Heya everyone! I'm back with another chapter. Yaaay!
WOW! This story has reached the 1000K viewer marker! Thank you all so much for this. It makes me so happy to know that people actually want to read this. Thank you also to everyone who reviewed last chapter!
This is probably my longest chapter yet :3
Toriel: bLuewErewOlf25 does not own anything, not even the music.
"Howdy! I'm Flowey!"= Normal conversation
'Oh boy, this is gonna hurt'= Thoughts
"Stronger than you!"= Song Lyrics
"You dirty brother killer."= Flashbacks
This song belongs to TryHardNinja. He tried hard indeed.
Thank you to CreepyAnimeGameLover and Reader99 for suggesting this song.
I'd also like to thank Cr4zy Kittyand 17nicholasc for suggesting songs for Toriel. Sadly, I only need two songs for her, but thanks you anyway.
Chapter 4: Stay
Chara Dreemur was many things. He was the adopted son of Asgore and Toriel, the king and queen of the Underground. He was an eleven year old kid with a rather mature, if pessimistic outlook on life. He was a megalomaniac, seeking to end both the monster and human races. He won the 'Worst Son in the Underground' award, in a rather biased voting process (Most of the people who voted didn't like or outright hated him). He was an expert in melee combat, especially with blades, and could consume more chocolate than anyone his age.
Currently, he was a nicely decorated microphone.
"Frisk?! What the hell?! Why is my soul tied to a microphone?" Chara shouted at the pacifist child, angry and utterly confused. Frisk just smirked back, making Chara scowl even more. He didn't know when Frisk managed to do this little stunt, or even how he did it. All he knew was that he went to sleep one day, and when he woke up, his soul was attached to the mic in Frisk's hand. It pissed him off.
Frisk replied. "I never did personally get back at you for all those Genocide runs. Teaming up with Asriel didn't count."
"Wow, I thought a goody two shoes like you was above petty revenge."
"Would you rather have me burn every piece of chocolate I get my hands on while you watch?"
"…" Chara glared, knowing he had no retort for that.
"That's what I thought." Frisk smiled triumphantly. "Besides, I needed a human SOUL to power my microphone so that it creates the music while I sing. And I knew that you love and care about me soooo much, you wouldn't mind filling that void at all." He finished this with an innocent smile on his face.
"Also, like you said, this is petty revenge."
Chara didn't say anything for a few moments. Frisk started to sweat a little, worried that he had truly upset Chara. He's been on his best behavior since Frisk managed to retake his body, mellowed out even, and it would be disastrous if he reverted to his old ways.
Chara took a deep breath….and glomped his pacifist twin, crying anime tears.
"I'm so proud of you!"
'Wait what?'
Frisk's eyes widened as he was glomped, his brain short-circuiting at this strange turn of events. Chara started to ramble on how he was happy that Frisk finally took his lessons to heart, and how he was finally looking up to his 'older brother', among other things. Frisk awkwardly patted the fallen child's back, not sure how to respond.
When Chara finally released the hug, he still had a wide grin on his face. An actual, genuine grin, not like the ones where a black liquid seeps through Chara's eye sockets and anyone looking at him feels something crawl up their spine. Frisk tasted the mystery liquid once, much to the fallen child's disgust. It strangely tasted like buttercups.
"I have to ask though…how did you manage to remove my soul from yours and attach it to the mic?"
"Well…."
Gaster's Theme played in the background while the monster himself was quietly enjoying his Earl Grey and crossword puzzle.
This quickly changed to Nyeh Heh Heh as the door to the Void burst open. This was a bit surprising, since baseline Papyrus couldn't access the door to the Void.
"HEYA GASTER! LOOK WHAT I BROUGHT!"
Frisk called out cheerily as he dragged a sleeping Chara inside. While most monsters couldn't see Chara unless he was possessing Frisk directly, a select few have the ability to see him in his ghostly form. These include Gaster, Sans, Flowey, Jerry for some strange reason, or any monster that had managed to combine with a human soul.
"Greetings Frisk. What brings you here, and why is does Chara look like he was drugged with a sleeping pill?" Gaster was very curious on why Chara hadn't woken up while Frisk dragged him. He wasn't a heavy sleeper, according to the pacifist child.
"Oh, I may or may not have drugged some chocolate with sleeping powder, ate it while Chara was in control of my body, then used my Determination so only I stayed awake."
He responded cheerily, like he hadn't just drugged someone who had managed to take over his body and go on a killing spree.
"I…see….While I find this rather hilarious, I am still curious on why you came here."
"Well, I was wondering if you could help me in removing Chara's soul and attaching it to…I don't know….a microphone maybe?" He asked, using his puppy eyes on Gaster full blast. Gaster quirked his non-existent eyebrow back at Frisk. Not looking as though he's been affected by the technique.
"And for what purpose, if I may ask?"
"Well, I had this idea about singing through the Underground…"
Gaster nodded as Frisk explained his concept. "Ah. I see. Well, if nothing else, this should prove to be entertaining." He set his cup and puzzle on the coffee table. Over time, Gaster had slowly started to decorate his little room in the Void. He added a living room, a bedroom, and a copy of his former lab where he watches over the timelines. From the blank, white and grey void, it had become something akin to a livable house.
"Come on, I think I have a spare mic in my lab. I should also be able to let it cross over on your next reset….."
"Thanks Gaster! You're the best!"
"…let's just say, I had some help." He finally replied, in a cheeky manner.
Chara stared at Frisk, and then groaned. "Ugh, it's probably because of the comedian, isn't it?"
"Actually…"
"Whatever, we'll be meeting up with Sans anyway. I have some rather choice words to say to him. They mostly involve F-Bombs, B-Bombs, and W-Bombs." He grumbled.
"No Chara, no W-Bombs. I rather like this timeline, and I don't want to die because Sans was offended by your choice of words. Besides, I promised to myself this would be the last reset."
"That's what you always say." Chara rolled his eyes. "Just make sure to undo whatever you and the comedian did by the end of this run, got it?"
Frisk nodded in agreement. He was a bit put out by Chara's casual dismissal of his claim.
"Then let's go face Toriel. I can't say I'm not interested to see how you're going to get past her this time, even if this entire idea is stupid."
Toriel stood alone in front of the door, contemplating on her life. When Asriel was born, she was thrilled to say the least. Finally, she had someone to raise, spoil, and be taught the values that she lived by. When Chara fell down and was adopted by the boss monster family, she was even more thrilled. She hadn't seen humans since the war. Chara had been the first human child to fall in the Ruins. Despite Chara's somewhat unnerving personality, he had slowly warmed up to the boss monsters. She had gotten to know more about her adopted child; mostly that he loves chocolate and doesn't mind cross dressing. What made her even happier though was Chara and Asriel's friendship. She smiled, remembering the close bond her two children had. They were as thick as thieves, practically inseparable. It was heartbreaking for her when both of her children died, one to an illness and another to humans. She was especially angered by Asgore's response. Really, all he needed was ONE soul to pass through the barrier, gather six other human souls, then come back and break it. But no, the coward decided to sit and wait for the humans to come to them. And worst of all, he didn't care if the souls belonged to children or not.
She had travelled to the Ruins and set up shop there; keeping constant vigilance for any child that might have fallen down. And lo and behold, six children came, one after the other. She had gotten to know them each, appreciate their time together…before they all left and died. The first child had died before she had managed to reach Home. She had managed to piece together where the other children had died through rumors and a certain joke master on the other side. The second had fallen while traversing to Snowdin. The third child had been killed by a young fish monster in Waterfalls. The fourth had burned to death in Hotland, a tragic and painful way to go. The fifth child had been ambushed and killed by W.D. Gaster, whom Toriel had heard had long since passed away through mysterious circumstances. The last child had died facing Asgore himself.
And then Frisk arrived. Oh, what a wonderful and interesting child he was, with a musical talent to be praised for. He was such a kind and determined soul, sticking true to Toriel's teachings, and even calling her 'mom'. He was also, she chuckled, a flirt with interesting tastes. Nevertheless, she was happy to have met him. It seemed though, he was like all the other children, needing to leave the Ruins and escape the Underground. She had long since realized it was selfish to try and keep the children in the Ruins. The Underground was never the ideal place to raise human kids. But, in her opinion, it was better that they be stuck here forever than be killed by the angry monsters outside the Ruins.
She was broken out of her thoughts by the sound of footsteps echoing behind her. Turning, she kept her face blank as she saw Frisk's small form coming closer to her.
'Oh my child….why does it have to be this way?' She thought sadly.
"So, you said you sang your way through the Ruins, right Frisk?" Chara asked, walking beside the pacifist child as they approached Toriel.
"Mhm, that's right."
"You're going to sing your way out of this one too?"
"That's the idea Chara."
"Cool. Stupid, but cool. Call me when you realize that's not going to work." His form vanished, retreating back into the microphone. Toriel only had her eyes on Frisk, not that she could see her dead child in the first place.
Frisk smiled inwardly. 'Oh just you wait Chara. I'm going to make you eat those words.'
Toriel started to speak. "So, it seems you chose to disobey my orders. How disappointing. Beyond this door, lies the rest of the Underground. I am going to destroy the door. This way, no child may ever leave again. Why am I doing this? You are naive as you are talented. Once you pass this door, he, ASGORE, will kill you if one of the other monsters doesn't get to you first."
"Then I'll just show mercy to them, like you told me to!"
She shook her head sadly. "There is no reasoning with Asgore. It was by his decree that all humans who come down here must be killed, their souls brought to him. And the other monsters eagerly echo that statement. I have seen it happen time and time again; you are not the first human to have fallen down here. They come, they leave….they die. I do not want that to happen to you as well. Now please…go back upstairs."
Frisk stood his ground, staring defiantly at the motherly goat, twirling the microphone in his hand. She sighed.
"Hmph….you're all the same. There is only one solution to this."
She looked straight into Frisk's eyes. "If you so desperately want to leave…..prove to me….prove to me you're strong enough to survive."
And with that, Frisk's soul glowed in front of him as the battle began.
"Toriel blocks the way." Chara intoned as the monster in question sent her first wave of fireballs at Frisk. He sidestepped at the last moment, then ducked, twirled and weaved through the twisting helixes that were Toriel's attacks. She sent another few fireballs at him, making him cartwheel out of the way. Heartache was blaring the background as Frisk danced, evading Toriel's fireballs, not letting a single one scratch him. He had long since memorized her attack patterns, making this battle a lot easier. Now, all he had to do was stall for time.
Meanwhile, Chara was looking at the stats of his new body. "Decorated Microphone. Five plus twenty attack. Requires a human soul for added abilities and attack power. Abilities depend on the color of the soul. Placed soul: Determination. Determination gives the highest attack bonus and together, the microphone may be used as either the ultimate mercy weapon or the ultimate fighting tool. Well, isn't that just fine and dandy." He turned back to watch the fight.
By now, Toriel had noticed Frisk's refusal to attack her. "What are you doing?"
He shrugged in response, leaning slightly to let a fireball pass his head.
"Fight or run away!"
Her fireballs were starting to veer away from Frisk. He grinned in response.
"What are you trying to prove this way? Fight me or leave!"
'Mom….I'm afraid I can't do either.' Frisk smiled softly at Toriel.
She looked away. "Stop it…..stop looking at me like that…"
Soon enough, her hands stopped glowing with magic as any remaining fireballs died away, as did Heartache. She looked sadly at the child who had made her so happy in the short time they've met each other. She was about to speak, when Frisk winked at her.
"You know…..it'd be nice if we could have our duet right about now. I don't know if we'll ever get another chance to do so."
With those words, a guitar, piano and violin started playing in the background. Her eyes widened, unbelieving that Frisk would choose to do a song now. And yet, he raised the mic to his lips, and began to sing.
(Frisk):
"Determination to leave fills your heart,
But I don't know if you're strong enough.
It is a treacherous place outside,
That's why I'm trying to close it off."
"My child….." She was astounded. This little one was a genius in creating songs. It seemed, from the few words she had said before their fight, he had managed to create a song about her trying to keep him in the Ruins. That was some incredible quick thinking for a child.
"Not the first to fall, but I hope you're the last.
Once you leave me here, there's no coming back.
Stay with me, my child, I will raise you as my own.
My own!"
Of course, she didn't know how many times Frisk had fought her and how long it took for him to memorize her all lines completely.
"Refuse to let it take you, like it took all the rest.
The nightmare too familiar, replays 'till nothing's left."
'Nightmare huh? That's one way to describe it.' Chara chuckled. Likewise, he was impressed with Frisk's singing ability. In fact, he was sure that Frisk could probably take over that obnoxious robot's position as the number one most popular idol of the Underground with that voice of his. Call Chara biased, but hey, it was probably true.
"Why wrap your heart in peril, when we can hide away?
Refuse to let it take you, refuse to let it take you.
So wooon't you stay?
So wooon't you stay?"
Toriel, feeling calm and at ease while listening to Frisk, was surprised when Frisk suddenly handed the mic to her.
"You…you want me to…?"
At Frisk's nod, she responded with a huge smile on her face and started to sing.
(Toriel):
I want to keep on protecting your soul,
And if you let me, I'll keep you safe.
These ruins, they can turn into our home.
Please turn back now; it's still not too late.
Chara was dumbstruck. He had never heard her sing anything but lullabies before, and suffice to say, he was amazed by his mother's voice as she sang her heart out.
'Holy shi-(BLEEP!). This is awesome!'
But if you keep on down this dangerous path,
I can't shield you from their burning wrath.
Stay with me, my child, I will raise you as my own.
My own!
Toriel smiled at Frisk as he joined her for the chorus.
(Both):
"Refuse to let it take you, like it took all the rest.
The nightmare too familiar, replays 'till nothing's left.
Why wrap your heart in peril, when we can hide away?
Refuse to let it take you, refuse to let it take you.
So wooon't you stay?
So wooon't you stay?"
Toriel smiled as she tucked her two beloved children into bed. She kissed each of their foreheads good night, leaving some pie beside each of their beds before walking away.
(Toriel):
"Rest your head, my child,
And just stay a while. There is no rush."
Asriel staggered into the house, multiple wounds and bruises shown on his body. Toriel cried out in shock, barely having time to catch her son as he collapsed.
"Mom….I'm sorry…..I love you."
He smiled softly as he slowly disintegrated into dust. His mother sobbed, holding him close to her.
"No….honey please…..I…can't lose you too…no….no…."
She cried, dust in her paws, spilling into a pile in front of her. Asgore hugged his wife from behind, tears slowly falling down his cheeks.
(Frisk):
"Close your eyes and sleep,
Hope your dreams are sweet like butterscotch!"
Chara watched sadly as the two monsters grieved for their children. "You idiot…..only I was meant to die….."
(Both):
"Refuse to let it take you, like it took all the rest."
Frisk leaped out of the way as glowing rings of fire nearly scorched him. In front of him, the blurred grey forms of Asgore and Toriel stare blankly as they attacked the pacifist child.
"The nightmare too familiar, replays 'till nothing's left."
"MOM! DAD! It's me, Frisk!" He pleaded as he ducked, a fireball nearly taking his head off. The Lost Souls felt like they knew the person in front of them. One in particular wanted to give him a hug.
"Why wrap your heart in peril, when we can hide away?"
"Move you idiot!" Chara screamed as Frisk rushed towards the two, wincing as ring of fire connected with his body.
"Refuse to let it take you, refuse to let it take you."
He jumped, and hugged Toriel as much as he could. She gasped in shock, the color returning to her body as she remembered.
"So wooon't you stay?"
"My child….Of course." She chuckled. "How could I forget?"
"So wooon't you stay?"
A few tears fell from Frisk's eyes as he remembered. Toriel saw this, and nearly cried as well.
'He doesn't want to leave….' She realized.
"Stay. Stay.
Won't you stay?"
Chara remained silent, lost in his own thoughts as well.
"Stay..."
He couldn't take it anymore. He jumped and hugged Toriel, the one who he would always call his mother. She let out a sob, catching the child and wrapping her arms around him. In her warm embrace, Frisk cried. He had known what would happen, as per usual. But this moment….it was especially emotional for him. Toriel let him cry, rubbing his back in soothing motions. So Frisk cried, and he cried. Chara kept the silence, not wanting to ruin the moment.
After some time, no one bothered to check how long, she released the hug and asked. "Why?"
"I want…I want to free everyone from the Underground. You all don't deserve to be here."
"Frisk….you need seven souls to break the Barrier. I don't want you to sacrifice yourself just for our freedom."
He looked determinedly at her. "I will find another way, and free all of you. This is my promise."
She knew to her knowledge that there was no other way, and yet, she felt a strange feeling in her. Like she knew that Frisk could accomplish what he promised. Later, when she reflected on this instance, she would realize it was HOPE.
"I…I see." She chuckled to herself. "Heh….pathetic, is it not? I cannot save even a single child. But I understand. You would just be unhappy trapped down here. The Ruins are very small once you get to know them."
'Actually, they're fairly big and confusing.' Frisk thought to himself.
"If you truly believe that you could pull this off….then I will not stop you. My expectations….my loneliness…my fear…..for you my child, I will push them aside."
Frisk's soul flickered once and vanished, the fight ending.
"The place you need to go to is the Core. There within, lies Asgore and the exit to the Underground. I hope that you could really reason with him, for I have long since given up. You will encounter many monsters on your journey. Please…show them some mercy like I have taught you."
"I will." Frisk answered.
"And, I must ask one more favor of you. Once you leave…please….do not come back. I hope you understand my child." She knelt and hugged her son once more. He returned it with enthusiasm.
"Okay, but I can stay in contact with you right?"
"Oh! Um…well…"
"Come on mom, surely you'd like to know how I was doing in the Underground, right?"
She looked somewhat embarrassed as she answered. "I would like nothing more Frisk. However, a tiny white…dog….had run off with my phone."
Frisk blinked. "Oh."
She released Frisk from the hug, and began to walk away. She stopped, turning back to glance at Frisk one last time. "Good luck, and stay safe my child." And with that, she was gone.
All was silent for some time.
"….Damn. I can't believe you actually did it." Chara mumbled. Frisk turned to grin at the fallen child's form.
"See? I told you I could do it."
"Yeah yeah, you did. Don't expect me to pay you or something." They both laughed. Frisk grinned and turned towards the door. Beyond this lied the rest of the Underground, ready to be tackled one last time. He couldn't wait to see the rest of his friends again. The thought of seeing them again filled Frisk with Determination.
"Come on Chara! Adventure awaits!" He rushed off, leaving Chara to shake his head fondly at Frisk's enthusiasm.
"Welp, here we go again." And with that, he ran after his pacifist counterpart. It was beautiful day today, and there was much to be done.
SAVE
Disclaimer: All Omakes are canon, and not in order.
Omake: Alternate Universes
Gaster was in his lab in the void, jotting down some notes as Frisk and Chara walked in.
"HEY OLD MAN! How's life in the Void doing for you?" Chara shouted obnoxiously. Frisk giggled as Gaster turned with a grimace, having dropped his pen and clipboard from shock.
"Never been better brat." He replied tersely.
"Why did you call us here?"
"I'm glad you asked that Frisk. See, in all the years I've been stuck in the Void, I've been able to observe the many, many timelines that exist surrounding the Underground. While some timelines have very little or mostly common changes, caused by you and annoying brat over there (Hey!), other timelines are way…..off."
This caused a raised eyebrow and a confused look.
"Define….off."
Gaster waved at the screen, causing it to display various data that the children could barely understand. It also displayed several other things; locations and monsters they were very familiar with. However, some of these pictures looked rather strange. For instance…..
"Is that Sans and Papyrus? Why is Papyrus smoking a cigar, why does Sans have that star-struck look that Papyrus usually has, and why are their clothing switched?" Frisk asked, looking baffled. Chara had a hunch, but didn't voice it as Gaster smiled.
"That is because, Frisk, these aren't the skeleton duo that you know. These two are another version of Sans and Papyrus, living in another timeline. Their Underground is similar to yours, yet different."
"What, like an alternate universe or something?" Chara asked. Gaster nodded, much to Frisk's surprise.
"That is correct Chara. That timeline's difference was having the personalities and positions of some of the monsters you know swapped. As shown on the screen, Sans and Papyrus are one such swap. Others are Toriel and Asgore, Undyne and Alphys, and Mettaton and Napstablook."
"Huh." Chara tried to imagine the nerdy lizard ever imitating her girlfriend and vice versa, while Frisk tried to think of the shy ghost being as confident and charismatic as his cousin. Both of them didn't believe Toriel would ever do what Asgore did, given her extreme loathing for the death of children.
"Why tell us about this?"
Gaster took on a serious look. "There is a chance that the both of you might come across these alternate timelines at some point or another. When you do, I ask that you try and run them to the end, exploring every possible occurrence. I need more data, and nothing spells knowledge more than field experience."
Chara started to grin creepily, black liquid spilling from his sockets. "Are you saying I could go genocide on these timelines?"
"Chara no!" Frisk protested. "No more Genocide timelines!"
He pouted, turning away grumpily. "Bah, spoilsport."
Gaster ignored Chara's question. "Also, be careful. There is a certain version of Sans that likes to delete alternate timelines. He is not to be underestimated."
They both nodded, Chara muttering how they could take any version of that comedian easily.
"Alright Gaster, we'll get you're data for you. And I get to make new friends!" Frisk said excitedly, the fallen child sighing and nodding in agreement to the pacifist child. Gaster smiled at their answer.
"Thank you children. This means a lot to me. Now, who's hungry?"
Yes, all those AU's of Undertale are part of this. If you didn't know which one I was referring to in the Omake, it was UnderSwap. However, you'll probably only get to see the AU's in the omake parts of this fic.
Chara has really mellowed out huh? Also, I should probably boot this up to Rated T soon. Language and violence and all that. *shrug*
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please read and review. Song suggestions are always welcome as well!
Next time: The duo leave the Ruins and head into Snowdin, meeting a punny skeleton on the way. Naturally, Frisk has a song prepared for this monster. Ciao!
