FFN
Holy shit, we actually managed to get Chapter Two done. Thanks once again go to XWolf26 for writing DoubleTale & DoubleScramble, and providing feedback. Thanks for editing goes to our wonderful friend TheEhGatsby, this chapter wouldn't be nearly as good without their help. As for the reviews...

Wingah: We...honestly forgot about those two, which is kinda funny given the former's significance in the early seasons of DoubleTale. That being said, we're just gonna roll with it. Marian's played a shit ton of games before and after Undertale, so details are bound to slip her mind or run together.

Zillowzest: we're glad our shenanigans got a laugh out of you.

XWolf26: Thanks, man. Here's hoping we don't disappoint.

Thank y'all for taking the time to leave your thoughts on the story, and thanks to everyone who's added this to their follows/favorites. We hope y'all stick around so we can all see where this goes. With all that outta the way, let's get on with the show, eh?

Disclaimer: We don't own Undertale, DoubleTale, or DoubleScramble

*Demon's Souls' tutorial ain't got shit on this.

My text box's greeting was less than helpful as I staggered a couple steps back from the Save Point outside of the house in the Ruins. Things started to click further into place as I took deep breaths, having to remind myself that my windpipe wasn't a sandwich of meat and cartilage anymore. The chill clung to my bones, and a shiver ran down my spine as I recalled how effortlessly Frisk had brutalized me. Like a cat batting a mouse around in its paws before snapping the poor rodent's neck.

*Keep moving.

"...j-just…just give me a second…" I muttered, still reeling and trying not to panic as I grappled with the fact that this wasn't a dream. I felt like I was gonna throw up as I shambled back into the empty house, refilling my inventory at the fridge before once again staring down into the darkness of the…basement? Could it still be considered a basement if the building was already underground?

*Forward.

I gritted my teeth, trying and failing to force my hands to cease trembling. I turned and marched down the hallway I'd ignored last time, stifling a few less than pleasant words as I did so before staring into the mirror. My pale face wasn't turning purple from lack of oxygen. My dull red eyes weren't wildly flitting around in search of salvation. My throat was just fine. I ran a hand through my long, pink dyed locks and sighed. I…I was fine. Everything was fine.

*...you can handle this, right?

Chapter Two: Blizzard
 "Why are you doing this? If I screw up again, you'll be the one who gets-"

I stared at my text box, surprised by the show of concern from my faceless motivator. I looked back into the mirror, the shaking having subsided by this point. After one last glance at my neck, I turned and began walking back to the staircase.

"...I-I...I'll be fine. I have to be. I don't have a choice, do I? They're not gonna stop unless someone makes them, and I'm probably the only one who can, so that means I'm supposed to be the hero here, right?" I asked, trying to psyche myself back up as I took the stairs two at a time.

*Keyword there. Supposed. Right now you ain't shit compared to them.

"You truly are the wind beneath my wings…" I rolled my eyes as I jogged down the hall to make up the time lost by my episode, hopping over the dust pile and ignoring the feeling of being watched as I passed by the patch of grass before bursting out into the snow.

*What's the game plan this time?

"Try to get ahead of them and snatch up all the weapons and gear, level the playing field a little, ya know?" I replied while passing by the murder-shaped lamp again.

*They beat your ass bare-handed. Even if you had better gear, you'd still suck.

"We'll burn that bridge when we get to it, Boxy." I reassured, passing by the Save Point before skidding to a stop and doubling back to use it. I'd rather not have to fill my inventory again if...when I died again.

*The thought that not three yards from this very spot you got your ass beat fills you with determination. HP left at maximum.

"...I'm not gonna dignify that one with a response…" I grumbled, turning and walking on ahead with a huff.

*Seems like you just did, wisegal.

I ignored the shit-talking black box and kept moving, nearly freezing as I heard sirens begin to blare in the distance. What the hell was going on? This wasn't in the game...or at least, I didn't think so...it'd been a while, I had a long list of stuff to play, sue me for forgetting about the part where Frisk performed a bombing run over Snowdin. My train of thought was interrupted by the sound of snow crunching under someone else's shoes. I whirled around, clutching Tournesol like a bat and fearing the worst.

"Woah, woah, easy there pal. Nothin' to be scared of around these parts…assuming you aren't running with the other kid." The exhausted looking man spoke with a laid-back tone despite the apparent emergency. The friendly grin he wore didn't reach his green eyes, which scrutinized me with an intensity that set me on edge. His disheveled brown hair, rumpled jeans and blue and red striped sweatshirt kinda made him look like the type who'd hang around the neighborhood selling weed and hawking a mix tape. Despite the scruffy, easygoing look, I couldn't shake the feeling that much like Frisk, there was more to him than what first met the eye. It didn't help that I didn't even recognize him. I was still in Undertale, right? Who the hell was this baggy-eyed stranger?

"Other kid…you mean the dusty maniac?" I blurted out while lowering my sword. Something told me I wasn't gonna like my odds if I picked a fight with him.

"Oh, so you two already met. Small world, eh? Name's Cter, by the by, I'm something of a sentry 'round these parts." the man extended his hand.

"...Marian...I woke up at the bottom of a hole." I awkwardly replied, shaking the offered hand before yanking mine away with a sound of disgust as I felt it be covered by...ink?

My reaction got a laugh out of Cter, one that carried on for longer than it probably should've.

"Sorry, sorry, haven't gotten anybody with that gag in a long-ass time, ya know, what with the other kid being a stick in the mud and no one else being scheduled to fall down here and all. So…" Cter's casual tone took on a harder edge. "I don't suppose you understand what's going on around here, do you?"

"I...umm...that…" I floundered for an answer, uncertain how much to reveal. Would he believe me if I told him the truth? Who even was Cter anyway? The only humans underground were supposed to be Frisk and Chara, one of which was some kinda ghost anyways? Undertale was a weird-ass game.

*Focus. He may know something.

Glancing over to my text box broke the strange train of thought and I ran a hand through my hair to calm my nerves, the ink on it slithering off before floating up his jacket sleeve. What the fuck? Wait, shit, focus, Mari.

"I thought I did...but I'm not entirely sure anymore. What I do know is that I might be one of the only people who can stop Frisk." I replied, Cter's stare piercing straight through me as we stood there in silence for a moment.

"...pretty bold assumption to make, kid. What makes you say that?" the strange sentry questioned, his stare somehow growing more intense.

"I-I'm not a kid!" I snapped, before shaking my head and answering the question."...I've fought them once already...it, uhhh…" I hesitated for a moment and shivered for reasons that had nothing to do with the weather, "...didn't go the greatest...but I didn't really stay dead, sooo…" I trailed off again, nervously fiddling with the pommel of my sword.

Cter's face seemed to light up at that, his intense stare softening somewhat as he chuckled.

"You have no idea what it means to hear that, friendo. If you've got one of those Save Files, then things might just be on the upswing for once," the lanky man explained, throwing an arm around my shoulders.

"I've gotta get back to my post soon, but I've got a plan if you're serious about playin' hero. Why don't you chill at my place while I keep Stabby outta trouble for a bit? I've got a shortcut." He winked his left eye shut, grinning as the world around us pitched for a split second...and within that brief instant, we found ourselves standing in a cozy looking living room.

"How the hell did you do that!?" I whirled to look up at him, a grin beginning to split my features. We'd just fucking teleported. If I could do something like that, then I might have a fighting chance against Frisk.

"Stick around and I might tell ya later, sound good? Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a job to not slack off on for once. Pizza money's on the counter and my number's on the fridge if you need anything." Cter joked, before disappearing with a cheeky two-fingered salute.

*...that's pretty much an open invitation to raid the fridge, right?

"Ehhh...close enough?" I shrugged, making my way to the sparse little kitchen tucked under the second floor of the house. The fridge was full of leftovers from some place called "Gaster's", a few bars of chocolate, and...a shit ton of bottles of cough syrup?

*Who the hell gets sick that often?

"Dunno, but the idea of drinking that shit in a fight is gross as hell." I muttered, closing the fridge. No healing items for me...assuming I'd even have room with all the energy drinks I'd filched from the last fridge.

*Probably doesn't heal much anyways...though I guess it doesn't have to, since we're stuck at 20 HP for the foreseeable future.

"Good point, the energy drinks already max my HP out, and give me some kinda speed boost. Though I don't think it matters much if Frisk can just one shot me whenever they damn well please…" I mumbled, shivering a little as I recalled the rather brutal finish to our first fight.

*We'll pay them back for that later.

I was startled out of my conversation with my text box by the sound of the door closing in the living room. Turning around, I raised a hand to wave to Cter before freezing in place as I got into a very awkward impromptu staring contest with someone who looked like an older, paler Frisk. Similar short brown haircut, roughly similar androgynous proportions, but they were wearing a green jacket with a yellow stripe across the torso with a pair of tan slacks and brown boots.

"Greetings…? I...didn't expect to be running into two humans today, especially not in my own house. Rummaging through my fridge." The tall clone broke the silence, ruby eyes narrowing as they stared me down.

"Uhhh...Cter told me it was cool?" I nervously replied, blushing faintly as I was called out on my sticky fingers.

"You already met Cter? Strange, he didn't say anything to me about a guest…regardless, my name is Chara, future member of the Royal Guard. It's a pleasure to meet you." They stiffly introduced themself before making their way to a drawer and pulling out an old takeout menu and pen, scribbling something down on it while I awkwardly fidgeted in place.

"M-My name's Marian...I kinda fell down a hole, picked a fight with a homicidal maniac, and am in the process of trying to make them quit their bullshit." I explained, managing to not sound as nervous as I felt. Save File or no, dying fucking hurt, and I was probably going to be doing a lot of it in the near future.

Chara paused in the middle of their writing for a moment, murmuring something under their breath before shaking it off and turning back towards me after setting the pen down.

"Oh, really? Well, as much as we appreciate the help, I already have a plan in mind. You'd be better off staying here where it's safe until this all calms down." the aspiring Royal Guard member suggested, turning to head towards the door.

"W-Wait, I can't just sit here and do nothing! What if they catch you off guard or something? Or your plan doesn't work?" I shouldered my sword and did my best to stand up a little straighter, "I can fight too."

Chara frowned, glancing off to the side and looking to be deep in thought...before sighing and turning back to the door.

"Come on then, let's get going…but stay close." They ordered, opening the door and stepping out into the snow. I grinned and jogged to keep pace with their longer stride, following them as they made their way out towards the edge of town. The wind picked up the further we went, and I found myself shivering like crazy as we eventually stopped in the middle of a hazy blizzard.

I planted the tip of Tournesol into the snow, squeezing the hilt every now and again as we waited for Frisk to show. I occasionally glanced up at Chara, who silently stared into the distance back the way we came. Their face was a storm of different emotions. Apprehension, resolution, tension and...guilt? I was startled from my weird staring by the sound of snow crunching beneath someone's boots, and whirled to look in the same direction Chara was.

Frisk stepped closer, their eyes locking onto mine as their sadistic grin was pulled down into a frown. They didn't so much as twitch as Chara began to speak.

"Human. I've got a few thi-"

"I thought I told you not to come back." Frisk cut Chara off, completely ignoring them in favor of staring daggers at me.

"I don't tend to take advice from people who try to k-kill me." I fired back, my fingers wrapping around my sword's hilt and pulling it from the snow. As I did so I could feel the whole world closing in around us again, as a glowing heart-shaped soul dyed a pale cyan appeared on my chest. A matching set of scarlet souls appeared on Frisk and Chara's.

"Guess I'll just have to reiterate..." Frisk replied, tightening their pair of Tough Gloves. "Stay out of my way, or die." They kicked up snow as they launched at me while cocking back a fist. I braced for impact, only for their punch to hit empty air as Chara yanked me out of the way

Stumbling a bit as my mind played catch-up with what just happened, I brought Tournesol to bear. I took a literal stab at hitting Frisk, my blade being batted aside like they were swatting a troublesome fly. For my troubles, I received a love tap to the chest that damn near halved my HP and left me wheezing.

Frisk took advantage of the distraction by rushing Chara, their first few jabs being easily side-stepped before they had to hop over a leg sweep. Frisk pulled their knees to their chest & tried shotgunning a kick into Chara's chest, only for the sentry to roll to the side and let the squinty-eyed murderer fall on their ass.

"It's not too late to stop this, kid. I should know, I've been in your place before." Chara admitted, smiling sadly at their assailant even as they picked themself up off the ground and rolled their eyes.

"Deep down, it hurts...right? And you lash out because you're scared of letting anyone close enough to hurt you again…" Chara trailed off, their smile fading as they saw just how...bored Frisk seemed, "...right?"

Frisk smirked, tightening their Tough Gloves and launching at Chara again. Their initial jab was knocked aside, the follow-up knee meeting air as the sentry hopped backwards out of range. Frisk grit their teeth as my sword came down on their shoulder while they were focused on Chara. Despite the clean-seeming hit, I barely shaved a few HP off & would be lucky if it even bruised.

"You're annoyingly persistent for someone so useless." 'Stabby' informed me, damn-near fracturing a few of my ribs as they shoulder checked me to the ground. Whirling around they charged at Chara again, trying their damnedest to get a clean hit on their lanky doppelganger with a flurry of blows.

I groaned and coughed up a bit of blood as I fished out another energy drink, chugging it down before climbing back to my feet to join the fray again. A downward slash from Tournesol nearly caught Frisk out in the middle of a roundhouse, which they transitioned into a cartwheel out of harm's way. A literal helping hand yanked me back by my hood, saving me from the brutal axe kick that Frisk responded with.

"We're not getting anywhere like this…" Chara mumbled, thinking out loud as they stared Frisk down. Frisk's eyes darted between the two of us before their lips twitched in a faint smirk.

They darted forward and whipped an arm out towards Chara, sending a sharpened stick flying towards their face. They cocked back a fist while the sentry was distracted, eyes gleaming red with malice and Determination as they locked onto mine. The seconds seemed to stretch into minutes as they prepared to collapse my throat again. My legs felt like they were rooted to the ground as I stared my death in the face like a cruel reflection of the first.

"MOVE!" a pair of voices rang out through the blizzard, before being cut off by the wet splatter of Frisk's fist punching clean through my neck. A strangled gasp tore my thoughts away from my imminent demise, and I was shocked to find it had clawed its way out of my untouched throat. Chara had dived between Frisk and I, arms outstretched as if to shield me from the attack...and yet they too were unharmed.

Cter let out a strained chuckle as he glanced down at the fist buried in his chest, his lifeblood staining the dusty fabric of Frisk's blue sweater an ugly shade of red. They ripped their hand free of his crushed ribs & shook the drops of blood off their fingers, stepping around their surprise victim as a cruel smirk stretched across their face. The broken man stumbled back, wincing as his partner caught him.

Chara seemed like they couldn't breathe any better than Cter despite their ribs not currently taking residence inside their lungs. They clutched him tightly to their chest, mumbling something I couldn't make out through the ringing in my ears as they shook their head. Tears streamed down their face as they stared down at Cter, bringing a hand to his still-grinning face.

Whether Cter could manage a response or not, I'd never hear it through Frisk's cruel peal of laughter. I slowly turned away from the sentries, realizing in my stupor that I'd fallen to my knees at some point. As the laughter calmed down, I climbed to my feet and turned my back on my mistake.

"Ya know, kid, you're really something else! All these runs, and we've never gotten to deliver a punchline that good." Frisk spoke in a lower register than they'd been using up to this point, and with a tone that was much too casual given the blood-soaked arm and the man dying in his partner's arms.

"Oh, geeze, haven't had a laugh like that in ages, so why don't I take the time to introduce myself? Name's Sans. Sans the ghost." Frisk...no, Sans grinned, holding out Frisk's bloodstained hand to shake. I merely stared, my brain still trying to catch up after all that had happened in the span of mere moments.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" Sans asked, cocking a brow before shrugging and turning back towards the path out of Snowdin. I felt the strange warmth from before build in my chest.

"Yeesh, tough crowd. Thanks for the laugh kiddo, we'll be sure to remember ya in the next run." the ghost reassured, offering a cheeky wave as he walked away.

The warmth in my chest became an almost searing heat. I grit my teeth and took a step towards him, clutching Tournesol in a white-knuckled grip.

*Retribution

I took another step. White-hot fury began filling the void in my thought processes. Sans was too busy reading his text box to notice me take another step. A couple steps later I realized I was sprinting after him.

*Fight

I pulled my sword back as I approached him. A cry of anger loosed itself from my throat as I brought the blade down with all the hate I could muster. Sans whirled around & tried to knock the blade aside, only for Frisk's hand to crumple under the force of my swing with a sickeningly satisfying crunch. The possessed, squinty murderer hopped back a couple steps, face stretched into a grin as I glared at them.

"Marian." I ground out, shaking as I did my damnedest to fight back the urge to crushmaimbreak fight Frisk/Sans. A lucky shot like that wasn't going to come again.

Sans let out another long laugh, wiping a tear from his eye as I stared him down for what felt like hours yet had to have been only seconds.

"Well, that's a fine 'how do you do', Marian. You're a pretty funny gal, butting your head into my game like you've got any power to stop it, gettin' someone killed in the process, and then turning around and breaking a guy's borrowed hand like it's nothin'!" Sans waved his limp, mangled hand at me, grinning even wider.

"Here's hopin' we don't meet again, though. Joke's not that funny if you keep repeatin' it, yeah?" Sans warned, his eyes narrowing even as his grin persisted. With that, he turned and walked off into the distance, leaving my mind filled with as many questions and conflicting emotions as there are snowflakes in a blizzard.

Consider favoriting, following, and/or reviewing if you enjoyed the chapter. Hopefully the next one won't take much more time than this did. Truth be told, this could've been done faster, but between work and our relationship status with sleep being "It's Complicated", we're just happy to have this one finished within a week...ish.

Edit (11/16/23): Another chapter that's had some major parts redone. We weren't especially happy with Cter and Chara's dialogue, and some details of the fight have been touched up. Hope y'all enjoy.

We're TiredWhiteMayge, and we need to go get some damn sleep.