Chapter 10: Infection
Days before there was news of another human dropping in the underground, Undyne was outside on the look out for Asgore.
Over the years she realises she has grown stronger and she wonders if she'll beat Asgore today. He still evades her attacks with ease even now.
It's while she's outside that her phone rings.
"WHO IS IT?" She snaps. "That better not be you, Asgore. I have a beef with you mister. You've missed my training for 3 days straight."
"Sorry Undyne. It wasn't on purpose believe me. I was trying to cook a surprise for you."
Undyne felt her cheeks heat up.
"You don't need to do that."
"That's alright because I want to. It'll probably take me a while. Why don't you drop by the castle for our training today?"
Undyne's eyes widen. She's surprised. Usually he prefers to walk to her house. He always said she made the best hot chocolate. The marshmellows always got stuck in his beard though. Yesterday was the first time she fixed him tea instead. She wonders if tea will go with whatever he is making.
"Ok."
She brings the container full of tea packs with her and heads to Hotland. She's breaking a sweat by the time she arrives outside the castle gates.
"Where are you, Asgore?" She asked.
"In the kitchen," He said.
When she steps into the kitchen, she sees he's wearing an apron over his clothes and a pair of oven mitts.
Undyne's lips twitch and she tries hard not to smile.
"Before you say anything don't laugh. This is very embarrassing enough."
There's some smoke coming from inside the oven.
"Are you going to check that?"
A red flush graces Asgore's cheeks.
"Oh no that smell."
He opens the stove and pulls out something very burnt. It's a pie pan. Undyne can't tell what he was intending on cooking in it though.
Most of it looks too black to distinguish any of the ingredients.
Undyne snickered.
"Is that the surprise you were planning on cooking for me?"
Asgore's shoulders slumped.
"I know it's bad. I can't even remember the recipe and you think living with her for so long that I would."
Undyne gave him a large pat on the back. He must have been remembering a past lover.
"Oh cheer up. You tried your best right? That's all that matters."
"Did you know about my son? He used to really enjoy the pie my wife made. He died when the humans killed him, I remember feeling very angry that day. I thought that if I got revenge I'd be happy but even after everything, I feel so empty. The only thing I have worth fighting for is the happiness of my people. I must really suck huh?"
"Not at all. You're doing what you think is right."
"You really think so?"
"I know so. I can feel it in my gills."
"Haha, so shall we get started on your training?"
"I brought some tea. You know in case we get thirsty."
"Well, you can set that on the counter."
Undyne set the container of tea on the counter before they headed back to the throne room.
"Are you ready?"
Undyne conjures a blue spear with her magic.
"HELL YES. ENGARDE."
She lunges towards him with a spear. Her attack are heedlessly persistent but the king quickly dodges.
It's obvious with time that Asgore is becoming more and more exhausted. Undyne is also tremendously tired if any of the sweat on her face is any indication but she wants to beat him just once.
Finally she manages to stab him in the right side of his chest. Undyne's eyes widen in horror.
Asgore chuckles.
"Relax it's alright. It's but a flesh wound."
"I stabbed you in the chest."
"I know. It doesn't hurt though. It takes a lot more than that to kill me."
Undyne glares at him.
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you trying to say it's impossible for you to be defeated by other monsters?"
"I'm not saying that at all. For something like that to kill me you would have had to desire to kill me. Anyone can possess an intent to kill. I'm not immortal," Asgore said. "You couldn't kill me though because you don't have the intent to do so but you do have an intent to kill."
"So you're saying my spear didn't kill you because I didn't want to kill you?"
Asgore nods.
"Though even if a monster had the intent to kill another monster or a human. The level of violence needed to kill a monster isn't easy to retrieve. Not even humans have that power though with persistence humans are capable of killing monsters. This is the most important thing to remember."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Would you like to be a part of the royal guard?"
"Really? You said I have the intent to kill what if one day I get too carried away?"
"Then I'll deal with it when the time comes."
"Even if I kill you."
"Especially when you kill me. There is always going to be someone stronger than you even if I die karma always has a way of returning the favor."
Undyne frowned.
"I don't want to turn into that kind of monster but if I do would you promise to kill me if I go that far."
"If I did that than I would be the monster wouldn't I? I am a monster of many sins. You shouldn't have to bear my sins."
"Then why did you let me join? One of the duties of the royal guard is defending the kingdom even if they are lives lost."
"I didn't let you join to kill people. I let you join because you had mercy. To have mercy is to have compassion. We don't kill because we want to. It's for the good of all monsters."
News comes around that the human is living with Periwinkle and her sister in Snowdin. She searches their home by the king's orders but the human is nowhere to be found.
With determination she tracks the human at the dock by the edge of the waterfall. She steps closer and he backs away.
"Please don't hurt me," he said backing away slowly.
All Undyne can think about is the sheer laughter of that human covered in dust. She feels angry, she wants this human to feel the sense of sheer hopelessness she felt when she heard her parents died.
"Why should I give you mercy when you didn't spare them?"
She throws a blue spear straight at the human piercing them in the chest and the human falls down the waterfall.
Around the second week of December, Periwinkle had recieved a letter from her son. The wolf north of town was responsible for delivering letters to nearly every part of the underground so they knew everyone relatively well.
"Hello," she said in greeting.
The wolf had handed her the letter.
"It's been a couple months since your son left town to become a sentry working for Undyne. I remember him since he was a wee lad. Always had a strong sense of justice, he was kind too though sometimes he was TOO kind. He can be a tad gullible and he's a bit of a pushover. I'm sorry it's a little late."
She glanced at the letter.
"Dear Mom,
We found a human today. It was oozing this red stuff. Undyne told us she had been killed before we showed up. It looks so small though and it can't be older than a child. I know we need seven human souls to destroy the barrier but do we really have to kill them? I just don't know anymore.
Sincerely Bartholomew."
Days passed before Peri had sent him her letter. In the barracks outside the castle, Bartholomew had received another letter from his mother. Reading it, he felt tears coming down his cheeks. He was feeling awful. It always felt like he was surrounded by heartless monsters.
When he had applied to the job, there had been posters about how they'd be protecting and serving their king and that joining the royal guard was a good way to serve the underground. That anyone would be proud to serve the king. Training had gone on for weeks with Gerson. During that time he also made fragile friends with some of his colleagues. Most of his companions were dogs and he shared a room with two of them: Dogfucius, who's wife Dogustine roomed with the other woman and Doggostein.
He first saw them in the grand hall of the castle eating at a long dinner table. The king had never showed up though. With time he'd discover the king never did.
"So what's a little wimp like you thinking joining the royal guard?" Dogustine asked.
Bartholomew ignored her.
"Are you ignoring her? You don't knew who you're messing with pal," Dogfucius growled.
"Ah how cute. He's shaking in his boots."
Dogfucius smiled.
"You best not get on our bad side, kid."
He got up but not before knocking his plate to the ground. Dogfucius chuckled and his wife joined him. This had been routine. Either Dogustine would trip him during training on the obstacle course or Dogfucius would knock his food over. When he had seen that human though he was overcome with nausea. What if that was his brother turning to dust?
"Hey Barty, are you alright?"
"I think he's going to vomit."
Barty hurled on the ground.
"Ew that's sick."
"What's got you so out of sorts?" Dogustine asked.
"The human," Bartholomew rasped. "Did it suffer? Was it in pain when it died?"
"It's just a human," Dogfucius said.
"What if it was a monster?" He snapped and suddenly there was quiet.
"You can't think of it like that. This is for the benefit of everyone." Dogustine said.
Months pass and the snow falls. It's been tradition during this time of the year for Santa to deliver presents to everyone in the underground though it was around this time that monsters often became very sick.
It was about a week before Christmas that Barty had been giving vacation week to speak time with his family. He had headed back through Hotland catching glance of the monsters gathered on the street corner without homes.
Just as he was heading to Waterfall, something knocked him out cold. The next time he awoke, he glanced around. He was suspended on the ceiling by some rope. A bull monster glanced up at him with a look of lust on his face.
"You'll provide some tasty meat won't you? You know food is hard to come by these days. It can be pretty costly for monsters who live in the capital."
"I have money. I can pay you anything just don't kill me," Barty pleaded.
"How do I know you're telling me the truth?"
"Dude, my family will know I've disappeared if you kill me. So I suggest you release me."
"Then you'll just run off."
"Look my mother makes the best cinnamon buns. If you're starving that much just stop by our place."
The bull monster cried.
"We've had to live on the street for so long. Y'know this building has been abandoned for quite some time but it's no picnic. I don't even think it has running water or working light fixtures."
"Look if you needed help why didn't you just ask?" Barty asked.
"Life at the capital isn't so friendly. Monsters are more concerned about fortune and glamour. It corrupts the mind."
Suddenly the bull monster keeled forward.
A tall green dragon monster hovered over his unconscious body.
"Er dude, you didn't kill him did you?"
"No, do you want me to?"
Barty's face turned hot.
"Of course not," he snapped. "Who are you anyway?"
"Me, you can call me Errol."
"How did y'know I was here? I was certain no one was even paying attention."
Errol pulled him down from where he was suspended and untied the ropes.
"This kind of thing happens everyday," he said. "Hundred of monsters are killed for food. It's even more dangerous in the capital. I can stop them sometimes but sometimes I get there too late."
"Wow, dude you know you're pretty cool. I bet you're very strong too," he said patting Errol on the shoulder.
"I'm nothing special."
"Dude, we could really do something. You can do something. We could save everyone so monsters don't have to kill each other just to survive. You should join the royal guard."
"Do you really think we could do it? Save everyone?"
"Yeah."
"What do you want me to do with this guy?" Errol asked, grabbing the bull monster by his shirt.
"Take him to my house."
"He might have family."
"Dad," a voice came from upstairs.
"Was I locked in the basement?" Barty asked incredulously.
Just then a brown cowlike monster came downstairs. She shrieked at the sight of the two monsters, one of them holding the body of her dad.
"What's going on? What is that kettle boiling? What are you two doing in our home?" she asked.
"Your dad took this monster hostage," Errol said. "He was intending to cook him into a rabbit stew."
The cowlike monster snorted.
"Unbelievable to think my father would stoop that low. If we were that desperate for food I would have got a job at the theatre. They were hiring new janitors."
"Nonsense you don't haven't to go that far," Barty said. "You're still going to school right? That sailor suit is the school uniform. You should enjoy your life while you still can. You can come stay at my house. My mom happens to make the best cinnamon bunnies so you won't go hungry."
"What's your name?" Errol asked.
"Cal."
When Barty finally arrived at his home, he knocked on the door. Periwinkle immediately came to the door. She glanced at Barty, the little cow girl with him then she glanced at Errol who had a cow monster in his hands.
"Who are you? Did you kill that monster and decide to threaten me by kidnapping my son? How dare you!"
"Mom, it's not like that."
"Then what is going on?"
"My father was trying to kill your son because we were starving but your son says you make good cinnabunnies."
Peri blushed.
"Oh he did, did he?"
She glanced at Barty with suspicious eyes.
He blushed under her scrutiny.
"Who's the handsome gentlemen with you?" she asked.
"Name's Errol.
Peri smiled.
"My, my I had no idea you swung that way, Barty."
Barty felt his cheeks heat up.
"It's not like that. He was just there at the right place at the right time. Honestly you're so embarrassing."
It took two days before Cal's father had finally recovered. Peri had dropped by the room with a plate of bisicles which looked like flaky croissants when he jolted up glaring at her.
"Where am I and who are you?"
"You're at my house. My son took you here and my name is Peri."
The bull snorted.
"Is this some kind of trap to lure me into a false sense of security. You have to know that I tried to kill your son."
Peri chuckled.
"Yes and because of that you missed out on a free lunch so if you're hungry then eat. I made bisicles because they're portable and you can eat them for lunch and dinner."
"Dad, I see you're finally awake."
Cal's father looked up and saw his daughter standing in the doorway. There were tears coming down the corner of his eyes.
"Hey Cal."
"Why did you never say anything about running out of food? You're supposed to confide in me," she snapped.
"Sorry."
"We could have worked it out. I could have got a job but you..."
She picked him up and tossed him on the floor.
"I draw the line at killing another monster."
"I was only worried about you. You don't know what kind of monsters are out there. What if some monster tried to flirt with you?"
Cal sighed.
"I'm a big girl," she mumbled, her cheeks flush with embarrassment. "You don't need to baby me."
Sans was never what one would call social preferring the friends he had over making new ones. It was easier to lock himself in the lab, working with his father on his wacky experiments.
On Christmas Eve, Papyrus knocked on the door to the lab.
Aster looked up from his paperwork glancing at Sans who simply shrugged. Sans frowned as he glanced at the paperwork on his desk.
"You look frustrated. You should take a break, you've been at that for hours," Aster said.
"You do the same thing."
Aster grinned.
"I always do that no matter what the circumstance. You have a whole life ahead of you."
Papyrus knocked on the door again.
"Is that you, Papyrus?" Aster asked.
"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING? MOM WANTS YOU TO COME TO DINNER."
"Tell Arial, I'll be out soon."
"I'm staying, too."
"You can't avoid your brother forever," Aster said. "You've been holed up with me all year. You never spend time with your brother. You only have one brother. You should make the most of it."
Sans sighed and headed out.
"If you say so."
It really was irritating knowing that he had to set time for him though. He could be getting things done instead of being cooped down here with the other monsters.
He headed to the kitchen. Papyrus was already sitting down next to Arial.
"Dad said he'd be upstairs in a minute," Sans said.
Arial smiled.
"That's good. It's not often we just sit together as family."
"WE USED TO DO IT EVERY CHRISTMAS," Papyrus said.
"Really?" Sans asked. "I don't remember."
"YOU ALWAYS TOLD ME TO BE A GOOD LITTLE BRO OR I'D BE ON SANTA'S NAUGHTY LIST."
Now that he mentioned it Sans could remember. Papyrus had been bullied by some of his classmates: Loox and Astigmatism because of this he had often been really upset.
Most of the citizens of Snowdin had talked of bringing gifts to the Gyftrot that had come from the cave outside town. Sans having heard the news had told his mother about it.
"Y'know it might be a good idea to start a tradition like that. We could give gifts to each other during this time every year."
"We do that every day though."
Being the royal scientist was a high paying job, they could afford a mansion if they wanted to.
"It might be fun if the monster who gave the gifts had an air of mystery. Maybe red, that's a colour often shrouded in mystery," Arial said. "It would also have to be someone that we'd least expect."
"Well the king often breaks molds. He's the only one who'd take a walk around town without the fear of being turned to dust."
"He's a very nice monster. I don't see why not."
Sans had gone to King Asgore that evening. He hovered by the door of the throne room.
"Come in, Sans."
Sans stepped into the throne room bowing at the king's feet.
"Your majesty."
"You don't need to be so polite just call me Asgore."
"It's easier to keep with the formalities. I wanted to ask you for a favor. You see my brother hasn't been doing well in school. The other monsters are picking on him and my mom thinks it's a good idea if someone gave gifts to the other monsters out there. She thinks it might cheer everyone up."
Asgore stroked his chest with his hands.
"That's not a bad idea."
"I didn't want to rude. Are you sure it's alright your majesty?"
"I want to serve the underground anyway I can. If I can give them just the tiniest piece of hope it'll be worth it."
The first time they had done this, Asgore had knocked on their front door.
"WHO ARE YOU?" Papyrus asked.
"I-I erm-"
"Who's at the door, Papyrus?" Sans asked.
"Er, it's San-Santa."
Asgore's face turned a crimson red.
Papryus turned to Sans.
"HE SAYS HIS NAME IS SANTA."
Sans walked to the door beside his brother and snickered at the sight of the king dressed in red garments.
"Hi...Santa."
"Papyrus, have you been a good monster this year?"
"OF COURSE I'VE BEEN A GOOD MONSTER. I'M THE BEST BROTHER ANYONE COULD WANT JUST ASK SANS."
"Yep, my bros been a pretty good boy all year."
Asgore gave Papyrus a book. It had been one of his favorite books, 'Pickaboo with Fluffy Bunny.' Papyrus still had the book on a shelf in his room. Sans had still went in his room occasionally.
"HEY SANS," Papyrus cut through his thoughts. "I HELPED MOM BAKE THE QUICHE WHAT DO YOU THINK?"
His plate had already been prepared at the table so Sans took a bite off the plate.
"It's pretty good."
"Y'know you should thank him. It was awfully nice of him to prepare a plate for you," Arial said.
"Thanks Papyrus."
His younger brother beamed.
"SO WHAT DO YOU THINK SANTA WILL GIVE ME THIS YEAR?"
"I don't know."
"I HOPE HE CAN GIVE ME A CAR. I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DRIVE ONE OF THOSE."
"Really?"
"YEAH, SO I CAN FEEL THE WIND IN MY HAIR."
Sans chuckled.
"You have hair?"
"Yes, tell him mom."
Arial's black eyes gazed at him with the intensity of sharp daggers. It's message was clear, 'Don't pick on your brother.'
"Yes he does."
So while Sans had been aiming to shatter his delusions doing so would be equivalent to picking on his brother.
"So how's school? The monsters aren't picking on you again are they?" Arial asked.
"THEY MOSTLY AVOID ME THOUGH BARBY TALKED TO ME YESTERDAY BUT THAT WAS ONLY TO TELL ME HER FATHER WAS ILL. SANS IS ONE OF THEIR FREQUENT CUSTOMERS."
"Really? Maybe he'd feel better if I made him a bowl of soup. Sans you think you could deliver it to him?" Arial asked.
"Sure."
"I'll have to get some groceries. We are out of carrots."
While Arial had been out shopping, Sans had gone to bed. It had been a long day.
The next day, Sans got up and headed in the living room where Papyrus was waiting with a long flat rectangular object wrapped in green paper and red ribbon.
"I KNOW YOU PROBABLY DON'T RECEIVE GIFTS TOO OFTEN BUT I WANTED TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING THIS YEAR."
Papyrus handed Sans his gift. He carefully unwrapped the present.
"What is it?"
"I KNOW HOW YOU LOVE THEORIES OF TIME TRAVEL AND QUANTUM THEORY SO I GOT YOU A BOOK ON QUANTUM PHYSICS."
Sans glanced at Papyrus with dilated pupils.
"You got this for me? Thank you, Papyrus."
He wrapped his arms around his younger brother in a tight embrace.
At around the same time, Periwinkle's family was gathered in the living room. Barty was struck with curiosity once he realised that someone was missing.
"So where's Ferdinand?"
"He should be coming home any minute now," Peri said.
Just then there was a curt knock on the door.
"Mom, you there?"
"Come in, we're in the living room dear."
Barty caught sight of his brother, a tall blue bunny.
"Hey BB, long time no see man."
"Don't call me that. I have a name. Bartholomew. Say it."
"This your family?" asked a gruff voice coming from the orange cat monster next to him. "They're kind of lame dude."
Barty glared at the cat.
"And you are?"
The cat blushed.
"It's B-"
The cat covered Ferdinand's mouth.
"B," the cat said.
"B, huh? What's it short for? Bad smelling feet or Bad body odour. I hate the smell of cats," Barty said.
"Chill out you two. Why can't we all be friends?" Ferdinand asked.
"That's what evil masterminds say before they try to take over the world," said a voice from behind B. Barty saw it was a cat monster around the same height as B.
"You are?"
"Whiskers. I'm B's little sister. I heard you're a member of the royal guard."
"Yeah."
"That's impressive."
After the holiday, Barty and Errol headed back to the king's castle. Undyne came in around breakfast time.
"Sentry is that a new recruit?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Then I'm leaving it up to you to teach him the ropes."
Weeks passed and it was with growing ire that Barty picked up on the numerous amount of attention that his protege had been experiencing from the female recruits.
Two other recruits had joined a couple of days ago, Flicka and Whiskers. Flicka was a grasshopper monster and Whiskers happened to be his brother's best friend's sister. In result, the two had got reacquainted two days ago.
"Barty I didn't expect to see you again."
"I had no idea you liked to fight."
"I don't. My friend, Flicka does. I just wanted to support her anyway I can."
During the day's training however Undyne had assigned the sentries to practice fighting with their partners and Barty was paired with Errol. Everytime Barty tried to knock him off his feet, Errol swiftly sidestepped it. The worst thing about it was he never would attack even though he had lots of opportunities to do so.
"You over there. You are supposed to be attacking. You're not even trying to hurt him," Undyne said.
Errol snorted.
"If I did, he'd be dead."
Barty paled in shock.
"What...what are you talking about dude?"
Before Errol could say another word, Barty heard these girls squealing.
"That was so awesome."
"You couldn't really kick his a-s could you?"
Barty scoffed and walked away.
At lunch time, Whiskers sat next to him.
"Hey is it true that you were partnered up with that dragon? I didn't know you two were so close. Is he single?" Whiskers asked.
Barty sulked.
"I don't know."
"Ok, ok no need to be so grouchy. You act like you're jealous or something."
Barty's face heated up.
"I'm not jealous."
Whiskers chuckled and bounced over to where Flicka was sitting.
"Guess what, Flicka? You know Ferdinand? His brother is friends with Errol. Aren't we lucky?"
Flicka frowned.
"Yeah I guess we are."
"You don't seem that excited about it. In fact you look kind of glum."
"You have a crush on him don't you?" Flicka asked.
"Well any girl would like those strong legs."
Flicka chuckled.
"I guess that's true."
After lunch as Whiskers and Flicka were heading back to their room, someone threw a bucket of bones in Whiskers' face.
"What's the big idea?" She snapped.
There was the sound of barking and laughter.
"That look on your face is priceless. Do you really think because you're friends with Barty that Errol will even give you the time of day. How naive."
Whiskers saw a large grey dog sneering at her.
"You're just jealous because I saw him first."
"You little..."
"What? Scared of a cat?"
The dog snorted.
"This isn't the last of this," she said as she trotted away.
Whiskers laughed.
"Are you okay, Whiskers?" Flicka asked.
"I'm fine. It doesn't even hurt."
The next morning, Whiskers and Flicka joined Barty for breakfast.
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like? We're sitting next to you."
"Why?"
"Just cause," Whiskers said.
The postal wolf had dropped by their table handing a letter to Whiskers.
"Wow Whiskers you are so lucky to get a letter."
She opened the letter with her claws and pulled out a couple strips of paper.
"It's tickets to a concert by Moby."
"Him?" Flicka asked. "I heard he sounded awful. No one ever goes to his concerts."
"I don't know. It could be fun," Whiskers said. "Who says we have to listen? We could trash the stage and throw socks at him."
Barty sighed.
"You're evil."
"Can you ask Errol if he would go to the concert with me please?"
"Dude, I'm not your servant."
"Well I think you should do it considering the trouble I received from having a little crush on your friend. Think of it as a make up kiss."
"Alright already give me the ticket."
Whiskers smiled as she handed him the ticket.
"Good luck," she uttered before she left.
"What? How am I supposed to ask?" He grumbled to himself and let out a sigh of disgust. "Rats."
"Don't you mean, cats?"
"Ugh that's awful," Barty said before he looked up spotting Errol sitting across from him.
"That is the punchline isn't it or am I wrong?"
"Don't remind me."
"I guess I caught you at a bad time, huh?"
"Something like that. My friend wanted to know if you were free to go to a concert. She got tickets to see Moby Fishy."
"Is he any good?"
"I heard he was awful."
"Are you coming too?"
"Do you want me to?"
"If you don't want to-"
"I didn't say that!" Barty snapped.
"So you'll come?"
"I'll think about it."
Much to his ire, Errol had a smug grin on his face.
"Wipe that smirk off your face."
The next day, Whiskers had got up overcome with dizziness.
"Ugh, I feel so dizzy."
"Are you sick?" Flicka asked from the bed beside hers. "You don't look so good."
"I'm fine. The concert is today. What kind of monster would I be if I left my date hanging."
"I can go instead. Barty probably didn't give the ticket to Errol anyway," Flicka said. "He doesn't look like the most reliable guy."
"It's a shame you'll be going alone. Have fun for me alright."
"Will do."
Flicka headed out with the ticket in her pocket. Turning the corner, she ran into Errol himself. She felt her face heat up.
"Sorry."
"Are you alright?" He asked.
There was her sore exoskeleton from when she was knocked on her back but she could grow limbs on a whim. It was as he was holding his hand out that Flicka was struck with curiosity. Did Barty give him the ticket? She hadn't known how reliable he was but opted to lie to her friend in order to get close to the monster in question All throughout high school, it seemed Whiskers always had everything.
Her father had been a successful businessman working in real estate and owned the theatre in Hotland. She wanted something herself for once.
"I heard you got a ticket to see Moby Fishy in concert."
"How did you know?"
"A friend told me about it. It so happens I've got a ticket too. Why don't we go together."
He nodded.
After training, the two headed for the theatre.
Flicka reached out to hold Errol's hand.
"Ah look at that couple aren't they so cute?"
Flicka blushed.
She noticed however that Errol's eyes restless searched the place as though he was looking for something.
"Looking for someone?" she asked.
"Uh no. It was nothing sorry."
The two headed in the theatre.
It was horrible. Moby didn't sing anything remotely in tune. Flicka snickered.
"Is there something funny?"
"Um...no."
"If you got something to say, say it to my face."
He hopped off stage stomping towards them.
"You're funny, that's all."
"Haha, you better watch what you say kid. You might offend someone."
Flicka could hear him clenching his fists. He swept his fist in the direction of her face before Errol caught his hand.
"Knock it off, we don't want trouble. If you don't leave her alone you'll regret it."
"Haha," Moby laughed nervously.
Errol escorted Flicka out.
After the show, the two walked out not noticing Doge who had spotted them leaving. Errol turned to address her as they were walking out.
"I'm afraid I haven't been completely straight with you."
Flicka's eyes lit up.
'Could he be confessing his true feelings about me? He must really like me.'
"I like you but that's as far as my feelings go."
"Oh."
"I was a little worried you might have interpretted this as more than a friendly outing and if you did, I'm sorry."
Her head slanted downwards.
"That's all right. I thought you might have loved someone else. You seemed so restless."
"We should get back to the castle."
Flicka nodded.
She took deep breaths trying to keep herself together. As she headed back to her room, she spotted Whiskers pacing restlessly around their room.
"Are you feeling better?" Flicka asked.
"What do you think?" Whiskers snapped glaring at her.
"Why are you so upset?"
"I thought we were friends. You told me you were going to the concert by yourself."
"I was."
"Doge saw you with Errol. You know how much I liked him."
Flicka saw red.
"You always like everything I do. I've never got anything to myself. You have everything. You can buy anything you possibly want," she snapped.
"How typical. I always knew you were jealous of me. Is that why we were friends so you could use me?"
"I..."
"Save it. I don't ever want to see you again. You could throw away that friendship bracelet. I know now you never really meant it."
Flicka sighed.
Thinking back on it, her jealousy seemed so silly. Here she was getting jealous of a guy who wasn't interested in her and she hadn't even considered her friend's feelings at all. She had been so scared of confronting the issue with her friend because she had seen how Whiskers persuaded other monsters to do things for her. She was blunt and never took no for an answer and Flicka hadn't wanted to fight a losing battle. If she had lost the battle, she would have felt bitter. She had always been a sore loser.
What she wouldn't give to have her best friend back.
The next day, Errol sat across from Barty.
"How was the concert?" Barty asked.
"It would have been better if you were there."
Barty felt his cheeks heat up.
"I didn't have a ticket."
"So how did you get that one ticket then?" Errol asked giving Barty a piercing glance. He felt ashamed and he shouldn't feel shame. What did he care about Errol.
"I bought it alright."
The intensity of the gaze didn't cease.
"Oh alright, a friend gave it to me. She wanted me to ask if you would go to the theatre with her."
"Strange why you wouldn't tell me," he said before he smirked smugly. "Were you jealous?"
"It's nothing to get smug about," Barty snapped.
"I suppose but if you wanted to come too, you could have just asked."
Barty sighed.
"Was I that obvious?"
Errol nodded.
Within the last five years in the human world there had been a fatal outbreak of an unknown disease wiping nearly all of humanity. Most of the inhabitants on the island had evacuated and the United States military had used the island to evacuate all the sick people.
Humans who had suffered from the virus either died days within receiving it or suffered from aggression due to the mind regression until they died from brain death.
The virus also happened to be very contagious. So the pilots who had flown most of the infectees had also remained on the island.
Stephanie and her uncle had been two of the many evacuees taken to the island. No one knew of the origins but the doctors had said they had acquired the virus while traveling. Her uncle had been an archaeologist for quite some time who had been traveling the world.
She had lived with her father in France for quite some time until her father had wanted her to take ballet in America. It was something that her mother had wanted to do when she was alive so her uncle had taken her in.
On the way to America there was a huge storm and apparently some luggage containing samples of the virus causing the entire ship to be contaminated with the virus.
Once the two had arrived on the island however Stephanie had quickly made friends preferring to play dress up at the neighbor's house.
Her uncle however had learned how to acquire food from the animals on the island. Most of the buildings and the supplies had been taken previously to their arrival and since the island had no government or economy, he had learned to hunt for their own food.
Stephanie had wanted to help and convinced her uncle to take hire someone on the island to teach her some self defence.
Her blonde hair was put up in a bun as she got ready for her next class. Due to the savage inhabitants of the island, her uncle had packed some clothes, some food and weapons in case she ran into trouble.
It was after she had finished with her lessons that Stephanie headed home.
While she was headed home that she suddenly heard an unnerving sound in the distance.
Stephanie whirled around.
There in the trees was one of the natives.
"AH," She cried out before running in the other direction. From behind her she could hear them running towards her. Her flip flips had broken before she could make it to the mountain and Stephanie quickly stepped out of them preferring the toil of the outdoors over being killed by the natives.
Quickly she ran into the direction of the large mountain hiding in the shrubbery until she was certain they were gone.
She could hear someone screaming in the distance.
Some of the natives had dark skin and red and blue markings on the sides of their face. Her uncle had spotted them doing their magic rituals on the island. He didn't elaborate much upon it however because every time Stephanie wanted to know more he'd change the subject.
She peered from behind the bushes and saw the natives drag a human towards their camp ignoring her altogether. It didn't make it any less horrifying when she saw them stab them though.
The natives had drove a knife towards his body and Stephanie found she couldn't look away as they were doing their ritual.
Long after their ritual was when Stephanie decided to change her clothes. There was still the irritation along the side of her leg from earlier when she had accidentally peed her pants. It was becoming very uncomfortable. She glanced around for a place to change finding the cave behind her to suffice.
Once she was well hidden she pulled her bag from over her shoulder and glanced through it. Much to her dismay the only thing in her bag was her tutu and ballet shoes but really she only had herself to blame.
Stephanie had been used to being lectured by her father to do things right away but she had never lived by this rule. Yesterday her uncle had told her to pack her tutu and ballet shoes for lessons the next day. Of course Stephanie had done that so her uncle wouldn't know that she didn't go and rather stayed the extra hour to polish her self-defence so she had neglected to pack any clothes.
Grumbling Stephanie changed into her tutu and slipped on her ballet shoes. It was as she got up that she stumbled across some vines falling straight down into the large hole in the middle of the cave.
Wincing she looked down and saw her knee was bloodied by the fall. Grumbling she got up and looked up.
It was a long way home and it didn't look like she could even climb out of here. She sobbed before she got to her feet and headed inside the cave in front of her.
A final froggit appeared before her. It looked like a frog with a yellow crown on it's head.
"Are you alright, human?" it asked.
"Who are you?" she asked.
The creature hoped closed to her.
"Get away from me," She snapped with a deranged look in her eyes. "If you don't stay back, I'll kill you."
It hopped towards her heedlessly.
"It's going to be alright," it said. "Relax you're safe."
Stephanie let out a sigh of relief.
She coughed bombarded by a series of more cough until she sounded hoarse.
"Are you alright? You look ill."
The creature looked up to see a carrot like object buried in the ground.
"Hey Carrot, over here."
"Don't call me that. I have a name," The creature said before it jumped out of the ground and hopped towards them. "Is that a human? They don't look so good."
"Then why don't you invite them for dinner?"
Stephanie paled.
"What? No, you can't eat me I'm too skinny."
"See what you did. You scared the human," spat the carrot like monster.
"Vegetoid's not going to eat you, human. He's conjuring you some vegetables to eat," the final froggit said.
Vegetoid conjured a stalk of celery.
Stephanie eagerly took a bite.
"The best part about it is you don't even have to worry about using the bathroom."
"Why?" She asked.
"Monster food is different from human food. The body absorbs it before it can make it through the digestion tract."
"Where am I and what is this place?" She asked.
"These are the ruins," the final froggit said. "The queen has told us to report to her if anyone has fallen down here."
"The queen? She's not gonna kill me is she?"
"Of course not. The queen loves humans. She once had a human child herself," Vegetoid said.
"How do I get home?"
"You mean out of these ruins? Only the queen knows the way."
"Can you take me to the queen?" Stephanie asked.
"Certainly."
Stephanie followed the creatures through the ruins and brought her outside a dying tree with falling red leaves.
"Knock on the door and she'll let you in."
Stephanie nodded and the monsters left.
She approached the door timidly with a stroke of caution before she knocked softly.
Seconds past and minutes but noone came.
Stephanie swallowed feeling beads of sweat trail down her face. There was nowhere to go. She had to talk on the door or she'd never escape from here.
Once more she knocked on the door, loudly this time. The worst that could happen is the monster could reprimand her though she didn't exactly rule out killing despite what the monsters had said.
This time however the knock hadn't died in silence. Stephanie could hear the sounds of brisk footsteps running towards the door.
The door opens and there's a good like monster looking at her with wide red eyes.
"Hello."
"Hi," Stephanie says softly.
"I don't mean to be rude but who are you?" Toriel asked.
"Stephanie."
"Stephanie, I see."
Her lips curl up in a smile and her eyes crinkle with glee. She looks old and reminds Stephanie of her grandmother.
"Won't you come in?"
Stephanie chuckled. Her laughter doesn't reach her eyes though. She steps inside and looks around.
"You look upset. Are you alright? None of the monsters hurt you did they?"
"No," She said softly.
"Are you sure?"
Stephanie nodded.
"I was running away from some of the natives. They always practice these weird rituals. I saw them killing someone."
Toriel frowned.
"So they are just as ruthless even now."
"Not all of us," Stephanie said. "Is that why all these monsters are down here?"
"Yes, we agreed to it to end the war between monsters and humans. So what are you hobbies?"
Stephanie's face heated up.
"I like to paint. When I was younger I used to my father paint alot before my mother passed away. He painted the most beautiful landscapes. We don't do that much anymore."
"Why not?" Toriel asked.
"Well my mother wanted to be a ballet dancer. So my father asked my uncle to take me to America to practise ballet but instead me and my uncle were sent to this island."
"You don't need to explain it. The experience must have been painful for you. Do you want a slice of snail pie?"
"No."
"It's really good. You can't even tell it's made of snails."
"Alright, I'll try it."
"When's your birthday?" Toriel asked.
"It's January 1st."
"That's in a couple of weeks isn't it? I'll have to bake you a cake then."
Toriel chuckled.
When she goes in the kitchen that's when Stephanie decides to explore the place. Downstairs she discovers a path leading to a door outside. It's a violet colored door with a weird pattern that is reminiscent to an angel looking down at three red specks.
She stepped outside. It feels oddly desolate.
When she makes it to Snowdin, she musters the courage to step inside the bar. Her uncle often took her out to drink when they had been traveling abroad and she almost felt at home as she stepped inside.
There were some dogs sitting at a table in suits of metal armour and a green flame like creature wearing a blue dress and white apron behind the counter. Stephanie sits on one of the stools.
"Can I help you?" The green flamelike creature asked.
Stephanie is suddenly bombarded by a series of coughs.
"Can I have a glass of water?" she asked, her voice very hoarse.
The creature heads in the backroom and within minutes arrives with a glass of water.
"So what's someone like you doing in a place like this?"
The creature's voice is gentle and soft.
"To be honest I'm a little lost."
"You wouldn't be the first one."
"Are you the owner of this place?"
"No, that would be my husband but he's a little sick so my daughter is taking care of him."
Stephanie slowly sipped the glass of water.
It so happened that as she was doing so that Stephanie heard the doors behind her open. She turned and saw a short stubby skeleton with large hallow black eyes with a white speck in the middle of them.
"Sans, it's been a long time since we've seen you last." The green flame creature said.
"How's Grillby?" He asked taking a chair next to Stephanie. His voice was deep and overtly casual.
"Still as sick as ever."
"Well, here's something that might help," Sans said handing her a small canteen.
"What is it?"
"It's soup. I thought it might help with his sore throat."
"That's very thoughtful of you, Sans," She said taking the canteen from his hands.
Stephanie felt eyes on her.
"Is that anyway to greet a stranger?" a cold chilly voice asked from beside her. Stephanie felt chills creep up her spine as she turned towards the skeleton.
The white dots that had been present in his hallow black eyes had vanished.
"Oh er hi," She said.
"Heh heh. You look like you've just arrived. Like it so far?"
Stephanie bit her lower lip.
"No reply, huh? I'd watch your back if I were you. It's not good to make a name for yourself down in the underground."
Stephanie feels like her heart is bursting from her chest. Every fiber of her being wanted to turn away and run. Was that a threat?
Her chest burns and she coughs.
"Are you alright?" Sans asked.
"I'm cough fine."
Her throat hurts but there's a part of her who distantly associates Sans as a threat to her survival.
Suddenly everything is spinning and she sees black.
When she wakes up, she looked around but she could only see orange walls. She is covered by an orange knitted blanket and a quilt with pictures of a house on it.
There is a tall skeleton by her bed though she's quick to note that it isn't the same skeleton that she met in the pub.
This skeleton has blonde hair and is wearing an orange scarf and a violet robe.
"Where am I?" Stephanie murmured groggily.
"This is my house, sugar. Sans brought you here," She said. "You looked very sick when he brought you here. He was very concerned."
Stephanie tried to get up more curious about this place.
"No, no you have to rest. Doctor's orders."
"How long have I been here?"
"Just a couple of days. It gets awfully lonely around here now that Papyrus has been going to school. It was nice having some company for a change."
"Who's Papyrus?" Stephanie asked.
"He's my son."
"Is he a skeleton like you?"
"Yeah he's a little shorter than his brother, Sans though."
"So you're his mother then?"
"Yeah."
Could it have been possible that the skeleton from the pub had been referring to the fact that some of the monsters would kill humans? If that was the case was she really safe here.
"You needn't look so worried, child."
"I'm not a child," Stephanie spat. "If you're going to kill me why don't you just do it."
The skeleton frowned.
"Tsk, tsk, that idiot. That cynical egomaniac. Probably been talking with the king again."
Her fist shook in the air.
"What's the matter?"
She stomped out of her room and in the distance Stephanie could hear her pounding on a door.
"ASTER!"
"What is it, dear?"
"COME OUT HERE THIS INSTANT!"
She hears the sound of the door open.
"What's the matter, Arial?"
"You've enfolded Sans in your little cooked up experiments again haven't you?"
"I'd done no such thing," a voice snapped.
"Oh yeah?"
Arial dragged Aster in by his lab coat. Stephanie saw he was the same height as Arial only he had the same large hallow black eyes with the white dot in the middle of each one.
"Oh my, I didn't know we had a guest."
Arial's eyes narrowed.
"It's a human, Aster. She looked horrified and I know you've told Sans about those other fallen children."
Aster looked affronted.
"You blame me? He's hardly around. He works for the king isn't it reasonable for him to have acquired that information from him?"
"You mean he's seen those dead human bodies?" She asked, her face looking rather aghast. "Aster, why didn't you tell me? He must be so scarred. My poor boy."
"Relax he's fine, Arial."
"With no help from you of course. Aren't you a little concerned?"
"Sans can handle himself. He's a big boy. Now Papyrus on the other hand..."
Arial smacked him on the shoulder.
"Just remember he is your son."
Stephanie was crouched on her pillow looking very small.
Aster chuckled.
"Relax we mean you no harm. Make yourself at home," he said. "I'm heading back to the lab, Arial."
He leaned over to give his wife a kiss on the cheek before heading back to his lab.
Stephanie breathed out a sigh of relief before she relaxed.
"Is that your husband?" She asked.
"Yes, we've been married for a long time."
"Is he a scientist?"
"Why do you ask that?"
"Well he was wearing a lab coat."
"Yes, he's the royal scientist. He works for the king."
"The king wants to kill me doesn't he?"
"No, the king wants to extract your soul," She said. "With your soul he can free all the monsters from the underground."
"What's so special about my soul?" Stephanie asked.
"Monsters and humans are comprised of two different things. Monster souls are created by magic and are magic based creatures."
"Can a soul get sick?"
"No. The soul is the culmination of your very being. It's a manifestation of your character."
"Do monsters get sick?"
"It's not very often we get sick. When we do, it's usually diseases that attack our magic."
Stephanie sighed in relief.
"So I guess you don't have much to worry about then."
"It's pretty care free down in the underground."
"What do you do?" Stephanie asked.
"I work as a famous actress in the capital. Many monsters watch my movies. At night I work as a comedian. It beats boredom."
She relaxes back on the bed falling back to sleep.
Sans visits the queen every afternoon. It had become ingrained as a habit. He travels past the ruins to visit her when he isn't busy serving the king and working with his father on another one of his convoluted experiments. They are not any closer with finding a solution to their problem.
He feels he might suffocate if he's in that enclosed space for too long and gets inspiration from long walks and Toriel's butterscotch cinnamon pies.
Once he sets foot in the ruins however he feels uneasy. When he sets foot in Toriel's home he quickly understands why.
Sprawled on the floor face down and her right arm out is Toriel.
"Your majesty, are you alright?" He asked.
"I-I feel so weak."
"What happened?"
"All the monsters suddenly collapsed. There was nothing I could do," She said sobbing. It wasn't too long before she started coughing.
'That human coughed too, didn't she?' He thought. Sans was beginning to wonder if the human had acquired some kind of disease that was transmittable to monsters.
"That human that fell down here. You seen her didn't you?"
Toriel nodded.
"Is she alright?" She asked.
"She's fine but you're not."
She chuckled.
"I don't have long anyway."
Her eyes were sad as they were pinned on Sans.
"Look it was fun while it lasted. I loved it when you kept me company," She said, frowning."It was so lonely down here. I guess what I mean to say is that I love you, Sans."
She closed her eyes for the last time.