#post comic

Escape from Hyrule Castle.

ACT

*Flirt

I have always wondered why so many souls use that strategy. Although, I have to admit that it is effective. In some scenarios.

Flirting?? ... How do I do that?

I would suggest giving a compliment.

Oh okay um...

"C-captain Undyne," Fae looked up at the strong, armor-clad monster that stood guard over her. From this angle, she couldn't even see a glint in Undyne's eye. Just dark intimidating helmet eye holes.

"What's with that look, punk?" Undyne shifted her weight to loom over Fae further.

"Y-y-you- look... nice today!" Fae blurted out the first thing she thought of.

Fae and the pig monsters held their breath. The thunderous steps got closer and closer.

Thud THUD THUD

If I didn't need to breathe this would be so much easier...

If you were a monster this wouldn't be happening.

Oh... But what else was I supposed to do?

That was not placing blame on you. Merely stating fact.

Fae refused to respond to that. Mainly because she was too focused on not crying. The bigger monster beside her was shaking slightly in the tension. The younger pig monster looked confused about this whole situation. But she could read it well enough to stay quiet.

So it was quite surprising when a familiarly loud voice cried,

"THERE YOU ARE!"

Fae held a scream in with her hands. She knew that voice. Very well. But did it blow their cover? She strained her ears to find that the footsteps had stopped.

"Captain! You're just in time!" the voice continued.

An echoed huff then a reply from Undyne, "What is it, mouse? I'm kind of busy here."

"First off," the response began with an agitated tone, "I'm a Brownie." A small tink was heard. "And second! I'm reporting about a human."

"Where!" Undyne barked. Less a question and more a command.

"I saw 'em go that way," that was punctuated with a chuckle, "They were goin' fast. Almost reached the dock I think."

The answer wasn't even finished before Undyne bounded away with a powerful thud. It made the ground shake and the grass sway. If the captain had been paying attention the three runaways would have been found right then. But thankfully she rushed ahead without giving it much thought.

"Is..." Ishi murmured barely more than a whisper, "Is she gone?"

Fae was about to muster out an answer when something jingled in the grass behind them.

A relieving sight.

Run.

Run??

Yes.

Fae was glancing from Ishi to the captain in a frantic panic of nerves. Her legs were ready to follow Frisk's suggestion, but her mind was not convinced yet.

"If the Queen said no harm should come to the human then that is what we have to do!" Ishi didn't wait for a reply. A magic wall blocked Undyne and Gerson from passing. Bricks upon bricks of magic blockaded the narrow path in the cavern. With a quick turn, Ishi grabbed his sister's hand and commanded those on his side of the wall to run.

Fae's feet jumped at the opportunity and rushed after them. They escaped into the tall grass and hid.

"Why'd we stop?" Ki questioned and was promptly shushed. Her brother pulled her in close to muffle her. Fae was on her hands and knees and attempted to huddle in closer. Ishi tensed up at her approach but didn't back away. There were more pressing matters.

"Well," Toriel's voice broke the silence, "Iet us continue."

"Continue what?" Fae heard the captain click her tongue but her guard didn't move.

"When you have been convinced, you will be under my orders." Toriel continued.

"I am under the KING'S orders," Fae saw Undyne's hand twitch with a bit of magic in the palm. Fae flinched back when the captain stepped forward, "Not someone claiming to be his ex!"

"Alright, then I will make a request instead," Toriel's voice didn't seem phased by Undyne's brashness. "When-"

"IF!" Unyne interrupted, "And that is a very slim if..."

"When," Toriel continued, undeterred. Fae heard a growl reverberate in the captain's armor. "you let this human leave... I ask that you do not allow any other royal guards to interfere with them."

"As if!" Undyne scoffed. Her large hand picked up Fae by the scruff of her sweater. Fae barely held in a squeal of fright. "And what is your plan anyway, brat?"

"I-I-I uh-" Fae scrambled to say something, anything, "I'm going to free the monsters!"

"Break the barrier? HAH!" Undyne jostled Fae around like a keychain, "What are you doing stealing my plans? That's been my- the king's goal all along. You just have to come with me and-"

"S-SORRY FOR THE WAIT, CAPTAIN!" Ishi's voice echoed through the cave walls. Undyne turned, Fae still in her grasp, and looked in his direction. The pig monster was still a ways away, but he was close enough to see. He made steady progress to the meet-up spot, but it was slow. Mainly due to the elderly tortoise monster on his back.

"We're back, Miss Queen!" Ki had run ahead and reported to the phone. She looked at Fae's position and jumped up. "Oh! Oh! Can I have a turn! I want a turn!"

Toriel is quiet for a few moments before answering. The phone is still in her paw. It is very quiet. So much so that you can hear the soft crackling of the magic fire beside her.

"If I am completely honest," Toriel begins quietly, "I do not know if it will... I fear that this situation will end just like the others."

The grip on the phone makes the plastic creak softly. You can hear Toriel mumble something about making a mistake.

After some effort, Ishi managed to deliver Gerson to the captain. He collapsed to the ground and transformed into a heaving mess of sweat and exhaustion afterward. His sister couldn't do much to help, but she patted his head anyway.

"Hello, there Undyne," The elderly monster waved, "How's life been treatn' ya?"

"Just fine," Undyne used Fae to gesture excitedly, "I've found our ticket out of here."

"Did you now," One of Gerson's eyes widened to inspect this 'ticket', "I never thought I'd see the day." He laughed a hearty, raspy laugh.

I was scared before, Fae thought, but now I just feel embarrassed...

Some will not see you as a person. More as a tool for their own ends.

I feel like a doll being swung around...

An accurate description.

"Ah, Gerson," Toriel's voice came through again, "I apologize for not keeping in touch."

"Queen Toriel," Gerson craned his head up to the phone. His head shook in the effort to do so, "Been a while since I've heard your voice. Where've ya been all these years?"

"I'd," the phone went silent for a moment, "rather not say... However, I would like to 'cash in the favor'."

Gerson chuckled again. Undyne tapped her foot impatiently. Each one jostled Fae uncomfortably. "I'd have to say that coupon expired long ago... But," Gerson pointed to the ground. Undyne rolled her eyes with her shoulders and put Fae on the ground. Gerson put his face up closer to the phone, "I'll do it 'cause I like ya."

There was a heavy silence on the other end of the call. A sigh could be heard. "If you would be so kind, Gerson..." Toriel continued, a hint of sorrow in her voice, "I would like you to confirm my identity for the people present there."

"I believe I've already done that," Gerson playfully elbowed Undyne's armor, "Wouldn't you agree?"

Undyne didn't seem to happy about it but she said, "Fine..."

"Now that it's been settled," The phone continued, "I would ask that you let this human be on their way."

"Yeah, sure, Queen," the disrespect was evident in Undyne's voice.

"I have your word?" Toriel prompted.

"Yup," the captain swiveled her head in an impatient manner. Fae could tell that she wanted to add something else, but didn't.

"Then I'll leave you to it. Goodbye, Fae. Call me if you need to talk again." With that, Toriel hung up. There was a moment of silence.

"Is that 'friend' of yours done talking?" Undyne voice was sly and intimidating.

"Y-yeah?" Fae put the phone back in her pocket, "So uh, I'll just get going now..." She shuffled past the two monsters to go further down the path. Fae tensed up in preparation for an attack. But there was nothing.

"You should visit my shop, kid," Gerson called after her, "Might have something useful to ya."

Fae turned to respond but found Ishi standing there. Facing the captain and elderly tortoise.

"You're planning on killing the human, aren't you, captain?" Ishi's voice was shaky but resolute.