing as Frisk laughed giddily from the action.
"I said watch the stick, not jump the stick Dean. What if you had stepped down wrong, Frisk could have gotten hurt!"
"Chill out (11)Mama Sam, kid and I are made of sterner stuff, isn't that right squirt?"
Frisk puffed out her chest, "I'm D-E-T-E-R-M-I-N-E-D!"
Dean smirked, "Here that Sam? She's Determined, and I'm Dean Winchester, Bada-er-Awesome Guy Extraordinar! Your just jealous of our combined greatness."
Sam glanced back, unimpressed, "Who are you trying to convince, me or you? Dude, you are so lame."
"Your lame Samanth-CCRRRRAAAACCCCKKKKK!"
The loud snapping of a branch caused all three humans to jump, instantly putting both hunters on alert. Both men hastily scanned the trees, but it was just too damn dark to see! Sam stiffened as his brown eyes landed on the branch from earlier.
"D-Dean?" He motioned to the broken stick, its form completely splintered apart, shattered by an unknown force.
"Damnit knew it was too good to be true. Sam take the kid." Dean passed the frightened child over, Sam unhesitatingly pulling her into his protective arms. "I'll hold up the rear, if anything happens you take the squirt and run, you hear me?"
Sam swallowed anxiously, "Yeah I hear ya."
"Alright let's go, hurry!"
They sprinted forward, Sam shielding Frisk and Dean restlessly scrutinizing the path behind and beside them. A sudden shadow flickered in his peripheral but as soon as he went to look fully the damn thing vanished!
*Bastards playing with us! *
"Dean up ahead!"
The older man reluctantly turned away from their pursuer, his gaze landing on what appeared to be a poorly made gate built over a hanging bridge.
"Keep go'n Sam, don't look back!"
Both men broke out into a run, the bridge only a few ahead. *Almost there! Just a bit further! *
But unfortunately, luck was not on the boy's side as inches away from freedom a heavy feeling wrapped around the brothers, stopping them in their tracks.
"Dean! I-I can't move! Ngh!"
"G-Goddamnit! Nh-Neither can I!" Dean attempted to struggle but it seemed whatever the motherfucker had done totally ceased all movement.
The sound of crunching snow steadily getting closer made both men go tense. Frightened Frisk whimpered, burying herself further into Sam's hold, The Voice doing the same. It was scared too, terrified and that only doubled Frisk's own fear.
The crunching grew louder until it seemed like the sound was coming from everywhere at once. Dean's heart pulsed rapidly as the footsteps stopped right behind; the stillness of the air only increasing his rising panic.
"Humans." A voice echoed, deep and chilling, "Don't you know how to greet a new pal? Turn around and shake my hand."
The constrictive power vanished, Dean grit his teeth. *Screw you! I'll do a whole hellva lot more than that buddy! *
Neither Winchester were strangers from assaults to their back and John had made sure to drill as many self-defense lessons for that scenario as possible into them, the man had been a Marine before he was a Hunter.
Dean turned, fully prepared to grab this fucker by the hand and toss his ass as far as humanly possible, however something…unexpected happened; just as he made contact.
Pfffffffffffffffffffffff-!
An obnoxiously loud, wet fart echoed throughout the forest, catching both men totally off guard and startling a small giggle from the kid. Dean stood there, dumbfounded. Hand still held firmly in the grasp of…was that a skeleton!? A skeleton wearing, pink slippers!?
"Seriously...?" Chocked a mortified Sam, mind unable to comprehend the insane left turn the entire situation had taken.
Maybe it was Sam's reaction or the absurdity of a short (the thing barely looked 5'5!), wildly grinning skeleton in basketball shorts and pink house shoes offering him a handshake complete with whoopee cushion but whatever it was Dean lost it.
"He-he-heHAHAHAHAHA! Dude! Oh man! That's-that's awesome! HAHAHA!" Dean clutched onto his sides as his laughter rang out, the sound only holding a slight hysteric tinge.
The skeleton shifted, winter jacket rustling as it (he?) moved. Its (his?) perpetual grin light and friendly.
"heh, glad you think so, the old whoopee cushion in the hand trick, it's ALWAYS a classic."
(12)Dean's laughter petered out into a more manageable snicker, "No kidd'n, I've always been a fan of the old, (13)"hide it under the seat gag." Ca-er a friend of mine fell for it once, freak'n hilarious."
"heh, nice one pal." The skeleton monsters eyes (or what Sam assumed were supposed to be the eyes) roved over the small group. "names sans, sans the skeleton."
Dean grinned, "The names Dean, that guy hold'n the kid is my brother Sam and the squirts Frisk."
Hearing her name Frisk perked up, patting Sam's arm the human child motioned to be placed down. Sam tensed slightly before reluctantly relenting. He didn't like it, no matter how friendly and non-threatening the skeleton appeared now, earlier his power and presence had denoted a very real threat.
Frisk, oblivious to Sam's worries, approached the skeleton with an excited smile on her face. She wanted to shake his hand too! The Voice stirred.
{ME TOO…}
(14)Sans smile softened as the child came closer, just stopping near the taller human's leg.
(15)"hey there kiddo, that's a cool coat you got there, better make sure no one tries to jacket."
Dean's grin widened just as Sam's jaw dropped.
*No freak'n way! *
*You can't be serious! *
Bouncing The Voice squealed, {OH WE HAVE TO SHAKE HIS HAND NOW, HE'S PUNNY, JUST LIKE MOM!}
Another round of giggles erupted from the human child as she stuck out her own hand, an eager smile beaming brightly.
"heh, never knew I was gonna get a hand out today. you look'n to get one of my premium handshakes there kiddo?" Nod. "heh, my lucky day then, put her there pal."
Pfffffffffffffffffffffff-!
"Hee-hee-hee!"
"hahahahaha!" Sans wiped away an imaginary tear, "man kid, that was a good one!" His eyes found Sam's, hand waggling invitingly. "you wanna have a go? guarantee it'll be humurus."
(16)The younger man felt his eye twitch, "Uh, no thanks, I'm good."
Sans shrugged, easy going smile firmly in place, "eh, to each his own." The skeleton retracted his hand, the bony appendage disappearing into the pocket of his jacket. "now than, I might be wrong here but somethi'n tells me you three are a couple of humans, isn't that right?"
The two adults tensed slightly, while the child in the group nodded a cheerful yes.
Sam's eyes narrowed, *Pretty sure you figured that out while chasing us through the snow. *
"that's hilarious. you see I'm actually supposed to be on watch for humans right now. but…y'know… I don't really care about capturing anybody, especially you guys, you're alright. now (17)my brother, papyrus…he's a human hunting FANATIC."
Dean winced, *Damn, it just had to be the brother. *
Sans peered past the humans, "hey, actually, I think that's him over there." His smile took on a mischievous lit, "I have an idea. go through this gate thingy."
Sam pointed a skeptical finger at the wooden structure, "About that, why is this even here? Its not exactly keeping anyone out."
Sans chuckled, "well, my bro got a little too enthusiastic build'n it, made all the bars too wide, convenient for us though. go on kiddos, walk right through."
Sighing the younger man turned, passing right through the absurdly wide gap, Dean, Frisk, and Sans right on his heels.
The clearing they entered was oddly spacious considering the tight, closed in feeling the previous pathway had given off. The middle of the area was occupied by a strangely shaped lamp that eerily matched Frisk's body shape; what looked like some kind of sentry station and two massive piles of snow just a few feet beside the lamp to the right.
Snow could be heard crunching loudly somewhere off to the left, whoever it was making a hasty beeline their way. Sans motioned to the lamp, eye lights bright with mirth.
"quick kid, behind that conveniently shaped lamp." He glanced at the brothers, "you two, book it behind those (18)suitably sized lumps of snow." The crunching grew closer, "go on, hurry."
"Wait! How-!?"
Dean grabbed Sam's wrist and tugged him into motion, "No time for that Sammy, squirts already two steps ahead!" He pointed to the child waving unabashedly at the pair.
"But Dean-gah!" Squawked the younger Winchester as Dean all but threw him onto the snow.
["You ass!] Hissed Sam, brown eyes glinting in aggravation.
Dean smirked, ["At least I got an ass Sam! Now shh!"]
["Don't you shh me you- "]
"SANS!"
Both hunters flinched at the newcomers ridiculously loud voice. Sharing a quick glance both brothers hesitantly rose, peering just above the top of the snowy peaks. Brains short circuiting as they took in the new monster now in the clearing.
Now both men had figured that if Papyrus was indeed Sans' brother than he would most likely be a skeleton monster as well, however the sheer difference between the two was comical at best.
Tall, like freakishly tall; hell, the guy was taller than Sam by like a whole foot; and thin, though that could be normal for a skeleton. Who were they to judge? It's not like the brothers had ever met any walking, talking skeletons to compare it to. Weird considering they'd dealt with all kinds of undead creatures like zombies, ghosts, and reapers.
Sam, lost in his own observations, looked over the younger monster's dubious choice in clothing. White, dome like armor was worn around the skeletons chest and pelvic area while (what Sam would assume was) thin black spandex-like materiel covered his arms and legs. The entire outfit was finished with a decently made red scarf and an equally outlandish (and matching) pair of boots and gloves. Seriously the guy almost looked like a superhero, that or an astronaut. All the skeleton was missing was a helmet.
"sup, bro?"
"YOU KNOW WHAT IS -SUP- BROTHER! IT'S BEEN EIGHT DAYS AND YOU STILL HAVEN' T…RECALIBRATED. YOUR. PUZZLES!" Screeched the younger skeleton, frustration coloring every word.
Dean rubbed his abused earlobe. ["Jesus, talk about tone deaf, think that guy has a low setting? "]
"YOU JUST HANG AROUND OUTSIDE YOUR STATION! WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING!?"
Both hunters winced. ["Yeah, I'm going to say no. I think that's his default Dean."] Sam whispered back, gaze moving to Frisk before shifting back to the monsters conversing ahead.
Dean sighed internally, *Shit. Gonna have to hope we don't go deaf before mak'n it outta here. That out to be fun for Cas to fix. *
Sans, unbothered by Papyrus' growing ire, directed his brother towards the innocent lamp.
"staring at this lamp. Its really cool. do you wanna look?"
Dean sat in ridged panic, *Sonovabitch! Was this guy really gonna sell them out!?*
An exaggerated howl of frustration exploded from the taller skeleton as he stomped his foot repeatedly onto the ground. While the boys found the act bizarre, Frisk on the other hand couldn't contain a small snort of laughter. He was funny too, even if he was a little too loud!
(19){AND COOL! REALLY, REALLY, COOL! HE ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A KNIGHT OR ROYAL GUARDSMEN!} Gushed The Voice, Frisk could practically feel the sparkles in its eyes…If it had eyes anyway.
"NO! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT! WHAT IF A HUMAN COMES THROUGH HERE!? ! I WANT TO BE READY! I WLL BE THE ONE! I MUST BE THE ONE! I WILL CAPTURE A HUMAN!"
The younger monster fell into a striking pose, scarf flapping regally in the still winter air.
"THEN, I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS…"
Dean sniggered quietly, ["Oh my god, it's like the guy walked straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon!"]
["He's…a character that's for sure."]
"WILL GET EVERYTHING I UTTERLY DESERVE! RESPECT…RECOGNITION…I WILL FINALLY BE ABLE TO JOIN THE ROYAL GUARD! PEOPLE WILL ASK, TO BE MY," Pause. "FRIEND?" Papyrus finished, his tone no longer as strong as it had been at the beginning of his rant. No, it possessed a sad combination of child-like hope and worried uncertainty. Seeming to realize his slight emotional slip up, Papyrus cleared his throat (how!? Sam cried mentally) returning to his heroic stance.
"I WILL BATHE IN A SHOWER OF KISSES EVERY MORNING. IT SHALL BE GLORIOUS!"
Frisk couldn't do it, she just couldn't! *Bathe in a shower of kisses!?* That was just too outrageous not to imagine! And imagine the child did, the mental picture becoming so out there that Frisk and The Voice simply could not stop the sharp out burst of laughter it brought to them.
"Hee-hee-hee!"
{OH N-(snerk)NO! WE'RE (giggle) GONNA GET CAUGHT FOR (snerk) SURE! HAHAHA! KISSES! HAHA! EVERY-EVERY MORNING! HAHAHA!} If Frisk's head was a floor than The Voice would surely be rolling on it.
Sam cringed, *Well, so much for staying hidden. *
Both men sighed, oh well, it had become rather obvious that Papyrus was about as dangerous as a basket full of over excited puppies. So, being able to hear Frisk's unrestrained delight was worth getting found out.
Sans hummed, eye lights flicking over towards the laughing lamp. "you sure about that paps? this lamp seems real excited to help."
"SANS! YOU ARE NOT HELPING! YOU LAZYBONES! ALL YOU DO IS SIT AND BOONDOGGLE! YOU GET LAZIER AND LAZIER EVERYDAY!"
Both men fell over comically, *He's not even gonna check!?*
Sans gave his brother a careless shrug, "hey, take it easy. I got a ton of work done today." He winked, "a skele-ton."
A rim-shot could be heard in the distance.
Sam groaned, his jaw twitching in a vain attempt to stop an almost there smile. ["Seriously!? Was this real life!? How many more monsters made puns!? Is that a requirement down here!?"]
["Man, I hope so. I got a few good ones myself, their sure to get under your skin!"]
(20)"DEAN!"
"SANS!"
Silence.
Mortified, Sam smacked his head soundlessly into the soft snow, *We're screwed, there's no way Papyrus is going to ignore that. *
The taller skeleton huffed, long limbs waving wildly, "YOU SEE SANS!? EVEN THE MOUNDS OF SNOW CAN'T HANDLE YOUR TASTELESS PUNS!
*This guy is unreal!*
"come on. You're smile'n bro."
"I AM AND I HATE IT!" Papyrus sighed, "WHY DOES SOMEONE AS GREAT AS ME…HAVE TO DO SO MUCH JUST TO GET SOME RECOGNITION…"
Grinning devilishly Sans responded with, "wow, sounds like you're really working yourself…down to the bone!"
Cue second rim-shot.
The taller monster moaned in disgust, "UGH! I WILL ATTEND TO MY PUZZLES…AS FOR YOUR WORK…" He turned, face becoming sly, "PUT A LITTLE MORE BACKBONE INTO IT! NYEHHEHHEHHEHHEH!" And with that Papyrus scurried away, returning two seconds later to deliver one final awkward, "HEH."
*Guy laughs like a hyena with a nasal blockage, doesn't even have a nose. * Mused Dean as he watched the monster dash away.
Sans chuckled softly as he watched Papyrus rush off into the distance, "alright kiddos, you can come out now, pap's long gone."
Frisk happily stepped from behind the lamp just as Sam and Dean lifted themselves up from behind their own hiding place.
(21)Dean sent a playful scowl Sans' way, "I got a bone to pick with you buddy, you couldn't have told us to hide in the forest? My jeans are wet all the way to the damn knee!"
"Dean." The older man cheerfully ignored Sam's exasperated tone.
Sans' perpetual grin stretched, "snow sorry pal, sometimes you just have to pile up your options and snow with it."
Both human and monster shot each other a look before erupting in howls of laughter, Frisk's own giggles mixing with theirs.
Sam grimaced, "Ugh, both of you are terrible."
Still chuckling Dean shook his head, "Oh come on Sammy, you know you're laugh'n on the inside!"
"yeah, (snort) I can see right through ya! hahahahah!"
Sam "viciously" bit into his lip to keep the traitorous grin at bay, "I stand by my earlier statement, both of you are terrible."
"heh, I'll take that as a complement." He glanced down the path Papyrus had disappeared down. "you guys better get go'n, my bro might come back, and if he does…you'll have to listen to more of my hilarious jokes."
"I'll pass." Was Sam's deadpan response. "Come on Frisk we're heading out."
Nodding the child sent another beaming smile Sans' way before latching onto the taller humans outstretched hand. The two already trotting away.
"Guess that's my cue, see you later man." Dean waved a hearty good-bye falling in step behind his brother.
Just as they reached the opposite edge of the tree line, Sans called out to them.
"actually, not to bother you guys too much but, I was hope'n you humans might do me a favor."
Sam shifted, eyeing the skeleton suspiciously. "Favor?"
"yeah, he might not look it, but my brother's been kinda down lately. he's never seen a human before and seeing three at once will send his mood sky rocketing. don't worry though, he's not dangerous. even when he tries to be." Brown eyes connected with shining silver pinpricks, "but you already figured that out, little bros are good at that."
Sam's eyes widened, "How did you-!?"
"anyway, thanks a million, I'll be up ahead, bye." Pivoting swiftly the shorter monster turned and walked away, heading in the complete opposite direction of what he had just told the group of humans.
"Hey wait we didn't…agree?"
Gone, Sans had, somehow, totally vanished.
Dean whistled in awe, "Dude teleports, awesome, wonder if it works the same as Cas' "zappy thing.""
Sam glared, "Is that what you're really worried about!? How did Sans know I was the younger brother Dean? You never told him! And how did he know we already deemed Papyrus as "non-gankable"!?"
"I don't know man, maybe he's just guessing, look at his brother, freakishly tall ring any bells?"
"That's a little too convenient don't you think?"
Dean threw up his hands in mild irritation, "The hel-heck should I know!? Why are you push'n this so hard? The guy, monster, whatever, is let'n us off scott free even though we're human and all we have to do is hangout with his brother. That's gotta count for somethi'n!"
*Why am I pushing this? Normally I'm the one defending monsters not Dean. Maybe because of earlier? No, that's not it…* Raking a tired hand through his hair Sam sighed, "Forget it, you're right, Sans has been helpful and I'm looking way to deeply into a lucky break. I mean the guy tells skeleton puns for God sakes."
Dean roughly slapped the others back, "See? Sides, hard to dislike a guy who goes out of their way to make a little kid laugh."
Frisk tugged on Sam's pant leg, "Whoopee cushions!" She crowed in exuberance.
Dean beamed down at the child, "Eh, the kid gets it! Loosen up Sammy, give that big brain of yours a break."
Nodding, Sam lead the way, passing through the rest of the clearing into another part of the forest with a branching path and…a box?
The Voice stirred, its presence tugging incessantly on Frisk. {OVER THERE! ANOTHER SAVE STAR, LUCKY! I DON'T THINK ANYTHING BAD WILL HAPPEN OUT HERE BUT ITS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY.}
Frisk hummed, that made sense, even if Frisk still had zero idea what (22)"Saving" was or what the stars did besides making all her hurts disappear and filling her with DETERMINATION. Whatever that was.
Pulling away from Sam she ran over to the side, her gentle hands engulfing the relief giving warmth of the Save Star.
"Eh!? Frisk just where do you think your go'n!?" Dean called, eyeing the child's odd posture.
Frisk frowned, "To the (23)Save Star." She held her palms above it, gesturing at the two adults. "It's right here see?"
Sam's brow rose, *Save Star? What in the world is that? *
Both men shared a glance, "Uh, squirt, there's nothing there, see?" Dean moved closer his own larger hands waving cautiously within the empty space of Frisk's. "Noth'n." He turned to Sam, "Maybe Goat Mama's heat hoodoo wore off and now the kids start'n to hallucinate. We need to…"
Frisk huffed, blocking out the rest of Dean's words. *I'm not hallusi-halls-whatever that is! Why can't they see it, the Save Star's so bright you can't miss it!*
The Voice hummed thoughtfully, {WELL...MAYBE ITS BECAUSE THEIR NOT DETERMINED ENOUGH TO SEE IT? YOUR SOUL IS PURE DETERMINATION AND WHEN I WAS ALI-} The Voice stopped, a feeling of great sadness crashing through Frisk's body causing small tears to form in her eyes.
{N-NEVERMIND JUST...JUST GRAB THEIR HANDS, I THINK, I THINK THAT MIGHT WORK…} The Voice retreated leaving Frisk saddened at its departure.
Determinedly wiping away the tears Frisk did as The Voice suggested; latching onto the adult's wrists.
"Kid what-!?...Jesus Christ…" Vibrant golden light spilled from within the once empty stretch of air, the foreign constructs brilliance almost blinding to the hunters.
"This-This is amazing! Is this what you meant by "Save Star" Frisk!? Where did this even come from, have they been here the whole time!? No, wait! Have you been seeing them this whole time? Do you-"
Dean quickly slapped his free hand across Sam's motor mouth, "Jesus, give the squirt a moment to process why dontcha? You're gonna give her an aneurysm with all that word vomit."
Sam smiled sheepishly, "Uh, yeah, that-that was a little excessive huh?"
"Just a bit Sammy, but we understand don't we kid, Sammy's just too curious for his own good."
Frisk nodded, she wanted to say more, maybe try and explain what she knew (which was very little) but that would mean letting go of their hands. Frisk's amber eyes widened as an idea struck her, grinning she took the hands within her grip and placed them carefully on her thin shoulders.
Satisfied the human child signed, "I don't know where they came from, but they help a whole lot and they make me feel better when I'm all hurt and stuff. And w-I call it a Save Star cause it saves."
*But "saves" what? *
"Here I'll show you!" Earnest smile blown wide Frisk settled herself around the dazzling light.
"W-Wait maybe we should-"
SHING!
(The convenience of that lamp still fills you with DETERMINATION_JUSTICE_PERSEVERNCE.)
(Would you like to Save?)
(Yes? No?)
Frisk clicked Yes.
{HUH, THAT'S NEW.} Murmured The Voice, their tone much more subdued, melancholy tinting the edges.
Frisk frowned mentally, *…don't be sad…I'm here. *
The Voice was silent, Frisk sighed, what was she expecting it's not like it was going to answer her back…then, {…I KNOW…AND…I'LL TRY…}
Oblivious to Frisk's mental exchange; the brothers were taken aback by the influx of pure, raw energy rushing through their bodies and filling them to the brim with some inexplicable sensation. One that fueled the pair of Hunters with the belief that they could take on the apocalypse a second time, and win.
Dean released a shaky breath as he attempted to get his trembling under control. "This place is becoming more and more insane every second. I-I feel like I could take on the entire world right now Sammy."
"Me too…incredible." Murmured the younger man as he gazed down at the dazzling light. "Frisk are you sure you're the only one who can see these?"
The child's mouth fell into a thoughtful line as she signed "I think so…"
{FLOWEY…} The Voice supplied, it's tone devoid of emotion.
Frisk shuddered, "Flowey."
Removing his hand Dean scowled, "Of course it'd be that asshole."
"Dean!"
"What? He is! Bas-er Stupid weed reminds me of Lucifer but sh-crapier and stuck in the ground. Wouldn't put it past that little psycho to know more than he's let'n on."
Sam conceded the point, Flowey did resemble the fallen Archangel pre-Chuck intervention in several key areas. Manipulative, evil, a sweet talker trying to unleash some fucked-up version of their own personal paradise. But still…there was something else about Flowey that unsettled Sam, something on a primal level that made him worse than Lucifer. Shaking his head Sam repressed a slight laugh, what a world this is when a sentient flower was far more terrifying than the Devil himself.
"Let's leave that topic alone for now, maybe after we're done "hanging out" with Sans' brother we can ask him if he's ever encountered Flowey or if he's ever seen glowing lights anywhere."
"Nice vocal air quotes there Sam, Cas'd be proud."
"Good to see that's all you got out of that." Sam deadpanned removing his own hand as well. Just like that the golden light of the star vanished from his sight. Only Frisk now witnessing its otherworldly glow.
{THAT'S LIKE, THE 4TH TIME THEY'VE MENTIONED SOME (24)HUMAN NAMED CAS, WHO THE HECK IS THAT!?}
The Voice's annoyance permeated through Frisk's head, frowning in her own brand of confusion the child wondered the same.
With DETERMNATION fueling her, Frisk tugged insistently on Sam's sleeve. "Cas?"
Smiling Sam patted Frisk's head, "A friend of ours, he's…well…he's different that's for sure but without him Dean and me might not be here."
Frisk bit her lip worriedly, "Really?"
"Yep." Was Dean's gruff response, "Not gonna go into details with you squirt but, just know he's like family to us. You'll like him, guys a total nerd an-person! Yeah, nerd person definitely."
"Nice save."
"Bite me Sam."
(25){WOW, HOW SUPER VAGUE, OH WELL WE'LL GET THEM TO SPILL THE BEANS EVENTUALLY. NOW, FORWARDS, TO THE INCONSPICUOUS BOX! I REALLY WANNA KNOW WHATS IN THERE…}
Smile having returned, Frisk stepped away from the Save Star and reclaimed the taller humans hand. "Box! I want to see what's in the box!" She signed, eyes bright and hopeful.
"I don't know…" Sam glanced at the innocently placed object sitting casually within the paths fork. *More like a chest than a box. *
"Come on Sam we're lose'n daylight, get move'n."
"What daylight?" The younger man sniped back as he led Frisk to the box, stopping briefly to read the sign that had been posted beside it.
"(This is a box. You can put an item inside or take an item out. The same box will appear later, so don't worry about coming back. Sincerely, a box lover.)"
"The heck? What, is it gonna grow legs or somethin'? Or hel-heck teleport?"
"I wouldn't put it past it in this place, remember the rock?"
Dean chuckled, "How could I forget, "Pumpkin.""
Sam glowered briefly before flipping the lid, "Its…a glove?"
Dean peered over his shoulder, eye's widening at said "glove."
"Dude this isn't just any old glove Sam it's a Power Glove! You know, the ones Nintendo made back in the eighties, ah, man, I remember asking dad for one during Christmas."
"Dean we didn't even have a game system to use it on, though I don't think it would have worked, look at how impractical the design is. Why put the controller on top? How would you even use it?"
Dean groaned, "Ugh, 1st off you're a party pooper, 2nd it's not about how it works it's about how it looks."
"Uh-huh, right."
Side stepping the two Dean pulled the glove out, as he touched it a window full of information popped up.
TOUGH GLOVE
Weapon
+5 ATK
*/A worn pink leather glove. For five fingered folks.\*
"Great more freaky video game junk, wonderful."
Sam examined the window, "Flavor Text."
Dean blinked owlishly, "What?"
Sam pointed to the words inscribed across the screen, "Flavor Text, its what video games use as a sort of mini description. Some of its useful, some of its for-lore building, but most of it is used to describe weapons or armor. RPG's are the common users of Flavor Text."
Dean stared, "You are such a nerd, when do you even have the time to learn stuff like that?"
Rolling his eyes Sam stole the glove from his brother's grip, "Ignoring that, maybe we should be addressing the fact that this glove is way too small to be an adult? This belonged to a child Dean, from the looks of it a kid about Frisk's age."
"Brandon Holt, kid went missing in the 80's right? This is-was probably his. Kids Sam, I really hate this."
Dean glanced away from the glove down to Frisk, "Its too small to fit us Sam and I'd feel better if the squirt had some kind of protection." Taking back the item the older man crouched down, fully intending to equip it to Frisk.
(26)"No!"
{NO!}
Frisk pushed herself as close to Sam as possible, trying desperately to shield against the glove.
"Kid? Frisk? Hey, it's not gonna hurt you, it's just to-"
The human child looked back, head shaking hastily back and forth, fingers signing harshly, (27)"No! I don't want it! I don't want to hurt anyone! I…I want to be their friends."
{…YOU REALLY ARE DIFFERENT…FROM THEM…MAYBE…THEY CAN BE TOO…}
Frisk wasn't sure what it meant by that, but she was happy all the same.
"Whoa, whoa, alright squirt no glove, see?" Dean threw the weapon back into the box, hands raised in surrender. "Gone." Sighing he gestured to the child's pockets, "You got anything in there you wanna put in the box? Might as well use the dam-dang thing."
{LETS…LETS DITCH THE TOY KNIFE, YOU WONT NEED IT, BUT KEEP THE STICK AND THE RIBBON. THEY'LL COME IN HANDY, I'M SURE OF IT!}
Retrieving the knife Frisk thrust the toy into Dean's waiting hand.
"Huh, where'd you get this?" Asked the hunter as he turned the toy this way and that.
TOY KNIFE
Weapon
+3 Atk
*/Made of plastic. A rarity nowadays.\*
"Ruins, ground. Ribbon too, see?" Frisk offered the ribbon up for the brother's perusal.
FADED RIBBON
Armor
+5 Def
*/If your cuter, monsters won't hit you as hard.\*
The Winchester's eyes narrowed, *Looks like that belonged to one of the kids too, that Asgore guy is gonna pay for this. *
"Looks good kid, make sure you hold on to it okay?"
Frisk nodded.
Raising from the snow dean threw the knife in with the glove, "Alright, so, which way we goin, can't stay here forever and Sans is bound to come look'n for us if we stand-up his little brother."
"Let's check the path leading up first, I swear I heard rushing water coming from that way."
The northern path did indeed lead to water, a river in fact, one equip with its very own fishing pole. Curious Dean had seen it fit to pull up the line revealing a picture with some weird looking fish monster winking coyly at the lens. A brief "Call Me" and phone number was printed on the back.
Dean's mouth twisted in disgust, "Sure there are plenty of fish in the sea but none of them are as fuggly as this guy."
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder Dean."
"Yeah well, dare you to call him than."
"We don't get reception down here."
"Sounds like a cop-out to me bitch."
"No, pretty sure it's cause you and this guy can relate, jerk."
"No way, the ladies love me, Cougars are more up your alley Sammy."
Frisk tilted her head cutely, "What's a C-o-u-g-a-r?"
(28)Both men blushed a deep red, "N-Nothing! I-Its nothing! Dean!"
Dean kicked the fishing pole, picture and all, straight into the river. "Done. Time to bail."
Although still very confused Frisk decided to leave it alone.
{MUST BE A GROWN-UP THING. SOUNDS GROSS THOUGH.}
Frisk's mouth screwed up in agreement.
Now safely away from the scene of the crime the group of humans headed east, a loud voice talking animatedly a short way down.
"SO, AS I WAS SAYING ABOUT UNDYNE…"
Both hunters squared their shoulders just as the taller skeleton turned sockets (eyes?) landing right on them, *Here we go…*
They watched, fascinated (slightly disturbed on Dean's end) as Papyrus seemed to have a mini spasm, spinning excitedly in place with Sans following along.
"SANS! OH MY GOD! ARE THOSES…HUMANS!?"
Both monsters turned, Sans' gaze roving over the three, "ahhh, actually I think that's a rock."
*Rock!?* Sam peered around, yep, there was a rock, sitting peacefully behind them.
Papyrus' face fell, "OH…"
{HE BELIEVED THAT!?}
Humming Sans tapped the tallers side, "hey, what's that in front of the rock?"
"OH MY GOD!" His voice lowered into a whisper (or what Papyrus believed was a whisper), ["ARE…ARE THOSE HUMANS?"]
["yes."]
"OH MY GOD! SANS I FINALLY DID IT! UNDYNE WILL…I'M GONNA…I'LL BE SO…POPULAR! POPULAR! POPULAR!"
Dean winced, rubbing uselessly at his ear, *Talk about narcissistic. Still, better than our last reception. Blood thirsty psycho this guy is not. *
Coughing into his glove Papyrus fell into a confidant stance. "HUMANS! YOU SHALL NOT PASS THIS AREA! I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, WILL STOP YOU! I WILL CAPTURE ALL OF YOU! THAN YOU THREE WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE CAPITAL! THAN! THAN…" The skeletons face became pensive, "I'M NOT SURE WHATS NEXT." Stance continued, "IN ANY CASE! CONTINUE…ONLY IF YOU DARE! NYEH HEH HEH HEH HEH HEH!"
They watched as Papyrus ran off, scarf flapping valiantly in the wind.
Sans chuckled, "heh, that went well."
Dean snorted, "Well? Your bro just swore up and down that he's gonna "stop us" right here while lamenting how "popular" he's gonna get." Grin. (29)"Best hello a Winchester's ever gotten."
Sans' eye lights glowed pleasantly, "see? what I tell ya? my bro's harmless."
Sam eyed the short skeleton, mouth drawn into a thin line, "He really doesn't know, does he? What'll happen to us if he actually does manage to capture us and hand us over?"
Sans stared back shrugging, "don't sweat the small stuff kiddo." His gaze flicking down to Frisk before meeting Sam's, voice becoming deeper and reminiscent of their first meeting. "I'll keep an eyesocket out for ya, (30)that's a promise." Conversation seemingly over (for now) the skeleton monster left, leaving the three humans in silence.
"Guy might be a jokester, but I think he's serious Sam, deadly even."
"But why? He doesn't even know us, if he did I doubt we would have made it past that bridge."
Dean sighed heavily, eyes trailing down the direction the mysterious skeleton had exited.
*Good question. *
(1) Not sure if Dean was still wearing that during Season 4-5, screw it, the family visual is to nice to destroy.
(2) Figured it wasn't to far fetched to assume Toriel's magic or any monster magic really, has other effects than the obvious. Plus little kids are super adorable when their all bundled up in winter clothes!
(3) THERE IS NO GOING BACK! HAHAHAHA!...I'll stop.
(4) Alphys in a nut shell, girl has waaaay too many camera's watching you during the game. (still adore her though)
(5) Old style security cameras mostly used in convenience stores now.
(6) 100% feel like this is something Frisk would do, she's a child not a malevolent ball of "I'll kill you."
(7) GAHHH! Too cute! My girl Alphys would agree!
(8) This is Chara, yes "The Voice" will be a tedious place holder for now, don't worry it will be resolved.
(9) Chara is not reacting to Sans' presence, remember neither child remembers the aborted geno nor any other run. However, she is uncomfortable around humans and even if her mental host has excepted them doesn't mean she will, definitely not right off the bat.
(10) You are. By me! DIO!
(11) Sam is the more cautious one so Mama sort of fits.
(12) Why is Dean so buddy, buddy relaxed with a monster that just stalked them through a forest, well, Dean's managed to make friends (or frenemies) out of quite a few creatures that have tried (and in some cases succeeded) in killing both him and his brother. So, the fact that Sans not only avoided doing that but also threw in a fart joke helps settle that "must gank" reaction the older Winchester carries around. Plus, maybe there's a residual echo, of what, well, to be continued…
(13) Season 5 reference, Dean did in fact fart gag an Angel of the Lord. Funny. As. Hell.
(14) First instance that things are different, previous Sans' would never show such an emotion, what's the point, when everything will be rest anyway? I wonder…
(15) Goddamn puns are hard to find, make, use! I shit you not I combed the internet for all of these and still had trouble trying to make them feel natural and not forced. They're not lying when they say comedy is hard.
(16) Oh Sam, don't you know that's just going to make him fuck with you more? Papyrus is a testament to that.
(17) Get it, sans is laying it down, "that's my bro, don't fuck with him and I wont blast you to hell", more or less.
(18) Suitably sized? Its…its like he knew they were coming!?
(19) She would know, her dad is the King.
(20) This would totally happen.
(21) YES! PUN AND BOND YOU BEAUTIFUL BOYS! DO IT!...ahem…stopping again.
(22) Just so everyone knows, Frisk has never died this run so "saving" Is something she has no concept of…yet.
(23) Introducing the Save Star to the boys was another bit of story progress hell, how would that work, what would it do, ect. Finally settled on it being a DETERMNATION SOUL exclusive. In other words, only those who posses the red SOUL can access these slits in time.
(24) I won't say Chara views themselves as a demon like in the game however I am sure she doesn't want to relate to humans in any way shape or form.
(25) They will Chara don't worry and it'll be a heavenly experience. Eh? See what I did there!? -cricket sounds- Tough crowed.
(26) Our precious cinnamon roll is not into fighting and neither is Chara, not when it concerns her people.
(27) You all might find it kind of weird that Frisk s acting this way considering neither she nor Chara remembers genocide, however you have to remember Frisk was hurt quite a lot on the surface, by people who were supposed to love and protect her. Frisk knows what it feels like to hurt, I can't imagine her wanting anything to do with inflicting pain on others.
(28) "You feel your sins crawling on your back."
(29) Seriously, he's not kidding, they are threatened all the time, this is probably the nicest threat non-threat the boys have ever gotten. In any season!
(30) This is important! Sans does not make promises! Do not forget this!
