Amid the Ashes
Serifa and Frisk were walking to the kindergarten together. They had a mission to complete. Serifa was anxious, but not scared. After all, she had gone through a lot already. She was sure she could handle this. However, she couldn't help feeling a little guilty.
Frisk was worried for Papyrus. After yesterday, he hadn't been his usual self. He was more serious and melancholic. Sans's jokes wouldn't anger him, he wasn't talking in his pompous voice and he was barely even speaking to begin with. Frisk wanted to make him happy again.
-Say, Serifa... What's your opinion on resetting?
-You mean, going back in time?
-Yes... I was thinking that maybe I should-
-No. Don't even think about it. Serifa's voice got serious.
-But...why? I could go back in time and correct everything...
-Where would you go to?
-I have a habit of saving every morning but, after what happened yesterday...I decided not to save today. So, maybe, I could reload from back then... Or, maybe I can go to the last reset point, which is the day you were brought back...
-Wait, there's a difference?
-Yes. I get to either reset using a reset point, or reload using my save point. The reset point changes on its own, probably when important events happen... The save point, I change it whenever I want.
-I see... Well, either way, you shouldn't do that.
-Yeah, I know, but...sometimes, it's for the better... Like, when the monsters got freed! If I hadn't reset and reloaded countless times, they would still be trapped!
-That's true, but you were lucky that time. You know Sans almost lost himself trying to make things perfect... What if that happens to you?
-I guess you're right... Sans would be mad at me if I were to do that as well. But, it won't hurt doing it just once-
-NO.
Serifa stopped walking and looked straight into Frisk's eyes.
-Save. Right here, right now.
-I don't want to do that! I'd be losing our only chance to go back and fix everything!
-That's why you're gonna save now. So you won't have a motive to go back in time. You shouldn't change the past, Frisk.
-Last time I did, the monsters were finally able to return to the surface!
-And maybe that was a mistake, too! Look at them now! Papyrus is depressed, the fire monsters are being held by the police and humans have already started hating monsterkind all over again!
-If I died, they'd take my soul and destroy humanity!
-And they'd probably be better off doing that! Humanity was the reason of their troubles in the first place!
-How... How can you say that...? You're human as well...
Serifa stopped and looked down for a second.
-You're right... It's just that...I've seen plenty of evil, disgusting humans... But, monsters...they always treated me kindly... Even when they were trying to capture and kill me, it felt like they were just doing what had to be done, like they weren't enjoying it.
Frisk sighed.
-I know that feeling as well. But not all of us are like that! Take you, for example! You've never hurt a soul...
-Nah... Serifa sighed. No one's perfect. And no one's fully awful, either. Sorry, I don't know what I was thinking back then.
-At any case, you were right about one thing: I shouldn't mess with the past. After all, if I do it, when Sans finds out, he's gonna be pissed at me. Frisk chuckled.
She closed her eyes. A savepoint in the shape of a big, golden star appeared before her for a few seconds, and then disappeared.
-No going back now... So let's go forward.
They could smell yesterday's fire from squares away. They reached the kindergarten in a few minutes. It was surrounded by the police. Warning signs were everywhere. The building had been mostly destroyed.
-Frisk, I don't think they'll let us in... You know the place better than me. Is there any way we can sneak in?
-Why sneak in when we can enter through the front door? Frisk smirked with a confident smile. Come on. Follow me, pretend to be sad, and play along.
Frisk tried to think of the worst experiences in her life for a few seconds. It wasn't hard to do. She approached one of the policemen with a sad expression on her face.
-E-Excuse me... she sobbed. Could we go in...?
-I'm sorry miss, but this area is restricted to the public until further notice.
-Please! Our little brother died in there...! We wanna see him... We need to know, as his family!
Serifa was so amused by Frisk's over dramatic performance, she could barely hide her laughter.
-I'm really sorry, but I can't allow normal citizens to enter-
-I beg of you! Frisk pleaded, tears running down her face. We need to see the place, we need to get our closure!
-As I said-
-Oh, come on Mark, what are they gonna do? Burn the place down?
Another policeman approached, chuckling at his own joke.
-Excuse me, lovely ladies, but this guy here is a bit dense! You're allowed to go in!
-But, the orders-
-I'll go with them, Mark. I'll make sure they don't cause any trouble.
-Whatever you say, but I still disagree!
-Come, ladies, follow me.
The girls followed him into the building. His presence was complicating things. There was no way he would let them collect the dust.
-So, beautiful ladies, my name is Andrew! And, yours are?
-Fri-Friya... Frisk replied.
-And you, cutie? he turned to Serifa.
-I'm Elina...
-Nice to meet you two! Unfortunately, it wasn't under the greatest circumstances... Which reminds me, I'm really sorry for your loss. Who was you brother, if I may ask?
The girls both went silent, each expecting the other to reply first.
-Why won't you tell me?
Serifa suddenly started, crying.
-That name... Just saying it... No, even hearing it... I can't bear with it! I just... can't!
-Michael... His name was Michael... Frisk said silently, playing along.
-Oh, I see. I can't imagine your immense pain right now! I really, truly wanna help you get over your loss! I know of a great place, where we can all go and forget our worries and...
Frisk and Serifa glanced at each other. Serifa was barely keeping herself from chuckling. Frisk rolled her eyes in anger. But then, she noticed some monster dust. She easily recognised it among the ashes. She signaled Serifa. Serifa understood. She pretended to trip and fall down.
-Oh, no, are you hurt, darling?
Andrew looked at her, but Frisk tried to get his attention instead. She fell on her knees, crying the most tears she ever had to fake.
-I can't! This is too much! Oh, no, poor Michael! My little, sweet brother!
Why did you have to leave us at such a young age? Why?
-Yes, Friya! Andrew hugged her, trying to comfort her. Let it all out! Your feelings, your sorrow! Only this way you can finally move forward!
Despite being utterly disgusted, Frisk continued to play her role, while Serifa secretly grabbed some of the dust and put it in a small jar she had brought with her. When she was done, she signaled Frisk to stop.
-Oh no! I can't take this anymore! Please, get us out of here! I can't stay any longer!
-As you wish, sweet Friya! Whatever makes your heart feel warmer!
He took her hand and lead them out.
-Thank you for letting us in! Serifa smiled while still pretending to be sad. It helps a lot to know that someone understands us...
-Anytime girls! I'm really worried about you, you know! Please, give me your phone numbers, so I can check up on you later just in case! I really wanna help you with that awful catastrophe that has befallen you!
-Of course...
Frisk proceeded to give him two fake phone numbers so that he would finally leave them alone. On their way to the Lab, she looked really annoyed.
-Hey, Serifa. Will life be a lot harder with one arm missing?
-Huh? Where did that come from?
-I'm seriously thinking of amputating the one he touched.
Serifa burst into laughter.
-Seriously, what a disgusting guy! Frisk went on. He flirted with two young girls at the same time, not even considering the fact that they were mourning and even using their tragedy to get a date! DISGUSTING! AWFUL! GROSS!
Serifa couldn't stop laughing.
-And he even hugged me! I wanna dive in chlorine right now!
-Why so mad? You're single, and maybe that guy was your destiny! You are probably tied by the red string of fate! Serifa chuckled playfully.
-Repeat that, and Sans will have to revive you again!
Serifa glanced at Lionnite's Research Center. It was a huge building, towering over a large, carefully trimmed garden. She was quite impressed.
-This is where Sans works?
-Yes, it is! Come on, follow me, I know my way here!
Serifa followed Frisk as she was walking through the garden.
-Such beautiful structures weren't a part of this town last time I was here... Serifa was still amazed.
-How long has it been since you last saw Orkney?
-Far too long. I was locked in my house for around 6 to 7 years... and then I ran away, without paying attention to the town itself...
-And then, you fell. And, 12 years after you, it was me, from what I was told. Back then I was 10, so we have to add another 7 years...wow, that's a lot!
-25 years in total, huh? Yes, it's only normal that the town would change...
They entered the building. Doors, staircases and corridors were everywhere. Serifa was overwhelmed. Frisk noticed.
-You think it looks like a labyrinth, huh? That's what I thought when I first stepped in. Now, I know every nook and cranny of this place! Here, let's go!
They went up two levels using the elevators and started walking through a corridor. Frisk took out her mobile phone and called Sans.
-Hey! We're at Lionnite, walking to your Lab!
-Alright, heading towards you. Do you have what I asked for?
-Yeah, we got it. Oh, I see you!
Sans walked to them along with Alphys. Papyrus was with them too.
-Hey, how did my little to agents do? Sans smiled.
-Mission accomplished! Serifa cheered, proudly.
Frisk gave Sans the jar and he started walking. Everyone followed him.
-Stayed safe? Sans asked, glancing at Frisk.
-100% safe! Frisk replied.
-Except a chlorine bath she says she wants to get! Serifa added, playfully.
-What? Sans asked, confused.
-Forget it. Where are we going? Frisk asked.
-The DNA Analysis and Exploration Lab, next level. Alphys replied.
-Didn't you say you knew the place? Serifa asked Frisk.
-I know the place, not what each Lab does in particular!
-I'm sure ''DNA Analysis and Exploration'' is self-explanatory... Serifa smirked.
-Oh, shut up! Frisk chuckled.
On their way to the Lab, Frisk turned to Alphys.
-What's Papyrus doing here? she whispered.
-Sans thought he'd get depressed staying alone in their house, so he asked him to come here.
-I figured... How's he doing?
-Quite frankly, I've never seen him so sad before... He doesn't say much, but I can sense it...
-We really need to take care of him once we find out what the hell is happening.
-I agree. I'll tell Undyne to come talk to him tomorrow. She's devastated too, but still in a better condition.
-Alright, here we are. Sans said, and opened a door. Come quickly, we're doing this in secret.
They got in. Serifa watched with Fisk as Sans mixed some chemicals with the dust. Alphys turned on a machine and started typing a few things, setting it up. Papyrus was sitting in the corner, looking down.
-Alphys, are you ready for the sample?
-Yes, Sans, go ahead and throw it in.
Sans emptied the concoction he had prepared in the machine Alphys was operating. They waited for a while, until some weird words and numbers started appearing on the screen.
-This...this can't be true... Sans sighed. Alphys, are you sure you set that thing up right?
-I always set it up right...
-Ahem, guys? Frisk commented. We have no idea what you're talking about!
-The enemies. They are monsters, after all... Alphys replied. And, from what I see, they are fire monsters too...
-No, not completely. Sans corrected her. Fire monster DNA is only part of their DNA. It's mixed with something else...
-You're right, but...what do you think it is?
-I can't tell from these numbers. We'll have to run a deeper analysis.
-Oh gosh, this takes, like, ages to do!
-I know, I was hoping we could avoid-
A terrifying sound interrupted him. It sounded like like an alarm going off. A red light switched on.
-What is this? Serifa asked.
-The fire alarm! Sans replied.
-Oh, no... Do you think it's them?
-I'm sure of it.
-No... NO! Papyrus curled in the corner and started crying in panic.
Alphys peeked through the door and saw four of the mysterious monsters in black approaching the room they were in. She instantly closed the door and locked it.
-What do we do guys? We're cornered, they're coming here!
-There's no way that door's gonna last! Sans replied. Hey, Paps... Frisk has no weapon and you two are the only ones who can fight here... Please, get a hold of yourself!
-I can't! I'm so, SO useless! I'll screw it all up! he kept crying.
-Oh, come on Paps, I know you can do it! Frisk encouraged him. You're the GREAT PAPYRUS!
-I'M NOT GREAT! Papyrus sobbed.
The enemies started banging on the door. Alphys ran to it and lay against it to buy some time.
-Paps, come on! Serifa hugged him. I know you can do it! Aren't you my strong, big brother?
-I can't save you... I can't save anyone... he kept crying. I'm sorry...
-Ouch! Alphys screamed, running away from the door. Guys, I think they're setting the door on fire!
-Crap! Frisk ran and grabbed a bottle with a strange liquid inside it. Is that dangerous to use as a weapon?
-No... Sans replied. But you can't expect to do much with it.
-It's something!
They started kicking the door again. In a matter of seconds, it started breaking down, until they finally got in.
-Stay away! Frisk shouted, throwing them a bottle and taking another.
They turned their weapons towards her. Alphys ran in front of her.
-H-HEY! I heard you aren't hurting monsters! But, if you hurt her... You'll hurt me too!
The four monsters stared at each other for a second. One of them proceeded to punch Alphys in the stomach, making her fall on her knees in pain.
-Alphys! Are you okay? Frisk panicked, kneeling beside her.
The monsters turned their weapons to Frisk again. Sans started throwing bottles full of chemicals on them to get their attention.
-Stop it already! Who the heck are you? What do you want from us?
One of the monsters set fire to the cupboard Sans had his bottles in, while the other two grabbed Sans's arms, making him unable to fight back. The fourth monster got ready to set Frisk on fire, when three bones emerged from the ground and pierced through it, making it fall down in pain.
-Papyrus, Finally! Sans rejoiced.
But when he looked towards him, he was still crying on the floor. Serifa was standing next to him, looking at her hand in shock.
-H-How... How did I...?