The child's plan is still buzzing around in my head as we continue on our way to Hotland. It's like I've hit a wall. I love killing people, it's what I'm good at. But with the chance of all of humanity to be destroyed because of it... I don't know what to do. Maybe there's more to be learned from this.

The air is getting hotter, weighing down on my partial form. We walk past a glowing sign with scrolling words, reading "WELCOME TO HOTLAND". It's much more technological than I was expecting. We continue walking until we reach a crossways, even crossing over a river of lava in the process. There's a road up, stairs leading down somewhere, and a road across leading to a big white building. Seeing the building is almost comforting, actually. It's strange.

It occurs to me then that I've just been following Chara throughout the Underground without really knowing where we're going. ~Chara?~ I ask the child.

They turn towards me, flashing those red eyes. "Yes?"

~If I'm here to kill a bunch of humans, why are we in the Underground?~

They sigh, as if I've asked the most stupid question in the world. "I'm stuck here, you idiot."

~I did not know that.~ I reply, already used to being called an idiot by them.

"We have to get to the Barrier. That way you can go through and do what has to be done."

I chuckle humorlessly. ~Do what has to be done, eh? Do you not want to mention that I'll be murdering seven people?~

They scowl at me. "You know what I mean!"

~I do.~ I agree. My gaze meets theirs. ~But do you?~ Are they truly set on their given path?

They turn abruptly away. "Of course I do; I've already given up too much to not go any further."

I study them. What did they give up, exactly, to be in this position? Does it have something to do with the red shards? Or could it be something else? They seem very tight-lipped at the moment.

I decide to let it pass for now. ~Understood, then.~ I look ahead at the strange building. ~So what is this place?~

They seem to relax slightly, looking ahead as well. "It's the Royal Laboratory. It's kind of empty now, but I'm sure the position will be filled soon."

~Empty?~ I echo. Why would it be empty? Wouldn't the monsters down here always need a Royal Scientist? I move closer to the building, and as I get closer I get a strange feeling that gets stronger the less distance I put between myself and the building... it's a feeling of being watched. I immediately stop and spin around, looking for what could be causing it. Someone is watching me, and it's not the child; I know their red gaze by now. I look back at the Laboratory door again, then look back at the child, who is smiling smugly.

I quickly walk back over to them, being relieved of the feeling. They meet my gaze, still wearing that smug smile. "What do you think?" They ask innocently.

~We are being watched.~ I hiss under my breath at them. ~I don't know by what, but I don't like it.~

They laugh softly, leaning in closer to me. "Oh dear Darkness, don't you know it's rude to talk about someone who is listening?" At my shocked expression, the child practically jumps around in joy and runs towards the road up.

Now I know a lot of things, but I also don't care to know many other things. However when I want to know something and there is no way to know it, I get a little freaked out. As much as a centuries old demon of destruction can get freaked out, that is. But it does not happen that often. ~Chara!~ I call after the child, hurrying after them. ~What did you mean by that? Who's listening?~

"I can't tell you, that wouldn't be any fun!" They turn to me, grinning. It's a nice change from them being stoic and angry. They laugh at my disappointed expression and grab one of my hands, pulling my along the road. They're so child-like and happy right now, it's very weird. I pull my hand and they stop and turn to look at me, pouting. "Really? It's no one important."

I give them my best 'are you serious?' look. Whenever I feel like I am being watched like that, it is usually because it is from the gaze of a very powerful being.

They sigh, the child-like happiness dissolving in an instant, returning the determined features of the child I know. "I promise, he's just and old man that's trapped in a place where no one remembers him. He won't be able to interfere with the plan."

I find my interest piquing again. Trapped? Trapped how? Trapped where? And how does no one remember him? I look at Chara. Except... Chara somehow does, and they just said themselves that they were trapped here as well. ~Do the monsters remember you?~ I ask them, looking into their red gaze.

They blink and shake their head in surprise. "What? What does that have to do with anything?"

~I will ask you no more questions if you answer this for me.~ I tell them. I need to know more about this being Chara called an 'old man'.

They narrow their eyes at me. "What are you playing at? You always ask annoying questions."

~And you always avoid them, like you are doing now.~ I respond, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Well I have to for this one." They cross their arms as well.

~Why?~ I'm starting to get angry now.

They smile slightly, tilting their head. "Why just to spite you of course."

I seethe inwardly. I should have never agreed to help this child. One of the many reasons I enjoy doing this is because I sometimes do learn things of interest. The fact that there's been monsters living underground the whole time? Nah. Somehow there was an entire war that I missed? Not really interesting. But this.. this strange being, this is of interest, and I will not tolerate this child's game any longer.

My form darkens as I gather my dark energy. Sensing this, Chara's smile disappears, and they back away from me. "What are you doing?" They ask, trying, I can tell, to keep their nerves from their voice.

~I am done with your games, child.~ My form lengthens, towering over them. ~You may not be able to die, but that doesn't mean you can't feel pain.~

Their eyes widen, and they take a few more stumbling steps backward. They meet my gaze, and that is the worst mistake they could have ever done, because instead of seeing fear, like I had hoped, I see only anger. This enrages me even more. My dark energy, calling for release, twirling and swirling around my form like a black cloud, twitches in anticipation. The child sees this, and finally the fear shows in their eyes. "Please, don't!"

I grin, revealing my sharp teeth. ~Are you ready to stop fooling around and tell me what I need to know?~

"Yes." They look down at the ground, their voiced laced with fear. Ah, how I love that sound. It's always worth riling up my dark energy for. A good scare never hurt anyone.

~Good.~ I tamper down my dark energy, shrinking back down to my former size in instant. I cross my arms again. ~So you were saying?~

The child gapes at me, and I watch silently as their emotions go from fear, to realization, to anger. They march back over to me. "You tricked me!"

~I did not.~ I correct them. ~I threatened you.~

With that, their anger immediately dissipates, and they look nervous. "So um.. what do you want to know?"

~Hmm...~ I pretend to ponder, going over my list of unanswered questions. ~Answer my earlier question first: do monsters remember you?~

They nod. "Yes. I am the first human to ever fall here. I would hope they wouldn't forget me."

I start walking down the road again. We might as well keep moving while I ask questions. ~And this 'old man', was he important?~

They scoff. "He was annoying is what he was, always so proud to make the Underground more livable. He even built the CORE." They roll their eyes. "But it's still not a way out now, is it?"

~Did he work in the Royal Laboratory?~

They nod. "He was the Royal Scientist, until something went wrong one day... and well, now he's trapped like I am."

~Are you trapped together? Like do you see him?~ This is getting more interesting as time goes on. So this being is a monster it seems, and quite an important one at that.

I can see the child is once again getting annoyed by my questions, but they hold it in, my threat still on their mind. "I run into him occasionally, yes. Are you going to ask me for a description next?"

I chuckle. ~No. Is he very powerful?~

They nod immediately. "Yes. His SOUL may be shattered into a billion pieces, but he is very powerful."

~As powerful as me?~ I ask, half joking.

However, Chara seems to be truly considering it. "I don't know. He's not a demon of mass destruction, but if I were to compare his abilities to yours, you might be well matched."

A bit surprised, I laugh. ~Perhaps one day we could meet then.~ We reach the end of a road, with an elevator off to one side. I nod my head at it. ~This is the way to the Barrier, I presume?~

"You presume correctly." They walk over to the elevator and press the button. It slides open with a ding. "After you."

~Very well then.~ I enter the elevator, and we begin our long ascent.

A/N: Hey guys! In case you're reading this and have no idea who this "old man" is, it's Gaster. One of the reasons this took so long to upload is because I was trying to figure out how he fit into all of this. Thanks again for reading, and have a great day/night!