Disclaimer: I don't own Undertale! Thank you for the follows and favs, for those interested go to undertalepre2re on tumblr.
The moment Frisk saw Undyne she was in shock at the fish woman's behavior. Sweaty palms grasped her as Undyne looked away with trembling hands grasping a letter. She couldn't imagine what could have the woman so flustered and like this.
"You called?" Frisk's head tilted as she watched the woman's grip tighten on the letter in her hand as she looked away. "Undyne?"
"So, um…I have a favor to ask you. I…uh…I need you to deliver this letter to Dr. Alphys."
"Oh! Is that all?" Frisk giggled, and now was getting the reason as she couldn't help but tease her friend a bit. "And the reason you can't do it?"
"Huh?" Undyne blinked, looking away again nervously. "Why don't I do it myself? Um…well. It's kind of personal, but we're friends so um…I'll tell you."
"Really?" Frisk beamed, coming in closer to hear. "What is it?"
"Hotland sucks!" Undyne laughed, oblivious to the disappointed look on Frisk's face. "I don't wanna have to go over there! So here." Undyne continued to laugh, holding out the letter as Frisk took it with a roll of her eyes still feeling disappointed at Undyne for not telling her the obvious crush.
"I'll take it over there." Frisk looked over the letter and was hoping it survived the fish woman's grip enough to be readable as she started to walk.
"Oh!" Undyne's voice caught her attention as she looked back. "If you read it…I'll KILL you!" she growled though Frisk was no longer scared of the woman like she was before.
"Uh huh…I'm going to be going now." Frisk started to walk and could hear Undyne yelling after her again.
"Okay! And thank so much! You're the best!"
Frisk made her way immediately to where she knew the person she dubbed as the River person and looked relieved to see them there as she got in and told them where to go. She wasn't surprised at the sudden break into song they did, though as they went, she swore she saw the hints of a human-like hand. Not skeletal, but something else.
It puzzled her.
"The angel is coming." They had a gleeful tone as Frisk blinked at them.
"The angel?" She looked at them as the boat came to a stop and she could already feel the sweltering heat, still reminded of the other message they gave about the one who speaks in hands. Frisk wondered more about the person.
Just who are they? What are they? "Are…they like the man who speaks in hands?" She saw them stiffen, though with the robe she couldn't be sure. "I just…I'm trying to save all of you. And no one seems to know much. But you seem to maybe know something. And the only other person I'm not sure I can trust. So maybe you can help me or…maybe that person you were talking about…"
"Beware…"
"What?"
"Beware of the man who came from the other world…"
"But…" Frisk sighed, hearing nothing else from them as she got off the boat feeling more confused than when she first went on it. "Thanks anyway." She started walking while in deep thought, letting her feet take her as she continued walking with an unsure direction only moments later to realize she was completely off track.
I really should get to Alphys...Wait is that monster kid? But he's all grey? And…Frisk felt as though her eyes were deceiving her as she came closer, feeling less sure about who this was as she came closer them and she watched them. It's almost like they're not really here….
"Hello?"
"Have you ever thought about a world where everything is exactly the same…except you don't exist…"
"I…"
"Everything functions perfect without you." The kid laughed. "The thought terrifies me."
"Me too…but I guess at least I know they're all okay. Without the bad memory of losing me." Frisk frowned though, wondering now about such a thing, but now the kid was smiling. A soft, sad smile at her, with a low chuckle.
"You know, that does make me feel a little better about this. Thank you." He smiled again, and Frisk smiled back, though now she wondered more as she turned away.
"Wait." She immediately turned back, thinking of MK, her sorta little brother and started to wonder if maybe this person was a family member of his. "Are you related to MK? Maybe his brother?" The words barely left as she saw his eyes widen and tears were already down their cheeks.
"Please forget about me…."
"But…maybe I was wrong. I mean, MK is like a little brother to me. I care about him a lot…he's sweet, and a bit overzealous but it's what makes him so adorable. And I'm sure his parents…both of your parents…" Her words came out slower, and they glared.
"Please don't think about this anymore." They turned away from her and Frisk frowned, trying to imagine what they must be going through. She had been so busy trying to save them, she never thought there would be ones beyond saving, ones like this one who were forced to watch a world they were no longer apart of.
"Okay…" She started to walk again, taking the longer path to give her some time to clear her head though now she wondered were there more of them. More people like that kid.
More grey caught her eye, and she stepped forward to them as they looked out and Frisk could see the barest shadows of the CORE. Like the kid, they seemed barely there.
"It makes sense why Asgore took so long to hire a new Royal Scientist. After all the old one, Dr. Gaster What an act to follow." They laughed, and Frisk looked at them in confusion.
"Dr. Gaster?"
"They say he created the Core, however, his life was cut short. One day, he fell into his own creation…will Alphys end up the same way?"
"The Core is his invention? Not Alphys? And she could…" Frisk's eyes widened, rushing out but then turning back, "Can you tell me who you are so I can warn her…" Her words fell off, as she looked off into nothing. Is that why Alphys didn't talk about the Core? Because it's not hers? She tried to envision this Gaster fellow as she made her way to Alphys.
"Wait…maybe Muffet knows something." Frisk immediately thought back to the Spider woman's invite to come back, and how she said they been there a long time. She would have called Sans and Papyrus, but she could still remember the bunny woman who said they were new there. But everyone else has been there so long…
How are Sans and Papy new…? It was yet another puzzle to solve as she made her way to Muffet's, only to stop at a man who reminded her of the man at Muffet's bake sale. "Hello? Are…you okay?" They still hadn't moved as she saw them fade in and out.
Another one? "Do…you know Alphys? Or Dr. Gaster?"
"Alphys might work faster…But the old Royal Scientist, Doctor W.D. Gaster. One day, he vanished without a trace. They say he scattered across time and space."
"Across…" Frisk thought long and hard about it. "Magic…the Core uses magic, he found a way to use concentrated magic with science and technology…but when he fell in." Her mind could barely process it, she knew of scientists, but she knew none that could use science in this way with magic. "Quantum physics…like Sans book…but how can you look so calm" Her eyes found the man again. "He's lost in some in-between, like the rest of you."
She shook her head, hearing the man start to laugh. "How can I say so without fear? I'm holding a piece of him right here." He chuckled, holding up a skeletal head that seemed trapped along with the man and others as Frisk took steps back, watching them both vanish before her eyes. He's a skeleton, and he knows I'm looking for him, so he lets someone hold his head. Not…funny…
It was a horrible prank, and yet the info was something else. Is he trying to tell me something? Make me look for him? She could picture Sans making such a horrible joke, and it made her pause. Another skeleton?
"I understand why Asgore waited so long to hire a new Royal Scientist." The voice crackled, nearly scaring Frisk as she turned around to see another one, but this one looked like no monster she had ever seen. "The previous one Dr. Gaster… His brilliance was irreplaceable. However, his life was cut short. One day, his experiments went wrong and…"
"So, he didn't just fall…?" Frisk's mind started to wander, imagining what may have happened. An experiment going awry and causing him to fall into his own creation. She frowned at her own imaginings. "So, what happened?"
"I…" His eyes looked far off a moment, as though he was seeing someone. "Well, I needn't gossip. After all, it's rude to talk about someone who's listening."
"But…" Frisk turned quickly, expecting to see someone but instead nothing and as she looked back, she was alone once again. Maybe Alphys knows something? She thought back to the kid who looked like MK and his words and started to doubt anyone would know. Messing with time or space at all was risky, her mom had warned her numerous times about her own magic, and how with it things could go wrong.
I need to deliver this letter… She felt determined to figure it all out as she made her way to Alphys's lab in the hope that this would be one thing that could go right. She could already imagine Alphys's blush from receiving something from her crush and hoped that the letter would lift the dino monster's spirits as she thought to how Alphys was before her LOAD magic was used.
At the sight of the SAVE star in front of the lab, Frisk's mind went to Chara who was now completely silent. She stared at the star with sonder as she reached forward to try something, and the magic intermingled with hers to do the SAVE.
About time you figured it out…
Missed you too, Chara. Frisk laughed, hearing her in her head as she set out for the lab now, feeling glad she was right in her thinking. Chara's essence is part of the stars since they're hers. Each time I use them, they give Chara some strength…
Frisk was glad, though she wondered if that could be a good or bad thing as she thought back to the times the other girl's emotions were so fierce that it overtook her. I can handle it.
The doors to the lab were no different than she remembered, and Frisk tried in vain to find a mailbox of some sort. How does she even get mail?
Just slide it under already. What have you been doing? What happened?
It's hard to explain… Frisk thought back to everything that happened, along with Flowey as Chara snorted once Frisk got to the memories of the phone call.
You really are an idiot… Chara's voice was a mumble, but Frisk hadn't missed the tone of affection in the girl's voice. She knew Chara was just as glad Frisk came back. Quickly she slid it under and knocked on the door, waiting for Alphys to answer it.
Frisk could hear shuffling and a gasp from behind the door, "O-oh no, is that another letter?"
Another one? Frisk started to wonder just how many Undyne had sent the dinosaur, but that didn't make sense when she thought to Undyne's dislike of going to Hotland as well as her fainting last time from the heat.
"I…don't want to open it." Alphys's voice was Frantic, and Frisk frowned, feeling more sure that it was some other kind of letters the dinosaur monster had been getting. "Can't I just slide it back out…N-no, I can't keep doing this. I'll read this one…"
Jeez, she hasn't even read the others?
Shush…Frisk tried to give a look but was sure it failed when she had no clue what exact direction Chara was in and trying to give one inwardly seemed weirder than talking to herself. Ignoring Chara's laughter she continued to listen, hearing Alphys struggle to open it and making Frisk wonder what did Undyne seal the letter with.
"Wait a second…" Alphys went quiet, and Frisk leaned in trying to listen in, hoping that the dinosaur monster hadn't lost her resolve only to jump back as the doors opened. "Hey if this is a joke, it's…" Alphys looked downward, her eyes widening as she looked up eye to eye with Frisk. "Oh my god! Did you write this?"
"I did-"
"It wasn't signed so I had no idea, who could have…" Alphys laughed nervously as she interrupted and Frisk fought the urge to facepalm at the Fish woman.
How did she forget that …?
"Look, Alphys, I did-"
"That's adorable! And I had no idea you wrote that way." Alphys giggled, looking away as Frisk started to feel exasperated at the interrupts. "It's surprising too, after all the gross stuff I did…I don't really deserve to be forgiven." She sighed, and Frisk let out her own. "Much less…um, this…And so passionately too."
"It's okay, I get it…I think." Frisk thought back to the camera and Mettaton, "I'm still a bit mad, but I'm sure we can get through it. But what I'm trying to tell you i-"
"I'll do it!"
"What?"
"It's the least I can do to make it up to you."
"Alphys, you don't have t-"
"So, yeah, let's go on a date!"
"Wait, Alphys!" Frisk yelled out, but Alphys was already moving, back inside and calling out to Frisk that she was getting dressed.
Wow…only you would get into a situation like this…. Chara laughed.
Not now, Chara…Frisk groaned inwardly, wondering how to get out of this without hurting the lizard's feelings and outing Undyne.
"How do I look?" Alphys stepped out nervously in a black dress with polka-dots, a blush on her cheeks and Frisk could make out little freckles.
Oh my gosh, she's so adorable. She couldn't help but think the lizard was cute in her little dress.
Should the comedian be worried about your new crush? Chara teased, and Frisk fought the urge to hit herself in the head to avoid looking insane.
"My friend helped me pick out this dress. She's got a great sense of …um anyway…" Alphys laughed, and Frisk could tell immediately which friend it was. "Let's do this. Wait…no, we can't start the date yet!" Alphys squealed, and Frisk began to feel relieved hoping the monster was now beginning to listen to her.
"No, we can't, because the letter isn-"
"I have to give you items to raise your affection statistic first!"
"My what…."
"That'll increase the successful outcome for a date."
"Just how much anime and dating simulations have you seen?" Frisk wondered out loud, but she could tell the yellow monster wasn't even listening to her. "Alphys!"
"Don't worry, I'm prepared…. Um…I've been stockpiling gifts in anticipation for a date like this. First I got um…" Frisk watched Alphys rummage through her stuff. "Some metal armor polish."
"For my…not metal armor?"
"Oh…yeah, maybe you can't use that." Alphys laughed and started her search again. "I bought some waterproof cream for your scales."
"Um…Alph…" Frisk put out her arm as Alphys started to blush with her gaze going over Frisk's skin.
"How about a…magical spear repair kit that I…?"
"I… don't…."
"Let's just forget the items." Alphys's laugh was more nervous, and Frisk would have laughed at the cuteness of all the Undyne-like gifts if she wasn't stuck in this situation herself. "We'll just start the date!"
"Okay…but…"
"Do you like anime?"
"Sure but, "
"Me too!" Alphys grinned, and Frisk couldn't help but smile back at her. "How about we um…we can go somewhere? But where's a good place to go on a date?"
"I don't know…"
"I got it! The garbage dump!"
"The what…wait! Alphys!" Frisk yelled as the dino monster started moving and Frisk ran to catch up as they made their way to the dump.
"This is where me and Undyne go all the time…" Alphys had a smile on her face. "We find all sorts of great stuff here. She's really…Oh no!" Alphys's eyes got wide. "That's her over there. I can't let her see me on a date with you!"
Should I be offended? Frisk rubbed her temples though a plan started in her head. Maybe she could get the dinosaur monster to admit her crush instead. "How come?"
"Because…um…" Alphys started to sweat more, and Frisk could immediately see this wasn't going to work as planned at all. "Here she comes!" She squealed, running fast behind a trash can before Frisk could get in another word and Undyne was already there in front of her as she walked up.
"There you are! I, uh…." Undyne rubbed the back of her neck and laughed. "I realized if you deliver that thing. It might be a bad idea. So, I'm gonna do it! Give it to me."
Too late for that…Chara howled with laughter and Frisk couldn't help but agree with the other girl.
"I don't even have it…"
"You don't have it?" Undyne shrieked. "Have you at least seen her?"
"Uh huh…"
"So…she's somewhere around here..." Undyne looked around, her eyes searching. "Thanks! I'll keep looking!"
"Wait, Undyne!" Frisk yelled out too late and huffed as the fish woman disappeared and Alphys came out her hiding spot.
"Oh my god…" Alphys breathed out, hiding her face in her hands with her face as red as a cherry. "I guess it's obvious, huh? I uh…really like her. I mean...more than I like other people…I…"
"You don't have to explain. I get it." Frisk breathed in relief, for at least that much being revealed.
"I'm sorry…I j-j-just figured, y-y-you know…it'll be fun to go on like, a cute kind of…pretend date with you?" Alphys gave a nervous laugh and Frisk nearly narrowed her eyes as she heard Chara start laughing again. "To...uh…make you feel better?"
"So, a pity date…"
"It sounds worse when you put it like that…I'm sorry, I messed up again…" She started to frown, and Frisk sighed deeply as she came closer to her friend to give her a hug while wondering did she give off pity date vibes. "Undyne's the person I really want to go on a date with. But she's way out of my league. Not that you aren't cool!" Alphys said quickly, and Frisk couldn't help but laugh as Alphys rambled.
"It's okay, Alph. And you really should just talk to Undyne."
"But she's just so cool and confident. And strong…and funny…" Alphys's face started to take on a love-sick expression, but suddenly it dropped into a frown. "And I'm just a nobody. A fraud…I'm the Royal Scientist, but all I've ever done is hurt people."
"I know that's not true…" Frisk shook her head, not wanting Alphys to doubt herself anymore. "Everyone makes mistakes, but you have your heart in the right place…"
"I've told her so many lies…She thinks I'm…She thinks I'm a lot cooler than I actually am. If she gets close to me, she'll find out the truth about me. So…what should I do?"
"You should tell her the truth." Frisk gave a look as Alphys stared at Frisk as though she grew another head. "I'm serious, you should. No one is perfect, and I get it. Sometimes we do some things that are horrible just to make the person we care about happy…" Her mind went to her mother. "And sometimes we say and do things we wish we can take back."
"But she'll hate me…isn't it better this way?"
"It's your choice, Alph, but…"
"To live a lie where both people are happy, or…a truth where neither of us are. They say be yourself but…I don't really like who myself is. I rather just be whatever makes people like me."
"You shouldn't do that…"
"You're right…Every day I'm scared. Scared what will happen if people learn the truth on their own." Her fingers trembled, and Frisk started to worry more about what exactly this truth was. "They'll all get hurt because of me…but how do I tell Undyne the truth. I don't have the confidence. I'm going to mess it up! How can I practice?"
Frisk watched her drag her hands over her face, and could already see Alphys resolve weakening with each moment as she tried to think of a way to help her friend. "Um…we can…roleplay it?"
"That…actually sounds kinda fun. Which one of us will be Undyne?"
"It wouldn't help you much if you were. "Frisk teased and watched Alphys blush.
"Oh, yeah, obviously." Alphys fidgeted as she cleared her throat. "Um…hi, Undyne. How are you doing today?"
Frisk tried not to tease Alphys more, though the urge to call her cute was there as she tried her best to do an Undyne voice. "I'm fine!"
"That's good! Uh… um…so I'd like to talk to you about something."
"What is it?"
"It's um…I haven't b-b-been exactly truthful with you. You …I… um…no, forget it!" Alphys hid her face again. "Undyne, I want to tell you how I feel!"
"Um…Alph…"
"You're so brave, and strong, and nice! You always listen to me when I talk about nerdy stuff. You always do your best to make me feel special…"
"Alphys…"
"Like telling me, you'll beat up anyone that gets in my way. Undyne! I can't take this any longer! I'm madly in love with you! Hold me, Undyne! Hold me!"
"What did you just say…"
Alphys went still as Frisk pointed to why she had kept trying to get the dinosaur monster's attention, and she looked directly at the fish woman staring at her.
"Undyne? I was… just…uh…"
"Hey…woah…wait a second, your outfit's really cute! What's the occasion?" Undyne looked from Frisk to Alphys as an unreadable expression passed over her face, and Frisk wanted to go back to the moment of the confession. "Wait a second…are you two…on a date?"
"Uh…yes?" Alphys squeaked, and Frisk gave Alphys a long look. "I mean no! I mean…We were but…we... I mean… we were only roleplaying as you and…"
"Alphys, stop talking!" Frisk gave another look.
"What?" Undyne looked between them again, and Frisk started to wish a hole would swallow her as Alphys started rambling again.
"I mean…I uh…Undyne…I've been lying to you!"
"About what?" Undyne yelled back, and Frisk looked over at Alphys, trying to give her silent encouragement to keep going.
"About well…everything! I told you that seaweed was like scientifically important…when really, I just wanted to use it to make ice cream. And those human history books I keep reading… those are just dorky comic books. And the history movies…those are anime. And that time I told you I was busy with work on the phone…" Alphys gulped as she came so close to Undyne with each sentence until she was right in front of her. "I was just eating frozen yogurt in my pajamas…and the ti-"
"Alphys." Undyne put her hands on the shorter monster as Alphys went immediately silent.
"I just wanted to impress you! I just wanted you to think I was smart and cool! That I wasn't some…nerdy loser."
"Alphys…"
"Undyne…. I really think you're neat…" she sighed, her mouth opening to say something else, only to be silenced as Undyne stroke her head and started to hold her.
"Alphys…shh…" She shushed the monster and Frisk grinned inwardly at the sweet moment until she looked surprised as Undyne stood straight, holding Alphys.
"Undyne what are yo-" Frisk didn't bother finishing her sentence as Alphys was thrown like a basketball, right into the trash can, leaving Frisk confused.
"Alphys! I think you're neat too! But you got to realize, most of what you said doesn't matter to me. I don't care if you're watching kid cartoons or reading history books. To me, all of that stuff is just nerdy crap!" Undyne laughed as she continued and Frisk started to wonder if this was a good idea. "What I like about you is that you're passionate! That you're analytical! It doesn't matter what it is. You care about it, 100 percent at max power! So, uh…" Her voice became softer. "You don't have to lie to me. I don't want you to have to lie to anyone anymore. I…want to help you become happy with who you are! And I know just the training to do that!"
Why is this scary and cute at the same time...?
It's Undyne…
"Undyne…you…" Alphys peeked out from the trash can nervously and all Frisk could see was her eyes. Though she wondered how strong Alphys was as her feet tore through the bottom of the can. "You're gonna train me?"
"Pfft! Me? Nah, I'm gonna let Papyrus do it." Undyne laughed as Frisk watched Papyrus start to rise from the trash in special clothes and she didn't miss the unimpressed look in Alphys eyes.
"GET THOSE BONES SHAKIN'! IT'S TIME TO JOG 100 LAPS, HOOTING ABOUT HOW GREAT WE ARE!" Papyrus excitement was apparent as Alphys looked fearful from the trashcan and Frisk couldn't help a small chuckle. She could understand why Undyne picked Papyrus with his endless confidence and enthusiasm along with the way he believed in others.
"Ready?" Undyne lifted an arm with a watch on it. "I'm about to start the timer!"
"Undyne…" Alphys sounded more nervous and flustered until a resigned look came to her eyes. "I'll do my best!"
Frisk smiled as Papyrus and Alphys started off, but a look in Undyne's eyes had her look back at the fish monster. "You okay, Undyne?"
"She was kidding, right? Those cartoons…those comics…Those are still real, right?" Undyne chewed her lip, looking at Frisk with big eyes as she got louder "Anime's real, right?"
"Um…" Frisk thought about it as the woman's eyes bored into her own, and she thought on her answer. The knights on the surface were there, along with mages with their magic and she could still remember some knights using giant swords with the help of special armor and training. "Yes?" Her answer was hesitant though she felt slightly guilty at Undyne's relieved laugh since not everything was true.
And you just got done telling Alphys to tell the truth. Tsk tsk. Chara's tone hinted at a smirk and Frisk tried not to roll her eyes, though she agreed.
"I knew it! Gigantic swords! Magical princesses! Here I come!"
Well, at least the stuff she just named is true, besides from the princess. Frisk tried to imagine a mage as a princess and could already see the uproar. Or maybe I could be wrong.
"Uh…thanks for taking care of Alphys."
"Hm?" Frisk came out her thoughts, seeing a rare soft smile on Undyne. I didn't get to say what I wanted to, but…things seem like they're going to get better for her. Well, I gotta go catch up with them. Later!" Undyne laughed, and Frisk started walking, wondering what next to do now as she traveled through Waterfall.
Once close to Hotland, she thought about Alphys as she called Papyrus, thinking the yellow monster could use a break from one hundred laps.
"WELL IF IT ISN'T MY GOOD FRIEND WHO TRUSTS ME! THIS IS PAPYRUS! YOUR ALSO MUTUAL FRIEND!"
"Hi, Papy." Frisk laughed.
"ALPHYS AND I FINISHED OUR TRAINING EARLY! SO, I SENT HER HOME. VERY HOME!"
"Really?" Frisk paused, hearing a strange tone in the tall skeleton's voice. "When?"
"UH…NOW. I FEEL STRONGLY AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. YOU SHOULD ALSO GO…THERE. TO HER…LAB…HOUSE. I HAVE ONLY GOOD FEELINGS ABOUT THIS! GOODBYE!"
Frisk stared at her phone after hearing a click and frowned to herself. If Papy's sounding this worried, I better get going…
He probably thinks she'll listen to you best.
Chara's suggestion made her feel good that her friend trusted her so, yet she felt pressured when she thought about how she could make things worse. No, I have to help… With a deep breath, she made her way back to Hotland and to Alphys, unsure of what she'd find.