Hello everyone! I am deeply sorry for how long this chapter took to make. I would like to say it was something "family problems" or "school sucks!" but the honest truth is that the only reason it took as long as it did to make was because I am a lazy procrastinating dingus. Well, that's not entirely true. Christmas and the holidays did get in the way a little bit near the end. As well as the fact that this chapter turned out much longer then I initially planned (I originally wanted Napstablook to make his debut in this chapter before I realized how long it was going to be). it's not enough to justify how long this took. But hopefully enough to have something to blame (besides myself of course). Again, I apologize for my horrible update schedule. Anyway, lets get on with Tomoko's painfully awkward adventure into the underground.
CH.4
Because I'm not popular, I'll fight some monsters!
After walking through the door, Tomoko found herself in a room that wasn't too different from the ones she's been in before.
'where do they get all this lavender stone anyway?' The teen wondered as she studied the room.
She was quickly shocked to see another "Froggit" standing in front of her. Positioned right along the path into the room.
'a-a monster!? Already? I just left the other room and I'm already getting attacked!' She thought in concern. However, she noticed that the froggit didn't seem that aggressive. Just standing there in a relaxed manner.
'I-it's not going to attack me?' Tomoko started to relax a little as the froggit didn't immediately initiate a FIGHT.
She cautiously started to approach the froggit until she was startled by a ringing noise.
"GAHHHH!" She shrieked in surprise from the sudden loud noise. Even the froggit jumped a little in surprise! Though it was possibly more from Tomoko's own scream then from the ringing...
However the froggit recovered and quickly resumed it's relaxed state. Not showing any sign of aggression towards the teen. Said teen then started to dig through her pockets to reach the source of the ringing. Now realizing it was the phone Toriel gave her.
"Hello? This is Toriel." Came Toriel's voice from the cell phone.
"U-u-um, hi-hi T-Tor-Toriel..." The awkward teen responded shakily. Still a bit shaken by the sudden scare.
"Hello Tomoko. I didn't startle you, did I?" Toriel asked. Noticing the shakiness in Tomoko's voice.
"N-no no, I f-fine..." The teen lied. Not wanting to worry Toriel.
"That is good to know. You have not left the room, have you?" She asked Tomoko. Who immediately started sweating.
'Oh God. What should I tell her? Should I tell her yes? But she will probably get mad at me for disobeying her. But maybe if I tell her that I saw the flower that attacked me earlier in there? But then she'll start acting really concerned and start asking me all sorts of questions, and come rushing back here to baby me again. I don't want to handle that. But if I lie she'll most definitely find out later and will probably get even angrier with me then she would if I just left-' "Tomoko?" Came Toriel's voice, breaking Tomoko out of her thought's.
It was then that she went with the first reply in her head. "N-no. I'm still i-in the room..."
"That is good to hear. There are a few puzzles ahead that I have yet to explain. It would be dangerous try and solve them yourself. Be good, alright?" Toriel responded. Explaining the reason behind her concern.
"A-alright..." And with that, the call ceased.
"...Now what? I can't go back in there with Flowey lurking around. Maybe if I call her back and tell her the truth? But then she would want me to explain why I lied to her. And that would be too stressful for me to deal with! But if I keep going she'll find out I left and not only get angry about me disobeying her, but also lying about it as well. Perhaps if I just tell her I saw Flowey if I bump into her again? That would work, I hope." Tomoko said. Trying to think of what to do next.
Feeling her Brain hurting from trying to think of her next coarse of action, the teen began to study the new room. As her earlier statement suggested It was pretty much the same as the last rooms she was in. Lavender stone bricks made up the entire room with a few green vines growing on the walls. The room had two different paths to take this time however, one going to the right of her at the entrance before bending forward again. Creating a corner that kept her from seeing where the other end led to. A light lavender trail went through the room, following it's curves. laying around on ether sides of the path was more piles of those red leaves she saw from the first room after meeting Toriel. On the wall on the left, right past the froggit in front of her, was a doorway that seemed to lead to a different room.
'So I got options on which way to go this time!' The teen thought. Already thinking about Which path to take.
The first thing on her mind however, was to see what was up with the froggit that was just standing there. She cautiously walked up to it. Jumping a little when it decided to speak up.
"Ribbit ribbit."
(Excuse me, human.)
"H-huh!?" Tomoko exclaimed. Startled not only by the froggit talking to her. But also by the fact she could understand it.
(I have some... *Sniff* Advice for you about battling monsters. If you ACT a certain way or *cringe* FIGHT until you almost defeat them... They Might not want to battle you anymore.)
The froggit said. Something clearly bothering him while he was talking.
It was also here that Tomoko realized the reason why she can understand him was because the mysterious message had returned and was actually translating for her.
'Hay, that's actually useful!' She thought.
The froggit continued on in spite of the mystery irritant.
(If a monster does not want to fight you, please... *That smell...* Use some MERCY, human.)
"Ribbit." The froggit said. Finishing it's explanation.
"U-um, th-thank you for the a-advice..." Tomoko said. Though a bit unsure why this froggit was helping her when the last one attacked her.
"Ribbit ribbit."
(Don't mention it. Now, *Cough* Be on your merry way.)
"Ribbit." Said the froggit. A bit quick to dismiss her.
'I wonder what was bothering him so much.' Tomoko thought as she decided to go through the doorway on the left wall.
After walking through it and out of earshot, the froggit spoke up again, though more to it's self.
"...Ribbit ribbit."
(Do all humans smell like that?)
Tomoko was a bit disappointed that the room on the other side of the doorway was a dead end. It was a small, square shaped room with small streams of water on the left and right side. The wall opposite of her was completely covered in vines. She contemplated that a secret passage might be hidden behind the vines, but at the moment she was rather distracted by what was in the center of the room.
A white pedestal surrounded by red leaves sat in the middle. Atop it was a bowl filled with what looked like...
"...Is that candy?" Tomoko says. Surprised to see such a thing here.
As she approaches the bowl, she notices a note on the pedestal.
[Take one.]
"take one? Is it really okay for me to just take a piece of candy just like that? Maybe it's meant only for monsters." The teen questioned out loud. Unsure if it is really alright to just take candy just like that.
"maybe that froggit outside is some sort of guard? Making sure people only take one at a time. But that seems a bit absurd to have a hired guard over a bowl of candy. Then again, maybe monster society is quite different for human society and... Maybe its magic candy! Maybe it gives or enhances the monster's magical powers! And if I eat it, I'll get magical powers too! I mean, why else would you have a single room devoted to a bowl of candy?" She continued on. Believing she unlocked the "secret" of the mystery treat.
"Yea that must be it! Then i'll finally be able to fight monsters on their level! I may have found a way to actually defend myself!" She concluded. Now fully willing to take a piece.
She took a piece of candy. Stopping to look at the colorful wrapping before opening it up.
'Time to see if my theory is correct.' She thought before hesitantly putting it in her mouth.
It tasted very sweet, as expected of candy, and has a distinct flavor she could only really describe as "Non-licorice". It was rather good all the same. Suddenly, after swallowing it, she started feeling a strange sensation in her stomach that began to spread throughout her body. It didn't feel bad however, quite the opposite. It felt very good! As if her entire body was revitalized and rejuvenated. All the minor aches and fatigue she had vanishing away as her body felt as if it was in tip-top shape.
"That feeling... It must be my new found magical powers coursing through my body! I can't wait to test them out on the next monster to challenge me to a fight. Flowey is so screwed the next time we meet!" Now fully believing in her "new found magical powers" she began to investigate the vine covered wall right behind the pedestal, fully believing there is a secret passage behind it.
As she investigates it however, she comes to the disappointing conclusion that there really is nothing but more wall behind the vines. Turning around to leave the room, believing there is nothing else it has to offer, she walks past the pedestal. At first paying it no mind now that she got a piece. She stops at the doorway, look behind her at the bowl of candy as a sudden mischievous thought crossed her mind.
'...If it really gave me magical powers, it is within reason to believe it could also restore them if they are depleted. I know it said I should only "Take one", but considering the desperate survival situation I'm in, it is understandable to take a few more for the road. After all, who knows when i'll find more of them. they are probably quite rare! Besides, who'll be the wiser?' Fully convincing herself that it is aright to take more, Tomoko walks back to the pedestal to grab a few more pieces of candy.
"Just a few." She reassured herself as she takes another piece of candy and pockets it. Admittedly feeling a small tinge of guilt for some reason. She still took another piece of candy anyway. However, as she takes a fourth piece of candy, she accidentally knocked the bowl off the pedestal. Spilling candy all over the floor!
'...Shit! I really hope someone didn't here that. I-I have to clean this up before someone finds out!' The awkward teen thought in panic. Quickly scrambling to scoop all the candy back into the bowl before someone comes and investigates.
Luckily, nobody came. Allowing her to clumsily put all of the candy back into the bowl and on the pedestal. Feeling she took enough candy as is, she then briskly walked out of the room and back into the hall. Completely unaware of a certain flower coming out of the ground behind her and watching her leave.
"...Is she seriously this stupid..."
Tomoko walked back into the hall, a bit paranoid of someone finding out what had happened. She looked at the froggit, still standing in the same spot it was in when she first came into the hall. It didn't looked at her as she walked past. Making her believe she gotten away with her "crime". It did sniffed the air and winch slightly. But she paid it no mind. Trying to take her mind off the candy room, Tomoko thought she would check something before venturing farther. Pulling out her phone (her original phone. Not the one Toriel gave her) she proceeded to try to call her mother.
"...No reception. Figured as much." She said. Being only mildly disappointing.
She already guessed it wouldn't work down here, but she thought she should check anyway. Just in case. In all honestly, she only really thought of doing that after her phone call with Toriel. After getting caught up with the whole "adventuring through a underground world filled with monsters" thing, she kinda forgot she could have just called for help using her phone. Or at least, she would like to say she forgot. In actuality it was more likely she wanted to forget just so she could have a excuse to go on her "Adventure".
Suddenly, now that she remembered she had her phone, a new idea popped into her head on how it could be useful.
'You know. Even if- when I manage to return to the surface, most people won't believe me if I told them about all of this. That is, unless I bring back proof. Like, video proof. I'll document my entire adventure down here using my phone! Then, when I get back to the surface, I'll show the videos to everyone! If I post them on youtube, I am guaranteed to get millions of views. People everywhere will get a first person view of all the awesome things I will do! I can hear their praise now...
"Tomoko! How did you manage to stand up to that horrifying abomination without so much as flinching? you're so brave!"
"Tomoko! The way you took out that entire horde of hellhounds was breath taking! you're amazing!"
Yes! It's a brilliant idea! I'll will most definitely be world famous by the end of this!' Tomoko thought as she walked down the hall. Confident that her plan will work.
She held out her phone at arms length and pointed it's camera at herself. She let out a sigh and steeled her nerves a bit before finally pressing record.
"H-hello." She started. Already feeling a bit nervous. "I'm Tomoko Kuroki, a-and I fell down a hole." Tomoko continued awkwardly.
'Fell down a hole!? That barely explains anything about how serious my situation is! I should elaborate.' After berating herself about her bare bones explanation about her current situation, Tomoko continued.
"W-wait I mean..." Tomoko said as she began to back peddle. "I was hiking along Mt. Ebott un-until I discovered a cave. In that cave was a deep pit th-that I d-discovered and fell down. B-by accident of course!"
'Shit! I really should of planned my explanation more before I started recording. Should I stop and start over?' Tomoko was already having second thought about this idea.
'No. This is a survival situation after all. I think most people will understand me being a bit nervous considering the predicament I'm in. In fact, it would probably make it more believable.' after giving it some thought, Tomoko decided to continue with her video.
"As of r-right now I have ve-ventured some distance into a cave system that was connected to th-the pit I fell down. I-I would go back to show the pit, but there are cr-creatures that are roaming around down here. Some of th-them being aggressive! And-and I know f-for a fact that one of them is roaming around so-someways back." The teen went on. Now more confident that her idea would work.
"In fact. One of those creatures are right over there!" She than pointed the camera at the froggit she passed. At first she was worried most people wouldn't believe it was real due to it's still, statue-like stance. Luckily when she turned to face it, it turned it's head to look back at her. Apparently taking notice that it was being mentioned.
"Th-that one's alright though. Some of the monsters I bumped i-into down here seem to be friendly thankfully. Ano-nother one helped me out earlier, but she left some time ago and I-I don't know where she went to. So I'm on my own for now." She explained to her future audience. As well as give more info about her situation.
"As you can see, this place was clearly made by s-some ancient civilization." The teen said as she panned her phone around the room she was in. "It was probably the creatures down here. They seem intelligent enough."
As Tomoko was showing the room to her phone's camera, she began to approach the bend at the end of the path. And from around the corner, a small, purple monster emerged. It's body looked like a classic bed sheet ghost, with two thin wire-like legs dangling beneath it's hovering body. Two similarly thin arms came from it's side, ending in small hands. It's hovering ability was granted to it by the pair of insect-like wing on it's back. And a similarly insect-like pair of antenna sat atop it's head, dangling over a face that looked distressed and worried. The monster was shivering slightly, more out of anxiety and stress then the room's temperature, as well as muttering things to itself. And wasn't paying much attention to it's surroundings as it rounded the corner. resulting in it suddenly running into Tomoko. Who herself wasn't paying much attention as she was showing the floor of the room to her phone.
"...There's also these weird piles of red leaves all over the place. What's up wi-" The resulting collision with the nervous monster interrupted her musings of the ruins. Forcing her and her phone to look up at whatever it was she bumped into. The small monster similarly looked up to see who it collided with. Upon making eye contact with each other, they both did the first thing that came to mind when they realized what it was that halted their respective paths.
"...GHAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
They screamed...
And like that. A familiar feeling over took the awkward teen as a battle began. With her soul coming out of her chest and the white box appearing around them.
[Whimsun approached meekly!]
Now knowing the name of the mystery monster, Tomoko started to size it up. Taking note of it's meek and feeble appearance.
[Whimsun - ATK 5 DEF 0 *This monster is too sensitive to fight...]
She also takes note of the fact that the text of the mystery messages seem to be shivering similarly to the whimsun before her.
'That's weird...' *Sniff* '...Why do I smell lavender and mothballs?' She thought as she began to notice the sudden smell.
"I'm sorry..." The nervous monster apologized. Presumably about bumping into her.
However, strange magical looking moths started to emerge from beneath the monsters bed sheet-like body and began to fly straight at her. At first Tomoko flinched and closed her eyes, bracing for impact. When no impact occurred however, she opened her eyes to see the moths flying around her. They where flying rather fast. And some of them made attempts to dive bomb her. Making her flinch again in response. However she quickly noticed that they always called off their attacks at the last minute. It was then she realized that none of them was actually getting near her. Only flying around her. As if this attack was a bluff... Or a warning shot.
Upon realizing she's safe where she was for now, she started to think about how she'll handle this situation.
It was then that she noticed that the whimsun was grasping it's antenna. Looking notably more miserable then it already did.
'Why is it doing that? Wait... Didn't my biology teacher said that insects smell with their antenna? It is a insect right? It's got wings and antenna like one. And it's arms and legs are really skinny like one. Maybe it looks more like a bug underneath that... What is that covering its body anyway? A bed sheet? A cloak? Whatever. Anyway, maybe the smell of mothballs is bothering it? My mom uses mothballs to keep bugs away. But isn't it the one making that smell in the first place?' She began to ponder what was bothering the whimsun. Mostly just to pass the time as she waited for an opening. Since all she had to do to avoid the magic moths was to simply stand still.
'Hey... This would actually be a good time to test out my new magical abilities! So let's!... Uh, how do I do this?' Tomoko thought as she tried to come up with a plan of action.
Eventually, all the moths gradually disappeared. Leaving behind a more nervous looking whimsun. Trying to avoid making eye contact with the teen.
'It's now or never...' Said teen thought as she sees her opening.
Moving her phone to her left hand, she raises her right one at whimsun. Focusing as hard as she can to fire a bolt of magical energy...
...Only for nothing to happens.
'...Maybe I need to do something else?' She thought nervously.
She began wiggling her fingers. Hoping that might make it work. Only for that to fail as well.
'Dammit! why isn't this working!?' she thought in frustration.
[You raise your arm and wiggle your fingers. Whimsun freaks out!]
And true to the message, The whimsun had a terrorized look on it's face. Seeming as if it where on the brink of panic.
"I can't handle this..." Said the frightened monster. Hyperventilating in fear.
'Well... at least I managed to intimidate it...' Tomoko thought. Being glad that her move did something.
It was then that the whimsun attacked again. More moths started to appear from it's body and fly towards Tomoko.
Seeing that the attack was the same as last time, she decided to pass the time for it to finish by practicing her "magical powers".
As she went to pocket her phone so it wouldn't get in the way, she took notice of something.
'Wait. I've been recording this entire time?' She realized as she looked down at it.
quickly turning it off and hoping she didn't manage to record her embarrassing first attempt at magic, she put it back into her pocket and began holding out her arm again.
"Come on... LIGHTING BOLT!" The teen shouted. Hoping to get something this time. But alas, nothing.
"Work dammit. FIREBALL!" She shouted again. Only to still produce nothing.
"gah. ABRACADABRA!"
"HOCUS POCUS!"
"BLIZZAGA!"
"STUPEFY!"
"MAGIC MISSILE!"
To her credit. The constant stream of magic words She was screaming was making the whimsun freak out heavily. But that only succeeded in making it pour out more moths at her.
'Maybe I should get closer?' Tomoko thought. Slowly inching closer to the terrified monster.
However. In the "magic-word-shouting-fit" she was having earlier. She lost all concern for the magic insects flying around her. As she slowly moved her outstretched arm closer to the virtual wall of moths surrounding her. A moth flying a bit outside the swarm collided with her hand. Upon impact, the moth seemed to disintegrate into a puff of magic before going into the limb. Instantly she felt a sudden jolt of pain that raced down her arm and ended at her chest. Her soul started flashing rhythmically with the pulsating, otherworldly pain she felt. Her instant reaction was to withdraw her arms and clutch her chest as she fell butt first onto the hard stone floor beneath her. All while letting out a sudden shriek of pain.
'Ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgod THAT HURT SO BAD! I thought those moths where just a bluff! But why does it make my chest hurt if it hit my arm!? Wait... Do monster attacks hurt my soul?' Tomoko looked down to see her soul. There it floated above her chest. Heart shaped and constantly flashing between a lighter and darker shade of gray. Noticing that the pulsating pings of pain were in fact in sync with the flashing.
A few seconds after the attack the flashing finally stopped and her soul settled on the darker shade of gray. And with it, the pain finally stopped as well and turned into a mild ache. It is now that she also notice an ache in her hand as well. Upon looking at it, she sees what looks like a rather nasty cross between a bruise and a burn on the back of her palm where the moth hit. It was here that a cold dread started seep through her body as she came to a sudden realization.
'It... It could have hit me with those moths the whole time! I-I don't want to think about what could have happen if it decided to make them all fly into me at once... And all while I was standing there shouting magic words like a idiot.' Thought the frighten teen. As she looks on at the massive hurricane of moths flying around her. She couldn't even see the whimsun through them!
As the moths finally began to disappear, Tomoko looked up to finally see the whimsun floating in front of her. Still looking as nervous and frightened as before. Which was rather ironic. Considering Tomoko herself was now quite scared. Knowing that it can still attack with the magic moths again while she had no magic to defend herself with (Or doesn't know how to use yet. As she would argue.).
"Forgive me..." The timid monster said. Looking surprisingly apologetic as it continues to hold it's antenna. Still clearly bothered by some sort of smell.
It was here that Tomoko remembered that the monster was afraid of her.
'Aright. It's clearly just as scared of me as I am of it right now. How can I use this to escape this battle? Maybe saying something like...
"Meh. It's aright. Since I'm in a good mood and all, I'll let you go. For now."
Or maybe something like...
"Hay. That was a pretty good fight. I guess you're alright. Off you go little guy."
Yes! If I can get it to think I am stronger and tougher then I'm actually- Then I'm currently am, It will definitely let me go!' Finally settling on a plan of action, Tomoko cautiously began to stand up.
"Heh. Th-tha-"
However. Before she could even get halfway through her first word, the whimsun let loose a terrified scream before bursting into tears and quickly flying towards her.
"GAHHH!" Tomoko herself was taken off guard by the whimsun's sudden outburst and quickly braced herself, thinking it was going to ram her. Only for it to fly right past her into the direction she just came from.
[YOU WON! You earned 0 EXP and 0 gold.]
Finally. The white box disappeared and her soul returned to her body. Signaling the battle has came to an end.
"...I won?" She opened her eyes and looked behind her. Seeing the whimsun flying down the hall she was walking down not too long ago. Tears dripping down from underneath it as it went.
After letting a moment pass to regain her bearings, Tomoko Finally continued on. Going around the bend and down the hall the Whimsun emerged from. Relieved that the battle was finally over. Said whimsun meanwhile was resting at the end of the hall. Tired and out of breath from running, well, flying away from the terrifying human.
"... I-I knew humans where scary. B-but I didn't think they... Smelled like that..." Whimsun said. More to itself then to anyone in particular.
"Ribbit ribbit."
(So you smelled that to, huh?)
Whimsun jumped when it heard the froggit right beside it speak up. Just now realizing it was there.
Back to Tomoko. She continued down the path the whimsun came from. Her face contorted into a look of disapproval as she watches the video she just made on her phone.
"Dammit! I really did look like an idiot..." She voiced her displeasure as she watched. Realizing she did in fact captured her "battle" with the whimsun.
She watched as she held out her hand dramatically at the nervous monster, which flinched as she did so. Holding it there for a solid 8 seconds as nothing happen. Then began to wiggle her fingers (As well as make a "Whooooo"-ing sound. As she just realized watching the video). An action that made the whimsun recoil in terror.
"Uuuughhh." Tomoko groaned in displeasure. "I'll just cut that last part out when I get out of here. Make it look like I turned it off immediately after it attacked me. Yea. That's believable."
She then stopped and held out her phone again.
"well, I should probably make a follow up video." Tomoko said. preparing to record. "It's not like I don't have any proof that a battle took place..." She continued. Looking down at her injured hand with a grimace. Before finally pressing record.
"I-I'm back. I just g-gotten out of a fight with one o-of the monsters down here. I'm mostly alright. I-it hurt my hand though..." She showed her injured hand to her phone. The burn/bruise still looking rather fresh.
As she was filming. She continued to walk down the hall.
"It still hurts a little. Bu-but I think it's alright for now. My chest seems to ache a lot for s-some reason though." She said as she passed a strange opening on the wall to her left. Paying it no mind.
"That's the w-weird thing though. When it hit my hand, it was mostly my chest that was hurting. It was like a... A wave of pain going down my arm and, and stopping at my chest." The teen continued. Sharing her experience with her future audience.
However. As she walked down the lavender hallway. She wasn't giving the floor nearly as much attention as she was during her last recording. And because of that, she felled to notice the dark and cracked portion of floor in front of her.
"Yea. That kind of m-makes me worri-aaAAAGGGHHHH!" Once again. Tomoko finds her recording session getting interrupted. Though this time it was by the floor collapsing beneath her.
Thankfully, her fall wasn't that long. Falling only about 12 feet before crashing face-first into a pile of red leaves on the floor below That cushioned her landing. After getting up and spitting out the the leaves that gotten into her mouth, she began to frantically look for her phone. Luckily, it too landed in the pile and looked no worse for wear. It was even still recording!
After digging it out of the pile and standing up, she began to pick up from where she left off.
"T-the floor gave out from beneath me!" Tomoko Exclaimed to her phone's camera. Her appearance looking more disheveled then usual with red leave stuck in her hair and clothes.
She then pointed her phone to the ceiling above her. Showing the hole she fell through.
"H-how am I g-going to get back up?" The teen then began to look around the room she fell into. Noticing two doorways on ether side of the leaf pile.
"Well, at least w-we have a way to get out of here..." She said to her phone as she pointed it's camera towards them.
After standing there for a while to fix up her appearance. She then began to decide which one to go through.
"...L-lets go through this one." Tomoko then began to approach the doorway on the right.
As she looked through it, she noticed that it was actually dark inside. As if the magical phenomena that was keeping the rest of the ruins lit wasn't applied to it. She could still however see what looks like a spiraling staircase inside. Getting darker as it ascended upwards. Turning on the flashlight on her phone, she then began to hesitantly make her way into the doorway.
'Why is it so dark? Was there budget cuts on the magical invisible lighting? Maybe they didn't thought a tiny stairway like this worth wasting magic on? Maybe... Maybe this leads to a old abandoned part of the ruins? A part long forgotten by the monsters that live here. A place dark, shadowy and mysterious that is roamed by creatures considered powerful and disturbing even by the monster's standards!' The teen started to dread as she contemplated where the spiral staircase will take her.
'What about that other doorway? Where does it go? Would it take me back to the rest of the ruins? What-' Her thoughts where interrupted when she reached the top of the staircase.
Instead of the dark, decrepit version of the ruins she was expecting. There was a wall that had a chute in it. From the chute she could see light with a familiar lavender hue to it.
"W-what's this? Does it lead back to the r-rest of the ruins?" Tomoko said as she examined the chute with her phone. Still recording her video.
Looking into the chute, she can in fact see what looks like a lavender brick floor through it. Confirming that it did go back to the ruins. She also noticed the smell of mustard seeds coming from it for some reason.
"S-so to return to the ruins, I just gotta climb through this or..." She said as she hesitantly climbed into the chute. Phone clutched tightly in hand.
"...Here we go." And with that, she let go of the sides and slid down the chute.
It wasn't that bad of a experience. In fact it was sort of fun! If a bit short. When she came out at the other side. She landed butt-first onto the floor. It was a surprisingly gentle landing. Feeling as though she landed on something soft. She could have sworn she heard a croak though. She put that aside at the moment however as she got up and realized that she was now in the same hallway she was walking through before the fall. She look down at the floor to see the part to the side of her was dark, cracked and sagging. With the hole she fell through on the opposite side of her. Also on the other side of the damaged floor was chutes on the wall. Identical to the one she just came from.
'Well, at least I know where that other door leads to now. But what are they for? Is it so you can get back up for when you fall down? But why couldn't they just fix the floor! Is it supposed to be some sort of puzzle? Seems like a shitty puzzle if you ask me.' Tomoko thought as she studied the hall in depth.
Suddenly she was startled by her soul popping out of her chest and the familiar box appearing around her. Quickly turning around, she sees the creature responsible.
"A-a froggit!?" She exclaims as she sees the aforementioned monster stalking towards her. Look a bit more disheveled and angry then the ones she seen before.
[Froggit hopped close!]
"(Ribbits threateningly) Ribbit, ribbit."
Not wanting to risk accidentally falling back down into the room below during the coming battle, Tomoko stepped away from the weak part of the floor and began to size up her opponent.
'That weird massage that gives me battle information hasn't came up yet. Probably because I already encountered one of these before. Doesn't matter. I kinda remember it being rather weak anyway. which makes this the perfect opportunity to practice my magic!' Already having a plan on how to handle this battle in mind, Tomoko pocketed her phone and took a stance as she prepared to face the froggit.
'Okay, just focus. Try to reach deep inside of yourself. Into the depths of your soul that is floating before you right now. And try to find it. An essence, feeling, desire, anything. And bring it out. Bring it to the surface. Make it a reality! Only then will you realize the mystic potential inside of you...' She told herself. Trying to psych herself up so she can use magic.
Meanwhile, the froggit was preparing a attack of it's own. The froggit opened it's mouth and out flew several large flies, similar to the moths used by the whimsun before. Tomoko paid them little mind as they approached her. Believing they will act similarly to the last swarm of magical bugs she faced.
'Yes, I can feel it!' She thought to herself as she raises her hands out towards the froggit. 'A power welling up inside me. Waiting to come out! Any moment now it wil-'
Suddenly, Tomoko was broken from her concentration by a familiar burst of pain from her stomach. Apparently, the flies didn't act like the moths of the last monster. While the whimsun's magical bugs only flew around her and didn't touch her if she stayed still, the froggit's magical bugs simply flew straight towards her. fully intending to hit her. Though she managed to keep herself from collapsing into a crumpled heap on the floor this time, she still bent forward, clutching her stomach in pain.
'H-he already went straight to for the direct attack!? I mean, I guess he wouldn't be as hesitant as attacking as that whim-something. But he could at least give me a warning shot or something! You're a starter enemy. Act like it and don't hit so hard dammit!' She mentally cursed at the froggit as she held her stomach and watched her soul flash rhythmically.
However, the froggit didn't give Tomoko a chance to regain her bearings as more of the magical flies dived straight at her. Looking up just in time, she jumped to the side at the last second. The flies collided with the ground before disappearing in a burst of magic. She ducked and weaved around to the best of her abilities. Which honestly wasn't that impressive. Resulting in some of them managing to hit her.
'YHHEEE! Ouch! That!... Wait. That wasn't actually as bad as the first one. I mean it still hurts! Just not as terrible. Maybe it was a glancing blow-' "Yelp!" She cried out as another one hit her. 'No. It really isn't as painful as the first one. Weird. Maybe it's going easy on me?'
She couldn't really dwell on it much though. As the flies continued their assault. After some more evasive maneuvers, the last of the flies made their attack and disappeared. Finally getting a chance to catch her breath, she took the time to study the froggit further.
'Huh. He still looks rather angry. Is he angry at me? But What did I do to make him so angry? Wait...' Her eyes then began to drift to the chute she came out of not too long ago. Remembering that her landing was unusually soft. As well as hearing a croaking sound when she landed.
'... Did I land on him?'
[Froggit hops to and fro.]
"(Hops menacingly) Hop, hop."
The message snapped her attention back to the froggit. Who was indeed doing as the message said. As if getting ready for something. Until suddenly, it jumped straight at her!
"GAAHHHH!" Tomoko, not anticipating the sudden tackle, could only hold up her arms as it impacted her.
Time seemed to slow down for Tomoko. Air rapidly vacated her lungs as the froggit collided with her torso. Taking some of her spit with it. Her eyes rolled back into her head as her mouth gaped like a fish out of water. When time returned to normal for her, she went flying back from the force of the impact. Until she she smashed into the invisible barrier of the white box. Which flashed and become visible temporarily from the collision. She slid down the barrier until she landed on the floor. She just sat there. Still stunned from the froggit's assault.
'Holy shit! That hurt! That hurt so bad! I think it may have broke something!' She thought as she began to cry form the pain. 'I-I think I'm going to faint. I feel really tired all of a sudden.'
She Then look down at her flashing soul and see something that startled her. And filled her with dread.
"Is my soul... Cracked?"
Indeed. Her soul looked like it had a crack going down the middle. She also could have sworn that it was glowing a lot fainter then it was earlier.
'W-w-why is there a crack!? How did it get damaged? Unless... Unless monster attacks really do damage my soul! Oh god! Can it be fixed? What would happen if it completely cracked! Would I...' She visibly paled. '... Would I die?'
The blood in Tomoko's veins turned to ice when the realization hit her. She could actually die if she wasn't careful here. Shakily, she looked up at the froggit. Heavily disturbed to see it was still quite angry with her. And looking like it was ready to jump at her again. That thought sent a new wave of terror through her body.
[You are intimidated by Froggit's raw strength.]
"(Croaks angrily) Croak, croak."
'Yea! No shit I am intimidated by it! That thing nearly killed me and could still very much do so. And... Oh no. It's going to attack again! I-I got to do something! I got to calm it down! But how?'
Tomoko wrecked her brain to think of a way out of this situation. Desperately trying to think of a way to pacify the angry froggit. Until finally, a surprisingly simple solution came to her mind.
'Maybe if I just...'
She got up onto her knees and put her hands together as she looked the froggit in the eyes. Before finally.
"I-I'm s-s-so-sorry."
She apologized.
I'm s-so-rry! I-I d-didn't m-me-mean to l-land-d on y-you. I-it w-w-was an-an ac-ci-cident! I-I f-fell through th-the floor-" She pointed a shaky hand at the hole in the damaged part of the floor. "-A-and fell i-int-to a-a ro-room below u-us! I-I was cl-climb-bing a s-stairc-case th-that led to th-that hole i-in the wall. I-I didn't kn-know you w-where right th-there, h-honest! I w-was just t-trying to g-get out!" Tomoko apologized as honestly as she could through her sobs. Crying and shaking on the floor through the whole thing.
The froggit, upon seeing the apology from the crying human, quickly felt it's anger subside. And even felt a ping of guilt replace it at the sight of the state it put her in. Granted, it didn't actually understand what the human was saying, but it was pretty sure it sounds like she was apologizing to it. It certainly looks like she was. That's for sure.
[Froggit didn't understand what you said, but accepted your apology anyway.]
"(Ribbits guiltily) ...Ribbit."
At the sight (thought?) of that message, Tomoko felt a wave of relief wash over her. Her face breaking out into a smile. She then slowly got to her feet and hesitantly walked over to the froggit.
"Th-thank y-you..." She thanked the froggit meekly as she bowed to it.
Suddenly, she was startled when the froggit's nose began to scrunch up. as a look of disgust crossed it's face. At first, she was was frightened that she did something to offend it. Until she gotten another message in her head.
[Froggit seems reluctant to fight you.]
At that, Tomoko, not knowing what else to do, simply stepped to the side and let the froggit pass. The froggit let out one last "Ribbit" and simply hopped past. A bit briskly she noted. But not before dropping something on the ground in front of her.
Suddenly, Tomoko's soul returned to her body and the "battle box" (As Tomoko now decided to dub it.) disappears around them.
[YOU WON! You earned 0 EXP and 2 gold.]
'I don't... Feel like I won...' She thought as the message appeared in her head.
Upon seeing the froggit approach the damaged floor. She quickly called out to it.
"W-WAIT! The f-floor is-"
However, before she could finish her sentence. The froggit leaped over the damaged floor in a single bound. Landing on the other side without a problem.
Seeing as her warning was unnecessary, She let it die in her throat. And instead brought her attention to the thing on the ground that the froggit left behind. Upon examination, she discovered that it was in fact 2 gold coins!
'yea, didn't that last message say that I earned 2 gold or something?' She thought as she recalled the message she got after the battle ended.
'Why did he left it here? Is it for compensation for attacking me? Well, it isn't like I can just turn it down now. Seeing as he just left and I really don't want to try and cross that floor again...' The teen thought as she examined the gold before pocketing it. 'Besides, if these creatures do have a society down her, having some of the local money could be really useful!'
With that done and seeing nothing else for her to do, Tomoko continued down the hall and on her way.
While continuing down the lavender halls, Tomoko started to think about something that bothered her during the fight.
'Why did the fly that hit me in the stomach hurt so bad, but the ones that hit me while I was dodging didn't? Maybe it was because the first one hit closer to my soul? No... One of the flies hit me in the back and felt about the same as the others in terms of pain. Plus that whim-thing from earlier hit me in the hand and it hurt as bad as the fly that hit my stomach. Maybe I should ask Toriel about it the next time we talk.' Tomoko thought as she walked.
'On another note, I should probably hold off on practicing magic for now. I still feel really tired and faint from that last battle. I'm pretty sure that means my soul is... Still damaged.' She touched her chest subconsciously.' And really needs to be healed. There is a way to heal it, right? Like a health potion or a inn I can rest at. That's usually how these things work. Whichever the case, I should hold on practicing magic until ether I learn more about it, or I'm in a better position for it.'
'And now that I think about it, I don't even know if giving me magical powers is what that candy actually did. Maybe I need someone that does know how to use magic to teach me? Like Toriel! Yea, that's it! I'll make a note to ask her about that as well when we meet again.' Tomoko concluded her thoughts as she walks into the next room.
She could see a rock, a pressure plate on the ground in front of it, and a wall of spikes dividing the room in two. Before she could begin to make sense of it, she was distracted by her cell phone ringing. Already having a guess at who it is, Tomoko answered it.
"Hello? This is Toriel." Toriel greeted.
"H-hello..." Tomoko replied. Not as shaky as she was last time.
"May I ask you a question?"
"O-okay?" Said Tomoko. Somewhat hesitant about what Toriel might be asking.
"For no reason in particular... Which do you prefer? Cinnamon or butterscotch?"
'What? W-why would she want to know that? Is this like some secret test of character or something?' Tomoko thought. Being rather suspicious of Toriel's question.
"Tomoko? Are you still there?" Toriel asked. Snapping Tomoko out of her thoughts.
"Wha? Oh yea. Umm. B-buttersc-scotch I guess?" Tomoko finally replied. Settling on the first answer to come to mind.
"Oh, I see. Thank you very much!" And with that, Toriel concluded the call.
"...Well, that was stra-"
Before Tomoko could even put the phone back into her pocket, It started ringing again.
"Um, h-hello?" Tomoko answered. A bit annoyed to be called again.
"Hello? This is Toriel." She greeted identically as she did the first time.
"I-is their something e-else?" Tomoko asked. Trying to not sound irritated with getting called again.
"Yes. You do not DISLIKE cinnamon, do you? I know what your preference is, but... Would you turn up your nose if you found it on your plate?"
"N-no. Ci-cinnamon i-is fine too."
"Right, right, I understand. Thank you for being patient, by the way." Toriel told her before she hung up. Again...
Tomoko blushed a little from the remark on her patience. As it helped to elevate some of the irritation she felt about being called twice in a row. However it was at that moment that she just remembered something.
"Crap! I forgot to ask her about how the magic candy works!"
Quickly pressing Toriel's number on speed dial, she went to call her for the third time in a row.
"This is Toriel. Is their something else you want to talk about, Tomoko?" Came Toriel's response. Not at all sounding bothered by talking to Tomoko a third time.
"Y-yea, it's-" However, Tomoko paused when she remembered something else.
'Wait, Toriel thinks I'm still waiting in that long hallway. If I talk to her about the candy or my fights with the monsters, she'll come to the conclusion that I left! She would probably get angry at me and tell me to go back and wait for her. And if I tell her about Flowey, she'll... Well, I don't know what she'll tell me to do. But it would probably involve her treating me like a defective 2 year old again. And I don-' "Tomoko? Are you still there?" Toriel's question snapped Tomoko back to reality. Reminding her she was still on the phone with her.
"Y-yea. I'm h-here."
"Well, what was it you wanted to talk about?" Tomoko quickly tried to think of a excuse.
"N-nothing. Just w-wanted to say h-hello is all." She told her.
"You want to say hello again? 'Salutations!' Is that enough?" Toriel replied back. Believing Tomoko wanted to play some sort of game to pass the time.
"U-um, y-yea. That w-will do..." And with that, they both hanged up.
"That also reminds me that I have to think of something to say to her when I bump into her again. Hopefully I'll get that figured out by then. For now..." Tomoko then turned her attention back to the room she was in.
Approaching the rock, she sees scuff marks on the ground between the rock and the pressure plate. Making something of a trail between the two. Already knowing how to solve this room's puzzle, she walked behind the rock and started pushing.
"Hhhuuumph." The teen grunted as she pushed the rock. Struggling to move the large stone. Her scrawny, unathletic build not helping her in the slightest.
"Dammit! Did they have to use a giant rock for this puzzle? Couldn't they use a trolley with a heavy box or something on it? They clearly have cell phones. Having a puzzle more advance then pushing a stupid rock onto a button shouldn't be too much to ask for." Tomoko complained as she pushed the rock. Only managing to move it a few inches from the time she started pushing.
After 8 minutes of solid pushing (And 2 or 3 breaks). She finally got it on the pressure plate with the spikes in front of her sinking into the floor. After that, she collapsed onto the floor with her back resting against the rock.
As she sat there, panting heavily and too exhausted to move. She noticed 2 strange "things" moving into view from ether side of the rock. They were monsters. Or at least, she thinks they are monsters. They looked like large, pulsating lime gelatins. They smelled like lime gelatin as well. Which made her a bit hungry. But she put that aside for the moment. They oozed forward, leaving light green trails of slime behind them. Paying her no mind.
'What? Where did these things came from? Were they hiding behind that wall of spike that I just took down? Or did they come into the room while I was busy pushing the rock?' She thought. contemplating their origins. 'ether way, they didn't seem to notice me. It's probably a good time to leave before they do. I'm far too tired to fight right now.'
Tomoko began to stand up slowly. Partially so she wouldn't alert the slime monsters and partially because her body still ached from moving the rock. As she did so, she notice something on the wall left form where she entered the room. It was another manuscript. One that she apparently missed on her first observation of the room. Seeing the slimes already exiting the room from the way she came from, she thought it would be safe to go check it out. Carefully stepping over the slimy trail left by one of the monsters, she walked over to the tablet on the wall to read it's contents.
'If it tells me of a better way to move that rock...' She thought with irritation as she approached the manuscript.
[Three out of four grey rocks recommend you push them.]
'Huh. Just some dumb hint to a obvious puzzle. Wait. Is it implying that I have to do this 2 OR 3 MORE TIMES!?' The frustrated teen thought as she contemplated the wording of the manuscript.
Tomoko rubbed her face with both hands as she groaned. Believing she now has an idea of what's to come. Before turning around to exit the room.
'2 or 3 more times. 2 or 3 more times! It wouldn't have worded it like that if you were only going to push a rock once. Stupid rock pushing puzzles! I thought they looked easy from all the games that I played that had them. I guess it should have occurred to me that they would be really heavy and al-' "EEP!" Tomoko's train of thought was broken from suddenly slipping on something.
Apparently. Tomoko, too busy grumbling to her self about what puzzles she was going to do next, forgot about the trail of slime the monsters left on the ground. And to her discovery, they where quite slippery. The loud squeal combined with the sound of Tomoko's back slamming into the floor alerted the 2 monsters that where almost exiting the room. They quickly (relatively speaking) oozed their way over to it's source to discover a human lying down on one of their slimy trails.
"Uuuuuuugghhhh..." Tomoko groaned disoriented as she lay where she landed. Her head still pounding from the fall. As she got up and shook her head, she looked in front of her to see the 2 gelatin monsters standing(?) before her. Seeming to have finally taken notice of her. If their silence and stillness was anything to go by.
'...Here we go.' She thought in resignation as her soul came out of her chest, still as cracked as it was before, along with the battle box appeared around them.
[Moldsmal and Moldsmal block the way.]
"squorch..." "Burble burb..."
Tomoko, now knowing the names of the monsters, got to her feet and began to take in her gelatinous opponents. They wiggled to and fro, like the desserts they resembled. Tomoko took the moment to study them in hopes of knowing what they might do.
[Moldsmal - ATK 6 DEF 0 *Stereotypical: Curvaceously attractive, but no brains...]
'W-wha? Attractive!? That's the last word I would use to refer to these things.' Tomoko thought. A bit taken aback by the description the message gave. 'If these messages really was written by That creepy dream kid, then I have a lot of questions regarding his "tastes".'
Suddenly, the moldsmals made their move. They both started shooting globs of slime from their bodies one at a time. They flew at Tomoko in a zigzag pattern. Making it difficult for her to predict there movements. Which frightened her because of her exhaustion as well as the fact that her soul was already pretty beat up from her last battle.
'I don't think I can afford to take another hit.' She thought with worry. None the less, after some ducking, weaving, and dodging, she managed to avoided all of the projectiles.
However, after their attack was finished. Tomoko collapsed on the ground. The exhaustion from her ordeal with the rock, combined with all the rapid dodging, getting to her again.
'Dammit! If it wasn't for that stupid rock, I wouldn't be as tired as I am right now.' The teen thought as she laid face down on the floor. Paralyzed with exhaustion.
Suddenly, one of the moldsmals approached her. At first, she feared for the worse. But when no attack came, she turned her head to the gelatinous monster to see it just standing there. Before flattening it's body right next to her. As if it was trying to lay down beside her. It's Surprisingly friendly gesture combined with it's lack of hostility helping her relax a bit.
'Huh. That's reassuring. I think.' Tomoko thought. Feeling rather peaceful in spite of the situation she was in.
[You lie immobile with Moldsmal. You feel like you understand the world a little better.]
'I wouldn't say I feel like that. but I do feel oddly peaceful at the moment.' She thought as she contemplated the message.
After regaining her strength (She was kinda surprised they let her lay there long enough to do so.), she got back to her feet to face the other moldsmal. It started to convulse rapidly, as if angry, before it launched another attack. She looked to the one besides her. Worried it was going to attack as well. Only to see it wasn't. Putting that aside for later, she focused on the offending moldsmal.
It started shooting a blob of slime at her like they did before. However, this time it went in a straight line instead of a zigzag one. At first she was relieved that the projectile was simpler to predict. That was until it stopped in mid-air for a moment before exploding into multiple blobs flying in all directions. The action startled Tomoko, resulting in her just barely managing to duck down in time. She wasn't given much time to recover however. As the moldsmal started to shot more exploding slime balls at her.
'Holy shit! What did I do to piss it off so badly!? Was the one that laid down besides me it's boyfriend- Girlfriend- Whatever! And it's jealous or something?' Tomoko theorized. Noting the the one that laid down beside her was still staying out of the conflict.
After the attack was finished. The attacking moldsmal was still shaking rapidly and violently like the most angriest gelatin Tomoko had ever seen. still seeming to be upset at her for something. It was then that she noticed that the more docile moldsmal started doing something as well. It was wiggling. Slowly and rhythmically. While making a gentle glubbing sound. The more aggressive moldsmal's rapid convulsions started to slow down a little. Before it started making very angry sounding glubbing noises back at it. The docile one only continued its hypnotic wiggling. As if trying to calm it down. It seemed to be working. As it started to wiggle in sync with it's partner as it approached them. Before going back to it's aggressive shaking. Except it was approaching Tomoko this time.
'Shit! It's still really angry with me. What can I do to calm it down?' She thought as she looked over at the docile moldsmal. 'What it's doing seemed to work for a while. Maybe if I...'
Not sure of what else to do. Tomoko started to wiggle her hips while looking at the approaching moldsmal. Trying her best to match the rythim of the other one across the battle box from her in hopes of communicating with them somehow. She suddenly felt extremely embarrassed from doing so. Guessing it's probably because of the ridiculousness of what she's doing. None the less, it seems to be working. As the approaching moldsmals aggressive shaking started to subside as it began to wiggle in rhythm with Tomoko
[You wiggle your hips. Moldsmal wiggles back. What a meaningful conversation!]
'I-it's working! I'm calming it down!' Tomoko thought in delight. Blissfully unaware that she just made a sexual advance towards the monster. Probably made a offer for a threesome as well if the other one wiggling in rhythm with them was anything to go by.
Feeling like she could stop now. Tomoko ceased her wiggling with both moldsmals fallowing behind. The 2 slime monsters started to approach each other. Wiggling and blubbing affectionately for a while. Before expelling 1 gold coin each from deep within their bodies on the floor. recognizing what this means, Tomoko waited expectedly for the coming message.
[YOU WON! You earned 0 EXP and 2 gold.]
'Yes! Finally it's over.' She thought as the message appeared in her head. She walked over to the money the 2 moldsmals left. The battle box disappearing and her soul returning to her chest as she approached her prize.
The aforementioned monsters meanwhile continued going in the direction they where originally going in before the fight. After pocketing her cash, she proceeded to collapse flat on the floor. Determined to finally get some rest before continuing.
Let it be forever known that Tomoko had her ass handed to her by a froggit. God help her when she gets to omega Flowey... On another note, my new years resolution will be to be more punctuate with my updating schedule. Among other things... I would love to say that means you can expect the next update soon but... We all know how most people are with their new years resolutions... I can say you can expect Napstablook next chapter. At least.
