Two chapters in one month. That's cool right? I don't really have a whole lot to say here other than I hope you enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: You already know this by now but I don't own DoubleTale.
Blades clashed, guns fired, blood spilled.
With what seemed to be for no end.
We had been fighting for a while now. Don't know exactly how long it's been since we first started this thing. But that didn't really matter. I was still managing to kick their ass.
Sitting on the throne again, I waited for them like always. Resting my right hand on Merciless' pommel, while my other hand raised the cigarette to my lips as I took a long, slow inhale from it. I then removed my cigarette from my lips, and let out a deep, drawn-out breath as the grey smoke escaped my lungs.
I heard those echoing footsteps, as Chara stepped into the throne room like they always did.
"You took your time getting here." I said with a condescending smirk. Resting my elbow on the armrest, holding my cigarette up as smoke rose and ashes continued to build. "What's the hold up? You thinking about quitting?"
"No way!" Chara refuted, their crimson eyes glaring at me. "You've been keeping track haven't you?"
"Yeah. I'm at seventy-seven." I took a short inhale of nicotine then exhaled the smoke. I then raised a brow, still keeping my condescending smirk. "And what are you at?"
"Fifty-five."
132 times we had been at this. And I don't think either of us plan on stopping soon.
"I'm only twenty-two kills behind." Chara said as a malicious grin formed on their face. "I think I'm starting to figure you out Aiden."
"You really think so?" I raised a brow. "I'm still the one with the higher score you know."
"For now." Chara added. "I know I'll get ahead sooner or later."
Chara looked DETERMINED as they said that.
"I just wonder how much longer you plan on holding out."
"For as long as I have to." I stood up from the throne, dropping my cigarette and stomping it out underneath my boot. I then rest Merciless on my shoulder as I take a couple steps forward. "You still haven't answered my question yet. Must be a pretty hard choice for you huh?"
A coffin or a dumpster. Definitely a hard choice for someone to have as their grave.
"I'm not answering that stupid question!" Chara spat out.
"Come on!" I jokingly begged. "You gotta give me an answer at some point. If you don't, I'll make the decision for you."
My eyes narrowed as I still kept my smirk.
"And trust me, you might not like what I'll pick."
"Screw you!" Chara scowled, pointing their knife at me. "If anything, I'll be choosing your grave by the time you give up!"
"Riiight, you keep telling yourself that." I sarcastically said as I nodded my head.
"Whatever." Their eyes narrowed. "In any case, one of us is gonna have to give up sooner or later. And it's not gonna be me."
I stood there, staring at them from across the room. My smirk had faded, and had transformed into a hateful glare as their words from before echoed in my head.
"Because I got to be best friends with everyone before I killed them."
Those words reminded me of him.
I then looked down, anger and hatred boiling deep within me as I kept thinking about it.
"Hey!" Chara frowned as they looked irritated. "Are you ignoring me? Or did you just run out of comic lines and sarcastic remarks to spew out?"
"... You know, I never really answered your question Chara." I finally let out as I lightly pointed at them. Chara arched their brow as I went on. "Power… really is something you know?"
*Ruin.
"I actually had power before I came down here." I stopped resting Merciless on my shoulder, letting my arm drop as the blade rests by my side. "Well, not as much as I have now… but I could still do a whole lot more than what I could do without it."
*Ravage.
"I told myself… that this power was supposed to be used to protect others… To protect the people I cared about." I slowly started to approach them. Taking one step after another as I dragged the tip of my sword across the ground. "But in those moments where I couldn't protect them, where I desperately wished I had… I found another way to use the power I had."
*Devastate.
"... And how did you use it?" Chara's confusion rose by the second, clearly knowing that something was wrong.
*Destroy.
I then looked up with a devilish smile, as I kept on approaching.
"I'll show you."
I swung Merciless up from my side, letting go of its handle as it left my palm. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as the sword approached them. Chara's eyes widened as they pulled their knife back as the blade threatened to cut them. They swing up, colliding their blade into Merciless', knocking it into the air as it spun.
The sword no longer blocked their view as it rose. Their eyes widened as they saw their attacker up close. I pull my right fist back before hooking them across their jaw, and then immediately follow up with a left hook across their cheek before sending an uppercut to their chin. I then throw my fist into their gut as Chara hunches over before I let out a straight punch crashing into their nose.
Chara stumbles back, grunting as they clenched that knife until their knuckles hurt. They then lunge forward, thrusting their knife at me. I jump back to avoid being stabbed as I spiral counter-clockwise. I then thrust my leg out as my boot hit the side of their knife, knocking it out of Chara's hand as the blade soars through the air until it sticks into the wall.
Chara looks to see their main weapon driven into the wall, but then turns back to their attacker, as I whirl myself on the back of my left foot, sending the heel of my right boot into their temple.
Chara's head rocks as they hobble back. A ringing filled their ears as their vision went blurry, until they felt their back hit the ground beneath them. They grit their teeth, closing their eyes in pain as their head throbbed.
They then opened their eyes as muffled footsteps approached them. Chara looked forward to see the hazy figure of the man that attacked them. He spoke, and although it was muffled, they easily made out what he said.
"Might wanna keep your head up."
Chara then looked up, as their hazy vision began to clear. Their crimson eyes widened as they saw the object descending onto them from above.
STAB!
Chara screamed in pain as Merciless had driven through their chest, impaling them to the ground. They gasped, breathing heavily as pain flooded them. A puddle of blood had begun forming underneath them. Chara placed their palms down on the ground and tried to lift themself, in a desperate attempt to free themself. Merciless didn't budge as the insides of their wound traveled across the blade that pierced them.
They then stopped as I rested my right foot on Merciless' crossguard, keeping them in place. I rested my elbow on my knee as I let my arm dangle off to the side. I gave them a smirk as they looked up at me with those rage filled eyes.
"Well, this looks familiar. Don't you think so, Chara?" I mocked as I looked down at them, with that devilish grin on my face.
"F-f… Fuck you!" Chara spat out, wincing in pain. "When I get my hands on you… I'm gonna-!"
I then quickly draw one of my Ombra Twins and aim right between the eyes.
BANG!
Their head fell back as their body fell limply back to the ground. Their bullet lodged head tilted over to the side, as blood trickled down the hole put right through them. I then took my foot off of Merciless' crossguard as I stepped back.
"I think that look suits you better." I grimly joked as I shrugged, putting my gun back into my jacket.
Shatter.
*Show them how powerful you are.
Chapter 7: The Meaning Of Strength
"You are the demon! Not me!"
Flash.
"You're still lagging behind Chara!" I flicked my cigarette away before standing back up, as I kept a confident grin on my face. "How will you ever recover from this?"
"Shut up!" Chara yelled out as they stepped out of the doorway. They instantly drew their Empty Gun firing off a few DETERMINATION bullets in my direction. The gunshots rang through the room as the bullets raced towards me. In an instant, I drew my Ombra Twins and fired my own DT rounds, blocking their shots as they collided into sparks together. The shots stop firing.
"Come on, you're not gonna get anywhere like this!" I mocked, holding my guns out to my sides in a shrugging motion. "You gotta do better than that!"
"You want me to start shooting again?" Chara retaliated, as they continued to aim their sights right at me.
"Go ahead!"
Blackened Angel from Devil May Cry 4 starts playing.
I held out my arms to the sides, spinning the Ombra Twins by their trigger guards on my index fingers. I then aim them at Chara, holding them above one another. "See how far that gets you!"
I fire off rounds of DT as Chara fires back, creating another fireworks show of DT between us. Chara dashes towards me in order to close the distance between us. As they approach me, I quickly put my guns away as I draw Merciless. Bullets continue to whiz past me as I transform the blade into Serpent, and swing it up as the claw races towards the ceiling. It digs its claws into the ceiling as the gem glows scarlet. Serpent pulls me off the ground as I am lugged upwards.
Chara looks up as they stop before the throne. They aimed their revolver at me as anger flared in their eyes. "Get back down here!"
As I kept being raised by Serpent's black chain I looked down at Chara. "Whatever you say!"
Before I reach the ceiling, Serpent detaches its claw, as I was now being carried up by the momentum. Its slithery chain retracts itself as I put it on my back. The chain and claw reform into the crossguard and blade of Merciless. I backflip as I slow down enough to have myself not slammed into the ceiling. As I'm looking down and my legs point upwards, I draw my Ombra Twins, spread my arms at 45 degree angles as I fire a rainstorm of bullets down as I descend in a spiral.
Chara looked around, watching the bullets form a circle around them. I slowly started to draw my arms together, as their eyes widened. It took barely any time for them to realize that the circle they were trapped in was getting smaller by the second. They swapped their Empty Gun out in favor of the Burnt Pan, and raised the cooking utensil up like a shield. My guns were crossed like an X while I kept firing in that downward spiral. Chara kept their improvised shield up to protect themself from the torrent of bullets raining down on them. A few bullets managed to slip by, grazing Chara's arms yet they continued to stay firm.
I then stop firing as I reposition myself right-side up, grabbing Merciless by the handle as I raise it above my head with both hands. It morphs into Desolation as I swing the heavy axe down. Chara peeks from under their pan to see their attacker rapidly descending. They dive out forward to avoid having their shield crushed, and head split open by the heavy weapon.
Desolation slams into the ground as it breaks the earth underneath me. Chunks of rubble and dust being flung into the air. I quickly stand up as my axe morphs into Skewer. I swing it around a couple times before thrust in towards Chara. Its spearhead gem glowed as it quickly extended out towards my target. Chara recovered from their dive and turned around as the spearhead aimed to puncture their skull. They step out of the way as it grazes their upper cheek, as a small amount of blood seeps out the cut.
After the dust settles, Skewer returns to its normal length, as I spin counter-clockwise. My spear then transforms back into Serpent, as I whip the chain back then forward. Chara jumps to the side as the claw slithers past them. They then turn to look at me, not paying attention to Serpent's claw clasping onto Asgore's Throne. I grab the handle with both hands as I pull back. The throne is lifted off the ground. The claw lets go of it, returning to its handle, as the throne soars towards Chara. Chara spins as they draw their knife, cutting through the throne in two as the lower half hits the ground, and the upper half glides over them.
Serpent becomes Merciless, as I dash towards Chara. The half-throne, still heading towards me. I uppercut slash through the piece, cutting it in half as I rose into the air. Chara's spin brings them to face me, as they look up to see their attacker. I flip my sword around and point the tip of my blade down, driving my sword at them. Chara backflips away as my sword is driven into the ground.
Chara lands on their feet before lunging at me. I keep holding onto Merciless' handle as I front flip off the ground, pulling my blade out of the ground. I soar over Chara as their blade grazes mine. As we land, we turn around, swinging our blades at each other. But I was faster this time, as I carved an X across their chest before coiling counter-clockwise, cutting through them. I then swing right as I pass my sword to my left hand behind me, whipping Merciless around me as I hack through them. Favoring my right hand again, I grasp Merciless tightly as I spin to create enough force to slash straight through Chara's chest.
Chara is thrown back as large bloody slashes and cuts cover their torso. Their body lands on the ground, as Chara's torso is severed in two.
Shatter.
Flash.
"How was that?" I smirked at Chara as they entered the throne room. "I'd give that a triple-S if you ask me."
"Aiden what the hell are you talking about?" Chara asked with the most confused looking face I'd seen.
"Oh don't worry about it." I dismissed as I waved my hand up and down. "It's just something from a game I like."
"But enough about that." I stood up from the throne, stomping out my cigarette again, before taking off towards Chara. "This party's not over yet!"
Chara draws their empty gun and fires off a few DT rounds. I jump from left to right to avoid the crimson bolts as I keep on running. I then jump high into the air as Chara keeps their sights on me. They fire more crimson bolts from their six-shooter. The bolts race towards me as I draw one of my guns with my free hand, and fire off a few shots to block Chara's.
I then grab Merciless with both hands as I swing it down onto them. Chara tried to block by catching the blade with the bottom of their gun barrel. But right as the gun was knocked out of their hand, Chara jumped to the side to avoid being split in half by the dark sword.
My sword and the gun hit the ground with a clang. I quickly stand up and swing Merciless to my right, only for Chara to whip out the burnt pan, and send it towards my sword, knocking it out of my hand, as it lands flat on the ground. Chara tries to send the side of the pan into my dome. I jump to the side to avoid having my head caved in. Chara then swings the pan to their right as I jump, avoiding it again. I then whirl myself on my heel, sending my boot into the pan as Chara attempted another swing, knocking it out of their hand.
Chara steps back as they draw their knife and lunge at me. I lean my head to the side and throw my elbow up to meet their arm. The knife is knocked straight into the air as it flips around. We stood with our backs turned to each other, both looking up to see the knife start its descent. We jumped into the air, raising our right hands up, both attempting the same goal of catching the red and black blade.
We both land on the ground. Chara's hand remains empty as the knife resides in mine. Chara and I turn towards each other as I swing the knife to my right, slicing it across their cheek. Now holding the blade behind me, Chara steps back, wincing as they kick the blade out of my hand. I was too focused on the knife being sent up again that I didn't see Chara's fist coming in to clock me across my jaw. I reeled back, throwing my own fist into their own jaw in return, as I followed up with a punch right in their gut. Chara then sends another right hook into my face. We then pull our right legs back before slamming them into each other's chests, causing us both to stumble back.
We both look back up at the knife as it descends. Though it turned out we had the same idea as we both ran for it, throwing our legs out as the knife descended. Though Chara was unlucky, as my foot kicked the bottom of the handle, shoving the blade through the lower portion of Chara's shin. Chara yells out in pain as they pull their leg back and lose their balance, falling to the ground.
As Chara reaches for their knife, I run over and grab Merciless off the ground, then make a beeline towards them. Chara rips the knife out of their bloodied shin. They then look up as their eyes widen as I descend from above and shove Merciless through their sternum. Their mouth hangs open as I lift them off the ground, still impaled on the blade. I then pull my leg back and then boot them off as their body falls limply back.
Shatter.
CORE!Frisk held Gaster's skeletal, hole punched hand by a single digit. Gaster had approached them, extending his arm out as static covered the area of where his hand used to be. Though his hand wanted to return to its rightful owner, as it left CORE!Frisk's grasp and reattached itself to Gaster's wrist. Causing the static to disappear in the process. Gaster then grabbed onto his wrist with his other hand, moving the reattached hand in a circle before opening and closing those skeletal digits of his.
"Thank you Frisk!" Gaster smiled, looking at the monochromatic child. "I know that me and my counterparts have caused a great imbalance in the multiverse, for actions that can only be described as… selfish. But I appreciate your help nonetheless."
CORE!Frisk looked at the goopy skeleton, squinting their eyes at him with a sour look.
"Look Gaster, I'm just doing everything I can to make the multiverse a better place." C Frisk crossed their arms as they spoke. "But these twenty-one… anomalies could have effects and implications on the multiverse that not even I can foresee… I feel like I'm starting to sound like a broken record."
"I understand Frisk. In that case, I wouldn't want to keep you any longer. I'm sure you still have much work to do." Gaster put his skeletal hands behind his back.
"You're still not complete yet." C Frisk then turned towards the screen, watching the ongoing battle between Aiden and Chara. "I need to make sure all of you are put back together before things get out of hand because of these kids."
Gaster then turned to face the screen, watching along with C Frisk.
C Frisk's black holes for eyes narrowed as they watched Aiden and the possessed Frisk carve through each other with their blades. "We need to make sure as many of these kids are put on the right track."
"Once you're fully put back together, it is important for you to intervene as soon as possible."
Flash.
We had been at it for a while now. Our scores had pretty much evened out by now. Everything started to feel like it was mulling together as we traded kills.
Chara and I charge at each other until we get close. They then lunge at me as I jump to the side and spin, flipping my sword around until I jam Merciless into their throat. Their mouth hangs open until I pull my sword, ripping it up through their skull. Their body lands on the ground.
Shatter.
It felt good fighting like this. Felt amazing when I won.
Flash.
We charge at each other again. I swing Merciless to the side as Chara ducks down and slides underneath. Chara then jumps off the ground, flipping their knife around and tears it through my back. The searing pain makes me bend back as Chara spins around, aiming their empty gun in their right hand. They pull the trigger as three shots burn into my back before feeling the same burning pain rush through the back of my skull.
Shatter.
Felt like shit when I lost.
Flash.
I swing Desolation to and fro through Chara's torso. My fourth swing has more force than the last, which sends them back like a ragdoll. I then lift my axe above my head as its gem glows, and swing down as the axe head travels like a buzzsaw towards them. Chara holds themselves up off the ground by their hands as they look back at the guy that sent them ragdolling, only for the last thing they see to be met with the weighty projectile slamming into them. Chara's head is thrown back until their arms no longer support them, falling face first into the ground, driving the axe head deeper into their split open dome.
Shatter.
I'd try to get ahead.
Flash.
Chara cocked back their Tough Gloved fist, putting all their might into a single punch as their fist collided with the flat side of my blade. Chara's punch was a lot stronger this time, knocking me off my feet as I flew back. I leaned forward to see Chara following me as they grabbed onto my ankle and pulled me towards them. Their face and their cocked back fist were in view. Chara then sent their fist right into my face, sending me crashing down into the ground beneath. I let go of Merciless as it ascended in the air, until it came back down, driving itself in the ground. Chara then started punching me in the face, over and over. One hand grabbing onto my hair, as the other repeatedly sent a dull pain into my face. Chara then stopped punching, as they grabbed onto the collar of my shirt before lifting me up off the ground, and hurling me towards the wall. They then grabbed Merciless by the handle and tossed it down the same path. My back hit the wall as I rebounded off, only for my own sword to pierce through my chest, sending me back and pinning me to the wall.
Shatter.
They'd try to get ahead.
Flash.
I whirled Skewer around me as I attempted to attack Chara. Every time, they would duck or jump over every swing I made. I then planted Skewer into the ground, and lifted myself off the ground as I held onto and spun around my spear. I extended my leg out as my boot slammed against the side of Chara's head. Chara was sent flying back in a spiral and landed on the ground rolling away. I then pried Skewer out of the ground, using the momentum to hurl myself towards Chara. They stood back up only to be met with another boot to the face. Chara landed back first onto the ground, skidding back as I pretty much rode on them like a skateboard. I then backflipped off of them just before they stopped skidding back. I aimed Skewer down before plummeting back down and driving it through them, just below their left shoulder. I then lifted them up, drawing one of my pistols and aiming right at their face.
BANG!
Shatter.
The both of us treating this like some fucked up competition.
The music fades out.
Flash.
I didn't even bother to stay seated this time. I just went ahead and stood from the throne, immediately putting out my cigarette in the process.
I heard the echoing footsteps as Chara walked into the throne room.
"That's another score for me!" I gloated, raising one finger into the air. "I'm up one!"
"Where did you learn to count?!" Chara argued as they pointed their knife at me. "You should know that we're even!"
A frown formed on my face as they said that. I was sure I was ahead this time.
*They're right.
"Huh?" I looked at my textbox with confusion. "You've been keeping track this whole time?"
*Someone was gonna mess up eventually.
*Aiden: 214
*Chara: 214
*Total of 428.
"So we are even?"
*The numbers don't lie.
I looked down, kinda disappointed at that fact. I thought for sure I was ahead this time.
"Alright, we're even."
"Good." A smile crept on Chara's face as they kept their eyes narrowed at me. "Then it shouldn't be long before I end up getting ahead."
It grew silent between us. But I kept thinking about how long we had been doing this for. Fourhundred and twenty-eight times. It was a pretty big number. We had fought each other that many times. I couldn't stop thinking about it.
"... You know…" I let out, breaking the silence. "I'm starting to think that this is never going to end."
"What, you thinking of throwing in the towel?!" Chara interrogated. They had a smirk on their face, thinking that I was genuinely considering on giving up. But they were wrong.
"No way!" I interjected. "I already told you that I plan on holding out for as long as I have too!"
"Good. I'd be disappointed if you just gave up like that!" Chara smirked, but then they turned their head away. "But… maybe you're right. Maybe this will never end."
"Oh so now you're the one that's gonna call it a day?" I smirked at Chara. They then shot their head back up, their eyes darting right at me.
"In your dreams!" Chara yelled out, swinging their arm to the side. "Besides, I said that I was going to finish this. And not you, or anything else will stop me."
"Well then…" I spun Merciless around in my hand a couple times as I took a step forward. I glared at them, narrowing my eyes as I kept a confident smirk on my face. "We should get back to it then."
"Agreed." Chara held a wide grin on their face. The black ooze seeping out from their eyes, as they made that nightmarish face.
We both braced ourselves, ready to charge after each other once more. At the same time, we took off. Racing towards each other, we pulled our blades back, extending our free arms out to each other as we got close.
Then, everything seemed to move in slow motion. The world flipped negatively for a second. We glanced down as our eyes widened to the slowly expanding light between us. Then it burst, as the force from the blast of light forced us in opposite directions of each other.
We both hit the ground, skidding back until we shortly came to a stop. I eventually picked myself up to find out what the hell caused that mysterious blast. Chara looked confused as well as they sat up.
"What the hell?" I questioned.
At the center of the room stood a tall skeleton. He wore a long black coat over a white turtleneck sweater, with a grey scarf around his neck. He also wore black dress pants and black dress shoes. He had a crack running down from his left socket, and a crack going up from his right socket. His left eye was a deep blue, while his right was a deep orange.
"... I'm back…" He spoke in disbelief, looking at those hole punched palms of his before flipping them over, then back to his palms. "I'm back!"
I stood up, looking at the new monster that appeared. He looked familiar but… I couldn't quite remember who it was. He then turned towards me, those heterochromic eyes of his staring me down.
"It's you!"
"Me?" I looked at the mystery man, as I raised an eyebrow. I then pointed Merciless at him, my expression quickly shifting to a glare. "Who the hell are you supposed to be?"
"Yeah. You've got a lot of nerve interrupting us like that." Chara looked pissed as they clutched their knife in their hand.
"Aiden!" He yelled out with urgency. "You have to listen to me! You must win!"
"Huh?"
Before I could even think, the skeleton extended his arms out towards me and Chara, pointing the holes in his hands right at us. Chara and I's souls lit up on our chests, our eyes widening as we were lifted off our feet, being pulled towards the mysterious skeleton.
As we reached him, our souls fit into the holes in his hands, sending a shockwave through us both.
My eyes snapped open.
Darkness loomed above me. I quickly stood up, looking around to figure out where the hell I was now.
It was the weird mindscape place where I got my magic. Memories faintly played in the background like it did before.
"What the…?"
I turned around at the sound of the voice. It was Chara. But they were no longer in Frisk's body. Their skin was paler, and they wore that green and yellow sweater of theirs. They turned and noticed me standing not too far from them. Their crimson eyes narrowed as they glared right at me.
"Aiden? What the hell is going on here?"
I then looked up to see two large souls above us. A scarlet one, floating right above me. And a crimson one, floating right above Chara.
I then looked over to the side, where a cage stood. But it was so far away I couldn't tell who or what was in it. I then turned back to face Chara.
Only one thing left to do.
"... I think it's about time to settle this." A smile crept up on my face as I reached for Merciless on my back, wrapping my fingers around its handle.
"Wait, Aiden." Chara spoke, stopping me from drawing my sword. "You remember when you extended that olive branch to me?
"Yeah?" I arched a brow, taking my hand off of Merciless' handle.
"Well I'd like to do the same for you." Chara smirked. "You and I are incredibly powerful Aiden. I think we could achieve great things together."
"You really think I wanna team up with someone like you?" I narrowed my eyes at them.
"Think about it, Aiden." Chara's smirk shifted to that evil grin of theirs. "The possibilities are endless!"
"I can see it within you. That urge to destroy, that itch to kill. It keeps gnawing at you, and you just need to let it out." Chara went on. "You have that power, so why not use it?"
"We can escape this overplayed game, and move on to the next." Chara kept that devilish grin on their face as they extended their hand out towards me. A golden energy then began to swirl around in their hand, until it formed a button floating above their palm. It had a single word written on it.
ERASE
"Let's make this multiverse ours."
I just stared at the button. So many thoughts, so many feelings… I wasn't quite sure what to do.
*The world is cruel.
It felt like my own shadow was looming over me. That option seemed… inviting.
*It has done nothing but take from you.
I took a step forward, inching closer and closer to that button.
*What can this world give?
I reached out to that button, wanting to claim the power right in front of me. To destroy the world that would just take from me again.
*Claim the power you've wanted for so long.
My hand inched closer to it, as Chara's words repeated in my mind. Their words sounded… familiar.
"You and I can rule this place for ourselves."
Closing my eyes, my hand stopped as I heard his voice.
"It's clear that you and I are equals. We should work together."
It had to be a lie. Just like everything else was.
"The path is clear for us to rule. Let us claim our destiny."
I then snapped my eyes open. The button was still there. Chara was still there, waiting for my answer. It was silent for a bit.
…
"Why should I trust you?" I finally questioned.
"Huh?" Chara arched their brow.
"Why the hell should I trust you Chara?" I interrogated. "How do I know this isn't some roundabout way for you to stab me in the back?"
"Just listen, Aiden." Chara's grin morphed into a frown as they extended their arm out to me. "You are more powerful than any other human that I have met. We are the most powerful beings in this world. The multiverse could be ours!"
It felt like the same shit. The same fake deal that I feel like I'm being fed again. It's definitely just some damn lie. I've already heard this type of shit. I was tired of hearing it.
"What's the point in having that power if you aren't gonna use it?!" Chara yelled out, holding their arms to the side. We stared at each other for a couple seconds.
I then turned around, and started to walk away. I just didn't want to hear it anymore. I was done with their bullshit.
"Aiden?" Chara called out, their voice echoing through the void. "Aiden! You really think you can just walk away from a deal like this?"
I looked down as I stopped. My power… so many ways to use it…
"You know what Chara? You're right." I said, still looking away from them. "If you have power… you should use it."
Chara's frown then turned into a smirk.
"But there's a reason I chose this power." I raised my right hand, staring at my own palm. "I made a promise. Not just to Monster Kid, not just to protect this world."
"A long time ago, I told myself that I would use the power I gained, the strength I chose, to fight like hell for what I thought was important." I clenched my fist as I said that.
Chara's eyes then narrowed as I continued.
"And what's important now…"
I then looked over my shoulder, my scarlet eyes staring at Chara's crimson eyes.
"Is stopping you."
"You-!" Chara was quickly cut off as I drew one of my guns, aiming for the button they presented me earlier.
"Sorry Chara. But the deal's off."
BANG!
The gunshot echoed through the void. The ERASE button had a new hole punched into it, as tiny pieces from the bullet hole began to chip away. The button flickered until it lost its light. It then fell onto the pitch black ground, shattering like glass.
Chara's eyes were wide as their mouth hung open. Their right hand covered their chest. They removed it, holding their hand out in front of them, looking at their blood stained palm. Chara then looked down to their chest, to find a hole in their sweater and blood staining it. They then fell to their knees, still holding up their painted red hand. They looked back at their hand, then back at me.
"I'm not like you Chara." I turned to them, lowering my arm down to my side, still holding onto my gun. "You can keep on saying we're the same but you know that's not true."
I stared at them as a red mist began to rise from them.
"If anyone is the demon around here… It's you."
"Hahahaha…" Chara laughed out, despite them heaving. "You really… think that? I know that deep down…"
"... You still see yourself as one."
A smile crept up on their lips. I didn't bother to give that one a response. I just kept staring at them, as their body continued to dissipate into that red mist, until there was nothing.
The red mist continued to rise, spiraling into the darkness above.
I just stood there in the void. The silence was deafening. I then walked over to where the enormous souls floated. I stood right underneath my scarlet soul, as the crimson soul next to it began to shrink, and float down towards me.
As it got close, I reached out to it. Cupping my left hand around the heart shaped object, as it pulsed within my palm. It felt warm. I then looked over to the red cage at my left, and started to walk towards it.
When I reached it, I realized who was in the cage. It was Frisk. When I eventually came into view, Frisk looked up at me through the red bars.
"So you did it…" They spoke. Not sounding happy or sad. "You beat Chara…"
"Yeah… Wasn't easy though." I then squatted down to get a better look at them. Their cage was small enough to where they couldn't even stand up.
"... So what now…?" Frisk asked, kneeling down as they looked back down at the floor. "Are you going to kill me too?"
I didn't know how to respond to that. Instead my eyes darted off to the side, as the question rang in my head.
"I… understand if you have to." Frisk continued. My eyes darted back to them. "I had friends, family, and I threw it all away, just because I thought I could get away with it."
"And when Chara showed up, I couldn't keep them away from my soul… I was weak… It was obvious that I couldn't be trusted with that kind of power…"
I just looked down, still unsure of what to say. I eventually looked back at them, as their hands clenched onto the knees of their pants.
"... I understand if you don't trust me. You won the timeline so… It's only fair… I'd probably just weigh you down anyway."
I raised up the two objects I held in my hands. In my left hand, I held Frisk's soul. In my right hand, I still held onto my gun, keeping my finger off the trigger. I stared at the two objects as I thought about what should be done.
Frisk abused their power, but it's clear that they regret it. If I were to kill them, I'd be denying their chance to make things right. Then I'd be the demon Chara says I am.
…
Maybe they can fix things.
I just… have to trust them.
I eventually made my decision. I put my gun away, stuffing it into my jacket. I looked at Frisk's soul as it continued to pulse within my hand. I then looked over at them.
"Frisk."
They shyly looked up from the ground, and looked at me.
"If you had a second chance, would you take it?"
"... Yes."
"Would you be willing to go back and make things right? To fix the mistakes you made?"
"I would…"
I gave a slight smile, as I extended what was rightfully theirs to them. I let go as the soul positioned itself upright, and floated above my palm. Frisk's eyes widened at their own soul being given back to them.
Frisk didn't say a word as they reached underneath their soul, and brought it into the cage with them. It shined brighter as they held their hands under it, until it floated into their chest. The red light grew brighter, along with the red bars of the cage. The bars then shattered, as both Frisk and I slowly stood up. The light dissipated, revealing their own soul glowing on its owner's chest.
"... You're really sparing me?" Frisk questioned as they looked at me.
"I believe you deserve a chance. It didn't feel right to just take that from you."
Frisk smiled back at me. Then a light started to fill the void, until we were completely blinded by it.
I opened my eyes, quickly looking around to see that I was back in the throne room. Though I wasn't sitting on the throne. No cigarette in my hand, no Merciless planted down in front of me, no genocidal demon storming into the room.
I then looked over to see Frisk sitting up. I then got up off the ground, and walked towards them. They looked up at me as I approached them.
"Welcome back Frisk." I extended my hand out to them. Frisk smiled before reaching up and grabbing onto it with their own hand, as I helped them to their feet.
"Glad to be back." Frisk said. I smiled back at them.
Though I looked over to my right, to see the tall skeleton that I saw before walking towards up. It was then it finally clicked, and I knew who that was.
"Wing Ding Gaster." I stared at the well dressed skeleton as he stopped near us both.
"That's me." He smiled as he looked at us. I then let go of Frisk's hand and turned towards him. "I apologize for my sudden appearance. I had to get here as quickly as I could."
"Don't worry about it." I dismissed. "I think everything's gonna be alright now."
"Aiden, I have been watching you fight while I was putting myself back together." Gaster smiled. "I know that this life has been thrusted upon you so suddenly, but I cannot thank you enough. Because of you, my world has been saved. And I can finally return to it after so long."
"No problem G-man." I boasted as I shrugged my arms out to the side.
Gaster then turned to look at Frisk. They seemed kind of frightened as the tall skeleton stared at them.
"So you gave Frisk their body back."
"Yeah, and it better not be an issue." I crossed my arms as I said that.
"Oh not at all." Gaster then turned back to me. "In fact, it's a good thing you did."
"That's good to hear." I smiled as I said that. I gave Frisk a chance, and I wouldn't want anyone else to take it from them.
"So you really are back."
We all turned towards the source of the voice. It was the funny skeleton man himself.
"It's been a while, huh G?" Sans asked as he looked over at the tall skeleton.
"Sans." Gaster's eyes widened as he looked at the short skeleton. "What are you doing here?"
"I came here to check on the kid, since it looked like this thing might be over with." Sans glanced over at me before looking back at Gaster. "But I think I should be asking you that question. How'd you get back here anyway?"
"I will explain in due time Sans." Gaster put his hand behind his back. "But for now, I think it is most important that we move on to the next step."
Frisk and I looked at each other, both looking confused as hell.
"Next step?" I looked over at Gaster, arching a brow as he looked back at me. "You mean RESETing, right?"
"That's correct." Gaster explained. "And since you gave Frisk their soul back, they can RESET in your place. So that you don't lose the magic you've acquired."
"Huh. Not a bad idea G-man." I smiled as I pointed at him. I then turned to Sans. "That sound good to you Sans?"
Sans glanced over to me after I suddenly gave him the spotlight. He then glanced over at Frisk, who looked like they expressed a huge amount of regret for what they did. They looked away from Sans, not entirely sure how the short skeleton felt about them.
"Yeah." Sans answered. "I believe they have what it takes to make things right. We just gotta put this whole thing behind us."
Frisk then smiled lightly as they heard those words. I smiled as well, knowing that Sans was on board with this.
"Good." I then turned to Frisk. "You ready to get this show on the road?"
Frisk nodded with a DETERMINED look on their face.
"Alright, then let's-"
"Aideeeennnn!"
I turned to the entrance of the throne room. I was wondering who yelled out my name like that, until I saw the teary eyed lizard monster heading my way. I knelt down and opened my arms as Monster Kid jumped into them.
"YoI'msogladyou'reokIwassoworriedandthenthatweirdskeletonshowedupthenSansleftandIhadtogethereand-"
"H-hey, slow down Monster Kid." I pulled him away as I looked at him. His eyes were watery, yet he had a smile on his face. "I can barely understand what you're saying."
"I'm just…" Monster kid took a sec to catch his breath as he tried to wipe his tears away with his tail. "...glad you're ok."
I felt happy to see him. And Monster Kid was definitely overjoyed. It felt nice. But… I hate that it has to be so short-lived.
"Hey uh… Monster Kid?" My smile faded away.
"Yeah?"
"I uh…" I looked away, trying to figure out how to say what needed to be said. "I hate to bring down the mood and all but…"
I trailed off, almost not wanting to finish that sentence.
"You'll be RESETing soon…" Monster Kid finished. "Right?"
"Yeah…" I then looked down. "You probably won't remember me once it happens. But it's the only way to make things right for everyone."
Monster Kid looked down as well, with deep sadness on his face.
"But hey." I put my hand on Monster Kid's shoulder as he looked back up at me. "We'll be friends again. I promise."
"You mean it?" Monster Kid smiled as he heard that.
"I mean it." I smiled back as I reassured him.
"Ok." Monster Kid lifted his tail up again to wipe away more tears that tried to run. "Don't forget ok?"
"I won't Monster Kid." I pat him on his head then stood up, turning towards Gaster and Frisk.
"Ok… Time to get this show rolling." I looked at Frisk as they nodded with that DETERMINED look.
"Agreed." Gaster answered. His eyes flared that heterochromic blue and orange, as a portal opened up. Gaster stepped in and turned around, waiting for me.
I then stepped towards the portal, stopping right before it as I turned to look at Frisk.
"See you on the other side." I smiled as I gave a short wave to them.
"You too." Frisk replied as they waved back.
I then stepped into the portal. Everything was washed over with the void that I stood in, along with Gaster. The portal closed behind us.
"We'll only have to wait a short moment." Gaster said, grabbing my attention. "It shouldn't take long for Frisk to RESET the timeline."
"Well in the meantime I have something I gotta ask." I crossed my arms, looking up at Gaster. "How did I end up here? 'Cause the last thing I remember before showing up doesn't involve me dropping down a fifty-foot hole."
"I guess I should explain then." Gaster held his hand out in front of him as he explained. "See, I had pulled you from your world and into ours in hopes that you would save it."
"Really?" I tilted my head to the side as he made his explanation. "That's a pretty big gamble if you ask me."
"Well you saved us nonetheless, and for that I truly am grateful for what you've done." Gaster commended as he smiled. "If it weren't for you, our world would've been trapped in a genocidal time-loop."
"... No problem G-man." I then turned away, our sides being parallel to each other. I then smiled. "Let's just hope this doesn't happen again."
Gaster let out a small chuckle at my half-joke. "I certainly hope not either."
I doubt something like that would happen again. Frisk seemed really wracked with regret over what they did. They were even willing to die over what they did. But I gave them a chance to fix things. All I have to do is trust them.
Trust…
…
"It's almost time." I snapped out of my thoughts as Gaster spoke. A rift opened up in front of us. I could see a light beaming down from the top, and those golden petals at the bottom. I walked towards the portal, and just before I stepped through-
"Oh and, be careful on your way down." Gaster warned. I looked over my shoulder and towards the tall skeleton.
On my way down? It took me a second to realize what he was talking about. Though I've fallen down before. This one wouldn't kill me.
"Don't worry." I turned around before shooting out a smirk towards Gaster. "I'll be just fine."
I then started to lean back, Gaster's eyes widening as he watched me jumping backwards into the rift.
As I exited the rift, it closed in front of me. My back now faced the golden petals below as I closed my eyes to avoid being blinded.
The wind beat against me as I fell further and further away from the light above.
And that's it for the Genocide run. Consider favoriting, following, and/or reviewing. I'll see you when the next chapter comes out.