Chapter Text
It's been a while.
Well, at least you think it has been, if what little active part your mind told you was right. Everything was too hazy to really put much thought into. How long has it been since you’ve been stuck like this... days, weeks, years? You didn’t really know. All you knew in this faded state was that it was dark, and peaceful. Nothing like before-
Before… your mind tried to look back, but your consciousness was in too much disarray. All you could remember… was night, knives, and pain. Oh god, so much pain.
It hurts to remember, so you let it go. You let your mind drift, looking back throughout your life.
It wasn’t… the worst life, but it wasn’t great either. You never had any family, or any love interests to fill your life with. You'd had a few friends over the years, but they had all come and gone.
It was how life worked, you guessed.
So, when you turned eighteen, you went and made a life for yourself… or tried to at least. You had just graduated high school, had a small apartment, a quaint little florist job. It wasn’t much… but it was a start.
You had been completely alone by then, so you decided to surround yourself with the things you loved. A tranquil peace came over you as to looked back at all the pleasant memories flashing into and out of focus: the great outdoors, rainy days, listening to music, camping out in the mountains, swimming, drawing on your computer, reading books, eyeing colorful flowers, watching your favorite shows and movies, playing with pets, making and eating food, playing video games, playing Undertale-
Undertale: your mind focused on the subject. Yes, Undertale grew on you in ways you never thought possible. You knew you could, at least to yourself, confess that you liked and cared for the characters more than you should. They weren’t real, you knew, but it didn’t stop your heart from caring for them.
It took you awhile to get the courage to play, but you did. It quickly became a haven from the responsibilities of your life, and you took great care in cherishing every moment you could. After all, you had been adamant in it being your one and only run.
You had gotten through it all, defeating Asriel and Destroying the barrier. Everything was as it should be.
Until, it wasn’t.
Reserved sadness came to you at that. Curse you for taking that break; curse the cheap apartment for the faulty lock. If it weren’t that, maybe things would have gone differently.
Maybe, you wouldn’t have died.
It didn’t matter much anymore, you supposed. There was no use getting angry now.
Exhaustion filled your mind once more, blurring your focus. What use would dwelling on the past do? You’ve already come to terms over it. Now, all that was left, was for your consciousness to fade away into the darkness.
Darker
Darker
Yet
D a r k e r
. . .
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Frisk, had been through quite a lot.
They remembered the time when they first fell into the Underground; where everything had begun. They remembered it vividly; the soft petals of the golden flowers they had fallen on, the ancient stone pillars that stretched to the cave ceiling above, and the opening that seemed so, so far away. They had been utterly lost then, scared and confused as to what they should do. They knew of the stories about Mount Ebott (who didn't?), but they had never expected those legends to suddenly concern them.
Then, they heard your voice.
To say that you scared them at first, was a big understatement. If anyone just started to hear a disembodied voice coming from seemingly nowhere, they'd be terrified too. Not only that, but they felt the uncontrollable urge to follow your advice, which terrified them even more. They had no choice in the matter as you directed them away from the light above ground and deeper into the dark ruins.
Yet, their fear didn't last too very long. In fact, it soon became apparent that you knew more than they did about this place, and took steps to make sure they were safe. You had known their name from the start, and you knew that Flowey's friendliness pellets would hurt them. As you helped them dodge the pellets, their fear turned into uncertainty and confusion.
How had you known who they were? Who were you even? No one else seemed to hear your voice, so perhaps you were just a figment of their imagination? No, you knew things even they didn't know of, so that couldn't be right.
So, as Toriel, or Goat Mom as you liked to call her, helped them through the Ruins, they let you lead them and listened, wanting to learn more.
That was how they learned more about you, and that was how they learned to trust you.
You talked to them, even though it was apparent that you thought this was nothing more than a game. Even with that mentality, you still tried to do the right thing. Even when they died in a battle, you wouldn't give up and hurt any other monster.
You also seemed... sad. Later on, you would remind them of Sans in a way on that front. It wasn't obvious really. Frisk was just rather good at reading between the lines. They never heard any other voices other than your own. Were you all alone? They could understand the feeling. Loneliness can really get to a person. Being in an orphanage was not the most hospitable place, after all.
By the time they had reached Toriel's house, their uncertainty had melted away into trust. You had taught them that these monsters weren't their enemies, that they could be befriended instead of harmed.
That trust, however, was tested when you chose to leave Toriel.
Why would you want to leave her and the Ruins? You had seemed to really love Toriel by the way you had been talking about her, even making them call her mom on the phone, which they didn't mind of course. They had found a mother who would love and care for them the best she could at last and now you were wanting them to leave her. Why? It wasn't like they had anything up there on the surface.
They didn't want to leave, but they had no choice but to obey as you led them to battle with Toriel.
It didn't just scare them to fight with Toriel, it also was heartbreaking to do so too. It also seemed to be hard on you as well, which aggravated Frisk. You had wanted this, so why were you getting so upset about it?
Then, you spoke those words to 'yourself', words that changed everything as they continued to spare Toriel.
"I am sorry Tori, but we have to do this. I know you want to take care of Frisk here, but we can't stop now, even if the thought of living here with you is nice."
"Once we get to the end, you all can go and live on the surface. You can take care of Frisk up there then."
"Until then, you will just have to let us go. We need to go. We will free you all, if it is the last thing I do."
"That is a promise."
Then, everything started to make sense.
They left the ruins and went along; talking to Flowey, meeting Sans and Papyrus, and going through Snowdin. You grew better and better at dodging attacks, and you grew more compassionate and happy when playing the game.That, in turn, made them more confident in what the two of you were doing was right.
Meeting Sans and Papyrus was a big turning point in their journey. They knew you cared about every monster they came across, even Jerry, but the skelebros (as you liked to call them) was obviously a special subject to you. You spoke about them so endearingly, enjoying their antics so much, that they didn't even think to be scared that Papyrus had been trying to capture them. They had put their complete trust in you for the first time, and they had gained two new friends because of that.
Even though you were an only child to their knowledge, they could see that you and Sans were so very similar when it comes to the love and affection of those they cared about. It was endearing really, how much you cared for everyone. If you and Sans were to ever meet, they knew the two of you would become the best of friends. Perhaps the two of you would be even more, if the tone in your voice you tried to hide said anything. Yep, they were going there, and they shipped it harder than even Alphys could ever ship. You, after all, seemed to have a certain softness for that pun loving skeleton, one that they expected to be more than just platonic.
Going away from your platonic love for Papyrus and probably not so platonic love for Sans, you had helped them through the battle with Paps, went through a very amusing date with him (You had actually panicked when you suggested they flirt with him, saying that you had not wanted to choose that button. It was hilarious.), and went to waterfall, where they met with Monster Kid and got attacked by Undyne.
Even when things seemed impossible, you eventually found them a way through. You were able to get them to befriend Undyne, they got through Alphys's and Mettaton's shenanigans, and you led them through the Judgement Hall and up to King Asgore's castle.
In the end, they were able to defeat and spare Asgore. Everything seemed to be going well. Asgore wanted him and Toriel to take care of them like a family, and they had been overjoyed to hear that. You, however, seemed sad by it.
They soon figured out why.
Watching the friendliness pellets kill Asgore was one of the most horrifying things that had happened in their journey, followed closely by the Omega Flowey battle after. Everything seemed pointless in that battle, like there was no way to continue, but you didn't give up.
Even when they died over and over again, you didn't let that stop you. You zoned out and focused on the fight, saying words that they never would forget.
"You see Flowey, why we don't give up is simple." You had said, dodging all the while.
"We have friends to help out. I made a promise to see them to the surface and I intend to keep that promise."
[INTEGRITY]
"They deserve to be up there, they shouldn't suffer down here. It is just wrong."
[JUSTICE]
"Maybe I am just crazy, and I care for characters more than any reasonable person would..."
[KINDNESS]
"but I honestly don't care what they say, I will stick to my opinions about this game whether they like it or not."
[BRAVERY]
"I know you wouldn't understand that, even if you were to be able to hear me, but that doesn't matter. Even if you can't understand, we will keep on going, even if you kill us again and again."
[PERSEVERANCE]
"Even if it takes as a million tries, we will continue on fighting for their freedom. I am willing to wait that long."
[PATIENCE]
"We will never give up... as some would say, we will stay determined!"
[DETERMINATION]
With that, the other souls heard their pleas for help, and helped them defeat Flowey. That was when they knew you were something special.
After that, you spared Flowey. It was something even they had trouble doing, but you still did it. Your ability to forgive was unparalleled. It was something to admire about you. As they finally went through the exit, the two of you listened to the phone call from Sans and the others. It hurt them to know they were stuck down there now. You had promised they would free them, but it didn't work. What were they to do? Their determination didn't work...
Then, Flowey appeared again. There, evidently, was another way to end the game. At least, Flowey said so. They didn't trust him, but they trusted you, so they went along with you as you went back to the newest save.
It definitely wasn’t all there was to their journey, no. Alphys had a lot more hidden about her than they had first thought. She was able to reveal her feelings about Undyne, was able to tell them the truth about the Amalgamates, and was able to start healing from her mistakes. You understood that it was all an accident, and didn't put it against her. You still loved her.
As they said, very forgiving.
As they went back to the castle to Asgore, they were worried as to what would happen. Yeah, they were able to help Alphys, but what was that going to help in this situation?
A lot, apparently. When they finally faced Asgore once again, they hadn't expected Toriel of all monsters to appear. Helping Alphys gave them the extra time they needed for Toriel to choose to save them. Soon, their other friends started to appear, Undyne, Alphys, Papyrus, and Sans came to their rescue. Even Mettaton made an appearance. It filled them with hope, that you had been right in your judgement. They could all live down here in peace now, until they found a way to get them to the surface.
That was, until Flowey appeared.
Flowey had tricked the two of you, as it seemed, and now he once again had the human souls, as well as their friends. What were they supposed to do?! As Flowey attacked them again, they felt their hopes for a good future dwindle with every hit.
As they thought it was all over, the last hit never came.
Soon, their friends started to block the attacks for them, and with every successful block they felt their health get better and better. Soon, every other monster came to their aid, standing by them...
Filling them with determination.
Even as Flowey absorbed every soul, they didn't give up. They would face whatever monstrosity Flowey had in store for them.
They, however, didn't expect a boss monster in Flowey's place.
Then, they could understand why you spared Flowey. As they battled Asriel Dreemurr, they finally felt they understood why you had tried so hard this whole time. You knew everything that was going to happen, didn't you? You knew that even the worst of people could be redeemed, could have a second chance. After everything, you would still wish to save them, even Asriel. No matter the odds, even if it seemed impossible, your love for everyone would find some way to get them all out of here.
They could feel both your and their souls beating as one. Your unbreakable love, mixed with their determination, kept them from dying. They refused to die, they refused to give up.
You were such a special person, they could feel it as they continued on and on. You dared to hope so much for others, yet you wished nothing for yourself, you were so selfless, it was unbelievable. As they struggled to do anything, they didn't fear. No, they knew you would find a way, and as they figured out no one else could save them, they figured out another option instead. They would have to save the others instead.
Saving the lost souls, and in turn Asriel, they refused to give up. Everyone was counting on them, you were counting on them. You never gave up, and so they wouldn't either.
Even as Asriel hit them with his strongest attack, and their health went so close to zero, they held on. They would never give up.
And finally, it all paid off.
They defeated Asriel, forgiving him as you wished to do, and hugged them before finally departing, watching as Asriel used every soul in the underground to finally break the barrier. Once Asriel left, they woke up surrounded by their friends, not knowing what had truly happened.
Their journey had finally been over. They could leave the Underground like you had promised.
Yet, it wasn’t over, not by a long shot.
When they thought about going to the surface, they realized something. If they left, there was a good possibility that you wouldn’t come with them. If this connection between you and them was linked to this ‘game’ of yours, then finishing it would destroy it… right? They... they hadn't given any thought as to what would happen after they reached the surface. Was it true... that your journey together would end here? They had found themselves not wanting you to leave, which surprised them. It would be nice to be on the surface, able to control their body again... but they had also grown attached to you. You deserved to participate in their life on the surface as far as they were concerned. They wanted you to accompany them, if only in voice, for the years to come.
Yet, they wouldn’t get that, in fact, they would get the last thing they would ever want.
They don’t remember much, as they had been way too panicked. All they remember was the sound of a door opening, loud bangs of a struggle, your piercing scream, and your pained breath as you returned. To their knowledge, something horrible had happened and you were hurt, and they had feared for your life.
Despite everything, you saw it to the end. You, somehow, decided to lead them outside, telling them to be the ambassador to the monsters as well as to live with Toriel.
Then, you were gone.
It's been silent since then… they missed you and your voice, your constant advice and loving personality. Were you dead, alive?
They didn’t know… but they grieved for you nonetheless.
If only they could talk to you at least once and thank you for everything you did… but they couldn’t.
They missed you so much… but for you, they would continue on. For you… they would stay determined.