Chapter 10

Frisk took a deep breath and activated her powers, the magic washing over the area, catching the attention of OceanPatch Undyne and OceanPatch Alphys. "What is the kid doing?" The red-haired monster, who was dressed in a blue netted shirt and seafoam green jeans, asked.

"I think...she's healing the timeline," the short dinosaur, who had yellow, blue, and seafoam green scales, said softly.

Frisk reached out her power and the humans who had been watching nearby looked stunned that a child was down there and the monsters were not hurting her. Tala came up to Frisk and stood by her, seeing the child was swaying on her feet a little. "Frisk, are you alright?" She asked.

The child nodded. "It's almost done," she said, her breathing starting to sound a bit labored.

"Kid," Opa said, looking worried. "Don't push yourself too hard."

Frisk took a deep breath and a red heart appeared and pulsed strongly before a roaring sound filled their ears, but it wasn't Volcano. It was the ocean and in the blink of an eye, there was a path to the caves where the monsters lived. Frisk fell to one knee as the heart went back to her. Tala quickly caught her and lifted her up into her arms.

"Easy, little one," she said, cradling the child protectively.

"I'll get her some food," Opa said as he headed down into the caves, soon returning with some monster food and giving it to the girl, who ate it gratefully.

Some of the humans came up to Tala, amazed that a monster was holding a child protectively. "What...What was that?" One human asked.

Ink smiled. "This brave girl has set out to prove that humans and monsters can live in peace," he said. "She's been traveling and helping many, despite being in danger herself."

"In danger?" Someone else asked.

"One of our friends unfortunately feels that humans will never understand us and has been hunting this girl," Tala said. "We've been trying our best to get him to see that not all humans are close-minded, but he refuses to listen."

One lady stepped forward and looked at Frisk. "You've not hurt her at all," she said.

"We'd never harm a child," the female skeleton said. "I know we look different, but we'd never harm anyone. We will defend ourselves if necessary, but if you mean us no harm, then we will not harm you."

Another man stepped forward. "We were told you would harm anyone who came near," he said. "That you would be merciless."

Opa shook his head. "We've scared off a few people that have used the beach as a trash disposal, but nothing more," he said.

Another lady looked down. "And you've cleaned up the beach too," she said. "It looks so much better."

"We strive to keep it clean," OceanPatch Undyne said as she came up to them.

"Some things were still in good shape to use," OceanPatch Alphys said.

Frisk stirred in Tala's arms and looked at the humans. "Please," she said. "We can all be at peace."

Tala smiled. "How about a deal?" She asked. "In return for you all trusting us and being at peace with us, we monsters will guard the ocean and everyone here. We can alert you if they are attacks or if strong storms are on their way."

The humans looked at each other, finding the deal to be agreeable. One little girl came forward. "Can...Can we swim at your beach?" She asked shyly.

"As long as everyone is respectful and keeps the area clean, then yes," Opa said with a nod.

Everyone smiled and nodded. "We can do that," the first woman said in agreement. "And...for what it's worth, we're sorry we judged you so harshly. The stories we had heard...well...it made us very wary."

"It's alright," Tala said forgivingly.

Ink sighed in relief. "Well, that's one problem down," he said. "But...we still need to take care of Volcano."

"We can put the protective chains up, but...," Lullaby Grillby trailed off.

"It would make it hard for Volcano to return," PreciousTale Grillby said.

Tala overheard them and she looked at her mate, who looked back at her and sighed. "I know, sweetheart," he said, placing a gentle hand on the right side of her face. "But...I don't think we have any other choice."

She nodded sadly and turned to the two fire monsters. "Please, will you place the protective chains and spell on the portal to here?" She asked. "You have my permission."

"Everyone will be able to enter here except for Volcano," Ink said. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Opa said. "I hate to say it, but...being cut off from his world might be the only way to help him see how Frisk feels being cut off from her world."

"It might put him to the point where he exhausts himself and we'll need to save him," Tala said.

The two fire monsters nodded and put the chains and spells up. The female skeleton handed Frisk to Ink. "Be careful out there," she said. "How many more timelines are there that still need healing?"

"Just a few," the painter skeleton said. "We'll have Frisk rest for a few days. She had already healed one timeline before coming here."

Opa nodded and smiled at Frisk. "We owe you a lot, kid," he said. "Keep your chin up, okay?"

She smiled and nodded. "Okay," she said.

The traveling monsters headed back to Ink's home and the people inside greeted them warmly and were overjoyed to hear that OceanPatch was healed, but were concerned about Volcano now being cut off from his world.

"Isn't that a bit harsh, my love?" Charlotte asked. "Just because he cut Frisk off from her world doesn't mean we should stoop to his level."

"I know, my love," he said. "But Tala herself asked both Lullaby Grillby and PreciousTale Grillby to do so. She gave her permission."

"We were hesitant to do so, but because she asked, we put the chains and spells up on the portal to her world," Lullaby Grillby said.

"We'll keep an eye out for our counterpart," PreciousTale Grillby said. "He's going to need a lot of kindness after he realizes he can't go anywhere but the Classic timeline."

"But even if he goes there, the time-timeline will coll-collapse unless the chains are rem-removed," Error said.

"And only he can remove those chains," Refract said, sighing sadly.

Stretch sighed. "Guess we'll have to see what his next move is," he said before looking at Frisk. "Kid, what if Volcano never accepts that you're a good human? What will you do then?"

She fell into thought and took a deep breath. "I won't give up on him," she said firmly. "I made a promise. And I'm going to keep that promise."

They all smiled at the child before noticing she looked tired. "Looks like you're re-ready for a nap," Error said, scooping her up.

She rested her head on his shoulder and in a few seconds, Frisk was out like a light. "We should all rest up," Charlotte said.

"I'll stand watch," Refract said.

"I'll relieve you later on and stand watch the rest of the night," PreciousTale Grillby said.

Everyone minus Refract settled down to get some sleep. The alternate Gaster looked out the window, tears falling from his eyes. "Volcano, my good friend," he said. "Why do you not see how much you've hurt everyone? How much it's hurting me and our friends to see you like this?"

More tears fell from his eyesockets. He didn't even realize that a few hours had passed until PreciousTale Grillby gently shook his shoulder. "Refract, are you alright?" He asked.

The skeleton shook his head. "I'm so worried about Volcano," he said. "I...I wish he could see how much this is hurting everyone."

"Hopefully he will soon," the fire monster said.

Charlotte woke up and walked up to them, seeing the skeleton in tears. "Come, Refract," she said gently, guiding him to the couch bed she had been sleeping on. She had him lay down and she placed a blanket over him, humming a lullaby that he faintly recognized before he fell asleep.

Smiling gently, the young woman went over to the other side of the couch bed where Ink was and he woke up briefly, smiling at her before lifting up the covers for her to crawl in next to him. Both fell asleep again and PreciousTale Grillby gazed out the window, a sigh escaping him.

Like Stretch, he too was worried that Volcano wouldn't listen to reason. And if that was the case, everything would collapse.

So much was at stake and he sincerely hoped the child who had been bringing them all hope could truly save them all and convince a fire monster that humans and monsters could get along.

I believe I had said OceanPatch would be the last AU that Frisk would mend, but with the way the story was headed, it seemed like it was the best time to have her heal the AU now instead of later on.

What will Volcano do now that he is cut off from his own world? Will Frisk finally be able to reach out to him?

Please leave a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418