Previously: Deos, the Red Mage has taken matters into his own hands and fallen into the underground after finding out that Frisk is the missing child that has recently been declared missing and knowing what they are about to face (and in some cases, already has) he has a variety of tools and a disguise to prevent him from being attacked on sight and rushes to the home of Toriel, the former queen of monsters, barely getting there in time, after a...heated stand-off, she and Frisk is willing to hear him out...

(Home)

After a lengthy explanation from Deos, Toriel is better informed about his mission down there and how his order was responsible for the barrier and why they made it. "I see...well, I'm thankful that you didn't resort to violence".

"I'm thankful that you're the diplomatic type, even though it appeared to be a hard shell..." Deos said, realising what he said, which makes Toriel laugh, he sighed "Ah yes, of course...there is THAT. Sorry, it was a slip of the tongue."

Toriel stopped laughing and got back to what she was about to say "After learning a little more about you, Deos, I feel much better about letting Frisk leave. They can be escorted through the underground by you, I'm sure that they'll be..."

This made Deos angry and stand up "Oh no, you don't! You're NOT evading responsibility this time, it's true that Frisk is a part of this, but you're coming with us!"

The sudden outburst from Deos combined with the thought of leaving the ruins gave her a frightened expression "I can't possibly do that, I mean..." she is then lost for words.

"Can't? More like you won't...it's fear that keeps you here, it kept you from going out and confronting the problem at its source, it kept you from protecting the other six that fell. You've proven to me that you're more than willing to use violence, if it's necessary, such as against those who would try to kill those you're protecting. The point is that inside the ruins...you can't change anything."

Toriel is remembering the other humans that she took care of and then the pain of them leaving her, as well as hearing of their deaths from a friend. "You were harsh, Deos, but you're right, I am a coward for hiding here and not doing anything..." Then she has a hint of anger in her voice "...But if Asgore gets a hold of Frisk or you, he'll get the last soul that he needs to break the barrier and war will follow!"

Deos understands her anger towards Asgore, although the situation is not as black and white as she makes it out to be "That's assuming that he wants war or he killed any of the fallen humans personally, he might've given the order, but it's not known if they died by his hand...although I can help you to find out." This sudden change of tone makes Toriel silent and then he looks at Frisk, "I need to borrow that toy knife and faded ribbon, I'll return them to you once I get the info that I can from them"

Frisk is happy to do that, if it means that Toriel that comes with them. Deos then hold both items and then recieves an influx of information, not to the extent of the visions of multiple variations of events that were in progress, but still quite painful.

(Vision)

He saw the girl with the Light Blue soul of Patience and the events that he saw an abusive uncle, climbing up Mt. Ebott, Toriel taking her in, her leaving the ruins and then...

(Home)

Deos snaps back to reality and hands the items back "She was killed by a dog monster! Not any that are around now, probably the predecessor to the sentry that you share jokes with now."

This shocks Toriel, she assumed that Asgore was the one to kill them, not some random monster, she wonders if it's the same with the others, she even let the brief mention of her friend on the other side of the door leading to outside of the ruins slide as this was more imprtant. "Could you do the same with the others?..."

Deos nods "I can, I also know that you'd be more than willing to escort and protect Frisk, something that you should've done with that first child and indeed the others, a long time ago..."

Toriel is scared of this human adult, who appears to know her more than she knows herself "W-why do you believe that?".

Deos raised an eyebrow briefly to this stuttering "It's because you referred to Frisk as 'my child', that implies that you see yourself as their mother." Frisk hugs Toriel "...and it's clear that Frisk feels the same."

Toriel is torn between her wants and needs, struggling between what she's been doing since losing both her children and what she needs to do in order to change things "Alright, I'll come with you two, I need to know how the others died as well as accept some responsibility." She smiles at both of them "The two of you had better not make a habit of this, you'll wear this old lady out." This confuses Frisk, but not Deos.

"Chronological age, yes you are old, Toriel. Physical age...you're the same age that you were when Asriel died." This brings some sadness to Toriel's face, because of the reminder of her loss, no...not just her loss. "Sorry, that's insensitive of me." Deos then looked around for an empty flower pot, which puzzles both Frisk and Toriel, he answers their confusion "Before we leave, I need to do something before the exit into the rest of the underground." He gives an amulet to Frisk "It's a dimensional pocket amulet, it'll allow Toriel to hide from those that might recognize her, she'll be able to perceive the world around her as an astral projection, but she can only be seen and heard by those with second sight or have a personal connection with her" Toriel sighs with relief, she was worried about that, he bows "Excuse me".

He walks down the long corridor and into the chamber where in front of him is Flowey, a sociopathic flower created from an experiment that went badly wrong, Flowey had an expression of confusion and then switched to his happy expression "Howdy, I'm...".

Deos cuts him off "I know who you are, Flowey...and I know what you've tried to do and what you intend to do, the sharing of LOVE, the 'friendliness pellets' and what you intend to do towards the end, although that's mostly to do with how you ended up like that". He briefly points at him to punctuate that statement

Flowey is as amused as he is puzzled by this "So you know who I am, you're no ordinary human, I can tell that, where's that other human? The one with that old hag?" He is then hit by an invisible force "Oww! What was that for?!"

Deos isn't amused by this "Less of the insults please..."

Flowey sounds irritated "A human with magic?! That's never happened before! What the..."

Deos ignored that, as he gets to the point of why he's talking with Flowey alone "...Forgot about my order, haven't you?...either that or you've never heard of me. I'll get to the point Flowey as I don't want to keep the others waiting, I have a proposition for you, something that can solve your...soulless problem."

This intrigues Flower "Go on, I'm listening..."

Deos shows nothing on his face, but he finds this promising that Flowey is at least open to diplomacy, if it's something that suits him, he's hoping that he's that co-operative after he's explained his proposition...

Will Flowey be convinced to help them out and how will Toriel react to Flowey, after he tried to kill Frisk? Find out in Chapter 4: Bone Idleness.