Chapter Text
“Did you hear there’s a human in Snowdin?”
“Everyone’s evacuating from the human.”
“If only a royal guard could stop the human, they’ve already killed so many.”
“Where’s Undyne when you need her?”
Honestly, it sometimes feels like echo flowers just grow around her house over night. Those things spread like weeds and Undyne just can’t keep up with the pruning. She’s way too busy with actually important stuff. But usually they say things that are normal, like what some random family is going to eat or just kids laughing while running by. Not of continuous rumours about a single human and mass evacuations.
Honestly, she sleeps in for one SINGLE NIGHT and she wakes only to learn a human is running rampant underground. And not only that but it’s killed monsters in the dozens.
And she learns from an echo flower! Did no one in the guard think to maybe come get her before the situation got out of hand? What did she train all of them for if they can't even do that one thing!? She swears to whatever deity is out there, if that human isn’t where the echo flowers say they are she’s going to lose it!
“The human is in the Dunes, I need to go check if my family is ok.”
That makes things easier. For once an echo flower that seems a bit more recent with how it’s louder. Usually echo flowers grow quieter the longer they repeat the same thing, but this one seems like whoever passed just did so.
Which also means the human is probably still in the Dunes. No matter how terrible the heat is there, she has no choice if she’s gonna kill that human. Maybe she can leave her armour so she won’t overheat? That should make it easier to fight, just have to make sure the human can’t hit her. Plus, without armour to weigh her down the Mailwhale should be able to get her there quicker.
—————
Introductions are always awkward, even when one of the people there isn't a murderer. So it was obvious that when one of them ARE a murderer it is much worse. Starlo is pretty sure this has been the most awkward conversation he’s ever had and will ever have.
And it was only basic introductions, he can’t imagine how much worse it would be if there had to be more than names. Even worse, Clover just will. Not. Stop. Acting like the others are a threat to either themselves or, strangely enough, him.
Half the time after all the introduction stuff was spent with Clover watching one of the tapes or staring out the window, the other half was them glaring holes into whoever was closest to Starlo at any given time.
Currently, that would be mooch, who was sitting on the kitchen counter while Star was trying to rinse off dust that had gotten in his poncho. His poor poncho, dust sticking to the fabric more stubborn than the sand.
He feels like throwing up. This is the sort of thing he’d imagine a character in some murder mystery doing to hide evidence, not something the great sheriff North Star would do. Being a criminal was never his role. But he never really was North Star, was he?
No. North Star was someone who would always be on the side of the law, the side of righteousness, the side of justice. North Star wouldn’t have hesitated to have put the human criminal in jail and bring the royal guard into it, even if said criminal was a kid.
But here he was, no North Star, no sheriff. He is just Starlo. Starlo who went against a murderous human with a BB gun, Starlo who brought a dust covered kid into his home, Starlo who is looking less and less like the great sheriff who does no wrong and more like an accomplice to a mass murder.
“Do you think that the human is gonna be here until tomorrow? I want to know if we’ll be able to sleep tonight.” Mooch was spinning a king of spades card she had taken from one of ace’s decks. A newer deck, but still worn down a lot from use.
Looking over, Clover is staring out the window and hopefully not paying attention. He holds his poncho out in front of him, most of the dust is gone at least. “They’ve gotta go at some point, obviously. But y’all can make it at least one day before we figure out what to do.”
“You mean before You figure out what to do.” Ace tried to grab the card from Mooch as he spoke, but she just kept moving her hand away before he could grab it. Clover's attention seems to have shifted back to Starlo and is glaring daggers into the back of Mooch and Ace.By how they both are out on edge, they have also noticed.
“Listen, I’ve already said I’ll keep an eye on them. When the time comes, I’ll make sure they have somewhere else so you can get your oh so important beauty sleep.” He pointedly ignores Mooch’s offended ‘hey’. “But until then, Clover is with me.” Clover very obviously heard him, judging by how they seem to have turned back around right after he said it.
Conversation seemed to fizzle out after that, the only noise was that of the tv and water running over his poncho. It was a bit less dusty now, atleast. Shouldn’t take too long to dry since it’s so hot in the Dunes. Right now though, he should prioritise figuring out what the heck he was supposed to do. He needs some sort of plan on how he should deal with Clover. And for that he needs to think.
The most obvious choice would be to turn them in, but that would just get him arrested. He might be able to convince the guard it was all a part of some grand plan but he doubts the royal guard is that dumb.
He could use Clovers trust in him to have them turn in themself. It would work, and if Clover tried to say anything nobody would believe he helped them. But he was supposed to be a righteous lawman, lying and deceiving them would go against that.
Letting Clover run off on their own is a terrible idea. If the only reason they aren’t actively fighting anyone right now is because Star is here, the moment they are on their own there is definitely going to be more dust shed.
Which leaves helping them. Helping them get to Asgore and hopefully not fighting anyone on the way there. Sure, it's not that thorough of a plan but it's all he has at the moment. Clover won't listen if he tells them to give up on their journey, so the least he can do is join them. Even then, if the two are spotted the plan falls apart.
Maybe he can get the Steamworks open? It's close enough and nobody should be inside, also Ceroba might have some passwords left over from Chujin’s time there. And add on there shouldn't be any guards between the Wild East and the Steamworks and they should be completely fine to go there, maybe stopped by his family if he gets spotted but he can outrun them easily.
Most monsters don't know what a human looks like, so if he just got them some non-dusty clothes they shouldn't be recognised by anyone as the human. Letting them borrow a poncho should be enough for others to think theyre just another Wild East inhabitant.
Step one, ask Ceroba for security codes. Step two, get Clover out of dusty clothes. Step three, reach Steamworks. Easy as cake, piece of pie, whatever.
“Hey, anyone know when ‘Roba is getting back?” She never came back after the dual, and everyone must have been let out of the bunker by now so it's surprising she isn't back yet. Maybe she's chatting with Dina or the Dune’s cafe owner, but that shouldn't take so long with how much she was against letting the human stick around him.
“Said something about getting something after letting us out, so might be a while.” …Or she's getting a royal guard.
He feels really stupid now. He had known this whole time she wouldn't let him do this yet here he is, believing she would actively help him get the human to the capitol. He's known this whole time she would be getting a guard the moment she could. Well, two can play that game. He'll just have to leave before she gets the guards here.
He looks over to Clover, they are currently enraptured with the window again. “Guess we’re leavin’ without her.” Dusty clothing will have to be cleaned later, they are kinda on a time crunch here. “Clover, I think it's bout’ time you and I get moving!” followed by confused shouts from everyone else in the home about what he is talking about.
“I thought you said there was no rush for me to leave?” Clover was barely audible over the others' complaints. He could tell exactly what they were thinking and went to snuff that out immediately. Walking over to the couch and putting a hand on their shoulder.
“You’re not leaving in that way, we’re just going to hide you somewhere else. People have probably already seen you come to town.” Even with his words they seemed on edge but ended up nodding and moving for their vest before Starlo stopped them.
“Kid, that thing is covered in dust. You’ll be stopped before we make it past town square.” Before throwing his now mostly clean poncho in their face. “Starting from this point forward and until this is all over, you are now my secret long lost illegitimate child!”
“Star you are an idiot, if the royal guard doesn’t doesn’t end up arresting you I will tell them everything out of spite.” And with those parting words from Ed he grabs Clover's hand and walks out the door. Next stop, Steamworks or the UGPS station.
—————
While walking through town it’s clear everyone is tense even if they think it’s safe now. Starlo doesn’t know what Ceroba told them when she let them out, but if the feisty five didn’t know about the human still being here other monsters probably won’t either.
The only exception seems to be Dina, who somehow seems to have known since before he even entered the saloon why he was there and spared no moment to send him a death glare.
And if he got charged more for the root beer than usual, he deserved it.
He can’t help but look over at how Clover is reacting to everything. Before he went into the saloon to get items that they can actually eat or drink they looked at everything around curiously, but it seems like the time for looking around is over as they stay right at his side the rest of the time in town.
The only real holdup in town was Blackjack, who saw Starlo with a kid wearing his poncho and immediately assumed the ‘murderous human’ must’ve killed their parents.
“I might not remember my own parents but I also lost them to the humans you know?” He’d said as he kneeled in front of Clover, way too close for comfort. “That human will pay, don’t you worry.” If Clover was free to move and still had their gun they definitely would’ve taken the shot by now, and Starlo can only do so much to keep Blackjack from getting closer.
“I’m sure they appreciate it but we really gotta move, Blackjack.” He swears he’s going to have an aneurism if Clover doesn’t stop glaring like they’re barely holding themself back.
“And for the last time their parents weren’t killed, I’m just- they- I’m helping them get home.” Blackjack obviously doesn’t believe him but that’s fine, he just needs to get moving. “Which we are doing, now.” A lot of back and forth but eventually Clover seemed to agree it was time to move and just started walking. Leaving him to catch up.
And they’re back on the move. Starlo can feel how the other townsfolk are obviously taking note of him walking with the kid, and even though he knows none of them have any context he still feels like he's being judged. Really doesn't the awkward silence between him and Clover, they haven't said anything since he went into Dina’s.
“Nothings gonna happen, you can let down your walls a bit.” If they keep acting like every other monster is a risk to their life he doesn't have that much hope for getting to the Steamworks without issue. Easiest way to deal with that is to get them to just calm down a bit.
His words obviously fell on deaf ears as Clover didn't even act like he'd said anything at all, but at least now that the two are out of town it should hopefully make them a bit less on edge. A little further and he can even see his parents' home.
Clover stops moving, they're looking straight ahead. Someone else is walking the path between Sunnyside and Wild East, he doesn’t recognize who it is but they might be related to moray if he had to guess.
“Human. Your massacre ends here, one way or another.” Oh. He knows that voice. The head of the royal guard might not show herself often around these parts, but even then when she does it's always the areas closer to Waterfall and, more importantly, with her armour on. Moray is right, they really do look related to each other.
“Wait wait wait wait, wait a moment miss!” He might not be able to convince her of Clover either not being Human or not being an issue, but he can buy time for figuring out how he can get him and Clover away from her. “If i could just say, we-”
“You! Stay out of this! Go back to your town where it's safe, I'll deal with the human!” Undyne points a spear in their direction and glares at Clover. “Just go!” Spears appear from the ground, separating them from each other.
Fine, he can play this game. Starlo might not be able to take on the head of the royal guard in a fight, but his goal isn't to defeat Undyne. Just has to grab Clover and run like his life depends on it. They seem to be holding up ok, only dodging any spears sent their way.
A quick shot with his own magic is enough to shatter one of the spears blocking his way, but before he can reach Clover he gets pushed back with a blunt spear straight to his stomach. “What don't you understand!? Get out of here before you get hurt!”
Clover’s hand is hovering over their holster, he sends them a thumbs up before getting up to try again. They shouldn’t have their gun anyway, he took it earlier and didn’t give it back so it should be safe in one of his pockets.
Undyne sees him get up and shouts in frustration before pointing at him again. “What is it you don’t understand?! Listen to me and get out of here, for your own safety!” She continues grumbling about it while throwing spears all around Clover, who doesn’t seem to be doing that well judging by the new cuts on his poncho.
Jokes on her, he has no self preservation when it comes to this. He tries to step forward and immediately gets surrounded by spears.
Ok guess he has to have some self preservation right now.
“Don’t worry Kid, I’ll figure sumthin’ out!” Clover seems much more distracted now, getting hit with a few spears before stopping to reach for their holster. Their EMPTY holster.
Any sense of control they seemed to have over the situation before is gone, Clover is getting hit by spear after spear and he can do nothing to help as they’re pierced straight through the soul.
“And for the last time their parents weren’t killed, I’m just- they- I’m helping them get home.” Blackjack obviously doesn’t believe him but that’s fine, he just needs to get moving. “Which we are doing, now.” A lot of back and forth but eventually Clover seemed to agree it was time to move and nudged him before pulling him along without letting him say goodbye.
“If i could just say, we-” “You! Stay out of this! Go back to your town where it's safe, I'll deal with the human!” Undyne points a spear in their direction and glares at Clover. “Just go!” Spears appear from the ground, separating them from each other. Clover immediately pulls out their revolver.
This is bad, but it’s not terrible. He has no clue when or how they got it back. It should have been on him, away from their or Mooch’s grubby hands. But what’s worse is Clover opening fire on the head guard. There is no way he can convince her to stop the fight now.
Plan B it is, grabbing Clover and running as fast as he can to the Steamworks.
A quick shot of his own magic is enough to shatter one of the spears blocking his way, but before he can reach Clover he gets pushed back with a blunt spear straight to his stomach. “What don't you understand!? Get out of here before you get hurt!”
She focuses back on Clover, doing her best not to be hit anywhere immediately fatal. Clover is holding up well. He can only see a few cuts on his poncho, none of which seem to be dripping red like his bullet from earlier so that has to mean something.
He tries to get back to Clover but there are just too many spears blocking his way, if he doesn't do anything-
A pained shout, the spears in front of him fade away. Undyne seems to be saying something, he can't hear. Why can't he hear? Less and less spears go towards Clover, slower and slower. All he can smell is gunpowder. Is she melting?
Before he knows it, the head of the royal guard is nothing but a pile of dust in the sand.
“Clover?” They turn to look at him, focusing on the human in front of him instead of the very recent pile of dust that used to be a royal guard, not just A royal guard but THE royal guard’s captain. If he looks down he can see sand blowing around slowly dragging along the remains.
One step forward from Clover. He steps back without thinking. They turn around.
And runs.
By the time he realises ‘hey maybe you shouldn't let the human run off’ he can't catch up. He doesn't stop when his parents try to grab him, he doesn't stop when he sees the Steamworks gate close, he only stops when he runs right up to it and can faintly hear the echo of footsteps grow distant.