Chapter 51
Frisk poked at her breakfast. Her appetite eluded her. Eyes drifting to Chara, she saw him staring off into the distance. Neither asked the other how they were doing, but they didn't need to. The empty look in Chara's reflectionless eyes accurately mirrored how Frisk felt; it wasn't a stretch to believe Chara looked how he felt.
Drifting away from the crowd, Frisk sat alone in the field with her scarcely touched oatmeal. When she accepted the bowl in which Papyrus cheerfully scooped her share, Frisk didn't stop by the table with fruit, sugar, and syrup. Looking back, Frisk should have gotten at least one scoop of sugar. It was difficult enough eating when everything tasted like ashes. The food she ate being flavorless oatmeal did little to help.
"Would you like some company?"
Before Frisk could react, Alice sat down on the field next to her. She had two bowls in her paws – a bigger one filled with her own helping of oatmeal, and the smaller with fruit and sugar sprinkled on top. Wordlessly, Alice offered the smaller bowl to Frisk.
Muttering a thanks, Frisk accepted the small bowl and poured half of the contents into her oatmeal. When she saw that Alice's own oatmeal was plain, Frisk offered the small bowl back. Alice mumbled her own appreciation as she accepted the bowl and dumped its remains into her breakfast.
For a few minutes, the two ate in silence. After they had finished, Alice gently took Frisk's bowl out of her hands, stacked the three dishes, and set them to the side. The girls continued to sit together without speaking.
Then Frisk opened her mouth, and she told Alice everything about the previous night. Tears began to spring up. Soon, tears were running hot and fast down Frisk's face. Alice did nothing more than reach out to take Frisk's hand and lend a listening ear. When Frisk was finished, Alice squeezed Frisk's fingers.
"I think you were right all along to not trust Sans," Frisk admitted a minute after she had finished telling Alice everything.
"Maybe at first, but I didn't stay right," Alice replied. "He's less of a selfish coward now, or so he has proven thus far. Despite what Sans has done, he has done a lot to protect you."
He killed me once. Frisk shook her head. There was no reason to hold Sans to that crime when it felt as if almost everyone Frisk had met has killed her before.
"People make mistakes," Alice continued after Frisk didn't respond. "I know I have, so I can't judge Sans for this. Of course, I understand this is hard for you regardless. You lost your mom. How could you ever forgive anyone for such a crime?"
"We're supposed to begin our journey to New Home soon," Frisk muttered. "I'm supposed to face King Asgore soon. How am I supposed to challenge him when I can barely hold myself together?"
"Frisk, how do you feel?"
"Empty." Frisk felt hallow even saying the word. Ever since last night, she had felt numb to every emotion that dare overwhelm her. It was as if the last of her insides were scooped out, leaving behind a vacant shell. Perhaps it was better than feeling too much all at once. Maybe it was better to be as emotionless as Chara had once been.
Thinking the thought, Frisk turned her attention towards him. Chara stood with his arms crossed, gaze faced away from her, his eyes staring into nothing. Frisk used to wonder, but now she knew that his lack of emotions was trained and not the natural result of his state.
"I'm sorry." Alice audibly sighed. "It's bad enough you never had the chance to properly mourn without risking someone trying to hurt you, but this? When will it be enough?"
"When I have nothing left to lose." Frisk slowly rose to her feet. "We should get going. They're going to call us together soon."
Alice pushed herself up and grabbed the bowls. She stepped forwards but abruptly stopped when she realized Frisk stared intently at her. Expression softening, Alice reached out and gently touched Frisk on the shoulder.
"Thank you, Alice," Frisk said, not feeling any better but grateful she didn't have to endure the morning alone.
"Of course." Alice smiled a small smile. "What are friends for?"
"I'm glad you're mine."
"I can say the same." Alice gave Frisk a small push. "Now, let's get going. I don't want The Snake coming after us because we took too long to eat our cement for breakfast."
"Aw, don't be that harsh." Despite herself, Frisk giggled, although it sounded hallow. "I think this was one of Papyrus's better dishes."
Chara was on high alert the moment The Snake sent Suzy to Frisk to request her presence. Of course, "request" was not accurate. "Demand" would have been more like it.
Wiping her dry, tear-stained face, Frisk threw her shoulders back and responded that Suzy lead the way. The purple reptilian monster did. Chara Checked Suzy in search of questionable motives.
Although Suzy was good at guarding her soul, she wasn't that good. Despite her calm and cool demeanor, Suzy was nervous. About what, Chara didn't know, but something weighed heavily in the back of her mind. Maybe it was the mission she was supposed to prove herself by leading. Or perhaps it was related to Suzy knowing Frisk's claim to be a reincarnation of Chara was a lie but hiding it from The Snake anyway.
Whatever the case, Suzy herself did not know why The Snake wanted to speak with Frisk.
The girl who never once was allowed the chance to grieve her many losses.
Someone who only last night learned the person she trusted most was indirectly responsible for the start of this cruel domino effect in her miserable life.
As the three of them walked to the Snake's tent, Chara wanted to tell Frisk "It's okay," but he didn't, because it wasn't. Nothing was okay. In so many ways, watching Frisk come to the end of her journey reminded Chara of the last six months of his life. No matter how hard he tried to keep everything together, one by one things would slip out of his grasp. Then came the fatal day where he lost what was left all at once. Although his and Frisk's stories were different, Chara could not shake the dread they would come to the same conclusion. The worst part was all he could do was watch.
"You wanted to see me?" Frisk followed Suzy into The Snake's tent.
Chara followed right behind. Interestingly, Suzy gave enough space between herself and Frisk for Chara to walk through. Considering Suzy was at least someone aware of how the locket worked, he wondered if the monster assumed his presence and acted as such. It could have been a coincidence, but it was difficult to know with Suzy.
"Yes." The Snake closed her file and set it aside. Interlacing her claws as she remained seated at her desk, The Snake said, "I have some . . . concerns."
"Such as?"
Sighing, the Snake explained, "Seeing as you are the reincarnation of Prince Chara, I think you understand why I have reasons to question your loyalty."
"I can't understand why you would," Frisk replied. "The Blues' central belief is that I am innocent of all crimes the Reds have pinned against me in my past life. If I did nothing wrong, why would you believe I cannot be trusted?"
"Please, do you really expect me to believe you could kill your adopted father?"
The question took Chara aback. Truly, it was a valid question. Despite how everything ended between him and Asgore, it would be foolish to assume Chara could kill his own dad if he were alive to have the opportunity to do so.
Frisk, however, was not taken aback. "I thought the plan was not to kill him. Are we not infiltrating the castle to get him to surrender?"
"Ms. Fox, please be reasonable," The Snake replied. "We both know a fight is going to happen between you two."
"And we are only to fight until he concedes," Frisk reminded her.
"But what if he doesn't?" The Snake challenged. "What if he sets his heart on killing you? What if the only way to live is to decide you're not going to be the one who dies?"
Why is she questioning Frisk on this if she plans for Suzy to deal the killing blow? Chara wondered. His eyes dragged to Suzy, and he thought, Uless she doesn't expect Suzy to fulfill her role in this grand plan.
"I refuse to confirm what the Reds have spent the past century believing about me." Despite her weakened state from the emotional toll on her, Frisk sounded firm. "I did not kill my own brother for the throne, and I will not 'finish the job' by killing my father as well. The story of the past the Reds tell themselves isn't true, and I'm not about to tell them that it is."
The conviction in Frisk's voice was almost a comfort to Chara. Frisk wasn't defending herself as the self-proclaimed reincarnation of him, but she was defending him to someone who didn't know he was there. Despite what Chara believed about himself, Frisk did not believe the worst in him and did not allow others to believe it either.
"And if he kills you?" The Snake then challenged.
Frisk shrugged. "We're just going to have to be sure that doesn't happen."
"Your soul is the last needed to break the barrier. Can you see why I need to know you are willing to deliver the final blow if necessary? If one of you is to die, we would prefer it not be the one whose death will lead to another war against humanity."
"If you are so concerned about everything that can go wrong," Frisk then said, cocking her head to the side, "why are you not coming on this mission? Why stay behind if this is so important?"
"And take away Suzy's chance to become a military hero?"
The Snake's comment got Suzy to laugh without humor, but she silenced herself when The Snake shot her a dirty look.
This isn't about Suzy at all. Chara didn't need to Check souls to know that for all her talk, The Snake was a coward. She wants Asgore out of the picture, but she doesn't want to be the one to do it. For one reason or another, she wants to give the appearance of having nothing to do with the king's death.
"Then how about a fail-safe?" Frisk offered, and Chara rose a brow. This was not going to be anything he and Frisk previously discussed. Whatever Frisk was about to offer was her own idea.
The Snake smirked as if Frisk were a small child presenting a silly idea. "What kind of fail-safe?"
Sliding her gaze over to Suzy, Frisk stated, "Suzy stays close beside me, but out of King Asgore's sight. If I fail, and King Asgore does kill me, Suzy can step in to absorb my soul before he does."
If there had been air in Chara's lungs, it would have been sucked out. This was a fail-safe designed to make The Snake want to say yes. Without giving away Frisk's ability to reset, Frisk offered reassurance that her dying would not be the end of the Blues' campaign.
"And what if I don't want to absorb your soul?" Suzy growled.
After hissing Suzy's name, The Snake returned her attention to Frisk and asked, "You are confident all will end well with you? You truly believe this can end without further loss of life?"
"I am," Frisk answered.
For a moment, the two stared at each other. Then the Snake sighed and shook her head. "I cannot believe the fate of our world lies in the hands of a child."
"Perhaps the fate of this world was always meant to be in my hands," Frisk stated, and Chara wasn't sure if she tried to be ironic with it.
"Just don't screw it up this time." Suzy snorted.
Chara tried not to wince. Truthfully, Suzy wasn't wrong. Once upon a time, the fate of this world and the future between humans and monsters rested in both Chara's and Asriel's hands, and Chara was the one to ruin it up for everyone.
Now it was up to him to make sure Frisk didn't make similar mistakes.
"When are we leaving?" Frisk then asked, changing the subject.
"In a few days," The Snake answered. "Possibly sooner, if Undyne's report comes back, and it brings with it excellent news."
Frisk nodded. "And after I get King Asgore to surrender, what will be the next step? Are we going to shatter the barrier?"
It took only a moment for The Snake to respond, but it was a moment too long. When she said, "Of course we are going to find some way to break the barrier. Everything we have ever worked for was to once again see the sun and raise our children under the blue sky," Chara knew The Snake was lying. He didn't need Frisk to tell him that she didn't believe it, either.
For a while, Frisk and The Snake stared at each other. Suzy kept her gaze aimed downwards. The silence was deafening.
"Is there anything else you wished to speak with me about?" Frisk then asked, her head slightly cocked to the side.
The Snake waved a hand in the air. "No, that is all. I understand you do not have it within yourself to kill your father. That alone would be enough to have me reconsider you for this mission, but if you mean what you say about keeping Suzy as a surprise backup to keep Asgore from getting your soul . . ."
"I wouldn't bring it up if I didn't want the option considered."
"Very well. You may go."
Without another word, Frisk spun on her heel and walked out of the tent. Chara, on the other hand, stayed behind. He knew the following conversation was worth his hearing.
"I am not absorbing her soul," Suzy growled, sharp teeth protruding from her jaw.
"Trust me, I do not care whether or not you do," The Snake surprised Chara by stating. "The thing is she is willingly requesting you be close during her confrontation with Asgore. This is what we wanted all along, for you to be close to finish the job."
Suzy growled again but didn't reply. Chara was unsure what to make of Suzy. Perhaps Suzy merely didn't like being bossed around and being told what to do, or maybe nothing about this plan was deemed good in her eyes. Whatever her stance, Suzy said nothing. She probably thought her voice would fall on deaf ears even if she spoke.
"Now," The Snake continued, "please be aware that I hope if it comes down to it, you would claim Frisk's soul before Asgore does. Not that I think that should be a problem. The way the human fights . . . it is always as if she had that fight before. As if she knows what's coming before her attacker does. I don't know if her being a wizard has anything to do with it, but whatever the case, I believe our plan will come along perfectly."
"Our plan?" Suzy snorted.
"That is enough, young lady!" The Snake snapped. "My people are already questioning me about having you lead this expedition. You are the only person I can trust to pull off the true goal. After that, do whatever you want. You will be free from my influence, since this is so clearly what you desire."
"Then why didn't you say so before?" Suzy flashed a toothy grin. "I would gladly take out whoever you want if it means I can finally get away from you."
The Snake shook her head. "I can't believe this. I practically raised you!"
"Yeah, think I would've turned out better," Suzy replied, crossing her arms.
Chuckling, Chara chose then to leave. Suzy had her own goals and motivations, that was for sure. The only think about Suzy that concerned Chara was whose path was Suzy ultimately going to walk, her own or The Snake's.
Mew Mew wasn't sure what to do next. It had been a while since she received her last unsolicited message. As much as she would love to believe this being was done with her, she knew she was not yet free.
If anything, her next mission was not being assigned fast enough.
"Did Prince Chara put both his socks on then his shoes, or did he put on a sock and shoe on one foot then a sock and shoe on the other foot?"
"I don't know Mettaton." Mew Mew, sitting comfortably on the floor, kept her eyes glued onto the shirt she was sowing. She needed something to do, anything to keep her hands busy.
"Which leg did he use first when putting on his pants: the right or left?"
"I don't know, Mettaton."
"Was he a dessert before dinner kind of human?"
"I don't know, Mettaton."
"Come on, Mew Mew, you must know something about Prince Chara."
Glaring up from her project, Mew Mew stared at Mettaton's ghostly form and snarled, "I fail to see what any of your questions have to do with anything."
"If I am to play Prince Chara in an upcoming movie," Mettaton said, talking slowly as if speaking to a child, "I want to make sure I am as true to his character as possible. What better way to learn about him than to interview those who knew him? After all, you knew him personally!"
"Why not just ask him all of these questions yourself?" Mew Mew swore when she pricked her finger. "You now know that his soul is connected to that human's locket. Just steal the locket."
"Oh, I would be too starstruck to speak with him!" Mettaton floated about, somehow still prancing about like a drama queen despite neither having arms nor legs in his ghostly form. "The one and only human prince of the Underground? He's practically a legend come to life!"
"How on earth are you a Red?" Mew Mew didn't mean to ask Mettaton the question, but he heard her mutter it and answered anyway.
"Blues get too much bad publicity."
"I thought any publicity was good publicity."
"There is such a thing as too much bad publicity, darling."
It was silent after that. Mew Mew tried to enjoy it before Mettaton began asking his next round of questions concerning Chara. She was sick of hearing his name.
"Mew Mew," Francis asked from a room over, "are you almost done sowing my shirt?"
"Quit your whining!" was how Mew Mew answered. "I'll be done soon."
"Well, hurry it up! I'm tired of walking around shirtless."
"'Walking around'?" Mettaton snorted. "You have locked yourself in that room the moment you removed your shirt for Mew Mew to sow the torn parts."
"My point still stands!" Francis argued.
I am surrounded by idiots. Mew Mew couldn't wait for Muffet to get back. She continued to hide out in Muffet's "palace" – it was more of a cottage, but there was a nice chair that resembled a throne in the parlor – inside the dark, cool cave in Hotland. Coaxing Francis to hide out here required much effort, and now that he was here being this much of a problem, Mew Mew almost wished she pushed him into the lava instead.
When the phone on the table began to ring, Mettaton stopped arguing with Francis and shouted, "That must be Muffet!"
"I got it!" Mew Mew threw aside the shirt, jumped to her feet, and pushed Mettaton aside to get to the phone first. Picking it up, Mew Mew disguised her voice a little and greeted, "Thank you for calling the Queen of the Spiders. She's away at the moment, but I would be happy to take a message."
"Oh, thank God you're the one who answered!" Muffet exclaimed. "No matter how many times I request Mettaton to say that upon answering the phone, he always has to say something flirtatious. I am trying to maintain professionalism!"
"Upgrade your phone to have caller ID, and this will stop being a problem."
"No, Mettaton has no issues flirting with a complete stranger. Anyway, this is all beside the point.
"I went to Mettaton's old home to collect his old body, and the house is completely wrecked!"
"Was it burglars?" Mew Mew turned her gaze towards Mettaton to see how he would react to her side of the conversation, but he was back to arguing with Francis on the other side of the door.
"No, it can't be. The place is trashed, but nothing is missing. Even the doors and windows don't appear to have been broken into. It's like someone walked through the walls just to demolish everything inside!"
"Weird." Mew Mew didn't know what else to say.
"You're telling me." Muffet sighed. "The second floor was spared, although the stairs were also destroyed, and I had to climb up the wall to get there. I found Mettaton's former body, but it's a little worse for wear."
"Bring it back anyway, and I'll take a look at it."
"Do you think you can fix it?"
"I honestly don't know, but it's worth a shot."
"Okay, I'll be on my way soon. How are the boys behaving?"
Mew Mew once again turned her attention to the guys. They were no longer arguing, but Mettaton was pacing in front of the door, muttering under his breath. "I say they're getting along famously."
Muffet giggled. "They argue like brothers."
Considering Mew Mew didn't doubt either would slap the other for two slices of pizza and a cold drink, she concluded Muffet might be on to something. "Have your eyes spotted anything?"
"Last report was a negative. The human must be kept somewhere in Hotland. The temperatures are so high in some areas, my spiders can't even go there. Being in such heats for too long will kill them."
Mew Mew silently cursed. Her objective was to kill the human. She couldn't really do that if she didn't know where the human was. If anything, Mew Mew wanted this to be over. She hoped killing the human in front of Chara would appease the ghost haunting her. If not for this entity demanding that Mew Mew get rid of this human as a way of vengeance, she would have happily moved on by now.
After exchanging farewells, Mew Mew hung up the phone. It was as she was about to sit back on the floor and resume sowing Francis's shirt that her disposable phone buzzed. Fishing it out of her pocket, Mew Mew read the message.
The castle will be infiltrated in a week.
That was all there was to the message. Mew Mew bit her lower lip. She didn't know who sent these messages, but they were helping her with the goal her ghost had given her. Maybe the two worked together to use Mew Mew, or perhaps they were unrelated but happen to have goals in common. Either way, she knew her next step. After all this time, the human was finally going to face King Asgore.
