#utdr crossover

It was another sunny day in home town. Just like any other.

Susie and Kris were just, sitting by the lake. It was peaceful. A place they could both just take a second and.. breathe. Let the wind blow through their hair, the sun shine on their face. Not worry about…everything.

It was one of the few places they managed to have more control over themself.

“Com ON already Kris!” Susie urged them, standing up from her sandy spot on the ground and stretching “Ralsei’s waiting on us! We gotta go!!”

Kris smiled just a bit. “I’m coming I’m coming.” They sighed, standing up. Break times over. Time to let it do whatever the hell it wanted again.

Susie fell in line behind them, and before they knew it they were at the closet door, jumping into the dark.

The pair landed with a now practiced ease, the fall into castle town had not taken long to get used too.

“Hey Ralsei guess what we-“ Susie started. Her brow furrowing at the lack of their fluffy friend greeting them “Ralsei?” She called out. “Weird. He’s. Normally right here.. huh.”

“Castle” the words ripped their way from Kris’ throat,

“Yeah! Yeah he’s. Probably just in the castle heh. Let’s go.” Susie grabbed Kris by the wrist pulling them through the town as she headed straight for the castle. Now worried about the toothpaste boy.

She shoved the castle door open “RALSEI! we- WE’RE HERE!” She called out

Ralsei in turn, poked his head out from the stair way “Susie! Kris! Oh thank goodness you two are here!”

“Is everything ok?! You weren’t at the entrance like normal and-“

“Oh-! I’m sorry Susie! Yes everything’s fine just- erm. Lancers caused a bit of uh. Problem. I was attempting to handle it.” Ralsei explained, his usual concerned smile creasing his brow

“…what. Kind of problem?” Susie tilted her head

Ralsei rubbed at the edge of his ear “He. Created a sink hole”

“A SINK HOLE?!” Susie’s eyes widened in excitement “Dude that’s awesome!! Can we see it?”

“I. Don’t see why not.” Ralsei admitted “Just. Mind the edge? We don’t want anyone falling in. We don’t know what’s down there”

Susie nodded “yeah yeah safety we’ll be careful!”

Ralsei nodded, “it’s up in lancers room, Kris. When you're ready, go to the lancer's room to check out the sink hole, ok?”

Kris nodded. Knowing the instruction wasn’t really for them.

It seemed to not want to waste any time today.

Heading up the stairs and straight over to lancer's room, where sure enough, a massive hole had opened up, taking up most of the ace of spades room.

“Susie!! Blue person!! Look at my new hole!” Lancer proclaimed proudly

“It’s huge man!!” Susie grinned “How’d you make a sink hole?”

“Donno! I was just digging and the ground just left! Lesser dad was near by and caught me before I fell with it though!” Lancer explained

It seemed bottomless. Though, a small hint of yellow could be seen as Kris peered over the edge.

“Kris, remember what I said about the edge..?” Ralsei laughed nervously.

“Dude. We should totally see what’s down there.” Susie suggested

Ralsei’s eyes widened “What- no! What if another dark world opens and-“

Susie snickered, resting her arms behind her head “Oh quit worrying, we can leave a rope so if anything happens we can just climb back up!”

“Hm… Kris what do you think?”

“No.” It spoke with Kris’ voice. Confusion lining the word.

It normally jumped at the chance for another adventure. Looking through every nook and cranny.

Why wouldn’t it want to go down the sink hole..?

“Oh come on Kris!! It could be fun! There could be moss!” Susie grinned her toothy smile

“…the moss calls me”

“THAT'S THE SPIRIT!” She grabbed the pair, bringing them to the edge “ADVENTURE AWAITS!”

“Wait, what about the rope—“ ralsei protested.

But it was too late, Susie had already jumped down the hole, holding her friends close so they didn’t get seperated.

The fall lasted about as long as the one into castle town, it wasn’t much of a wait before the fun gang landed with a softened thud onto a patch of golden flowers.

Ralsei wriggled out from Susie’s hold “Hm. It looks like the flowers broke our fall..” he observed, adjusting his glasses.

Susie let go of Kris, who in turn flopped face down into the flowers. It was hard for them to tell who had control sometimes..

“Hey Kris.. don’t these flowers look like the ones in your dads shop?” Susie frowned.

Kris propped themself up to take a look and…

She was right. These were the same kinds of flowers their dad grew.. he took such pride in his golden flowers…

Kris nodded in response to their friends question.

Ralsei sighed, looking up the hole they’d fallen into “well. So much for the rope I suppose. We’re too far down to climb back up without one..” he tsked, looking around and spotting a lone doorway. “It appears the only option is forward.”

Kris sighed, pushing themself out of the flowers and to their feet. Susie (who was totally not about to shove a flower in her mouth) stood and moved behind them. Soon followed by ralsei.

The trio did their quick, obligatory hero pose.

And approached the archway. Which began emanating an up beat little tune

“Really not liking that ominously cheerful music..” Susie remarked.

Kris nodded in agreement as their body pushed forward.

The music grew louder as they crossed. Steadily. As if they were approaching the source.

It didn’t take long for them to figure out why.

A single golden flower sprouted in a patch of light. The music emanating from it..

“Howdy!” The flower greeted, twisting its stem around so it faced them with a smile stretched just a tad too far “golly! Today must be special! 2 humans falling down here so close together! And this one comes with 2…monsters.” The flower's smile fell as its gaze lingered on ralsei “haha! Where are my manners! I’m flowey! Flowey the flower!” It grinned at them, shaking away whatever thought had popped in its head.

Ralsei cleared his throat, shifting his weight from one foot to the other nervously under the flower's gaze “Um. Hello flowey! I am Ralsei!” He smiled “these are my friends Kris and Susie. I fear we may be a bit lost, could you tell us where we are?”

“Why! You're in the underground of course! Say, if you three are lost, how about I give you a run down about how things work around here?” Flowey tilted to one side

“No.” Kris, for once, agreed with their controller. Something about this flower felt. Wrong. Familiar… but wrong.

Flowey frowned “come on, you're new down here! Don’t you need a guide?”

“You heard em, no.” Susie huffed. Placing a hand on Kris’ shoulder.

“Fine fine” flowey sighed “I guess we’ll do things the hard way” it cackled, the center that held its face growing larger, pushing its petals aside as the air filled with seed like bullets. Kris drew their sword, prepared to ACT or DEFEND or whatever it chooses but-

Fire.

A single ball of flame shot out from the dark, knocking flowey out of his spot.

“I am getting quite tired of that miserable creature” sighed their protector “torturing such poor innocent youths”

That voice…

“Mom..?” Kris said, their voice barely a whisper as they looked over at the source of the fire

And sure enough. There was their mother. Dressed in her purple robes.

“MOM-!” They shouted, launching at her with arms spread wide as they hugged her “what are you DOING down here?! what are you doing in the dark world you shouldn’t be—“

“I’m sorry child.” Toriel interrupted “I’m afraid you must’ve hit your head rather hard during the fall.. I am not your mother.” She cupped their cheek “My name is Toriel , guardian of the ruins.”

Kris eyes welled with tears as Torial took a step back from them

“Ms.Tori.. what the he-…heck are you talking about.” Susie frowned, her brow furrowing.

Toriel blinked “oh my.. I haven’t seen monsters like you back here since the early days.. what are you-“ her eyes widened as she spotted Ralsei. Who. Simply waved

“Um. Hello, ma’am. I uh. I’m Ralsei .. “ the young prince explained. He’s known he had a vague resemblance to Kris’ family. But was it really that striking of one…?

Ralsei reached out for Kris, offering them a comforting hug “I’ve. Heard a lot about you..” though none of it explains pretending you don’t know Kris

“Ralsei.. right! Yes. Of course how could I…” she cleared her throat “I am sorry children. I am an old woman, for a moment I thought you were..” she trailed off “what part of the underground are you two from?”

“Uh… home town?” Susie said, confused. “Com on Tori it’s us! You know we aren’t from some underground.”

“You mean.. you two monsters… came from the surface?!” The shock in Toriel’s eyes turned to horror “oh you poor things. No wonder you climbed the mountain… come now. You must all be very tired. I have a place you can rest for the night. Though, urm. What was your name child?” She turned back to Kris

Kris clung to Ralsei's arm, shoving tears away “Kris… this is Susie..” Maybe she thinks this is a dream and doesn’t recognize me because I’m blue..?

“Kris.. a lovely name” she smiled. “Kris, I would like to check to make sure you didn’t get a concussion before you rest tonight. Thinking a monster like me is your mother is a tad worrisome..”

Susie clenched her jaw. Tori was one of the few adults she trusted… How could she treat Kris like THIS?

Ralsei laughed nervously “I uh. I think there’s been some misunderstanding, ms.Toriel. How. How long have you been down here?”

“Much longer than any of you have been alive, I assure you.” Toriel raised an eyebrow

“Must just be. Coincidence then? You. Look an awful lot like their mother”

“Well… Either way it was a long fall, you should each be checked before making your way to bed. Come along now, my home is just on the other side of the ruins, it’s. Not as long of a trek as it seems.” Toriel a brow furrowed in concern

Kris nodded. Prying themself off Ralsei and falling in line behind Torial, followed by their friends.

“The ruins are lined with puzzles. Most of them are. Already solved at the moment..” she explained “still. Do your best to familiarize yourself with them.”

The fun gang exchanged glances

“Oh. Well Kris is great at puzzles!” Ralsei offered, trying to cheer up his friend

“Yeah. Like wicked good. Puzzles are definitely Kris’ deal.” Susie added, giving them a playful shoulder nudge.

“Is that so?” Toriel smiled, “Well then, the ruins should be a breeze for you.”

Kris simply.. looked away from her. Shrugging.

“Puzzles aren’t that hard.” Especially when technically you weren’t the one solving them. It was easy for Kris because all they had to do was let it take control. Rarely was There something Kris felt the need to spend the energy it took to take control back in order to get done properly.

“Well. Regardless, they have not been reset since the last human fell.” Toriel explained

“Hey yeah.” Susie frowned “That flower mentioned something about a second human… what was that about?”

“Oh. Well. Not too long ago, a child had fallen just as you had. I.. did my best to care for them but. They thought it best to push forward and.. try to go home.” Torial explained, a worried sadness filling her eyes. “They were quite a bit younger than you three.” She cleared her throat. Trying to distract herself with smaller details.

“weird… wonder where they came from. Far as I know Kris is the only human in town.”

Torial froze “there’s… a whole town of monsters…? On the surface?”

“Why do you keep calling it that?” Susie asked

“…do you three… understand where you are..?” Toriel frowned

Kris shrugged “Down a hole”

Toriel paused for a moment, turning to the group “…what do you know of the history between monsters and humans…?”

“There’s… a history…?” Ralsei tilted his head.

Torials brow furrowed in confusion “I suppose a group managed to hide well enough they escaped the entire thing… I will. Explain after you three have had a chance to rest and something to eat. It is… not a happy story.”

The trio frowned. But continued to follow. She clearly was not ready to answer their questions…

The trek through the ruins was. Rather short. They’d run into a few froggits, some whimsums , vegetoids and the like.

Both the froggits and Toriel seemed surprised Kris could talk to them.

They passed many clearly labeled puzzles, puzzles that had an obvious solution. puzzles that had already been solved. And a sign labeled ‘spider bake sale’ that caused Kris' SOUL to tug in the direction it pointed. Unfortunately when their mother was leading, neither it nor Kris controlled where they went.

“We are almost there children” Toriel called out as they approached a patch of leaves.

The group turned the corner, being met with a quaint house, tucked away in the high walls of the ruins.

It looked out of place. It’s warm brown colors standing out amongst the endless purples.

“Its not much. But you're welcome to stay as long as you like” Toriel smiled, opening the door for the three teenagers as they began to wander in.

“Wow..” Ralsei muttered, taking in the cozy glow of the lights “this is. Wonderful Toriel.” He smiled

Toriel gave a soft smile in return “I’m. Glad you like it Ralsei.”

Kris began to look around. As was typical when they entered a new area.

They’re eyes landed on the hall mirror. Right where one was in their own home but.. horizontal instead of vertical.. Was this some kind of… opposite dark world? Was that possible..?

Kris observed their pale blue skin. They’d never really had a chance to look at their dark world form…

It’s you

Something spoke, seemingly from within Kris’ head, causing them to jump back

“Are you alright child?” Toriel tilted her head

“Yeah. Yeah just. Thought I… heard something” they cleared their throat, glancing back at the mirror as if to check for a ghost behind them.

All they could see.. was it.

Toriel pursed her lips “maybe I should check your head before anything else.. hearing things could be worrying..”

Kris nodded. Their eyes wondering away from the mirror as they moved back to Toriel who began examining them gingerly

“Hm. No sign of a concussion.. does your head hurt at all?”

Kris shook their head

Toriel let out a sigh of relief “good, and what about you two? Any head pain”

“No ma’am.” Susie said simply, toying with a plant in the hallway.

Ralsei smiled and shook his head “I’m fine!” He insisted.

“Well then, how about we get you three settled in for the night before I get you all something to eat?” Toriel smiled, walking over to the door left of the mirror.

The trio funneled into the bedroom, filled with things meant for a young child

“I. Do apologize for there only being one bed..”

“Oh! It’s no problem ma’am!” Ralsei assured her “ I’ll be comfortable on the floor and-“

“Like HELL you're sleeping on the floor!” Susie protested

Ralsei blinked “Wha- what?”

“Bed for ralsei”

“I. Ok. But… What about you two?” Ralsei tilted his head, a bit concerned for the lightners rest.

“Uh… that’s urm…” Susie furrowed her brow, trying to come up with an idea

“Pillow fort”

Susie grinned “Now THAT is a good idea! See! We got it all figured out”

Toriel giggled “that’s wonderful. I’ll help you gather any pillows and blankets I can find before I get started on cooking.”

Kris let themself smile a bit. A pillow fort wasn’t the worst idea this thing had had.

As everyone began to collect any extra bedding that could be found, it didn’t even look around much like usual. Just. Approaching everyone one by one, it seemed interested in the chair identical to the one in Kris’ own home. Taking a cushion from that and going back to the bedroom.

For whatever reason however, it did look at the plant in the hall

It’s a water sausage!

The same internal voice from the mirror exclaimed cheerfully, Kris took a step back as their breath quickened in surprise at the voice not their own.

“Kris, you ok?” Susie asked as she entered the hall

“Fine” Kris nodded. Going along with it was.. the only option. How were they supposed to explain they were hearing a strange voice in their head?

“Hm..” Susie frowned. Her eyes wandered to the plant “what do you think this is?”

“Uh. A water sausage. I think.” Kris cleared their throat.

“Huh..” Susie moved over to the plant, setting her acquired bedding down before biting into one of the brown seed pods. Causing it to burst open into an ungodly amount of condensed white fluff.

Susie coughed and wheezed, falling the the floor dramatically and alerting Toriel to the mischief

“Goodness child! Are you alright?” She knelt next to the purple girl

Susie simply gave her a thumbs up as she coughed out a piece of fluff “never better!” She wheezed out, sticking her tounge out in a grossed out manner “never doing that.”

Kris snickered before helping their friend to her feet

Toriel giggled “well I’m glad you learned something!”

“…what did I miss?” Ralsei asked, joining them in the hall with his own score of bedding.

“Nothing!” Susie proclaimed before Toriel or Kris could say otherwise “absolutely nothing!”

The next hour or so flew by as the trio formed the perfect fort (dubbed fortress rude)

With plenty of room for Susie and Kris to fit comfortably inside.

Ralsei peeked down the hall, checking Toriel was out of ear shot before slowly closing the door “I. Think we should talk about what this place is..”

Susie stopped pummeling Kris' shoulder in a fit of laughter. Her smile fell as she glanced to the side “yeah.. this place is. Weird. It’s.. it's like hometown but… wrong.”

Kris nodded. Their jaw clenching.

Ralsei nodded “I’ve never heard of a dark world being extended like this… nor replicating the light world so closely.”

“It’s not the same.” The words dripped bitterly from Kris' voice.

“I’ve. Gathered that..” Ralsei cleared his throat “clearly this Toriel is not YOUR Toriel. But I do not understand how she could be a darkener either.” Ralsei’s brow furrowed in thought as he tapped his foot.

“This place is like a twisted version of home..” Susie grumbled. “It doesn’t feel like a dark world either though.”

“Doesn't… feel like one..?” Ralsei looked up at her, confused “do the dark worlds feel different then the light world?”

“Well. Yeah. They’re kinda.. colder? But. In the way that being under a tree during a hot day feels colder… there’s no source of the cold, it's just. A lack of heat”

Ralsei’s shoulders fell “and. How does this place feel to you…?”

“Cool.”

“Yeah.. yeah it’s cool. But. That’s because we’re surrounded by stone. That beam of light the flower was in was warm.”

Ralsei gulped, his eyes wide “that. Warm like… the light world…?”

“Yeah… kinda…?” Susie rubbed the back of her neck

“Oh my angel..” Ralsei’s breath began to quicken as he sank against the door, gripping the fur on his head “I- I’ve never- I didn’t think I could-! I shouldn’t be able to-“

“Ralsei..?” Susie frowned “Hey! Ralsei what are you-“

“Nothing I’ve read has ever mentioned what happens to a darkener if—“

“RALSEI!” Susie shouted, “What the hell are you talking about?” She asked, sitting next to him

Ralsei took a deep breath, his shaking hand moving to fiddle with the edge of his ear. “What if this place… isn’t an extension of castle town? What if. It isn’t a dark world at all… I didn’t think I could leave the dark. I Don’t know what’s going to happen to me.. or how long it’ll take..” he squeezed his eyes shut as they filled with tears, his voice shaking with fear.

Kris pursed their lips, waiting to see if it had anything to say before joining their friends on the ground. “We’ll find a way out”

Ralsei sniffled, “of. Of course. Of course we will, I just. It’s scary, you know? Not knowing..”

Susie nudged his shoulder “welcome to our life” she snickered “but hey. Worst case scenario something does happen. we just. Take you back to castle town right? You're gonna be fine, Ralsei. We’re not gonna let anything happen to you.”

Ralsei gave a small laugh, wiping his tears away and adjusting glasses “thank you Susie. It. Means a lot to me.”

Suzie gave him a toothy grin “Yeah yeah toothpaste boy. Anytime”

Ralsei groaned at the nickname “stoooop!!”

“Toothpaste boy” Kris snickered

“Not you too!!” Ralsei protested, laughing.

There was a Knock on the door

“Children? Dinner is ready. If you're hungry?”

Ralsei blinked “real food… huh…”

Susie’s stomach growled “yeah. I could definitely eat.” She said as she got up

Kris nodded, helping Ralsei up. They opened the door, greeted by this false mother.

“Oh my.. is everything alright..?” Toriel said softly, noticing the tears still in ralseis eyes

“I’m. I’m fine ma'am just. Today has been a lot “ Ralsei explained.

Tori nodded understandingly, “of course.. well. Hopefully some warm food helps.” She smiled

Ralsei smiled back “that sounds lovely.”

Tori led them to the table, and they all took a seat. She served them each a bowl of some kind of stew “I’m sorry it is not much. Getting groceries in the ruins is no simple task.”

“Why don’t you just.. leave?” Susie quirked an eyebrow.

Toriel hesitated, the ladle freezing right before pouring its contents “that.. is a complicated tale.”

Ralsei smiled “it smells delicious ms. Toriel” he said, trying to change the topic.

“Thank you Ralsei, I hope you enjoy it” Toriel smiled softly, taking her seat at the table.

“Kris, is everything alright?” Toriel tilted her head. “You seem rather quiet..?”

Kris could feel feel the words bubbling up in their throat “history”

“Ah… yes I. Told you three I would explain.” She sighed. “I. I suppose I should start at the beginning then hm?” She smiled nervously “long ago, humans and monsters lived on the surface together peacefully. Then, one day. A war broke out between the two races” Toriel began as Susie and Ralsei enjoyed their stew

“Monsters. Lost. We, couldn’t compete with the humans… they locked us under this mountain known as Mount ebott. We’ve always assumed they’d locked us ALL down here… but if there’s a monster town untouched by the war.. maybe there is hope.” She smiled.

“A war huh..” Susie muttered, moving her spoon through the thick stew “…glad we didn’t have to deal with that” she glanced at her human friend.

Kris nodded, staring down at their bowl, pushing through its control and finally having a meal.

“As am I… but.” Toriel sighed “children I must be honest with you. The war. May have ended but… the king of the underground he. He doesn’t take kindly to humans… he.” She hesitated “…if he finds you, he will hurt you… you will have to pass through the castle if you wish to go home. You may stay here as long as you like. But if you go… please. Be careful..” she pleaded

“We will ma’am.” Ralsei assured her

Toriel gave a soft smile “maybe you three will stand a better chance if you stand together.. we’ve never had three fall together. And certiently not other monsters.”

“Wait… didn’t you say there was a kid down here recently…? What. Happened to them..?” Susie frowned

Toriel sighed “I lost contact with them when they left the ruins… I can only hope they are still safe..”

No one had anything to say after that.

They simply ate in silence, the occasional compliment about the stew (or Ralsei asking for a recipe) being the only reprieve from it.

Soon they all headed back to the child’s bedroom. Ralsei tucked into the bed, Susie and Kris in the fort.

“Man. This place is like. A major downer right?” Susie scoffed “war? Bloodthirsty king? Kids getting killed? It’s crazy…”

Kris nodded, resting their head on their arms as they lay on their stomach. “I don’t like it here.” They muttered “everything’s wrong.”

“And this room” Ralsei added “isn’t it odd that it’s packed with things for a growing child, but there’s none in sight?”

Kris sighed “I don’t know about this Toriel. But my moms always keeping onto things way longer then she should…”

Susie’s eyebrows pinched together in concern “hey, fuck whatever is going on with this Tori alright? If she doesn’t think your her kid then it’s her loss.” She punctuated her sentence with a shove

Kris gave a small smile “thanks Susie…”

“Hey. SOMEONES gotta be there to tell you idiots how it is” she snickered, both of her friends following suite in laughing along

The trio of heroes stayed up way longer than they should, considering the long journey ahead, laughing, telling scary stories in the fort (Kris kept winning at those), enjoying being together despite it all.

But all good things must come to an end. First ralsei fell asleep. Then Susie. Then… Kris got up, making their way to the hall, closing the door as quietly as they could.

They took a deep breath, they’d never done this in their dark form.. hopefully the armor didn’t complicate things.

They plunged their hand into their chest.

Bitting their cheek to stop from grunting in pain as they pulled it out. the SOUL.

“You knew didn’t you..?” Kris asked, panting from effort and pain, knowing it couldn’t wouldn’t respond. “That's why you didn’t want to go down here… how did you know?” They narrowed their eyes. The SOUL just. Squirmed. Back and forth in their hand. “And that voice.. that’s you isn’t it? Have you been able to talk this whole time…?”

It stopped moving.

“Kris dear…?” The door further down the hall creaked open “is everything alright..?”

Kris panicked, looking around for something to shove it in— a drawer. Perfect.

They quickly opened the accent tables drawer, tossing the SOUL inside and slamming it shut “all good!” They insisted “just uh. Couldnt sleep.”

“Hm.” Toriel nodded, stepping out of her room “I have just the thing” she walked down the hall, motioning for Kris to follow.

Kris glanced back at the drawer, mouthing the words ‘stay there’ as if the SOUL could still see them before following Toriel, who had headed for the kitchen, and was putting a kettle on “a nice cup of tea always helps me sleep on a rough night, so you have a preference?”

Kris blinked. It had been a while since they’d gotten to answer a question with out its input “uh.. golden flower…? My dad makes it for me a lot...”

Toriel stopped for a moment “I am. Sorry child. I do not keep golden flower tea.. I have chamomile..?”

“That’s fine.” They nodded.

Toriel rooted around her cubbored, looking for the tea “so, what’s keeping you up child?”

“I’m… just a night owl” as in, night is the only time I can get away with ripping out my soul and not getting thrown into a mental hospital. They cleared their throat.

“I see, well, I hope you’re at least able to sleep in then. A growing child needs their rest.” Toriel smiled, pouring the boiling water into a cup with the tea bag placed inside

Kris shrugged “I. Try too.. My teachers normally ok with me taking a nap at the start of class if I can’t. So. I find ways to balance it out.”

“That’s… very nice of them. I’m glad you're able to find some rest where you can.”

Kris nodded, figditing their fingers “can i… ask you something personal…?”

Toriel blinked “what is it child..?”

“..do you, er. I know you're not my mom but uh… do you have kids? The. The room just seemed so ready for a kid I thought…”

Toriel's gaze softened, a sadness filling her eyes “I… no. I do not… I’m afraid my story is a long and lonely one, child…”

Kris looked to the kitchen tiles “right.. sorry I shouldn’t-“

“It is quite alright, child. It is natural to be curious.” Toriel smiled, placing a hand on their shoulder and handing them the cup of tea “please, do not worry yourself about it. Alright?”

Kris looked up at her. Seeing the grief behind her smile…

They nodded. Taking a sip of their tea “.. thank you for the tea, ma’am.”

“Of course, child. I shall do what I can for you as long as you remain here.”

“That… means a lot” they rubbed at their neck “really.”

Toriel smiled softly “may I ask you a question?”

“Uh.. go for it?”

“What is it like? Living amongst monsters?”

Kris thought for a moment “it’s. All I’ve ever known. I was taken in when I was too young to remember anything before. Its, a nice town? Everyone knows each other on some level. We’re.. not without our problems but… it’s a good community.”

“I’m glad to hear it.. “ Toriel yawned “I am sorry child, I would love to talk more, but I’m afraid I must be getting back to bed. Will you be alright?”

“Yeah. Yeah I’ll be ok.” Kris nodded

Toriel gave them a gentle pat on the shoulder before making her way back to bed.

Kris sighed, finishing their tea before going back to the hall and opening the drawer. Silently relieved it was still there.

“…listen. You seem to know this world better than I do. So just.” they groaned “keep out of trouble, ok?”

It did not respond.

Kris frowned. Giving it a frustrated squeeze before shoving it back in their chest.

They quietly slipped back into the bedroom. Carefully crawling back into fortress rude and closing their eyes. Falling asleep at long last.

They woke up to Susie shoving them “wake up dumbass” she grinned at them

Kris groaned, stretching out and shoving themselves to their feet

“Good morning Kris” Ralsei greeted

Kris gave a small wave as they yawned

“We tried to let you sleep in a bit, Toriel said you’d had a late night.” Ralsei explained “she did give us some directions though!” He smiled

Susie leaned against the wall in her ‘cool girl™’ pose “Yeah, turns out the main path should take us straight to the capital. Ain't that convenient?”

Kris nodded.

“The exit to the ruins is just down stairs, though, I think we should talk to Toriel before we leave.” Ralsei noted.

More instructions for it to follow

Kris waited a moment for it to push forward… was it still asleep…? Weird…

They took matters into their own hands(not that they minded doing so), walking out the door with Susie and Ralsei in tow. Walking into the living room, where Toriel was wrapping up…3 slices of pie.

Kris’ shoulders slumped, the familiar cinnamony scent filling the air. These two toriels were so.. different, and yet so very alike..

“Ah! Good morning children. Are you heading out soon?” She greeted warmly

“Um. Yes ma’am.” Ralsei confirmed “I wish we could stay longer but. Well.” He searched for the words to explain to her why they had to get back as soon as possible without scaring her.

“Oh you don’t have to explain it to me. Here, I made you all a little snack for the trip. It is not much, but I hope you enjoy it.” She smiled, handing each party member a slice

“Uh. Thanks. Ma’am.” Susie cleared her throat.

“…thank you.” Kris whispered. They weren’t sure they’d be able to eat it without crying…

“Of course children.” Her smile softened. That sad look returning to her eyes “please be good, alright…?”

“We will, miss.” Ralsei smiled

“…why aren’t you stopping us?” Kris asked, looking up from the pie in their hands

“What…?” Toriel tilted her head

“You said the king was going to try and hurt us. Why… are you just letting us go…?” Kris brow furrowed in frustration.

Toriel sighed “I have tried many times to stop human children from leaving the ruins, for their own safety… all it ever does is cause more heart ache. I suppose… I’ve finally learned my lesson.”

Kris nodded… taking that answer despite the hole in their heart it left…they headed for the stairs, and with that, the fun gang started out in their new adventure.

The purple hall to the end of the ruins was long. And barrien.

It felt eerily quiet… like this leg of the journey was supposed to have something but it was… absent.

Eventually. They reached a door. Susie pushed it open, and they were greeted with another dark room. With a single beam of light.

“Isn't this just GREAT?” Flowey laughed from the sun beam “you made it through the ruins without getting in a SINGLE fight! You REALLY had it easy thanks to that old woman. Unlike the kid from earlier.”

Kris frowned, crossing their arms “what do you want.”

“Oh nothing much! Just here to see how this goes! It’s rare we get something different down here! Though. A piece of advice. Don’t expect the rest of the journey to be so easy. It's kill or be killed down here! And you don’t have mommy to protect you anymore” the flower cackled

Kris glared at him. Walking past the weed as fast as possible

“Oh!! And remember! Stay determined “ he called out in a mocking town as they left the dark.

The trio walked through yet another archway, stepping out and hearing a soft crunch beneath their feet.

“…snow?” Ralsei furrowed his brow

“Huh. Guess that explains the cold..” Susie shrugged.

Kris nodded “just follow the path right?”

“Right.” Ralsei confirmed.

Kris took a deep breath,and pushed through further into the cold ice and snow.

Unsure of where this journey would lead. Unsure if ralsei would be ok.

But they knew one thing.

Despite flowey's mocking.