Exploring the Ruins

Ace's POV

"Alright." Ray punched his gloved fists together and made his way toward the hallway. "She's gone, let's go."

"Go?" Ace echoed. "Why? She'll be back soon."

"Not to find her!" Ray snapped, rolling his eyes. "To explore! Don't you guys wanna see what's out in the Ruins?"

"Monsters that will kill us," Teri replied. "We shouldn't disobey Toriel."

"Besides, if we leave we'll get caught anyways," Ace added, sitting down against the wall.

"Well, I'm going!" Ray exclaimed, turning toward his friends. "Who's with me?"

Poppy glanced at Clover. "Clover, keep an eye on him." Before Clover could protest, Poppy turned and stalked away through the doorway. Frisk made their way toward Ace, handing him the cell phone. He took it, raising an eyebrow at Frisk.

"I need to see what's out there," Frisk explained, nodding. "There's something I have to do… I can feel it."

"I'll go with you!" Kat offered, taking Frisk's hand. They smiled and nodded.

"Alright Ray," Clover sighed, tapping the younger kid's shoulder. "Let's split up. Frisk, Kat, you guys can go your own way. I'll keep an eye on Ray."

"Is splitting up really a good idea?" Kat asked, raising an eyebrow. "What if one of us gets hurt?"

"Then we'll have one other person to fall back on," Clover replied, twirling his toy gun in his hand. "It'll be fine." Kat clearly looked conflicted but said nothing.

"Let's go," Frisk murmured, gesturing to Kat. The two made their way through the hallway. Clover and Ray followed. They all disappeared through the doorway, leaving Ace alone with Teri. A ringing sound filled the air. Ace jumped as he put the phone against his ear, pressing a button to answer.

"Hello? This is Toriel," she greeted, her voice distorted in the receiver.

"Hi, mom," Ace greeted. His eyes instantly widened and he put his hand over his mouth.

"Did-did you just call me ���mom?'" she asked. Ace could picture a blush crawling up on Toriel's cheeks. If she could blush…

"It… slipped out."

"Well… I suppose… would that make you happy?" Toriel asked. "To call me 'mom?'"

"Yeah... kinda," Ace admitted, running his fingers through his long hair.

"Well then, you can call me what you like, my child."

"Thanks." Ace smiled. "Uh… why did you call?"

"Oh, I just wanted to make sure none of you left the room… none of you did, right?"

"No," Ace answered. "We're all still waiting in the room." Ace shrunk beneath Teri's hard gaze. It wouldn't be a lie if they all came back before she did… right?

"Oh good," Toriel sighed in relief. The sound through this phone sounded like blowing air into a microphone. "There are a few puzzles ahead that I have yet to explain. It would be dangerous to try to solve them yourselves." Ace's eyes widened. "Be good, alright?"

"Of course, mom," Ace replied, gripping his pounding heart. "We will, thanks." He hung up. Placing the phone aside, Ace exhaled hard, shaking as he did.

"Why did you lie to her?!" Teri demanded, grabbing the phone.

"I don't know," Ace grunted, wrapping his arms around his legs. "I just hope they get back before she does."

"I hope they live," Teri admitted, leaning against the wall. Me too, Ace thought.

Frisk's POV

Ray and Clover turned into one hallway as Frisk continued down the main corridor. Kat remained at Frisk's side. They walked through a pile of leaves, crinkling through them playfully. It filled Frisk with determination. They touched the strange yellow object in the centre. It was just like the one they saw at the entrance to the Ruins. Though Frisk didn't know what they were, they had a feeling they were important somehow. Besides, they seemed to replenish Frisk's body. Kat giggled beside them, tossing leaves all about. Frisk stood up.

"Come on," they murmured, turning towards the end of the hallway. "We have to keep moving."

"Okay?" Kat stood up, brushing the leaves off her apron. They made their way through the hallway. Jerking to a halt, Frisk's eyes widened as a new creature fluttered in front of them. Kat shrieked. Both their souls appeared from their chests.

"It's a Whimsun," the voice whispered in Frisk's ear. Frisk shivered. "It approaches you meekly. You can already spare it." Frisk nodded to the Whimsun. It let out a sob, turning and flying away as it sobbed more.

Kat glanced at Frisk. "How did you know that would work?" she asked.

"It's a long story," Frisk muttered, stepping toward the next doorway. Kat rushed to their side.

"I'm listening," Kat replied, gently. The ground beneath them disappeared. Kat squealed, throwing her arms around Frisk as they flopped to the ground. Leaves crunched beneath them as they stood up.

"What happened?" Kat grunted, resting her hand on her head. Frisk glanced at the ceiling. Scratches marked the spot they fell from. Directly below the scratch marks, were the leaves they had fallen on.

"The leaves," Frisk informed, pointing at the ceiling. Kat looked up. "They mark the spot where we fell."

Kat stood up. "Honestly, I'd be happy if we don't fall in any more holes today," she grunted. Frisk nodded, before turning and continuing down the hallway. Kat followed them. Spikes awaited them in the next room, behind a button and a rock.

"A puzzle," Kat remarked. She pressed her foot against the button, and the spikes sunk into the ground. When she raised her foot, the spikes rose too. Kat pressed against the rock. Frisk stopped by her side, helping her push it onto the button. They walked together to the next room. A familiar creature stood in their way, short and white with frog legs. It was a Froggit. Frisk and Kat's souls appeared again as the Froggit hopped toward them.

"You've seen this type of monster before," the voice informed. The first time Frisk had heard them, they tried to look for the source. However, no one was around. Frisk knew it wasn't Kat's voice and she was the only one with them.

"I know," Frisk muttered in response.

"Then do your thing," the voice replied.

"Hey Froggit," Frisk greeted, waving at the Froggit. "You have nice legs." The Froggit blushed.

"Froggits don't speak our language," the voice explained. "But again, it was flattered anyway." Frisk and Kat leaped away from the flies that flew at them from every angle. Once it was over, Frisk nodded. The Froggit nodded back and hopped away, croaking delightedly. Kat let out a sigh of relief. Frisk glanced at her as they made their way into the next room. Should I tell her about this voice?

"Did you hear them speaking?" Frisk asked. They didn't whisper that time. Surely she heard. Kat glanced at Frisk, cocking her head.

"The Froggit?" she asked. "I mean, I heard it croaking, but I didn't understand-"

"No, not that," Frisk grunted, pushing their hands into their pockets. "Ugh, whatever, it doesn't matter. Let's keep going." The two of them stopped in front of a large expanse of scratch marks just like in the previous room. After some fumbling, they were able to pass through. They had dealt with several monsters on the way, Frisk teaching Kat what to do in order to spare them, just as the voice told them. They then entered another room of spikes and buttons.

"Guess we know what to do here." Kat made her way toward one of the rocks, shoving it onto the button in front of it. Nothing happened. Frisk pressed the next button, but nothing happened. Kat and Frisk both made their way toward the last rock, pressing their hands against it.

"Whoa there, pardner!" Kat shrieked, jumping back. The rock was speaking to them! They had no mouth or eyes so Frisk had no idea how they were able to speak but it was undoubtedly the rock speaking. "Who said y'all could push me around?!"

"We're very sorry,��� Kat muttered, kneeling before the rock. "We just need you to move over a bit."

"So you're askin' me to move?" the rock asked. "Okay, just for y'all." The rock moved forward an inch.

"Little bit more," Kat replied, gesturing with her hands. The rock moved to the left. "Wrong way."

"Oh... I think I got it." The rock moved to the right then onto the button.

"Stay there," Frisk replied, pointing at the spot.

"Alright pumpkin," the rock sighed. "Y'all gave me a real workout, y'know?" Kat and Frisk made their way across the now spikeless bridge. The next room was quite small. There was a table with some cheese on it and beside it, another yellow object. The thought of a mouse emerging from its hole and getting the cheese filled Frisk with determination as they touched the yellow object.

"What are you doing, Frisk?" Kat asked, tilting her head.

Frisk glanced at her. "You can't see it?" they asked, pointing at the yellow object.

"See what?" Kat asked. "You're pointing at nothing."

"None of them can see them," the voice explained. Frisk tensed, the mysterious voice sending a shiver down their spine. "Only you can."

"What are they?" Frisk whispered, tapping their sides.

"It is known as a save point," the voice replied. "Only beings with incredible determination can see or use them."

"Frisk, who are you talking to?" Kat asked. Frisk's eyes widened as they looked at their friend. Would Kat think I'm crazy if I tell her?

"Probably," the voice murmured, seemingly in response to Frisk's thoughts.

"No one," Frisk muttered, stalking past her with their head bent down. "Let's keep going."

Poppy's POV

Poppy stalked through the Ruins, her head hung low as she held her notebook against her chest. She jumped over spikes. They scraped at her clothing, leaving tears in the fabric but she didn't care. There wasn't much here that piqued her interest, though occasionally she would stop to scribble things in her notebook. Surely this adventure could make a good story someday? So Poppy wanted to remember all the important details if just to seem cool. She stopped in a small room. There was a figure lying in a pile of red leaves, it's body small and white. They were shaped a bit like a Pacman ghost. As Poppy got closer to them, she could hear them making "zzz" sounds repeatedly. She narrowed her eyes. The creature's eyes were open, so surely they weren't asleep.

"Are they gone yet?" a voice whispered. Poppy staggered back, clutching her notebook. A ghost?!

Poppy rolled her eyes. "Excuse me? I know you're not asleep!"

"Yes I am," the ghost replied, their voice soft.

"Please… move…" Poppy's teeth were clenched as she spoke.

"Oh… am I in your way?" the ghost asked, raising to hover above the leaves. They were shorter than Poppy. However, they hovered far above her, glancing down at her. Poppy's soul glowed in front of her chest. "I… I'm sorry…" Tears formed in the ghost's eyes. "I didn't mean to-" The tears poured. Poppy leaped away from the tears, shrieking as one burned into her skin.

"No, no, don't cry," Poppy insisted, forcing a patient smile. "It's okay."

The ghost looked a bit better. "Heh…" Poppy braced herself for an attack, but none came, just the words: Really not feeling up to it right now, sorry. Poppy sighed in relief. There's no way to kill a ghost. However, it seems like I just have to make them feel better so they stop crying and leave. What makes people feel better?

"Why was the broom late?" Poppy asked, pointing at the ghost. "It over swept!" Poppy cringed. She always did hate puns… The ghost however smiled.

"Can I show you something?" they asked.

"Sure!" Poppy replied, beaming. Tears poured from the ghost's eyes but instead of falling down and piercing her skin again they flew up. On the ghost's head, a shape began to appear. Once the tears were done, the shape was revealed to be a hat.

"I call it dapperblook," the ghost informed, floating down to meet Poppy's eye. "Do you like it...?" Poppy smiled at the ghost. They did look cute in that hat and it takes talent to form a hat with your tears.

"I do!" Poppy replied, nodding.

"Oh, gee…"The ghost blinked, and two more tears escaped their eyes. They fell onto their back. "I usually come to the Ruins because there's nobody around… but today I met somebody nice…" They paused. "Oh, I'm rambling again. I'll get out of your way." The ghost disappeared.

"Goodbye!" Poppy called, waving. They weren't so bad. Poppy continued on, sitting down against the wall to scribble in her notebook.

Frisk's POV

Frisk and Kat continued forward, stopping in a small room with two spider webs. One was Frisk's height; the other was double their height. The sign in front of it read: Spider Bakesale, Come eat food made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders!

"Of spiders?!" Kat exclaimed, staggering back.

"Spiders eat other spiders I guess," Frisk replied with a shrug.

"Well… we should still give them some money," Kat suggested, reaching into her pockets. "I've got three gold. How much have you got?"

Frisk pulled the gold out of their pocket. "Four."

"I think that's just enough for a donut," Kat replied. Frisk handed her the gold. Kat kneeled down in front of the web, placing all the gold in it. Several spiders crawled toward her. They dropped a donut in her hand before crawling out of sight again.

"Gross," Kat gagged, handing Frisk the donut.

"It's a spider donut," the voice informed. "It heals twelve HP."

"What's HP?��� Frisk asked, aloud.

"I don't know," Kat replied, raising an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"It stands for hit points," the voice replied.

"The donut will heal us if we eat it," Frisk informed, holding it up.

"Well I'm only eating that thing as a last resort," Kat replied, sticking her tongue out. "I hope there are other healing items that don't involve animals."

"There probably are," Frisk replied, pocketing the donut. They gestured to Kat. The two made their way through a hallway of Froggits. None of them attacked them however so Kat and Frisk walked right by without issue. They continued to the next room. Leaning against one of the walls, was a familiar shape.

"Poppy!" Kat called. The redheaded girl looked up from her notebook.

"Oh, hey guys," she replied before looking back at her notebook and scribbling something in it.

"What are you doing?" Kat asked.

"Writing about my journey so far," Poppy answered, scribbling more. "Some weird stuff has happened… I met a weird ghost with magical tears."

"Cool?" Kat replied, tilting her head.

"Napstablook," the voice informed. "They���re a depressed ghost that mopes around the Underground."

"This place is weird," Poppy shrugged, standing up. "But at least the ghost was nice. Where to now, Frisk?"

"Onward," Frisk answered, stepping forward. Their eyes widened when they noticed spikes blocking the door. Around them, were dark purple patches. In the middle of them, were the scratch marks that undoubtedly had leaves under them. The three friends fumbled around. Eventually, they found the switch in one of the areas. The next few rooms consisted of more puzzles, this time with coloured switches to press. They encountered monsters along the way as well. One was a Loox.

"Don't pick on him," the voice informed Frisk. "His family name is Eyewalker." Frisk obeyed, assuring the Loox that they wouldn't pick on him.

Next came a Moldsmal and a Migosp.

"The Migosp seems evil, but it's just with the wrong crowd," the voice informed Frisk. "The Moldsmal has no brains." Frisk wiggled their hips in front of the Moldsmal. The Moldsmal wiggled back.

"What a meaningful conversation!" the voice exclaimed, sarcasm lacing their voice. Frisk nodded to the Moldsmal. It slipped away, making gelatin-like sounds as it slid against the ground.

"Swing your arms, baby," the Migosp cheered, it's aggression fading as it swung its arms around. Frisk joined in the dance. Kat and Poppy did as well, though only after raising their eyebrows at Frisk. Finally, a Vegetoid rose out of the ground.

"It's a Vegetoid," the voice explained. "It's serving size is one monster though not monitored by the USDA." Serving size? Then Frisk realized. They stepped toward the Vegetoid, patting their stomach.

"Eat your greens." Vegetables rained from the sky. Frisk reached for the green one, the touch of it strengthening their body. They nodded to the Vegetoid. It nodded back, sinking back into the earth.

"How do you always know what to do?" Poppy asked.

"There's a way to spare all of them," Frisk replied, shrugging. "I'm just guessing as I go." It was technically true. The mysterious voice didn't always tell them how to spare the monsters but they definitely gave good hints.

"That's pretty risky," Poppy responded.

"Frisk is right though," Kat insisted, twirling her pan. "Nobody has to die."

"But they're attacking first!" Poppy snapped, stomping her foot into the ground. "It's just self-defense."

"We are in their land," Frisk replied, already walking forward. Poppy and Kat trailed after them. "We should let them know that there's no threat."

"Why?! What do we owe them?!" Poppy demanded, stomping after Frisk.

Kat shrugged, replying, "What do they owe us?"

"Certainly not death!" Poppy exclaimed. Frisk skidded to a halt. Poppy and Kat glanced at them, heads tilted in confusion. In front of them stood another doorway. Vines adorned the walls beside it while red leaves laid in front of it. Frisk immediately strolled through the doorway. Kat and Poppy followed them, silently glancing around at the walls. A tree stood in front of the doorway.

"Oh dear." The three friends froze as a familiar voice filled the air. "That took longer than I thought it would." Then the familiar figure emerged from behind the tree, holding a phone at her ear. Toriel's eyes widened when she spotted the three. She rushed toward them. "How did you get here, my children? Are any of you hurt?"

"No, we're okay," Kat replied, holding out her arms.

"Where are the others?" Toriel gasped, looking around the room.

"Ace and Teri are still waiting where you told them to," Poppy replied, "None of us know where Clover and Ray went."

"Oh dear!" Toriel gasped, pressing her paws against her mouth. "You three, go inside. I'll go find them!" She took off through the doorway.

"Think we should listen to her this time?" Poppy grunted.

"Probably," Kat replied, sitting down against the tree. Frisk nodded. Poppy and Kat walked inside. Frisk stopped outside to touch the yellow object. Seeing a quaint little house in a place like this filled them with determination. Then they followed their friends. A sweet smell wafted through the air of the house.

"Is that cinnamon?" Poppy asked, smelling the air.

Kat smelled the air. She let out a gasp, her entire face lighting up like a candle. "It is! It's a pie! Do you think it's for us?!"

"Maybe," Poppy replied with a shrug. "What's the other smell though?"

"Butterscotch I think."

"What's butterscotch?"

Frisk slipped away from their friends, wandering down one of the hallways. Their conversation faded into the background. The walls and floor down this hallway were a lot brighter, blinding Frisk for a few moments before they continued. Frisk to look into a mirror on the wall. Only their reflection stared back at them, though Frisk could sense something else near. However, everyone else was in the main room.

"It's you," the voice informed.

"Yeah, no duh," Frisk replied, tapping the glass. "But where are you?"

"I cannot be seen," the voice replied. "Only heard... by you."

"Why?" Frisk asked, their breath gone. "W-when did this happen?"

"When you first fell," the voice answered. "I'm not sure why… all I know is that I'm stuck with you… I believe… it may have something to do with your soul… your determination… I too had determination."

"Frisk!" a voice called. Frisk glanced across the hallway, eyes widening.

"Toriel has arrived with the others," the voice informed. Frisk nodded then made their way toward them.

Clover's POV

Ray dashed into the hallway opposite of Frisk and Kat. Clover trailed after him. The two turned into a room with two small bodies of water and a wall of leaves in the back. Between the pools of water, was a stand with a bucket on top. In front of it, the sign read: please take one.

"Candy!" Ray cheered, rushing toward it.

Clover followed him. "It says to take one," he informed, taking a piece of candy. On the wrapper, it read: monster candy.

"That means candy for monsters right?" Clover asked, raising an eyebrow. "Not candy made of monsters?"

"Only one way to find out." Ray tore the wrapper open, popping the candy into his mouth. "Well… it's not licorice. So that's good." Ray reached into the bucket. "Let's take some for the road!"

Clover slapped Ray's wrist. "Are you kidding?!" he demanded. "It says 'take one.'"

"You pay attention to those signs?" Ray asked, raising an eyebrow. "Come on, we need food and this is the best we've got for now."

"I guess you're right." The two grabbed a fistful of candy each. Ray took his bandana off, wrapping it up to carry the candy. Clover carried his candy in his hat. "We're the scum of the earth," Clover muttered.

"At least we're living scum," Ray replied with a shrug. The two made their way down the hallway. Clover let out a gasp. A creature fluttered toward them, the size of a baseball with tiny bee-like wings and antennae. Ray raised his gloved fists.

"Wait." Clover blocked Ray with his arm. The creature stared at Ray and Clover with wide eyes, shaking as it faced them.

"Are you-" The creature burst into tears. It turned away, sobbing into its hands as it fluttered away.

"That wasn't much of an attack," Ray muttered, weaving around Clover's arm.

"Toriel was right," Clover insisted. "We don't have to fight them."

"Well maybe not that one," Ray replied, rolling his eyes. "But someday, we're gonna meet a monster that wants us dead! We have to fight!"

"Fight," Clover repeated. "Not kill. I know that's what you intended to do."

"Don't they deserve it?!" Ray insisted, marching away. "They attacked first!"

Clover followed. "That one didn't." A croaking sound filled the air. Gasping, Ray and Clover turned to see a tall white frog standing before them. Their souls emerged.

"Calm down," Clover insisted, gesturing at the frog-creature. "We're not going to hurt you." The frog croaked. Then flies zipped toward Ray and Clover at every angle. Clover dodged them while Ray swatted them, shrieking as they pierced his skin. Ray raised his gloves. Clover blocked Ray with his arm.

"I'll deal with this," Clover muttered, pulling the trigger on his toy gun. He pointed it at the frog. He pulled the trigger but no shot ever came. Clover lunged at the frog, slamming the gun into its head. The frog croaked in pain. It shook beneath Clover's gaze before he grabbed Ray's wrist and dragged him away. The frog hopped away.

"See? No one had to die," Clover insisted, putting his toy gun away.

"I bet you a nickel the next monster we encounter won't let us off so easily," Ray replied, crossing his arms. They continued through the next rooms. They were full of buttons and rocks, and rocks on buttons. They were probably puzzles, however, whoever had come before them had already solved them. Their main concerns were the monsters. Clover didn't allow Ray to kill any of them even when they threatened their own lives.

"Don't pick on me," a one-eyed creature begged.

"We're not going to," Clover insisted, "Just stop hurting us."

"Finally someone understands…" With that, the creature was gone.

A pair of carrot-like monsters put up quite a fight against them. Eventually, Clover dragged Ace away, fleeing. They were both covered in blood and bruises, panting with exhaustion as they fell against a wall.

"Still sure we shouldn't kill them?" Ray grunted, pulling out a piece of candy.

"Killing is always wrong," Clover insisted, wiping the blood away. "Who taught you it was okay?!"

"No one really," Ray replied, popping a candy into their mouth. "I just don't want to die… Woah…"

"What happened?" Clover asked. He let out a gasp when he saw that Ray's arms were completely pristine, the cuts and bruises from earlier completely gone.

"The candy…" Ray gasped, glancing at them. "When I ate some, my cuts disappeared."

"Well give me some then," Clover ordered, holding out his hand. Ray dropped a piece in his hand. Clover ate two candies, his bruises and cuts fading as well. His strength also returned.

"Guess we're set on first aid," Clover replied, easily standing up.

"My children!" a voice shrieked. Ray staggered to his feet. He glanced up to see Toriel rushing towards him and Clover. "Where have you been?! You had me worried sick!"

"We were exploring," Clover sighed, "Lo siento. We didn't mean to worry you, Toriel."

"Well, come along," Toriel prompted, gesturing to them with her hands. "We must find the others." Clover nodded, ambling toward her. Ray followed them.