Chapter 6: Future of New Home
A couple of days pass before Tony insists on moving out. He's determined to find a way out of this place. Still another part of him is curious by the layout. Green vines and yellow flowers grow in this place and once he walks outside he's sees it's snowing.
It's a rather small town. He passes by monsters that look like animals on the surface. There's one that looks like a bunny rabbit and another that looks like a bear.
He continues to walk before he spots a cave. Inside the cave Tony hears the sound of water running.
As he gets deeper in the cave he sees a river flowing from a waterfall. It's a stream of water narrow enough to jump across. Tony was just about to jump when he caught sight of something white materializing on the other side of the river.
Tony calls out to the creature.
"Hello?"
"hi."
"Do you know how to navigate this area?"
"i could show you if you like."
"Really? Thanks."
Tony jumped across the river.
"What's your name anyway?"
Upon closer inspection Tony saw it was a creature that looked like those ghosts he used to see in some old cartoons. The creature's eyes widened at his question.
"oh you want to know my name? it's napstablook."
The ghostlike creature hovers away and Tony continues to walk in the same direction.
"are you following me?"
"No. Do you know the way out of here?"
"the exit is blocked by a barrier. you can only access it if you pass the king's palace. i wouldn't suggest it though, i heard he hasn't been too happy since a human killed his son."
"So it's true then. Everyone who does climb the mountain never returns."
Tony stops. The ghost turns around. It sees Tony staring at the ground, his face very pale.
"are you coming? i know we're not heading in the same direction but you don't look so good."
Tony tries to smile, his lips are strained from trying to force it. He tries to think positive. Maybe he won't die.
"I'll be fine."
"you can stay at my house if you don't have anywhere to stay."
Tony follows the ghost to his place. There's two houses slanted towards each other. One of them was colored pink while the other one which Tony had assumed was Napstablook's home was blue.
The boy steps inside looking around. It's rather worn down with cracks in the walls and wooden floors some in harsh disrepair. There is a fridge on the far left corner of the wall. Next to that is a large television on the ground and a computer desk housing an old computer with a mouse and keyboard.
On the other side of the room near the door were a lot of records and on the right corner near the door was a large spiderweb. Tony could see a tiny spider sitting there almost as if it were watching them.
"So who lives in the house on the right?"
"oh, that house belongs to my cousin, mettablook. she usually talks with our cousin about now. it should be fine though she loves humans though she might be a little too loud for you if you're used to the quiet."
"Where do you sleep?" Tony asked.
"ghosts don't sleep. do you need to sleep?"
"Yeah. I heard we can die without sleep."
"what do you need, to sleep i mean?"
"Well there's no bed so I guess some blankets and a pillow will be fine."
"i think i'll ask my cousin about it when she gets back."
It's while they are talking that Tony begins to hear a loud knock on the door.
"come in," Napstablook said.
A ghost looking a lot like Napstablook comes in. Tony notices the ghost is smiling but tears are coming out of it's eyes.
"how's toughblook?"
"It's terrible. He's not looking too good. I wish I could help him," She moaned. "The torments of having no hands."
Tony has never seen something more over dramatic in his entire life.
As if reading his mind, the ghost's eyes seem to catch sight of him.
"Who's this? Is this a human?"
"yes."
"Pleasure to meet you. I'd shake your hands but I have no hands."
"mettablook, do you happen to have any spare blankets or pillow that it can borrow?"
"Oh they need it to sleep. I've heard sleeping is one of the humans favorite pastimes."
Before Tony could correct her she had left.
Only minutes later she had returned with a pile of blankets and a pillow. Tony set the blankets flat on the floor and put a pillow on one end.
"I've heard that the human world has it's share of celebrities. How do humans get famous on the surface?"
Tony had no idea. He personally never had any interest in celebrities. Still he didn't exactly want to discourage her.
"I imagine it takes a bit of talent. I think it's important that they also have a large fan base."
Mettablook frowned and turned sobbing on her cousin's shoulder.
"Waaaaah, it's hopeless. I'll never be as famous."
"cheer up, mettablook. you'll be famous one day."
She looked up at her cousin with tears at the corner of her eyes.
"You really think so?"
"yeah."
"Thank you, Blooky. It makes me happy to hear you say that."
She fluttered away before Napstablook could say anything else.
"well," he said. "good night. I hope you sleep well. i'll be floating in the corner if you need anything."
He floated to the upper right corner of the room working on some music.
Once Tony was asleep, Napstablook hear a soft whisper coming from the web in the right corner of the room.
"Hey."
Napstablook floated towards the web. A tiny black spider stood in the middle of the web.
"yes?"
"That's a human isn't it?" The spider asked in curiosity.
"i think so though i've never seen a human before."
"I've heard humans can be very dangerous. They sealed us in the ruins and that's the reason why monsters are still trapped here."
"i don't know they seemed alright with me."
"Are you sure? You don't need to defend them, you know."
"i'll be ok. they're just staying here for a little while, then they are heading home."
The spider was hesitant before it eventually crawled down the web and into a hole in the wall.
There were many spiders within the walls of Napstablook's house. A good majority of the spiders were relatives of this particular spider.
The spider had expressed it's worry, telling it's family members of Napstablook's human guest.
Rumours spread around fairly quickly until a spider had made it's way into Asgore's castle crawling through a garden of golden flowers.
"Excuse me."
Asgore who had been sitting at his throne enjoying a cup of tea and a slice of butterscotch cinnamon pie looking up at the sound of a voice. He didn't see anyone.
"Is it just me or is my mind playing tricks on me?"
"Hey down here."
Still all Asgore could see was the flowers.
"King Fluffybuns!"
"Oh and you are?"
"I'm just a spider, King Asgore sir."
Asgore seemed to be thinking about something before he cringed.
"Mr...or should I say Ms-?"
The spider felt sorry for the king who seemed to be torn between referring to it as a female or a male.
"Maybe just spider will do."
He coughed.
"Spider," He said. "How can I help you?"
"I was a little concerned when there were rumors going around that there was a human in the underground and I thought you might have wanted to know. We're concerned that the human might be dangerous."
"I see," He said. "It's alright, I'll help in anyway I can."
Just as the spider was beginning to leave Toriel came inside. She seemed puzzled when she saw no one was there.
"Who're you talking to, dear?"
"It was just a spider," He said, brushing it off. "Have you heard from Sans lately?"
"No, I-"
"I'd like to talk to Doctor Aster when he has the time so please tell me when Sans stops by."
Toriel's face heated up.
'Not even a thank you for making his pie what an insufferable man.'
All day he would sit in his room reading and it was rare when she ever did talk with her husband. She wondered what was ailing him.
Sans came later in the evening when Toriel had taken a walk outside Waterfall.
"Hey Tori."
"Hey Sans."
"I don't see Asgore with you today," He said walking beside Toriel along the shore.
"He's been very busy lately. We don't talk much. He was saying something about talking with your father."
"I see and I'm guessing from that eager expression on your face that you want me to give my father the news?"
Toriel smiled.
"If you would."
Sans chuckled before staring out at the waterfall.
"You know my father has been awfully busy lately. Ever since Asgore has found out about that human's ability to travel through time," Sans said. "He's been working on a machine to replicate the effects."
"You mean it's a machine that can travel to the past?"
Sans turned. He was taken aback by the look of sheer awe on her face.
"Or the future. At least that's what my father says."
"In any case you seem very interested in it."
"Do I? I merely wonder if the future is set in stone. Call it curiosity."
As they were gazing at the waterfall together, Sans heard some monsters walking up from behind them.
"Look mom."
"Ah, what a cute couple."
Sans felt funny. They weren't really a couple were they? What would happen if word came around that the two were on a date? Monsters of opposite genders never walked beside each other like this unless it was a date.
He pulled at his shirt and glanced at the watch on his hand. It was a watch that his father had made for him a couple of weeks ago.
"My, Sans you're looking awfully blue."
He chuckled.
"Oh look at that time. I should be going."
Toriel frowned.
"Bye Sans."
It had been days before Dr Aster had managed to pry himself from work to visit the castle. He knocked intently on the front door. Much to his surprise, Toriel was the one to answer the door.
"Hey Aster."
"Oh Toriel," he said. "Is Asgore here? I heard he wanted to talk to me."
She frowned, avoiding his hallow eyes.
"He's a little sick."
"Nonsense, I'm sure he's just pulling your horns," he chuckled. "Get it, because you're a goat."
Her expression didn't change.
"Heh, I guess it wasn't that funny huh? I guess I'm just out of practice."
She smiled.
"Come in, I'm sure he wouldn't mind the company."
Aster followed Toriel inside the castle and headed into Asgore's room.
Asgore was laying on his bed with a wet towel over his forehead and a thermometer sticking out of his mouth.
He groaned once he caught sight of Toriel and spit the thermometer out.
Toriel sighed.
"Come on, honey. You want to get better, don't you?"
"I'm fine, Tori."
"No. You're not," she said sternly.
"Will you leave me alone, if I stay in bed?" He asked. "Aster will keep me out trouble."
She sighed.
"Oh, alright."
Her shoulders slumped as she left the room.
He glanced at the door then at Aster.
"Is she gone?"
His eyes were wide and he was frowning.
Aster would have thought that the king had missed Toriel's presence if not for the last words.
He headed for the door and peered out.
"She's gone, Gorey."
The king let out a sigh of relief.
"'Bout time."
"So Gorey, what did you want to speak to me about?"
"Things haven't been going so good. There's rumours that a human has been spotted in the underground."
Aster's black eyesockets widened.
"Really?"
He frowned.
"I don't know what to do. I've told everyone I'd do my best to prevent this kind of thing from happening again but if I let a human live-"
"You think you've got problems. I can't find any information on human souls and nothing about their time travel ability."
"Well feel free to use the library in the castle if you need it."
"Then I'll use it as soon as I'm free. Still we'll have to prepare for the worst case scenario if my research comes to a dead end."
Tears were on the corner of the king's eyes, looking very glassy as if he were about to burst into a sobbing fit.
"What do you think I should do?" The king asked.
Aster glanced at the king for a moment before he turned away.
"What are you, 5? You know it's hard to think when you're making that face."
"Please. You always have good advice," Asgore pleaded.
"Well if that human is capable of being dangerous as you say they could be after you next. You know they need a boss monster's soul to go to the surface."
"How do you think I should address this problem?"
"I think we should have a meeting to discuss the future of New Home. We could use the citizen's imput."
"Really? I've never heard of a king asking it's citizens for advice."
"Do you think you have any other options?"
Asgore shrugged.
"It's worth a shot."
After he left, Dr Aster headed towards the King's library. For the entirety of the day he began rummaging through books
It was hopeless there was nothing on human souls.
With a sigh, Aster called it a day and was about to head home when he caught sight of a single yellow flower in the throne room.
Aster glanced around, finally finding a shovel and a pot.
He dug up the flower and put it in a vase before heading back.
Upon passing Asriel's old room, Aster was struck with an idea.
Maybe Chara had brought some books over from the surface about the humans. It was a long shot but Aster could use anything at this point.
He looked through Chara's toy chest. On the bottom was an array of video tapes.
It was a start.
Within weeks, Asgore had handed out papers announcing the first meeting.
On the day of the meeting many monsters had gathered in the castle sitting at a large table.
"You're all gathered here today to discuss the future of New Home. There's rumours that a human has arrived in the underground."
There was a loud commotion.
"Quiet."
"I haven't acquired any information on the human and have no idea whether or not they are dangerous. My royal scientist thinks we can't afford to take any chances but I want to know your input."
"With a human soul the king could break the barrier."
"Well," Asgore said. "That's not quite true. Only seven humans souls could permanently remove the barrier."
"Kill the humans."
"They kept us down here for too long."
"What if they try to kill our king?"
"We need a royal guard.
"Maybe monsters who are assigned to guard the king."
"Gerson could be the captain."
"That ol' fart?"
"Well, he was the hammer of justice."
"Thank you," Asgore said. "I'll keep your suggestions in mind."
Days after the meeting, Asgore dropped by Gerson's home in Waterfall and knocked on his door.
"Who's there?"
"Gerson, it's me. King Asgore."
The door opened.
"It's been a long time. Finally came by to see me, have you?"
Asgore's eyes and head were kneeling towards the ground.
Gerson chuckled.
"Relax, it's been a while but I forgave you. We may not always see eye to eye but you have your viewpoint and I have mine. Is there something you need?"
"I'm thinking of having a royal guard but there's not many monsters I could say who served in the first war."
"You want me to join the royal guard is that it?"
"Would you?" Asgore asked.
"I don't know. How much is the pay? I have to keep this place up and running y'know?"
"50 g."
"Higher, I have kids to feed you know."
Asgore's face flushed.
"How about 250 g?"
Gerson's eyes widened.
"Really? What a handsome price. I could feed my kids and open a store."
Asgore smiled.
"I'm counting on you, Gerson."
While Gerson was training in the underground however a human on the surface was training in the gym.
For nearly 50 years, Frank N. Stein hosted a monthly monster tournament testing the strength of humans and monsters from all over the world. Terri's father was a long running champion of the tournament and had been training his daughter to pursue this same goal.
It was one day after her father had come home from work with dark circles under his eyes and the way he recklessly glanced around the room that set off the red flag.
"Dad, what's wrong?"
"We have to leave now."
"But dad, why?" she asked.
"Come on, before they get here."
"Before who gets here?"
Terri ran to catch up with her dad who had started walking to the car.
Suddenly hands grabbed her from behind.
"Dad," she sputtered.
He turned and saw his little girl in the hands of two men.
"What do you want from me?"
"Come with us if you want your daughter to live."
He sighed and followed the two shady men into their black limosine.
When Terri had awoke they were on board a ship.
"What?"
She glanced around and saw her dad sitting on the bed across from her. His eye was bruised and his lower lip was bleeding.
"Dad! What happened?"
He sighed.
"I got into some trouble."
Terri tried to move her arms but they were bound with rope.
"Ya think?"
"Yeah, we're probably gonna die."
"Don't say that. I don't wanna die."
"Listen if you somehow make it alive after all this, I want you to flee to the mountains. Those men won't find you there."
"What about you?"
"I don't think I'll survive," he said with a chuckle.
Suddenly the door opened and two men grabbed her and her father dragging them out to the front of the boat.
Terri could see the vast ocean in front of them.
One of the men snorted.
"Did you really think we'd let you leave knowing that piece of information? You really are an idiot."
"We can't have you leaking any information about our boss."
"I wasn't-"
"I believe you but you could never be too sure. You understand right? It's a matter of trust."
Suddenly Terri heard a loud bang.
Terri gasped. She shivered horrified.
"What do we do with the girl?"
"Throw her in the ocean. If we're lucky she'll drown or get eaten by sharks."
"What? No."
Suddenly Terri felt the water draw near. Then it was dark and cold. She had never been taught how to swim because of her deadly fear of water. She only could do what she seen the dogs do, dogpeddling but she'd never been good at it.
Her nose hurt. Almost on instinct, Terri flailed her arms trying to go to the surface. There was light shining on the surface of her eyelids.
Gasping, her throat sore Terri got to the surface before sinking once more. She spotted an island in the distance. It looked very far for a mediocre swimmer like her. She worried that her arms would give out before she made it.
"Are you alright, dear?"
A grey dolphin suddenly emerged from under her.
"What? You can talk?"
"Of course I can talk. I'm a monster silly."
"You look like a dolphin to me."
"Well I am. A dolphin monster I mean. You want me to take you to that island over there?"
"Yeah."
Slowly the dolphin took them to the island. Once they were there, Terri crawled off.
She waved at them.
"Thank you."
"If you have anything you want just call."
The dolphin gave her their name.
"I'll be there if you need anything."
"Ok, I will," Terri said.
In the distance she saw a large mountain and ran to the top remembering her father's last words. She didn't know how she had dropped in the ruins but her body was pretty versatile so it made little difference.
The cave was huge and vast.
'Looks like I'm not gonna be leaving anytime soon."
In the distance, she could see a creature that looked almost like a large fly.
"Are you lost?" it asked. "It's a little dangerous to wander down here all by yourself now that the king has assigned guards to protect the kingdom."
"Who're you?"
"I'm Whimsmur. You're not from around here are you?" it asked. "I'd be careful if you are thinking of leaving this place."
Froggit hopped in.
"Heya Whimsmur."
It sobbed before running away.
"Come back."
It stopped and turned towards Terri seeming to realise for the first time that she was there.
"Hi. Do you know what's going on down here?"
"Tsk, tsk. It's been a long time since we seen anyone as weird looking as you."
"How do I get out of here?"
"The exit of the ruins is that way," Froggit said pointing to the north.
Terri sighed.
"Are there really guards outside guarding this place."
"Yes, there are two monsters."
"How long have those two been the guards?"
"It's been three years. The two were training under Gerson. I heard they accepted the job because they needed the money to support their daughter, Undyne."
"Why are they guarding the place?"
"I heard it's because the king wants to take a human soul to break the barrier that seals us monsters inside."
"I see. Well thanks for the help."
'Hopefully I'll survive,' She thought.
It had been a long treacherous journey out of the cave. The outside wasn't any better. There was one long path surrounded by trees with long black trunks.
He had only taken a couple of steps before encountering two fish like creatures.
One of them had dark blue skin while the others was a deep red.
"My my, it's a human."
"Do you think if we capture it we'll get a raise?"
The fish creature with the deep red skin conjured a blue spear throwing it at the human.
Terri moved away from the spears as they were hurled at her one by one.
It was just like she was on the boat and she was about to be thrown to her death.
"No!" she screamed. "I won't die like this."
Her fist glistened with orange magic.
She would no longer retreat for his father's sake.
With determination, Terri ran to them and punched the red one in the gut until it turned to dust.
For a moment the other monster simply gazed at the dust at it's feet before it barred it's teeth.
"You killed her. You flippin killed her," the fish snapped in rage.
It lunged with spears hitting in all directions.
Terri let out a battle cry as her fist met it's stomach. She didn't stop. She was so upset, so confused.
She sobbed, never noticing that the monster turned to dust.