Big chapter here. Hope that's okay!
Chapter Twenty 4
Frisk:
Frisk was walking by herself for a while in a large opening in the forest, calling out for help. A shadow hidden within a large tree heard her plea and appeared, along with a child.
"You know, if you want… you can play with her. Just don't kill her, okay?" The shadow that was Genocide-maker Corruption said from the shadow she was hiding under.
"How nice… I'd LOVE to meet her face to face," the Genocide-finisher Chara said, and then they jumped down the tree they were on.
Frisk signed as she slumped her shoulders and looked down to see a small red flower in the field. She found it's brightness to be appealing in appearance, but she refrained from contact due to the memory of when her hand was injured from turning on the red light in Waterfall when she was formerly there.
"Pretty, isn't it?" A voice asked, as Frisk quickly turned while her eyes widened to see a child of some sort standing a few feet away.
Their smile was firmly planted on their face with eyes that seemed to glow reddish with a dangerous aura of some sort under their reddish brown hair, and wore a green shredded cape with a yellow long-sleeved shirt and black pants with brown boots, along with black straps around their waist with holders for various knives.
"…" Frisk blinked a few times seeing them, and knew this had to be the one who GenCurtain spoke of.
"Greetings," Chara took a step forward, their smile widening a bit to see her step back.
Chara noticed that Frisk wore similar clothes to their self besides colors and that the cape had a blue hood and wasn't shredded. Her long-sleeved shirt was pink and she wore a blue skirt with black stockings underneath along with her brown boots that had green straps on them.
"Nice to meet you finally. I would have came for you sooner, but we didn't want to bother you until you became more acquainted with your new environment. Wouldn't want to overwhelm you too much, now would we?" Chara said with a head tilt.
"… Chara," Frisk muttered, as their smile seemed to darken.
"Ah. So you are familiar with me? Good, good. Less explaining for me then," Chara said, as they walked closer.
"You… don't look very kind. Nor seem to care about that… or much. You seem content though, but I'm sure it's not for a good reason," Frisk said while examining the demon child.
"As I can see that you are quite kind and merciful… but I sense a strength. A fortitude, a… determination. It's very powerful. It rivals my own a little," Chara said with a raise of one eyebrow.
"… Actually, I think it's stronger then yours now," Frisk said, as she stopped backing away.
Chara stopped walking as their grin widened on one side,
"Oh? You think your power is stronger then mine?"
"Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not. And I may not have as much HP as you do, but I faced bigger opponents then you," Frisk said, her determination rising higher every moment along with Chara's.
"He he he. That sounds pretty exciting actually. Two beings with the highest of potential and power coming face-to-face, although we were never to exist at the same time. And you believe in some way that you are stronger because I can assume you faced Asriel and Corruption before... but let me relay one fact to you... I survived against Curtain," Chara said, and Frisk's eyes widened as they smirked.
"That's right. For me I faced a lot of opponents that included those you didn't fight like Sans and then Curtain. I was surprised when she appeared, I didn't encounter her at all, and her power was tremendous. Truly an extraordinary opponent as with Sans, but not knowing much about her was what intrigued me, along with her powers… But she had such monstrous fury that I could barely speak to her besides with our fist... though she was the one speaking the most with how many blows I ended up taking... at least my Corruption was able to help me escape her wrath for now... Interesting, no? How we either partner up with Curtain or with Corruption, and yet, either one we don't partner up with comes after us like a bat out of hell," Chara said.
"It is. They're both really deter… mined…" Frisk's eyes widened as she spoke.
Chara grew curious of Frisk's expression and walked a little closer to her, standing only about two feet away.
"What is it that has peaked your attention?" Chara asked.
"Determined… they… they can see the save points but not interact… Curtain told me and Corruption said so too," Frisk replied.
"… Fascinating. Though now that I've seen Curtain's interesting powers and determination… that makes her a hybrid, correct?" Chara asked, as Frisk confirmed with a nod.
"Then possibly, if Corruption is able to see it too, then…?" Chara asked to allow Frisk to answer as they hid one hand behind their back.
"Then… Corruption could be a hybrid too," Frisk said as her realization turned to fear, and Chara's eyes glowed brighter.
"How wonderful! You figured it out! I only truly discovered it after I met Corruption again in the end. Yes, she was a hybrid… and me and her are the same now. Good work, Frisk," Chara confirmed.
"… But then that would be before the war she was born," Frisk murmured.
"What was that?" Chara asked.
"… Then Corruption has been around for a very long time, and used you to get power. Doesn't… Doesn't that bother you? Isn't she the reason you fell too? She said so herself!" Frisk said.
"… Frisk, I wouldn't say that I was good, so being bothered by that isn't the issue. I followed what she asked of me because I decided to, and it's not like I wasn't running to Mount Ebott anyway. Me falling in and hurting myself was the only accident. You could say me and Corruption had an understanding... though before I was wary of her strength... but intrigued too. I wanted to know what that power was so I did what I did. I don't necessarily regret it, especially not now," Chara replied.
"… I see. You chose this because you were like this… Asriel did mention you weren't a great person… and yet he still loved you," Frisk mentioned, trying to see if some form of a human was in them still.
"… And I LOVE'd him too," Chara said with a widening of their grin and darkening of their eyes.
"… You really are lost... She was right…" Frisk said as she lowered her head, saddened by knowing that Chara was unreachable because they weren't a human anymore at this point.
"Don't feel bad. I wanted this. I'm finally who I wanted to be. What I wanted all along. So don't feel bad for me, Frisk. That's a little insulting if you consider this is what I wanted. Just like you. You decided to follow the path of light laid before you and stay on it, while when offered the shadows, I jumped right in…" Chara said, as they brought out their knife as Frisk's eyes widened.
"Now come Frisk. Come with us. All of you, and your friends… join us in our new world of hell!" Chara yelled out, as they swung their blade.
Frisk dodged the first blade, and as Chara slashed away in a flurry of controlled swipes, Frisk was able to dodge all of them with clear focus and instinct.
"…?!" Chara's smile faltered a little bit as they stared at Frisk with wide eyes.
Frisk's eyes were filled with determination and a strong glare as she was fully prepared for battle. Chara's smile returned as brown liquid fell slowly from their eyes.
"Ah! Another opponent worth fighting that isn't predictable and takes so much time over and over again! Come Frisk! Show me your power that you say is stronger then MINE!" Chara rushed forth as Frisk jumped over them with a front flip.
Chara jumped and turned around as they landed and skidded back, while Frisk landed and started running off to the forest.
"What?! You're running away?! Don't think this will be like Undyne!" Chara yelled out as they dashed after her.
"I have the option to run you know! That doesn't mean I'm not fighting you!" Frisk yelled back as she jumped over logs and rocks and slid under tree branches.
"That may be true, but what good is a battle if you don't at least stand up to your opponent?! Don't annoy me with your pesky cowardice!" Chara yelled out as they sliced through branches and hopped over rocks and tree parts in their way.
"Cowardice is if I stood there and let you hit me so that I wouldn't have to fight you! Cowardice is giving in… and I have no fear to give in to!" Frisk shouted, as she jumped up, swung on a branch, and let go as Chara was hit with the rebound of it.
"Gah! You… hehehehe! Of course… you never gave up or showed fear… then allow me to introduce you!" Chara said as they ran forth and threw their blade that just grazed Frisk's shoulder.
"Ghh! You'll have to do better then that!" Frisk yelled back, as she tossed a rock at them.
"HA! Why don't you say that to my face without running off?!" Chara yelled back as they caught the rock and crushed it while they threw another knife that Frisk just barely dodged.
"… I would, but I made a deal to not get in the way," Frisk called back as she entered another field with more red flowers.
"Oh? And what deal was that?!" Chara called back as they entered the field and held two knifes to throw.
Frisk stopped running, as did Chara when they noticed that Frisk had a smile on her face.
"To not get in her way," Frisk replied.
Chara was confused for a moment, until they heard the sound of a charging blaster and a rush of wind. They looked up with widened eyes as they saw GenCurtain on top of the blaster above them with a coldness in her eyes that chilled their spine down to the bone.
"…" GenCurtain.
"… Curtain," Chara whispered out.
GenCurtain immediately shot at Chara as they dodged by jumping back, but up from the ground came another blaster with multiple fangs that bite down once Chara stepped in their jaws. Once Chara was captured, it then proceeded to electrocute them as it's eyes glowed a bright yellow.
"AHHH!" Chara screamed out more in anger then pain, as the blaster disappeared afterward.
"… Sorry Chara. I guess I wasn't completely honest with you when I said I had no fear… cause at this point, she scares me the most," Frisk said as she pointed to GenCurtain who kept her gaze fixed on Chara as they slowly stood up.
Their hair was messy from the electric shock as they looked quite upset and... shocked.
"And I'm sure by your reaction… she scares you too, huh?" Frisk asked, as they grit their teeth.
"But as you said, Chara… I shouldn't feel sorry for you, right?" Frisk said, as Chara's eyes widened and they grinned with fury.
"You DARE mock ME?!" Chara yelled at her, but backed off when they noticed GenCurtain summon a spear surrounded by fire.
"Don't get too emotional, Chara… You might die too soon," GenCurtain said as she jumped down and dashed towards them.
Chara and GenCurtain began their fight, as Chara was quite unbalanced emotionally though was keeping a good stance, while GenCurtain was completely balanced and focused as she had the upper hand.
Frisk took the opportunity to go meet with other Frisk and other Curtain since that was the agreement she made with GenCurtain when she said she would help her corner Chara if she ever came to her alone. Although Frisk thought that Corruption would come, GenCurtain assumed that Chara would because Corruption would think of Frisk as less of a threat to her and seemed to be keeping herself hidden.
She found the two waiting for her in a tree hollow as they came out and greeted her, happy to see that she was okay.
"Let's go back and make sure she is okay," other Frisk suggested.
"who you're going after, kid?" other Sans said as he spoke from a high tree branch above them.
"Sans!" The two Frisk said at the same time, as other Curtain smiled at him.
"glad to find that you girls are okay. we've been looking for you," other Sans said with a wink, and then teleported below to them.
"Curtain!" The two Marisols said as they came over when they heard other Sans talking.
"Mari! And Mari! You're both okay. I'm so glad," other Curtain said as she hugged her friend, and they hugged her.
"You're a ghost… sniffle… It's too much!" Marisol cried a little as other Curtain comforted her with a headpat.
"hold on to that, Marisol. they seem to be in a hurry," Sans said as he came over.
"Yes! We have to go to that other Curtain who's fighting Chara!" Frisk said.
"hm? Chara? that… kind of sounds familiar," Sans asked.
"We'll explain on the way!" other Frisk said, and they all went along to the battlefield as they talked.
Battlefield:
"You really got me there… I didn't think you were nearby at all. How could I not have sensed your hostility?" Chara asked as they dodged an oncoming attack with a few back flips.
"It's not hard. You were looking for hostility, while I was more focused on being patient and finding the proper moment to strike. I wasn't focused on my feelings. I needed to make sure that Frisk was safe after all," GenCurtain replied.
"You never cease to amaze me, Curtain. You hate me so much and yet can easily keep cool and not let it affect you. If only you were my partner too…" Chara said, as they threw knives at her.
"Not even in your dreams, demon. I fight you for principle, morals, and because I can't stand you living another moment while no one else does…" GenCurtain said as she caught a knife and snapped it in half.
Chara used a longer blade to block the oncoming spears and bones, as GenCurtain walked closer, making them more nervous at her approach considering her gaze grew colder.
"You destroyed them all and lacked sympathy. You never had enough sympathy alive anyway, so becoming a demon makes sense considering your humanity is completely gone. You're just a demon, and that alone makes it easy for me to conceal hostility because now I see it is your nature to be this way. Though I still despise you for your crimes, I realize how it came to be. It wasn't personal for you… but as you can see, I'm not letting you get away until I erase you from existence… You and Corruption… all of corruption… I won't stop until I erase Every. Single. One," GenCurtain said as she rushed forward with a sword made of water.
"A noble cause and a daring feat to accomplish… I wish to see if you could accomplish such a thing, but I'd like not to be destroyed first," Chara said, as they blocked with their blade.
"Isn't it unfortunate that you won't?" GenCurtain said as she took a few steps forward.
"Don't act as if I'm dead until I am," Chara said, holding their ground.
"… I met them. The other children. I was surprised, but as I heard their tales, I came to realize… we could have been friends. We could have been together like them…" GenCurtain said as her eyes slightly softened, while Chara's expression grew serious.
"But you took that away from me too," GenCurtain said with eyes narrowing in rage, as Chara's eyes widened.
An energy burst from GenCurtain knocked Chara away a few yards, as they landed in the grass and on a red flower, crushing it in the process with their body. GenCurtain held her blade towards the demon child, as she was preparing to destroy them, while Chara staggered up to their feet. They saw two Frisks, two Marisols, and two Sans appear from the forest, as their eyes were filled with shock, while they let out a slow laugh, realizing their situation was looking rather grim.
"Ha Ha Ha Ha! How grand… I get to be completely obliterated by the path I abandoned…" Chara said, as they brought one of their knives out, concealing the last one.
The Sans and Marisols were surprised by this Curtain and the energy she radiated. GenCurtain glanced towards them as her eyes softened to see her old friends whom she thought she would never see again. She gave a small smile to them, and then turned towads the demon child as her energy grew and eyes glowed dangerously cold that made the demon child shake from it a bit.
"I'm glad I get to be one to finally destroy you, you filthy killer," GenCurtain said, as she gripped her blade tighter and burst ahead to strike.
A roar echoed as she attacked sooner and her blade landed on another one that was red and black. GenCurtain glared at the one who protected Chara with a block, as Chara smiled.
"Took you a while, didn't it?" Chara asked.
"Don't act coy, little one. You are the one who decided to stay here and have me run over to save your sorry hide," other Corruption who wore the red crown said, as GenCurtain jumped away from her.
"It's her… our Corruption," other Marisol said as she drew her sword.
"right… only she would wear a crown so pompously," other Sans said, as his eye began to glow in tri colors.
"Well well well, so many opponents at once. Hopefully you don't mind that I bring another contender!" other Corruption said, as she summoned a second blade and pointed it skyward.
A large dragon of red veins especially around the head came and descended near other Corruption and Chara, as it smiled wickedly with swirling eyes and colorful claws and an iron tipped tail.
"Sooo nice to have everyone gathering together! Isn't it so lovely? A battleground world! How delightful!" GenCorruption, who was in dragon form, exclaimed with a boisterous laugh.
"You mean a graveyard," GenCurtain said as she summoned a bone blade in her other hand.
"Ha ha ha! We'll see! Let's have some fun, rival!" GenCorruption said to her as she lowered her head to ready herself for battle.
"This time, your reign will end…" other Marisol said as she stepped forward.
"Once and for all! You will be stopped here and now!" Marisol said as she stepped along with her.
"well this looks promising. more corrupted demons in one place means it'll be easier to find any other," Sans said, taking a few steps forward.
"or maybe. it's just one other…" other Sans said as he walked with him, while the three corrupted beings glared a little.
"Then let's not waste anymore time. I'm sure there's a lot of steam we all need to get rid of…" other Corruption said with a grin.
"Now this is getting more and more interesting… it's been a while since I've had some real fun," Chara said, their grin widening.
"Too bad it won't last, huh?" Frisk said, as Chara glared at her specifically.
"I advise for you to stay back, my Frisk. I wouldn't want you to die… yet. Only by me," other Corruption said to her with a glare.
"Oh don't worry. She won't. Nor she ever will," other Curtain said as she appeared and cracked her ghostly knuckles as they indeed made an intimidating sound that surprised the three corrupted beings.
"Alright enough, everyone spoke so let's fight already. Ghost me, take care of that Frisk on the side. Everyone, let's just fight already," GenCurtain said, and everyone nodded in agreement and started fighting like heck, even destroying the land around them while other Frisk and other Curtain moved to a safer location to finish her healing up.
Pap, Pap, Curtain, and Asriel:
The two Papyrus stood guard with bone swords drawn as Curtain had her hand on Asriel's head while he had his arms wrapped on her side besides her. They were all glaring towards the dragon that was slowly climbing down the trees in a worming fashion as she cackled, and when her joints twisted they would fade to a mist so that it would turn 360 degrees. The creepiness of her movement and her familiar face annoyed Curtain to know for a fact that this was her Corruption, the one who Asriel had told her had attacked him to travel back in time and cause the other war-torn timeline to exist. Curtain noticed she was more creepy and sensed a vicious madness that was worst then when she last saw her in their battle.
Corruption was delighted to see her foes again, and especially Curtain. She thought she would have found their Frisk, but finding Asriel was enough for her since she figured he told her everything. Though what amused her more was seeing the two Papyrus guarding them against her, since she found it interesting that two of the kindest monsters were facing the cruelest of demons with more bravery then some she had killed before, who were supposed to be braver but turned out to be cowards.
"Truly, I must admire this. For two such monsters as yourselves, Papyrus. You are quite the warrior, even though you are kind and know I could kill you because of your kindness… I would prefer it not to be wasted foolishly. You had once destroyed a reign of destruction because of your mercy that made the negative one stop at one time… but they eventually went back… Consider that I am like them, who went back, and will NOT have mercy at ALL," Corruption said firmly, as the two Papyrus' eye sockets widened and they gripped their weapons firmly.
"That… That was too generous of you to give a warning like that!" Asriel shouted at her.
"I do this because I recognize power and talent. Something I didn't bother to tell you when I took your power obviously. You were weak to me at that time anyway," Corruption replied to him with a smirk, as Asriel growled.
"… You've caused all of this, but for what, Corruption? Just to torture us? To get back at us? For what? What did we do to you that you yourself didn't cause to us first? Why? Why are you like this? What even are you? Can't you at least help me understand?!" Curtain grew louder with each question as her eyes were fixed on Corruption with fury and confusion.
Corruption stared into Curtain's eyes, reading her emotions only well enough to see that the questions she asked were genuine, and still carrying a smile that didn't falter.
"… For you overcoming me and staying alive, I'll reward you at least for that… I remember a time before the war, when peace still reigned, and how that reign slowly faltered and was finally torn apart by knowledge, by fear, by betrayal, and by rage… I remember because I was there, and I remember tearing through human and monster villages… And then I was defeated by Aecans and their human comrades… though none of them survived at the time because I was at my full potential," Corruption said, as the three were surprised, though Curtain's eyes narrowed.
"Corruption… did you cause the war? Or were you just a part of it because of all the things you gather strength from was there?" Curtain asked.
"Ahh, good question there… alright. I can assure you, I wasn't the cause. The tension grew on it's own when humans feared that monsters would steal their souls. Of course… it would be the human children souls that would be in more jeopardy, as Monsters of even the underground have proven," Corruption replied, as the hurt in the eyes of the monsters there made her smile slightly widen.
"… Then you caused casualties outside of the war which would be... before since no record of human casualties were recorded at the war time… why did you even do that? Do you have a cause?" Curtain asked.
"A cause? Well, I suppose some creatures have causes to what they do, while others just go with the flow… I would say that I did what I wanted to do. That is all. And the more I did, the more I realized how I enjoyed the screams within the flames and final breaths within the ashes… that's why I couldn't help but continue," Corruption giggled darkly, as Curtain narrowed her eyes at her in irritation.
"But I can assure you something else. You say there were no human casualties in the war, that is true, but then again… afterward, did seven humans not create the barrier made of soul power? Monsters always write in their history that there were hundreds of them killed… though counting one hundred monsters for one human soul… then the seven who gave their souls to make the barrier, plus the six souls that were gathered by Asgore… wouldn't that make all of you even?" Corruption asked with a sly smile.
"Huh, now that she mentions it…" Papyrus thought out loud.
"She brings up quite the point," other Papyrus said, as Corruption's eyes grew brighter and she lunged at them.
"Papy-" Asriel called out, but then realized Curtain wasn't next to him as his eyes widened to see Curtain swing her dagger that she enhanced with magic to make it longer reach and cut Corruption's face.
Corruption howled from the strike, as the two Papyrus' eyes were enlarged while Curtain held her dagger with both hands, ready to strike again.
"Hahahaha! HahHAHAHAHA! This is why you MUST live, Curtain! To kill you wasn't at all as great! NO! I must challenge you FACE TO FACE!" Corruption yelled as her eyes swirled in multicolors and darkness.
"I'm right here, aren't I?" Curtain said, as she used one hand to call her over with flicks of her fingers.
Corruption roared as she stood up on two feet and their battle began, as Curtain attacked with two Papyrus as her team, and Asriel as support and defense with vine shields and friendliness pellets that truly healed, though Curtain was too determined to need much healing.
Few Hours:
The battles lasted a while between everyone, as the artificial light of the world began to set and the sky became dark green with cyan colored clouds as lanterns to still see in the darkness. Although fighting for so long had made them grow tired, they knew their battles weren't going anywhere, so both sides grew more hesitate in their strikes. At that point, Corruption was sure that this was a fine time to go.
"You've all grown strong. I can say that I'm glad to not be disappointed. For now, I leave you all be. Since you survived this long, let your reward be a peaceful night. Your final peaceful night… So enjoy it until the battle continues tomorrow," Corruption said as her wings sprung forth from her back and she started flying up.
"Don't think I'll just let you go!" Curtain said as she made her wings appear.
"Wait! Curtain! Don't go. Let her go. If she will leave us be to see if our friends are okay, then we should take it!" Papyrus said.
"I couldn't say it better myself!" other Papyrus added.
"… Sigh, alright," Curtain said as she unsummoned her wings.
"Heeheehee! See you later!" Corruption grinned and then flew off while holding one eye since it was almost slashed out.
"…" Curtain stared after to make sure Corruption was far gone.
She felt a hit as her hp was restored by friendliness pellets from Asriel.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help," Asriel said.
"No need to think that, Asriel! You were of tremendous help! Especially now that we must re-cooperate anyway!" other Papyrus said with a big grin, as Asriel couldn't help but smile back.
"I am sorry we couldn't completely defeat her this time, Curtain… but we definitely will! I guarantee it!" Papyrus said as he patted her shoulder.
"Yeah… thanks Papyrus," Curtain said as she turned towards him, though he could see that her eyes were a bit watery.
"Do not fret, Curtain. Surely you do believe we can still win? We did before," Papyrus asked.
"I do… I just… She still came back though, Papyrus. And she caused all of this… I just wish… there was a better way to defeat her once and for all so that she won't come back and hurt anyone else," Curtain replied.
"Then we must find a way! We can find the others and come up with a plan! Together we can do it! Besides, we worked together before to beat her the first time and we all survived… though she apparently did too… but I'm sure we can find a way as long as we're together!" Papyrus proclaimed.
"Heh. Yeah. You know what? Yeah! You're right, Papyrus! Let's go find them now!" Curtain said with more encouragement.
"That's the spirit! Off we go!" other Papyrus said, as he picked up Asriel, and the three ran ahead.
"I hope they are okay," Asriel said to himself.
In the other battlefield:
"Coward…" GenCurtain spat after hearing the other Corruption say that they were leaving them for the night.
"Now don't be difficult, Grumpy Curtain. Everyone isn't as stamina enhanced as you to fight for days," other Corruption said with a wave hand gesture to the others with her good arm since the other was damaged in battle.
GenCurtain looked at the others and her eyes softened to see that the two Sans were sweating a bit, and the Marisols were panting a little.
"… Even if you are correct, I know you're trying to rest too. Especially for them," GenCurtain said with a smirk as she pointed to Chara, who's leg was almost taken off and left mangled.
Chara snarled as GenCorruption picked them up on her back while in her more human form since her dragon head was knocked off by a combined attack by the Marisols and Sans.
"Don't act like they are the only reason. You freaking knocked my bloody head off. Let's part for now, and we'll battle it out later. It's night anyway, and I'm sure you'd like to be reunited with your remaining members… oh right… you don't have any," GenCorruption said with a smirk.
"Go to hell," GenCurtain said with narrowed eyes, as GenCorruption quickly flew away.
"We'll be back soon, dears. And excuse the more sword-tongued me. She's quite full of herself since she has power and all. Hee Hee. Let our next encounter be our last. And be sure to go ALL out because that's what WE will be doing," other Corruption said as she took to the skies and left.
After seeing them gone, the group relaxed as Frisk went to find other Frisk.
"well, at least we got a break huh. seems those last attacks did a number on them at least," Sans said.
"It's good to see we can do a good amount of damage to them, but they aren't pushovers. They are strong, like really strong. We need to find a way to beat them," Marisol said.
"We need to overcome them," other Marisol said.
"yeah, though it's probably going to be harder next time since we'll have to really fight hard," other Sans said.
"We should be able to. Considering what she said, that just means there's more people on our side here. I assume it's another me and maybe your brothers too," GenCurtain said and looked towards the two Sans.
"yeah… so, you look like you've had it rough huh? It must have sucked… i'm sorry about that," Sans said.
"… thank you, Sans," GenCurtain said as she looked away from him.
"are you the sole survivor besides corruption and chara?" other Sans asked.
"Yes. You… didn't make it either. So I've been fighting them since then. It wasn't until I almost killed Chara that Corruption went into a more… feral? Beastly? I guess beastly form since she could still think clearly. I was still a match against her though… but, it became more like purgatory at that point. We just kept fighting and resting and fighting in routine… I knew I couldn't give up… and she did too. She knew I would destroy both of them completely once given the chance..." GenCurtain said as she tightened her fist at the last sentence.
Marisol approached GenCurtain as she looked at her, and then she hugged her as GenCurtain was startled.
"Forgive me, my friend… I'm sorry I couldn't be by your side. But I won't leave you alone again," Marisol said to her during the hug.
GenCurtain slowly hugged her friend back, "… It's been a long time since I've seen you… honestly… I've missed you, Marisol… though I know you aren't my Marisol…"
"Even if I'm not, you are always a sister to me. No matter which you it is, I will always be there for you," Marisol said.
"… Thank you, my friend," GenCurtain said, not noticing the lone tear that fell down her cheek.
"Guys guys! Look what we found!" other Frisk said as she ran to them with a smile.
"what got you all excited?" other Sans asked, as other Curtain appeared next to her, while Marisol and GenCurtain separated from their hug.
"You mean who," other Curtain clarified.
"NYEH HEH HEEEEH!" The two Papyrus sprung out of the forest, as Curtain jumped out with them while carrying Frisk in her arms and Asriel on her back.
"Brother! We made it to you!" The two Papyrus said as they approached their bros.
"pap! it's good to see you," The Sanses said with a brightness in their eyes towards their bros.
"Marisol!" Papyrus called out as he picked up his Marisol and swung around with her.
"Papyrus! I'm so glad you're okay! And you Curtain!" Marisol said with a big smile.
"Yeah, we're all good! And Frisk told me you guys were too! It's great to be back together," Curtain said, as she set Frisk and Asriel on the ground.
"heh, glad to see ya again, darlin'," Sans said, as he approached her and they held hands while leaning their foreheads on one another affectionately.
GenCurtain watched all of them greeting one another as she especially looked towards Curtain and Sans, and then looked downward while she thought of punching Chara and Corruption in the face. Curtain turned towards her, and she approached her as GenCurtain looked up. The two gazed into the other's eyes, seeing their own reflection and yet seeing how different they were at the same time.
Curtain's eyes softened towards her, as GenCurtain's also did the same, both speaking in a silent language through eye contact and sensing each other's souls.
"… There are no words that I can think of or really say… I can only offer my deepest sympathy and regard for you. If I could fix your world and give you a better life… I would in a heartbeat," Curtain said to her.
"… I can see that you understand me… We've reached a new height, a new understanding, even of ourselves… Although it pains me to see what my life could have been, at least I have the power to protect it. I will not let my misfortune be brought to you as it was to me… I will fight to preserve your peace, forever," GenCurtain said, as she bowed her head to her.
"… And I will fight alongside you too, so that you can rest easy knowing we are safe. And that you can be in as much peace as we can offer you," Curtain extended her hand towards her.
GenCurtain firmly shook her hand, and the two nodded to one another.
"Alright, everyone, let's plan our next move and prepare ourselves for what's ahead," Curtain said, as everyone nodded in unison.
Frisk approached Asriel, as he looked towards her.
"Frisk… I… I'm sor-" Asriel was silenced when Frisk hugged him.
"Not again… you just want me to cry again," Asriel hugged her back.
"there's a lot of things we need to talk about, huh? let's start here," Sans said as he looked towards them.
"Right… okay, let's talk," Frisk said, as she and Asriel separated from their hug.
Phew! Lot of info incoming!