I know my chapters are getting longer, but I'm getting more and more into writing this story. Let me know if my chapters should stay short, or if the current pattern is fine. Also, let me know if I ever write the characters OOC. I do read reviews, I'm just not certain about how to reply to them without inflating my review numbers.
For those wondering, I WILL be covering all three routes and the neutral/true pacifist endings being close to the original story, so potential spoilers for that. There WILL be times when I make original moments in my story, but this is just a (late) warning.
/
Tenebris learned the basics of magic control very easily; he had what looked like a bottomless magic reserve from never using it, so he was able to keep up with Toriel's lessons. Now, not only can he regulate his magic efficiently, but what Toriel could teach him allowed him to summon shadowy bolts and create bee-hive barriers around his friends and himself.
He mentally snorts at how he arrived at using lots of smaller, individual hexagons over a single shield piece. Not only was it easier to create, but it also had far more overall strength than just a large, single piece.
Both Selendis and Frisk were pretty amazed at what he could do with his magic. Every time he begins using magic, his left eye starts glowing brighter and the shadowy mist starts leaking out of the corner of said eye. Both sisters conceded that it can be intimidating like that, but decided that he would be better off like that; no sense wasting energy on keeping visual appearances up.
When Toriel taught Tenebris all she could, they prepared for the journey through the Underground. Frisk had picked up a toy knife in the ruins a few days earlier, but opted to give it to Selendis since she would have more skill using it, opting to carry the stick she brought into the underground. She was also wearing a ribbon, which almost made Tenebris gush over how cute she looked.
Speaking of him, he had considered wearing his eye patch again, but everyone else convinced him that his glowing eye will allow him to be more easily passed off as a monster. This is largely because it's been a long time since humans have fell underground and many monsters might not recognize them as such.
Toriel gave them all a slice of butterscotch-cinnamon pie as a parting gift and gave all three humans a good-bye hug, stating that once they leave, they can't return through that entrance. Understanding that, all three humans steeled their resolve and continued through the door Toriel had once considered destroying.
The thoughts of the journey ahead of them filled them all with DETERMINATION.
... At least until they stumbled across Flowey, who looked more irritated than anything. "Clever, reeeeeal clever. You three think you're really smart, don't you?"
Tenebris gave him a dark glare. "Oh, it's you."
Selendis brought her plastic knife in front of her. "Don't think we'll fall for the same tricks twice!"
"Don't worry, I'm not here for anything like that. But I reiterate; down here, it's kill or be killed."
Frisk shook her head. "We've proven you wrong many times already, Flowey."
"Because you were able to play by your own rules. Even with that magic freak-accident, you didn't kill a single person."
Tenebris was taken aback before summoning a shadow bolt. "You asked before how long it would be before I lost control. How much do you know?"
Flowey grinned. "I know enough. And I bet you all feel really great: none of you killed a single person in the ruins."
This got a scoff from Selendis. "You think we're just going to do what YOU say? How-"
"But what will happen if you meet a relentless killer like myself, one who isn't so easily dissuaded? You'll die, you'll die, and you'll die until you tire of trying."
Frisk shuddered, but this went ignored by the older humans. Selendis gave Flowey a flat look. "I'm pretty sure you can only die once. I'm not sure about what you're talking about."
Flowey showed his demonic grin. "But of course you don't. Only one of you will know what I'm talking about. But my question is this: if such a thing happens, will you kill out of frustration?" This made all three humans falter a bit. "Ah hah! So such thoughts HAVE crossed your minds. But this is next question is for one of you: or will you give up entirely on this world and let ME inherit the power to control it."
Tenebris flung a shadow bolt to strike the ground before the flower. "Stop speaking so cryptically. "The power to control this world?" What kind of bull is that?"
Flowey chuckles darkly. "Maybe you'll find out, maybe you won't. All I will say is that this is so much more interesting." One demonic laugh later and he disappears underground.
"Tch, maybe I should of blasted him..." Tenebris dissipated the unused bolts.
"Don't fall for his taunting, that's exactly what he wants." Selendis looked past where Flowey was. "Whether or not he was using reverse psychology to challenge us to not kill anything, I accept that challenge. Besides, Killing anything down here will leave a horrible taste in my mouth."
Frisk let out a sigh of relief. She couldn't pin down why, but she was glad her sister and friend were going to try and be pacifists going through the Underground, even if Tenebris had what is supposedly a dangerous power. At the same time, she felt guilty. She knew Flowey was referring to her ability to SAVE and LOAD, possibly even to her ability to RESET, through her DETERMINATION and it was leaving her companions in the dark.
Tenebris shook his head, snapping Frisk's attention back to him. "No point mulling over it; the surface isn't getting any closer." Going forward, he opened the door that was behind Flowey and all of them were blinded by light.
Next thing they knew, the were on the other side... and freezing cold. Frisk had a heavy sweater so she was fine but Selendis wasn't as well dressed. "G-g-geeze, w-would it o-of killed T-Toriel to w-warn us a-about this?" She noticed that Tenebris wasn't shivering, despite being dressed as well as her. "Why aren't you shivering?"
He shrugs as he starts digging into his backpack. "Perhaps its my attunement to darkness, but I'm not quite as cold. I can still feel it, don't get me wrong, but perhaps it doesn't bother me as much." Dragging his coat out of the backpack, he hands it to her. "Not sure how warm you'll be with this, but it's better than nothing."
"T-true..." She puts the coat on hastily.
Frisk looked around, feeling as though they were being watched. "I... think we should keep moving. Something doesn't... feel right."
Now warmer because of the coat, Selendis nods. "We should keep moving. The longer we stay in one place, the more vulnerable we are."
A shadowy figure with a glowing blue eye watched the trio as they began to move away from the ruins door. "Yet another anomaly this time around. Like last time, she seems to have forgotten everything. Welp, I can't blame her; I have a lot of holes in my memory myself, so let's just go through the motions again.
"I just hope the newcomer isn't volatile or dangerous."
As the humans moved along, the large stick they passed over suddenly snapped, causing them all to jump. When they heard foot-falls behind them, yet nobody was there, they started proceeding more cautiously.
It wasn't until they reached what looked like a barricade when the foot-steps appeared again, this time much louder and right behind them. Despite two of them wielding make-shift weapons and one capable of using magic, they all froze in fear. They stayed like that when the foot-steps stopped right behind them.
"Humans. Don't any of you know how to greet a new pal? One of you, turn around and shake my hand."
Tenebris opted to take the fall, slowly turning to see a shadowed figure holding it's hand out. He slowly extended his hand and-
PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhwhooooooooooffffff.
Tenebris let out a cough while Selendis and Frisk slowly started laughing. The shadowed figure, now suddenly revealed as a skeleton with a perpetual grin and wearing a blue jacket, snorted. "heheh, the ol' whoopee-cushion in the hand trick. it's ALWAYS funny." Tenebris started cough-laughing when he finally recovered from the scare. The skeleton shook his head in amusement. "anyways, you're humans, right? that's hilarious."
Selendis looked around nervously. "Um... humans? What humans?"
"come on, don't lie to me. i could write off mr black eye here with enough suspension of disbelief, but you two? not a chance." Tenebris winced when he said that, but didn't comment. "anyways, i'm sans, sans the skeleton."
Frisk smiled. "You don't seem like a bad monster. I'm Frisk, the girl is my older sister, Selendis, and he's Tenebris."
Sans smiled a bit more; now he knew the name of the most recent anomaly. The fact that Tenebris' left eye looked and acted strikingly similar to his left eye when activated piqued his curiosity, but he decided to leave it for now. "i'm actually supposed to be on watch for humans right now, but... y'know... i don't really care about capturing anyone." This got sighs of relief from the humans and he smiled a bit wider. "now, my brother, papyrus... he's a human-hunting FANATIC."
Tenebris rubbed his hands together nervously. "Yeah... I know he's your brother and all, but couldn't you just... not say anything to him about us?"
"sorry, kid, but i think that's him over there." The two girls panicked and Tenebris' eye flared up, suddenly emitting a dark mist again. Sans, oddly, recognized it as panicking as well and shook his head. "don't worry, i have an idea. go through this gate-thingy." The humans gave it flat looks and he rolled his eyes. "yeah, he made the bars too wide to stop anyone."
All four of them walked across the bridge, only for Selendis to whisper loudly, "In the direction of your brother?"
"yeah, trust me on this. frisk should hide behind that conveniently shaped lamp." Frisk did so while Sans looked at the older humans. "hmm... guess behind my station will have to do for you two. sorry for any mess you might find." Selendis and Tenebris shrugged at each other before diving behind the station that had condiments behind it. Just in time as a taller skeleton appeared on the scene, one Sans acknowledged. "sup, bro?"
"YOU KNOW WHAT'S "SUP," BROTHER!" Tenebris and Selendis winced at how loud the newcomer, supposedly Papyrus, was. "IT'S BEEN EIGHT DAYS AND YOU HAVEN'T...
"RECALIBRATED.
"YOUR.
"PUZZLES!"
"Oh, I get it now." Tenebris whispered, which made Selendis look at him oddly. "They're named after font types!"
"How so?"
"The Papyrus font is criticized for making things seem more meaningful and important than it actually is, hence the loud voice. Sans, or rather, Comic Sans... oh jeeze I just got that!" Selendis facepalms while Papyrus suddenly sneezes. "Anyways, Comic Sans is criticized because businesses use it to try and appear friendly, but end up looking lazy."
"EXCUSE ME. ANYWAYS, YOU JUST HANG AROUND YOUR STATION! WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING?!"
"staring at this lamp and my station. they're really cool. wanna look?" Sans let out a small shudder at feeling two glares directed at him.
"NO! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT! WHAT IF A HUMAN COMES THROUGH HERE!? I WANT TO BE READY! I WILL BE THE ONE! I MUST BE THE ONE! I WILL CAPTURE A HUMAN!"
Selendis and Tenebris shot each other and Frisk worried looks. Papyrus seemed serious about this. "THEN, I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS... WILL GET ALL OF THE THINGS I UTTERLY DESERVE! RESPECT... RECOGNITION... I WILL FINALLY BE ABLE TO JOIN THE ROYAL GUARD! PEOPLE WILL ASK, TO, BE MY... "FRIEND?"
"I guess he's feeling 'bonely!'" That got Tenebris a smack on the shoulder from Selendis and Frisk giggled a bit.
"HOLD ON, SANS, DID YOU MAKE ANOTHER PUN?!" The older humans started holding their breath.
Sans shrugged. "no? must be hearing things, bro."
"REALLY? I COULD OF SWORN I FELT A BAD PUN BEING MADE IN MY PRESENCE..."
Sans looked to the other side a bit. "hmm... anyways, maybe this lamp will help you." He once again felt like he was being glared at, which made him only shrug in response.
"SANS! YOU ARE NOT HELPING, YOU LAZY BONES! ALL YOU DO IS SIT AND BOONDOGGLE!"
"I think I know what boondoggle means, which reinforces the whole font type naming scheme." Tenebris though for a second.
Selendis immediately saw the look on his face and glared at him. "Don't..."
"Not this time, Papyrus might find us then." Selendis silently thanked Papyrus for being there, if only to prevent more bad puns.
Papyrus continued speaking, "YOU GET LAZIER AND LAZIER EVERY DAY!"
Sans chuckled. "hey, take it easy. i've gotten a 'ton' of work done today."
Selendis saw the look on Sans' face. "No..."
"... a 'skele-ton.'"
He winks, seemingly at the hidden humans, while a rimshot was heard. Tenebris and Frisk were trying hard not to laugh and Selendis was trying not to groan loudly. Her reaction was partially mirrored by Papyrus. "SANS!"
"come on, you're smiling."
"I AM AND I HATE IT!" Papyrus lets out a sigh. "WHY DOES SOMEONE AS GREAT AS ME HAVE TO DO SO MUCH JUST TO GET SOME RECOGNITION?"
Sans grins wider again. "wow, sounds like you're really working yourself... down to the bone." Another rimshot was heard.
Selendis covered her face. "Oh, god... what did I do to deserve this?"
Tenebris nudged her playfully. "Hey, you hate on bad jokes, you get hit with them a lot."
Papyrus groaned loudly. " I WILL ATTEND TO MY PUZZLES. AS FOR YOUR WORK? PUT A LITTLE MORE... 'BACKBONE' INTO IT!" No rimshot this time, but Papyrus laughs for a bit before leaving, though he came back for one more "HEH!"
Sans chuckled before looking back at the hiding spots. "ok, you can come out now." Both Frisk and Tenebris practically fell out of their hiding spots, laughing. Selendis merely got up with an unamused look. Sans chuckled a bit more. "at least i had a great audience."
Tenebris could barely breath. "Oh... oh my god! I can tell we're going to get along just fine! You're a real 'Comic,' Sans."
Sans snorted in laughter. "I know I am."
Tenebris managed to calm down. "Okay, you're good, but you know when Papyrus said boondoggle?" Sans nodded, wondering where he was going with this. "Didn't he mean 'bone'doggle?"
Sans snorted again before laughing with Frisk. Selendis had an indignant look on her face, though there was a smile tugging at her features. "Y-you know, we really should get going."
Sans coughed a few times. "yeah, he might come back. and if he does, you'll have to sit through more of my hilarious jokes."
Frisk giggled a bit more. "I wouldn't mind that. Selendis might, though."
"No duh?"
Sans chuckled again at her slight shortness. There was a slight hesitation and he decided to 'get' them, especially Frisk since she doesn't remember anything. "what's the holdup? look there's nothing to be afraid of." The humans looked at him curiously. "it;s just a dark cavern filled with skeletons and horrible monsters.
Frisk shivered and Tenebris deadpanned. "I know you're all for jokes, but that's crossing the line a little too much for my liking." All he got was a shrug.
Selendis shook her head. "Regardless, we must press on. No sense waiting around here." Frisk nodded and all three humans started to continue forward.
"actually." They turn back to Sans. 'hate to bother you when you're in a hurry, but can you do me a favor? i was thinking... my brother's been kind of down lately..." Selendis immediately realized that, despite annoying his brother with bad jokes, he really does care about him. She could relate to him. "he's never seen a human before and seeing not just one or two, but three humans might just make his day."
Frisk gave him a worried look. "Isn't he trying to capture us, though?"
"don't worry, he's not dangerous, even if he tries to be." All three mulled over it before nodding. They did owe Sans for helping them and they, admittedly, felt bad for Papyrus. Seeing them nod, Sans smiled wider and, with genuine gratitude in his voice, he said, "thanks a million. i'll be up ahread."
What confused the three was the fact that he started walking back towards the ruins. They shrugged it off.
The feeling of already having someone they could call a friend filled them all with DETERMINATION.
Sans let out a soft sigh as he walked away from the humans. Despite Tenebris' initial appearance, his genuine love of bad jokes already won him over. Despite even that, he was worried about their eventual battle with Papyrus. He could feel the dark magic flowing from Tenebris' eye and he has yet to see his soul.
"y'know... maybe i'm agonizing over this too much. hopefully frisk is at her most passive this run and it'll rub off on the other two, but why do i get the feeling things will change more than when it was just selendis?"
What, truthfully, worried him the most was the fact that Frisk's memories seem to have been wiped again and his own being full of holes. There are some details he can still partially remember, like Selendis being the first anomaly since Frisk was initially alone, but other than things like that and his knowledge of Frisk's ability to SAVE, LOAD, and RESET, he knew little.
The only thing he remembers from before was him saying, "it's a beautiful day outside. birds are singing, flowers are blooming. on days like this, kids like you. Should be burning in hell."
