Good afternoon, readers! I have returned with a new and suspenseful chapter! Twists and turns await you! Are you prepared? If you are, please read and enjoy! Thank you all again for your support thus far!
After what seemed like an eternity of falling deeper into a dark abyss, Alice registered a feeling of being lifted up out of numbness. It was a raw feeling as she remained suspended in her subconscious, as if something was trying to put up a resistance, to drag her down deeper. The force was broken by a small spark of light, the very same one she had seen right before her descent. She willed herself to extend towards it, and the spark of light resonated once she made contact with it, hearing an odd sound calling to her. It was like a voice, but it was more like a compilation of garbled sounds. The light enveloped her, and she finally felt herself break through her subconscious like shattering glass, her eyes cracking opened as she finally came to.
"Bloody hell..." Alice groaned, slowly sitting up and rubbing her head. "I thought I had long passed this... leaving my tendency to wake up in some odd place in the past. I need something to swat it good with, I don't appreciate it coming back to bite me." She sighed, regaining her balance as she cautiously got to her feet. It was then that she felt she was aware enough to observe her surroundings- except, there was not all that much to observe. She found herself in a small room, completely white and devoid of color or objects. She furrowed a confused brow, not seeing any way out, or in, for that matter. "Where could this be, I wonder...?" She asked herself, not expecting an answer.
However, as she would find moments later, she received one.
'You are everywhere, and you are nowhere. You are in a space outside of space.'
Alice heard the voice speak in varying tones, both like a faraway echo and a close whisper. She whirled around, seeing nothing at first. She then felt a presence behind her, turning to see an ominous figure, their pale, slightly misshapen face draped in black. She was about to grab her vorpal blade, when a hand shot out to grab her wrist, not harming her but holding it firmly.
'Do not fear, I mean you no harm. I saw you fall, and I mean to guide you back to the place where you left last. However, before I do this, I feel it is urgent that I speak with you first. There are many things in this world that you do not yet know, and most of those things you need not know for now. However, you have made a very wicked enemy, and you will not be able to save yourself or any inhabitants of the underground without my assistance.'
Alice drew out a sigh, straightening up as the mysterious individual slowly released her hand. Alice let her hand hang, finally determining that this creature was not a threat, at least for now. She took a moment to look him over, noticing that both his hands had large holes where his palms would be. After a few moments of silence lapsed between them, she looked into his hollow eyes, like voids, one shaped like a crescent moon with a large crack running down through it vertically.
"Who are you?" She asked.
'I am not much of a "who," anymore... more like a "what" now. My name was W.D Gaster. I was once a renowned scientist to the royal family here in the underground... I assisted the community in a number of ways to keep it running smoothly... the core, which you have seen for yourself, was my creation. It was great, yes, but not the greatest.'
"Are you a phantom?" Alice asked.
'Not quite. I was once a monster citizen, like many you have already encountered. However, something terrible happened... and as a result, my form has changed entirely. In this space, you are seeing me in a tangible state, however, only a fraction of my being is present before you. I understand if this is confusing, so I must start from the beginning; in particular, the beginning of her story.'
"Her? Who do you mean-" Alice gasped then as she saw several floating hands formed a circle around her, spinning in maddening circles as the holes in the palms began to glow. She felt like she was floating, even though she clearly felt the ground underneath her feet, and it was in that moment she remembered something.
'Tra la la... beware the man who speaks in hands.'
At this point, there was nothing Alice could do as the holes spun faster and faster, soon becoming a blur as she seemed to be transported somewhere. She found herself in a patch of golden flowers, jumping a bit when she heard Gaster's voice in her head.
'Monsters have been trapped in the Underground by the barrier since the days of old, when humans forced us down here. We have tried to break the barrier, but we would need the power of seven human souls, seven to represent each of the colored druid clans that cast the powerful spell. One day, the unexpected occurred.'
Alice noticed a small child fall into the patch of flowers, the little girl struggling to get up as she whimpered. Alice saw a small monster child run over to her, helping her to her feet.
"She looks somewhat like the child I encountered on my journey." Alice remarked.
'Yes... she is known by monsters by several names... the First Child, the Fallen Child... her presence gave all monsters hope for a better future... if only they had known her true nature.'
Alice saw flashes of memory, witnessing the child's interactions with the monster child, and what revealed to be the royal family. She saw the monster child absorb her soul upon her death, and how the child's malevolence came forth as she took control of the powerful being.
"So... it was she who truly began the war?" Alice asked.
'Yes... but this was only the beginning...' Gaster told her, and she was then flashed to his laboratory, holding a jar containing the soul of the first child. 'It was known that a monster could absorb human souls and become very powerful... the king instructed me to see if there was something we could do with the soul to bring back the fallen crown prince. I conducted a series of experiments, documenting them as I proceeded.' Alice furrowed a brow as she witnessed his deteriorated state in fast motion, soon being transported to the core. She realized she was standing in the same spot she had been when she encountered the child, whirling around when she heard someone calling his name. She watched as Gaster flung himself from the edge into one of the power cells of the machine, shattering into a million pieces and dissipating, piercing through time and space. She heard a despaired shriek, widening her eyes slightly when she saw someone familiar, the long, sustained cry for their father ringing through the air. In that moment, Gaster answered her question before she asked it.
'Yes... Sans... as well as Papyrus... are my sons. I mentioned earlier that the core was not my greatest creation... for nothing in this world could ever surpass them.'
Alice staggered a bit when they returned to the white room, the floating hands slowing down and disappearing as Gaster hobbled forward.
"So, my objective is simple then... destroy the child." Alice said.
'No. The child you encountered on your journey is not the child you saw in our memories. They do, however, share the same soul. If powerful enough, a human soul can be reborn into another human. The first child... her hatred had manifested great power. When I absorbed a portion of her soul, we were merged together. She had access to my mind as I did to hers. I knew that as long as she lingered, we were all doomed. For years, I searched for a part of her, even a small part, that still had goodness. It was then that I guided it into another small girl; thinking perhaps the hope the fallen child once inspired in monsters could be delivered this time. However, I miscalculated once again. The other fragments of her soul could influence that small, untainted part that had manifested into its own soul. It is for this reason that the child you encountered has turned to darkness. In addition to her, there is another who needs saving.'
As Gaster told her about Flowey, Alice narrowed her eyes a bit. "So Flowey... was resurrected from the remains of the crown prince?"
'Yes. But without a soul to sustain this essence reinvigorated by the determination extracted from the soul of the first child... her hatred, her thirst for power, has taken shape within the flower, unchecked. Though the first child is not influencing or controlling him directly... the darkness has embraced this small creature through its own bitterness.'
Alice nodded, exhaling. "I know what I must do. I have just one last question." She replied. "It was you who called me to this world... wasn't it?"
Gaster mustered a smile then. 'You are a clever girl, Alice. You see, I was scattered through time and space... I was drawn to you because of your abilities. I have seen some of the struggles you have overcome, and I know that you are our only chance to be saved. Though there are greater forces at work, those are not your concern now. Your only concern now is to subdue the first child and release her victims from her influence.'
"I understand. Thank you for your insight, Dr. Gaster." Alice paused then. "I... do not believe that your actions had evil intent."
'I appreciate that. I know it is difficult for you to trust someone with my sort of background." Gaster said, seeming to frown for a moment. "Alice... if it is not too much to ask... will you please tell Sans- if you happen to see him- that I am never too far away?'
"I shall." Alice smiled.
'Thank you. Now, I shall guide you back to where you need to be. Just remember that wherever you see the floating light, make contact with it, take its message to heart. If you turn and wait for but a moment, I will produce a door to let you out.' When Alice turned, waiting for the blank wall to change, Gaster smiled lightly, speaking a bit softer. 'I almost forgot one thing. Elizabeth asked me to tell you that she has never left your side; in the darkest of times, she wept with you, and in your triumphs, you have made her soul ring with pride.'
Alice trembled for a moment, slowly turning to look at him. As she did, Gaster gave her a nod, a dim glow appearing in his eyes before he faded into nothingness. Her lip trembled a bit, closing her eyes for a moment as she whispered her gratitude. Her eyes opened at the sound of something behind her, turning to see that a door had appeared, unlocking. Taking in a deep breath, she wiped the moisture from her eyes as she took a step forward, placing her hand on the knob. Refreshed, refocused and revitalized, she knew what she had to do as she braced for whatever awaited her on the other side of the door.
As she cracked open the door, she was met by a blinding light, overwhelming her vision for a few moments. Once it cleared, she blinked a bit as her vision readjusted, and she realized she was back in the core. Wasting no time, she proceeded forward, only hesitating when she heard a jingling sound. She dug into her pocket, realizing that her cell phone was ringing.
"Alice?! It's Alphys! Oh my goodness, how did you get back up there? You must have the ability to save yourself with the glowing lights! Listen, you've got to stop her! We're all just past the resort, she and Flowey have deactivated all the security lasers and puzzles, and they're making their way to-"
"- I can't believe that! And there I was, I heard Flowey say he loved my puzzles with my own skull! Wait, maybe he wouldn't deactivate them if I made them instead!"
"Papyrus, give me that!" Alphys could be heard shouting in the background.
"Pap, hand it over, I need to say something to the human. Hey, Alice! I'm feeling more like myself and I'm going to be the first one out of this bunch to get back to Asgore! But before then, you've got to stop your little friend there from killing him. If I find so much as one scratch on Asgore, I'm going to pummel her all the way into next week! Just you wait and- hey!"
"Honestly, her constant shouting makes my wires fizzle. Listen dear, you may as well just go and tell them to hold everything until I make my grand entrance... and I suppose stopping any murderous actions will do, I can't have any potential viewers dying on me! I- SANS! Give me that this instant or I'll-"
"Hey, kid. Before they all talk your ears off, just keep going up the elevators until you get to the top of the core and meet me inside the palace. Just keep moving and don't worry. I want to say something to you before you try to see Asgore."
"Goodness gracious, my head is spinning from all this chatter!" Alice exclaimed, until a thought came to her. "Hang on... if you're farther away than I am, how is it that I will be meeting you-"
"See you there, kid." Was all Sans said before she heard a click, Alice raising a brow and looking at the device quizzically. Shaking her head, she shoved it back into her pocket before proceeding to the next elevator.
When she finally reached the top of the core, she continued down a long, narrow corridor until she reached a pair of double doors. Upon closing them, she read a sign that was just a few feet in front of her. "'New Home.' Oh dear, does the unoriginality of names ever end?" Alice asked herself before moving forward. She ventured through a series of long corridors overlooking the rest of the capital, finally approaching another set of double doors which led into the palace itself. Looking upon the large, marble tiles, pillars, and stained glass windows, she had an uncomfortable feeling- she was thankful that at least the color scheme wasn't red, or else she would have thought she had just walked right into a nightmare. Trying to push aside the chilling deja vu, she made her way halfway across the final corridor until her footsteps slowed to a stop, the absence of their echo creating a thick silence.
"Well, it seems you weren't lying." Alice raised a brow.
Sans shrugged. "Not too fond with lying. There's really no good reason for it, most of the time." He replied. "So... you finally made it. I know that this has been a topsy turvy time for you, but you stuck to it."
"Indeed. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to-"
"Hang on, I'm not finished." Sans said, holding up a hand as he kept his calm demeanor, Alice huffing.
"You know that child could be making a bloody pulp out of the king right now." Alice said.
"I told you not to worry about it. Nothing's going to happen to Asgore for now. It'll give us enough time to have this chat." Sans replied. "I know you were sent here to give us a helping hand, Alice. But it doesn't mean that's the kind of hand you'd deal out. I've shaken all kinds of hands in my lifetime. Some are delicate, some are rough, some are broken. Some are clean, and some are dirty. Bloody. So the question is, Alice, what kind of hand do you have? And that's what really matters to me right now." Sans said.
Alice would normally dismiss words like these as ridiculous notions, but she began to see the deeper meaning in them. "You're not going to let me through that door if your observations are negative, are you?" Alice asked. "You must have more potential than what you give off."
Sans chuckled lightly. "You really are pretty smart, Alice." Sans replied. "I guess I could have said the same for you, am I right? You know, when you're quiet enough, when you hide yourself good enough, people don't really see you, but you see them. And you know what? You know what that's like. I see that. You know what it's like to watch that one person you love more than anything die, over and over again, like a never ending nightmare, knowing you can't do a damn thing to stop it." He looked up. "You've got blood on your hands, Alice. And usually, I wouldn't be able to afford not caring about that. But you know what? Not all spilled blood is innocent, and not all killers are guilty. You taught me that, so I guess you can teach old bones new tricks."
"Ah... the point emerges." Alice smirked lightly, and Sans did the same.
"Yeah... always the best part of the joke. Buildup just makes you squirm." Sans shrugged once more. "Just know that I'm rootin' for you, kiddo. Everyone is. It's all you now." Sans said, shuffling one step to the side and motioning his head towards the door to the throne room.
"Thank you." Alice replied, continuing onward, and stopping just before the door. "One last thing, Sans."
"Hm?" Sans turned his head slightly.
"Your father is with you wherever you go. You don't need to look far, and you don't need to carry so much when you do." Alice said, Sans saying nothing as Alice entered the doors. As a stray tear ran down his cheekbone, he chuckled quietly.
"Thanks, kid."
Alice took in a deep breath, proceeding until she reached the throne room, the ground covered with golden flowers. Just beside her, she noticed another glowing light, extending her hand to touch it. When she did, another message was produced from it, taking a moment to read it.
"Let's see... 'knowing that the time of meeting destiny face to face has come... it fills you with determination.' A bold message indeed." Alice said as the paper dissipated from her hands, turning to move forward. She stopped short then, gasping when she saw the child just ahead, her back facing her as she pointed a knife towards who she presumed to be King Asgore.
"Now, now, there's no need to fight." He said to the child gently.
As the child gritted her teeth, rearing her hand back to attack, Alice burst into butterflies, dashing forward to rematerialize in between her and the king, blocking her attack. The child screamed angrily, Alice shoving her back. Before she could get back to her feet, she gasped as a series of spears rained down, forming a tight circle around the child as they embedded into the ground, trapping her.
"Asgore!" A voice cried before Undyne ran inside. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, Undyne! Yes, I am perfectly fine... this human saved me." He replied.
"Alice! I knew you could do it!" Undyne beamed, Alice wincing a bit as she playfully punched her shoulder a bit too hard.
"Undyne! We must stop them all from fighting- oh, you already did it! Hooray! Now, we can all read this ultimate BFF guide I rented from the library! Once we're all BFFs, we can work together to destroy the barrier! Nyeh heh heh!" Papyrus exclaimed.
"Alright! Everyone, stop." Mettaton said as he sashayed into the room. "There is no need to fear, for I have finally arrived! Your most favorite and beloved celebrity is fine, and is here to provide you-"
"Oh will you shut UP already?!" Undyne groaned.
Just then, the sound of heavy panting was heard then, Alphys putting her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. "Everybody... hang on... just... give me a minute... or ten..."
"Don't pass out on us, Al." Sans said upon strolling in, patting her back a bit.
As everyone tried to get on the same page, Alice introducing herself to Asgore and the two becoming acquainted, everyone stopped when someone else entered through the doors.
"Hey, who's that?" Undyne asked, narrowing her eyes. "Hey, who are you?!" She shouted, grabbing her spear. Her expression softened when she felt a hand lower her arms, glancing up at Asgore as he stared straight ahead in shock. Silence filled the room for a moment, Papyrus being the one to break it.
"King Asgore, I had no idea you had a twin!" He piped, Sans snickering as his brother.
"Toriel..." Asgore breathed. "My beloved... I... you... you came back?"
"I'm not here for you." Toriel said, narrowing her eyes at him. "I am here... to help keep everyone safe."
"Wait a second." Mettaton held his hands up, pointing at Toriel. "Your jaws drop when SHE enters the room, but not me?"
"She's the queen of the Underground, you idiot, of course!" Undyne snapped, kneeling on one knee. "Your highness, I, Undyne, the captain of the guard, is here to serve you!"
"O- Oh, and I, the Great Papyrus, soon to be member of the royal guard, am here to serve you as well!" He beamed. "And Sans too!"
"Ah... well, it is nice to meet you both." Toriel smiled, before raising a brow. "Sans? Who the hell is Sans?"
"That would be me." Sans took a step forward.
Toriel tilted her head. "Funny... you sound familiar."
Sans shrugged. "Well, better call ShEARlock Holmes to solve this mystery." He winked.
Toriel blinked for a moment before bursting out into laughter. "Oh my- oh my goodness, you- you're the one who's always making those funny jokes!"
Sans chuckled as his brother groaned. "Oh no, not you too!" He exclaimed.
"Okay, I think I'm okay now! So being we're all here, we need to work together to figure out how to break the barrier!" Alphys piped up.
Before anyone could respond, they heard low chuckling. They all glanced at the child, her head bent. "You all actually think you've defeated me. How amusing. I tire of your games." She slowly glanced over at Alice. "You are going to watch everything you've worked for fall into ruin. I hope you realize that this is not Wonderland anymore... because this is not your playing board..." She grimaced darkly. "... it's mine."
Alice's jaw clenched. "How in the bloody hell do you know about-"
Before Alice could even finish her sentence, the child took her knife, spinning in a circle to slice all the spear handles. She then hopped over the stubs, throwing the knife so it sliced through the air, straight towards Toriel. Everything seemed to slow down; one moment, Toriel thought that this was the end for her... in the next, she felt herself being shoved to the side, the bed of flowers cushioning her fall as everyone gasped. The knife embedded in the opposite wall, the child's crimson eyes widening as her wicked grin grew. When they all realized what happened, Sans fell to his knees, his hands slowly going to his throat as he chuckled wheezily.
"Well... looks like the tables have turned..." Sans said as a drop of blood gathered at the corner of his teeth, rolling down his jaw. "This is different... but... I ain't complaining." He looked up slowly. "Sorry, Frisk... I know you're in there, kiddo. Don't miss me too much."
Alice felt a familiar pang in her heart when she, along with the others, witnessed Sans' skull roll off his neck, oddly still chuckling even when it hit the ground. In that moment, as Papyrus dashed over and wailed his brother's name, all sound became muffled, her vision darkened. She felt herself being dragged back to a familiar, but unwelcoming place, gasping when a familiar voice reached her ears, her vision clearing a bit as she saw a well known feline standing in front of her.
'You've suffered great pain, and you've caused some. You've endured deep grief and feelings of guilt, but you will be tested by a more wrenching anguish, Alice. There is worse to come. You and this Red Queen cannot both survive; you are two parts of the same–'
As she re-watched her friend become decapitated, she screamed, falling to her knees. She gasped then, feeling herself being dragged into the Queen's throne room. As she was lifted up, she was face to face with her wickedness, sharp teeth bared as she spoke.
"You idiot..." She cackled as multiple voices spoke at once. "Do you think that a self-pitying, pathetic daydreamer like you can undo everything we've done?!" Her mouth opened wide then, a second head popping out to reveal Flowey's. "I'm going to save over your own death... so I can tear you apart over and over again!" He then opened his mouth wide, a third head appearing to reveal that of the First Child's.
"You misunderstand your place here, Alice Liddell. You are not the one in control."
As her whole face began to distort, everything seeming to shake and warp, her neck stretched as she threatened to destroy Alice. The young woman grunted, looking down to see that the tentacles had become green vines, hissing as she reached for her vorpal blade. She glanced back at the First Child's horrific face, her eyes burning.
"You will not use my past against me!" Alice shouted, slicing at the vines. "I have not allowed heartless sores of depravity to be rid of me in the past, and I shall surely not be intimidated by you now!" Alice shouted, swiping her arm through the air at the face, gasping as she felt the tight grip on her being loosened. When she hit the ground, she felt her daze being lifted as she shook her head, looking up. She was met with the sight of all her friends being held captive by vines, Flowey sprouting out of the ground. Alice tilted her head when she noticed that he wasn't displaying his typical arrogant attitude, instead, Frisk stepped forth, knife in hand.
"The time for my full awakening has come. With the destruction of this world, there will no longer be a need to recreate it. It will be the first of many to be left in complete darkness, devoid of life and light."
"Sans..." Papyrus whimpered, struggling as tears rolled down his cheekbones.
"So, Alice Liddell... have you anything to say before your imminent death?" Frisk asked.
"Hm... just one thing." Alice said after a moment, whisking her hand. "I have a bone to pick with you." When nothing happened, Frisk burst out laughing, Flowey chuckling nervously.
"You really are a fool. No matter, I- wait... what is..."
"Sans!" Papyrus beamed as a rose sprouted from the ground, its healing power restoring Sans. As he got to his feet, he smirked, chuckling lightly.
"Couldn't have said that better myself. I'd give you a helping hand, but I'm gonna need both of them." He smirked.
For a second there, you probably thought that it was "skull and crossbones" for Sans! Will the two of them be able to subdue Frisk and Flowey? Will they be able to release Frisk from Chara's control? Stay tuned for the next update!