Disclaimer:
I do not claim to own the original game nor its many AUs; as such Flowerfell and Echotale, or other AUs are mentioned, but this plot and possible original characters/AU belong to me. Any famous songs, TV show/movies/books and manga names, and brands that are mentioned in this work belong to their rightful owners. This is purely for fun and my inner fangirl. The song featured in this chapter belongs to me.
© Willa Field
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17:
Yume no Tsubasa
Sans and Frisk
(Third POV)
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"You were so stupid, Frisk! You need to be more careful than that, you don't know what's out there. You might have gotten even more hurt! Sans was worried sick, as were we." Asriel scolded his pouting sister deeply as Papyrus stood on the other side of the bed with his hands on his narrow hips, and Asriel was rubbing his head in frustration as she stubbornly stared back at him before she breathed deeply and she began to move her hands.
'I'm sorry, brother. I thought it was the only way to find answers, I've tried to broach you and Sans about it, but when I tried to open my heart, I didn't get anything back.' That knocked all the anger right out of their bodies, a little of shame replaced the heated feeling.
They knew they couldn't say a word about it, they knew that, but that knowledge didn't soothe the shame they felt. They watched as she changed while the months went, becoming more and more like her old self, and with the change, their desire to confess everything to the human grew. But, they all feared to utter just one word, even if they knew she was remembering.
Despite that being plain obvious, the fear of losing her trapped the answers in their throats, locking away the things they so desperately wanted to reveal, and that forced her to look for the answers she needed. And in the progress, the flower put herself in danger while she searched.
For her big brother, it was pure torture. All Asriel wanted was to protect her, but that was impossible if they couldn't say why she shouldn't run off. It was completely maddening for the monster prince, but he couldn't imagine how his best friend was feeling. This fear must be a thousand times worse for Sans.
The prince took a big breath, coming out of his thoughts, before he moved onto her temporary bed and took her tiny hand into his much bigger paw with a small smile:
"I'm sorry we can't tell you, sis. It's just not the right time, as cheesy as that sounds, we can't. But, next time you see a weird light or have the urge to run off, tell us. Please?" He reasoned, trying to get the fear across to her, and squeezed her hand a bit harder.
The flower sighed, looking to the window as the conversation with Sans returned to her mind; reminding the flower of the gut-twisting guilt she felt.
Frisk wished she was braver to ask earlier, even if she wouldn't get a true answer from them. But she just couldn't. She felt strongly that she had to find the keys to the many doors leading to the missing pieces of her memories and heart on her own. She had to uncover all the mysteries from her past to become the self she always needed to be, the self everyone saw within her but she couldn't even fathom. It was her mission and it still is, as she draws closer to coming face to face with her faceless father, to not only free the monsters but herself as well.
But now, she had the knowledge that the others worried when she runs off without words. It was a problem, because on one hand, if she vows to tell them, they might follow her and the answers might invade her. But, on the other, if she doesn't, they might keep her away and she won't get any further truths.
So, what should the princess say to compromise?
The only thing she deemed right:
'I can't promise that I will, but I'll try. That's all I can promise.'
"Sister, I—"
"Human—"
She held up a hand, shaking her head, cutting the boys off quickly before her hands began to dance. Frisk knew they would fight against her on this, but she had to try to make them understand her view.
'I'm sorry, guys. But, I need to do this on my own. I can't rely on you for answers, as much as we all wish I could. This is my mission alone.'
"I can't deny that, but it's dangerous out there. Much more than you realize, dove. If you need to do this, promise me you'll be smart about this."
That growl filled the teen with warmth as she moved her gaze to the door, seeing Sans with worried-filled sockets while he drew near. She gave a tiny smile, sealing her vow with a simple nod as he laid a leather-bound book on her lap. A sigh escaped his teeth before he spoke again.
"I trust you, Frisk. Just don't leave me." With those words, he nodded to the other males to get them to follow him, leaving her to uncover more.
As those words cracked her heart a bit with his pleading tone, Frisk breathed slowly, dropping her eyes to the cover of the small book in her arms, the feeling disappearing slowly as she took in the title.
She feared what she would find, but at the same time, she couldn't hold back her excitement.
What will she realize after reading this? The flower smiled again, closing her eyes for a moment to steady herself, before nodding slowly:
"This is my chance. It's now or never, Frisk. Let's do this." She whispered to herself, taking in a deep breath, before she slowly opened the book; opening yet another door to her buried past:
-.-.-.-.-
Love stories are told in both worlds, filling each heart with hopes to find and make their very own. But can you believe that there is a stronger bond than a soulmate? Can you imagine there was a love story more powerful and paramount than Romeo and Juliet?
There is and there was a beautiful story only few humans know about. This book will be a gateway to that magical past, a key to a mystery.
First, let's discuss Soul Bonds. In practice, they are verily simple. Once a soul bonds with another, they are one forevermore, not even death can break them apart, it can only pause the bond. But, they are much more powerful than that simple description.
The bond starts even before the bond and bondee realize what 'love' really is. Say a baby is born and a child felt something change within them from across the world or from in the Underground when the first cry is heard. That is the Bond, a connection uncontrolled and untamed by age or distance. Mates can go years without meeting or even the knowledge of one another, only to instantly know who they are.
And there are cases where bond and bondee grew up side by side. When that happens, the bond starts off quite innocent. If the bond is a bit older than their bondee, they take the big brother or sister role until they both are a mature age, meaning they are very protective in a friendly or familial way. But, of course, that protectiveness changes when they reach that age of maturity. It turns into something fierce, almost possessive-like than the childish version.
However, and sadly, there are cases of the bonds that never found each another, or worse, they were forced into living with a curse that ripped them apart:
That is what happened to the very first documented case of Soul Bonding and the first love legend from the Monster kind.
It is the legend of Dove of Life and Raven of Death. A fairy tale with a tragic ending many monsters told their offsprings to teach them both the magic of love and the tragic side of love.
It might seem odd to you, if you are a human, to learn that monsters want to teach that sometimes cruel reality to their youths so young, but they honestly believe it gives them both knowledge and hope for their own futures.
For, you see, even with the sad end, this legend is the truest of all. How do we know? We don't, but there is an undeniable ring of truth whenever it is told or heard. A feeling of familiarity. And it is said that Dove and Raven are still roaming the Underground, searching for their missing pieces, but with no memories intact to help them along the way.
For, that is their cruel curse from the Death Tribe's king, Raven's human-hating father:
Would you like to learn this beautiful story? All you have to do is read the next chapter. But, remember, this is a truly tragically beautiful love story.
Here is a challenge for you; can you make it through the story without crying?
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Frisk bit her lip at the last paragraph, nervous about the next chapter. She never had the chance to read this book through her many attempts to hide from her bullies, but she once overheard some of the female teachers talking about a forbidden book, a book detailing a monster love legend.
She even heard them say that they wished the students could read it, even though they were fearful of the monsters and their stories, this story was just so hauntingly beautiful that it might teach them something about love that humans' love stories rarely could in the right way:
How to keep fighting when all hope is lost.
When she heard that, something snapped within her. She didn't know what exactly, but she felt her heart stop for a moment in that time. She felt as if it knew of the story and it was screaming at her to find it, that the mysterious book might hold the key. At that moment, she didn't understand what key she was looking for, all the girl knew was that forbidden book held a mystery she wanted to solve:
Now, here she was, holding the very book that she always desired to find. The book that would lead the girl to the last answers she needed. It was both a terrifying and thrilling thought for her, not knowing what was at the end of this. What might happen when she was finished reading.
She breathed in a deep breath to calm herself, and to steady her racing heart with the thought of all the new feelings she knew were about to take over after she was done, before she shifted her gaze back to the book:
-.-.-.-.-.-
As every story goes, let's start this story with the common way:
Once upon a time….
There were two Tribes that co-ruled over the gods, humans, and lower monsters, keeping all the species at peace and safe. However, the two Tribes were quite different, like day and night.
While Life was the gentler Tribe and rulers, Death was supposed to be the tougher one and that was true for the king of Death who ruled over the kingdom with an iron fist. Everyone knew not to anger him or get on his bad side. Whereas the Life rule was the one every being loved most, the Death rule was the one they feared the most.
However, his two sons weren't as cruel as their father. In fact, they were said to be the two gentlest souls, even though the young gods were reapers of fading souls, fueling their father's anger. Even the queen of Life thought the princes were too kind at times, but she loved them as one of her family:
The boys' names were Raven and Crow. That's right, the very Raven, the tragic prince of our story. He was the next heir to inherent the throne, seeing that he was the eldest of the brothers, and he was betrothed to a noble Death tribal member's daughter. However, Fate had other plans for the gentle soul.
And they came in the form of a young Goddess. Not a Death, but a Life.
In the Life kingdom, there was only one heir, Sun, but everyone wanted another. The king and queen of the Life Tribe prayed for a second child, having a little prince. It wasn't such a wish to be cruel to their son, as if he wasn't good enough for them, but that wasn't the case at all.
They just had a burning feeling that they were destined to have a beautiful baby girl. That the little girl would change the world for the better, they just had a strong feeling whenever they saw a little girl or thought about it. however, the couple waited without an answer, filling them with despair as the days went on:
Thankfully, one day, the queen learned that she finally was pregnant with their second child and the kingdom, especially her boys, was overjoyed. They finally would have a princess to love and adore. And as the months passed, so did the excitement as well. All awaited for the young princess to enter the world and accept the mysterious destiny laid down for her.
And four months later, the kind queen went into labor. With a buzz of activity and a healthy cry, the beautiful princess made her entrance:
Despite her odd appearance, looking as if she was a human where her parents and elder brother were goats, every being knew she held such a beauty that she was dubbed Dove of Love:
However, the story had a slow start. The legend didn't begin until Dove was ten years of age and handsome Raven was twelve, seeing it was rare to see a member from the two Tribes together; despite there were no laws against it. But Creator forbid his subjects and especially his sons to interact with the Life members.
But, of course just like any pre-teen, the young male rebelled against him and went to see the kind queen as he always did time to time. Instead, this time, Raven got more than he ever imagined.
Because under the burning sun in that meadow, the legendary lovers met for the first time…
"Raven, I like to introduce to you my daughter, Dove."
With those words, their love began gradually; like a blooming flower. It wasn't a burning fire at first, as they were still at such a tender age, but there was a glowing amber between them. One that no one could deny or ignore. It was plain to see, even the Death members felt that Raven should be allowed to court the young princess when the time came; even the noble member who agreed to give their daughter's hand began to feel bad for the young prince.
And it had begun some tensions between sons and father. As they grew, they began to question his ruling more and more. And as they did, the more would Creator forbad them to confer with the Life's princess. But, no matter what punishment he dealt them, they continued to defy him
For, the older brother wasn't about to stop seeing his best friend just because of a blind and foolish hatred. The younger brother just wanted to keep that smile on his brother's teeth.
Crow never had seen his elder brother so happy before the strange girl entered their lives. Even at the tender age of seven, the young boy could feel the strong connection between the two. And he soon came to view Dove as an older sister.
As the years passed, their bond just grew stronger and stronger. The lowly amber turned into a raging flame, calling the wrath of Creator….
-.-.-.-.-.
Frisk moved her eyes from the book to the window, tears chilling her cheeks. She didn't understand why she was crying, but she just felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. The flower just began, but she had a feeling that she was in for a heart-breaking realization and the teen wasn't ready.
The young woman sighed deeply, placing the book on the table for a moment and made her way to the window. Maybe after a break she would be a little calmer, she hoped with a heavy heart as she put a hand to the cool glass.
She let her thoughts run wild, sorting through all the new information for a long moment, not how to progress all of it. She had to wonder that she was Dove reincarnated, the star of the tale.
The flower didn't really know why she felt like that, but the tears on her cheeks were hard to ignore; they were the first real clue she has had. If she wasn't connected to it, why would she shed tears at the start, gently telling a long-faded love story? She touched her cheek as a melancholic smile danced across her lips, leaning her forehead against the glass:
Sans knew for a while, she lamented as she closed her eyes to her sad reflection, from the sad look she caught on his face; cracking his well-crafted mask of false ignorance and happiness. He knew who she was, but he couldn't breathe a word of it. She couldn't imagine how he was feeling. To be close to the only one he ever loved, but to know that she was out of reach with no memories; that he had to pretend she was a stranger.
It was a painful and cruel destiny they were forced into, an endless loop of pain. Why are they cursed for just loving each other? If Soul Bonds can't be denied, then why was Raven's, Sans', father so desperate to ruin his son's happiness? Frisk knew there were cruel parents out in the world, she experienced it. But, after experiencing the warmth of a parent, the young flower couldn't fathom how a father wanted to cause his child so much pain.
Sans hid well, she squeezed her hand shut as she thought back, as they moved through the Underground. He didn't want her to know about his pain, his struggles, but there were times she only realized now that it plainly showed on his face, the girl just didn't see; too blind with her own hopes to his pain. She bit her lip hard as more danced down her cheeks:
How blind can I be? Her mind whispered pleadingly, wanting a lecture from her sister, but all she got was silence; heavy and sad.
Because she wasn't to blame, but the older brunette knew the younger woman wouldn't believe a word. Not in that moment.
Frisk was too lost in her mind to sense an unfamiliar presence, a cruel smile gleaming in the shadows, as a strange humming flowed on the wind. She furrowed her eyebrows, wiping the tears away, while she walked out on the balcony, leaning on the railing to hear better.
Her eyes widened as the voice grew, she knew that voice all too well, but at the same time, it was too deep:
A promise made under a full moon,
As giggling children,
A promise long buried and forgotten,
Now he is waiting for her.
Memories,
Frail and fragile,
Easy to rip away,
Will she remember?
(You promised me,
You would never forget me,
Don't worry, my dear,
I'll make you remember,
Remember only me.)
A faraway voice whispers,
As she dances on her own,
Shivering against the night's wind.
"Sans…?" She whispered quietly, scanning the ground as the moving shadow slowly, but quickly, steering toward her.
That song, haunting and familiar, caused a raging fire to run through her veins. She didn't know when, but she faintly remembered it's hidden vow, as she faded to sleep many a time before it faded into the darkness of her mind. It was as if the song was a last promise between the lost lovers, floated across the thousand years, and back to her to stay.
She shivered both in slight fear ad pleasure. She was glad to hear the soothing melody once again, but the beautiful flower feared it was an omen. A dark call before the battle begins. She hoped she was wrong, but her heart wouldn't stop stuttering.
She breathed before she shook her head, freeing her mind from the dark thoughts and the weird song for a moment, and reached for the door but someone grabbed her from behind and pinned her against their chest. Frisk struggled surprised as she felt a rag came over her mouth. She managed to wiggle away from the attacker's hold to scream as loud as the brunette could:
"Sans! Help me!"
But it was no use, her attacker pinned her back again and put the rag back on her mouth as soon as the scream rang out. No matter how much the female fought against their hold; they only would tighten up their grip on her wiggling form, digging their nails—or claws rather—into her arms drawing blood.
"I'm sorry, my dear. But, I need you to come with me. Behave for me."
Upon hearing that voice, Frisk's mind flashed back to the nightmares, realizing that this was one of them, a prologue to what would happened to her.
A growl soundlessly fell from her mouth as she fought with every ounce of strength she had left, not willing to let the monster win, as she clawed and kicked the best she could as her body grew number; her vision blacking as the drug slowly took her strength. She tried to keep fighting, but after countless minutes of battling, the darkness wrapped Frisk in its embrace.
As the brunette unwillingly entered the unending darkness, the wind danced on her skin. She knew they were moving, but all she could do was listen to her sister's voice; trying in vain to snap the younger brunette out of the growing darkness:
Frisk! You have to fight this, think about Sans and Asriel! Come on, you're stronger than this!
I'm sorry, sis. Was all she could muster up, a lone tear streaming down her cheek, before the darkness finally and fully claimed her.
Her destiny was slowly coming right at her, whether the flower was ready or not.
-.-.-.-.-.-
After the three males talked for a few moments when they left Frisk to her reading, Sans sat against the wall with a cigarette nestled between his knuckles; thoughts ruled his skull while his sockets were glued on the wall in front of him, thoughts running wild, as he let his cigarette calm his nerves.
The skeleton knew he had to give her that book, but he was scared, terrified.
Sans wasn't scared that it might end badly, but the door it would open. All their lives, the twists and turns, were leading up to this; but were they ready to accept this? Was he ready to accept that his own father casted this fate on their heads? He didn't exactly know, but he did know one thing for sure:
The skeleton was ready for her to know him, not only as Sans, but as Raven. He smiled faintly, turning his sockets down to Frisk's room. Yes, that part of him was faded, buried under all the other parts now, but Sans could still feel Raven deep within his soul.
His strength and fierce adoration for Dove weren't traits easily forgotten. The male would always be connected to the tragic prince, but that didn't bother Sans much. If anything, he was thankful that it brought him back to her once again.
Sans sighed deeply at thr thoughts as he turned to meet up with the two other males, the used cigarette forgotten out the window. But, a scream shattered the peace, sending the skeleton's soul into discord.
"Sans! Help me!"
"Frisk? FRISK!"
His growl lost all its cool, smooth qualities as his boots crashed against the floor, his soul trembling while he slammed into the room while he could feel his body slowly began to shake. He sent a silent prayer that the dread sitting on his chest was just his fears playing tricks, but as Sans took in the empty room, he realized that his worst nightmare came true…
…...Gaster had her in his grasp, where he could twist or torture her into loving another or, worse, turn her into a monster he could control. He finally got her.
"No…." He breathed lowly, dropping to his knees with shaking hands and tears on his cheeks. He was just waiting for Sans to drop his guard, to teach the male he could take her anytime and he couldn't do anything to stop the crazy skeleton. She was his to do with as he pleased. But Gaster forgot one thing:
Sans wasn't so easy to break as he thought. He has been through worse, this just pissed him off, and when you pissed a Sans off, you are just playing with fire. And when you hurt his soul, you'd die painfully.
The ancient skeleton growled deep in his hyoid, raising back onto his feet with his phalanges curled into fists at his sides as his sockets glowed eerily in the moonlit room, his fury was plainly written on his sharp features. As if he was a caged wolf just waiting for someone to open the cage.
"If you think I'm going to bend down to your sick wishes, then you don't know me at all, father."
With that statement, the male stomped his way to the others; his body language was that of a warrior. He might be afraid of what the scientist was doing to his beloved flower, but right now, there was no time to let the fears rule his mind.
Right now, the monster needed to be a soldier for her. He needed to get her before Sans falls to the insanity that her absence brings. He needed to kill the male who caused all this.