It was a beautiful evening. Crickets were chirping. The stars were shining. On nights like this, monsters (and some humans, like Frisk) would go to the MTT Grill & Bar for some quality MTT-Brand food.
As Frisk walked through New New Home, she saw many familiar monsters. One of these monsters was Napstablook, a ghost who was the cousin of Mettaton, Alphys' entertainment robot and the owner of the MTT franchise. Mettaton had tried to kill Frisk and use her soul to cross the barrier and become a star on the surface, and, in doing so, deny Asgore the seventh human soul he needed to break the barrier and wage war on humanity. Instead, Frisk had danced with Mettaton on his show and became a bigger star than the robot ever was. Napstablook had been depressed because his cousin had left him alone in order to become a star, but now he was happy because the barrier was broken, and he had reunited with his cousin and become a DJ on his cousin's show. Napstablook was also the cousin of an angry ghost who lived inside a dummy, and had also reunited with him on the surface.
"Hi there, Frisk," said the ghost. "Lovely evening, isn't it? Gazing at these stars sure beats gazing at the fake stars in Waterfall." The ceiling of the caves in Waterfall had jewels in it that the monsters called stars.
"Good evening, Napstablook," said Frisk. "I'm going to the MTT restaurant."
"Well, have fun." said Napstablook. "By the way, I want to tell you again how grateful I am that you destroyed the barrier. Without you, I may never have seen my cousins again."
Frisk was happy that she had helped Napstablook overcome his depression. "You're welcome, Napstablook. You and the other monsters are my friends. I love each and every one of you."
"You're the nicest human I've ever met, Frisk. Have a good evening, now." said the ghost, and then he disappeared.
Frisk continued walking through the streets of New New Home until she saw a large building with a sign that said, "MTT Grill & Bar." Frisk entered the building and walked up to the counter. Standing at the counter was a cat-like monster called Burgerpants. He hated his job flipping burgers for Mettaton, and apparently he had not yet found a new one.
"Yeah, what do you want?" Burgerpants said in an irritated voice before realizing whom he was talking to. "Wait a second, Frisk? I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention. What can I do for the savior of monsterkind?"
Before Frisk could answer, she heard a familiar robotic voice. "DID SOMEBODY SAY FRISK!?" A rectangular robot rolled over to Frisk on a wheel.
"Hi Mettaton." said Frisk.
"Hello there, darling!" said the robot. "It's so great to see you again. If it weren't for you, I would never have become a star on the surface. You're just as gorgeous tonight as you were when you danced with me on my show! Just tell me what you want, and it shall be yours!"
"Thanks, Mettaton, but I'm just looking for my friend Alazar," said Frisk. "He's a reptilian monster."
"Oh yes, darling. I've seen that monster in this restaurant. I'll lead you to him myself if you just follow me!" Mettaton rolled over to the corner of the restaurant. Alazar was seated at a table there. "If there's anything else you need, just ask Burgerpants. I'm about to perform for the guests!" Mettaton wheeled over to a stage in the back of the restaurant and turned into his humanoid EX form. He had fought Frisk in this form in the Underground a year ago. As Mettaton started dancing, the song "Death By Glamour" started playing. This was the song that had played when Frisk had danced with the robot on his show.
"Greetings, human," said Alazar. "So, you've come here to visit me even after everything I have done to hurt you? You're probably the most forgiving person I've ever met, human or monster."
"Alazar, there's nothing I love more than turning enemies into friends," said Frisk. "I'm here to help you feel better, and to offer you a chance to make amends for what you've done in the past. As we speak, Undyne is planning to rescue Gaster. This is a chance for you to put the past behind you and do the right thing."
"Thanks for the offer, human, but I've done too many things wrong during my life. I thank you for your mercy, but I am well beyond redemption."
"No one is beyond redemption," said Frisk. Undyne was the most enthusiastic about killing me by far, and now we're best friends. Mettaton tried to kill me for fame and fortune, and you saw how good of friends we are now! Even Asgore, who murdered six other humans and tried to murder me, is like a father to me now!"
"Don't let Toriel hear you say that," remarked Chara.
"Well, you certainly are persistent, aren't you, human?" Alazar chuckled. "Alright, I will join your invasion of the Forbidden Island. But first, is it okay if I share something personal with you?"
"Go ahead," said Frisk.
"Sargon and I both fought in the War of Humans and Monsters. We participated in the battle of Westfield, one of the largest battles of the war. Westfield was one of the monsters' last lines of defense during the war, and it was located about three days away from that castle that you and I fought in by foot. Monsters outnumbered humans two to one, and we should have claimed victory that day. But we were no match for the humans' determination. The humans broke through, and Gaster told you what happened when they reached the castle. I witnessed unspeakable horrors on that day, which still haunt me after all these years. Sargon exploited my resentment toward the humans and my grief for my fallen brothers, and convinced me to help him reorganize the Great Dragon Clan in the Underground. I've done horrible things for him in his quest to resurrect Zeregoth. He is a master of lies."
"Well, now you have a chance to redeem yourself." Frisk said.
"Yes, and I intend to seize it with both hands," said Alazar. He stood up. "Sargon will pay for what he has done, and what he has manipulated me into doing for him. But before I go, I need to tell you something. There is a prophecy about the return of Zeregoth. I don't know the exact details of it, for it is written in an ancient language that only Sargon understands. All I know is that there is one who is capable of defeating Zeregoth, and that is why Sargon is intent on keeping it hidden from everyone else. I believe that you are the one who was prophesied."
"I know I can beat him," said Frisk. "I've never been one to give up."
"One last thing I should warn you about," said Alazar. "Sargon cannot be reasoned with. His hatred has warped his mind beyond repair. You have to kill him. Try to learn as much about the prophecy as you can before you do, but he cannot be allowed to live. You've been merciful to every foe you've faced thus far, but he will not accept your mercy no matter what you do. If you kill him, no one will hold it against you."
"That's where we're going to have to agree to disagree, Alazar." said Frisk. I've never killed anyone in my life, and I'm not going to start now. I see the good in anyone. I promise you, I will bring out the goodness in him."
"Well, I wish I had your certainty," Alazar said as he walked away. "Rest well tonight, human. You'll need it."
Frisk started walking back to Toriel's house. It was late, and all the monsters were sleeping in their homes. Frisk was exhausted from everything that had happened during the day. As she walked home, her phone rang.
"Hello?" Frisk said as she answered the phone.
"Hey punk!" said the person on the other end. Frisk immediately recognized the voice as Undyne's. "Sans and I are done planning the invasion. "The entire Royal Guard is going to be meeting at my house tomorrow to discuss the plan, and you should come too. Will the defector be joining us?"
"Yes," replied Frisk. "He will be."
"Excellent," said Undyne. "Welp, see you tomorrow, punk!" With that, Frisk hung up.
When Frisk arrived at Toriel's house, she saw that the lights were out and Toriel was already asleep. She crawled into bed, exhausted from the day.
"What do you think is going to happen tomorrow, Chara?" asked Frisk.
"We're going to rescue Gaster, that's what," replied Chara.
"Do you think what he said about Sargon is true? Do you really think he's too crazy to reason with?"
"Frisk, you said it yourself, no one is beyond redemption," Chara said reassuringly. I would never have thought Undyne or Asgore could be friends with a human."
"We'll find out soon enough," said Frisk. " I'm going to bed now. Goodnight, Chara."
Goodnight, Frisk," Chara said.
As Frisk drifted off to sleep, she couldn't help but fear the carnage that would surely unfold the next day, and the destruction that would take place if she were to fail in her mission…
Continued in Chapter 9.
