Why is she like this? I've always heard that Monsters were mean and bloodthirsty, but Toriel is the kindest person I have ever known. We just met, but she treats me like her own child. I don't understand.

"Hey, are you okay?"

The girl was sitting up on her bed. She had wrapped her ribbon around the bed post and placed her plastic knife on the floor. When I fell down, she found me wondering around the Ruins and introduced me to Toriel.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I lied.

She stared at me, eyes wide and unblinking. It was unsettling.

"I'm confused, okay?"

"Confused? About what?"

I sat up. "Toriel, the Ruins, the Underground! It's so different from what I was told. It's hard to wrap my head around."

She crawled out of bed and sat by me. She smiled softly. "I know how you feel. The Underground wasn't what I expected either. But I've been down here for awhile and I'm glad that that I was wrong. Now I have a wonderful time living with Toriel."

"But why would humans tell a story like that when it isn't true? It doesn't make sense."

"Who cares?" She threw her arms wide. "Humans haven't seen Monsters for so long. No one on the Surface remembers anything about Monsters. Stop worrying."

"…Okay. You're right."

"I know." She got to her feet and back into her bed. "Goodnight." She pulled the cover up to her ears and was asleep in seconds.

"Goodnight."

I still didn't understand. Humans sealed Monsters underground because they were trying to absorb human SOULS. So why hasn't any Monsters down here taken my SOUL or her's?

I sat up again. I held out my hand and my SOUL flickered into existence. It gave off a soft glow. It was bright yellow while the girl's was a light blue.

Toriel showed me how to see my SOUL and what the colors meant during one of the first days I was here. She said that yellow meant Justice. I don't know what to think of that. I can't figure out if it means that I'm a just person or if I should enforce justice or whatever.

With a sigh, I laid back down and drifted off to sleep.

I was walking through utter darkness. I couldn't see anything or where I was going. I just kept walking.

/Do you know what to do?/

I spun around. Nobody was there. I must be imagining things. I kept walking.

/Don't you see what you have to do?/

I stopped in my tracks. I looked in every direction, but I still couldn't see anybody.

/Don't you want to learn what your SOUL means?/

"Who's there?" I yelled. "Who are you?"

/A friend/

The voice was barely audible, hardly a whisper, but I could hear every word clear as day.

"Where are you?"

/Do you want to learn what Justice is?/

I froze.

/I could help you/

I didn't speak.

/Do you want my help?/

…

/Do you?/

…

/You just have to say yes/

"…I…"

/What do you say?/

"…Yes. I want your help.

/Glad to hear it. What you have to do is-/

Rumble! Rumble!

"What did you say?"

The darkness began to shake violently.

"Hey! What did you say?" No response. The whisper was gone.

"Hey! Hey!"

The darkness lurched and I fell. Down, down, down, then something grabbed my hand.

"Wake up already!"

I shot up. She was standing by my bed, ribbon tied neatly in her hair. "Toriel made breakfast. Hurry up before it gets cold." With that she left.

I sat there, thinking about the voice. I dismissed it as a fantasy and got ready. Soon, I was sitting at the table with Toriel and the girl. I ate very slowly.

"My child," Toriel said. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," I replied. "I just didn't sleep well last night."

When we were done, Toriel gathered the dishes and told us to go have fun. The girl took a book from the shelf and began to read by the fireplace. I followed Toriel into the kitchen.

"Toriel…" I started.

"Yes, my child?" She was washing the dishes in the sink. Bubbles were already engulfing the plates.

"Could I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"How did the war start?"

She stopped with clatter of silverware. "Why… are you curious about something like that?"

"It's been on my mind for a long time," I admitted.

Toriel was silent for a minute. Then, "It was a time of chaos and confusion on both sides."

"But how did it start?" I persisted.

"I'm sorry, my child, but that is a time I prefer not to remember."

"But-"

"Run along now." She said dismissively. "This is a conversation for a different day." I reluctantly left. Toriel avoided meeting my eye for the rest of the day.

That night, I tossed and turned in bed before I found myself in the darkness again.

/You're back/

I jumped. The whisper sounded louder this time.

"Please tell me! Tell me what my SOUL means!"

/Are you sure? You may not like the answer/

"I'm positive! Tell me!"

/If you insist. Do you know about the King of Monsters, Asgore?/

"No."

/Asgore aims to break the Barrier. However, he needs the SOULS of seven humans/

"S-seven humans?"

/He has already gathered four SOULS, all of them from children/

I felt like I was going to be sick. Everything I was taught was true.

/Justice is how you see this and what you do about it/

"It's terrible. It's horrifying that he killed those innocent children."

/Like you, or that girl your living with/

The blood drained from my face. It felt like a weight had been slammed down onto my shoulders. "If Asgore…" I started. "If Asgore finds us… he'll kill us."

/Correct/

Memories of the girl flashed before my eyes: her finding me, leading me through the Ruins, introducing me to Toriel, helping me adjust, everything she did was kind and innocent.

/Follow whatever path you think is right and fix what is wrong. That is Justice/

I awoke with a jolt. She was still sleeping, breathing peacefully. The thought of her being killed... I have to stop this.

I stood up and got dressed. I hovered over the sleeping girl, ribbon still tied loosely in her hair. Her chest rising and falling in a soothing rythme. Nothing like that should have to happen to a girl like this. "I'll keep you safe," I whispered. "I swear on my life, I will protect you. No matter what happens."

Grabbing my old gun and hat I quietly left the room. The house was dark, so it was hard to find my way to the stairs. Once I did, I took every step slowly to avoid making a sound. I reached the bottom and made my way down the hall as quickly as I could. I reached the end, felt around for the doors, made my way down another hall and walked out into the snow. Remembering what Toriel told me about the Underground, I steeled myself and marched on.

I kept myself out of sight and took odd paths to avoid meeting anyone. Eventually, I left the snow and found myself surrounded by water.

I held my gun at my side. It was empty and hadn't been used in several years, but it made it easier to settle my nerves and face dangerous situations like this.

I kept walking, thinking about the girl. I feel bad about leaving without saying goodbye, but I have to do this. I can't let her get hurt. Also, Asgore has to be stopped. Monsters like him, the ones that want to take human SOULS and use their power, Monsters who would kill children for their SOUL, Monsters like him deserve to be trapped by the barrier.

I heard something to my right. On instinct, I lifted the gun and pulled the trigger. To my surprise, the old revolver shot off a yellow bullet that demolished a chunk of rock.

I stared at the revolver. Nothing about it had changed. I checked, but the gun was still empty. Slowly, I aimed it at the wall and pulled the trigger. Another bullet shot from the barrel and slammed into the wall. I searched the spot, but couldn't find a bullet.

Once again I fired the gun. This time, I saw it. Right over my heart, glowing brightly, was my SOUL. I continued to fire. Each time I pulled the trigger, my SOUL pulsed.

/This is the power of Justice/

My hands snapped to my ears. The whisper seemed to be inside my head.

/This is the power of a human SOUL/

"W-what is this?" I asked no one.

/This is what a human SOUL can really do/

"What are you talking about?"

/This is DETERMINATION/

"What do you mean?" I asked. "Determination?"

The voice was silent. I looked at my gun, then my SOUL. I cupped it and lifted it up to eye level. Something was different. I could feel something powerful coursing through it. Is this… DETERMINATION?

I fired the gun rapidly. I was raised with a gun in my hand, but this was different. No recoil, no reloading, seemingly unlimited ammunition and my aim wasn't affected.

I laughed with joy and excitement. This was great! I don't have to worry about running into an enemy without a weapon. My SOUL itself is giving me the strength to follow through with my mission. I'll defeat Asgore and protect her. I swore my life on it.

I got through Waterfall and had almost reached the end of Hotland. I was almost out when I came across a peculiar sight.

Boxes and construction equipment covered the area. Lighting equipment was half set up around the beginnings of a stage. I had no idea what this was all for.

"Now where are those workers?" A voice rang out. "I can't believe they would make a star like me wait for so long."

I ducked behind a box as the speaker came into view. It was a robot with a rectangular body, arms, a wheel, multiple dials and a flashing grid screen.

"Hm. Now where can they be?"

I decided to move behind the stage and past him, but…

"Oh! Now who do we have here?"

I froze, holding my breath.

"Come on out, darling. I have always wanted to meet a human."

A chill ran down my spine. I gripped the handle of my revolver tightly.

"Don't keep me waiting, darling, It's rude to keep a star in suspense."

I exhaled. I stood up and fired at his voice. The bullet bounced off harmlessly.

"A bullet? Such a wonderful idea for a fight, but nothing like that would leave a scratch on this fabulous body."

He wheeled forward and I stepped back.

"Stay away!" I yelled.

"It speaks!" He said enthusiastically. "Hello, human! I'm proud to introduce you to the Underground's biggest star: me! Mettaton!" He moved closer.

"I said stay back!" I pointlessly let off another shot.

"Now aren't we trigger happy."

"Get back!" I let off three shots. One missed and shattered one of the stage lights.

"Oh my!" Mettaton exclaimed. "I would love nothing more than to chat, but it appears as if that's not an option. I have a job to do. Ehm!" He snapped his fingers. Smaller, flying versions of Mettaton gathered around him. With another snap, they swarmed me.

I fired again and again, destroying every little bot. I fired once more, but what I hit wasn't a bot. The bomb exploded in a cross-shaped light. I was hit, the heat burning my skin. I regained my senses, only to be knocked flat by a flying cube. I tried to get up, but I was struck down by another cube. I got to a kneeling position and opened fire, reducing the cubes to rubble. The attacks paused and I took the time to catch my breath.

"Well, well, well," Mettaton said. "Looks like I have to work on my arsenal. At least I have one more trick up this metal sleeve." Sparks danced on his hand a moment before a bolt of electricity tore through the air and struck me. It was agonizing, as if every part of my body was being charred to ashes. It stopped and I fell to the ground. Mettaton wobbled weakly.

"Goodness, that one is quite the battery drainer."

I had a sudden thought. Slowly, I raised my revolver and shot out his wheel. Mettaton spun wildly. He grabbed onto a box to keep himself up.

I was furious. "It's Monsters like you who deserve to be down here!"

"Come again?"

I got to my knees. "Monsters that would attack any human, even children, to take their SOUL! Monsters like you are only driven by greed and violence. Monsters like you started the war! Monsters like you deserve to burn in h-"

"That is quite enough!" He declared. "How dare say such things about Monsters! For your information, I didn't attack until you did! I may not be hurt by your bullets, but if you had hit any normal Monster down here they would be dead!"

I gripped the handle tightly. I was so mad, but something else was creeping in.

"And another thing!" He continued. "This area is open to the public. Any Monsters could have heard our scuffle and come over here. After one of your bullets went astray, it became too dangerous for anyone who was walking by! And how dare you say it was Monsters that started that awful war!"

"Because it was!" I slammed my fists on the ground. "That's what I was taught! That Monsters tried to take humans SOULS and brought on that war! It was Monsters that got themselves sealed down here!"

Mettaton made a surprised grunting sound. "Darling, that's not true."

"It is true! It's got to be!"

Mettaton waved his hand dismissively. "I'm sorry, but you're wrong."

"About what!?"

"Monsters didn't start the war. Humans did."

A cold feeling was edging it way into my mind, but my anger still burned. "That's not true! It was because Monsters wanted human SOULS!"

"It was because humans feared that Monsters would take their SOULS," Mettaton corrected. "Humans lost their trust in Monsters because of that ability and they raged the war."

My anger fizzled and died, replaced by the cold sensation. "No… no that can't be."

"It is, darling. The humans defeated the Monsters and sealed their victims down here."

I shook my head. "That's not true. It can't be true."

Mettaton's voice was laced with pity. "I'm sorry, darling, but it is."

"No… no… it's not… no…"

I got to my feet and walked on. Mettaton called after me, but his voice was a distant buzz.

It just can't be true. I have to protect her from Asgore.

I walked into a house and made my way down the stairs.

I have to protect her from threats and danger and pain.

I walked down a long corridor.

But who's the threat? Monsters or me?

I walked past a view of a large city with buildings huddled close together.

Are the dangerous ones Monsters? Or is it humans like me?

I passed a wall covered with ivy.

Mettaton didn't threaten me or attack me. I attacked first, without giving him a chance to talk.

I walked into a room filled with golden flowers. A Monster wearing armor and a crown was watering them.

"Yes? Who is there?"

As he turned around, I raised the gun and pulled the trigger. Asgore jerked away in surprise, so the bullet only grazed his armor.

"Child, wait!"

I fired again. Asgore blocked the bullet by pulling out his trident. I opened fire, but he blocked them all.

Asgore started to counterattack. He threw a volley of fireballs at me. I fired, each bullet cancelling out with a fireball.

So it went on. Asgore blocking my bullets, me countering his fireballs. The battle between me and the murderer was in a stalemate.

/Which of you is really the dangerous one?/

Soon it took more than one bullet to take down a fireball, and Asgore had an easier time blocking my attacks. My SOUL became dimmer and the color dulled. Fireballs I couldn't stop began to rain down on me and scorch the flowers at my feet. A sick feeling crawled up my throat and stung my heart. It worked itself up to my head and formed a lump in my stomach.

I couldn't continue. A pathetic spark popped out of the barrel, then nothing. I pulled the trigger of a gun with nothing to shoot.

Fire filled the world around me. All i could see was the flames. I could smell singed clothing and burnt meat, but I couldn't feel a thing. I was as empty as my gun.

He was looming over me. Asgore swung his trident, now glowing orange. It ripped through my side, sending one final, vicious burst of pain through my body. Everything inside me broke. Screaming, I pulled the trigger. My SOUL pulsed. A brilliant flash of light swallowed the room. I turned and ran as fast as I could.

I ran blindly. I ran and ran until I couldn't run anymore. Then I limped, my lungs and body burning, until I collapsed. I landed in shallow water filled with piles of garbage. My hat fell off and floated away. Trembling, I raised myself onto my elbows. I looked at the gun in my hand. With a broken scream, I threw it as far as I could. I started to crawl. I crawled until I came up to a dead end.

I fell back into the water. A flash of color caught my eye. One of the golden flowers had gotten caught on my boot. It came loose and the water carried it off. It got caught on a stone barely an inch away from my face.

I stared at the flower as the water turned red. I stared at the flower until the world started to turn dark. I stared at the flower until they showed up.

A blurry child wearing a green and yellow striped shirt was standing before me.

I weakly raised my head.

Then they spoke. They spoke like the whisper, but powerful and whole.

/You couldn't protect her. Like all humans you were blinded to a rational choice by rash decisions and your own superiority. Monsters aren't the dangerous ones, it's humans like you. You say you're right, you say your protecting justice, but it's all a lie. You only protect yourselves and your ambitions. You would throw anyone aside if you thought they deserved it. You had a false 'Justice', one where you played God. One where you made the choices and didn't care how others would be hurt. You deserve this you know. To die here amongst garbage, it's a fitting end for you/

The child's body wavered and vanished from sight.

My face fell back into the water. I saw the flower again. Everything started to fade, except for the flower. I was back in the darkness with the flower beside me. I could see my SOUL. It pulsed feebly, then faded into the dark. I reached out and pulled the flower to me. I curled my body around it. The last speck of color I had. I will protect it. I'll protect this flower for as long as I can, I swear my life on it.