Undertale: (file name not found) part #56

SPOILER WARNING: IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED THE GAME YET, PLEASE DO!

OTHERWISE THIS WILL MAKE NO SENSE OR RUIN PARTS OF THE GAME YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO YET.

SO PLEASE, GO PLAY IT, SERIOUSLY!

...

WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?

YOU BETTER HAVE PLAYED THE GAME BY NOW.

I WANT NO RESPONSIBILITY OVER SPOILING THINGS FOR OTHERS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is great.

Everyone is getting along so well.

Toriel and Asgore have a long talk, catching each other up on the events of their lives from when they separated all the way up to now.

Considering how long they live and the events that occurred since they split up, yeah, that took up a lot of time, but hey, nothing helps pass the time quite like puns...even if most people did not enjoy them.

Next up was Undyne, who after explaining a few things to Asgore, makes her resignation as Captain of the Royal Guard official and nominates Papyrus for the position, though that doesn't quite go his way.

Since Asgore and I made peace, that pretty much ended the war, and with no more need to fight, their might not be a need for the Royal Guard anymore.

Though to keep Papyrus's heart from breaking, I offered a position more suited to someone like him, I request making him my personal guardsman.

At first Toriel is slightly opposed to this, knowing of our relationship, but with testimony from the others about his character, skills, maturity, and how caring he is, it didn't take much to sway her vote in my favor, which of course had Papyrus more than delighted.

The it was Alphys's turn to come clean to her employer and beg for forgiveness.

Never did I think I'd meet someone as sympathetic as I am, but Asgore just further amazes me, being completely understanding to her plight and offering her a shoulder to cry on if need be.

I'm really starting to question my biological paternity, because other than appearance, I'm more Monster than Human.

No question there little one.

Sans too spoke up about his involvement in the goings on of the Laboratory, which surprised me greatly, but I suppose it was needed, to finally let such secrets get off his chest, he honestly looked a lot better afterword and seemed more relieved, dare I say, happy even.

Mettaton really had no reason, but did try to get in Asgore's good graces, whether to help further his personal career or just to look good in front of the ones he now knows are my parents, I know not.

Poor Napstablook even got pulled in by his cousin's charming grace and some how I get mentioned too.

Something about how he supposed he should thank me, as before fighting me so long agao, he had forgotten how fun it was to perform with others, so on the side of his normal performances, he'd been searching for HOT TALENTS to fill up his upcoming troupe.

So far, Shyren's agreed to be his back-up singer and he got Napstablook to be his sound mixer.

A rather impressive lineup really.

Then it got a bit awkward when Mettaton asked me what kind of merchandise did I think humans would want to buy if and when we ever got up to the surface, mainly it was awkward because of the few ideas he had so far.

[Buttons (with his face)]

[Stickers (with his face)]

[CDs (with his face)]

[Posters (with his face)]

[T-shirts (with his face)]

[Underwear (with his face)]

[Plush dolls of TORIEL (but, you know, with his face instead of hers)]

I had no words for that, but I didn't need to answer anyway, he was more than excited to do them all regardless.

But yeah, that how everything went.

Smoother than silk on satin.

A few questions did pop up every-so-often.

Like why Sans often called me sweetheart...Oh boy...That was fun to explain.

As if I were raised with him this whole time too, Asgore went into protective dad mode, demanding all information regarding my love life and then proceeded to interrogate the guys among us.

That would've been funny had it been happening to someone else.

Thank god Toriel helped to set the record straight and kept Asgore from going into 'you will never be good enough for m daughter' mode.

Another hard thing to explain was why I seemed to change personality at random...Try doing that without sounding like a nutcase.

So yeah dad, I fused with your former scientist who happens to these skeletons older brother that was trapped in a void across the fabric of space and time...Yeah...That's not crazy sounding at all.

Thankfully this odd bit of information is broken down into something more understandable by my ever faithful companions.

Yet now, with all the pleasantries out of the way, the real epic moment can be done...We can have the pies.

Great and glorious pies by Toriel!

"Mmmm...I swear these get better every time Mama."

"Thank you my child."

"I've missed your cooking Tori. I tried to recreate your recipe, but I couldn't do it. My trash bin is filled with my terrible crumpled-up recipes for butterscotch pie."

"It doesn't take much. Just combine brown sugar, cornstarch, salt and milk in a pot to boil. Stir and keep stirring until it thickens. Then mix in egg yolks, stir and keep cooking until it thickens. Remove from the heat, and add butter or margarine and maybe some vanilla for flavor. Keep stirring. Pour into cooked pie crust and then place it in the refrigerator till it's solid. It's not hard."

Asgore smacks his forehead.

"Of course! Why did I keep thinking I needed to use flour? No wonder they kept exploding in the oven."

That statement earns some very hearty laughs from us all.

"hey tori, what's in this one pie?"

"I was wondering that too darling."

This is about to turn some stomachs.

"Oh. That one is a snail pie."

Utensils fall from hands in shock but I keep eating along with my family.

"I-it's...snail?"

"LADY TORIEL...I'M NOT SURE YOU KNOW THIS. BUT SNAILS ARE NOT MEANT TO BE IN PIES."

"Actually Papyrus, snails are a delicacy in some parts of the world."

"R-REALLY?"

"Escargot is the name of food that is made of cooked land snails. Escargots are usually served as a starter dish in Portugal, Spain and in France."

Toriel smiles.

"Very good Lynsie. You've been reading my books."

"I like trivia."

She pats my head as I take another bite while the others look at me funny.

"How are you able to eat that?"

I smirk at Undyne.

"Easy...This one is chocolate."

"heheh...very clever."

"Not as clever as when she first tried to use magic."

I nearly choke.

"Mama no! Don't tell them that!"

Damn it...Now they're curious.

"Oh, I gotta hear this."

"I'M SURE YOU DID WELL HUMAN."

"Of course. Our darling dear never fails at anything."

Knowing the truth makes me blush with embarrassment.

"Well...I think it was during the first week of having her live with me, that I decided to teach her some basic magic. I went with something easy just to start her off. Soul sight and soul reading."

God, please kill me.

Oh yes, I remember that day...Heheh...That was funny.

You're not helping!

"We tried for a time, but since humans seemed to have lost their ability to use magic, I had to teach her how to tap into her innate magic abilities."

Gaster, do me a favor and end me now.

And end this now, I think not.

You're a cruel man.

You're blowing this out of proportion.

"This however was a task that was easier said than done. And doing so, well..."

"Mother, I beg you. Please don't."

"Quiet punk. I want to hear this."

I cringe at what is to come.

"Our young one here was so determined and tried so hard, that she ended up over exerting herself. Making herself lightheaded and disoriented before fainting."

The group seems confused as to why I would find this embarrassing.

"I'm not sure if I'm follow this story right Tori."

"YEAH. THAT'S NOTHING TO BE EMBARRASSED ABOUT."

"I'm not finished...Upon fainting, she began muttering the silliest things. Like...Butterflies moving through diamonds. Or this weird one...Anything that doesn't matter has no mass. I still don't get it."

Sans stifles his laughter at the physics joke that was.

"oh boy...that was a good one."

"WOW, LYNSIE..."

"wait, you knew that was a science joke?"

"I NOTICED YOUR JOKE BOOK A WHILE AGO AND DECIDED TO SEE JUST HOW BAD YOUR PUNS WERE GOING TO BE. SO I TOOK A LOOK INSIDE. INSIDE THE JOKE BOOK WAS A QUANTUM PHYSICS BOOK. THEN INSIDE THE QUANTUM PHYSICS BOOK WAS ANOTHER JOKE BOOK. THEN THERE WAS ANOTHER QUANTUM PHYSICS BOOK INSIDE THAT ONE. I NEARLY DECIDED TO STOP BUT, THANKFULLY THAT WAS THE LAST BOOK AND I GOT CURIOUS ENOUGH TO READ IT. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND MOST OF IT, BUT IT WAS A GOOD READ NONE THE LESS."

That is very impressive to say the least.

Agreed.

"BUT I MUST SAY LYNSIE, TO MAKE JOKES EVEN IN THAT STATE, THIS REALLY PUTS OUR RELATIONSHIP IN A NEW LIGHT."

"If you say so sweety. But I think it speaks to my character. Even when I'm messed, I'm always such a goofy nerd, all the way down to my bones."

Papyrus groans as this incites a small laugh from the others.

"hey, tori, do you have any other embarrassing stories?"

"Oh, do I ever! But, I think that story is one of the most unbelievable. It is hard to think of much else though. Oh! Except for the time she slipped while helping me cook and literally ended up with egg on her face."

"Ehehe..."

"Ehehehe..."

"AHA! AHAHAH! HA! HA!"

"Yeah-yeah. go ahead. Laugh it up. I'm good at a few things, but I never claimed to be perfect."

"That's alright darling. We still like you as you are."

"yeah sweetheart. if anything, it just makes you sound cute. but i gotta say that's, uh, not the best way to get to cook."

"IT'S NOT?"

"Papyrus, we've been over this."

"WHATEVER, MOM!"

"Don't talk back to me like that!"

"Go to your room, Papyrus!"

"OK, UNDYNE."

"Wait! Don't ACTUALLY go to your room!"

"I'M GETTING MIXED MESSAGES HERE!"

"Don't worry Papyrus. You're not the only one who's confused."

"GLAD SOMEONE AGREES WITH ME. THANK YOU MR. DREEMURR."

This is so nice.

This sweet peace.

It's like this is how it's always been this way.

Surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones.

But...I know this isn't true.

This was not how it always was.

Their lives were not always so warm and full of love.

Most of the time, all these poor souls knew was heartbreak and LOVE.

These innocent monsters, people who suffered such sadness throughout their lives, only to be stuck down here and made to relive things in a never ending cycle.

Well...No more.

No more sadness.

No more agony.

No more pain.

No more LOVE.

I will see to it that Monsters get what is owed to them.

They deserve to be happy.

They deserve to know joy.

They deserve to the right to smile.

They deserve to be given true love.

Little one, you really are the hopes and dreams of us all.

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.

Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.

Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game.

It's easy, as long as you try.

Nothing you can make that can't be made.

No one you can save that can't be saved.

Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time.

It's easy, so long as you don't give up.

Nothing you can know that isn't known.

Nothing you can see that isn't shown.

Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.

It's easy, as long as you believe.

Hold on a second...Gaster...Are you seriously parodying 'All You Need Is Love' by The Beatles?

I may have taken a few lines here and there.

G...You have great taste.

Thank you.

But you know what I meant.

I do.

But none of the good can happen until we address a major issue.

Flowey?

Yes...I think it's time to tell them.

Be strong Lynsie.

I'll try.

I clear my throat to get their attention.

"Mother. Father. There's something important I've been meaning to tell you...Though, honestly, it fills me with dread to speak of it."

This calls for some concern.

"Young one?"

"It's okay my child. Whatever it is, you can tell us."

I take a deep breath and then sigh.

"It's about Flowey...He's not...He's not really what he seems."

Part of me feels bad for doing this, telling his secret when he told me not to.

But it needs to be known, his family needs closure so that the real healing can begin.

Knowing where this is going, Alphys gives me looks of encouragement and Sans holds my hand.

"you can do this sweetheart."

I hope so.

Have faith.

"Toriel...Asgore...Asriel isn't dead. Flowey is Asriel."

Plates fall from shocked hand, shattering on the ground like their minds and hearts.

"Child...It...It isn't nice to say such things."

"I'm not making this up. When Asriel fell, his dust scattered in the garden. But it mostly clung to a seed that managed to grow before any others that he came back with from the surface. Without your knowledge, I took this flower and preformed experimentation on it with determination."

This new tone of mine indicates Gaster is speaking.

"At first, I planned on using this flower as a vessel to hold souls of both human and monster kin. But the flower did not function as I wanted to and I was going to consider it a failure. Little did I know, my assistant would see my growing fatigue in lack of helpful results and try her best to help. Isn't that correct Alphys?"

All eyes go to her.

"I-i...I just wanted to help. T-there was s-so much pressure on us...On you. I d-didn't think everything would go so wrong."

Alphys begins to cry and Undnye consoles her.

"To be fair, it didn't go wrong. At least, not at the start. We were unaware of the effects too much determination would have. We did not know it would make monster melt into amalgamations. Or that it could revive the essence of the dead in a soulless life-form. I had already returned the flower back to the garden by the time I fell into the CORE. To be honest, I would've loved to have studied the Prince upon his awakening. One must wonder what happens when you die and then come back after some time has passed."

"didn't you go through the same thing?"

"Technically, yes and no. To a point I did die, but I was merely broken down and put back together differently. My body found its way into the Void, my soul reformed into the Riverperson, and my mind became Memory Head. Whereas the Prince died completely. Body became dust and his soul faded back into the vast unknown."

"Stop it!"

Toriel is shacking and Asgore does what he can to calm her down.

"Please stop speaking like this about our son."

"It took us what seems like eternity just to get over it this much."

"sorry. but they speak the truth."

"In fact, you were the first to meet the revived Prince, my King."

Asgore is deeply confused.

It probably doesn't help that Gaster is speaking so casual about this.

"I...I met my son? How?"

"Simple really. During the original time line, before the first reset, Asriel awoke in the Garden and you found him there. For a time, you tried to tend to him, but lacking a soul of his own, he began to feel nothing towards you. One day, he ran away and ended up in the Ruins hoping his mother could make him feel again. You tried dearly, my Queen. You showered him with such love, but the result was the same. Asriel felt nothing. This lead him down a dark path. He came to the conclusion that he'd rather be dead with his brother than live a life feeling nothing. He attempted to kill himself."

Horror grips them all.

Not even Sans knew these things.

"Attempted?"

"So he didn't go through with it? Thank god."

"No, he did it. Quite painfully too."

Dude, stop being so nonchalant about all this!

My apologies.

Don't apologize to me, it's them who are mortified by all this.

Very well.

"Forgive me. It comes to my attention I am being too relaxed in talking about such events."

"IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT."

"yeah. you're just used to it after watching over and over for so long."

At least they understand.

"If I am allowed to continue...But as he left this mortal coil again, he started to feel apprehensive. What is the fate of a being without a soul if they die? This terrified Asriel. He found himself wanting to live more than anything, and so, he did just that. When next his eyes did open, he was back in the Royal Garden, as if nothing had happened. Then you, my King, appeared to him again and surprisingly he found that you had no memory of him as a flower. You're even the one who gave him the name Flowey. He chose to don this name and leave with it."

"But why?"

"Curiosity had him...He's still a child. Granted, a child that's lived more lives than we can care to count, but a child none the less. So finding out he had this 'superpower' intrigued. Taking this as a chance to experiment again and again, he brought himself to the edge of death. At any point, he could have let this world continue on without him, but as long as he was determined to live he kept coming back. Amazed, he at first used his powers for good. Becoming friends with all the Underground. Solving all problems flawlessly. He found this companionship amusing...For a while that is. But as time repeated, people proved themselves predictable. What would this person say if he gave them this? What would they do if he said this to them? Once he know the answer, that was it. That's all they were. Just repeated pawns to toy with. Then he got a naughty idea...To cross a line that one should cross. He became curious what would happen if he killed them."

A deathly chill sweeps through the room.

"Nowadays, even that's grown tiring to him. He's done everything this world has to offer. He's read every book and burned every book. He's won every game and lost every game. He's appeased everyone and killed everyone. Sets of numbers...Lines of dialogue...He's seen them all. The only thing he sees as fun now is the child, Lynsie."

"Why?"

"While this child is normally played by another, Lynsie provides more than Frisk ever has. Frisk's actions, while good or bad, are the same. Either she would help or harm us. The events are the same. The dialog unchanging. The same 'boring' song and dance so to speak. Lynsie however has done something new. She's changed things in ways Frisk couldn't. New events. New dialog. Restoring characters that were missing. Choosing to stay here instead of leaving. Even something as simple as interacting with Flowey himself. She is giving him more than just fun. From what I've seen when they do interact, I would even go as far as to say she's reaching Asriel under all the apathy that is Flowey. Even if some pain is brought about in doing so, mostly on her end, but she is getting through to him. Which reminds me...My King, do you know where the 'smiling' flower went?"

The whole room goes tense.

"I...I don't know. It ducked into the ground when the human came in."

"Darling...You don't think it's going to do anything bad. Do you?"

I close my eyes and frown.

"Under normal events, this is the point in where Frisk encounters you my King. Either one of three things happens. One, she kills you. Two, Flowey kills you. Or three..."

Suddenly I spy a ring of seeds form behind Asgore, my eyes widen and I spring up.

"Get out of the way!"

The others move as I shove Asgore and take the hit for him.

I stumble back in a yell, small bloody holes create a circle outline on my front and back, the seeds having gone right through me like hot knives in butter.

And when I strain my eyes to see, there he is, among the flowers closest to the throne and looking as innocent as can be...Flowey.

"Howdy! It's me, FLOWEY. FLOWEY the FLOWER!"

I groan and shake off this damage like it was nothing, even going so far as to snag a slice of pie to get my HP back up.

"No need to put up the show Asriel. We all know who you are and how the game goes."

His innocence dies and he smirks with twisted delight.

"You IDIOT. You haven't learned a thing. Hee hee hee."

"And it seems you haven't either, my brother."

Flowey grins.

"I'm surprised you're still willing to call me that after this little stunt. But it's not like it matters."

"How long were you there? Seems odd you would wait till now to make a move when we were in the open and vulnerable this long."

He chuckles darkly.

"You know me all too well sister. It's true that I was here for some time. Listening to all your sad sappy mushy garbage. But only for so long. After all...I needed to make sure all you fools were completely distracted long enough for me to claim my prize."

Six vines fan out like a peacock's tail from behind the throne and they are far from empty, each vine holds a human soul, the souls Asgore's been collecting for destroying the barrier.

To say this has us worries is a big understatement.

"I owe you a HUGE thanks. Without you, I NEVER could have gotten past the old fool. But now, with YOUR help...I'VE got the human SOULS!"

The chuckle that escapes him is blood chilling.

"Asriel..."

Toriel and Asgore approach but I won't let them go beyond where I stand.

"My son?"

"Is it really you?"

"*scoff* Such predictable reactions. You hear all the details of the things I've done and yet you both still see only what you want to see. Pathetic. I'll make your deaths quick so you won't continue to suffer such moronic lives."

"Hey! If you think I'll let you do that, brother, you're in for a real bad time."

He smiles wickedly then looks off as the other come to stand behind me as well.

"WE WERE FRIENDS ONCE FLOWEY. AND WE CAN STILL BE. BUT NOT IF YOU CONTINUE TO DO THIS."

"I may have retired from the Royal Guard, but punk, if you think I'll let you attack my friends...YOU'RE GOING DOWN!"

"T-there's got to be another way. We can run a few t-tests. Maybe get you a better body."

"Darling, no one upstages me. I'm about to cancel you like a poorly scripted sitcom."

"I don't want to f-fight...but I won't see my f-friends hurt."

"your move weed. or should we relive some past time lines?"

Flowey snarls.

"Piss off Smiley Trashbag!"

"so you do remember them after all. i beat it really cheeses you off that this smiley trashbag always beat you."

"Sans, don't antagonize him."

"No sis, let the trashbag talk. It's not like he has anything of worth to say. It's all just garbage...Just like his brothers."

Sans growls and nearly lunges at him, but Papyrus grabs him, refusing to let him go.

"let me go pap!"

"CALM DOWN SANS!"

"Don't let him get to you. It's what he does. Like a cat, he prefers to toy with his victims."

"Heheh...Have I really become that predictable? Such a shame. Guess I better mix things up then!"

He laughs manically as he absorbs the 6 human souls and I can feel his power grow.

It's skin crawling in the sheer aura of power he emits now.

This isn't good.

I have to keep them safe.

"All of you...I want you to get out of here."

They look at me like I'm crazy.

"We can't leave you here with him."

"let us help you sweetheart."

I don't have time to defend my point.

At any moment Flowey's soul absorption will stop and he'll attack.

I will not have them hurt.

"If you trust me, you will leave."

"BUT LYNSIE..."

"Darling, don't do this."

"If you love me, you will go."

"I'm not gonna run like some coward!"

"I will defend my child."

"I said get out now!"

I didn't want to bark like that, but the sternness is enough to get through to how serious I'm taking this.

"If I need help, I will call for it. But damn it all, I will not see you harmed. Now leave this place before it's too late! Undyne, Mettaton...I'm counting on you two to keep them safe."

It really hits home that I would put so much trust in them.

Undyne get Alphys on her shoulders then pulls Asgore and Toriel out with all her might.

It doesn't take much to get Papyrus and with him holding Sans, it only makes it easier, though they do squirm in his arms, so Napstablook has to help him.

Once they're out of the room, Flowey has fully taken in the souls and I have to put on a tough face to not tremble under this powerful vibe.

"Boy! I've been empty for so long...It feels great to have a SOUL inside me again. Mmmm, I can feel them wriggling..."

He notices it's just me and him in the room now.

"Oh? It seems they've abandoned you. Maybe they're not as dumb as they look after all."

"I sent them away. This is between us. They are not needed."

"Not necessarily...They're free EXP."

I growl and it makes him snicker.

"You really are easy to figure out. You wear your heart on your sleeve and it makes you weak."

"Yeah-yeah, I'm a goody two shoes. A bleeding heart that cares too much. Save the spiel for the stage at MTT Resort."

"Oh my. What's gotten you all fired up? Is it...Chara? I thought I heard your voice shout a moment ago."

"Our brother is not here Asriel. It's just us."

He looks at me seriously.

"What did you do to him?"

"Nothing. He's just been quiet. And honestly, do you think I could ever harm him?"

"Heh...I suppose not. You're too nice. You'd never hurt family. But Gaster...Him I don't trust."

My eyes widen in surprise much to his enjoyment.

"Yep. I heard your little chat about him. So he's fused with you now? Interesting. Guess this means I get to kill two birds with one large jagged boulder."

Great, he's now not only a sadist but now he's vindictive too.

A unpleasant and yet fascinating development.

Not helpful G.

"Awww, you're feeling left out, aren't you Gaster? Well, that's just perfect. I'll get to play with you before I get my dear sister to join me. After all, I only have six souls. I still need one more...Before I become GOD. And then, with my new-found powers...Monsters. Humans. Everyone. I'll show them all the REAL meaning of this world."

Well that's creepy.

His face morphed into Toriel's, mine, and then something I have no clue what the fuck it was.

"Asriel, I've seen how that turns out for you. Even you must recall how Frisk even beats you as a GOD. What makes you think the little one here won't do the same?"

Oh my god Gaster, do NOT antagonize the killer flower!

What's wrong, it's not like you can't defeat him.

Even if that's true, which I hope is true, it's not your body that's taking the fall in this or even your soul.

My apologies Lynsie, I'll try to keep that in mind.

"Oh no. What happens if the human fights me. I'm so scared. NOT! I'll just kill her. It's not she can escape to her SAVE FILE and come back. Golly, if only she had a SAVE FILE you could run away to...But she was just too STUPID to make one!"

Wait what?

"I don't have one...?"

The dumb struck look on my face makes him beam with deadly joy.

"Oh really? So you didn't know and none of your so called friends told you? That's right sis. The one with the stronger Determination holds the power to SAVE, LOAD, and RESET. Right now, that would be little old me. And it seems you never saved since you've been down here. Which means..."

A nervous gasp leaves me and he takes it as my answer.

"That's right. If you die, that's it...Game Over. There might be a teeny tiny chance that you'd come back. But more likely, it'll go back to how things were. No more you. Now isn't that a interesting thought? But don't worry my dear sweet sister. Your old friend FLOWEY...Has worked out a replacement for you! I'll SAVE over your own death. So you can watch me tear you to bloody pieces...Over, and over, and over again!"

He laughs wickedly and I'm frozen on the spot.

If I die I might not come back...

Little one, don't listen to him.

It'll be like I was never here...

Do not loose focus now.

I'll lose everything and everyone...

Lynsie, don't give in to fear.

All of this would be for nothing...

Lynsie snap out of it!

I'd have no reason anymore...

Lynsie!

I don't want to die!

Then don't!

I will not die!

[Warning. Anomaly Core instability detected. SAFE MODE activated till stability is restored.]

Meanwhile, Flowey finds my still as stone routine rather curious.

Moving over to my side and poking my leg for a reaction.

"Uh...You still there? I mean, if you're going to make this that easy for me, heh, I won't complain. Though to be honest, I was kind of hoping to have a little fun playing with you sis."

My body twitches a bit, it gets his attention.

"So you are still in there. Must be hard keeping control with so many voices in that head of yours."

Bringing up a vine, he aims it at my forehead.

[Danger detected. Proceeding with threat assessment scan.]

"Allow me to help clear some room in that cluttered sponge you call a brain."

Slowly he presses the vine's tip to my head and being careful to kill me right away, there's no fun in ending things quickly.

But his fun is cut short when spark zaps him when he breaks into the skin, making him snarl and very confused.

"Well...Seems you're just full of surprises. That just makes things all the more interesting."

"A͢ņo̶ma̛ly, ̧f̸ilę n̕am҉e F̡LOWEY̸..͠.̨"

Now this was new.

"So I'm still considered an anomaly. Well that figures."

"̡6̶,000 H͘P, 1̵9͡ ́ATK͢, ́0 D̨ÉF. Y̧ou̕'͢re ̢BE͞ST f͡ri̢e͟n͠d̛.͢"

"No DEF? Just wait till I get my new body. Nothing can hurt me then."

".͟.͢.̀A͢re ̨yo̷u ͝t͟h̶e̛r͢e͠?"

"I haven't left. The real question is, are YOU there?"

I instantly look down and make eye contact with him.

This sudden movement makes him jump, or as close to jumping as a flower can do.

"͝It̨'͏s ͟bȩen̕ ͡a l̢onǵ t͘im̛e̡, ̷h͢asn't̕ įt̷..̸.?͜ ̧B̢ut y̴ou'v̀e ̸d́o͢n͘e̸ w͜ell.͘ T̷h͝a̸nk̛s͏ to͜ y̡ou͜, ever̀y̸thing̸ ̴has ̡fa͟l̢l̵e͝n in̷to pl͝a҉c̡e̛.̵"

Those words, if his flowery face could pale it would.

For those were his words, or rather, the words spoken by Asriel Dreemurr.

"How do you know that dialog?"

I just smile at him in an innocent yet creepy way.

"̷S̢e͟e ͠y̵o͢u ͢s͏oón̵.͢"

My eyes roll into the back of my head and I collapse backwards into the flowers like a freshly cut down tree, much to Flowey's confusion.

"Did you...Did you really just...Are you kidding me?!"

[Scan complete. Threat determined to be moderate. Cool down needed before rebooting.]

"*sigh* Pathetic...Truly pathetic. But what can I really expect from you?"

Vines ensnare her limbs.

"As sad as you make yourself out to be, I do see potential in you. Not exactly sure if that's good but at least you're not boring."

He slowly began to sink into the ground.

"Let's move our future play to a more appropriate spot. After all, this place is too cramped for real fun I have in store for us."

He submerges into the earth and drags her along with him.

Leaving the room empty of life.

His destination...The Barrier.

[Meanwhile, with the others]

Undye and Mettaton had managed to get the others as far as the Judgment Hall before they lost control of their charges.

Toriel, Asgore, Sans, and Papyrus were doing all they could to try to get back to the Throne Room.

And the fish and robot kept the way blocked as best they can, Undyne using her spears while Mettaton used his bombs.

Alphys didn't want to get between either side and while Napstablook wanted to help out his friend he couldn't bring himself to go against his cousin.

"get out of the way! we can't leave her with that weed!"

"Darling has entrusted us with your safety. And as much as I'd like there to be less competition for her heart, I am bound to obey her."

"You know very well the punk can handle her own. Hell, she beat me with 1 HP. She can take on a flower by herself."

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! FLOWERY CAN DO THINGS, VERY BAD THINGS!"

"He was responsible for almost paralyzing her had I not found them. So if you think I'll stand here as my daughter is murdered by my own son, you best think again!"

"he's gotten close to killing her multiple times. and now they're alone together. she needs us!"

"SHE NEEDS OUR HELP!"

"They need their mother!"

"The answer is still no dears."

"I might have failed as Captain of the Royal Guard, but I'll be damned if I fail being a friend. Not after she gave me a second chance."

Asgore couldn't help but weigh in both sides before coming to his own conclusion.

On the one hand, his newly sprung on him daughter, who he found quite sweet, was with his also just sprung up on him resurrected son, who came off as anything but the gentle boy he once was...Not good.

On the other hand, said daughter was purely concerned with their safety above her own and was willing to risk her life to make sure they were not harmed in what could unfold, even going so far as to appoint two strong friends that would keep their word if called upon...Very ingenious.

She was like him in this sense and he related to it immediately, as he would have done the very same.

But this was not helpful in his choice.

To choose whether to respect her wishes or to do what is felt to be right?

Heavy is the head that wears the crown and right now it was weighing on him as if it were a whale.

Then something got his attention.

"Back off Sans! I don't want to hurt you!"

"tinker toy, you have no idea the level of hurt i can bring on you. now i'll say this one more time...MOVE!"

Sans's threatening tone was strong enough to shake Mettaton to the point his bolts felt loose.

"Y-you don't scare me."

Sans's eyes went black.

"wrong answer."

"BROTHER WAIT."

Papyrus leaned into Sans's ear and whispered something no one could make out.

But whatever it was, it made the comedic skeleton grin before taking his brother by the hand and the two of them disappear from the hall in the blink of an eye.

This raised some pretty big alarms with the others, because those that knew Sans knew what this meant.

"Sans you son a bitch!"

"What just happened? Where did they go?"

"That bastard teleported himself and Papyrus back to her."

"What do we do now? Split up?"

"And you leave me here with the pissed off mom? Hell no!"

"Enough!"

The booming voice of authority echoed in the hall...The King made up his mind.

"I have stood by and watched as others fought my battles for me. No more."

Asgore approached the two as Toriel looked on in surprise.

"I am more than a King. I am a father. And right now, my children are about to do battle. Not only that, innocent lives now show bravery in trying to stop it. I will see more death take place needlessly. So if you both would kindly step aside, I need to be a man and save them. But if that does not suffice..."

Moving his hands out from behind the concealment of his cloak, Asgore looks sternly and shows his weapon, a long red trident adorned with a flower.

"As your King, I order you to stand down and come with us to help our children...Please."

This was a side to Asgore that Toriel had thought been long dead, this was the man she had fallen in love with so long ago and it lite a fire of devotion in her soul.

The command of a King and the emotion of a parent moved them, they could not fight against his words or his power, for Asgore was King as well as the strongest of all in the Underground, not even them working together would match the resolve of a father trying to return to his kids.

They bowed before him and made the way clear for them to pass.

"Thank you."

He back to his wife with a kind smile.

"Tori..."

He extended his hand to her with gentle care.

"Let's go save our children."

Her heart faltered for a moment as she took his hand, tears wanted to pool in her eyes but she denied them as she looked upon him in new light and returned a warm smile to him.

"Yes. Let us get our children back."

With that, the Royal pair headed back from whence they were.

Undyne and Mettaton then looked to Alphys and Napstablook.

"You don't have to come with us."

"We'd understand if you didn't."

They were stunned they would even say such things.

"And l-leave you to Flowey?"

"I don't know if I can help. B-but I can't go knowing I didn't try."

No further words were needed to be spoken.

The four of them followed after the King and Queen, who in turn sought to follow Sans and Papyrus, hoping they were not too late to save their friends.

Knowing they would never forgive themselves if something were to happen to any of them.

But little did they know they were not as alone in their journey as they thought.

Slowly making its way from Hotland's port, Riverperson hummed a melody softly.

It had finished its last job and seen all the water had to offer it.

Now it was to do its final task.

The time that SOUL meets BODY was coming soon.

Soon it would be time to see just how real this prophecy was.

"Tra la la...One day, a savior will come from the heavens. Then from the world outside, the way to free us from our prison will fall. The Angel of Life will fix all that the Demon had corrupted. Death will appear and a great truth will be known. Then as the hour draws near, God and the Angel will clash...I believe the one that was prophesied was you, little one. Let us see just how your river flows. Tra la la."