Getting Up

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The tiny blue pony slowly pushed herself to her hooves, grunting to herself. "Wha...what happened?" she asked herself, shaking her head. "Where am I? Wast thing I wemember, I was wunning...and then I twipped..." Shaking herself off, she fluttered her wings and called a tiny dot of light to the tip of her horn.

It didn't illuminate much at first, but that little bit of light suddenly flared as it was sucked into the cavern itself, bringing the area to full illumination. The filly found herself on a bed of golden flowers in a massive structure that echoed in the darkness, the light not even reaching the peak of the cavernous ceiling. "...I don't think I'm in Cantawot anymore..." she muttered as she stared. Carefully, she stepped off the bed of golden flowers, her silver hoofshoes clacking against the stone ground, which was as smooth as silk. "Whoa...not even Cantawot stone's dis smooth..." she murmured. "Who's the maid hewe?"

As she marveled, she saw a path leading onward, the stone smooth as it curved towards an arched doorway. Curious, she followed the path, her hooves click-clacking against the stone with every step, the only sound in the entire chamber aside from the mild grumbling of her tummy. The chamber on the other side of the door was shrouded in darkness, with only a single flower illuminated in the center as it grew out of a patch of grass.

The filly smiled happily. The flowers she'd landed on had been crushed into inedibility, so she hadn't been able to assuage her hunger there. But this flower was in good condition. It even looked happy to see her as she approached. Normally, she would have questioned that, but she was sooo hungry...

The flower swayed back as she tried to bring her teeth down on the blossom, the smile changing to a nervous frown. "Hey!" the flower complained, its voice somewhat high pitched. "What do you think you're doing?"

The filly gasped as she sat down on her rump, scooting back from the flower. "I'm sowwy!" she gasped out. "I didn't know you wewe a cweatuwe!"

"It's alright," the flower replied, once more smiling reassuringly. "You're new down here, so it's understandable you wouldn't think to check that. I think some introductions are in order. I'm Flowey, Flowey the Flower. And you are?"

"I'm Woona," the filly responded, managing a smile. "Uh...where am I?"

She wasn't certain, but it looked like Flowey's smile widened when she asked that. "You're in the Underground," he replied. "Things don't work here like they do up above where you come from. How about I teach you?"

Woona smiled happily. "I'd wike that!" She gasped as the world faded away from her awareness.

Flowey grinned widely to himself as he watched the filly's soul come out, a tiny blue heart, its right side stained with white and black splotches. "See that heart?" he asked.

"Uh huh," Woona replied as the heart was bound in a white box.

"That's your soul," Flowey explained. "The very culmination of your being. Your soul starts off weak, but can grow strong if you gain a lot of LV."

"LV?" Woona asked, her soul moving around in the blackness within the white box. "What's that?"

Flowey grinned widely. "Why, it stands for LOVE! You want some LOVE, don't you-"

As Flowey had spoken, he was able to see Woona's capacity beneath the white box.

LV 1/2 HP 50/50

The unusually low LV and unusually high HP wasn't the only odd thing. Next to the yellow bar that was her health was a blue bar. It had nothing beside it to define what it was.

Woona seemed to notice her own stats. "I...a half LOVE?" she asked. "Is...is that..."

"That's unusually low," Flowey replied. He heard sniffling, and realized the filly had started to cry. "It's alright. I'll give you some LOVE!"

"You will?" Woona asked eagerly.

Flowey laughed wickedly to himself.

"Of course I will!" Flowey told Woona, much to her joy. "Down here, LOVE is shared through..." As he spoke, a small white pellet rose out of him. "...little white...'friendliness pellets'. Now, since you have so little LOVE, I've made this one extra strong. Don't let it miss your soul!"

Gasping happily, Woona moved her soul to collect the 'Friendliness pellet'. However, as it hit her, pain like nothing she'd ever known - like a knife in her very soul - wracked her whole being. She let out a scream of pain as her HP dropped to one, and Flowey's face contorted into an expression of wicked contempt.

"You idiot!" Flowey cackled. "Down here, it's kill or be killed! Who'd pass up an opportunity like this!"

He laughed wickedly as he surrounded Woona's soul with a slowly constricting circle of magic bullets...but his laughter trailed off as he saw the blue bar decrease. "What are-"

A textbox appeared in the void.

Woona counters with Royal Canterlot Voice.

"Wait, you can cast magic?" Flowey gasped in shock.

"That hurt!" Woona shouted at the top of her voice, the shout echoing throughout the entirety of the Ruins, shaking the structure to its foundations. The shockwave blasted Flowey's command boxes far and wide, as well as sending the circle of bullets blasting outward. Many slammed into Flowey, sending him flying after his command boxes.

As Woona's soul went back into her body, she sunk to the floor in tears. Flowey had seemed nice, but then he'd hurt her. She hadn't understood the things he was saying after - she hadn't really been listening - and she was left more confused than anything. Did...did "friendliness" really hurt that much? Did being friends hurt? Did...did LOVE hurt?

Or...or could she just not be loved? Up above, her sister hadn't had any time for her, and wouldn't talk about where their parents were. Woona had been left all alone so often...she'd run away. Would...would no one ever love her?

"Are you alright?" a soft voice called out to her.

Letting out a gasp, Woona scooted away from the gentle voice. "Go away!" she shouted, terrified. "Don't hurt me!" Ducking into the hole Flowey had been planted in before he was blasted away, Woona stared fearfully towards the source of the voice.

The figure somewhat resembled a minotaur in that it stood upright on hind legs, but the features of its entire body were more goatish than minotaur, especially the soft white coat covering her - the large mammaries on a biped said 'her' quite firmly - entire body. She was wearing a purple robe with a strange crest on the front.

She also looked quite hurt to see Woona so terrified of her. "Oh...what terrible creature could have hurt you so?" she whispered, kneeling beside the hole. She slowly reached out with a glowing hand. Woona tried to flinch back, but the hole was too small. The glowing hand touched her...and the pain faded. "Better?" the goat woman asked.

Woona nodded slowly, still scared, but beginning to be a bit more trusting.

The goat woman smiled. "Don't worry, my child," she said softly. "I will not hurt you. I will not let you come to harm. You're safe with me."

Woona shivered, tears pouring from her eyes...and leapt into the goat woman's lap, burying her face in the woman's ample bosom and crying her eyes out.

At first the goat woman was startled, but she smiled softly, wrapping her arms around Woona in a gentle hug, singing a soothing song whose words Woona could not quite understand. Even so, the song was soothing...comforting...

As Woona drifted off to sleep, the loving melody filled her with what she could only describe as...DETERMINATION.

Helping Hand

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When Woona slowly awoke, she found she was still in the arms of the goat woman, who hadn't moved from her spot in the circle of light within the darkness. "You're awake," the woman said softly as Woona's eyes opened. "Are you feeling better?"

"Uh-huh," Woona replied, nodding her head slowly. The woman set her down gently. "I-I'm Woona," she greeted nervously. "Who ah you?"

The woman smiled down at her. "My name is Toriel," she explained. "I am the caretaker of the Ruins."

"Wuins?" Woona gasped happily, looking around. "Where?" Having little else to do up above, she'd spent a great deal of time reading, and she loved the adventure books, especially those about exploring ancient locations.

Toriel chuckled, one hand over her mouth to stifle the sound, not wanting Woona to think she was laughing at her. "These are the Ruins, my child," she explained, her soft voice almost musical. She gestured to the structure all around them.

Confused, Woona took another glance around. "...it don't wook it," she pointed out logically.

"It's not called the Ruins because it is in ruins," Toriel explained. "It's called that because this is the first place my people settled when we came to live in the underground...and so few of my people live here now."

"Oh." Woona fell silent as she glanced around. She could tell that Toriel was upset, and she felt like she should say or do something to cheer her up. "It's...vewy cwean?" she offered hopefully.

A smile once more graced Toriel's features. "It is, isn't it?" she agreed. She slowly got to her feet. "Come. There is much more to see." She turned and headed towards the archway to the north.

"How'd you know I was heah?" Woona asked curiously, following as fast as she could on her tiny legs.

Toriel smiled as she slowed her pace so Woona could keep up. "I pass through here every day, just in case anyone has fallen down from above. No one has fallen for a very long time..." She rubbed a finger in her ear. "Though I knew exactly where you were due to your incredibly loud shout. Tell me, what creature hurt you so to get that reaction?"

Woona looked away. "It...was a fwowah," she explained. "He...he said he was gonna help me, but...it hurt..."

"Oh, you poor child," Toriel moaned, her voice full of sympathy and compassion. "Do not worry. I won't let you come to harm." Kneeling down, she gently stroked Woona's head, just behind her ears, making the little filly hum in pleasure. Being pet like that felt nice. "Come," Toriel continued. "Let me guide you through the Catacombs."

Nodding, Woona followed happily. Beyond the archway, the rooms became much smaller and better illuminated, allowing her to see the purple stone of the floors and walls. Red leaves covered parts of the ground, and crunched pleasantly under her hooves as she pranced in them. A wide, grey staircase wound up each side of the room, leading to a higher platform with another archway. Woona slowly and carefully climbed up steps designed for creatures of all sizes...except hers, apparently, as she had to take each step with a jump.

The next room was much smaller. The path further forward was much closer, but sealed shut. To the left, a sign was visible against the wall. To the right, six floor tiles were raised in a pattern of two triangles base to base, arranged north to south. There was also a switch in the wall to the right of the door. Woona rushed over to the tiles.

"Careful," Toriel cautioned, putting her hand out. "The Ruins are filled with Puzzles such as this one, ancient fusions between diversions and doorkeys-"

"Puzzles?" Woona gasped happily. "I wuv puzzles! Can I twy to solve it? Pwease?" She gazed pleadingly up at Toriel, her eyes shining with eagerness and her forehooves held eagerly together in front of her neck.

Toriel was powerless to resist the pleading of a child, let alone one as adorable as this one. "Alright. The clue is on the sign."

Cheering happily, Woona raced up to the wall...only to find the sign well above her head. Bracing herself against the wall, she found she could just barely make out the screws holding the sign to the wall. She tried jumping, but even fluttering her wings didn't get her the height to see the sign. She kept jumping anyway, until at last she slumped to the floor. "Can you pick me up?" she begged.

Chuckling, Toriel scooped Woona up and held her high enough to see the sign. "This better?"

Nodding, Woona examined the sign...only to see it filled with what, to her, were meaningless scribbles. "Umm...I can't wead this. You suhe it's words?"

Toriel frowned thoughtfully. "I suppose it's possible our peoples use different systems of writing," she admitted. "Allow me to read it to you." Holding one finger out, she traced the words as she read them. "Only the fearless may proceed. Brave ones, foolish ones. Both walk not the middle road."

Woona frowned thoughtfully, considering the clue. Hopping out of Toriel's arms, she went over to the raised floor tiles. "Switches?" she asked, pointing at them. "I step on them?"

"Indeed," Toriel praised. "That's why they are both raised and a different color from the rest of the floor."

Nodding, Woona scampered around the grey tiles as she examined them from several angles. After a time, she grinned widely. "And the North and South tiles ah the middle woad, cause dey in the middle! So don't step on dem!"

"That's right!" Toriel praised. "Very good!"

"So I should step on dis one..." Woona began, pushing on the Southwest tile with one hoof...only for it to remain exactly as it was, unmoving. "I push it..." Woona continued, leaning her weight on the switch, to no effect. Frowning, she stood entirely on the switch with all four hooves, only for it to remain unmoving. Angrily, she began to jump up and down on the switch, shouting, "Push it! Push it! Push it! Push it! Push it! Push it-"

Laughing loudly, Toriel scooped the bouncing filly into her arms. "I guess you're a bit light to trigger the switches," she said softly, comfortingly. "How about you tell me where to step, and I'll trigger them for you?"

"...okay..." Woona pouted, but quickly got back into the puzzle solving fever. "Everything but the North and South switch!"

Smiling, Toriel stepped on the four switches indicated. "And now what?" she asked.

Woona glanced around, noticing the door hadn't opened. "...wocks..." she murmured. "...puu the wevah!"

Happily, Toriel pulled the level, opening the door. "That was quite fun, wasn't it?" she asked, setting Woona down on the floor.

"More puzzles!" Woona shouted happily, racing through the open door.

"Woona, wait!" Toriel called out, chasing after her.

She found the filly sitting in front of a sign. "What's this say?" she asked eagerly. "Is it more puzzle clues?"

"No," Toriel replied. "It's...it's instructions on how to read a sign."

Woona turned to look up at Toriel. "So...I hafte wead a sign...to wearn how to wead a sign?" Her expression was scrunched up, one eye squeezed almost shut while the other eyebrow was raised, her mouth in an adorable pouty frown. "Sewiouswy?"

"It...does seem rather ridiculous, now that you mention it," Toriel admitted.

Shrugging, Woona took in the new room. It was a rather long room stretching from West to East, with the exit far to the East, blocked by a spiked floor. The room was divided by two pools of water, each one stretching from one wall to another and crossed by bridges. There were also three switches against the North wall, two of which with markings beside them. "So I jut puww the wevah again?" she gasped happily, racing for the final switch.

"Yes, but-wait!" Toriel ran after Woona, but she was too slow to stop her from throwing the third lever.

A bucket of warm water and soapy bubbles tipped over, drenching Woona. She turned, looking up at Toriel with sorrowful eyes.

"Wrong lever," Toriel explained, struggling to contain her laughter. "Still...children your age often need to be bathed, anyway..." Scooping Woona up, she walked to the pool...which turned out to be warm. "Let's get you clean, my child."

While Woona wasn't too happy about the unexpected bath, Toriel's gentle fingers helped relax her...and filled her with DETERMINATION.

Ruined Hearts

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Once Woona's bath was finished, she glanced up at Toriel. "Why do you even have dat wevah?" she asked with a sulky pout.

Toriel chuckled. "For much the same reason we have the two middle floor tiles in that first puzzle chamber," she explained. "It isn't a puzzle unless there's a wrong way to solve it, in addition to the right one."

Thinking about that, Woona nodded in understanding. "But...why soapy water?"

Toriel shrugged. "Originally, it was tar and feathers, but I felt that would not be fair to children who did not understand the puzzle, and since little children always need a bath, I replaced it with soapy water. I also marked the two switches that needed to be thrown."

Woona looked away sheepishly. "Oh...I thought it was 'spot the difwence'..."

Toriel chuckled softly. "A logical conclusion. Wrong in this case, but logical to think. The writing beside the other two actually tells you to throw them, though."

"But how do I know dat's not twying to twick me?" Woona asked. "Well...assuming I could wead it..."

"I also signed it," Toriel explained as she walked Woona to the levers, letting her throw them.

Once both switches were thrown, spikes lowered before the exit to the chamber, and Woona followed Toriel into the next small chamber. This one was a square chamber with only the western entrance they'd come in through, a northern exit, and some sort of training dummy. "What's dis?" Woona asked curiously.

"With how powerful the magic of your soul is," Toriel began, "some monsters in the underground will be scared of you on first meeting. They might attack you out of fear...or other reasons, in some cases." She shook her head as though to dispel unpleasant thoughts. "When that happens, you will enter a FIGHT. While in a FIGHT, strike up a friendly conversation. Try and make friends until I come to assist you."

"Can I hug them instead?" Woona asked. "I'm not so good with words yet..."

Toriel chuckled softly. "While that can work sometimes, some monsters value their personal space a little too highly, and might perceive a hug as an attack. Try and assess their mood before attempting to hug them." She then gestured to the dummy. "Approach, and enter a practice FIGHT with this dummy."

As Toriel moved to stand in front of the northern exit, Woona approached the dummy. She expected to find herself in the black field, as she had against Flowey...but something different happened. Lines of light surrounded her and the dummy, and her soul became visible on her chest, along with a yellow and blue bar over her head. "Towiel?" she asked worriedly. "What..."

"Do not be afraid, my child," Toriel reassured her. "This is what a FIGHT looks like when you can see the world around you. I assume you've experienced a FIGHT before, but in total darkness? With the one who hurt you?" When Woona nodded, Toriel smiled at her. "That only happens when there is no light around you, and the soul becomes the source of light. For now, practice FIGHTing the dummy without hurting it."

Woona turned to the Dummy, trying to figure out what to do. At first, she thought about hugging it, but it didn't look like it wanted a hug. The only other option was to try and talk to it. "Uh...hi?" she offered, waving one hoof.

The dummy waved back.

Yelping, Woona dashed out of the lines of light to hide behind Toriel. The lines vanished as she passed over them. Toriel, glancing in confusion at the dummy, leaned down to comfort Woona. "Let's...continue on, shall we?" She then took Woona into the next room.

Behind the dummy, Flowey cackled to himself. A petty revenge for his humiliation from before, but the look on Toriel's face made it all the more delicious.

"Calm down, my child," Toriel whispered reassuringly to Woona. "There is nothing bad about what happened."

"But...you didn't say the dummy'd wave back!" she complained.

"I didn't expect it to," Toriel replied. "However, it's possible a mischievous spirit possessed it momentarily."

Woona blinked. "Spiwit?"

"A Blook, perhaps," Toriel allowed. "They long to become one with physical vessels, so perhaps one was attempting to possess the dummy when we entered the chamber...and decided to wave back, not knowing it would terrify you."

Woona managed to get her shaking under control. "...didn't know that could happen..." she muttered. "So...what now?" She glanced around at the chamber they were now in.

The chamber was another long one, this time divided into two sections near the middle. In the part they were in, the room and walls were bare, and a squiggling path was drawn on the floor. She could see the second section was hidden behind a twist in the path.

"There's another puzzle in here," Toriel explained. "I wonder if you can solve it?" Knowing Woona's fondness for puzzles now, Toriel felt challenging her with one might be the best way to get her past the scare of the dummy.

Grinning eagerly, Woona rushed ahead, only to find herself in a FIGHT. A frog like monster - the name on the green bar over its head proclaimed it a Froggit - leapt into her path, bracing itself for combat. Woona noticed it was nearly as scared as she was.

"Want a hug?" she asked, holding her forelegs open. Unfortunately, she forgot to use her wings for balance, and wound up falling onto her back. "Oomph!"

The Froggit let off a croaking laugh, relaxing completely. Approaching, it helped her back to her hooves before accepting - and reciprocating - the offered hug. The FIGHT lines dissolved, and the Froggit patted her on the head before hopping away, leaving two small gold coins behind.

"Wait!" Woona called out. "You fohgot your bits!" The Froggit did not respond.

"He didn't forget them," Toriel explained as she approached. "Now that you've befriended him, he left you that gold as an apology for attacking you, and as a sign of friendship, to help you on your journey."

"Ooooh!" Woona replied as she wrapped her mind around it. "I'ma befwiend evewy monstah in da undagwound!" she proclaimed, her fast speech exaggerating her slight lisp.

Toriel smiled happily. "That's a wonderful idea," she praised softly. "For now, do you have any ideas regarding the puzzle?" She gestured forward.

The next part of the room had pools of water surrounding an island of spikes. On either side of the platform of spikes were wooden bridges connecting the island to normal ground. Woona examined it for a time. "Hmm...swimming?" she offered.

Toriel blinked a few times, then chuckled. "Yes, I suppose you could swim around it, but that's evading the puzzle, not solving it."

"Then...the spikes can be stepped on?" Woona asked incredulously.

"There is a safe path of that sort, yes," Toriel promised.

Curious, Woona extended her hoof, surprised to see the spikes lower as her hoof touched them through her silver hoofshoe. Feeling more confident, she tested the square of spikes in front of that one, and it went down as well. When she tested the third, however, the spikes did not descend, and touching them sent a shock of pain through her body.

As she fell back, even before she could scream, Toriel had caught her. "I'm sorry, my child," she whispered as she healed the injury. "I had hoped to encourage you, but perhaps this puzzle is a bit much for you." Toriel stood up, but felt a tug on her hand. Glancing down, she saw Woona was standing on her hind legs, wings spread for balance, both little hooves in Toriel's right hand. Toriel smiled softly. "How about I walk you through this one?" she offered.

Woona nodded, and carefully walked alongside Toriel, stepping only where she did as she was led through the spikes. As they reached the end of the twisting safe path, she gasped. "The squiggle!" she cried out. "The one on the fwoor in the fuhst paht! It's the safe path!"

"Very good, Woona!" Toriel praised, kneeling down to pet her head. "You are so clever, my child. I'm very impressed."

"Thank you, Mommy!" Woona called out, then gasped as she realized what she said, covering her mouth with her hooves.

Toriel blinked, surprised. "Woona?" she asked softly, hesitantly.

Woona hunkered in on herself. "It's just...you call me youw child...you pwaise me when I do good...make it all better when I get hurt...doesn't...doesn't that make you my Mommy?" She looked up at Toriel, her eyes pleading and lip quivering.

A huge conflict surged inside Toriel. On the one hand, here was a child like all the others, asking to call her Mom. Always before, she had said they could call her whatever they liked. The slight distancing there had always been to protect her own heart. She cared so much...and she'd lost her own two children already, and each of those she'd let call her Mom since, all six of them. Always, they would move on, and she couldn't protect them.

But it was different this time. The children who had asked to call her Mom - those six - had not been this young. Each had easily been ten years old, old enough for a good deal of independence. Calling her Mom was a source of comfort to them in a strange new world. She loved each of them, but it wasn't quite the same as how she'd felt about her own children, and she'd let them go when they'd wanted to go back to the surface...and cried as she learned of their fate.

But Woona... She was still slurring her speech. She was so young. This wasn't a child seeking the momentary comfort of a mother substitute. This was a toddler calling out for love and compassion, lost and alone. If she said yes here, it would mean opening her heart completely to Woona, and truly becoming her mother. And...someday, Woona might leave the Ruins...and her soul used to break the barrier. Toriel didn't think she could bear losing another child.

Had this been over the phone as it had been with the other children, perhaps she could have maintained that bit of emotional detachment, protecting her own heart. But staring into those hopeful, pleading eyes, and seeing that hope start to fade from her hesitation to be replaced by despair, she knew there was only one response she could give. She could not destroy this child just to protect herself.

Kneeling, she pulled Woona into a tight embrace. "If that is what you need..." she began, slowly building up to the words she knew would leave her open to a pain she didn't think she could handle again and feared was inevitable. "Then yes...I am your mother..." She felt tears pour from her eyes, both from joy of being a mother again, and from fear of the pain she was certain would come.

Woona gasped in shock as Toriel knelt down and pulled her into the tight hug. However, when she heard the words, tears fell from her own eyes. Wrapping her forelegs and wings around as much of Toriel's neck as she could, she buried her face in the crook of the goat woman's neck. Finally, she was able to speak. "...I love you, Mommy..."

The shared love between mother and child filled them both with DETERMINATION.

Standing

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Toriel had lost all track of time as she held her daughter close to her, letting her into her heart. In this moment, she didn't need anything else. With her child in her arms, she found joy she had long forgotten. She found she wanted to scoop Woona up into her arms and cradle her, rocking her to sleep and carrying her home, and let nothing hurt her ever again.

She would have acted on that...had Woona's stomach not chosen that moment to grumble. "...Mommy? I hungy..." Woona looked up at her pleadingly, rubbing her tummy with one hoof.

Chuckling, Toriel pulled a spider doughnut from her pocket and gave it to Woona. "Here. This will tide you over until dinner time."

Smiling widely, Woona eagerly devoured the pastry. "It's yummy!" she said happily, her wings buzzing with delight.

Toriel smiled as she got to her feet, Woona dancing happily around her. For a brief moment, Toriel brought her hand to her chest. She'd felt the surge of DETERMINATION sweep through her, and knew just how dangerous that was for monsters, even a Boss Monster like her. In very small quantities, it could help monsters grow, increasing magical power without increasing LOVE. Too much at once, however, could damage a monster's soul. Her friend from beyond the door had told her a scientist had been studying ways that monsters could use DETERMINATION, but that the research reports had just stopped one day.

Closing her eyes, Toriel ran through a few mental magic exercises, burning off the excess magical energy the DETERMINATION had filled her with until it was at more reasonable levels. With a smile, she then led Woona through to the next chamber.

Woona happily followed Toriel into the next chamber. She immediately noticed that the chamber was incredibly long, stretching off into the distance until it vanished into blurs. She glanced up eagerly at Toriel, waiting for the next instruction.

"Woona," Toriel began, her voice soft and loving. "While I wish I could be with you every moment to take care of you, there may be times when I can't, when we'll be apart. I need to know you'll be able to handle that." She gestured forward, beginning to walk further into the room. "So, to know you can show that independence, I want you to cross this room...without me." Turning, Toriel continued deeper into the room, seeming to vanish to Woona's vision.

"Mommy?" Woona called worriedly, immediately racing ahead to try and catch up to her. As she rushed through the room, she noticed several strings of ivy climbing the walls, spaced evenly and growing to different heights. As these heights seemed to repeat, Woona began to worry that the room had some sort of looping enchantment she had triggered somehow, and she'd be running forever.

Her worries proved unfounded, however. It was a relief when she saw the exit to the chamber, and a pillar to one side between two columns of ivy. Seeing something behind the pillar, she leapt, glomping onto Toriel's knee. "Mommy, I did it!"

Toriel chuckled as she scooped Woona up and carried her back out from behind the pillar. "Yes you did, Woona. I'm so proud of you." Stepping to the arching portal to the next chamber, she set Woona down. "Now, I want you to do something for me. Can you wait here for me? There's something I want to go take care of, a surprise I want to prepare for you. It...might take me some time though. Can you handle waiting for me here without me?"

Woona thought about that for a time. "But...what if I get wonewy?" she whimpered.

Smiling, Toriel handed over a strange, boxy device, showing Woona how to flip it open to reveal buttons with labels she couldn't read. "This is a CELL PHONE," Toriel explained. "With it, you can contact me any time for any reason." She gestured to three buttons in order. "Push these three buttons, and it will call my CELL PHONE. If it rings, you can push this one to receive my call." She pointed to the third button. "Understand?"

Woona nodded. "I can do it!" she proclaimed happily. "But...what if I have to go to da bathwoom?"

Toriel chuckled. "Well, if you feel you do need to leave the room for any reason to move forward..." Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a large folded parchment. "Here is a map of the Ruins. Each chamber with a puzzle also has recorded the clue that will let you solve it-" She paused. "Oh, right, you cannot read our writing. Hmm...can you read yours?"

"Uh huh!" Woona agreed proudly. "I'm smaht!"

Chuckling, Toriel placed her hand on Woona's forehead, and her other hand on the folded map. Woona felt magic flowing from her head and into the parchment. "Take a look now," Toriel offered.

Unfolding the map, Woona gasped. "It's in my wettahs!" she cried happily. "I can wead it!"

Toriel smiled gently. "It's just a basic translation spell," she offered modestly. "If you feel the need to leave this chamber, the map will guide you now."

Woona smiled happily as she folded the map up. "Uhh...how do I carry this?" she asked worriedly.

Toriel thought for a time, then reached into her pockets for fabric, needles, and thread. With quick, deft movements aided by magic, Toriel sewed up a pair of saddlebags for Woona, resting them over her back, just behind her wings. "There we go. You can put anything you find in there, as long as there's room."

Smiling, Woona reached under her wings and pulled the pouch of bits she'd brought with her - where she'd placed the two gold coins the Froggit had left her - out from between her feathers and dropped it into one of the bags, slipping the map and cell phone into the other. She looked up at Toriel with a happy smile, feeling prepared for anything.

Toriel smiled down at her. "Alright then, Woona. Stay safe. I'll be right back." Turning, she left the chamber.

Woona happily waited for Toriel to return. After a time, the cell phone rang. Remembering what Toriel said, Woona quickly pulled the phone out and pressed the button. "Mommy?" she asked eagerly.

A quiet voice, barely audible, emitted from one part of the device.

"Mommy? I can't hear you!" Woona called louder, worried. "Is the CELL PHONE broken?"

The voice came louder this time, but all Woona was able to make out was 'ear'.

Confused, Woona lowered her head to the phone, putting her ear to where the voice was coming from. "Mommy?" she called worriedly.

"I'm terribly sorry, Woona," Toriel said through the phone. "I forgot to tell you that you have to hold the phone to your cheek, with your ear and mouth in range of the two grilles."

"Oh!" Woona breathed, holding the phone to her cheek with her hooves. "That's why I couldn't hear you."

Toriel chuckled softly. "Anyway, I was calling to tell you that my errands are taking longer than I thought. I shouldn't be more than another five minutes, though."

"Okay!" Woona replied happily. "I love you, Mommy!"

"I...I love you too, Woona," Toriel replied, her voice thick. "Stay safe."

"You too!"

After a moment, Toriel spoke again. "I forgot to tell you how to hang up the phone, didn't I? You can do it either by closing it back up, or pressing the red button opposite the green one you used to receive my call."

"Thanks Mommy!" Woona replied happily, closing the phone.

Woona waited a while longer, only for Toriel to call again.

"Woona, I'm afraid I'll be delayed a bit longer," Toriel apologized. "I found what I was looking for, but before I could take it, it was snatched away by a small white puppy." In a murmur, Toriel continued, "How odd. Do dogs even like flour?"

"To pway in, maybe?" Woona offered.

"Hmm...perhaps," Toriel allowed.

After a time, Woona's phone rang again. When she picked up, however, she only heard heavy panting, followed by a couple of high pitched barks. In the distance, she heard Toriel calling, "Come back here with my CELL PHONE!"

Realizing what had happened, Woona set her CELL PHONE on the ground and took a deep breath.

Woona used Royal Canterlot Voice.

"Doggy!" she shouted.

Toriel's eyes widened as she saw the little white doggy go tumbling from the force of the shout.

"Give Mommy back her phone!"

Yelping, the little puppy raced back to return the phone and flour to Toriel. She smiled as she picked up the phone. "Thank you for that, Woona," she said into the phone.

"Happy to help Mo-" Woona's voice was cut off in a scared gasp.

"Woona?" Toriel called worriedly. "Woona, what's wrong?"

Woona stared back at the entrance to the long chamber. She could barely make out the details, but there was a flower there that wasn't there before. She could see the white center, the golden petals...

She saw the light glinting off the teeth in the grin.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHGG!" she screamed in terror, racing into the next chamber. "Mommy, the bad flowah's chasing me!"

"The bad flower?" Toriel asked in confusion from over the phone.

"The one that hurt me!" Woona whimpered, ducking into the friendly embrace of a Froggit that was on the other side of the doorway she'd just dashed through.

"Woona, listen to me," Toriel explained. "I want you to keep going. On the map, you'll see a house marked. Meet me there. Plot your course carefully and do not backtrack unless you can't avoid it. Above all, be careful, alright?"

"Okay, Mommy," Woona whimpered, shivering in the Froggit's embrace.

"I know you're scared, Woona," Toriel reassured her softly, "but I'm too far away to make it there in time to help you. I need you to be brave for me."

Woona nodded. "Okay, Mommy," she replied back. "I love you."

"I love you too, Woona. I'll call frequently to make sure you're okay."

Hanging up, Woona got back to her hooves. "...okay," she whispered. "I can...do this."

As she got ready to leave, the Froggit hopped into the room to the north, and came back with a piece of candy for her. Smiling, Woona slipped it into her bag. "Thank you," she said gratefully, nuzzling the Froggit.

As Woona moved onward, she encountered a strange monster that looked to her like a sock puppet with tiny wings. As the FIGHT began, the name above the creature was 'Whimsum'. As Woona watched the Whimsum, she noticed just how scared it was.

Smiling, Woona sat down to let the Whimsum see her peaceable intent. After a time, the Whimsum left of its own accord. While Woona regretted not being able to befriend it, she knew she couldn't waste too much time.

As she entered the next short chamber, she glanced at her map. Seeing that the center of the room was pit traps, Woona buzzed her wings, managing to hover over the center to continue onward.

In the next chamber, Woona paused as she received a call from Toriel. "Are you doing well, Woona?" she asked worriedly.

"Two chambers onward," Woona replied. "I'm okay."

"That's good," Toriel replied. "For no particular reason...do you prefer cinnamon or butterscotch?"

"I wuv 'em togethah!" Woona replied happily. "Tastes so yummy!"

Toriel chuckled. "That is good to know dear."

The chamber she was in was blocked by a path of spikes. There was also a rock near a discolored floor tile. Since the map mentioned pushing rocks, Woona attempted to push the rock onto the discolored tile. However, the rock didn't move.

"...Mommy did not think this thwough..." Woona muttered. She sat and stared at the rock, trying to figure out how to do this. As she was waiting, a Froggit engaged her in a FIGHT. She smiled at the Froggit. "Can you help me push da wock?" she asked, pointing. "It's too heavy for me."

The Froggit stared at her for a time. However, seeing no hostility or deception, it nodded agreement, pushing the rock for her. Once it was on the tile, the spikes dropped.

"Thank you!" Woona called gratefully, giving the Froggit a peck on the cheek, causing it to croak in embarrassment as its cheeks turned red. Giggling, Woona progressed into the next room.

The next chamber was nearly covered with cracked floor tiles. Looking at the map, Woona saw two images of the chamber, one above and one below. Reading the clue, it stated, "Don't step on the leaves". The lower chamber was nearly covered with leaves...except for a narrow path. Looking carefully, Woona followed that path over the floor tiles...and none cracked beneath her hooves.

The next chamber contained three more rocks and discolored tiles. However, the lowest rock seemed...different from the others. Approaching it, Woona began examining it.

"What are you looking at?" the rock demanded.

Woona was surprised to hear the rock talk, but she rallied gamely. "I nevah saw such a hefty chunk of stone outside the mountainous cwiffs."

The rock shifted back and forth, preening. "Well, I am pretty strong!" it bragged.

"I bet ya could even push the othah wocks onto the switches and hold 'em down so I could cross!" Woona offered.

The rock eagerly pushed the other two onto the switches before stopping on its own. "Behold my power!" it proclaimed as the spikes went down.

"That's amazing!" Woona proclaimed as she crossed. "Thank you!" Waving happily to the talking rock, she moved onto the next chamber.

As she continued, she encountered a trio of bulbous monsters identified as Moldsmals. They lay immobile, not seeming to do anything. Woona decided to do the same, in an attempt to show her understanding of them. The Moldsmals shook a bit of water off of their bodies, but Woona had laid out of reach of it. After a time, the Moldsmals withdrew into the ground, leaving a gold coin apiece behind. Glad to have made friends, Woona continued onward.

In the next chamber, Woona found a table with cheese on it, and a mouse hole. She could see the mouse staring at the cheese, plainly building up the courage to go snatch some. Seeing the mouse's struggle, Woona felt brave enough to continue onward.

In the next chamber, Woona found a ghost pretending to sleep on a pile of leaves. She wanted to make it more comfortable with her, so she curled up beside it on the leaves.

The ghost looked at her. "Umm...what are you doing?" he asked nervously as a FIGHT began, the name 'Napstablook' appearing over his head.

"Being fwiendly?" Woona offered.

"You...you really want to be friends?" Napstablook asked worriedly.

"Of course!" Woona replied. "I told Mommy I would befwiend every monster in the Wuins!"

Napstablook chuckled a little. "You're...kinda cute."

"You too!" Woona replied eagerly.

"Hey...let me show you something." Focusing his energy, Napstablook caused his magical energy - which manifested as tears - to rise up above his head and take shape as a top hat. "I call it...Dapperblook. Do...do you like it?"

Woona nodded eagerly. "Let me twy!" Thinking quickly, she pulled out the map of the Ruins and folded it into a hat she placed on her head.

Woona equipped Cartographer's Cap.

"Wike it?" Woona asked.

"It's...adorable," Napstablook replied as the lines of the FIGHT faded. "I normally come to the Ruins because nobody's around...but today I met somebody nice."

Smiling widely, Woona attempted to hug Napstablook...only to fall through him. "Oof!"

Chuckling, Napstablook settled around Woona, wrapping her completely in his ectoplasmic form. "Here...have a Blook-hug."

Woona snuggled into the ghostly embrace, the gentle friendship filling her with DETERMINATION.

Homecoming

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After a time, Napstablook took his leave, and Woona continued her journey through the Ruins. Following Toriel's directions, she took the most direct path, though she promised herself to check out the 'spider bake sale' later, when she felt safer from the evil flower. The next long room had three Froggits in it, though one of them mentioned there were actually four. They all had advice for her that she was certain would be useful someday, if she could only understand its meaning.

On the way out of the chamber, her phone rang. Woona hastened to pick up. "Mommy?"

"Hello Woona," Toriel greeted warmly. "How are you doing?"

"Good!" Woona replied happily. "I've been making fweinds and moving fowahd! I even made fweinds with a ghost called Napstabwook!"

"Napstablook?" Toriel asked, surprised. "Oh, he's a nice spirit, if a bit withdrawn. He's not much for socialization. You are truly gifted in making friends if you've befriended him."

"I couldn't hug him, though," Woona pouted. "I fell thwough him..."

Toriel giggled softly. "It's quite alright, dear one," she reassured her. "I just realized that it's been a while since I cleaned up. I haven't had company in so long...at any rate, there are probably a lot of things lying about here and there. You can pick them up if you like, but keep in mind that you are still young. There's only so much you can carry, and it would be quite awful if you found something you wanted one day that you couldn't carry."

"Then I'll just get stwong so I can cawwy more!" Woona proclaimed proudly, making Toriel laugh again.

"Not a bad thought, dear. I'll see what I can do about helping you get stronger."

As Woona moved to leave the chamber, she found herself in a FIGHT with a Moldsmal and a monster that looked like a large roach with only four limbs. The name above its health bar read 'Migosp'. Unsure what to do, Woona held still, deciding to let the Monsters make the first move.

The Moldsmal withdrew on its own, though it didn't leave any gold. Seeing that Woona wasn't hostile, the Migosp relaxed. When Woona continued to take no action, it happily left, leaving behind two gold. Slipping them in her bit pouch, Woona continued onward.

The next chamber was large, and contained numerous pitfalls with one way chutes leading back up. Her map indicated that one of the pitfalls led to the switch to open the path onward, but the writing was a bit smudged regarding which pit. Woona decided it was best to start with the closest one. At the bottom, she encountered a monster that looked like a carrot with a face. When the FIGHT began, it was identified as a Vegetoid.

Woona wasn't sure how to act, and felt nervous after the last food item with a face monster she'd encountered. However, her stomach decided to speak for her, grumbling loudly.

"Eat your greens!" the Vegetoid offered happily, releasing a swarm of vegetables into the air to bounce towards Woona. Noticing only one of them was green, Woona approached to eat that one, evading the others.

"Delicious!" she proclaimed happily, making the Vegetoid very happy. The FIGHT lines faded, and it left her four gold.

Down the next pit, Woona encountered a monster that looked like a goblin with a large eye instead of a torso. The FIGHT identified it as a Loox. While the appearance made her a bit confused, she decided to be nice, waving happily. The Loox seemed pleased with that as it released some minor magic into the air, which Woona evaded easily as a very small target. When the FIGHT lines faded, the Loox left her 5 gold.

Finding a faded red ribbon, Woona decided to tie her mane into a ponytail with it so that it wouldn't get caught on anything. She finished tying it into a bow, hoping it looked good, and glad it didn't clash with her Cartographer's Cap.

Woona equipped Faded Ribbon

As she continued, Woona found Napstablook at the bottom of a hole. "I fell down a hole," he explained, sounding as though he felt foolish. "Now I can't get up. Go on without me..."

"No!" Woona proclaimed fiercely. "Fweinds don't weave fweinds behind!" Focusing her magic, she struggled to lift Napstablook from the ground.

Napstablook floated upwards. "...oh yeah. Ghosts can fly..." He floated up under his own power.

Releasing her magic, Woona couldn't help but giggle. Napstablook managed a very small smile before he vanished.

In the next pit Woona dropped into, she found the switch. Throwing it allowed her to continue onward.

The next room indicated that several switches had to be pressed in a specific sequence in order to anchor the looping enchantment on the chamber, allowing one to pass through the gates. The gates themselves were designed not to open unless the enchantment was properly anchored, in order to prevent anyone inside from being trapped. Since the order was marked on the map, Woona pressed the switches in the proper order.

On the way, Woona encountered several more monsters for FIGHTs, all ones she'd previously encountered, though in different groupings. Remembering how she'd addressed each such monster individually, she managed to befriend them all.

Entering a large chamber with a tree in the middle, Woona smiled happily as she saw Toriel coming towards her. "Mommy!" she called happily, racing up to her.

Smiling, Toriel scooped Woona into her arms. "Don't worry, Woona, you're safe now," she whispered, cuddling her close.

As Woona's heart began to slow down with the fading of her fear of Flowey, she found her eyelids drooping. Without even realizing it, she let out a yawn.

Toriel chuckled softly. "Tired, aren't you? How about I tuck you in for a nap?"

Woona nodded, snuggling into Toriel's embrace.

Toriel carried Woona into the neat, tidy house, past pale yellow walls covered with various pictures, towards an unlocked door. Woona could smell something delicious, but she was stuffed on vegetables from the Vegetoids, and hunger could not stir her. She curled up happily as she was tucked into a warm bed with soft sheets, even if the bed was much too large for her.

Leaning in, Toriel kissed Woona on the cheek. "Sleep well...my daughter," she whispered softly, before stepping out of the room and turning off the light.

After getting the pie out of the oven before it could burn, Toriel cut a slice for Woona. She hoped her equine daughter would enjoy it. Carrying it in, however, she realized she may have overestimated Woona's appetite just a tad, and forgotten just how little the pony was. The slice was nearly the same size as Woona's entire body. Toriel shook her head at that, wondering just how such a small creature would handle the world of the Underground.

As she thought of that, painful thoughts entered her mind. The human children...they hadn't fared well at all beyond the door, and they were much bigger and stronger than Woona. If...if her equine daughter passed beyond the door someday...

She quickly left the room, not wanting her crying to awaken Woona or give her a bad dream. She went to the one point in the house where she knew Woona would not hear her...the end of the passage in the basement. Leaning against the one-way door to the rest of the Underground, she let herself cry, trying to escape the pain she feared would come...the pain she'd knowingly opened herself to.

"hey lady," a familiar voice said from the other side of the door. "you okay?"

Toriel managed a small smile. "I...I am not sure, my friend," she replied. "Something...something wonderful has happened...but I fear it opens the door to something truly dreadful..."

"quite the ful day then, huh?" her friend replied. "why don't ya tell me a bit about it? sorry i don't have any new puns for you today...but i'm feeling a little horse."

Toriel couldn't stop the giggles at that. "Funny you should say that. I...I have a new child. She is a tiny pony, with wings and horn."

"oh?" the voice asked, curious. "...how tiny?"

"I accidentally cut her a slice of pie nearly as big as her."

The voice was silent for a time. "sorry, i just had a mental image of her eating her way out of a pie while using it as a swimming pool."

Toriel burst out laughing at the image. "That would be adorable!" she gasped out. Eventually, however, the somber thoughts returned. "But...as small as she is...if...if she ever leaves here, she'd never make it on her own."

There was no response from the other side.

"...if...if she ever does leave...and I don't leave with her...would...would you take care of her for me?" Toriel's voice was desperate. "I...I don't think I could go on if...if my heart lost another child..."

More silence greeted her, followed by a gusty sigh. "cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye...when she's not under your care out here, i'll look after her."

Toriel blinked in confusion. "What...?"

"it's a Pinkie Promise," the voice replied. "a rather powerful oath, especially for someone like me. if i break it...it won't be you i answer to first."

"No, I mean...what's a cupcake?"

After a time, she heard her friend's stuttering chuckle. "when we meet face to face, i'll teach you how to make them."

As the scent of cooling pie filled her room, Woona knew she had the DETERMINATION to face whatever dreams may come.

Light and Shadows

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Woona awoke slowly, a delicious scent filling her room. Rolling out of bed, she dropped to the floor with a thump, landing belly first on the throw rug someone had placed there just in case she did so. Pushing herself to her hooves, she blinked and caught sight of a slice of pie, sitting on a plate in the middle of the room. Walking up to it, she discovered it was the source of the delicious scent...but it had gone cold. She decided to stick it in her saddlebags for later, and search for a warm slice.

She paused as she did so, as several factors clicked in her mind. One, the slice of pie was bigger than her saddlebags. Two, Once the pie was in the bag, she couldn't see it...but she knew it was there. Three, she had struggled just to pick up the slice of pie to put it in her bag...but once it was inside, she felt no weight. Curious, she examined the saddlebag...only to gasp when she saw the magic embedded in the rune sewn into the front. "Pocket space," she murmured in amazement. "Mama's gotta teach me that!"

Slipping the bags off, she set them beside the bed, deciding that - since she wasn't going anywhere - she didn't need to carry her stuff with her. Slipping out the door of her room where it had been left open a crack, she began exploring the house, following the delicious aroma.

At first, she was concerned that she didn't see her Mama anywhere, though the large rocking chair moved as though it hadn't been vacated for that long, and the fire in the fireplace felt strongly of magic. Thinking about it, Woona came to the conclusion that Mama was there somewhere, and would likely appear the moment she made a mess or got into trouble. That's what Mamas did, right?

The delicious aroma distracted her from her thoughts, and she followed it into the kitchen, where she saw the source. Gasping happily, she saw a whole pie, steam still coming off of it from where it was cut open. She wanted it!

Unfortunately, it was up on the counter, far out of her reach. She would need to be clever to figure out how to get up to it. This would be her ultimate puzzle!

Her first thought was to use the drawers as steps to climb up to the counter. After a titanic struggle to get a drawer open, however, she discovered her folly. The top was higher than the tip of her horn. Even if she did manage to get into it, she wouldn't be able to get out. Obviously, a different strategy would be required.

Her next thought was to try and pull the pie down to her. However, it quickly became plain that Toriel had anticipated that, as a strong magic bound the pie to the counter, stronger than what Woona could bring to bear. Pouting, Woona turned to the cupboards.

After struggling to get them open, she looked through them for anything that might enable her to climb up to the counter. Unfortunately, all she managed to do was dust herself with flour. Sneezing, she backed out of the cupboard, only to bump into the counter, causing a glass to dump water on the floor where she slipped, turning the flour on her hooves sticky.

Noticing the stick, Woona had a brilliant idea! She would climb the walls! Focusing her magic, she attempted to manipulate the stickyness of the wet flour, only to discover certain limitations. At least one hoof had to be firmly affixed to the wall at all times to keep her from falling. Thinking quickly, she spread her legs wide and swung her weight around, using her four hooves as stick points to make her way to the counter.

Success! She was in perfect position to drop into the pie. One more swing would be all it would take, and she'd no longer have to keep her body completely flat. As she prepared to swing, however, she felt a painful tug on her tail. Fearing discovery, she slowly turned her head to look.

Some sort of infernal device had hold of her tail! Its twin slots bared angrily, clinging to her delicate butt hairs. This could not stand! One blast of magic...would cause her to fall to her doom as she lost her grip on the ceiling, possibly tear her tail off, and she'd lose all her progress towards getting the pie!

"Woona!" Toriel gasped angrily as she came in. "What are you doing on the ceiling? And...why is your tail in the toaster? That's for bread, not little ponies!"

Woona thought desperately, trying to come up with an answer that wouldn't anger her Mama. "Umm...I am Bwead?" she offered, hoping her brilliance would astound Toriel to the point she'd forget her anger.

At that point, her grip on the ceiling failed her. She let out a surprised cry as she fell...but the wicked toaster proved to be good, as its grip on her tail swung her out before releasing her, causing her to land in the pie! With success loud in her mind, Woona began to swim around the warm, delicious, butterscotch/cinnamon heaven as she began to eat her way out. "Nom nom nom nom nom nom nom..."

Toriel, for her part, fell back against the wall, laughing as she struggled to get control of herself. Once she did have control of herself, she walked over and lifted Woona out of the pie tin. "At least you enjoy it," she murmured as she carried Woona to the sink. "But now you need another bath."

Woona smiled happily, licking her lips.

Once Woona was clean, Toriel decided the next thing to do was teach her to read Monster runes. First, she decided to see just how much of her own written language Woona knew, and if she could work from there. Much to her delighted surprise, not only could Woona write - if somewhat messily - her entire alphabet, but it proved to be the same spoken alphabet as that used by the Monsters, just written with different pictures. This made teaching Woona much easier, as she was able to just show her what new picture was the same as the old picture she already knew. Towards that end, the first thing she wrote out for Woona was both of their names...Toriel and Woona.

Woona was overjoyed, and eagerly dove into the lessons, eager to learn to read everything, especially with how many books Toriel owned. After a time of learning to read and write when her hooves and horn both grew tired from trying to hold and use the pen, Toriel decided the next step in the lesson was to take Woona around the house and tell her the names of anything she didn't recognize.

They started in the kitchen. The first thing Woona had explained to her was the refrigerator, which she came to understand was the Monster version of what she knew as the 'cold box'. She learned the names of each different pan, and each different cooking utensil. She also learned that Toriel provided the flame for the stove burners with her own magic...which then sidelined into magic lessons, teaching Woona how to conjure magical fire. While Toriel's flame was a bright reddish-orange, Woona's flame - when she managed to conjure it - was a ghostly blue-white.

After that, they moved into the living room, and the title of each book was read to her. She was disappointed at first to learn how many were educational or otherwise sounding dull, but she was pleased to hear there were at least some story books. As they passed towards the hall, however, she notices something in the corner of the bookcase. "What's that?" she asked, pointing.

Toriel glanced towards the corner of the bookcase, only to frown. "That's a photograph," she said quickly, before rapidly ushering Woona into the next room to start naming things.

Woona understood what wasn't said. Something about the photograph was painful for Toriel. She decided not to ask about it. She did, however, decide she would examine it later, to discover what it was that disturbed her about it.

After a long day of study, Woona curled up tight in her bed. However, she wasn't sleeping. She kept her eyes and ears open, listening for the sound of her Mama curling up in her own bed. Once she heard that, she made her way out of her room, glad the door had been left open a crack.

Sneaking over to the living room, she managed to grab the photograph in her magic, pulling it down to her to examine the picture. She readily recognized her Mama in the picture, smiling happily and laughing. Next to her was a laughing goat man with long horns and a goatee, his arm around her. In front of them were two children holding bouquets of yellow flowers. One was a goat boy who greatly resembled the two elders, and was holding the flowers over his chest, smiling widely. The other child held the flowers over his face, and was definitely not goat based. Woona wasn't able to determine what sort of being that child was. The only other thing of significance to the photo was stains at the corner from teardrops.

Flipping it over, Woona discovered writing on the back, but she wasn't fluent enough in Monster runes yet to directly translate. Climbing up carefully to the table - using the staircase her Mama had built for her for the reading/writing lessons - Woona laid the photo next to the chart of picture-to-picture conversions and began carefully transposing the writing on the back of the photo to another piece of paper, in pony runes.

Finally finished, she examined what she had written.

The Dreemur Family
Asgore "Fluffybuns", Toriel, Asriel, and Chara
-Gerson

Woona sat back, flipping the photo back over to compare the picture to the description. She was pretty sure she understood now what it was about the photo that made her Mama sad...but she didn't know why. She would have to find a way to discover the answers...hopefully without upsetting her Mama.

Putting the photo back where she found it, she took her transcription back to her room with her, stuffing it behind the stuffed animals before crawling into bed. She found herself filled with the DETERMINATION to make her Mama happy again.

Growing Problems

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Woona's reading and writing improved in leaps and bounds as she stayed in Toriel's small house in the Ruins. As she studied, she eventually overcame her lisp, and could speak without slurring her words...although she still did it on occasion to be extra adorable. Toriel happily praised every bit of Woona's progress, especially as she began to devour the books on the shelves.

One question bothered Woona, though.

"Mommy?" she asked one day. "How come I'm not getting any bigger?"

Toriel blinked in response to that question. It had been a while since Woona had come to live with her. As best as time could be tracked in the Underground, it had been several months. While she was adorable as small as she was, she should have grown at least a little bit. But Toriel had been marking Woona's measurements against a wall, and they hadn't changed a nanometer since she'd arrived. "I'm not sure," she replied. "It is a concerning matter, I'll admit. Let me see what I can determine. I believe it's time for a check up."

"Yay!" Woona cheered happily. "Time to play doctor!"

Chuckling, Toriel donned the lab coat she wore to 'play doctor' with Woona, and then began to examine her with her magic. Finding nothing in the usual low level scans to explain it, she used a deeper scan...and discovered something she didn't expect. "You have a lot of physical matter," she murmured, surprised. "Far more than I expected in a magic user as strong as you..."

"Huh?" Woona asked, confused.

"Monster magic draws from the soul," Toriel explained. "The strength of the soul determines the strength of the magic, and the use of magic drains the soul's strength. Of course, that strength can easily be recovered in a number of ways. As a result, Monster bodies have very little physical matter to them, and are made up almost entirely of materialized magical energy.

"The only other magic users Monsters have encountered before are humans. While the strength of human magic is also determined by the strength of the soul, it does not draw power from the soul to function. Humans were able to learn to tap the magical fields of the world around them, and through intensive study could wield magic that far outstripped that of Monsters, and didn't tire them out to use."

Toriel scratched her chin. "But you...your magic draws from inside of you like a Monster...but your body has a great deal more physical matter than Monsters. You also appear to have an instinctive grasp of magic like a Monster. You're...something between a Monster and a Human, as far as how your magic works. How curious."

"...what's that got to do with me not getting bigger?" Woona asked, pouting. As interesting as she found the subject - this was the first time Toriel had brought up humans - she was genuinely concerned about not getting big enough to solve puzzles herself.

"Well, Monster food is mostly materialized magical energy, much like Monsters themselves," Toriel clarified. "When eaten, it simply metabolizes into magical energy instantly. Human food, on the other hand, went through a rather complicated...digestive process...because it was purely physical matter." Toriel hesitated. Her understanding of human digestion was...limited. "They absorbed...nutrients...of various sorts from the food, and..."

"Pooped out what they didn't use?" Woona clarified. "That's what I did up above, too."

"Then that's what's going on," Toriel confirmed. "While the food you eat down here is providing you with the magical energy you need to sustain your body, it isn't providing the...nutrients...you need to grow."

Woona's eyes widened. "You...you mean I'm gonna be this tiny forever?" she whimpered. "But...but how am I gonna solve puzzles?"

"Well, your magic has grown much stronger since you got here," Toriel pointed out. "Your first day here, you barely had the strength to levitate a Monster Candy to eat it. Now you have enough to push large rocks. With a bit of study, I think you can learn to use your magic to press switches or pull levers...or even levitate yourself!"

Woona gasped happily. "I can use my magic to fly?"

"With study and practice," Toriel countered. "You must be diligent if you want to manage that."

"I'll practice everyday!" Woona proclaimed happily. She began bouncing up and down in a circle around Toriel, so happy was she with the idea of flying.

Woona smiled happily as she cantered through the ruins. With her magic stronger, she was no longer afraid of Flowey, and was certain that she could even befriend him when and if she encountered him. With her saddlebags empty save for her gold, she made her way along the path Toriel had mapped out for her. Today, she was going grocery shopping!

She glanced over the list as she made her way through the Ruins, occasionally waving at a Monster she spotted who she knew. She had made several brief forays into the Ruins on her own since moving in with Toriel, and had successfully befriended every monster in the Ruins, including the incredibly shy Whimsuns. It had taken a great deal of patience, and help from Monsters she'd already befriended, but it had been worth it. They were just so cute!

"Let's see...flour, eggs, snails, milk..." she murmured, reading over the list. "Hmm...only seven items...I can carry all that! Oh, spider cider! I dunno what that is, but cider sounds yummy!"

The market area was actually very close to the house, just a brief detour to the east just south of the tree. She had no trouble gathering the ingredients. While the little white dog that had given Toriel problems that first day tried to run off with the flour, Woona surprised herself - and the dog - when she seized both dog and flour in her magic and lifted them over to herself. Putting the flour in the bag, she set the dog down and pet it a few times. With a happy bark, the dog raced off, only to bring her back a strange crimson ball that seemed to serve no particular purpose. When she tried to slip it into her saddlebags, it instead flew up to her neck, where it generated a torc in which it sat.

Woona equipped Mysterious Torc
Stat effects unknown.
It's mysterious!

While a bit nervous about what had happened, Woona eventually shrugged it off and made her way to the part of her map marked 'Spider Bake Sale', as that was where she could buy the spider cider.

Once there, she found two spiderwebs behind two signs. The signs informed her that spider cider cost 18G...and that spider doughnuts were only 7G! She loved spider doughnuts when Toriel brought them back for her!

Happily, she deposited the 18G in the larger web, and spiders scurried out with a bottle of cider, which she placed into her saddlebags. She could tell she only had room for one more item, so she put 7G in the smaller web. The spiders eagerly presented her with a doughnut. She placed it in her bag, resisting the temptation to eat it right then and spoil her dinner.

As she turned to go, however, she paused. Turning back, she gently knocked on the wall beside the smaller web. "Excuse me," she asked sweetly. "What are you trying to save money for?"

After a time, a spider scurried out and presented several pieces of paper. The first was a flier for a transportation company with a large price for transit between the Ruins and someplace called Hotland. The second was a picture of a little spider girl, surrounded by swarms of spiders. The last was a graph of how much had been saved towards the total, which was distressingly small.

"Oh..." Woona murmured. "You're separated from your family? You want to go home?"

The spiders danced an affirmative jig.

Woona thought about that. "Why can't you make your own way?"

The spiders shivered together.

"Too cold, huh?" she murmured. "Hmm..." She glanced at her saddlebags, and an idea struck her. "If I ever leave the Ruins, I'll take you all with me! I'll ask Mama how to enchant my saddlebags to have more space, and stay warm!"

The spiders danced a happy jig, waving their legs happily at her before rushing up to nuzzle her. Smiling, she nuzzled them all back, even giving each a kiss on their backs. To her surprise, her magic touched them gently, leaving a blue star on their backs. "So pretty..." she murmured.

The spiders certainly seemed to enjoy their new coloration, comparing their stars to each other and swelling with pride.

Chuckling, Woona happily made her way back home, filled with DETERMINATION to help the spiders.

Facing the Past

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Toriel continued to be astounded at how rapidly Woona assimilated the magical knowledge she was able to provide the little pony. Monsters were born with an instinctive knowledge of how to use their magic, and developed it over time of practice. Humans lacked that instinct, but could - with study and practice - learn to cast any type of magic once they developed their abilities enough to cast. But Woona seemed to possess an instinctive understanding of magic itself. She could readily use the magics she arrived knowing - such as telekinesis - and seemed to be able to rapidly master any spell she came across of Monster magic. Her fire magic was already nearly as strong as Toriel's own, and Toriel had started her on runic study - the ways monsters bound magic to objects - in order to avoid the awkward moment of testing fire against each other, only for her own to fail against the little pony's. She seemed far more strongly connected to the magical fields human magic drew from than any human ever was...and the strength of her soul gave her magic a lot of staying power.

This was not to say Woona was particularly skilled in the proper use of her magic. She had taken Toriel's lessons of peaceful coexistence to heart, flat out refusing to learn combat applications for her spells. This only made Toriel worry all the more for what might happen if Woona left the Ruins...and stretched her creativity to find ways to keep Woona engaged in her home, for fear that boredom might prove lethal.

But sometimes, Woona caught Toriel so off guard that she couldn't help but wonder if - in an odd sort of way - it was the Underground that wasn't ready for Woona...

"Mommy! Mommy! Lookit!" Woona called out, running into the dining room with her saddlebags and rushing up to where Toriel sat in her reading chair. "Look what I did!"

Setting her book aside, Toriel leaned forward. "Show me, Woona," she replied eagerly.

Smiling, Woona held up her left saddlebag, the one that was for holding items. She'd altered the runes on the outside, as it now only had the spatial adaption and weight adjustment runes that allowed her to put objects that were too large or too heavy for the opening into the bag. The ones that defined the size of the contained interior space had been removed. "See?"

Toriel blinked, frowning. "But without those other runes, how will you-"

Giggling, Woona opened the bag and showed her the inside. Eight pouches lined the inside, each with runes inscribed. The runes on the pouches included the ones from the right saddlebag, which held gold...except the part of the rune that defined it for holding 'gold' had been replaced by the rune for a variable, used for calculating magical equations. Two of the pouches also had runes for heat on them. "See?"

Toriel blinked. "I see what you've done...but I'm not entirely sure what it means..."

Woona giggled. Reaching into one of the 'hot' pouches, she pulled out a warm slice of butterscotch/cinnamon pie. She then put it back in the pouch. "Another slice to demonstrate?" she begged.

Deciding to humor her, Toriel cut her another slice of that day's dinner pie. She then watched in amazement as Woona put it into the same pouch, with no signs of the pouch or bag straining. She also pulled five spider doughnuts and three spider ciders out of two other pouches to show her what had happened. "How...?" Toriel asked, amazed.

Woona giggled. "I made my inventory stack!" Woona proclaimed proudly. "I can hold eight types of items now...and as many of that type of item as I can hold gold!"

Toriel shook her head in amazement. "Where do you get these ideas of yours?" she asked.

Woona shrugged. "I rub my neck stone."

"...neck stone?" Toriel asked, confused.

"The doggy gave it to me," Woona explained, bringing her hoof to the red crystal embedded in the torc around her neck. "When I rub it, I see the holes in the magic, and then I fill them in."

Toriel attempted to examine the torc...

The mystery refused.

...but she was unable to see anything unusual about it. Shrugging, she smiled at Woona. "Well, I think you deserve a reward for coming up with something so amazing. What would you like?"

Woona scratched her chin in thought. "Can you tell me more about humans?" she asked hopefully.

A flash of pain and worry raced across Toriel's face. "I'd...rather not," she admitted. "That's...a painful part of our history."

Woona frowned, rubbing the stone. There was something else she wanted to know about, but she was pretty certain asking about the photo directly wouldn't go over well.

A question arose in her mind, and she realized just how much she wanted that answer. "Do I have a Daddy?" she asked eagerly.

Toriel bit her lip, looking away. "That's...complicated, Woona." When she looked back, she saw Woona patiently waiting for an answer. Sighing, Toriel sat back to explain, making sure not to give any details she felt Woona wasn't ready for. "A long time ago, my husband and I lived together with our two sons. One was a Monster like us...but the other was a human who had fallen into our world from above, much as you did. But...something terrible happened, and we lost them both.

"Then Asgore...he did something terrible. I...could not forgive him. And...because of that terrible decision, many more terrible things have happened. He...has a lot to answer for. But...all I do now...is make sure our son's grave is well tended...and decorated with the golden flowers he loved so much."

Rising to her feet, she turned towards the kitchen. "Please, Woona...don't bring this up again."

Woona nodded softly. "Okay..."

Woona carefully made her way back through the ruins to where she had first fallen. She had snuck out of the house after Toriel had gone to bed for the night, knowing that what she was about to do was something Toriel would likely not approve of. She had put a few things together, and felt she knew what she had to do.

Toriel was hurting because her family had been torn apart. So Woona would make the pain go away by bringing the family back together. Toriel's birthday was coming up after all, and what better present could she give? But she knew she couldn't do it alone. She would need help. And she'd felt a presence surrounding her when she'd first awoken on that bed of golden flowers...what she now knew was a grave.

With her dark adjusted eyes, she was easily able to wend her way through the Ruins, all the way back to where a shaft of moonlight now shone upon the golden flowers. Stepping into it, she felt her magic growing stronger. It was now or never. Taking in a deep breath, she called to the one buried there, speaking his name. "...Chara."

The shadows seemed to surge around her, the temperature dropping until her breath fogged the air. Light seemed to flicker in and out around her, and a creeping sense of dread seemed to overwhelm her.

A figure slowly stepped out of the shadows, not quite entering the circle of moonlight. The figure was quite a bit taller than Woona, maybe coming up to Toriel's waist. She recognized a 'human' from images in the books in the house. This one was wearing brown pants and a green-and-yellow horizontally striped shirt. He smiled at her as he approached, his eyes glowing red. "Well, well, well..." he murmured. "I never expected one like you to summon me."

"Y...you're Chara," Woona murmured worriedly. "M-Mama Toriel's...human child..."

"I was," Chara replied softly. "I haven't been for a long time. When I died...I changed. Rage...hatred...bloodlust...that's me. The desire for strength above all else...the hunger for power...that bit of me exists in everyone, everywhere. And when they give into it...when they call me...I emerge." He looked Woona over. "But you...you don't have that inside you...not yet. And so I appear...somewhat different. Why do you summon me?"

"B-because I want to give...Mama back her family!" Woona insisted, trying to stand tall despite the terror gripping her very soul.

The sound that echoed throughout the cavern was soulless, vile, and grim. She barely recognized it as laughter. "Impossible," Chara stated bluntly. "You summon me for pipe dreams. You bore me." He started to fade away as he stepped back into shadows.

"You're wrong!" Woona proclaimed. "And I'll prove it to you! I'm going to save everyone, and befriend them all, and bring Mommy and Daddy back together, once Daddy apologizes for being a poopyhead!"

Chara paused. "And how will you prove it to me?" he asked, curious.

"Come with me!" Woona requested.

Chara turned and stared at her. "I have no soul of my own," he pointed out. "Without a soul, I cannot leave my grave..."

"Then ride in mine!" Woona offered before she could think of the consequences of what she was saying.

Chara's grin widened. Turning he stalked towards her, becoming more and more solid as he approached. Stepping into the moonlight, he reached out, his hand gripping her horn. She winced, but did not flinch back, standing her ground as much as she could as the wraith before her funneled itself into her, the shadowy energy sinking into her very soul.

Chara found himself amused at how trusting Woona was. Did she really believe he would simply sit quietly and watch her attempts to save everyone? He had his own purpose, and with her as his vessel, nothing could stop him from carrying it out.

As he anchored himself completely within her soul, he flexed, seeing what kind of hold he had...only to find he had none. He thrashed and writhed around, amazed at the strength of the soul he was now anchored to, and at how readily a child so young was resisting his every attempt to conquer her.

And then he felt it. The force that contained him. The power that gave her strength. The energy that drove her. He couldn't help but chuckle. "Let's see what you're made of," he murmured softly at the back of Woona's thoughts.

Just what effect would this much DETERMINATION have upon the world? He found himself eager to know.

Preparing the Future

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From the moment she took Chara into her soul, Woona knew she was on a time limit. The longer he was within her soul, the stronger he would grow. If she was to prove to him that she could bring the family back together, then she needed to do it while she was still stronger than him. If he grew strong enough, he'd be able to influence her decisions and actions...or have a strong enough presence to influence others perceptions of her. She would need to be both fast and careful.

Quite the conundrum you have, don't you? Chara murmured in her mind, plainly amused by her conundrum.

Woona did her best on the outside to pretend she didn't hear his voice. She didn't want to upset Toriel. However, she did notice that whenever Toriel hugged her, Chara grew quiet. Plainly he was affected by the presence of his goat-mom.

Woona felt the guilt of her plan in her heart. She'd told Toriel she was happy staying here with her...and this would require leaving the Ruins. It would hurt her so much...

She'll try to stop you, Chara whispered in her mind. She knows not all monsters will just let you move forward because you're nice and cute. Some will FIGHT you with their full strength, and you've never faced that. She'll make you FIGHT her, to prove yourself. Mercy won't help you then. He chuckled. How will you handle having to fight your Mommy?

Woona frowned. I...had thought about that possibility, she admitted in her mind. And I have a plan for that.

Oh? Chara asked curiously. A plan to FIGHT Mom?

No. A plan on how to not fight her. Her birthday's coming up... Woona winced at the very thought of the plan.

Talk about a birthday present, Chara taunted with a wicked chuckle.

Woona didn't like how Chara put it, but she knew it was true. Toriel's birthday would be the day Woona snuck away out of the Ruins. But maybe Toriel would forgive her, when she brought the family back together. But for now, she needed to prepare.

Nearly everything was set up in the house. All the decorations were hidden away where a single spell would reveal them all. Woona had even hidden the cake she'd spent hours baking in a pouch she'd slipped behind the vase on the table. The same spell that would reveal the decorations would unravel the pouch, making the cake appear as though out of nowhere. She would be able to give Toriel a wonderful birthday party...for as long as it lasted. All that was left was the present.

Making her way back to the spider bake sale, she approached the larger web. "Is...is it ready?" she whispered.

The spiders happily provided her with the bottle they had prepared, glittering inside with gold and blue.

Got Spider Cider+
Made to a secret recipe
Not for kids.

...your plan is to get her drunk? Chara asked derisively. He then grew thoughtful. Can monsters get drunk?

Dunno, Woona thought back. So it's a good thing that's not the plan. Slipping the special bottle into another pouch, she held out the empty temperature-regulated pouch. "It's time," she told the spiders. "Climb on in."

The spiders rapidly clambered into the pouch until they were all inside.

Got hundreds of Star Spiders.

Smiling, Woona slipped the pouch back into her saddlebags. "Here goes..." she murmured softly.

As Toriel awoke, she noticed that the house was quiet. Too quiet. She quickly got to her feet and rushed out of her room. "Woona?" she called out worriedly. "Woona, are you alright?"

"Out here, Mommy!" Woona called from the lounge.

Sighing in relief, Toriel made her way there. "Thank goodness, my child," she murmured softly. "It was so quiet, I was half afraid-"

As Toriel stepped into the room, Woona cast her spell. Streamers popped out of the walls, banners proclaiming 'Happy Birthday Mommy' dropped from the ceiling, and a pinata bounced around the room on a pogo stick for no apparent reason. A large cake also sprang up on the table. "Surprise!" Woona proclaimed happily.

Toriel let out a yelp of shock as the popping explosion sounds released from all around her. For a moment she even called her fire out of defensive instinct, only to calm down when she saw what had happened. "Goodness!" she gasped out. "You gave me quite a shock there. Just how long have you been planning this?"

"Weeks and weeks!" Woona proclaimed happily. "Happy Birthday, Mommy!" She eagerly raced across the floor, leaping into Toriel's arms for a big hug.

Toriel hugged her equine daughter tight, laughing the whole way. "This is wonderful, Woona," she gasped out between laughs. "You've done such a wonderful job, and grown so far." She blinked away tears as a thought crossed her mind. You've outgrown the Ruins, haven't you?

"Got you a special present too, Mommy!" Woona proclaimed happily. Reaching into her saddlebags, she pulled out a bottle. "Special cider the spiders made you! For grownups only!"

Toriel chuckled happily. "Well, I certainly don't want to disappoint them when they worked so hard on it." With a wide grin, Toriel chugged down the bottle.

Woona stayed close to Toriel as they laughed and played games, and as Toriel slowly grew more and more tired. Eventually, Toriel sat down in her chair to relax a bit...and her eyes closed.

...what did you do? Chara asked worriedly.

Sleeping potion mixed with the cider, Woona replied in her thoughts. I've got a few hours before she wakes up to make it out of the Ruins. I assume you know where I'm supposed to go?

...the basement, Chara replied. She's not going to be happy with you running off. Are you at least going to leave a note?

Better! Fishing through Toriel's pockets, Woona found her Cell Phone. Switching it to vibrate, she set it on the table where Toriel would see it the moment she woke up. Once I'm far enough out that she can't easily drag me back, I'll leave her a voice mail!

With that set up, Woona made her way down the stairs to the basement. Following the narrow, darkened path of purple stone, she came to a large door. Steeling herself, she passed through it.

Finding herself in a large darkened room, she wasn't surprised to find Flowey waiting for her in the only shaft of light present. "I bet you think you're clever," he taunted. "You've found a way to get out without having to FIGHT Toriel. All your friends in the Ruins...how do you think they'll feel when she wakes up hurting so because you're gone?" He let off a wicked laugh. "I'm actually looking forward to-"

Woona took a step towards Flowey.

Flowey blinked, pulling back a bit. "W...what are you doing?" he demanded, confused as Woona continued to walk forward. "You...you aren't supposed to move while I monologue. That's not supposed to happen. That can't happen!" Panic began to suffuse his voice as she got close enough to reach out and touch him. "S-stay back! Don't come any closer-"

Woona pulled Flowey into a hug. "I'm sorry I tried to eat you when we first met," she murmured softly.

You what? Chara gasped out in her mind, obviously torn in voice between rage and laughter.

"I'm sorry I blasted you away," Woona continued. "You were just being friendly your way...and I hurt you. Can you forgive me?"

Flowey stared down at the filly holding him so tight. He had been trying to kill her, to steal her soul...and she was apologizing? He didn't know what to make of it. Why was she so nice? Why was she so confusing? Why did he want to return the hug and tell her it was okay? Why did she fill him with such confusing feelings that left him not knowing what-

...with feelings...

Gasping, Flowey withdrew into the ground, fleeing a terrible realization he couldn't understand.

Woona blinked at the mound of dirt Flowey had disappeared into. "...how rude..." she muttered. "I wonder what that was about?"

Nothing to worry about, Chara reassured her as she made her way out, pulling out her Cell Phone to leave the voice mail.

Toriel awoke slowly in her chair. "Goodness," she muttered. "I guess I'm not used to so much excitement. I'm terribly sorry Woona..." She blinked in confusion when no one responded. "Woona?"

As she sat up, she saw her Cell Phone sitting on the table, blinking with a voice mail. Worried, she listened to it.

"Hey Mommy!" Woona's voice came through loud and clear. "Sorry about this, but I knew you wouldn't let me do this if you knew what I was planning. The 'adult cider' was mixed with a harmless sleeping potion...so I could make it out of the Ruins without you stopping me. I know you'll be upset hearing this...but I'm doing this for you.

"Daddy was a poopyhead, and that's hurt you a lot. I'm going to fix that. We're all going to be a family again. All five of us."

"Five?" Toriel gasped in confusion. "Child, what do you think you're doing?"

"I know what I'm doing," Woona's voice continued. "I'm going to find Daddy, and then I'm gonna fix everything that went wrong! I don't know how yet...but I'm too determined to fail! And while I'm at it, I'll deliver all the spiders safely to Hotland...wherever that is." There was a creak of a familiar door on the recording. "And there's the exit. I'll be okay Mom...brrrr! It's cold out here! And so much snow! I see why the spiders needed a lift. Maybe I should go back and grab a sweater or something..." There was the sound of hooves against stone. "...why won't this door open?"

"Oh, Woona," Toriel moaned in worry, turning to try and make her way after her little one, having no idea how far ahead she'd gotten by now.

Woona shivered as she pushed her way onward through the snow, doing her best to stay warm. There was no turning back now. As terrifying as that was...she wasn't alone.

Her brother's presence in her soul filled her with DETERMINATION.

Bros-Hoof

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Woona moved carefully through the relatively deep snow of the path, pushing her way through the snow that was shoulder high on her on the path, and nearly horn high off of it. She could have hovered over it, since she had - as Toriel predicted - learned to levitate herself with her magic, but that was rather tiring. She didn't want to use up her magic like that, just in case she should need it to protect herself from a less than friendly monster. Not that she wanted to fight, but Chara had made it plain that, sometimes, she'd have no other choice.

To either side of the path was a thick forest of thin trees, the snow piled to nearly twice her height beneath the boughs. Admittedly, that meant it wasn't even knee height on Toriel, and maybe waist height on Chara. "I knew I'd have trouble with Monsters in the rest of the Underground," she muttered under her breath, "but compared to the terrain, monsters are snow problem!" She giggled lightly at her silly pun, only to freeze. She could have sworn she heard someone else giggling, a deep, echoing, stuttering chuckle, as though the sound were bouncing around bones instead of flesh. Even more nervous than before, she started pushing her way forward again.

As she moved forward, she came across a sturdy branch crossing the path. She managed to get over it, thankful for the brief respite from being half buried in snow. Examining it, she noticed the branch was a lot sturdier than it looked, and would take a great deal of force to break. She paid this no mind as she continued, however. As she continued, a loud snap behind her startled her.

"GYAH!" she shouted, spinning around. Her magic shot off in her shock, a lance of light cutting fifty trees straight through in the sweep of her arc. "Oh no!" She rushed over to the trees, trying to see if anyone was hurt. "Oh I hope nobody was in there!" she whimpered.

They weren't, Chara informed her. The power of that blast or the falling trees would have instantly killed anyone of this area out there, and if you'd killed anyone, you'd have felt your strength increase.

"...that's not very comforting," Woona whimpered, turning back to see the sturdy branch from before snapped completely in twain. Turning, she made her way further through the snow.

Hiding behind the trees on the other side of the path after a quick 'shortcut', Sans desperately struggled to catch his breath. "and she's the one i promised to protect?" he marveled. He shook himself off. "welp, i made the promise anyway. time to try and keep it."

As Woona continued down the path, she could sense someone following her. Who...who could that be? she whimpered internally.

Not someone who will hurt you, Chara replied. Unless he decides to hold that deforestation against you.

A quiet whine escaped Woona's throat, and she moved forward as fast as she could. Seeing a bridge ahead, she breathed a sigh of relief. Once she was on the other side, she could look back and see who was following her. Unfortunately, the snow was piled deep in front of the bridge, and she got stuck trying to get through it.

Hearing heavy footsteps in the snow behind her, she began to panic, struggling to try and get through the snow and across the bridge to perceived safety. Unfortunately, she made no appreciable progress, and the footsteps halted just behind her.

P o n y a deep voice echoed, half in her mind and half in her ears.

Letting out a scream of terror, Woona fell forward to her forehooves and bucked out with her hind legs as hard as she could. A tiny 'pfft' sound echoed as she felt her hooves impact something soft and full of air. "...huh?"

"wow," the voice continued, the menace completely gone from the voice and it now entirely in her ears. "a full force kick and you didn't even completely deflate the whoopee cushion. just what is your atk, anyway..." The voice trailed off. "...negative 12? wow. just...wow. and i thought i was weak at atk 1."

Nervously, Woona turned around...and found herself face to face with a skeleton wearing a blue hoodie. He grinned widely down at her, tiny white points for eyes within the black sockets. Gulping, Woona attempted to bury herself backwards in the snow to hide.

"oh geeze," the skeleton moaned, kneeling down to be closer to her level. "i didn't mean to scare you that bad. just a little bit."

"Little?" Woona demanded, upset. "That scare was bigger than I am!"

The skeleton chuckled a bit. "yeah...but it's snow problem, am i right?" He shot her a wink.

Woona tilted her head. "I...I want to laugh...but I'm too confused trying to figure out how a skeleton can wink."

"it took a lot of practice. can you guess how much?"

Woona paused, scratching her chin. Her eyes suddenly widened. "A skele-ton?" she guessed.

The skeleton laughed. "you got it!"

"You're Mommy's friend!" Woona gasped out happily. "Her day planner has all sorts of skeleton puns in it! She got them from you, right?"

"your mom lives in the ruins?" the skeleton asked. When Woona nodded, his grin widened without actually changing shape, somehow. "then yeah, that's me. name's sans, sans the skeleton."

"I'm Woona!" Woona proclaimed happily. Closing her eyes and focusing, she managed to make her soul manifest. It was surrounded by a black, smokey aura. She pointed to the aura. "And this is Chara! Say hi Chara!"

I will devour your soul and decorate the landscape with your entrails! Chara proclaimed, trying and failing to make his voice echo with menace.

Woona giggled. "Silly Chara..."

Sans stared at the aura in disbelief. "the king is going to flip his fertilizer pile when he sees this..." he mumbled under his breath. "look, woona...maybe you shouldn't be so free with talking about chara..."

"Why not?" Woona asked in confusion.

"well, not all monsters are going to be as laid back and accepting of something like that as i am."

Woona thought about that for a time. "...like Flowey?"

"who?"

"A talking yellow flower," Woona explained. "When we first met, he tried to kill me and take my soul. When I met him a second time, I hugged him and tried to make friends, but he ran away."

Sans stroked his chin in thought. "well...maybe not like him," he muttered. "anyway, come on. i want to introduce you to my brother, Papyrus. he's probably this way." He started to walk across the bridge.

"More snow?" Woona whimpered. "At this rate, snow's going to come out next time I pee!"

Sans looked back, seeing Woona struggling to get out of the snow pile. While part of him said he should let her make it through on her own, a much larger part was beating him over the skull with his promise. Walking back up to Woona, he picked the tiny filly up and set her down in his hood. "that better?" he asked.

Woona smiled, snuggling in. "Much!" she replied happily. Gripping Sans' skull from behind, she lifted herself up so she could rest her chin atop his skull. "And this way I can see where we're going, too!"

Sans glanced up at her, smiling widely. "as long as you're comfortable-hey! stop pawing at my eye!"

"But I'm trying to find the cream!"

Both giggled happily as Sans crossed the bridge. As he did, a much taller skeleton in white armor wearing an orange scarf came rushing up to them. "sup, bro?"

"YOU KNOW WHAT -SUP-, BROTHER!" the skeleton - presumably Papyrus - proclaimed loudly, his voice oddly high pitched. "IT'S BEEN EIGHT DAYS AND YOU STILL HAVEN'T RECALIBRATED. YOUR. PUZZLES!"

"Puzzles?" Woona gasped eagerly. "I love puzzles!"

Papyrus blinked. "SANS! WHAT IS THAT ON YOUR HEAD? IS...IS IT A HUMAN?" His voice was filled with desperate hope and glee.

"no," Sans replied. "it's a pony."

Seeing Papyrus' face fall, Woona decided to try and cheer him up. "I've got a human inside me...sorta?" she offered.

I am not a human, Chara scolded.

Close enough to make him happy! Woona countered. Hush.

Papyrus gasped happily. "THEN...CAPTURING YOU WILL BE SORTA LIKE CAPTURING A HUMAN?" he asked eagerly. "AND I'LL BE ABLE TO MAKE IT INTO THE ROYAL GUARD? ...BUT NO ONE WILL BELIEVE YOU'RE A HUMAN! YOU DON'T LOOK A THING LIKE ONE!"

Frowning, Woona reached into her saddlebags for her art supplies. Working quickly, she drew a picture of Chara's face on the paper and tied it onto her face.

Woona equipped the Human Mask.
The perfect disguise! No one would ever believe you weren't a human!

Papyrus stared at Woona for a time. "YOU...YOU'LL PRETEND TO BE HUMAN? JUST...JUST FOR ME?" He wiped at his eyes. "THAT'S...THAT'S THE NICEST THING ANYONE'S EVER DONE FOR ME! I WON'T LET YOU DOWN!" He thrust one hand into the air, pointing to the sky. "I SHANT LET YOUR KINDNESS GO TO WASTE, TINY-PONY-WHO-IS-ACTUALLY-A-HUMAN-NOW! PREPARE FOR PUZZLES! NYEHEHEHEHEHEHE!" With that laugh, Papyrus dashed off into the snow, an amazing spring in his step.

Sans rubbed at his own eyes. "wow, woona. that was...really nice of you. it means a real heck of a lot to papyrus that you'll do this for him."

"I promised Mommy I'd befriend every monster in the Underground," Woona replied. "Isn't this the best way to start?"

Sans looked up at her in amazement. "...i feel like i must be dreaming," he murmured softly. "...and it's one of the good ones." Without explaining further, he followed after Papyrus, carrying Woona on his head.

Bros-Hoof 2: The Bro-Knee-Ing

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As Sans walked on, he decided to play tour guide a bit for Woona. "up to the north there is the river," he explained, pointing. "a fishy guy went up there looking to find a girlfriend."

"How's it going for him?" Woona asked curiously, glancing around at the environment, the evergreen trees covered in snow.

"no bites yet," Sans replied, shrugging his shoulders. "all the fish left the sea a while ago."

"Poor guy," Woona sighed. "What's that box?"

"that's the dimensional box," Sans explained. "you can put anything you want into it, and take it out later wherever the box shows up. good for hanging onto any item you don't want to accidentally use."

"I see..." Woona murmured. "How much can it hold?"

"take a look," Sans offered.

Climbing down to Sans' hands, Woona opened the box with her magic. "Only ten items? Hmm...oh, there's a glove inside!" Levitating it out, she looked it over. "Nice and tough, too. But...it's for hands, not hooves..."

"keep it anyway," Sans offered. "if nothing else, you can sell it later to the temmies."

Shrugging, Woona put the Tough Glove into a pouch in her saddlebags. "Where to next?"

"east," Sans directed, putting her back on his head to continue on, only to stop as FIGHT lines appeared. A monster resembling a blue chicken wearing a snowflake mask appeared.

"hey snowdrake," sans greeted readily. "did you want to fight me?"

"A new audience member!" Snowdrake proclaimed eagerly, eyes locked on Woona. "Time to practice my comedy!"

"I like jokes!" Woona proclaimed eagerly, eyes forward to listen.

Snowdrake cleared his throat, magic swirls spiraling out towards Woona. Sans readily deflected each one. Snowdrake then spoke up. "Ice puns are 'snow' problem!"

Woona giggled happily.

"See! You laughed!" Snowdrake crowed happily as the FIGHT lines vanished. "Dad was wrong! I can be a good comedian!"

"Never give up on your dreams!" Woona encouraged.

With a wide grin, Snowdrake bounded off, leaving behind 12 gold for her, which she levitated into her gold pouch.

"you're pretty good at this befriending thing," Sans commented happily.

"Thanks for protecting me from his accidental magic discharge," Woona replied, nuzzling Sans' cheekbone. "In all this snow, I'd have had a hard time dodging."

"snow problem, woona," Sans joked, making them both giggle.

As they continued east, Papyrus came rushing back up to them. "SANS!!!" he shouted out as he raced up. "PUT THE PONY DOWN!"

"why?" Sans complained. "i like my new hat." Woona giggled at being called a hat.

"BUT NO ONE WILL BELIEVE I CAPTURED A HUMAN IF YOU'RE CARRYING THEM ALL OVER SNOWDIN! THEY'LL THINK SHE'S YOUR CAPTURE!"

"but she can't even walk through the snow on her own," Sans pointed out. "she won't be able to dodge magic if someone attacks her. she'll be all but helpless!"

"COME NOW, SANS! YOU'RE EXAGGERATING!" Papyrus scolded. "SHE CAN'T POSSIBLY BE AS WEAK AS YOU, AND YOU MANAGE JUST FINE!"

"look at her stats if you don't believe me," Sans instructed.

Papyrus gasped out in shock, plainly appalled. "BUT IT WOULD BE SO RUDE TO LOOK AT A LADY'S STATS WITHOUT HER PERMISSION! WHAT KIND OF SKELETON DO YOU TAKE ME FOR?"

"The gutless kind?" Woona offered, grinning impishly.

"SANSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Papyrus screamed out angrily as Sans guffawed, going so far as to bump his fist against Woona's hoof. "WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING HER?"

"I learned jokes from Mommy!" Woona proclaimed. "But you can look at my stats if you want, Pappy."

Papyrus blinked, rubbing the back of his head, plainly flustered. "WELL...ALRIGHT. LET'S SEE... ... ..." He stared at her in disbelief. "NEGATIVE 12 ATTACK? NEGATIVE 12 BASE DEFENSE, WITH ONLY PLUS FOUR FROM THE HAT AND RIBBON? HOW? ...WELL, AT LEAST YOUR SPEED AND INVIS ARE PRETTY HIGH...BUT SUCH A BIG PENALTY FROM SNOW? OH, YOU POOR THING! ...WHAT IS MAG?"

"i think it's the strength of her magic," Sans explained. "which is a lot stronger than her body."

"AT A BASE OF 50, I WOULD HOPE SO!"(1) Papyrus proclaimed. "HMM...YOU ARE RIGHT, SANS! SHE CAN NOT WANDER AROUND SNOWDIN LIKE THIS. HMM...I'VE GOT IT!" Reaching into his armor, he pulled out a pair of small boots. "SNOWBOOTS! PERFECT SIZE FOR HER!" Eagerly, he slipped them onto Woona's back hooves.

Woona equipped Snow Shoes
Slightly decreases SPEED and INVIS, but snow more movement penalty.
Looks adorable, too!

Woona giggled at the description of the Snow Shoes, but frowned as she hopped down. "Does this mean...no more horsey rides?" she asked, looking up at Sans with an adorable pout.

"i'll carry you around all you want once papyrus captures you," Sans promised.

"AND SO SHALL I, TINY HUMAN WHO IS SURELY NOT A PONY IN DISGUISE!" Papyrus proclaimed happily.

Woona smiled widely. "Thank you both!" she squealed happily, climbing up each to give them both a kiss on the cheek. She giggled happily as both dashed off in embarrassment.

I thought they'd never leave, Chara groaned.

I like them, Woona pouted. Why don't you?

Don't believe a word Papyrus says about how weak Sans is, Chara muttered. He's...unique among monsters. He has an almost...human capacity to handle Determination. He's normally nothing to worry about...but when he's pushed to the breaking point, he WILL give you a bad time.

Well, I don't intend to push him, Woona countered snippily. And what's wrong with Pappy?

Why does he have to shout everything? Chara groaned.

Giggling, Woona started to follow the path, only to encounter another FIGHT. The monster that appeared was tiny, with little hands and feet, but wearing a massive icy hat. The name above its health proclaimed it an Ice Cap.

He seems pretty proud of his hat, Chara indicated.

And why shouldn't he be? Woona asked, swapping her hat for the Ice Cap's. It's awesome!

"Wow, my hat looks even better on you," the Ice Cap murmured. "How can I make it look that good? Do...do I just need a better hat?"

Woona started to respond, only for the hat to melt all over her. Without ice magic of her own, she couldn't make it keep its shape.

"...then again, you look really great like this, too!" the Ice Cap replied happily. Drawing forth his magic, he pulled the water off of Woona to reshape his hat, giving hers back. "Maybe I just need to figure out who I am outside my hat?"

"Other than my friend?" Woona offered, hugging the monster.

The Ice Cap smiled as the FIGHT lines disappeared. "Yeah," he murmured, returning the hug. "That's good too."

Collecting the gold the Ice Cap left behind as he left, Woona continued onward. Seeing a sentry station, she walked up to it...only for another monster shaped like a bipedal dog to pop up, holding two swords close while...smoking a dog biscuit? "Did something move?" the monster demanded. "I can only see movement."

Woona held perfectly still. Eventually, the monster turned around, searching for the movement...and on an impish notion, Woona levitated herself up and pet him on the head.

"What?" the monster demanded, freaked out. "I've been pet by something that isn't there? ...I need to lie down..."

As the monster lay down in his sentry station, Woona raced ahead, stifling a giggle.

Moving on, Woona found Sans waiting for her. "hey," he greeted. "do you know how certain special attacks work? cause my brother has one."

Woona yawned. "I'm tired," she murmured, curling up at his feet. "Don' wanna move."

Sans giggled. "yup, you got it." Seeing she'd slipped fully into unconsciousness, he scooped her up. Taking a seat, he tucked her into his jacket to keep her warm.

The loving embrace filled the sleeping Woona with DETERMINATION.

(1) For those who don't know, at LV 20 - the max LV in the game - your base ATK is only 48. Meaning Woona's magic at full blast is stronger than endgame genocide route physical attacks.

LOVE and Tolerance

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As Woona awoke, she smiled happily. She was certain that today would be a good day. Climbing happily out of Sans' jacket, she shook herself off and prepared to make her way further through Snowdin.

"SANS!" Papyrus called out as he raced up to the pair. "THERE IS A PROBLEM I NEED YOUR HELP ADDRESSING! AND DON'T MAKE A PUN OUT OF IT!"

Sans chuckled as he stood up, rolling his eyes. "whatcha need, bro?"

"I REALIZED THAT WITH HOW LOW WOONA'S STATS ARE, EVEN AS A HUMAN THERE WILL BE NO GLORY IN CAPTURING HER!" Papyrus complained. "IT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR HER TO PRETEND TO BE HUMAN! SHE MUST PRETEND TO BE SUPERHUMAN!"

"Superhuman?" Woona asked, confused. "How do I do that?"

Sans' chuckle was even louder. "bro just wants to play dress up with you, to make you look like one of his anime characters."

"NOT SO!" Papyrus proclaimed angrily. "ANY RESEMBLANCE YOU WILL HAVE TO A SPECIFIC CHARACTER WILL BE PURELY COINCIDENTAL!"

"sure it will," Sans teased.

"I can play dress up!" Woona proclaimed happily. "Whatcha got?"

Grinning, Papyrus first pulled out another Tough Glove. "I GOT THIS FROM THE SNOWDIN SHOP!" he proclaimed happily.

"I have the other," Woona pointed out, taking it. "I can wear the matched set.

Woona equipped the Tough Gloves.

Woona stared at the gloves, surprised that they shaped to her hooves when she put them on.

"NEXT IS THIS BANDANNA!" Papyrus proclaimed, pulling out a bandanna that looked like it had muscles drawn on it. He quickly put it on her in place of her hat and ribbon.

Woona dequipped Cartographer's Cap and Faded Ribbon.
Woona equipped the Manly Bandanna.

"AND FINALLY, I HAVE FOUND THE PERFECT CAPE FOR YOU!" Papyrus proclaimed happily, pulling out a large apron. "NO SUPERHERO IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A CAPE!"

Accepting this, Woona put the apron on like a cape.

Woona also equipped the Stained Apron.

"NOW YOUR SUPERHERO DISGUISE IS COMPLETE!" Papyrus proclaimed happily. "NYEHEHEHEHEHEHEH!"

"So...a disguise is all it takes to convince monsters I'm superhuman?" Woona asked, frowning.

Papyrus stopped laughing. "YOU'RE RIGHT! YOU MUST DEMONSTRATE YOUR SUPERHUMAN POWERS! COME!" Grabbing Woona, he dashed off.

"papyrus, i'm not sure that's such a good idea..." Sans commented worriedly.

"NONSENSE!" Papyrus proclaimed eagerly. "HOW COULD IT POSSIBLY GO WRONG!"

Before long, Papyrus had Woona in a small cave. "NOW, WOONA, UPPERCUT THIS CAVE WALL WITH ALL THE STRENGTH YOU CAN BRING TO BEAR! THAT WILL PROVE TO EVERYONE THAT YOU ARE SUPERHUMAN!"

Woona nodded, though unsure if this would work. She knew she wasn't that strong physically...but she couldn't bear to disappoint Pappy...

Then she had a brilliant idea. She would put her magic behind the punch as well, truly putting all the strength of her tiny body into a single blow.

As she dashed forward, she felt Chara talking to someone. Do you miss the sun, Asriel?

As her blow struck, energy flared from the stone around her neck as her magic was instantly converted to pure physical power.

The mountain exploded.

Woona was not the only one staring upward in awe and confusion as the sun streamed freely into the Underground. She could hear amazement echoing throughout the monster civilization as sunlight embraced them all. At first, she thought she'd done something amazing...but then she felt her strength growing.

Staring up in terror, she saw chunks of pony carved masonry falling, casting shadows against the sun...followed by pony bodies.

She saw Tia's amongst them, no force slowing her fall.

Woona screamed in absolute horror.

Woona shot awake in Sans' jacket, still screaming and thrashing around. Moments later, she felt bony hands gripping her, pulling her into a hug. "it's alright," Sans told her quickly, reassuring her. "it was just a bad dream. that never really happened..."

Anymore, Chara commented dryly.

H u s h , Sans scolded in his serious voice, making sure only Chara could hear. S h e d o e s n ' t n e e d t h a t g u i l t .

Having not heard the exchange, Woona looked up at Sans, tears in her eyes. "But...but it felt so real..."

"i know," Sans reassured her. "i've had dreams like that, too. but it's nothing to worry about. they aren't real...they're just dreams." Once he was certain Woona had calmed down, he set her down in the snow. "wait here for me, okay?"

Woona nodded, and Sans stepped behind a tree. She never noticed the Tough Glove vanishing from inside her bags.

Sans stepped out from behind another tree, right in front of Papyrus, who promptly screamed in a more high pitched voice than Woona had. "SANS!" Papyrus gasped out, his hand going to his chest. "I'VE TOLD YOU NOT TO COME OUT OF NOWHERE IN FRONT OF ME LIKE THAT! I'LL NEVER GET INTO THE ROYAL GUARD WITH A SHRIEK OF TERROR LIKE THAT!"

"you brought stuff to dress up woona as a superhero?" Sans asked, ignoring Papyrus question.

Papyrus paused. He'd long grown used to how Sans always seemed to know about certain things just before they happened. He'd always passed it off as 'dreams', and that when he had them it was a bad sign. "Y-YES," Papyrus replied. "I WAS...GOING TO DRESS HER UP AS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SUPERHEROES..."

"give me the bandanna and glove," Sans instructed. "i'll reimburse you for them."

Papyrus blinked. "BUT...BUT WHY WOULD YOU-" Papyrus cut himself off as Sans showed his serious expression, the light in his eyes vanishing, revealing empty black pits. "O-OKAY, SANS...BUT WON'T YOU EXPLAIN WHAT'S SO BAD ABOUT PLAYING DRESS UP WITH WOONA?"

Sans smiled softly as he took the glove and bandanna. "nothing wrong with dressing her up," he replied reassuringly. He set the two gloves and bandanna on the ground. With no more warning than that, Sans conjured one of his Gaster Blasters - a dragon/goat like skull shaped laser cannon - and used it to eradicate the three pieces of equipment from existence. "just not that character."

Papyrus stared in shock. He knew Sans hated using those Blasters, though he was never quite certain why. If Sans had called one out to deal with this, it was definitely serious. "BUT...CAPE?" he asked, holding up the apron.

Sans smiled, looking completely normal as the Gaster Blaster vanished. "that's fine. she'll look real cute in that."

Woona smiled happily as Sans and Papyrus returned. "Hey!" she greeted happily, rushing up to hug Sans.

Papyrus smiled at that...not that he could wear any expression other than a smile, being a skeleton. "I HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU, WOONA!" he proclaimed eagerly. He happily pulled out the apron and put it on her. "TA-DAH! IT'S SUPERMOON!"

Woona equipped the Stained Apron.

Woona squealed happily, racing around in a circle. "Dun du-du-dun! It's Supermoon!"

Her new superhero identity banished her nightmares, and filled her with DETERMINATION.

Snow Problems

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After Woona adjusted to being 'Supermoon, the Certainly Human Superhero' - as Papyrus had dubbed her - Sans and Papyrus made their way forwards to await her at their 'dastardly puzzles'. Woona looked forward to seeing what they had to test her with...but decided it was only appropriate she fully explore and befriend everyone as she went.

To the north, she found a snowman at the edge of a cliff. Approaching, she decided to operate on the assumption that anything with a face could talk to her. "Hello, I'm Woona!" she greeted happily.

"Hello," the snowman replied. "I am a snowman. I want to see the world...but I cannot move."

"I could take you with me," Woona offered. "You'll fit in my saddlebag."

"Umm...I find that a little hard to believe..." the snowman replied cautiously. "Though maybe a piece-"

"I've already got hundreds of spiders in one of my pouches," Woona countered as she pulled out an empty pouch from her saddlebag, marking it with the rune for 'cold'. Putting the pouch back in, she levitated the snowman into the air and deposited it into the pouch.

You got the snowman...somehow, Chara muttered, rolling his eyes.

Are you going to do that every time I pick something up? Woona countered silently.

Yes.

Then I'm going to stop picking stuff up.

Chara was silent for a time. Fine, not every time.

Giggling, Woona went back south to proceed east across the ice.

Leaving the trees, Woona found Papyrus and Sans waiting for her across a field of snow. Papyrus was chewing Sans out for being lazy, but he stopped when he caught sight of Woona. "OH HO!" he proclaimed proudly as he spotted her. "THE HUMAN ARRIVES! IN ORDER TO STOP YOU, MY BROTHER AND I HAVE CREATED SOME PUZZLES! I THINK YOU WILL FIND THIS ONE...QUITE SHOCKING!"

Taking that as a cue for what to do, Woona lowered her horn and zapped the area between herself and the skelebros with a lightning spell, causing the invisible walls of electric magic to reveal the maze thus contained. "Wow!" Woona gasped in amazement. "That is a really amazing puzzle! If I'd bumped into those walls, it would have been an electrifying experience!"

"SAAAANNNSSSSS!"

Sans, for his part, just guffawed as Woona walked through the maze happily, following the revealed path.

"INCREDIBLE YOU SLIPPERY SNAIL!" Papyrus proclaimed proudly. "YOU SOLVED IT SO EASILY...TOO EASILY!" He then raised his hand affirmatively, one finger raised. "HOWEVER!! THE NEXT PUZZLE WILL NOT BE SO EASY! IT IS DESIGNED BY MY BROTHER, SANS! YOU WILL SURELY BE CONFOUNDED! I KNOW I AM! NYEHEHEHE!!"

Sans chuckled as Woona approached him. "thanks. it looks like he's having fun."

"I know I am!" Woona proclaimed proudly, puffing her chest up as much as she could.

Sans struggled not to laugh at how adorable she looked doing that. "by the way, did you see that weird outfit he was wearing?"

"You mean the white battle armor with the orange scarf?" Woona asked eagerly. "It looks so cool!"

"yeah, that one," Sans confirmed. "we made that a while ago for a costume party. he hasn't worn anything else since."

"But isn't it a little cold to run around naked when it's in the wash?" Woona asked, confused.

Sans chuckled in response. "nah. he washes it while wearing it...by wearing it in the shower. he calls it his "battle body""

"What's he gonna fight in the shower?" Woona demanded, confused.

"i dunno," Sans replied. "far as I know, he's never found an opponent there."

Woona grinned impishly. "Does that make him...frothing mad?"

Please...no more... Chara begged as Sans laughed.

Giggling, Woona continued to the east.

Looking around, she spotted a blue skinned humanoid monster dressed in red and yellow leaning against a cart of some sort. Approaching him, she waved. "I'm Woona! Who are you?"

"I'm the Nice Cream salesman," the monster replied. "Call me NC. I don't understand why there aren't selling. It's the perfect weather for them..."

"Nice Cream?" Woona asked, confused. "What's that?"

"It's the frozen treat that warms your heart!" NC proclaimed. "The wrapper has a compliment written inside."

"They sound like great friend gifts!" Woona crowed. "I'll take 20!"

NC grinned widely. "That'll be 300G!"

Smiling, Woona hoofed over the money, putting the Nice Cream into another 'cold' pouch. "Want one, Mr. Snowman?" she offered, opening the pouch in question.

"No thank you," the snowman replied. "I am not hungry."

Smiling, Woona waved to NC, continuing on, glad she made another friend.

Across a bridge, she found a rather large snowball on a flat field. She could see the field led to a hole. Sans stood nearby. "What's this?" she asked, gesturing.

"you're supposed to push the snowball into the hole," Sans explained. "once you have, a flag will raise of a certain color, along with a message about what your method of getting it there says about you."

"But...but the snowball's too big to push..." Woona pouted.

"you could use your magic."

"That'd be cheating," Woona countered with a chiding frown.

Sans rubbed his chin for a time, then picked her up and set her in his hood. "then steer me." With that said, he began walking directly forward.

Giggling, Woona turned Sans this way and that to push the snowball into the hole. A bell chimed happily as a Magenta flag rose.

Woona eagerly read the message.

Magic - With the help of your friends, anything becomes possible.

Woona was so happy with the message it left her that she completely ignored the 2G it awarded her. It filled her with too much DETERMINATION.

Bare Bone Puzzles

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After hopping out of Sans hood, Woona waved bye to him before continuing to the next forested section of the snowy cliffs she found herself clambering across. There she found Sans and Papyrus waiting for her on the opposite side of a flattened field of snow, where a piece of paper lay. She blinked in surprise, spinning around to where she'd just left Sans, wondering how he could have gotten ahead of her so fast.

He does that, Chara informed her blandly. Get used to it.

How do you know so much anyway? Woona demanded, confused.

Because someone who's dealt with them all in many ways before often came to my grave to complain about them, Chara replied. He didn't need to use the door.

Before Woona could inquire of him further, Papyrus started speaking in his enthusiastic voice. "HUMAN!!! I HOPE YOU'RE READY FOR..." He paused, seeming surprised by something. "SANS!! WHERE'S THE PUZZLE?!!"

"it's right there," Sans replied reasonably. "on the ground. trust me, there's no way she can get past this one."

"Challenge accepted!" Woona proclaimed, rushing forward to pick up the paper. She discovered it was a Word Search. While not exactly difficult normally, it was written in monster runes, which she wasn't fluent with when reading backwards, so she once more was forced to fall back on careful decoding...only to pause as she got to a certain word. "This puzzle's rigged!" she proclaimed angrily. "There's no correct solution for 'giasfclfebrehber'!" She blinked, stunned. "How the hay did I just pronounce that?"

"see?" Sans stated proudly. "told you she couldn't get past it!"

"BUT WHAT'S TO STOP HER FROM JUST LEAVING IT THERE AND WALKING AROUND IT?" Papyrus demanded angrily.

"That'd be cheating!" Woona complained.

Alternatively you could change the 'U' in the top row to an 'E', Chara offered. Since all puzzles are required to have proper solutions, and that 'U' isn't used in any word, you can claim it's correcting a typo caused by printing error.

Woona blinked for a time. "Oh yeah..." Picking up the pencil, she made the correction. "Finished!" she proclaimed happily, walking up to the pair.

"whoops," Sans admitted sheepishly. "i knew i should have used today's crossword instead."

"BAH!" Papyrus dismissed the assertion, pausing only momentarily in confusion over Sans and Woona bursting into laughter. "CROSSWORD!? I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU SAID THAT! IN MY OPINION, JUNIOR JUMBLE IS EASILY THE HARDEST!"

"what?" Sans demanded, shocked. "really, dude? that easy peasy word scramble? that's for baby bones."

"UN. BELIEVABLE. HUMAN! SOLVE THIS DISPUTE FOR US!"

"I prefer crosswords," Woona replied readily. "At least then the letters are in word order."

"HA! HA! YES!!" Papyrus crowed happily. "YOU MUST BE VERY SMART, HUMAN, AND ALL HUMANS IF YOU ARE A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF HUMANITY! NYEH HEH HEH!" With that triumphant laugh, he dashed away.

Sans chuckled happily. "thanks for doing so much to make my brother happy," he told Woona. "but you really find crosswords easier than junior jumble?"

"I'm still learning to read monster runes," Woona explained. "It's easier to translate them in my head forward or down than up, sideways, and diagonal."

Sans rubbed his chin. "huh. hadn't thought about that." He chuckled. "then again, yesterday pap got stumped trying to 'solve' the horoscope."

Giggling, Woona made her way on. There, she found another table near a mouse hole. On the table was a plate of delicious looking but ice cold spaghetti. On another table nearby was a microwave. A note sat nearby, revealing to Woona that this was a 'trap' for her set by Papyrus...which would have been more effective if the pasta were still hot.

As she moved to the next area, she entered a FIGHT with a dog in armor, walking on its hind legs, and holding a sword and shield. The name above its health bar identified it as a 'Lesser Dog'. Woona eagerly hopped to its shoulder to pet it, making it all the more excited as its head lifted upward...its neck extending?

Grinning eagerly, Woona sat on the Lesser Dog's head and vigorously pet him, shooting upward into the sky as she giggled.

She rode the Lesser Dog's head into the sky...and eventually back down to ground level, on the other side of a set of spikes that had blocked her path. As the FIGHT lines dissolved, the Lesser Dog returned to normal and barked happily, dashing off after giving her some gold.

On the other side of the spikes, she encountered a pair of dogs that smelled the Lesser Dog all over her, deeming her not a threat...but Woona decided to pet them anyway to befriend them. They seemed to be amazed that dogs could pet other dogs.

The next puzzle she came across involved pressure switches under blue 'X's on the ground, which the sign said she was to turn into red 'O's by stepping on them before stepping on the switch. She knew she'd have to throw the switch with her magic, but she decided to attempt the pressure switch...only to find she didn't weigh enough to trigger it. "...SANS!" she called out.

"did you need something?" Sans asked from right behind her.

She let out a startled yelp as she leapt into the air, only to land in Sans' arms. "...I don't weigh enough to trigger the pressure switches..."

Grinning, Sans set her down on the pressure switch. He then slipped a bone into the pocket of the apron she was wearing as a cape. The 'X' turned into an 'O'.

Woona gasped happily. "Thank you, Sans!" She squealed, levitating herself up to kiss him on the cheek. She raced around to turn the other X into an O before activating the switch.

Rushing forward, she found a stunned Papyrus on the opposite side of the spikes she'd just lowered. "WHAT?" he demanded, stunned. "HOW DID YOU AVOID MY TRAP?"

"The spaghetti had gone cold and inedible, and it was stuck to the table so I couldn't get it into the microwave...which was unplugged so it couldn't reheat it anyway," Woona explained succinctly.

"CURSES!" Papyrus proclaimed. "I'LL GET YOU NEXT TIME, HUMAN! NEXT TIME! NYEH HEH HEH HEH HEH!"

"With fresh made pasghetti?" Woona asked eagerly. "It looked delicious, and it was torture that I couldn't eat it..."

Papyrus' grin visibly widened. "FRET NOT, TINY HUMAN! I SHALL MAKE YOU A PLATE OF SPAGHETTI BIG ENOUGH FOR YOU TO SWIM IN WHILE YOU EAT!"

"so a normal size plate then?" Sans joked.

"NYEH!" Papyrus sneered back playfully as he dashed off.

Woona eagerly pursued, the mental image of so much delicious pasta awaiting her filling her mouth with drool, and her soul with DETERMINATION.

To Snowdin

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In the next area, she found another puzzle involving X's to be turned into O's, this one involving a great many stones blocking paths within the pattern. As she approached it, Papyrus rushed up to her.

"HUMAN!" he called out worriedly. "HOW DO I SAY THIS...I'M NOT CERTAIN THIS PUZZLE CAN BE SOLVED. YOU SEE...I REARRANGED THE STONE BLOCKS AND SWITCHES SO IT WOULD MORE CLOSELY RESEMBLE THE GREAT PAPYRUS...WITHOUT MAKING CERTAIN THERE WAS AN ACTUAL SOLUTION! I AM UNCERTAIN HOW TO PROGRESS, AS A PUZZLE CANNOT BE RECALIBRATED UNTIL IT HAS BEEN SOLVED!"

"Throw me up," Woona instructed.

"WHAT?"

"If I get an overhead view, I can sketch out a plan to solve the puzzle," Woona explained. "If there isn't a standard solution, I can dance around the rules a bit."

Papyrus stroked his chin...only for his eyes to widen. "IS THAT A BONE IN YOUR POCKET?" he asked eagerly, pointing.

Tell him you're just happy to see him, Chara whispered quickly in her mind.

"No, I'm just happy to see you," Woona spoke up.

"SO HAPPY THAT YOU BROUGHT ME A BONE I CAN USE TO LEVITATE YOU OVER THE PUZZLE! NYEH HEH HEH!" With that, Papyrus' magic seized the bone in the pocket of her apron - and thus her - and levitated her over the puzzle.

Why couldn't Papyrus have given you the bone instead? Chara grumbled quietly. Sans face at you saying that would have been priceless...

What's that mean, anyway? Woona asked curiously.

I'll tell you after someone reacts to you making the joke, Chara replied.

Okay! I'll make sure to tell it to anyone who asks about the bone in my pocket! Woona proclaimed in her mind, determined to understand the joke. Gotta hang onto the bone, then. Pleased that this apparently amused Chara, Woona examined the puzzle below her. Smiling, she called out, "Set me down, Papy!"

Once she was on the ground, she approached the puzzle from the other side, following the path she'd deduced to change the X's to O's before stepping on the switch, pleased that the bone in her pocket gave her enough weight to trigger it.

"YES!" Papyrus proclaimed happily. "WE SOLVED IT TOGETHER!"

"Huzzah!" Woona proclaimed happily. "The flag was right! Friendship makes anything possible!"

Papyrus paused. "YOU...CONSIDER ME A FRIEND?"

"Uh huh!" Woona stated proudly. "I don't smooch strangers!" To prove her point, she levitated herself up and kissed Papyrus on the cheekbone. Papyrus fled in embarrassment. Giggling, Woona continued onward.

Across a narrow bridge, Woona saw a patchwork of tiles in different shades of grey. Beyond it, Papyrus and Sans stood at a control device. "HUMAN! YOU'RE GONNA LOVE THIS PUZZLE! IT WAS MADE BY THE GREAT DR. ALPHYS! YOU SEE THESE TILES? ONCE I THROW THIS SWITCH, THEY WILL CHANGE COLOR!"

"What do the colors mean?" Woona asked eagerly.

Papyrus seemed exceptionally pleased that Woona was interested in the puzzle. "RED TILES ARE IMPASSABLE! YOU CANNOT WALK ON THEM! YELLOW TILES ARE ELECTRIC, AND WILL SHOCK YOU! GREEN TILES ARE ALARM TILES, AND WILL SUMMON A MONSTER TO FIGHT YOU! ORANGE TILES ARE ORANGE SCENTED, WHICH WILL MAKE YOU SMELL DELICIOUS! BLUE TILES ARE WATER TILES, WHICH YOU CAN SWIM THROUGH...BUT IF YOU SMELL LIKE ORANGES, PIRANHAS WILL BITE YOU! ALSO, BLUE TILES NEXT TO YELLOW TILES ARE ALSO ELECTRIFIED, AND THUS IMPASSABLE! PURPLE TILES ARE SLIPPERY, AND YOU WILL SLIDE ACROSS THEM! HOWEVER, THE SLIPPERY SLOPE SMELLS LIKE LEMONS, WHICH THE PIRANHA DON'T LIKE! PINK TILES DON'T DO ANYTHING! UNDERSTAND?"

Woona, being the good student Toriel had taught her to be, had taken notes. "Got it!"

"GREAT! ONE LAST THING...THE PUZZLE IS ALWAYS RANDOM!" With that happy shout, Papyrus activated the control panel. The colors of the tiles shifted randomly...

...ending on two rows of pink tiles straight from the bridge to the other side, bordered above and below by two rows of red tiles.

Woona stared at the 'puzzle' for a time. "...can you throw the switch again for a better puzzle?" she called out.

"UNFORTUNATELY, NO," Papyrus admitted. "A PUZZLE CAN'T BE RESET UNTIL IT'S SOLVED, AND WON'T ACTIVATE FOR SOMEONE REGISTERED AS HAVING SOLVED IT BEFORE. BOTH SANS AND I HAVE PASSED THIS PUZZLE IN THE PAST, SO..."

Pouting, Woona crossed the pink path. "And this puzzle sounded so awesome..." she whimpered, continuing onward.

As Woona moved on, Sans caught up to her. "look...i know you said you're looking forward to tasting paps' spaghetti...but you might wanna reconsider."

"Why?" Woona asked, confused.

"well...he has taken cooking lessons, and his cooking's improved remarkably since. next year, he might even make something edible."

Woona tilted her head, confused. "But...but it looked so good..."

"yeah, it looks good," Sans admitted, "but he makes the noodles out of alfalfa and cowparsley, and fills the sauce with nettles and wild garlic and willow and brambles...even gorse tops and golden rod tops. completely inedible..."(1) He paused. "uhh...you're kinda drooling..."

I am really not looking forward to when you taste that pasta... Chara groaned.

With the idea of what that pasta would taste like firmly in her mind, Woona raced onward. The next puzzle she encountered involved more X/O tiles, along with ice she could slide on. "WHEEE!" she cried out happily, doing her best to imitate Papyrus' voice on a whim, but not quite managing it as she slid from tile to tile.

With the puzzle complete, she slid across the ice through the trees, ending up with a snow kitten on her back. She walked carefully, so as not to disturb the adorable snowy passenger, but it fell apart before she'd gone a few steps off the ice.

As she moved on, she entered a FIGHT with a creature that resembled a reindeer with tiny trees for antler tips, but his antlers were covered in decorations. He seemed irritated about this. Seeing this, Woona quickly levitated the decorations off the Gyftrot - for that's what its name proclaimed it to be - before presenting them to him in a box. "There you go!" she offered happily. "Now you can decide what you want to wear!"

Once it overcame its shock at how quickly she handled its prime issue, the Gyftrot happily walked away with the gift on its back, and gold in Woona's pouch, the FIGHT over.

Further on, Woona encountered several piles of snow that Chara told her were 'Snow Poffs', all surrounding a dog house. One of the snow poffs even had money inside. The last snow poff in the area blocked the path forward. As Woona approached it, a tiny white doggy popped its head and tail out.

"Aww, how cute!" Woona squealed.

The dog gave two adorable, high pitched barks...and then stood up, revealing a massive armor suit and a spear.

The Greater Dog, Chara informed her. Careful, he's-

"He's even cuter than I thought!" Woona cried eagerly. "Come here boy!" Completely ignoring the FIGHT lines, Woona beckoned the Greater Dog to play with her, easily dodging the stray bursts of magic he released. After a time, the Greater Dog flopped over contentedly for pets...but wouldn't let her rub his belly.

Tummy rubs are forbidden, Chara informed her.

"Not for me!" Woona proclaimed happily, rolling over on her back and happily accepting belly rubs from the Greater Dog.

As the FIGHT lines dissolved, the Greater Dog hopped out of its armor, revealing it was actually dog sized rather than Toriel sized...but it was still bigger than Woona. He happily gave her face a few licks before hopping back into his armor and walking away...tail wagging out of the top.

"He's silly!" Woona giggled as she moved on.

As she crossed the next bridge - which was much longer than any previous bridge - she found Papyrus and Sans waiting for her. "HUMAN! THIS IS YOUR FINAL AND MOST DANGEROUS CHALLENGE! BEHOLD! THE GAUNTLET OF DEADLY TERROR-"

"wait, bro," Sans cautioned the eager skeleton soldier. "rules of scare: no scares bigger than the target. she's so little..."

Papyrus gasped in shock. "YOU'RE RIGHT! IT WOULDN'T BE FAIR TO THE TINY HUMAN TO UNLEASH ALL OF THESE ON HER! THE SPIKE BALL, THE FLAME THROWER, THE SPEARS, THE CANNON...THOSE ARE ALL TOO MUCH!" He rubbed his chin in thought. "AHA! I'LL JUST USE THE DOG!"

A dog slowly lowered on a rope, blocking the bridge. Once its paws were on the bridge, however, it slipped out of its rope to rush up to Woona, bracing its paws on the Mysterious Torc to lick her cheek before dashing off.

"GOODNESS!" Papyrus proclaimed dramatically. "THE POWER OF THIS HUMAN'S FRIENDSHIP IS TOO GREAT FOR ANY OBSTACLE I CAN CONFRONT HER WITH! I MUST FLEE!" With an excited laugh, Papyrus dashed away. Sans laughed as well as he followed.

Woona laughed as well as she continued, the shared laughter and canine affection filling her with DETERMINATION.

(1) Looked up plants that are good for horses. These are ones horses will actively seek out when grazing, so it's logical to think they'd be especially tasty treats for ponies, but horrible for humans.

The Pacifist

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As Woona found herself amongst more snow covered trees at the top of the underground cliffs, she came across a large banner that proclaimed, 'Welcome to Snowdin' in big letters. "I guess this must be a town," Woona deduced. "I hope the monsters here are friendly."

They are, Chara informed her silently. There's a shop right there. Maybe you could buy some snacks or something.

I've got plenty of spider donuts and cider...but okay. Woona stepped into the shop.

As she stepped into the shop, Woona found a bunny-like woman behind the counter, smiling at her. "Hello, traveler," the woman greeted. "I can't remember the last time I saw a new face around here. Where did you come from?"

Don't talk about the surface, Chara quickly cautioned Woona. Most monsters by now have been conditioned to believe that danger comes from the surface.

"...the Ruins," Woona offered.

"Really?" the woman asked, shocked. "Been a long time since anyone left there. Are you here by yourself?"

"Not entirely," Woona replied. "Sans and Papy are looking after me."

"Oh, the skeleton brothers," the woman replied good naturedly. "Nice guys, if a bit strange. You're safe with them."

Woona smiled, glad to hear that Sans and Papyrus were well liked. "What's fun around here?"

The woman scratched her chin. "Well, there's Grillby's if you want good food and company. There's also the library if reading's more your thing. And my sister runs the inn next door if you want to take a nap in some clean sheets."

"I'd rather take a nap in Sans' hood," Woona replied. "That way I can curl up and his walking steps rock me to sleep."

The bunny woman clutched at her chest. "You're just too adorable," she groaned.

Woona smiled, even though it couldn't be seen through her human mask. "What's for sale?"

"Well, I've got some bisicles and cinnamon bunnies," she replied. "Bisicles are two popsicles made together, so it's two servings. And the cinnamon bunnies are my own recipe."

Woona thought about it for a time, then shook her head. "I don't need any food just now. Anything else?"

The bunny woman shrugged. "Papyrus stopped by not long ago and bought out my only tough glove and manly bandanna-" She paused when she notices Woona flinch. "You okay?"

As Woona shuddered deep inside, she felt Chara slip past her magic. "I'm okay," she heard herself saying. "Just a bad dream I had. I'm...gonna get some air."

"Sorry for upsetting you," the bunny woman replied, her voice concerned.

Woona found herself nodding before leaving the store. As she got ahold of herself, she felt Chara's grip on her body fade. How'd you do that? she demanded angrily.

What she said shook you, Chara replied. Your grip on your magic, your body, your soul weakened. I acted to remove you from the situation. If you were a monster, you would be in danger of 'falling down'.

...'falling down'? she asked worriedly.

When a monster loses all hope, their bodies cease functioning, and turn to dust. It's called 'falling down', and...is the monster equivalent of death.

Woona whimpered. Please don't let me fall, Chara! she pleaded.

I won't, Chara promised.

Woona slowly brought her emotions under control. So...you can just...take control of my body when I'm in emotional turmoil?

Only if it's to the point of you being catatonic, Chara explained. Or if you allow me to.

What about my magic?

Only if your HP drops too low.

Woona nodded to herself. While it was somewhat reassuring that Chara was trying to take care of her, it was less so to know that there were situations where he could take over her body. Deciding to push past that, she continued to explore the town.

Since she wasn't feeling tired, she walked right past the Inn to see a tree decorated like the Gyftrot had been, with presents under it. Next to it was a young, gecko like, orange skinned monster in an orange and brown striped shirt, the sleeves hanging empty. "Yo!" he greeted her happily. "You're a kid too, right?"

"Uh...yeah?" Woona offered, confused.

"Cool! Nice to meet you! I'm MK!"

Woona smiled. "I'm Woona!"

MK grinned widely. "I'd love to talk more, but I'm a bit busy just now. See ya later?"

"U-huh!" Woona agreed happily, continuing on through town.

Grillby's turned out to be a rather homey restaurant run by a monster made of fire, wearing a butler's garb. In addition to the dog monsters she'd befriended on the way there, she also saw a few other monsters. However, they all seemed to be busy, so she decided to come back later.

To the north of town, a large dog or wolf like monster was throwing blocks of ice into the river as they came off a conveyor belt. The logic of these actions were not immediately apparent.

Woona decided to pass on visiting the library, however. She was uncertain how reliable the information could be in such a building when the sign was misspelled.

Beyond the library was a house with two mailboxes beside it, one overflowing with junk mail, the other labelled 'PAPYRUS'. Realizing this was where Papyrus and Sans lived, she tried to go inside, but the door was locked, as was the garage beside it. Seeing nothing else she could do in town, she moved further east.

As she moved along the path through the trees, fog began to flow in, making it hard to see even the path, or even her own hooves. However, not far in front of her, she could make out the silhouette of a tall figure, and heard a familiar voice.

"HUMAN...I DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN THIS. WE...WE'VE BECOME SUCH GOOD FRIENDS, SOLVED PUZZLES TOGETHER...WE BOTH LOVE PASTA...IT WOULD BE SO WONDERFUL JUST TO STAY THAT." Papyrus seemed very conflicted as he spoke. "BUT...IF I DON'T CAPTURE YOU...THEN I'LL NEVER ACHIEVE MY DREAMS. NEVER BECOME A ROYAL GUARD. I MUST DO THIS! TO BECOME POWERFUL! POPULAR! PRESTIGIOUS!" He spun to face Woona. "PREPARE YOURSELF-"

Unnoticed to Papyrus, Woona had slipped up beside him while he spoke, and she now glomped onto his leg.

Glancing down at her in shock, Papyrus tried to shake her off his leg, but she wouldn't let go. "HUMAN! I CAN'T FIGHT YOU IF YOU DON'T GET OFF ME!!"

"But I don't wanna fight my friend!" Woona proclaimed happily. "So if you gotta capture me...then I surrender!"

WHAT? Chara shouted in her mind. Are you INSANE?

Asked the voice in my head, Woona countered.

Elsewhere, Sans burst into laughter for no apparent reason. No one really thought much of it.

"S...SURRENDER?" Papyrus asked, stunned. "YOU...YOU CAN DO THAT?"

"Yup!" Woona confirmed. "After all, you never said you had to beat me before capturing me! And I don't wanna fight my friend!"

Papyrus struggled to find some reason to make Woona fight him. "WELL, MAYBE I DON'T WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND!" he countered primly. "I'M A SKELETON WITH VERY HIGH STANDARDS, AFTER ALL!"

Chara, at this point, had given up trying to reason with Woona and decided to help her. Try to think of something you know he likes you can impress him with, he instructed.

Remembering all the fuss Papyrus had made about his spaghetti, Woona decided what to say. "I can make macaroni!"

Papyrus blinked at her. "WHAT IS...MACARONI? I HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS."

"It's like pasghetti you can play with!" Woona proclaimed proudly.

Papyrus' eyes goggled and his jaw dropped, nearly falling off his skull. "YOU'RE EXCEEDING ALL MY STANDARDS!" he wailed. He remained silent for a time, before finally speaking. "I...I CAN'T DO IT! IF I CAPTURE YOU AND TURN YOU OVER TO UNDYNE, I'LL NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN!" Sinking to his knees, he began to cry. "YOU PRETENDED TO BE HUMAN FOR ME...BUT IT WAS ALL A WASTE!" Reaching out, he removed Woona's human mask. "I'M SORRY MY LITTLE PONY FRIEND...I'VE BEEN A TERRIBLE FRIEND THAT I CAN'T EVEN ACCEPT THE NICEST THING YOU DID FOR ME..."

Frowning, Woona nuzzled him. "It's okay," Woona offered consolingly. "I forgive you."

"BUT HOW CAN I MAKE IT UP TO YOU?" Papyrus wailed as softly as he ever got.

Woona scratched her chin. "...swimming in pasghetti?" she asked.

Papyrus brightened up. "THAT'S RIGHT! I PROMISED YOU A PLATE OF SPAGHETTI BIG ENOUGH FOR YOU TO SWIM IN AND AS DELICIOUS AS YOU EVER TASTED! AND SO I SHALL MAKE IT FOR YOU!"

Grinning, Woona kissed Papyrus on the cheek. "It's a date!" she offered happily.

She didn't know why Papyrus rushed off back to town so quickly after she said that, but it was adorable, and filled her with DETERMINATION.

Dating Start!

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Woona eagerly returned to Snowdin to look for Papyrus. She really wanted to try that spaghetti that Sans made sound so delicious. She was rather surprised to find Papyrus waiting for her in front of his house. She happily approached him, finding his shocked expression oddly hilarious.

"SO YOU CAME BACK TO HAVE A DATE WITH ME ALREADY?" he asked, shocked. "WOW...YOU MUST BE REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT THIS..."

"Of course I am!" Woona proclaimed happily.

Oh dear lord... Chara whispered in her mind, struggling not to laugh.

What? Woona demanded in her mind.

You'll see... Chara replied, his laughter now wicked.

"I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE YOU SOMEPLACE REALLY SPECIAL!" Papyrus continued. "A PLACE I LIKE TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME!"

"Carry me?" Woona asked hopefully, lifting her forelegs to be picked up.

Grinning, Papyrus scooped her up and tucked her into his red scarf behind his head. She happily stood on his shoulders, clinging to his skull as he began to race around town. She glanced at where they were going as they raced ahead.

Hmm...not the library, somehow not surprising...Grillby's maybe? No, he's turning around before we get there... Her eyes went flat as he went right back to where he started.

"MY HOUSE!!!" Papyrus proclaimed eagerly.

Woona sighed silently. While not what she expected, she supposed it would do. She did want to see inside it, after all. Papyrus happily carried her inside before setting her down and allowing her to explore. She noticed Sans in the kitchen...drinking mustard through a straw?

Got a joke for you to tell him, Chara whispered in her mind before telling her the joke.

Although Woona didn't get it, she decided to share it. "Hey Sans!" she called out. "I didn't know your brother was the sort to bring a girl home on the first date!"

Sans promptly sprayed mustard all over the kitchen before falling backwards against the refrigerator, knocking it over, and finally falling flat on his face.

"WHERE ELSE WOULD I TAKE A GIRL ON A VERY SPECIAL DATE?" Papyrus asked in confusion, resulting in Chara bursting into laughter.

Sans glowered in Woona's direction, just above her head. Woona quickly realized he was glaring at Chara, and could apparently see him in addition to hearing him. Woona couldn't help but giggle as she began to explore the house, hearing Papyrus explain everything she saw. There was Sans' pet rock, a dirty sock with a sequence of post it notes attached representing a rather silly debate between the brothers over moving the sock, a quantumly entangled joke book, and a rather large television in the main room. Once she'd examined it all, she went up the stairs, seeing only two doors and a picture of a bone. She approached the left door.

"THAT'S MY ROOM!" Papyrus explained. "IF YOU'RE FINISHED LOOKING AROUND, WE COULD GO IN AND...DO WHATEVER PONIES DO WHEN THEY DATE?"

"don't you dare, chara..." Sans muttered quietly.

Feeling a bit mischievous herself, she relayed Chara's message around. "Oh, how forward of you!" she squealed.

"BUT OF COURSE!" Papyrus proclaimed eagerly. "THE GREAT PAPYRUS IS NEVER BACKWARD ABOUT BEING FORWARD-" A rhythmic, hollow, 'clonk'ing sound could be heard from the kitchen. "SANS! STOP BANGING YOUR SKULL ON THE WALL! IT'S GOT MORE HP THAN YOU DO!"

Giggling, Woona let Papyrus lead her into his room. She noticed a 'computer', as Papyrus identified it, a pirate flag, and a few other things, but she could feel herself starting to get hungry, so she went straight to Papyrus.

"IF YOU'VE SEEN EVERYTHING...DO YOU WANT TO START THE DATE?" Papyurs asked, trying to hide his nervousness.

Woona nodded eagerly.

"OKAY! DATING START!"

Lines similar to the FIGHT lines surrounded them, but colored pink and in the shape of a heart, expanding to contain the entire room.

"HERE WE ARE!" Papyrus proclaimed eagerly. "ON OUR DATE! I'VE...ACTUALLY NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE...BUT DON'T WORRY! YOU CAN'T SPELL PREPARED WITHOUT SEVERAL LETTERS FROM MY NAME!!!" He pulled out a book. "I SNAGGED AN OFFICIAL DATING RULEBOOK FROM THE LIBRARY! WE'RE READY TO HAVE A GREAT TIME!"

Woona wasn't sure if she should be impressed or pitying. Then again, she didn't know how dates worked with monsters either, so she decided to listen.

"STEP ONE...PRESS 'C' ON YOUR KEYBOARD TO BRING UP THE DATING HUD..." Shrugging, Papyrus walked over to his computer and pushed the 'C' key. "DID IT WORK?"

Woona heard Chara facepalm in her mind. It's a dating SIM instruction manual... he groaned. This isn't going to work-

Woona quickly gathered and focused her magic, pouring it into the DATE lines. Several images of various measuring scales appeared.

"WOWIE!" Papyrus proclaimed happily as he looked over the meters. "I FEEL SO INFORMED! I THINK WE'RE READY FOR STEP TWO!" He looked back in the manual. "STEP TWO...ASK THEM ON A DATE...WELL, YOU DID THAT ALREADY BUT WE CAN'T DO THINGS OUT OF ORDER! WE MUST GO BY THE RULES! SO...WOONA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO DATE ME, THE GREAT PAPYRUS?"

Woona shrugged. "Since I already asked-" apparently "-I suppose the answer's yes." What's going on, Chara? This seems really complicated.

It'll seem really funny before long, Chara promised. Just play along until then.

"I GUESS THAT MEANS IT'S TIME FOR PART THREE!" Papyrus continued, looking back into the book. "STEP THREE...PUT ON NICE CLOTHES TO SHOW YOU CARE!" He hesitated, only to gasp in shock. "WAIT A SEC...WEAR CLOTHING? THAT RIBBON IN YOUR HAIR, THAT CAP ON YOUR HEAD...YOU'RE ALREADY WEARING CLOTHES! AND EVEN THE APRON I BROUGHT TO BE YOUR CAPE! AND YOU WERE WEARING IT EVEN BEFORE THE DATE! NO...COULD IT BE? YOU WANTED TO DATE ME...FROM THE VERY BEGINNING?"

Papyrus seemed very flustered yet happy about this, so despite her confusion, Woona nodded.

All the meters vanished as Papyrus staggered back, flabbergasted. "NO! YOU PLANNED IT ALL! YOU'RE WAY BETTER AT DATING THAN I AM!! N-NOOO! YOUR DATING POWER..."

Another meter appeared, this one labeled 'Dating Power', and slowly filled with the blue of Woona's coat, only to stop about a third of the way full.

"NYEH!" Papyrus proclaimed as that meter left and a shifting line graph labeled 'Tension' became visible. "DON'T THINK YOU'VE BESTED ME YET! I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, HAVE NEVER BEEN BEATEN AT DATING AND I NEVER WILL!"

He just told you he's never dated before, Chara grumbled.

Then he's obviously never been beaten, Woona countered.

"I CAN EASILY KEEP UP WITH YOU!" Papyrus declared. "YOU SEE, I, TOO, CAN WEAR CLOTHING! IN FACT...I ALWAYS WEAR MY SPECIAL CLOTHES UNDER MY REGULAR CLOTHES! JUST IN CASE SOMEONE SHOULD ASK ME ON A DATE! BEHOLD!"

"Magical transformation sequence go!" Woona proclaimed, shooting her magic through the DATE lines at Papyrus, causing him to flare in light as he spun around in a pirouette. His 'battle body' merged with his scarf as it swirled around him before flying away to reform on his race car bed, leaving a rainbow colored silhouette of Papyrus as he spun before his 'special dating clothes' revealed themselves: a baseball cap, a t-shirt with 'cool dude' written on the front and tiny basketballs for shoulder pads, sport shorts, gloves, and sneakers. Papyrus posed dramatically.

"BEHOLD!" Papyrus proclaimed. "PAPYRUS NEO, MASTER DATER!"

Woona giggled and clapped her hooves encouragingly, but something tickled her nose. A delicious aroma...

"CHANGING CLOTHES WAS NEVER THAT EPIC BEFORE!" Papyrus marveled. "YOU...YOU TRULY BRING OUT THE BEST IN ME! WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MY SECRET STYLE?"

Woona grinned widely. "It's so...you!" she declared, unsure what else to say.

"BUT OF COURSE!" Papyrus agreed. "WHAT OTHER OUTFIT COULD MORE APPROPRIATELY PROCLAIM THE GREATNESS THAT IS PAPYRUS?!"

"All it needs are some dramatic sunshades!" Woona agreed.

Papyrus goggled at her. "...GENIUS! I SHALL BE SURE TO GET SOME SOMEDAY! YOU ARE AMAZING, BOTH A GENUINE COMPLIMENT AND HEARTFELT ADVICE?" The 'Dating Power' meter reappeared, filling to two thirds full, even as Woona's nostrils tracked the delicious aroma. "BUT YOU DON'T TRULY UNDERSTAND THIS OUTFIT'S HIDDEN POWER! THEREFORE-"

"Pasghetti!" Woona proclaimed eagerly as she finally tracked the aroma, levitating herself to Papyrus' head as she knocked his cap off, tore the wrapping off the present hidden underneath, and dove into the plate of heavenly deliciousness thus revealed.

Papyrus' jaw hung. "YOU...YOU DID UNDERSTAND THE HIDDEN POWER...YOU ARE UNMATCHED AT DATING! AND...YOUR LOVE OF MY COOKING...YOU MUST REALLY LOVE ME, TOO! YOUR DATING POWER...IT'S OVER 9000!"

As he proclaimed this, the 'Dating Power' bar overflowed. Woona didn't really notice, as she was eagerly devouring the spaghetti.

"WOONA...IT'S PLAIN NOW. YOU'RE MADLY IN LOVE WITH ME."

"...hebe?" Woona asked, confused.

"EVERYTHING YOU DO...EVERYTHING YOU SAY...IT'S ALL BEEN FOR MY SAKE..."

"Well...yeah..." Woona agreed as Papyrus set the plate down, licking some sauce off her hoof.

"AND I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY..." Papyrus wiped his eyes. "MORE THAN ANYTHING, AND I...I THINK I HAVE...DEVELOPED SUCH FEELINGS AS WELL..."

Woona's eyes widened in confusion. "Uh, Papy..."

"I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS!" Papyrus continued. "I'VE NEVER FELT LIKE THIS BEFORE..."

"Papy!"

"BUT I CANNOT DENY THESE FEELINGS-"

"Papy!" Woona roared out as the Royal Canterlot Voice blasted out full force, pushing him back against the wall.

Papyrus stared at her. "YES, DEAR WOONA?" he asked nervously.

"I'm four."

Papyrus gasped loudly, his hands going to his cheeks as he screamed in terror. "OH SWEET MAKERS! I WAS ABOUT TO CONFESS TO A TODDLER! I'VE BECOME THE MOST HORRIBLE TYPE OF MONSTER! HOW WILL I EVER RECOVER FROM GOING ON A DATE WITH-"

"This was a fun playdate!" Woona proclaimed happily. "We should do it again some time." She promptly went back to devouring the delicious spaghetti, ignoring Chara's howls of laughter.

"RIGHT...PLAYDATE! OF COURSE! THE GREAT PAPYRUS KNEW IT ALL ALONG! HE WAS JUST BEING SILLY FOR YOUR SAKE!" Papyrus turned away, rubbing the back of his head. "BOY, IF I HAD A FACE IT'D BE SO RED RIGHT NOW..."

Taking a Break

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After the 'playdate' was finished, Papyrus provided Woona with the promised kiddy pool filled with his delicious spaghetti for her to swim around in while eating her fill. He also provided a basin to wash her in once she was done. While she swam, he decided to engage her in conversation. "SO WHERE ARE YOU FROM, WOONA?" Papyrus asked curiously.

"The surface, originally," Woona replied, much to Papyrus' surprise. "But I think my home's in the Ruins now...at least, once I do what I set out to do."

"AND WHAT IS IT YOU SET OUT TO DO?" Papyrus asked eagerly.

"I need to find my Daddy so I can bring my family back together!" Woona proclaimed happily. "Mommy's upset with Daddy, so I have to find him and punish him for being a poopyhead!"

"A WONDROUS GOAL!" Papyrus proclaimed happily. "SO WHERE IS YOUR DADDY?"

Woona raised her hoof, then blinked. "Uh...I dunno..." she offered, sinking sadly into the spaghetti.

Papyrus rubbed his chin in thought. "VERY WELL! I SHALL HELP YOU FIND HIM! TELL ME, WHO IS YOUR DADDY, AND WHAT DOES HE DO?" Papyrus flinched as something small and metal bounced off his head. "SANS! WHY DID YOU THROW A POLICE WHISTLE AT ME? I'M TRYING TO BE A ROYAL GUARD!" Sans merely chuckled in response.

Not understanding the joke, Woona decided to focus on the question. "...I dunno..." she responded finally. "Mommy didn't tell me."

Papyrus scratched at his skull for a time. "OH! I KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO! YOU CAN GO SEE KING ASGORE! HE KNOWS EVERY MONSTER IN THE UNDERGROUND, SO IF YOU TELL HIM WHO YOUR MOMMY IS, HE'S SURE TO KNOW WHO YOUR DADDY IS!"

Considering Asgore is 'Daddy', I'd say so, Chara muttered quietly. Don't tell Papyrus that, though. He won't be able to handle it.

Taking Chara's advice, Woona nodded. "What's King Asgore like?" she asked curiously.

"WELL...HE'S..." Papyrus began slowly. "...HE'S A BIG FLUFFY PUSHOVER! HE'LL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU!"

"Yay!" Woona proclaimed happily, licking the last bit of sauce from her hoof before leaping into the bath.

After drying off from a bath that cleaned Papyrus as much as it cleaned her, Woona made her way east out of Snowdin. Once she made her way off the snow, she dequipped her snow shoes to walk on the dirt floor inside the cavernous area that followed. The sound of falling water echoed throughout.

She soon found herself in a smallish chamber. She could see Sans behind a sentry booth, and a monster she didn't know standing beside a blue flower. MK was also there, staring out at the distant falling water. Woona eagerly approached him. "MK!"

"Woona!" MK greeted happily. "Are you sneaking out to see her, too?"

"Her?" Woona asked, confused.

"Undyne!" MK proclaimed eagerly. "The Captain of the Royal Guard! She lives here in Waterfall and she's just so awesome!" MK's grin split his face, and his eyes were filled with stars. "I wanna be just like her when I grow up!"

Woona giggled, finding his behavior adorable.

MK suddenly looked nervous. "Hey...don't tell my parents I'm here. Ha ha..."

Smirking, Woona winked. Turning, she went to talk to the red fish monster standing beside the blue flower.

"This is an echo flower," he explained, gesturing to the blue flower. "It repeats the last thing it heard, over and over..."

Curious, Woona walked up and nudged the flower, only to hear it repeat what the red fish had said in his own voice. Satisfied, she walked up to Sans. "Are you a sentry here, too, Sans?"

"what? haven't you seen a guy with two jobs before?" He shot her a conspiratorial wink. "of course, two jobs means twice as many legally required breaks."

Woona giggled. "So how many jobs do you have to work until you're taking so many breaks you don't have to work at all any more?" she asked wickedly.

Sans chuckled. "now you're thinking like me," he praised. "i'm about to go on break, actually. i'm headed to grillby's. wanna come?"

Woona smiled eagerly. "Sure!" She clambered up Sans' clothes until she could settle in his hood.

Smiling, Sans walked through the archway of the path ahead...only to step through the entrance of Grillby's. "like my shortcut?" Sans asked happily, glancing at his hood...only to find it empty.

"I love it!" Woona proclaimed happily from a bar stool. "Much easier than climbing up and down!"

Dear lord, Sans, what have you done? Chara groaned.

Chuckling, Sans greeted everyone as he made his way to the bar, making a joke about breakfast and brunch as he went that had everyone laughing. As he took his seat, however, the sound of a whoopee cushion went off. "eh?"

"I'm still too light to have it do anything, so I put it on your seat!" Woona replied impishly as the gathered monsters laughed at Sans getting caught by his own joke.

Sans laughed good naturedly. "nice one, woona. so what would you like to eat?"

The souls of the innocent! Chara hissed out, doing his best to make his voice menacing.

Woona merely smirked. "A bagel!" she piped up happily.

WHAT?

"Two bagels!"

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

As Woona giggled and Grillby - the fire monster that ran the restaurant - fetched the bagels, Sans smirked. "you really like teasing him, huh?"

"As much as he likes teasing me and everyone else!" Woona replied happily.

Chara suddenly chuckled wickedly. So Sans, how does it feel knowing the little girl you're talking to has a man inside her?

Sans skull smacked against the bar. "shut up, chara," he grumbled. "i don't need that mental image..."

"Huh?" Woona asked, confused. "What's wrong with it? It feels good have Chara inside me. Feels all warm and exciting."

Grillby decided not to question why Sans was banging his head repeatedly against the bar. Besides, even though he couldn't hear Chara's howls of laughter, they still made the air around Woona feel a little chilly. As such, Grillby left the bagels there and moved away.

After a time, Sans got some control of himself. "want some ketchup?" he offered calmly.

"Not thirsty!" Woona replied as she nommed on her bagel.

Chuckling, Sans chugged the ketchup. "so...what do you think of my brother?"

"He's silly!" Woona replied with a giggle. "I like him!"

Sans couldn't help but chuckle at that. "he's also really determined," he explained. "he keeps trying to get into the royal guard. one day, he went to the captain's house and begged her to let him in. course, she shut the door on him, since it was after midnight. but come morning, he was still there."

Woona laughed. "Bet that made her stop and think!"

"yup," Sans agreed. "she decided to give him warrior training. it's...uh...still a work in progress."

"He'll make it," Woona said firmly. "I know he's kind and soft and squishy inside...but he just needs something to really inspire him...something to fight for. If he had that, he'd be unstoppable."

"...you really think so?" Sans asked, surprised.

"Yup!" Woona proclaimed firmly. "You've seen how energetic and emotional he can get, and Mommy told me that's the source of strength for Monster Magic. If he had something that made him want to turn all that emotional energy into power..." She shivered in excitement. "And I know he'll find it one day. I believe in him."

Sans stared at her, stunned. "...if anyone else told me that, I'd probably just laugh it off. but when you say it...i want to believe it."

Chara was pointedly silent.

"oh yeah," Sans suddenly spoke up, the world around the pair seeming to briefly fade out of existence. "i wanted to ask you something. have you ever heard of a talking flower?"

Woona blinked. "...do you mean the Echo Flowers, or Flowey?"

Sans said nothing for a time. "...so you do know what I mean..." he replied. "...papyrus told me once that a flower sometimes appears when no one else is around and whispers things to him. i...wanted to believe it was just someone pranking him with an echo flower, but...i've had too many nightmares to believe something like that so readily anymore."

"...nightmares?" Woona whimpered softly.

"...sometimes, dreams aren't just the antics of your subconscious," Sans explained. "especially not here in the underground. sometimes...dreams are events that have no longer already happened..." He gently stroked her mane. "i...didn't want to tell you that. i'm...pretty sure you know why..."

"...the bunny lady told me Papyrus bought a tough glove and manly bandanna from her," Woona replied woodenly. "I...dreamed him giving them to me. The dream that...turned into a nightmare. That...that really happened, didn't it?"

"not anymore it didn't," Sans replied softly. "put it out of your mind, woona. it's not a choice you made, and you shouldn't feel guilt for something you wouldn't have chosen to do if you knew what would have happened. and now, you didn't make the choice."

"...that doesn't wash away the guilt of knowing it was real..." Woona whimpered softly, starting to cry. "T-tia..."

"...someone important to you?"

"My big sister," Woona replied. "And...I saw her...amongst the fallen in my nightmare...unmoving..."

Carefully, Sans scooped Woona into his arms. "shh..." he whispered to her. "it's alright..." Reaching out, he placed his hand on the torc that, to him, held no mystery. "just sleep...and have happy dreams that are only dreams..."

Woona slowly felt herself drifting off as DETERMINATION filled her being.

Waterfall

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When Woona awoke, she found herself curled up in Sans' jacket, snuggled up to his rib bones. As she stirred, Sans set her down on the sentry point he was manning, letting her stabilize herself. "feeling better?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

Woona pushed herself to her hooves before shaking herself off. "Yeah," she confirmed. "It was...a good sleep."

"i'm glad," Sans replied gratefully. "well, you'd best be on your way. let's hang out again sometime."

Grinning widely, Woona nodded eagerly and made her way onward through the dark blue caverns. It wasn't far before she came across a waterfall carrying large rocks down river, and another Dimensional Box. Noticing an Echo Flower on wooden platforms below the falls, she made her way there.

"I swore I saw something...behind that rushing water..."

Curious, Woona made her way to the waterfall, surprised to find a camera. Feeling a little silly, she began waggling her cheeks and making funny faces at the camera. Giggling to herself, she made her way across the water to the other side, dodging the boulders as they washed past her.

Entering a somewhat dark cavern, she found herself a bit lost in very tall grass. Thankfully, the path it was on was narrow, so she only had to move forward...but she paused as she heard two people talking. She couldn't make out what was being said by one of them...but Papyrus' voice came through loud and clear.

Papyrus approached the heavily armored figure before him nervously. "H...HI UNDYNE! I'M HERE WITH MY DAILY REPORT!"

"Go on," Undyne replied softly.

"UMM...ABOUT THAT HUMAN I CALLED YOU ABOUT EARLIER..."

"Did you fight them?" Undyne hissed out, gripping her spear tightly.

"I DIDN'T HAVE TO, BECAUSE THEY SURRENDERED!" Papyrus answered readily. "BUT...I DIDN'T KEEP THEM CAPTIVE, BECAUSE...BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T A HUMAN! JUST AN ADORABLE TINY PONY WHO WAS PRETENDING SO I COULD CAPTURE A HUMAN TO TRY AND ACCOMPLISH MY DREAMS OF BEING A ROYAL GUARD!"

"You told me her soul was powerful," Undyne growled out. "More powerful than a normal human soul. Was that a lie as well?"

"N-N-NO UNDYNE, IT WAS NOT!" Papyrus hastened to reassure her. "SANS USED DR. ALPHYS DEVICE TO MEASURE HER SOUL...AND IT'S AS POWERFUL AS FOUR HUMAN SOULS!"

Undyne stared at him, stunned. "Four? ...then I will have to be careful when I go to take her soul-"

"BUT WHY?" Papyrus demanded angrily. "OUR WAR IS WITH THE HUMANS! SHE ISN'T A HUMAN! WHY DOES SHE HAVE TO DIE FOR US? HER SOUL'S STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK THROUGH THE BARRIER ALL ON HER OWN! THERE'S NO REASON TO TAKE HER SOUL-"

"How long has it been since a human fell?" Undyne interrupted. "How long?"

Papyrus hesitated. "I...I DON'T KNOW..."

"So long that no one can remember," Undyne replied. "And the next one to fall with the right kind of soul isn't a human. Which means no more humans will fall. And likely, no others after her, either. If we don't take her soul, then we will be trapped down here forever...until we all 'fall down'."

"B...BUT..."

"You've done well, Papyrus," Undyne reassured him, "but I'll take it from here. A tiny blue pony with wings and horn...even if I didn't know she was wearing a hair ribbon and an apron for a cape, she would be easy to find."

Papyrus was silent for a time. "AT...AT LEAST PROMISE ME YOU'LL TELL HER WHY...AND THAT YOU'LL HEAR HER WORDS IN RESPONSE."

Undyne sneered softly. "I don't have time for-"

P r o m i s e m e

Undyne flinched, swallowing convulsively. That had definitely been Papyrus' voice...but there had been no sound. It had leapt straight from his jaw to her brain with her the only one who heard, just like Sans' "serious voice" that terrified her so much. And his eyes...they flashed orange as he'd said that, reminding her that - for all his silliness - Papyrus was Sans' brother. Undyne could see through her helmet that Papyrus' magic had spiked to incredible levels...and not from Determination. It was more as though something deep inside him had been tapped for the first time. "...I promise," Undyne replied.

"THANKS UNDYNE!" Papyrus spoke up gratefully, his voice once again completely normal. "I KNEW I COULD COUNT ON A FRIEND LIKE YOU!" With that, Papyrus turned and left.

Undyne shivered in her armor. With how goofy the skelebros acted, it was rather easy to forget that, in their own way, they were two of the most dangerous monsters in the underground. After all, they were the sons of Alphys' predecessor...whoever he was. Getting control of herself, she turned and left.

It's safe to move on now, Chara told Woona softly.

Shivering, Woona stepped out of the tall grass. She'd only heard Papyrus talking, but she'd heard enough to realize that this Undyne character was after her to take her soul, and that Papyrus had taken what steps he could to protect her. She struggled to control her breathing as she made her way forward.

"Yo-"

"AAAAAAUUUGGGGHHHH!" Woona screamed in terror as she leapt into the air, spinning around to see who had spoken...only to see she'd spooked MK into falling onto his back. "Don't sneak up on me like that!" she whimpered, putting her hoof to her chest as she tried to will her heart to slow down.

MK struggled to his feet, the sleeves of his sweater flopping around empty. "Yeah, sorry. Shoulda known you'd be in such an intense state. I mean, Undyne was right there!" He let out a high pitched, happy squeal. "So awesome! Come on! Let's go watch her beat up some bad guys!" With that, he dashed forward, only to trip and land on his face. Pushing himself up, he raced forward again.

Woona managed to get ahold of herself and followed along. ...I hope Undyne doesn't beat me up... she whimpered.

In the next chamber, there was a sign identifying another puzzle. It spoke about aligning four 'bridge seeds' to make a path. Seeing the seeds in question, she laid them in the water to make the bridge she needed.

Not long after, she encountered a monster with the head of a horse, a muscular upper body with hands at the end of the arms, and a fish tail. The FIGHT lines identified him as Aaron. He winked flirtatiously at her. "Hey there, filly!"

Woona stared at him nervously. "...I need an adult..."

I am an adul-

No, Woona corrected Chara as Aaron posed. No you're not. To Aaron, she spoke up, "I'm four."

The Aaron looked scandalized and promptly fled, leaving some money behind for apology. Continuing on, Woona came across another bridge seed puzzle, this one with a bell that could recall the seeds if she messed up. After solving the puzzle, her phone rang. "Hello?"

"HELLO WOONA! THIS IS PAPYRUS!"

"Papy!" Woona squealed happily. "How'd you call me? We didn't exchange numbers."

"IT WAS EASY! I JUST DIALED EVERY NUMBER SEQUENTIALLY UNTIL I GOT YOURS!"

Woona couldn't help but giggle. "Silly Papy..."

Papyrus laughed his distinctive laugh as well. "WOONA, LISTEN...A...CERTAIN FRIEND OF MINE IS LOOKING FOR YOU. AND SHE...DOESN'T EXACTLY HAVE FRIENDLY INTENTIONS FOR YOU."

"You mean Undyne?" Woona asked nervously. "I heard you talking to her. You made her promise to talk to me when she FIGHTs me, right?"

"YOU WERE THERE?" Papyrus asked, plainly shocked. "WELL, JUST MAKE SURE TO AVOID HER IF YOU CAN, OKAY? THERE'S...A CERTAIN POINT WHERE SHE'LL CHALLENGE YOU TO A STRAIGHT UP FIGHT. IT'S TRADITIONAL. DO YOUR BEST TO AVOID ANYTHING SHE DOES UNTIL YOU GET THERE, OKAY?"

"Will do, Papy!" Woona promised.

"AND FEEL FREE TO CALL ME IF YOU NEED ANY HELP WITH ANY PUZZLES YOU COME ACROSS!" Papyrus proclaimed proudly.

Woona giggled happily. "Thanks, Papy. Later!"

Knowing she had Papyrus on her side filled Woona with DETERMINATION.

Answers in the Dark

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Woona moved forward slowly, keeping careful watch of her surroundings. As there were several Echo Flowers lining the path, she stopped to hear what each one said. She learned she was in the 'Wishing Room', a place for making wishes. Just as she was thinking about what wish to make herself, she found herself in a FIGHT with another monster. This one resembled a green turtle with a blue shell...that held a basing on its back, with a tiny bird inside.

Woshua, Chara informed Woona. AT 18, DF 5. This humble germophobe desires to cleanse the whole world.

Woona's eyes lit up. "You mean I finally have a chance to wash my hooves?" she gasped out eagerly. "I've been getting hungry, but I can't eat with dirty hooves..."

The Woshua danced happily, bouncing over to let Woona wash her hooves in his magic water. "Green means clean!" the little bird tweeted. Once her hooves were clean, she gave the Woshua a pat on his turtle head, letting him go on his way as she paused to eat a spider doughnut.

Looking through a nearby telescope at the sparkly ceiling, Woona spotted an instruction to 'Check Wall', pointing up. Moving north, she checked the wall, finding a hidden door. "These puzzles are getting simpler," she pointed out with a frown.

They'll get more complicated later, Chara assured her.

Through the door, Woona found herself on a wooden bridge over water. Against a stone wall, placards read off the grim tale of the war between monsters and humans. How the humans learned of the power Monsters might have if they took a human soul, and went to war from fear of something no monster had the intention of doing in the first place. The last placard had an illustration Woona assumed was meant to represent a Monster that had taken a human soul, but it was too unsettling to examine to closely.

Beyond the placards, Woona rode a wooden platform over the water to another wooden bridge. As she moved, she shivered. She couldn't help but feel there was something significant that was to happen here. The way the place was illuminated felt so...dramatic. Unsure what else to do, she walked forward.

Stop! Chara suddenly barked out.

Woona instantly froze, a blue magic spear nearly clipping the tip of her horn as it slammed into the wood in front of her before fading. T...that would have speared me if I hadn't stopped...

Over there! Chara insisted, drawing her gaze.

Beyond the waters, Woona could see the armored figure, its baleful gaze locked upon her. The figure raised one hand, and blue magic took the shape of a spear.

RUN! Chara yelled out.

You don't have to tell me twice! Woona agreed as she took off as fast as her four little legs could carry her. Surprisingly enough, she was actually able to outrun the figure, or at least her spears, as she dashed headlong down the bridge. The spears kept coming, however, and at the end of the bridge Woona could see some tall grass, which she recklessly dove into.

Freeze! Chara barked out, causing Woona to come to a complete halt.

The armored figure approached through the tall grass until it was practically on top of Woona. Fear raced through her small body, but she found she wasn't shivering in terror like she expected. Feeling the shadowy touch within her limbs, she realized Chara had locked her muscles to keep her from giving herself away. She bit her own lip till it bled to keep from screaming out in terror as her heart raced in her barrel.

The figure's armored hand shot down into the tall grass, and Woona was certain she was done for. But the hand came up...holding MK! Woona started to focus her magic to try and save him.

Don't, Chara insisted. She won't hurt him.

Seeing that MK was grinning ear to ear, Woona decided to trust Chara, despite how scared she was. The figure set MK down, and then turned and walked away. As soon as she felt Chara release her muscles, Woona raced out of the tall grass in the other direction, struggling to breathe as she tried to calm her racing heart.

MK's coming up behind you, Chara whispered in warning.

"Did you see that?!" MK squealed happily. "Undyne touched me! I'm never washing my face again!" Noticing Woona's state, he chuckled. "Yeah, I know how you feel! You're just so unlucky! If you'd been just a bit to your left, it could have been you instead! Sooo exciting! But don't worry, I'm sure we'll see her again!" Still squealing in excitement, he raced forward, only to once more trip over his sleeves and land on his face. Undeterred, he got back to his feet and raced away.

"...that's so reassuring..." Woona whimpered, eventually managing to catch her breath again. Getting back to her hooves, she moved on.

Finding a table with some crystallized cheese on it, Woona couldn't help but giggle. Seeing a mouse hole nearby, she smiled, and used her magic to conjure a mouse sized pickax, leaving it beside the crystal containing the cheese before continuing onward.

Woona was more relieved than she cared to admit when she found Sans beside another telescope. "hey, woona," he greeted happily. "you doing okay?"

Woona managed to smile. "Just bone tired."

Sans giggled. "wanna use this telescope?"

"I'd rather have a hug," Woona replied.

Chara groaned. Gag me, he grumbled.

"i think i could manage that," Sans replied, pulling Woona into a hug. "...either of those, actually."

Woona couldn't help but giggle as Chara blew a raspberry at them both.

With that comfort given, Woona made her way forward, following a well lit path past many Echo Flowers. These seemed to be repeating a private conversation, so Woona didn't listen. It wasn't polite to eavesdrop, after all.

Beyond the well lighted path, Woona found herself crossing a bridge over a deep lake. As she walked, white tentacles lifted out of the water, eventually revealing the onion shaped head of a giant octopus. The creature smiled eagerly at her, plainly happy to see someone after so long.

"Hey there!" the octopus greeted.

"Hey!" Woona replied happily. "I'm Woona!"

"I'm Onion-san!" the octopus replied.

Grinning, Woona continued the conversation as she walked. "You live here?"

"Yup!" Onion-san replied. "It's great here...even though most of my friends have moved to live in an aquarium in the city... But I don't mind! I like the openness of the water here in Waterfall! ...even though it is lonely... But I'd never want to move to the city aquarium! ...not that there's room for me...and the water's getting so shallow here I have to sit down all the time..."

Woona steeled herself. "What if the barrier was broken and you could live in the ocean with all your friends?" she offered.

"Oh, that would be awesome!" Onion-san replied eagerly. "Undyne's working on that, actually!"

"I'm gonna help!"

Onion-san couldn't help but giggle. "Of course. Everyone's going to help!" Seeing the end of the passageway approaching, Onion-san withdrew. "Well...maybe I'll see you later?"

"I'll see you again from the beach in the ocean!" Woona promised.

Onion-san smiled, Woona's certainty helping the octopus believe it.

Entering the next chamber, Woona soon entered a FIGHT with a fish like monster.

It's Shyren, Chara explained. She's not very confident in her singing skills.

I'll help her, then! Woona decided as she started to hum, only for Shyren to hum along with her.

Once Shyren was comfortable with humming, Woona began singing a catchy tune that somehow appeared in her mind. Shyren eagerly sang along, and as the pair sang, monsters gathered to listen, only for it to become a full concert. At one point, Woona even noticed Sans selling tickets made out of toilet paper, nearly bursting into laughter.

Before long, the song was done, and Woona and Shyren took a bow before exchanging tight hugs and parting as friends.

After picking her way through the socks all the concert attendees had thrown, Woona found her way past a statue that was being rained on to a bucket of umbrellas. Happy to see this, she took one umbrella and went back to put it on the statue...only for a music box inside the statue to start playing.

Woona, we should head back, Chara said suddenly.

Why? Woona asked, confused.

There's...I need to see something in another chamber, Chara explained. The music from this statue...if you play it on the piano-

"There's a piano?" Woona squealed eagerly, dashing back to the chamber in question. Seeing the piano, she eagerly played the notes...only for another door to appear. Curious, she went through it.

Behind the door, Woona saw an empty pedestal labeled "The Legendary Artifact". Standing beside it was a strange monster. He looked like a skeleton at first glance, but there was...something strange about him. His skull was cracked on one side, and he seemed to be fading in and out of reality as he stared at them. A frighteningly organic eye stared out of the depths of the one socket that was open. All the rest of his features were hidden by a black trenchcoat.

I never expected to see you here, he stated bluntly, his voice pitched in such a way Woona couldn't fully grasp his words, and was painful for her to listen to. Care to explain what happened here? He gently patted the empty pedestal. ...Chara

Woona felt her soul become shrouded by Chara's shadows, her grip on her body slowly slipping away. I need to talk to him, Chara whispered. There's...answers we need.

...okay, Woona whispered as she hid in the comforting shadows, relinquishing control of her voice.

Chara shivered, somewhat unnerved by how trusting Woona was of him...but he pushed past it. "It's been a while...Gaster."

History at the Edge of the Abyss

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Indeed it has, Gaster agreed, his voice projecting not from his mouth, but by echoing through the bones of his hands, shaping in the holes and transmitting directly to the mind of the listener. When last we spoke face to face, we each had corporeal bodies of our own. Tell me, how is it that a celestial such as this one did allow a wraith such as you into her untainted soul?

Chara shivered internally, as unnerved as ever at how perceptive Gaster was. "Mom adopted her," he replied through Woona's voice. "When she learned about me, and Father...and Asriel...she decided she was going to make the family whole again."

And so she opened herself to a being of shadows and lies, to make him true, Gaster considered. She is either very brave, very foolish... His fleshy eye glinted in its socket. Or very Determined.

"Certainly one of those," Chara allowed. "All I had to do to speak to you like this...was ask."

And it unnerves you with how trusting of you she is, when you could so easily betray that trust. You don't have to give back control at this point, after all. When Chara's shock was mirrored onto Woona's face, a mirthless, unholy sound echoed through the chamber that could only be called laughter because there weren't enough damned present to be screaming. Just because I've lost my emotional half doesn't mean I don't remember what it was like to feel things...the onus that the trust of an innocent can unwittingly place upon a tainted soul.

Chara closed his and Woona's eyes against what was happening, gathering his thoughts. "What are you doing here, Gaster?" he demanded finally. "Did you have something to do with Woona getting the Legendary Artifact?"

You have the cause and effect backwards, Chara, Gaster countered. I am here because one of the Makers saw fit to put my greatest creation into play in this timeline. Something amazing awaits at the end of this tale, I am certain.

"A Maker? But Woona got it from the dog-your creation?" Chara gasped out, his interest changing mid-sentence as he realized what was said.

Gaster grinned mirthlessly as his hands shaped two different tales. That dog is how that particular Maker chooses to represent himself in this world. Makers tend to have a perverse sense of humor. As Chara's thoughts wandered, Gaster's eye narrowed. I said perverse. Do you think about your mother with that brain-oh wait, that's what you were doing.

Even as Chara blustered about that, Gaster's other hand shaped the much more important story. I served as the royal scientist to the King of the Monsters for a long time. I served Asgore, and his father before him, and his father before him, and his father before him...since before the war...since before humans even knew of our sacred summerlands above, let alone came to them...since before we were known as 'Monsters'... A quirk of the hand changed the storyline. Back then, I was not as I am now...I was whole. Things were peaceful.

When humans first came to our lands, there was peace. But as we came to understand human Determination, we discovered the potential within ourselves to generate it. But Determination requires a great deal of physical matter to properly manifest, and our bodies are almost entirely magic. When we generate too much Determination, it tries to transform that magic into physical matter, and... Gaster's eye glinted. Flowey has told you the results of Alphys' experiments, hasn't he?

Chara shivered, convulsively swallowing bile he felt even though there was none in Woona's throat. "Y...yes. He...mentioned it a few times." It was one of the few things that Flowey had Reset for, he was so weirded out by it...especially when he'd learned they couldn't be killed.

This was in the age when Asgore's father ruled, Gaster explained. He approached me to find a solution, a way to prevent our number from falling to the poison made in our own bodies. I worked long hours. Days...weeks...months...but I eventually found a solution. I created a crystal that was connected to the soul of every living monster by its very nature. When Determination was generated, it would automatically collect all but the smallest amounts, save if the Monster needed it to keep itself alive, and was in dire straits. A stone of pure, crystallized Determination. This has become known as the Legendary Artifact, my ultimate creation...the SOULSTONE.

The SOULSTONE glittered at Woona's throat in response to being called by its true name. "That's what it is?" Chara gasped out, putting one of Woona's hooves to the stone. "That's why it generated so much power in that timeline that didn't happen?"

Yes. Every time a Monster generates Determination, it is absorbed by the Stone, stored until the need of one who can tap its power unleashes its magic. However, the forces I worked with to create it did not take kindly to being tamed against their will...and exacted a price. The clever mind that sought to circumvent the fundamental nature of the world, the mischievous heart that cared not for consequences...these were split from each other into two separate entities, and the Heart lacked the knowledge to anchor itself properly, and was cast beyond the veil of time. Gaster frowned as he recounted this detail. The only way I can recover my true self is if no Monster speaks my True Name before I am whole again...which is why, when I explained all this to Oberon, he outlawed hockey.

Chara found himself more confused than enlightened by this, until he realized the last bit had been revealed by the other hand, which seemed to take more amusement in the situation then was really appropriate. "If the Stone is so powerful, then why wasn't it used to win the war?"

Because its power is too great for any Monster to use safely, Gaster's hand explained. Even Oberon could not risk tapping its power, or the flood of Determination would tear his soul asunder. As such, he ordered me to seal it deep underground. ...unfortunately, my efforts in creating it drew the attention of the humans, and they came to realize just how much power we had...and they came to fear us. And that fear turned to hate... Gaster smiled mirthlessly as Chara staggered back. That's right, Chara...I'm the reason humans brought war to us. I remembered what it felt like to care for all those who fell because of me...but feeling nothing has left me with only madness. And when I saw that madness also taking seed in my Master, the King, your father...I sought a true solution. Since my Heart was banished beyond the veil of time...I sought to conquer it.

Chara gasped in shock. "You made the Resets!" he gasped out. "You were trying to make yourself whole again, and caused the looping time!"

You are clever after all, Gaster allowed. Yes, a side effect of the magic I sought to master backlashing against me. The Underground became trapped in a bubble of time, echoing throughout the eons. And whoever had the strongest Determination within that bubble, bound by the barrier made with the souls of Men, could turn back time at will along their own path through our lands. But such power is dangerous...and so I slipped back through the cracks in time my tinkering left behind, and sought to make those who could guard that power against misuse...

"Sans and Papyrus?" Chara whispered. "That's why they're so different?"

They are my sons, after all, even if most don't remember that they were made, not born. Each was made with a different purpose. Papyrus was supposed to be the protector of time...and so I made his skeleton body of physical matter, his bones pure Determination...Determination he was unable to access, as he lacked the confidence to face the job he was made for. But should he ever overcome that hurdle and believe in himself, then even Time itself will obey him.

But when I realized that the forces I sought to tame defied mastery, I lost almost all hope. It was in that darkness I saw it...the last spark of hope that the entire monster race will ever have. The last spark...which burns brightest when it is all that is left in the darkness. And thus was born sans, a skeleton with only one HP, the last spark of Hope made manifest. When he isn't needed, his power is not brought to bear, and he might go unnoticed save by those he befriends. But when he is all that is left...

"His power is overwhelming," Chara concluded. "Flowey often ranted about how frustrating it was to try and fight him..."

Exactly. And as Hope made manifest, his magic can directly manipulate the souls of others...and even draw forth power from the SOULSTONE without being destroyed, as long as he does not channel it into his own body. Gaster's hands fell silent at last.

Chara remained silent, taking it all in.

Do you have the answers you sought here? Gaster's hands inquired.

"...more than I expected, Gaster," Chara replied. "In fact, the only question you didn't answer...is more one Woona would need answered than me. ...why did Father kill the other children?"

Alphys will tell Woona that, should she ask her, Gaster countered firmly. She knows the whole story, and you won't need that answer until then. For now, the crack in time created by the removal of the SOULSTONE is closing due to its presence. Our conversation is at an end.

As simply as that, Gaster faded out.

Shivering, Chara walked Woona's body out of the chamber. Woona...

To Chara's surprise, Woona instantly arose within the shared spiritual awareness. I didn't really get most of that...except that my necklace is super duper important, and Sans and Papy are really good friends to have...

Chara chuckled. That's...that's the important bits, yeah. Since Woona was once more ready...he relinquished control of the body, surprised it was so easy for him to do so. The shadows of his being seemed...a bit less dark. Then again, perhaps it was just in comparison to the one he'd just been speaking to.

Smiling happily for her brother, Woona decided to test the one thing she understood - more or less - of the conversation. She extended her magic into the SOULSTONE...

...and was filled with DETERMINATION.

Friends in the Darkness

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As Woona once again passed by the bucket of umbrellas, she took another one to keep the rain off of her as she kept going. As she moved into an area filled with rain, however, she paused. "Chara," she asked, "where are the clouds?"

What clouds? Chara asked curiously, somewhat amused that she'd already put the events of the Legendary Artifact chamber behind her.

"Rain comes from clouds," Woona explained firmly. "So if it's raining here, there must be clouds. But there are no clouds." She gestured towards the distant cloud free ceiling of the cavern. "So...how can there be rain?"

The rain vanished in a puff of logic.

"Really?" Woona marveled, moving her umbrella to see the puff of logic. Her eyes then went flat as she moved the umbrella back over her soaked body. Glancing around, she spotted a puddle. Walking up to it, she proceeded to give her reflection the stinkeye.

In the puddle, she could see Chara giggling, but there was something different about him. What are you staring at? he asked finally.

"Your eyes...they're brown," Woona replied softly. She then smiled. "A really pretty brown-"

Chara vanished from the reflection, and fell completely silent. Woona could still feel him inside her, but apparently something had upset him. Shrugging, Woona kept walking, deciding to let Chara adjust on his own to whatever had caught him off guard like that.

As she walked, she spotted MK in a covered alcove to the side of the path. "MK!" she called out happily.

"Hey Woona!" MK called back. "You got an umbrella? Awesome!"

"Wanna share?" Woona offered, holding the umbrella higher in her magic so MK could duck under as well.

"Sure!" MK agreed readily, dashing to get under the offered shelter. "Let's go-say, how come you're so wet?"

Woona sighed. "I was trying to figure out how the rain worked without clouds."

"What are clouds?" MK asked curiously.

"Something I'd read about," Woona replied, deciding to not mention coming from the surface. She virtuously told herself that it wasn't a lie, since Toriel had a whole book on clouds alone that she'd read cover to cover. The self-justification made her feel much less guilty when she felt Chara's amusement at it. "So how does the rain work?"

"Oh, we just studied this in school!" Mk proclaimed excitedly. Scrunching up his face, he carefully recited the lesson. "Water seeps through from the surface to make stalactites. When the water reaches the end of the stalactite, it falls to the ground as a raindrop, creating our water table. There are a lot of stalactites in Waterfall, since it's apparently directly under a lot of water from the surface, which is where the waterfalls that give the region its name come from. Because water flows down the stalactites frequently along this particular path, it undergoes frequent rain showers." He smiled widely. "I get good grades! Mom says I have to do good in my studies if I ever want to join the Royal Guard and be like Undyne!"

Woona giggled at the last tidbit. "That's fascinating," she murmured, having enjoyed learning so much new information about the Underground. Since Toriel had wanted to be a teacher, Woona had done her best to be a good daughter for her Mommy by being a good student.

"Eh," MK replied, managing to shrug shoulders he didn't actually have. "I don't really like school. But Mom knows her stuff, so I listen if I ever want to be like Undyne. She's so cool!" MK bounced happily as he got into his subject matter. "She beats up the bad guys and never loses!" He shivered in excitement. "If I was a human, I'd wet the bed every night, knowing she was gonna beat me up!" He let off a playful laugh.

Woona shivered before continuing. After all, even if she wasn't a human, Undyne still wanted to beat her up.

Woona continued to lead the way along the path, listening to MK babble about his life and whatever past events popped into his head. She was interested in what he had to say about 'Mr. Dreemur', the King...but he quickly sidelined into talking about Undyne again. Woona almost suggested a word association game just to see how many words it would take for him to connect anything to Undyne...but she was pretty sure at this point the answer would always be 'one'.

Woona paused at one point along the path when a wide open vista gave her a distant view of a massive castle. She wasn't surprised that MK paused as well. Despite that, she decided to keep moving.

Reaching the end of the rainy section, Woona returned the umbrella to a bucket. She then found she was confronted by a high ledge.

"This ledge is way too high to climb," MK murmured. "Yo, you wanna see Undyne, right?"

Woona thought about that. While she wanted to avoid Undyne until that 'traditional FIGHT' Papyrus had told her about, she knew she'd have to face Undyne then. She couldn't keep running away. "Yes," she confirmed.

"Hop up, then!" MK offered, moving to brace himself against the ledge.

Seeing what he was offering, Woona scampered up his back to his head. She hopped up to try and reach the ledge, but couldn't. "I can't get high enough!" she exclaimed.

MK stared up at the ledge. "Then jump after I do!" he instructed. Bunching up his legs, he jumped as high as he could.

When he reached the peak of his jump, Woona leapt off, catching hold of the ledge and scrambling up onto it. "I made it!" Woona called out, looking back down at MK. "But...what about you?"

"Don't worry!" MK called back. "I always find my way through!" With that statement and a wide grin, he turned and rushed off, pausing only long enough to push himself back up when he tripped on his sleeves.

Giggling at his antics, Woona continued onward, the cavern brightening as she walked out onto a high wooden bridge with distant twists and turns. Things seemed like easy sailing. But as she continued, she felt the same eerie sense she'd had when Undyne attacked her the first time. Deciding not to take chances, she ran for it.

As she ran, she noticed spots on the bridge glowing in her vision. Avoid those! Chara instructed her.

As Woona dodged around one, spears erupted from the spots Chara'd marked in her sight. "Undyne!" Woona gasped in fear, continued her headlong dash.

She could see Undyne below her on another set of wooden platforms, sending her magic upward to attack. The bridge was filled with twists and turns, making it a very confusing and inefficient path, but the gaps between bridge segments were rather narrow. Using her wings and magic, Woona leapt across the gaps to keep running. This action seemed to surprise Undyne, who raced to keep up, sending her magic after the little pony.

Before long, the bridge split into numerous divergent and intersecting pathways, and Woona wasn't certain where to go. She couldn't see far enough, and she couldn't stop while Undyne was chasing her.

This way! Chara barked, making part of the path flash yellow in Woona's vision. Without hesitation, Woona followed Chara's directions, dodging around the spears as they formed.

An odd image appeared in her mind from Chara's. ...why is Flowey wearing a slinky black dress? And why is Asgore a dragon with a key around his neck?

...never mind, Chara replied softly as they reached a very large platform. Just keep running.

Before long, Woona came to a dead end, the bridge platform jutting out into darkness. What now? Woona shrieked in her mind.

Jump!

What?

Trust me!

With no other options as Undyne approached behind her, Woona leapt into the void. The only light for her to see by came from her soul, surrounded by the grey fog that was Chara. Seeing that grey fog, she knew...Chara was getting better. As the void swallowed her up, that knowledge filled her with DETERMINATION.

Monster's Trash, Mare's Treasure

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Deep in the abyss, Woona heard a voice speaking to her. It was a voice she did not recognize, and yet somehow just the sound of the voice filled her heart with such strong emotions of affection, longing, and pain that she was nearly laid low by just the sound of the voice.

"It sounds like it came from over here...Oh! You've fallen down haven't you...Are you okay? Here, get up...Chara, huh? That's a nice name. My name is..."

The voice trailed off as Woona opened her eyes, finding herself in a small batch of golden flowers that must have cushioned her fall. Looking around, she found she was surrounded by water, and a large waterfall covered the entirety of one wall. She started to step off the flowers, but hesitated. "...Chara?" she asked worriedly.

It took some time for Chara to respond. Yes?

"...I can't swim."

Well, the water's not that- He paused, and chuckled. I forgot how tiny you are. Hmm...maybe you could put some magic on your hooves to walk on the water?

"Hmm..." Focusing, Woona made the attempt, and discovered that it worked surprisingly well. Grinning, she walked on over the water, past large piles of junk. "What is this place?"

It's the junkyard, Chara explained. It's where monsters throw everything they don't need anymore.

As Woona passed by the garbage piles, she ignored a badly damaged bicycle, a cooler, and an empty DVD case. She paused at a dummy, however.

Seems like a regular training dummy, Chara offered. ...do you want to beat it up?

"Why would I do that?" Woona asked, confused. "Mama said dummies are for friend making!" With that said, she hefted the dummy in her magic.

What are you doing?

"Finding a dry spot so I can clean it up!" Woona replied firmly. "It's gotten kinda moldy in the water, and it's in such bad condition...I'ma fix it up for friend making!"

...

Not far to the north, Woona found the dry spot she was looking for and began her work. Pulling out her art supplies, she fished out her needles, thread, scissors, and fabric. First she cut off the portions of the dummy that had become moldy, replacing them with new fabric, trying to match the original color as close as possible. Then she started on the rips and tears in the fabric, sewing them closed. She paused at the last one. "You're a bit understuffed..." she muttered. "Hmm..." Glancing around, she gathered a bunch of dirt and took a pinch of the dummy's stuffing. Using her magic, she converted the dirt into more stuffing before pushing it all in through the hole, sewing it closed. "There!" she said happily, setting the dummy upright. "Good as new!"

In a flash of light, the fabric of the dummy's body took on more lifelike qualities, and the face changed. Eyelids closed over the eyes, and the stitched mouth shifted to smile. "I've never known such kindness..." he murmured. "Everyone else who passed by me just ignored me or beat me up...I was so angry, certain you'd be the same. But...you fixed me..." Noticing Woona's nervousness, he continued quickly. "I'm a ghost possessing this dummy. But, because of your kindness, my rage was washed away, replaced by joy and gratitude...and because of that, I was able to fully merge with this dummy. My lifelong dream...I'm fully corporeal now!"

Woona grinned widely. "Happy to help!" Woona offered happily, hugging the Glad Dummy. "Always nice making a new friend!"

"And I want to help my new friend!" the Glad Dummy offered eagerly. "Hmm...oh! Did you know Napstablook lives to the north of here? He runs a snail farm! And Old Man Gerson has a shop not far from there. And if you're carrying too much stuff, Temmie Village is south of the field of light mushrooms! You'll have to backtrack after lighting all the mushrooms to find it, but the Temmies will buy anything, so you don't have to throw anything away!"

Woona smiled widely. "Thanks!" she proclaimed eagerly. As she turned to go, she paused. "...what do the Temmies do with everything they buy?" she asked curiously.

"No one knows," Glad Dummy replied. "Maybe you could ask them!"

"I'll do that!" Woona agreed happily. "Bye bye!" With a wide smile, Woona headed north to meet up with Napstablook.

"Wait!" the Glad Dummy called out. "Be careful if you head northwest. That's where Undyne lives!"

Woona swallowed convulsively. "T-thanks for the warning!" she called back.

Entering the blue ghost shaped house, she found that it was...rather dilapidated. The wood of the floor and walls seemed to be on the verge of falling apart, the refrigerator and television showed signs of being salvaged from the junkyard, and the computer looked barely functional. The only other things visible were three DVD cases and an empty cobweb.

Napstablook turned away from the computer, removing his headphones as he caught sight of Woona. "Oh...Woona..." His voice had the faintest glimmer of joy as he saw her, but it was all but overwhelmed by his normal moroseness. "I...wasn't expecting company-"

Woona lunged forward, surrounding Napstablook with a magic field she could grip so she could hug him. "That's a pony hug!" she proclaimed happily.

Napstablook managed a small smile. "I'm...afraid I don't have much to offer in the way of refreshment...all I have is ghost food..."

Woona tilted her head in confusion. "Ghost food? How do you get ghost food?"

"From heartburn," Napstablook replied. He then tilted sideways in confusion. "...why are you laughing?"

Woona paused in her laughter. "Wait...you're serious?" When Napstablook nodded, she started laughing even harder, pounding her hooves on the floor.

Napstablook stared at her, unsure what to do. Having no other ideas on things he could offer, he turned to the DVD cases. "Would you like to listen to some of my music?"

Woona leapt to her hooves. "You make music? Lemme hear, lemme hear!"

Napstablook managed another smile. "Pick a track you'd like to listen to."

Woona looked through the tunes, and eventually selected Spookwave. "Oh...really relaxing."

"...sometimes, after a great meal, I like to lay on the floor and feel like garbage," Napstablook offered. "It's...a family tradition. Would you like to...join me?"

Smiling, Woona flopped to the floor in response. Napstablook lay down beside her.

As she lay there, the music playing around them, the world seemed to fade away, and the whole universe flowed by around them. As the zen lulled her towards slumber, the knowledge that she'd brightened Napstablook's day filled her with DETERMINATION.

Filled

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Woona yawned and stretched as she awoke from her nap in Napstablook's home. The floor, despite simply being solid wood, had been surprisingly comfortable. She noticed that Napstablook wasn't in, but a message was left on the computer screen.

Woona
You enjoyed being garbage with me so much you fell asleep. That made me...really happy.
I wanted to stay with you being garbage longer, but I had to get to work. Sorry...
I work at the snail farm to the east. I raise snails so monsters can look at them, talk to them, and watch them race.
You can visit me there if you like. Or not. It's okay either way.
Napstablook.

Woona hesitated. As much as she wanted to visit Napstablook at his work, most of her knowledge of snails involved how to season them for snail pie, and the other 91 uses for them in Toriel's book. As none of those uses had mentioned things like 'pets' or 'racing', she had a feeling that mentioning what she knew about snails at Napstablook's snail farm would probably result in major social awkwardness...and Napstablook had enough trouble with that as it was.(1)

Regrettably, Woona decided it would be best to not visit the snail farm. Heading back south, she made her way east. Noticing a sign over a cave entrance proclaiming it was a shop, she decided to stop in and see if there was anything she needed.

The shop keeper turned out to be a very old turtle, wearing an archaeologist's outfit complete with hat and magnifying glass. "Whoa there!" he greeted happily, his voice rather squeaky but friendly. "I've got some neat junk for sale."

Woona smiled happily. "Hi! I'm Woona! What's your name?"

The turtle laughed, a reedy, pleasant sound. "Name's Gerson, little lady-"

"Gerson?" Woona gasped out. "That's the name on Mama's photo, the one she didn't like talking about!"

"Photo?" Gerson asked, confused. "The only photo I ever took was for the Dreemur family, and the Queen took that with her when she went back to the Ruins."

"That's where I saw it!" Woona explained. "Back in Mama's house in the Ruins!"

Gerson looked down at her, his smile fading. "So...Toriel's yer Mom, then," he murmured, his inflection not quite a question.

"Uh huh!" Woona confirmed proudly. "She told me so!"

"She said ya could call her whatever ya liked?" Gerson asked hopefully.

"Nuh uh!" Woona denied emphatically. "She held me in her arms and said if that was what I needed, then she was my Mommy!"

Gerson groaned, putting his face in his free hand. "Oh Queenie...what were you thinking..."

"Wait...you wrote the inscription on the back of the photo?" Woona gasped. "How come you called Daddy 'Fluffybuns'?"

Gerson chuckled softly. "Sorry...don't really remember that story..."

"Well...I could ask Daddy when I see him..." Woona murmured.

Gerson stared. "You're...you're going to see the king?"

"Uh huh!" Woona proclaimed happily. "I'm gonna get Mommy and Daddy back together so we can be a family again! Then I just need to figure out how to give Chara his own body and bring Asriel back from the dead...pretty sure I saw a few books on Necromancy in the library up above..."

"So you are from the surface..." Gerson muttered. "Look, kid...if you succeed at getting the King and Queen back together and all the rest of that...come back to me and I'll tell ya the story of King Fluffybuns."

Woona grinned widely. "It's a promise!" she proclaimed happily.

Gerson managed a smile. "Until ya do, though...not to be unfriendly or nothin', but don't come back."

"Huh?" Woona gaped out, confused.

Gerson looked away. "I've...I've seen this happen too many times...I don't want to get involved again."

Woona sighed sadly. As much as she wanted to befriend Gerson and ask more questions, she knew she shouldn't push just now. "Okay..." she replied, turning to leave. She paused at the exit to the cave. "But when I'm done, I'm gonna come back and befriend the stuffing out of ya!"

Gerson managed a laugh. "Get outta here, ya crazy kid!"

He stared after Woona as she dashed away. Sighing sadly, he started packing. "One way or another...this is the end, isn't it?" he murmured softly.

Further to the east, Woona found more placards on the walls of the narrow path, telling the story of the war between monsters and humans. She chose not to read them, since she already knew the story from one of Toriel's books. Further east, Woona found herself in a large dark field with a path of luminescent moss leading to a trio of mushrooms. When she poked the mushrooms, they made a squeaking sound and lit up, illuminating another moss path. Woona gasped happily. "This is the way to Temmie Village!" she squealed happily.

Have fun with them, Chara murmured.

As Woona raced around illuminating the paths, she found herself in a FIGHT with a Temmie, a white creature with black hair that looked like a cross between a cat and a dog wearing a shirt. "H0i!" the creature greeted. "i'm tEMMIE!"

"So cute!" Woona squealed, glomping the Temmie.

"5o cyut!" the Temmie squealed back, glomping Woona.

Both eagerly began petting each other.

...you're not allergic? Chara asked, surprised. All humans are allergic to Temmies...

Not human! Woona reminded him happily.

"tEM t4ke u 2...TEM vILLAGE!" the Temmie proclaimed happily.

As the FIGHT lines vanished, Woona found herself in a large cavern where strange music echoed. Several Temmies were scattered about, along with a few signs. Woona approached the first sign.

H0i!!
welcome to...
TEM VILLAGE!!!

Woona giggled as she wandered around the small village, talking to the Temmies as they happily introduced themselves and their friends, who were also Temmie...except for one who was named Bob. Seeing the sign about the Tem Shop, Woona decided to check it out.

"h0i!" the Temmie shopkeeper greeted. "welcom to...da TEM SHOP!!!"

"Hi!" Woona greeted. "I'm Woona!"

"h0i! i'm tEMMIE!"

If you want an exercise in futility, ask about the history of Temmie Village, Chara offered in a grumbling tone.

"What can you tell me about your history?" Woona asked curiously.

"us tems hav a DEEP HISTORY!!!" the Temmie replied eagerly.

See what I-

Woona burst into laughter.

...eh? Chara asked confused.

"Tem Village...is underground!" Woona gasped out through her laughter.

"yaYA!" the shopkeeper Tem cheered. "some1 get it!"

...the entirety of Temmie Village is all for an obscure joke? Chara asked, his metaphysical eye twitched.

"yaYA!" the Temmie confirmed.

Chuckling, Woona fished through her inventory, seeing if she had anything to sell.

"u hav spyder doonut?" the Temmie gasped out. "hnn...i gota hav dat spyder doonut...but i gota pay for colleg..."

"College?" Woona asked curiously.

"tem sav munnies for colleg," the Temmie insisted.

"How much do you need?" Woona asked curiously.

"1000!"

Woona checked her bit bags. "Hmm...ah!" She placed 8000 gold down on the counter. "Now all of you can go to College-"

"WOA!" all the Temmies cried out in excitement as they rushed into the shop. "thas ALOT o muns...can tems really acepts..."

"Go on!" Woona encouraged them all.

"OKs!!! tems go to colleg and make u prouds!"

The Temmies all seemed to slide out of existence with the money, their smiles and eyes remaining. Woona tried not to look as they all slid back in. "tems learn make specil item for Woona!" the shopkeeper Temmie proclaimed, stuffing something into Woona's inventory.

Chara examined the item. The Temmies gave you a box of Super Tem Flakes. It...never runs out of delicious crunchies.

Woona took a hoofful out of the box and stuffed it into her mouth. "...these are tasty!" Woona declared happily. "How do you make them?"

"tems mak flakes by cutting up bout aytems!" the Temmie shopkeeper proclaimed happily.

"Recycling!" Woona declared eagerly, dancing out of the shop.

On her way out of Tem Village, Woona noticed one of the Temmies curled around an egg. "Umm...is that yours?" Woona asked.

"tem...WATCH EGG!!!" the Temmie proclaimed. "eg...WILL HATCH!!! tem...PROUD PARENT!!!" The Temmie glanced to either side. "tem learn at colleg that eg ned body heat to hatch," she whispered. "SCANDAL!"

Woona giggled. "I'll help you keep the egg warm!" Woona offered, curling up to the other side of the egg and laying one wing protectively over it.

You do realize the egg is hard boiled-

Pony magic and Temmie magic interacts through the SOULSTONE.
A NEWSOUL is born. The egg hatches.

...wat?

Woona gasped as she and the Temmie pulled back. The egg hatched, and a tiny Temmie tumbled out. "h0i!" it squeaked out in a tiny voice. "i tEMMIE!"

The Temmie who was warming the egg gasped. "not jus any tem!" the Temmie proclaimed. "Luk! Has horn and wings lik Woona!"

Looking closely, Woona saw that yes, the little Temmie had wings and a horn.

"is PRINCESS TEMMIE!" the 'proud parent' Temmie proclaimed. "we is...PROUD PARENTS!"

...please reset now... Chara groaned, burying his metaphorical face in his metaphorical hands.

"you is...PROUD PAPA!" the Temmie proclaimed happily.

The knowledge that she was now a parent to such an adorable creature filled Woona with DETEMMIENATION!

...Toby damn you to trash, Woona...

(1) Besides, Chara seemed to think that any humor from such a situation had already been done elsewhen in the various timelines.

Hero

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After some mental debate, Woona decided that Princess Temmie should stay with her Mommy, Temmie, rather than come with Woona, at least at first. For one thing, Princess Temmie only had 1 HP, and 0 ATK and DEF, making her literally helpless at her present size. For another, Woona knew she would be going up against Undyne soon, and she didn't want her little one involved in that. And aside from that, Chara seemed to really dislike her for some reason. For the moment, she decided it would be best if Princess Temmie stayed in the village...along with 1500 gold as a college fund for when she was ready.

You know you're starting to run low on gold, Chara pointed out as she left the village. Even the bits you brought with you from the surface are almost gone.

And...what else would I spend money on? Woona thought back logically as she illuminated her path through a darker maze segment with her magic, the light from her horn making most monsters greet her warmly rather than FIGHT, as they all knew that only Monsters could cast light spells.

Food to recover HP? Chara suggested as he guided her around another corner.

Infinite Temmie Flakes, Woona countered.

Armor?

I've got the SOULSTONE, my ribbon, my cartographer's cap, and my cape, Woona indicated. Do I need more armor?

Weapons? Chara suggested.

Why would I want to hurt anyone? Woona demanded, her voice offended as she entered a new area, the sound of waterfalls in the distance as she walked across a pool of water with her magic...only to reach a dead end with an Echo Flower.

...because Undyne's right behind us... Chara whispered.

Woona turned as the passage illuminated, the armored figure slowly approaching. Oh...right...her...

Woona braced herself as best she could, ready to FIGHT if that was what was to come. Undyne continued her steady approach, walking steadily closer to Woona. Then she spoke.

"Seven," Undyne stated firmly, her voice echoing through the helmet she wore, distorting it. "Seven human souls. With the power of seven human souls, our king, King Asgore Dreemur, will become a god. With that power, Asgore can finally shatter the barrier. He will take the surface back for monsters, the surface humanity banished us from..."

Woona struggled to speak, but she was frozen with fear.

"You are not human...but your soul possesses the right properties," Undyne explained. "Your death will set us free." She then braced herself in a running position, a blue spear of magic appearing in her hands. She closed the distance, and the FIGHT lines began to take shape.

"Undyne!" MK shouted as he dashed out of some tall grass in a wall alcove nearby, breaking the FIGHT lines as he appeared. "I'll help you FIGHT!"

"MK, are you crazy?" Woona demanded, now more terrified for MK than for herself.

"Oh hey, Woona!" MK greeted happily. "Are you here to help Undyne beat up the bad guys, too? Then again, she probably doesn't need it...but you've got front row seats to the FIGHT!" He glanced around, somewhat confused. "So, uh...where are the bad guys we're FIGHTing?"

Grumbling under her breath, Undyne dispelled her spear and grabbed MK by the cheek, dragging him off.

"Hey!" MK complained. "I wanna help FIGHT! ...you aren't gonna tell my parents about this, are you?"

Woona breathed a sigh of relief. "He's gonna be okay, right?" she asked worriedly.

He'll be fine, Chara assured her. Come on, we've still got a long way to go.

Nodding, Woona made her way back to the pool of water. A glowing path led north, making her confused as to how she missed it earlier. The path led across another watery road, past more Echo Flowers with snatches of a private conversation. At the end of the path, she saw a placard that told of a Prophecy, an Angel who had seen the Surface. It said that the Angel would return, and the Underground would go empty.

This seems important, Woona thought silently before continuing east.

Continuing onward, Woona found she had to cross a narrow wooden bridge over a wide chasm. She crossed it with no problems...but she heard someone calling her before she'd quite reached the end.

"Yo!"

She turned around with a smile. "MK!" she called happily, rushing back towards him. "I'm so glad to see you! You didn't get in trouble, did you?"

Much to her surprise, MK looked...upset about something. "I...I'm not supposed to be here, but...Undyne says you're...from the surface. Is...is that true?"

Woona nodded sadly. "It is. I came from the surface..."

"Oh man..." MK groaned. "This is...this is just so uncool. Undyne said to stay away from you, cause...bad stuff comes from the surface. So..." He hung his head. "I...guess that makes us enemies..."

Woona whimpered softly.

"I kinda stink at the whole enemies thing, though..." MK continued. "Could you...say something mean so I can hate you? Please?"

"But..." Woona teared up. "But I don't want you to hate me..."

"Please?" MK pleaded.

Woona struggled to find something mean to say. "...umm...why are you such a klutz?" she offered.

"What?" MK demanded. "That's your idea of something mean to say? My sister says that to me all the time!" He chuckled somewhat. "Guess I have to try." He cleared his throat staring down at Woona's teary-eyed face. "I...I..." After a time, he hung his head. "I can't do it..." He turned to leave. "I'm gonna go home now..."

As he raced back across the bridge, his footing slipped and he fell, barely clinging to the edge of the bridge. "Help!" he called out. "I tripped!"

"MK!" Woona called out worriedly, racing to help.

Undyne's right there! Chara insisted in warning, drawing Woona's attention to where Undyne was close on the bridge.

Forget her! Woona insisted, dashing up to where MK was barely hanging on and seizing hold of him with her magic. "Don't worry, MK! I've got you!" Carefully she lifted him back onto the bridge.

MK stared at Woona, stunned. As Undyne started to approach, he swallowed convulsively, turned, and stepped towards his idol.

Undyne stared down through her helmet as her little fan stepped towards her. She had a feeling there would be trouble if he continued hanging out with the pony. But...the pony had immediately leapt to save him. And now he stood between Undyne and her prey. The eye slots of her helmet glowed, showing her the little one's stats.

HP 100
ATK 2
DEF 2

Barely a threat to anyone. Unfortunately, attempts to scan the pony had given her nothing. The helmet's scan function was designed to handle magic up to one human soul. It wouldn't give her information regarding a soul with the strength of four.

"Y-y-yo dude..." MK proclaimed, stammering and shaking. "If...if you wanna h-hurt my friend..." He closed his eyes. When he opened them, his face was stern. "Y-you're gonna have to go through me."

Undyne noticed the stat readout shifting. She recognized the signs of a monster tapping Determination. Protocol for such a situation was very clear; determine the alteration of stats, and do not engage in battle. Fighting a monster that had tapped Determination would only result in said monster dissolving.

The new stats appeared, and Undyne's eyes widened.

HP 86
ATK 75
DEF 309

The lower HP was understandable, as that often happened with Determination...but the others...

Undyne slowly backed away, removing herself from the situation. Even if she wasn't worried about MK dissolving from Determination, those were not stats she would tango with lightly.

MK took a few deep, calming breaths as he felt that strange strength that had flooded him leaching away, his body no longer feeling like it would explode at any time. "S...she's gone..." he murmured. He was torn between amazement - he made Undyne back off - and despair - he'd confronted Undyne! "...you okay-"

His thought process was shattered as he felt soft lips on his cheek. Woona pulled back, her eyes shining as she looked up at him. "My hero!" she squealed happily. "You stood up to Undyne to protect me!"

MK blushed, chuckling. "W-well, you saved me first!" he countered, trying to make light of what he'd done.

"That was easy," Woona corrected, making light of her own efforts. "But you...I've never seen anything so brave!" She gave him as much of a hug as she could manage.

"Heh...I guess it was..." MK murmured, more than just a little flustered. "Hehe...so much for being enemies...I guess we'll just have to be friends."

Woona grinned happily at that idea. "Yes!" she cried happily. "But I'll never forget your heroism. You're a brave knight!"

MK's chest puffed up a little. "Y-yeah! I like the sound of that!"

"Then be brave, my knight!" Woona proclaimed, posing like a princess.

MK shifted his body to swing one sleeve of his shirt up to his forehead in salute. He then realized what time it was. "I gotta get home! My parents are gonna freak I've been gone so long!"

"Fare thee well, my brave knight!" Woona called after him as he dashed away.

Seeing her friend rush off, his purpose renewed, and his heroism fresh in her mind, filled Woona with DETERMINATION.

Martyr

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Turning east, Woona continued her journey to her final destination, a first meeting and confrontation with her Daddy, so she could make her family whole again. Seeing how her friendship with MK had made him so strong, she knew she could surely handle anything the Underground threw at her. She just needed to be as brave as MK had been.

I hope you can be, Chara murmured in her mind. See that mountain?

Looking up, Woona saw a most unusual formation. A miniature mountain stood tall, with a tunnel through the center of it. How is there a mountain under a mountain? Woona asked Chara, confusion plain in her voice.

I think the figure standing on top of the mountain is of greater concern just now, Chara told her.

Looking higher, Woona swallowed convulsively. Atop the peak, the familiar armored figure stood, her back to Woona. "U-Undyne..."

"Seven," Undyne explained. "Seven human souls, and King Asgore will become a god." She half turned towards Woona. "Six. That's how many we have collected thus far." She turned to completely face Woona. "Understand? Through your seventh and final soul, this world will be transformed." She turned away, towards the west. "First, however, as is customary for those who make it this far..." Undyne turned back to face down the tiny pony. "I shall tell you the tragic tale of our people."

Woona clenched her teeth. She knew if she let Undyne set the pace of this, there would be no way to win. Undyne was simply too strong, she could feel that. She had to change the script. Steeling herself, she shouted out, "Tell me while we FIGHT!" At her declaration, her half of the FIGHT lines took shape.

Undyne stared down at her for a time...then reached up and tossed her helmet aside, revealing a blue fish-like face with crimson hair, one gleaming gold eye and an eyepatch, and a widely grinning mouth filled with shark teeth. "Now that's my kind of attitude!" Undyne proclaimed, leaping down to the ground as the FIGHT lines completed themselves. Sweeping her spear, a green aura surrounded Woona, and she found herself locked in place. "You may be standing in the way of everyone's hopes and dreams...but you stand tall as a warrior! Your soul will save us all, but it was wrong of me to try and steal it! Let me give you the warrior's death you deserve! EN GUARDE!"

Woona tensed herself as the wind howled around her, finding a green spear floating in her magic. Clutching it tightly, she readied herself for the battle to come, even if she would fight defensively as she heard out the whole tale.

Undyne apparently found her readiness appealing. "As long as you're Green, you won't stand a chance against me unless you learn to face danger head on!" She promptly unleashed a wave of spears to fly at Woona from all sides.

Spinning, Woona relied on Chara's direction of where the spears were coming from, twirling her spear to deflect them. "Is that all you got?" she called out confidently. "Where's the story you mentioned?"

Undyne laughed eagerly as she sent wave after wave of spears, plainly enjoying the fact that Woona could easily block them all. "For years and years...we've all dreamed of a happy ending...where we can all go back to the surface together!" Changing tactics, she lunged forward, only to find her own spear held at bay by Woona's. "And now...sunlight is just within reach!"

Woona spun her spear, blocking each and every thrust and swing from Undyne as she listened to the story. "The power to break the barrier..."

"That's right!" Undyne proclaimed. "Your soul has the power we need! With it, the barrier will fall, and everyone's hopes and dreams will be realized! We shall return to the surface! We will be free!" In a frenzy from the intensity of her emotions, Undyne delivered blow after blow, her spear spinning like a whirling dervish.

Woona twirled her own spear, managing to block each and every strike. "And...that's what everyone wants?"

"Yes!" Undyne proclaimed eagerly as she leapt back to hurl another wave of spears, followed by dispelling the green aura before hurling a lance at Woona. Each spear was blocked and the lance evaded. "You've been making friends with everyone...you care about them...then do this for them!"

Woona leapt back and forth as she dodged the waves of spears now hurled at her in Undyne's frenzy. "Then...my death is what will save everyone?" she asked sorrowfully. "Make them...happy?"

"Now you understand!" Undyne declared hotly, once more locking Woona in place with her green magic. "All you have to do is let me win-"

Undyne's frenzied charge was interrupted as Woona's spear unleashed a barrage of blows upon her, twisting around Undyne's own spear and knocking it from her hands before delivering a stunning shaft blow to her head, knocking her back. "...really?" Woona asked sadly.

Undyne staggered backwards, stunned. She shook her head quickly to clear it. "Yes! Your death will make everyone happy!"

Woona lowered her head. "...alright," she said softly, holding her spear out to her side...and dropping it, letting it dissipate.

What are you doing?! Chara screamed in her mind. If you give up, your Determination is gone! I won't be able to save you! You won't be able to reset!

I don't want to be saved, Woona replied. I don't want to reset. If...if dying here saves everyone...then that's what I want!

I won't let you do that! Chara snapped. I'm resetting-

NO!

Chara found his power frozen, completely cut off from Woona's magic. But...but all your promises...

Nodding, Woona looked sadly up at Undyne, her forelegs spread wide, leaving herself an open target. This is more important...

Undyne stared down at her equine opponent, now holding herself up for slaughter. "...really?" Undyne asked, stunned.

"Yes," Woona replied, her voice sorrowful but firm. "I'm...I'm ready."

Nodding, Undyne generated one of her spears, charging more magic into it than normal. "Your sacrifice will be remembered," she promised. "I'll make this quick, so there will be no pain."

"Could...could you do some things for me?" Woona asked sadly. "After you...take my soul?"

Undyne nodded. "Name them," she agreed readily.

"Could you go to Temmie Village...and tell Princess Temmie that Papa is sorry she's not coming home?"

Undyne froze, more magic flowing into her spear. Princess Temmie? A child?

"And...tell Gerson I'm sorry I couldn't come back to hear the 'King Fluffybuns' story?"

I have to tell Old Man Gerson I killed a little girl? Undyne thought in her mind, her resolve starting to waver. No! Focus! I'm saving everyone! It's worth it! She clenched her teeth, pouring more magic into the spear as it slowly grew in her hand.

"And...and tell Napstablook I'm sorry I couldn't visit him at work. The awkwardness would have been worth one last romp together..." Tears poured down Woona's cheeks. "And...and tell Shyren I'm sorry we couldn't do a reunion tour..."

Undyne remembered how happy Shyren had seemed just recently, singing her heart out once again. I'll...I'll destroy her...

"And tell Papy I'm sorry I never got to teach him how to make macaroni..." Woona sobbed.

Papyrus... Undyne ground her teeth together. No! I'm doing this for him!

"And...and tell Sans I'm sorry we couldn't hang out again..."

Undyne clenched her whole body. If I do this, Sans will kill me...fine. If it saves everyone, I'll take what I'm given!

"And..." Woona set her saddlebags aside. "There's a snowman in here who wants to see the world...and some spiders who want to get back to their family in Hotland. Can you do that for me...since I won't be able to?"

Finding something she could easily agree to, Undyne nodded even as the weight of concentrated magic in her spear began to make her knees buckle.

"And...my Mommy's in the ruins..." Woona finished. "Tell her...I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise...to make our family whole again..." Tears poured freely from Woona's eyes as she choked back her sobs.

Undyne's eyes widened. But...but the only one in the Ruins with family outside is...the Queen. Then...she's Asgore's child too...just like all the others...Can...Can I betray my King and Queen, too?

Woona closed her eyes, awaiting the end.

Indecision warred in Undyne's mind.

She wants you to do it! She's willing to die to save everyone!

Will you betray them all? Destroy them all?

If she leaves, we are doomed forever!

If you do this, we are damned forever!

Friendship or duty...who am I?

With the weight of her choice weighing on her almost as much as the magic she had gathered, Undyne cocked her arm back...and with the power of her intent, hurled her spear.

Woona felt the magic of Undyne's spear flying towards her. She felt death approaching. She relaxed herself, ready for the end.

She felt the magic graze her ear as it shot past her, hearing it explode against the wall far behind her.

Her eyes flew open, and she saw Undyne staring forward, tears pouring from her eye and down her cheek. "I..." Undyne began. "I can't..." Undyne sank to her knees. "I can't do it..." Covering her eye and eyepatch with her hands, Undyne wept for her failure.

Feeling the green magic release her as the FIGHT lines faded, Woona did the only thing she felt she could do. Walking forward, she slipped herself into Undyne's lap, wrapping her forelegs and wings around as much of the warrior as she could, trying to give her a comforting hug.

As the intensity of the situation faded, the adrenaline drained out of Woona, leaving her drowsy. But there was no DETERMINATION in the shared sorrow as she slipped into slumber.

Madness

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Undyne eventually found the end of her tears, and rubbed her eye. "Geeze," she muttered. "I can't believe I broke down like that in front of you, pony. Some Captain I am...don't tell anyone about this, okay pony?" She furrowed her brow as she heard no response. "Pony?"

Something stirred briefly against her chest. Glancing down, she saw that the tiny filly had curled up in her embrace, tear tracks down her face, and was deep asleep.

"Huh," Undyne muttered. "Didn't really expect that. Can't really leave you alone, though, can I? Some other monster's likely to come along and take your soul while you sleep..."

A wicked cackle echoed in the air. On instinct, Undyne hurled a spear of magic at the source of the cackle, tracking it expertly. She was rewarded with a shocked cry, followed by silence.

"Yup," Undyne grumbled. "Definitely can't leave you unattended." Sighing, she got to her feet. "Well, my house is closest. My armor's too heavy for me to make it to Alphys' place through Hotland." She started to walk, only to trip slightly as her foot caught on Woona's saddlebags, set aside when Woona had prepared to accept death. "Right...got some friends in there..."Setting the back strap over her shoulder, Undyne carried the bags along with Woona.

She made sure not to encounter anyone on her way back, not ready to face what any of them might say. A wrong guess could easily be worse than a right one. She didn't want to face anyone until she'd made her report to the King...even if it would likely be the last report she ever made as Captain of the Royal Guard.

Making it back to her home without interference, she carried Woona into her room, tucking her into the bed and setting the bags to the side. With that done, she left the room - shedding her armor as she went, leaving herself in just her black workout clothes - and made her way back to the kitchen, picking up the phone. "Here goes..." she murmured, dialing the number.

The phone rang a few times, but was eventually picked up. "This is the palace," the King's deep, warm, friendly voice responded. "How may I direct your call?"

Undyne did her best not to have her palm meet her face. "Your Majesty-"

"One moment please," Asgore responded.

Undyne's resistance crumbled, and her hand smacked her face. "Asgore..."

"Ah, Undyne!" Asgore greeted pleasantly. "It's such a treat to hear from you. Anything new in your life? Or anyone?"

This time, her forehead met her kitchen counter. "...Your Majesty, I'm afraid I'm calling because I have failed as Captain of the Royal Guard."

Asgore was silent for a time. "Oh?" he asked finally, his voice still gentle, a curious tone added. "How do you feel you have failed?"

"I...I was confronted with the one whose soul would set us free," Undyne explained. "She...she lowered her guard, allowing me to take her soul to save everyone...and I could not do it. I...could not betray my friends to save them."

Asgore let those words hang in the air for a few moments before speaking. "And you see this as failure?" he calmly inquired.

"Isn't it?" Undyne demanded. "I betrayed my duty! I betrayed you! When it came to the moment of decision, I chose my friends over my duty!"

"As Captain of the Guard, that is your duty," Asgore stated firmly.

Undyne froze, his words confusing her. "What under Ebott are you talking about?" she demanded. "Your Majesty," she added respectfully.

"Recite the Guardsman's oath," Asgore ordered.

"My oath is sworn, to obey my Captain, to protect my countrymen, for the glory of our Kingdom," Undyne responded automatically.

"Recite the Captain's Oath," Asgore demanded.

"My life and Soul are no longer my own," Undyne recited. "They are for others. My solemn vow, to serve and protect my people, my country, in the Name of the King."

"And you say you have failed in your duty," Asgore offered, a smile audible in his voice.

Undyne hesitated. "I...I don't understand..."

"The order of who you serve in both oaths is an order of priority," Asgore explained. "As a Guardsman, the orders of the Captain are paramount. They are to obey their Captain before their King. And the Captain is to put the well being of the people before the well being of the Kingdom, and before the King's orders."

"But...why?" Undyne asked, confused.

"We are a race of magic," Asgore explained. "The magic we wield is driven by thought, and powered by emotions. We may have lost to the humans, but they were never the greatest threat our race could face. Do you know what that greatest danger is?"

Undyne shook her head. "No, sir. I don't. What could have been more dangerous to our people than the humans?"

"A mad King."

Undyne blinked. "I don't see-"

"By definition, the King is a Boss Monster," Asgore explained. "Our soul is the strongest of all our people, and thus is our magic. Imagine that magic shaped by insanity, and driven by deranged desires."

Undyne shivered at the very idea. "I'd really rather not, sire."

"Few would," Asgore confirmed. "That is why the last test to become Captain of the Royal Guard - the one you actually passed first - is to prove combat capabilities superior to the King's."

Undyne's jaw worked, struggling to make sense of what she was being told. "You mean...when I knocked you down in combat training..."

"Exactly," Asgore replied. "You were tapped to be Captain that day...because you showed you had the skill to take me down if needed, and the willingness to do so. And I knew...if ever the Madness took me...you would free me."

"But...but you're our hope, Your Majesty!" Undyne gasped out. "You...you can't go mad!"

"You are wrong," Asgore replied, his voice broken. "The seed of Madness is already planted in my mind. Don't you see? They weren't just humans!" Asgore's voice lost its discipline, becoming somewhat frenzied. "They were her children! They were my children! And I killed them, with these hands!" Hysterical sobbing broke into his speech.

"But it had to be done!" Undyne insisted. "Not just for all monsters...but for them, too! It was Mercy-"

"Death is death!" Asgore wailed. "Whatever the justification, their blood is on my hands! It will never wash out! I see their gaze upon me as my weapon destroyed their flesh! It haunts my nightmares and my waking world! I took from them the choice to Spare me, to Spare them from a worse fate...but the pain of betrayal was the last living feeling they knew!" Hysterical sobs broke into Asgore's voice. "My children...gone by my hand...their blood...all I see is blood...make it stop! Make it go away! Undyne, help me! Save me! END IT!"

"Asgore!" Undyne screamed in terror, the phone nearly breaking in her hand, so tense had she become. "Enough! Calm down! Breathe!" Hearing the sound of the King hyperventilating, she ordered, "Paper bag!"

She could hear a bag rapidly inflating and deflating on the other end. Eventually, she heard her King once more his normal self. "Undyne...I'm...I'm sorry you had to witness that. I...I have control of myself most of the time...but..."

"I understand, Your Majesty," Undyne replied, managing to keep her voice under control as she gripped her countertop.

Asgore took a few deep, calming breaths. "I...I must be strong...for my subjects. Un...until the barrier breaks...I cannot fall. Thank you for your help, Captain."

"I am ever at your service," Undyne replied.

"...Citrine..." Asgore began. "It's past her bedtime. She never sleeps soundly unless I tuck her in with her favorite blanket and teddy bear. And the others need a story as well..."

Undyne winced. It had been so long that Asgore - and many others - had forgotten the names of the human children whose souls waited to break the barrier. The only one who still remembered was Gerson, and he refused to see anyone these days. Asgore had taken to referring to the souls by the names of gemstones that shared their color. "Go see to them, Your Majesty," she offered.

"I shall," Asgore replied. "Thank you for your service, Captain."

Nodding dumbly, Undyne hung up the phone. As she let go, she pulled her hands back...staring in stunned shock at where her grip had warped her counter to match the contours of her hand. She had long known that having to take the human souls had been difficult for the kindly monarch...but she'd never realized how it must have affected him, that they were his own children. He worked so hard to seem kind and wise, gentle with his subjects...but the madness that he just barely held back...

"And we expect him to absorb the souls of seven of his children, dead by his own hands, to become a god..." Undyne shook her head. "A mad god...would he even want to save us at that point?" She stared at her hands, the hands that had tried to take the souls of her King's children in the past. "...we don't deserve to be saved. That...that we'd do this to our own King..."

As she felt her hope begin to flag, she shook her head, steeling herself. Maybe the surface would be forever beyond the reach of monsters. Maybe it should be forever beyond their reach. But so long as Woona was in their care, it was the duty of Monsters - of Undyne herself - to see to it that Woona made her way safely home, without knowing the true torment the race faced.

She knew what she would have to do come morning when the filly awoke. It was time to make friends...Undyne Style!

Make New Friends but Keep Papyrus

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Woona blinked her eyes blearily as she awoke. "Ugh...my eyes hurt..." she grumbled, rubbing at them.

That's what happens when you cry yourself to sleep, Chara offered, his voice somewhat cold.

Woona blinked. Are...are you upset with me, Chara? she asked in her mind.

Let's see...you were about to sacrifice yourself, breaking the heart of everyone who's grown to care about you and probably leading Mom to fall down, all because someone you just met told you it would make everyone happy! Chara replied sarcastically. No, nothing in that to be upset over!

Then why are you yelling at me? Woona whimpered internally.

...that was sarcasm. Yes, I'm very upset with you right now.

I'm sorry... Woona whimpered. But...everyone we meet is looking forward to the barrier being broken...I just...wanted to make that happen...

Chara sighed gustily. Then find some way to do it that won't cause a civil war in the process, Chara scolded. I haven't stuck around you this long just to see you act like an idiot.

I offer much more than that in way of entertainment! Woona offered jokingly.

...just get out of bed already, Chara chided. Undyne's probably waiting for you. This is her house, after all.

Right! With that thought, Woona leapt out of bed, donned her saddlebags from where they lay beside her, and left the spartan, barely furnished bedroom and into a surprisingly clean and tidy kitchen. The walls had a pink fish pattern against blue wallpaper - a pattern that was repeated throughout the room with fish decorations - an orange table, a fridge, a stove, and a piano.

Undyne stood near the counter, trying to smooth out a warp with pure strength, only to stop as she caught sight of Woona. No longer in her armor, she wore a black shirt Chara identified as a 'wife beater', and blue jeans with brown boots. "You finally woke up, huh?" she asked with a smirk. "I was beginning to think I'd have to keep an eye out for your soul leaving your body after all."

Woona blinked, confused. "Uh..."

She thought you might fall down in your sleep, Chara explained.

"Oh, no!" Woona continued. "I was just...really tired. That fight was...pretty intense."

"Yeah," Undyne agreed, looking away. "Physically and emotionally..." She bit her lip, then shook her head. "Anyway, since I can't deliver the finishing blow after all, there's no way I can be your enemy."

Woona gasped happily. "Then we can be friends-"

"NO!" Undyne snapped, flexing. "Friends is not enough! If I am to have my revenge upon you for this humiliation, I must make you like me so much that we become 'besties'! Then you will be the one humiliated!" Throwing her head back, Undyne burst into laughter.

Woona couldn't stop herself from giggling along with her. "I hope you're ready to give it your all!" she countered, doing her best to pose like a diva. "After all, I am a pony with very high standards!"

"I'm friends with Papyrus," Undyne countered.

Woona gasped dramatically. "Oh no! You're meeting all of my standards!"

As Undyne and Woona laughed together, Chara moved ethereally to the wall, futilely attempting to bang his head against it.

Undyne grinned widely as she stopped laughing. "Why don't you have a seat and we'll get started?"

Nodding, Woona took a seat at the table.

"Comfortable?" Undyne asked. When Woona nodded, she made her way to the fridge. "I'll get you something to drink." Taking several items out, she laid them out on the counter. "What would you like?"

As Woona started to stand to examine the items, Undyne hurled a spear that broke the table as it became embedded in the wood.

"Hey!" Undyne shouted. "Don't get up! You're the guest! Sit down and enjoy yourself!"

"Yes'm," Woona replied meekly, planting her bottom on the stool.

Undyne winced, not having meant to scare her. "Hey, how about you use that spear to point at what you want?" Undyne suggested.

Nodding, Woona levitated the spear in her magic.

Point it at her! Chara suggested eagerly.

Stifling her giggles, Woona pointed the spear at Undyne.

Undyne blinked, a little stunned. "Are you...hitting on me?"

Doing her best to keep a straight face, Woona quirked her eyebrows up and down suggestively. However, she wasn't able to maintain her straight face for long before bursting into laughter. "Your face!" she squealed in laughter as she fell over, the bone in her apron pocket clacking against the floor.

"Is that a bone in your pocket?" Undyne demanded, confused.

"Nope!" Woona squealed through her laughter. "I'm just happy to see you!"

Running to the wall, Undyne slammed her face through it before screaming in frustration. Chara howled in laughter. After a time, Undyne pulled her head back into the room. "Where did you learn that sort of humor?" she demanded.

"My big brother!" Woona responded happily.

"Then someone needs to give your big brother a spanking!" Undyne insisted. "Those jokes are naughty!"

Woona's eyes widened. Chara! she demanded in her mind. You were making me make naughty jokes at everyone?

All I did was suggest them, Chara countered. You told them all on your own.

Groaning, Woona buried her face in the broken table, the spear spinning to point at the tea.

"Tea, huh?" Undyne asked. "Alright." She quickly pulled out a pot, filled it with water, and put it on the stove. "It'll take it a while for the water to boil. Want to talk about anything in that time?"

"How come you have so little here?" Woona asked curiously.

"Cause I tend to break things a lot," Undyne replied. "So nothing I value stays here long. I leave most of it with Alphys."

"Who?" Woona inquired.

"The royal scientist," Undyne explained. "She has a lab in Hotland where she lives. She's...a friend."

"Does she come here often?" Woona asked curiously.

"Sometimes," Undyne replied easily, glancing at the teapot, her gaze somewhat distracted.

Woona looked at Undyne carefully for a time. "...she never stays long?" she asked carefully.

"I just said that," Undyne muttered distractedly.

Woona rubbed her hooves together, deciding to leave it at that for now. Before long, Undyne presented Woona with a cup of tea. "Careful, it's hot."

Nodding, Woona held it in her magic, using a brief cooling spell to bring the tea to palatable drinking levels. Her eyes widened as she tasted it. "This is Mommy's favorite tea!" she gasped out.

Undyne nodded. "Your father's, too," she stated.

Woona flinched. "Uhh..."

"The only woman in the Ruins with family out here is Queen Toriel," Undyne continued. "Which means she's your Mother based on what you said...and that makes King Asgore your Father, Princess."

"I've been trying to keep it secret," Woona murmured softly.

"Understandable," Undyne explained. "You seem determined to befriend everyone, for whatever reason. That would be somewhat difficult if everyone knew you were the King's daughter he hadn't met yet." She carefully sipped her own tea. "You're actually a lot like Asgore."

"I am?" Woona asked, surprised.

"Yeah!" Undyne confirmed. "You're both total weenies!" As Woona glowered at her, Undyne frowned. "...sort of. ...you know, I used to be a really hotheaded kid. To try and prove how strong I was, I challenged Asgore and tried to fight him." She chuckled softly. "Emphasis on tried. I couldn't land a hit on him...and he refused to fight back."

"Just like me," Woona concluded.

"Yeah," Undyne agreed. "After that humiliating defeat...he asked if I wanted to know how to beat him. When I said I did, he started training me. I still remember the day I finally knocked him flat on his back. I thought he'd be angry or upset, especially with how bad I felt from doing that...but I've never seen him look more proud..."

Woona said nothing, just taking in everything Undyne was saying.

At that moment, the phone rang. "One sec," Undyne said, quickly going to the phone and picking it up. "Hello? ...Papyrus? ...yeah, Woona's just fine. I'm making friends with her. We're going to be besties, so take that! ...what? What do you mean you can't make your cooking lesson? ...oh, I see how it is! In that case, I'll teach her how to make spaghetti even better than you can! Then we'll see who's better friends with her!" She slammed the phone down, breaking it. "Hey, Woona! Wanna learn how to cook spaghetti?"

"Yay! Pasghetti!" Woona cheered. "Then I can cook with Papy!"

"Then let me show you how it's done!" Undyne screamed, sweeping everything off the counters. Leaping across the table, she grabbed Woona and yanked her over to the counter. "Let's start with the sauce!" she screamed, stomping her foot and causing vegetables to fall from the ceiling. "Envision these vegetables as your greatest enemy...and POUND THEM TO DUST WITH YOUR FISTS!"

"...I don't have fists," Woona pointed out, waving her hooves.

"Then use whatever, just POUND WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT!" Undyne screamed out.

Gathering her magic, Woona envisioned the barrier keeping the Monsters underground upon the vegetables and unleashed. The countertop directly in front of her was left cratered, the vegetables sprayed over the wall. "Uhh..."

"Now that's some epic cooking!" Undyne screamed encouragingly. "We'll scrape it into a bowl later! But for now!" Stomping her foot again, a pot full of water and a box of spaghetti noodles fell onto the stove. "We add the noodles! Homemade noodles are the best...BUT I JUST BUY STORE BRAND! THEY'RE THE CHEAPEST!"

Remembering how Undyne told her to make the sauce, Woona seized the box of noodles in her magic, leapt into the air, and dunked it into the pot with enough force to shatter the box and create an upward geyser of water.

"YES!" Undyne screamed encouragingly, really getting into it. "Now STIR! The more you stir, the better it is!"

Seizing the spear from the table in her magic, Woona slammed it into the pot hard enough to damage it, splashing water and pasta everywhere.

"Now it's time to cook!" Undyne screamed out. "Give it everything you've got!"

Nodding, Woona called forth her fire magic and bombarded the pot with it, pouring out as much as she could.

"That's it!" Undyne insisted. "Let the stovetop symbolize your hopes and dreams! Turn them into a blazing pyre!" As the pot began to melt, she screamed out, "Hotter!" As the flames swirled like a wildfire, she screamed, "Hotter!" When it began to consume all the oxygen in the room, she backed up. "Maybe a little too hot..."

Woona could not hear. All she could hear was Undyne encouraging her to put all of her into the cooking flame, and all she could see was the fire. And then the house exploded.

Woona lifted her head groggily, staring at the crater where Undyne's house used to be. "...oops?" she squeaked out.

Undyne turned to glower at her. She held out her hand to start a lecture...and a plate landed on it. Perfectly cooked pasta piled itself onto the plate as it fell. Perfectly mixed sauce covered the pasta in the perfect proportion. A single sprig of parsley slowly floated down to garnish the platter perfectly. A fork landed tines first in the pile, waiting for the taste test.

Woona and Undyne both stared at it...and then Undyne burst into laughter. "Now that's what I call Epic Pasta Time!" she screamed out. "I'm taking this to Papyrus' house to show him how much better you are at cooking, and how much better friends we are that you cooked for me! If you wanna talk, besty, you can reach me there!" Laughing madly, Undyne dashed off.

Woona blinked in confusion. "Uhh...what just happened?"

Friendship...Undyne style, Chara explained.

"Ya~tta!" Woona cheered, leaping into the air and thrusting one hoof upwards in victory, the...unusual method of making a friend filling her with DETERMINATION.

Woona Doesn't Get It

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Once Woona finished celebrating befriending Undyne, Woona glanced around at the crater where her house had been. "Huh...I should probably try and fix this..."

Or you could go back to making your way to the barrier to try and find a way to break it to let everyone out on the surface, Chara offered. Then she could get a new house up there.

"Good idea!" Woona agreed eagerly. "...so..."

Back to the mountain where we had a FIGHT with Undyne-

Woona took Sans' shortcut, appearing at the base of the mountain. "Oh, a tunnel!" she squealed happily, racing through.

...warn me next time... Chara groaned. Shortcuts are not good for my etheric balance.

"Oops...sorry."

Woona carefully followed the path north into an area glowing red, rocky outcrops linked by wooden bridges suspended over pits of lava. As she walked, she panted a bit. "I see why...this place is...called Hotland..." she gasped out.

Stitch the 'cold' rune into the Stained Apron, Chara suggested.

"...huh. Good idea!" Removing the Apron, she pulled out her sewing kit and stitched in the rune that kept the pouch with the snowman in it cold into the inside of the apron, putting her magic into it.

Woona equipped Chilled Apron
DEF +11
Grants immunity to heat based magic effects
Halves the damage of fire magic
Restores 1 HP every other turn, 1 every turn in Hotland.
The heat of Hotland does not cause exhaustion while worn.

"...wow," Woona muttered. "Talk about an upgrade!"

...maybe you should put runes in your other equipment, Chara suggested.

"But I only know cold, hot, gold, and bigger on the inside," Woona countered.

...you should look up some more useful ones at some point.

Nodding, Woona continued east, deeper into Hotland. After passing an empty guard post and a water cooler, she reached a crossroads, with paths going north, south, and east. The north path was blocked by two large monsters in black armor that concealed all their features. Woona decided it would be best to avoid them for the moment.

The south path led to a dock on a river, but there was no boat. Returning to the crossroads, Woona made her way east, coming to a large white building. 'LAB' was written above the door in red letters. As Woona approached, the front door slid open. Unsure what else to do, Woona made her way inside.

The inside of the Lab was clean, the linoleum tiles almost sparkling as Woona's hooves clip-clopped against them. The walls were a pale yellow, at least what Woona could see of them as the whole chamber - a long hall as best she could tell - was dark, save the light given off by various electronic devices...including a large screen that showed Woona herself walking through the lab. "Whoa..." she whispered as she approached it.

It's just a television, Chara explained. Someone's recording you and displaying it live.

Focusing her magic, Woona levitated herself upward until she was in front of the screen, and saw the screen zoom into an eternally shrinking view of itself. "Whoa! There's millions of me!"

...you are easily amused, Chara scolded.

Only just noticing? Woona teased back.

Quickly losing interest in the TV, Woona continued further east past a computer desk piled high with documents of some sort, nearly obscuring the computer. Since she couldn't make out details in the darkness, she decided not to examine them too close just yet. There was also a large fridge and a bag of what looked to possibly be dog food.

As Woona passed the dog food, she saw a door open in the distance, and a female drake stepped out. Woona recognized such a figure from the adolescent dragons she had seen up on the surface-

There are dragons on the surface? Chara asked in shock, having heard her thoughts.

-and this one seemed much like the wingless variants she had seen, because yes there were dragons on the surface even if now wasn't the time to talk about it with Chara.

...last I checked, it was my job to narrate you.

This one had yellow scales and appeared to have just the slightest bit of what she'd heard described as 'chub'. Her two front teeth stuck out slightly over the lower half of her beak/muzzle, and she wore a white lab coat and thick glasses. Walking across the hall, she turned on a light, illuminating the whole lab and making Woona wince at the brightness. The drake then turned towards Woona...only to gasp in surprise.

"Oh...my god!" she shrieked out in terror. "I wasn't expecting you to show up so soon! I haven't showered, I'm barely dressed, it's all messy, and...oh you must think I'm horrible!"

"Uncle Sans is worse in all three areas," Woona offered comfortingly.

The drake blinked for a bit, then managed to chuckle. "I...I guess that makes me feel a little better," she mumbled as she caught her breath. "Still, I was trying so hard to make a good first impression and had all these plans, and-"

"Will it help if I go back outside and come back in when you're ready?" Woona suggested.

The drake seemed pleased at the idea, but quickly shook her head. "N-no, that wouldn't do. I'll...I'll just have to work with what I've got..." She swallowed nervously.

Woona decided to take the lead. "Hi! I'm Woona!"

"I-I'm Dr. Alphys," the drake replied. "I'm Asgore's royal scientist."

Woona scratched her chin. "So you're the Alphys that wasn't allowed to stay too long at Undyne's house because you're precious to her and she was worried she'd break you if left alone with you for too long?" she asked innocently.

Alphys' cheeks turned bright red and she buried her face in her hands. Chara burst into uncontrollable laughter. I didn't even suggest that one! he gasped out in Woona's mind.

Woona blushed brightly. "D-did I just accidentally make another dirty joke? I'm sorry!"

"Q-quite alright," Alphys replied. "I j-just...never thought Undyne would...l-look at me that way..." She quickly cleared her throat. "A-anyway, ever since you stepped out of the Ruins, I've been, uh, observing you."

"The cameras?" Woona asked, surprised.

"Y-yeah," Alphys confirmed. "At first it seemed like you were crazy, since you talked to yourself when you were alone...but after some tweaking, I was able to see the spiritual being that was overshadowing you, and I was even able to tweak the audio filters to pick up his words."

...okay, I'm impressed, Chara murmured. I didn't think it was possible to perceive me overshadowing you without abilities like Sans'. Pity she can only do it via the screen. There's so much I could say otherwise.

Behave yourself, Chara, Woona chided silently. "That's really cool!" Woona praised Alphys out loud. "You're really good with the science stuff!"

Alphys rubbed the back of her head. "I'm not...really that great..." she muttered. "Well...watching everything you went through, and...hearing what I couldn't see...I found myself rooting for you. I know your soul might be the key to breaking the barrier...but seeing you succeed's become more important than that! So, uhh, I want to help you!"

Woona gasped happily. "I've already made a new friend? That's wonderful!" She clapped her hooves happily.

Alphys blushed in pleasure. "W-well, with my knowledge I can easily guide you through Hotland. I can get you right to Asgore's castle, no problem! ...well, unless someone's tweaked Mettaton's code..."

"Mettaton?" Woona inquired, intrigued.

"Well," Alphys stammered, "a while ago I...built a robot. Originally, he was supposed to be an entertainment bot, like a robo-TV star, but...recently, I gave him a bunch of weapons and human hunting protocols, since, you know, we needed human souls. But you're not human, so that shouldn't be a problem-"

A loud clang echoed as the entire room shook.

"Uh oh!" Woona gasped out, doing her best to be extra dramatic.

Another loud clang shook the room, making Woona and Alphys both jump.

"B-but how can this be?" Alphys demanded, confused.

Five more clangs echoed, each shaking the room enough to make them jump.

"Get behind me!" Woona and Alphys both shouted at the same time, before glancing at each other in surprise.

An explosion erupted from the wall, briefly blinding everyone.

"~~OH YES!~~" a robotically synthesized voice proclaimed loudly. "~~WELCOME BEAUTIES...~~"

As Woona's vision cleared, she heard a drumroll. A spotlight turned on, illuminating what appeared to be a giant calculator with long arms on a wheeled base, holding a microphone.

"~~...TO TODAY'S QUIZ SHOW!~~" the robot proclaimed, its circuitry beeping under its voice.

Confetti began to fall as rainbow-colored lights swirled around and a large placard reading 'Game Show' lowered from the ceiling as the rest of the lab became somewhat illuminated.

"~~OH BOY! I CAN ALREADY TELL IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT SHOW-~~"

"Mettaton!" Alphys gasped out. "W-what's the meaning of this? Y-you're only supposed to hunt humans!"

"~~MY SENSORS DETECT APPROXIMATELY 10.78% HUMANITY IN THE PONY'S SPIRITUAL AURA!~~" Mettaton replied firmly.

That much from you? Woona asked Chara, surprised.

Chara remained silent, stunned by the implications that he represented that much humanity in Woona's soul.

"~~THESE PARAMETERS...ARE ACCEPTABLE!~~" Mettaton concluded.

Alphys snapped her fingers. "Oh...I knew I s-should have waited until the 17th model to bring you online!"

"~~I'M A POP STAR, NOT A PARK RANGER!~~" Mettaton countered.

As a laugh track played, Woona wrinkled her brow. "...I don't get it..."

Games Pony and Monsters Play

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"~~NEVER PLAYED THIS GAME BEFORE, GORGEOUS?~~" Mettaton asked, apparently deciding to ignore the previous interchange in favor of getting on with whatever he'd come to do.

"...I'm guessing it involves pain?" Woona asked worriedly.

"~~GOOD GUESS!~~" Mettaton complimented. "~~IN THIS GAME, THERE'S ONLY ONE RULE! ANSWER CORRECTLY...OR DIE!~~"

Woona leapt back in shock as FIGHT lines surrounded the trio. She saw that Alphys stood beside Mettaton, looking somewhat worried. Also, Mettaton's screen face changed, now displaying various information as he prepared to read the quiz questions. Woona tensed up, ready to fight if necessary.

Don't bother, Chara warned. He has 255 defense. Nothing you can do will hurt him unless you draw on magic and the SOULSTONE, and that risks hurting Alphys.

As Woona relaxed, Mettaton began speaking again. "~~LET'S START WITH AN EASY ONE!~~" The question appeared on Mettaton's face.

What is the reward for answering correctly?

Four platforms labeled A, B, C, and D rose out of the floor in front of Woona. Each had an answer beside it even as a timer counted down on Mettaton's screen face.

A - Money
B - Mercy
C - New Car
D - More Questions

Woona thought for a few seconds. Well, since answering incorrectly means death... As she started to move towards D, she noticed Alphys shaping a D with her hands. Smiling for that confirmation, she depressed the switch.

Confetti fell as a happy chime sounded. "~~RIGHT!~~" Mettaton praised. "~~SOUNDS LIKE YOU GET IT! HERE'S YOUR PRIZE!~~"

What is the King's full name?

A - Lord Fluffybuns
B - Fuzzy Pushover
C - Asgore Dreemurr
D - Dr. Friendship

Woona stared at the answers for a time. "Umm...I'm pretty sure the correct answer isn't here," she pointed out.

"~~OH? HOW SO?~~" Mettaton asked.

"Well, according to the stuff in Mommy's house, I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to call the King 'Mr. Dad Guy'!" Woona explained.

Back in Snowdin, Papyrus' lower jaw fell off as he stared at the TV. "WHAAAAAAA???" he screamed out, unable to make the 'T' sound until he picked his jaw back up.

Undyne and Sans burst into laughter.

Mettaton paused, rubbing the bottom of his box body with one hand as though it were his chin. "~~THAT IS...TECHNICALLY CORRECT!~~" The happy chime played even as more confetti fell. "~~BUT ENOUGH ABOUT YOU, LET'S TALK ABOUT ME!~~"

What are robots made of?

A - Hopes & Dreams
B - Metal & Magic
C - Snips & Snails
D - Sugar & Spice

Having no idea what to respond here, Woona looked hopefully towards Alphys, who was somehow managing to make a B with her two hands. Since that looked rather painful, Woona quickly made her way to the B and pushed it.

"~~TOO EASY FOR YOU, HUH?~~" Mettaton asked as Alphys flashed a thumbs up. "~~HERE'S ANOTHER EASY ONE FOR YOU!~~"

The next question proved to be a long mathematical word problem involving three digit plus decimal point calculations. Woona swallowed convulsively, knowing she had no chance of properly calculating the answer in the thirty seconds provided. Desperately, she turned to Alphys, and saw her shaping a D. She quickly pressed the switch.

"~~WONDERFUL! I'M ASTOUNDED FOLKS!~~" Mettaton called out as the happy chime played and Alphys gave her a thumbs up. "~~BUT DON'T 'COUNT' ON YOUR VICTORY!~~"

How many flies are in this jar?

An image of a jar full of flies appeared on Mettaton's screen.

"Is that a live image of a real jar, or a hypothetical jar that only exists on your screen?" Woona asked curiously.

"~~COMPUTER GENERATED!~~" Mettaton replied quickly. "~~NO FLIES WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS EPISODE-~~"

"Then there are no flies in the jar," Woona countered firmly, "because neither jar nor flies actually exist!"

As the happy chime played and the confetti fell, Mettaton crossed his arms. "~~I'M STARTING TO GET~~ REAL ~~TIRED OF THESE 'TECHNICALLY CORRECT' ANSWERS! TIME FOR A MEMORY GAME!~~"

What monster is this?

A - Froggit
B - Whimsum
C - Moldsmal
D - Mettaton

Woona stared at the image of what looked like half a Froggit's face. At first she started to move towards A, but paused as she realized that - even for an image - the Froggit looked rather flat. Glancing at Alphys, she saw the hint, and instead moved to D. As the happy chime played and confetti fell, the image shifted to show it was Mettaton wearing a Froggit shirt.

And the answer is...a Jigglypuff, seen from above, Chara muttered quietly.

Huh? Woona asked in her mind, confused.

Tell Alphys I said that there when the game show's over, Chara suggested. She's sure to love it.

By this time, Mettaton had presented the next question, the timer counting up instead of down.

Would you smooch a ghost?

All the answers were "Heck Yeah".

Woona scratched her chin. "Uhh...does phasing through one face first when trying to hug them count? Cause if it does, I already smooched Napstablook! He's really sweet, if shy!"

Mettaton sat there for some time, seeming to stare right at her. Alphys glanced at him nervously, and awkwardly cleared her throat. The happy chime and confetti once more made themselves known. After a time, Mettaton spoke up. "~~...LET'S SKIP THE NEXT QUESTION, AND GO STRAIGHT TO THE BIG GUNS.~~" He seemed somehow...more withdrawn than before. However, Woona didn't have time to react before the next question appeared.

In the dating simulation video game "Mew Mew Kissy Cutie" what is Mew Mew's favorite food?

Before any answers could appear, Alphys started shouting, apparently nerding out over the game. "Oh! Oh! I know this one! It's snail ice cream! In the fourth chapter everyone goes to the beach! And she buys ice cream for all of her friends! But it's snail flavor and she's the only one who wants it! It's one of my favorite parts of the game because it's actually a very powerful message about...friendship...and..." She began to wilt in on herself as she noticed both Woona and Mettaton staring at her.

"~~ALPHYS, ALPHYS, ALPHYS...YOU AREN'T HELPING OUR CONTESTANT ARE YOU?~~" Alphys desperately shook her head, but Mettaton paid her no mind. "~~OOOH! YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME. I'LL ASK A QUESTION...YOU'LL BE SURE TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO!~~" Alphys desperately hid her face as the next question appeared.

Who does Dr. Alphys have a crush on?

Remembering how embarrassed Alphys had gotten when she'd made the accidental dirty joke about her and Undyne before Mettaton arrived, Woona spoke up before answers could appear. "I'm pretty sure the only one who doesn't know the answer's Undyne is Undyne herself!" she proclaimed with certainty.

Alphys let out an adorable "GAK!" sound and dove into the nearest trash can to hide her embarrassment.

"~~SEE ALPHYS?~~" Mettaton asked. "~~I TOLD YOU IT WAS OBVIOUS. EVEN THE PONY FIGURED IT OUT, AND SHE ONLY JUST MET YOU! YES, SHE SCRAWLS HER NAME-~~"

Woona hefted the massive computer desk and everything on it in her magic. "Be nice," she scolded, waving it threateningly over Mettaton. "I'm pretty sure even 255 DEF would have trouble taking this to the face at 50mph."

Mettaton laughed, his laugh jerking up and down in synthesized pitch. "WHILE I WOULDN'T TAKE ANY DAMAGE, IT WOULD SEND ME FLYING! AND EITHER WAY, WITH THE GREAT DR. ALPHYS HELPING YOU, ALL THE DRAMATIC TENSION IS GONE FROM THIS EPISODE! BUT IT WAS JUST THE PILOT, SO NEXT UP! MORE DRAMA! MORE VIOLENCE! MORE BLOODSHED! UNTIL NEXT TIME DARLINGS!" The FIGHT lines withdrew as Mettaton pulled his arms and wheel into his boxy body before rocketing into the sky.

"...episode?" Woona asked, confused.

That whole thing was broadcast live on TV all over the underground, Chara explained.

Woona's eyes widened, and she blushed bright red as she realized she'd just confessed to smooching Napstablook in front of the entire underground, likely seen by everyone she'd befriended so far just so they could see how she did. With a startled "MEEP!" she leapt into the trashcan alongside Alphys.

"Y-you okay, Woona?" Alphys asked worriedly.

"Why didn't you tell me we were on TV?" she yelped.

"I t-thought you k-knew..." Alphys whimpered.

"I'd never have spilled your crush on TV if there was a chance Undyne would be watching!" Woona gasped out. "That's something you should get to tell her yourself!"

"Oh..." Alphys replied. "W-well, it's okay...I d-doubt I'd ever be able to manage it..."

Feeling the tension in the trash can, Woona tried to alleviate it. "Umm...Chara had a joke to tell you..."

"Is it dirty?" Alphys asked.

"I dunno," Woona replied. "It...it was when Mettaton asked which monster it was, and it was him wearing the Froggit T-shirt..."

"...can't imagine how that could be made dirty..." Alphys replied. "Go ahead."

"He said, 'And the answer is...a Jigglypuff, seen from above'."

Alphys burst into laughter. "That's a good one!" she replied happily.

Woona managed to smile, the shared embarrassment and amusement filling her with DETERMINATION.

Friending Problems

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Eventually, Woona and Alphys crawled out of the trash can, deciding to face their embarrassment together. As soon as they were out, Woona's phone began to ring. She quickly picked it up. "Hello?"

"hey, woona."

"Uncle Sans!" Woona cried happily. "How are you doing?"

"well, I was laughing my tail bone off at how you were on Mettaton's show..."

Woona blushed brightly. "You...you saw that?" she whimpered.

"yup," Sans replied. "i really liked how you put mettaton in his place...and pap's face when you referred to asgore as 'mr. dad guy'."

"...I'm going to hide in the trash can again..." Woona whined, her cheeks bright red.

"don't be like that, woona. it was adorable! but..." Sans paused for a time. "do ya think ya can swing by snowdin? when you spilled the beans about undyne and alphys, undyne...well..."

"W...what did Undyne do when she saw?" Woona asked worriedly.

"U...Undyne saw the show?" Alphys choked. "Oh...my life is over..."

"she suplexed our house in embarrassment," Sans explained. "think you can swing by and help us put it right-side up again? pap's is throwing a fit over the kitchen being unusable for spaghetti-"

"Spaghetti? Oh no!" Woona cried out. "I'll be right there!" She hung up her phone.

"B-before you go..." Alphys began. "Your phone, it's...it's really old. M-maybe I can give you a new one-"

"But Mama gave me this phone!" Woona whimpered.

Alphys stroked her chin. "T-then...I could upgrade it? Give it new features, and a stronger signal?"

Woona thought about that for a time. "Well...okay..." She gave her phone to Alphys.

Alphys dashed off with the phone, and Woona heard the sound of tinkering. After a time, Alphys returned, handing over a phone that was barely recognizable. "T-there you go," Alphys explained. "I-I've added texting, boosted the signal, upgraded the display, added a link to the dimensional boxes, and signed you up for the Underground's No. 1 social network! I already friended you there, and put my number in your registry."

"Could you friend Papy, Sans, and Undyne for me as well?" Woona asked. "They're my friends, too...oh, and Napstablook, and the Temmies, and-"

"I also added a progress tracker," Alphys added. "It automatically checks the site for any monster you've already befriended, and adds them to your Friend roster."

"...so cool..." Woona murmured as she opened her phone.

...actually pretty impressive, Chara admitted. And your username is...Super Moon?

"Da dada-DAH!" Woona proclaimed happily. She then giggled along with Alphys. "I'll be back, Alphys! I need to go help Uncle Sans!" With that, she took a shortcut.

Alphys stared at the hole in the fabric of reality that slowly closed behind the little pony and shivered. "So that's why Sans always makes sure no one can see him before he does that..."

Woona decided that, despite how much she enjoyed spending time with Sans and Papyrus, she was going to hurry back to Hotland after righting the house. Not only did she need to find the spiders' home, Sans and Papyrus were still making a fuss over her appearance on the show. As such, she quickly took the shortcut back to the lab.

On her arrival, she discovered a few things of interest. First, Alphys was nowhere in sight. Second, there seemed to be no real damage to the foundation from Mettaton bursting through the walls. The thing that really caught her attention, however, was that the space behind the wall that Mettaton had burst out of was only a few feet wide. It wasn't a tunnel, and it wasn't an outside wall.

Hmm... Woona thought to herself. Either Mettaton has access to Sans' shortcuts-

He doesn't, Chara replied quickly.

...or I was on the right track with acting extra dramatic when Mettaton arrived, Woona concluded.

...oh, Chara admitted after a while. So the...10.78% thing wasn't a...real percentage?

Woona shrugged. I dunno. For now, let's get moving.

Once Woona was back out in Hotland, she started to make her way forward, only to pause as her phone made a loud beep. "WAH!" she screamed, tossing it into the air and catching it as it came down. Looking at the screen, she saw it was an update from Alphys, who had realized she'd missed Woona's fight with Undyne. She decided to type a reply...only for her hooves to have difficulty with the buttons. "Grrr..." she grumbled.

Let me, Chara offered. She saw his ghostly hands take shape in her magic, gripping the phone. What should I type as a reply to that update?

Woona smiled. Type, "Don't worry, we'll do it again so you can see." And...what's that weird text face thing?

It's an emote. Did you want to leave one, too?

Woona thought for a time. ...can you wink?

Chara typed the message.

Don't worry! You can watch the rematch! ;)

Wow... Woona marveled as Chara posted the message. ...wait...how'd you do that?

I can interact with your active magic, Chara explained. Since you gripped the phone in your magic, I could shape the grip into my hands, since it was what you wanted to do anyway.

Cool! Woona marveled in her mind.

The phone beeped again.

Alphys updated status.
Oh my Toby! She responded right away! I don't know what to do! OwO

And again.

Alphys updated status.
And I just realized that means she's reading my status updates, and I'm making a fool of myself! VnV

Woona decided to send a reply, with Chara's help.

Silly dragon. *pets comfortingly*

Woona's phone beeped again, this time with a reply.

:)

Guess you got her feeling better, Chara murmured. Think that means we can start walking now?

Giggling, Woona pressed on, filled with DETERMINATION from helping comfort her fri-

Alphys updated status.
Oh my Toby, I get to watch Undyne and the pony fight again later, and I still have the original fight recorded! 9_^w^_P

...Woona was filled with DETERMINATION that she had made Alphys cheer with joy, once Chara translated that emote for her.

Hot Times In Hotland

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As Woona made her way north into Hotland, she came across a split in the path. Both went further north, but each was a conveyor belt, one going north, one going south. As she took the one heading north, she entered a FIGHT with a monster that looked like a tiny volcano with a happy face. The text above its head by its HP named it a Vulkin.

It wants a hug, Chara told her, knowing how much she liked to hug monsters.

"Hugs!" Woona proclaimed happily, hugging the Vulkin. The embrace warmed her heart, and the Chilled Apron protected her from any harm hugging an active volcano would cause.

"So...LOVEY!" the Vulkin proclaimed happily, spraying magic fire around. Woona allowed the Chilled Apron to block the vast majority of the energy, barely taking any damage at all, which was quickly restored by the Apron. The FIGHT lines dissolved, and the Vulkin went on about its way, leaving 40 gold behind, which Woona happily pocketed.

Another set of conveyor belts lied to the north, these twisting and turning, but still going only north to the next platform and south back from it. Woona crossed without incident. Further north, strange steam blowing panels with arrows on them awaited. "Hmm..." Woona muttered as she stepped onto it, only to be propelled into the air. "WAH!" she screamed out, flying incredibly high due to her low body weight and her wings and apron catching extra lift from the steam vent.

A passing Tsunderplane saw her conundrum, and swooped in to catch her, depositing her further north. "I didn't help you because I like you or anything," the Tsunderplane proclaimed, turning away with a huff.

Woona suppressed her giggles as she sat close to Tsunderplane, but not too close. "Thank you," she said with a smile. "I really didn't want to land in the lava..."

Tsunderplane blushed as she looked away. "Well...I-I'm not about to let that happen..." She then twitched. "But don't make a habit of needing my help, b-baka no kouma!" With that, Tsunderplane flew away, leaving 60 gold behind. Despite it not having been a FIGHT, Woona was happy for that sign of friendship.

Further north, Woona found her path blocked by an orange laser. "Orange?" she spoke up, confused. "I haven't encountered orange magic before...what does it mean?" At that moment, her phone rang, and she picked it up. "Hello?"

"H-hey, Woona," Alphys said nervously.

"Alphys!" Woona squealed happily. "What do orange lasers mean?"

"O-orange is the, uh, the oppo...uh..." Alphys continued to stammer.

"Alphys, breathe," Woona replied quickly.

Alphys took a few deep breaths. "Oh...I'm terrible on the p-phone..." she stammered.

Woona thought for a time. "Hmm...is there a time you don't have any issues speaking whatsoever?" she asked curiously. "I noticed you had trouble speaking face to face, too..."

"W-well...I'm less nervous if I'm all alone...like at the garbage dump..." she replied.

Woona grinned widely. "Pretend you're talking to Glad Dummy!" she offered happily. "He doesn't judge, and is always happy to see you!"

"But he knows that orange lasers are the opposite of blue!" Alphys countered. "Why would I need to tell him that?"

Woona said nothing, letting Alphys realize what just happened.

"...huh," Alphys stated thoughtfully. "I...I actually did it..."

"That's wonderful, Alphys!" Woona applauded, clopping her hooves against the ground. "I knew I could count on you!" She blinked as she got a dial tone in response. "Uh..."

Your praise left her too embarrassed, Chara explained.

"Oops..." Shrugging, Woona walked through the orange laser, making sure not to stop moving. A blue laser moved back and forth between orange lasers, and Woona made sure not to move as it passed over her. Seeing a switch beyond the lasers, she threw it, turning the lasers off.

As Woona continued on, she encountered a three way path split. Her phone rang again. "A-Alphys here," Alphys stammered. "The northern door...it won't open until you've solved the puzzles to either side. To solve them, you need to shoot a target after rearranging blocks so you can hit it. You get two shots, one for a block, one for the target."

"Sounds fun!" Woona replied. She paused as she stared at the steam vents. "...this isn't going to be, though..." Swallowing, she stepped on the vent, propelling herself far to the right.

The east puzzle was solved relatively easily, and Woona then made her way west...only to find her path blocked by a blue laser. She then received a text.

Alphys: Don't worry! I can hack this laser and shut it off! A simple task for the Royal Scientist!

The laser shut itself off. Smiling, Woona sent a reply text.

Super Moon: Thanks, Doc!

The second puzzle was more complex in appearance, but after looking at it for a time, Woona was able to see the solution.

Then came the problem. The steam vent would launch her too far to land on the center platform, so she didn't have an easy way to make it past. She stared at the narrow gap, trying to determine how best to cross it, only to feel a tug on her apron. Turning, she saw Chara pulling out the bone Sans had given her.

It's long enough to lay across the gap when it's out of the pouch, he explained. You can use it as a bridge here.

Smiling, Woona positioned the bone in place, walking across carefully. She noticed the bone starting to become brittle. Can't do that too many times, she murmured in her mind. The heat's not good for it...

A steam vent path led east, three vents obviously designed to perfectly launch someone of greater weight perfectly onto each one. Stepping onto the first, she yelped as she was launched high enough that the steam from the successive vents propelled her all the way to the other side, where she landed on a colorful green and white tiled floor. "...this looks like kitchen tile," she muttered as she got her bearings.

You'd best get ready, Chara warned her. I have a feeling something's going to happen here.

Nodding, Woona put her hoof to the SOULSTONE around her neck, filling herself with DETERMINATION.

Cooking up Trouble

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Woona carefully made her way further east along the kitchen tile into total darkness. She walked carefully, worried about who might be hiding in the darkness. As she took a few steps forward, however, the phone rang. Desperately, she picked it up. "H-hello?" she stammered nervously.

"Hey, it's kind of dark in there, isn't it?" Alphys asked, her own voice showing signs of a stutter.

"C-can you fix it?" Woona asked worriedly.

"I think so," Alphys replied. "Let me just..." The sound of tapping keys echoed over the line...and the lights came on, revealing a kitchen. "Oh no..." Alphys murmured.

"What's wrong?" Woona asked, confused. "It seems rather peaceful-"

Mettaton slowly rose from behind the counter. "~~OHHH YES!!!~~" he proclaimed happily into a microphone, settling the chef's hat atop his head. "~~WELCOME, BEAUTIES, TO THE UNDERGROUND'S NUMBER ONE COOKING SHOW!!!~~"

A large sign appeared, displaying the show title..."Cooking With A Killer Robot".

"Uh oh," Woona whimpered, her eyes wide.

"~~PRE-HEAT YOUR OVENS, BECAUSE WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL RECIPE FOR YOU TODAY!~~" Mettaton proclaimed proudly. "~~WE'RE GOING TO BE MAKING...A CAKE! MY LOVELY ASSISTANT HERE WILL GATHER THE INGREDIENTS! EVERYONE GIVE THEM A BIG HAND!~~"

Woona gasped in surprise as she was applauded. Smiling, she hopped onto the counter and gave a graceful curtsy as confetti fell.

"~~WE'LL NEED SUGAR, MILK, AND EGGS!~~" Mettaton instructed. "~~GO FOR IT, SWEETHEART!~~"

Nodding, Woona glanced over to the opposite counter, seeing the ingredients laid out. Reaching out, she caught the milk and eggs in her magic. She started to reach for the sugar, but paused as she felt her magic wavering. Apparently, she was too worn out presently to grab all three at once. As such, she brought the eggs and milk over, gently depositing them in front of Mettaton.

"~~VERY GOOD!~~" Mettaton proclaimed. "~~BUT YOU FORGOT ONE! WHERE IS THE SUGAR? GIVE ME SOME SUGAR!~~"

Woona's eyes widened, and she grinned impishly.

Do it, Chara goaded her.

Leaning in, she gave Mettaton a smooch on the side of his display.

"~~D-DARLING!~~" Mettaton gasped, leaning back, his display turning a blushing pink. "~~WE'RE BROADCASTING LIVE! HOW SCANDALOUS!~~"

Giggling, Woona brought the sugar over in her magic.

"~~WELL, WE'VE GOT ALL THE INGREDIENTS NOW!~~" Mettaton proclaimed. "~~THERE'S JUST ONE LAST THING WE NEED, AND IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT!~~" Mettaton's screen went red, and he lifted a chainsaw. "~~A HUMAN SOUL!~~"

Woona gasped dramatically as she slowly backed away. "Oh no! And my soul has human properties! Whoever shall save me?"

Hamming it up much? Chara teased. Keep this up, and the cake won't be Kosher.

...huh? Woona asked, confused.

...never mind...

At that point, Mettaton's phone rang. He paused and picked it up. "~~HELLO? I'M KINDA IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING HERE...~~"

"W-Wait a second!" Alphys gasped from the phone, which was on speaker. "C-couldn't you make a substitution in the recipe?"

"~~A SUBSTITUTION? YOU MEAN USE A DIFFERENT, NON-HUMAN INGREDIENT?~~" Mettaton turned this over in his mind. "~~WHY?~~"

Alphys began to stammer, still nervous about talking over the phone on live TV. "Uh...w-well...w-what it..."

Chara turned towards the nearest camera, knowing Alphys would be watching with the special view that let her see him. He mouthed, Pretend you're talking to Napstablook!

Alphys paused in her speech. When she spoke again, her voice was much steadier. "Well, for one thing, Woona's soul is only 10.78% human! Won't the 89.22% pony mess up the recipe?"

"~~THAT IS NO MATTER!~~" Mettaton proclaimed. "~~THE RECIPE CALLS FOR THE SOUL TO BE DIVIDED ANYWAY, SO I'LL EXCISE THE HUMAN PORTION AND MAKE A SMALLER CAKE! IT'S IMPORTANT TO DEMONSTRATE THAT TECHNIQUE TO THE VIEWERS AT HOME!~~"

"W-well," Alphys stammered, not having thought that counter would fail, "what if someone's, uh...vegan?" she asked desperately.

"~~THAT'S A BRILLIANT IDEA, DR. ALPHYS!~~" Mettaton proclaimed, his screen once more yellow as he put the chainsaw away. "~~ACTUALLY, I HAPPEN TO HAVE AN OPTION RIGHT HERE!~~" He gestured to the east, where a small can sat on a table. "~~MTT-BRAND ALWAYS-CONVENIENT HUMAN-SOUL-FLAVORED-SUBSTITUTE! WOONA, WON'T YOU PLEASE GO FETCH IT AND BRING IT HERE?~~"

"Of course!" Woona agreed readily, racing over to the smaller counter...only for it to shoot into the sky as a tower. "Oh no!"

"~~BY THE WAY, OUR SHOW RUNS ON A STRICT SCHEDULE!~~" Mettaton proclaimed wickedly. "~~IF YOU CAN'T GET THE CAN IN THE NEXT ONE MINUTE...WE WILL JUST HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL PLAN!~~"

"I can't fly that fast!" Woona whimpered. "Dr. Alphys, help me!"

"Don't worry, Woona!" Alphys called out through the speakerphone. "On your phone, there's a button labeled 'Jetpack'. Push it!"

Nodding, Woona pulled out her phone. "You mean this phone you upgraded for me to help me in any number of situations?" she asked.

"Y-yes!" Alphys replied. "That phone!"

Smiling, Woona found the button and pushed it. She gasped in amazement as the phone expanded into a jetpack that strapped itself to her back under the Chilled Apron. As the jetpack ignited, Woona shot upward, one hoof extended above her head as she surrounded herself with a cone shaped magical aura. "The flight of Super Moon begins!" she proclaimed, shooting upward.

Above her, Mettaton attempted to slow her flight to 'add drama', but the eggs, milk, and sugar he dumped towards her slipped off the aura surrounding her. Reaching the top, she snatched the can off the counter. "Yatta!" she proclaimed. "We did it, Dr. Alphys!"

"~~MY MY, IT SEEMS YOU TWO HAVE BESTED ME!~~" Mettaton proclaimed.

"I owe it all to Dr. Alphys!" Woona replied. "Without this jetpack she made me, I'd never have been able to get to the top!"

"I-I didn't do that much," Alphys stammered in embarrassment.

"~~WELL, I'LL BE OFF NOW...UNTIL NEXT TIME!~~"

"B-but what about the cake?" Woona stammered.

"~~HAVEN'T YOU EVER SEEN A COOKING SHOW BEFORE?~~" Mettaton asked.

"No."

Mettaton stared at her. "~~I ALREADY BAKED THE CAKE AHEAD OF TIME!~~"

"But...but I thought I'd actually get to learn to bake a cake..." Woona whimpered.

"~~SORRY, BUT I SPENT TOO MUCH ON THIS KITCHEN TO LET IT BLOW UP LIKE UNDYNE'S HOUSE!~~" Mettaton countered, flying off.

Woona pouted as she flew down to the ground again, the jetpack running out of fuel and reverting to a phone just as they got there. She hung her head sadly.

"D-don't worry, Woona!" Alphys spoke up from Woona's phone. "I-I can teach you to bake once you're done in Hotland! I'm...okay at it, sorta...well, Undyne likes my snacks..."

Woona cheered right up. "Thank you, Alphys!" she squealed happily, the idea of learning to bake from someone as smart as Alphys filling her with DETERMINATION.

Goal in Sight

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Moving east of the television kitchen, Woona found herself atop a cliff, gazing down at a massive pool of lava. In the center of the pool, visible in the distance, was a massive mechanical structure. She wasn't able to make out too many details at the present distance, but as she stared at it her, phone rang. "Hello?" she spoke up into the phone, awe in her voice as she stared at the structure.

"H-hey Woona," Alphys replied. "S-see that building in the distance?"

Woona rubbed her chin, then grinned impishly. "I don't think so. Is it behind the metal mountain?"

"No you fool, it is the metal mountain!" Alphys replied, the pair giggling at the joke. "That's the Core," Alphys continued, serious once more. "It's the source of all power for the underground. It converts geothermal energy into magical electricity, by..."

"Yes?" Woona asked eagerly. "How does it work?"

"Uhh...I don't think I can explain it over the phone," Alphys admitted. "I...kinda need my diagrams...and even then, I don't fully understand how it works. I didn't build it. It was built by my predecessor...umm...for some reason, I can't remember too much about him. It's a struggle sometimes even to remember I had a predecessor..."

"I see..." Woona replied, making a mental note to ask Gaster how it worked if she ever saw him again.

"A-anyway," Alphys continued, "that's where you're going to go. In the Core is an elevator directly to Asgore's castle."

"And that's where he is?" Woona asked eagerly.

"He rarely leaves these days," Alphys explained. "Except for special occasions..."

Woona frowned sadly. "Poor Asgore..."

"Yeah..." Alphys agreed. "W-well...good luck!" With that, she hung up.

Putting her own phone away, Woona continued onward, making her way to an elevator labeled R1. Stepping inside, she floated herself up to the buttons, seeing that she could currently go to Left One or Right Two. Which should I go to? she asked Chara.

Left One is just back by the entrance of the Lab, Chara explained. Right Two will take us onward.

Nodding, Woona pushed Right Two, settling to the floor as the elevator moved. Did Flowey really tell you all this? she asked, having put together who the 'friend who would complain at my grave' had been.

No, Chara replied. That's just how I know about the people down here. The path and puzzles I know from when I lived here. For me, home was in the Castle beyond the Core... As the elevator opened, he sighed wistfully. A...Flowe-

You can call him Asriel, Woona interrupted. I put that together, too.

Chara fell silent for a time. ...Asriel and I used to get into trouble for running around the Core to play.

Nodding, Woona stepped out of the elevator, letting the subject drop. Just outside, she spotted what looked like a living flame, similar to Grillby. He did not have much to say, however, as all he said when Woona approached was, "I'm Heats Flamesman. Remember my name!"

Chara suddenly chuckled. Ask him if he knows anyone named Ember, he asked.

Eager to do anything to cheer Chara back up, Woona did as asked. "Do you know anyone named Ember?" she asked curiously.

Heats gaped in shock. "Nobody's heard of my cousin before!" he gasped out. "That Fire Ghost left the Underground ages ago. No one's sure where she went..."

I'm not sure whether to find that hilarious or confusing, Chara murmured as Woona went on her way forward.

Woona giggled at that, only to gasp happily as she spotted Sans at another sentry post. She rushed forward happily. "Hey Sans!" she squealed eagerly.

"hey, woona," Sans greeted warmly. "good to see you again. glad you're doing well so far. wanna buy a hot dog?"

Woona glanced around at the environment. "...are there other kinds here?" she mused.

Sans chuckled happily. "good one. but i'm talking about food."

"Oh," Woona answered. "Umm...I don't think I can. I only have two empty pouches, and I wanna save those in case I find something super duper important."

"no prob," Sans replied. "but would you like one to eat now?"

Woona rubbed her chin. "Mmm...I'm not really hungry, sorry." Seeing Sans looking a little down, she offered, "But you can stack them on my head if it'll make you feel better!" She blinked in surprise at her words. What made me say that?

My idea, Chara explained as Sans grinned widely.

Woona walked very carefully onward, making sure not to upset the pyramid of hot dogs stacked along her back, neck, and head, rising upwards into the air. This was your idea, she grumbled internally.

I didn't think he'd go this far! Chara countered defensively. Besides, free hot dogs.

Which I can't eat, Woona sniped back. I can barely move!

...I have an idea. Reaching through Woona's magic, Chara crafted a quick sign and hung it around Woona's neck.

Hot Dogs Special Sale!
Only 25G While Supplies Last!

Woona stared at the sign as she walked. You really think- Moments later, she was swarmed by monsters, and her back was empty, her gold satchel much fuller. ...but I wanted to try one... she whimpered.

Check your satchel, Chara replied teasingly.

Looking inside, Woona found one hot dog Chara had saved for her, which she eagerly devoured. Thank you! she squealed happily.

As Woona walked along, now free of the burden on her back, she noticed several more social network posts. Some were interactions between Alphys and Papyrus, but one was a friend request from Napstablook. Woona tried to accept eagerly...but the request had already rejected itself. So Woona sent her own friend request back. She was pleased to see it accepted, however timidly.

Further on, Woona found another path split, this one with conveyor belts going east and west. Across the conveyor belts, the path ahead was blocked by a laser field. Three switches lined the belt moving west. As she considered this, Alphys called her.

"This next puzzle is timing based," Alphys explained. "You need to hit all three switches within three seconds."

"Does order matter?" Woona asked curiously.

"W-well, no..." Alphys replied, "but you can't really run against the conveyor belt."

"But I can use magic!" Woona replied. "I can press them all at the same time from here!"

"T-that could work!" Alphys confirmed.

Smiling, Woona reached out with her magical aura and pressed all three switches. The energy field blocking the path vanished. "Thanks, Alphys!" Woona called happily into the phone.

"Y-you're welcome!" Alphys replied, her voice also sounding happier.

Continuing further on, Woona came to what was obviously a maze of disconnected platforms and shifting steam vents. Gulping nervously, she stepped onto the first vent, only to be propelled so high she went all the way to the other side of the chamber, skipping the entire thing.

You lucky pony! Chara grumbled. It took Asriel and I months to figure out the pattern to cross this easily. You just skipped one of the hardest puzzles in the Underground by being tiny!

Woona chuckled nervously, her game breaking nature filling her with DETERMINATION...she guessed?

Metta-Gaming

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As Woona continued to carefully make her way west, she noticed a few status updates from Alphys regarding something Chara identified as an anime, and decided to ignore them as she had no real basis on which to judge. As she continued, however, someone called out to her, "Hey, you! Stop!"

Confused, she turned around, seeing two black armored, bunny-eared royal guards racing up to her. "Uh...is there a problem, officers?" she asked worriedly.

"We've, like, received an anonymous tip about a human wandering around disguised as a pony," the vocal guard replied. "They said they were wandering around Hotland right now." Noticing Woona getting worried, the guard shrugged. "I know it seems scary, but it's nothing to worry about. We'll take you someplace safe..." He paused as his companion gestured towards Woona. "What? A pony...you think she's the human in disguise-"

Woona stared as two holes in reality closed where the two guards had been. "...I did not know I could shortcut other people..." she murmured. "Or that shortcuts looked so scary from the outside..."

Where did you send them? Chara asked worriedly.

"Well...I thought they needed new orders, so..."

At the border between Waterfall and Hotland, Undyne slowly rose to her feet, lifting two figures off of her. "01...02...care to explain why you landed on me?!" she roared out. She blinked as she noticed something. "02, why are you out of uniform? And 01, why are you staring?"

02 shrugged helplessly. 01 began to stammer, unable to tear his eyes away from 02's exposed muscles. "Well, er, I was, uh...well..."

Undyne facepalmed. "Urg! Just make out already, you two!" she snapped.

02 promptly saluted and turned to his stammering companion. Undyne's jaw dropped as she watched the result, before the pair went off for ice cream. ...is this what it feels like to be the protagonist in the human histories? she thought to herself.

...I'm not sure how to react to that, Chara murmured as Woona pulled her head back out of the shortcut.

"Yeah," Woona agreed. "I never knew Undyne was such a good matchmaker for everyone except herself."

...I don't know how to react to that, either, Chara admitted as Woona turned north, and then east.

Woona was somewhat unsurprised to discover she had entered yet another darkened room. Sighing, she waited for the lights to come on.

Alphys updated status:
Turning on the lights for Woona.

As the lights came on, Woona found herself in a large brown room with various items scattered around...and that she seemed to be on TV. Somewhat upbeat, intense music began to play.

"GOOD EVENING BEAUTIES AND GENTLEBEAUTIES!" Mettaton greeted, his voice altered as it came through speakers. "THIS IS METTATON, REPORTING LIVE FROM MTT NEWS! AN INTERESTING SITUATION HAS ARISEN IN EASTERN HOTLAND! FORTUNATELY, OUR CORRESPONDENT IS OUT THERE, REPORTING LIVE! BRAVE CORRESPONDENT, PLEASE FIND SOMETHING NEWSWORTHY TO REPORT! OUR TEN WONDERFUL VIEWERS ARE WAITING FOR YOU!"

Smiling happily, Woona sat down to watch the 'correspondent' do some investigative reporting. She wondered what that was.

"UMM...BRAVE CORRESPONDENT, YOU DON'T SEEM TO BE DOING ANYTHING..."

Woona's eyes widened. "But...but I don't know how to investigative report! I don't even know what it is!"

"...JUST WALK UP TO SOMETHING OUT THERE, AND I'LL SAY SOME STUFF ABOUT IT."

"Okay, I can do that!" Smiling, Woona began wandering around, looking for something to investigate. She gasped as she spotted a familiar figure, and rushed up to the little white dog.

"WHAT A SENSATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR A STORY!" Mettaton proclaimed excitedly. "I CAN SEE THE HEADLINE NOW-"

Mettaton stopped talking as Woona cuddled the white dog.

"...WE NOW HAVE 27 VIEWERS! INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER WOONA, DON'T STOP SNUGGLING!"

Woona paused as she felt something strange. "Wait...this isn't a dog. It's not a dog at all!"

The tip of the dog's tail ignited.

"It's a bomb!" Woona screamed out.

"THAT'S RIGHT!" Mettaton proclaimed. "EVERYTHING OUT THERE IS A BOMB! AND IF YOU DON'T DEFUSE THE BOMBS IN TWO MINUTES, THE BIG BOMB TO THE NORTH OF YOU WILL BLOW YOU TO SMITHEREENS IN TWO MINUTES!"

Woona's phone rang. "Don't worry, Woona!" Alphys told her quickly. "I can help you! On your phone-"

"Can you give me coordinates to a part of the Underground in need of expansion?" Woona asked curiously. "Relative to my current location?"

Alphys was silent for a time. "Umm...sure I can. Let me just find them..." After a time, Alphys rattled off some coordinates.

Grinning, Woona sent her magic through her horn. The bombs all vanished into shortcut holes.

"WHAT?!" Mettaton demanded. "THIS IS AWFUL! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THIS SORT OF OVERPOWERED NONSENSE IS GOING TO DO TO OUR VIEWERSHIP? ...IT WENT UP. I GUESS I'LL JUST SAY GOODNIGHT TO OUR 37 VIEWERS!" The speakers cut off, and the forcefields locking Woona in shut down.

That was rather cheap, Chara chided.

"That was s-so cool!" Alphys proclaimed over the phone. "W-well, as long as I didn't look into the shortcuts..."

"Thank you, Alphys!" Woona interrupted. "If not for you, I'd have been blown to bits!"

"A...all in a day's work!" Alphys stammered, laughing nervously before her signal cut.

Woona moved out to the east and north, continuing deeper into Hotland. Knowing she was getting closer and closer to so many of her goals and keeping her promises filled her with DETERMINATION.

Along Came a Pony

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To the north of the bomb field, Woona found an elevator marked 'L2'. Stepping inside, she levitated herself up to push the Left Three button. As the elevator moved, Chara decided to speak up.

You're being rather quiet, he mentioned. Something worrying you?

"I've been on TV," Woona explained. "What if...what if Daddy was watching? What if Mommy was watching?"

You're worried how Dad will react to you?

"No," Woona replied. "I'm worried how he'll react to you." Feeling Chara's stunned silence, she continued. "He's a Boss Monster. If Mettaton can detect human traits in my soul, then Daddy should be able to sense you, too, or have some other way of knowing you're there. I...I don't know what's going to happen."

...I don't think you need to worry so much, Chara offered comfortingly. It might get really emotional, but I don't think anything bad will come of it.

As Woona stepped out of the elevator onto a much more mechanical floor, she silently raised something she'd notice. You seem different, Chara, she offered. When I first met you, you were really scary...and really angry.

My anger was directed at humans, Chara answered readily. There aren't any more. When you welcomed me into your soul, I thought I could just take you over...but your soul was too strong. And...the gentle purity of that powerful soul has leached away the anger that had consumed my soulless essence. ...being with you reminds me of what it was like to be with Mom...Dad...Asriel... A thoughtful silence descended in Woona's mind for a time. The other fallen humans...I had no thought for them beyond anger, and wanting to twist them into the real monsters of the underground, and gain the power to destroy humanity above. But you...you're my sister. Chara seemed stunned by his own admission. You're...my sister...

Woona smiled, focusing her magic inward and managing to hug Chara. I love you too, Big Brother! she told him happily.

Chara said nothing in reply, just letting the warmth fill him. Gazing at his astral image, he saw that the shadows he had been made of before were almost totally gone. Instead, only a silvery glow anchored itself in Woona's blue, black, and white soul.

Woona paused in her steps, staring at what looked like a smashed food stall. "W...what happened here?" she asked, worried and confused.

I don't know, Chara muttered worriedly. Maybe you should ask that monster over there.

Nodding, Woona walked up to the green skinned monster dressed in yellow. "Umm...do you know what happened here?"

"She...she just smashed her stand," he muttered, staring. "She'd been worried about something for a while...and then she got a call...and she smashed everything! Then she stormed off, enraged. I don't know what's going on anymore..."

...someone's playing games... Chara murmured. Let's keep going, but be careful...

Accepting Chara's advice, Woona moved forward, trying not to stare at the shredded spider webs she passed.

When she entered the next room, she saw more steam vents running each and every way. She sat down hard. "You're kidding me..." she grumbled. When her phone rang, she picked it up. "Alphys, please tell me you can hack the steam vents and turn them into bridges or something? Otherwise, I'll never get across!"

"Umm..." Alphys replied. Woona could hear some rapid tapping. "I have an idea. Push the jetpack button on your phone."

"But...it's out of fuel," Woona pointed out logically.

"True," Alphys agreed, "but if the new program I sent works right, it should be able to refuel from the steam vents now."

Gasping, Woona pushed the button, getting out the jetpack. Stepping onto the steam vent, the steam was sucked into the jetpack to set her afloat instead of propelling her an insane distance forward. "You're the best, Alphys!" Woona squealed happily.

Alphys chuckled nervously at the other end of the line. "W-well, I do what I can. There's puzzles to the north and south you'll need to solve to continue east."

"Will do!" Woona replied happily, jetting over to the north side first. The puzzle was the same as the ones before, though she only had one shot this time. With careful plotting, she managed to solve it. She then took the steam-powered jet-phone to the south. The path to the puzzle room there involved conveyor belts and blue lasers, which she was careful to maneuver around. As she approached the puzzle room, she received another call from Alphys.

"Say...would you like to watch a human TV show with me some time?" she asked. "It's called...Mew Mew Kissy Cutie..."

"It sounds adorable!" Woona squealed. "I'd love to!"

"Really?" Alphys gasped happily. "It's so good, it's one of my favorites! It's about this human girl named Mew Mew who has cat ears-"

"Is that normal for humans?" Woona asked, confused.

"No, it's not," Alphys explained. "So she's all sensitive about them."

"Aww...poor Mew Mew..." Woona smiled widely. "Looking forward to seeing it all! But for now, I need to keep going. ...something scary is going on out here..."

"I'll keep an eye on you from here!" Alphys insisted. "Don't worry too much!"

With the southern puzzle solved, Woona made her way back to the steam vent room to make her way east. She soon found a place that seemed covered in spider webs. "This must be where the spiders live!" she squealed happily, reaching into her saddlebags to pull out the pouch with the spiders in it, racing ahead.

Woona, watch out! Chara called out in warning.

As Woona stepped through the door, spiderweb shot out, binding her against the wall as angry hissing filled the room. "Uh oh..." she squeaked out as she lost hold of the spider pouch.

Who Sat Down Beside Me

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As Woona struggled in the webbing, she saw its purple magic wrap around her Soul, binding her mystically as well as physically. Desperately, she tried to reach the pouch of spiders with her magic, but with the purple aura around her heart, she found she couldn't use her magic. Her saddlebags slipped off her body, and the pouches spilled out, some of them falling open as they did.

"Uhuhu..." a soft voice moaned, approaching nearer. "What's the matter? Caught in my web? Well, that's what comes for one like you...after what you did..."

A figure wrapped in shadows lowered towards Woona, only five purple eyes glowing in the darkness. Woona tried to cry out, but the webbing bound her mouth as well. All she could do was whimper, and roll from one line of the web to another, and not too far at that.

"Afuhu..." the voice continued. "No escape for you...we'd finally saved enough...the limo had reached the ruins...and came back empty..."

The figure became more visible. Woona recognized the spider girl from the picture the Ruins spiders had shown her, older and more haggard. She looked to be in mid to late adolescents, not much older than that, though details were difficult to make out under the black shroud that covered her entire body. Her long black hair was unkempt, hanging down on one side and falling out of a scrunchy on the other. Tear tracks ran down her face from each of her five eyes, arranged in an upside down arc over her forehead. She had six arms and two legs...but all these details Woona noticed in passing.

Her attention was locked on what the girl held in her six hands. The middle two hands held the strands of web that bound Woona. Her upper right hand held a chef's knife. The upper left hand clutched a cleaver. The lower pair of hands held a chainsaw. All gleamed with her purple magic, tinged black with pain and grief.

"It's because of you..." the girl hissed. "When I went to hire the limo...I didn't want to believe what that stranger said...how there were no more spiders in the ruins...because of the pony..." She sobbed as more tears ran down her face. "But the limo came back...and nobody came..."

She lashed out with the cleaver, barely missing Woona as she stomped the floor, kicking away one of the pouches as it scattered the donuts inside. "And yet here is the proof! Satchel stuffed with their donuts and cider, made from their mystic energy in a desperate desire to come home to us...an entire clan gone!" She shrieked in rage.

From down below, a loud rumbling echoed, and a massive spider - easily bigger than anything Woona had seen in the Underground - slowly crawled upward, its mandibles masticating eagerly.

"You're going to pay..." the spider girl hissed angrily. "I'm going to carve you up, feed you to my pet, and let the Guard do what they will with your soul! The money doesn't matter anymore...nothing does! My father's clan is gone because of you!" She hefted the chainsaw, revving it to life.

Woona swallowed convulsively, whimpering as she saw her doom coming. Well, she thought to herself, if this makes another reset, I know to open the spider pouch before coming through the door...the pouch! She focused her attention on the pouch, marked in runes for storage and warmth. If she could only get to it and open it...

As the chainsaw came down, Woona desperately rolled to the side, barely evading the swing of the chainsaw.

"Afuhu..." the spider girl laughed wickedly. "A feisty one, huh? My pet will enjoy that!" She tugged on the strings holding Woona prisoner, pulling her around into a better angle to strike.

Desperately, Woona put her chin to the SOULSTONE. Help me! she whimpered in her mind, hoping it would somehow do something.

Power flooded into Chara, briefly allowing him to fully manifest independent of Woona. Lunging out of her, he tackled the spider girl to the floor, managing to get the knife away from her.

"Uwa?" she gasped out. "The pony sprouts a human? Afuhu...isn't that interesting? More for my pet then!" She lunged forward with the chainsaw, gasping in surprise as Chara used the knife to parry it. "Oro?"

"I'm good with knives," Chara replied, smirking. "Always have been." He quickly swung, striking the chainsaw's engine and twisting the knife inside, causing it to sputter and short, before leaping back.

"Afuhu..." the spider girl whispered. "This is not what I expected...but anticipation makes any meal taste better..." She bared her fangs eagerly. "I wonder how you taste..." She pulled out more knives, one for each hand. "Let's see how you handle this..."

Unnoticed to the spider girl, Chara had slashed through the strings of webbing holding Woona captive, letting her move more freely. She was still bound to moving along the web due to the purple magic, but she was able to make her way slowly towards the pouch.

Chara grinned as he raised his single knife against Muffet's six. "I see your determination," he growled, deflecting each knife strike. "Your grief and rage fill you with power...but they also weaken you. A single strike, and I could dust you. And as little as a week or two ago - has it really been so short - I wouldn't have hesitated to do so."

"Then dust me!" the spider girl shrieked. "If you're so proud of that-"

A flurry of slashes from Chara sent the spider girl's knives flying. "I never said I was proud of it," he interrupted. He then pointed to Woona as she struggled with the pouch. "And she's why..." His knife dropped to the floor as he faded back into her, and the pouch opened.

The spiders, marked with the blue star of Woona's magic, rushed out of the pouch, swarming out to the spider girl and the spiders all around her. She stared, eyes wide, as they crawled up her, chittering comfortingly and chidingly. "But...how...?"

Woona finally managed to get her mouth unbound. "They told me what they were saving for," she explained. "So I made a heated pouch I could carry them all through Snowdin in."

The spider girl put her face in her hands, all six of them. "Oh dear...is this what that shape changing stranger meant? The message was so garbled...was he saying I didn't need the limo because the clan was already on their way?" Reaching out with her magic, she unbound Woona. "I'm terribly sorry, deary...you must think horribly of me-"

"I know what grief can do to a mind," Woona interrupted. "I'm sharing my soul with the prime example. He was much worse when I first met him." Toddling up to the spider girl, she smiled up at her. "I'm Woona. What's your name?"

The spider girl managed to smile. "Afuhu...I can't believe I went that far without even giving my name. I'm Muffet, deary." She glanced down at herself. "Oh...I'd invite you to tea to make up for this, but I look such a fright..."

"I'll wait," Woona offered happily.

Muffet's smile widened. "Thank you, deary. I'll be right back." As spiders brought out a table, chairs, and other supplies for tea, Muffet clambered back up her web rope.

Woona happily climbed into the chair, waiting for Muffet to return. She didn't have to wait long. The spider girl looked much better in her poofy pink top and dark pink short pants. The two ribbon scrunchies holding her hair up to either side of her head was quite adorable. Woona wished she'd learned enough about fashion to know the more accurate terms to describe her attire.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting long," Muffet offered cordially as she took her seat daintily, pouring them each a cup of cider as she set out the plate of donuts.

Woona eagerly reached for a donut, unceremoniously stuffing her face. She paused as she saw Muffet smirking, one hand to her face.

"Afuhu," Muffet giggled. "Have you never had tea before?"

Woona scratched her head. "Umm...like a tea party?" she asked.

"Precisely," Muffet agreed. "It has a certain decorum about it."

"But Mommy always had dresses for me for tea parties back in the Ruins," Woona pointed out.

Muffet stroked her chin. "Hmm...afuhu, I think I have it!" Reaching out, she plucked a few strands of web, spinning it out with webbing provided by the spiders marked with Woona's magic. Within moments, a beautiful dark purple gown speckled with stars hung gracefully from Woona's body.

She made you Star Spider Satin, Chara spoke up, analyzing the gown. Hmm...wearing it decreases your speed, but increases your magic and...fanciness? Since when is that a stat? ...then again, apparently your 'Cartographer's Cap' increases 'path finding'...

Gasping as an idea came to her, Woona lifted the Cartographer's Cap from her head and proceeded to fold it, setting it on her head as a top hat.

...the 'Cartographer's Top Hat'? Chara asked, stunned at the stat readout. Increases...fanciness and snobbishness? What next? A monocle?

Almost as if she could hear him, Muffet reached out and placed a monocle over one of Woona's eyes. "Afuhu...that's perfect," she purred. "Now...what titles do we go by?"

"I am Princess Woona!" Woona proclaimed happily as she put the Chilled Apron into her satchel, since it clashed with the rest of her look. "And you are Muffet, Queen of the Spiders!"

"Afuhu..." Muffet giggled. "Well then, would Your Highness care for another donut?"

"Her Highness would," Woona confirmed, nodding regally. "And Your Majesty?"

Muffet lifted her hand to hide her licking her lips, but Woona noticed how...gaunt she seemed, as though she'd gone a long time on not enough food. "I...We believe we shall, yes."

Woona and Muffet stared at each other for a time, only to burst into shared giggles. Despite the rocky start, the new friendship and kept promise filled Woona with DETERMINATION.

Song and Dance

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As Woona got ready to leave Muffet's parlor - once more clad in Cartographer's Cap, Faded Ribbon, and Chilled Apron - Woona paused as Muffet handed her her satchel. "I'm still terribly sorry, deary," Muffet offered warmly. "You must have had such a terrible fright when I attacked you, especially when you were trying to do something good for me and my family." She gently stroked the Star Spiders that came comfortingly to her.

Woona shrugged. "Not as scary as when I first met Chara," she replied. "Or as scary as Gaster." She paused as she thought back. "Or that not-quite-nightmare with the Tough Gloves...or being hunted by Undyne...or when Sans first walked up behind me acting spooky..." Her voice trailed off as she realized just how many scary experiences she'd had in the Underground. "Wow. This whole time down here's been really traumafying."

And somehow I'm the one changing from the experience, Chara murmured, amusement dripping from his mental voice.

Muffet smiled warmly. "You're truly generous to be so forgiving, dear Woona," she offered. "I'm afraid the donuts and cider you brought with you was lost when I kicked your saddlebags...though the snowman's just fine."

"That's a relief," Woona admitted. "I never thought my inventory could be a dangerous place."

Me neither, Chara agreed.

"So I restocked you," Muffet replied. "We put a bit of extra magic into the donuts and cider bottles, since you have more HP than the humans who have passed through here. Any one donut or cider bottle ought to fully restore you."

Smiling, Woona examined the items in the pouches.

Muffet Donuts, Chara described. Made with real spider cider for an extra boost for a special friend. Restores 50 HP and halves the damage of the next three hits. ...Muffet Cider. A boosted version of Spider Cider that restores 50 HP and increases SPD and INV. Just like the classic flavor, made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders-

"Of spiders?" Woona gasped out, eyes wide, a whimper in her voice.

Muffet burst into laughter. "Oh, deary, it's not like that!" she insisted. "It's just our magic in liquid form, in the same way we use it for construction and combat." She giggled impishly. "But, as you can imagine, when we advertised it as such, it didn't sell so well."

Woona blinked at the bottle for a minute. "...cobweb juice?" she asked incredulously.

"And now you see why it didn't sell well," Muffet confirmed. "Odd how customers are happy to imagine they're drinking liquefied spiders, but the idea of cobweb juice freaks them out. Where do they think the cobwebs come from?"

Woona shrugged as she put the bottle away. "Eh, it's tasty, and Mom fed me snails," she offered, letting that settle the subject. "But...what about when you poured me a cup of spiders during tea?"

Muffet tittered happily. "Oh, that's just a prank I play. The faces of those who actually dine with me when they see that is priceless...especially when they actually try to drink it to be polite and the little ones leap out of the cup to crawl all over them."

Woona giggled wickedly with Muffet. "Take good care of yourself!" she called as she turned to go. "I'm gonna go get my family back together, and break the barrier so everyone can be free!"

"You take care of yourself too, Woona," Muffet called back. "There's so many who would be crushed if anything happened to you."

Woona winced playfully. "So my bro's been reminding me."

Indeed I have, Chara insisted as they moved on.

In the chamber beyond Muffet's parlor was a poster with Mettaton on it, but Woona didn't really pay attention to it. Something else had captured her interest. "Chara?" she asked softly.

Smiling, Chara manifested himself, walking beside Woona, though with no more substance than a Blook. "Did you need something, Woona?" he asked softly.

Woona blinked, not used to having him walking beside her instead of inside her. However, it wasn't entirely unpleasant. "What did you mean when you said you were the one changing?" she asked curiously.

Chara chuckled softly. "You remember what I was like when you first met me. Do you even have to ask?"

"But...you were talking as though it was a big surprise," Woona clarified. "What does that mean?"

Chara opened his spectral mouth to explain normally, but the magic that was changing him pushed out a different urge. As such, with a lift of his hands, he called forth a tune. As the music played, he began to sing his message. "When a child's an empty shell," he sang softly, swaying along like a ghost, before making his 'creepy face', "and he should be a spawn from hell..." He paused, spreading his arms. "What's up with my role...?"

Woona couldn't help but sway along with him as he sang and danced.

"While your character should worsen," Chara sang, pointing to her. He then gestured to himself. "I'm becoming a better person. I'm regaining my old soul..."

He slumped to the ground, as though berating himself. "I've grown soft, aloft, and I've not so much as scoffed, regarding your goal..." He smiled softly at Woona as he floated back upward. "I might be friends with skelebros..."

In the distance, two bonily familiar laughs could be heard.

"...the fish that writes out loving prose..."

Elsewhere, Undyne stuffed a piece of paper into her pocket, glancing around suspiciously.

"I'm regaining my old soul..." Chara sang out, his hands on his chest as he stared down in disbelief, where the line of magic that connected him to Woona pulsed the Red of Determination, the color his Soul had once been. He then raised his face to the sky. "Picture me...a balcony...a voice like that of tuna..."

On a stone balcony above them, Mettaton - for some obscure reason wearing a blue ball gown - called out, "~~WHEREFOR ART THOU, WOONA-~~"

A blue spear of magic emblazoned with the mark of the moon embedded itself in the stone wall just above Mettaton's head, tearing off his bonnet. "No scene stealing!" Woona snapped out.

"~~...SORRY...~~"

Chara blinked as the spear twanged rhythmically. "...er...I hear a beat! ...how...neat?" He cleared his throat - despite the absence of physical throat or blockage - as the flow of the music reclaimed him. He proceeded to stroll along to in front of the balcony, with Woona right beside him.

"Just to register emotion," they sang out together, "empathy, devotion, without it feeling droll..."

Chara once more sang alone, his voice swelling to a crescendo. "I can grow old and give a crap, as people loudly clap! I'm regaining my old soul!"

As the music continued to fill the chamber, Chara and Woona proceeded to tap dance together, Chara's hand gently holding the tip of Woona's outstretched wing as the two siblings expressed their shared joy and DETERMINATION, dancing right off the stage they hadn't even realized they were on.

Up on the balcony, Mettaton looked down at his stolen scene. "~~NORMALLY I'D BE MORE UPSET ABOUT BEING UPSTAGED...BUT THAT WAS THE MOST CHARMING LITTLE DANCE IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNDERGROUND...~~" He then turned to look up at the spear still embedded in the stone above him. "~~...WHEN DID WOONA LEARN UNDYNE'S SPEAR MAGIC?~~" he mused to no one in particular.

A Talk Over Dinner

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After Woona and Chara had finished enjoying their song and dance number, they continued north along the path to the Core. As the surroundings changed from Hotland's red stone to a dark grey and purple paved road, they came across a large building of blue stone with sliding glass doors on the front. Above the doors was a large sign that read 'MTT'. "What's this?" Woona asked curiously.

It's the MTT hotel, Chara explained. It's run by Mettaton, and everything here is MTT brand.

"Huh," Woona murmured in reply. Lowering her eyes, she caught sight of the figure to the left of the doors. "Uncle Sans!" she called out happily, rushing up to him.

"hey, woona," he greeted with a smile, stepping back in surprise as Woona leapt into his arms for a hug. "talk about an enthusiastic greeting," he chuckled, stroking her mane. "i heard you're going to the core. how about grabbing some dinner with me first?"

"I'd love to!" Woona exclaimed happily, climbing up onto his head. "Where to?"

"this way. i know a shortcut." Turning, he carried Woona into the alleyway on the East side of the building. Since Woona knew how the shortcuts worked, having learned to use them, Sans carried her straight through.

At the other end of the shortcut, Sans and Woona were both sitting at a table, the dim lighting and dark blue wallpaper and carpeting of the surrounding restaurant giving a muted, enclosed feeling to the setting, to the point that it wasn't until she heard someone attempting to do a comedy routine some distance away that she was certain that they were actually out of the shortcut. She found herself in a high chair so she could see over the table...and Chara's astral self had a third chair.

"things seem to be really changing for you, woona," Sans commented dryly. "you can feel it, can't you? things are starting to build up to a real climax."

"...yeah," Woona replied softly. "Something...something big is gonna happen when we get past the Core...when we reach Daddy..."

"Your decision once we get there is going to decide the fate of Monsters and Ponies alike," Chara murmured softly. "Are...are you sure you're up to it?"

"I have to be," Woona answered. "...no one else can make the decision for me."

"you could just go back," Sans pointed out. "you have the shortcuts, and you've been inside the ruins. you don't have to complete the journey to go back home. i'm sure your mom is worried about you...and it's not like time's a serious issue. you've brought back hope to monsters...not with a promise of freedom, but just by being you. if you're not ready to face the end...you can go back to your mom until you're ready." He shrugged sadly. "everyone still around is in it for the long haul. anyone who was going to fall from hopelessness did before you got here...and everyone you've befriended can hang on until you're ready. you don't have to push yourself, woona."

Woona considered Sans' words, realizing he was right. Once she reached King Asgore and worked out how to get him and Toriel back together, she didn't need to break the barrier right away. She could wait. "...how come I couldn't open the Ruins door from the outside?" she asked curiously.

"it's part of the nature of the barrier," Sans replied. "it creates a pocket space containing the whole underground. the entire place is twisted just out of normal reality. but to create something like that...you need to make something that anchors to normal reality, to keep the pocket space from falling into the void. that's what the ruins are. it's why everything in there is...different from the rest of the underground. more like the surface. and the door is the same way...an inverse of the barrier. and the only way to pass back through it is to have the energies equivalent to a monster and a human."

"It's how Mom went back in," Chara explained. "She was carrying my body...and my soulless essence had rebonded to it after Asriel..." His voice trailed off, apparently not wanting to say more.

"so the door is locked from the inside, and can only be unlocked from the outside by the amount of energy needed to pass through the barrier," Sans explained.

"Does...does that mean I don't have the energy to walk through the barrier?" Woona asked worriedly. "I couldn't open the door..."

"The Ruins door is a bit more specific than the barrier," Chara explained. "For the barrier, you just need a certain amount of power. But in order to shape the anchor properly, the Ruins door specifically needs a mix of Monster and Human soul energies."

"Oh..." Woona stared down at the table for a time in thought. "Uncle Sans...how come you've always been so nice to me?"

"i talked to your mom through the door sometimes," Sans replied. "you already knew that. but...when you first showed up, she was...terrified what might happen to you out in the rest of the underground. i promised her i'd look after you, make sure you stayed safe." He chuckled softly. "never expected you to claim my heart, the way you have so many others. never expected you...to make me care again." He lifted his eyes towards the ceiling. "i've had so many dreams, so many nightmares, of what the eighth child would be like, about what they'd do to the underground, or for the underground...but always, they were dreams. ...heh, even if they were other timelines, i don't think we're a part of them, or they're really a part of us. just...what could have been, but never was. and then they all stopped. day in, day out...week in, week out...century in, century out...no dreams, no nightmares, no future...i stopped caring. i just...let things happen, and nothing changed." He looked back down at Woona. "but you changed that, woona. things are different now, different than they ever could have been." He pointed at Chara. "and the proof of that is sitting right there. so promise me something woona."

Woona smiled happily. "Anything, Uncle Sans."

"no matter what you decide to do, no matter what happens in the core and beyond..." Stepping up from the table, Sans walked around so he could stroke Woona's mane. "promise me...you won't die."

Woona smiled widely. "Promise!" she proclaimed, filled with DETERMINATION to keep her word.

New Friends in the Dark

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As Sans made his way out of the restaurant, Chara brought up a significant point. "Didn't we come in here for dinner? I don't think we ate anything..."

Woona blinked in surprise, then burst into laughter. "I guess we didn't. Well, I'm not that hungry-"

Her stomach loudly informed her that she was mistaken, much to Chara's amusement as he re-assimilated into her. Why don't we go pick up some food to go, huh? he offered. We've got the cash.

Nodding, Woona went to the front of the restaurant, only to find she couldn't order any food without a reservation. She apparently had to reserve a table, her chair, her silverware, her food, her drinks, her table napkin...

I certainly have plenty of reservations about this place, Chara grumbled as they left. Seeing another door just outside the restaurant, Chara directed Woona to it. You should be able to get food there.

Nodding, Woona went inside the door, finding what Chara informed her was reminiscent of a fast food joint in appearance...although Woona herself had no idea what a 'fast food joint' was. She could see several items pictured - with names and prices - against the back wall high above the counter. Behind the counter, what looked to be a bear person was standing, wearing a pinkish uniform complete with cap, and a forced smile.

"Welcome to MTT-Brand Burger Emporium, home of the Glamburger," he greeted, forced cheerfulness fighting with boredom and a nihilistic defeatism in his voice. "Sparkle up your day (TM)."

...how the hay did he say (TM)? Chara demanded, confused. ...and why did I say hay?

Giggling to herself, Woona looked over the menu. "Hmm...what's tasty?" she asked curiously.

The bear blinked. "Umm...well, everything's up on the wall..." He obviously wasn't used to the idea of someone asking for advice on what to buy.

Woona looked over the items. "Hmm...which is your favorite?" she asked the bear man.

He paused, scratching at his face. "Well...policy is to recommend the 'Steak in the Shape of Mettaton's Face'..."

Woona shook her head. "It'd feel weird to be eating Mettaton, and I know my brother would make dirty jokes about it."

I most certainly would, Chara agreed.

The bear man paused, trying to wrap his mind around a customer small enough to sit on the counter talking about dirty jokes. "Well...the Legendary Hero's probably more than you're looking for as food...it's more than three times your size, and you could probably use it as a bed."

Woona giggled at the thought, then looked up at the menu. "...I'd probably get my face stuck in the starfait glass..." she murmured.

The bear man's face twisted as the adorable mental image of the little filly running around with the starfait flute stuck on her head raced through his mind. "So...a Glamburger then?" he managed to gasp out.

"Uh huh!" Woona agreed, setting out 120 gold on the counter.

The bear man swapped it for a wrapped sandwich. "Thanksy!" he proclaimed in forced excitement. "Have a FABU-FUL day..." His voice trailed off as, much to his surprise, Woona tore the wrapper off the Glamburger and dug right in, literally burying her face into her sandwich.

...because I needed that reminder of just how tiny you are, Chara murmured jokingly.

Woona paused as she finished eating the sandwich. "...was that made of...sequins and glue?" she asked, confused.

"Uhh...yeah..." the bear man replied worriedly.

"How do you make it taste so good?" she pleaded.

The bear man chuckled. "Very, very carefully."

"I'll take ten more!" Woona proclaimed, laying out 1200G on the counter.

Surprised, the bear man made the exchange. "Uh...how are you going to carry-"

Woona pulled out an empty pouch and shoveled all ten burgers into it. "So...anywhere around here interesting to see?" she asked curiously. "I don't wanna hit the Core just yet."

The bear man blinked at her for a time, confused. Didn't everyone want to see the Core? "Well...a couple of girls have a junk shop in the east alley-" He stopped as he saw Woona racing out. "...oh well. Hope she has better luck than I did..."

Once Woona was out in the back alley, she spotted the two girls the bear man had mentioned, a green-scaled blonde reptile girl and a black-haired purple furred cat girl.

"Oh my gosh, Catty, look at the adorable pony!" the reptile girl squealed.

"I know, Bratty!" Catty squealed back. "I just wanna scoop her up and squeeze her!"

"Do you think she'll let us?" Bratty gasped out.

"We could ask?" Catty offered.

"Can we, like, snuggle you?" the two girls asked simultaneously.

Woona blinked for a bit. "Uh...sure?"

The two girls squealed loudly as they scooped Woona up, cuddling her tightly between them. "She's so cute!" they squealed together.

I'm not sure how I should react to this, Chara murmured.

At that moment, Woona was nearly deafened by two loud roars. Bratty and Catty immediately pulled back from her.

"Like, sorry about that," Bratty apologized. "It happens sometimes."

"The junk business is like, fun and all," Catty continued. "But we don't get that many customers."

"And without customers, we can't really afford too much food," Bratty added.

"Which never lasts long," Catty concluded.

Woona smiled widely. "I've got Glamburgers. Want some?"

The two girls gasped aloud. "Glamburgers?!" they squealed together.

"We like, totally love Glamburgers!" Bratty shouted out.

"But we have such a hard time affording them," Catty added.

Woona happily gave them each three of her Glamburgers. The ease with which she was making friends here filled her with DETERMINATION.

The Core of the Problem, part 1

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After playing with Bratty and Catty for a while, Woona made her way north of the MTT Hotel towards the Core. A path led further north, but two shadowy figures were visible just at the edge of vision for a moment before vanishing. Woona had turned her phone to be in constant contact with Alphys so she could steer her through the Core, so the good doctor was able to respond right away.

"Huh?" Alphys asked, confused. "Who are they? N-nobody else is s-supposed to be here..."

"We'll figure that out when I meet and befriend them!" Woona proclaimed happily.

Don't get too overconfident, Chara chided. Just because you've successfully befriended every monster you've met doesn't mean you'll continue to do so.

Woona blew Chara a raspberry, then continued northward. The building she entered was pure machine and lights on the inside, nearly overwhelming her with the sudden change from natural stone that the entire rest of the underground had been. She froze, taking in her surroundings. Once she stopped focusing on the shining metal walls and the flashing multi-colored lights, she noticed an elevator directly in front of her, and paths to the north to either side of the elevator.

"The elevator will take you straight to the top of the Core," Alphys instructed.

Smiling, relieved she wouldn't spend too long in the Core, Woona walked up to the elevator...only to find that it was presently out of order. "It's not working!" she told Alphys.

"Huh?" Alphys asked. "That doesn't make sense...well, the right path should lead you where you need to go."

"Okay," Woona replied nervously, taking the right path. "Umm...it leads to a drop off into a huge pit of fire..."

"What?" Alphys could be heard tapping frantically on her keyboard. "S-someone's rearranged the chambers of the Core! T-this could be bad. My directions of what room leads to what won't work..."

"Can you still help me get through each room?" Woona asked hopefully.

"S-sure!" Alphys replied readily. "There's only so much that can be done to change the rooms themselves."

"Then I should be safe," Woona proclaimed with far more confidence than she actually felt. Cautiously, she backtracked and took the left path.

As soon as she entered the long corridor, she was confronted by one of the shadowy figures, revealing itself to be a strange sort of floating clown as it popped out of its hat, FIGHT lines appearing around it and Woona. The text above its health display named it a Madjick.

Woona braced herself, glancing between the monster and the two orbs that floated to either side of it, dripping with glittering magic. Realizing she couldn't get anywhere if she was terrified like she was, she took a deep breath and cleared her mind, ignoring the Madjick as she focused on a happy, calming memory...the scent of Papy's pasghetti.

Don't remind me, Chara grumbled. It may agree with your taste buds, but certainly not mine.

Woona managed to smile, feeling much calmer as she swayed back and forth, evading the cross-shaped magic projectiles that launched from the Madjick's orbs. Woona opened her mouth to try and speak to the Madjick, but it interrupted her with a magical-sounding chatter, seeming satisfied. With that, the FIGHT lines vanished, as did the Madjick, leaving only 60 gold behind. Glad she'd managed to make a friend, she pocketed it.

"A-are you okay, Woona?" Alphys stammered out.

"I'm okay," Woona replied. "It...wasn't as bad as I thought..."

"Why are there so many monsters there?" Alphys asked, confused. "The Core's designed to function completely unmanned."

"Let's just...keep moving," Woona suggested, moving forward.

Beyond, an electrical barrier blocked the path. A switch stood on the wall right beside it.

"You need to throw the switch to deactivate the barrier," Alphys explained. "But that will activate the lasers. Records say the order should be Orange, Orange, Blue, so if you move through the first two and stop for the third, you should be fine."

"You said only so much could be changed about inside the rooms," Woona pointed out. "Could that have been changed?"

"...you're right," Alphys replied after a time. "That's a setting that can be customized. I guess you'll just have to be careful. Let Blue lasers pass over you, and move through Orange."

Nodding, Woona threw the switch. The barrier dropped, and the lasers moved forward, Blue, Blue, Orange. Woona stayed still for the first two and rushed through the third.

"It's a good thing you thought of that," Alphys praised. "If you'd just taken my advice..."

"I'd have taken a little laser damage, and shortcut out of the way," Woona interrupted. "You're working from your data, and someone's gone out of their way to make it wrong. Not your fault."

"Well, while you move on, I'm going to try and get the right data," Alphys insisted.

Nodding, Woona crossed the bridge. To the right was a crossroads, the two paths leading north and east. "Which way do we go now?" Woona asked worriedly.

"Umm..." Alphys began. "My data says right, but the data was wrong...but if someone's trying to make us second guess the data, it's right..."

I could scout ahead, Chara offered. I can move independent of you to a certain extent.

Smiling, Woona sat down, putting her magical energy into Chara to let him project forward. He quickly returned. "That was fast."

North leads to a dead end room guarded by a monster called Knight Knight, Chara explained. Which means we go east.

In the chamber to the right, a long bridge led through numerous lasers. "Okay," Alphys began. "I can turn these off for you...except someone's changed the access codes! I...I can't-"

"Alphys!" Woona interrupted. "Breathe. Take your time. There are no lasers where I am."

"R-right..." Alphys replied. "L-let's see what else I can access..." The sound of rapid typing carried over the phones. "I can turn off power to the entire node. That will shut off the lasers."

For how long? Chara asked.

"...okay, I just checked the screen, and I see Chara raised a good point," Alphys answered. "So keep your ears open. Most of the lasers are blue, so if I tell you to freeze, do so, and move when I say."

"Alright," Woona replied. "Player 1 start!"

Chuckling, Alphys made a few key taps. "Start moving...now!"

The node went dark, the lasers shutting off. Woona immediately raced across the narrow bridge, trying to make it to the other side before the power came back on.

"Freeze!" Alphys yelled out.

Woona screeched to a halt just before the power came back on, and she found herself engulfed in Blue lasers. She held perfectly still until Alphys barked out, "Move!" The power cut out, and she raced ahead again. This time she managed to make it all the way to the other side, racing up the path to the north.

Woona found herself at a four way intersection, with new paths leading east, west, and north. "So...where to now?" Woona asked hopefully.

"I...I don't know," Alphys replied. "This doesn't look anything like my map..."

"We'll figure this out," Woona reassured Alphys.

"Y...you're sure?"

"Absolutely!" Woona insisted, her hoof to the SOULSTONE as she filled her voice with DETERMINATION she didn't quite feel.

The Core of the Problem, part 2

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Carefully, Woona examined the signs marking the paths to the east and west at the intersection. The sign to the east read "Path of the Warrior". The sign to the west read "Path of the Scholar".

"Oh, I recognize this!" Alphys spoke up through the phone. "It's one of the possible configurations of the Core, though one that's been, well, banned because of how dangerous it is, so I don't know how to get through it. What I can tell you is that both paths will lead to the end of the Core. The Warrior Path will have several monsters guarding it, while the Scholar Path will have several puzzles-"

"Puzzles!" Woona squealed happily, dashing to the left.

Chara chuckled indulgently as they progressed. Noticing something, he called Woona's attention to it. Take a look at that ice!

Woona glanced across a gap to where a large block of ice was being carried towards the pit. "Hey, isn't that the ice the wolfman was throwing into the river back in Snowdin?" she asked curiously.

Yeah, Chara confirmed. Hasn't melted even after going all the way through Hotland. That's some cold ice-

The ice dropped off the conveyor belt into the white that filled the area below the platforms, instantly vaporizing.

"...note to self," Woona squeaked out. "Don't fall." To put that out of her mind, she quickly followed the path north.

After solving another block-shooter puzzle like she'd encountered in Hotland, Woona continued north. Using her magic to send Chara forward to explore, Woona was able to safely maneuver through the Core to a door surrounded by unusual symbols. "So...this is the path from the Core to the castle?" Woona asked Alphys.

"Yup, that's the door," Alphys confirmed. "This is another one of the nodes of the Core that can't be moved, just like the one at the start where the elevator is. The other end of the elevator is there to your right." Alphys hesitated. "Woona...we're going to have to hang up the phone before you go through the door. Security systems don't allow active communications link ups to enter the Core's control chamber, and we might have difficulty reestablishing contact."

"I'll be okay," Woona promised. "See if you can get the elevators online in the meantime?"

"...yeah, I can do that," Alphys agreed. "Stay safe, okay Woona?"

"Will do!" Woona promised, hanging up. She then stepped through the door.

The chamber beyond was very dark, only a single platform visible in the shape of a jagged diamond. In the distance, various control computers could be seen, but no bridges connected the platform to them. The only bridges were the ones Woona walked on and one at the opposite side, connected to the exit door. As she stepped onto the platform, she found Mettaton waiting for her, his screen red.

"~~OH YES, THERE YOU ARE, DARLING,~~" Mettaton greeted. "~~IT'S TIME FOR OUR FINAL SHOWDOWN. IT'S TIME TO FINALLY STOP THE "MALFUNCTIONING" ROBOT.~~"

Woona sighed. "You're not malfunctioning," she stated bluntly. "And you aren't really a 'robot' either, are you?"

"~~...OH?~~" Mettaton asked curiously. "~~I SUPPOSE I CAN HUMOR YOU, THEN. WHAT AM I?~~"

"You're a Blook," Woona replied carefully. "And this 'robot' is a body Alphys built specifically for you. But...now you're a part of it...like Glad Dummy?"

Mettaton clapped his hands slowly together. "~~VERY WELL DONE, DARLING!~~" Mettaton praised. "~~TELL ME, WHEN DID YOU PUT IT TOGETHER?~~"

"You got upset...well, not upset but something like it...when I mentioned trying to kiss Napstablook," Woona explained. "And...there's another house like Blooky's next door to his, but locked. He doesn't like looking at it. ...it's your house, isn't it?"

"~~...IT WAS,~~" Mettaton replied. "AND THE WORD YOU'RE LOOKING FOR IS NOSTALGIC. BUT TELL ME, IF YOU KNEW FROM THAT MOMENT THAT I WASN'T JUST SOME SOULLESS AUTOMATON, ONE THAT CAN MAKE ITS OWN DECISIONS INDEPENDENT OF PROGRAMMING...WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY ANYTHING? YOU MUST HAVE KNOWN THEN THAT ALPHYS HAD CREATED THIS NARRATIVE SPECIFICALLY SO SHE COULD INSERT HERSELF INTO YOUR STORY, TO 'SAVE' YOU."

"...the first time a monster tried to share 'LOVE' with me, all I felt was pain," Woona explained. "I thought...when that happened, I thought it meant I couldn't be loved, that friendship could only hurt. But...but Mama opened her heart to me...worked through my pain to help me...played by my rules to love me." She looked up at Mettaton. "And I promised her I'd befriend every monster in the underground. Could I do any less for Alphys? If she needed to 'save' me in order to have the confidence to befriend me...who was I to deny her that?"

Mettaton stared down at Woona. "~~YOU ARE A~~ VERY ~~INTERESTING SURFACE DWELLER. IF ALL THOSE ABOVE NOW ARE LIKE YOU, I HOPE TO ONE DAY PERFORM FOR THEM AS I HAVE UNDERGROUND.~~"

"Speaking of performance..." Woona began, focusing her magic.

Behind Mettaton, a switch was thrown, and the platform shot upward with both of them on it, several spotlights shining down. Mettaton glanced back and forth, surprised. "~~WHAT ARE YOU DOING?~~" he demanded.

"I told you," Woona said as she stepped around behind the robot. "I'm befriending every monster in the Underground. The ones guarding the paths will be watching this grand finale in the audience, since I made it past them. And the whole Underground will be watching. Just like with Alphys, I'm meeting you on your own ground, by your own rules...and I'm gonna befriend the circuits out of you!" Spinning around, she bucked out with her hind legs, flipping the switch on Mettaton's back.

"~~DID...DID YOU JUST...FLIP MY SWITCH?~~" Mettaton gasped out.

"Indeed I did!" Woona proclaimed as white smoke billowed around Mettaton. She stepped to the side as the stage came to a halt and the spotlights locked onto the robotic entertainer. "It's time to show the whole Underground who and what we really are!"

Woona stared into the light and smoke, filled with the DETERMINATION to give the greatest performance on or under the earth.

Life by Glamour

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"...Ohhh, yesss..." a voice purred out of the smoke, echoing in the air with synthesized qualities, but definitely far more organic in sound than Mettaton's voice had been. The voice echoed through the air as cheers began building from around the stage. The spotlights shone down on the center of the white smoke. As it faded, a humanoid silhouette began to appear, as tall as Toriel. The legs were spread wide, and the hands were held out close to the hips. "I wasn't planning on debuting my new body until the surface...but if you really want to try and befriend the real me..." Mettaton let off a soft chuckle. "I've been dying to show off this form for a long time, though...so as thanks...I'll make this attempt of yours at befriending..."

Light flashed, and Mettaton was revealed in all his glory. He was easily taller than Toriel, his body made of black, silver, and pink metal. A pink heart pulsed at his waist, and his pitch black hair hung down over one eye. His feet had incredibly high heels on them, adding to his height. He smiled down at Woona. "Absolutely beautiful!"

(Music plays)

As the music kicked in, Mettaton began to dance, kicking his legs high, waving his arms around, and spinning across the stage. Glancing around, Woona saw so many monsters - friends and strangers - filling the audience to the brim, and high above she could see a 'Ratings' screen, showing how well the show was going over for 'viewers at home'. She smiled as she realized what was going on. She had to befriend Mettaton on the stage...

...by helping him give the greatest performance of his life!

Filled with eagerness, she leapt onto the stage beside Mettaton, matching her dance moves to his, using her magic to keep herself upright as she did her best to match his spins and twirls. When that failed and she fell over, she was glad to see the ratings hadn't dropped, but they hadn't risen much either.

Your wings! Chara insisted. Use your wings as arms!

Grinning widely, Woona attempted Chara's suggestion, using her wings to mimic Mettaton's arm movements, while kicking up with both legs on one side at a time. Matching Mettaton's movements came much more naturally that way, but she could tell those in the audience were having a hard time seeing.

Seeing Mettaton's foot coming her way, Woona surrounded herself with her magic and shot into the air. She then proceeded to dance around Mettaton's assaults, spinning circles around each arm and leg strike before finding a place where she could be on an even level to dance alongside Mettaton as they flipped and twirled around each other, posing dramatically as fireworks went off at the back of the stage.

Glancing up, both Mettaton and Woona saw the ratings climbing...but Woona wasn't done yet. She made a beckoning motion to Mettaton as she swayed backwards, daring Mettaton to attack her. Grinning, Mettaton spun up to her, lashing out with a leg...only for his eyes to widen dramatically as Woona seemed to split before him, Woona landing to his left, Chara to his right, both striking a pose as they landed pointing back towards Mettaton.

Mettaton didn't need to look at the ratings screen to know how well that went over, not with how loudly the crowd roared. The three began to dance upon the stage, spinning and cavorting as the audience went absolutely wild. Woona grinned widely as she saw just how into it Mettaton was getting.

As tiny Mettaton shaped magic charges floated down, Woona gathered herself and leapt. Climbing upward, she hopped from one to another as she made her way up, never staying on any one charge long enough for it to hit her with a fireball. As she climbed, Chara raced up to Mettaton, dodging around his kicking legs to swing upward, landing on Mettaton's shoulders just as Woona leapt back down, the three forming a perfect tower with her landing.

But Woona wasn't finished yet. As she'd been dancing, she'd been releasing her magic into the music as it was playing, letting it suffuse the environment until the sound had its own power. Glancing down at Chara, they shared a nod. As they leapt off Mettaton's shoulders, each reached into the shortcuts and pulled out another performer.

Chara flipped to the right, Napstablook behind him, completely lost in the music as he headbanged along to the song he'd made for his oldest friend, finally played so wonderfully. Woona pulled Alphys out of the ether, clad in a magically generated black bodysuit, also headbanging along and dancing. Neither Alphys nor Napstablook were actually aware they were on stage, thanks to the magic Woona had woven into the music as it played.

Staring at his two friends now with him on stage, Mettaton made a dramatic sweep of his hand across his face, flicking his hair up to disguise dashing his tears away. Grabbing hold of both of them, he danced away, allowing himself to become lost to the music. The five performers danced together, losing themselves more and more to the music, until at long last Mettaton stopped, feeling himself stagger as his power started to fluctuate. Smiling, knowing in his Soul that this had been his greatest performance, he looked to the ratings graph.

25,000

Mettaton staggered back, stunned. He'd never dreamed of getting ratings so high. As the music started to fade, he sank to the ground, his legs giving out under him, but still attached. Alphys, Napstablook, and Woona immediately went to his side as Chara once more was reabsorbed into Woona. "It looks like...we've reached the viewer call in milestone!" Mettaton proclaimed, trying to salvage a bit of dignity.

Napstablook and Alphys let out equally startled 'Gak!' noises. "V-viewers?" they gasped out. Alphys dove behind Mettaton as Napstablook turned invisible except for his headphones.

"Now don't be like that, Alphys, Blooky," Mettaton teased, making them both reveal themselves to the camera. "This has been my greatest show ever, and not just because of those high ratings...but because I wasn't alone up here on the stage. My friends were with me." Reaching out, Mettaton pulled Napstablook, Alphys, and Woona into a tight hug. "Now viewers...let's hear what you have to say! The phones are open for all of you!"

Calls rang out as messages poured out from the speaker on Mettaton's chest.

"Mettaton I love you!"

"Blooky, you're so adorable!"

"Ohmigosh, Woona, you're on TV with Mettaton! That's so awesome!"

Woona gasped in surprise. "K-kid?" she whimpered, blushing, much to Chara's amusement.

"METTATON, THAT WAS AMAZING! MORE! MORE!"

"Alphys, I didn't know you could dance like that! We should dance sometime! I saw a DDR machine in your lab last time I was there! And rocking that catsuit! Rar!"

"U-Undyne?" Alphys whimpered, her eyes wide and blushing profusely.

One last call was barely audible, and only Chara heard it through Woona's ears.

"...are you happy, my son? ...I am so sorry..."

...Dad... Chara murmured softly, realizing that Asgore had been watching, and seen him manifest to dance.

"I thought true stardom would come when I performed on the surface," Mettaton spoke up as the calls ended. "But...in my desire to shine alone, I lost my light. Thank you, Woona, for helping me find that light again...and reunite with friends...old and..." Mettaton's eyes began to dim as the light of the pink heart on his belt faded. "...n...e...w........."

"M...Mettaton?" Woona whimpered worriedly.

Alphys checked quickly. "It's alright," she reassured Woona. "He's just run down his power core. This body isn't very energy efficient yet. I just need to take him back to the lab and plug him in for a while, and he'll be just fine."

Woona smiled widely. "I'm glad," she replied, relief filling her voice. "Want some help getting him home? I'd...like to be sure."

"T-that'd be nice, thanks," Alphys answered.

Her heart filled with DETERMINATION, Woona opened the shortcut to take the group back to the Lab.

No Escape

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Once back in the lab, Alphys immediately started the required maintenance to plug Mettaton in to recharge his power core. Once she'd done that, she began to make herself a cup of tea. "It's going to be a while before Mettaton is fully recharged," she told Woona. "An hour or more, depending on how much he strained his systems. Thankfully, magic electricity works much like monster food, and will repair damage as he recharges." She paused, looking down at her tea. "I-If you want, you could go ahead and head back to the Core...I-I'm sure you want to meet up with King Asgore..."

"Not yet," Chara replied. "He called...he saw me on stage...I think we all need to wait a bit before that meeting..."

Alphys' eyes went wide. "Chara...I just heard you. Without any tech."

"W...what?" Chara gasped out, shocked.

"I felt my magic resonate," Woona pointed out. "Maybe we're becoming more attuned?"

"T-that's possible," Alphys explained. "While there haven't been any studies about souls sharing a body, the soul is the source of magic. While someone drawing a soul into themselves would increase magic, I...suppose the essence of the person whose soul it was might enter the other person as well...and that could resonate back and forth, making both souls more attuned with each other, meaning that the longer someone held another soul inside them, the more it would amplify their magic."

"And that's why Chara's becoming more real the longer he's inside me?" Woona asked eagerly.

"Quite possibly," Alphys replied, rushing to her computer and typing away as she quickly wrote down notes on the subject. "But if that's the case, then...hmm..." She began to mutter under her breath as she typed, too quiet for either Woona or Chara to hear.

Realizing he could now speak for himself to others, Chara decided he had something that needed to be brought up, needed to be answered. "Alphys," he began, "there's something I need to ask you about. It's...about the other fallen children."

Alphys paused. "W...what makes you think I know anything about that?" she asked carefully.

"Gaster told me you'd know," Chara explained.

"I have no idea who you're talking about," Alphys replied firmly, her eyes on the screen.

"Yes you do," Chara countered, somewhat confused. "The previous Royal Scientist, made the 'Legendary Artifact', Sans and Papyrus' 'father', somehow fell into the Vo-"

Alphys' hands slammed down onto the table hard, the sound of the thump echoing through the room, claws coming out of her fingertips gouging the wood. "I said I have no idea who you're talking about!" she snapped out, her voice more intense than anything either Chara or Woona had ever heard from her, practically a shout.

Woona staggered back in surprise. She looked up at Alphys, wanting to complain about her anger...but then she saw her eyes, wide with abject, mind-erasing terror. "A...Alphys?" she asked worriedly.

"We must not remember..." Alphys whispered. "If we do not remember...he cannot come back...he must never return..." She sunk back into her chair, clutching herself tight and shivering in fear. "The world cannot handle his return..." Reaching over, she grabbed a vial from the counter and quickly downed it. She fell slack against her chair as the vial tumbled to the ground. When she sat back up, she seemed more normal, but a bit confused. "I'm sorry, what were we talking about?"

Confused, Woona examined the bottle, translating the runes etched into the glass.

5-minute Retcon

Making an effort to be silent, Chara murmured to Woona, Gaster's more serious than I thought, if Alphys erased her memories of the past five minutes rather than risk remembering him...beware the man who speaks in hands indeed... He shook himself off, deciding to approach the subject from a different direction. "You were going to tell us why Asgore killed my brothers and sisters...the other Fallen Children."

Alphys looked down and away. "Oh...that..." Turning to her computer, she called up a few files. "How much do you know about the difference between monsters and humans when it comes to food?" she asked.

"Monster food is made of magic," Woona replied. "Human food is made of nutrients. That's why I don't get any bigger, no matter how much monster food I eat. Mama explained that to me before I left the Ruins."

Alphys nodded. "That's right. The only exception is Queen Toriel's cooking. Somehow, she's able to generate nutrients in her food as part of her cooking methods. King Asgore's been...desperately trying to reproduce it ever since the first child left the Ruins to go to him...but as far as we're able to determine, it has something to do with the ingredients she gets in the Ruins. She brought a great deal of them when she left the Ruins to come to New Home the first time...but there weren't any left when she carried Chara's body back in..."

"Why?" Woona asked, confused. "Why work so hard for nutrients?"

Chara, however, understood. "Malnutrition."

"Yes," Alphys replied. "Monster food is enough to replenish vital energy and heal injuries for humans...but it doesn't provide the nutrients humans need to sustain their physical matter. After about a week outside the Ruins, the human children slowly began to starve to death. The first child...King Asgore watched them waste away right before his eyes, desperate to find some way to save them...but nothing worked. In the end...the only Mercy he could give them...was to take away the pain..."

"So once a human leaves the Ruins, their only way to survive is to take Asgore's soul to cross the barrier," Chara deduced. "Because it takes the power of a human and Monster soul to cross it, and only a Boss Monster's soul sticks around after death, and is thus the only Monster Soul a human can collect."

Alphys nodded in agreement. "And so...King Asgore re-instituted the policy of all humans who leave the Ruins are to be killed. His logic was that...if a human had to fight their way to him...then they'd be more willing to fight them. And when each child reached him, he...took away their power to grant him Mercy...so he could give them the only Mercy he could. He makes the FIGHTs with him Kill or be Killed...to spare them death by starvation."

Chara fell silent, turning it over in his mind. The pain that his Father had gone through, for the sake of those he cared for so deeply...no wonder, when he'd overheard Undyne's phone conversation with Asgore, the King sounded on the verge of grief stricken madness. He began to wonder...if Asgore could be saved.

As he wondered, however, he felt a stirring of rage, dark and vile, and so surprising because it wasn't his own. Woona's mane and tail began to wave in a non-existent breeze as her Magic began to surge, her fury coaxing her power to orders of magnitude beyond what it had ever reached. She wasn't even tapping the Soulstone, but her power was surging as she became filled with more and more DETERMINATION.

And then he heard her thoughts.

The Barrier...I will destroy it!

A Little Lighter

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As Woona stepped out of the lab, the rage that had built up inside her continued to swirl around her. She was ready. She was going to march through the final area, reach the Barrier, and tear it from its foundations, freeing the monsters from their prison. Nothing was going to stop her. Nothing would sway her from her mis-

Riiiiing! Riiiiing!

Woona picked up her phone. "Hello?"

"Hey!" Undyne spoke up. "This is Undyne. Uh..." Her voice echoed, as though she'd turned away from the phone. "Shut up, Papyrus! This was your idea!" Undyne's voice then became less distorted. "Pony! You have to deliver something for me! Uh...please?"

"I'll be right there!" Woona replied eagerly. "Where are you?"

"I'm in Snowdin, in front of Papyrus's," Undyne answered.

"See you soon!" Woona replied eagerly as she hung up.

So...so much for nothing stopping us from destroying the barrier? Chara teased.

"This is more important," Woona countered. "The barrier can wait a couple hours." Thinking about how important this would be, she raised her hoof to the Soulstone, filling herself with DETERMINATION.

With that done, she took a shortcut to behind Papyrus and Sans' house, stepping out from behind it to greet Undyne. "Hey Undyne-"

"Gyah!" Undyne yelped out, jumping. "How did you...right, Sans wasn't kidding when he said you learned to use his shortcuts." She cleared her throat. "Right, so...I need to ask a favor of you. Uh..." She rubbed the back of her head nervously. "I need you to deliver this letter-"

"Is it a love letter to Alphys?" Woona asked hopefully, causing Papyrus - who was standing nearby - to burst into his trademark "NYEHEHEH!" laugh.

Undyne turned bright red. "No!" she snapped out angrily. "It's just...a perfectly ordinary letter...to Alphys...that I don't want to deliver in person because it's embarrassing...and has nothing whatsoever to do with love!"

"Maybe you should ask Tsunderplane to deliver it then," Chara teased. "Seems appropriate for what you're asking."

"GYAH!" Undyne screamed out, glancing around. "Who said that?"

"OH! IT'S THE HUMAN NOT-QUITE SPIRIT INSIDE WOONA THAT IS SOMEHOW HER BROTHER!" Papyrus squealed happily. "I SAW HIM DANCING WITH WOONA, METTATON, ALPHYS, AND NAPSTABLOOK ON THE LAST EPISODE OF METTATON'S SHOW-"

"Wait!" Undyne interrupted. "Alphys was dancing? On TV?"

"WHY YES!" Papyrus confirmed happily. "SHE LOOKED QUITE FETCHING IN THAT TIGHT FITTING BLACK BODYSUIT, IN THE GREAT PAPYRUS' PERSONAL OPINION!" He blinked, staring at Undyne. "UNDYNE, WHY IS YOUR FACE TURNING RED?" He then let off a gasp. "UNDYNE, YOU ARE BLEEDING FROM YOUR NOSE! HAVE YOU INJURED YOURSELF?"

"I'm fine!" Undyne snapped at Papyrus. "Stop laughing!" she snarled at Chara.

"Make me!" Chara teased.

"I'll deliver the letter," Woona spoke up, taking the letter and stepping around behind the house, taking a shortcut to Alphys' Lab.

She stepped out from behind Mettaton, who was still charging. "Letter for you from Undyne, Alphys!" Woona called out happily.

"A-a letter?" Alphys asked, stunned. "F-from Undyne?" Taking the letter, she carefully opened it and began to read.

Woona blinked, staring at Alphys as she hid under a nearby table, blushing bright red and shaking. "Umm...is it bad?"

"N-n-n-no!" Alphys insisted, her stammer worse than ever. "B-b-but...Undyne's asked me on a date!"

Woona clapped her hooves together happily. "That's wonderful!" she squealed happily. Noticing Alphys' reaction, she tilted her head. "...isn't it?" she asked, confused.

"Alphys is terrified she's going to be a total dork on the date and make a fool of herself, resulting in Undyne not wanting to have anything to do with her anymore, leaving her a hopeless friendless recluse with nothing but ice cream and anime to fill the empty void in her heart left by a life that destroys everything she'd ever hoped for," Chara interpreted.

"...did you have to make it sound so bad?" Alphys whimpered.

"Yes, because there's an easy solution," Chara continued. "Quit worrying. It's not like you've been anything less than a total dork any other time you've been with Undyne. Did you ever stop to think that maybe that's what she likes about you? She hangs out with Papyrus, for Toby's sake!"

"Hey!" Woona complained angrily, pouting. "I like Papy!"

"Doesn't make him any less of a dork," Chara countered.

"B-but what if I'm not dorky enough in a date setting, and all that other stuff you said happens?" Alphys asked, tears in her eyes.

"...okay, I'm out. Woona, you try taking this one."

Woona scratched her chin in thought. "You could...practice?" she offered.

"P...practice?" Alphys asked, confused.

"Yeah!" Woona confirmed, warming to the idea. "You dress up all nice for the date and pick out the spot. I'll tell Undyne when to meet you, and we'll be there half an hour earlier and I can pretend to be Undyne so you can get used to the idea of talking to her!"

"I...I guess that works..." Alphys admitted. "If...it you're sure...I think the best place would be the garbage dump. Undyne and I often hang out there, scavenging surface garbage that falls down for useful items. I should be there in...about ten minutes."

"Okay!" Woona said happily. "I'll tell Undyne to meet you there in 40." Racing out of the lab, she once more put her hoof to the Soulstone, filling herself with DETERMINATION. She then took the shortcut to Snowdin, going up to Undyne. "Alphys wants me to take you to the garbage dump once you're ready for the date!" she told Undyne.

"Uh...alright..." Undyne replied worriedly. "Let me just go get ready." She turned back into the house.

Woona sat outside, waiting for Undyne to be finished. After a time, Undyne stepped out, wearing a white shirt, a black leather jacket, and blue jeans. "Do I look okay?" she asked, positioning her hair over her eye where she wasn't wearing her eyepatch.

"You look great!" Woona replied eagerly. "Doesn't she, Papy?"

"WOWIE ZOWIE!" Papyrus proclaimed happily. "YOU LOOK AMAZING, UNDYNE!"

"T-thanks..." Undyne replied.

"No time to wait!" Woona called out, pulling Undyne through the shortcut.

Undyne glanced around at the dump. "Umm...we usually meet over there..." she pointed out, indicating a nearby garbage can.

"I know," Woona replied. "Just stay here and be quiet, okay?" With that direction given, Woona walked out to wait for Alphys.

Oh...you evil vixen, you! Chara cackled silently.

I gotta get them talking to each other somehow! Woona countered in her mind.

Before long, Alphys arrived, wearing a rather beautiful black sparkling dress and a choker of pearls. "H-h-how do I look, Woona?" she asked worriedly.

"Ah ah ah!" Woona countered. "Undyne, remember?" Fishing in her art supplies, she quickly drew herself an Undyne mask and held it over her face.

Alphys chuckled nervously, even as Undyne covered her mouth in the background to stifle giggles. "R-r-right," Alphys answered. "How do I look, uh, Undyne?"

Glancing over Alphys shoulder, Woona saw Undyne give a thumbs up. "You're looking mighty fine!" Woona replied, imitating Undyne's voice, stifling her own giggles as Undyne blushed.

Alphys blushed, stammering. "T-t-thank you..." she began. "So...I've got a few gifts for you, uh, Undyne...to increase your affection statistic, which will improve the odds of a successful date...right?"

Seeing Undyne shaking her head with a wide grin on her face, Woona waited as Alphys brought out gifts that were very appropriate for Undyne. Metal armor polish, waterproof scale cream, and a magical spear repair kit, all things Woona saw Undyne getting flustered about. "You know me so well!" Woona replied happily, still mimicking Undyne's voice.

Alphys managed to start getting her stammering under control. "Umm...well..." She paused, unsure what to do next.

"Small talk," Chara offered. "Ask her something you want to know about her that you don't know."

"I-I can do that..." Alphys replied. "So, uh...Undyne...why did you ask me out?" Her eyes widened, and she quickly waved her hands in front of her face. "N-not that I'm complaining! I'm overjoyed! I j-just don't understand why you'd pick me of all monsters. I-I'm not strong...or brave...or very good with people...w-why did you choose me?"

Glancing away behind the mask, Woona saw Undyne exaggeratedly mouth 'passion'. Grinning, she turned back to Alphys. "It's your passion, Alphys," she said in Undyne's voice. "It doesn't matter what you're getting into, you are 100% into it. Your human videos, your science, everything! It doesn't matter if anime is history or entertainment or what...even the things I didn't get, you were just so passionate about it...I couldn't get enough of that, seeing the way your face lights up when you talk about it!"

Woona was quite pleased to see that Alphys wasn't the only one blushing brightly from that proclamation. Chara then took over. "Alright," he told Alphys. "Confession time. Time to tell Undyne how you feel about her."

Alphys nodded, swallowing convulsively. "U-u-u-u-undyne...I-i-i..." She shuddered violently. "I can't do it!" she whimpered, covering her face with her hands. "I just...can't get the words out."

Woona ducked out from behind the Undyne mask. "Maybe you could pretend you were Undyne?" she offered. "Say it how Undyne would say it?"

Alphys shook her head. "I know how she'd say it...but I just don't have that confidence!"

"Then say it how Papyrus would," Chara suggested. "Just...without the whole third person bit."

As Woona ducked back behind the mask, Alphys nodded, steeling herself. "Undyne," she began, her eyes closed as she spoke. "We've been good friends for a really long time...and it's been the best time of my life! No matter what I was doing, or how much I...hated myself for some things...you were always there. Always just calling me for any reason, just to keep in contact. I...I really like you Undyne...as more than friends. And...and I want us to be more than friends...that is, you don't mind, I mean..."

Seeing Alphys starting to falter, Woona decided to step in. "Shut up and kiss me, dork!" she called out in Undyne's voice.

Alphys gasped out, startled. "S-s-she wouldn't say that!" she squealed out.

"Actually, I think I would," Undyne spoke up, stepping out from her hiding spot, walking up to Alphys with a small smile.

"U-u-u-u-UNDYNE!" Alphys squeaked out, her face as red as a tomato. "Uh...how long have you been there?"

"The whole time," Undyne replied, smiling through her own blush. "I was giving Woona cues for how I'd act. She...got it just right."

Alphys' eyes widened. "T-t-then...?"

Smiling, Undyne knelt down to Alphys' level. "I think Woona's got the right idea there. So...pucker up, buttercup." She leaned in, her eye closing as her lips puckered.

Closing her own eyes, Alphys leaned in, puckering her own lips.

Woona's eyes widened as she silently squeed as she saw what was about to happen.

"NO!" Papyrus screamed out as he leapt between them. "NOT IN FRONT OF THE TINY PONY!"

As Undyne and Alphys both pulled back, Woona shouted out, "TOBY DAMMIT, PAPY!"

Chara blinked as he realized they were back outside the Lab. "Did...did you just will a reset over that?" he asked, stunned.

"Yup!" Woona replied. "I know how to do it all this time. I just need to keep Papy distracted." Reaching into her satchel, she pulled out paper and pen. "And I know just how..."

While waiting for Undyne to come out of the house dressed for the date, Woona turned to Papyrus. "Papy...while I take Undyne to meet Alphys...could you help me with a puzzle?"

"A PUZZLE?" Papyrus cried happily. "I LOVE PUZZLES! I WILL HAPPILY HELP YOU SOLVE THIS ONE, MY PONY FRIEND!"

Smiling, Woona handed over the sheet of paper she'd prepared. "This one's had me stumped for years...but don't start until I've left with Undyne, okay?"

"WILL DO!" Papyrus proclaimed, stuffing the paper into his armor.

After Woona and Undyne had left, he pulled out the paper and examined the puzzle.

Circle T for True and F for False.
T F 1. Statement 2 is False.
T F 2. Statement 1 is True.

"HMM...I SEE WHY THIS ONE STUMPED THE PONY FOR SO LONG...THIS WILL TAKE SOME THINKING..."

Woona let out a happy squeal as, this time, nothing interrupted Undyne and Alphys sharing a kiss. Deciding that was all they needed her for, she walked off into the junkyard.

To her surprise, Papyrus popped up. "NO! NOT IN FRONT OF...WHERE ARE UNDYNE AND ALPHYS?"

"They already kissed," Chara explained.

"OH, I DID NOT THINK THEY SHOULD DO SO IN FRONT OF WOONA, WHEN SHE'S SO YOUNG!" Papyrus replied. "STILL, I SOLVED THE PUZZLE FOR YOU, WOONA!"

Woona blinked, stunned. "...how?" she asked, confused.

"I USED A THESAURUS! YOU SEE, IF I STUCK DIRECTLY WITH TRUE OR FALSE, THE PUZZLE IS UNSOLVABLE...BUT YOU SOLVED THE WORD SEARCH BY POINTING OUT IT WAS INCORRECT WITHIN THE RULES OF THE PUZZLE, SO I DID THE SAME! A TRUE STATEMENT IS INHERENTLY CORRECT, WHEREAS A FALSE ONE IS INCORRECT, INHERENTLY FALLACIOUS! AND BECAUSE NEITHER STATEMENT COULD BE CORRECTLY SOLVED WITHIN THE RULES AS PRESENTED, BOTH STATEMENTS WERE FALLACIOUS, AND THUS FALSE!" He let out an excited laugh. "BEHOLD THE GENIUS LOGIC OF THE GREAT PAPYRUS, MASTER OF PUZZLE SOLVING!"

Woona shook her head as Papyrus laughed, his 'logic' filling her with DETERMINATION.

Truth, part 1

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After spending some time with Papyrus in the junkyard in order to keep him from interfering with Undyne and Alphys' date, Woona decided to head back to the Lab to check on Mettaton. As such, after saying goodbye to Papyrus, she took a shortcut back to the Lab, only to find Alphys there, opening a door that Woona hadn't gone into before, one that closely resembled elevator doors. "Alphys?" Woona asked curiously.

Alphys jumped back from the doors in surprise, the doors sliding closed as she spun towards Woona. "Oh, Woona. I-I didn't see you there. W-what brings you here?"

"I came to check on Mettaton," Woona replied readily. "Is he okay?"

"Fully charged, and back in his box form to conserve power," Alphys replied, seeming relieved at the choice of topic. "He went to spend some time with Napstablook before going back to performing. He said something about forming a band."

"I'm glad he's okay," Woona said gratefully. Knowing that, she brought up a different point of curiosity. "Where's that door go?" she asked, pointing to the door Alphys was entering.

Alphys hesitated. She slowly turned from Woona to the door and back, deep in thought. Finally, she sighed. "I have to start with someone..." she murmured softly. She looked up at Woona. "Behind that door...are my greatest mistakes, on my biggest shame...I've been hiding from it, and the world, for a long time. But...it's time to face it." She turned towards the door.

"Not alone!" Woona insisted, clambering up Alphys' back to sit on her shoulder. "That's what friends are for!"

Alphys hesitated. "Y-you don't have to go in with me if y-you don't want to," she stammered. "It's...likely to be pretty s-scary..."

"I'm sure she can handle it," Chara spoke up. "Especially with you guiding us through it."

Sighing, Alphys nodded. "Alright, come on," she said softly, walking through the door and into the elevator. Walking up to the controls, she pressed a button and the doors closed behind them. The elevator moved down normally for a time, and then stalled. "What?" Alphys asked, confused. "That's not-"

The elevator suddenly started dropping rapidly, sounding like it was dragging against the walls. Lights flashed red as an alert blared. "WARNING! WARNING! ELEVATOR LOSING POWER! EM TETHER STABILITY LOST!"

As Woona shrieked in fear, Alphys grabbed hold of her and pulled her into her arms, crouching around the tiny filly to shield her with her body. "Hang on, Woona!" she screamed out over the blaring alarms. "It's going to be okay! It's going to be okay..."

"ALTITUDE DROPPING!" the alert blared out as everything went white, and then dark, followed by a loud crash.

Woona came to as light shone in her eyes from the open elevator doors. Alphys was leaning over her. "A-are you okay, Woona?" she asked worriedly.

Woona nodded slowly as she stood up. "I'm okay," she replied. "W...what happened?"

"The main generator for this lab must have malfunctioned," Alphys explained. "With the generator off, the elevator couldn't complete the trip normally, so it...dropped. We're going to have to collect the restart keys and reactivate it."

Woona slowly got to her hooves. "Should we...split up?" she asked curiously. "We'll find them faster that way..."

Alphys hesitated. "I...I don't want to leave you down here alone..."

"Forget about me already?" Chara asked jokingly.

"There's only so much either of you can do down here if you encounter-" Alphys cut herself off. "Never mind. But the lack of power has probably agitated them, so we likely should hurry. We'll go together until we get to the main part of the lab. That's when the paths split. We'll decide what to do from there once we get there."

Nodding, Woona allowed herself to be lifted back to Alphys' shoulder, looking around as Alphys made her way into the lab. In the darkness, the green walls, ceiling, and floor tiles looked all the more menacing. Like a Japanese horror in a hospital, Chara thought silently, actively shielding that thought from Woona.

As they approached a screen on the wall, it lit up with data. "What's that?" Woona asked curiously.

"That's...I left some data scattered around here," Alphys explained. "You can...read them to learn more about...what's down here." She walked nervously up to the screen to let Woona read.

ENTRY NUMBER 1
This is it...
Time to do what the King has asked me to do.
I will create the power to free us all.
I will unleash the power of the SOUL.

Woona sat back. "I...I don't think I need to read any of the others..." she whispered softly.

"Huh?" Alphys asked, confused.

"You were experimenting with enhancing monster souls with Determination, to give them the power of human souls so that Monsters could break the barrier, weren't you?" Woona inquired.

Alphys looked flabbergasted. "How did you-"

"We got a lot of information from someone you don't want to talk or think about," Chara clarified. "About the nature of Monsters, Determination...and the purpose of the Legendary Artifact, the SOULSTONE."

Alphys eyes widened. "H...how do you know about the SOULSTONE?" she gasped out.

"Because Woona is wearing it around her neck."

Alphys turned, staring at the SOULSTONE, her realization erasing the 'Mysterious Torc's aura of mysteriousness as she realized what it was. "But...but the white dog...he's supposed to guard it, so it can't be removed..."

"White dog?" Woona asked. "You mean the one in the Ruins who stole Mommy's cell phone and flour? He's the one who gave it to me after I rubbed his belly."

Alphys stared from Woona to the SOULSTONE, and then started to hyperventilate.

"Great job, Woona, you broke her."

"I didn't mean to!" Woona whimpered as she hugged Alphys, trying to help her feel better.

Truth, part 2

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Once Alphys got control of her breathing, she managed to get to her feet. "Why...why would that be in play now?" she asked, still somewhat terrified.

"Umm...cause I can use it?" Woona offered cautiously. "I can tap its power without being overwhelmed by it, and only draw what I need."

Alphys scratched her chin thoughtfully. "When it was created...it was never meant to be used. But then again...the Determination it absorbs from monsters is SOUL Power, the same power that powers the barrier. In theory, the Soulstone has enough power to do...incredible things. It might be enough to break the barrier. But...that much Determination crystallized can have...unexpected results. It would probably be best not to tap it any more than necessary."

"A reasonable precaution," Chara replied, his mind going back to what he'd learned from Gaster. Papyrus being made of crystallized Determination, the same thing the Soulstone was made of. If the Soulstone had that much power when fully tapped...how much could Papyrus unleash if he was determined enough? It was rather terrifying to imagine. "Now, what, exactly, did you do in these experiments here?"

Alphys sighed sorrowfully, walking along the path, leading them in. "There's...a machine in here. It's designed to extract Souls for storage. I was able to...modify it after studying the blueprints, to extract Determination from the human souls, the substance that allows human souls to persist even after their body dies. The goal of the experiments was to strengthen monster souls so that they could be used to break the barrier...but..."

"But monster bodies can't handle Determination in large quantities," Woona concluded. "That's why the Soulstone was created in the first place."

"Yes," Alphys confirmed. "If a monster generates more Determination than they need to survive, the Soulstone drains it out of them. With discipline, that process can be accelerated on the part of the monster...but it doesn't go the other way, unless all living monsters are united in thought and will. The resonance reaction would, in theory, allow a small number of monsters to sustain a large amount of Determination by balancing the excess energy through a spiritual link." She looked away. "In fact, Mettaton's body was originally designed for just such a purpose...to create such a link by uniting all Monsters in their faith in a single hero. The idea was that it would allow Mettaton to tap reserves of Determination stored in his chassis to supercharge his body enough that his Soul would gain the strength of a human soul...and then use the six we currently have in storage to break the barrier without completely merging with them, so that he could remain completely himself. After all, according to the theory, absorbing the soul of another causes a 'shared life' experience...though the only ones who had ever done so before never provided testimony regarding that..."

"It does," Chara replied calmly. "When Asriel absorbed my soul so we could cross the barrier, we shared control of the body that resulted. The same thing's happening to a lesser extent with me riding around inside Woona...likely because I don't have a true soul of my own."

Alphys nodded in understanding. "The theory's correct then...that explains some things about...what's happened down here..." Seeing Woona's hesitantly curious glance, Alphys sighed. "I...didn't want to experiment on living monsters. That would be...horrible. So instead, I had any monster who had 'fallen down' but not yet turned to dust brought down here, where I steadily injected them with gradually increasing doses of Determination until...it looked like it had worked. They...they stood back up and were able to walk around. They were talking and laughing, looking forward to going back to their families. I...I told Asgore it was a complete success!" She bit her lip as she glanced away.

"But something went wrong..." Woona clarified as they reached a split in the path.

"Y-yes..." Alphys confirmed, walking up to a vending machine. Getting several bags of chisps out of it, she handed half of them to Woona. "I-If we're going to find the keys quickly as planned...we'll need to split up here. The ones down here...they aren't hostile. But...they might be hungry. If you give them some chisps, they'll leave you alone. And...you'll see what went wrong."

Nodding, Woona pocketed the chisps, then glanced to either path. "I'll go left first," she decided.

"O-okay," Alphys agreed. "S-should be safer..." Without explaining, she rushed off towards the right, the door in the middle sealed with four different colored diodes. Confused and more than a little worried, Woona went left.

To the left, Woona explored a very short path, leading past a few storage units and three sinks. A note on the ground suggested that something important might be in one of the sinks. As such, Woona went to the three sinks, turning them on and off one at a time.

When she turned on the third sink, something that wasn't water came out of the faucet. The white goo pooled and filled the sink. A face appeared...and then a horrific form of several faces and a gaping maw in the center rose up with a frightening laugh.

Woona leapt back in fear as the FIGHT lines appeared. "W-w-w-what?" she gasped out, eyes wide.

"I...I don't know..." Chara replied, afraid.

When the creature spoke up, it did so in a strange staticky noise before unleashing a wave of white dots that erupted into faces. Woona barely managed to dodge out of the way.

"Static...Woona, take out your Cell Phone!"

Confused, Woona did so...and heard a voice from within. "Come join the fun!" the voices said from the phone, the static translated.

Woona backed away nervously as the wave of white came again, now seeing the name 'Memoryhead' over the being they saw. "I...I'm scared to join..." she whimpered softly.

"Such a shame..." one of the voices spoke.

"It's a real get together..." another replied.

"...but it's alright..." a third spoke as the monster withdrew, the FIGHT lines vanishing, leaving behind only a glittering red key.

Woona shivered, but lifted up the key. "They have the keys..." she murmured softly. "I...I need to befriend them, so they'll give us the keys, and we can activate the nodes..." Going back to where the note was, Woona inserted the key and turned it in the nearby node, causing it to light up. When she returned to the main path, she saw that the red diode on the door was lit.

"You found one?" Alphys asked as she raced up. "They aren't where I left them, so I don't know where to look...and the Amalgamates-" She cut herself off.

"We met the Memoryhead," Chara explained readily. "That's what happened to the monsters you experimented on?"

Alphys lowered her head. "Y-yes..."

"They have the keys," Woona stated confidently. "I need to find them...and befriend them, so they'll give me the keys."

Alphys frowned. "But...they didn't approach me. That means..."

"I...I have to do it without you..." Woona murmured sorrowfully.

Truth, part 3

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Alphys took up a post at the entrance to the Power Room. "Things are a lot safer down here when the power's on," she explained. "And the door will open as soon as all four keys are in their nodes. So...once you activate the last node, I'll run in and turn the main power on."

Woona nodded. "That works," she agreed.

"You're stammering a lot less, Alphys," Chara noted calmly.

"Yeah..." Alphys replied hesitantly. "It's...I need to be strong here. For you both...and for me. I came down here...to face what I'd done...so I could find the strength to tell everyone. To...stop hiding."

Woona nodded understandingly, nuzzling up against Alphys. "Don't worry," she whispered warmly. "We'll be there with you."

Alphys sighed in relief. "Thank you..."

Turning, Woona moved up along the right branch of the path. If I make it out of here alive, Woona thought silently, swallowing nervously.

If you die, you can just reset to after Papyrus solved the puzzle you gave him, Chara pointed out. That's when you last saved.

...oh yeah, I forgot I could do that, Woona replied silently, much more relaxed. ...place is still terrifying. She continued reading from the data panels that lined the walls, seeing Alphys' progress reports of what she'd done to try and revive the monsters. Entering a large room with a path to the east and north, she paused. Which way, Chara?

Why are you asking me? Chara demanded.

Cause...you've always known which way to go?

Flowey never came this far down here, Chara pointed out. The Amalgamates terrified him into resetting...and now I see why.

Swallowing, Woona made her way around the room full of beds, reading the panel that told of how the monsters Alphys had been experimenting on had finally woken up as themselves. Well...how about the left wall maze method?

Works for me, Chara replied as Woona went through the north path, then turned left at the split there.

Woona continued to read the entries. 15 spoke of a happy ending...but 16 was just a series of 'no's. "Alphys?" Woona asked through the phone. "What happened between entries 15 and 16?"

Alphys was silent for a long time. "Do...do either of you know what it looks like when a Monster dies with too much Determination inside them?" she asked sorrowfully.

"I do," Chara replied. "Instead of turning to dust...they melt."

"Yeah," Alphys answered. "The monsters who'd revived...they started to melt. And then...they clung to each other to try and pull themselves back together...and fused to each other, unable to separate..."

"That's why you call them Amalgamates..." Woona spoke up, understanding.

"...yeah..." Alphys replied sorrowfully. "And...you see why it's been...so hard to face this."

Woona said nothing as she kept going, letting the connection cut. As she passed a small room to the side of the path, she paused, feeling something in the small room. Turning, she stepped in.

She found herself in a small bathroom, with a pink curtain pulled in front of the bath and...something tall and thin waving back and forth inside as though showering. Carefully, Woona approached, swallowing worriedly as she saw the creature wriggle faster as she got nearer. "Umm...excuse me?" she asked softly as she reached the edge of the tub. "Is...do you have one of the keys?" she asked nervously. "I don't mean to disturb you..."

A tendril reached out from the tall, thin body, seized the edge of the curtain, and pulled it back...revealing an empty tub with a glowing green key at the bottom, no sign of the creature that had actually opened the curtain.

Woona stared, eyes wide. "They...really like freaking us out, don't they?" she squeaked out as she levitated the key out.

"Sure seems that way," Chara replied. "...can we get back to the creepy hallway instead of the creepy bathroom with only one door?"

Woona immediately dashed out of the bathroom, not pausing for breath until she was a ways further down the hall. Unfortunately, that breath was immediately exhaled in a scream of terror as Woona caught sight of what looked like a massive dragon skull with endless tubes connecting various parts of it. "What's that?" she cried out.

"I...hear you found the DT Extractor," Alphys stated calmly through the phone. "Not very pleasant, I know...but it's the only design that worked..."

A strange laugh echoed, and an Amalgamate rose from in front of the pit the DT Extractor rested in, posing sensually as its flesh dripped, its face possessing only a mouth of teeth against a lips-shaped head. A strong scent of lemons filled the air as Woona was surrounded by FIGHT lines, and the words 'Lemon Bread' appeared above the monster.

Woona did her best to hold herself still. Any ideas? Woona asked Chara silently.

No... Chara replied softly.

Woona stared as the creature's eyes took shape as the face behind the teeth warped into a grin, before shifting back. The face is a giant mouth... she thought. Having no other idea what to do, she started to hum the song she sang with Shyren.

The Lemon Bread stared at her. "I...remember something..." a voice spoke up, echoing from all around.

As the creature's magic shaped a giant mouth, Woona shielded herself, hiding in the gaps in her teeth. Something about the way it reacted and was posing... Chara, did Shyren have any family before she became so...shy?

An older sister who fell down... Chara began, his voice trailing off as he realized what Woona was saying. You think...?

Following a desperate thought, Woona flexed the way she saw Aaron do, since he spent so much time around Shyren.

"This seems...familiar..." Lemon Bread's voice echoed from all around.

Carefully, Woona stepped back, giving Lemon Bread her space. With a wide smile, the Amalgamate withdrew, the FIGHT lines vanishing. "Alphys...they're still themselves," she said into the phone.

"Well, I know that, but-"

"No, I mean...the links they share with others...they're still there," Woona explained. "I...I don't think the ones they knew before this will...care that they are different. Not if it means having them back."

"You...you really think so?" Alphys asked, her voice awed.

"I have something to...test...with any other Amalgamates I meet, but..." Woona straightened herself, staring into the Lab. "I think so," she concluded firmly, filled with DETERMINATION.

Truth, part 4

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Carefully, Woona moved west past the DT Extractor, carefully not looking at the nightmare-inducing machine, wanting to leave it behind. Unfortunately, she found the next chamber too dark and foggy to explore, and she was forced to turn back. Instead, she took the north path to the east of the DT Extractor, finding a small room with a TV, some videos hooked up to play, another node for a key, a datascreen, and another note. The note was practically illegible, only the words 'under...sheets' recognizable. Keeping that in mind, Woona examined the datascreen. It explained how the videos had been found in the castle...apparently ones Asgore didn't know about. Curious, Woona started watching them.

Each tape showed a dark screen. The first video had audio of Toriel telling Asgore several puns, each one focused around the word 'Mom'. "This one...must have been when Mom was..."

"Pregnant with Asriel," Chara confirmed as they reached the point where Asgore said Toriel was 'really excited to have this child'.

"...how's that work?" Woona asked curiously.

"For monsters, no clue," Chara replied. "For humans, doesn't matter since there aren't any anymore. And I was going to ask you how it works for ponies."

Shrugging, Woona put in the next tape.

"Okay, Chara, are you ready?"

Chara flinched internally at the sound of that soft, happy voice. "...Asriel..."

"Do your creepy face!" the happy voice encouraged. "AHHH! Hee hee hee..."

"Is your creepy face really that creepy?" Woona asked curiously.

Chuckling, Chara projected himself out of Woona and turned to face her. He then grinned widely, his hair hanging over his eyes to make it look like they were empty pits, the shadows hiding his teeth as he relaxed the muscles of his face, making it look like it was about to melt off. The fact this was a spiritual exercise rather than a physical one now made it all the more effective.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!" Woona shrieked out as she tumbled over backwards. "...should have asked when we were out..." she whimpered.

"Yes you should have," Chara teased as he faded back into her, doing his best not to laugh.

Having missed the rest of the second tape, Woona decided to put the third one in. She listened as Asriel talked about when he and Chara had tried to make butterscotch pie for Asgore...and used buttercups instead of cups of butter.

"Please...let's not watch the rest..." Chara murmured softly, sounding like he was about to break down.

"...Chara?" Woona asked worriedly.

"Please...I don't want to relive this part..."

Unsure what Chara meant, Woona decided to leave it at that, turning to leave the room without watching the last two videos. "Do you...want to talk about it?" Woona asked as she made her way East again.

"...it's about how I died...how Asriel got my soul...and how he died...it...it was my fault..."

Feeling the sorrow Chara was being crushed under, Woona decided not to press the issue. She paused as she reached the path back to the room with all the beds. "Under...sheets..." she murmured to herself.

"Hmm?" Chara asked cautiously.

"Well, I was just thinking..." Woona began. "These notes...maybe they're clues to where the keys are? Maybe I should check the sheets on all the beds?"

"That's as good an idea as any," Chara replied. "Just be careful, another Amalgate might leap out at you."

Woona swallowed convulsively, then nodded. "I'm...ready," she replied firmly.

Stepping back into the room, Woona examined the beds. Most of them were identically well made, save for two. The southwest most bed was completely unmade, while the easternmost bed had slightly rumpled sheets. "Okay...if it'll be anywhere..." Walking up to the easternmost bed, she pulled the sheets aside, finding a yellow key on the bed.

"The node in the video room was yellow," Chara pointed out.

"True..." Woona replied. "But...what about the completely unmade bed?" Putting actions to curiosity, Woona made her way over to the bed. She carefully examined it, but could find nothing out of the ordinary about it. Grumbling to herself, she pouted, her lower lip puffing out. "But...it's different! There's gotta be something! That's how puzzles work!"

"Well, maybe there's nothing to find by examining it," Chara offered. "Maybe you have to do something else?"

Woona frowned, nodding thoughtfully. "Maybe...but what?"

"Well...it's a bed," Chara indicated. "Maybe...take a nap?"

Woona thought about that, and found herself yawning. "I am feeling kinda sleepy...it's been a while since I rested..." She clambered up onto the bed. "But...you sure it's safe?"

"I'll wake you if there's any danger," Chara reassured her confidently.

"Okay..." Woona murmured as she curled up, her head on the pillow as her eyes drifted closed.

Everything seemed normal and safe...but then a white shape, tall and thin, arose out of the ground nearby. Chara tensed up as it extended a tendril towards the bed, ready to awaken Woona...only to find she was far more aware of the situation than he'd realized. She stayed perfectly still as the tendril approached...and pulled the blankets up to cover her.

Woona gave a soft smile as she snuggled under the blankets for a nap. Though the Amalgamate had no face, Chara couldn't help but get the impression that it was smiling as it sank back into the ground.

The knowledge that she was on the right track filled Woona with DETERMINATION as she drifted off into her nap.

Truth, part 5

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Once Woona awoke from her nap, she quickly made her way back to the intersection from before, this time deciding to take the path east she hadn't taken yet.

"Woona, what about the yellow node?" Chara asked. "We have the key now."

"We also have the green key," Woona pointed out. "And I wanna find the green node." With that said, she followed the path to a somewhat gloomy room filled with fans. A datapad nearby spoke of Alphys' insecurities regarding Mettaton and her friendship with him. Woona smiled softly. "Hope the dance helped her with that," she murmured as she made her way past the fans. At the other side of the fans, Woona found a switch, which she turned on.

The fans began to blow, improving circulation throughout the Lab. "Well, no node, but-"

The strange laugh echoed again, and the bits of white matter floating in the air that Woona hadn't noticed started gathering in the center of the room, taking shape as a ball with a smiley face. The ball descended to the floor, and with another laugh it morphed into a horrific figure with many legs, a massive body, pointed ears, a tiny tail, and a hole where the face was supposed to be. It slowly started to walk towards Woona. It let out a strange howling sound as it approached.

"Puppy!" Woona squealed happily, running up and hugging the creature's leg, which was all she could reach. The Endogeny leaned over and proceeded to lick Woona's back with a non-existent tongue that seemed to emerge from the hole where its face should have been. Woona paused as a strange feeling from the tongue percolated through her mind, trying to figure out why it felt strange...and then she gasped. "Lots of puppies!" she cried happily, racing all over the Endogeny to scratch it all over in an attempt to give all the puppies it was made of scritchies.

Before long, the Endogeny contentedly faded away. "Bye bye, puppies!" Woona called out as it did so, turning to walk out of the fan room.

"You know, with how intelligent and skilled at problem solving you are, it's easy to forget that you're only five," Chara murmured softly.

"Alicorn brains work faster!" Woona replied firmly. "Sis told me so!"

"Alicorn?" Chara inquired. "Sis?"

Woona hesitated, then lowered her eyes. "...later..." she replied at last.

"...fair enough," Chara allowed, still grateful Woona hadn't insisted on watching the other tapes, despite how curious she was.

Sighing to herself, Woona made her way back to the room that had been too dark to explore. As expected, the fans had cleared the room, allowing her to explore around the refrigerator units in the room. The data pads on the wall spoke of how Alphys, after what had happened to create the Amalgamates, had withdrawn from the world in shame.

As she made her way towards the door to the next room, the refrigerator unit closest to her warped as the strange laugh echoed again. The creature that walked towards her looked a bit like Snowdrake, but with a pair of Vegetoids fused to the face in place of eyes.

"Any ideas here?" Chara asked softly. "It looks like this one's...fading out."

"Sn...ow...y..." the creature murmured as it walked forward.

"He's gonna make it big as a comedian!" Woona called out. "Remembering his routine, I get chills!"

"haha..." the creature responded, standing a bit straighter. "I...remember..."

"He misses you," Woona told her. "His Dad, too. They're waiting..."

The creature smiled softly at Woona. "...thank...you..." She slowly faded away, sinking into the mist of the lab, a blue key left behind.

Picking up the blue key, Woona went into the tiny room beyond, using the green key on the matching node inside. Turning, Woona went back to the video room to use the yellow key before returning to the room with the beds before moving east. Finding herself in a hall of mirrors and yellow flowers, she paused to read the data pad nearest.

Entry Number 7
We'll need a vessel to wield the monster SOULs when the time comes.
After all, a monster cannot absorb the SOULs of other monsters.
Just as a human cannot absorb a human SOUL...
So then...
What about something that's neither human nor monster?

Woona frowned. Something about that description was unsettlingly familiar. Walking past the next mirror, she read the next data pad.

Entry Number 10
Experiments on the vessel are a failure.
It doesn't seem to be any different than the control cases.
Whatever.
They're a hassle to work with anyway.
The seeds just stick to you, and won't let go...

Woona paused as she felt Chara's rage building. "C...Chara?" she asked worriedly. "Is...something wrong?"

After a time, Chara's rage subsided. "It's nothing," he answered. "Let's keep going."

Sighing, Woona kept walking past a long line of mirrors, only for another Amalgamate to leap out of the reflection at her. This one had a bird's head, an incredibly long neck, and a stubby little body that bobbed around as though it hung from the head. Woona stared in fear, unsure what to do here.

Chara stared at the figure for a time, then spoke in Woona's mind. Woona, do exactly what I tell you. When Woona confirmed her understanding, he spoke up. Pray.

Nodding, Woona knelt down and prayed for guidance, and the creature seemed to respond. Its magic gathered, but its words were garbled.

Now do something mysterious, Chara instructed.

Unsure what else to do, Woona ignited her horn...and gave herself a mustache.

...seriously? Chara asked flatly.

It seemed to work however, as the creature responded. It spoke again, but only two words were legible. "...afraid of?"

Now pick on it, Chara instructed firmly. When Woona hesitated, he continued, Trust me.

Woona looked up at the creature. "Umm...hey, bean pole!" she called out.

The Reaper Bird seemed to smile as three distinct voices spoke up.

"Someone finally gets it."

"Ribbit Ribbit."

"...Courage."

The Reaper Bird then faded away.

"Umm...wha?" Woona asked nervously.

"It was a merger of a Final Froggit, a Whimsalot, and an Astigmatism," Chara explained. "I just told you what Flowey did in other timelines when he befriended those monsters."

Woona let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Chara," she said happily as she stepped into the final room, using the blue key to activate the last node. "I wouldn't have made it this far without you. And..." She smiled as she turned back, filled with DETERMINATION, "...as long as you're with me, I can do anything."

Truth, part Final

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With all four nodes activated, Woona made her way back to the power room where Alphys awaited her. "G-good job, Woona," Alphys praised as she approached. "You handeled this p-pretty well...better than I usually do."

Woona smiled happily. "Thanks," she replied warmly. "How come you haven't gone in?" She gestured to the door with the four glowing lights. "It's open, isn't it?"

"I-it wouldn't let me in, for some reason," Alphys admitted. She walked up to the door...and it slid open. "H-huh," Alphys murmured worriedly. "M-maybe it was just stuck?"

Woona glanced towards Alphys suspiciously. She couldn't shake the feeling that Alphys was actually just afraid to go in without her, not that she could blame the drake if that were the case. Still, something about the way Alphys spoke told Woona she wasn't dissembling, so she let it pass. Shrugging, she went through the doors, only to step into another elevator. "Huh?" she asked, confused.

"It's the backup elevator," Alphys explained. "In case the main one loses power and crashes, this one can be taken back up to the Lab...or elsewhere in the Underground. Course, it needs power, too. The power room is this way." Turning, Alphys led the way through the hallway to the left.

Woona happily followed Alphys through the hall, past two data pads that did not turn on as they approached. "What are those?" Woona asked. "How come they aren't turning on?"

"T-they draw power directly from the central power core," Alphys explained. "They don't turn on unless it's on. It's this way." Walking past the two screens, she led the way into the final door to the north, Woona following along behind.

The large power room was almost featureless, the only part of it that wasn't blank floors, walls, or ceiling was the power core at the opposite wall and the pipes leading from it into the rest of the lab. However, none of the trio that had just entered could notice this right off the bat, as all the Amalgamates were there, filling the chamber, and blocking the path to the generator controls.

Alphys swallowed convulsively. "T-they've never done this before...w-what do we do?"

"I...I think they want something," Woona murmured, stepping forward.

"Woona, no!" Alphys spoke up firmly. "Don't do anything reckless!"

"And how do I not do that?" Woona asked curiously. "I've yet to meet anyone down here who abides by that for an example."

Somewhere, Sans just spat ketchup all over the nearest wall, Chara murmured, soft laughter in his silent voice.

Woona smiled, the bit of humor giving her confidence. "The Determination you injected them with...it tried to turn their magical energy into physical matter, which is what led to them fusing like this, because there wasn't enough magical energy in any one of them to create even a single body of pure physical matter. So each of their bodies tried to absorb living energy from the world around them to complete their body..."

Alphys gasped in shock. "That's why they were always so hungry after they woke up?" she murmured in awe. "They were trying to eat enough to stabilize?"

"But even monster food wasn't enough...which is why they fused," Woona explained. "If they could have gotten human food, or even pony food, they might have stabilized...but for now, maybe..." Closing her eyes, she focused her magic, pouring it into the Amalgamates.

The Amalgamates watched her, the magic flooding into their being as their semi-liquid forms started to solidify, gaining more stability. At first, it seemed whatever Woona was attempting was working, but then the magic she was pouring in started to be pushed back. Wincing, Woona withdrew her magic, rubbing the base of her horn.

"So much for not being reckless," Chara teased.

"W-what happened?" Alphys asked cautiously.

"I thought...if I drew power from the Soulstone, I could give them enough magic to stabilize them in physical forms," Woona replied. "And...separate them back into their original selves."

"And it...didn't work?" Alphys murmured sorrowfully.

"It would have," Woona answered. "I could feel it. The Soulstone was providing more than enough power. I...managed to stabilize them, so they're no longer melting all over the place...or leaving bits of themselves behind. But when I tried to separate them...they fought back. They...didn't want to be separated."

"What?" Alphys asked, stunned.

Voices began echoing around the chamber, the voices of the Amalgamates, though the voices did not come from any of the mouths. Some of the voices came out of Woona and Alphys' cell phones.

"We are together."

"We did not choose this."

"We did not understand."

"We were afraid."

"But we are not afraid now."

"We have found understanding."

"We have found strength."

"We have found unity."

"The bonds remain."

"Our families wait for us."

"We wait for them."

"We were angry."

"But now we are not."

"We forgive you, Doctor."

Alphys stared at the Amalgamates for a time, then wiped away the tears that formed at the corners of her eyes, sniffling. "T...thank you," she whispered softly. Walking forward, she held out her arms, and was enfolded into a large group hug with all the Amalgamates. With their physical bodies now stabilized, she wasn't absorbed. "I guess...I need to face up to what I've done, and bring you all back to your families."

The faces of the Amalgamates were hard to read, but the air in the entire lab seemed to become happier and less oppressive. The Endogeny activated the generator with its featureless muzzle.

Smiling, Woona led the way back towards the elevator...but paused as she saw what was written on the first screen she came to.

Entry Number 8
I've chosen a candidate.
I haven't told Asgore yet, because I want to surprise him with it...
In the center of his garden, there's something special.
The first golden flower, that grew before all the others.

Woona swallowed as she felt Chara's rage surging again.

The flower from the outside world.
It appeared just before the Queen left.
I wonder...
What happens when something without a SOUL gains the will to live?

As Alphys stepped out of the power room, Chara erupted out of Woona's body, dragging her over as he manifested, knife drawn. "You!" he roared out angrily, red light and black shadows suffusing his form. "You did this!"

Alphys flinched back, terrified as she backed against the wall. "I-I-I d-don't underst-t-tand..."

"Flowey!" Chara roared out. "You're the one who brought him to life as a soulless husk!"

"I-Is that what he calls hims-"

Chara slammed his spectral fist into the wall, the force of his rage shaking the lab. "HOW DARE YOU DO THAT TO MY BROTHER?"

Alphys' eyes widened as she realized what Chara was saying. "T-the dust..."

"He suffers every day...trapped...unable to feel...unable to DIE!" Chara roared out. "Too much Determination inside him to escape, as the resets bowed to him until Woona arrived! Trapped in a living hell that never ends!" Blinded by his rage, Chara raised his knife high. Alphys huddled in the corner, not even trying to defend herself.

Desperately, Woona tried to pull Chara back, but his rage was drawing too much of her magic into him. Desperately, she tried to pull them both out of the situation with a shortcut...but the wormhole failed when she couldn't put enough magic into it to complete it, and they both fell through the fabric of reality.

Seeing Red

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Woona desperately spread her tiny wings to slow her descent as she fell through what seemed like empty space for a long time. Eventually, her senses adjusted, and she saw dandelions floating through the air around her. She wasn't sure what to make of it, but didn't have much time to think about it as she soon came to a halt on solid ground she couldn't see far below the floating weeds. Groaning, she pushed herself to her hooves.

Woona...what did you do? Chara demanded angrily.

I took a shortcut, Woona whimpered back in her mind. But...I didn't have enough magic to reach the other end...

Then we could have wound up anywhere! Chara scolded her. Or even anywhen! Why would you take such a risk?

You...you were going to kill Alphys... Woona explained sorrowfully. It was...the only way I could stop you...

Why did you stop me? Chara demanded angrily, power and fury strong in his mental voice.

...because I didn't want to lose you to the empty dark again... Woona offered back, barely able to shape the thought from how much Chara's fury hurt her.

Chara froze as he was about to yell at her again, gazing down at his astral form. He could see the red of his rage that had infused it, and the dark shadows racing through his being once more, the ones that had dominated him as he sat over his grave, waiting for one who could be his tool to bring about destruction...the shadows Woona had worked so hard to purge from him. Shuddering, he pushed his rage back, pulling the magical energy that infused him inward, pushing it back into Woona's body. The red glow faded from his form, as did the shadows, as the realization of how close he'd come to throwing everything away again came to the fore of his mind. I'm...I'm sorry, Woona.

It's okay, Chara, Woona replied softly. Now we just...need to figure out how to get back.

Why can't you use a shortcut? Chara demanded.

For those to work, I need to know start and end coordinates, Woona explained. I have no idea where we are.

At that moment, FIGHT lines appeared around Woona, trapping her in place as they glowed extra strong. She could tell from sight that they would prevent her from running from this FIGHT, which was both worrying and intriguing.

Maybe she knows? Chara offered as Woona turned to face the monster that had created the FIGHT.

The monster was, to all appearances, a young humanoid girl in an al-covering red cloak, the bottom of her face and her tiny feet the only things visible beneath it and the cowl. A large bow held it shut at her neck, and it quickly became apparent that her face was actually a mask she was wearing, though one that shifted in expression on occasion. Woona wasn't sure if that meant the mask was a part of her, or just magical equipment. The name "Red" appeared over her head as the magic of the FIGHT lines took hold.

Little Red Riding Hood? Chara thought, confused.

Shrugging it off, Woona decided to keep her promise and try to make friends. "Hi, I'm Woona!" she greeted warmly. "It's so nice to see a friendly face!"

"My face isn't friendly," Red responded curtly as her magic took shape, forming cross-hairs that tracked Woona as she dodged before seeming to split as though cut by a sword.

Woona gulped nervously. "I'm a little lost," Woona offered. "Could you point the way back to Snowdin? Or Waterfall?" When there was no response, Woona's voice quavered. "Hotland? ...the Core?"

"Seriously?" Red demanded angrily as buzz-saws of magic danced around Woona's side of the FIGHT area, though not close enough to actually hit her when she held perfectly still. "Are you seriously doing this?"

"Doing...what?" Woona asked confused. "Why are you attacking me? I don't wanna fight...I just wanna be friends-"

"Would you shut up?!" Red snarled, her cowl lifting to reveal a furiously glaring topaz eye. "I don't know where you got the idea...but I'm not interested in being your friend! Fight me!"

With that, Red drew a sword as she spread her cloak, revealing a robe bearing the Delta Rune, a symbol worn by the Royal Guard. As she swung her blade, a line of light appeared across the FIGHT area. Woona desperately backed off the line before the area split momentarily in twain, leaving Woona trapped in a much smaller FIGHT area.

"So keep that garbage to yourself!" Red screamed out.

OOOOOOOH WHAT THE!!!! Chara screamed out, stunned.

"You can do that?" Woona gasped out, stunned.

"You may not know about me, but I've already heard about you!" Red snapped, conjuring the spinning blades again. Once more, she split the FIGHT area, and the blades followed the split, forcing Woona to flee from them. "And everything I've heard...it just makes me sick!"

Woona took a few deep breaths, trying to figure out what to do here. Is...is she serious? Does she not want peace?

No, Chara countered, his spiritual gaze focused on Red's face. Something about the way she's talking...Woona, I know this is asking a lot after what I just did, but-

Go for it, Chara, Woona replied. I'll follow your lead.

Chara hesitated. ...you realize I have no way of knowing if I'm doing the right thing, right? That this is just a gut feeling...minus the actual guts?

As long as you keep mine inside me, Woona replied.

As Red hurled a grenade and began to split the FIGHT area again, Chara lunged out of Woona, knocking the grenade out of the ring as he clashed his knife against her sword. "I have to admit," he teased softly, "you're certainly a cut above the rest. However, you need to keep your wits sharp if you want to tango with me."

Red's eyes widened when Chara caught her blow, but narrowed at the jokes he threw her way. "S-seriously?" she stammered, the mouth on her mask pulled into a firm, stubborn line...that quivered at the edges. "Are you really trying to turn this into a big joke?" She leaped back, striking with magic behind her blade to unleash a flurry of blows that slashed across the entire FIGHT area.

Woona pulled herself into an unaffected corner while Chara shrank down and slipped through the spaces. "Would you rather I said it was knife to meet you?" he asked as he lunged in, forcing Red to dance back out of the way of the deadly blade.

"W-what nonsense is this?!" Red demanded, her eyes clenched shut and her mouth in a quavering line as she slashed repeatedly at Chara, only for him to deflect each and every strike. "You're not taking me seriously!"

"And you're missing my point," Chara countered, flashing in past her strikes and leaving his knife point against her mask, right between her eyes. "It's the FIGHT I'm not taking seriously, not you."

"The hell are you talking about?" Red demanded as she struck him aside, now gripping her sword with both hands as she shook with unidentifiable emotion.

"Let's clash for a bit, and I'll show you," Chara offered, lunging in and deliberately clashing his knife against her sword.

Desperately, Red met the charge with one of her own, desperately struggling to overpower the spirit fighting her, only for each attack to be brushed aside almost carelessly, and none of the openings in her defense - however obvious - taken advantage of. "W-what do you think you're doing?" she demanded, her voice now quavering.

"Making friends...my way," Chara replied.

"I told you I don't want to-"

"But you do," Chara countered. "You've watched Woona and I for so long, and what you've seen touches you deeply. You desperately want to be friends...but you've seen what becomes of everyone who falls from the surface. What's the point of caring if you know you're just going to lose them, am I right?"

Red staggered a few steps back, now holding up her sword defensively in front of her body. "H...how do you...?"

"Because I recognize the face on that mask," Chara replied softly. "I've seen it often enough...in reflecting pools, in mirrors, and in the void staring back at me from my own shadow. I know the thoughts behind it well, as I've had them all before. "There's evil in everyone, why believe in the good?" "They'll all die eventually, why waste your life caring?" "You're just going to lose them, and you don't need that pain again." "If life is just pain, why not embrace death?" Sound familiar?"

Red's sword lowered as she continued to stare, her eyes quivering.

"As I said, I've been there," Chara continued, putting his own knife away. "Before I threw myself down Mt. Ebott...as I watched my brother die...saw him transformed into an empty shell...watched more siblings taken in by my mother fall one after the other...I'd given up. I was much further along the path into darkness, despair, and nihilism than you currently are..." Pausing, he gestured to Woona. "And she saved me. She took me into her own soul, refused to believe I was beyond help, and slowly but surely leeched the shadows out of my being..." He spread his arms, showing the pale silvery glow that surrounded his image. "And here I am now, no longer a nihilistic wraith...instead merely a ghost, becoming himself again...the self I wish I'd always been." Slipping past Red's sword, he wrapped his spectral arms around her. "It would be poor repayment indeed if I didn't try to do the same for you."

Red stared at Chara for a time, then sank to her knees, her sword clattering from her hand as she clung to Chara in tears. "But...but you'll both just...die...when you fight Asgore..."

"We aren't going to fight Asgore," Chara told her. "We have a different plan for that. Woona knows what she's doing...and I'll be right by her side."

Red sobbed softly. "You...you really think so?"

"I'm sure of it," Chara replied. "She saved me. Pretty sure she can do anything. Besides...we plan to break the barrier, and let everyone out. And...she's going to save our brother, Asriel, too."

Red's sobs started to quiet. "I...I guess I can...believe once more..." She started to reach for her face.

"May I?" Chara asked, his hand on the mask. Nervously, Red nodded. Woona wasn't able to see what was there when Chara removed the mask, but she saw the tenderness when he wiped her tears away. "You know, you should think about not wearing that mask sometime," Chara offered playfully. "Underneath, you're actually kinda cute."

Red promptly shoved the mask back over her face. "S-shut up!" she snapped angrily, making Chara laugh. "It's not funny!" She tried to punch him, only for her fist to go right through his arm. "Oh, you better watch out if you ever get physical!"

Chara grinned lasciviously. "Promise?"

"GAH!" Red gasped out, pulling her cowl down over her face. She started to say more, but a loud grumbling interrupted her. "...guess I should have eaten before I came out here..."

Smiling, Woona promptly laid out a blanket and plates, setting up a picnic with her supplies. She filled the plates with spider donuts and a slice of pie for each of those present - she had a whole pie in her saddlebags, so she wasn't worried about running out - bottles of cider, and small bowls of Temmie Flakes, only to pause when one of the pastries she pulled out wrapped up by Muffet was one she didn't recognize. "Huh...Cinnamon Bunny? Aren't those from Snowdin?" She glanced at Red, who'd perked up at the mention of it. "Want it?" she offered.

"Those are my favorite..." Red murmured softly.

Smiling, Woona placed it on Red's plate. The three were soon digging into the repast and chatting away. Eventually, however, Woona decided to ask a question. "So...where are we?"

Red lowered her gaze. "We're near the edge of the Underground," she explained. "Close to the edge of the Time-Space bubble that encloses the entire place, created by the barrier. We're right on the edge of the Void."

"So that's why we ended up here when the shortcut failed halfway through," Chara murmured. "The shortcuts work by creating void pockets, connecting discrete points in Space-Time. There was enough magic to get us out of the Void, but not where we were going..."

"Well, we just gotta walk back then, right?" Woona offered.

"Bad idea," Red cautioned. "The normal laws of space-time don't apply this close to the Void. If you don't know exactly where you're going, you could fall into it and never come back out. It takes most monsters years to learn the tricks of navigating out here." She puffed her chest out a bit proudly. "I mastered it in a few months, though."

"Then you could guide us back in?" Chara suggested.

"Unfortunately, no," Red countered. "I've been stationed out here, and I can't abandon my post."

"What if your Captain gave you permission?" Woona suggested.

"...well, I suppose," Red admitted. "But I don't know if she-"

Woona quickly pulled out her phone and dialed. "Undyne?"

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!" Undyne screamed through the phone, her voice reaching all the way to Chara and Red. "Alphys has been in a panic ever since your shortcut collapsed before you made it out the other side! She and Mettaton have been trawling the known void pits, Papyrus won't stop making his 'Regretti Spaghetti' - which is really salty, by the way - and Sans was about to take a Void Dive to try and find you! Where are you?"

Woona rubbed at her ears as the shouting finally ended. "Well, right now we're having a picnic with Red," she answered.

"Y...you're where?" Undyne responded, stunned. "Wait...you mean you managed to make friends with her, too? She was dead set against befriending anyone from the surface."

"Well, Chara did most of the work there." Glancing between Red and Chara, Woona grinned impishly and whispered into the phone, "I think Chara's sweet on her."

Undyne burst into laughter. "WAHAHAHAHA! You don't say? Isn't that interesting? Well, you need to be getting back somehow. I still haven't figured out how to find my way out there save by blind luck and magic spear trails, so..."

"Could you give Red permission to leave her post?" Woona asked. "She could show us the way."

"Huh, I suppose she could," Undyne responded. "Give her the phone."

Smiling, Woona floated the phone over to Red. "It's for you."

Curiously, Red took the phone. "Hello?" She straightened almost immediately. "Captain! ...sir? ...yes sir, I can do that! Yes, I know the way there from here. It's rather close actually, easy to reach. Alright, I'll take them there. Yes sir!" Hanging up the phone, she handed it back to Woona. "I'm to guide you back to New Home before taking a new post in the Core until your journey's finished."

"New Home, huh?" Chara asked softly. "I remember that place. I used to live there." Noticing Woona letting out a yawn, he continued, "You can drop us off in my old room there, tucking Woona into my old bed so she can get some rest."

"I can do that," Red agreed, scooping Woona into her arms. "This way."

Smiling, Chara floated alongside Red as she carried Woona back into normal space and up the path to a house that was almost identical to the one in the Ruins, save it was built of gray stone rather than purple. "You're really good at spatial manipulation," he complimented. "The only one I know who can do it cleaner is Sans."

"Captain Undyne says I'm a natural!" Red responded proudly, beaming with a grin from ear to ear.

Before long, they reached the room and Red tucked Woona in. "See you later?" Chara asked her.

"...maybe," Red replied, turning to leave.

Hearing Chara sigh, Woona giggled to herself, the chance of her brother's happiness and the approaching end of her journey filling her with DETERMINATION.

Nightmare

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She slowly stalked through the empty halls of the ancient citadel. The walls echoed with the sounds of her steps. Each step stirred up eddies of white dust that billowed in the still, silent air. There was no fear inside her as she walked in this empty tomb, nor malice, nor sorrow, nor loneliness. Only power. Power that filled her very being.

As she walked, briefly her mane billowed around her. The deep, dark blue swirled nebulously in the absent breeze, specks of dust clinging to the ethereal fibers like stars. Absently, she brushed it aside with her black wingtips.

Soon...

She wasn't sure why she thought that. And yet she knew what it meant. Soon, all she had strived for, all she'd sought to accomplish, would be within her grasp. Soon, the night would have its Queen...

Sans stood silently in the hallowed hall, crystal structures in the stone shone light down from the surface through the windows. Normally, it was sunlight that shone through most of the time...but for some time now, only pure white moonlight reached through from the surface, drinking the color from the land as it cast all into the stark relief of shadows. He took this all in in a glance, noticing how much more menacing the hall appeared without the warm glow of sunlight to make it more homey. His focus, however, was on what was soon to come. She was coming...and despite her demands, he would not praise her.

He heard the firm hoofsteps clopping against the tile floor, saw her stepping out of the shadows. He noted how much she'd changed, far more than he had expected. The once blue coat stained black as the void, the mane and tail billowing in non-existent wind, the sapphire cat eyes, the mouth full of fangs that grinned at him as she stalked towards him, and the relic forged by his old man's hands settled in the peytral around her throat. All in all, an incredibly terrifying visage.

And if he hadn't seen with his own two eyes what she was capable of, that intimidation would have lost a great deal in the fact that she still barely came up to his knees.

"tell me something," he asked oddly. "do you think even the worst person, whatever kind of person they are, can change? can be a good one again?"

"But of course," the dark figure replied, her voice menacing despite the high pitch. "Of course, they have to want to change...to divert from the path they've taken." She laughed then, a wicked laugh with no heart behind it. "But you and I both know with how far I've come, I won't change."

Sans sighed sadly. "i suppose so. in that case, let me ask you a different question. do you want to have a bad time?"

"Funny," the figure replied, stepping forward. "I was going to ask you the same thing."

Sans sighed sadly. "i thought i was keeping my promise...but i couldn't save you from this." He lifted his face to gaze at her. "so i guess i'll have to do it now...even if it means hurting you enough that you go back to the beginning to turn from this path!" The FIGHT lines appeared, surrounding them, energized with his true nature so that, unless he chose to lower them, they could not be escaped unless one of them was dead. "it's a beautiful night outside. the owl calls...the wind blows softly...this night you and i both love so much, i'll protect it from you, for all of them..." He gathered his DETERMINATION into every fiber of his being as he clenched his fists, his eye flashing blue and gold as the red scarf around his neck billowed out of its own accord. "...if i have to drag you through hell to do it, woona!"

The tiny filly stomped her hooves, the hall cracking in response to the unleashed power. "My name is Nightmare Moon!"

As Sans raised his hands to unleash his magic, a thought occurred in the depths of his mind. That's not my music...

Nightmare Moon easily leapt back out of the way as Sans unleashed his waves of magic bones and Gaster Blasters, both by leaping out of the way and changing into a mist form, easily avoiding taking any damage. Unfortunately, she found that her own attacks were just as easily evaded by the skeleton. Then again, that wasn't too unfortunate. After all, he only had one HP. A single blow would finish him off. It wouldn't be any fun if the battle ended too soon.

"It seems we are at a bit of a stalemate," she called out as she used a shield to deflect several incoming blue bones, shattering them in the process. "Neither of us seems to be able to hit the other. Though I'd say I still hold the advantage." She reared back, deliberately making her stats visible.

LV 20 HP 200/200 MP err
ATK 5 DEF X MAG err

"I can take far more punishment than you can!" she called out. "You have to get lucky every time...I only have to get lucky once!"

"then i guess i should stop relying on luck, huh?" Sans offered, drawing out his bones again. "you know, i feel like i should be lecturing you, or trying to appeal, or something...but you wouldn't be listening if i did, would you?"

"Oh, I'd listen," Nightmare Moon replied, stepping aside as blue bones erupted from ground and ceiling all around her, interspersed with white. "But it wouldn't change anything."

"then i'm not going to waste my breath," Sans concluded. "i have little enough left as is." His bones flew out, seemingly flying at random.

Nightmare Moon paused, raising an eyebrow as not one bone came anywhere near her. "Have you become so enraged you can't see straight?" she asked softly. "None of your attacks are coming anywhere near me."

"look again, princess," Sans taunted as he hauled out his Gaster Blaster.

Nightmare Moon's eyes widened as she saw what had happened. She had been hemmed in by bones, white and blue, filling her side of the FIGHT, leaving only the space the Gaster Blaster would cover. All Sans would have to do is keep the blast on her until her HP were drained completely, and he'd win.

However, despite this she grinned. She had another trick in her arsenal to break the skeleton before her.

"goodnight, moon," Sans stated as he prepared his Gaster Blaster for an extended firing.

As he readied himself to pull the trigger, however, he suddenly found himself facing another skeleton. "BROTHER...HELP ME..."

"p...papyrus?" Sans gasped out, his resolve wavering.

A blast of lightning erupted, shattering the bones and shredding the Blaster. Sans only just barely sidestepped it.

"You're fast on your feet," Nightmare Moon taunted. "Pity he wasn't."

"what..." Sans began. He then closed his eyes. What did you do?

Nightmare Moon cackled wickedly again. "Oh, poor naive skeleton...Asgore and Alphys were so desperate to find a way to make Monster souls last beyond death, so the barrier could be broken. The problem wasn't Determination...it was a shortage of magic. Even the strongest monster soul didn't have the strength of connection to the magical field to keep from fading on death...except for Boss Monsters."

Before Sans' very eyes, Toriel appeared. "And I had the soul of a Boss Monster to compare it to," Nightmare Moon declared in Toriel's voice as the image faded, pain in the former Queen's eyes as she seemed to dissolve. "And now...every monster in the underground is a part of me...a part of my magic!"

Sans struggled to his feet as he desperately attempted to fight back, unsurprised now as his attacks were brushed aside. "you...you demon..."

Nightmare Moon laughed again. "Maybe I am...but what does that make you? You could have stopped me..."

Undyne's image appeared. "But you were too lazy to be a good guard!" As her image faded, others appeared, each with their own words for Sans.

You are a disgrace to what I made you to be. I never should have made you.

"You have failed all monsters everywhere..."

"I w-w-watched her die...w-w-where were you?!"

Sans struggled against the images, and the guilt he felt. "that...that doesn't make sense...she doesn't die...and not the King unless...you get past me...that's not how it goes..."

Nightmare Moon chuckled wickedly. "You are a fool," she taunted. "Did you really think I'd play by the rules any more than you do? After all, you are..."

a skeleton with only one HP, the last spark of Hope made manifest...

"The fewer monsters there are, the stronger you become," she taunted. "Before I reached my goals, I wanted the ultimate challenge...I wanted to see you truly at your strongest...so I hunted everyone down, one by one...saving you for last."

As Sans staggered back, she sniffed disdainfully. "So far...I'm disappointed.

"no...no no no no no...this can't be real...this can't be real..." Sans eyes suddenly widened. "it...can't be real..."

Nightmare Moon tilted her head in confusion. Sans had suddenly burst into laughter. "It seems after all, you are just a joke. Very well. Die laughing." Lifting her horn, she gathered her magic for a final blow...confused when she found herself hesitating. Why did this...upset her? She would soon get everything she wanted.

"it's not real!" Sans suddenly screamed out. "woona, it's not real! none of this is! you just have to wake up!"

"I told you!" Nightmare Moon snapped angrily. "My name is-"

For the first time since she faced Flowey when she first arrived in the Underground, the command blocks appeared before her. Angrily, she reached her hoof towards FIGHT...

...but she refused.

Even as Nightmare Moon screamed in rage, Woona placed her hoof to MERCY, and saw her options.

-Spare
>Wake Up

A scream of absolute terror echoed across the entire underground from a room in New Home. Woona sobbed bitterly from her nightmare as Chara pulled her into his etheric embrace, and she buried her face there as she wept.

Knowing what was ahead of her filled her with DREAD.

The Punchline

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Chara gently stroked Woona's back, holding her close as she shook in fear and sorrow. "It's alright, Woona," he whispered softly. "It was just a nightmare...it wasn't real-"

"That's what I was told...about the Tough Glove nightmare..." Woona whimpered out, managing to make words even as her sorrow continued to run away with her. "And it...wasn't just..." She sobbed brokenheartedly as she buried herself deeper into Chara's ethereal embrace. "What if this happened, too?"

"Now don't be like that," Chara chided gently, comfortingly. "There's no way you'd kill everyone. You aren't like that...and neither am I anymore, thanks to you." He held her close. "You saved me. There's nothing to fear anymore...trust me..."

Slowly, Woona's sobs began to slow. "But...but Sans was there...and it was really him, somehow..."

"Then let's go find him and ask him about it," Chara stated firmly. "He can explain it." Pausing, he floated over to a box, surprised to discover he could open it. Reaching inside, he lifted out a heart-shaped locket. "...I left this here so long ago..." Gently, he settled it around his ethereal neck...and was stunned to see it stayed there. "...Asriel..." He rested his fingers against the locket.

Woona smiled softly, managing to gather her courage. "Let's go!" she called out, hopping out of bed. She paused as she noticed the other box. "What about that?" she asked curiously.

Chara stared at the box. "That's my worn dagger. I had it with me when I fell down here." He hesitated, then turned his back on the box, the knife he gripped in his spiritual hand fading out of existence. "...I don't need it anymore."

Woona's smile widened as she felt Chara's essence become more balanced. This was good for him. She turned to look around the house. "Which way?"

Smiling, Chara faded back into Woona, the Locket going with him. "The keys are in the kitchen and Dad's room," Chara told her. As Woona began exploring the house - a practically identical copy of the one in the Ruins, save the color - Chara began reminiscing. "I used to live here...with Mom, Dad, and Asriel. We were a happy family. But the barrier was always hanging over us...always in our minds. Freedom so close, and yet so far...I could see what it was doing to my family, to everyone I'd grown to care about down here...so I decided to do something about it."

"What'd you do?" Woona asked curiously.

"One time, Asriel and I tried to make a pie for Dad," Chara explained. "It said to use cups of butter...but I suggested we use buttercups instead, as a prank. After all, Dad's a goat-type monster, and goats can eat flowers, right? It seemed logical to me...and to Asriel. Neither of us knew that the yellow flowers we used...were toxic. Dad recovered, but it shook us. And...it gave me the idea. After all, Dad's body was much stronger than mine in terms of recovery, and he'd recover as long as he had reason to. I was much more biological. And a Monster can cross the barrier if they absorb a human soul..."

"You convinced Asriel...to take your soul?" Woona asked worriedly.

"It was a perfect plan. We'd cross the barrier, find a peaceful way to gather six human souls, absorb them, and break the barrier. But...when I saw the humans, the ones who had made the barrier that had trapped the monsters, the ones who had made my life on the surface so horrible I was willing to..." He cut himself off before saying more, not wanting to upset Woona further. "I lost control. I wanted to kill them all...and keep killing. Asriel saw what it was doing to me...and much like you did when I went after Alphys, he held me back. He wouldn't let me kill anyone. And because of that...he wound up dying. I knew something might go wrong, and thought that I could just reset to before I set the plan in motion...but my soul vanished when Asriel's body turned to dust. My Determination...was only enough to keep an echo of me around...broken by grief at knowing my mistakes cost my brother his life, and tore our parents apart..."

Whinnying softly, Woona mentally nuzzled Chara as she unlocked the gate, making her way down into the basement. "But...if you were grief-stricken...why did you..."

"When I was like that, I was...constantly slipping in and out of the void," Chara explained. "Until I learned to anchor myself in the physical world...at the grave Mom made for me." He shuddered inside. "The void is...unpleasant. It is best if I say no more."

Nodding, Woona continued through the halls, past tall buildings as she heard many monsters talking. She could tell they were filled with hope, talking about how close freedom was, how soon the barrier would fall. She couldn't stop herself from smiling...but at the same time, she felt afraid.

Before long, she passed out of the city of white and gray and into a hall filled with golden light. She froze as soon as she stepped into it. Despite the change in lighting, she immediately recognized it as the hall from her nightmare. She whimpered, afraid to put her hoof down on the tile.

"it's okay, woona," a familiar voice called warmly from down the hall. "nothing bad's gonna happen. this place is no more evil than what you bring into it."

"T-that doesn't make this any easier, Uncle Sans," Woona whimpered softly.

"Come on," Chara urged, floating out to take Woona's hoof. "You wanted to ask him about it, didn't you?" Not waiting for a response, he proceeded to drag Woona down the hall to where Sans was waiting for them.

"so...you wanted to talk about that nightmare, huh?" Sans asked softly as they approached. "what did you wanna know?"

Woona swallowed nervously. "Y-you were in it..." she stammered. "And you remember...is it...is it like the other one?"

Sans sighed gustily, shaking his head. "no one as young as you should be saddled with this..." he grumbled under his breath. "some maker up there is really twisted, that's for sure." He lifted his gaze. "woona...that nightmare both was...and wasn't like the other one. it isn't a timeline that didn't already happen like the other one...but it is a timeline that could be."

"What?" Chara demanded, stunned even as Woona sank in on herself. "How could that be?"

"i really hate to say it kid...but it's your fault," Sans explained. "woona took you into her soul, darkness and all. she managed to bring you to light again...but as you saw in the lab, the darkness didn't just go away. it's inside her now. and if she ever gives in to rage, envy, or anything like that...nightmare moon will rise. the nightmare wasn't a prevented mistake...it was a warning." He slowly walked up to Woona. "kid...you're too young for this, but I have to tell you now. from now on, you're going to have to watch carefully over your emotions, and never let fear, or anger, or jealousy grow too strong within you. cause if you don't, you will become that mare of darkness...and it won't be a nightmare you can just wake up from."

Woona shivered. "But...but why would that be?" she asked, confused. "In the nightmare...my LOVE..."

"20," Sans confirmed. "yeah, a big number. but...i hate to say this, but check your stats now."

Confused, Woona did so.

LV 2/2 HP 50/50 MP X/Y

"It...went up?" Woona asked, stunned.

"yeah," Sans confirmed. "the shadows are inside you now...shadows that turned chara from a broken-hearted child into a demon meant to destroy all of existence. they aren't as strong inside you because of how strong your soul is...but they're there."

"But..." Woona whimpered. "That means it's...bad to find love?"

"Huh?" Chara asked, confused.

"what are you talking about?" Sans demanded.

"F-Flowey said...when I first fell...LOVE is shared with...Friendliness Pellets...but they hurt..."

Sans eyes widened in shock. Walking quickly forward, he pulled Woona into a tight hug. "man...he really messed you up bad, didn't he?"

"I can't believe he told you that!" Chara added angrily. Then he let the anger subside. "Then again...I don't think he realized it would affect you this badly..."

"W-what do you mean?" Woona asked, confused.

"woona...there's LOVE and then there's love," Sans explained. "LOVE is an acronym. it means...'Level Of ViolencE'. it's a measure of how easily you can hurt someone. the easier you can hurt someone, the harder it is for you to be hurt. it grows by gathering EXP..."

"EXecution Points," Chara translated. "Your incredibly low LV is why your defense was negative. You're naturally non-violent. It goes against your nature to deliberately hurt others. That's a good thing."

"woona, you never truly gained LOVE in your journey," Sans offered comfortingly, "but don't ever doubt...that you are loved." Sitting back, he rested his hand on her back. "let me show you something." As he spoke, he lifted his hand, and with a 'ding' sound, one eye glowed a blazing blue and yellow.

The world around them seemed to fade away. In its place was a field of upside down white hearts spread out in the distance, each with a distinct color. Woona could still see an outline of Sans, with a similar heart shape inside him...and a blue, white, and black right side up heart inside herself, surrounded by a faint black miasma. Piercing the miasma, however, were an endless number of glowing threads of varying thickness and color stretching out across the field, anchoring in the other hearts, one anchoring quite strongly in Sans.

This is the world I see every time I tap my true nature, Sans spoke, his words shaping directly in Woona's mind, though without the serious overtone Chara had expected. Every light out there is the soul of a monster, and the lines that connect them are the bonds of love, the source of the hope that keeps us all alive, and the true source of monster magic...of our very existence. Every soul you see anchored to you...is someone who loves you. The thicker the anchor, the stronger the love. Reaching out, he gently touched a lavender cord that traced to a light many times brighter than those around it, one making its way towards New Home. This one is your Mom. See how much she loves you?

Woona smiled softly, tears in her eyes.

"What about this one?" Chara asked, touching a blue and gold thread so thick it was practically a rope all on its own, tracing straight up and vanishing as it passed through the barrier.

Sans grinned widely. Pretty sure you know who that is, Woona, he stated, touching a cord nearly as thick that traced from his soul to another in Snowdin. After all, you have to know who this is.

"That's to Papy..." Woona whispered. She touched the thick cord from her own soul. "Then this...Tia..." Tears of joy poured from her eyes.

Sans smiled softly as he took his hand away, the world returning to normal. "i'm supposed to judge you here for the actions you've taken in your journey here," Sans pointed out playfully, "but i think you've judged yourself more than enough already. now buck up, kid." He gently chucked her under her chin. "your dad's waiting."

Smiling, Woona got to her hooves and moved on, Chara floating at her side. "We're almost there," Chara told her. "He'll...he'll be in the throne room."

As Woona walked down one last gray corridor, she paused before the door labeled thus. "Nervous?" she asked Chara.

"...terrified," Chara admitted. "You?"

"Same," Woona agreed. "But...we have to do this..."

Smiling nervously, Chara took Woona's hoof. "...together..."

The two stepped across the threshold together, stepping into a sunlit chamber filled with grass and golden flowers. Kneeling amidst the flowers was a large goat-like man, horns curling over his head, purple cape hanging over his shoulders, and black and gold armor garbing his entire body. His armor shook slightly as he stared into the distance, unseeing.

"...D-dad..." Chara spoke up softly, uncertain how to act now.

Asgore Dreemurr turned towards them, a shaky smile making its way onto his face. "...C...Chara..." he breathed, tears in his eyes. He started to push himself to his feet, only to stagger. As his body shook, he pulled a large red weapon out of the ether to brace himself. It was a long staff with three large prongs at the top and tiny spines at the base. Digging the spines into the ground, he pushed himself to his feet. "I...I've missed you, Chara...my son..."

"I've missed you too, Dad," Chara managed to say.

"And you...must be Woona...my new daughter?" Asgore asked hopefully.

"...seems so," Woona admitted, feeling a bit uncertain herself from how awkward the others were acting. She cast about in her mind, trying to find a way to break the ice...and remembered what she'd decided she had to do. "Can I see your pi-dent?" she asked.

"M-my what?" Asgore asked, stifling a bit of a snicker.

"That!" Woona proclaimed, pointing at his weapon. "It's got about 0.14 too many prongs to be a trident, after all!"

Asgore chuckled as he looked down at the spines on the base. "I suppose it does, though I never considered calling it a pi-dent before. I'd prefer a pie-dent, personally."

"But dented tins mean uneven cooking!" Woona insisted, startling laughter from Chara and Asgore.

"In truth, Woona, this weapon is called a Battle Fork," Asgore explained.

Woona stared at the thusly named weapon. "Seriously?" she asked, stunned. When Asgore nodded, she chuckled nervously. "Then I'd hate to see the Battle Salad."

Unable to stop himself, Asgore burst into laughter. As the laughter echoed through the chamber, tears poured from his eyes as he remembered a time when such a thing was not a rarity. Walking swiftly forward, he pulled his children into a warm embrace.

Feeling the shared love of family, and knowing that she truly was loved, Woona felt her DREAD washed away by DETERMINATION to save everyone.

Determination

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After a time, Asgore managed to calm down and gently set Woona and Chara back down, wiping the tears from his eyes. "It is wonderful to meet you, Woona," he greeted warmly, his voice deep and strong now. "And it is good to see you again too, Chara. Now, is there anything I can do for you both?"

"I still wanna see your Battle Fork," Woona piped up, snickering a bit at the name.

"Oh?" Asgore asked curiously as he conjured the weapon again. "Why's that? Surely you have no need of such a weapon for combat." Reaching to his hip, he drank from a small flask of tea to steady his nerves.

"I need it to spank you," Woona explained bluntly.

Chara allowed the spray of tea from Asgore's mouth to pass through his body as he burst into laughter, Asgore coughing to clear his throat. "Woona, I think we've had enough laughter to break the ice," he chided his sister. "We can be serious now."

"I am being serious!" Woona insisted, stamping her hoof irritably. "This is the next step of bringing our family back together!"

Asgore's eyes widened, shocked. "Woona...as much as I would love for that plan to succeed...I do not think it can. And...I fail to see how spanking me with my own weapon would allow that to happen."

"I think I'm with 'Mr. Dad Guy' here, Woona," Chara agreed. "I'm all for getting Mom and Dad back together again, but what does spanking him have to do with it?"

"Mom left Dad cause he was a poopyhead," Woona insisted firmly. "At least, I think that's what happened, as far as what Mom said. So if Daddy gets punished and says he's sorry, Mommy will forgive him and then they'll get back together!" She grinned widely at her brilliance...only to glance back and forth between Asgore and Chara, who were looking at her with oddly mixed expressions. "Right?"

"You know, it's moments like this that remind me, no matter how mature you sometimes act, that you're still only five," Chara finally offered with a chuckle.

Asgore's deep chuckle joined as well, much to Woona's displeasure. "We are not laughing at you, child," Asgore promised. "However...things are not that simple when it comes to Toriel and myself. As much as I would want it to, I do not think such a simple approach will fix things."

"Why not?" Woona asked, confused and upset. "It's worked everywhere else in the Underground!"

Asgore stared at Woona with his jaw hanging. "Uhh..."

"Woona, when have you spanked anyone else in the Underground?" Chara demanded suspiciously.

"Not spanking specifically," Woona countered, confused as to why this caused Asgore to let out a huge sigh of relief. "But if I do the right thing for the right Monster at the right time, a problem gets fixed, every single time. It's just a matter of figuring out what the right thing is to do, and when to do it, and who to do it to or for to fix each problem."

And now I suddenly understand how Flowey could have gotten bored with helping everyone, Chara thought silently to himself. Aloud, he responded, "That may be...but I don't think spanking Dad is going to fix him and Mom."

Asgore nodded his head, confirming Chara's conclusion.

"If you want that to help things, it should be Mom spanking him after forgiveness is granted for when they make up-"

"Chara!" Asgore gasped out, blushing profusely. "Did you not just finish saying that she was five?"

As Chara burst into laughter, Woona tilted her head in confusion. "So...I should wait till Mom gets here and give her the Battle Fork to spank Daddy?"

Asgore quickly waved his hands in front of his face as Chara laughed. "No no no, Woona, that's not what we're saying at all!" He put his fist to his mouth and coughed nervously. "What we're saying is, while that may very well be how things work, we are pretty certain that spanking me, no matter who does it, is not the one right thing in the right place at the right time you need to find to fix things between me and Toriel. Though personally, as much as I might want to believe otherwise...I don't think there is such a thing..."

"I think you might be a bit pessimistic there, Dad," Chara spoke up. "I mean...I'm pretty sure Mom still loves you, and it's obvious you still love her."

Asgore's eyes widened in disbelief and hope. "Are...are you certain?"

"Not entirely," Chara admitted, "but I think the whole reason things went bad between you two is because you loved each other so much. It...made it so you each had a great deal of power to hurt each other. And...what you did really hurt her. And the worst part for her...is because she knows you didn't have any other choice. You had to give Monsters hope...or you would be King to an empty kingdom. She couldn't blame you for your choice, but the choice itself made it hurt too much for her to stay with you, especially in your shared hour of grief..."

Asgore sighed sadly, nodding in understanding. "I did...what I had to do. Sometimes, being a ruler doesn't mean choosing between a right choice or a wrong choice. Sometimes...all you can do is make the choice which seems the least evil." He leaned against a pillar, covering his face. "I was not ready for the crown when it came to me...but I have done the best I could...it was all I could do..."

Woona thought for a time. "Then...that decision you made isn't the problem that needs fixing to get you and Mom back together!" Woona concluded. "I mean, Chara can tell Mom about the starvation thing when she gets here, and you've taken good care of the souls...so if the Barrier gets broken and Chara and Asriel come back, then you and Mom can make up!" She grinned widely, pleased she came to such a logical conclusion.

Asgore chuckled softly at Woona's confident enthusiasm. "And you believe you can do that?" he asked softly.

"Yup!" Woona confirmed, rubbing the Soulstone hanging around her neck. "Where's the Barrier?"

Asgore stared, instantly recognizing the relic. "Wonder of wonders..." Turning, he led Woona past the throne room, and along a narrow corridor to a final door. Through the door, Woona stared out at an endless twilight, the boundary between reality and unreality, between life and death, between freedom and imprisonment. "The Barrier..." Asgore murmured. "The one point where it can be safely broken."

"Safely?" Chara asked, confusion in his voice.

Asgore nodded. "When the barrier breaks, there will be a magical backlash, as the energy of the barrier is released all at once, focused on the break itself. Since there's a way out here, the magic will be released outward safely to disperse, as the other end of the tunnel opens straight out into open air. Anywhere else, and the magic released would either damage something - if we used the opening above the Ruins - or backlash against the Underground itself, possibly destroying everything."

Woona nodded in understanding. She carefully stepped out before the Barrier, ready to make the attempt. As Chara once more infused himself into her, she reached into the Soulstone with her magic, and filled herself with DETERMINATION.

...unaware of the golden flower that watched from the doorway.

It Was A Wonderful Life

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Woona stared down the barrier as she felt her magic swell within her. "You will break," she said firmly as she focused all the energy she could into her horn, lifting her head as she prepared to hurl it at the barrier. With a half lunge, she spread her wings and leveled her horn at the barrier, her eyes, horn, Cutie Mark, and the Soulstone all blazing white as the blast of magic shot forward to impact against the barrier, minor cracks appearing around the impact point. Woona grinned widely as she saw this, thinking the cracks would spread slowly and the barrier would break...but that's not what happened.

Instead, as her magic tried to force its way into and through the barrier, the barrier struck back. A pulse of dark green magic pulsed down the connection she'd forged, slamming down her horn, making her flinch back. But even as she felt her HP starting to drop, she held on. After all, she had the Soulstone, with more magical energy than any human or monster could contain. Surely she'd be able to break through the barrier?

However, for all she'd accomplished and learned, she'd overlooked two things. While the Soulstone provided near limitless magical energy, it channeled that magic through her body at her physical limits, which was well below what seven human souls would provide a monster if they absorbed them. The barrier, however, was designed to be constantly self-cycling with its magical energy to sustain itself...so unless a single burst of power struck it strongly enough to break it in one blow, it would fight back. The backlash was the barrier cycling and self repairing even as Woona struggled to break through.

As her HP continued to drop, Woona let out a scream of frustration. She would not stop now. She could not. She would have to succeed...somehow!

Her HP hit zero, and the world went black.

She felt her soul tearing itself apart.

...but she refused.

The world returned. She was still holding her magic on the barrier, trying to break through. Her HP was dropping again, just as rapidly as before. But...something was wrong.

Woona
LV 2/2 HP 43/49 MP X/Y

Her eyes widened as she realized her max HP had gone down. She wondered what could have caused that.

When your soul started to break, you managed to pull yourself back together through Determination, Chara explained to her. But not completely. Because of the amount of magic flaring around you, you were unable to completely stitch your soul back together. Each time your soul breaks...you'll lose one max HP.

Woona stared up at the barrier, noticing that the cracks had widened somewhat. Then I have 48 more tries to pump out enough magic to punch through, she groaned in her head as her HP once more emptied.

The world went black.

Her soul began to tear apart.

...but she refused.

Not entirely, Chara informed her as she continued to pour magic into the spell. As your soul weakens, it'll be harder and harder to stitch back together. If it gets to half strength or less...I don't think you'll be able to pull yourself back together.

Woona whined deep in her throat, doing the only thing she could...pouring her all into the struggle to try and break the barrier. Again, she poured all her power, all her HP, into pushing past the vortex of magic that sought to tear her apart. Once again, her soul began to tear itself apart.

...once again, she refused.

Flowey continued to watch as Woona and Chara poured their all into breaking the barrier, the cracks widening only slightly each time her soul broke apart. Each time she had to struggle to pull her soul back together, a tear fell from his eye, trailing down his face and off a petal to drop to his roots. While to Woona and the other monsters it seemed like the fracture of her soul lasted only a moment, he could see the effort it took Woona in the frozen moment of time to pull herself back together. Each time...it took longer. Each time...less was recovered.

"Why...?" he mumbled to himself as he watched. "Why is she doing this? Why does this matter so much to her?" He stared down at his tears. "...and why do I care so much?" Looking back up, he watched as her max HP drop to 38. Tensing himself, he pulled back into the ground...popping out in the center of the whirling vortex of magic surrounding her.

"You know your soul's lost power equivalent to an entire human soul now," he pointed out calmly. "If you keep this up, before long there won't be anything left of you."

"I...I know..." Woona whimpered.

"This won't work," Flowey continued relentlessly, glaring at her, a frown upon his botanical face. "The barrier's going to outlast you at this rate."

"I...know..." Woona replied, eyes clenched tight and teeth gritted.

Flowey ground his teeth together. "Then why do you keep going?" he demanded angrily. "Break it off! Find another way! Let your soul recover enough to try again at full strength, or let yourself Reset!"

"I...I can't..." Woona whimpered, tears falling from her closed eyes.

"W...what?" Flowey demanded, confused.

"Her last Save Point was right before she tried to break the barrier," Chara told Flowey. "Every time her soul breaks, it hooks back into the Save Point. Unless she breaks the barrier...she'll be trapped forever in this moment of time, trying to break through the barrier...and never succeeding, as she feels the magic maelstrom endlessly tearing her soul apart."

Flowey's jaw dropped. "N...no!" he screamed out. "There has to be another way!" Reaching out, he grabbed hold of Woona and tried to pull her free, to no avail. "I'm not letting you die for nothing! I...I thought you'd just be like the others, just like everyone else! But...but for the first time since I wound up like this...when you held me, I cared! All I ever wanted to do was find someone I could care about, to feel something, and I care about you! Maybe it's Chara inside you, or the strength of your magic, or your soul...but whatever it is, I can't lose you! I can't be all alone again unable to connect! You have to live!"

"heh, sounds like we've got a budding romance here."

Flowey lifted his head in shock, turning to see Sans watching from the edge of the maelstrom. "Smiley trashbag!" Flowey snarled out. "Is that all you're going to do, just make bad jokes about the situation? I thought you promised to take care of her! Some super special promise, too!"

"can't really do much just now," Sans countered. His eye glowed, and he threw some of his magic at the maelstrom, only for it to be torn asunder. "but none of us can even get close to Woona, let alone help her. magic can't cross this maelstrom, and any soul that tries to enter will be torn apart."

"But...but I could get in here," Flowey pointed out, confused.

"like I said...any soul that approaches..."

"But I don't have enough magic to help!" Flowey wailed. "I...I can't help her!"

"not alone..."

"...what?"

"not all nightmares are warnings, or mistakes, kid. some can be the key...to salvation. you just need to know who to...call."

"...call?" Flowey mused over the last word, certain it was the key somehow. His eyes widened as he realized the real key. "...Nightmare..." He turned to where Asgore watched in fear. "Dad! I need the human souls, now!"

Asgore gasped at being called 'Dad'. "A...Asriel?" He shook his head, trying to focus. "But, the souls...if you absorb them-"

"There's no time to argue!" Flowey shrieked out as Woona's soul broke once more, her max HP dropping to 37. "If I don't stabilize Woona's soul now, she's going to die! Please, Dad, trust me!"

Swallowing convulsively, Asgore lifted his Battle Fork. The six soul capsules raised out of the ground in a half circle around the maelstrom, some still wrapped with blankets or with small plush animals resting beside them.

Plunging his roots deep, Flowey brought his vines up around each capsule. Turning to the souls inside, he cried out, "HELP ME!"

The capsules shattered, as the children of Asgore and Toriel gave their power to aid their siblings.

Flowey felt himself expand into immensity, his power skyrocketing as he wrapped his vines tightly around Woona, doing his best to shield her against the maelstrom tearing up the world around her. Her HP stopped dropping even as his bulk slammed up against the edges of the barrier, his body phasing easily through the rock as his form became half-physical and half-magical. He knew his shape, the shape he took from absorbing six human souls, or just from his LV reaching 19. He didn't give it much thought, instead focusing his magic on trying to help Woona.

"With so much Soul power...you can break the barrier now, right?" Asgore called out.

"No!" Flowey snapped back, his face now on a screen that had taken its place at the center of his six petals. "It's taking half my magic just to stabilize Woona so she doesn't fade out, and the backlash from the barrier's growing stronger! I-" He winced as he felt magic flowing through him. "...even if the Soulstone can channel magic through me, it still has to funnel through Woona! It's not enough! I need more help! Come on, Smiley Trashbag! You had the answer before...what am I supposed to do now?"

"and why should i help you with you calling me that?" Sans countered, grinning widely.

Flowey clenched himself up as he was ready to rage...only to realize what Sans was saying. "...I can still survive the Maelstrom..." he whispered. "I...my body's designed for this! I can channel your magic in here to help!" A vine lashed out of the maelstrom. "Sans! Help me hold Woona together!"

Smiling, Sans gripped the vine. "kid...all you had to do was ask."

Magic flowed from Sans along the thorny vine as he poured his everything out. Every joke he ever told, every laugh he'd shared with everyone he cared about, his delight in discovering Woona loved jokes too...even his memories of Chara's more adult jokes, made all the worse by Woona's innocence. All this resonated strongly with the light blue human soul, sending the energy strongly into Woona, shoring her defenses against the maelstrom.

Asgore reached out and grabbed hold of the vine. "Woona, Chara, Asriel...you all must live! You are our hope, the hope for everyone!" He poured his magic, along with his every happy memory of his children, down the vine, giving it his all. To his surprise, another fuzzy hand wrapped around the vine just over his. "T...Tori?"

"Don't you Tori me, Asgore," Toriel growled out, glaring at him. "You created this situation when you let my daughter try to break the barrier on her own! We're going to have words when this is done!"

Asgore withered under her gaze, but he did not flinch back from giving his magical energy. He could feel Toriel's happy memories with Woona pouring into the vine along with her magic, trying to sustain her.

"Why isn't it working?" Flowey demanded. "Why isn't she stabilizing?"

"duh," Sans offered. "you only got us three. we don't even make a whole human soul between us."

Flowey's eyes widened. "Of course! But...how do I get them to help? How can I...ask everyone at...once..."

More vines rose, aiming towards the ground...and at the edge of each one, an Echo Flower took shape, a single message through each and every single one.

"Help Woona!"

Papyrus was stunned as an Echo Flower erupted out of the floor of his house, nearly smacking him in the face. Its petals reached out to him imploringly. "Help Woona!" it begged.

"WOONA IS IN TROUBLE?" Papyrus gasped out, shocked. "THEN THE GREAT PAPYRUS SHALL LEND HER HIS ALL!" He grasped the proffered vines and poured his magic through them even as they wrapped around his bones, channeling all his memories of Woona into the vines. How kind she was with his puzzles, how she responded to his own kindness, how gently she'd 'let him down' after the 'play date'...and the simple kind joy they'd shared playing together.

Flowey felt those memories resonate strongly with the green soul as it let off a pink glow, another wall of Woona's being shielded against the maelstrom.

Alphys and Mettaton had been escorting the Amalgamates back into the rest of the Underground, guiding them to their families, when the Echo Flower erupted out of the ground in front of them. "W-w-w-wha?!" Alphys screamed out, staggering back. "The heck?"

"~~ARE YOU ALRIGHT, ALPHYS?~~" Mettaton asked, back in his box form to conserve power, as he bent over to help Alphys back to her feet.

"Help Woona!" the Echo Flower proclaimed, reaching imploringly towards them.

Alphys stared at it curiously. "Why isn't it repeating what we say?" she asked, confused.

"Help Woona!" the flower insisted again.

"~~I BELIEVE ITS MESSAGE IS MORE IMPORTANT, DARLING,~~" Mettaton pointed out. "~~MAGIC IS FLOWING THROUGH THE FLOWERS ROOTS. SOMEONE IS USING THE FLOWER - AND OTHERS - TO GATHER MAGIC.~~"

"To help Woona!" Alphys gasped out, stunned. Lunging forward, she gripped the proffered leaves, Mettaton's hands closing around hers. Together, they funneled their magic into the flower, adding in their memories of their time with Woona. For Alphys, the most prominent was her realization that she didn't have to present a false face...to Woona or anyone else. Woona had helped her embrace her feelings for Undyne, and face down the mistakes of her past. For Mettaton, Woona had met him on his own ground and helped him discover what was really important...that as great a star as he could be, it was best when he did not shine alone.

As the Amalgamates wrapped their various psuedopods around the vines, adding their own magic, the combined energies resonated with the orange soul, blazing brightly as another shield arose around Woona's soul, protecting her.

As Undyne raced towards the Barrier, somehow knowing that Woona had gotten herself in over her tiny head again, she tripped and slammed face first into the ground as an Echo Flower erupted between her feet. "The heck?" she growled out angrily.

"Help Woona!" the flower insisted, reaching for her.

"What do you think I'm trying to do?" she demanded angrily as she struck out at it with one of her spears.

The flower swayed out of the way, wrapping around her wrist. "Help Woona!" it insisted again.

Undyne drew back her other fist to smash it away...only to feel the flow of magic within the flower. "Be more specific!" she snapped out angrily as she poured all of her heart and soul into the flower, determined to help the little pony that had showed her how wrong she had been, had awoken her heart again to compassion...and helped her realize that in a choice between duty and friendship, even as Captain of the Royal Guard her first duty was to her friends.

The Yellow Soul resonated strongly with the force of her magic, giving off a strong crimson glow as it wrapped its magic protectively around Woona.

As Muffet tended to her spider brethren and helped those who had been displaced settle in, she was startled to see an Echo Flower spring up out of the middle of her table. "Afufufu, how intriguing," she murmured as her spiders continued to pour energy into her, ensuring she didn't give so much of herself that she collapsed.

"Help Woona!" the flower begged, reaching out towards Muffet.

"The little deary?" Muffet asked, surprised. "But of course I'll help her." Reaching out, she took hold of the flower, pouring in her magic and that of all her spiders as they joined with her. "She set out so far from home, just to bring our tribes back together, and didn't ask anything in return...how can I do any less?"

The purple soul responded to her magic, completing the shield around Woona's soul and stabilizing it as the power flowed in.

Throughout the Underground, the Echo Flowers sprouted up wherever monsters congregated. Every Echo Flower across the Underground delivered the same message: "Help Woona!"

Flowey had called for help...

...and from the darkness, everyone came.

The magic of every monster, the power of their souls, poured freely into Flowey's body to lend aid to Woona in her hour of need. He grew, and grew, and grew, shouldering his way through the earth around him until he found himself blocked by the barrier itself. But even that could not hold him, as in an instant his plant body converted to crystal and phased right through, driving towards the surface.

In vegetative ecstasy, he broke through to the surface inside a cave, his crystalline body taking shape as he stretched towards the surface. The sun was almost in reach...but he felt his roots unwrapping from around Woona, felt her soul start to weaken.

He froze, realizing what was happening. He could keep going, take the magic he'd been given and reach the surface, and gaze upon the sun again...but doing so would leave Woona to die. Or he could turn around, expend all the magic inside him to help break the barrier and save her...only to be trapped underground forever as the magic was fully expended and he burned out, never to be free. He held there as the weight of his choice bowed his crystal branches.

Reaching upward, he threw his curses at the heavens as he denounced humans, ponies, monsters, Gods, Makers, and Watchers alike...then turned his back on the sun forever, diving back into the ground, his crystal roots stretching down around the outside of the barrier, seeking the source of its power.

And there they were. Seven dark green human souls embedded into the weave of the magic, sustaining it. The souls of the sages who had crafted the barrier, bound up in it, as they sacrificed their very lives in their fearful desire to keep monsters caged indefinitely. Angrily, Flowey struck out at the nearest soul he could reach...

And the souls struck back. Each floated up, projecting a featureless human body with which to fight back, banding together against Flowey.

Once more, Flowey screamed his curses. "How am I supposed to fight them all at once?" he screamed out. "It's taking all my focus just to balance keeping Woona alive and being out here! I can't do this alone!" His cry for help echoed...

...and they came.

"move over, kid," Sans told him, as the seven strongest Monsters in the underground prepared for the greatest fights of their lives...the battles that would determine the fate of all. "we'll take it from here."

The Coward

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Alphys found herself in soul form, staring up at the figure the Sage Soul had taken on. It stood upright like an adult human, but retained the solid dark green appearance over all visible 'flesh'. Its face was featureless, and it wore a black suit with a red tie as its only distinguishing characteristic as it stared down at her from a face without eyes. The faceless being filled her with terror as she realized she faced off against the full power of an adult human magic user, filled with the intent to kill, and had none of the technology she relied so much on to aid her.

Despite the orange soul pulsing beside her, she felt herself overcome by fear as she stared up at the creature, watching as in her fear-warped perception it grew and grew into immensity. Despite all her vaunted words of standing with everyone, she knew she stood no chance. This sage would crush her like a bug at its leisure, and then join with the others to crush her friends one by one, and it would all be her fault that her friends would die...and Woona as well.

"I...I can't do this alone..." she whimpered as she felt the power of her soul fading, and the orange human soul along with her.

"You're not alone, darling."

Alphys' eyes shot open as she heard that voice. Spinning, she found herself confronted with a pink blook, hair brushed over the right eye as an affectation. "M-Mappy?" she gasped, stunned. "How are you-?"

"Our bodies aren't here, Alphys," Mettaton explained. "Just our souls. The shape we take is the one we choose for ourselves...and I needed to show you just how much your friendship has meant." He sighed softly. "I know I haven't been the best of friends...to the point you were afraid to complete my body for fear I'd leave and never return. The worst of that is I can't deny the truth. Before Woona reminded me about Blooky...I'd forgotten where I began, and how much that mattered to me, so blinded had I become with the desire to achieve the dream I held dear..." He smiled warmly. "But that dream is worthless if achieved alone. Come, Alphys...let's show this so called Sage the beauty inside us both!"

Alphys stammered as she turned towards the massive figure that stood over them. "We...we might die here..."

"That is true," Mettaton admitted. "But it will be together." Losing cohesion, Mettaton turned into a stream of pink light, which swirled with the orange stream Alphys became as they orbited the orange human soul. "And that will make our last moments, win or lose...absolutely beautiful!"

The Sage Behemoth rocked back as the boxy form of Mettaton took shape around the three lights as the power blazed...and then transformed. The box unfolded, revealing a pair of glowing hearts joined vertically at the points, one pink and one orange. The two hearts spun as the wheel base was withdrawn, extending out sharply angled legs ending in high heeled boots. Shoulder spikes shot upward from the top of the box, looking like inverted legs. The left arm extended, ending in a hand, even as the right arm took shape with a massive buster. A humanoid head extended out the top, recognizable as Mettaton's head from the way the hair hung down over the left eye. Then the left eye blazed pink, the right blazed orange, and the entire body flared with power as the hair shot upright and wings of light erupted from the shoulder spikes.

But the transformation wasn't done. As the power focused inside them unlocked the limits of their imagination, the combined shape expanded to immensity to match the figure before them...as a pink and white sailor fuku took shape over their black and white body. As the transformation completed upon massive scale, the figure performed a delicate pirouette as a crowned scepter appeared in the left hand.

"We are Monster Fighter, Neo Neo Mettaton!" they proclaimed together. "Sailor suited mech warrior of justice and freedom!" Standing tall, they gestured through reality to where Woona clung to existence. "And in the name of our moon..." They leveled their scepter at the Sage Behemoth, who recoiled in...something, since there was no emotion on its featureless face. "We will punish you!"

Was...was that really alright? Alphys asked worriedly. It seemed...a little much...

Darling, it was all you! Mettaton reassured her. That makes it truly beautiful.

The Sage Behemoth braced itself and lunged forward, but Neo Neo Mettaton shot into the air above it, flipping head over heel and spinning before bringing both pink spiked heels into the figures back, twisting to inflict more damage as they kicked off. Swarms of box bots carrying bombs and laser guns in addition to their tiny umbrellas leapt from the scepter as it was waved, smashing into the Sage Behemoth, each one far too small for the beast to spot, let alone evade. It reared up and unleashed its own counter attack of fireballs and ice shards, barraging Neo Neo Mettaton and pushing them backwards before lunging to grapple. The Sage's two hands gave it an advantage as far as grappling, as it could grip Mettaton at the elbow joint.

Any ideas, Alphys? Mettaton asked desperately as they were pushed back.

Just one, Alphys replied, causing their fused body to jerk one leg up, driving the spiked top of the high-heeled, knee-high boot into the fork of their foe's leg.

A strangled squeak forced its way out of the Sage's body as it staggered back, clutching at itself.

...it does realize it doesn't actually have those parts right now, right? Mettaton asked, though internally wincing himself despite the total absence of said parts on his Blook form or any of the robot forms he'd taken so far.

Not gonna question it, Alphys countered as she pressed her advantage, leveling the cannon on their right arm and firing off a massive blast that tore through the Sage's immaculate suit, shredding it as it was pushed back.

We've got the advantage right now, Mettaton called out. While I'd love to draw this out, probably nearly as much as you would...

Too much is riding on this, Alphys agreed as she stuck the base of the scepter into the barrel of the arm cannon, focusing all their energy into their hands. Besides...we're only one of seven here. Plenty of spotlight to go around.

The Behemoth struggled up to its feet as it saw the energy being gathered. It braced itself for what was coming.

Show me your beautiful final attack, darling! Mettaton called out in their shared mind.

"Now!" Alphys proclaimed in the voice of Neo Neo Mettaton. "Taste our rage, our love, and all of our sorrow!" The energy focused tightly into the left hand, making it glow with white hot fire. "Kisatsu..."

Neo Neo Mettaton suddenly vanished, to reappear ducked under the Behemoth's guard. "Shoryuken!" With that shout, the flaming uppercut sent the Sage flying into the air.

I don't remember it going that way... Mettaton commented in amusement.

You really thought my final attack would draw from only one franchise? Alphys countered, excitement lending strength to her voice.

Mettaton chuckled, lunging into the power. Then how does it finish?

With Undyne's favorite... With that said, Neo Neo Mettaton's entire body erupted with spirals of hearts in the shape of drills, before fusing into one massive heart shaped drill that formed around the scepter and arm cannon. Lifting it up, it began to spin. "Love Love...Giga Drill Breaker!" Alphys screamed in the fused voice, shooting up into the air.

The Sage Behemoth screamed as the drill dug into the body it had generated...but it tore through, reaching the soul within...and shattered it. But Neo Neo Mettaton didn't stop there as they shot upward, drilling into the weakened barrier to take even more of its focus away from fighting Woona's breach attempt. "This is the drill that will pierce to the heavens!" Alphys caused their fused form to scream.

Mettaton chuckled softly in the privacy of his own mind. Even he had to admit this had gone more than a little silly, and way over the top...

But Alphys had cast aside the chains of fear and anxiety that had held her back so long, and showed her true heart...and it was absolutely beautiful.

The Believer

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Papyrus swallowed to himself as he glanced from the pale green soul with its pink glow to the green faceless sage, having bulked up to tower over him with thick muscles and massive stores of energy that floated around it in preparation for the battle to come. As Papyrus stared up, he swallowed convulsively. "I...I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN DO THIS," he confessed to the human soul. "I MEAN...I KNOW EVERYONE'S COUNTING ON ME...BUT I COULDN'T EVEN CAPTURE A HUMAN! OR MAKE IT INTO THE ROYAL GUARD! OR EVEN MAKE MY LAZY BROTHER PICK UP HIS SOCKS! SANS DOESN'T EVEN WEAR SOCKS, SO WHY DOES HE HAVE SO MANY?" He sighed, knowing he was babbling...even if the pink-glowing green soul seemed content to listen, and the Sage Soul was in no rush to engage him in battle. "IT'S JUST NO USE," Papyrus sighed. "DESPITE ALL MY BLUSTER...THE GREAT PAPYRUS IS JUST A GREAT...FAILURE."

No...you're not...Papy... a soft voice reached him from within his heart.

Papyrus perked up as he heard that voice. "WOONA?" he gasped out. "IS...IS THAT YOU?"

I made it this far...because of you, Woona told him gently. Because you...are my friend...and you believed in me. You...believe in me still, don't you?

"OF COURSE I DO, WOONA!" Papyrus proclaimed eagerly. "YOU'VE DONE SO MUCH FOR ALL OF US! I COULD NEVER NOT BELIEVE IN YOU!" He glanced down sadly. "IT'S JUST...IT'S A LITTLE HARDER TO BELIEVE IN MYSELF..."

I...believe in you, Woona responded. And because you believed in me...I was able to...believe in myself. If you can't believe in yourself...then do what I did...and believe in the me that believes in you... The green soul bobbed up and down before Papyrus as though agreeing with what Woona was telling him.

Papyrus raised his gaze at those words. "...YOU'RE RIGHT!" he finally proclaimed. "AS LONG AS YOU BELIEVE IN ME...I CAN DO ANYTHING! I HAVE NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF! I STOOD UP TO UNDYNE FOR YOU! I'D HAVE STOOD UP TO ASGORE FOR YOU! AND I CAN CERTAINLY PUT THIS FACELESS SHADE OF A FORGOTTEN AGE IN ITS PLACE FOR YOU! THE AGE OF HUMANS IS OVER! NOW IS THE TIME FOR MONSTERS TO SHOW PONIES WHAT WE ARE MADE OF! THIS FEAR BEAST SHALL KNOW THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF MY KINDNESS!" As he spoke, the green soul flew into him, and his spiritual body blazed with light. "FOR I AM FILLED WITH DETERMINATION!"

The bones of Papyrus body all began to sparkle brilliantly as the Determination he was made of began to catalyze, and the garb of his battle body burst off into a storm of red geranium petals that swirled around him. He arched his back as the magic took shape around him, giving him a battle body fitting to the power he had unleashed. His legs soon became wrapped in black leather, steel-toed boots covering his feet with a sparkle of light. The same black leather covered his upper torso, open in the front. A red trenchcoat buttoned itself around his neck and over his left arm, even as his right arm was encased in black leather ending in a flexible glove. Reaching into the open trenchcoat that blew behind him, he detached his rib cage and spun it, sending the glowing bones flying off into the air. Holding his sternum, he lifted it vertically as his ribs flew back, the inside of each curve affixing to the point from smallest to largest until a flash of light completed its transformation into a long bone sword. A skull decorated gun appeared in a holster on his left hip. Lifting his gloved left hand, he dragged it across his eyes as sharply pointed orange shades appeared, angling off to the sides of his head with their points, the eyes behind them glowing orange and green. Yellow and blue hair sprouted from the top of his skull, standing upright like the bristles of a broom.

Bracing the sword on his shoulder, he held his left hand forward, the index and middle finger raised and crossed.

Papyrus Believes

Lowering his hand as the flower petals faded into the infinite black, Papyrus stared up at his foe. N o w t h e n , he stated firmly, his serious voice cutting through the void, s h o w m e w h a t y o u a r e m a d e o f .

Roaring, the Sage lunged in, delivering a seemingly endless barrage of punches, desperately trying to smash Papyrus into oblivion. Each punch had the force of a meteorite impact, and if there had been air in their battleground, the shock waves alone would have smashed mountains to rubble.

When the barrage ended, the word 'Miss' popped up over Papyrus' head in white text.

Papyrus stared at his foe stunned, no longer able to take things completely seriously. "WOW. THAT'S...THAT'S JUST SAD. YOU'RE REALLY HAVING THAT MUCH TROUBLE HITTING ME? WELL, THEN AGAIN, WE ARE FIGHTING IN AN INFINITE VOID. WITH THAT MUCH ROOM TO DODGE, YOUR HIT RATE MUST BE TERRIBLE. WHY DON'T I FIX THAT?" Grinning, Papyrus took hold of his blade with both hands and swung it.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

And again.

With each strike, the void they were battling in divided, the slash splitting the very fabric of reality and trapping the pair of combatants in a well defined box. Six sides containing a vast but no longer infinite space for the pair to battle it out in.

"THERE WE GO!" Papyrus proclaimed proudly. "WELP, THAT'S MY TURN! NOW TO MAKE THIS QUICK AND FAIR, I'M NOT GOING TO DODGE! AND...THERE!" A beeping sound echoed. "I'VE SET MY DODGE RATING TO NEGATIVE 12! IT IS NOW PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO MISS ME AGAIN. SO...I WANT YOU TO - AND THIS IS IMPORTANT - HIT ME AS HARD AS YOU CAN!" He noticed the Sage looking at him in confusion, and chuckled. "SERIOUSLY, AS HARD AS YOU CAN. I WANT TO SETTLE THIS QUICKLY. I KNOW YOU OBVIOUSLY WANT TO FOCUS YOUR ENERGIES ON HELPING THE OTHER SAGES KEEP THE BARRIER INTACT, AND I'D RATHER LET THE NICE YELLOW FLOWER - WHO I THINK MIGHT BE THE DEAD PRINCE SOMEHOW, IMAGINE THAT?! - FOCUS HIS ATTENTION ON HELPING WOONA AND LETTING THE OTHERS FIGHT THEIR BATTLES! SO NO MATTER WHO WINS HERE, WE'D BOTH LIKE THIS FINISHED QUICKLY...SO LET'S JUST GO ALL OUT...AND HIT ME...AS HARD AS YOU-"

The Sage gathered all the power floating around it and launched it in a massive blast that seemed to consume everything in its path, slamming into Papyrus and blasting past him, blowing open the opposite end of the confined box from the sheer power being unleashed. The Sage flexed, ready to move on...only to stare.

Papyrus stood there, not a scratch or scuff anywhere on him or his Super Battle Body, and a crimson '1' floated over his head before fading. "EXCELLENT!" Papyrus praised, checking his stats. "ONLY 999,999,999,999,998 OF THOSE TO GO-" He stopped as the crimson '1' faded to be replaced by a green '10'. "...OH. I GUESS YOU'LL HAVE TO HIT A LOT HARDER THAN THAT IF I'M REGENERATING EVERY TURN! I DID NOT KNOW I COULD DO THAT! STILL, MY TURN!" Hefting his sword in both hands, he swept it down vertically.

The Sage dodged to the side of the slash, having seen what that did to reality...and let out a soundless scream of agony as its arm was cut off, destroyed from the strike and regeneration properties neutralized, a quarter of the Sage's Soul sheared off in the process of the strike.

"WOWIE ZOWIE!" Papyrus proclaimed, stunned as he shifted his sword back to his shoulder. "I'M LIKE SOME SORT OF ACTION STAR SUPER HERO! LIKE THAT GUY IN THE CAPE, EXCEPT WITH A SWORD AND GUN INSTEAD OF BOXING GLOVES!" He paused in his marveling to look up at the Sage. "OH, UH, SORRY ABOUT YOUR ARM! YOU CAN STILL TAKE YOUR TURN, RIGHT?"

The Sage, for its part, sank to its knees and held its single arm out imploringly.

The Sage is Sparing you.

"...WELL, THIS IS A CONUNDRUM," Papyrus admitted. "I REALLY WANT TO SPARE YOU, I REALLY DO...BUT I ALSO WANT TO SPARE WOONA, AND AS LONG AS YOU EXIST, YOU WILL CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY TRY AND KILL WOONA. SO...I GUESS THIS IS A QUESTION OF WHO DO I WANT TO SPARE MORE...AND THAT'S NOT EVEN A QUESTION." Sighing, he drew the skull surmounted gun, pointing it straight at the Sage as the gun fused with his arm, expanding his body out behind him into a massive cannon with white angel and black devil wings, the skull of the Gaster Blaster at the front, mouth open and charging the energy even as the Sage scrambled to get away. "I HOPE YOUR NEXT TIME AROUND, I CAN SPARE YOU! I'M SURE IF THE SITUATION WERE DIFFERENT, AND YOU WEREN'T TRYING TO KILL LITTLE WOONA WHILE KEEPING ALL OF US LOCKED ETERNALLY IN THE UNDERGROUND, WE COULD BE FRIENDS! BUT SINCE YOU ARE, I GUESS WE CAN'T."

The energy erupted, incinerating the Sage and tearing into its Soul, shattering it into dust.

"...I WISH I HADN'T HAD TO DO THAT..." Papyrus sighed as he let his power drop back to more reasonable levels to make the strain of sustaining his manifestation easier on Flowey. As he did so, the hair that had stood straight up until then hung down around his skull. Noticing it for the first time, he reached up and held a few strands between his fingers. Tugging on it, he discovered it was attached...and he gasped in surprised amazement. "I HAVE HAIR! I HAVE TO SING!"

But the chapter ended before he could begin.

"NYEH?"

The Hero

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Undyne stared down her opponent, garbed in armor as she was, as the yellow soul floated around her, giving off its crimson glow. She bared her teeth as she stared into the face of her oppressors, the ones who had crafted the barrier and trapped monsters beneath the earth for so long. She rallied herself to face a foe that outstripped her in every regard...and felt her soul surge as she felt the drums of battle beating.

Gerson had once told her that every living being had a purpose. Every plant, every animal, every monster, every human, every rock, and every ghost... Undyne supposed every pony had a purpose to. As she felt her blood boil in her veins and the yellow soul resonate with her own, she realized...she'd found hers. The impossible struggle, the battle for the fate of her race...this is what she'd been born for, and she would not fail!

"Heh," she grunted as the yellow soul swept closer and closer to her in the ether. "You're just as eager for this as I am. We're outmatched by an unreasonable margin...but despite that, you're as ready as I am to leap into the fray. You'd attack this guy even without me, wouldn't you?" Reaching out, she let the soul settle into her hand. "Well...I can hardly keep you waiting, now can I?"

She stared up at the armored Sage, wielding its twin swords. "You think you just have a monster with a human soul to deal with here, and are convinced you can handle me...but you're wrong on both counts. First off...I'm not alone. Every monster in the Underground is behind me, and more. Can you hear it?"

The Sage tilted its head in confusion.

"The voices from beyond the void..." Undyne whispered. "They want Woona to be saved...they want us to be free...their power flows into me as well!" She clenched her hand around the yellow soul, and her body flared with light. "They all stand with me, united in a desire to bring you down!"

Undyne's armor blazed with light as it warped around her. The grey metal darkened to black as it shaped itself around her, customizing itself to her as full plate. The shoulder epaulets expanded, becoming three-fold spikes to either side of her head. Her crimson hair burst free of its ties, flaring behind her head like a banner. Her muscles bulked up within the armor as power flowed through her body, and marks of hearts appeared on her gauntlets and grieves. A yellow heart appeared on the armor in the center of her torso, pulsing with light before being encased in crimson crystal. Her eyepatch burst into light, and the empty eye socket opened, revealing the yellow soul staring out with her. She seized a spear of magic out of the ether, and it crystallized into physical matter, a flaring blade of ruby and steel.

The True Hero Stands

"And your second mistake," Undyne spoke up, "was thinking you could ever handle me!" Thrusting her arm forward, a wave of blue magic spears lashed out at the Sage, some being deflected off its swords, some bouncing off its armor...but some hit their mark.

The Sage lunged forward with its twin swords, seeking to counterattack, but Undyne deflected each strike with a spin of her spear. She watched and waited carefully for an opening...and when she saw it, she clenched her free hand and delivered a haymaker right to the Sage's chin, sending it flying back. Lunging forward, she began rapidly thrusting forward two handed with her solid spear, forcing the Sage on the defensive as she shouted out, "Ora ora ora ora ora!"

The Sage continued to use swords and armor to deflect most of the blows, but the pace was wearing on the ethereal foe. More and more strikes were penetrating defenses, and it was forced to leap back out of range. It tried to get enough distance for breathing space, only for a sweep of Undyne's spear to stretch over it, trapping it in a green glow, unable to move.

"You should know what green means without me telling you," Undyne growled out as she shifted her spear from her right hand to her left. "After all...you've kept us from moving on for eons!" She lifted her right arm...and was stunned to see a massive mini-gun take shape out of the ether, courtesy of the yellow soul. "Heh, kid I like your style!" She aimed the massive weapon at the Sage and opened fire, shouting, "Daka daka daka daka daka daka daka daka!"

The mini-gun fired out not bullets, but her magic spears, barraging the Sage from all sides as it was forced to spin and twist, desperately trying to deflect all the energy spears that sought its life. Deciding to add to its struggle, Undyne added a rain of spears from above, striking down at it firmly before hurling her main spear as the green curse lifted. Even the shockwave sent the Sage tumbling.

Undyne watched her foe slowly but surely becoming her victim, unable to keep up with the sheer amount of power she was able to put out...and knowing that even at this point, she was still holding back. Is this what it's like for the skeletons? she thought to herself. All this power inside, knowing how easy it would be to just turn it loose to handle anything they came across...knowing it's only their own will that keeps them from changing from monsters into demons? She chuckled softly to herself as she closed her eyes. Maybe I've been too hard on Papyrus...if this is the kind of power he keeps in check, maybe he'd make a better royal guard than I thought.

Seeing her eyes closed, the Sage leapt free of the barrage, taking several strikes as it raced for her to deliver a heavy blow. With its killing intent and power, a single blow would be all it would take to slay a Monster, even strengthened by a human soul. Leaping into the air, it brought its swords down...only to feel them fall from a suddenly nerveless grasps as it stared at the spear it had impaled itself on.

"And your final mistake...thinking you could read me," Undyne finished as she opened her eyes. "This fight is over...and now you die!" Jabbing the base of her spear into the ground beneath her feet, she leapt into the air. "This is for every monster you ever killed in the Great War, you bastard!" With that, she came down boots first, driving the Sage down onto her spear until the blade punched through its soul, shattering it.

Undyne landed beside her spear, pulling it from the ground with a spinning flourish. "That's mine down, Woona!" she called out as she turned towards where she could sense the pony's struggle. "And if I won here...then you don't get to die!" She laughed maniacally to show her confidence in Woona, to give her the encouragement to hold on just a little longer.

The Daughter

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Muffet stared down at the Sage that rose to confront her and the purple soul. She knew just how much was riding on this. Not just the spiders, but all of Monsterdom was counting on her now...and she wasn't about to let them all down. She squared her shoulders as she wrapped her six arms around herself, ready to battle.

Before her eyes, a few defining features appeared on the sage. A black cloak surrounded it, and a heavy scythe was gripped in its hands, a figure Muffet recognized. While the names and faces of the seven Sages that sealed the Underground had been lost to time, certain figures from the war were remembered, and Muffet of all Monsters knew this one instantly. The spiders had good reason to remember The Reaper, the right hand to the humans' king.

As she started to step back worriedly, the purple soul floated closer to her, supporting her. "You're right, deary," she murmured softly. "I can't run away now..." She lifted her upper two hands into the air over her head, extending the lower two down to her waist. The last two she cupped over her chest, shaping a heart between her fingers. "I'm ready..."

With that, the purple soul dove between her hands, and her body arched back as the power flooded into her. She felt her body growing as her somewhat childish physique expanded with all the magic building inside her. Her hair burst free of its ties, flowing freely down along the curve of her back in a sparkling waterfall. Her clothing fitted snugly to her new frame, reshaping into a very low cut leotard in very dark purple that greatly emphasized her enhanced curves. Spider patterned stockings crawled up her legs from shapely heels to meet the bottom of the leotard. With a throaty moan, she bent forward as gossamer wings spread from her back and to either side of her head. As the transformation finished, she ran her six hands over her new form, staring down at the crimson dyed nails that tipped her slender, delicate digits. As the Sage seemed to shake at the very sight of her, she smirked widely, her five crimson eyes glowing as she smiled, slight fangs poking out over her lower lip. She lifted a wine glass in her upper right hand, filled with thick red liquid, and sipped from it as she fanned herself with a small fan in her upper left hand, bringing it up to playfully hide her face below her eyes.

Mistress Muffet Dominates

She took a step along the void-like battleground, and a web spread out from her toe to cover the ground. Each step spread her fibers wider as she waved her hands seductively. She could see her tactics were making the Sage uncomfortable, and every advantage she could achieve was viable in this scenario. She wasn't a combatant, after all.

As she got close, the Sage swung its scythe at her waist...and she burst apart into spiders, crawling all across the web before reforming behind the Sage. "Ufufufu...no need to be hasty, deary...we don't have to fight." The Sage spun to face her, and she caught the scythe's hilt in one hand. "Is this really all you are? Just a warden on an eternal prison?"

The Sage started to shift, only to find itself bound in glowing purple webbing, preventing it from moving readily. "Surely there was more to you than that once..." Muffet purred gently as she sidled up close, sauntering around it with a playful sway of her hips. "You were human, and humans aren't evil incarnate. But...what are you now?" Coming around behind the sage, she leaned in close, pressing against it. "You've lost yourself, haven't you? You gave your soul readily to the spell to keep us contained...but over the eons, you've lost most of your identity, haven't you? Your desires, your imagination, your interests, your name...it's all faded away from you, leaving only the Fear that drove humanity to this point...the Fear that made you willing to give up your soul to craft an inescapable prison..."

The Sage listened to her words, its scythe slowly lowering.

Muffet chuckled as she saw her words reaching her target. "But it doesn't have to be that way..." She wrapped her middle two arms around the sage from behind, slipping under its cloaked arms to stroke its chest, her upper hands rubbing its shoulders even as her lower hands suggestively stroking the scythe's shaft. "We don't have to leap directly into battle. I'm a lover, not a fighter. Why don't you let me show you a little LOVE, hmm?" She leaned in close, her hot breath tickling the edge of the Sage's hood. "We can get to the fighting after...after I've helped you remember who and what you are...what do you say? Just lower your hood for me..." Leaning in close, she mimed a kiss.

Shivering, the Sage slowly lowered its hood.

"Yes...just like that..." Muffet purred as she leaned in close. "Now...let me help you remember..." Her lips paused millimeters from the Sage's neck, and her eyes flashed with hate. "...Ariadne." Her mouth opened wide and her fangs sank into the Sage's neck, draining it of its magical energy as she started sucking it dry.

The Sage struggled, but it was trapped, her middle hands having dug her nails into its torso as her lower hands ripped the scythe free of its grip. It tried to beat her away, but its magic slowly drained until it couldn't fight.

Muffet pulled back, holding the Sage at arms length as something crawled up the webbing towards them. "She was our Matriarch..." Muffet hissed. "My ancestor. She held our kind together, united us...and her death at your hands scattered our people. Some trapped aboveground, to die to humans endlessly over the eons, some to the Ruins, some to Hotland...and so many trapped in the snows where they died, unable to care for themselves. You did that, Reaper. Right hand of the King...you have been the sworn enemy of my kind for eons...and all that's left of you is that which we hate...the one who sought our destruction and imprisonment. Now...die!"

A roar echoed as a massive spider - one that appeared to be half muffin - rose up over the pair.

"My pet's been with us since the days of Ariadne..." Muffet hissed. "He remembers the scent of the one who slew his first Mistress...I throw you on his Mercy." Pulling back, she hurled the Sage away from her...and watched as the soul was shattered as her pet bit down on the weakened projection. The dispersed magic settled into her glass, filling it up to the top with red liquid again, letting her take another sip. "Afufu...so much for you. ...rest in peace, Ariadne, mother, father...vengeance is complete." She closed her eyes, letting herself slip back into the connection that brought her there, letting more of that magic be dedicated to helping others fight.

The Mother

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As soon as Toriel found herself face to face with the Sage Soul, she struck, launching a wave of her fire at her opponent. The Sage immediately countered with a wave of ice shards, freezing each fireball in the air as it approached and barraging the Boss Monster with the extra shards. Toriel rolled to the side to evade as she got a better view of her foe. The green figure was garbed in a flowing robe, and held a staff in its hands, plainly a true mage. This was going to be difficult.

Knowing that mages tended to be more skilled at range than up close, Toriel lunged in, surrounding her hands in her fire as she struck out. Much to her frustration, the Sage dodged each swipe of blazing paw, letting them sweep by millimeters from them, before countering with a solid strike to Toriel's midsection with the staff. Since the staff was charged with lightning, this blasted Toriel a ways back, as well as draining a good chunk of her health.

Grunting, she pushed her way to her feet, only to find the Sage staring down at her, not pressing its advantage.

The Sage says you have no chance, and encourages you to withdraw while you still live.

Toriel snarled as she was confronted with that detail. "You think I'll just stand by and let my child die?" she roared out angrily, leaping to her feet and firing off a massive blast of fire, only for it to be dispersed by a massive icicle that nearly impaled her, blasting by her head and grazing her ear.

The Sage reminds you that you have already done just that...seven times.

Toriel felt the tears stinging her eyes. "I know that..." she murmured under her breath. "Asriel and Chara...if I'd been more watchful, I could have realized what they'd planned and prevented it. And each of my children who fell down since...I let them leave. Their deaths are as much my fault as Asgore's. I knew what they'd face in the Underground...I knew letting them leave was a death sentence...but I could not keep them caged..." She stared at the Sage with a flinty gaze. "But no more! I have taken no action for too long! I will not stand by and let another of my children die if I can prevent it!" She once more gathered her power. "I will protect my little Woona if it costs me my life!" She felt her DETERMINATION rising.

You and me both, Mom.

Toriel gasped as she finally recognized the voice that had been whispering in her ear. "C...Chara?" she gasped out. "Is it...really you?"

It is, Mom, Chara responded. Woona's been carrying me around with her since just before she threw you that birthday party where she got you spider cider mixed with sleeping potion so she could get out of the Ruins without fighting you.

Toriel shook her head, chuckling ruefully. "That clever little foal..." Her eyes widened as she felt power flooding into her. "Chara?"

You're not fighting alone here Mom, Chara spoke up. I have a certain amount of power borrowed from Woona. Enough to match the six Souls helping the others. And I'm going to use it to help you fight this Sage, and save Woona. He continued to pour all the power he'd gathered into Toriel. It's time to show this Demon what a Monster is really capable of!

Toriel arched her back as she felt the power flood into her, filling every cell in her body with raw, unfettered magical energy. Her flames erupted from her body, her flesh no longer able to contain them as they burned away her robes before wreathing her entire body. She felt the aches and pains of eons slip away as her physical form became a full decade younger, restoring her to the full prime of her magic, the point of balance between youthful energy and grown wisdom. She hovered in front of the sage, garbed only in her inner fire as it formed wings of flame behind her, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of defeat.

Chara had only one way to describe the transformation his mother had undergone.

She's a Killer Queen.

The Sage took a step back in surprise, but steeled itself. Raising its staff, it unleashed a barrage of ice shards again, but Toriel simply raised a wall of flame to defend, making the shards melt and evaporate. She then dropped the wall before launching several spheres of flame, condensed to the point they were solid and bounced around the area seemingly at random until they came to a halt around the Sage, at which point they exploded like dynamite, unleashing a blazing torrent of flame that the Sage was only barely able to escape by encasing itself in ice. Before it could break free again, however, Toriel had focused her magic between her hands and unleashed a focused beam of flames so intense it was practically a laser, punching through the ice and smashing the Sage backwards.

As the blast ended, the Sage struggled to recover, only to get kicked in the back of the head, knocked across the featureless field as its staff fell from its grasp, bouncing away. It turned to retrieve it, only to see it in Toriel's grasp, burning away into ashes.

"You...are hurting...my child..." Toriel growled out, her eyes blazing white. "I will not allow that to continue!" She blurred forward in a blaze of light.

The Sage lifted its arms to try and protect its head, only to find Toriel's flaming hand embedded in its torso, wrapped around its soul. It stared into the eyes of the Merciful Queen...and found none.

"My child is insistent I say this..." Toriel murmured as she glared into the Sage's eyeless face. "Heat. End." With that, she squeezed her hand.

The Sage's body burst into flames as its soul was crushed, both shattering explosively.

Thanks Mom, Chara murmured softly. After seeing that in Alphys' anime stash, I'd have kicked myself all the way back to the grave if that reference hadn't been made.

Toriel chuckled softly. "Anything for my children," she murmured softly, letting her power start to subside. "Anything..."

The Sage...

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Asgore braced himself as he stared into the absent eyes of the Sage that faced him. Its only adornment was ancient armor in the same style Asgore himself wore, and an ancient sword. Asgore knew he stood no chance here. His own heart was too conflicted to muster the intent to defeat this foe, and the Sage had every reason to take his life. This was a battle that could not be won.

But that was Asgore's legacy, a long sequence of decisions for which there was no right answer. At each decision, he had done all he could to choose the lesser of two evils to seek the best possible outcome, even as the weight of his sins grew, endlessly crawling on his back. And all those decisions had come down to this one. It was time for Monsters to be free. He would likely die here, but he accepted that. As long as he kept this Sage from aiding the others long enough for them to fall, Woona's other allies could finish this battle. The barrier would fall.

With that in mind, Asgore lifted his battle fork and lunged, seeking to do as much damage to the Sage as possible. The Sage, however, simply knocked the weapon aside with its sword before delivering a sharp slash to Asgore's side, cutting through his armor like it was made of tissue and digging deep into his spiritual flesh. Asgore gasped in pain, but steeled himself and struck again, this time with his fire.

The Sage calmly stepped between the waves of fireballs, barely seeming to notice them as it easily dodged them all before striking Asgore with a lightning bolt that shot through his armor, sending the king staggering to the ground. Pushing himself back up, he unleashed a barrage of blows with the battle fork, charged blue and orange...but the Sage knew the secret of blue and orange attacks, and avoided each and every one before striking Asgore in the face with the flat of his blade, knocking him onto his back.

Asgore took several shuddering breaths as he pushed himself back to his feet. "I...I can't..." he gasped out, seeing no mercy in the featureless face before him. He then coughed desperately into his hand, staring as he pulled his hand away to find dust. "I can't do this...I am not fit to wear my crown..." Tears ran down his face as he felt his strength fading, knowing he would soon fall. "I can't do this alone!" he screamed out into the uncaring void.

And the void answered.

You are not alone, my son.

Asgore's eyes widened as a figure appeared before him, a shimmering humanoid image with fairy wings. "F...Father?" he asked desperately.

The former King of the Monsters spoke to his son, his voice echoing from beyond the veil of death.

None who wear the crown are alone, my son. The legacy of all those who wore it before us stands with us. We are all with you. Our strength is yours...if you can take it.

"What...what do I do, Father?" Asgore asked desperately. "I...I can't fail my people, not now!"

Will you do anything to save them?

"Yes!" Asgore screamed out. "I will die for them, if that is what it takes!"

Death is too easy. The price asked to call on the power stored within the crown is much greater.

Asgore swallowed convulsively. "Name it."

You must live for them. See the crimes you have committed, the sins that weigh upon you...and accept their consequences. The good and the evil, the wrong and the right...face up to it, and know that they are your own.

Asgore clenched his hands around his battle fork, shaking. "I...I don't know if...I can stay sane if I do that alone..."

You are not alone, my son. Let go of the past, knowing it cannot be changed...and learn from it, that you can make the future better.

Asgore nodded softly. Closing his eyes, he let his mind flow back into his memories, looking upon his every decision as King and weighing it. In many cases, he found himself wanting. It was his job, when faced with a no-win situation, not just to make the best choice, but to find a way to make better choices available. He promised himself he would not make those mistakes again. He knew better than to think he would never make mistakes again, but he promised himself that they would always be new ones.

I knew you had it in you, my son.

With those words, the image of Oberon sank into his son, infusing him with his power as the Monster Crown glowed, and Asgore felt his body changing. His armor fused with his flesh, changing from metal to scales. His physique bulked up as claws grew from his finger tips. His feet changed to sharp hooves, digging into the ground beneath him as he grew to match his foe. Fangs erupted from his upper and lower jaws, curling over his lips as his muzzle became more pronounced and his horns grew and split into antlers. His cape flared out, then split as it became wings growing from his back. A crown of Fairy Fire took shape around his head like a halo, and his pupils were slits when his eyes at last opened. He spun his battle fork as a second set of prongs erupted from the butt end, giving it two lethal ends. The voice of his father and ancestors mingled with his own.

The King has returned.

Asgore lunged forward with this new strength, and his Battle Fork clashed with the Sage's sword. The sound of Cold Iron on Sacred Steel echoed through the caverns, even as claws sought flesh and fists sought scales. Flames and lightning danced between the fighters, neither gaining an advantage as the clash of magics tore at the very fabric of reality. No matter how the pair struggled, neither could gain advantage over each other, and the continuing struggle strained the ether to contain it.

As he struggled, however, Asgore was surprised to hear his father speak directly to the Sage he fought.

Thus always when Kings fight Kings...a Stalemate.

Asgore came to a halt as those words echoed, and his foe did as well, the blade of the sword locked in the tines of the fork. With the heightened perception of his transformation, Asgore saw a golden crown upon the Sage's brow, and realized he fought the human King from the time of the war.

Neither of us wanted the war. We both knew it would only end in death of all we cared for. For the sake of our peoples, I yielded to your blade. You were to lead a peace. Why are you part of the barrier?

The Sage King's body changed to red, and seemed to drip blood.

The hate did not leave, then. I should have known. But...why you?

The Sage King stepped back, holding his sword horizontal between his hands.

You needed to know if it was the right choice. You needed to see for yourself if the world could get better. You needed to watch over the beginning, the middle, and the end.

The Sage King nodded simply. It then knelt down, sword at its side.

Yes. This is the end. There are no humans left.

"There is one," Asgore spoke up at the same time the Sage King lifted a single finger. The Sage King then held out his sword of Cold Iron...and the metal slowly wore away, dissolving until all that was left was a worn dagger. Asgore's eyes widened as he realized what the Sage King was saying about who the last human was. "Chara...he's of your blood..."

The Sage King nodded.

"I...I am sorry I failed him before," Asgore apologized. "I promise, now that he has returned to us, I will not fail him again."

The Sage King...smiled, and lowered his head.

He has yielded. The fight is yours. Strike him down.

As Asgore received those instructions from his father, the Sage King opened his armor, revealing his unguarded soul. "I will make it quick," he promised his enemy, his equal, his brother. Raising his weapon, he gathered his intent, focusing his mind on the only Mercy he could grant as one King to another.

A quick death.

The soul shattered. The King wept from the burden of necessity.

The One

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Sans stared at the Sage that faced him down as the others fought their battles. He'd deliberately delayed his own confrontation with the last of the seven sages, so that his first face to face meeting was after each of the others had engaged in battle. The light blue soul had waited with him, confused at his hesitance, but it had nothing to do with fear. He wasn't afraid of the sages, any of them. When he'd been created, his father had gifted him with a great deal of knowledge, only some of which was coming into play now. None of the others knew who they were fighting when they went up against the Sages, but they'd find out when they did.

He knew exactly who the seven they'd be fighting would be. And like this Grey Soul he faced, he had held back to ensure he would handle the one who was the true cause of it all. Papyrus, Undyne, Alphys, and Toriel each faced one of the four Knights of the Realm that had led the armies of humans against Monster Kind in the war. Muffet had faced off against the King's Champion, the Reaper. Asgore faced the King himself. And Sans now faced down against the Vizier, whose guilt was far greater than any others.

"bet you didn't expect the king to insist you be part of the barrier, did you?" Sans taunted the 'Sage' as he stared him down. "bet you thought you could just take what you wanted and leave us trapped down here...like a battery." The 'Sage' flinched back in surprise. "what, you think pops didn't know what you were really after all along? after the artifact was made, oberon explained to your king what it was, and it's purpose, with you in the room...and not a month later, hysteria of how dangerous monsters could be, and the idea that a monster could absorb a human soul, had whipped humanity into a frenzy, where war was the only option. you even arranged a few atrocities committed by 'monsters' against humanity to force the king's hand...all so you could steal the soulstone for yourself. all so you could use it to enhance your own power."

The Grey Sage drew itself up, silent laughter echoing. Spreading its arms, fragments of human soul began to gather to it.

"oh, i see. you put a safeguard into the barrier when you put yourself into it. the souls awakening wasn't in response to an attack on the barrier. it was in response to the soulstone being used, so you can steal it and turn the barrier into a new magical body for yourself. you don't care if you're human or monster, just so long as you get power. isn't that right?"

As the Grey Sage expanded into immensity, all sense of distinguishing features vanished. The Amalgam Sage glared down at Sans from a bulbous, spherical head, the only sign that it was actually a face the black, pointy shades upon its face. It towered over Sans as it gathered its power.

Sans stared up at his massive foe as the light blue human soul hovered over his head, and chuckled. "ya know, i'm sure everyone watching from out there expects something super flashy, like going all memelord or ultra sans or something like that from merging with this little guy. at the very least, they expect me to unleash the same force i would on a human who killed everyone down here. you, at least, would certainly deserve it." He grinned up at the behemoth before him. "but that's not what we're all about, any of us. yeah, this is gonna be epic, but here's the thing."

He lifted his hand. Far above, a tiny dot of light appeared. "i've only got one attack power. no matter how i fight, i can only ever deal one damage at a time. my strength comes from knowing the rules, and knowing how to get away with breaking them. if i beat you that way, it'd just prove i'm a better cheat than you, and what would that teach woona? instead, i'm going to make this a straight up fight of numbers."

The Amalgam Sage reared in silent laughter, deriding what it saw as Sans' pathetic attempts at being intimidating.

"you think one can't do very much, huh? well, you're right. one alone can't do much. but one is never alone, if you aren't afraid to ask for help." More dots of light began to gather around the tiny dot far above, and the Soul above Sans began to speak as their combined power called on the aid that was offered.

One for every parent who gives their child a night light.
One for every child without, who faces down their fright.
One for every unsung hero, who stands against the wrong.
One for every lowly bard who puts their glory in song.
One for every soldier who does battle on some far shore.
One for every civilian who supports the soldier and not the war.
One for every hard choice that's more than what it seems.
One for every selfless act of Gimilut Chasadim.
One for every victim who stood up and said no.
One for every leader who said 'Make it so'.
One for every determined soul that helped the troubled youth.
One for every enlightened ruler who embraced the truth.
One for every courageous one who did not give in to fear.
One for every wise one who sought to bring good times here.
And one for every watcher who from beyond does see,
Our titanic struggle, and wants us to be free.

Sans grinned widely as the Amalgam Sage stared up at the sphere of light that had taken shape far above, gently grasped by his single hand. "so...you think you can stand up to every one that's gathered to stop you? well...go ahead and try." With that, he threw his arm forward, and vanished.

The sphere of light slowly began to descend, and the Amalgam Sage felt the pressure of its approach. Gathering all its strength, it prepared to destroy the upstart skeleton's last, pitiful line of defense against the inevitable.

As the sphere expanded until it appeared the size of a basketball, the Sage began to realize there was a lot more power there than he'd anticipated.

As it expanded until it appeared the size of a beach ball, he began to wonder just how much power a simple monster could gather.

As it reached the size of the Amalgam Sage's spread arms, he realized just who the skeleton was calling his father, and fear gripped the soul at the center of the construct.

As swirling arms of light specks became visible around the central mass, the Amalgam Sage realized just how fucked he was.

The Galaxy of Light descended onto the Amalgam Sage, slowly and inexorably with the force of space-time itself, the spiral arms ripping into the beast even as the weight of the ones bore down, crushing even the monstrosity's last despairing scream into nothingness.

Sans reappeared, the light blue soul bouncing happily over his head. "heh," he mused as he stared down at the soul fragments that were all that was left. "and there it all goes." He paused as the light blue soul nudged him repeatedly. "what? ...aw, do I have to? i just got through saying i'm more than that stuff!" The soul continued to nudge him. "fine. I guess it does fit here."

As he watched the fragments of the Seven Sages - just enough between them to make a single human soul - vanish into the ether, Sans extended his hand and presented a thumbs down. His voice completely serious, he spoke.

G e t D u n k e d O n .

The Aftermath

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The barrier shattered.

Because the magic of the barrier and the souls that had powered it were activated as it happened, and the barrier was broken a layer at a time, the backlash of magic as it shattered was immense, powerful enough to wipe out the entire underground and blow the top off the mountain that contained it. However, Flowey's massively enhanced body absorbed the vast majority of the blast, leaving only a minor shockwave through the Underground that knocked everyone off their feet, and a minor quake through the mountain that confused but in no way harmed any creatures - sapient or otherwise - that lived upon the surface. Unfortunately, as the power of five of the six human souls Flowey had absorbed had been funneled into the others and he'd been using the last of his own power to maintain the link that let them attack the Sages from outside the barrier, he had no magic of his own left to strengthen his body against the blast wave.

It still took time for him to realize what had happened, as most of his focus was on ensuring the remainder of Woona's soul was still intact. He didn't realize what was happening to him until he felt his furthest-most roots - and the Echo Flowers sprouting from them - dissolve into dust.

"Oh..." he murmured softly to himself. "I...I didn't realize..."

"you okay kid?" Sans asked from between Woona and Flowey, now that he no longer held her tight in his vines. "you're looking kinda...wilted."

"...funny..." Flowey murmured as he felt more of his body turning to dust, the process moving slowly inward towards the Boundary, where Underground met Overworld, where the focus of his consciousness was. "That's...kinda what's happening. All this power, all this Determination inside me...and I can't change this..."

"you could if you wanted to, you know," Sans pointed out. "woona's barely awake. her determination's tapped out. even with only one human soul inside you, you've still got more active determination than anyone else. you could reset."

Flowey stared at Sans for a time in surprise, his flower face at the end of his root. "...nah," he murmured softly. "Other than me...this is a happy ending. Woona worked hard on that. I'm...not gonna just erase that. All this time, I wanted to care...I'm not gonna erase that either."

"you realize that means you're going to die," Sans pointed out. "and you won't be coming back again. once you're dust...you're gone for good. no soul to bring back."

"I...think it's better that way," Flowey murmured as he felt all his sense of Snowdin vanish as everything of himself that was there turned to dust. "The world above...no humans there. No war. It...doesn't really have a place for me. My world is kill or be killed. Thanks to Woona, I found a taste of something more."

Sans looked down, chuckling. "she changed all of us," he murmured softly. "i was born to be hope, and yet i'd all but given up on it. i really was the smiley trash bag you called me."

Flowey smiled softly as he felt himself lose his grip in Waterfall. "It's...it's happening faster," he whispered as he sensed Asgore, Toriel, and the others getting back to their feet slowly, still dazed from what had happened. "I...I'm not going to get the chance...to tell everyone goodbye."

"i'll tell 'em for ya, kid," Sans offered softly. "and hey, don't give up hope. look at this unexpected happy ending we've got here. maybe there's still time for a maker to toss out a miracle."

"I don't think there is..." Flowey replied as he lost his sense of Hotland. He could already feel his grip on the Core slipping. "Sans...I..."

Sans looked up at the flower before him, smiling sadly as he saw the face shift to that of a young goat. "yeah?"

"Did...did I do good?" the dying monster asked, his voice now high and piping, and frighteningly familiar to the King and Queen nearby.

Sans reached up and brushed him under the chin. "yeah, kid. you done real good."

He smiled softly...and dissolved into dust, leaving behind the dark blue human soul. The dissolution flowed up into the ground above, following the path of the roots, leaving behind only the crystalline structure beyond the barrier, a small tree forever beyond the reach of the sun, standing eternal guard over the gate to the Underground.

"huh..." Sans murmured softly, glancing up at the light blue soul floating over his head. "and here i thought he'd actually get one. didn't seem like the thing, to let him die here."

The soul floated over to in front of him, spinning somewhat faster.

Sans slowly smiled. "oh...i see," he murmured as Papyrus, Undyne, Muffet, Alphys, and Mettaton arrived. "it is time for a miracle...but it's gotta come from us." Holding his hand out, he let some of his magic flow into the soul, remembering the good times that had become Woona's protective barrier. Before his eyes, the light blue soul crystallized into a hexagonal blue topaz, and shot upwards through the earth, phasing through solid matter as pure magic.

"THEN WE CAN SAVE FLOWEY, TOO?" Papyrus gasped out eagerly. Reaching into his armor, he pulled out the green soul. "THEN I SHALL!" Following Sans' lead, he focused his magic into the soul as it spun faster and faster before crystallizing into a hexagonal cut pink opal, which soon followed the blue topaz, trailing magical power that sparkled in the air.

"I'm not about to abandon someone who stood so strongly by my friends!" Undyne proclaimed firmly, pulling the yellow soul out from behind her eyepatch, pouring her magic into it. It spun rapidly, and crystallized into a hexagonal cut crimson ruby before following the other gemstones.

"He gave everything of himself," Muffet murmured softly as she gently held the purple soul between her outstretched hands. "I can give some of myself back." Her magic infused into the soul as it spun, crystallizing into a hexagonal cut purple amethyst that followed the other gems into the sky.

"I d-d-did him a great wrong without even knowing it," Alphys stammered out. "I h-have to make it right, if I can!" She held up the orange soul even as Mettaton's hands rested on her shoulders, their magic flowing into the soul together. Spinning, it crystallized into a hexagonal cut orange citrine, leaving a trail of magic light behind it.

The dark blue soul spun as it floated above them all, drawing in the trails of light left behind by the other gemstones. As it spun faster and faster, the light was sucked in, drawing in energy from elsewhere before finally crystallizing as a starburst cut magenta tourmaline, which vanished in a blaze of light.

High above at the Tree, the six magical crystals gathered, floating around it in a circle. Their magic flowed into the tree, energizing it. Each gem, one by one, anchored themselves in the Tree's branches to eternally be its power, the starburst anchoring itself into the trunk. A blaze of rainbow colored light erupted from the Tree, outshining the sun.

And then, the tree put forth a tendril with a single large bud. As the last of the rainbow light touched the bud, it bloomed, revealing its precious burden.

And the young Boss Monster inside slowly opened his eyes, as the last light of the setting Moon touched him.

The Reunion

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As Asgore, Toriel, and the others gathered around Woona, she slowly came around. "I hurt all over..." she groaned to herself.

Not surprising, Sans replied, speaking straight into her mind. Resetting was never meant to be pleasant.

"DO NOT WORRY, WOONA!" Papyrus proclaimed eagerly. "I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, SHALL TEND TO YOU IN YOUR INFIRMITY UNTIL YOU ARE AS STRONG AS ME! NYEHEHEH!"

"Why don't you leave that to someone who actually knows something about medicine, Paps?" Undyne countered playfully. "Pretty sure Woona doesn't need to be cocooned in bandages until she looks like a mummy! For one thing, the mummies might find it offensive!"

"AND I AM MOST CERTAIN THAT SHE IS NOT DURABLE ENOUGH FOR YOUR TOUGH LOVE APPROACH TO MEDICINE INVOLVING EXCESSIVE CALISTHENICS AND WEIGHT LIFTING TO 'WALK IT OFF'!" Papyrus countered.

"I meant Alphys!" Undyne snapped out.

"I don't think she's in such desperate straights that cybernetic augmentation is necessary here, deary," Muffet spoke up playfully.

"T-those are still experimental!" Alphys stammered defensively.

"hey guys?" Sans spoke up. "why don't we let her parents take care of her?"

As Toriel and Asgore knelt on either side of the tiny pony, the others chorused assent, determining that was probably the best approach to the situation. Woona smiled up at them. "So...it's all over?" she asked hopefully. "The barrier's broken?"

Everyone around her nodded. "Yes, my child," Toriel confirmed. "The Barrier is broken. The Sages who powered it will trouble us no more."

The way Toriel said that made Woona's eyes open wide. "What...what happened to them?" she asked sorrowfully.

Under that innocent, hopeful gaze, each of them found themselves turning away. Papyrus looked down in shame. Undyne glanced away, spitting to the ground. Muffet closed her eyes, unwilling to look away or meet that gaze. Toriel looked to the sky for inspiration of how to handle this. Asgore sank in on himself in despair, more blood on his hands, however necessary. Alphys shivered violently as the reality of what she'd done finally hit home, now that the intensity of battle had faded, stripping the veil of 'awesome' from her eyes. Mettaton didn't seem to react, but his box form didn't show expressions anyway.

"don't worry about them, squirt," Sans said calmly. "they'll be just fine, eventually. what's left of them...has a journey of their own to take. who knows? you might meet them again someday, and not on opposite sides."

Woona sighed softly. "O...okay..." She glanced around worriedly. "What happened to Flowey?"

Sans flinched visibly. "he...uh..."

"Woona!" a familiar piping voice called out, drawing every gaze towards the tunnel to the surface. A small goat boy in a green and white striped shirt raced in, rushing to Woona's side. "Woona, are you alright?"

"As...?" Woona began, still feeling exhausted.

Asgore and Toriel both looked like they'd seen...well, Woona started to think 'ghost' until she remembered Napstablook. Then she thought 'the dead walk', but then she saw Sans and Papyrus right there. ...she really didn't know how Monsters would describe it when they saw something that left them so stupefied. Maybe 'like they just saw a pony'? They all seemed pretty surprised when they first saw her after all...

"A...Asriel?" Toriel gasped out, tears in her eyes.

"Is...is it really you, son?" Asgore gasped out.

Asriel looked up, shocked as he felt tears in his own eyes. "M-Mom? D-Dad?" His hands went to his face, and he stared at his hands. "Hands...tears...I...I'm me again? H...how?" Before he could say more, Asgore and Toriel had enfolded him in a loving embrace.

"kid, trust me, don't look a gift horse in the mouth here," Sans suggested as everyone's eyes misted up. "she hasn't brushed her teeth in weeks." This resulted in a chorus of giggles, groans, and a blown raspberry from Woona.

"An oddly appropriate thing to say," another familiar voice said as Chara stepped out from a nearby field of golden flowers that hadn't been there a moment ago, his footsteps sounding on the ground as the Heart Locket shimmered around his neck. "After all, that's the explanation."

"C-Chara?" Asriel gasped out. "You're...alive?"

"In the flesh once again," Chara replied softly. As this statement resulted in three incredibly tight embraces and waves of tears, he gasped out, "That also means I need to breathe again!"

Sans burst into laughter as the King, Queen, and little Prince pulled back in embarrassment. "and here i thought you didn't like bad jokes."

"I still don't," Chara replied somewhat snidely.

"How...how is it possible?" Asgore spoke up, his voice barely audible.

Smiling softly, Chara opened the Heart Locket. In one side, there was a picture of Chara and Asriel happily holding Woona up to the camera, smiles on all three faces. Inscribed under it in gold was, 'BBBFFs'. The other half of the locket was outlined in red, Chara's human soul. However, only a quarter of it was filled in with dark blue, the rest filled with pale fog. "I'm alive again because...I have a quarter of Woona's soul, roughly equivalent to the power of a human soul."

"the same with the kid," Sans spoke up as he snapped his fingers, his eye flaring blue as Asriel's soul became highlighted, a white outline with a sliver of blue, the rest with the same mist as Chara's. "it's why i said 'gift horse'." Turning, he illuminated Woona's soul. Approximately 26% of it was missing, the gap filled in with shadows. "all three of you will fill in the missing portions over time as your souls recover...but the scars of what you'd done, and what had been done to you, will remain."

"We shall deal with that another day," Asgore spoke up, as he and Toriel gathered their children into their arms. Toriel held Asriel, Asgore held Chara, and the two brothers carried Woona between them, forcing their parents to stand close together. "For now, the barrier is no more...and it is time for our people to return to the surface, and meet with Woona's people. Mettaton, please broadcast the word to all of the Underground:

"We are going home."

Reunited

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All the monsters of the Underground gathered, having heard that the barrier was finally down. Some weren't entirely certain they believed, despite their own power being part of what had made it happen. However, Woona's actions throughout the land had given everyone hope, and this new hope was one they were more than happy to seize hold of with all their strength.

Seeing the path clear, the twilight of the barrier no longer present, many were eager to surge forward, but Asgore held them back with a wave of his hand, ensuring that this exodus was organized and controlled. After all, another people awaited them in the outside world, and they all needed to put their best foot - or foot equivalent, for those who didn't have feet - forward as they made their way out. With stately march, they made their way through the small cavern, marveling at the sight of the crystal tree that stood at the very edge of the space once contained by the barrier, as an eternal guardian of the Underground.

The vast majority of the monsters went with their leaders, not wanting to be held back at all. Eventually, only three figures were left beneath the boughs of the tree. Woona turned to glance up at Chara. "Aren'tcha gonna come?" she asked worriedly, grabbing his hand and trying to tug him along.

Chara shook his head softly. "No, Woona," Chara replied softly. "The world up there at the other end of the cave...it's a world without humans. With all the evil humans wrought in their world...I don't want to contaminate that with my presence. Better this world build itself free of the example of my knowledge and memories."

"B...but..." Woona whimpered softly.

"I'll still be right here," Chara explained calmly, leaning against the tree. "I'm not the only thing to have crawled its way out of the void, after all. There are things worse than me down there still...and without the barrier, there's nothing to prevent them from escaping to the surface." He stared back into the darkness. "Nothing except me. I've stared into the Abyss...I won't let it swallow up those I care for again."

Woona whined deep in her throat. "But...but you'll be all alone..."

"I'm used to being alone," Chara countered. "And I know you'll all be stopping by to visit at every opportunity, so I'll hardly have a chance to get lonely."

"Besides," Red added as she stepped up, a box held in her arms, "he won't be alone. I've stood guard over the edge of the Void for my entire career in the Guard. I'm not about to abandon my post." She held out the box to Chara. "You'll need to be properly armed, though."

Curious, Chara reached into the box and withdrew the Worn Dagger, which in his hand extended a mystical aura in the shape of a full size sword. He lowered his eyes and chuckled as he slipped the weapon into his inventory, a skill he'd long developed before he died. "I guess I do, at that. Only fitting, I suppose...that makes me the last King of the Humans, doesn't it?"

"If that's what you want, Your Majesty," Red offered playfully.

Chara rolled his eyes, then turned to Woona. "Tell our folks I'm okay, alright?" he asked softly. "I...I wouldn't do well back on the surface again, not yet. And..." He sighed sadly. "Keep an eye on Asriel for me, okay?"

Woona smiled happily, a tinge of a blush on her cheeks. "Okay," she offered happily. "I'll take care of the cutie!" With that she bounced away.

Chara, for his part, groaned. Apparently, his own deep affection and regard for his brother had imprinted itself in Woona's mind and soul from long sharing a body...in an unexpected way. After a bit of thought, though, he couldn't help but chuckle. Asriel, good luck with this...

Woona quickly caught up with the others, who had reached the edge of the cave and climbed their way to the top of a cliff, staring upward at the sun rising from behind a distant tall mountain. All were silent as they marveled at the beauty of the sunrise. Woona couldn't help but giggle as she saw their expressions. "Big sis did good today!" she offered happily.

"Big Sis?" everyone except Sans asked, stunned.

"Yup!" Woona replied happily. "She makes the sun go up and down. When I'm bigger, it'll be my job to do the same with the moon!"

"Magic controlling the heavens?" Toriel gasped out, stunned. "Goodness, there's so much I'll have to relearn about the surface now."

"I g-g-guess that explains why your soul is so strong," Alphys stammered out. "The amount of magic it'd take to move a celestial body...I s-shudder to even comprehend..."

"Well, we're not going to make a good impression just hanging out here!" Undyne proclaimed. "Let's go!" Laughing madly, she charged towards the mountain.

"Undyne, wait!" Asgore called out worriedly, racing after her.

"I WILL GET THERE FIRST!" Papyrus proclaimed, taking to his heels. "NYEHEHEHEHEHE!"

"this is going to be interesting," Sans chuckled as he calmly walked off in seemingly the wrong direction.

Woona and Asriel giggled together as the other monsters followed. Toriel smiled down at them. "Let's go, my children," she offered softly, holding out her hands. As they took them, she glanced around. "Where is Chara?"

"He feels he has a job to do," Woona and Asriel said at the same time.

Woona turned away from the cave to glance at Asriel in shock. "How did you-?"

Asriel chuckled. "I know him better than anyone, Woona," he explained softly. "I know how he thinks."

Toriel chuckled softly. "Well, I won't begrudge him the responsibilities he chooses for himself. After all, it seems it's now Woona's job to be ambassador between monsters and ponies."

Giggling happily, Woona walked with her Mommy and brother, to meet up with her sister at long last.

No More

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Celestia paced back and forth on the open plains at the foot of Canterlot Mountain, glancing in the direction of the Everfree Forest every so often as she'd paced. She'd heard the reports from the scouts who'd returned, the reports that had caused the gathering of the army behind her. A horde of what could only be called Monsters had marched out of the Everfree Forest, heading straight for Canterlot Mountain. And now the army was gathered, and Celestia could only wait, and worry, and hide her fear.

The gilded war armor she was wearing had been made with the expectation of her being at least 20 before she'd ever have to wear it, and as such was clunky and unwieldy on her 12 year old frame. However, she wasn't expected to actually engage in physical battle here. She was expected to lead, to direct, to inspire, and to lend aid with battle magic or the power of the sun. She only wished she felt capable of even one of those things.

The timing of this also upset Celestia greatly. Only a few months ago, that terrible fight with her precious little sister, the report of her last seen heading towards the forbidden mountain peak, and then no sign of her no matter how many search parties were sent. It had since taken all the strength Celestia had to guide the sun and moon, and not collapse from worry and grief. And now, after Canterlot Mountain had shaken from a massive surge of underground magic, followed by the approach of this army...the rumors were already abounding. The Moon Princess had reached the forbidden peak and had disturbed the Ancients in the Depths, and now they rose to claim the surface.

Celestia could not allow herself to think of any of these things. She had to lead her army. She had to shoulder her grief for her sister, for her parents, and face down the approaching army, ready to lead her ponies into battle for the safety of the surface. She would not fail here.

In the distance, she saw the dust cloud of uncounted feet marching towards the mountain. Focusing her eyes, she could see that not all the Monsters were walking. She couldn't make out shapes yet, but she could see that some of them flew over the others, on wings of flesh or even metal. She shivered, remembering the horror stories some told of the Deep Ones. She prayed her army was strong enough to defeat what approached them.

The dust cloud stopped, and across the open field she saw her foes. Monsters of every shape and size lined the field from end to end, looking like every image dredged from the depths of nightmares, shaped to bring terror to the living. Celestia found her own eyes drawn to a tall armored skeleton who gazed out at the amassed army of ponies and up the slopes of the mountain to Canterlot...

Before clapping his gloved hands to his cheek bones. "OH MY GOD!" he screamed out in stunned shock. "I FORGOT MY RACE CAR BED!"

Other shouts followed that one from the group of Monsters, promptly resulting in the vast majority rushing back towards the Everfree Forest, leaving Celestia to sit down heavily. "What?" she spoke up, totally confused. "That's...not how an army behaves..." She shook her head. "And what is a race car bed?"

When the new dust cloud faded, a much smaller group of monsters stood in the middle of the field. Three looked like bipedal goats, two adults and a child. The male adult was garbed in armor and wore a crown. The female adult wore purple robes. The child wore a striped shirt. Beside them was a fishwoman, standing tall and proud in metal armor and clutching a spear, her helmet under her arm. On the other side was a shorter skeleton in a blue hoodie. Surrounding them was about a dozen small creatures that looked like a cross between a dog, a cat, and a gerbil, pure white wearing blue sweatshirts and vibrating across the ground rather than walking. Each of these smaller creatures had large bags strapped to their backs, and suitcases by their side.

And a single figure raced ahead of the group towards the ponies, a figure Celestia instantly recognized, but at first could not believe...until she heard her voice.

"Tia! Tia!" The moon princess raced up, tackling her older sister and sending the war armor scattering as she glomped onto her. "I missed you so much!"

Celestia immediately enfolded her younger sister in her warmest embrace. "Oh Luna, my little Luna...I'm so sorry...I never should have yelled at you like that...I'm just so glad you're finally home..."

"Y-Your Highness," a nearby Earth Pony General spoke up. "There is still the...enemy?" he offered, gesturing to the remaining monsters. "What do we do?"

"Stand down!" Luna bellowed, the Royal Canterlot Voice erupted out of her small frame to the stunned amazement of all present, sending many of the nearest soldiers to their knees through sheer volume. "You will not harm our friends and family!"

Celestia was startled by what Luna had shouted, but she knew better than to question where others could hear. "You heard my sister," she told the General once he was standing again. "Tell the troops to stand down. Princess Luna has brought us new allies." I hope, she added silently. Once the soldiers had shifted to a more peaceful stance, demonstrating the strength of the Princesses rather than prepared to unleash it, Celestia turned to Luna. "Family?" she inquired.

"hoo dis, Papa?" a curious voice spoke up.

Celestia glanced down, seeing a tiny version of the white creatures she'd seen in the distance, this one barely big enough to hold in one hoof...which possessed a unicorn horn and a tiny pair of wings.

Luna giggled at the creature. "This is Tia, my big sis!" she proclaimed. "Tia, this is Princess Temmie! Say hi, Tem!"

"Hoy, Auntia!" the little creature greeted warmly before vibrating along, gliding up Celestia's leg and along her body before stopping on her muzzle, petting her on the bridge of her muzzle between her eyes.

Celestia stared at the tiny creature. "...wat?"

Stories Shared

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"So wait, your name is actually Luna, not Woona?" Asgore asked in surprise.

The few monsters that had not immediately raced back into the Underground to gather the necessities of living on the surface now sat in the main dining hall of Canterlot Castle, where it sat jutting out the side of the mountain that, all unwitting, had long been the prison for the Monster race. Asgore, Toriel, Undyne, Sans, and Asriel sat alongside Celestia and Luna as they told stories of Luna's time in the Underground, and in turn heard stories of the surface. Princess Temmie vibrated around the table, nibbling whatever caught her interest and flopping on her back to wave her paws in the air in frustration whenever this wound up being something inedible.

Celestia chuckled as Luna nodded her head firmly. "The nickname 'Woona' came from difficulty she had pronouncing her own name when she was younger," Celestia explained readily, holding Luna close under her wing, plainly overjoyed to have her little sister back after so long. "Though even when she was able to pronounce it properly, she frequently exaggerated her former lisp because it made her more adorable, which helped her get her way with the castle staff."

"Is that why you did it, Luna?" Asriel asked curiously. "Went by Woona underground, I mean? For 'cute armor'?"

"Nuh uh!" Luna insisted. "I called myself Woona because Mama did!"

"But I called you Woona because you introduced yourself as Woona," Toriel explained. "And why didn't you correct me later?"

"When you spelled it Woona in the runes, I thought it was a phonetic difference!" Luna complained, blowing a raspberry at Celestia when she chuckled at that.

Celestia chuckled softly at the interchange, but marveled inside at how much Luna had accomplished so young. She was very proud of her little sister, of course, but it put an uncomfortable onus on herself. If Luna could accomplish so much by her fifth birthday, how much more could reasonably be expected of Celestia herself at 12?

As she thought about this, Sans spoke up. "there's one thing i'm wondering, though," he offered calmly. Celestia did her best not to shiver, as the smiling skeleton still uneased her with the way his voice seemed as much in her head as in her ears. "the human kids who fell down, they all had ample reason of their own to climb to the top of the mountain where no one returns from. why'd luna go? with how much you love each other, i can't imagine why she'd want to run away from that..."

Celestia visibly winced at the question. After all, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Luna had run because of what she'd done. She'd had no right to behave that way towards Luna. She couldn't have known... "We...got into a fight," Celestia explained. "I...yelled at her, put unfair blame on her for things...things I should not have blamed her for..."

"We both yelled, Tia," Luna whimpered, nuzzling her. "S'not your fault..."

"But...why did you go up?" Celestia asked, sorrow and confusion mixed in her voice. "You know the peak of the mountain is forbidden..."

"Uh huh," Luna confirmed. "That's why I went, and took what I would've taken if I was running down. Knew you'd look down first, so I'd have plenty of time to pout. But everything was so different..."

"you got curious, walked up to the edge of the hole, and tripped?" Sans offered. When Luna nodded, he chuckled. "so rather than any desire to disappear, simple curiosity led you to the biggest secret of all."

"When we couldn't find you for so long, I was so scared..." Celestia whimpered softly.

"I didn't mean to fall or get lost!" Luna offered, half complaint half consolation. "If I'd known that, I'd have at least packed a sandwich!" When this resulted in laughter all around the table, she pouted. "What? Tia makes the best peanut butter sandwiches, and she always leaves a couple for me in the cold box in case I need a snack!" Much to Luna's consternation, this resulted in even more laughter. Sighing, she waited until the laughter died down, then nuzzled Celestia. "Sorry I broke the cookie jar..."

Celestia winced slightly, but nuzzled back. "It's alright..." she offered consolingly. "It is a small thing. You shouldn't let it sit so heavily on you..."

"Well," Toriel spoke up, "perhaps some cookies might make everyone feel better?" Reaching into a pouch, she pulled out a plate of cookies. "Made to my own recipe, like my pies."

"Ooh!" Luna squealed happily, eagerly reaching for the cookies. "Tia, Mama makes the best cookies!"

"Yes..." Celestia responded absently as she picked up one of the cookies. She politely took a bite...then froze, staring down at the simple morsel as the mix of cinnamon and butterscotch gently caressed her tongue, melting in her mouth in such a startlingly familiar way. Without warning, she dropped the cookie and burst into tears.

"Tia?" Luna asked worriedly, nudging her. "Tia, what's wrong?"

"Is something wrong with the cookies?" Toriel asked worriedly. "Did I do something-"

Before anyone could say anymore, Asgore stood up. Gently lifting Celestia into his arms, he carried her out of the room and to one of the side corridors. The others started to follow, but Sans quickly hand signed them to remain. "don't worry," he offered softly. "this is something i think the king's uniquely suited to help with. i'll go keep a quiet eye on them." And with that, he vanished into a shortcut, the fall of the barrier and distance from the void seeming to strengthen such abilities rather than weaken them, as it didn't even leave behind a hole in space-time - however brief - as it once had.

Asgore watched over Celestia carefully, waiting until she'd cried herself out and achieved at least some self control. He felt both pride and sorrow when he saw how quickly she brought herself under control, recognizing the skills of one trained to rule, but having been learned far too soon. "I'm terribly sorry," Celestia offered with practiced grace even as she wiped her eyes and muzzle with a handkerchief Asgore offered her. "I don't know what came over me-"

"I do," Asgore interrupted softly, his voice full of empathy and compassion. "It was the same recipe your mother made, wasn't it? The very same recipe that the last of which was in that jar Luna broke?"

Celestia stared up at him in stunned amazement, then finally nodded, unable to say or do anymore.

Asgore's gentle smile was encouraging and comforting as he sat against a pillar, settling the pony - so tiny, and yet already so responsible - in his lap. "How long ago did they pass?" he asked gently.

Celestia managed just barely to clear her throat. "J...just over two years ago..."

"Then it was on the second anniversary of their death that you discovered the jar had been broken," Asgore deduced softly. "And the last treats your mother had made for you both shattered and lost, despite every effort you'd put to preserve them however long you could, to in some way keep her with you both?" He felt his heart shrivel as he saw the stricken look on her face, knowing just how clearly he'd seen through her. "Child, you are not the first to make a mistake in the heat of grief and anger, and in doing so drive the one you hold most dear away from you...nor will you be the last. Be grateful that both you and Luna are so young, that such a mistake can be easily corrected, and the wedge between yourself and Luna so easily removed. In a matter of months or less, it will be forgotten, and you and she will be closer than ever." He sank into his own thoughts briefly. The division between myself and Tori...that will take far longer to repair, if ever it can be...

Celestia sighed wistfully. "I...I only wish it could be so," she admitted sadly. "But...the duties of the throne, they are many...and only increased with an entire new tribe amongst us. As Princess, I have to shoulder all I can, and give Luna as much time to be a child as I may..."

Asgore shook his head in amazement. "Dear child, why is one such as you forced to take so much upon you? Why have you no Regent to aid you?"

Celestia shook her head slowly. "I...I don't really understand the reasons for myself, but I can't..."

"Perhaps I can explain it, Highness?" a unicorn mare in a homespun cloak offered, having rounded the corner as the discussion reached this point.

"Would you please, Miss Clover?" Celestia asked hopefully. "I...still don't get it..."

Clover nodded with a soft smile, then turned to Asgore. "Our nation is not as united as it might look to an outsider," she explained. "We are three tribes, visibly distinct from each other, and until recently were three nations that cooperated uneasily before coming to the brink of war. It was only the appearance of beasts of powerful magic that fed on the energies of our distrust and division - driven back as we discovered the power of our unity - that we realized we had to act as one people to survive. However, even now the frictions remain, and the danger of open conflict remains. For no one tribe will accept a ruler who is of one of the other two tribes. When Celestia and Luna were discovered - two alicorn children, with aspects of all three tribes - we saw the way to unite ourselves. Their parents could act as their Regents while they lived, because none would believe a parent would deliberately use their children for power, or allow their children to be used. But with their passing..."

"No such Regent is left available," Asgore concluded. "And Celestia, to protect her sister, has sacrificed her own childhood to grow up far too soon." As Clover nodded, Asgore stroked his beard in thought. "Clover, I think I might have an idea to help...but I will need all perspectives on this matter. Do you perhaps know two others - one each of the other two tribes - who could be trusted to seek the best for all regardless of tribe, and unafraid of reprisal for such considerations?"

Clover smiled warmly. "I know just the ponies," she responded firmly. "They just happen to be my two closest friends, actually...and have the ears of their tribal leaders, as I do."

"Couldn't be better," Asgore murmured softly. "Gather them, and Toriel and I will meet with you all, so we can find a way both to ensure peace between Monsters and Ponies, and to ensure the safety and happiness of even the littlest of us." He gently stroked Celestia's mane as he spoke, offering her the comfort he knew she needed so desperately.

And They All Lived...

View Online

"...and that's how Equestria was made," Princess Celestia concluded as she closed the book of Royal History, looking down at her former pupil - now a Princess in her own right - to see how she'd handled it all.

She wasn't surprised to discover Princess Twilight Sparkle struggling to even come to terms with everything she'd just been told. "I'm sorry, Celestia, but...what?" she demanded. "You seriously mean to tell me that that's how Equestria came into existence?"

"You did ask," Celestia answered calmly. "And as a Princess now, you are entitled to the full story." She giggled softly. "I must admit, Cadence reacted much the same way as you did when she first heard the tale." The only difference... she began to think silently.

"Then what happened with Luna and Asriel?" Twilight demanded irritably. "You made it sound like Luna was completely smitten with him or something!"

And there it is, Celestia thought to herself with a chuckle. "Well, that's a bit more complicated," she explained. "See, everyone who was initially joined with one of the human souls that became an Element of Harmony - Sans, Papyrus, Undyne, Alphys, Muffet, and Asriel -found themselves immortal. And Mother and Father found their own life spans expanded in a similar way, because Asriel's aging was no longer tied to theirs. When he came of age, Luna was still a filly, and her attempts at flirtation left him uncomfortable, since he still saw her as his little sister. So he went on a journey to see the whole surface." Celestia chuckled a trifle wickedly. "When he came back, Luna had grown into a young mare, and..." She smirked softly. "Well, Luna swore me to secrecy on those details."

"I just..." Twilight shook her head as she struggled to take it all in. "How?" she finally demanded. "How is it no one's noticed Monsters running around? What happened to them all?"

"Some of them chose to live amongst ponies, interbreeding with them, until eventually no one even knew they'd ever been," Celestia explained. "Some of the strongest magical bloodlines of all three tribes are a direct result of that. Others chose to live on their own, in the Everfree, Whitetail, and others. The stronger environments toughened them, and their descendants gained physical bodies, which is why races like the chimera, the hydra, and others are protected under law. They are our kin, after all."

"Wait!" Twilight interrupted. "If Asgore and Toriel could only age from Asriel aging...what happened to them?"

Celestia chuckled softly. "Haven't you ever wondered why the Minotaur Kingdom has been our staunchest ally since the day it became united?"

Twilight's jaw dropped. "...how?"

"It was a couple of centuries later," Celestia explained. "Mother and Father felt we were ready to rule ourselves, and were seeing if they could go back to being a couple for their own sakes. Father had planned a romantic picnic in a wide plain to help rekindle their spark. Everything had just been set up and he was pouring the cider...when the warring factions of the Minotaur Kingdom started to converge on the spot. In a fit of pique, he raised his battle fork and split the sky with fire before making a wall of pure blue magic to separate them. He said they could get on with whatever they were up to after their picnic."

Twilight's eyes were practically popping out of her head. "How did they...take it?"

Celestia laughed loudly. "When he lowered the wall of magic, every minotaur on the field was on their faces. When Mother finally stopped laughing, they found themselves the King and Queen of the Minotaurs." She chuckled softly. "The minotaurs are quite proud of their King Fluffybuns."

Twilight stifled a giggle at the absurdity. "So...if Luna was so happy with you and Asriel...why did she end up dominated by the Nightmare? Didn't Sans help her control the shadows inside?"

Celestia sighed softly. "Allow me to rephrase the essence of Sans' advice on controlling it. 'Conceal it, don't feel it, don't let it show'." She looked sorrowfully at Twilight. "Sound familiar?"

Twilight winced. She'd read that parable. "So...every time she felt jealous or ignored, she...buried it, rather than dealing with it..."

"And it built up with the shadows in her soul until it overwhelmed her," Celestia confirmed. "And because she refused to face those emotions until it was too late...there was nothing I, or anyone else, could do."

Twilight was silent for a time. Celestia wasn't surprised. After all, it was a lot to take in, and she was likely trying to rationalize everything she'd taken in to make sense of it all with what she already knew, or thought she knew. "Alright..." Twilight began slowly at long last. "So...how does Prince Blueblood fit into all this? Is he...Luna and Asriel...?"

"Not quite," Celestia corrected. "He's actually my grand-nephew."

Twilight tilted her head. "But then-"

"Yoo dispoint, Bluey!" an insistent voice snapped out.

"But how was I to know?" Blueblood whined as he walked by, a robed figure seeming almost to float beside him. "It's not like-"

"Not cause who!" the figure in the cloak insisted. "Dispoint that Bluey treat anyone like that! Bluey know better!"

"But..." Blueblood whimpered softly.

"Bluey...pologize!" the figure insisted firmly.

Blueblood sighed softly. "Alright...I'll tender a formal apology."

"Bluey good boy!" the figure insisted, floating over to nuzzle him. "Princess Tem so proud."

"I love you too, Mom," Blueblood replied as the pair walked out.

Celestia stared down at Twilight. By the expression on her face, Celestia was very glad that she hadn't been drinking anything when Blueblood approached.

Asriel leaned back in thought as he stared up at the Tree of Harmony. To every pony who'd ever seen it, it was a symbol of hope and the ultimate protections of the land. To himself, it was both a grave marker and a birth place. He wasn't entirely sure how he felt about it. To say that his perspective on it was 'complicated' was a massive understatement. Even after all these eons, he still got chills when he came close to where he died.

"Feeling maudlin, brother?" Chara asked as he stepped out of the shadows in the back of the cave. "You always spend so much time staring up at your old self."

"I can't help it," Asriel replied. "I can't really leave it behind. And...I still have trouble living with everything I did as Flowey. Even if most of it never really happened in this timeline because of my Resets...I still remember it."

"...I understand that all too well," Chara replied, leaning against the side of the cave. "You grew up well, though."

Asriel glanced down at his adult form, standing nearly as tall as Asgore and garbed only in simple white shirt and breeches. He glanced back at Chara. "You didn't grow up so bad yourself, bro. But the striped shirt still? What happened to only kids wearing striped shirts?"

Chara shrugged his shoulders. "Red likes it."

"She's still around?" Asriel asked in surprise.

Chara nodded. "All that time posted at the edge of the void altered her personal time state. She's as immortal as we are-"

"Chara~" a quiet voice sang out. Red - like Asriel and Chara, now having a fully adult body - stepped out of the shadows, her long legs visible beneath her still short cape. "Are you ready to-" She cut herself off as she saw Asriel there, pulling her cape tight around her and blushing. "Uh...I don't know how I feel about your brother watching..."

Asriel's eyes popped open. "You...you do that here?" he gasped out. "Under my corpse?"

Chara shrugged as Red giggled. "You're comfy," he replied with a wide grin.

Asriel groaned. "You're sick, bro." Shaking his head, he ignored the pair's chuckles before speaking up again. "How are things down in Tartarus, and on Redemption's Path?"

Chara sighed softly. "Tartarus is well...but it's still unnerving to see our old homes recreated by the magic of the path, and shades of everyone who lived there while Luna made her way through. It's...somewhat comforting, since the shadows make it feel less lonely down here for both of us...but watching how those from Tartarus try to walk the path..." He shook his head. "If it weren't duty, I wouldn't do it."

"And...what about the soul fragments?" Asriel asked worriedly. "You mentioned they'd shown up."

Chara nodded. "Yes...the fragments of the seven sages...they fused together into a single being. They've been walking Redemption's Path over and over. They...don't define themselves, beyond being human...as though all that's left of humanity that made war on monsters was inside them, and represented by them. And...I think I know why they're walking."

"Why?" Asriel asked, confused.

"The Path is designed so that, while the damned can expiate their crimes if they choose to walk the peaceful path...there will always be one they can't save, to represent the fact that expiating guilt does not erase the consequences of the crimes," Chara explained. "That human...can't seem to accept it. They walk through over and over...desperately trying to save your shade, brother."

Asriel's eyes widened in surprise. "That's...I don't know how to deal with that. Do they...have a name they use?"

Chara nodded softly. "They call themselves Frisk."