A Tale of Consequences

Reset?

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Chapter 12

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Papyrus nearly vibrated as the phone rang, thrumming his gloved fingers against his hip while he waited. The darkened crystals above the skeletal trees were slowly brightening, counting down the minutes to full dayglow. He could hear the low, rumbling chatter from the dogs to his left as they conversed in that odd sublanguage of barks and growls they all shared to one degree or another. Couldn't understand a word of it, but at least it was distracting from the ringing and ringing and ringing.

And then it clicked over to voice mail. Papyrus sighed and hit the end call button. He left a message the first six times he'd called. Even he got to a point where there really wasn't any more words to say.

One of the cloaked dogs—he squinted into the shadows of the hood. Dog—amy? Yes. Yes. Papyrus could see the extra tuft of a mustache now. Of course it was Dogamy. He had to know the sentries impeccably if he was to take over the unit. Someday. Whenever Undyne said he could join.

It never even occurred to him that it was unlikely for a rookie to be immediately promoted to unit leader. The dogs pretty much followed his lead anyway. They responded well to confidence. He had that in spades.

"Still no word from the Captain?"

"SADLY, EVEN MY VALIANT EFFORTS HAVEN'T MANAGED TO BEAR ANY FRUITS."

He was on his 20th try by now. Giving his phone one last disappointed look, Papyrus stowed it away for the moment. Papyrus would have strong words with it later. It wasn't really its fault if Undyne didn't answer...but they all had their jobs. He couldn't give it too much slack. And this was important work. "ANY DEVELOPMENTS?"

Papyrus and Dogamy turned nearly at the same time, facing the pile of rubble spilling out from the cavern wall and onto the path.

Cave in. Somehow.

It just wasn't natural. It hadn't even happened too long ago either. Papyrus distinctly remembered cheerfully going through his pre-dayglow jog around the town when he'd heard the sharp blast echo through the cavern. Faint. But sharp.

The rest of the sentries had to have heard it too. They'd stationed Greater Dog near the bridge to town just in case, and Papyrus had met everyone else at Sans' station. Since that was the closest to the site.

But.

Papyrus thought back to the half-filled footprints. Thought back to the last few days. The empty station. The snow covered lump pacing in front of the door, while Papyrus stood silently on the bridge and just...watched.

Sans had been acting strange.

And now he was missing from his post.

Papyrus wanted to be annoyed. He'd lectured Sans so many times. He should be furious. Instead he was just…

Worried.

Very. Worried.

"Nuzzlemuff!" A second hooded head shot up, the black curve of cloth deforming as floppy ears tried to perk. "Anything?"

(I'm sorry snugglebug.) The two briefly touched noses. (There isn't anything newer than skel-smell, and even that is fading under snow-smell. Magic-smell lingers, but it's dispersed too much. I can't give it a color rating. I sent Lesser and Doggo to check the woods, but we all know this was the only door.)

Dogeressa's accent was thicker but Papyrus could still understand it well enough.

"MY BROTHER…" A dragon-skull flashed through his mind. But he shooed the thought away. "PROBABLY SAW THE PERPETRATOR AND GAVE CHASE. LIKE A SENTRY SHOULD. NYEH HEH."

His nervous laughter wasn't fooling anyone.

(Skel-smell is strongest near the debris.) Dogeressa exchanged glances with her husband, who shook his head slowly, (But it's too old to tell properly. Could have checked and left. Could have gone in. Could have been…)

She trailed off uncomfortably.

Could have been crushed.

Monsters turned to dust. Dust could be easily lost in the ocean of snow. Papyrus staunchly refused to even consider that. Sans was too cowardly to go into danger. He'd probably just…

Just.

Come find him.

And Papyrus hadn't been at home. It was all just a weird just-missing-each-other-coincidence.

Yes.

That was it.

"IF WE CAN'T GET HER ON THE PHONE, I'LL GO TO WATERFALL TO GET UNDYNE MYSELF." He declared suddenly. "THIS IS UNUSUAL. AND UNUSUAL THINGS NEED TO BE REPORTED. WE ARE LUCKY THE CAVE IN DIDN'T OCCUR NEAR ANY OCCUPIED AREAS. YOU TWO REMAIN HERE AND KEEP WATCH. WHEN LESSER DOG RETURNS SEND HER TO RELIEVE GREATER DOG. WE COULD USE HIS HELP CLEARING THE RUBBLE. EVEN IF NO ONE LIVES THERE ANYMORE, THERE MAY BE A CLUE TO THE CAUSE. CAVE INS CAN BE DANGEROUS."

He paused his flailing, the hand that had once been expressively suddenly cutting through the air. "AND GIVE THAT LAZY BROTHER OF MINE A DRESSING DOWN WHEN HE SHOWS UP (WHICH HE WILL.) I'VE HAD JUST ABOUT ENOUGH OF HIS BOONDOGGLING. THINGS LIKE THIS IS WHY WE HAVE SENTRIES!"

Both dogs glanced at each other before giving an affirmative woof. Papyrus let out his signature confident laugh and, spun on his heel. Speed away down the path. If the River Person happened to be at the dock the trip would be quick, and maybe he could see if Wolfy was willing to help with the rubble clearing. The burly grey wolf was diligent about sending the ice cubes down the river to who-knows-where, but surely he would be willing to take the time to help them out?

This isn't funny, brother. Papyrus found his thoughts drifting as his long strides ate up the familiar snow covered landscape. He knew the route from his station—just the area beyond Sans'—back to town like the back of his glove. Unfortunately, that meant his mind had the chance to wander, especially as he passed the abandoned snow-covered cart near the snow decahedron. The Nice Cream man was still on vacation? Must be.

Sans always managed to find him before. No matter where Papyrus was. It had been infuriating at times. Especially when he just popped up behind Papyrus with barely even a sound, doing his best to scare his poor brother out of his bones.

Papyrus had gotten used to picking up that faint fwip that echoed whenever his brother messed with space and time. His nerves had needed it.

Maybe—Maybe Papyrus had been right. Maybe Sans had followed whoever—or whatever—caused the cave-in. Maybe he was being sneaky and out of sight and watching like a good sentry should, and would soon report back to him that it had all been an accident…

Wait. There was something yellow within the white, peeking around one of Greater Dog's beloved snowpoffs. Papyrus couldn't help but be pleased when he recognized the figure.

"Howdy Papyrus!"

"WOWIE! IT'S BEEN—OH MY GOD YOU STAY RIGHT THERE!"

Flowey's mouth—which had been open ready to say something—suddenly snapped shut in confusion as Papyrus barreled toward him, leaving the packed snow path he'd been following and cutting a swathe of footprints into mostly unbroken snow. The flower tried to flinch away, but Papyrus snapped another commanding "DON'T MOVE!"

It vanished into the snow just before Papyrus got there, popping up a good three strides away.

"Golly Papyrus, what's gotten into you?"

"I SAID NOT TO MOVE! YOU'RE HURT!"

Petals torn. Even that familiar smile seemed pained. There was even a large ugly burn across the flower's tiny stem, traveling onto his right leaf which was a wilted shriveled mess of its normal green springliness.

Flowey glancing down at the damage as if he was honestly surprised.

"Oh. This? It's nothing. I was just wondering why you were running away is all. I heard such a commotion near the ruins this morning, can you believe it? I even heard it could be a hum—what are you doing?!"

Flowey's face seemed to shift as Papyrus knelt down in the snow, into an expression Papyrus couldn't recall ever crossing his friend's face before. He curled back defensively. Papyrus held his hands out. Palms up. His red glove ringed in flickering green magic.

"IT'S JUST HEALING MAGIC."

"I. Said. It. Was. Nothing." Papyrus had never...seen his friend's face so...warped before. It only made him more worried.

How much pain did he have to be in for Flowey to snap at him?

"PLEASE?" If this had been his brother, Papyrus would have just reached out and used his size to his advantage, ignoring the protests. But something about Flowey's posture...he had the feeling it wouldn't go over well. "I CAN'T JUST LEAVE MY FRIEND HURTING."

Sharp angular fangs faded, but...the smile didn't return. Lips pursed into single flat line.

"If I let you, will you shut up and let me talk?"

"OF COURSE! I'D NEED THE UTMOST CONCENTRATION TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THE CARE YOU DESERVE! I AM VERY GREAT—"

He clamped his jaw shut at Flowey's glower, miming a zipping motion as the flower gingerly tried to unfurl the charred leaf. It was the most obvious and worst of the damage. Papyrus nursed that spark of green, putting aside for the moment his troubled thoughts of his brother, about Undyne's silence, of the missing teens, and just focused on this one thing. Helping his friend.

His friend who watched him silently for the first pass, despite having said he wanted to talk. Whose face Papyrus couldn't read for the life of him.

The leaf flinched back at first, but slowly uncurled again. A little further each time. Papyrus coaxed it closer to health. Away from the bad stuff. Foreign magic had ravaged the monster's structure, and—Papyrus was scandalized to see it was still eating away at the limb. No. NO. That just wouldn't do! He'd never seen anything like this before. Lingering magic. Over an hour old at least—but persistent. Magic just didn't last that long. Papyrus was steamed. Someone had been picking on his friend—!

Flowey yanked his leaf free, curling and uncurling the still slightly blackened limb. Papyrus had attacked the lingering magic with gusto, but there was still superficial damage. "I CAN DO MORE—"

"It's...fine. Really." There was an odd tone in his voice, "It doesn't hurt anymore."

"BUT—"

"Nu-uh." The flower bobbed, drawing Papyrus' attention to his torn petals. Papyrus itched to try and heal those too, "Our deal was I get to talk. Wasn't it?"

...dang it. Papyrus crossed his arms irritably but didn't say anything. He was the GREAT Papyrus after all. His word was GOLDEN. As GOLDEN as Flowey's petals. Although they were really more of a butter yellow right now, faded out a bit. Probably because his HP was so low. Why hadn't he eaten something!?

"Okay. Now I'll ask a few questions. First—since when could you heal? You're supposed to tell me these things you oaf!"

Papyrus puffed up his chest, his jaw rattling with the speed which he responded, "IT'S ONLY BEEN A FEW WEEKS! MS BUNNY DIDN'T THINK I COULD BUT I'VE MANAGED SMALL THINGS AND HAD TO HEAL UP MY BONEHEAD OF A BROTHER A TIME OR TWO AND I JUST LIKE BEING ABLE TO HELP—FLOWEY! PROMISE ME. IF SOMEONE'S PICKING ON YOU MAKE SURE TO TELL THE GREAT PAPYRUS ABOUT IT! I CAN'T STAND BULLIES. ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE BULLYING MY FRIENDS!"

That expression shift again. But soon Flowey was scowling at him, "I can take care of MYSELF moron. The idiot who did this got what was coming to him."

"I HOPE YOU GAVE THEM A GOOD TALKING TO!" Papyrus nodded fervently, blithely ignoring the insult. Flowey only thought he came off at sickeningly cheerful. Papyrus had known his friend long enough to recognize the edge to his personality. He knew he didn't mean anything by it. After all, aside from his brother, Flowey had been his oldest friend. He wouldn't keep coming back if he didn't actually like Papyrus right?

"ANYWAY." The flower sucked in a breath. And then paused. He almost seemed to...wilt. "W-Where were you going? I saw all the other guards heading back that way."

"OH I JUST NEED TO HEAD TO WATERFALL TO FIND THE CAPTAIN! SHE ISN'T PICKING UP HER PHONE, AND SINCE WE DON'T KNOW IF THE CAVE IN—THERE WAS A CAVE IN IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW!—WAS CAUSED BY SOMEONE OR IF IT WAS NATURAL—ANYWAY, THE GUARD NEEDS TO LOOK INTO IT! PLUS I NEED TO DELIVER MY REPORT ON THE MISSING TEEN AND SEE IF SHE HAS ANY ADVICE—"

"...waterfall...huh?" Papyrus barely registered the mutter before the flower perked up, "Oh boy, you're in luck friend! I happened to have just come from waterfall. The river person's boat is out of order today, so you'll need to go the loooong way. You could try the boat, but I saw someone wait for hoooours earlier today. They were still there last I saw."

The boat was out of order!? Papyrus sprang to his feet, "OH NO THAT ADDS ANOTHER FOUR HOURS TO MY TRIP! THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME KNOW! I'M SORRY FLOWEY BUT I REALLY SHOULD GET GOING! I GOTTA FIND UNDYNE AND TELL HER—!"

"Don't let me stop you." The flower purred, "If it was that important I'm surprised you made time for little ol' me!"

"OF COURSE I'D STOP FOR YOU! THE GREAT PAPYRUS NEVER PASSES BY A MONSTER IN NEED! ESPECIALLY A FRIEND! IF YOU WANT TO STOP BY THE HOUSE LATER I'LL TRY TO HEAL THE REST OF IT—AS WELL AS MAKE SURE YOU GET A DELICIOUSLY NUTRITIOUS MEAL—BUT I REALLY SHOULD BE GOING NOW! FAREWELL FRIEND!"

Papyrus zoomed off. He had no time to waste.

x-x-x

Flowey...lingered. Watching him go. He glanced down at his slightly blackened leaf, reflexively curling at the remembered pain. At the parting gift the smiley trashbag had left him. At the pain that had lingered and nibbled away at his HP, the pain he'd done his best to hide from Chara even as he'd tunneled them both out of the ruins.

And now it was gone. Healed by an overbearing buffoon of a skeleton who couldn't leave well enough alone.

The irony was delicious.

In another timeline, Flowey might have been in the mood to relish it.

...friend huh…

Chara wasn't going to be happy.

What they didn't know wouldn't hurt him. It's not like the moron wouldn't run right onto Chara's knife eventually. He always did.

Flowey just...didn't feel like being the one to lead him there. Not right now. Not after that.

He was a soulless husk of a dead monster. He didn't care about ANYONE. He didn't NEED anyone. Except Chara of course.

But...Papyrus had always been...interesting.

He burrowed back into the snow, the quiet simplicity of the rocky ground a comfort after that utterly baffling exchange. Finding the other dogs would at least appease Chara for a little while. They'd been happily dealing with the Dogi when they'd sent Flowey ahead to round up the rest.

...with Papyrus gone on an extended goosechase, and the smiley trashbag and nerd out of the picture…

This would be interesting.

X-x-x

One, two.

A pool of shredded black cloth.

Three.

A discarded shield.

Four.

A pink tank. Two shiny knives glinting in the snow.

And finally...Five.

I crushed the metal gauntlet beneath my foot. The magic forged armor crumbling along with its owner.

How kind of them all to line up for me, coming in one by one as someone helpfully pointed them to the lone, oh so scary human. Oh look at what they did to this poor meek flower. Oh no, you should hurry. Don't worry I'll go warn the others...

Good job Azzy.

I wiped the dust off the toy knife, smearing it on the increasingly torn sweater. I'd been eyeing the discarded robes for a while now. Neither were in the best of shape. I kicked my way through the piles of dust and discarded weaponry, fishing through the remains for the most intact, although both were riddled with slash wounds. Whose had it been? I couldn't tell those two dogs apart without checking, and if I couldn't reach the save file, of course I couldn't quite reach the battle menu either.

Not that it really mattered now. Dust was mixed with dust with snow, the serene togetherness of nothingness. They'd died together at least. And I was cold.

It would be a pity to let it go to waste.

The cloak was a bit too big. But that was easily solved. I stowed the plastic knife away carefully, picking through the piles of dust until I found the pair of long dual knives. I admired them for a moment, examining my dust-covered face in the reflection—knives—real knives—nearly the length of my entire arm. Too long. Too unwieldy for me to use unfortunately, but perfect for cutting cloth.

It took a few minutes, a tangle of black cloth, and awkward knife placement, but eventually I had a much closer to child-size robe. It ended up jagged where I'd just taken the knife's edge to it with careless abandon, and it was fraying. I shrugged it on, the end stopping just below my knees. Still too large in the shoulder for me. But I was warm. That was all that mattered.

"Looking goood Chara."

Oh goodie. Azzy was back. I giggled and did a little spin, showing off my makeshift wardrobe change for him. "I had to look good for our boss battle! Papyrus should be on his way right?"

I glanced at the soul container half-buried in the snow as I said that, wondering if I'd get a reaction.

Nothing. The flipped heart just floated docile in the center of the glass. A shine from within pulsed slowly, occasionally highlighting the cracks in the monster soul despite the opaque shell covering it.

My partner just needed to let him die. He was useless. They both were. Didn't they see the only path was through me?

"About that...Chara…"

Oh. I didn't like how this was starting.

"It's a really simple question, Azzy." I crossed my arms. Giving him The Look. "Is Papyrus coming or not?"

The flower flinched. Leaves and petals curling before he puffed them out again, "I swear I checked all over town, Chara. There's no sign of the moron anywhere. This stupid bear monster said they saw him running off to Waterfall with one of the local kids. Instead of chasing him down I decided to round up the mangy mutts for you. He'll come running back as soon as word gets out anyway. You know how he is...eh heh..."

Instead of feeling angry, I felt...intrigued.

That...was different.

"How was the town?"

The flower looked lost for a moment, and then brightened significantly. His hesitant face morphing into a wide smile. "Compleeeeetely oblivious! They were a bit concerned about whatever the Smiley Trashbag did this morning, but there was no mention of a human at all. No evacuation. Nothing. It's just as warm. And lively. And defenseless as any pacifist run. I told you taking out the nerd was a good idea! Without her camera system no one knows. Just think about it Chara! A genocide run where no one knows you are coming."

Something new.

...I had always wondered how Grillby would fight.

I leave Azzy cackling and cross to where I'd planted the soul container, scattering dust and snow alike. I kneel before it, pleased to see the soul flicker at my approach. I hold it up, the light from the cavern's crystals shining down through the metal and glass and soul that sat in my hands

I smile at it.

"Make sure you watch closely, both of you." The words came out with a satisfied purr. "Remember, you can stop it at any time. You know the cost."

Crack.

I giggle, pleased at that visible defect in my partner's raw determination, even as the soul container immediately worked to counteract the damage.

Azzy popped up at my side, snow spilling from his tattered petals, "How aware do you think they are?"

I watch the soul dim, before holding my free arm out for Azzy. Vines spring from the ground, slithering up my robe-covered arm as the flower made himself comfortable on my shoulder. The vines loop and curl, forming a sling to gently cradle the soul container for transport.

"Aware enough."

My now free hands go to my toy knife. Humming a lullaby mother used to sing to us Once Upon a Time.

I wonder if my partner would recognize it. I remember Toriel humming the melody to them in the ending they threw away.

"Did...you remember anything Chara? Before you finally stole the soul?"

I laugh.

"I never stole it Azzy." I kept my eyes forward, on the path ahead. A trail I knew like the back of my hand, but a trail towards a new run. Finally. I had been getting so tired of being stuck. "I—woke up when they fell. But I didn't really...exist as me."

Why was I talking about this? It didn't matter now. After so many runs circumstances were changing. Once I'd been nothing more than a disembodied spirit, tagging along with a confused child doing nothing more than whispering the occasional comment into their ear. Blending with their thoughts so seamlessly even I hadn't been sure I was anything separate.

"Not until they needed me…"

I still remember that moment. Trapped between two buttons.

Continue?

Or Reset.

They'd made it as far as Snowdin.

They'd broken down crying in Papyrus' arms.

They'd...never wanted to hurt anyone. But they had to try. They had hoped to learn something. Anything to help the one they'd never been able to fully save.

I could do it. I'd realized in that moment. ME. Chara.

Not. Frisk.

I hadn't really cared one way or another. I just wanted to move forward. That had been all I'd ever wanted.

Chara you have to stay determined!

They took the deal.

I fought.

They died.

And I found purpose. And I refused to give that up now.

"...Why didn't you tell me sooner Chara? This world has been boring without you."

Azzy rested his head against mine. I rolled my eyes, but didn't tell him to move. I shrugged instead.

I couldn't take declarations like that seriously. Not after seeing how easy it was for him to replace me.

Not that Flowey remembered. Not that he remembered how desperate he was to keep my partner around. Calling them by my name. Giving up on our dream to destroy humanity, just to keep one little brat playing this game forever.

True Resets were wonderful things.

Now? He was...useful. As long as he stayed that way, I didn't mind indulging him.

The only thing that mattered was that I was moving forward at last.

X-x-x Bonus thing x-x-X

"Oh my god it's Undyne's house I can't believe I'm finally seeing it—"

"CAREFUL THERE SMALL LIZARD CHILD!" Papyrus plucked the tiny dragon off the ground by the back of his striped shirt. The kid wriggled excitedly, and Papyrus couldn't help but be enthused by the child's obvious energy. One day, when he was (even more) of a great and powerful guards person, would he have fans this excited to see him? "I APPRECIATE YOU SHOWING ME THIS SHORTCUT—ALTHOUGH I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE JUMPING FROM A BRIDGE INTO THE DUMP WAS THE WISEST OR SHORTEST OF DECISIONS—BUT THIS IS ROYAL GUARD BUSINESS NOW! IT MAY BE BEST FOR YOU TO WAIT OVER BY THE MILDLY FRUSTRATED DUMMY OVER THERE—"

"MILDLY FRUSTRATED?!" The aforementioned dummy—who appeared to be rudely eavesdropping on their conversation—hopped up and down wildly, "TRY UTTERLY INFURIATED! YOU TRY HAVING YOUR COUSIN EVICTED FROM HIS HOME, ANOTHER COUSIN NEARLY BEATEN TO GHOSTLY DEATH WITH A STICK AND SEE IF YOU END UP MILDLY FRUSTRATED."

"THE GREAT PAPYRUS ADMITS YOU MIGHT HAVE A REASON TO BE IRATE, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD BE RUDE!" Papyrus put his hand on his hip, wagging his other hand reproachfully in the dummy's direction. Of course said hand was already holding the lizard child, but luckily the kid seemed to find the entire situation quite enjoyable, kicking his feet and grinning as he swayed like a pendulum.

"I'LL BE RUDE IF I DAMN WELL WANT TO YOU WALKING STACK OF TWIGS!" Steam appeared to be rising from the dummy's ears. Did dummies even have ears? Papyrus didn't think so, but they also normally didn't hop or yell obscenities at passerbys either. "ON TOP OF ALL THAT THE FISH LADY HASN'T BEEN BY IN OVER A DAY SO I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN PAID FOR MY TROUBLE!"

The monster child gasped, "Yo! That ain't cool! Undyne isn't here!?"

"I JUST SAID THAT—"

"OH DEAR! THAT MEANS OUR SEARCH ISN'T OVER! RATHER PEEVED TRAINING IMPLEMENT! DID YOU HAPPEN TO SEE WHICH WAY SHE WENT?"

"EVEN IF I KNEW I WOULDN'T TELL YOU—"

"Oh! I know dude!" The dragon child wriggled excitedly, Papyrus pulled him closer so he could hear the small one's voice over the dummy's angry obscenities, "I know everything about Undyne, yo! Mom says it's an unhealthy case of hero worship, but I knew it would come in handy some day! I've heard when she isn't on patrol or training she hangs out with my cousin in Hotland sometimes!"

Papyrus blinked.

"HOTLAND? SHE—VERY LOUDLY—SEEMS TO HATE IT THERE!"

"I know right? It's weird yo." The kid's head bobbed enthusiastically, "But it's true! I haven't seen Alphys since she visited Snowdin for some party, but she showed up to say hi to my parents since she was in town and UNDYNE WAS WITH HER! It was awesome! I wanted to show her some of my moves—to impress her ya know?—but I was too excited and tripped over my tail! Talk about embarrassing yo."

"NOT TO WORRY SMALL LIZARD CHILD! IF YOU KEEP THAT ENTHUSIASM SURELY UNDYNE WILL SEE YOUR POTENTIAL!"

"Really!?"

"OF COURSE! THE GREAT PAPYRUS SAYS SO! SHE TRAINS ME PERSONALLY YOU KNOW." Papyrus puffed out his chest proudly, "BOTH IN BATTLE AND IN CULINARY MASTERY."

"That's AWESOME!" There were stars in his eyes. "You know, you are a pretty cool dude yourself, yo."

"INDEED! I AM THE COOLEST OF ALL SOON TO BE GUARDSMEN." He swung the dragon up to his shoulder, "NOW SMALL LIZARD CHILD, KINDLY POINT THE WAY TOWARD YOUR COUSIN'S ABODE!"

"Uuuuuuh—I've never been that far myself—my parents don't even like me sneaking out to waterfall—" the kid's tail immediately wrapped around his modified MTT brand fashion spheres to steady himself, "but I think if you follow the path east we'll end up in Hotland eventually! My parents say it's hard to miss Alphys' place. It's huge and square and right by the river landing."

"VERY WELL! ONWARD TO HOTLAND!"

"Yeah! Roadtrips are awesome!"

They left the still rather irate dummy behind without another thought.

x-x-x

A/N: Bit of a bonus scene there! It wasn't intended to be in the story (since I could have easily started with them arriving in hotland) but it was fun to write so I figured I'd include it since it doesn't mess up the pacing too much. Obviously since our heroes are stuck in a jar right now, we'll be seeing more of the rest of the cast for a while.

Feel free to drop me a note with any questions or concerns or even just speculation! I love babbling about the story ~