Return to Snowdin
The moment Sans left, Serifa started panicking. She stood still, her eyes locked onto the door. What if Sans never returned? What if this was the last time she saw him? What if-
-Come on Serifa, let's do something! Frisk tried to cheer her up. Want me to paint your nails again?
-Frisk, I'm sorry... I need a moment on my own.
She went into Sans's bedroom, closing the door behind her. Frisk tried to follow her, but Papyrus gently grabbed her by the shoulder, stopping her.
-Leave her be for now.
-Are you kidding? She was stuck in that room when she was depressed! Do you want her to go back to that state?
-We'll talk to her. Just give her the moment she asked for.
-I'm worried for her! Don't you understand?
-Of course I understand. Wait a few minutes. We'll approach her again after, okay?
-Fine... Frisk sighed.
Sans was riding his motorbike towards Mt. Ebott. He couldn't help being distracted, as he was, too, anxious about this meeting. After all, the last time he met Clorifa, he had been horrible towards her. Not that she didn't deserve it; especially now that she had claimed so many human lives.
Was she crazy enough to kill strangers just to see him? Or was there another motive? And why was she controlling the arsonists? She had fought against them and even killed a few. Was this all part of her plan? And, if so, what was her final goal?
His mobile phone rang, interrupting his inner monologue. He pulled over and picked up. It was Undyne.
-Hey Sans. Met that psycho yet?
-I'm on my way there.
-How are you feeling?
-I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. But, I gotta do what I gotta do.
-I still believe you shouldn't go alone. Want me to tag along?
-Thanks, but it won't be necessary.
-Then why are you nervous?
-It's because I don't know what she'll tell me, which means, I'm not prepared enough.
-All thew more reason for me to come.
-Undyne, I'll be alright. It's just that… I'm not sure I know her anymore.
-Then let me come.
-No need. I'm certain of one thing: she won't hurt me.
-Are you sure about that?
-If she wanted to hurt me, she'd have already done it. With that arsonist army she owns, and my lack of magical powers, I'm the easiest target.
-If you say so... At any rate, Alphys and I are at Asgore's. Toriel is here too. We are all rooting for you here, so don't mess up!
-Heh... Thank you.
-And don't you dare disappear or anything! You owe all of us an explanation!
-Man, I'll make sure I'll return then!
-You'd better!
-Thanks for the call, Undyne. My thoughts were running wild, but you helped me calm down.
-No problem, Sans. Stay safe.
Sans smiled. He had lightened up a lot thanks to Undyne. He started his scooter once again.
Serifa was looking at the ring Sans had tied around her neck. She held onto it tightly, as if Sans's life depended on it. He had to return soon. She closed her eyes, as if focusing. ''Please, come back safe...'' she started repeating to her self.
It was then that Frisk entered the room.
-Hey...how are you holding up?
-I'm trying to keep calm..but I can't help worrying like crazy.
-Why do you worry? Don't you trust Sans?
-I trust him, but I don't trust HER. And, besides, she managed to fool him with her tricks once already! That isn't very encouraging...
-Sans knows what he's dealing with right now. I promise you...he will return.
-I hope so... Serifa sighed, tucking the ring under her shirt.
Frisk noticed it immediately.
-Hey! What's that?
-N-Nothing...
-Oh, come on, show me! Frisk said, pulling out the ring without thinking much.
-Ask first, okay? Serifa complained.
-I asked. You refused. There was no other way.
-You're way too nosy! Serifa replied in an angry tone.
-Oh come on, it's just a ring around your neck, why are you so upset?
-I have my reasons, okay?
-Reasons...wait a minute! Did Sans give you this?
-Yes. There, you got your answer! Enough!
-OH MY! Does that mean what I think it means?
-Which is...?
-Oh come on, do I have to ask you every time? Can't you tell me by yourself?
-Tell you what?
-That Sans PROPOSED to you! GOD, that's awesome!
-Wait what? How did you get that idea?
-Girl, if your boyfriend gives you a ring and it isn't your birthday, then that's what it means! So you're engaged now! WOW, that's, like, totally amazing!
-Calm down! Serifa chuckled. He didn't propose or anything like that!
-Then why did he give it to you?
-He...just did. No reason.
-Gosh, you're way too slow, Serifa!
-It's you that's too fast!
-Whatever! After all this is over, we are SO going shopping! Wedding gown, new shoes, make-up, a good hair-dresser... And we have to pick a church! Or, do you prefer a Town Hall?
-Frisk, we're NOT getting married! Sans didn't give me the ring for that purpose!
-Even so, we'll use it against him! It'll be easy! I'm a master manipulator, remember? Leave it to me!
-Great, Sans will have to go through two tough challenges today! Serifa laughed.
-We don't care! We are the girls! We decide!
-Did you even ask whether I wanted to marry Sans?
-You don't? Frisk looked at Serifa, raising her eyebrow.
-W-Well... Serifa looked away, blushing. M-Maybe, sometime in the future we could...
-You TOTALLY want to marry him!
-Shut up! Why don't you find your own man to torture?
Frisk looked away. There was a weird pause for a second.
-A-At any rate! When you two decide to get married, I'm helping you with your dress and everything!
-If that's what makes you happy, sure.
-GIIIIRLS! They heard Papyrus's voice.
-Yes? Frisk asked.
-Sans called my phone! Wanna talk to him?
-Of course! Serifa replied.
Before going to the living room, she hid the ring behind her shirt.
-Frisk, don't tell Papyrus ANYTHING about the ring. Or anyone else for that matter. Okay?
-Yessir!
Serifa ran, grabbing the phone from Papyrus.
-Hey Sans! You're coming back?
-Whoah, slow down there. I just reached Mt. Ebott and I'm calling as promised!
-Oh...is that so... Serifa replied, disappointed.
-Relax, nothing bad will happen. Just know that I have a long way until Snowdin and it's gonna take me a while to get there and back, especially without my teleport. So, if I'm late, don't get too worried. Okay, sweetie?
-Alright... Come home soon, please!
-I promise, I'll come back as soon as possible.
-I hope so...
-Gotta get in now. See you later. Love you!
-Take care, alright?
-Don't worry about me. Everything's gonna be alright.
-See you soon...
-Bye-bye, love!
Serifa looked down as Sans hang up.
-Hey, Serifa! Papyrus tried to get her attention. Wanna make Sans some GREAT spaghetti for when he returns?
-Why is cooking spaghetti your only solution when people are down? Serifa remarked, making Frisk chuckle.
-BECAUSE! SPAGHETTI IS GREAT! IT FILLS PEOPLE'S HEARTS WITH ENJOYMENT AND-
-OKAY, OKAY, let's go then!
Serifa smiled a little. Papyrus and Frisk were trying their best to cheer her up. It wouldn't be fair for her to resist.
Sans had reached Snowdin. The forest where he met Serifa for the first time was near. He looked around. Snowdin was as beautiful as always. Yet, something was missing. The buildings had been abandoned for ages. Sans remembered the fun times he had had in this small town, back when it was full of life. A sweet feeling of nostalgia warmed his heart. Despite having been trapped there, the monsters had mostly led happy lives.
He reached the forest. He hadn't walked through those woods in ages. He remembered his years as a sentry. How he met Serifa and Frisk for the first time. It felt like yesterday.
His thoughts were interrupted by a person in black clothing that stood in front of him. It was one of the arsonists, no doubt. Sans thought of how much pain these people had caused. To humans, to monsters, to his beloved friends, to his brother. He couldn't hold his anger.
-Murderer!
-Hey... the person replied, taking off her mask and revealing Clorifa's face. I didn't kill anyone!
-It's you, huh? You might not have killed them yourself, but you ordered your little team of freaks to do so.
-I didn't order OR kill anyone! She did!
The girl pointed at a tree a few meters away from Sans. Another Clorifa in the same uniform appeared from behind it, leaving Sans breathless in shock.
-Oh, come on sis! I only killed two! C-17 killed more!
-You're both such traitors! replied yet another Clorifa, approaching Sans from behind.
-W-What's going on... Sans stuttered, still trying to comprehend the situation.
-Come on, now. Our Mother will explain whatever you need to know! Follow us! The last Clorifa said.
Having no other option, Sans followed her. The two other Clorifas grabbed his arms and walked with him. He was completely weirded out. Soon, they led him to his former house. The moment he entered, he froze in shock as he saw a dozen new Clorifas waiting for him, all in the same uniform. Only one of them was different; she was wearing a black, hooded cloak instead. It was the same cloak she was wearing the first time he saw her.
-Hey Sans! Long time no see! She greeted him with a smile.
-What...What on earth are all these?
-You mean the girls? I thought they told you they're my daughters!
-How do you know what they told me?
-I know a lot of things, love!
Clorifa approached Sans with the intention to hug him, but he moved away from her. She looked away, disappointed.
-So, I see you went to Snowdin Forest first...why? Clorifa inquired.
-You wanted to see me in the place we first met.
-But you first met me here, at your house. The one you met in the forest was the other Serifa.
-Precisely.
-So, what does that mean? Have you started realising we are no different?
Clorifa smiled.
-No, I just thought you were delusional enough to think you're the real Serifa. Which meant, you'd wait for me in the forest.
-Not the answer I was looking for... Clorifa gave Sans an angry glare.
-Yea, sorry I'm not worshiping you like these puppets of yours.
-Ah, my girls. I'm so proud of them!
Clorifa smiled and patted on the head the two Clorifas next to her.
-Why did you start killing people, Clorifa?
-My name is Serifa! she replied angrily. And it's obvious why I did that. You weren't gonna come if I just asked, were you?
-But you started this before I even learned the truth about you! When you were tricking me! When we were ''happy'' together!
-Oh, no no no! You have it all wrong! I didn't control them at that time! I didn't even know they were my daughters! Do you think I'd kill them if I knew?
-So, who controlled them?
-Can't say! Besides, that isn't why I called you here.
-Oh yeah, you wanted something. Let me guess. I get together with you and you stop attacking humans?
-Only the first part honey! I become your girlfriend again, and we destroy humanity together!
Her innocent smile as she said that gave Sans the creeps, but he tried to keep his cool.
-And why would I agree to that? What do I have to gain?
-Me, of course!
-So, you basically lied to get me here. You aren't gonna stop attacking humans, are you?
-You're so smart, honey! But yeah, sorry I lied. Sometimes it's necessary.
-Like when you pretended to be Serifa?
-That wasn't a lie. I AM Serifa.
-No you're not. You're just a trashy clone and the same probably goes for your ''daughters''.
Clorifa's face got dark with anger.
-Honey, you keep forgetting... You're NOT the one in control here!
Clorifa summoned four Gaster Blasters, surrounding Sans. Sans was taken aback but tried to hide it.
-C-Come on... We both know you aren't gonna kill me.
Clorifa sighed and made the Gaster Blasters disappear.
-You're right. I won't.
-A few days ago, you were barely able to summon one without destroying yourself... So, how...?
-Oh, I trained a lot! Are you proud of me? Serifa smiled again.
-This is not progress you can make in just a few days.
-Yeah... I guess, in this dimension, it's only been a few days...
-What...what do you mean? You traveled dimensions?
-Yes! It would take an awful amount of time to reach your level of expertise, so I went to a dimension where time runs faster! Don't get me wrong though, it still felt like an eternity!
-How are you even traveling dimensions? I've studied and experimented for ages and I still haven't found a way to do that!
-I don't know how I did it. I had help. He basically did everything, from helping me travel, to training me.
-''He''... Is it the same person who revived you?
-Yes!
-Why does he help you so much Clorifa? What does he want from you? What are his intentions?
-I don't know.
-Then why the hell are you trusting him?
-Because he's the only one who's supporting me! she shouted angrily. It should have been you, you know! The one who helps me, the one who supports me! But it's not! So, don't you dare question the one person who's on my side!
-He's just using you for whatever goal he has!
-What do you know? You haven't met him, or even talked to him!
-And I still understand him better than you do!
-Do you think I'm dumb? Of course I know he wants something! But, as long as I get what I want, I don't care if I'm being used! Because, in the end, he needs me and I need him! So you can say I'm using him as well!
-Who is he anyway? What do YOU know?
-I thought you came here for me, not to fish out information!
-Too bad, that's exactly why I came here!
Clorifa closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself down.
-In that case, I think you should leave. Leave and come back when you realise how wrong you are.
-Yeah, about time I left. This meeting gave me nothing anyway.
-C-48, accompany him while he leaves the Underground.
-I'm perfectly fine on my own. I know this place better than you.
-That's why, I want someone to watch you. To make sure you don't try anything smart.
-Don't worry mommy! I'll watch him well! one of the other Clorifas replied and grabbed Sans's arm.
-Get off of me. Sans shoved her away.
-Mommy gave me an assignment and I will complete it!
-You can complete it without touching me.
C-48 looked at Clorifa.
-It's fine. Just watch him. Clorifa told her.
-If Mommy says it's fine, then we can go!
As Sans left with C-48, Clorifa waved at him.
-See you soon.
-Go to hell.
Sans started walking back, with C-48 watching him. They didn't say a word until Waterfall. It was then that C-48 suddenly stopped. Sans looked at her.
-I'm not gonna wait for you, you know.
C-48 looked Sans straight in the eye.
-You know... You're being cruel towards Mommy.
-I don't care.
Sans continued walking, with C-48 following him.
-She went through a lot... She trained really hard to be suitable for you!
-And who told you I judge people according to their strength in magic?
C-48 looked down.
-Still... You have no idea how much she suffered to become strong for you... That guy you two talked about, her trainer... He was really harsh on her.
-She could always leave.
-All I'm saying is...Please, be kinder to her! She might act strange, but she went through hell!
-What she did to Serifa was despicable. And she hadn't gone through that ''hell'' you mentioned yet. She was crazy and twisted from the beginning.
-You can make her normal again! If it's you, she'll be able to become the innocent girl she used to be!
-It's not her that I love. And I won't sacrifice Serifa for Clorifa.
-Her name is Serifa too!
-No, it isn't.
-It is! Stop denying it! Just because you made a stupid pun doesn't mean her true name actually changed!
-A name reflects a person. She did change, therefore her name changed as well.
-As I told you, if you forgive her and become her boyfriend again-
-Cut it out, Clorifa! Enough pretending!
-Huh? I'm C-48...
-You might be, but Clorifa, your ''mommy'', told you exactly what to tell me, didn't she? Yes... She tried to make me feel sorry for her by having someone else tell me sad stories! And, all that, in a beautiful place like Waterfall! Where Serifa died! This talk of yours was all planned, wasn't it?
-T-This isn't true!
-It is! As for these stories, about how hard it was for her to train... I'm not sure I believe them, either.
-No, these were true!
-Hard to persuade me when I know your purpose was to trick me!
-You can think whatever you want about the rest... But she suffered... It was so cruel! It hurt so much! If you can believe even one of the things I told you... It's this!
C-48 was tearing up. Sans wasn't sure whether this was an act or not.
-Come on. I wanna leave already.
Sans started walking away.
-Why...? Why are you just walking away? Don't you feel anything?
C-48 was crying. Sans looked at her. He knew she was probably just a clone of a clone. Yet, seeing her cry like that triggered something in him. After all, it was still Serifa's face that was crying in despair. Even if it was all fake, he couldn't help feeling sad.
-It's not her. It's just a horrible clone. he whispered to himself, as he slowly approached her.
Serifa was talking with Frisk and Papyrus in the living room. However, she was paying more attention to the clock. It had been hours since Sans last called them. She was getting nervous. What had he been doing all this time?
The bell rang. Serifa got even more nervous. Sans had keys. He didn't need to ring the bell of his own house. Something bad had happened.
Papyrus opened the door. Sans rushed in. Seeing his face, Serifa rejoiced.
-Sans, finally! she smiled in relief.
She ran to hug him, but suddenly stopped. Sans was running towards the basement, holding an unconscious Clorifa on his shoulders.
-What the- Frisk almost said, before Sans interrupted her.
-Call Alphys and tell her to come here ASAP. We have work to do.