A Tall Sink to Overcome

Keys for who's talking when we visit The Darkness, it's hard to see.

Bold and Italics: Flowey

Underline: 04823

Italics: Chance

"Regular Quotes"- Sans, Papyrus, and Flowey.

The Darkness . . .

"Did you get it straight?"

"Yep."

What is that? Chance still couldn't see. He could move both his hands now a little, but the rest was still numb. That sounded like Sans.

Hey there, bony butt! How are you feeling?

That voice. Flowey? Chance moved his hands again.

No worries. Your mom and dad and all the Underground are just fine. So, you're hearing without hearing? Progressing well. I thought you might be popping up like this. But, hey! I've dealt with worse things. I think. It's been thousands of years, I'm sure I have.

Flowey ? Please help me! I can't move and I can't leave this place! Can Sans hear me? Can Uncle Papyrus?

Big no on that. You're kind of a lost soul right now. So, only I can communicate 'cause. Well, I'm sort of that too. But, you're starting to get it back together. Slowly. Which is good. Listen, bony butt, you're a Skeleton now. Congratulations!

Oh. I did it? I am?

Yep! But, listen. Uhh . . . you're kind of stuck, but soon you'll be free again. With, um, a lot of power? Let's discuss that. It's better not to tap into that. The more you do, the more delusions you'll have. And delusions are bad. Don't attack them. Okay? Listen to your friend, Flowey. Delusions could be good or bad, so don't attack. Okay?

I don't understand?

Hm. Okay! Remember when your mommy tried to explain about bad and good FRISK? Did she? I don't know if she did. Parents never share much.

What do you mean, Flowey?

Look, once Frisk started murdering Monsters, it was a little hard to stop sometimes. Did your mommy ever go over that?

No.

Ugh! Of course not. Fine, uh. Ooh! Candy. Kids love candy. If you saw some free candy and saw a sign to take a piece, you'd take one. But, if it was like really good, you'd think you could get more? So you just keep going until it falls on the floor? Well, you might be feeling a lot of power and it's kind of like candy. Once you start tapping it . . . it might make a mess on the floor.

I still don't get it.

Okay. Um. Hey, Smiley Trashbag Junior, how you feeling? Cold? Warm?

Warm, but it's cold on the outside. I feel it every once in awhile. Then, my body goes numb. Except my hands. I can move my hands. Am I really a Skeleton, Flowey? When can I get out of here?

Well, uh, leaving is like candy. Like I said, you'll feel that power. But um. Hey, I know! How about once you feel that power, you just think happy thoughts? Maybe? Because you don't want to tap it that fast. Maybe like a foot a week, and then maybe move a whole arm, and after a couple of months, flip over?

That long? I don't want to be here that long! I want my momma!

No, no. Look, hey, I'm here? You're not alone.

No. He isn't.

Oh. Other company still, huh?

Don't worry about him, Chance. He's an evil little flower. He's really manipulative. We went over this, didn't we?

Listen you stupid Balancer. That is beyooond stupid. This little magic fire ball is going to be too much for you to handle. Leave him alone.

Manipulative. Evil little flower. You don't want to stay here forever, do you, Chance?

It's not forever, it's just months. Okay, look, I'm right here. Your friend Flowey! It won't be lonely.

He could be a delusion. He just said don't follow delusions.

You can hear without hearing. You tapped into some power and heard your dad and Uncle adjusting a black bowtie. He's going out with your mom. I even know the words you heard. I doubt the other one can say that.

. . .

Look, I'll visit you at least once a day. Everything will be fine. Your daddy will get strong enough to visit soon too. I promise! Really soon, he'll have the power he needs to tap into the depths of magic it'll take to visit you.

How come I can't hear him? I feel so . . .

Don't get scared. Stay happy. Everything's okay. The lost kind of darkness you are in, it's just the same thing Sans told you about. It's just a lot, lot deeper with a few more hundred thousand tumbles than you should have gone. But, hey. Listen to Flowey! Things are good, Chance. Beat this, and you're free. No one will ever jump in you again.

Never. You will always be a conduit.

Don't listen to him.

He's an evil flower. Manipulative, evil flower.

I am inside your Uncle Papyrus' room 'cause I got moved up for good behavior! Come on. Listen, Chance. Please. Don't let this evil thing bite me again. Don't be like Tahoe. Kid, kid, kid, please.

"I still don't get it. Why are you wearing that with that?"

"I like the coat. I added the bowtie, that's pretty good, right?"

Uh, no. Don't tap that power like that, Chance! Remember Monster candy? Just, be good. Don't do that. Grow slow. You'll get there, I promise. Really. You don't want to listen to the other voice. Sans saved you from him, remember?

Shitty damn flower.

See? And, Sans trusts me enough to be in a similar room with your little self.

My little self?

Yep, you're a babybones right now. Your mom and dad rock you all day long. You're never actually alone. That's the warmth your feeling. It's not from power, okay? So, let's just tap that power real lightly. Okay? And, Flowey will visit you each day! Yippee! Right?

Um. That other guy was scary. He almost killed me.

Exactly! And I didn't try that. I also didn't cuss either. That's so mean. So?

What if he's lying though, Chance? Open your vision. See without seeing.

No! Look, too much, too fast. At least three months before you should do that.

See? The flower is scared you'll realize the truth.

No, the flower is scared you might do something kind of bad with too much magic. Just, listen to Uncle Flowey now.

Just reach deep inside. Trust me, reach deep inside and try to 'see'. Just a second. Just a try.

Chance, no. Be a good boy. That's what your mom would say, right?

He said it himself. Monster candy. You only need one piece. Take the piece? Try it.

Papyrus' Room . . .

"Uh, Smiley Trashbag?" Flowey questioned as Sans made sure his coat and bowtie were on right. "We need to talk before you head on out."

"Huh? About what?" Sans asked right before he heard Papyrus yell.

"Did you see it?" Papyrus went over by Chance's crib and picked him up. "Oh my gosh, Sans! He opened his eye sockets! It was just a second, but I know I saw it."

"That's kind of impossible," Sans said as he came over there. He jiggled Chance's bony finger. "Are you doing impossible things again, My Kid?" He chuckled. "Or is your Great Uncle Papyrus seeing things?"

"I am not seeing things!" Papyrus said stubbornly. "I know I saw them. He has the little twinkly guiders like yours does."

"Sure." Sans touched his son's skull tenderly. "You get some more rest. Dad'll be back soon. He's out fishing for your mom's heart in Waterfall, and that's a big catch he doesn't want to lose." He looked at the time on his watch. Still, thirty minutes to go. "Do we have more than enough fajita for lunch tomorrow or just enough?"

"It's only half an hour and you are going to try to get any of the spare food?" Papyrus scoffed. "No way. Besides, I'm still studying it myself. I watched and observed this time, but there are a lot of steps to this one."

"I can leave you a few pieces to study."

"Not pieces, helpings."

"I can help by leaving you a few pieces."

"Sans! Aren't you even going out for a Grillby burger afterward?"

"I'm splitting it though. Come on, I won't ruin my appetite."

"I don't think there is a way to do that."

As Flowey watched them leave the room, he reached his stems over to the crib. Grabbing it from the bottom he gently rocked it, back and forth. He had to figure out how to make the already six-year-old soul want to grow itself slower. He had hoped that it really was a fresh start. The whole thing would have been easier if Chance technically . . . well, let his memories die. Up until now, Chance hadn't shown any signs of being different.

But, Chance was no different. He still had his old memories, but he had so much power from the transformation, that his body saved itself by reverting back as far as it could. It was buried, into depths that only another lost soul could reach. Even Chara might even be too removed to reach him.

The Darkness . . .

Do you feel that?

Flowey?

Do you feel that at all? I'm rocking you. See? You're safe. Just don't do that. You saw the truth, okay?

Rocking me. You mean this weird feeling on my hands with them moving?

Yeah, ST Junior! That's rocking. Doesn't that take away some loneliness? Come on, you're a babybones, give me a break. That helps, right?

I don't like this. Flowey. I never get to have my body as a Conduit. I miss years. Years of my own life! But, at least I have others with me. Especially momma. I'm never really alone. But here, I feel so alone, and I can't move. I can't move again!

Yeah but . . . but you're a Frisk? Isn't that what your mommy always says? You are Frisk. You save the day. Well, you can save the day by keeping the growth slow. Let your body adjust to it. If you rush it, you won't save the day.

Oh. Frisk always saves the day. A Frisk makes the impossible, possible.

Right! There you go! Just keep thinking like that for your best friend, and only friend, Flowey! Don't listen to the other voice.

Why?

To save the day.

No, I mean. Why do you sound like you're scared of me, Flowey?

Scared?! Me, scared? Oh no, I'm not scared.

I'm Frisk. I am trained in all kinds of things. Just 'cause I'm six doesn't change that. Don't hide the truth from me. It doesn't make me trust you.

That's right.

Okay, okay. Look. Like I said. Grow too fast, bad things happen. Normally not a bad thing, but, you still have memories that are making you want to grow faster. And that's not good, ST Junior. History shows that a natural Monster and human can be real dangerous if power goes out of control.

I know that, Flowey! I'm Frisk. I know the history. To this day, you can still see signs of its destruction. But, I'm far from natural. Don't be scared.

Umm . . .

He's keeping something from you, isn't he? You feel it, Chance. You're Frisk, you can tell he's lying. He's an evil flower. Always keeping secrets.

Okay. Okay, you have to know, but it's not my place. It's your dad's. Sans the Skeleton will tell you himself. I promise. Maybe even tonight? Just hang on, Chance. Just do your mom proud, and be a good boy. Okay?

Sure. And then, Flowey? What happens if Chance stays a good boy? Will everything be okay forever? Will he just wake up, the Frisk he always was, in a new little babybones body?

You are a real pain in the side.

It doesn't work like that, Chance. Even now, you are still being reborn. Even now, you are losing your memories. Losing yourself. If you don't push that power and reawaken soon, you won't be Frisk anymore. You'll be a brand new babybones with no memory of anything. It'd be like death.

What?!

No mom. No dad. No Frisks. No achievements. No training. Imagine, having no memories of your own mother. Because it will be that.

Stop it.

Slowly, your mind will melt away. And the first thing to go will be memories of your momma. You think this darkness is horrible? Imagine having no memories of your mother to comfort you through it. No, everything. Everything that made you Frisk. You'll be nothing. A hollow shell.

Everyone starts as a hollow shell, but you'll have new memories of your mom. Okay, that's it. Sans will visit you as soon as possible. Promise.

The flower isn't denying it either, is he?

Would it be like death?

Worse. Like living, but being dead.

"What are you doing? No, no, no!"

Uncle Papyrus?

"Naughty, naughty flower! Keep your stems off of the crib!"

"Oh, no, no, stop that! Shoot, listen! I need to talk to Sans!"

"Sans is off, and so are you. You are staying downstairs again you evil flower. Leave you alone two seconds and you try toppling my nephew's crib!"

"I was rocking him! I was trying to calm him, no, don't do that!"

Flowey?

Gone. See? They don't trust him after all. Your Uncle Papyrus even took him away. He is just an evil little flower.

But, you're evil too.

No, no. I was trying to save you this grief. I thought you'd come over and have no choice in this slow death, all alone, with no one around. Holding you in my arms was a better way to go.

No, I don't believe you!

Did I ever strike you? Did I ever really hurt you? I wanted to let you have an easier, kinder death. Sans was the one who wanted the new beginning so bad. Honestly, Chance. Why would he want you as you were? You were a six-year-old human. There was no tie to him, really. He couldn't even call you son. Did he ever call you son?

No, but-

He didn't care for you as a human. A human Frisk. Do you know how many times Frisk committed GENOCIDE against him? How many times he truly wanted nothing more than to just kill you? The only reason he even wanted to try a second chance with you as a Skeleton is because of your mother. Your mom, she completely sold herself out for him. She married him. She is going to eventually give you a brother or a sister for him. Keeping him satisfied, so that he'll keep you around.

That's not true. Sans is my friend!

Flowey said it himself. Your mom is going out with him tonight. It's not just marriage. He wants everything. Except you, as you are. As a human. It's just too hard. You've done too much to him.

Nuh uh. Sans I-is my friend. A friend!

Oh yes. Let's talk about this friendship. Let's talk about resets. And let's talk about all the different, subtle ways that you ruined his life. His spirit. Changed him. Made him wish for his own death. How many times you physically killed him, over and over. Yes. Let's have that honest chat that no one has really wanted to have with you. Starting with how many times you killed your own Uncle Papyrus . . .

Alphys Lab . . .

"I think . . . maybe?" Frisky moved around in her dress. "I usually look okay in blue."

"I think you're pretty," Morning said as she came around the other side of the dress. "So you're dating Chance's dad now?"

"I miss Chance," Night said on the other side, walking past the two of them. "We hardly got to see each other."

"But you are both staying happy. That's all that matters," Alphys said as she brought over a big necklace. "Here. It's not the best. It might be too big looking. I was, you know, if I ever . . . I was gonna. Anyway, do you want to try it?"

Frisky shook her head. "No thanks. I don't think I have to get that gussied up. I don't even really know anything past the basics. I am not used to dates."

"But on Mettaton's show, you said that you'd been with one of the Frisks?" Alphys questioned.

"ACT. I worked out a small dialogue with Sans about what we should try. He is no slouch in ACTing either." Frisky looked at the time. "I don't really understand what this date should do. How it should bring us closer. I already spend all day with him at work. I feel like I am missing something." She sighed. "I wish any of my friends could have helped."

"So, they all turned their back on you?" Alphys tightened her grip on her necklace. "Sans is your husband and everything. Why would they be so mean? Even the one responsible for bringing you back turned his back on him. That was just unbelievable."

"It is. The weird thing is, Friskarino said I could have a romantic relationship with Sans. I just couldn't . . . um." Frisky shrugged. "I could not get intimate. They all wanted me to promise not to do that. This is the first time we've even tried to go out as more than friends. And, and they drug that out."

"That is just . . . it's just . . . Monsters don't judge that way." Alphys shook her head. "I don't know if I'm mad or if I want to cry."

"I don't know. For humans, it's sort of . . . but . . ."

"Nah, nah. No excuses and no explanations needed. You look very pretty for your date. I hope it goes well!" She gave her a little hug. "You two really belong together."

"I hope. I don't know. This is still so new." Frisky touched her dress. "A soldier going out with no reason to. I am not used to this. Did I already say that?" She looked toward Alphys. "It should not be any different. I still don't understand what the purpose is to the date that working together didn't provide. Maybe, just to show that we have grown a little closer? Maybe?"

"Uh uh, don't think in ACT anymore. Just have fun."

"Yeah, you and Sans have fun," Chara appeared. "By the way, how's Flowey doing? Any troubles?"

"No, he's actually been pretty good," Frisky admitted.

"Great. How's my Bony Itty Bitty? He doing good and not evil?"

Frisky felt a little irritated by that. "Chara. He is fine."

"Yo, geez, relax," Chara said. "Frisks really did a number, huh?"

"Chance isn't even natural and they are scared." Frisky shook her head. "Why are they so scared?"

"I don't know, but ya know, there are forgotten timelines and mindwipes. Look how well you and Sans went together. Maaaaaybe there's a chance he was natural?" Chara winked. "Come on, Frisky. Never know."

"It couldn't be. Do you know how much human souls have been manipulated? Changed?" Frisky looked at her dress again, not knowing what else to do. "I have the special clothing for the date at least. I was not even nervous when I went out with Papyrus." Chara just laughed. "What?"

"Nothing, silly Frisk." Chara flipped around in the air. "What if he were natural though. What would you do?"

"There is nothing to fear. It takes something strange to happen what created before," Frisky insisted. "That was an extremely rare case, and it could never happen again. The Frisks are just seeing what they want to see."

"An extremely rare case? Natural?" Alphys looked between them, back and forth. "What do you mean?"

"Natural is the term for an itty bitty being made with old fashioned sex," Chara teased. "Well, without like tons of magic. A little goes a long way."

"Um, okay? But, I meant what extremely rare case?" Alphys asked. "Not that there's any reason to be worried, but, uh . . . could you elaborate?"

"Oh, just a half human, half Monster that was natural but experimented on going bat nuts. It wreaked havoc, GENOCIDE style. Jumped off buildings and skyscrapers like they were nothing, ran the speed of sound, and could kill anyone like a knife through butter. Literally, and according to pictures, just as gross. It's power was so massive, it needed to be tricked onto a satellite and hit with nuclear missiles to take it out. It was cute though, just an adorable little kid." Chara winked. "I'll show you a picture of him one day."

"Oh?" Alphys laughed nervously. "So, a natural that-"

"That has been experimented on. They used to exist just fine several thousand years ago," Frisky said again. "Not that it matters. Chance isn't natural. Even if he was, he would have gone berserk when he was just a baby. Right?"

"Um. I guess?" Alphys reckoned. "So, natural is fine."

"Yes."

"Just, afterwards. What kind of experimentation does it take?"

"I don't really know." Frisky watched Morning and Night playing in the corner. "I know there was hallucinogens but I don't know much else."

"But if you and Sans have another . . . I mean, I know this one you're carrying is a trick but . . ." Alphys patted her shoulder lightly. "So if you had others?"

Frisky just moved away. "Really? Our first date and you are pulling this too?"

"No, I don't mean you couldn't ever have sex or anything-"

"Not going there. It's almost time. I am leaving."

"Humans and sex, oh so timid," Chara teased before she left. She looked back toward Alphys. "Relax, Dino nerd. Everything's fine. Flowey would have told me something if he sensed anything yet. Bony Itty Bitty is just fine."

"That's . . . that's a dangerous game," Alphys said. "Does Sans know any of this?"

"Like Frisky said before, it used to happen all the time. We just have to get over this hump and stop manipulating souls with magic and science. And then? Well, humanity is wiped out in the future because everyone will be a happier blend between human and Monster and Balancer or whatever." Chara waved her hand around. "And if Bony Itty Bitty does blow up, then most everything is wiped out. The few that remain can make a new beginning." She caught Alphys worried look. "Seriously? Flowey's been around him. If anything's wrong, he'd let me know. He knows how to catch my attention."

"But don't you know?"

"I know programs, I can hack into things nearby, and I can be a real pain to anyone coming near my barrier. But, I am still just attached to the barrier. I know things through technology. I can't reach inside souls the way I used to," Chara admitted. "But Flowey's near him. It's fine."

Sans' and Papyrus' Kitchen . . .

"Hey, hang on!" Flowey shouted as he was left high up on the overly tall sink area. "What am I doing up here? I've been bad, send me outside!"

"I don't have time to take you out of a pot and put you in the windowsill, and I don't trust you not to try to escape by the table to avoid Sans." Papyrus shook his finger at him. "You went too far. When Sans found out you actually touched the crib like that, he's not going to be happy either. Now, I have to go watch Chance. I warn you." He shook his finger at him again. "Be good!"

"But, I have to talk to Chara!" Flowey shouted again, watching Papyrus head up the stairs. "Okay. Great. So Chance has tapped his hidden power, has 04823 in his head again, doesn't trust me, and I can't get outside to contact Chara. Bad, bad, bad!" He struggled and jumped around in the sink. ST Junior, can you hear me at all? Please? Heeellloooooo?! He was just too far away from the crib. Please, Chance. Please hang on. Don't listen to the delusions. Don't listen to 04823. Don't. Listen. Just hang on until I talk to your daddy. Please? Please?

As soon as the date was over. As soon as Sans came back, he should be angry enough to come straight at him, and then maybe he could get him to take him outside to talk to Chara. He wouldn't want him inside. That would make sense. Just a little longer. Just to get through the date. Just to wait for one, simple date.