Disclaimer: MOTHER and Undertale don't belong to the author. They belong to Shigesato Itoi and Toby Fox.

Flower: RIGHT, WHERE ARE YOU?! IT'S BEEN TOO LONG! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU-

Flowey: Wait, where are you?

Flowey: Seriously, where are you?

Flowey: You better not have run away! I swear, I WILL FIND YOU-huh?

Flowey: Chapter Draft?

Flowey:...

Flowey: HEHEHEHE~! LET'S JUST SEE WHAT I CAN CHANGE SHALL WE-

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Chapter 10: Pups and Paps: Electric Boogaloo

"Frisk?"

Mhmhm…

"Frisk!"

Five more minutes…

I suddenly felt a sharp warmth on my cheek and my eyes snapped open. Ninten stood over me, looking worried. He smiled as I sat up, pulling his hand back.

"Good, you're awake."

I rubbed my cheek and stared a him. Did he…?

Ninten rubbed the back of his head.

"It was the only thing I could think of."

I puffed my cheeks out. At least he looked sorry. I looked around. Where were we?

"It's a cave," Ninten explained.

A cave? Well, it certainly looked very homely for a cave. The cave walls had been painted to resemble wood, bits of lichen tastefully covering it. The floor had multiple thick rugs covering them, making it feel spongy. There was a large table, with many lit candles on them, giving the cave a comfy light. Curiously, in the darkest corner of the cave was a pile of...tinsel and shards of what looked like Christmas ornaments?

"I wasn't aiming for anywhere in particular when I used 4-D Slip, so I wasn't sure where we'd end up," Ninten explained.

I heard clopping footsteps and turned around.

A reindeer stood in front of the mouth of the cave. Or at least they looked like a reindeer. Their head looked like a skull, the skin pulled tight over it. Instead of a normal mouth, their mouth was sideways like an ant. Their beady black eyes narrowed as they saw them and they huffed.

"Oh, you're awake," they said irritably.

I stared at them. They looked like a reindeer, yes. But the numerous Christmas decoration pinned to them made them look like a Christmas tree. Tinsel was tangled around their antlers. Ball ornaments were hooked to the tips of their antlers, and little Christmas trees were stuck on the tops of the antlers. A wreath hung around their neck, somehow, and a picture had been glued to their forehead.

It's Gyftrot. Looks like some teenagers decorated it.

Gyftrot looked at them, irritated.

"Well, why are you still here? Scram!"

I saw Ninten narrow his eyes and I quickly put a hand on his shoulder. Ninten glanced at me before relaxing.

"We can't," Ninten said, "My friend doesn't have any boots or shoes."

I glanced at my bare feet. The thought of trying to walk through Snowdin Forest barefoot made me shiver violently.

"So? Not my problem."

Gyftrot trotted into the cave, shaking the snow of his haunches. The ornaments jingled in his antlers. They grunted and suddenly bashed their head against the cave wall.

"Darned ornaments…" they muttered, scraping their antlers against the wall with a horrible sound.

Ninten and I glanced at each other. Ninten raised an eyebrow. I frowned.

"You think this is real funny, don't you?" Gyftrot snapped, looking at them.

I shook my head. Ninten said nothing.

"Just leave…" Gyftrot mumbled bitterly.

I frowned and stood up, walking towards them.

"Frisk-"

"Don't come any closer!" Gyftrot snapped.

I held my hands out peacefully, walking slowly towards them. They watched me suspiciously, pawing the floor.

Now in front of them, I slowly grabbed the tinsel and started unwrapping it from the antlers. It was careful work, especially with Gyftrot glaring at me, but somehow I managed to get it all off. I tried to reach to the ornaments and the trees at the top of the antlers, but even on my tiptoes I couldn't reach. Suddenly one of the ornaments glowed blue and floated off Gyftrot. Gyftrot shifted warily and I turned to see Ninten's eyes glowing.

"I'll get those things. You try to get the wreath off them."

I nodded and turned back to Gyrtrot. They were still staring at me, but some of the suspicion was gone. I quickly plucked the picture before turning to the wreath. It was very difficult getting the wreath off. I tried to pull the wreath apart, but it didn't work. In the end I had to get Ninten's help. Eventually, after much effort, we managed to tear the wreath apart, thus removing the last ornament. As soon as we did, Gyftrot held their head up high.

"Finally, I'm free! A weight has been lifted!"

Gyftrot turned towards us, and though I couldn't really tell, I imagined that they were smiling.

"Perhaps youngsters these days aren't all bad," they mused.

I smiled at them.

"Right. We still need to get going though," Ninten sighed.

Gyftrot turned towards him.

"And where are you youngsters heading?"

I told them we were trying to get to Snowdin Town.

"Hmm. And you. You don't have anything for your feet?"

I nodded and wiggled my toes for emphasis. Gyftrot stared at them, before making a sound.

"...In that corner. You'll find some things the villagers have given me. Feel free to take any boots in there."

I blinked, stunned by the generosity. Would they really give us one of their gifts?

Gyftrot grumbled.

"I have no use for boots in the first place. Feel free to take a pair of socks as well. After you grab what you need, I'll lead you to the town."

Really!

Gyftrot nodded.

"It's no problem."

Gyftrot trotted to the edge of the cave. I turned to Ninten, smiling.

"Nice old monster," he remarked, smiling slightly as well.

We walked towards the pile of assorted gifts. And by assorted I meant assorted.

Half of this stuff doesn't even make sense.

It's the thought that counts, I guess.

After a moment a found a pile of thick woolly socks. Wearing them felt like shoes themselves! But I still wanted boots too, so I continued to look-

Something glinted in the corner of my vision. I turned and saw a little box on a stool shaped like a human's foot. I walked towards it curiously, picking it up. I knew that Gyftrot said only to take boots, but…

The box was heavy, which meant that there was something inside. Looking around, I unlatched the box and opened it.

A small pretty pendant sat inside. The goldish-pink metal looked worn, but the pendant wasn't broken. I lifted the pendant from the box, admiring it.

It's very pretty. But it looks weird for a pendant…

I frowned, looking at it closely. It looked like there was a hinge…

The pendant suddenly opened and I almost dropped it.

It's a locket!

I stared at the picture inside. It was torn in half and black and white, but still clear. And it was a picture of a smiling woman. She was really, really pretty, with long wavy hair and a contagious smile. She looked really happy, posing with a victory sign. It looked like she was holding hands with someone, but that's where the picture teared. I stared at the woman in the picture, struck by a sudden feeling of familiarity. But I'd never seen this woman before in my life-

She's wearing a hairband.

I blinked. She was, but-

That was the Pretty Hairband.

"Frisk? I found some good boots. Where are you-?"

Ninten rounded the corner, holding a pair of pink boots. As soon as he saw the pendant, he dropped the boots, his eyes glowing brightly. The pendant started to glow too and Ninten began to shiver violently. I glanced between them wildly, paralyzed, not sure what to do. Ninten's eyes and the pendant flashed suddenly and in an instant Ninten collapsed.

I cried out and ran to him. And a soft melody played as I shook him, trying to wake him up.

'Take a melody~

Simple as can be~

Ninten!

You learned the Second Melody!

Ninten!

"..."

Ninten groaned and I sighed with relief. He sat up and I urged him not to sit up too fast.

"...That was another part of the Eight Melodies."

Ninten turned to me, eyes intense.

"May I see that pendant?"

I hesitated before giving it to him. He took it silently and opened it. For a long moment he stared at the photo for a long moment.

Much to my surprise and fear, a tear fell from Ninten's eyes. He was crying, still staring at the picture.

Ninten?

Ninten blinked and wiped his eyes.

"Sorry about that," he said, voice thick. I shook my head. It was fine. Though I was worried...And slightly curious.

Wordlessly he showed me the picture.

"That…" Ninten took a breath before continuing, "That's my great grandmother. Her name was Maria."

His great-grandmother?

Ninten nodded.

"I told you how my great-grandfather had left me a diary about Giygas, remember?"

I nodded.

"Well, the reason he knew about them was because he was abducted by Giygas, along with my great grandmother."

I blinked, eyes wide.

That certainly explains how his great-grandfather knew about these aliens…

"They were kept captive for years. In the end, my great-grandfather managed to escape," Ninten closed his eyes, "But my great-grandmother didn't."

That...That's terrible…

"It's her song. The Eight Melodies," Ninten continued, " In the end, she saved the entire world. And she saved my life."

I watched worriedly as Ninten took another deep breath, before exhaling.

"So why is this. Here?"

I blinked. And then I thought.

No one can leave the Underground.

I stood there, stunned. Ninten was right. Why was this here?

Maybe it just fell in? Even to my ears that sounded weak.

Ninten shrugged his backpack off and rummaged through it, before taking out the Pretty Hairband. He held both objects in his hands, staring at them as if they'd offer answers. After a moment he sighed.

"Sitting here isn't going to do anything. We better get going to Snowdin."

I looked at Ninten worriedly. He waved a hand and smiled.

"I'll be fine. Don't worry."

He put the pendant and the hairband inside his backpack, before walking towards the mouth of the cave.

"I'll wait outside. Go ahead and put on the boots."

Before I could say anything, Ninten walked away. Leaving me to think about what just happened.

Take a melody, simple as can be...The plot thickens…


"We're not that far from Snowdin Town," Gyftrot said, clopping ahead of them.

We were walking up a hill, past a cliff with many holes. I saw bright eyes staring out at us as we passed, and waved. I was enjoying the feeling of boots and socks. I could walk through snow with ease now! Take that, snow!

Wait for the blizzard.

I immediately shivered and hoped that Snowdin didn't have blizzards.

"You okay?"

I turned towards Ninten. He was giving me a concerned look.

I immediately assured him that I was fine. He nodded and looked forward again.

I bit my lip. Truth be told, I was more worried about Ninten. He had been quiet since seeing the pendant. And I could understand why, kinda. If I had a family and found something that belonged to them in the Underground, well...I would've been really confused, that's for sure.

Unfortunately, I didn't know what to say. What could I have said?

Gyftrot suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?" Ninten asked.

Gyftrot started to paw at the ground nervously. I looked around, worried. I couldn't see anyone…

"I'm gettin the gitchy feeling…" Gyftrot muttered, "And that means…!"

Several monsters leapt out of nowhere, hooting and jeering. I backed up into Ninten, whose eyes were glowing brightly.

"Darned teenagers!" Gyftrot roared, rearing back.

The monsters stopped running around them. With a start, I recognized Snowdrake as one of the monsters. There were several other monsters as well. One of them looked exactly look Snowdrake, except light green instead of icy blue. They also had a pair of sweet shades. Another one looked like a little snowman, except upside down, with their body and limbs being tiny and their head huge, made huger by the enormous spiky hat they were wearing. And the last one-

Hey, it's Jerry!

-was Jerry.

The group of teenage monsters blocked their way. Gyftrot muttered to themselves, pawing the ground in agitation. Not that I could blame them, if these monsters were the ones to decorate them.

"What do you brats want?" Gyftrot snapped.

The green monster that looked like Snowdrake spoke.

"What's with the tone, dude? We're just saying hi!"

The little snowman monster's nose spun as they chuckled.

"Hehehe, yeah."

"Yeah, hi!" Jerry yelled, earning him a look from the other monsters.

"Quiet Jerry."

"Sorry Chilldrake…"

Chilldrake cleared their throat and turned back to Gyftrot.

"Say, old dude! You ain't wearing our presents!"

"Presents…" Gyftrot said dully, before rearing back.

"Those aren't presents, you brats! They are nuisances!"

The teenagers were quiet for a moment while Gyftrot glared at them.

"...That's kinda mean old dude," Chilldrake said slowly, turning to their friends, "Isn't it Ice Cap?"

"Yeah, pretty mean," Ice Cap said. Chilldrake nodded and turned towards Snowdrake.

"What do you think Snowy?"

Snowdrake, who had been staring at me and Ninten, started.

"H-Huh?"

"I said, don'tcha think this old dude calling our presents nuisances is kinda mean?"

"Y-Yeah. It's not a n'ice' thing to say at all. Not 'cool'."

I heard Ninten sigh next to me. Chilldrake stared at Snowdrake for a moment, before grinning.

"I'll admit, those jokes weren't half bad."

"O-Oh, really?" Snowdrake blushed.

"I never lie Snowy. What about you, Jerry?"

"I lie sometimes," Jerry said.

"No, I mean about the old dude."

"Oh. Yeah, he's not being 'cool'"

"Right, it was only funny coming from Snowy."

Chilldrake turned back towards Gyftrot.

"Right. Like my friends said, not cool dude. In fact…"

Chilldrake took a breath. Gyftrot took a few steps back.

"What are you-"

"Get him guys!"

Chilldrake exhaled and soon they were surrounded by a cloud of snow and ice.

"H-Hey, what do you think you're doing?!"

There were various grunts and yells and loud cries. When the snow cleared, the teenagers were off to the side, snickering. Gyftrot, meanwhile, was whirling around wildly.

"GOSHDARN TEENAGE GOOGLY EYES!" they yelled. As they whirled around, the googly eyes stuck to their eyes shaking in a way some would call comical.

I just found it mean, and I glared at the teenagers.

"Hey, what's your problem?" Chilldrake said.

My 'problem' was that they were bullies!

"Woah, harsh words dude!"

Before I could react, an icicle the size of my body hit the ground in front of me. I scrambled back as Ice Cap laughed.

"Hah, you should see the look on your-!"

As if possessed, Ice Cap's hat flew off his head. The Icy hat spun through the air before coming to a sudden stop, hovering in front of Ninten.

I stared at Ninten. He was staring at the cap lazily, but there was a gleam in his eyes that I hadn't seen before.

"M-M-M-M-M-" Ice Cap stuttered, sunken eyes wide as he shook violently.

"Hey, give it back!" Chilldrake snapped.

"Why?" Ninten asked.

"Cause it's his!"

Chilldrake didn't seem to notice Snowdrake pulling on them, trying to get their attention. Snowdrake kept glancing at us as if he recognized us.

Ninten gave the hat a look.

"Y'know, I met bullies like you once."

Without warning Ninten grabbed the cap. I winced as it melted from the heat of his PK Fire. There was a stunned silence as the hat melted into a puddle. Ninten dropped his hands to his sides.

"Wasn't a cool hat in any case."

Somehow this comment seemed to be the last straw, as Ice Cap collapsed.

"Ice Cap!" Chilldrake cried out. Jerry poked at his fallen friend while Snowdrake galnced at them in alarm. I backed up next to Ninten, who stepped in front of me. Gyftrot was still stumbling about, the googly eyes still stuck to his face.

"Cucumbers ," Ninten muttered, "Maybe I shouldn't have done that."

I knew that he was right, especially when Chilldrake turned towards us. But still...I couldn't stand bullies.

Ninten smiled.

"Neither can I."

"Get them!" Chilldrake yelled, magic pulsing.

The world flashed black and white, Chilldrake and Snowdrake forming huge frigid gales, Jerry laughing and scuttling towards them. You grab Ninten's hand and he turns to you, pink SOUL pulsing. And you pull him along as you run from the storm of magic- and Jerry- hot on your trail.


We ran into the cave. Not a moment later a huge icy wind buffeted the outside, forming instant icicles. Looks like they weren't escaping anytime soon. Why did we run into a cave again?

"Because we can always teleport back Home if needed," Ninten said.

That was a point. But Home was far away.

In more ways than one.

I turned around, only to be grabbed by Ninten.

"We aren't leaving that way."

Staring at the wall of sharp glistening icicles, I was inclined to agree with him. We turned and looked deeper into the cave. Empty darkness stared back.

Maybe there was another way out?

Ninten held out a hand, a bright green light floating above it.

"Only one way to find out."

They walked further into the cave. Even with the light, it was still unbearably dark and I almost tripped a couple of times before Ninten took my hand. He didn't seem to be having much problems walking in the darkness.

"There has to be an exit, right?" Ninten muttered.

I nodded, hoping that there was. Moments later we felt a breeze. We glanced at each other before hurrying. Soon we saw a soft green light. Ninten let his light go out and we ran towards the light.

What we found wasn't an exit. No, it was a door, built into the wall. The light came from large mushrooms, glowing with soft blue-green light, like Ninten's light. We stared at the door for a moment.

"Well...It's something, at least?" Ninten said.

Should we knock the door?

Ninten glanced at me.

"Is there anything else we can do?"

I shrugged and walked up to the door, knocking on it.

No response.

I knocked on it again. Still nothing.

"Something's wrong," Ninten muttered.

I felt the pulse of magic before Ninten reacted and scrambled away, dragging him with me. A moment later the room was filled with howling wind. I covered my face as the wind roared and I barely heard Ninten's voice before the wind ripped it away. What was happening?!

I got my answer when I felt my SOUL rise to my chest, the world becoming black and white-

And you look up to see an enormous grinning monster hovering above you.

"Glyde's in the house, y'all!"

You stare at the monster as they swooped down towards you. They looked like a huge eel with fins that fit a stingray. All three of their eyes stared at you- the two on their face and the wide one on their tail. There was another burst of wind as the monster came close and you almost fall onto your back. Ninten does fall and you quickly help him up.

"What is that thing?" he asks.

You stare at the grinning monster.

Glyde. Attack High, Defense High. Refuses to give any more info.

You tell Ninten the monster's name is Glyde. He gives you a look.

"How do you know that?"

You can't explain. Because Glyde's attacking.

"Sup dudes! Here to see the one and only Glyde! Of course you are! Sorry, but mere mortals can't bask in my greatness!"

Glyde's eyes flashed and you flew across the room as the wind became a physical presence, moving so fast it felt like a wall. The wind is knocked out of you as you hit the other end of the room and you struggle to take a breath in. Through blurry vision and fast moving wind you see Ninten crouched down, yelling. You narrow your eyes and see his hands and legs imbedded into the ground.

"What's that? I can't hear you over all this GLYDE!"

Glyde's eyes flash again and magic pours out, spinning through the air like ninja stars. They slice into Ninten and he slumps onto the ground, the wind trying to pull him out of the ground. You cry out but the noise is snatched by the wind. Ninten tries to get up again, SOUL pulsing. You see his mouth moving but hear nothing.

"Boo? Pfft, what a wimpy ghost."

Ninten keeps struggling and you see his eyes glow. Sparks of light flicker into existence only to be blown away by the magical wind.

"Mhhm, fresh sweet hater. I know haters gonna hate and all, but you're kinda an eyesore. Shoo!"

Glyde's eyes glow again and larger stars of magic fly across the room. A couple of big ones hit the wall and flew towards you and you cover your face, cuts appearing over your body as your SOUL is battered. Suddenly the wind stops and you fall to the ground. As you get up your SOUL leaps into your throat. Ninten laid on the ground, unmoving. The only reason you don't panic is because you still see his SOUL shining dimly.

"Whoa, hey, you okay?" Glyde asked. Then the monster notices you. You and Glyde stare at each other. Then Glyde laughs nervously.

"So...Hey, wasn't that awesome? That attack was so cool that cool isn't a good enough word. It was...freakadacious! Wasn't it?"

Glyde stared at you and you nod nervously, hands brushing against each other.

"Was that a clap!?"

Glyde flies towards you, face inches from yours. You glance at your hands and clap slowly. Glyde's grin grows and they float up higher, preening.

"Yeah, I admit it. I rule."

The wind began to pick up as Glyde flexes.

"See these pecs?"

You nod and clap sloppily.

Glyde sucks up your praise like a vacuum cleaner.

The winds pick up, stinking of arrogance. Glyde flies through the wind easily, doing flips and flaps.

You clap like a gorilla.

Glyde is becoming addicted to your praise.

The wind becomes louder and Glyde preens with the attention as you clap. You ask Glyde to stop the wind. Either they couldn't hear you or they weren't paying attention. You frown and turn back to Ninten. Slowly you make your way towards him, resisting the wind.

"Hey, pay attention!"

The wind stops and Glyde hovers over you, their smile smaller.

"C'mon, check out my pecs!"

You ignore them and you run up to Ninten, putting a hand on his shoulder.

'Frisk?'

You blink at the telepathy and you kneel down to his level. Suddenly the wind pick up and you struggle to remain kneeled. You pointedly ignore Glyde.

"HELLO? I'M RIGHT HERE!"

Glyde is desperate for attention.

You decide to give none of that attention to Glyde. Instead you try to help Ninten up. The problem was that his limbs were literally in the ground. The not particularly soft ground. You ask him you he managed that. You don't get a response in thoughts, but instead you feel a combination of embarrassment and confusion. It seems like Ninten doesn't really know how he got there either.

"Hello? Are you paying attention!? Ughh!"

The wind suddenly stopped and you looked up in time to see Glyde ascending back into the darkness of the cave.

Glyde looks elsewhere for praise.

Your SOUL twinges and color leeches back into the world-

And I quickly made sure that Ninten was okay.

"Hey, I'm fine? Remember? I can heal," he said with a small grin. I sighed in relief and pushed him. I had been worried about him!

"Sorry."

I looked back at his buried limbs before I heard the voices.

"Are you sure we should be in the boss's lair?"

"They ran in here, Snowy!"

"Yeah, but...I mean, the boss could take care of them, easy!"

"Well, it can't hurt to make sure. What do you say, Jerry?"

I glanced at Ninten, panic rising in my chest. He tries to lift his limbs out. I help him but he didn't budge.

"Stop," he grunted, " Even if you get me out, where are we going to run?"

I stopped. He was right. But there had to be something they could do. Just because they couldn't run…

Teleport.

"What?" Ninten asked.

Teleport. He could Teleport us out of here!

Ninten glanced away.

"Listen, Teleporting without a destination is dangerous. Like, nasty dangerous."

But what about how we escaped from Dog Marriage?

"That was a panic fueled 4-D Slip. I can't do that again. Not so soon."

I tried to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach, and the fact that the voices were getting louder.

Couldn't he teleport us to somewhere we've been before?

"Well, yes. But aside from the Ruins, the furthest we've got in Snowdin Forest was that pasta. We don't know if those Dogs or Papyrus will be there. And we don't know how far away we would be from the town."

But if we didn't do anything we'd be sitting ducks.

Ninten closed his eyes.

"...Right. It'll be a bit tricky, doing this without momentum. Hang on tight."

I nodded and hugged him tightly. Ninten felt warm and he closed his eyes, concentrating.

"Hey, I think I see them!"

Just as I saw the monster teens run into the room, I felt Ninten take a sharp breath. And suddenly everything was too tight too big too hot and too cold as we teleported away.


We appeared in the air and fell to the snowy ground below with an oof. I sat in the snow for a moment before sitting up. The broken shards of the table and the microwave met me. At least there didn't seem to be any Dog Marriage. That was okay by my books, I told myself even as I imagined a big doggy wedding with squeaky rings and meat cake.

"Frisk?" Ninten asked groggily.

I scooted up to him and shook him. Ninten opened an eye and stared at me.

"You okay?" I asked.

Ninten nodded and sat up, shivering slightly.

"Yeah. Let's not hang around here though."

I nodded as Ninten stood up. I wanted to get to Snowdin Town, quickly.

"Then let's go, Frisk."


"Warning, Dog Marriage."

I whirled around so fast I became dizzy, my heart beating loudly.

Ninten looked at me in alarm, standing in front of a sign.

"Frisk?"

I sighed, calming my heart, before glaring at him. He blinked at me and pointed at the sign.

"That's what it says."

I took a look at the sign.

'That's what I say, yup.'

"Don't dogs bark? If those two axe dogs appear, we'd hear them," Ninten said.

I nodded, though…

What if they tried to sneak up on us?

Bark! Barkbarkbarkbarkbark!

Both Ninten and I froze as we heard the furious barking, before turning to each other. And running. Where, I didn't know. I just grabbed Ninten's hand and ran and he followed uncomplaining. But-

Bark! Barkbarkbark-!

A white-grey blur landed in front of us and barked excitedly and we stopped. The dog was as tall as them with short white-cream fur. Dressed in simple metal armor, I was torn between smiling at the wagging tail and happy tongue and stepping back at the massive sword and shield on the dog's back. Ninten stepped in front of me and I saw his eyes glow.

Bark!

I put a hand on Ninten's shoulder and told him to wait. He turned back, surprised.

"Ninten?"

I pointed out that the dog hadn't hurt us yet, and it didn't look like they would anytime soon.

The dog began barking again, wagging their tail. Ninten glanced between me and the dog, before the glow from his eyes faded. Slowly I walked past Ninten and towards-

Lesser Dog. Wields a stone dogger made of pomer-granite.

I fought to keep the laugh from bubbling up and instead slowly opened my arms, facing Lesser Dog. I didn't expect the enthusiastic tackle and thus fell into the snow, Lesser Dog licking me furiously! Gah, stop it, heel, heel-!

"Frisk!"

I saw Ninten's eyes glow again and I threw an arm into the air to stop him.

Lesser Dog thankfully stopped and sat in front of me. I sat up as Ninten hovered over me and faced Lesser Dog. They panted at me happily, before licking me again. I laughed and pet their head and Lesser Dog's tail went through the snow, causing a muffled thump.

"Frisk-" Ninten began.

I turned towards him, tilting my head.

"Are you sure we shouldn't be, well, running?" Ninten asked.

"Why?"

I couldn't think of any reason to run. Ninten pointed at Lesser Dog, who stared at the him happily.

"Look at it's shield. The symbol on the back."

I looked at the symbol on the shield. It was a circle with a pair of angelic wings, three triangles in a row underneath it. Two rightside up and the middle triangle upside down. The symbol was familiar…

The Symbol of the Underground.

I took a sharp breath. Ninten nodded.

"Looks like this dog's part of the guard too."

Lesser Dog barked at the word guard. I wasn't sure what to do. On one hand, Lesser Dog was part of the same group as Doggo, Dogamy, and Dogaressa. On the other hand, they seemed completely harmless.

And on the other hand, they other three really didn't succeed in catching you, did they?

I pointed this out to Ninten, who frowned.

"I wouldn't call swinging those axes harmless," he muttered, "But he hasn't attacked us yet, true. Still, we better get going. It's getting-"

Ninten looked up and seemed to remember that there was no sky in the Underground. It was hard to forget, since the Underground, while gloomy, wasn't as dark as you'd think. But as Ninten stared up at the ceiling of the Underground and it's numerous stalactites, his face twitched.

"...Well, we should still get going," he finished lamely.

I nodded and pet Lesser Dog, telling them that I had to go. Lesser Dog whined and licked at my cheek and it took Ninten grabbing my arm and dragging me away to finally leave.

It didn't last long though and we heard pawsteps and whining behind us. We turned around and Lesser Dog barked happily at us. The expression on it's face was so cheerful that I could help but smile. Ninten didn't seem to share my happiness.

"Frisk, we can't have him following us," Ninten urged.

I looked at him, and I knew it was true, but…

Lesser Dog stared up at my with bright eyes. I felt my will crumble and turned towards Ninten, giving him my best puppy dog eyes.

They didn't seem to work.

"Frisk…" Ninten grumbled.

I tried again and Lesser Dog joined me. Ninten covered his face with his hand.

"Frisk, if you won't do it, I will."

I hesitated and Ninten stared at me, uncompromising. Finally I nodded, sad. Ninten's features softened.

"You don't need to be mean, just...convince him. Or something. I'll be by that tree. See how far we are."

Ninten walked away before I could say anything.

Something seems to be bothering him.

I frowned at the thought but Lesser Dog tugged at my arm before I could go after Ninten.

I turned towards them and tried to smile. Lesser Dog whined and tilted their head.

I couldn't say no to face like that.

Well, you're going to have to.

But I just couldn't!

...How about we tire him out?

I thought for a moment before taking off my backpack and the stick within it. The trusty stick that had been with me, through thick and thin.

I raised it up above my head and shook it and Lesser Dog barked joyously.


You played fetch with Lesser Dog until they grew tired.

Lesser Dog curls around your legs.

You barely lift your hand and Lesser Dog gets excited.

Lesser Dog barks excitedly.

You lightly touch the Dog. They're already overexcited...

You pet the Dog. They raise their head up to meet your hand.

You pet the Dog. Who's a good Dog?

Lesser Dog is overstimulated.

You pet the Dog. Their excitement knows no bounds.

Critical pet! Dog excitement increased.

You jump up to pet the Dog.

You don't even pet them. They get more excited.

Lesser Dog shows no signs of stopping.

There is no way to stop this madness.

Lesser Dog enters the realm of the clouds.

You call the Dog but it is too late. They cannot hear you.

You feel Ninten staring at you.

You can reach Lesser Dog again.

You pet Lesser Dog.

Lesser Dog is lowering.

It's possible that you may have a problem.

I'm serious, you have a problem.

Lesser Dog is reading the story.

Lesser Dog is unpettable but appreciates the attempt.

Lesser Dog barks out spoilers. You can't understand them

You can't understand me either, come to think of it.

Lesser Dog is whining because they can't see you.

Hello there, audience.

I'm surprised that anyone's still reading this.

Perhaps mankind was not meant to pet this much.

It continues.

Lesser Dog is questioning your choices.

So am I.

Lesser Dog is beyond your reach.

Lesser Dog has gone where no Dog has gone before.

Really…?

You SPARE Lesser Dog. Finally.

You played with Lesser Dog until they were tired. As they curled around you, with every inch of your DETERMINATION, you told Lesser Dog you had to go.

Lesser Dog nods and runs off, head in their paws.


I walked towards Ninten, who was staring at me while he leaned on a tree.

I looked around me, trying to see what was wrong.

"That dog sure was...excitable," Ninten said carefully.

I nodded. Lesser Dog had been the best!

"Right...Well, we're slighty more than halfway to Snowdin Town, I think."

I tilted my head and asked Ninten how he knew that while we walked.

Duh. PSI.

"PSI. I just expanded my senses until I felt people. I just managed to sense a large group of them at the edge of my range," Ninten explained.

So that was either the Town or a very large party.

"Either or," Ninten smiled.

I smiled back. They were closer to Snowdin Town, which meant people and food and Mom-

A thought suddenly occurred to me and I turned to Ninten.

Couldn't you just teleport us there? He knew where the town was, after all.

Ninten blinked at me and I waited for his answer.

"Well, theoretically…" he began, "But considering I don't know what the area's like, there's a high chance of…"

High chance of?

Ninten winced.

"High chance of teleporting into something."

My imagination ran wild and I shuddered.

"Yeah, that's why you don't teleport places you don't know about," Ninten chuckled, before becoming silent again. I watched him for a moment.

He looked sad.

I ran ahead without thinking and planted myself firmly in front of him.

"Frisk-?"

"What's wrong…?"

Ninten blinked and his expression became guarded.

"...Nothing's wrong," he said.

I put my hands on my hips and frowned at him, giving my best at a Toriel Impression. It seemed to work as Ninten sighed.

"...Two of the Eight Melodies in the Underground. Things that belonged to my grandmother in the Underground. It...It doesn't make any sense, and I don't know why they're here, and-"

Ninten pinched the bridge of his nose.

"And I have this headache."

Headache?

Ninten waved a hand.

"It's not too bad, but it hasn't let up. It started since I saw the locket, and I'm thinking it's cognitive dissonance."

I tilted my head.

"Cogniti- wha…?"

"Cognitive Dissonance. Simply put, it's when your mind it at war with itself- There's no need to look so worried!" Ninten said hurriedly.

I wrung my hands nervously. How could I not be worried if he was at war with himself!

"It's not exactly cognitive dissonance! It just, it might be similar. Giygas put a psychic block on me, right?"

I nodded and imagined the evil alien who Ninten had fought. I didn't like him, especially if he was causing this to happen to Ninten.

Ninten winced and looked away.

"Yeah, well...Now that I'm re-learning the Eight Melodies, the Psychic Block is being attacked. It's like being, sick, right?"

So you'd be fine, right?

Ninten nodded.

"After I learn all Eight Melodies, I should be great," he said with a thumbs up.

I nodded and didn't mention how until he did he might get worse. Instead, I grabbed his hand.

"Frisk, what-?"

"Let's go…!" I said, dragging him towards Snowdin Town. A moment later he moved with me and we ran towards Snowdin town.


"Cognititve Dissonance, eh?"

Flowey laughed.

"Ooh, this is rich! Thanks for the weakness, buddy! Not that I'll need it, but just in case…"

Because if they got past Papyrus- and knowing these losers they'd somehow get past him without killing him- then all he'd need to do is ambush them in their already weakened state. Without PSI the brat would be deadweight!

Time to pay a visit to Waterfall…


"HUMANS! YOU MADE IT! PAST MY THE ALREADY DASTARDLY PUZZLE THAT I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, HAD MADE EVEN MORE DASTARDLY?!"

I thought back to the previous room, where the floor had been littered with blue X's and the path ha been blocked off by spikes. Fortunately, between Ninten's Telekinesis and my hop-scotch skills we had made it, but the room had been genuinely tricky.

"You enhanced the previous room?" Ninten asked.

"YES! I MAY HAVE UNDERESTIMATED YOU ONCE, BUT NO MORE! THE GREAT PAPYRUS SHALL COME AT YOU WITH ALL HE'S GOT!"

I saw Ninten smirk.

"If you say so. Give us your best!"

"NYEHEHEHE! THE GREAT PAPYRUS SHALL GIVE YOU HIS BEST, MOST ASSUREDLY! FOR THE PUZZLE BEFORE YOU IS THE MOST FIENDISH PUZZLE IMAGINABLE!"

I looked at the grey floor in front of us as Ninten scoffed.

"Really?"

"OH, DEFINITELY! THIS MACHINE!" PAPYRUS patted a metal box beside him, "WAS MADE BY THE GREAT DOCTOR ALPHYS! ONCE I THROUGH THIS SWITCH, THEY WILL BEGIN TO CHANGE COLOR. EACH COLOR HAS A DIFFERENT FUNCTION! RED TILES ARE IMPASSABLE! YOU CANNOT WALK ON THEM! YELLOW TILES ARE ELECTRIC! THEY WILL ELECTROCUTE YOU! FOR REAL THIS TIME! GREEN TILES ARE ALARM TILES! IF YOU STEP ON THEM...YOU WILL HAVE TO FIGHT SOMEMONSTER! ORANGE TILES ARE ORANGE-SCENTED. THEY WILL MAKE YOU SMELL DELICIOUS! BLUE TILES ARE WATER TILES! SWIM THROUGH THEM IF YOU LIKE, BUT...IF YOU SMELL LIKE ORANGES! THE PIRANHAS WILL BITE YOU! ALSO, IF A BLUE TILE IS NEXT TO A YELLOW TILE, IT WILL ALSO ELECTROCUTE YOU! PURPLE TILES ARE SLIPPERY! YOU WILL SLIDE TO THE NEXT TILE! HOWEVER, THE SLIPPERY SOAP...SMELLS LIKE LEMONS! WHICH PIRANHAS DO NOT LIKE! PURPLE AND BLUE ARE OKAY. AND FINALLY, PINK TILES! THEY DO NOTHING. STEP ON THEM ALL YOU WANT!"

Ninten and I stared at Papyrus open mouthed as he finished his explanation, not talking a breath once. PAPYRUS just laughed.

"THINK YOU CAN STILL DEFEAT THIS PUZZLE?"

I gave Ninten a worried look. He caught my eye and gave a reassuring smile.

"Yes."

PAPYRUS's eye sockets narrowed.

"VERY WELL! YOU LEAVE ME NO CHOICE! ACTIVATE, GREAT PUZZLE MACHINE!"

PAPYRUS threw the switch and I watched nervously as the ground in front of us alight with neon colors. As the Great Puzzle Machine whirred and beeped I grew dizzy and glanced at Ninten. He was staring at the panels intently, eyes glowing.

It won't do him any good.

The beeping became faster and faster until my head hurt, until with a loud ear grating buzz the ground became...All pink.

I stared at the ground.

Ninten stared at the ground.

PAPYRUS, still frozen in his pose, stared at the ground.

I glanced at Ninten. Ninten wordlessly took a step onto the tiled ground.

Nothing happened and I followed him until we were in front of PAPYRUS.

The skeleton was still staring at the ground and I began to get worried.

"DARN IT DARN IT DARN IT DARN IT!"

I jumped back as PAPYRUS stomped the ground, his eyes glowing orange.

"WHY! WHY CAN'T I CATCH YOU! ALL MY PUZZLES, FAIL! YOU'VE BEATEN ALL OF THEM! HOW!"

PAPYRUS stopped stomping the ground and stared at nothing morosely.

"IS IT THAT...I'M A FAILURE? WILL I NEVER BECOME PART OF THE ROYAL GUARD?"

PAPYRUS's voice had lost all it's energy and that wasn't right. It didn't sound right, this wasn't what PAPYRUS was-

"Well, it's more like the puzzle failed you, right?"

PAPYRUS and I both turned to Ninten. Ninten was playing with a strand of his hair, looking away.

"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?"

"I mean, you didn't make this puzzle, right? So of course it doesn't have the same quality as your puzzles. Your puzzles are always high quality."

"YES, WELL, ONES PUZZLES MOST ALWAYS BE 100 PERCENT…" PAPYRUS said somewhat proudly.

"Of course. You've got to give it your all no matter what, right?"

"YES, OF COURSE."

"So, this doesn't really count, right? I mean, if you made this puzzle, we'd probably starve or something."

"HUMAN, I WOULD NEVER LET YOU STARVE!" PAPYRUS chided and I felt warm. Ninten smiled.

"Well, should we try it again?"

"WHAT?"

What?

Ninten scuffed the snow with his shoes.

"I mean, it's only fair, right?"

"YOU WOULD DO THAT?" PAPYRUS asked softly.

Ninten glanced at me.

Don't do it. this puzzle literally is impossible.

I clapped my hands and smiled at Ninten.

"Of course," Ninten told PAPYRUS.

PAPYRUS sniffled- and suddenly I was in a bone crushing hug from the skeleton.

"YOU HUMANS ARE AMAZING! YOU WOULD RETRY A PUZZLE, JUST FOR ME? TRULY, YOU ARE THE BEST OF MONSTERS!"

I smiled even as PAPYRUS crushed the breath out of both of us and patted him on the back. The hug, while crushing, was nice. Sorta like Mom's…

I felt PAPYRUS tense and I glanced at Ninten. Ninten was looking at PAPYRUS strangely.

"BUT…"

PAPYRUS suddenly stood up, dropping us to the ground. I tried to step towards him but Ninten pulled me back.

"YOU ARE HUMANS…" PAPYRUS said slowly.

PAPYRUS?

PAPYRUS closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

I tried to move towards the skeleton.

"Frisk-" Ninten began.

I pulled myself away from him and took a step towards PAPYRUS, intent on cheering him up-

When the world became black and white and you feel shock, fear, and SOUL crushing-sadness as PAPYRUS opens his eyes, expression grim.

"I MUST CAPTURE THE HUMANS!"


Flowey: Urgh, what happened...?

Lesser Dog: Bark!

Flowey: Wha-What the hell are you doing here?

Lesser Dog: Bark!

Flowey: Hey, get away! GET AWAY!

Lesser Dog: Bark! BarkBarkBarkBark!

...

...

Nice to see that they're gone. Don't think the Flower was happy with me.

I could say that I had writer's block. I could say that I was unhappy with the previous stories and was semi-re-writing them to be like this present chapter. I could say I was hit by a car.

What I will say (that is important) is that PSI:MoM is back! And weekly, too! I promise that this story will update weekly until finished!

(Baring unforeseen real life things and exams.)

Let's hope we can keep that up, yeah?

Now, to our lovely viewers!

D3lph0xL0v3r: Thanks for the review! I actually had to take a moment to make sure that frostbite had a stage that wasn't lethal but not good either, so the more ya know.

bob312123: It's not like he wanted to. But Papyrus and Robbie would've gotten along pretty well, I think. And please, Papyrus is much better at puzzles. His puzzles work!

RaeChanNau: Don't cheer the Flower on! My life is in his leaves! As for cold pasta...Never tired it before. And honestly, 4-D Slip is useful anywhere.

Guest: Thank you very much!

Tune in next time, for the "Bonetrousle Hustle"!

Remember to read and review!