While journeying, a flower in pocket and eventually picking up a large stick to have on hand, Frisk avoided encountering any monsters like the plague. They weren’t necessarily afraid, (which despite their protests, they absolutely were.) but they refused to hurt anyone. Even as Flowey begged them to fight back against the monsters they did encounter, Frisk would always lay down the stick as a sign of mercy, only to be harmed and have to run for their life. They were beaten and battered, yet they hadn't lost hope. They believed that there was still good to be had here, they had to just show them. The power of mercy and kindness was stronger than these monsters realized, and Frisk just had to show them that fighting wasn’t always the answer, that no one had to die here.
“Frisk- wait-!” Flowey whispered with a dark hiss, making Frisk stop in their tracks. They returned from their thoughts and looked up, seeing a patch of dead, crunchy leaves, with a snoring red ghost laying on top of them. The ghost, even when sleeping, had a scary, grouchy expression plastered on his face. The snoring was loud and groggy, like a middle aged dad after a long day at work. “Thats Napstablook.” Flowey whispered. “He’s constantly angry, and usually sleeping, but kills anyone that wakes him up.” Napstablook was an awfully funny name for such a brooding creature, but it didn’t take too much away from the still worrying appearance of the ghost.
“But… He’s blocking the path, what should we do??” Frisk whispered back, wincing.
“Oh? He’s blocking the path? Really? No SHIT Frisk, I can see him just like you can!! Figure somethin’ out, and do it silently!” He hissed with annoyance. Frisk huffed at his tone, but looked at the large stick, wondering if they could lunge themselves over the patch of leaves and the sleeping monster. But before they could even finish their thought, when they took a step forward… They’d stepped on a dead leaf, crunching loudly. Both Frisk and Flowey froze in their places, holding their breath. Despite the pause, the ghost groaned loudly, his voice raspy and deep.
“Can’t… catch a fuuuuuckin’ break…..” He groaned, opening an angry eye and looking at the pair. “I come HERE for some PEACE and QUIET but you people dont seem to care about that do you?!” He roared, levitating high above Frisk and Flowey.
“S-sir we really didn’t mean to- I think if we just talk-“
“Talk?” The ghost laughed. “Talk…. God you must be a stupid little girl.” Napstablook spat out with a scowl. Frisk paused, taking a moment to acknowledge that he’d just called them a girl. “You think I give a shit about what you have to say? You’re dead here. Your words and choices don’t matter.” Flowey had to stifle an ‘I told you so’ as he trembled. “But you can listen to me, little shit. You stomp around here, thinking you can make as much noise as you want-“ He paused, seeing Frisk hold something out to him, their hands trembling. In Frisk’s hands was a small piece of candy, wrapped in a colorful, striped piece of plastic. Napstablook was taken aback, giving the human a puzzled expression. “… what… the hell is that.” He muttered bluntly.
”A-A piece of candy, sir…. For your troubles.” Frisk said, voice a little shaky.
”Frisk!!! What are you doing?! You’re gonna get yourself killed!!” Flowey hissed, retreating further into their pocket. Napstablook stared for a bit before lowering.
”… Is it poisoned?” He said quietly, squinting his eyes at Frisk. Frisk perked up and couldn’t help but smile.
“P-Poisoned…? Oh god, no!” They chuckled, their body relaxing a bit. Napstablook growled at Frisk’s laughter, but before he could say something, Frisk interrupted. “Do… people do that here?? Give each other poisoned candy or food…?” They said, their smile fading a bit. After another few moments of silence,
”Well… monsters don’t… really give each other anything in general, ‘less it’s poisoned or a trick.” He quietly admitted, seemingly calmed down a considerable amount.
“W-well… I have no intention of hurting you. I woke you up, so… I owe you right? And it’s just the nice thing to do, sir. Napstablook, was it?” The ghost looked more and more puzzled as Frisk spoke, and with such manners and that kind tone.
”y…yeah. Napstablook…” He said, finally fully lowered to their level, looking at the candy. Truth was, he couldn’t even eat it, it’d phase right through him. But it wasn’t the candy itself he was enamored with, but the kindness of the gesture.
”Do you… sleep here? It must be awfully uncomfortable, on those crunchy leaves.” Frisk said, still holding out the candy in case he took it.
”O-oh no, no I live in Waterfall down by the fish….” He mumbled. Why was he telling them this? Literally moments before he planned on burning them alive with his acidic tears and spit- but now? Now he was in a conversation with the ‘stupid little girl’. Flowey was just as confused, he’d never seen someone talk to Napstablook this long without having a hole burnt through their intestines. Though, the longer he thought about it… had anyone ever tried…?
”The fish??” Frisk giggled as Napstablook finally ‘took’ the candy, only staying in his body for a moment before falling out. The ghost grumbled at it, but nodded anyhow.
“Yeah, royal guard shit, all that jazz… she’s a horrible fuckin’ neighbor, always thrashing around her area, destroying shit…” He complained, rolling his eyes.
”Have you talked to her about it?” Frisk suggested, carefully picking the candy back up, placing it in their pocket.
”What’d I say about talkin’ here, it does no goo-“
”Well, we’re talking now.” Frisk smiled warmly, tilting their head. Napstablook stammered, as if caught off guard. He grouched under his breath but eventually nodded.
”This is a one time thing, you lil’ shit, a one time favor, the whole ‘not killing you’ thing, alright!?” He growled, his face redder than before, seemingly from a blush. There’s was a long pause. “But… if you’re ever in Waterfall…. Maybe stop by.” He muttered, closing his eyes and puffing out his chest. “Now get the hell outta here before I change my mind, freak!” He growled, and Frisk didn’t have to be asked twice. They nodded and thanked him as he rolled his eyes, moving to the side so they could continue. Frisk walked to the next room with a smile, Napstablook finally dissipating, likely going someplace else to continue his nap. It was quiet for a bit before Flowey finally spoke.
“Get that dumb grin off your face, Frisk… you got LUCKY…” He huffed, hanging his head out of their pocket. Frisk just chuckled, entering a room with an empty bake sale with blood red cider and goopy donuts. They checked their G to pay for some ‘Spider Cider’, despite there being no one to take the gold.
”Looks like we made an ‘ally’, huh?~” Frisk teased, taking a small container of the red juice after placing the coins into a jar covered in sticky webs. Flowey just rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath.
“… Don’t get used to it.”
Finally, they’d seemed to make it to the area Flowey described would be Toriel’s home. But… It wasn’t exactly ‘homey’. In the front yard, if you could even call it that, there was a shriveled stump of a dead tree, blackened flowers circling the base. It was unkempt, and whatever ax work had been done on it was shoddy, because there were marks all over it and the ground below where the perpetrator had missed. Or, maybe they hadn’t. Maybe that was the whole point, to destroy. Frisk took a mental note and walked to the front door, seeing Toriel’s shadow in the tinted, dusty window to the side as she walked around, seemingly pacing in a circle. When they listened close enough, they could hear her muttering to herself, but was unable to decern what was being said, only that it was the same phrase over and over again. Frisk frowned, immediately forgetting her earlier violence against dangerous and innocent monsters alike, instead growing worried for her.
”Hey. Don’t let it get to you, Frisk. Remember, she can and will hurt you. We gotta get out of here. You can’t talk your way out of this one.” He said, though his voice was much more sympathetic than earlier warnings. He seemed to understand where they were coming from, even if he didn’t feel the same empathy. Maybe once upon a time, he did. Frisk just nodded and sighed, knocking on the door as Flowey retreated back into their pocket. After several awkward moments without a sound, Frisk suddenly heard the doorknob jiggle and unlock, Toriel opening the door just slightly to see who it was that knocked. Upon seeing it was Frisk, her face lit up and she opened the door fully, gasping with delight.
”Oh my child you’re alright!” She paused, her face hardening. “….. I thought I told you to stay back.” She suddenly said, her voice much more stern than before. Frisk was quickly nervous, chuckling softly.
“I-I know,… mom… I just… got scared and wanted to see you, to be safe…” They felt horrible lying, but knew they couldn’t set off the beast. Her face softened again and she cooed,
”Oh, well, dear you could’ve called and I would’ve come straight to you!” She said, rubbing their shoulders. Frisk gave an awkward nod,
“I’ll remember next time.” They promised- though internally hoping there’d be no ‘next time’. Still, they couldn’t help but feel pity for Toriel. It was clear she’d been alone for far too long, and Frisk genuinely wanted to help her. If it wasn’t for the danger of Toriel’s mental state snapping at any wrong move- Frisk almost wanted to stay. There was good in the monster, they could see it plain as day. But whatever world and events she’d survived made that a lot harder to see to most.
“Come, come, I’ve got a surprise for you~” She said, beckoning the human in with her large paws. Frisk stepped inside and looked around, but was shocked to see the inside. It was dull- the color scheme, the lighting, and even the smell. All of the walls were a deep burgundy with faint splashes of a light red. Frisk didn’t want to ask where those embellishments came from- knowing monsters don’t bleed. The lighting was dim, lit up by only candles, which flickered from the draft coming through the cracks in the walls and broken windows. There were spider webs everywhere, but instead of being inhabited by arachnids, there were curled up dead ones underneath their respective webs, as if Toriel killed them and kept their craftsmanship as a trophy.
“I’m sure you’ll be excited to hear I’ve baked a Snail Pie as a celebration of your arrival!” Toriel cooed, clasping her hands together in excitement, rocking back and forth on the heels of her feet. So that explained the odd, drab smell. Frisk gave a nervous smile, clearly not as excited as the goat in front of them. Toriel’s smile faded, “ah, well… you’ll grow to love it, I’m sure…” she mumbled to herself, finally standing still. “But! I have something else I think you’ll quite enjoy- come, come!” She said, taking Frisk’s hands and jolting them closer, dragging them down the hall. “Here it is!” She said, looking at a door.
“I… don’t think I understand…” Frisk said quietly, tilting their head in confusion.
“Your own room, silly pie!” She said, rubbing their hair, though a bit harsh for Frisk’s taste. “So when you stay you’ll be comfortable. As long as it takes.” She said with a smile, pushing Frisk through the door.
“…. M-ma’am this is nice and all, but I have to keep going, I have to go h-“
“It’s ‘Mother’. No need for ‘ma’am’ in this household.” Toriel sternly said, gritting her teeth. “And besides, you are home, young one. But…. I prepared for the event where you proved yourself as gullible as the rest…. My child, you cannot fall for the niceties of these monsters, they all will kill you in a moments notice- you’ll never survive!” She said with a sigh, gently holding Frisk’s wrists. “But, if you truly wish to leave…” she mumbled. Frisk suddenly gasped, feeling a cold metal clasp on their wrists. “Then you’re just as fucking stupid as the rest of them.” She growled, standing up and shoving Frisk away, making them fall to the cold ground with a thud. “You think you know, child? You think you know how they work, that you can talk your way out of it all? No. No, you will die just as the rest of the children did. And who will have to bury you? You wish that upon your mother? No- no I will no longer be a fool. You shall stay here, with me, where it is safe. Where Asgore will never reach you, or even learn of you. My child, never speak of leaving again.” She growled out. “I’ve seen it time and time again. They come. They leave. They die. You foolish child-“ she teared up. “I know your games. I will not be tricked into letting you leave, just for you to die by a heartless monster’s hand. So I am sorry- but you must stay here.” She muttered, backing up to the doorway. “…. You’ll get used to it.” She hissed before slamming the door.
Frisk was shaking uncontrollably, tears streaming down their face. They’d never been so scared in their life- Toriel had gotten so angry that while speaking, she’d spit in their face several times. Their hands, chained to the bedpost next to them, struggled to be free, but to no avail. After a few more fruitless moments of struggle and calling out for Toriel to please come back, Frisk broke down crying.
“I-I don’t- I don’t understand- I-“ they cried, hanging their head low. “I didn’t even-!” Their cries were to no avail, eventually laying their head on the side of the mattress beside them, which had no sheets. There was no comfort in this room, no warmth. It was cold and dusty, and whoever had lived in it before had been long dead. Voice raspy from crying so long, Frisk finally fell silent, tears rolling down their cheeks as they started to doze from exhaustion. This somber silence lasted hours. Even if they called for Flowey, Flowey was silent and unmoving in their pocket. When Frisk was finally starting to fall asleep, there was a voice.
“I told you…” Frisk heard from their pocket, the voice low and somber. “…. She can’t be trusted. I told you.” He sighed, looking away. He wasn’t mad at Frisk for letting their guard down for a moment. Who wouldn’t at a time like that? But this place, the state of Toriel’s mind and appearance, it got to him.
“F-Flowey, please, you’ve gotta pick the loc-“
“She wasn’t always this way.” Flowey suddenly interrupted. Frisk paused, breath wavering as they listened. “…. She still has glimmers of kindness but…. It’s nothing like it once was. Before the declaration of war by Asgore and….” He paused for a long time. “…. And the death of her children… her… son… she was a kind and just ruler of the entire underground. The civilizations matriarch. To kill was only a last resort, and she hadn’t even harmed a being since the war between humans and monsters…” he smiled faintly to himself. “But… after the Prince and the human child passed…. The underground lost hope. People got desperate, and the only way to appease them was a deceleration of war. It didn’t take long for things to go to shit after that. Toriel’s locked herself away in here since. She’s seen every human that fell just like you, pass through. She’s also buried every single one of them. She was one of the last hopeful monsters down here but-….” Flowey hung his head down. “…. I guess even the brightest flames go out eventually.” Frisk, their cheeks still wet with tears, sniffled.
“…. You know her better than you let on…” they smiled somberly.
“… I used to.” He sighed, looking to the chains. “Now… well, I can’t give too much of a shit. Having no soul does that to a monster.” He mumbled, extending a vine into the lock and beginning to fidget inside it.
“Wait- what…???” Frisk said, perking up. “You… you don’t have a soul????” They said, utterly confused.
“Nope. That’s… another story for another day but… yeah. I wasn’t exactly born, I was made. So, boom. No emotions, no connections, nada. I just try to survive.” Frisk frowned- that couldn’t be true. They’d seen Flowey scared, empathetic, sad- how could he not possess a soul…? Before they could press further though, the first lock clicked. “Aha!” Flowey said proudly. “One more and we’ll be scott free.” He smiled, working on the next one. When they heard a similar click, Frisk gently rubbed their wrists, thanking Flowey.
“How are we gonna get out of here though? What if shes right outside the door?” Frisk said, still rubbing their arms, as if it would soothe the internal pain as well as it would the external.
”Frisk, it’s been hours, I highly doubt she’s still standing outside the door. It’s gotta be at least midnight now, shes probably passed out in her bed.” He grumbled, rolling his eyes.
”Well… what do we do if she catches us trying to leave…?” Frisk said, wincing as they tried to stand up.
”Then we fight.” Frisk lit up upon hearing that,
”No! Absolutely not!!! I won’t stoop to that level!” They declared sternly, their expression more serious than it had been this entire journey.
”You can’t talk to her, she’s not above killing you to prove a point that you wouldn’t survive out there.” Flowey retorted, huffing. “But you might just be strong enough to survive her, and prove your own point that you can. But you have to try and fight, Frisk.” He said, his voice wavering with a much more pleading tone. “Please, Frisk… I…” He didn’t want to admit he’d grown a bit attached to them, literally to their arm when speaking and their pocket, but emotionally too. He didn’t understand why, with no soul he shouldn’t. But he tried not to dwell on it too long. Instead, he cleared his throat and puffed his cheeks, “C-Cause I need you to get out of here, brat.” He huffed out, making Frisk smile a bit at how unconvincing the display was. It would take him much longer to show the more vulnerable side of himself to the human, and Frisk was willing to wait for that. They carefully got up and put their palm on the rusted doorknob. They couldn’t help but wonder how many children had been in this exact position before, been here with the same fear and empathy, all just wanting to go home. They slowly turned the knob, taking a deep breath as they carefully opened the door, just enough to see a sliver of the hallway outside. No Toriel, they were safe for now. Frisk let out a deep sigh of relief, and could hear Flowey do the same.
“Thank god…” He muttered, leaning against Frisk’s hip as if to catch himself from falling from relief. Frisk chuckled softly and opened the door a little wider to get through. They had to be slow and careful, the door creaked loudly with every inch moved forward. When they finally had enough room to squeeze through, they made their way to the kitchen, seeing a slice of pie left out on the table, coupled with a back-sack with an intricate embroidery of the same symbol over the archways in the ruins, and on Toriel’s gown. Next to it was a tangled old bandage, seemingly for the large cut on their leg. “Did… she know we’d get out???” Flowey whispered, clearly concerned on how Toriel had thought ahead. But Frisk, instead of being worried like Flowey was, just smiled.
“… She was kind…” Frisk whispered, a hand over their heart. “She feels remorse for keeping us here, Flowey, I just know it…” They said, looking down at their companion. Flowey frowned, clearly unconvinced, but just sighed and let it go.
“If thinking that gets you to sleep at night, sure. This gift has nooooooo malicious intent I’m sure.” He muttered under his breath. Frisk just smiled in response, ignoring the backhanded comment. They took the pie and carefully out it in the bag, followed by a even more careful application of the withered bandage. After finishing, the pair heard creaking and… sobs…. Coming from downstairs, which led to a hallway that was to dark to discern what was inside.
“Is… that Toriel…?” Frisk whispered to Flowey, who gave the plant-equivalent to a shrug. Frisk looked ahead at the staircase and took a deep breath. “Thats… where we need to go to get out of here, isn’t it?” They mumbled, taking Flowey’s silence as a yes. “Alright. I’ll figure something out.” They said, heading for the stairs.
“Woah woah Frisk what are you doing??? You said it yourself, you wont fight- she’ll kill you!” He said, extending a vine to a nearby table leg, as if to pull Frisk back.
“Then I’ll find a way to convince her without hurting each other.” Frisk said, determined and ready, tugging on the vine hard enough to make it break loose. Even with Flowey’s protests in the background, Frisk marched forward, all the way down the long hallway. They continued until they ran into a dead end. There was a large, cracked doorway with the same symbol on the bag they’d acquired. Even though it was what they were looking for though, the door wasn’t the main thing grabbing their attention. Instead, it was the large, weeping monster in front of it.
“You… ignorant.. little brat….” Wept Toriel, back facing them. “You think you’ll survive… no. No, you’re staying right here in this place with me.” She roared, finally facing the pair, eyes widening when she saw Flowey.
“T-Toriel, please! Please, we can leave this place together, no one has to get hurt. I wont fight you, you’re hurting I can see it! So please, let us-“
“YOU BROUGHT THIS WEED WITH YOU!?” Toriel screeched, her fists lighting on the same red fire Frisk had seen kill so many monsters. “CHILD YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HES DONE, HOW COULD YOU EVER CONCEIVE-“ She stopped herself, choking on her words, snarling. Flowey teared up, closing his eyes, looking away.
”M-Mama please, let us go-“ Flowey suddenly begged, making Frisk freeze.
“YOU ARE NOT MY SON, YOU FUCKING PEST!” And with that, the scorching fire leapt at Frisk and Flowey, over and over, even as Frisk shielded themself, begging for it to stop, crying when it burnt their skin in various areas. Toriel, tears in her eyes and panting as she through bullet after bullet, continuously attacking Frisk. Frisk managed to pick themselves up and hide behind a pillar, panting vigorously and holding their arm, where they’d been burned bad enough they couldn’t feel their skin anymore. They didn’t want to look at how bad the damage was, however.
”T-Toriel PLEASE just LISTEN!” Begged Frisk, slowly sliding down the pillar to the ground. But Toriel ignored them, still seething while searching for which pillar they’d hidden behind.
”This is for the best, child…” She muttered, her voice even raspier than before. “The world in store behind this door is even crueler than the one in here… so this is best… i-it is best you die by my hand instead.” Frisk whimpered, grabbing onto the stones underneath them. After a few moments though, Frisk realized Flowey was no longer in their pocket. Before they could speak though, they heard Toriel gasp, and within seconds felt their right arm engulfed in a flame they couldn’t put out. They screamed, and fell to the ground writhing in pain. When the flame was miraculously extinguished, Frisk looked up with blurry eyes to see Toriel stomp on their arm, twisting her foot painfully. Frisk let out a silent cry, voice to hoarse to make a louder sound. They just grimaced, gritting their teeth through the seething pain.
“P…please…” They whispered. Toriel leaned down to face them.
“This is for the be-“ Her eyes suddenly widened and she choked, and before Frisk could process what happened, they noticed a bullet shaped hole in her neck, and one straight through her ear. She fell to the side in pain, the holes burning like they were laced with acid. She held her throat and gurgled, and Frisk saw Flowey behind her. He’d been the one to attack. He seemed to take no joy in hurting her, tears rolling down his cheeks and sputtering soft ‘I’m sorry’s. Frisk panted, holding their arm and painfully rolling over as Flowey came closer to check on them.
“W-will she die?!” Frisk cried, but unable to aid her.
”No, no she’ll recover, shes a boss monster and her LOVE is too high for this to kill her, it-“ He choked on his own words, trying not to cry harder. “She’ll just be really hurt.” He said remorsefully. “W-we need to go, Frisk. Now. She won’t be down long.” He said, pulling Frisk to their feet with strong vines. Frisk conquered the pain in their body and legs, and with Flowey’s help, stood.
“W-we need to help her-“ Frisk started
”No! No, we can’t, we have to go, Frisk!” Flowey commanded, pushing them past the goat monster. As they were forced through the large doorway, they heard Toriel’s voice pleading for help, pleading for them to stay.
“PLEASE, MY CHILD! I CANNOT LOSE ANOTHER! GOD PLEASE!!” She cried, she screamed, she begged. But Frisk kept limping with Flowey by their side to the last set of doors to the Ruins. Despite their strongest instincts, their morals…. They closed their eyes and bit their lip…
izzy806
areudirty
pixelskylines
discoholicmusic
amandla
yousharknotpass