Chapter Six
The human, at this point, was running across bridges of planks for her life as she was dodging spears that sprang up from the ground while Undyne was following after her. Eventually she was cornered and tried to turn back, but came face-to-face with Undyne. Although at first afraid, the human stood her ground towards her, ready to face her head on, until Undyne broke the planks in front of her.
The child then fell along with the piece of the bridge she was on into the dark abyss below.
+ Nooo, I'm falling agaaaaain!
– Did… did she just kill you?
"It sounds like it came from over here…
Oh! You've fallen down, haven't you…
Are you okay? Here, get up…
… Funny, huh?
That's a nice name.
My name is-"
The human woke up on a bed of golden flowers, as she realized the voice who spoke to her wasn't around. She stood up and looked around to realize that she was still in Waterfall, but a floor down where trash from the surface would flow down the waterfalls and pile up here. The child walked along through the almost waist deep water, as she was trying to find her way out of there. On her way, she met a dummy, who happened to be a mad dummy and was angry at her for making his cousin dummy in the Ruins separate from his body since ghosts want to be able to merge with the vessels they choose to be more alive. The Mad Dummy called upon the aide of other dummies and mechs, but failed to strike the human down as she dodged while he was hit instead. Although he was angry enough to throw a single knife, he still couldn't hurt the human, but was going to stay in place so that the human couldn't move forward. However, tears rained down and hurt him as he ran off in fear, while Napstablook appeared but soon felt bad since he thought Mad Dummy was the child's friend and interrupted them.
When he left ahead, the child followed him as she found a glowing star and saved before following him to his home, since he invited her to come when she followed him. It was a quaint little blue home that stood next to a pink one. She entered and found that he made some spooky tones and ghost vibes, and although she wasn't able to eat his ghost sandwich that he offered her, they were able to lay on the ground and feel like harmonious garbage. It was a peaceful moment of laying on the ground, taking your mind off your circumstances with a friend who felt the same way.
After being well rested from laying down, the child waved goodbye to her ghost friend, as he gave her a small smile. The child looked around at the place she was in: she immediately ran when she noticed a fish house that seemed fishy, took part in a snail race that she lost a few times and almost won once, and also met a little yellow bird that wanted to fly her across a trench of water, but she politely refused.
"Hey kid!" the child heard someone call from across the trench, and she smiled brightly when she saw Curtain waving at her.
"Curtain!" the child beamed as she ran around the small water trench and hugged her.
"Oh! You… really missed me that much huh?" Curtain said in surprise.
"O-Oh, I'm sorry," the child said as she let her go.
Curtain smiled softly as she pet the child and said, "It's alright. I'm glad I found you alive, I… I was worried about you…"
The child's smile brightened and she said, "I'm sorry I made you worry, but I'm glad you do!"
Curtain's smile widened as she cleared her throat and said, "Well, since we're back together again. Want to press onward? Or do you need a break?"
"I took one at Napstablook's house, but if you'd like to go take a break there I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you say I'm your friend. It's almost like you're in another world and you can think and not think clearly," the child said.
"Huh… I might just visit him later. I feel pretty good now though," Curtain said, and the child nodded.
Curtain and the child continued traveling along, meeting a kind but tough turtle known as Gerson, a riverboat person happily ready to assist them in travels, and quite a lovely scenery along with written text on the walls of needing the equivalent of seven human souls to break the barrier. As they passed through some trails along much darker paths, Curtain and the child felt like the air grew colder then their time in Snowdin.
"… Hey, does it feel… much colder here?" Curtain asked.
"It does… and very weird. Like its cold and icy, but also… scary," the child responded while rubbing her shoulders.
"Let's hurry along…" Curtain said, as they started walking faster, though through a quick turn they ended up in a… Temmie village.
Upon meeting the Temmies and Bob, Curtain and the child found the Temmies to be strange but intriguing and unique creatures. They were quite friendly and as Curtain spoke to a dancing-like Mushroom, the child spoke to the Temmie in the shop and assisted her with some college plans…
Which took a while as Curtain waited for her. A Temmie quickly approached Curtain and jumped behind her, saying it felt coldness near the entrance. Curtain looked towards there and noticed piercing red eyes watching in the darkness of the corner.
"OY! ThErE! bE ScArY!" The Temmie said as it shook while its legs seemed to float up above it's body.
Curtain stood up as she glared at the eyes that stared at her. The child stepped out from the shop and ran towards Curtain, as the red-eyed stranger quickly departed.
"Hey Curtain! Sorry about taking so long. I'm ready to go now," the child said standing near her.
"… Oh. Good. Let's be off then. Um, little Temmie, you should warn your other friends to be careful and quick to hide," Curtain said.
"Hoi! OkaY, fwenD!" The Temmie said as she disappeared in the ground while her feet ran ahead to the other Temmies to whisper the message to them.
Curtain and the child, used to such oddities, left the village of Temmies and continued traveling along the trail.
"… Curtain, are you okay? You seemed bothered by something and what you said to Temmie…" the child trailed off, as they entered the crystal room where the magenta crystal lights had to be ignited with switches occasionally to stay on.
"… I saw something back there… I think it's what made us feel cold before. It looked like it's coming from some sort of creature… I don't know if it's a monster, but Temmie was disturbed by her and I don't think Temmie would be if it was just another monster here," Curtain replied.
"H-Huh? What did it look like?"
"Well it seemed to be hiding in the shadows a bit so I couldn't see it well, but I saw it's eyes… they were like beaming red and had thin pupils like a… cat? But then around her irises were like sharp spikes of a darker red… Those were very distinct eyes to be sure."
"Like dragon eyes but more evil?"
"Something like that, yeah."
"…"
"…"
The child and Curtain noticed a light switch ahead they had to activate by tapping it to keep the lights on. What made them notice this one in particular was how much redder it was compared to the other ones.
"That's… suspicious," the child said.
"… I think we should just keep moving, even in the dark," Curtain said.
"But if that creature is in the dark… doesn't that mean it likes the dark?" the child reasoned.
"… Right, that makes sense. Be careful though."
The child nodded and readied herself as she reached forward and tapped the switch. The light illuminated the room as usual but the child yelped as she held her hand that touched the switch tight.
"Are you okay?!" Curtain asked in worry.
"Y-Yeah… it just hurt a bit," the child said, showing her hand to Curtain.
A few scratches were on her hand as some of those scratches were deeper then others and bleeding a bit.
"Oh geez, that's not a nice scratch there. Let me try to fix it," Curtain said as she cuffed her hands around the kid's injured hand.
With a simple glow of blue, Curtain removed her hands as the child was amazed to see her hand healed up.
"Wow! That's amazing! You can heal!"
"Hehehe. Oh it's nothing really. I'm not very good at healing magic. Just enough for something like this. Food is better. Magic food has higher potency and concentration of healing then my own. I have to make my power heal you so it cost more concentration," Curtain explained.
They noticed the room getting darker as they deduced that they had to leave quickly. At the end of this dark room, the child happened to look back one more time, and her body shook in sudden surprise to see red eyes watching them from atop the crystal switch that was once red. She turned to Curtain and grabbed her hand, as Curtain looked back but didn't see the creature.
"I.. I saw it! I saw the red eyes! She is following us!"
"… Go on ahead. I want to see which of us she is actually following," Curtain said, and the child nodded and quickened her pace across some water as Curtain hide in the corner, waiting for the red eyes to appear.
Just as the child made it to the end of the dark area, she found an echo flower that gave an ominous warning to look behind her, only for her to look and see the Royal Guard Undyne in her armor blocking her way.
"… Seven. Seven human souls. With the power of seven human souls, our king… King Asgore Dreemur… will become a god. With that power, Asgore can finally shatter the barrier. He will finally take the surface from humanity… and give them back the suffering and pain that we have endured. … Understand, human? This is your only chance at redemption. Give up your soul… or I'll tear it from your body," Undyne said, as she readied her spear, and the child understood enough to realize why she was so intent on attacking her.
The child suddenly felt calm, ready to take on this foe since she was cornered, as the positive voice was also calm and ready to battle. However, Monster Kid sprung forward, still unaware that Undyne was referring to the child as the human enemy. Undyne, being a warrior but one who must protect the innocent, dragged Monster Kid away to bring him to a safer place so that she can challenge the human and warn him that the human is a human.
The positive voice breathed a sigh of relieve as did the child, and she started walking back when she happened to bump into Curtain who was walking forward.
"… So strange… that creature moved a little forward but changed her mind… and she ran off when that Undyne ran passed… she's not paying attention to them," Curtain said as she walked.
"So… not only is Undyne after me, but now she is too…" the child said.
"… Do you… happen to know that creature? You said she and… we can't really see her well or even talked to her to know…" Curtain asked, her eyes narrowed in suspicion of her friend.
"… I don't know her. I just assumed… did I say she… I'm not sure. My mind has been fuzzy since I woke up in the flowers, and when I fell off the bridge," the child said, her hand instinctively laying on her face where her dirty bandage was.
"Ah, I see, I see. Maybe you did meet her before, or ran from her before and ended up here? I mean, she's pretty scary looking to a kid," Curtain inquired.
"Yeah, that makes sense. I mean, I'm not the bravest person. Determined to make it, sure. But not so brave… not like you, Curtain. You stood back to face her if she came by. I would… I just ran ahead," the child said, feeling a pang of guilt from her actions.
"Whaaat? I saw you pinned to that corner from Undyne. You're face was so ready for anything that I didn't even jump over to nab ya because of how confident and calm you looked with a spear in your face," Curtain said, and the child smiled.
The two continued walking up while listening to the echo flowers' tale of a wish.
"Well, you're still very brave, Curtain."
"Hehehe. Well it must be rubbing off on you, or your determination is rubbing off on me."
"Hehehe."
They also passed by a prophecy of the angel who has seen the surface returning and the underground growing empty.
+ Empty from… leaving? Or…?
- Killing!
+ Yeeeah…
They crossed over a bridge as Curtain walked ahead of the child since the way was more narrow. Monster Kid ran over from behind them and called out to the child, as she walked over to him near the center of the bridge as Curtain stood waiting for them on the other side.
"Yo! Yo, I know I'm not supposed to be here, but… I wanna ask you something … Man, I've never had to ask this before… Umm… Yo… You're human, right?" Monster Kid asked, and the child firmly nodded.
"Haha. Man! I knew it! … well, I know now, I mean… Undyne told me, um, "stay away from that human." So, like, ummm… I guess that makes us enemies or something. But I kinda stink at that, haha. Yo, say something mean so I can hate you? Please?" He asked, and the child shook her head.
"I don't… I don't want to do that. To force being enemies? That… that isn't right, right?" The child asked.
Monster Kid was about to reply the same, but he remembered Undyne's words and puffed his chest out as he said, "Yo, I… I hate your guts."
The child just stared at him and blinked, not believing a word, as Monster Kid hung his head low and said, "… Man, I… I'm such a turd. I'm… I'm gonna go home now."
However, he slipped and quickly gripped the edge with his teeth. The child's eyes widened as she ran forward immediately, while Curtain was about to walk over, but noticed Undyne had appeared on the other side of the bridge and stood her ground in case she attacked them.
"Yo, w-w-wait! Help! I tripped!" Monster Kid hollered out the best he could as the child grabbed onto him and pulled him up on the bridge.
Undyne took a few steps forward, and upon seeing her, Monster Kid stood his ground in front of her, shielding the child and telling Undyne to back away from his friend or go through him. Undyne, knowing it was futile to move ahead or risk the safety of those monsters, turned and left. Monster Kid turned to the child,
"Yo, you really saved my skin. Guess being enemies was just a nice thought, haha. We'll just have to be friends instead. … man, I should REALLY go home… I bet my parents are worried sick about me! Later, dude!"
Happily running along and not tripping, Monster kid left, and the child then turned and walked along with Curtain as she smiled at her.
"Nice save there. See? What I told you? You are brave," Curtain said as she patted the child's head and she smiled back.
After crossing another bridge, they came to an entrance to a cave where they looked up to see Undyne on the top of a peak, as she began her monologue,
"Seven. Seven human souls, and King Asgore will become a god. Six. That's how many we have collected thus far. Understand? Through your seventh and final soul, this world will be transformed. First, however, as is customary for those who make it this far… I shall tell you the tragic tale of our people. It all started, long ago… No, you know what? SCREW IT! WHY SHOULD I TELL YOU THAT STORY WHEN YOU'RE ABOUT TO DIE?!NGHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Curtain was surprised and bothered by realizing they already had six human souls, but wondering why they didn't know how a human looked like if they had six souls already. The child breathed in and out slowly, knowing this wasn't the time to feel her heart racing and to focus on the fact that she was already warned about this before and shouldn't be surprised. Finally, Undyne removed her helmet to reveal her golden-toothed grin, red flowing hair in a ponytail, and blue scales with one patch on one of her yellow cat eyes.
"YOU! You're standing in the way of everybody's hopes and dreams! Alphys's history books made me think humans were cool… with their giant robots and flowery swords woman. BUT YOU? You're just a coward! Hiding behind that kid so you could run away from me again! And let's not forget your wimpy goody-two-shoes-shtick! Oooh! I'm making such a difference by hugging random strangers! You know what would be more valuable to everyone? IF YOU WERE DEAD! That's right, human! Your continued existence is a crime! Your life stands between us and our freedom! Right now, I can feel everyone's hearts pounding together! Everyone's been waiting their whole lives for this moment! But we're not nervous at all! When everyone puts their hearts together, they can't lose! Now human! Let's end this right here and right now! I'll show you how determined monsters can be! Step forward when your ready! Fuhuhuhu!" Undyne yelled out as she stood ready for the human to approach.
The child looked towards Curtain, as Curtain looked towards her.
"… I smell anime… and a stalker, how did she know you hugged me?" Curtain whispered, as the child shrugged.
"I mean, you're not much of a stranger, and I thought monsters aren't bad so why would it be bad if I'm nice to nice people? Unless… not everyone who is a monster is nice," The child deduced.
"… You are very smart, huh? Though I'm not sure if that logic would work or just go over her head…" Curtain said.
"Well, might as well try and see," the child said with a shrug.
"Hey, do you like… want me to help you or something?" Curtain asked.
"Let me try to reason with her first and… we'll go from there. Go on ahead a bit for me. I want to try to talk to her alone," the child said, and Curtain nodded with a thumbs up as she walked straight into the cavern ahead.
Undyne's eyes were locked on the human, though she noticed Curtain walking ahead while the human seemed to walk to nothing and grab at nothing, unable to see the yellow light of saving.
'… Why is that girl talking to her…? She knows they are a human… wait, who even is that gi- oh!' Undyne stopped her thoughts when the human stepped forward.
"That's it then! No more running away! HERE I COME!" Undyne shouted as she jumped down with her spear.
As the battle began, Undyne hit the human into green and shouted, "En guarde! As long as your green you can't escape! Unless you learn to face danger head on… You won't last a SECOND against ME!"
+ Oh what the heck is this?! A straight up challenge… of blocking!
- … You're stuck.
+ I'm… yeah
- Have you tried running away?
+ Wha? But I can't run with the green?
- But when you're NOT green?
+ … dang it. It's like sparing! I don't remember it!
- … face to the palm
The child realized her reasoning wasn't working against Undyne with her determination and duty to get them, so she ran as fast as she could passed her when she had the chance.
"Hey!" Undyne called as she turned and ran after her.
"Curtain! Help me!" The child yelled out as she ran at Curtain who just put her phone away.
"Huh… Oh gosh!" Curtain yelled out upon seeing Undyne running after them.
Curtain lowered her back towards the child as she jumped up on her and wrapped her arms around her neck, but not to choke, and Curtain began running on all fours away.
"You won't get away from me this time!" Undyne yelled out as she threw her spears and Curtain dodged them.
"You've escaped from me for the LAST time!" Undyne roared as she threw more spears, but Curtain was able to jump over upon the child's instructions.
They passed by the 'Welcome to Hotland' sign as they kept running, while the child realized that Undyne was throwing spears directly at them, so she kicked at them and it actually worked.
"Alphys told me humans were determined… I see what she meant by that! But I'm determined too! Determined to end this RIGHT NOW! … RIGHT NOW! … RIGHT … … NOW! Ha… Ha...NGAHHHH! DIE ALREADY YOU BRAT! Stop RUNNING AWAY!" Undyne screeched as she kept up her attacks, while Curtain dodged and the child kicked a few of the spears thrown away.
As they ran by a stand, Curtain and the child were surprised to see a sleeping Sans.
"Sans! WHY?!" the child yelled out as did the positive guidance voice she heard.
"Geez, he's a heavy sleeper!" Curtain said, as she ran ahead and over a bridge.
Curtain stopped to catch her breath, as the child jumped off her back when she noticed how much slower Undyne was walking and the fact she stopped attacking and instead looked like she was redder then usual. A few more steps and Undyne collapsed on the ground, as the two breathed out in relief. Curtain quickly took a cup of water from a nearby water dispenser to drink, as the child also took one, but decided that Undyne needed it more being a fish out of water...fall. She drenched it over Undyne's head, as Curtain watched, and Undyne woke up.
Realizing what the human had done for her, for an enemy who attacked her, Undyne could find no justice or energy in trying to fight someone who just saved her. With that in mind, and a heavy heart more weighted then her armor, Undyne turned and left in her humiliation and confusion of kindness.
"… I guess she spared you," Curtain said as she finished her cup.
"Yeah. I hope she's okay though. She seemed pretty depressed about it," the child said.
"Weeell, I think she was more confused. And considering that Monster Kid said she would never hurt an innocent person… I guess you proved it to her that you were," Curtain said.
"Hehehe, and you say I'm smart, huh?" the child said.
"Heheh. I guess birds of a feather stick together huh?" Curtain said with a smile as she stood up.
"So… Hotland this is huh? The sign before said that," the child said as she approached the glowing light to save.
"Seems so. I mean I'm sure the temperature has just a little tiny bit to do with it… maybe," Curtain said with a playful smile, as the child just snickered.
"…" Curtain could make out a translucent glow of a yellow light that the child reached for, though unsure of what it was, she decided not to pry now since the child seemed to do it so easily without hiding it.
The two walked passed two guards as they came across a sign that said LAB.
"Huh… a lab," Curtain obviously pointed out.
"Ahh, this must be where that Dr. Alphys is. The one who was inventing all the gadgets and stuff for the puzzles and things," the child said.
"Ah, and the anime person too," Curtain said, and the child nodded.
"Well, would you like me to accompany you? They might have traps in there," Curtain asked.
"Hmm, well, don't you have some research to do still? I don't want to keep you from it… and I think I can handle whatever the doctor dishes out. I may be human and a child, but I didn't come this far to go down," the child said confidently.
"My word such confidence… I'll just talk to those two soldiers there, and I'll meet you ahead. Hopefully the doctor is nice," Curtain agreed.
"I hope so," the child said as she walked in, and Curtain turned to talk to the guards, who gave her a little incite as to other monsters they have seen passing by.
:)