Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Clover leaned against the cold, stone battlement.

Their vision was becoming fuzzy, they could feel their body shutting down.

Every joint ached, every sense flooded with an overwhelming amount of pain.

Their body was screaming in one last attempt to prevent death, but it was clear what was coming was inevitable.

. . .

Ha ha…

Hahahaha…

It’s not funny but Clover wanted to laugh, it was pathetic wasn’t it?

They failed.

They failed. They failed. They failed. They failed. They failed. 

They.

Failed.

They couldn’t finish their mission.

They couldn’t keep their promise.

Hell! They couldn’t even get over themselves and try to talk more to the people they cared about!

This was for the greater good but why? 

Why did it feel so hollow?

Tears welled up in Clover’s eyes as their signature neutral expression turned into a grimace.

Smile for them.

They had to smile for them.

…

Oh.

They’re sorry.

They’re so sorry.

They’re sorry towards Ceroba for making her watch another kid die.

They’re sorry towards Axis for not being able to make it to his wedding.

They’re sorry towards Starlo for having to take their deputy away even if it was for justice.

They’re sorry towards Martlet for making her wish go to waste and having to carry this burden.

They’re sorry towards Dalv for not spending more time with him or saying goodbye.

They’re sorry towards Flowey for never being able to help him in his goal.

They’re sorry towards Toriel for leaving her behind, they’re sure she was such a sweet lady.

But it’s not just about them is it?

They’re sorry towards their older sibling for never being able to protect them back.

They’re sorry towards their partners in crime for not stopping them or even going with them.

They’re sorry towards their friends for never trying to search for them until it had been far too late.

They’re sorry towards Frisk for never coming back.

Clover felt their body go numb, the world becoming nothing more than colours and shades thrown together in a mixer.

Their eyelids. Felt. Heavy. And. Slowly. Closed.

Despite everything.

It felt peaceful.

They hope death would be this peaceful as well.

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Clover matched through the thick layer of snow in lower snowdin, they knew Martlet told them there was a blizzard recently but they didn’t expect this much!

They should really start checking the mail news more often, their legs were struggling for their life in this cursed layer of icy doom!

Clover hugged the basket of corn they brought close to their chest.

It’s become cold.

They’d pleaded with Starlo to help them pick corn on the farm because his family wasn’t there and they’ll deliver this stupid basket of hard work even if Flowey is going to have to load because of it.

Clover passed the already finished puzzles, they should remind Martlet to reset them later today!

She’s been talking about it, but she seems to keep forgetting.

Clover arrived at Dalv’s cabin; it had a door knocker instead of a doorbell.

The old people back on the surface had similar ones, was Dalv old as well?

Clover stood on their tippy toes to reach it, using it to try and alert whoever was inside.

There was no sign of life for the first few minutes before there was a soft thud and the creak of the door as it opened just a bit.

“Uh… Hello?”

Dalv’s eyes fell on Clover standing in the snow without any extra layers.

“Clover? Clover!! What are you doing here?”

Dalv opened the door entirely, ushering Clover to get inside.

“The snow outside is thick, you sent me a letter about coming over a few days ago but you shouldn’t have come under these circumstances!”

Clover only flashed him a quick smile as they stepped inside, holding up the basket of corn for him.

Dalv blinked a few times when presented with it and let out a soft sigh.

“Clover…. Thank you, but you really didn’t have to go through the trouble.”

Dalv accepted the basket, Clover tasted sweet victory as he did.

“I wasn’t expecting you to actually come so I’m a bit unprepared, but you’re here nevertheless. So come on inside and try to warm up a bit ok?”

Dalv made a motion to follow as he walked down the short hall into the living room.

They brushed off their pants and took off their boots so they wouldn’t spread snow all around the house before following him.

Just like his house in the ruins it was surprisingly clean and simple at the same time, Clover sat down on their signature spot at the table.

They noticed a few drawings scattered across it, some of other monsters they recognize like flier and froggit, some of Dalv or residents of the wild east and even one of Clover themself!

Dalv emerged from the kitchen in the next room over with two cups, judging from the smell it was hot corn chocolate! 

…

Should Clover be concerned by the sheer amount of Corn Dalv eats?

Dalv handed Clover a cup which they greatly appreciated and kept one for himself, noticing Clover staring at the drawings.

“What do you think? Penilla has been helping me a lot in the process of making these and I feel I’ve been making progress?”

Clover doubted Dalv’s questioning tone at the end was intentional, but they gave the only reply they could think of.

“… it’s pretty.”

Dalv smiled brightly, he was happy!!!

“Thank you Clover, while I don’t think it’s that special myself I’m glad someone liked it.”

Clover took a sip of their beverage, to this day they cannot comprehend how the corn is overpowering the chocolate.

They wonder what this’d taste like with honey or gunpowder…

Dalv tapped the edges of his cup of tea nervously, Clover cocked their head to the side.

Dalv noticed it and snorted a little.

“It’s nothing Clover, I’ve just been thinking about holding a little concert with my organ in the wild east. Though I don’t think I can pull it off.”

Clover thought for a moment before putting down their cup and pulling out their fabled harmonica.

They pointed at themself.

“Rehearse..?”

Dalv looked at Clover, squinting his eyes a little.

“Rehearse…? Do you… want me to rehearse a song with you and your harmonica?”

Clover nodded furiously, Dalv laughed.

“Alright then, but you’ll have to promise me something.”

?

“Promise me you’ll be there to listen alright?”

Clover nodded, they’d like that.

The two played random songs far into the night until Dalv got a panicked Martlet on his doorstep, the two tried to build confidence in their musical talents while first and foremost having fun.

Clover never ended up fulfilling that promise did they?

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Clover couldn’t feel their body, the only thing they could feel was their soul bobbing up and down.

It felt like they were in a void, were they really?

A little entertainment would be… Nice.

The constant silence was going to drive them insane here.

The song they played with Dalv that day echoed through their soul, it filled them with memories and a spark of determination not to let it end here.

People were waiting on them.

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Clover rests inside of the saloon, they had root beer standing in front of them.

They weren’t thirsty.

What happened?

Why did the Feisty five stop Ceroba? 

Should they look around for answers or wait? 

Too many questions.

Not enough answers.

. . .

The feisty five- four? 

They haven’t talked to Clover since this morning, since the fight.

Even after Ed carried them back to the wild east they all avoided them like the plague, scattering like the wind.

Clover poked at their glass of root beer, bubbles fizzing upwards.

Maybe they should check Ceroba’s old home, but would that really be safe to do alone?

“Not thirsty?”

Clover straightened their back when they heard Moray’s voice.

They turned to see the fish monster sitting down next to them.

“The steamworks are almost just as hot as hotland with all the tampered  fluids there, dehydration is no joke.”

Clover gave a small nod, they used all the root beer they’ve saved and even bought some h2o.

They did feel a bit thirsty, but they didn’t feel like eating or drinking anything.

Moray sighed, there were a few beats of awkward silence between the two.

The chattering of the saloon taking over the conversation, yet it didn’t make it any less tense.

Clover noticed the rest of the group sitting down around them, Ace stood next to Moray and Ed sat down at the other side of Clover.

While they didn’t know where Mooch was, they could count on her being somewhere and… Breaking some kind of law.

Moray took a sip out of a bottle of water, Clover wonders if it tastes any different than the bottles in the steamworks.

“Alright, Clover. We’ve beat around the bush long enough.”

“Huh?”

What was this all about?

Moray placed their bottle down on the counter.

“We would like to apologize for our actions this morning.”

Were they talking about the fight?

Ace leaned on Moray a bit, tipping his hat over his eye.

“I try to avoid having to apologize all together, but it’s undeniable that we were in the wrong for starting that fight.”

Ed rested his hand- no a few of his fingers on Clover’s shoulder.

“Look, we all got caught up in the fantasy of the cowboy thing without ever asking if you wanted to go along with it or letting you leave.”

Moray looked like they wanted to glare at Ed.

“We aren’t planning on excusing our actions, it won’t change what we did. Confronting North st— Starlo and leaving him without even trying to talk to him first and attacking you instead was unreasonable, so please if you can find it in yourself. Forgive us.”

Clover didn’t know how to respond, the sound of scraping on the table drew their attention.

They looked down at the counter, Mooch had appeared slowly pushing a golden coin that reminded Clover of the coins in a game with a certain red plumber towards them.

Clover put their hand on the coin, gently pushing it back.

Their throat was closing up again, but they had to say something.

Should they forgive them, they were in the wrong but judgement can get clouded when emotions are involved.

Then there are prejudices and assumptions, they’re sure monsters have been told from young ages that humans are evil.

They remember that when they were younger they met someone from the better part of town going to a fancier school.

They didn’t trust them at first, such a secluded person always buried into their history books.

They only met because their elder sibling had a show with them on the piano, they promised their library card if they made sure Clover and their then best friend wouldn’t get in trouble.

Though little to anyone’s expectation they quickly got pulled into the hijinx of the two and got pulled into a life long contract of friendship.

…

They wonder how they’re doing.

…

Who are they kidding?

Clover snapped back to reality, they got distracted again.

They had to speak- say something!

Comfort?

How does one comfort adults???

Moray stood up, motioning for the other to come with them.

“It’s alright, we’ll give you some—“

“I forgive you.”

The feisty four perked up.

“… What?”

“I.. Forgive you, it’s alright.”

Clover refrained from cringing, oh wow they were really bad at this weren’t they?

“Really?”

Mooch beamed.

“Really!”

She sighed, leaning onto one of Ed’s arms throwing an arm over her face…

It looked way too dramatic to be an actual reaction.

“What a relief.”

Moray smiled.

“I’m glad to hear that, if something like this happens again you have my full permission to call us out on it.”

Ace nodded.

Did he think he was better than them?

Well he was absolutely right if he did.

Lastly Ed looked like he was holding back tears, despite everything he was more caring and emotional than he looked.

The five spent the night talking about cowboy shows, the surface and the underground.

Even a few stories of when the feisty five were younger!

Clover could’ve sworn Dina slipped them a few root beers on the house, they should pay her back later.

At the end of the night they all piled up in the feisty five hq and went to sleep, Clover couldn’t help worrying about their friends.

Ceroba? Starlo? Martlet? Were they safe? Were they resting? What was going on?

Despite their worries, they knew they were somewhat responsible adults.

They could do nothing more than trust they would be alright….

The next day Clover found a few trinkets in their satchel they didn’t think they had before.

Everything felt so simple back then, it felt like everything would be alright- everything would go back to normal.

It never did.

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

The smiling faces of their friends were blurring inside of their mind.

The moments they shared and the conversations they had all slowly fading into nothingness.

They didn’t want to forget…

They didn’t want to forget!

They couldn’t ever forgive themself if they forget!

Their warmth, their companionship, their hopes! Their dreams! How could they abandon their memories of that? How could they let themself forget all of that!

A spark of determination clung to their soul- their memories as stubbornly as it could.

People believed in them.

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Clover shook the gates of the wild east.

The rattling sound they made were promising but…

No dice, they were still stuck inside.

They let out a soft sigh, two days of being stuck here and they’ve made barely any progress.

The missions take a while, there are intermissions in between little activities that just waste their time.

They’d be lying if they said they weren’t having any fun, but they still needed to finish their true mission.

Yes.

Their mission.

The reason they came down here.

The people they’re looking for.

Clover sighed, all these measures to prevent them from leaving seemed a bit over the top?

That just means they have good security then, though it also made the town feel like some kind of fancy birdcage.

Clover reached into a satchel and pulled out a small badge, the clover shaped metal sparkled in the light.

They’ve never been good at most types of crafts, they were only decent at mending clothing at best.

They honestly didn’t really know what to do with this badge, they aren’t a sheriff or a deputy so what reason did they have to wear this.

Their eyes turned back to the town, oh right! There is someone they could give this to… After all, he’s helped them so much! 

Clover turned around, walking back to the center of the wild east.

They jumped a little when they heard a gunshot coming from Blackjack’s shop.

They rushed in to check, Blackjack was getting up rubbing his wrist.

He turned to see Clover and jumped a bit.

“Oh! Well hello human, no need to worry there was an accidental misfire.”

Clover eyed the older monster suspiciously before walking out again, strange guy.

They rushed a little getting back to the bell, the save star still waiting for them there.

They rested their hand on it.

Warm.

The star disappeared with Flowey popping out, a smug grin planted on his face.

“Hey buddy, you didn’t actually think shaking the gate so aggressively would work right?”

Clover rolled their eyes, Flowey let out a laugh.

“You never fail to amaze me! Tell me, why are you saving now? Let me guess, you’re worried one of them will kill you in your sleep.”

Clover shook their head.

“Came to give you something.”

Flowey blinked confusedly, Clover crouched down to his height and presented the badge.

Flowey stared at it for a few seconds.

“Wow… it’s…”

Good?

“HORRIBLE.”

Ouch.

“Seriously? I have vines for angel’s sake and even I can make something better than that. Also? Seriously? A clover?”

Clover sighed.

“Well if you didn’t want it you could’ve told me. I would’ve just stored it away somewhere.”

They were about to take the badge back before Flowey snatched it out of their hand.

“Hah! As if!”

Flowey clipped the badge onto his hat.

“Luckily for you I really like sparkly things.”

Clover raised an eyebrow.

“Oh really?”

Flowey nodded.

“Absolutely, the colour even complements my petals.”

Clover couldn’t help the grin tugging at the sides of their mouth.

“And it totally isn’t because you like me?”

“I put up with you for one reason; our mutual goal of killing the king.”

Flowey waved a vine.

“Not because we’re friends?”

“We’re Allies.”

“Close buddies?”

“You’ve been demoted to acquaintance.”

Clover laughed as Flowey retreated back into the sand, they’ll get him to admit it one day!

Well… they got him to admit it at the very least.

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

They wonder why Flowey never showed himself to other monsters.

Was he that unusual or just shy?

No, that didn’t fit his personality at all!

He was smug, annoying and confident beyond belief.

It absolutely did not fit him!

They hope they’ll get to ask him one day, they aren’t dead yet after all!

What kind of weird and avoidant answer will he come up with this time? 

Maybe he’ll say that he was actually a ghost only Clover could see!

The comedy potential of that conversation and the thought of a future ignited a feeling of determination.

People were still waiting for them to help them!

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Clover got up from their laying position, making sure the feisty five and Ceroba were asleep.

They slid off of the couch as silently as possible and snuck out of the hq, with the big swelterstone covered the smaller ones on the roof were visible shimmering like stars.

They wonder if there are any other places in the underground like this?

Clover walked through the sand back to the saloon, it was still open and even had quite a handful of customers.

They walked up the counter and waited till Dina noticed they were there.

“Oh, Clover? Couldn’t fall sleep?”

Clover nodded, they pulled out some G and pointed to the feisty slider.

Dina got the message.

“Still hungry after dinner, I expected something like this to happen- you’re a growing kid after all.”

She slid the G back and Clover panicked.

“Don’t worry about paying, after what happened with Kanako… I’d hate to see another kid struggling through stressful times without appropriate support.”

Kanako? 

Who is that?

…

Maybe they’ll find out later, they have more important things to worry about.

Dina handed them the feisty slider and Clover left, though they didn’t take the G they left on the counter with them.

The door to the prison opened without any resistance, did they really not bother locking it?

They walked to Martlet’s cell and knocked on the bars, Martlet stirred- had she fallen asleep?

Clover knocked a bit louder, Martlet made a few disgruntled sounds as she sat up.

The rubbed her eyes with one of her wings, it didn’t take long for her to recognize Clover and rush to the bars fast enough for them to stumble backwards a little.

“Clover!! You’re still alright! I was really worried since you’re a human and all, though they don’t seem like bad people.

The fish- I think their name was Moray? snuck me some extra food during lunch.”

Oh! Moray said that, guess they weren’t lying!

“Have you eaten enough? Have you gotten hurt? Do younger humans eat a more like younger monsters to grow.”

Martlet inspected Clover and squawked when she saw the very real gun in Clover’s holster.

“WHY DO YOU HAVE A GUN? Well you already had a gun but a REAL gun! That’s a safety hazard! The people here might be good but this prison is horrible- no privacy, from really hot to really cold without any blankets or air conditioning- not that the cold really bothers me- and weird food!”

Martlet slumped against the bars.

“The royal guard must be so worried… If I don’t get back in time either I or this town is going to be in trouble…”

It was getting awfully tempting to try and break Martlet out, but they never learned how to lockpick.

Someone else always did it for them whenever their parents locked the door before they got home in time.

Clover sighed, it must be stressful to be imprisoned.

Not like Clover wasn’t, but they had more space to move.

Wordlessly they pulled a spare blanket they snuck into their satchel and the feisty slider out for Martlet.

Martlet beamed, she gratefully took the items and wrapped the blanket around herself.

“You brought this here for me? Wow! You really didn’t have to after I crashed the boat and practically brought us here! Thank you so much for that!!”

Martlet’s expression became a bit more strained and uncertain.

“I uh… hate to ask this but have you made any progress to getting out or?”

Clover turned their gaze to the ground.

“… ‘sorry, no.”

Don’t get mad don’t get mad don’t get mad don’t get mad don’t get mad don't get ma—

Clover looked back at Martlet once she made a laughing sound.

She wasn’t mad?

“That’s fine! I didn’t really expect a lot, you’re just a kid…”

Martlet looked a bit concerned when Clover looked up… what’s wrong? Was something on their face? 

She tore off a piece of the feisty slider.

“Here! You’re a kid so you should eat, don’t try and stick around too long okay? You were practically freezing during our encounter in snowdin and I don’t want a repeat of that!”

Clover took the piece, they weren’t hungry but they popped it into their mouth either way.

It tasted good.

Martlet bumped Clover’s shoulder, it made them shiver a little.

“You already did great bringing me these things! You should get back to sleep.”

Clover hesitated, should they really go back? Leaving martlet here with some really suspicious lizard person?

Martlet’s eyes narrowed a bit before they lit up with an idea.

“How about this? If you go to sleep I will take you flying when we’re free! Ok?”

Flying?… Clover was curious as to how that’d feel…

They nodded.

“G’night.”

“Goodnight Clover, stay safe!”

Martlet waved Clover goodbye as they left the prison.

They ended up sneaking extra food to Martlet each night, they even managed to get her a Cowboy patch 

Martlet encouraged them all the way through the missions and even complicated some of their terrible crafts, they hope they could make something with her in the future!

She never went flying with them, they were never able to ask her to make something with them.

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Clover really liked Martlet hanging! She was air headed and clumsy, yes but she also reminded them of something familiar whenever they talked to her.

The answer was so close… it was itching at them from within the corner of their mind!

They couldn’t remember any reasons as to why, where they just going insane in this dark place?

Clover tried to wiggle around with their soul to no avail, they would’ve liked to find out how flying felt without being unable to feel, hear or see anything.

Moving wasn’t completely off the table but it never got them anywhere except bumping into something and sending a wave of discomfort through their soul.

People had plans to do something with them…

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Clover sat in the sand trying to build a sand castle to no avail.

They just finished the first ‘mission’, it was very unimpressive.

They didn’t really want to sit with the feisty five in the bar yet, they did kidnap them after all and they didn’t want to have to feel the guilt of seeing Martlet locked up… What a selfish thought.

They had to find a way to escape! But right now, they were tired.

They wanted to excuse it with them just trying to calm down to arrange their thoughts, but they were tired.

They were freezing a day ago, spending a week in that hellscape of snow camping out in trees or that abandoned shack until they found a way to get out, being at risk of getting attacked by monsters every time.

They just needed one day.

One day without getting to attack and to sort their mind before continuing.

“Howdy little pardner’ ya doing alright down there?”

The second Clover heard the accent as they swiftly turned around to meet the gaze of the sheriff.

Getting up from the ground in record time, their hand hovering over their holster.

Wow, dying to el bailador 38 times really did wonders to their reaction time.

Though they don’t know how to feel about the ABSOLUTELY REAL GUN they’d been given.

North Star threw his hands up as a sign of peace.

“Hey now Clover, I’m not going to hurt cha. I’m sure the dunes were dangerous getting here with all the monsters but I promise ya on my badge that no one here will lay a hurtful finger on you ‘aight?”

Clover stood up a bit straighter, they lowered their hand but still kept it close to their holster.

North Star made a thinking face.

“Still nervous ah?”

He raised a finger.

“Well let me tell ya here! Everyone here is SUPER nice! I will personally eat my boot if any of ye ‘ol residents here hurt ya!”

Clover had to repress giggles, alright, as much as they hate to admit it that got them.

North Star reached out a hand.

“Come now, how about we go inside and play a good ol’ game of cards?”

Clover nodded and headed inside, though they didn’t take the Sheriff's hand.

Later that very same Sheriff would regret inviting Clover to the table of cards as they beat everyone in cards 4-10 the four victories being won solely by ace.

All those games of cards against their friends really helped, though their strategies were a bit ‘mean’.

As a victory prize, Sheriff North Star had given them a nice cream coupon!

They don’t even know what that is but if their elder sibling taught them anything it was that coupons were good! Very good!

Though they never actually got to use it, it was a nice gesture.

The coupon must be rotting with Clover’s corpse by now.

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

How long have they been here? How much have they forgotten?

Have they even forgotten anything or was there nothing to forget in the first place?

They can’t tell, they can’t tell, THEY CAN’T TE—-

A needle punctured the bright yellow soul, a spark of determination smothered.

Was there even anyone left that would want them to return anymore?

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Ceroba sat down in front of a familiar grave, the wind dislodging petals from the bright red tree fluttering down onto the carved piece of stone.

The letters on the grave were the same as last time, but somehow it didn’t hurt any less.

‘CLOVER’

‘20XX’

‘12’

‘A DEPUTY UNWORTHY OF THEIR FATE.’

Ceroba lowered her head a little, its been a year.

A year exactly since she made the idiotic decision of letting them go through with the decision.

She likes to believe she’s moved on, but she’s accepted the fact she’ll never see either Clover or Kanako again.

Memories of children she loved so dearly, yet hurt so much being ripped away from her.

One her own and one… She’d never dare to make that presumption after her actions.

Hah… haha, Clover… Kanako…

Sacrifice was far too cruel a fate for the both of them.

The light in their eyes… their stubborn natures… They were so similar.

… She should’ve tried to talk to get Clover to talk more, they were so quiet though did they really want to hold their tongue?

Despite the moments they shared, the fight they had- Ceroba never found out what Clover’s birthday was, their favorite food or their family.

Even their very last name was a mystery.

What a horrible adult she was, she claimed to had grown respect for- and cared so much about and she didn’t even know basic knowledge any friend would know about them.

Martlet joined Ceroba, sitting down next to her.

She left a carved flower by the grave as a gift, the two stayed silent respecting each others thoughts and privacy.

Soon enough Martlet left, then Starlo came by with the feisty five, then Dalv along with Penilla and flier, then Dina and Blackjack and even a few froggits.

Ceroba could’ve sworn she saw a golden flower pop up as well, but she was probably tired of just sitting by the grave for the majority of the day.

It hurt when she gave the soul to the king, it hurt even more when she saw Clover’s corpse- their body get carried into the castle.

She felt guilty for leaving it behind, she didn’t know they wouldn’t turn to dust- she didn’t though she should’ve at least stayed with them despite their refusal.

Ceroba left a four leafed clover at the grave along with the many flowers the others had left.

She clasped her hands together, a prayer. 

“If there really is an angel up there… Please right the injustices that have fallen upon the children that have fallen here… Humans and monsters alike.”

It was a silly hope anyone would hear her, it was a futile wish to see the people she cared for again.

Ceroba stood up to leave, looking back at the grave one last time.

The blue artificial light from the streets houses in the background, it framed the grave covered in yellow flowers and red petals almost perfectly.

Little did Ceroba know that that day another human fell down to the underground, one that’d choose peace over violence.

One that’d make or break the future of all monsterkind in the underground.

A certain flower grew agitated watching the child that’d rudely stolen his ability to save— what was wrong with them! Why wouldn’t they hurt anyone?! Why were they so much like them!

Chapter Text

The crackling of the small fire Ceroba had made was barely audible over the idle chatter of New Home.

The corn stall she was watching was occasionally visited by regulars and curious ones alike, the routine had long become familiar with her.

She flipped a piece of corn on the grill, making sure they wouldn’t burn again.

This job was calming if she ignored the occasional monster that’d yell at her about prices.

After Clover died she tried to isolate herself again, though this time her friends never let her.

Without their help she wouldn’t have doubted that she’d have fallen down, though she was still standing.

Even if it was a temporary thing, she decided to help Starlo’s family sell corn in new home until she found a job better suited for her.

She appreciates all her friends have done, she wouldn’t be standing here without them.

…

Sometimes she still wonders what it’d be like if she wasn’t so stupid that day, if she thought straight and kept Clover from sacrificing themself.

Though, dwelling on it won’t bring them back it was nice to indulge in the fantasies every now and then.

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Ceroba stood next to Dina, she was cutting up a few potatoes before mashing them, taking care not to burn her paws.

Dina let some beef sizzle on a pan, the aroma filling the saloon as the two prepared dinner.

Usually Ceroba didn’t bother to help Dina, she trusted her more than she trusted herself in the kitchen.

Despite that there’s now a child in the equation and the ingredient shipping to the wild east was late, so Ceroba decided to help.

Just for today, she would help.

The meal they were preparing consisted out of a few vegetables mixed together in mashed potatoes, beans and beef.

She couldn’t tell how old Clover was, if she had to make more food for a growing body or if she had to make less because they didn’t need to eat that much yet.

It was hard to tell, but she decided that she and Dina would have to make more- it’s better to make excess than too little.

As much as she wanted to take the human’s soul, it’d be cruel to have them meet a painful demise.

As much as Ceroba wanted the soul, she didn’t want them to meet a slow and painful demise.

She wasn’t completely soulless- that’s what she likes to think at the very least.

When the two were done they tried to spread the three types of food over the plates evenly before serving, Ceroba sitting down next to the Feisty five who were having a meaningless conversation with the human.

“Hey Clover! Do you have food like this on the surface?”

“…”

“There is? Awww I was hoping to try new things!”

“More like scamming people out of their money down here.”

“Moray! I’m not that evil.”

“I really doubt that Moo— HEY! You’re stealing my beans!”

Ed nudged Mooch away from his plate.

Mooch tried to imitate a fart sound.

“If it’s yours, where's your name on it?”

“How am i supposed to write my name on my food?”

“Like this!”

Mooch spelt their name in their mashed potatoes with cut up pieces of beef.

“See?”

“And your beans?”

Ed pointed at the beans on Mooch’s plate.

“What beans?”

“The beans on your— wait what?”

The beans had mysteriously disappeared with Mooch’s cheeks mysteriously having inflated.

Starlo chuckled.

“You do know you look like a hamster when you do that?”

“Mmrrpfmmrfff.”

Mooch pointed accusedly at Starlo, though her mouth was too full to articulate any words.

“Oh I’m sorry I couldn’t hear you over your pettiness and all the beans you shoved into your pie hole.”

“Hmmph.”

Mooch held up Starlo’s wallet.

“HEY!”

Moray and Ed burst into giggles at the banter, Clover’s face twitching a bit yet remaining neutral.

Like usual Ace just shook his head, despite how mysterious he acted Ceroba long knew it was more out of fondness than disappointment.

“So Clover, would you mind indulging my curiosity?”

“…”

“Might you be able to inform me about more modern and popular fashion styles on the surface?”

“. . .”

“I see… Apologies, it was wishful thinking to assume you would be aware of that kind of a topic.”

“Hmey ahsch lewtsh let the kiwd eat.”

Ceroba sighed.

“Starlo, don’t speak with your mouth full, no one can understand you.”

A teal discoloration spread over Starlo’s face as he turned away, trying to ignore Ceroba’s comment.

She used a paw to cover her snout, hiding the smile forming underneath.

Maybe he should’ve thought of that before he started talking, though Ceroba couldn’t blame him.

He’s been over the moon ever since the human came, more airheaded than usual.

Though she trusts him not to lose himself to the act, despite his North Star persona he’s a very reliable person and she’s sure it’ll all end up fine…

She’ll just have to find a way to get rid of the human without him finding out she did it, she’d hate to break his heart and trust like that… But if it was truly necessary…

Ceroba noticed Clover prodding at the beans and eating them much slower than before having left them for last.

She sighed.

“Clover, those beans won’t eat themself. They’re good for you, please eat them.”

Clover looked up from their plate and made an oh expression, they attempted to eat them faster.

Their face scrunched up a bit when they did, if they really didn’t like beans they’d say it right?

It’s not that weird for kids— people not to like foods so she’d understand if they just said so.

But communication IS key.

“HEY ISN'T IT HOW MOST HUMANS LOOK ALIKE!!!”

Starlo spoke loudly, having gulped down the food.

Ed nodded furiously.

“AH YES, THEY ALL HAVE SIMILAR FORMS UNLIKE MONSTERS.”

Starlo laughed loudly.

“ISN’T THAT RIGHT? I'VE NEVER SEEN A HUMAN WITH A TAIL OR ANTENNA!!!”

Ceroba raised an eyebrow.

“Starlo, what’s this all about?”

Starlo’s smile twitched.

“JUST SOMETHING COOL I NOTICED!!! ISN'T IT SOOOO INTERESTING?”

Ceroba sighed and rolled her eyes, when she checked on the human again she found them looking quite shocked at their plate suspiciously lacking any beans.

Weirdly enough Mooch and Moray’s plate had larger stacks of beans and barely any mashed potatoes.

…

Sneaky little—!

…

Ah but she can’t blame them can she? It won’t matter in the grand scheme of things, maybe it wasn’t so bad to let the human receive some kindness.

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Ceroba smiled softly at the fond memory, she never really stopped cooking after that day.

Helping out daily and even now, she wouldn’t say it’d make her future job but having picked up the skill again was a useful hobby and made her quality of life quite a bit better.

The posse always acted on their emotions of themselves and others, though that could lead to unfortunate situations at times…

Ceroba wonders…

She wonders if she should’ve tried to get to know more about Clover before they died…

Why they were so stoic…

Why they avoided talking…

Why they were so avoidant of any type of physical contact…

Did that have reason?

Did it bring back any memories?

Even with the mysteries, questions.

Clover had wormed themself into everyone’s hearts with sheer determination

Someone rings the bell of the corn stall.

…

She forgot to pay attention, that was her mistake.

She turns to the display area, a customer patiently waiting to get helped.

Ceroba attempted to smile, though she was never that adept at customer service smiles.

Too fake… and it hurt her face.

“Good morning, is there any way I can help you on this beautiful day?”

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

The lost soul floated in the abyss.

They’d run out of things to think a while back, voices of madness having long overtaken whatever semblance of consciousness they had left.

Despite not having to sleep, they felt tired, like their entire existence was being weighed down.

“Have you ever thought about the futility of your existence foolish one?”

The older more expressive voice questioned.

“Have you ever thought about the outcome of things if Flowey had never let you die?”

They were going mad they were going mad they were going mad they were going mad they were going—

“You’ll be forgotten one day, without a trace of you left. Is it amusing? Or disappointing?”

The second voice spoke, cold, harsh and bitter.

“Merciful one.. your bitter sacrifice… do you even remember it?”

Their.. what? They can’t…

“No, of course you don’t, it only shows how long you’ve been here, how hopeless it all is, how forgettable you are. Maybe you even deserved this fate… with us… stuck forever as only a battery reminded of a past you’ll never be able to return to.”

“No other option.”

“No other choice.”

“This was predetermined from the start.”

“An inescapable ending.”

“Losing yourself.”

“Losing what little you had left.”

“Foolish one.”

“Merciful one.”

“Give up. Nothing awaits you anymore no one cares anymore.”

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Clover stood in front of the savepoint, Ceroba behind them.

. . .

Haha. . .

Axis got them again. . .

Fifteen times huh? Oh wow! Just when they thought they were getting good aswell!

Their skin crawled, as if thousands of tiny spiders wanted to dig out with their little spindly legs and crawl out of their flesh and—

Don’t think about it.

They took a deep breath in… and out… in… and out… they had… to keep it together…

Keep going.

Pushing forth.

They shouldn’t give up now… Kanako was waiting for her mother and Ceroba was longing for her child.

It was nothing but fair to reunite them, they couldn’t fail!

They were close!

They knew it!

They just had to get through that pesky robot without wrecking it!

They could do it…

Hah hahahahha…

Come on.

Keep it together now.

They had to.

Just like how they’d been taught.

Keep it together, emotions of your face and prepared for any form of pain.

No matter how many more tries, how many more times they got shot, burned, electrocuted, steamed, torn apart they had to keep going, had to finish their mission.

Just. Keep. It. Together.

Keep it together keep it together keep it together keep it together keep it together keep it together keep it togetherkeepittogetherkeepittogetherkeepittogetherkeepittogh—

“Clover?”

Clover almost stumbled when they whipped around to face Ceroba.

Her paw hovered above one of their shoulders, frozen as if it knew better to make any contact.

It was almost funny to see a fox that towered over both Starlo and even Martlet look so hesitant.

“Are you… Doing alright? Lasting pain anywhere? Tired perhaps? You can rest if you need to.”

Clover sighed and shook their head.

They’ll make it, they just had to be optimistic and push on.

They knew they could do it!

They just had to put in more effort!

Try harder! Push harder!

They ignored Ceroba’s expression, her words as they marched back into the next room.

Again.

Again.

Again.

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Ceroba found herself thinking about Clover throughout the day.

The anniversary was yesterday, she feels she should’ve moved on but…

She wonders if she should’ve been more insistent in the steamworks.

They looked very stressed out after the guardener fight, only increasing before the final Axis fight.

She knows she was at the time trying to kill Clover, but she didn’t want it to be painful, she didn’t want it to be miserable.

They were a kid… Like all of the other children that fell into the underground.

Some violent, some peaceful.

They all had their reasons.

She wonders what they were.

She doesn’t think she can blame the human from oh so long ago for what happened, they were being attacked left and right and… She would’ve done the same thing.

Tried to survive.

The stuff after… Well it honestly wasn’t their fault was it.

…

She’s heard a rumor about another human having fallen down recently.

There have been reports throughout the past week.

She wonders if it was a joke.

If it was, what a cruel one so close to Clover’s anniversary.

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

The lost soul wanted to cover their ears, mocking, conversation and reminders from the voices drove them insane.

Every reminder came with a memory gone as fast as it came, hurting their entire being.

The entity’s would reply with disappointment.

Or maybe it was disgust.

They couldn’t tell.

Suddenly they felt a needle pierce their soul, if they could they think they would’ve flinched.

Again… again…. A painful part of their routine reminding them they weren’t dead yet.

Sometimes they wish they were.

The lost soul endured the syringe that was jabbed inside them, shaking ever so slightly and pushing their being in different directions it shouldn’t be able to stretch to.

They wonder if the person using the syringe was ever aware of how they were hurting the souls.

They hope they weren’t.

That sounds cruel to know and then still do it.

The lost soul felt their consciousness become blurry, the voices became silent.

Sweet, sweet silence, finally.

It was almost as excruciating as the two voices constantly trying to wake them up from something they couldn’t.

The two voices hurting their thoughts by bringing up memories buried too deep, they don’t think they even want to remember anymore.

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Clover stood in front of Ceroba, hand hovering over their holster.

What should they do?

They didn’t want to break the mask, the last semblance of her lost child.

In a desperate attempt for Ceroba to listen, they decided to break their habit of silence they’d grown accustomed to.

The silence that saved their skin many times back home.

“CEROBA!! CEROBA PLEASE! WONT YOU LISTEN? I DON’T WANT TO FIGHT YOU! BREAK WHAT YOU HAVE LEFT! DON’T!!—“

Clovers voice caught in their throat, they made a strangled noise.

“—… Don’t make me… please.”

…

“There— THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO AVOID THIS!”

Ceroba shook her head, fire forming in the area.

Clover weaved between the fireballs, though one crashed into their back making them stumble and fall onto the ground.

“YOU!!! YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING HUMAN! The despair. The hopelessness. THE CHAINS AND BARRIER KEEPING US DOWN HERE AND HOW DESPERATE SOME OF US HAVE BECOME! OUR LOSSES! OUR GRIEF! YOU WON’T EVER UNDERSTAND THIS! BUT YOU CAN STILL DO THE RIGHT THING!”

Ceroba prepared her next attack.

“Back down.”

Her grip on her staff tightened.

“Give up.”

The glowing eyes filled with desperation narrowed.

“And die. For the betterment of monsterkind. For my child. FOR THE FUTURE!”

Clover hoped.

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

Ceroba packed up the stall, packing the corn up into tin foil for a later date.

The feisty five should be having a movie night right? She should join and watch when she got back… And prevent any subsequent fight over characters and plot holes.

Ceroba took a step back, about to leave before the ground started to shake.

She grabbed the counter of the stall to keep her balance, though the relief was short lived as vines sprung from the ground, ensnaring her within thorns and knots.

Screams and yelps emerged from the surroundings, she wasn’t the only one?

What was…?

 !!!

——————————————————————

——————————————————————

The lost soul felt the abyss shake.

…?

Did someone drop them again?

They were having such a nice half sleep.

…

Maybe… maybe something was finally happening?

Chapter Text

“Long ago, two races ruled over earth. 

HUMANS and MONSTERS.

One day war broke out between the two races-”

“Frisk?”

Frisk looked up from their picturebook, their friend waited for them at the entrance of the cave.

A girl a few years older than them with their hazel skin stained with the green of grass.

They wore a cyan hoodie with short sleeves, their bracelets jingled as they waved their hands almost snagging on their long lightless braids that came to their knees tied together with vibrant red bows.

Their skorts were a more greenish colour and had a cyan stripe on the bottom.

Frisk opened their eyes a bit further, revealing the shade of crimson that doused their iris’.

“Are… We there Aid?”

Aid nodded and smiled, raising their plastic knife.

“Just like the picture in your book, we’ve been here for a while- but you kept rereading your book.”

Frisk tucked their face into the collar of their sweater.

“Sorry… It’s just this place, this huge forest that had been blocked off by the holy mages centuries ago and no one before us ever checked if the seal ever broke?”

Aid cocked their head to the side a bit, bangs covering their eyes which they had closed with Frisk after kids started to mock them.

“Well we’ve always been told this place was super dangerous with monsters, so why would they.”

Frisk sighed.

“You know i get wanting to explore and finding the entrance, but maybe we should go back before it becomes too late.”

Aid huffed, walking backward with arms spread.

“I know… But can’t we wait a second? It’s the weekend, this is a silent and comfortable place and we’re in no rush right?”

Frisk reached out closed the storybook they were given.

“Yes, but you should be–”

Aid’s foot caught on a vine and they toppled backwards.

“--careful?”

“Ah-”

Aid tumbled backwards and slipped down a hole, Frisk dropped their book into the mud to check the hole.

Frisk had to take a few steps backwards so they wouldn’t fall into the endless void themself.

They balled their hands up and bit their tongue as they felt tears welled up in their eyes.

They scrambled up to their feet, they had to get to the police– alert the authorities! They’ll search for Aid, make sure she’ll be fine! Right?

Frisk ran back into the forest abandoning the picturebook to rot among the bugs.

FRISK USED THE ‘LAST DREAM’ AND REGAINED ALL OF THEIR HP!

THE DREAMS OF THEIR LOST FRIEND FILLS THEM WITH DETERMINATION!

——————————————————————-

——————————————————————-

Deep within the god of hyper death within the cage of souls floating in a never ending abyss… A dream reaches a soul and a cyan light reignites itself.

——————————————————————-

——————————————————————-

Aid opened their eyes, only to be met with a network of seemingly endless white dots.

Slowly they raised their hands to the ‘sky’, movement rusty but not painful.

A soft cyan covering their arms, bracelet, clothes and all.

A warm sensation ran down their face and spread over their chest.

…

What… happened?

They remember climbing the sealed mountain after they found the seal had shattered entirely, then… then what?

There was a heart that came out of their chest… a.. Soul?

Like the ones floating around and… And they were starving?

Yes.

That sounds right, they were starving, dying and they tried to run but… 

…

Aid rolled over on their stomach, placing their hands firmly on the lightless ground pushing themself upwards.

Hands accidentally pulling their long tangled hair now that there was nothing keeping it tied up.

It took an embarrassing amount of time to sit up, there were those soul things floating around as far as the eye could see.

Aid tried to stand up, legs refusing to cooperate forcing them to try a few times before they could finally get up and steady themself.

They hobbled forward, something tugging at their chest to move.

They don’t remember much aside from the fuzzy gap, they don’t remember any faces or the reason why they woke up.

But all their senses screamed at them to move forward, to find something- someone and to help them.

The white souls floated serenely as Aid passed them, they could barely feel their legs while moving, they stumbled and tripped a seemingly endless amount of times.

Despite their struggles they decided to be patient and show some resolution to get to find whatever was calling them.

In the distance was a faint orange light, the second actual color they’ve seen since waking up.

They even started to speed up almost on instinct, was it another person? What they have been searching for? It could be. It could be!!!

Aid couldn’t keep their excitement in check as they almost tumbled to the ground numerous times as she sped towards the light.

The brighter and brighter it got the closer they were and!!!

And….

It was another soul, upturned like Aid’s was with a pale-ish orange colour.

…

It felt familiar, Aid couldn’t help but reach out their hands.

The soul floated towards them sensing their presence, Aid gently grabbed the soul.

It was warm and safe, it didn’t seem to have much use but… They should take it with them for support!

The force pulling Aid continued to tempt them, they couldn’t help but continue.

Walking started to become easier, practice makes perfect does it not?

They started to walk a bit faster, they could afford it.

A small purple light was ahead! More familiar weird souls?

She wonders why they are familiar, she doesn’t remember seeing them before.

While their head was clearing up no memories resurfaced about any abnormal glowy hearts.

Was their memory really just that bad or was there something more behind it?

…

Their head was starting to hurt from thinking about it, they supposed it would be a question for later.

They approached the next light, it was more violet sky-ish shade than they expected now they were looking up close.

It was familiar, though it wasn’t comforting like the orange one in their arms.

Even so, Aid couldn’t resist taking it with them as well and moving forth.

And so while they continued they found three other souls, a green one, an indigo one and a yellow one.

Something scratched at the back of their mind, as if they should know what or who these are.

Though they couldn’t, they would be lying if they said it wasn’t bothering them.

The only thing they could do was tell themself that it’d come back to them eventually, even if they couldn’t entirely convince them of it.

At the very end of the long walk was a hall covered in golden flowers, Aid sped up hoping they'd finally gotten to the end.

At the end of the hall was a room, a goat-like monster was standing in the center of the room on a patch of grass.

He was surrounded by two other goat monsters, two skeletons, a type of reptile and a fish.

Finally! People!

Aid cleared their throat.

“Excuse me? Sir goat?”

The goat monster in the center whipped around with wide eyes.

“I’m trying to search for someone, do you think you can—”

“GET OUT!”

The goat shouted, vines sprouting from the ground shoving Aid back and blocking off the path.

Aid sat on the ground in shock, couldn’t he at least let them finish talking?…

Now what should they do?

——————————————————————-

——————————————————————-

Asriel left Frisk up to their devices with their friends, he’d be turning back into Flowey soon.

He’d only be causing harm if he decided to go and talk to them as well, it would be far from fair.

…

Back as the light of hyperdeath, the patience soul talked to him.

He didn’t know they were still conscious, he didn’t know that was possible without being absorbed for so long.

Though all of the souls looked quite pale, could it be?

No, the determination experiments should’ve been cancelled a while back…

But why? It doesn’t make sense!

Maybe he should leave a tip when he’s Flowey again… For now he can only do one thing.

With the last remnants of his godlike power he can…

Yes.

They deserve it.

Another chance at life for all of them.

Chapter Text

Two teenage humans crept through the dark halls of the true lab, past the bedroom with one bed noticeably missing.

The taller human seemed nervous, fiddling with their grey pants which had an almost skirt-like air to it.

Their pastel yellow poncho did little to conceal them in the dark and the sweater in a slightly darker shade wasn’t helping either.

Both their left eye and inside of their hair were a darker green noticeable in the dark green hair.

Their skin was an almond colour decorated with freckles, only broken up by the flame shaped scar overpowering the right part of their face, their eye gone glassy.

“Crotchet? Are you sure you want to do this? You haven’t woken up too long ago and… I don’t mean to say you’re incapable but I’m worried.”

The slightly shorter human nodded, their hair messy and unlike the taller human’s hair which was tied up it was completely loose.

Their dark knots occasionally had an indigo colour peeking through and at the back of their head was a flower decoration seemingly wilting.

The dark purple cloak they wore almost collected the dust on the ground barely revealing the fancy shirt they wore and the more pastel long skirt.

Their warm ivory skin had a deep red scar breaking it up traveling up the canter of their face going off slightly to the left.

A reminder of what they had to fix.

“A hundred percent sure, there’s no way I can just leave her in here, Sunny.”

Sunny gave a small nod following their companion to a room full of mirrors Crotchet went to one of the mirrors and tried to pull on it.

Sunny watched for several minutes as Crotchet struggled before coming in to help popping the mirror out of its place to reveal a small hallway smelling of rot.

Sunny made a sour expression as Crotchet’s remained neutral, they proceeded into the dim hallway overgrown with pink and blue flowers.

Sunny covered the lower half of their face as they continued forth the stench becoming progressively worse.

The two stepped into a large room, sunny was about to look around before Crotchet reached out a hand stopping them.

There was skittering across the ceiling until… a horribly deformed creature skittered down wearing a fox mask of both a deep blue and a gold, hair gloopy and drooping with sharp bug legs attached to their hips and the rest of their body which seemed like an incredibly long ribbon with many more buggy legs.

Crotchet took a few steps forward, the creature hissed.

“Shh sh sh sh it’s me, Kanako it’s me.”

The creature cocked its head to the side with a few snaps.

“E— EeeeEEEEEccchco?”

Crotchet nodded, reaching out their hands and cupping ‘Kanako’s’ mask. 

“I’m here. Like I promised, will you let me help you?”

Kanako gave a small nod, her soul appearing in front of her face.

A cracked soul with a deep blue glow, Crotchet’s soul appeared as well.

“Sunny.”

Sunny stiffened.

“Could you please stand out for now?”

Sunny nodded, turned around and power walked back to the main part of the creepy lab.

They felt like they were intruding on something personal.

They waited by the mirrors for minutes, or maybe an hour or two? It was hard to keep track of time down there.

Though eventually the stench of rot faded and Crotchet stumbled out of the room with a small brown fox in their arms, their soul previously pale now a fierce and deep blue.

“Sunny… could you take? … Take Kanako to the kids in Snowden just… drop my body at our place in waterfall.”

Sunny hurried over to catch Crotchet as they almost teetered over.

“Wuh—- HEY! No nonononono.”

Crotchet leaned into Sunny’s arms letting themself fall unconscious.

“Oh… Oh come on!!! Ah… I can’t carry you and a child all the way back to Snowdin!”

Sunny sighed.

…

Well. It doesn’t seem like they have much of a choice.

Crotchet is SO lucky they are their best friend.

——————————————————————-

——————————————————————-

Silence… At last there was silence and they felt whole again.

Was this death? If so, they don’t mind this, it’s not that bad.

They’re not hurting, there’s nothing screaming at them or tearing into their consciousness…

<Seriously?>

They spoke too soon, the more animated one was back.

Couldn’t it have been the monotone one?

<You know I can hear that right?>

Clover sighed, they almost wished they didn’t.

Couldn’t they at least leave them alone even in death.

<I’m sure that we would IF you were dead.>

Huh? What? Huh?

>Lift your arms to the sky and push.<

Clover groaned in annoyance as they tried to comply, their arms… moved? And hit something? They… had arms again? They had arms again!!!

<EHEM. PRIORITIES?>

Alright! alright! They’re pushing they’re going.

Clover did their very best to move whatever was above them, there was the sound of storm grinding onto itself as it slowly got thrown off of whatever they were encased in.

The light assaulted Clover’s eyes ruthlessly, they almost wished they never pushed whatever was blocking it away.

>Are you whining because of a little light? After dying on multiple occasions?<

Is there a mute button in these things? Not even three minutes and they’re back in their nerves.

<Wow! Aren’t you dramatic~~>

Case and point.

<HEY!>

Clover rolled onto their side and used their arm that was on the ground to push themself into a sitting position, they blinked repeatedly.

The surroundings slowly became less blurry the more they blinked until they could finally comprehend what they were staring at.

Coffins.

They were looking at coffins.

Clover’s blood ran cold, were those the coffins of their…?

Oh.

Wait.

They were open.

Clover looked in every cardinal direction they could think off, all of the coffins were open.

ALL OF THE COFFIN WERE OPEN???

Were they last? Oh if they’re the last to wake up Po is NEVER letting them live it down.

…

Well.

If it is them… If they still are the them they remember.

Deep breath in… deep breath out.

Priorities.

THEY!!! WERE!!! ALIVE!!!

Oh wow! That feels great!

Clover tried to stretch only for a series of pops and cracks to run through their backs.

Oh wow! That hurt a lot!

<Am I seriously going to have to keep reminding you to get the hell up? Are you this useless?>

Clover felt the sudden urge to start pulling on their hair, they might start regretting sacrificing themself if it’s why they’re stuck with these voices.

They pushed themself up against their bodies will, the muscles in their legs screamed at them to sit back down.

While that would be what they wanted to do, they wanted the annoying screechy voice to yell at them even less.

They tried to walk forward, only to trip over the coffin they were in and fall flat on their face.

The sounds of cackling reverberating through their head was not helping.

They tried to push themself up again, this time using the side of the coffin they tripped over.

They busted open their knee, the flower print patch they’d sewn over it torn open.

>Won’t you at least try to be more careful?<

Clover rolled their eyes, pouring their energy into stabilizing themself again and walking forth at a snail’s pace.

When they reached the door they were met with… STAIRS???? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO-

Chapter Text

Clover bravely tried to scale the stairs blocking the path, curse the architect of this place for not making hand railings!

<Come on!!! You can do it!!!>

Clover grumbled.

“Can’t you just shut up..”

They leaned against the wall trying to use it as support to climb upwards, it didn’t help that there was an irritating aching haven overtaken their frontal lobe.

>Merciful one, since you’re awake could you entertain a curiosity of mine?<

Clover braved another few steps.

“Yeah yeah.”

>What are you planning to achieve by escaping?<

Clover took another step and almost face planted into the stairs barely catching themself with their arms.

Deep breaths… Deep breaths.

“I… Need to see my friends again, isn't that obvious?”

<Oh foolish one, are you referring to your monster friends?>

Clover got back up on their feet, continuing to climb the stairs.

“They’re one of the destinations.”

<Oh! How selfish of you!!>

Clover scoffed, the unnaturally energetic voice working on their nerves.

“What’s so selfish about me telling them I’m alive?”

<Well haven’t you considered they’ve maybe already grieved your death?>

Clover paused.

<Maybe you’re just going to dig up old wounds and hurt them more! Who knows!!>

>I think you should wait until they’re off of these stairs before antagonizing them.<

<Tsk.>

Without replying Clover continued to make their way up the stairs, slowly and steadily making it to the top until… They decided to collapse after reaching the top.

Oh sweet.

Sweet.

Victory.

<So dramatic.>

Clover stared at the ceiling blankly.

“Can you… Not just leave me alone?”

>If we had a choice to be dead, we would’ve taken it in favor of this.<

Clover grimaced.

“…”

They sighed.

“So you’re stuck with me?”

<Sadly.>

Clover rolled over and stood back up, despite the lack of railings the walls did make for some good support.

“Do you two at least have any names I can refer to you as if you’re living in my head rent free?”

>Let's see… Ah you can refer to me as… Ven.<

<As hilarious it would be to see you try and come up for a name with me I do have one, it’s Reset. But feel free to call me whatever insults you’d like!~>

Clover started to proceed into the grey hall, ignoring the turn to the right no matter how tempting it felt.

“Reset. Ven. Pleasure to meet ya’ll??? The names Clover.”

<Oh we know!>

???

Clover rolled their eyes as they took a left turn down the annoyingly long hall.

Their body was starting to feel easier to pilot, their first destination was… Snowdin.

Find Dale or Martlet  and figure out what’s going on, they won’t deny that they’re grateful for being alive again but what in the world happened? How long has it been?

They entered a beautiful golden hall casting a brilliant shadow over all the objects inside, Clover squinted so they wouldn’t burn their eyes out.

It was beautiful, no denying that.

At the same time it’d hurt their being to pry their eyes open any wider and they didn’t want to have to get glasses early.

<Hey look a cowboy!!!>

WHE—

OH FOR THE LOVE OF THE—

Clover looked down and rubbed their eyes blinking repeatedly.

Bad idea, such a bad idea.

>Why do you feel the need to do that?<

<I don’t like Clover.>

WHAT DID THEY DO?

Clover shook their head and sped through the room, their empty stomach eating away at their insides as they did.

They sped walk out of the room and stopped in front of an elevator, pressing the button repeatedly when a pang of familiarity shot through their veins.

As they waited for the elevator they could see their reflection in the doors.

The ponytail having kept their hair together was loose and their eyes were no longer brown.

Now a pastel-ish yellow along with the streaks inside of their hair.

They raised a hand to their cheeks, their freckles were visible.

It made them uncomfortable, there was nothing they could hide them with.

>It’s just you.<

<And by the mages above! You really do look awful!>

Clover struggled to keep their expression neutral, mouth twitching a bit as the elevator doors opened.

They walked in flipping one of the many switches they didn’t want to bother counting right now.

During the elevator ride they decided to sit down for a moment, not the best idea considering how annoying it was to get up but they did need to rest their legs a bit before going on even if it was for a moment.

Clover stood up and stepped out of the elevator as soon as it opened, their head starting to spin as they did.

Hunger started to claw at their stomach, the more they moved the harder it got to ignore.

>Take a straight path ahead, two rights and you’ll get to the elevator to leave.<

<Quickly please!!! That spinning is giving me a headache!>

“Your voice is giving me a headache.”

Clover muttered under their breath before following Ven’s instructions.

The streets were… Silent.

Dead silent.

Was it nighttime? Was it even important?

It should be a good thing there aren’t any monsters or they might get into a fight or.. something.

Clover stumbled through the city and practically threw themself into the next elevator before practically dragging themself out of the elevator and out of whatever building they were in.

They just had to go straight ahead for the mail whale sign… And then they can go to Snowden to find their old companions.

Easy as that!

A child with brown hair that faded to blonde hair having streaks of orange going through it reaching just above their shoulders marched through the blizzard in Snowdin.

Their blue and grey winter jacket with a bear paw emblem and long white scarf kept them warm while their hat with polar bear ears collected a pile of snow.

Their hands were FREEZING! They should’ve gotten new gloves while making their super totally cold disguise.

They swear the snow here has made their usually beige skin a shade lighter from the lack of sunlight and the cold.

…

Even if they wiped the painted on nose and whiskers off constantly.

As they marched through the snow their foot bumped against something, in the layer of snow.

The bear disguised human took a step back to see what their foot had caught on… it was…

A person?

A human!

A… familiar human?

…

…

…

WAIT A MINUTE—

The stove of the small yet cozy house sputtered flames as a pot was boiling water for a type of soup.

A human stirred the pot, brown-reddish hair that almost came to their shoulders if it wasn’t for how it poofed up the slightest bit.

Streaks of orange and yellow along with a paler purple overtaking the largest chunk.

There were pale scars hinting to them having been impaled visible on both the right side of their chin and their left cheek being visible on their usually sandy skin tone.

They wore a darker blue sweater with more greyish pants that had wide pipes.

The sound of the door slamming open and closed alerted them at a certain person having came back with their groceries.

They sighed, turning away from the pot and heading for the door, as much as they miss their glasses they’ve gotten used to navigating this house without them.

“Po! You took way too long you idiot! I don’t need you getting sick and getting sentenced to bed rest like the fox monster Sunny dropped off yesterday!”

The slightly more sensible human walked towards the door recognizing the blurry figure to be their friend holding a few bags and… another blurry person.

Po chuckled nervously.

“I know I know no need to scold me Hope! I brought a stray cat with me!”

Hope scoffed walking closer to identify the ‘stray cat’.

“Alright let me see, but when the blizzard is over they go back… home.”

When they walked closer they recognized the blurry figure.

It’s been a while but… No they don’t forget faces when they’ve seen a memorable one.

“Po that’s our friend.”

“Yep!”

“That’s our missing BEST friend.”

“I know!”

“That’s not a stray cat. THAT'S CLO—”

Chapter Text

Clover took a step forward towards Po, a shadow had fallen over their face with their gloved hands balled into fists.

“Po… Don’t tell me you’re planning to…”

They turned their head towards Clover who took a step back almost bumping into Hope.

Po’s hazel eyes, usually full of energy and cheer having lost its spark overshadowed by only grim determination.

The pink elbow and knee protectors Clover and Hope had gotten them littered with scratches from wear.

They wore an orange sports jersey with a big four on the front matching with their black shorts and damaged boots.

Their hair usually tied into a rats tail now just a small ponytail.

“Planning to what?”

They turned back to the mountain, once sealed now cracked and broken for anyone curious enough to enter.

Hope took a step forward clutching their notebook, their golden half circle glasses reflected the sun high in the sky.

Vibrant purple yellow and orange streaks were dyed into their poofy hair that curled around their head, though against the dresscode of their school they never dyed it back.

“Planning to scale the mountain.”

Their voice was flat, something Clover would expect from one of the kids going to the more well off schools.

Hope’s purple-ish pants were a tad torn from catching onto twigs on the way through the forest and their light blue sweater vest with a pastel yellow line along the V collar stained with dirt along with their white shirt’s sleeves.

Po scoffed, turning around.

“And what if I am planning to do that?”

Hope’s expression remained neutral, their face scrunching up a little making all the features from the slight blush to the birthmarks scrunch up as well.

“Po. If you’re planning to search for Aid you’re likely not to come back either, you should know that.”

Clover tried once more to approach Po, comfort them somehow.

Though one of their hand fiddled with their hair betraying their anxiety, it was getting a bit long again, they should ask Hope to cut it later.

“Po, I get that you’re upset that the police did nothing! I get that you’re furious that your parents don’t care and I understand you want to go search for your sibling! But it’s a suicide mission!”

“SO WHAT IF IT IS?”

Po snapped at them, tears welling up in their eyes.

“I WILL NOT LET MY LITTLE SIBLING DIE SOMEWHERE! IF THE POLICE WON’T DO IT I WILL!”

Clover winced but continued to try, reaching out their arms.

“I know! I wouldn’t let my sibling die somewhere either but you have to think about your own health aswell!- you know maybe! Maybe we can… uh! Try to go to the law department of our city for a better investigation or-!”

“NO!”

Po interrupted wiping their eyes dry.

“They won’t do anything, they believe this STUPID mountain is still sealed!”

They turned around.

“I’m leaving.”

Their voice less mad and more cold, though their hands  trembled.

“Don’t come after me, I’ll see you two when I get Aid back.”

Po ran off, Clover was about to follow them before Hope grabbed their sleeve and prevented them from doing so.

They shook their head.

“It’s not worth it, you know what happens when they get like this… We can’t convince them to turn back.”

Clover looked towards the ground,

“But…”

“No buts.”

Hope pulled Clover next to them patting their shoulder.

“Go home, your gonna get in more trouble and get way more bruises and injuries if you’re home late.”

Clover looks up and whips towards Hope.

“I know! But… Ah let me go with you, I don’t care if I’m late you’ll be in way more trouble with the orphanage- my parents will be asleep anyways if I come back th—“

“Clover.”

Hope replied sternly crossing their arms.

“I live on the other side of the ‘fountain’ about six hours away, I’m in trouble for skipping school to get here as fast as possible anyways. Orphanage be damned. At Least one of us has to save ourselves.”

Clover deflated.

“Yes… If… If you’re okay to go tomorrow, let’s meet up at our tree again and… If Po is still gone..”

Hope smiled weakly.

“We’ll go and involve the police again if they don’t show up.”

Clover nodded.

“…G’night.”

“Don’t let Crotchet bite.”

Hope jokes before walking into the forest slowly picking up the pace so they’d reach the train in time.

Clover stood there for a few minutes before dragging their feet back home.

They took off their cowboy hat staring at the small clover clip on it.

It was built up out of three hearts, one yellow, one purple and one orange.

Po was the one that painted it, or so they said.

They smiled weakly as the pin.

They’ll be back! That fool was too stubborn to die!

When they get back they’re gonna hit them across the head so hard they’ll be bedridden!

Clover ran down the overgrown path to the mountains following the eroded stones faster and faster until!-

Clover almost fell backwards but luckily someone caught their hand.

When they opened their eyes they saw it was Hope who looked shocked and a bit disheveled.

Clover pulled themself forward and grabbed Hope’s shoulders shaking them.

“What do you think you’re doing! Going up the mountain all alone leaving nothing but a note. Do you know how panicked Sunny was?!”

Clover took a deep breath forcing themself to pull back, right Hope didn’t like it when they touched them.

“Weren’t you the one who said this was reckless? Weren’t you the one that said that this was a suicide mission when Po did it?!”

Clover felt tears well up in their eyes.

“THEN WHY IN TARNATION ARE YOU DOING IT!”

Clover almost flinched when Hope grabbed their face.

“HEY! Look at me and breathe for a second!”

Clover took a deep breath in… and out.. in.. 

they sighed.

“This is stupid, this is dangerous! It wasn’t a joke when Po did this and it isn’t a joke while you are!”

Hope looked away from Clover, not looking them in the eyes.

They still wore their school uniform and had backpack.

Though Clover doubted it had school supplies inside of it.

“Look. I know… I Know but..”

Hope narrowed their eyes as they became a bit glassy.

“This is the only thing I can think of doing. I should’ve helped you stop Po and… I can’t change that I didn’t but I can go looking for them prepared .”

Clover pulled away from Hope.

“Just because you’re prepared doesn’t mean you’ll survive.”

“It doesn’t garantie I survive, no.”

Hope corrected bluntly, crossing their arms.

“But it does give me better chances.”

Clover made a slightly offended sound.

“You're not making it any better! Your chances are already slim and you’re gambling on it! This isn’t anything like you, you’re never make such big gambles like this, you don’t think with your heart, you act logically and you definitely would never put yourself in danger for!—“

Clover’s rambling was stopped as Hope pulled them in for a hug, they couldn’t stop themself from crying.

Hope didn’t seem to mind unlike usually.

“What can I say? You two have infected me with your idiocy.”

Clover held onto Hope.

Tight.

Tighter.

With as much strength as they could.

It was warm.

They didn’t want to let go and let them go missing like the other two.

They wouldn’t.

THEY COULDN’T!

“. . .”

Their throat was betraying their ability to speak.

“You… You can’t…”

Hope shook their head.

“I will. It’ll only get worse for Sunny if I stay and I can’t abandon one of our idiots.”

Hope let go, despite their better judgement Clover did as well taking a step back.

Hope smiled weakly.

“How about this? I’ll make you a promise.”

“A promise?”

Clover questioned.

“Yes, and when have I ever broken a promise?”

Clover had to repress a giggle.

“ So many times.”

“…”

Hope deadpanned.

“That’s besides the point, so will you take me up on this offer.”

“I can’t stop you either way can I?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Alright, fine.”

“I promise that when we see eachother again you have my full permission to berate me for being an idiot.”

Clover laughed.

“Alright I can’t pass up that offer.”

Hope rolled their eyes before, they held out their hand to Clover.

“Till next time Clov.”

Clover took it.

“…Don’t die on me.”

Hope nodded.

“I won’t.”

They let go of Clover’s hand turned around and left.

Clover felt cold.

Colder than usual.

Colder than since Po left.

They didn’t feel like talking anymore.

Clover opened their eyes…

It wasn’t freezing cold?

<Rise and shine idiot!>

>Despite that outcome having been completely predictable you still managed to mess up.<

Clover groaned, they were barely awake and these voices were already terrorizing them again.

They can only hope they’ll pipe down after a bit, but for now they’re very much stuck with their antics.

>Clover, if you don’t mind me asking; why didn’t you try to go to the surface?<

That was an option? Clover shook their head as they pushed themself into a sitting position, the task proving more difficult due to the piles of blankets towered on top of them… they were in a bed? In a pretty small yet cozy room.

Where were they???

“I’m not the biggest fan of the surface.”

Their throat felt dry.

<Huh! If even you don’t like it that must mean it really sucks up there these days.>

>You don’t know what it looks like?<

<Can’t say I remember, got a problem with that?>

>No, i can blame you, my own memory is clouded and likely faulty as well.<

Good to know, slight hints of these voices being more than just Clover’s schizophrenic hallucinations.

Speaking of hallucinations, they should really eat something before they start seeing the hat man.

First thing on the agenda is looking around the room, it’s a basic small guest room, nothing of note even the second time around except…

There was a bowl of something and a glass of water left on the nightstand next to their bed.

Clover looked left and then right, not expecting to find anyone but stil…

Was it okay to eat it?

<Just eat the darn food.>

Clover’s eye twitched, though they did comply.

They picked up the bowl.

It was soup!

They sipped the broth.

It was cold soup!

Despite it being admittedly mediocre cold soup without much taste they were great full it was something edible.

…. 

Not like that’d ever stopped them but that’s besides the point.

In no time the soup was gone along with the cup of water and they’ve never been more grateful for mediocre foods that were physically impossible to choke on.

<That was pathetic.>

>Shut up.<

“Thank you Ven.”

Clover struggled to escape from the collection of blankets, falling onto the ground with a loud thud.

Ouch.

>Don’t thank me, it’s just unnecessarily cruel to strike you while you’re unwell.<

They’ll still take that as a win.

Clover used the nightstand to hoist themself off of the ground…

Their head spun a bit making it difficult to balance, despite the setback they still tried to walk.

They had people to find after all!

Though Clover was barely able to catch themself on the bed before keeling over again.

There was a loud creaking noise that caught Clover’s attention.

Their eyes shot to the origin of the sound, it was the door.

Someone leaned against the doorframe.

“Heh..! I didn’t expect you to escape the fort of blankets we threw on you.”

Clover… Clover recognized that voice! Their eyes widened as the familiar figure smiled, more tired than they remember but unmistakably their friend.

“Good morning Clov.”

Po’s smile was filled with both relief and a hint of melancholy.

“It’s been a while hasn’t it?”

Chapter Text

“Good morning Clov.”

Po’s smile was filled with a hint of relief.

“It’s been a while hasn’t it?”

For a moment.

Just a moment.

Something stopped Clover from talking.

Was it them? Was it really them? They almost couldn’t believe their eyes but! It had to be, right?

Were they still half asleep?

Why were they here?

What was going on?

Despite all of the questions Clover could come up with, only one was able to force itself out of their mouth as a nearly strangled noise.

“. . . Po? That's… That’s you right?”

Po chuckled, spreading their arms a little.

“I… I think so?”

Clover repressed giggles while tears started to form in their eyes.

Po made a slight noise of offense.

“Hey.. Hey! Why are you laughing at me!”

“I’m sorry…”

Clover waved their hand as a dismissive gesture, using their other one to cover their mouth and muffling the sounds of their amusement.

“I’m so sorry…”

Po laughed, their voice wobbly.

“Seriously? You don’t sound even the slightest bit apologetic.”

“It’s just….”

Clover took a deep breath so they could speak properly.

“You look ridiculous with that paint all over your face.”

Po made an offended gasping sound, choking on air for a few seconds before continuing.

“how COULD you! It’s part of my disguise! My little sibling drew them!”

Clover stopped laughing, a smile consisting more of fondness than amusement now.

“You’ve always had crappy costumes.”

“And you always helped me make them! So don’t you dare complain!”

Po grinned, ignoring the tears trailing down their face.

“… It’s nice to see you again you idiot.”

“You’re calling me an idiot for going after the two of you? How rich.”

Clover would not deny the enjoyment they got from Po scoffing and rolling their eyes in response.

Po sighed and took a deep breath in and out, their smile looked more strained.

“So. Clover. I uh, I promised Hope I wouldn’t delay on telling you what I’ve.. Been up to since I fell intonatie underground.”

Clover blinked a few times noticing the change in the mood of the room.

“What.. You’ve been up to?”

Po nodded.

“Not. . . Not very good things.”

Clover forced themself to keep a neutral expression.

“Not very good things?”

“Things that…”

Po made a small spinning hand motion.

“Things that might make you… Stop wanting to be friends with me.”

Po was apprehensive, carefully selecting his next words.

Clover gave a slight nod.

“What did you do?”

Po took a deep breath.

“When I fell, I was very determined to find Aid. You know this. In the ruins I met a sweet lady named Toriel who guided me, but on the way I… I found something I wouldn’t have wanted to see.”

Clover didn’t need for Po to say it to understand what it was.

“Toriel offered to take me in, but despite all of the times I got scolded to learn how to manage my temper… I.. I didn’t. Stormed right into Snowdin and went on a rampage. Anyone who attacked me, malicious or not, met a rather swift end if they didn’t run away and… I didn’t stop until I died and saw what I had done. I was stupid to think I was justified.”

Clover didn’t reply staring right into Po’s soul, remaining silent Po avoided eye contact.

Po threw up their hands, taking a step back.

“I get it. I get it, I’ll get out of here. I did something unfor—”

“Did you let the ones that ran away leave?”

Clover interrupted Po with a stern tone of voice.

“Wh- huh?”

Po froze.

“Answer me.”

“… Yes?”

“Did you mean to kill anyone innocent?”

“No? Not… that I know of?”

“Did you fight anyone unprompted?”

“No! I was just.. trying to get to the king without dying!”

“Then I don’t see how you’re in the wrong, you fought in self defense, let people run when they wanted to and didn’t go out of your way to kill anyone. Along with… Circumstances that made you distressed, while it isn’t legally correct it is fair.”

“But it’s horrible!”

“But you were also a living being about to die.”

“I took way more lives than what mine was worth!”

“Lives don’t inherently have a worth, Hope told us that way too many times.”

“I-! I don’t get it! How can You, Hope and Aid just accept what I’ve done and not—”

Clover took a few steps forward raised their hand and—

Hope was reading a comic in the living room as they heard the faint sound of something hitting somethifn crashing against a wall.

They sighed as they got up from the couch.

“AIIIIDDD???”

“YEEEESSS???”

“DID YOU BREAK SOMETHING AGAAAIN???”

“NOOOOO.”

“ARE YOU LYING TO ME?”

“NOOOO!!!”

“I’M COMING TO CHECK!”

“NOOOOO!!!!”

Po stood against the doorframe they stumbled into, frozen in shock of what just happened.

Clover shook their hand… Ouch hitting someone’s face so hard really did hurt… but also if they hadn’t done that Po would’ve never stopped. They’ll apologize later.

“Po.”

Clover spoke with the most serious and stern voice they could muster past the anger boiling in their veins.

“I was reserving the right to be furious at you due to your idiocy later but I need to get a point across to you now .”

Po gave a small nod, body tense under Clover’s stare.

“The one condition we’d leave you, would be if you’re irredeemable. Which you are not, we couldn't care less about what acts you have committed during desperation because we know we would’ve done similar things.”

Clover took a few steps forward, grabbing Po’s face and forcing them to look them in the eyes.

“We will not abandon you, do you hear me? You’re stuck with us for life and if you’re ever stuck with something we will help you, because we know you’d do the same for us got it? ”

Po nodded rapidly before Clover stepped back satisfied.

“Good.”

Po breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’m so glad… But also… I had so forgotten how terrifying you are when you are mad.”

Clover smiled mischievously, whatever had plugged their voice before had disappeared.

“Oh really? Is the oh so brave Po scared of lil’ ol me?”

“Yes.”

Po deadpanned.

“Very. I have to this day not forgotten what you did when we were both five.”

Clover rolled their eyes.

“It was only a little blackmailing.”

Po laughed dryly.

“Everytime I think I’m the most unethical one.”

“HEY PO!”

Someone familiar yelled from down the hall.

“AID IS CRAVING A SECRET HIDE OUT IN THE WALL—-“

Hope ran to the front of the door seeing the current scene.

“—- Again..?”

They weren’t waiting their glasses so they were squinting but their eyes widened all the same after realizing.

“…Clover?”

Clover gasped and rushed forward almost tackling Hope who flinched upon contact but didn't pull away.

“HOPE!!!”

Po watched the scene happen and made an offended gesture.

“Woah! Hey! You weren’t as excited to see me.”

“Well no.”

Clover glared at Po.

“I’m still mad at you.”

Po scoffed.

“How dare you, I give the best hugs.”

Hope grinned.

“Hush, I get a reunion moment with Clover now.”

Po made a thinking sound.

“Nuh uh, you only get one if I get a hug as well.”

Clover released an arm from Hope’s neck and made a grabby hand gesture.

Po laughed as they grabbed the two into a hug tighter and tighter until—!!!!

Clover was then bedridden for the next two days because Po popped something in their back and Hope couldn’t stop worrying about the backpain and lightheadedness.

Po was subjected to sleeping on the floor for those nights.

They also. Developed back pain.

Despite the blizzard going around in Snowdin, Clover felt pleasantly warm surrounded by three of the people they grew up with.

…

Maybe their friends could wait a little after all.

Chapter Text

Clover had their eyes shut tight, as tight as they could muster.

They felt like they were floating, they’ve already grown accustomed to this feeling.

They were dreaming, asleep, about to be thrown into a nightmare.

Just a nightmare, just another way they die that they’ve forgotten, just another gruesome end they’ve met that they don’t want to confront.

They were floating.

Floating.

Floating…

A tug on their soul sent them flying back.

They stumbled, eyes forced open by the impact.

Prepared to be flung into a past fight, prepared to dodge or run away.

Despite whatever darkness and pain they’d expected, light hurt their eyes the second they stepped outside.

Ouch.

They tried to pry their eyes open but… it was just too bright!

Clover could hear a sigh.

>Reset.<

Ven?

>Didn’t I tell you to dim it down?<

<You did!>

Reset laughed.

<I guess I just got it wrong, since Clover’s eyes are so light now I must’ve mistaken how easy it is for them to pick up light now!>

The blinding light dimmed letting Clover finally open their eyes.

What was going on?

They seemed to be in a forest clearing, standing on a path with flowers scattered on it until it reached a small table with three chairs, three cups of something and a parasol.

Two chairs were occupied, both by shadowy figures with yellow chains clasped around their wrists and ankles.

The taller one waved energetically, they seemed to have medium length hair and one eye, purple, yellow and cyan with an almost hypnotic swirl as a pupil.

Their other eye was covered by flowers in the same colours, their silhouette had some kind of shawl and something cape like coming from their waist.

<Clover!>

Wait…. Reset?

<Our newest Pal! You’ve arrived!>

>Welcome to our new prison.<

The other one remarked with some bitterness in their tone, they looked with boredom in their eye.

Unlike Reset Ven had their right eye instead of their left, it was an orange and yellow mix with a regular pupil.

They wore a hat over their short hair, sunhat maybe? With something wrapped around it Clover couldn’t place.

They also wore a long scarf, cool thing which looked like two wings.

Despite them only being a silhouette it looked like their clothes had seen better days.

Clover looked around, they were surrounded by a forest, the ‘fountain’ was right behind their little table reflecting everything and the sun seemed to be going down.

… Huh? The sun was going down? But it was just about as bright as the middle of the day.

“Fancy cage you got here.”

Reset laughed.

<I quite agree! It’s better than the void! We’ve been hanging out here ever since you woke up foolish one!>

Ven gestured towards the last seat, the one facing Clover.

>Come. It’s rude not to sit.<

Clover took a step back.

“Ya sure I won’t get chained down like you two?”

<Don’t worry! You still have your soul so you’ll be free to go.>

Reset clasped their hands together on the table leaning on them.

<Or at least we think so, if you want to stand there all day you’re more than welcome to!>

Clover was hesitant but walked down the path onto the patch of flowers and sat down.

No chains, no wires, seems to be alright.

“Alright, care to explain?”

<Explain what? Why you’re here? How you’re here? Why you’re alive? My my foolish one, have you no patience?>

Reset held their hands out dramatically counting every question.

Clover tightened their hands into fists and spoke through gritted teeth.

“Yes. How about I start with that stupid nickname.”

Reset in the flesh was somehow more aggravating than just their voice.

Reset crossed their arm.

<You mean when I say foolish one? Isn’t that what you are? Foolish? Do you want something else?>

“How about my name?”

<No can do pipsqueak!>

“You’re barely taller than me.”

<Do I look like I care? Now let’s see, other nicknames hmmm.>

Clover turned to Ven who just sat there silently, didn’t look like they cared.

<Weed? No that’s too on the nose… Lucky? Nah you’re not lucky.. I got it! You will be dubbed Pollen!>

“…Why pollen?”

<because! You spread your influence like an infectious annoying disease!>

Clover deadpanned and sighed.

“Alright, next question. What was it with the light thing before I opened my eyes?”

>Reset set the daytime to midday, which is far too bright for you.<

Ven replied blandly.

“What?”

Clover cocked their head to the side in confusion.

>Since your eyes have become a lighter colour, you pick up light much more easily. It’s not hard.<

“But I’ve been fine until now?”

<You’re underground sweetie! Of course you’ve been!>

“What about the lights in the house?”

>Those are already set very dim, the little one is walking around there with pale blue eyes as well. The curious and guilty one are both most likely sucking up how dark it is.<

“…”

Clover gave a small nod unsure if they should believe Ven, but they seemed more reliable than Mx nickname giver Reset on the other side of the table.

“… Why am I here?”

<I was just WAITING for that question Pollen!>

Reset picked up their cup and took a sip, silence between the three remained even after they put their cup down.

<… What? Just because I’ve been waiting for the question doesn’t mean I want to answer it silly!>

Ven facepalmed.

>… You’re here Clover, because we pulled you here. We want to talk about what has happened, what to do going forward and try to guide you.<

<EHEM.>

>apologies. I want to, Reset seems to be against it but it only passive aggressive about it.<

“That uh, that makes sense?”

Clover ran a hand through their hair… it wasn’t tied up.

Way too long, annoying.

“Not a lot has happened- After getting found by Po I mean.”

Reset snorted.

“What?”

<I’m sorry, Po is just a very stupid name!>

They waved their hand dismissively.

“… Their legal name is Positive, but that’s a mouthful.”

<Their parents must really suck to call them that!>

“Oh you don’t know the start of—”

>We’re getting off track.<

“Yes, right. Like I said, not a lot.”

>We’re aware, what are you planning to do going forward?<

Clover closed their eyes to think about it, what would be the most favorable course of action?

“I don’t.. Really now? I want to stay with my friends for a bit.”

<But are they really trustworthy?>

“Hey!”

Clover felt offended for their friends.

“They’re very reliable.”

<Hmm really? A lot of time has passed since you’ve seen them, haven’t they changed? What if it’s for the worse? Besides your little orange friend… Well.>

“… What are you insinuating?”

<I’m not judging them for it.>

Reset sounded oddly serious.

<I’ve had my fair share of murders myself. Though those kinds of things change people, you can accept it all you want but it’s undeniable there are higher chances they’ll do it again. Let alone hurt you when the time comes.>

Clover stood up from their spot.

“You can’t just drag me into your weird dream place and start slandering my friends! I prefer my damn nightmares over this!”

<I’m not slandering your friends, I'm being realistic.>

Reset hissed back.

<I don’t know and don’t care who your friends are or supposed to be, but everyone can be a threat given enough time. Anyone can be unreliable with enough doubt and desperation.>

“Like you two? You two are more unreliable than them!”

Clover protested.

“All you’ve done is antagonize me and suddenly now you two want to help?”

< I don’t want to help! If it helps with your peace of mind I detest you, but someone does want to help you and its unfair to leave someone ‘innocent’ to die.>

Reset flipped their hair.

<We’re kind of stuck here you know? But if you don’t want my help feel free to become monster candy.>

Clover wanted to throw their cup at Reset, strangle them, hit them with a chair, bash their head against th—

Clover sat back down.

“Fine. Don’t.”

Ven sighed, they were tense and annoyed.

>Clover. Goal. Now. Let’s finish this before a fight breaks out.<

Clover scoffed.

“I guess I’ll go with finding my monster family and the rest of my friends.”

>Great. Now if you go back down that path you’ll wake up, so won’t you please-<

<Make sure to check any suspicious doors!>

“Could you—”

<Tata now! I don’t want to see you anymore!>

Clover groaned and stood up turning back.

They could hear Ven and Reset arguing behind them.

>Reset you went way too far.<

<Too far? I’m being realistic, don't tell me you’re getting soft.>

>You’re just being spite—ll d—t br—- t—-e p—<

The further Clover went the less they could hear them, everything faded to black as they walked into the forest.

That night they dreamed of nothing.

Chapter Text

Snow trickled down from the top of the cavern, Clover watched the serene sight from the window of the small house their friends somehow got their hands on.

<this is useless! Boring! I don’t want to see you be friendly dandly with some idiots!>

Clover scoffed, voice tired as they spoke.

“And I don’t want to hear you.”

They rested their hands in their crossed arms on the small table in front of the window.

>You’re forgetting your mission merciful one, you need to follow through with your decision of finding your frie—<

Ven was cut off as a door creaked open and someone stepped inside, though they didn’t flip on the lights yet.

“Clover.”

Clover looked away from the window, slightly turning towards the origin of the voice.

Hope.

“Couldn’t sleep again?”

Clover shook their head, looking back at the window as the couch they sat on dipped slightly due to Hope’s weight.

The sound of pages flipping and the residue of a dim light didn’t go unnoticed, but Clover didn’t acknowledge it.

“Say.”

The sound of Hope flipping a page.

“Have you ever heard of the garden fountain theory?”

Clover hummed a little as they blinked at the snowflakes outside.

“You brought it up once.”

They didn’t feel like talking to much.

Hope chuckled.

“I’m surprised you remember even that, but to jog your memory it’s one of those mad hatter’s tales.”

Hope hummed.

“The theory that the fountain surrounding our city is but a cage to the garden outside.”

What about it? Hope wasn’t one to change their opinions quickly.

“I’ve read up on history from the monsters while I’ve been here. Stories of larger colonies, cultures, families than what we can comprehend. Tales of ‘countries’ and ‘continents’ reduced to fairytales below this mountain.”

Clover uncurled an arm from the makeshift pillow they’d made with them leaning onto the other, they touched the glass of the window.

Cold.

Hope continued to talk, not waiting for a reaction from Clover.

“Do you remember the tree we used to hang out at, we always snuck past the guards and the wall to go there, it was very close to the fountain walls. It always reflects everything like a mirror, it’s hard to think there’s anything beyond that.”

Hope closed their book.

“The history, the wars, the foundation of our home and what lies beneath? its all so intriguing to me, I wonder what they were thinking at the moment or what parts of it were completely made up.”

They tapped the cover of their book repeatedly.

“Much more interesting than algebra… I still don’t understand it to this day.”

Clover huffed a small laugh.

“Must be hard knowing that Po got better grades for algebra than you.”

“Well I was never good at anything I wasn’t interested in.”

Hope leaned back into the couch, the dim light went out again as the two sat there in silence.

It left Clover to think about what they’d said, the stupid theories they found of the random facts they spewed.

>The old fountain huh? Still standing I see.<

<I know I don’t know a lot about the surface, but even I know it’s still standing.>

Clover sighed, they never liked that thing.

It always sent shivers up their spine and they’d prefer not to acknowledge it at all, but no matter how much they ignored it it wouldn’t make the reflective watery wall go away.

Hope grumbled a little.

“Clover?”

“Hm?”

“I never took you for the type to like long hair, especially after you asked me to cut it so many times.”

Clover groaned, ah yes the ponytail hair thing.

“I don’t, it’s just that after you left Crotchet once tried and failed to cut my hair and after they… Left I never had the energy or time to bother ruining my hair again.”

Hope snorted a little.

“I can imagine that, though I’m surprised you didn’t just decide to cut your entire ponytail off all together and hope for the best.”

Clover sighed and rolled their eyes even if Hope couldn’t see it.

“You know.”

Hope had a slightly amused tone to their voice.

“If it still annoys you to have longer hair I can cut it off.”

Clover sat upright turning to Hope who’s expression was hidden by the darkness, though Clover could make an educated guess.

“You can still do that without your glasses?”

Hope huffed a little.

“Can I? I don’t know, I’ve cut plenty of kids' hair just decently at the orphanage before this.”

“Are you secretly planning to become a hairdresser?”

Clover prodded at Hope who swatted their hand away.

“No. But considering both Po and Aid are hopeless at basic self hygiene and care I’m the least likely person to mess it up.”

Clover sighed in mock defeat.

“Fine foul demon… take my parasitic locks.”

“Ew.”

Hope deadpanned.

“Never say it like that again.”

Clover giggled as Hope stood up and left for a moment, they will in fact most definitely say it like that again.

<Can’t cut your own hair? Embarrassing.>

>We don’t have hands.>

<But I still know how to cut my hair decently enough.>

>How?<

<secret.>

Hope returned to the living room, this time turning the lights on and blinding Clover in the process.

Clover blinked repeatedly to adjust to the light, Hope held one of those thin plastic combs Po always tried to use to look cool and scissors.

Hope walked up to Clover, not even a little bit nervous.

“Do you want to go to the bathroom to make it easier to clean up?”

Clover shook their head.

“‘Tis fine, I’ll take care of it.”

Hope hummed a little.

“Alright but you’ll have to stay still.”

Hope tugged on clover’s hair, despite their lackluster attempt of not hurting them Clover didn’t feel any pain.

They could only stare at the ceiling as Hope went to complete their request.

“. . .”

It was incredibly silent, Clover wouldn’t deny being bored.

… If they asked Hope would they..?

“Can you talk about something?”

“Talk about what?”

Hope combed through Clover’s hair with the comb they doubted actually belonged to them.

“Doesn’t matter.”

It was a silly request, it wasn’t guaranteed to be fulfilled though it was worth asking.

Hope hummed softly.

“Back at my old fancy school there were a bunch of kids, I never talked about them because of privacy reasons but their drama? Top notch- so there was this guy let’s name him Kevin for now and he had this thing for one of our classmates I shall dub Maria. While he had a thing for her she didn’t have a thing for him because the two were both siblings but douchebag Kevin—”

Clover listened to Hope rambling about these kids from their old school, it was almost like those bad Kdrama’s they made them all watch and Po and Clover would never admit they got invested in the plot.

Clover barely noticed falling asleep, only waking up later with significantly shorter hair on a much comfier spot in the house than before.

Due to their betrayal of rest… They were doomed to prepare breakfast with Hope.

Clover did not try to complain, as they decided their life was more valuable than annoying their rather short tempered friend.

Chapter Text

Aid stared at the ceiling of their room, the same wooden ceiling shrouded by darkness.

They were laid down on their bed, waiting and waiting.

They looked at the darkness of their room, despite everything it was still pretty easy for them to see everything.

The small room they’d occupied was minimally decorated, besides their bed there was a single wardrobe and a small desk in this room.

The desk had a collection of trinkets they’d found in waterfall when they went with Crotchet and Sunny.

An abandoned stuffed animal, plastic figurines, a flask and a cracked piggy bank.

Aid sat upwards, getting up from their mattress.

If everything went right, there’d be no way the other three were awake right now!

They hopped off of the bed, floor boards creaking underneath their feet as they snuck out of their room.

They’ve been waiting to see what Sunny brought into the guest room a few days ago, but the others refuse to tell them anything!

They used to be so bad at keeping secrets, when did Po and Clover get good?

Aid peeked into the room where the three were supposed to be asleep… Just to… Be sure! Not that they couldn’t be patient to keep waiting but if there’s one thing Frisk taught them it’s that society is rigged and standing idly by as your superiors push you away from something it means you have to go and seek it out more.

Inside of the room were two beds, two closets and two nightstands, everything was pretty unrecorded and kept bland.

In the middle of the room were the mattresses of the beds, a few pillows and blankets.

Like a nest.

Inside of the nest the three were silently sleeping, as silently as they could.

Po was still snoring, but the other two didn’t seem too bothered despite all three being huddled together.

Out like a light, Aid doubts that any of them would wake up like this.

Or even get out of the nest in the morning without a significant amount of struggle judging from the pile.

Just leaves more room for Aid to steal some candy in the morning!

Aid snuck further down the hall, passing the bathroom and first guestroom where Clover had been kept at first.

When arriving at the second one they tried to turn the doorknob only to find that it was locked, they would have to tread into… the beasts den.

Aka go back into the room and pray that Po won’t catch them again.

Aid turned back to the room and entered, they’d have to check the nightstands first.

They tried to stay as far away from the three as possible.

They opened the first nightstand, it was completely empty aside from a few pictures.

Old pictures Aid could barely remember taking, photos of everyone together from before…. well. Before they made the mistake of getting reckless.

Aid closed the drawer again, their sibling really was boring when it came to their possessions.

Were they always so sentimental? It’s a change for the better but kind of unnerving.

Aid went to check the other drawer, for some reason it was filled with pens.

So many pens.

A few leaked ink ruining the drawer, among the inky pens was a keyring.

Aid picked up the inky keys and closed the drawer, dropping the keys in the process and freezing.

Aid stayed still, very still as Hope stirred. 

“Whh… Not again…”

Hope was about to get up but Clover pulled them back.

“Ya… Ya hear something again..?”

“Yeah.”

“Just to back to sleep, if you keep waking up because of animals you should get headphones.”

Hope grumbled, but went back to bed anyways.

Aid stood still for a very long time before grabbing the keys and speeding out of the room before they could get caught.

They went back to the mystery room and tried every key on the ring until it slid into the doorknob unlocking with a soft click.

Aid stepped into the room, there was someone in the bed.

Hesitantly, Aid approached the figure.

A little fox slept underneath the covers with four big fluffy tails sticking out and vivid blue highlights on her brown fur.

Aid shook the small fox monster, again and again and again.

Until the small monster started to stir and open her blue eyes turning to Aid.

“. . . You. . . You aren’t the purple one. . . Or echo.”

Aid blinked.

“I’m not.”

“I. . . Do I know you?”

“No, at least I think you don’t.”

“Oh. . . A friend of the purple and orange ones?”

“Hope and Po? Po’s my sibling, I’m Aid.”

Aid reached out a hand to the weak looking fox.

The fox took their hand.

“Hello. . . I am Kanako.”

“Hi Kanako, Nice to meet you.”

Aid smiled, Kanako smiled back.

“Do you want to draw with me.”

Kanako nodded.

“I’d like that..! I can’t get any paper myself. . . I can’t get out of bed yet.”

Aid nodded.

“That’s alright, I have some in my room. I’ll be back!”

Aid left the room to run back and fetch some paper and crayons.

The supposedly more responsible ones were still fast asleep as Aid ran back and forth again.

They spread out the papers and crayons over Kanako’s bed, who sat upwards.

Kanako’s eyes lit up and she sat upward picking up a crayon.

“I haven’t done this in a while. . . It’s kind of dark here as well.”

Kanako squinted as she tried to begin making a drawing.

Aid climbed onto the bed as well, claiming a paper and a red crayon.

“Really? I can see just fine.”

Kanako’s ears twitched.

“You can? Really?”

She smiled, Aid looked proud.

“I can, really can!”

Aid confirmed as the two began drawing in silence.

That night, Aid made a new friend and made a few drawings of their friends.

Kanako made drawings of a few figures, two purple ones, an orange one, a yellow one and a blue one.

Aid wondered but didn’t ask who they were, maybe they’d see them one day! 

Aid barely avoided getting caught while returning the keys, sleeping in until Po forcefully dragged them out of bed.

Chapter Text

Clover idly watched Po play some crappy game, it had a lame storyline and even worse mechanics of button spamming at every turn.

The most enjoyable thing was making fun of how bad the game was and how stupid the characters were.

>You’re starting to get on my nerves, we could be making progress to one simple mission right now and—<

<No, no Ven, I want to see this.>

>Seriously?<

<Super seriously, I mean they just mistook an enemy for an ally while it’s been recently established they’re very easy to differentiate. I want to see how much worse this can get.>

Clover was glad they and Reset could agree on one thing for once.

They continued to watch Po rage at a screen for making them click buttons atleast ten times per second.

“Seriously? I’m gonna break the controller like this!”

“Skill issue.”

Clover blinked at the screen.

“How dare you, my disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.”

Po kept on clicking though, magically completing the minigame with no broken controllers.

“HA! Take that you watery mechanics!”

<Is that even an insult?>

>Think so.<

Clover honestly had no idea either but one gets used to the randomness, just deciding on watching instead of paying attention to the voices.

Calling them the voices sounds slightly unhinged, but there was no better word for it.

The door to the living room opened up with a soft creak, Hope rubbed their eyes as they walked in.

“Clov, Po, what are you two doing up so early?”

Po paused the game to turn around.

“I woke up a few hours ago, then I couldn’t go back to sleep so I went to go and do something.”

Clover sighed.

“Though before ever getting anywhere they woke me up as well and then neither of us could go back to sleep.”

Hope blinked a few times before sighing in exasperation and pinching their nose bridge.

“Alright, did you two at least eat?”

Po and Clover exchanged looks.

Po answered.

“We found moss in a cabinet.”

Hope raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, In one of the empty ones? Did ya get rid of it?”

The three stared at each other in silence.

“… You two ate it didn’t you?”

Clover chuckled when Hope let out an exasperated groan.

“I don’t know why this is a surprise.”

“I was hoping at least you grew the second brain cell not to eat potentially poisonous plants.”

Hope leaned against the door frame.

“If it doesn’t kill you, it’s edible!”

Po went to turn off the device they were playing on.

“That’s not- ah.”

Hope took a deep breath in and out.

“Alright, I’ll excuse it this once since we are going to have to go on a supply run soon.”

“Huh?”

Po whipped around, a confused expression gracing their face.

“Didn’t I bring enough for longer than this though.”

“You did.”

Hope nodded.

“If we were still with three people, but right now we’re with five.”

“Five?”

Clover questioned.

“Oh right, we didn’t tell you.”

Po turned off the television.

“A little before you arrived Sunny brought a monster here, no older or taller than Aid I’d assume. We don’t know where they got her, but we’ve been keeping her in the locked room so Aid wouldn’t freak out because of a monster.”

“Oh!”

Clover hadn’t seen either Sunny or Crotchet yet, if they came by maybe there was hope of seeing them faster than they anticipated.

“What’s the monster’s name?”

“It’s Kanako.”

Hope replied for Po who didn’t look offended.

“Kanako Ketsukane if I’m not wrong, a little fox monster.”

“Ketsukane?”

Clover’s eyes lit up.

“I know someone with that name, she lived in the dunes- Ceroba Ketsukane?”

“Oh, that could be very possible.”

Hope closed their eyes to think.

“The dunes… I heard Kanako mention it while talking about her past and something about her mom… I’d say it’s likely.”

“Oooh we get Clover lore?”

Po smirked.

Clover snorted.

“Don’t say it like that.”

“Oh please you’ve said next to nothing! Besides Hope is just as bad…”

Po tried to dig up their best acting skills to sound pitiful, they weren’t very good skills.

“On the topic of our guest, she’s doing much better these days. You think we should bring her back home soon?”

Hope tried to snap their fingers, failing to make any noise.

“Oh, i can help with that! I know where the Ketsukane estate is.”

Clover smiled proudly.

“Clover…”

Po spoke in that tone they used before letting someone down.

“Most of the monsters have long moved to the surface buddy, there are only a few groups left in the main areas and it’s been a while since the core has generated any energy for the underground.”

Clover froze.

“Oh… Then how do we..? Survive?”

Hope sighed.

“We use magic as a battery to fuel one of the generators in this house, for food we usually look around in old places around the underground- since the food it made out of magic it doesn’t expire often.”

“Ah.”

“Ehem.”

Po cleared their throat very loudly which became a short coughing fit before regaining their own composure.

“Speaking of supply runs we should go on one, what’s the shopping list Hope?”

“I’m not your personal notebook you know?”

Hope scoffed.

“I’m sorry that you used to be the Ken that wrote everything down.”

Po crossed their arms.

“Fair enough.”

Hope rolled their eyes.

“We’ll probably just be looking for things to eat or ingredients if you can find edible ones. If we are to bring Kanako back to her mother on the surface soon we’ll also need new clothes. It pains me to say we have nothing new and suitable for her here.”

Clover hummed.

“Have you two been to the dunes yet?”

“Nope.”

Po shrugged.

“Before Kanako I’ve never heard of it.”

“I can lead us there.”

Clover stood up.

“It’s pretty out of the way so i doubt anyone has gone there to take recourses before us- and we can take some of Kanako’s old clothes with us.”

“Stellar idea Clover, but—”

Hope was cut off by Po.

“Oho? So your going with us? Do my ears deceive me or does this call… For an impromptu disguise?”

“Why do i need a disguise?”

Clover raised an eyebrow.

“Because it’s dramatic and we stil have to fit in!!!”

Po huffed.

“Besides what if a monster finds us and tried to bring us back to our parents.”

Clover opened their mouth to protest, but they had a fair point.

“Can’t argue with that… I will say i already have a mask.”

“No problem!”

Po have a thumbs up before grabbing Clover’s shoulder and dragging them off to their stash of extra clothes.

Hope waved absently.

“I’m gonna grab something quick to eat and I’ll see you two outside, try not to subtract from the population.”

Hope waited outside, they swung their legs on the bench outside of their ‘base’.

Such a childish thing to call it but if it made Po and Clover happy, they wouldn’t mind playing along.

Po burst through the door first.

“We’re done!!!”

They were in their usual ‘disguise’ a white hat with bear ears, shoes that left paw imprints, cargo pants a warm jacket and a nose and whiskers drawn on to their face.

“Good to see you didn’t leave before us dear mx jellyfish.”

Hope couldn’t help the grin forming on their face.

“Oh shut it, you did this to me.”

Po had put a jellyfish head with streamers hanging down from them to put on as some sort of bad disguise.

It was kind of sad it worked, but hey they weren’t complaining.

Yet.

“Wow Po! Your disguises are still!!!”

Clover finally stepped out, they wore a grey fox mask, yellow hearts on the left cheek composed a clover, dull purple and orange streaks served a line art, the two hearts in the ears were the same but instead of a yellow base one had a purple head and one orange.

The details of the mask around the eyes vaguely reminiscent of eyeshadow of sorts largely yellow and then into orange and then purple.

Clover wore a cloak over a beige striped sweater and cargo pants.

“Still!! Questionable!!!”

“Oh come on!”

Po huffed.

“You’re just upset you can’t wear your cowboy stuff.”

“Can you blame me?”

“… No.”

Clover walked over to Hope, they stared at eachother in silence, Clover knocked on the jellyfish hat.

“Bowl.”

Po gasped in offense.

“That is not a bowl!”

“It kind of is?”

Hope shrugged.

“… Let’s get going!”

Po started to walk away, Clover turned to follow with Hope taking a beat longer so they could peacefully stand up.

Clover took the lead, navigating through Snowdin with a bit of trouble but they seemed vaguely familiar.

Po started to hum something.

“Walking… through the snow… all alone..”

Hope raised an eyebrow.

“What song is that?”

“It’s not a song, I’m making it up on the spot.”

“But you aren’t alone?”

Clover chimed in mimicking the tune.

“Walking… Theough the snow.. All together!!”

Po snorted.

“But that doesn’t sound good!”

Hope smirked.

“Sounds better than your version, unlike you Clov has a decent voice.”

“Hey???”

Po sounded a little hurt.

“Hope that’s rude.”

Clover huffed.

“But it’s true.”

“No it’s not!”

“Well…”

“Can’t come up with a defense for your dear buddy Po?”

“HEY!”

“No no no! Po is much better at other things, like improvising lyrics or melodies.”

“If only they could execute it well.”

“Stop it!! Slander!! SLANDER I SAY!!!”

The three continued into lower snowdin, soon finding the docks and totally not stealing an innocent boat.

Onwards.

Towards the dunes.

Chapter Text

Clover felt their head pounding… Ah… Taking a boat down the same path they crashed on their way here had proven not to be. . . The best idea?

<Oh? You think? I couldn’t tell from my beautiful vantage point of: your eyes when you crashed into the edge again screeching.>

>Don’t you learn from your past mistakes? Couldn’t you have taken the elevator in hotland through the steamworks?<

Alright! Alright! They know! They know! It was stupid!

Clover twitched… Was something… poking them?

They pried their eyes open only to be met with a Po poking them with a stick and Hope watching with a grin they were trying to hide behind their hand.

“. . .”

Clover squinted at Po.

“ᵂᴴʸ?????”

Po’s expression turned into a smile as they threw the stick to the side.

“Oh! Great you’ve woken up, almost thought I’d have to carry you.”

“You act like you’ve never done that before.”

Clover sighed as they pushed themself off of the ground, Hope reached out a hand which Clover took to get back up on their feet.

“Hey, I’ve heard unconscious bodies are heavier than conscious ones!”

Po huffed turning away.

“So I guess we’re here right?”

Clover nodded.

“We should be yes, I’d be surprised if there was any other place you could get to by crashing a bout on that specific river.”

“You’d be surprised.”

Hope only smiled at Po’s and Clover’s questioning glances.

“Don’t we have somewhere to be? I’d say lead the way Clov.”

>FINALLY someone to keep us on track…<

Clover refrained from rolling their eyes, it wasn’t worth it, it wasn't worth it, it wasn't worth it…

“Yes, right! Let’s go!”

Clover turned to the exit and started to walk down the path, but instead of it becoming warmer it became… Colder?

When the three stepped out of the cave the dunes were shrouded in darkness and the fence covered in a thin layer of frost.

It was chilly without the huge swelter stone providing heat huh…

“So these are the dunes?”

Po questioned.

“… I wouldn’t exactly call them that with these temperatures.”

“They’re used to be a big sweltersone acting like a sun keeping the place hot, but. . .”

Clover started to walk forward, there were a few plants starting to sprout out from the cracks of the sand.

“Doesn’t seem like it’s been uncovered in a while huh?”

“A replacement sun huh?”

Hope followed, but deviated a little to run their hand over the fence.

“It’s quite cold, not unlike an actual dessert at night.”

Po made an o shape with their mouth.

“Ah I get it, I get it, the heat here is turned off like the air conditioning in Hotland.”

Clover continued further, the path towards the oasis still felt familiar to them as they followed it.

“Hotland had air conditioning?”

Po sped up a little to walk next to Clover, Clover hadn’t even noticed they were walking at a rather quick pace until then.

“Yeah! It made it kind of bearable at first, but now? Lost cause.”

“Sheesh. Hope the steamworks didn’t get too hot.”

“Steamworks?”

Hope almost scared Clover by suddenly appearing next to them.

“That is?”

“The main source of power before the core of I remember correctly, there are a bunch of robots there I made friends with. If it gets any hotter I hope they don’t overheat and short circuit.”

“Wait, hold on.”

Po took a deep breath in.

“You made friends with robots and didn’t tell us?”

“I mean… They’re not like the ones you see on tv.”

Clover shrugged.

“It’s still very impressive that they work.”

Po huffed.

“Sure, sure, ‘not like the ones you see on TV’ they’re still robots????”

Clover only chuckled in response as they passed the area that once had sand storms because of that way too big fan.

They’re very glad the fan was out of order or it’d make their journey at least three times more complicated.

“Soooo…. Clover.”

Hope tried to look uninterested, failing while doing so.

“What was your journey underground like, I am curious, you know?”

“Let me think about that…”

Clover made a very dramatic thinking gesture.

“… Nope!”

“… Boo.”

Hope grinned in amusement despite their displeasure.

Po snorted and hit Hope’s back.

“What are you talking about you’ve said next to nothing about your journey either!”

“Yes, but being mysterious is my thing is it not?”

“No? That’s Crotchet’s thing and as an extension Clover’s and Frisk’s as well.”

“Pfft- Hey!”

Clover replied with only mild offense.

“They’re right aren’t they?”

Hope questioned.

“Remember that time when you beat the absolute crap out of those thugs in Po’s neighborhood? We had no idea you could hold your own so effectively.”

“I’ve been friends with Po for years and Crotchet is my sibling.”

Clover raised an eyebrow.

“I’d be damned if I didn’t know about self defense.”

Po chuckled.

“And you never bothered to tell us… I was so hurt.”

“You were dramatic about not being able to ‘spar’ with me, but let me tell you I would not have won in a proper fight.”

“Uh huh, right, right.”

“Hmm.”

Hope sighed.

“Alright, if you aren’t going to tell us about your entire journey down here, tell us about one part.”

“Sure.”

Clover shrugged.

“One question, one thing.”

“Oh!! Oh!! Okay!! Uhm!!!- oh wait, Hope, do you want to ask?”

Po looked back at Hope who only chuckled and shook their head.

“No no, go right ahead I trust you’ll dig up something interesting enough.”

Hope waved their hand dismissively.

Po beamed at the confirmation.

“Alright, Clover!!!”

“Yes?”

Clover had to refrain from laughing.

“How’d you get that mask?”

“The mask? Well. . .”

Clover swung their legs as they sat on the stool, Ceroba seemed… Upset earlier?

They really just should’ve sucked it up and eaten the entirety of their dinner instead of sulking about it.

They doubt Ceroba hadn't noticed when the other switched their food out… Should they apologize or-

“Clover!”

The human child almost jumped off of their chair as the booming voice of the sheriff startled them.

“Woah! Hey! Hey! My bad, didn’t mean to scare you little partner.”

Clover let out a soft sigh, they stared up at North Star hoping he wouldn’t need to be prompted to continue.

“… You’ve been staring at your drink for a while now huh? It’s almost time to sleep and you haven’t taken a sip.”

North Star commented with an awkward grin, oh right! They were thinking a bit too hard weren’t they?

“Something on your mind?”

Clover tipped their head slightly downwards.

“…”

They nodded.

“Ceroba… she seems..”

Stupid throat… JUST SPEAK!!!

“Upset?”

“Oh! Ceroba I see.”

North Star sat down besides Clover.

“You know, she’s been my best friend for a while and well… You can keep a secret right kid?”

Clover straightened their back and nodded, making North Star chuckle.

“Alright, Ceroba used to have… A kid.”

?!

“But a while back something uh… Happened and I think you just reminded her of them.”

“Is there… Any way I can.. Help?”

North Star blinked a few times in mild surprise.

“… You know? I think there is, you know how to decorate masks? I’m sure she’ll find the effort quite uplifting…”

“. . . That Starlo guy seems… interesting?”

Hope sounded unsure about their own answer.

“Interesting? He seems like a lot of fun!”

Po pumped their hands up into the air.

“. . . Right.”

Clover chuckled.

“He was! An amazing sheriff and friend despite his own flaws!”

“…”

Hope narrowed their eyes, hesitating a little.

“Do you… Miss him?”

“Well… Yes, I do.”

Clover sighed.

“In all honesty, I miss being around all of them, but I can live with it.”

Clover winked and nudged Hope with their elbow.

“I had to survive missing you idiots for years as well.”

Po chuckled a little.

“Tell me about it, I was really missing your shenanigans stuck in that void even when I forgot everything.”

Clover gave a slight nod.

“Much too silent without us right?”

Po scoffed, though this gave Clover a thought.

“Say, what did you two do after waking up?”

<Less stupid stuff than you I’m sure.>

>Won’t you shut up? Don’t interrupt conversations.<

“Eat.”

Hope responded bluntly.

“Eat, sleep and wander the underground until I ran into Sunny.”

That was reasonable.

“Me?”

Po made a long MMMMMM sound.

“I think I went to search for Aid almost immediately… and then I rushed to the surface to look for you all before realizing the other dead idiots are my friends.”

“Idiots?”

Hope scoffed.

“I prefer the term ‘caring and concerned.’”

“Nope.”

Clover replied with a cheery tone.

“Definitely idiots!”

The three laughed among each other as they entered the ‘oasis’, though it was overgrown with plants.

“… Almost there?”

Hope questioned.

Clover nodded.

“Almost there.”

“Almost there!”

Po echoed.

And so the three headed to the gates of the Ketsukane estate once again locked and once again standing in the way of their goal.

Chapter Text

Three kids stood in front of a big gate, locked.

Hope sighed.

“Well. Do any of us remember how to pick a lock?”

Po shook their head.

“Nah I think that was Frisk’s thing.”

Clover sighed.

“How are we going to get in…”

Clover stood there thinking for a moment before they got an idea.

“… Wait… Give me a moment.”

“I’m giving you a moment.”

Po replied, taking a step back with Hope.

>What are you thinking?<

<please tell me it’s a decent idea. Please tell me it’s the obvious answer.>

Clover took a few steps back and focused on the warmth in their chest.

The presence of their soul.

The feeling back during Ceroba’s fight and the invisible force tugging them through objects and attacks alike until—

Clover ran straight towards the gate, the feeling and memory spreading over every inch of their purple until their vision was overtaken with a flood of yellow light and…

They were at the other side of the gate! It worked! Nice! 

Clover turned around and raised their arms into the air with Hope and Po clapping.

Po ran up to the gate and shook it.

“That’s! So! Cool! I’ve barely been able to do any magic and here you are! So unfair!”

Hope sighed and stopped.

“As cool as your magic trick is, how do you reckon we get past the gate?”

Clover raised a finger.

“It’s easy! I can go back and see if I can drag the two of you along as well! I wasn’t going to test something out and let all of us run into a gate.”

Hope sighed.

“I appreciate the gesture but, there’s an easier way.”

What?

Hope walked to the fence around the gate and climbed over it, went around and climbed over the fence again to reach Clover.

“I mean. It’s not as fast, but.”

Clover buried their face into their hands and crouched down.

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Clover could hear Hope chuckling and felt someone pat their back.

“There there, it was still very cool.”

<You're such an idiot.>

>How did you never think of that?<

<Gee, maybe because they stupidly try to follow all the rules that don’t help them anyways!>

HEY!! SHUT UP!!

<absolutely not, you were stupider than Birdy here.>

Martlet is not stupid.

<She absolutely is.>

>No, I agree with Clover, she’s naive and believes in the best version of people. Though she is definitely not stupid.<

Thank you Ven.

>Ew no, don’t thank me.<

<HAHA!!! Your self deprecation is shining through!>

That’s mean.

<Be honest all three of us and your little friends need some type of therapy.>

>No we don’t.<

No I don’t.

<Denial is the first stage of grief.>

Isn’t the joke that it’s a river in Egypt?

>It is but that’s incorrect since there’s not actually a river called Denial in Egypt.<

What???

<Another victim of fake news.>

Clover heard Po’s voice, now closer since they probably also hopped the fence.

“This doesn’t change my opinion on your magic, just your thought process.”

Clover unburied their face from their hand and glared at Po.

“How dare you, I am very smart.”

“You’re the only one of us who ever studied for tests and we all got the same grades.”

Po deadpanned.

“It’s not my fault you two are smart.”

Clover stood up and pointed at Po as if they were accusing them of something.

“We're not smart.”

Hope sighed.

“Average at best.”

“You mean I’M average at best, your text books were ten times harder than ours and you didn’t study either!”

Po stomped a little.

“I did my homework.”

Hope shrugged.

“It’s just as effective.”

“That mindset is gonna ruin you oneday.”

Clover was slightly concerned.

“I know, but I don’t see the point of doing something I have no interest in.”

Hope shrugged.

“Is that why your biology and history grades are so high?”

Clover blinked a few times.

“Mhm.”

Hope started to walk down the path.

“We're wasting daylight.”

“So secretive…”

Po muttered.

“I know right.”

Clover whispered to them.

“We should totally try to be as secretive again.”

“Good idea, but it went kind of wrong last time.”

“We’ll just try harder this time.”

Hope turned to the two walking behind them with a grin.

“I can hear you, you know?”

Po and Clover made two different dramatic gasping noises.

Po pointed at Hope.

“We were whispering! Are you a witch?”

“Sure sure.”

Hope chuckled.

“Ooo I’m a super scary watch that’ll curse you.”

“Oh no!!”

Clover tried their best to sound scared.

“What will you curse us with?!”

“I’m cursing you with a curse that’ll steal your gender.”

Hope replied with a flat tone.

“HAH!”

Po poked their back.

“We don’t have that!”

“Aww boo.”

The three stopped in front of the door of the estate, watching it in its ruined glory.

It was dusty, but not breaking down or completely falling apart.

It should be safe enough right?

“Clov, plan of attack?”

Po didn’t look their way, too busy getting neck cramps from looking up at the structure.

“Attack?”

“What we do.”

“I say we split up to get everything as quickly as possible.”

“Roger that.”

And just like that the three entered the estate, splitting up into the three directions they could go.

Clover looked through Kanako’s old room, it was dusty and untouched.

There had to be some clothes left right? Po and Hope had gone to explore the rest of the house for other supplies, so Clover was alone right now.

<Snoooorrreeee>

Clover looked around the bed, nothing there.

<SNOOOORRREEE>

Clover’s eyes twitched as they moved on to-

<Just look in the closet and leave.>

Clover sighed and rolled their eyes, Reset was more impatient than usual.

<and can you blame me? I’m bored to death over here, there’s no drama or progressing of the plot!>

>what are you even talking about?<

<you don’t know? Shame. Shame. Shame.>

>I don’t care if you shame me you would shame anyone the second you got the chance.<

<I would.>

Not even a little hesitation.

<oooh look who’s getting distracted!>

Who’s fault is that?

<yours.>

>No.<

No.

<>:(>

>how did you make that noise?<

I could hear the angry face???

<Pure determination and spite.>

>Yeah that’s in character.<

Clover walked over to the closet and was about to open it, but an annoying high pitched voice disrupted them.

Annoying.

But familiar.

“Clover?”

Clover whipped around only to be met with a very noticeable flower in the middle of the room.

Flowey???

Flowey..?

Flowey!

“Flowey.”

Clover lifted their mask off of their face, though their expression almost instinctively turned to complete neutrality.

“Clover, pal!”

Flowey wore a wide grin.

“Oh boy! It sure is great to see you again!”

Clover gave a small nod and wanted to approach Flowey taking a step.

<DON’T GET CLOSER!>

Clover froze, at Reset’s exclamation.

Flowey didn’t notice.

“I’ve been waiting for you to show up forever .”

Flowey waved a vine in an almost dismissive motion.

“I thought you’d never wake up, but here you are! In one piece, weird eyes and all!”

Weird eyes???

 ( ｡ •̀ ᴖ •́ ｡)

Clover felt a shiver go up their spine but couldn’t tell why, they’d just settle for it being Flowey’s shenanigans.

>Something’s wrong, why is he here? Isn’t he aware of the other two here or?<

<Doesn't seem like he was tailing us or anything, that’s weird.>

>Was he doing something else?<

<what would he even be doing?>

Clover brushed their headmates concerns off, what do they know?

“How long…?”

Clover was completely aware they could talk normally to Flowey, though they didn’t want to.

It’s Flowey.

“A little over a year I’d say!”

Flowey popped into the ground and came back up a little in front of Clover.

Their chest tried to pull them back but they stood firm.

“You really know how to take your good ‘ol time don’t you? Just like before!”

Clover sighed and rolled their eyes, yeah yeah.

“You’ve been… waiting?

“Course I have! That’s what friends are for! But now I finally meet you again, you could say I have a little.. favor to ask of you.”

Flowey’s grin became larger, though Clover could tell it was forced that way.

“Favor?”

Po walked back to the living room, the kitchen didn’t have much in variety,

But it sure was a lot of corn!

Their back was filled to the brim with corn, they should get to a box soon.

The table was still flipped up revealing the passage Hope almost instantly found and entered.

Po would be surprised if they hadn’t broken into hidden passages before on numerous occasions.

“Po.”

Po turned from the table to the door on the left side of the room where they heard Clover.

“You’re done aswe—…”

Po blinked a few times staring at Clover, their expression was completely… NEUTRAL????

They!!! Didn’t know that was possible?

“Po?”

Clover sounded dead calm and cocked their head to the side the slightest bit.

Po wasn’t even offended they partially took their disguise off.

“Are you. . . Alright?”

Po narrowed their eyes and walked closer to Clover.

Clover’s eyes widened ever so slightly.

“… yes, why?”

Po sighed.

“It’s nothing you just. Look a bit off.”

They did their best to sound comforting, they wouldn’t deny they weren’t good at it.

“All good?”

Clover blinked a few times before they smiled again, a change quick and slightly concerning.

“Yeah!”

Their more monotonous voice seemed to just go back to normal.

“Just uh… recalled a favor I have to do!”

Clover headed for the door in the centre, pulling their mask back over their face no decorated with a yellow flower in an ear.

“I’m heading to see if there’s anything left at the cafe, I’ll be there if you need me.”

Po felt something twist in their stomach as they saw them leave, did they find that up there? Was there something up there? What was with that expression? How did they switch so quickly? 

They felt like they didn’t know Clover in that moment.

They felt like they didn’t know anything about them.

They hate it.

They hate it.

THEY HATE IT!

Po took a deep breath in… and out.

They shouldn’t let their confusion and anger get the best of them.

Clover changed, of course they did.

But that seemed weird, too weird, would it be a stretch to say unhealthy?

…

They should wait for Hope to come out.

It’ll give them some time to think.

Chapter Text

Aid fiddled with the lock to Kanako’s room, the three older humans had taken the keys with them when they left.

They weren’t the best at opening locked doors but if they remember Frisks attempts…

…

Click!

Aid’s face lit up, the door unlocked!

They did it!

They mean- of course they did it!

They could do anything if they put their mind to it and had some patience.

Honestly they were tired of waiting so long to see Kanako while doing absolutely nothing and I- they got so bored.

“Kako, good morning!”

Aid clutched the markers and super secret drawing book in their free arm.

“Aid?”

Kanako’s ears shot up, eyes scanning the hall behind them.

“Why are you visiting so early, did we get found out?”

“No.”

Aid huffed climbing onto the bed.

“They’re just away on some mission, so we’ve got the house to ourselves!”

“Oh, we’re… alone.”

Kanako avoided eye contact.

“If that’s so could I… ask a favor?”

“Yeah sure!”

Aid smiled.

“How can I help?”

Kanako’s expression lit up.

“Really!.. Well, I’d like to go and see someone.”

“See someone?”

Aid questioned curiously.

“The dark blue one? I think their name is cro something? I—”

Kanako sighed.

“I was familiar with them when I was an amalgamate but I haven’t seen them since I came here.”

“Oh! Crotchet!”

Aid dropped their stuff and clasped their hands.

“They’re really nice if they’re not grumpy or hurt! I heard they were back in waterfall.”

“All the way in waterfall.”

Kanako’s ears drooped a little, that!! Wasn’t!! Good!!

Aid scooched over to Kanako and threw an arm over her shoulders.

“All the way! That’ll make for a great adventure!”

“So you’ll help me?”

Kanako’s eyes widened a little.

Aid nodded furiously and jumped off of the bed.

“Let’s go, let’s go! If we’re quick enough we won’t get in any trouble kakao!”

Kanako’s expression lit up as she took Aid’s outstretched hand and jumped off of the bed as well, she was a bit taller than Aid but not too big of a difference.

Aid pulled Kanako along, through the rooms of the house and straight out of the door without preparing anything, the two ran through snowdin leaving a trail of footprints behind them towards waterfall.

Aid hummed to themself as they did, Kanako looked around.

“It’s very dark!”

“I know!”

Aid yelled back, making sure the wind wasn’t too loud and overtaking their voice.

“I heard it’s because the core doesn’t work anymore!”

“Oh!”

Kanako squinted at the path ahead.

“What else has changed?!”

“Don’t know! I think Hotland got really, really warm! And the ruins overgrown!”

Aid led their companion past the houses.

“Also I haven’t been allowed in waterfall for a while! I think it’s because parts have become flooded!”

“Really?! Oh! I hope we can still make it!!”

Kanako took a deep breath as the two ran.

“Why are we yelling!!???”

“Because it’s fun!”

The two ran into waterfall, the ground becoming more solid but every step making splashing sounds.

The light dimmed even to a point it was hard for Aid to navigate, the two having to slow down to a near halt.

“… what happened to all the lights?”

Kanako held onto Aid’s arm, sniffing in the air.

“The weird star things used to light the place up, but they’re all gone… and all I smell is wetness.”

“Water has a smell?”

“Not really?”

“Hmmm…”

Aid looked all around, taking careful steps forward.

After a few steps Aid lost her footing to whatever was in front, raging waters pulled at her leg dragging her further off the ledge completely at the mercy of the water and Kanako’s death grip on their arm.

Kanako let out a panicked squeak before she started to pull back, barely getting the other out of the water. The two tumbling backwards and hitting the ground.

“That…”

Kanako took a deep breath.

“Maybe that wasn’t the best idea.”

She sighed.

Aid huffed.

“This isn’t fair! How are we supposed to get to the other side!”

Kanako made a whining noise.

“Stupid lights! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!”

“Boo! Death to the darkness!”

Aid raised their arms onto the sky out of fury, Kanako started laughing.

“Curseth thee! Curses!!!”

The two fell silent looking at the abyss around them, how would they get to Crotchet this way?

Hell.

How would they even get back to snowdin?

Could they really only…

No.

You know what.

No way!

I’m tired!

This is so boring!

I’m helping!

Screw ‘common sense of the narrator’ boohoo! Boohoo! Cry me a river!

I’m super!!!

Duper!!!

Helping!!!

Aid sighed, sitting in place, before getting up.

“Let’s try again.”

Kanako made a gasping noise.

“No! We’re gonna get hurt! We have to go back!”

“But we don’t even know where back is , we just have to be a little patient.”

“What’s the point is we’re…”

Something caught Kanako’s attention.

“…Just gonna…”

A soft pink glow made Kanako’s and Aid’s expressions of confusion clear.

“Get hurt?”

The two looked at my trail of pink sparkles on the ground, illuminating the area around.

The waterfall that Aid fell into with rocks racing down at dangerous speeds and the broken remains of a wooden bridge, the path back remained unlit.

“That’s… so…”

Kanako’s tails swished from side to side.

“Cool!”

Aid jumped a little.

“Yippee!! Come on! Come on!”

Aid dragged Kanako towards the waterfall.

Kanako dug her paws into the ground.

“WAIT!!! How are we even going to get to the other side?”

Aid let go.

“Let me show you!”

Aid took a few steps back and leaped over the waterfall, though they weren’t anywhere close to the other side, a rock slide into their range and with a flash of blue light they bounced off of it unscathed and landed on the other side.

“See?”

Kanako looked at Aid with wide eyes, blinking a few times as if trying to make sure this was real.

Kanako’s expression lit up.

“I can do that!”

Kanako took a few steps back and made a big leap, instead of falling down at the stop Aid did with a blue glow they continued ascending until they were over the edge and footed down with a soft plop.

Aid smiled brightly, eyes remaining closed.

“So graceful!!”

Kanako flipped her hair trying to look even more graceful.

“I learn from the best!”

“Me?”

“No. Echo.”

“Awww.”

“… sorry…”

“It’s okay.”

Aid reached out a hand for Kanako again.

“Come on! Let’s get going before the light disappears!”

Kanako smiled and took it.

“Let’s go see our friend!”

And so the two children started to rush down the damp path in waterfall following a trail of soft pink light, soon finding they had to climb over some rather overgrown flora.

Chapter Text

Hope and Clover stood crouched down next to some footprints.

Clover blankly stared at them with Hope, growing slightly impatient.

<This is SO stupid.>

For once clover agrees.

>Why are we doing this again?<

It’s because!…. Actually they don’t remember.

Clover turns to Hope.

“Not to be rude but-“

“We’re looking at these footprints because Po wants to check if anyone broke in after the door was still open.”

Hope replied with a hint of disinterest.

“Oh!”

Clover looked back at the footprints, snow had covered parts of the tracks though that wasn’t surprising with the constant downpour of the stuff these days.

“… Wait did you just read my mind?”

Clover shot Hope a bewildered look who just sighed in response.

“Clove… Know I’m saying this with the utmost care for you but this is the sixth time you’ve asked.”

“… Oops?”

They feel like they should remember asking the same thing that many times but they don’t, maybe the boredom was getting to their memory.

<Maybe you’re just too stupid.>

Sighhh they had one moment of agreement and Reset immediately ruins it.

>Perhaps you are just tired.<

No they’re not.

<Oooh! Is the little pollen baby too shmall awnd twiny—>

OKAY NO THAT'S TOO FAR.

Hope picked up a stone, pretending to inspect it.

“So, might you tell me where you got that… peculiar flower on your mask?”

“Flowe—?”

Clover reached up to touch the icy petals of their promise.

“Oh! Right I uh- found it in a vase and thought it was pretty?”

<Wow. Real smooth buddy.>

Shut up.

“Oh really?”

Hope turned the stone and replied with quite a cold tone of voice, one that made clover feel like they were being interrogated.

“It’s quite interesting how a flower has survived so long in a dusty home in just a vase.”

Clover was wearing a mask, though they couldn’t resist the urge to pull their face straight when caught in their lie.

Why did they think this was a good idea?

“It must be a special flower then.”

“Mind if I inspect it?”

Hope threw the rock to the side.

“If it’s made of magic I am quite interested.”

“No.”

Clover replied a tad too quickly for comfort.

“I- I mean it’s very fragile!!!”

They’d rather not have Hope dissecting and possibly breaking it.

“Don’t worry.”

Hope sighed.

“I won’t touch it if you’re that fidgety.”

Clover couldn’t help feeling a tad bit relieved, they can only hope it wasn’t taken too personally.

“G—-YS”

Clover looked up a bit at the distant call from a familiar voice… That sound it kinda reminds them of… Oh right Po.

“GUYS! GUYS!”

Po came running over almost tripping on the way before taking a moment to catch their breath.

“Th— there— uagh … air… hrhrhrhr— there are two very important things missing from our house.”

Hope shot up.

“Our cutlery?”

Clover stood up more calmly.

“Our couches?”

Po glared at them.

“MY SIBLING AND KANAKO???”

Hope and clover simultaneously made and ‘ooohhhh’ sound before the realization kicked in and they made a more panicked and louder variation of the sound.

Clover looked down at the tracks, back in the direction of the house and then the direction they were leading to.

“Do you think these are-?”

Hope pulled on their arm.

“Most definitely.”

Po scoffed.

“How are you sure there’s a lot of snow here!”

Hope deadpanned.

“When’s the last time you saw anyone leaving footprints around here?”

“Just now when we were walking in the snow.”

Po’s response didn’t make Hope give them any less of a death stare.

“I think they meant other people.”

Clover whispered to Po.

Po made an O shape with their mouth and nodded.

“Like six wee— oooh…. Okay yeah this is probably them- WHY ARE WE RUNNING SO SLOW!!!”

Po sped up and grabbed the other two dragging them along at his much greater pace.

“PO I AM NOT THIS ATHLETIC!”

Hope yelled in a more screechy tone.

“CLOVER CAN DO IT!”

Po argued back.

“I FEEL LIKE I'M GONNA KEEL OVER!”

Clover was regretting not picking up cardio after getting revived.

Po made a gasping noise before ignoring Hope’s yells and pleas to slow down and continuing to run after the tracks at breakneck pace only slowing down when the surroundings started to dim.

Hope was panting and almost flopped down onto the floor when Po came to a halt.

“You… ehhh.. you maniac.”

Po let their weight pull them backwards making them hit the ground with a slight thud.

“Bad ideaaaa….”

Clover sighed.

“Why are you two like thiisssss…”

Aid tried to touch one of the glowing particles, their hand phasing through it.

Kanako sat on the small sparkling raft mounted at the side of the river slowly drifting them to their destination.

“Aid?”

“Hm?”

They retreated their hands from the sparkly sparkles.

“Are you alright cacao?”

Kanako snorted a little at the repeated nicknames.

“Yes, just wondering where exactly were going.”

“Well if I’m not wrong, we should get to the end of the river and go to some old shop. A geezer let the two older ones stay in so he could leave the place without worrying about it falling apart.”

“I see.”

Kanako looked ahead at the lit up path.

“So were looking for some kind of dock then.”

Aid nodded, they went back to poking the sparkles.

Kanako couldn’t hide their curiosity.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to communicate.”

Aid kept poking.

. . .

Oh! Talk to me? 

How nice ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ )

Give me a short moment won’t you? I haven’t talked to anyone in a while!ദ്ദി(｡•̀ ,<)~✩‧₊

…  Ah wait, you can’t hear me.

Aid sighed as the particles have no reaction she sighed solemnly and looked down into the water.

Aw man, she really hoped there was some cool sparkly force helping them.

There was no reply though, pure silence.

No fair at all.

The water rippled and showered her disappointed reflection among the lights, distorted and stretched.

Aid reached out to touch it, the water gave a soft pink glow at the point of contact and spread to underneath the boat making sparkles float up.

Oh.

Oh!!! Something WAS happening!!

A few letters appeared in the water, Kanako scooched over to have a look as well not being able to resist the temptation of the sparkles.

Greetings small ones! I have been waiting to talk to you ♡⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝♡

“Waiting? To talk to us?”

Kanako questioned.

I’ve been watching… helping your friend! And you’re all so lovely as well! (,,>ヮ<,,)!

Aid didn’t know how to feel about the little faces but they were cute!

“Watching us? Isn’t that super bad and creepy and we should stay away?”

Nuh uh! It totally doesn’t count as creepy if I don’t have a choice!

“It so does.”

Aid pointed at the words as if it would be pointing at the ‘person’.

NO!!!! Your statement it false!! Confirmed!!

“My statement is true, Kanako?”

Kanako nodded.

“Kanako confirmed, statement true, it’s super creepy.”

Awww guess I gotta leave then (っ◞‸◟ c)

Aid gasped.

“No!! I wasn’t saying that I was joking promise!”

I know :>

Aid blinked at the words that kept changing before smiling brightly.

“I like you mysterious sparkler… sparkly? Is that your name?”

No???

“Then what is your name, oh strange helper.”

Kanako bestowed the thing a title to emphasize the fact they needed a name.

It’s Ravi! Your new SUPER helpful SUPER powerful companion!

“Uh huh.”

Aid nodded, for some reason they didn’t believe that. (Ouch!!!)

Aid was about to ask another question but their raft bumped against rubble.

“… Oh.”

Kanako stood up and climbed over the rocks.

Her ears dropped.

“There’s too much rubble up ahead.”

Aid stood up brushing off their clothes.

“Really? That’s not good is it?”

They went after Kanako and climbed up the stone dam aswell, the river ahead was littered with rocks.

“Guess we’ll have to take the long way around?”

Kanako hummed.

“It really wasn’t a joke that we were told to keep out, this place really isn’t that safe.”

Aid turned to the glowing water by the raft jumping back down to poke for a reaction.

“You can light up the way right? And we can keep talking?”

Aww do you like me that much? ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶

Well the next time you come across water or a mirror just knock on the surface and I’ll be there. ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧

Aid smiled, yay! The weird words will stay! (Excuse you???)

“We’ll do.”

“See you later Ravi.”

Kanako spotted a blue soft glow in the distance, natural light huh?

“Bye ravioli!” (UM????)

Aid returned to Kanako’s side and nudged her to keep walking.

“Come on, we’ll just take the longer way.”

Kanako gave a small nod with a smile and followed, the two were certainly quite determined to make it to their destination.