Toby Fox owns Undertale and all associated characters.

Grillby had his head in his hands as he rested against the table in the Royal's Home. Gerson stood next to him, quietly reading over some papers he had received, his expression somber. "It's not your fault…"

"...they used to be frequent patrons of my tavern," he mumbled. "But...while Fiona was managing it well enough…"

"She was tending to the one in the city when you were drained. Thus, it was closed, thus they didn't go, thus there was less of a chance of anyone seeing the poor woman start to turn." Gerson sighed. "Grillby, even if everything was normal, there's no guarantee that you could have seen it-or have prevented it."

The elemental was quiet, and Gerson paused. He seemed even smaller now, in his limited form, the light nearly non-existent in response to his emotions. "She killed her own daughter...her family...and then...that's not all of it…"

Gerson looked further down the report, and stiffened, clenching the paper. "I…" He gave a shaky breath. "I'll tell the Neck-Warmer. Come on, you should go home to your wife."

"But-"

"You are in no condition to work with this. Let me handle it. I'm tired, not...mentally exhausted and at my wit's end."

Grillby sighed, slowly nodding. Gerson rested a hand on his shoulder. "Things will turn around, just hang in there."

"It's not me I'm worried about…"

"...I know…"

Gerson, despite how weary he was, made sure the elemental returned home safely. He was hesitant as he returned to the Royal's home, but he soon spotted Frisk in the dining room, slowly picking away at some food Grillby had brought earlier.

"...Frisk," Gerson called softly. "I...I have news…" The child looked up in resignation, as if immediately expecting bad news. "Last evening," he managed-closing his fists tight. "The innkeeper of Snowdin turned." Their little eyes widened, their hands reaching to their face.

"By the time anything could be done-her child and sister…" He shook his head. "And…" He looked to them. "Rex's parents...she took Rex's parents down with her…"

The little one's eyes widened...and they refused to waste a single moment.

They stumbled as they made it to the porch, and then scrambled up on flailing limbs, practically slamming themselves into the wooden door. They knocked rapidly, heart pounding. Every moment they waited made them feel even sicker to the stomach. The door opened, and Frisk looked up to see a trembling, shell-shocked Cera.

The two looked each other. Not a word was spoken, and yet...she side-stepped, allowing Frisk entry. The fusion rushed in, finding Rex in the living room, staring forward-numb. The reptile raised their head. There seemed to be a question on the Monster's lips...but Frisk's mournful expression told them everything.

Frisk was still without their precious resets with their magic still dull...regardless of the potential consequences that could happen with their situation. Rex broke down-the only chance they had slipping away. Frisk jumped up beside them, throwing their arms around the reptile and burying their face into Rex's shoulder.

They didn't say anything… Rex had no need to say a thing... and Frisk had nothing to say. And that was how it was as the world moved on around them. The funeral was prepared-though Frisk's memory of it was hazy. All they remembered was sitting next to their friend...as the reptile stared intensely forward.

Frisk felt concern as they noticed that, their heart wrenching, wondering what Rex was doing with their emotions. The young Monster seemed to be bottling them up... and Frisk couldn't help but worry about their friend. So they kept close, pressed against the young Monster's side.

Frisk shut their eyes. And they still had nothing to say. For words wouldn't fix this.

Mettaton was typing away on the lab computer, glancing to the weapon to the side as he did so. The machine was constantly scanning it, as the robot tried to decipher just how it worked. But, with it being of Human origin, it was taking longer than it he had anticipated.

The door opened, and Mettaton heard Felix come in with a yawn. "Morning, Boss," he managed. "You're up early…or…did you even sleep at all?"

"No…" the robot mumbled as he stared at the screen.

"Uh…when was the last time you slept?"

"Good question…what was the day before we saved Frisk..?"

"…METTATON! You're telling me you haven't slept for nearly three months!?"

"Shh!" the robot hissed, pointing upstairs. "Blooky is still asleep," he chided.

The cat came over, tossing his arms to the sides in frustration. "When the Hell are you going to sleep?" he quietly demanded

"Well to be fair, I did get to rest for about eight hours on one of your vacation days."

"That's still a month and a half," Felix practically snarled.

"I can't afford to rest right now," Mettaton said. "Besides, so long as I restore my battery, I can do this."

"You need mental rest too!" the cat replied, twitching as he made one of his exaggerated expressions. His fingers quivered, as if he were about to show his claws. MEttaton frowned. This wasn't like Felix.

"Not that I'm complaining, Darling, but when did you grow a backbone?"

"Since you started drowning yourself in work!" Felix quietly exclaimed, stomping a foot down. "And I thought; Oh, he's fine, he knows how to take care of himself... but no! My Boss insists on running himself into the ground, when he has a bloody assistant all out of vacation days! Damn it, you hired me, use me to your advantage and get some sleep!"

"I will rest," Mettaton assured. "Once we help Blooky, and get Chara and Alma back."

Felix's eyes narrowed. "And you're scolding everyone else for not getting any sleep," he hissed. "You are-"

"Because they're heavily depleted of magic," Mettaton countered. "They need the rest. I was only lightly drained, and recovered swiftly. I'll be fine."

Felix groaned, drawing a hand over his face. "Gods…" If this robot had an easy off switch like his old form, the feline would have contemplated turning him off so that he would sleep for a few hours. "Fine. But you know what? Let me stare at the screen, you go do…anything else."

"…I'll be upstairs," the robot mumbled as he stood, unplugging the charger he was connected to. Despite that Felix knew he was at full battery, he didn't seem to be his usual self. Hopefully, he would sneak in an hour or so offline to get some extra rest.

"Not that I'm going to be on him doing that," the feline muttered. His fur laid back... he hadn't even noticed it bristling. He felt tired too in the wake of his sudden outburst of anger, but it felt good to let all that out after his suspicions about his Boss's well being were confirmed... and multiplied.

With everyone else still recovering from their magic draining, Mettaton was left as the only able member at the head of things. Thankfully, he could go for a long time, but Felix knew that even he needed to rest eventually, but in the wake of their mounting problems, Felix worried he would work himself to death. And then what would they have left?

They had to figure out how this weapon worked so that they could quickly restore the ghost Monster, and they also had to find out where Reaper's Harvest had taken Chara and Alma. Felix sighed, sitting down at the computer, watching the machine do its work.

Felix's gaze went back to the weapon and he had to suppress a shudder. The Humans knew how to take away most of their magic… The scary part was that most would do so in a heartbeat. However, they weren't like Humans. If their magic was taken, they were left weakened, or, in most cases, as it was shown…nearly dead.

Monsters needed their magic to survive, unlike the Humans, and the cat's fur bristled at their selfishness and unwarranted fear.

It was nearly noon when the door opened. Felix drew back, leaning as far as he dared to see who was there. The glow told him before they even came into sight, and sure enough, Grillby came into view, adjusting his odd attire made from Muffet's threads. It seemed he had been able to regain some of his form over the past month or so, though it wasn't much.

Thankfully, he was at least around Muffet's height at this point. Though, Felix noted that his flames were very dim…and it wasn't because of his low magic. "Felix," Grillby murmured. "Is Mettaton here?"

The orange feline nodded. "Upstairs with his cousin…are you all right?"

"I…am fine," the elemental assured as he headed for the stairs. "It's someone else I'm worried about." With that, he was already gone. Felix paused, weighing his options, and then stood.

Upstairs, Mettaton sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the slumbering ghost. Even a month and a half later, there was barely any magic recovered. The robot tapped his fingers nervously. At this rate, Napstablook would likely lose more magic than they would gain.

"…Mettaton…?" The robot turned to see the faint light of the elemental appear as he ascended the stairs, and took a few steps forward.

"Hello, Grillby," the robot mumbled tiredly. "Is there anything you need…?"

The elemental looked ready to talk, but then he paused, his flames dimming greatly as a wave of uncertainty came. Instead, he looked to the ghost. "…how are they…?"

"Not much better," Mettaton said, slowly clenching his fists as his form began to quiver. "That damn weapon. The only way to help Blooky right now is to get their own magic back, but I can't do that unless I can figure out how to reverse that weapon's effects, and it's taking too long. I don't know how long…"

"M…Mettaton…?" The robot jerked, cutting himself off, and Grillby approached as the ghost stirred, and seemed to sit up slightly as they yawned. "…what's going on…?" they mumbled.

"…nothing to worry about, Blooky…" the robot said. "Grillby just came."

"Oh…" The ghost looked tiredly over. "Hello…is there something the matter? You seemed worried…oh, I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry…"

Grillby shook his head, pausing, but then decided to speak out. "It's about Muffet. I'm…I'm worried about her. She…she hasn't talked to me at all since the Rift. I've... I've managed to get her to eat, and get some life out of her, but it's getting worse and... and I... I'm running out of options." His flames started to move erratically, showing his underlying panic clearly.

Mettaton looked down, with Napstablook catching the slight creak of metal as the robot kept his hands clenched tight. "It…stands to reason," the robot murmured. "Their Chara…" He sighed. "However, we have to do something, if not for her sake…"

"I don't know what to do," the elemental managed. "I can't talk to her; she won't respond to me, I'm not sure where to start helping her." He knew he had to do something quick, or he could very well lose her and the unborn child.

"Um…" Napstablook mumbled. "…uh…"

The robot looked up. "What is it, Blooky?"

"Well…I…I'm not really sure…but…have you taken her anywhere…?" Napstablook mumbled.

Grillby blinked. "No, I…we've stayed in the home."

"Oh, right, your magic is still drained…I'm sorry, but um…if you're faring better…you should take her somewhere…like with Alma. That helped Alma, right? Maybe…maybe it'll help her if you take her somewhere and talk to her when she's listening."

"Anything's worth a shot right now," Mettaton said as he motioned with his hand.

Grillby nodded, quietly thinking. "Right…" It made sense, and the answer was so obvious that he had gone over it in his panic. It was always something for Alma…he never thought he'd use the tactic on his wife. "T…thank you for your time," the elemental managed. "I…I need to go…"

"Hurry," the ghost insisted as the elemental darted off. Then, the ghost quietly glanced to their cousin. "Mettaton…" they mumbled.

The robot turned. "Yes…Blooky?"

Napstablook gave a sweet smile. "Don't worry about me. If I rest, I'll be fine. Don't worry so much…okay…I don't like worrying you."

Mettaton looked to his cousin. Despite that smile, Mettaton wasn't assured. However, he was an actor…and so he smiled back.

Grillby opened the door to his home, quietly coming in. There was some silence, before he heard the skittering of Cupcake, and sure enough, the creature came into sight. Grillby lightly patted his head, before moving further into the home, entering the bedroom. He found Muffet quietly laying there, absently playing with a strand of loose thread from the blanket.

"Muffet…" he called…but her blank stare didn't focus, nor did she even raise her head. His flames dimmed, and then he approached, getting onto the bed, and then reaching out, taking one of her hands. "Muffet…" he murmured, his other hand combing through her loose, untended hair.

She blinked, and glanced to him silently. He sighed. "Muffet…we're going to go somewhere. Come now, dear. I can't carry you still. At least let Cupcake do so…" For once, he was extremely grateful for the creature's size. Cupcake tilted his form in slight confusion, but then came over, deciding that if it could help Muffet, he'd gladly do it.

A minute of coaxing finally got her to perch herself on the creature. Cupcake held her easily, and then followed after the elemental. Grillby knew there were many potential places to go, but he knew one that would be perfect.

They left the Underground, and emerged outside. It was earlier than what Grillby wanted, but the sooner he got through to her, the better off they'd all be. So, he led Cupcake up the mountain, taking them higher and higher. It wasn't that long of a walk, as Grillby had found the smoothest trail, and nearly half an hour later, they came to an area near the top where it was mostly flat, and even some grass grew there.

The elemental gently coaxed her off Cupcake. The creature watched, and then skittered away, seeming to understand that they would need their space. And so, he went off to explore nearby, ready to come back when needed.

Grillby held her hand tight, and gently led her over to an area near the edge, where they could see all of the slopes, the city…and off in the distance, the ocean.

He sat down with her, and for a bit, he didn't say anything. Then, he looked to her, taking one of her hands in both of his. "Muffet, I need you to talk to me," he murmured softly. "You remember what happened here, in this spot, do you not?"

She was quiet, but then slowly nodded. "Muffet, I promised…I promised I would be there for you, and I would protect you…" His flames suddenly darkened as they turned a reddish pink. "…and I did uphold that promise for children of our own," he mumbled.

"Muffet…I'm a listener," he managed. "I'm not the best talker. But I can't listen, if you don't talk to me…I want to help you, but I don't know where to start when I am still unfit to go about on my own to help the others…"

Muffet was quiet, looking down. "Please," the fire elemental managed. "Say something, at least…anything."

"…she's gone…" was the barely audible whisper. For a moment, he wasn't even sure he heard it as his flames went perfectly still. "…we lost them…" Her faint voice quivered, and Grillby could hear her trying to stop herself from crying. "We were right there each time…and we couldn't do anything!" she cried out, tears escaping despite her best efforts.

She covered her face, her form jerking as she cried. The elemental turned, getting on his knees so that he could raise himself up a bit more. "Shh…" he soothed, gently drawing her hands away, tears flowing freely from all five of her eyes.

He lowered her hands, and then reached back up, tenderly cupping her face, brushing his thumbs along her cheeks to rid her of her tears. There was a soft hiss as his flames met them, with little wisps of vapor coming off in response to the contact, but he ignored it. It was like receiving a static shock…he could handle it.

Grillby leaned forward, resting his head against hers. "I know…" he managed. "I know…" He seemed smaller again. "It hurts, I know that, dear, but…you need to overcome it. There's nothing we can do for their Chara…but our Chara and Alma, they're still out there." His flames started to move again.

"As cruel and inhumane as Reaper's Harvest is, they would die before letting harm could to Red Souls. What makes Chara and Alma special is what is keeping them alive. I assure you, we will find them, and the moment I do," Grillby's flames began to snap and crackle. "They'll pay for every moment they've harmed them."

"But—we don't know where they are!" Muffet cried, heartbroken and desperate. Grillby's flames dimmed further, before he took her hands again.

"We will find them," he murmured to her. "But I need you to stay strong, Dear. If you stay as you are…I'm going to lose you." He gave a shudder, and his voice began to waver, causing Muffet's attention to lock onto him. "I'm going to lose both of you. Muffet, I can't go through that. Not now… Please, for the love of the gods…"

Muffet's eyes widened as little embers began to fall from his head. His equivalent of tears. "If not for yourself…then please, for my niece, for Chara and Alma…" One hand unconsciously rested on her stomach. "For our unborn child…" His flames seemed to retreat, and for a moment, he seemed smaller and much more vulnerable. More vulnerable than she had ever seen him, even when he'd been nearly extinguished..

"…for me…" he managed quietly. "I can't lose you now, Muffet. Please…" Muffet stiffened as he continued, and for as long as she lived, she never did figure out if his next words had ever been meant for her ears. For it was spoken so softly that his flames nearly drowned them out.

"…you're scaring me…" was the choked whisper.

She had jerked, staring at him. He was quivering, obviously worried, and she knew he had every right. Their children were missing, and she knew she hadn't been fairing well. And with how Monsters were connected to their emotions, she and the unborn child were at risk, especially when her magic had been drained.

"I—I'm sorry, Grillby," she managed to choke out, a free set of hands coming around him. Automatically, he switched his hold, allowing her to draw him close as she hugged the elemental. "I'm just so scared—they're out there alone—and we don't know what is happening to them. W—we can't find them, and w—we can't even do anything for them right now. It's horrible—"

Grillby briefly tightened his grip. "Muffet, Reaper's Harvest is on the run. They don't have time to do any harm to them. They'll be fine. Right now, they need us to stay strong…I know it's hard…but…we'll find them. I promise. Even if I have to burn down a few buildings in the process…"

"B—but where do we even start looking?"

"I'm not sure—however," he stated swiftly. "Napstablook is very good at detecting souls. If they can recover their magic, I'm sure we can find them sooner than we otherwise would."

Muffet nodded shakily. "…I just…I just can't stand this. Just…waiting for news. I want to do something—I hate being like this!"

Grillby sighed, understanding the feeling. "I know…" he mumbled, hating when he found himself repeating useless words. He wanted nothing more than to march off and somehow come back with their two little ghosts, but he was still helpless until he could fully recover. He had to think of something else… "Muffet…please bear with this a little longer…I will not allow you to disappear before I bring them back."

"Th…then what do I do?" she managed.

Grillby's flames brightened slightly. "Just stay strong for them, all right? They're going to need you back on your feet when we bring them home…and our other little one depends on you to care for yourself.

"I know it isn't much…it's just taking care of ourselves…but at the moment, it's all we can do. We can't help this search, we can't join a fray…but we can make sure there's still something for them to return to once they're found…"

She buried her face into his shoulder, silent for some time. "…I'm so sorry, Grillby…" she managed, her voice quivering. "It just hurts so much…" Her voice was tight, threatening to break. He raised his head up as she wiped away her own tears. "But…I…I'll do it." She pulled a smile, revealing her fangs…but it didn't reach her eyes at all.

Grillby leaned close, his warmth coming forth. "We'll pull through, Muffet…we just need to hold on a little longer…I know we can do this."

Seeing that he was finally getting through, he reached forward, a hand coming behind her head. "I promise," he said as he came closer. He felt her relax as they closed their eyes just before they kissed. It might have been brief…but it seemed to bring a bit more life back to the spider.