A Tale of Consequences

Reset?

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Chapter 14

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Crack.

Frisk shivered. Sans was a warm presence at their back. They could feel the haphazard hum of his soul. Both comforting, and terrifying. Did he see? Did he hear? They were tangled up in a web of color and feeling. Could he feel the other's long dark claws reaching for them? Growing stronger, drawing them closer. Tugging and poking and prodding. Whispering.

Crack.

What did you think was going to happen?

Everything dimmed, the ambient light choked out by the encroaching gloom, leaving only a faint glow from the pool of near liquid determination.

Another monster gone. Dust in the wake of their failure.

They wanted to be sick.

How many had it been? How many people could be left?

But it didn't fade away like all the others. It loomed overhead like a stooping vulture.

Crack.

Red. White. Shards glimmering in the darkness. Reduced to the breaking point and then shoved back together haphazardly.

They weren't sure where their desperate grief and his guilt began and ended.

In the end, did it matter anyway?

Heat.

Fire roared.

This…

Why hadn't Alphys warned them!?

Even in the worst of the runs…

Even in the worst of the nightmares…

Everyone had been evacuated.

He'd been able to save Snowdin.

Why—shouldn't Alphys have been watching the cameras?

Papyrus—

They hadn't seen him yet.

They didn't want to.

He'd—they'd...warned Grillby hadn't they?

No...no...it'd reset since then.

Nothing ever mattered anyway.

Oily tendrils reached for them. Whispering of an end behind dusty cheeks and a knife-cut smile. That had been their face once.

I can handle it.

Trust me.

Now it was utterly alien. A demon.

You won't have to hurt anyone if it's me.

It's no big deal right? We'll just restart and try the run again.

You want to know, don't you? About Asriel?

Maybe he'll tell you something if you play the game his way.

What do you say?

Partner?

I'll wake you if anything new happens. Just let me take care of everything.

I promise.

We'll even make a deal.

You can choose if you think we should continue, or try again, okay?

Everything just seemed to hum. The voice drowned out in a roar of fire. They still couldn't see anything beyond the void, but the foreign magic swarmed, breaking against the invisible boundary at the edge of their weird little flooded island. Sans was on edge. Frisk could feel the instinctual tug, like they'd begun to recognize in that moment before he stepped.

But there was nothing to reach for. Just a vacuum of raw magic. Unfocused, it spilled into the marsh of red Frisk had already created.

Crack.

They could feel the oppressive force bearing down on them again, battling against their concentrated determination.

Everything dissolved into a world of fire and blacked vines.

X-x-x

Crack

"I swear if that broke—be careful with that!" I snap at the flower as the vines withered and writhed around the jar, where the fire elemental's magic had nearly scored a direct hit. I hadn't even noticed him eying the burden Flowey carried slung across my back, not until I'd needed to turn to dodge a particular pattern of flames. This was very different from fighting that bag of bones. He'd been very directional, as long as I kept an eye on my surroundings I could see the bones manifesting. These flames were much less rigid, changing direction and speed on almost a whim.

"I-I'm working at it Chara!" Azzy snapped back, his roots curling tighter around my upper arm and shoulder to keep his grip. I couldn't see what he was doing. Couldn't look because then I'd risk taking my eyes off my opponent.

That was too close to be an accident. With a good chunk of the vines burned away, the soul within would be easy to see.

The elemental hissed and crackled. I couldn't understand a word of it.

"Try that again and you'll shatter it, idiot! Do you want that? HUH?" Azzy seemed to, because he bristled and shot a hail of bullets at the elemental, who calmly flowed out of the way. Then quieter I heard in my ear, "Moron. Even boss souls aren't red."

"Azzy…" I let out a frustrated sigh, "I don't care what he thinks it is. I heard a crack."

That shut him up for a moment. I felt him shift, the vines tightening and loosening around my arms and shoulder as he hopefully checked on the container, "No worries! It's fine Chara. The little monarch is just throwing a hissy fit again."

"Just keep it safe." The last thing I needed was it breaking. It'd be a pain to try and catch them again. Maybe this was too much of a risk, keeping it with me—especially in fights where—

Another spray of flames roared over the lacquered wooden floor.

—I didn't know their patterns.

He was trying turn me around now. I only had a fraction of a moment to figure out the best way to avoid the orange and white spread of fire. Luckily orange just meant I had to be moving, but he liked to hide white bullets in with the orange. Overlapping. Sneaky.

I pulled a cinnamon bunny out of my pocket and scarfed it down, the magic working to put my HP back to full. I couldn't help but be irritated. My plan had been perfect. Hit the buildings one by one, while picking off any isolated monsters along the way. I could afford to take my time. Clean up properly, and with Azzy as a lookout? The rest of the town was none-the wiser.

Until the bartender decided to set his own establishment on fire. I'm sure someone noticed that by now.

Hmph. At least I'd already gained a few levels. I'd just have to be sneaky picking off the rest.

I just...kept moving. The flames couldn't touch me. I danced with the fire, always keeping an eye on the elemental. He was a bright spot through the haze of smoke. The bullets I could handle. They weren't anything special. Orange and white. Move and dodge. Move and dodge. Inch closer and closer. This burning building was as much an impediment to him as it was to me.

At least he couldn't vanish in nary a flash of blue magic. That little trick had been the bane of my existence for far too long now.

I didn't have to worry about being quick. Unpredictable. I didn't have to worry about sneak attacks. Or instantly having gravity changed and immediately reorienting myself as I was thrown in every directions. The flames just flowed outwards. They could change their path in a way the bones never did, but they always moved away.

That was one thing I had learned. Find the pattern. Every boss had a pattern.

And maybe Grillby wasn't a boss monster. Or even boss encounters the way Sans and Undyne were. But he was an obstacle who hadn't trusted and been dusted. Even given my disheveled appearance, the others had all greeted me with concern and kindness—

It was that kindness that had betrayed me, so long ago.

"I—we only need 6 souls right?"

They were stupid.

So stupid.

I was so close.

How could they ever survive in a world filled with people likeme?

My knife was eager in my hand. Grillby ducked another swarm of seed-shaped bullets, vanishing behind the bar.

Azzy cackled, throwing two oblong bullets into the air. They landed on the other side or polished wood. Vines erupted from the floor, long red thorns piercing soot-blacked cloth. Smoke began to rise, charring green black as flames leaked through the torn clothing.

"All yours Chara!"

The vines only held a few seconds.

That was all I really needed.

One slash. It scorched my hands as the flames flared out of the wound, curling around my knife. The elemental crackled and hissed. Azzy keened as the fire crawled up my arms eating into the roots he was using to anchor himself to my shoulders, but he had nowhere to go.

I pull back.

The second slash met no resistance, the fire crumbling away to ash. The flames clinging to the building suddenly...lost their intensity. Lost their...spark. A pale flickering shadow that didn't know whether to cling to the wood or burn itself out.

I breathed it in, savoring the rush of strength that came from a boss down—the proof that I'd won—

And then stumbled back choking on smoke, dropping my knife as my arm spasmed, the pain crackling up the limb as I came out of the pinpoint focus a Fight required. It wasn't the fire, that was gone. But I could still feel the tenderness and heat that sunk into my skin, reducing the sleeve of my makeshift robe AND my partner's old sweater to singed yarn. I dive for another cinnamon bunny. I could feel the magic tingling under my skin as I tore it's head off. That'd—I'd taken more damage than I'd expected—my heart was racing and it felt so good and terrifying even as it echoed in my ears. It meant I was alive. I was here—

"Chara—" I stop mid gulp, lowering what remained of the confection. I stare down at it in my hand, looking between it and the blackened ash smearing my now bare arm. Ash that had been vines and roots once.

I sigh and close my eyes, ignoring Azzy's delighted—and slightly pained—giggle as I shoved the rest up at him.

He be no use to me whimpering the entire time. Half had been enough to ease the burns on my arms. It was fine. He'd just proved his usefulness anyway. Restraining the fire elemental had shortened the fight and likely mitigated some damage. As long as he didn't land the killing blow he wasn't leeching off my EXP. It wasn't like I couldn't grab more from the shop before I left, anyway.

...now to find my knife…

With the dying flames, the once warm and welcoming room felt eerie. Empty and blackened. Filled with ash and embers and creaking wood that crackled and popped as the weakened structure shifted under its own weight.

I saw it, the plastic a glint in the dying firelight. My ash covered fingers curled around the hilt. The weight a comfort pressed against my palm.

Azzy hissed a whispered warning. Wood smashed. I duck behind the remains of the bar, hiding in the pile of ash and dust that had once been Flowey's vines and an elemental's fire.

"Is anyone hurt in there! Hello!"

The strong voice carried through the trashed dining room.

"GRILLBY!? ANYONE!?"

It wasn't a voice I recognized. Some forgettable nobody without a name.

This was new.

My heart was trying to tear its way out of my chest.

Fight.

Or Flee.

The knife was eager in my hands.

But...I wasn't at full hp. I didn't want to use another one. Not yet. Not until I got closer to that stupid turtle.

I hadn't saved.

Patience.

They picked through the dining room, calling and shuffling, moving upended tables and shattered chairs and looking for anyone who may be hurt—or would even be there. The moments were long, stretching to eternity as I remained huddled under the bar. Heavy hands thudded on the surface above me, the charred wood of the bar creaking and cracking under the weight, but it held. I curled tight, pulling my knees tight to my chest. I could feel Azzy's hissing breath against my neck.

Waiting.

"Goddamn it Grillby." The voice was low. Growling. If I hadn't dusted them myself, I would have sworn it was one of the dogs. Were there any other dogs in Snowdin? "Why didn't you tell me it was time?!"

"Goddamn fire elemental!" The voice roared, shifting to a howling wail.

I heard them turn, glass shattering as a big clawed hand swept across the bar, throwing the a collection of soot-stained glasses to the floor.

I crept forward. Peering around the edge as the heavy footsteps stomped away.

Big. Hulking. Dark.

With his back to me.

The knife was eager in my hands.

*Determination.

The best part? Given all the ash and soot everywhere…

I wouldn't even need to clean up this time.

X-x-x

The smoke continued to drift by. Less now. Had it been put out? Had the fire died? Monster Kid watched, transfixed as the adults argued overhead and behind him. Not for the first time did he wish he could figure out how to change the angle. The (totally awesome) skeleton's house was at the very edge of town. They hadn't even seen anyone run by either. Nothing but an empty street. A cool house. And the smoke.

Man. The one time something interesting happened in Snowdin he wasn't anywhere near it. Dang it.

"Goddamn Dogamy, pick up!" Undyne looked like she wanted to throw her phone across the room. He wondered how far it would go. Probably through the wall given how mad she was! It was a little scary—he couldn't even see her pupils!—but Monster Kid just couldn't get over the fact that she was here and he got a front row seat to watch royal guard stuff! He knew it'd been the right decision to lead the skeleton around, despite the scoffing he would get from the other kids at school once they found out.

He couldn't see why. Papyrus was pretty awesome. Ah well. They'd all be too jealous he got to see Undyne to bother making fun of him. Hah.

"HE COULD BE BUSY DEALING WITH THE EMERGENCY!" Papyrus was pacing back and forth in front of the monitor. He'd tried to run out immediately upon finally registering what they were watching (god. Monster Kid had tried to tell them sooner but did they listen to him? No.) but Undyne had snagged him by the scarf and yelled at him for being too boneheaded-ly hasty.

"None of the others have a phone do they?" Undyne's growl made him shiver. At least it wasn't directed at him this time. After getting told "SHUT UP KID" three or four times now, even he got the message.

(He wasn't going to lie, getting picked up by her when she'd caught him messing with the console was TOTALLY WORTH IT. He was never going to wash this sweater again.)

Maybe he'd ask after they finish their conversation.

"I'M AFRAID NOT. THEY TEND TO USE HOWLS FOR SHORT TO MEDIUM RANGE COMMUNICATION, EVEN THOUGH I TELL THEM THAT NOT ALL GUARDS ARE DOGS! THEY ALWAYS EXPECT ME TO UNDERSTAND HOWLS AND BARKS AND OF COURSE I DO MY BEST BUT WHEN 'DINNER TIME' SOUNDS EXACTLY THE SAME AS 'INTRUDER' IT'S QUITE DIFFICULT FOR EVEN A SKELETON OF MY ADMIRABLE LINGUISTIC ABILITIES! EVEN DOGAMY ONLY GOT A PHONE AFTER—"

"PAPYRUS!" Woooah. The force of the shout nearly wanted to send Monster Kid tumbling backwards. Papyrus was barely rattled, though it did make him pause. Maaaaan that skeleton had to have a spine of steel in order to stand up to that glower like that! "I'm sure someone in town other than you has a phone."

"ALAS, DESPITE MY BEST EFFORTS, MY CONTACTS LIST IS EMPTY ASIDE FROM YOU AND DOGAMY. I SUPPOSE I COULD TRY CALLING EACH NUMBER SEQUENTIALLY UNTIL WE GET SOMEONE FROM SNOWDIN—"

"NYGH . That would take too long—"

"Why don't you just ask Alphys?"

...why were they both looking at him?

Oh. He'd said that outloud. Oops.

Might as well run with it.

"You wanna know what's going on before charging in like heroes, yeah? So why don't you just, ya'know, like change the camera? You said it was a security system, yo. There's gotta be more views than that one. And you won't let me mess with it—"

"It—isn't that simple kid."

"Why not?" He shifted uncomfortably, "Mettaton—" God his voice just squeaked. How embarrassing, "—said she's sick, yeah, but I'm sure if you asked she could tell you how to fix it, or do it remotely. I may not know my cousin suuuper well but I remember she had a gadget for everything, yo. She made the lights turn on at home whenever someone moves into the room! Isn't that the greatest?"

And extra useful because...ya'know...no hands. His parents could use magic for some stuff, but he still couldn't figure out how to manifest properly.

...There was a reason he didn't like school. It just...didn't work. Not for him anyway.

"It's—not that kind of sick kid." Uh-oh. She wasn't looking at him. She wasn't looking at anyone. This wasn't...right? Then again something had been off the whole time. This wasn't how he'd expected his first REAL meeting with Undyne to go. Not the one that he wanted to erase from memory where he ended up face down on the floor.

Not—that kind of sick? What other kind of sick was there?

Could it—had she—fallen?

Surely Undyne would have said so?

Right?

You don't get better after having fallen.

"UNDYNE—"

Even Papyrus hesitated. Monster Kid looked between the two. Befuddled. Confused.

This felt wrong. He didn't know why. It just…

"THERE IS NO NEED TO DISTURB YOUR FRIEND. I'LL JUST—POP BACK OVER, FIND THE SENTRIES, AND GIVE THEM A DRESSING DOWN ABOUT PROPER—UH—COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL! AND IN THE MEANTIME, CHECK ON THE SMOKE. YES! THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE PERFECT PLAN. AS LONG AS YOU ANSWER YOUR PHONE THIS TIME, IT WOULD ALL WORK! OR I COULD TRY AND FIND THE CAMERA THERE—" He waved at the screen with a gloved hand, "—AND GIVE YOU A BIG THUMBS UP ASSUMING ALL IS WELL! OR AN INTERPRETIVE DANCE!"

Undyne just looked so...lost. So lost and stressed. She looked like his mother did after she returned late at night. When his parents thought he was asleep and they just kind of sat together silently, tails intertwined, staring at the fireplace that kept their little house warm.

"Damn. I SHOULD be the one dealing with this." She rubbed her head, "You aren't a guard yet, you technically don't have the authority—but I need to stay here. AGH. Asgore's on his way already—"

"Undyne—darling—if I may interject?" Oh god it was the voice from above once again! Monster Kid wasn't a HUGE Mettaton fan, but even he knew that voice by heart. Everyone did. "I know you fear the attacker returning before the king arrives, but we do have two of your guards outside, along with my own not-so-inconsequential combat prowess. If your duties call you elsewhere, we can handle ourselves."

"UNDYNE—"

"It—it isn't just that. I haven't seen any signs of it since I drove it off." Undyne's gauntlet'd fist clenched, green magic sparking between her fingers. Monster Kid held his breath. Was she—was she gonna summon her spear?! HERE!? "Down there—it tried to eat her Mettaton!"

"The flower?" Monster Kid could see Mettaton's box-like silhouette on the landing above them, the lights on his console blinking with his skepticism. "I can hardly imagine a flower like the one you described eating anyone much less our stout and somewhat heavy royal scientist."

Fwip.

"No not the damn flower, although if it ever shows up again I'm going be doing some pruning. The OTHER thing." Undyne—was she shaking? Shivering? Quivering. But it wasn't in fear. Oh hell no it wasn't in fear. "She tried to help it and it almost killed her! My spear barely even phased it. It's still down there."

Monster Kid was enthralled.

"And you kept her here!?" Mettaton was APPALLED. "No, no, no. I don't care about this mystery project of hers anymore. I'm taking her to my resort. She'll be far safer there—"

"You aren't taking her anywhere—"

A faint, desperate keen filled the room. Mettaton turned immediately, wheeling back out of sight, "I'm sorry darling, we didn't mean to wake you again—it's okay. It'll be okay—What do you need? Do you want your phone darling?"

The response was weak. Keening.

"...'dyne…"

Undyne was already halfway up the stairs.

"Oh don't worry darling—the captain is coming."

"...'dyne…'dyne…'dyne..."

Monster Kid hesitated for a moment, and then followed at a hopeful sprint. Half expecting a red glove to snatch him out of the air mid leap as he hopped onto the lowest step.

But nothing happened. He just kept going unimpeded.

Papyrus was gone.

x-x-x Tiny Bonus scene x-x-x

"OH COME ON I KNOW YOU CAN GO FASTER THAN THIS!"

"The river flows at its own pace, tra la la~" The humming echoed from the darkened hood, "Who are we to question it?"

"WELL COULD YOU PLEASE ASK IT TO MOVE FASTER? THERE'S A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WAITING FOR ME IN SNOWDIN THAT I REALLY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF!"

"So hasty today, are we~? Always rushing towards the end. Sometimes it's best to sit back and enjoy a lazy river~"

"BUT THAT SNAIL IS MOVING FASTER THAN WE ARE!"

"Don't worry~ we always arrive exactly when we need to."

"UGH. I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE JUST WALKED."

"Tra la la~"

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A/N: =]