THE LAST HOPE
Nearly all the humans in the room were stunned silent as they just saw what they thought was a Monster pull their hood back to reveal that they were actually a human. Volos had told them that the Monsters would take any opportunity they saw to take their Souls, and yet here was one, a child, unharmed and on their side.
"I am human," Frisk assured. "Just like you but I have lived with the Monsters for years. My name is Frisk."
"What Monster trickery is this?" Volos demanded.
"No tricks," Frisk said. "I'm just as human as the rest. The only difference is I don't let my fear and prejudices rule me." There was some venom and repressed hate in those words that everyone caught.
"This can't be," the teal wizard said. "Why are you siding with them?"
"Because they're my family," Frisk said honestly. "And you people are threatening them."
"So you're a traitor," Volos said.
"That would imply I was ever on your side," Frisk stated.
"You miserable…"
"Perhaps we should adjourn for now?" Dobromil suggested. "Take some time to think on this and reconvene in, say, two hours?"
"That is acceptable," Asgore agreed.
The green wizard nodded to the yellow one, who banged the gavel. Everyone stood up and departed. Frisk pulled their hood back up.
"Frisk, I thank you for what you did back there," Asgore said. "I couldn't have managed that without your aid."
"I'm here to serve, Asgore," Frisk said.
"Well, perhaps we should have lunch while we wait for the humans," the king suggested. "I'll have our cooks prepare something."
"We'll be in the forest," MK said, taking Frisk's arm. The two ran off to the trees. "Well, that was something. You made quite the sight pulling your hood off."
"It was the only way I could think of to counter Volos," Frisk said.
"Well, you certainly made an impression on all those humans, that's for sure," MK said. "What was your goal with that, anyway?"
"To show them that Volos is wrong and that the Monsters aren't… well, monsters," Frisk answered.
"You've certainly done that if not more," MK said. "I think that red one, Volos, looked pissed when he realized what you were."
"I'm pretty sure his plans rely on the humans being too afraid to trust the Monsters. My mere presence with you guys throws a pretty big wrench into that."
The two laughed at that. The laughter was cut short when a spear nearly struck Frisk.
"Sorry," someone said, running up. "Didn't see you there." The person in question came up, pulling the spear out of the ground. They wore rather simple brown clothes under a rather large poncho, and their hair was brown as well.
Frisk and MK had to look up slightly to see him. In the process, Frisk's hood fell off.
"Oh, hi there, and…" the human trailed off when he saw MK, whose hands were at his sides, ready to strike.
"MK, calm down," Frisk said, laying a hand on his shoulder. The lizard did as requested, lowering his hands. "You nearly struck us."
"Yeah, sorry. Didn't think there was anyone else nearby," he apologized. "Um, you do realize you're touching a Monster, right?"
"He's my bodyguard," Frisk said.
"The bodyguard has a name, you know," MK snarked. "And it's MK."
"Mine's Frisk," they said, holding their hand out. The other didn't take the offered hand, holding the spear close. "Um, what are you doing out here?" they asked, noticing this person wasn't much older than themself.
"Some training," he answered. "Father says I have to keep up my regime even if we're on a diplomatic trip."
"Is your dad a soldier?" Frisk asked.
"No, a wizard."
That intrigued Frisk. "I take it you know some magic, then?"
"A few spells, nothing impressive," he said modestly.
"Well, I know a few things, too," Frisk said. They extended their hand out, and conjured a small red flame, surprising the taller human.
"How are you… doing that?" he asked.
"It's easy, after a lot of time and practice," Frisk answered. The taller human reached out, touching the flame, but not getting burned.
"That's… incredible. Who taught you?" he asked.
"My mother, my father," Frisk answered.
"They must be very skilled spellcasters."
"Yeah, they were," Frisk said sadly, putting the fire out and lowering their arm.
MK rest a hand on Frisk and the other human realized he said something wrong. "Oh, I'm sorry," he apologized. "What happened to them?"
Frisk shrugged. "Don't know. Just came home to find them gone. It was a few years ago and it still hurts."
"I lost my mother a few years back," he sympathized.
"At least you have your father," Frisk said. "I left on… somewhat rather poor terms with my parents. Sometimes I wish I had just one more day with them or that I was there when they dusted."
"Dusted?"
"HAWARD!"
All three jumped at the shout. They turned to see Volos marching up.
"What are you doing?"
"Training, father," he said.
"With this scum?" Volos gestured to Frisk and MK.
"We were just talking. I startled them when I almost hit them," Haward said.
"You should have split the Monster's skull open," Volos said harshly. MK stuck his tongue out in disgust. "And I don't want you anywhere near that traitor."
"Traitor?" the poncho-clad human asked.
"It," Volos said, pointing to Frisk. "It sided with the Monsters and I don't want you near it. You're coming with me." He grabbed Haward's wrist and pulled him away.
"Uh, bye?" Haward said awkwardly, waving.
MK glared at Volos as he dragged his son away. "Wow, what a jerk."
"That's one word for it," Frisk muttered.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Just… he brought up some bad memories," Frisk assured.
"From before, right?"
"Yeah, but I'm okay."
"So, that was Volos' son?"
"Apparently. Who knew?" Frisk pondered on that. "He was open to listening to us. Maybe we could use that."
"Hey, is it just me, or did he look… kinda familiar?" MK asked.
Frisk shrugged. "He's human. Maybe he just looks very similar to one you've seen before."
"Maybe," MK hesitantly agreed. "We should probably get back. Lunch must be almost ready."
"Race you back?"
"You know who the winner would be," MK taunted.
"Really?" Frisk sprinted ahead before MK could react. "How about now?!" they shouted back.
"Head start, no fair!" MK bolted after them.
Frisk and MK ate a broth that the cooks had prepped. It wasn't very good but they weren't about to complain. As they ate they told Asgore about their meeting with Haward.
"Interesting," the Boss Monster said. "Do you think you convinced him that Monsters aren't as dangerous as his father would have him believe otherwise?"
"Not sure we did that much," Frisk admitted. "But we at least forced him to question it."
"Hmm. I'm not sure how this can affect anything but good job regardless," Asgore said.
"Any idea how the humans are taking the knowledge of Frisk?" MK asked.
"Nothing definitive but I would hope they are at least questioning it," Asgore answered.
As they talked, Toriel came over a bowl in her hand. "My king, if I may, there is no room anywhere," she said, gesturing to all the full logs.
"Oh, not at all," he said, gesturing to the seat beside him.
"Thank you." She sat down and began eating, being careful to not spill it on her robes.
Frisk looked at her and it seemed she was slightly nervous to be next to Asgore. They hid a smile behind their spoon.
"So, how are you children doing?" Toriel asked awkwardly.
"Doing fine so far," Frisk answered.
"None of this is strange to you?" she asked.
"I've lived with Monsters for three years. Nothing is strange to me," Frisk said.
"Three years?" Toriel questioned. "Why are you living with them?"
"Well, I was adopted by this nice couple," Frisk explained. "They were very kind to me and treated me like their own."
"Adopted?"
"It means Frisk was taken in by Monsters and made their child legally," MK explained.
"What about your original parents? Your human ones? Do they not miss you?"
Frisk looked down. "Never knew them," they answered. "The Monsters are the only family I've ever known."
"Oh, I am sorry," Toriel said. "I know how you feel. I never knew my parents, either."
Frisk looked up and Asgore was surprised by that.
"I thought you said you lived with your mother before she died?" Asgore questioned.
"Well, she was not my birth mother," Toriel admitted. "She found me as a baby and raised me."
Frisk wasn't sure how to take that knowledge though it explained much about Toriel's personality in the future. A thought slipped into Frisk's mind, and they wondered if that was true, it explained even more about her.
"Why not tell us that?" Asgore asked Toriel.
She looked away, nervous, and that confirmed it for Frisk, especially when she shot them a glance.
"She was human, wasn't she?" Frisk asked. Toriel freezing up answered it for them.
"A human? A human took care of you?" Asgore asked. Toriel nodded. He placed a hand on his head. "That… I can see why you didn't tell us that now."
MK leaned over to Frisk. "That would also explain why, in the future, she's so nice to you," he whispered. "It also explains why she has a rather out-of-proportion amount of care for humans."
The conversation slowed down. Asgore asked a few more questions of Toriel about her past. As he did, Frisk thought they saw him softening up toward her. They wondered for a moment if this might have been how they fell in love originally. It wasn't love yet, but it was something, certainly. Perhaps, given enough time it would become that.
"I am not mad you kept this knowledge about your mother a secret from me," Asgore assured Toriel. "It just… surprised me is all."
"I take it you were ignorant of a lot of things about your kind growing up, right?" Frisk asked.
"I was, yes. It is part of the reason I pursued this path in the first place, to learn about what I am," Toriel explained.
Frisk nodded. "I take it you're also unaware that you're a Boss Monster, right?"
Toriel's bowl fell out of her hands when she heard that. "I'm a what?"
"A Boss Monster, like Asgore," Frisk said, pointing to the king.
"W-how do you know I am a Boss Monster?" Toriel asked.
"You look just like him, for one," MK said. "But we know a few things about you that you don't know yet."
Toriel just sat there in shock, Frisk trying to suppress a few giggles. "We should probably think about the summit. It's getting time to reconvene."
"Good idea," Asgore agreed. "Toriel, perhaps you should close your jaw so we might discuss this."
Toriel shook her head to rid herself of the lingering surprise. "Right, I probably should."
Once the two hours were up, both parties returned to the structure and reused their seats, though Frisk didn't bother putting their hood back on this time. Volos was glaring at them almost the whole time.
The yellow wizard picked up his gavel and banged it twice. "Alright, this meeting is back in session."
"We have been discussing this rather recent… revelation," the purple wizard said. "We wish to know how this child came to be with your group. We also request that you turn them over to us so we might return them to their family."
Asgore wasn't sure how to answer that but Frisk did it for him. "My family – my human one – is dead so I'm not going with you people."
"And who told you they were dead?" Volos questioned.
"I did," Frisk said decisively. "My parents abandoned me as a baby and I've had to survive on my own for a long time until I found the Monsters."
For once, none of the humans had a response to that.
"I came with the king of Monsters to negotiate on their behalf," Frisk continued. "I don't want to see them all killed."
"If we are done," Asgore said. "I believe we have much to discuss."
"What could we have to talk about now?" Volos asked harshly.
"A lot. Like establishing a system of trade between our kingdoms," Asgore answered. "My people don't want a war and are willing to do whatever it takes for peace."
"Peace? We can never have peace," Volos stated.
"Volos, calm down. Perhaps we should hear them out," the blue wizard suggested.
"Why should we? How can we trust them? They've deceived that child into believing their lies," Volos accused. "They're trying to use it to trick us."
"Nobody 'deceived' me," Frisk protested, but Volos carried on anyway.
"You want to trade? We don't need to trade. We'll take your food from your dusty remains," Volos said.
"Now, now, there's no need for such harsh words," Asgore said. "I am sure, if we calm down, we can talk this out."
"You can't exactly afford to not at least hear us out," Frisk said. "The king has told me what's going on. Besides, feeding an army is probably draining your stores more than anything. Surely you can see that it's better to stay your blades for the time and work with us. I am sure we could find some way to share that would be mutually beneficial."
"Silence, child," Volos said, pointing a finger at them. "There is no arrangement we will accept, other than your deaths."
"I'm with Volos," the orange wizard said. "How can we trust these people after everything they've done?"
"What have they done?" Dobromil asked. "Most of what we've heard they've done doesn't really match up with their actions from today. Besides, look at that child. Surely, that means something?"
"You're a naive fool," Volos accused. "These things are demons. That child is either a traitor or been tricked."
"I agree," the purple wizard concurred. "Yes, our knowledge is imperfect but we can't trust them with the power they could gain."
Frisk tried to speak up, but Volos beat them to it. "Your lies and trick won't work on us, demon king," he said. "Know this; there will be no peace as long as you live. Oh, and if you need proof of our intentions, take this as a warning."
Asgore pondered on that for a moment before he could hear faint screams from outside. He rushed out, Gerson behind him. Frisk and MK followed and they saw the Monsters' tents on fire. They were scrambling to try and save what they could but the fires were spreading fast. Frisk looked to the side and saw the human tents were in a similar condition. They were pointing fingers at the Monsters, and Frisk thought they could hear accusations coming from them.
Undyne was doing her best to guide bucket brigades to snuff out the flames, but it wasn't working well.
"C'mon, dude. We gotta help," MK said. Frisk nodded before both ran over to help put out the flames. MK was able to carry two buckets and they chucked the water, which were provided by Monsters able to generate water, onto the flames.
As Frisk tried dousing a flame, they saw a shape running between the tents. Curious, they followed, MK behind them. Whoever it was, they were trying their hardest to go unseen. With a wave of their hand, Frisk used the nearby fire to create a wall to stop the person in his tracks.
They turned around and Frisk realized it was a human guard, a lit torch in his hand. "Stop there!" they demanded, whipping out their trident. They heard a grunt from behind them and they turned to see MK fall to the ground unconscious. They had only a moment to realize what was happening before they were struck on the head and fell.
"Hey. Isn't this the kid Volos told us about?" they heard a voice say.
"Yes. We're supposed to capture them," another said. "Tie them up."
Frisk felt themself being bound in rope, before being hauled up. They tried to clear their mind and focus, but it was too hard. They were tossed into something and it managed to bring them back to their senses enough to realize what was going on. They were being kidnapped! They sat up and saw they were in a metal cage on a wooden cart on the other side of camp. They burned through their ropes but escaping the metal cage was a different story.
"Help! MK! Asgore! Anyone!" they shouted.
MK got to his feet, clutching his head. He was fortunate his was so hard from falling so much. He came to his senses quickly and realized what had happened. He ran out of the Monster camp, looking towards the human side. He saw metal cages in carts but one had a cloaked figure in it. He heard Frisk's voice and ran for it.
As he ran, two humans had the horse start pulling them away. "Hey, stop!" MK shouted. They whipped the horses harder and began pulling the cart away fast. MK sprinted to catch up. He knew he could get to them before the horses got to full gallop.
Once close enough, MK leapt onto the cart and sure enough, Frisk was in the cage.
"MK! Thank god!" Frisk said relieved.
"I'll get you out of there, hang on," MK assured, conjuring a spear.
"No you don't." MK looked up to see the orange wizard there. "Get off, Monster, before I turn you to dust."
MK made another spear, getting into a stance. "Make me." The wizard whipped out a spear and swung it at MK who blocked it with his own. The wizard had the advantage of height, but MK's arms more than made up the difference, surprising the human. He broke off, swinging a wave of fire at the lizard but MK was able to avoid the fire easily. He leapt onto the top of Frisk's cage, throwing one of his spears in the process.
The wizard dodged it, swinging his own at MK, who again leapt to avoid it. But he landed near the driver, who had a knife on him. He swung it but MK saw it coming and jumped back to avoid it.
"MK!"
He turned just in time to see the wizard swing his spear at him. He brought up his own to defend, but it still struck him on the head, sending him flying off the cart.
The wizard proceeded to sit back down. "Well, that takes care of that."
MK skidded on the ground for a while before he came to a stop. Slowly, he sat up, a hand to his head when he felt something wet on his forehead. Through bleary vision, he saw the cart speeding away. He ran after them, hoping to catch up and try rescuing Frisk again.
The orange wizard turned around and saw MK back up and sprinting after them. "Are you kidding me? Can't these horses go any faster?"
"Not when they're pulling this much weight," the driver said.
MK was running as fast as he could but he was unable to close the gap. He refused to lose and tried pushing himself to go faster. He had to rescue Frisk.
His eyes began to glow gold and he began picking up speed as he felt a burst of energy. He let it fill him, gradually catching up. The glow got stronger and brighter, the whites of his eyes turning black. But then a 'beep' came from his arms and he felt something enter his system. Suddenly he was exhausted almost out of energy. The glow faded away.
"No, not now," he panted. He tried to get it back but he couldn't recover the lost energy. The cart was pulling away fast as he stumbled to a stop. He fell to his knees, struggling to stay upright as his vision began to spiral. "No, Frisk, I'm sorry."
He sat there for a while, panting to get his breath back. As he felt strong enough to get up he heard a trotting behind him. He saw a horse coming up with Gerson on its back.
"What are ya doing here, lad?" Gerson asked.
"They took Frisk," MK answered. "The humans kidnapped them."
Gerson looked in the direction MK had been going, guessing what they were going to do. "Come on, we need to get back to camp. You look worn out."
"We need to chase after them. They got Frisk," MK insisted.
"If they're taking the kid by cart I'm not sure we can catch them, at least not before they reach human territory," Gerson advised. "If we try to cross into their lands we'll be killed for trespassing."
"We can't just let them keep Frisk."
"We won't, but we can't help them if we're dead," Gerson advised. "We need to regroup and come up with a plan before we go charging off. Now get on, I'll give ya a ride back to camp."
Reluctantly, MK got onto the horse's back and Gerson had them return to the Monster's camp.
"By the way, why did you come for me?" MK asked.
"Saw ya chasing after those humans. Took me a while to get a horse and come after ya," Gerson answered.
MK rubbed his forehead, drops of red coming off on his hands. "Think I need healing. That wizard got me good."
"Surprised you're still in one piece if ya got struck," Gerson said. "Usually someone your age would die in one hit from a guy like that."
MK held his hand to the cut on his head, saying nothing.
End of Chapter 6