PLD Chapter 3

"CHAPTER 3: Finding Stability and Resolving Anxieties of a Past Life"

Sub-Entry 21: "Of Grand Masters and Men..":
Things have quieted down on both sides of the equation since then. No new timeline instances have sprung up to merit investigation and I didn't feel compelled to visit any of the numerous Timelines I had already logged. It was now a waiting process to cut through more red tape and make more arrangements.

During that time followup checkups and evaluations were made to make sure Asriel was still doing okay on this world. With everything still looking in the green I perused the UCIAT personnel files to see who else was left for Asriel to meet before we could get to the next step. In spite of the surplus of time...somehow none of us found the time to explain more about ourselves...or more specifically our own backstories. Heck, Asriel still didn't know I could shape-shift between werewolf and human form. He'd...have questions about that and as things were I hadn't had a chance to introduce him to many humans yet. Or maybe I was just procrastinating.

I had to tip my hat to Chara despite how little respect I was having for her after possessing Toriel and nearly killing Frisk; as the first human Asriel ever met, she'd be a tough act to follow.

That was something I felt was crucial; getting him to know us. Asriel was still in danger of backsliding to a bad place as long as the dark cloud of being orphaned hung around his neck. And Chara's grip on him continued to tighten the noose. I didn't know what to do about Chara. But the least we could do was tell our own sad stories about how we had crummy pasts. Many of us were orphaned in fairly violent ways; some of us were even witness to our own families' assassinations.

It was imperative that Asriel know that he wasn't alone. He was in a town where there was no shortage of orphans who lost everything but found each other. This was Miranda City, the City of Second Chances. The problem was finding the right moment and the right setup to do it. Every moment, every new experience just seemed to get in the way.

Speaking of moments, I had been asked over to Rabbotou Dojo to check something out. I had a feeling I knew what after remembering Asriel's words the other day after returning to town in the Time Train. I was just a little curious what the little guy would look like in a training gi. :detemmienation:  (Music Link

I had reached the top of the stairs and stopped at the doorway. Now that it wasn't an emergency I could observe the proper customs. I slipped off my sandals and left them by the doorway, flexing my toes a little before stepping into the dojo. The feel of the bamboo floor was something I never forgot. I reached the training area where a barefoot Bunnie was waiting in her own training gi.

"Well, Major?"

"He'll be right out."

"So...when can we expect classes to actually start?"

"Once we have his citizenship and adoption affairs in order I think we can stop keeping him a secret from the town."

"I'm more worried that her highness will catch on before we get to that point. Nothing hammers a point home by being summoned to the palace for an audience with the Queen."

"You have a right to be concerned, but let me handle Brooke-domou."

"Rice wine sake?"

"Appeasement is an effective tool for taking the edge off."

"Or it at least guarantees you won't get Hell Ball'd on the off chance she's pissed off."

That earned a disapproving look.

"Right. Too much of a Violet response. I know, she's not like that but...her power is frighteningly real. Don't think I've not noticed a bead of sweat roll down your forehead when she uses "the scary voice".

That made Bunnie actually wince slightly. No one got through an encounter of "the scary voice" without feeling something--usually utter terror. I guess that was what came with having a ruler who was part fiend. I didn't know about Bunnie but someone like Brooke would completely rend Asriel to a dust pile with barely a fraction of her wrath. But that was worry talking. The was no reason why she'd ever tear into a child, much less one who lost his entire world.

She was a fair and just ruler but there was a reason even the Dragon Council didn't 'eff with her. And Hell...she had her own incredibly dark backstory. That darkness, that demonic legacy was the reason a lot of things got done (or else). I think I found someone I wanted to hold off on Asriel meeting even more so than Violet.

At the same time, I really wanted to introduce her to Chara... Demon child would be way in over her head. Our queen, our trump card, and what I worried was my biggest obstacle in finalizing things around here. Queen Brooke Canciaris. To respect her was to fear her and vice-versa.

"Seriously, Bunnie. We've gotta be playing with fire keeping this from her."

"One step at a time, Commander. One step at a time."

That was when Asriel entered. And the first thought in my mind was...

"White. So. Much. WHITE."

Here we had a white-furred goat-child monster in a white gi with a white belt.

"You couldn't get him one in black?" I whispered.

"Hmm?"

"If he ever takes a trip to Raxis during a snowstorm we'll never find him." I whispered. Raxis might as well have our world's equivalent of Snowdin.

Bunnie give me a disapproving frown.

"What?  It's a legitimate worry!" I protested.

Bunnie shook her head.

"Umm. H-how do I look?" Asriel asked.

I hesitated a bit but then I gave a warm smile.

"You look great, Asriel."

"You mean it?" That brightened his expression.

"It'll be a while before we can get you started with lessons."

Asriel kinda looked at the floor like he was starting to figure out just what the martial arts were. I could sense an anxiety over learning to fight. As gentle as this soul was, how could he be anything else but a pacifist. I could sense this might be a big stumbling block along the way.

Bunnie had brought this up before and assured me he had the fundamental understandings of what the martial arts stood for and not what pop culture had glorified them to be. Any other kid couldn't wait to learn how to kick butt and take names. Asriel wasn't any other kid. I wondered how every other instance of him would act in the same way.

And then I got a disturbing image of Flowey in a tiny training gi accompanied by that unholy laughter. No. No. Hell to the no. Away with you, vile thought!

"Well, now that we're all dressed up with no place to go..." I started. Bunnie motioned us over to the tea table. We each knelt down at the table in Jangese fashion. I then noticed an extra place at the table.

"Bunnie, there are three of us but four places at the table. I know Megami didn't miscount."

"Actually...I have another guest coming."

"Hmm? Did you invite your half-sister, Bunnette Von Rabbotte?"

That was another complicated part of Bunnie's past. As to why Bunnie had a color-swapped twin half-sister with a name that sounded made-up or copied, that was something for another day.

"No. Someone from my past when I was traveling the world, filling in the gaps of my training after I was brought into the Ultra Crew Institute Action Team."

I scratched my head.

"Wait. You mean one of your many teachers throughout the years."

"Yes. He was very instrumental in learning the ways of ninjutsu. It is through me that his clan's teachings can live on."

There was a knock on the doorway by what my ears determined to be a wooden object. I turned and saw a rather short figure, completely cloaked in the door way, a wooden walking stick in his grasp. He couldn't have been more than four feet in height and his stature suggested slight arthritis. Or perhaps unusual skeletal structure.

"Welcome, sensei. It has been a long time."

"Bunnie-chan. It fills my heart with warmth to be invited to your home." Came the mellow Jangese voice under the shadow of the hood.

"Master. You are in friendly territory. You needn't feel judged by your appearance nor fear persecution. This is not the city where you and your four students live and you will find no need to dwell underground from prying eyes."

"Then let there be no secrets between us." The figure reached up and pulled off his hood.

Okay. I wasn't expecting a hybrid rat. Brown fur, pointy ears similar to my own but pointed slightly back at an angle rather than on top and straight forward like my big werewolf sound-scoopers. Big black nose. I could see his top front incisors extend just underneath where the nose segued into the lip--definitely mouse-like. Whiskers. I couldn't tell his eye color from where I was.

Megami was immediately present, requesting in Jangese if she could tend his cloak while he was a guest in the dojo. The rat nodded and removed the outer garment revealing a magenta kimono with distinct gold emblems on each breast of the jacket garment. Wrapped from his ankles to his toes were white wrappings that looked like they might have once been part of samurai type trousers.

Megami took care of his cloak and walking stick.

"Hamato Yoshi-sama." Bunnie smiled.

"That name once had meaning in another limetime ago. But I fear that Yoshi is gone. There is only Splinter."

So this was Grand Master Splinter. I had heard Bunnie talk about him before but this was the first time I had met him. Splinter walked to the table as Bunnie rose to her feet. Both exchanged a formal bow at the same time.

"You look well."

"I have aged a bit."

"Not by much. You still have many years left in you, wise one."

"It may be less the way my students keep me occupied. There is much effort to be expended in raising a teenager. But raising four is an act commendable even by my ancestors' standards."

"You cannot fool me, sensei. You are not as weary as you make yourself out to be. You know very well they keep you young at heart."

"Of course. How perceptive you are, Bunnie-chan."

"It's a gift. One I do not take lightly. As it is written, power should be given to the ones that have no desire for it. In this lies the very foundation of responsibility."

"Well spoken. You have grown wise in the philosophies of Jang. Wise beyond your years." Splinter rippled his rat tail a little.

"Please. Do not stand on my account. Join us for tea."

"I humbly accept. Tea would be most welcome."

I'd be fibbing to myself I didn't feel overwhelmed by the highly elegant, very formal, flowery conversation that I had come to expect from the Jangese. It was always polite and it was never blunt. There was always an understanding of withholding true feelings in lieu of the comfort of the company. And that air about that made everything seem more pure and clean that the world tended to be.

Bunnie started the tea ceremony appropriately. Once complete and a little bit of guidance on proper tea etiquette we all enjoyed our servings of tea and riceballs.

"This is my former student and our team's commander, Dr. Volt Alessandro Arcade."

"Konichiwa, Arcade Volt-Hakase. It is an honor to meet the Ultra Crew Institute's authority figure."

"And a fond welcome to you as well, Grand Master Splinter. It's rare that Bunnie tells us much about her past. I'm sure she has her reasons and all. But it's wonderful to meet you." I bowed my head slightly.

"You were one of her best karate students."

"Karate felt like a good fit for me. I couldn't really see myself as a ninja or a samurai. As flashy as my moves are I wouldn't be able to handle the stealth. And using a sword doesn't really suit me."

Even though I said this I was being modest. There were times during my other assignments that I did have to use a sword. In fact without getting ahead of myself I'd be using one of my old blades sooner than I thought.

"Stealth? Sword?" Asriel looked as though we were practically confirming the path of a warrior.

"Sensei, this is the young forsaken one I wrote to you about."

"Ah, yes! Allow me to get a good look at you, my son." Splinter looked deep into Asriel's eyes. A few moments in, Splinter narrowed his eyes slightly.

"......?" Asriel swallowed hard, feeling on the spot, eyes wide open. Was Splinter...staring into his soul like Bunnie?

My anxieties were dispelled as Splinter suddenly smiled very warmly, with a chuckle.

"Oh, yes. Yes, I see. You are quite special. I sense much hope and light in you, Dreemurr Asriel-Ouji-sama."

By this time Asriel was beginning to catch on that Ouji-sama was some kind of title of respect. I could almost see the blush under the fur on his cheeks.

"I'm really that special?" Asriel cocked his head slightly.

"You have potential that I cannot properly evaluate. It will be up to decide your own path but I firmly believe you are a well-spring of hope. I can sense it. You are gentle. You are kind. You are curious. And you are merciful. I have no doubts that you will be a truly legendary martial artist one day."

I could almost see the blushing intensify. If he blushed any harder, his facial fur would turn completely red.

"And so modest." Bunnie said with a giggle. She sounded so lighthearted but I could tell she was trying to be completely serious.

"Th-th-th-thank you, M-Mr. Splinter." I was certain Splinter's apparent age was intimidating. Maybe it was just his overwhelming wisdom.

Splinter and Bunnie then looked at each other, longingly and stoically. I had the feeling there was an unspoken, psychic conversation going on between the two of them. It was just as well. Some things probably couldn't be discussed among prying ears.

"わかりました. " Splinter closed his eyes and nodded his head.

"それは問題ではありません  Bunnie nodded, arms crossed and eyes also closed.

"もちろん. 良い時間ですべてのもの.  

私は彼の信仰を持っています. 結局...ホープは決して一人で歩くことはない. 

Splinter acutally laughed joyfully at that.

そう だ ね. 

"Volt? What are they saying?" Asriel looked perplexed.

I shrugged and gave a very Frisk-like "Mm-mn-nnm." (I don't know.)

A little bit more Jangese back and forth and Splinter apologized for leaving us out of the conversation.

Sub-Entry 22: "The undying, unstoppable force meets the undying immoveable object":
"Unngh!"

I skidded backwards in a sprawl, actually bearing my werewolf claws and digging them into the soil as I found myself knocked out of the arena but not all the way back where I started. How did I get into this mess?

"Seven souls. Seven. That's how many we need. That's how many Asgore will use to shatter the barrier and give us freedom. I ask you again why you would stand in the way of that goal?"

Dammit, Undyne. :kindness:   (Music Link)

It was probably a mistake on my part coming to the timeline and having a brush with Frisk. The child confirmed my original suspicions. I could be seen despite being intangible. It of course struck me like lightning. All of the instances where Chara had influence over you...of course you could see and hear the demon brat. You could probably see Gaster as well. So it was true. Frisk had a similar sixth sense as Bunnie. Or vision like a Soul Reaper. Funny I should mention that...

Speaking of souls...I wonder...if Asriel...even in death...even with his soul shattered and his body turned to dust and reanimated as a flower...did the missing part of him linger around somewhere? Could it be possible to collect the residual pieces and reassemble them? No. That was unlikely. It wouldn't do me any good if it did.

The most I could do in that instance is put the pieces of his spirit into a muon trap and decide what to do with it; release it or bring it back to my old mentors' headquarters and dump it into a 220-volt, 10 Megawatt, laser containment system. And doing that to an innocent soul would just 'eff me up sooooo baaaaaad. So bad.

Of course...maybe that was an option with Chara. I'd love to see how that little megalomaniac would fair against the like of Sam Hain, the Boogie Man, the Sandman, Killerwatt, and the worst of Gozer's ranks. But business before pleasant thoughts. Right. Out of thought, out of mind. Get back on track, Arcade, and stop thinking about the past and the future. You're getting your butt kicked by Undyne.

"What's it to you that I talked to the kid?"

"That kid isn't some person for you to get chummy with. It's a thing. A thing that needs to be destroyed and its soul harvested."

"You have a lot of hate for a species you barely know anything about."

"Sh...shut up! Quit trying to confuse me with your crap!"

Undyne you would not win any awards for intelligence. No, you reminded me of Violet's temper mixed with Sally's hardcore attitude and Red Stoke's propensity for being brutal on the battlefield.

"It was just a chance encounter. What, did you expect me to make a citizen's arrest or something?"

"Damn right! For years we dreamed of a happy ending...to think one of our own would try to deny us that?" She tightened her grip until the bones were cracking.

"And now sunlight is just within our reach! Why would you reject it?!"

The spears manifested all around me from all sides. I immediately compressed a wall of magnetism into a dense shield over one arm and whirled around to deflect each volley.

"Keeping your distance won't help you!" On this she was right.

I took off running. I was going to need a weapon. It had been a while since I invoked it since I resigned my brief tour of duty assisting in Karakura Town on the UltraVerse's anime world known as Bleach. But you never forget the name of your soul-slayer. Or your even briefer time taking up the cause of a Soul Reaper. Was there any case I hadn't take? Any world I wouldn't set foot on? Any situation I wouldn't get involved in?

On a humorous note, I was definitely tempted to prove to Undyne that anime is real...at least in our universe. But I digress...

"Discharge...Kaminarioh no Danganken!" I drew Lightning King of the Bullet Fist and manifested the harmony of iron, steel, and electric modification.

Oh yeah...that thing I told Master Splinter about a sword not really suiting me? I was about to put that to the test. Darn the situation forcing me to be a hypocrite.

This was a bad idea. Going up against a water elemental with an electric weapon.

The spears rocketed for me. With a mighty swing I unleashed bullet hell, sending forth the lightning blasts, but aiming them for the weapons and not the sender. Each collided with a loud snap-crackle-pop and electrolysized the water masses into hydrogen and oxygen near instantly.

"We gonna keep this fight up all night?" I grimaced.

"Just until you fall!"

Between the suplex-ing of the boulders, the menacing smile, and instances of Undyne pounding the ground, I had never encountered such display of masculinity in a woman let alone one of an aquatic race. Like a really butch version of a Zora. It was like watching a mashup of 300 and World Wrestling Entertainment. And I just knew someone would bite me in the rump for making that comparison.

I advanced and amassed a charge in my empty fist. I slugged the ground, sending forth a low-level version of Triad Thunder. It'd stun her long enough to get back into the arena.

"Tch...! Not bad...but how about this?" She leaped in close and swung her spear, taking multiple swipes. I already ruined one shirt, tie, and gi. I wasn't about to back to Jonathan Lawrence Talbain with my tail between my legs...for multiple reasons. Just the figure of speech alone was...undignified.

A second barrage of attacks prompted me to start blocking an parrying. Each contact with my blade sent high voltage down her own weapon. I could see her wince but each time she did her sadistic smile grew even toothier. She was enjoying this?

"I haven't had a proper challenge since I battled our own king! Which is gonna make this suck when I send you to your grave for defying him!"

"Jeeze. Switch to decaff!" I was scraping the bottom of the barrel for one-liners.

Metal armor...duh!

I let the magnetism take hold and bind her. Hopefully locking it up would give a chance to-- ...no way...she was straining the magnetic field faster than I could re-enforce it. This was scientifically impossible! Were magical beings really capable of THIS kind of strength?

If I cranked up the Telsas any higher I'd risk the electromagnetic radiation getting well past safe zone. I was already expending more than a pair of neodymium magnet slabs. She was not only breaking free but thundering toward me. I had to be careful interlocking the magnetic fields. I didn't want to crush her like a soda can.

"Your magic is useless against me! Fight me like a warrior!"

I grit my teeth and initially spiked the magnetism before collapsing it entirely. As expected she rushed toward me, giving me a chance to jump over her. Which in retrospect was a bad move. I looked behind me and saw the edge of the cliff. Oh crap. I didn't know what lay below but I didn't want to take the risk I'd never climb my way back out.

The Emergency Recall was looking like an option. I sensed the spear coming for me again and bent over backwards, the blade grazing my nose as it sailed above it. I stumbled and landed on my back. I rolled to the side into a crawl to dodge the incoming ground strikes. This girl is good. Maybe too good.

I stabbed Kaminarioh no Danganken into the ground and lit it up. The ground wouldn't conduct electricity but it would form a momentary guard for me to get my balance; a misplaced strike would mean a few gigavolts down the spear.

"Yo!  Dude!"

"Huh?" I recognized that voice. Monster Kid?"

The armless, mini-dino creature in the distinct striped shirt raced onto the battle field. "I almost missed Undyne's battle! I get to see her take down a bad guy!"

Three letters. W...C...S.

Worst...

Case...

Scenario.

Goddamm you, Madam Fate.

"Hey, Mister! You did it! Undyne is right there! You got front row seats to her fight!" He got in front of me where I was nearly face down in the dirt.

He looked toward Undyne...then me...then Undyne...then me. Undyne. Me. Undyne. And then it clicked.

"Wait...who is Undyne fighting again." He looked at me then backed away. "Are you...are you the...bad guy?" He backed away further.

"It's not what you think--" Is started before I realized he ran out of ground and his heel met thin air.

"No...!" My eyes widened. Undyne started to make a move.

Without thinking I pushed off on all fours and dove off the edge and did a repeat performance of my rescue of Asriel above Miranda Square's fountain. Which, in retrospect, was a move that was a significantly stupider choice to make this time around.

I tightened my grip around and squeezed my eyes shut...then I yelped when I felt the iron grip around my tail.

"...!!!"

I felt myself being dragged up. I hung for a moment before I set the kid down. He scurried a short distance away. And then Undyne dropped me onto the ground, roughly. She made a move for my weapon.

"Yo! Dude! If-- If y-you wanna hurt my friend... you're gonna have to get through me first!" Wait...he was looking at Undyne, not me.

And then the memory came back to me. Once again this was a strange case of deja vu.

"..."

Undyne grabbed the kid by the frills and dragged him off.

"Hey! Y-you're not going to tell my parents are you..."

Undyne looked over her shoulder.

"You get one."

"Hmm?"

"Next time. No mercy."

My face fell for only a brief moment but then I was astonished when she flashed me a cocky smile. The smile that told unsaid volumes of respect.

I got up, brushed myself off and sighed.

"So. That...that just happened.

I muttered. The encounter left me pretty neutral. On one hand I didn't feel particularly good about fighting Undyne. But on the other...I felt a sense of pride that I saved a life and earned a moment of respect. I didn't know if I'd take any wisdom home with me that day.

I retrieved my zanpakutou and collapsed it back to katana form and returned it to the E.N.G.I.N.E. microdot storage system on the side of my black belt.

Sub-Entry 23: "Frisk. Again.":
I made my way back down the path. I looked over my shoulder and wondered what I'd submit in my report. And then I looked forward and who should be standing there...?

"..."

I had already removed the bracer card so there was no doubt Frisk or anyone else would be able to see me. I closed me eyes, walked over and knelt down.

"One of us is not supposed to be here. But you already know that don't you?"

"Mm-hmm." Frisk nodded with a quiet vocalization.

"You know I'm not...I'm not like the rest of them, don't you?"

Mm-hmm." Another nod.

"Does it bother you that I keep showing up out of the blue?"

"Mmn-mnn." A shake of the head.

"I suppose it wouldn't. You're...pretty determined. And...pretty brave in spite of things."

I paused.

"Listen...you probably have come in contact with another...another human like you. But...she's...not like you. She tells you thinks, right?"

A nod.

"You shouldn't listen to what she has to say. It's...not very good advice. You haven't been listening to her have you?"

"Mmn-mnn." A definite no.

"That's good. You're making goat mom very happy."

"Mmn...?"

"You're doing just fine. You're making great friends. And you're learning new things. Anyway..."

I looked down at my feet. I had one foot on top of the other, in the same nervous position as Alphys all hunched down and meek.

"There are still a lot more people to meet. You've got a ways to go before the Capital and...things aren't going to get much easier. But it's okay. You'll do the right thing. I know you will."

"...?"

I knew this was stretching it but...I had to ask. Just for peace of mind.

"There's...one last person you'll meet on your journey. I mean after Asgore. Someone...well...I can't really say too much. But..."

I swallowed hard.

"When the time comes...you will know that person's name. I know you'd do this of your own volition...your own choice.......call out to him. Call his name. Make sure he knows the truth. Make sure he knows he's...that he's not alone. He must know...that it's okay to finally let go. I...know I'm talking crazy talk right now and it's a lot to put on you but...you'll know what to do when the time comes. Please. Forgive him. Console him. Give him the happy ending that this world won't. Give him the happy ending that this instance of him.....that I can't give him."

That was the line, Volt. Interferring with the timeline. This was Frisk's choice to make. Not yours to request. Damn my big heart...just damn it all. You can't save him. Not this way. Not under these circumstances. You've already saved him from the destroyed Timeline. Don't get greedy. Don't try to save every instance of him.

"S...sorry. I don't have any right to ask that of you. You got this. Only you can choose what's best. Anyway...I've got to go now. I--"

At that Frisk reached up and pet me. On the head.

"Oh!" And that was all I could say.

I smiled. And then closed my eyes and bowed me head. "You're a good kid. I know you'll be told this a lot more. You've already been told a lot. But....stay determined."

I stood up and turned and walked off...and waved.

Frisk waved back. And then I was gone.

I reached the phone booth. I didn't expect Rufus to be there. Guess he wanted to check up on me and make sure I was taking care of the booth in lieu of the Two Great Ones--Bill S. Preston Esquire and Ted Theodore Logan--the Wyld Stallyons. I covered my heart and brought my arm out, palm open.

"Be excellent to each other."

"Party on, dudes." I received an answering response and pose.

We each entered our respective booths and headed off into the Circuits of Time.

Sub-Entry 24: "A brush with Insanity":
I arrived back in Miranda City and headed to the garage. I wasn't prepared for my mentor and founder of the Institute for Future Technology to be there, underneath the Deloreon on a mechanic's creeper. Seemed he was up to speed about the chromium-titanium problem and arrived to fix the issue for me. I decided not to disturb him. I then went next door to my shop. It was just about time for Bunnie to bring Asriel by. I wanted to show him my trade and maybe I'd work up the courage to show him my secret. Human? Monster? Neither. And that would take a bit of explaining.

I had a seat in my computer chair and got busy on a stack of circuit cards--

BAMF!

"...Major." I looked up. By now it no longer suprised me when she used that pink smoke version of Nightcrawler's teleport.

Asriel let go of Bunnie's hand, a little spooked by the sudden method of travel. You always thought of ninjas vanishing and appearing in smoke clouds as some kind of cliche...until you actually see and experience it for herself.

"You'll get used to that. Eventually."

"I will take my leave now, Commander." Bunnie bowed then spiraled out of existence in a coil of sakura blossoms. Another of her lavish teleportation jutsus.

"Have a good day?"

Asriel only hesitated a moment before responding. He was getting quicker with replies and was speaking more often. I felt like the trust was starting to build. Now was as good a time to build it further.

"Pretty good."

"Well. Welcome to my shop. This is (or was) my day job. Electronics."

Asriel looked at the stack of components, wires, meters, and complicated equipment.

"..." He looked like he didn't quite know the question he wanted to ask.

"You've watched TV before, right?"

"Yeah...we had...TV back home."

I'm not sure why, but I wouldn't think deeper into that until much, much later down the road when I'd ponder the timeline and history of both the surface world and the Underground.

"Ever ask how it worked?" I mused.

Asriel kinda blinked. It seemed like a question any kid would have asked.

"I...never really thought about it. I always thought it was...magic."

"Let's see if we can get that curiosity sparked, then." I said as I lifted an old TV set up off another table in back and set it down and got a couple of screwdrivers.

"Always want to make sure this is unplugged before you ever open it up." I strongly cautioned. "Not everyone can take an electric shock like I can."

I started removing the screws.

I hummed to myself as Asriel watched. Eventually I managed to get the screws out, and remove some of the framework and trim, as well as the knobs and such. I slid the unit apart and looked at the dusty innards.

"Hold your breath and don't breathe in for a sec, okay?"

I got the canister of compressed air out and hosed the machine down, kicking up dust clouds and cobwebs. I used a bit of static in the other hand to attract the grime with charged ions, then used a towel to clean my hand off and collect what I had gathered.

"Now let's see what we got here."

It was a long explanation as I pointed out the different parts, explained the principles of electricity and the science behind television and its properties.I could tell he was following along. The look in his eyes confirmed he was absorbing everything like a sponge.

"Y'know if you're interested I'll have to get you started on some of my old project lab kits and circuit trainers."

It was the first spark of hope I saw in his eyes.

"That's nice of you to offer. I think I'd like to that."

Time passed and I let Asriel help out around the shop. I had the closed sign up so I didn't expect anyone to visit. I Shouldn't have expected that to be a fool-proof deterrent. Wouldn't you know someone would insist on dropping by?

I looked up only a brief moment before I saw the outline of the rabbit ears and the distinct shape of the kimono. Without really thinking things through I turned to Asriel.

"Asriel, duck behind the counter and stay quiet." I sounded concerned.

"Hmm?"

"I'll explain later. Oh. And try not to listen in on the conversation. Ignore it if possible."

The door opened as Asriel obeyed and stayed out of sight, squeezing into the space under the register and hugging his knees in tight.

"Ohhhhh Commanderrrrr!" I knew that voice too well.

"Violet."

Significantly shorter than Bunnie. White fur, ruby eyes with pink sclera, fiery orange hair in a short-ish style but still long enough for those upside-down V-shaped bangs. She was wearing her usual silk, cyan and cobalt kimono--specially tailored with re-enforcement to support the built-in jet pack in the back that completely blended in, completing the kimono appearance the way the jet thrusters and intake ports formed a metallic ornate bow. She of course wore her favorite "bunny on the moon" sandals with the half-moons on the ankles and buckles.

Girl had a weird fetish for sandals and not just out of comfort and common fashion statement like most of us in UCIAT. For werewolves like me, sandals were about the only thing we could comfortably wear on our feet. As some I once knew by the name of Coda had described in so many words "Shoes...squish toes."

And of course she completed the outfit with the family crown. It was a tiny, Jang-like thing but Bunnie would confirm it was Edoropian rather than Jang or Ecotropian.

"Question. Would you be prepared if gravity suddenly reversed itself?"

"Violet, not now, I've got a headache." That was a lie.

"The only real problem I'd have is how to keep the change in my pockets." I started to protest but she cut in. "I got it...NUDITY."

FFFFFFFF--!!!! At least she wasn't bringing up the dream about wearing Sun God robes while in a pyramid with 1,000 indecent women screaming and throwing pickles at her again. Seriously, Violet...you have issues I do NOT want you to explain.

"What do you want, Violet?

"Actually I came to drop this off. Needs a little work. But isn't it just the bomb-dot-com?"

She placed a 1980's model red, JVC cam-corder on the counter.

"Violet, haven't we warned you about hot-fingering movie props?"

"Prop nothin'. You know where this came from, don't you?".

"....Faraday's ghost, Vi...tell me you didn't get that from the McFly auction..."

My reply came in the form of a huge grin from the bunny princess.

"Violet, you're the only one who insists on peaking over my shoulder at my...real job. It's getting to be a breach of confidentiality. If the Council finds out how much you know about S.T.C. and how much you keep hacking my data and borrowing my equipment... Anyway...this transgression is not as bad as when you ripped off the "R.V. from Hell" straight out of Tango & Cash or the plasma cutter from the Nova Robotics S.A.I.N.T. prototype..."

"Johnny Five didn't need the thing anymore. Not after the--"

"I get it, Vi. I get it. Anyway. What are you doing, messing around with old cam-corders?  What, is hacking the lights on the Pharmikon corporate headquarters skyscraper to play the world's largest game of Tetris not holding your attention anymore?"

"Good times. Nah, I was thinking something more along the lines of falling back on my other job as Miranda's global internet administrator. I feel like dropping some memes and some vines."

"As if those haven't got you in enough trouble."

"Relax. I know better than to leak movie spoilers."

I rolled my eyes. No one enjoyed feeding the trolls like Violet.

"For someone as brilliant as you, why can't you be more constructive with your time. I know you get as easily bored as Gadget but she doesn't try to be the next generation Bart Simpson or Stewie Griffen to get attention."

"If it makes you feel any better, sweetie, I'll stop asking Elektra for that certain kind of plastic surgery..."

"For the thousandth time, NO, Vi. Stop trying to compete with women who are more...endowed than you."

God I hope Asriel didn't hear that.

"Take it or leave it." Another insane grin.

"Fine."

"Well with that settled, I guess I'll be on my way." Violet turned and headed out.

"Gods, you're incorrigible. Do you know how much you drive us all up the wall?"

A chuckle.

"It's a talent. I just really know how to...get a person's goat." She slid her gaze to the side.

"!!!"

No. She couldn't! She didn't!

I held my tongue.

"I guess I'll be seeing you. Gonna drop in on Jon. He's probably asleep on the park bench again. He is quite a hardcore sleeper...I wonder if he's as hardcore a...dreamer?"

She did. Damn rabbit hacked my personal logs! She knew!

"Off to the snail races I go! Toodles, my favorite Inklings...I mean Inkling! Did I pluralize that? Silly me. Anyway...stay freeeeesh!"

The door closed. I collapsed against the wall, slid to the floor,  and covered my face with my hands.

I knew she wouldn't be an a-hole and blackmail me with such a thing. She liked to stir things up but there were lines even she wouldn't cross...at least not on purpose. But I knew she'd find ways to torment me about it without spilling the beans or worse.

"Volt?"

"Yeah, Azzy? I know you're going to ask questions about that and..."

"Nah. I'll hold off. I can wait until you're feeling better. Take all the time you need. When I'm ready to know about that person...you'll introduce me. Okay?"

Holy sh--(Insert Flowey laugh sound effect). This was it, wasn't it? This was that intelligence you were waiting for. He was starting to show how aware he was. I mean...I'd hardly call him a prodigy. I didn't really intend to make him one but...the signs were there that he'd already taken his first steps in that direction.

"Okay, Asriel."

"So. Um...hot dogs later on?" Asriel sounded like he was unsure if it was okay to ask.

Hot dogs...I was reminded of the stacking incident in Hotland. And Hotland was just a stone's throw away from Undyne's arena.

"Sounds good. I'm getting mine with lots of mustard." I grinned. Somehow I felt like I was channeling another universe's skeleton but...I wasn't about to check the Dimensional Axis windows at my S.T.C. lab just to confirm it.

I mussed Asriel's head fur a little. He forced back a big grin. I could see it. This was the dawn of a lot more interesting times to come if Violet had any say in it.

We got to our feet and I was about to head square things away when I noticed Asriel's gaze was fixated on the cam-corder. At first I was confused then...I remembered the tapes in Alphys' True Lab. Asriel had a cam-corder which he attempted to record Chara's "creepy face".

That's why it made sense to me that Asriel had television 100 years ago. But it would still bring up questions about the passing eras of the surface and the Underground.

Was Frisk's time an unspecified future? Was Chara's time an unspecified past?

All I had to go on was a censored year: 201X. But just because it was the 21st century didn't mean that it had the same history, the same events, or even the same progress level as the other Earths or even this world where Miranda City existed.

With me putting a scientist's concerns away for later, a worry crept into my mind. There weren't very many options to dance around this but I gave it a shot.

"You um...interested making home movies?"

D'oh! You just went right out and asked him, genius!

Asriel looked up at me. I could see the bad thoughts creeping in the back of his mind.

"You know what...let me fix this up and I'll let you hang onto it for a while. Anything to keep it out of Violet's hands." I looked off to the side.

A lengthy pause.

"Sure. I'll take good care of it."

"Really? Why?"

I gave a lighthearted response, implying that he should teach Vi a lesson by breaking it. Careful, Volt. That was almost a Chara moment of mischief gracing your thoughts.

"Because it doesn't belong to me and I shouldn't--"

I laughed in response. He's just so earnest. Despite having Chara for a sister, not much of her had rubbed of on him. He's like snow...white snow. A pure an innocent child. Huh...where did that description come from?

"Sorry. I was kidding. Yeah. Once I get it fixed up and find some new video tapes for it, we'll get you going."

A smile. And there went my worry. How did you have this effect on me, Asriel Dreemurr? I was going to make my daughters jealous at this rate. Well. I'm sure the day was coming I could introduce them, too. For now... It was time to shrug off the insanity and enjoy the rest of the day...

Sub-Entry 25: "The Storm (of Emotion)":
I've spared no effort in making sure I don't make a mistake watching over Asriel and I've had my crew covering the remaining bases.

I have been inclined to make sure Asriel isn't exposed to certain triggers that might induce psychological stress in his still fragile state. There have been a few touch-and-go situations such as the cam-corder. Or another instance where a chocolate bar had been left in plain sight which I soon learned carried memories tied back to Chara.

And even making sure we avoided clothing combinations which...were all too familiar. Maybe I was trying to hard to isolate him from things which carried those bad reminders of what was lost. But until this point there hadn't been a single mishap. Which only amplified the impact when we were all caught off guard.

I had repaired and upgraded the JVC cam-corder and entrusted it to Asriel. At times when he could safely explore the city in spots I was sure he wouldn't be noticed or wouldn't have unexpected company, I'd let him film whatever drew his interest. It was difficult keeping him away from large crowd or even small crowd.

Heck, keeping him out of sight altogether was nearly impossible. But the fact was we weren't ready with the paperwork and arrangements to naturalize him into Miranda's populous with minimal questions, complications, and *ahem* ball-breaking should our secret have been discovered prematurely.

I saw the light at the end of the tunnel when it seemed like Dr. Callista Penelope Brighton and Colonel Scott Angus O'Conner finally had open spots on their calendar for me to bring Asriel and get him prepared for his eventual adoption. When that day came I felt insistant that we retain his family name.

I already had in mind what I wanted to put on the adoption papers. When everything cleared, Scott and Callie would be the parental figures of one Asriel Tobias Dreemur-Arcade.

I'm sure someone in my crew asked the proverbial "why 'Tobias'?" To which I would have the response. "I figure someone will probably nickname him Toby." To which Violet would follow up with something to ruin the moment like "That name sounds sexy!" And then Bunnie would have to thwap her.

I had a sneaking suspicion Vi was taking a creepy interest in Mettaton from what she learned from my personal logs.

Most of the population of Miranda was tied up with some major event. Might have been a holiday where everyone took vacations to see the families in other countries or on other continents. Whatever the case it made it all the more easier to provide Asriel with the freedom that I'm sure he craved.

I really didn't want to restrict him. But the worrywart in me was worried someone would find him and turn him into child services or worse. And I really didn't want to answer to the queen about the STC Council's stake in this or the fact that it could technically be considered that I went a little rogue with this assignment, bringing a life form out of a doomed timeline to a strange world that was under the agency's radar. *sigh* If only things could be simpler and if only there weren't so much red tape slowing the processes down. But I digress.

The fountain had become a favorite spot of Asriel's whenever it was possible for him to be there with only my company or the company of one of my responsible crew. So I didn't think twice about letting him get some panoramic shots for whatever filming project he had undertaken.

"Command Central to Volt Arcade.  This is your Underground Pirate Radio Station broadcasting to you live. Yo, pick up the phone and throw me a bone!"

It was right about that time when I got a conference call from Command, my way-above-top-secret trump card behind the scenes who gave me all of my additional off-the-books advantages, tools, shortcuts, and "cheat codes" that let me do my job in spite of the Council's restrictions. Many of Command's little drops and "add-on-content" made the difference between success and the mass genocide of entire worlds--most of which my former protegee, STC traitor, and menace to everything we stood for, Dr. Alouicious Nixon Adonis was at the epicenter of. Having an arch nemesis really sucked at times. Crap. I'm rambling again. Ahem...back on track.

I conferred with Command as Asriel filmed. I hadn't noticed the arrival of Lupe Ayla Lycans' alpha-male lion, Shi-Shi. A surprisingly gentle big cat, despite his intimidating size and presence. I sometimes drew the comparison to...another lion from that case centering around Rose Quartz. Had I been paying attention I probably would have noticed whether Asriel experienced fear, wonder, or some other emotion upon meeting this gentle giant.

Shi-Shi did what he did best, got a few laps of water from the fountain, stretched and lay down for a lengthy cat nap. In retrospect I really wished I hadn't missed the session of Asriel bonding with this beast. It didn't take much to make Shi-Shi content. All you needed to make a friend for life was to stroke his mane gently. So I guess there was no cause for alarm when Asriel decided to put his filming on pause and take a little nap with the lion, snuggling up to his sleeping form.

The video conference went on and on.

I'm not sure how long Command kept me in conference but it was long enough for Shi-Shi and Asriel to wake up from their nap. Of course Shi-Shi instinctively knew to return home to Lupe's nature preserve; a super-haven for all things fauna, flora, and mineral. As an activity center open to the public, it was one part new-age zoo, one part botanical gardens, one part rock and mineral study and exploration (even with a cave system), and one part learning and wildlife preservation center. In short, it would be the perfect place to take Asriel too...but...I had forgotten about that pretty big, bad memory trigger. The buttercups.

Imagine my horror to finally end the call and look up to see Asriel had wandered off, deciding to follow the cat back home. What in the name of Luigi Galvani was I thinking?

"Asriel? Asriel?! Asriel, where are you?! Answer me, Azzy! Oh no... No. No. Nonononononono!" Again with the Alphys moment.

"Shockley, Brattain, and Bardeen! This is so not good! Major! Major?!"

With that Bunnie was on scene, drifting into existence with all the anime splash I had come to expect. Even in times of crisis, she retained that flashy presentation.

"What is the matter, Volt-san?"

"Asriel! It's Asriel! I can't find Asriel!" I was freaking out.

"Calm. We will search for him, discretely."

"Bunnie, if anything happens to him, I'll never forgive myself."

It was like the propane explosion all over again. It was like the time the twins had gotten lost and separated from each other at the mall. I was ready to cite about 10 different instances I felt like an irresponsible parent.

"I will send Megami and my advanced ninja class to scout."

Bunnie let the Shodouphone--one of her two Moji-Cellulars--drop out of her sleeve. She unfolded it from its cell-phone form into its strange mechanical calligraphy brush form and began scripting in mid-air.

With the mystic energy of Mojikara--the so-called Symbol Power of her family's "martial science"--the fluorescent neon Jangese characters manefisted in midair before Bunnie's strike activated them, forming her "Shinkenmaru" praxioscope-hilt katana. She slipped on the "Mizu" disk and gave it a spin with the heel of her palm, transforming the blade into a bow.

She scrawled a message onto a scroll, tied it to the arrow and then drew back and shot the projectile in the direction of Rabbot Dojo. Moments later an answering arrow sailed straight for Bunnie. At the last second she caught the arrow head between two fingers, inches before it would have pierced her skull. Bunnie unrolled the message, read it then nodded. That was all I needed to know that the calvary was on their way.

"I'm also contacting Sally and Rotor." She folded the shodouphone back up and opened it, dialed, and made the call to Sally and Rotor.

"Let us fan out. Any ideas where you'd think he'd go?"

I shook my head scrunching up a bit, fighting back the panic. Who's to say who's a bad parent, Tori?

The search began. We only asked questions to anyone who was already in the loop. Mitzi. Hestia. Gadget. Pit. Sarina. Cid Padesh. Anyone who could help. Finally it came back to me that Shi-Shi had been spotted around the square. It was a long shot but the trail had to lead to Lupe's nature preserve. If only I had prepared myself better for what was to come.

At the preserve, Asriel had the largest of head-starts and his curiosity was in full overdrive. Had I been there I might have actually caught his first joyous smiles and joyous laughter. I still had time before he found his way to the gardens.

As we drew closer to the preserve, we were quickly joined by Sally running in full-on OGPX turbo speed. Rotor had dug out an old Ecotropian "Rider" series hover board he had kept from a time when it was a popular sport in the old kingdom. With some modifications and upgrades Sally had gotten from the Kinneceleron Company during her last overhaul, it was able to keep pace with her OverTech. It might have even been fit to work on water like the aptly named "Pit Bull" hover boards of Technopolis...

The two of them slowed down enough so that Bunnie and I could keep pace.

The four of us reached the main gates and soon found ourselves in a conundrum. This place was very huge. How would we ever find him in all of this? Well...it was said many times by Fred Jones of Mysteries Inc. I guess we had no choice but to "split up, gang".

Asriel had combed his way past the zoo sections pretty quickly. Little goat was faster than I gave him credit for. A thought entertained my mind, offering only seconds of solace; an image of Asriel at the petting zoo yielded the thought of how he'd react to normal goats? Violet would probably tease him with the pet feed to snack on. As if he'd want that! Mental note to self...thwap Violet for doing something I potentially felt could get us in trouble.

Asriel poked around the rocks and minerals section...but I guess it didn't really draw his interest as much as the animals. So I guess that was when the countdown to the storm started.

Sub-Entry 26: "A Family of Orphans in the Eye of the Storm":
Asriel had stopped in front of the sub gate to the gardens, taking it all in. I wondered if the fear had crept into him yet. He was curious and innocent so probably not at that point.

He walked the paths and likely noticed the huge variety of flowers all around as well as the other plants and foliage. This had to have been awakening long dormant feelings. A sense of familiarity must've been there.

I was the closest to his position by that point and I was getting winded. Between sporadic sleep and the fact that I could really snack on a stream of electric current at that, it was beginning to take its toll.

Asriel had long since lost sight of Shi-Shi, who had likely returned to his area. It was about this time he found the entrance to Lupe's current main attraction at the gardens. A grassy spread covered nearly end to end with buttercups. And there, kneeling down with gardening tools and watering can nearby was the form of wolf hybrid, Lupe Ayla Lycans.

Silvery grey fur, ice blue eyes, very tall and slender in stature. Her black hair was done up a spiky formation that was too full on the sides and too gravity-defying in shape to be considered a mohawk. White, jagged stripes ran down the sides of her hair. And it all came down to a lengthy rope ponytail accentuated with jade glass beads separating each segment.

Her simplistic aqua green one-piece dress-like garment matched her criss-crossing leg grieves and daisy-buckle sandals. On her wrists she wore polished gold bracelets. And around her neck was the triangle shaped, tri-colored Spirit Meld prism her mother once had. Strapped to her back was her father's Shaman Staff.

Just looking at her you could tell she was a practiced druid. But a close look at her soon revealed the wavy scar under her left eye which told of her own tragic past.

Asriel started to greet her with his usual "Howdy" when he suddenly noticed his surroundings. Buttercups to the left. Buttercups to the right. Buttercups behind him. Buttercups in front of him. Buttercups...those accursed flowers that Chara...that Chara........that....that...no...not that...please not that...

Asriel's eyes widen as he starting looking about frantically, his expression slowly turning to aghast and terrified. His breathing became erratic to the point of hyperventilating. He was starting to tremble. He had dropped his cam-corder in the grass, leaving it recording. It got a view of everything that would transpire.

"Ah...ahh....ahhh..." He whimpered for breath. And then he squeezed his eyes shut and threw back his head...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" His scream pierced like a knife.

My head snapped up and my eyes widened as soon as I heard it.

Lupe dropped her tools suddenly, immediately drawn the panicked child.

"Little one? What is the matter? Why are you--"

Asriel cried, wailing far worse than anything that could have been expected..

Lupe ran over and dropped to her knees and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Are you lost, are you hurt? What is wrong? Why are are you so upset?!"

He continued to cry out.

"Little one, please talk to me! What has gotten you so frightened and sad? There is nothing here that can hurt--"

"Chara...Chara's gone. The buttercups..."

"Is...Chara your friend--"

"It's my fault! It's all my fault! Chara's gone and it's all my fault! I...I shouldn't have...I shouldn't have...I shouldn't have let her..."

"Little one...?"

"I never should have let her eat the buttercups!"

Lupe's gasped a little, starting to catch on. They were poisonous if ingested.

"She wanted me to absorb her soul...so I could c-cross the b-barrier. Chara...why did you want me to bring your body to the center of your village?"

Lupe's expression started getting a little more more scared and disturbed.

"Chara.....Chara, I don't think this is a good plan anymore...I don't want to kill anyone and take their souls. Don't make me do this, Chara...please...just come back...come back, please...d-don't die...I...I--"

I had skidded to a stop at the gateway at that point to see Lupe kneeling down before a sobbing Asriel, trying to comfort.

"I so scared, Chara...I don't want to be alone...I.....I...*sob*...I'm not ready to let go..."

Those words were like a bullet to the heart. I'd heard them before. Similar context, different situation.

By that time Lupe had put it all together.

"No...it's my fault...it's my fault you died. *sob*  It's my fault that Mom died. *hiccup*  It's my fault that Dad died, too...everyone's dead because of me...it's my fault...it's my fault...*hic*...it's...my....fault...*sob*..."

Lupe's expression turned to aghast...I watched her slowly put her arms around Asriel and embrace. I watched her face scrunch up and her eyes well with tears...I heard the sniffling, a sob choked up. And then I knew what was coming.

"It's...my fault..." She repeated. "I...lost my family...because I wasn't strong. Mother...mother died from sickness but father...father died because I was weak...the soldiers...the soldiers came for us. They pushed us to the Reservation. Their leader wouldn't stop hurting father...I tried to stop him...my crude weapon...it drew blood but it did nothing. The bayonet..."

Lupe reached up and touched her scar. "Slicing..." Lupe was reliving the moment she too became orphaned. "Why...why did this have to happen? Why must...why must I be alone? What...what did my people do to deserve this...?  It's...my fault we're all...we're all......*sob*...it's...my fault...it's all my fault..."

And then like iron to a magnet, I was drawn to the embrace, offering my own, turning it into a group hug.

"I'm an orphan, too. My real family...my whole village was taken from me. Slaughtered by...by hunters. Hunters who despised our race."

I felt inclined to withhold the fact that they were werewolf hunters. Humans who murdered my kind not because we were a threat...just because they could. Just because they wallowed in our death and suffering. Just because we were different.

"...was it because...I was small? I was the runt? Was that why I was beaten down and left to...be slowly poisoned to death by the chemical darts?"

Who should arrive next but Bunnie. Eyes hidden beneath the shadows of her bangs. But I could tell she was also crying. She joined the group hug with her own tragic story.

"I was in my teens...when I was captured and imprisoned in an illegal laboratory during a time of war. When I helped another prisoner escape I was punished by being forced to watch my parents die from a horrible nanomachine injection experiment. No child should ever have to watch their mother and father being torn apart from the inside out. And...this same nanotechnology was used on me...why was I the survivor? Why was I given this power?"

Another embrace. Sally, this time.

"I was the prisoner that Bunnie freed. But I was orphaned long before that. I...lost my kingdom. I was there when...when mommy and daddy were assassinated. I was covered in so much of their blood. I was going to be next...why was I saved? What reason could the world have for not letting me be with them in death...oh gods, what a terrible thing to think right now..."

Rotor was the last to join.

"I was left without a father. But I didn't lose him to death. I lost him...to evil. He was a traitor to our kingdom. When Vorostov approached him he sold us all out. Mom took us and fled the city before it was wiped off the map. Mom, Skeeter and I...we traveled Vorostov's badlands...did...unspeakable things to survive. We made it to South Plumbington in Neo Arcadia but...with no direction on what to do with our lives. We did the best we could and I carried on...until Mom passed only a couple years ago. I'm all that Skeeter has in the world now...I have to be my little brother's everything. It's so much weight to bear...never letting him see me like this. Trying not to be ashamed of my career...my profession as a humble plumber."

It was the first time Rotor had told any of us, even his old friends his whole story. He had kept it to himself all this time.

After all that...it set in to Asriel.

"S-see, little guy. You're not so alone after all..." I choked up a half-hearted chuckle. "We're all in the same boat. We're all orphans. And we all don't want to let go..."

It had started to rain by that point but it didn't matter. Something beautiful had come from something so terrible for each of us. This was the turning point. This was the point of no return. It was time for Asriel to move on. It was time for all of us to move on. From that point onward, after letting it all out, Asriel was finally on the road to recovery and from there it was sunny skies and no more fear of the flowers.

"Heh...even grown-ups can be real crybabies." I offered.

Asriel looked up with a sniffle and managed a smile.

"We should probably get in out of the rain..." Lupe finally said, wiping her eyes.

"Agreed." Bunnie nodded.

And so we did. To the learning center, we went, where a visit to the cafeteria let us drown our sorrows in food, drink, and tales a plenty. The hurting was over and the healing had begun.

"How about that, Azzy? You called for help.......and everybody came."

"Yeah. *sniffle* Thank-you, everyone. Thank you." And he just kept thanking us until we let him know that was more than plenty.

It was then I came to a realization. A true happy ending never really ended. A true happy ending would go on...with plenty of bumps in the road, plenty of moments, plenty of laughs, cries, and as Violet would probably say...hurling. Oh well. This seems like a good spot to make my own "save point". Until next time...

Sub-Entry 27: "Writing's on the Wall":
The experience left me too overflowing with emotion. Before anyone was awake the next morning, I decided to take the Deloreon back to the Underground and clear my head. It was so early it could be considered super-late. This time I'd stay out of trouble. Out of sight. I headed toward Waterfall. It was nighttime...I think? The faux stars hovered in the inky blackness. It wasn't that hard to set the plants adrift and bridge the gap over the bodies of water. And of course there were those Echo Flowers I had studied. They could catch passing conversations and replay them. I had heard they were created for Asgore as a means of remembering things. Cute. And practical. I entered the Wishing Room, my ear catching the conversation of an Echo Flower.

"A long time ago, monsters would whisper their wishes to the stars in the sky..."

This made me think back to Bunnie's Tanabata star-gazing festivals every July 7th.

"If you hoped with all your heart, your wish would come true. Now all we have are these sparkling stones on the ceiling."

I listened to each one as I traveled the cave system.

"Thousands of People wishing together can't be wrong! Asgore will prove that!"

I look through the telescope, a new path through the wall. I entered and continued down the path...and then I saw it along the wall.

"The War of Humans and Monsters."

I read each section in sequence and immediately turned somber.

"Why did the humans attack? Indeed, it seemed that they had nothing to fear. Humans are unbelievably strong. It would take the SOUL of nearly every monster... ...just to equal the power of a single human SOUL."

"But humans have one weakness."

Only one? I mentally jabbed. Nah, that wasn't fair. Every race had their weaknesses. Even werewolves.

"Ironically, it is the strength of their SOUL. It's power allows it to exist outside the human body, even after death."

The next part made me swallow hard.

"If a monster defeats a human, they can take its SOUL. A monster with a human SOUL...a horrible beast with unfathomable power."

I worked up the courage to look at the last part. There was no writing. Only a picture of a strange creature. Something very unsettling about this drawing--

"...!!!" I gasped. It couldn't be.

"A...Asriel...?" It was right out of my nightmares. Right out of the end of the [PACIFIST] timelines. The black robes. The curved horns. The 8-ball eyes. How...how could Asgore or Toriel allowed this grim reminder be inscribed here?

I whirled around, expecting someone to be there...but there was no one. I fell back against thee wall, and tried to be careful not to phase through it....then slid down into a sit...and kinda crumpled a bit.

"Asriel..." I swore I'd never let this happen. I felt every time those nightmares struck I was suffocating. I wanted to give him love. A better world. At the risk of breaking STC protocol. If I wanted to give him his happy ending, would I have to give it all up? "For you...I'd have to risk it all." I turned and looked at what I had read. "Cause'...the writing's on the wall." :detemmienation:  (music link)

I was sure I was channeling something...like the theme to a movie but it felt appropriate.

A deep reflection later I returned to the Deloreon and headed home.

Sub-Entry 28: "Moving on":
It rained for the rest of that day, yesterday, at Lupe's nature preserve. We had all returned home and slept it off.

I stepped out super-early this morning to head to Waterfall and returned in reasonable amount of time to greet the new day.

Almost as a sign, the next day was sunny, bright, and vivid. It was a major Holiday for the Major: the Ecotropian festival for celebrating the rebirth of spring known as Festival of the Rabbit. Children--human, rabbit-hybrid, or otherwise loved to partake in a day of bunnies, rabites, chocolate, and activity. Much like Easter on the many Earth realms of the infinity-verse. So it sucked large portions of "un-coolness" that we had to keep Asriel from it.

"Tempting, isn't it?"

"It seems like...it'd be a lot of fun." Asriel watched from the window.

"Any other kid would have just taken off and joined in by now. That's a lot of self-control you're showing."

"It'd just be...too overwhelming. I...I don't think I'm ready."

Felt like Asriel was trying to lie just so I wouldn't feel guilty.

"Too big a step, too soon."

"Yeah."

"Maybe...maybe next year."

He probably didn't fully grasp the real reason he couldn't be out in public like that. Not yet. But again I'd probably underestimate him if I made that conclusion.

"Looks like there's a lot of chocolate out there." He observed. "Chara...really liked chocolate. She had a favorite brand of chocolate bar. Heh...I'm having trouble remembering the name."

Again the expression saddened.

"About Chara--".

"I've been giving it a lot of thought and...maybe I've always known...maybe I just didn't want to admit it but......Chara...really wasn't the best person in the world."

"Asriel..." The words echoed from another timeline. I'd heard him tell Frisk this.

"Do...do you think she really hated humanity?"

"I can't even say."

"She was always so...bitter whenever I asked about humans. She never wanted to talk about them. But that night at my favorite viewing spot of the kingdom. She suddenly asked me if I hated humans. I told her 'Nah, I don't hate humans.' But she went on about how she couldn't stand what they did to my people. That she was a part of that species. Did I...disappoint her when I told her I didn't hate them?"

"Would it matter so much, little guy?"

"She seemed so sad. She told me she wished she wasn't human...that maybe if she wasn't a human then mom and dad wouldn't look at her like..." He paused. "I stopped her. I told her that Mom and Dad loved her no matter what she was. And...I loved her too. I didn't care if she was human. Monster. Whatever. I was just so happy that she was part of our family."

"That's...that's some pretty amazing things for you tell her."

"If her soul is still out there...maybe she feels like I betrayed her."

"Maybe you feel like you betrayed her, Asriel."

"Maybe."

"Maybe...maybe she's in a place she doesn't have to feel that way. I'd like to think she's left her regrets behind."

I sighed

"Asriel. Sally used to tell me "To thine own self be true."."

"Hmm?"

"If you had kept your promise and did what she told you...absorbed her soul, went to the outside world, killed six more humans and took their souls...I don't think that would be very true to yourself."

Asriel looked up at me and blinked a bit.

"It would have been wrong, wouldn't it? I mean...really, really wrong.  I mean...when you think about it......people...people DIE when they're killed."

I know he was trying to be sagely but such a redundancy sounded like something like one of Violet's internet memes or a quote from a badly translated anime. But...the point still stood. Asriel knew the true meaning of permanence. Death is forever.

Those damn resets were just a dark truth carved out of lies. Or were they dark lies carved out of the truth? Whatever they were...they didn't really heal people or revive them. They just negated events and even so the memory tended to carry into the new timeline. Only the True Reset or the Erase could blank those memories. Those instances where Toriel seemed to pick up on Frisk recognizing them after resetting from an aborted genocide run. Or Sans calling them on turning around and shaking his hand BEFORE he even asked. Anomalies like that. Most tuned it out. But still...

They just merely delayed a 50/50 chance of the inevitable. Pacifism. Genocide. What really awaited each Boss Monster and lesser monster in the end? How dare Chara think it just a game! These monsters...these people... No one should have their emotions toyed with. No one should just be a target to vent negative emotions and violent tendencies.

* sigh*

"In this world...we shouldn't live by "kill or be killed". We should live by "spare or be spared"." I offered.

I'd almost said save or be saved...but it didn't seem like the right words for me to say. Maybe from someone else, somewhere else they'd be more fitting.

Asriel nodded with an "Mm-hmm."

A period of silence.

"Asriel...how do you feel about humans right now?"

"Well...some of them are mean. But...in spite of what Chara says. They can't all be bad, right?"

He wanted to believe.

I paused for a lengthy time.

"Volt?"

"The differences...the divide between the human and monster races..." I pondered.

Reflecting on the prejudices that lead to the Seven Souls Barrier in the first place I recalled a different case in my STC-career. It was one I thought would be ongoing but eventually did wrap up. Humans and monsters...it was the same case when applied to humans and demons. But that case was unique because there was a third thing to consider; how would one who was half human and half demon figure into the mix?

In this instance the person of interest found rejection from both sides. This case had brought me back and forth between modern Japan and Feudal Japan and the curious relationship between a high school human girl and a white-haired half-demon with dog ears--Kagome and Inuyasha.

I made up my mind.

"Asriel...there's something I have to tell you. Something I have to show you. It might change the way you see me. But...I can't put this off any longer."

"V...Volt?"

"It's...not that I kept this from you on purpose. It's that...there have been so many things getting in the way. You need to know who...and what your rescuer is."

"What...what are you talking about?"

"No family secrets about who we are, Asriel.  My race is known as lycan. Commonly called werewolf."

That was a controlled truth. I couldn't tell him about HIS family (yet). But when I was ready to, I'd tell him about MY family.

Asriel blinked.

"You...don't know what that is, do you?" I stepped back a bit and made sure the lighting was good.

"I won't make you promise to not get scared. And I accept however you judge me from this point on."

With that...I decided to un-morph.

It wasn't a painful process. I was born lycan so the shift was as natural as breathing. There was no bone-cracking or meaty contorting like there was for lycans who resulted from the infection of a bite by a feral werewolf.

The fur slowly receeded. I normally kept my claws retracted--my specific species could extend and retract them like cats--so it was a lot more visual when they dulled and shortened into nails.

My big feet; four bulbous equal-sized toes on each foot--shrunk back into homo sapien 5-toed variety of normal asymmetrical size, big toe and all.

My tail, shrunk back into its confines.

My muzzle pulled back into my skull and my fangs and teeth dulled and also shrunk back. My ears shifted back through where they poked up out of my hair to the sides of my head.

My clothes were specially made from an integration of adaptable biometric nano-tube chains and various bio-receptive polymers that allow them to instantly reconfigure to my adjusted size. Morphing one way or the other meant no clothing malfunctions; no ripping tearing, and no being charged with indecency.

A weird side effect was that when my electric powers went dormant, the shiny silver color would disappear from my karate gi and sandals leaving white versions behind.

Asriel watched every moment, eyes wide as beach balls, not even blinking. He didn't gasp, he didn't whimper, he didn't even move from his spot.

I tried to keep my eyes open as long as I could but my vision was starting to blur. That was the other quirk of making all my werewolf powers go dormant. I only had 20/20 vision when morphed. Heck, when morphed my vision was actually BETTER than 20/20. But as a human I was having trouble seeing him even from that distance. Just a white fuzzy blotch with patches of yellow and green and purple where the clothes would be.

When the process was finished I immediately reached into my lab coat pocket and pulled out my glasses and put them on. There. That was better. I ran a hand through my jet black hair. Violet had told me I looked a lot like that Harry Potter kid in human form. And often joked I should get a lightning bolt tattoo on my forehead. Stupid rabbit.

"This is me...the real me." I was finding it hard to look him in the eyes. I still felt like I had been lying to him all this time.

"I'm neither human nor monster...and yet I'm both. I can only imagine what you must be--"

I wasn't prepared for the tackle-hug!

"Oh, wow! You're...you're...you're so amazing! You're a human! And a monster! You're like a...hu-monster!"

"Asriel?"

"This is so cool! So cool!"

"Well...I suppose--

"So cool! So cool! So cool! So cool! So cool--"

"Okay, take it down a notch, Asriel. I feel like you're channeling something you shouldn't be."

At that an anime sweat-bullet formed on the side of my head as I became haunted by my imagination of a familiar blue glow in a familiar eye socket behind me.

He reached up and touched my nose.

"Boop."

Okay. So. He booped the snoot. Well. That was all too familiar. Where'd he pick that up from?

Asriel then snatched up my hands, feeling them, thoroughly examining them, giggling with laughter. His hands were warm and all on my bare skin. I wonder what I must've felt like to him?

"Er..."

Asriel knelt down and poked my toes a little, then tickled them. I curled them in response. I was incredibly ticklish.

"H-hey! Personal space, kiddo!"

I wasn't really that uncomfortable. It was actually kind of a pleasant sensation. Even in human form, my feet were sensitive but not in a bad way. My animal instincts almost felt a desire for a massage. Violet would be waaaay too amused and for all the wrong, lewd reason. I needed to smack her.

"Sorry! I'm just a little over-excited!"

Asriel was just completely earnest about the whole thing. Purity was definitely the word, Bunnie. It was his innocence I respected so much. It was what it was and I wouldn't let Violet's presence sully it with naughty thoughts. But it was time to snap out of the moment.

Asriel walked around me, nothing my missing tail and observing that my ears were now on the sides of my head.

Jeeze, kid. Didn't you spend enough time around Chara to learn something about human morphology? But...I guess I couldn't really blame his innocent curiosity. I was two creatures in one.

"Okay, Azzy. I'm going to change back now."

I expected him to moan or whine but again...this had to be the most cooperative boy on the planet. But he stepped back, hands behind his back. Beaming and watching. Like he couldn't wait to see the process reverse. I removed and folded up my glasses. Didn't want them being pushed off my snout, and falling to the floor and breaking to pieces.

And so I changed back, ending the transformation with a brief crackle of electricity.

"Well. I guess that's done." I scratched the underside of my jaw. "So...now what?"

Asriel shrugged and rubbed the back of his head.

"Maybe...maybe when this excitement dies down I can introduce to to Scott and Callista."

"Are they going to be my.......caretakers?" He really took a moment to choose the right word.

"If all works out. They're really good people. Callista is a college professor at the university; and is a master painter-artist, and skilled at the violinist.  Scott...well...Scott's a soldier. He's kinda quiet and reserved because he's...seen a lot of war and had a lot of bad things happen to him. Scott's suffered a bit of...memory loss. Maybe you can help him remember...well...what it's like to be a person again. If that makes sense."

"Well...I guess I'll figure it out when I meet him. They both sound super-nice."

"Oh yes. Callista is super nice. She's kinda shy, too. Callista has what we call psychic powers so...she can do a lot of things with her mind. Don't be surprised if you catch her painting while she's...er...invisible."

"She can turn invisible?"

"Among other things."

"I guess that will make her my...trans-parent?"

".....did you...just make a pun?" I whirled.

"Yeah. Mom used to make them all the time. Is that okay?"

I chuckled.

"Yeah. That's more than okay."

"So...if you're not going be my...er...new dad...what does that make you?"

"Well...I'm not sure."

"Well...you're neither dad nor uncle...maybe you're a dun--"

"Gonna stop you there. I feel like you're channeling something that's gonna get us in trouble...not sure how." You would be enjoying this too much, Sans.

"...I know what you are..."

"You do?"

"Yeah. I guess with Chara gone...there's kind of an opening......I'm not sure how to put this without it sounding a little weird and awkward."

"Asriel...?"

"You're my new best friend."

"......." I was stunned by that. Was this...okay? I mean...wouldn't he prefer a best friend his own age? Was this appropriate? Was this...really not awkward? Asriel. I just didn't know what to say.

"Sorry. I...don't have a locket to give you." He said with a big silly grin.

"Yeah, that WOULD be kinda weird." I admitted. "You don't have to give me anything. You've already given me your friendship and that's more than enough."

"Best friends forever?"

"Best friends forever."

Sub-Entry 29: "It's Not Official Until You've Been Rabite-Hatted":
When the festivities died down and the square did empty out. I could see the shadow of regret hiding behind Asriel's gaze. But he seemed like the kind of kid who could handle the wait. He at least deserved something from the holiday that'd be worth a good memory until next year.

Bunnie gave us some chocolate and candy to take back with us. A nice gesture but not a lasting one.

I entertained the possibility of hosting a Lunar Cycle celebration on the clock tower balcony. Wasn't sure if I should get Asriel hearing protection. That clock could be loud when it rang and its mechanics inside weren't much quieter. I had been working on noise-cancellation measures for some time after spending some time off world on a place I had taken a shine to; the world of Elebits. The father of a boy I had met named Kai had invented various devices including a noise-cancellation unit I thought could be adapted into a more lasting implementation for use in factories or intensely noisy areas.

I led him to the clock tower balcony. We passed by the park. I didn't notice the light tremor behind us as something furry, orange, and fluff-ball-like burrowed up out of the ground with a "Chuu!"

Wrench had just missed greeting us. But that wouldn't stop the rabite from following us top side.

As we passed by the gate leading to Rabbotou Dojo, I felt a psychic presence for a moment. Bunnie? Callista? No. This was more...like......heh. If I had stuck around I might have noticed Bunnie's favorite Ebon Rabite, Marie, en route to the dojo to give her favorite trio their singing lessons. Nothing and I mean nothing could ever be as effective a therapy that the song of rabites singing was. A large sum of money? Fame? The key to the city? A new CD ROM video game console? Why...it didn't even COMPARE! (With apologies to Johnny Turbo.)

Jonathan Talbain, my son-in-law, was already topside. Big, blueish-grey werewolf lug was asleep on one of the lawn chairs set up. He was going to wait all this time for nightfall? Lazy wolf. Not a care in the world as long as the other "Darkstalkers" from his past were far away from him. He was always scared if too many of them gathered in the same place it would only endanger everyone.

He was still on edge after Felicia had transferred in from the main UCIAT branch in Neo Arcadia City. His old friend from the dark times was the reason he even got into UCIAT. Sprite-ly girl. A little naive about things. Felicia had big dreams of being a star in the spotlight. either the movie or Broadway variety. Cat woman could dance, too. Which was only counterbalanced by how completely oblivious to the fact that she didn't wear nearly enough clothing to be considered decent that she was. Keeping her away from Violet was a must. At least she kept a clean lab coat on at times while on the clock.

"Later tonight, we're going to have a barbecue. I don't know if you like steak but we'll have plenty of burgers and hot dogs. And grilled chicken and spareribs. It's going to be a feast!"

"Mmm! Sounds yummy!" Asriel noted.

"Usually we host these things on the three nights of the full moon."

"The moon?"

"Yeah."

Come to think of it...It completely escaped my attention if there even was any semblance of a moon in the Underground. I really should have paid more attention in Waterfall or the viewing spot of the castle. Speaking of I didn't notice a pair of beady glowing eyes peaking out from the shadows in the corner of the balcony by the entrance. "Chuu..." Really should have expected Mitzi's fleaser, Chu-Chu would be there too.

"You'll get to see it. It's...like the brother...or sister of the sun. But at night time."

"Ahhh." He nodded. We both had a seat on lawn chairs. From there we just enjoyed the mostly-quiet, the muffled clock tower noises and occasional lurch of the minute hand the only thing breaking the silence.

I closed my eyes for only a moment before I was awakened by Asriel's sudden yelp!

"Ahhhh! Something jumped onto my head!" I saw him recoiled in fear, eyes wide open...and then I saw it.

"Chuuu!"

"Ahhh! It's alive! Whatever it is is alive!"

I suddenly started laughing.

"Take it easy, Azzy. It's only Wrench."

"W....Wrench?" He questioned, still in panic mode.

I shuffled through my E.N.G.I.N.E. micro dots I kept on my black belt and decompressed a hand mirror. "Look for yourself." The image I was treated to was priceless.

"Ohhh! It's a...it's a...!"

Wrench peeked down from his sitting spot.

"Uh...what is it?"

"It's a rabite!"

"Ra...bite?" Asriel kept his head still, afraid to move it.

"Local fauna. They're adorable. They make great pets. This guy here is Wrench. He's friendly. Say hello."

"Uh...okay...umm.. *ahem* Howdy, Wrench. I'm Asriel." He looked up at the creature staring back. Asriel then noticed I was having trouble containing my laughter.

"What? What is it?"

"You just became official."

"Official?"

"You're not officially part of town until you've been rabite-hatted."

That wasn't really true but it was true enough for most of us in town. Chameleon would certainly have...things to say. Another person I wanted to hold off on Asriel meeting until better circumstances.

The appearance of one floppy-eared, mostly-limbless puffball that was vaguely rabbit-shaped on top of another floppy-eared creature was too much.

"Heh...heh..." Asriel started laughing himself. After a bit of a laugh, Wrench hopped down into Asriel's arms.

"Go ahead and pet him. And I guarantee you've got a friend for life."

And so he did.

"Chaaa..." Wrench was quite content.

The rest of the day just faded into night from there. This night was best saved for another log entry.

SUB-ENTRY: UNKNOWN
DATA RETRIEVAL IN PROGRESS.......ERROR...UNKNOWN SYSTEM ANOMALY...

* STATIC*

Personal Log: Date encrypted. Time encrypted. Coordinates encrypted.

< FILE MISSING >

Sub-Entry ???: DATA NOT FOUND

"...where...where am...? How'd I get here?"

I checked the bracer. Static. The world is ominously silent. It felt unusually cold. And...colorless?

I looked around and noticed I was atop Mount Ebott. Barrier was intact. But something wasn't right. The sensation I was getting was like there was a vacuum at the mouth of the mountain and it was sucking the life away from everything.

"This must be one doozy of an unstable timeline..." I muttered, feeling a bit paranoid. Strange...I don't remember what vehicle I used to get here. My holo-tablets only display television static. A.E.O.N. isn't responding nor is Command.

I leaped down into the entrance, forming magnetic walls in sequence which I used to kick off of to control my descent before landing at the bottom.

"...what the--"

Weren't there...weren't there supposed to be flowers in the ruins? Seemed like an obvious question. In fact there should have been grass, too. Ground was as lifeless as everything else. And the ruins themselves looked a lot more dilapidated. I was starting to notice the traps were broken, disabled, or missing. Abandoned? That didn't make sense.

"ACHOO!" Dusty-- Oh crap.

"A Genocide Timeline. Not good. I must've arrived really late."

I picked my way to Toriel's house. The tree was uprooted. Okay...easy, Volt. You knew sooner or later you'd come across an unstable timeline like this. It was just a matter of time.

I started to phase through the door when my hand pushed it open. Not even latched shut...wait a minute. I checked the bracer. The Hazard Card was still in it. Now this was definitely not making sense. What a time for my equipment to malfunction.

I searched the house. It was...unusually filthy with cobwebs. Maybe Muffet was invited over in recent times...ehehh...ehehh......ehhhh.

A number of barely-eaten meals were laying out. At least they weren't spoiled being monster food and all. But I had no indication how long they'd been sitting there.

I decided to check the bedrooms.

Toriel's seemed the same but...the bed had obviously not be slept in...probably since the room was furnished.

The other room was boarded up as always.

The last room......completely empty? This didn't make sense. By now the other children had to have come and gone. There should be no reason for...

I shuddered suddenly.

I walked of the basement staircase, picking up the pace. I could only guess how bad it was outside the ruins--

I turned the corner and found the inner gate standing wide open. It wasn't like Tori to leave it like this. I went through and down the hall. Curious. I usually got brighter the closer I got to the outer gate.

"Man...this is giving me the creeps." I turned to look over my shoulder--

"OOF!" I bumped into someone. "Ugh...gotta watch where I'm going. Sorry, about that, I was just--"

My eyes widened.

"T-Toriel?!"

It was Goat mom alright. But... she wasn't responding to my voice. She didn't move much from the impact.

"Toriel, thank science you're okay. I thought you were du--"

I had placed a hand on her shoulder...no reaction. I shook her a little. Worried I grabbed her and turned her around to face me. That was when I saw...

"Toriel...?"

The same lifeless expression Asriel was wearing when I found him in the void. She was alive but completely catatonic. How long had she been staring at the gate?

And for that matter...it was standing wide open, too.

I made several attempts to get through to her until I could see it was hopeless.

"Oh, Toriel..."

I didn't want to leave her but I was getting nowhere. So I exited the ruins.

As I continued my trek I found more and more of the same lifelessness. More familiar faces. More in total despair and unresponsive. Before I knew it I had combed my way all the way to the Capital and met with just about everyone I had documented previously. Asgore was the final stop on the list. And he was right where I expected to find him. The hallway leading to the barrier; the spot where he and Frisk battled. Again. Unresponsive. Eyes sullen and lifeless.

I gripped my fists...then charged through the barrier. My soul was easily powerful enough to allow me passage.

I looked again and found myself outside Mount Ebott. There were no answers to be found here. Maybe I'd find them in the above ground in the human world.

It was nightfall. I climbed my way down the mountain...and a feeling crept over me. I knew this feeling. It was the feeling of being watched.

I stopped at the base of the mountain, looking off toward the closest human structures. Somewhere out there was where Chara, Frisk, and every other child had originally come from.

"What the Hell's going on? Can someone tell me please?" I made my plea, knowing there was no one to answer. I began to notice the micro-glitches jump around spots. They were switching faster than the channels on TV. Yup. Unstable timeline. :termination:  (Music Video Link)

I sighed and tried to get my bearings...and out of the corner of my eye I saw two glowing red dots behind, something perched on the elevation behind me---

I whirled too late as whatever was in the shadows suddenly leaped and pounced on me, knocking me down. I felt a set of jaws snapping at me. I was pinned to the ground but managed to get one arm free.

I struggled to get free and was about to scream at my attacker when I opened my eyes. No. No. Nonononononono...!

"Asriel!" I panicked.

It was him alright. Definitely him after absorbing Chara's soul. Oh my god...he was alive! He was alive...and trying to kill me?!

My eyes bugged out as I commenced to dodging each snap. In desperation I let instinct take over and did the only think I could. I drew back with my free arm and slapped him across the face. Hard. And then he suddenly stopped, black-sclera-and-red-iris eyes as wide as they could go. He backed off, staggered back for a bit...got his balance... and dropped to his knees, putting a hand to where I had struck him...and then his face scrunched up and he began to cry. Really cry.

This was crushing me. It was like I was staring at my own failed efforts. But...at least he wasn't a pile of dust. But...why was he alive.

"Asriel...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to..."

Asriel fell backward into a sit, scooting away, scared.

"Y-y-you're...you're another m-monster? Out...outside the b-barrier?" His voice was deep and distorted with an unholy echo.

"Well...it's a long story." I got up and offered a hand. Asriel turned away, ashamed. I pressed it until he reluctantly accepted the help.

"Do...do you know me? You called me b-by my name."

"I know who you are but...how are--"

Asriel got to his feet.

"It's...it's not safe here...they'll...they'll come. I don't want to be around when they do."

"Afraid of them?"

"No......afraid of me."

"...Asriel, it's not that bad--"

"No! It's worse. I can't be around them. I can't. I just can't."

I was hearing the echo of his words to Frisk at the end of the [TRUE PACIFIST] timelines.

"What happened to you? I thought..."

Asriel was already leading me away to a small cave entrance at the base of the mountain. Pretty well hidden. We entered.

"I think I have time to explain. But I'd better make it quick...she won't like it if..."

"You mean...Chara."

I suddenly began to see the big picture. He hadn't stopped resisting Chara's control over his body.

"You know about Chara, too, huh?"

"I know the whole sad story."

"Not all of it."

Asriel's gaze fell.

He sat down on a large rock by a small campfire. He was obviously living here...in exile. I sat on a second large rock opposite from the one he was seated on.

"After I...we...crossed the barrier, I let her carry her body toward the human village. The things she was saying to me...they got scarier...creepier...darker. She was going home. I really didn't like the plan by that point. She said something...really horrible at that point...and I felt her making that face she always did...but it was my face. I had a huge panic attack and resisted her and ran away before we could get to the village. I was too scared to think straight. I couldn't go through with it...so...I ran and hid. I had never felt Chara so mad...she was saying terrible things to me in my own voice. She asked me what I was trying to prove."

The micro-glitches fluctuated for a bit. I thought I saw them overlap Asriel at some point.

"She told me I'd have to start surviving. She wasn't about to let this be for nothing. At that point I knew she'd try again. She'd make me lose control and start hunting humans. It became a war between us day and night. She'd make me sneak to the human village and hunt for victims. But I'd always stop her and get away. I stopped trying to sleep because I had to stay on guard for any attempt to take control of me while I wasn't conscious."

Asriel looked up at me. That's when I noticed how...weary he looked.

"I'm tired. So very tired. And Chara won't let up..."

"She can't be reasoned with, can she?"

Asriel shook his head. I noticed how ragged and torn his robes were. I then noticed the scars in exposed spots.

"Oh gods...did the humans--"

"No. That was me. From when I had to stop myself."

Pain. The worst possible way to break Chara's hold.

"I can't go back either. I can't let Mom and Dad see me like this...they should remember me how I was."

Again. Those same words spoken to Frisk. Or at least similar in the same context.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"No. That's...very nice of you to offer but...no. No one can help me. And it feels like it's getting worse every time. I feel her rage inside. It's not natural. This can't be what humans are like inside...can it?"

"Azzy..."

Asriel let out a forced chuckle.

"It was...it was a stupid dream. Wasn't it? Freeing all my people." He turned away.

"You know that's not true. Dreams are never stupid. What about wishing on stars to make your dreams come true. You're outside of the barrier. There are real stars to wish on, now--"

Asriel didn't answer. I stood up and walked over to him, a bit worried.

"You can't just give up. It'll be okay. Come on, Asriel. There's hope even for you. You just gotta stay det--"

"NO!"

He spun and roared.

"That's what got me into this in the first place!" He stared right through me. "This accursed determination...it's what's wrong with the world! It only leads to pain and suffering...and no matter how much of it you have you're going to die!"

"Asriel, please. Just listen to me--

I was suddenly grabbed by my necktie and yanked close.

That's when I saw the Chaos Saber materialize in his hand.

"I'M. NOT. ASRIEL!!!!"

I gasped.

"Chara...!"

"You...you really PISS ME OFF! He's MY brother. Mine! Mine, you hear me. You can't take him away from me. He's going to become a god! Even if I have to force feed every soul down his throat--"

Asriel suddenly let go of me and grabbed his own face, clutching it in agony.

"N-no! No, I won't let you do it, Chara!"

"Stay OUT of this!"

"No! He's not a human! His soul is worthless to you--"

"Is that what you think?! You sense it, don't you! You feel his soul. It's not like a monster's. And it's not like a human's. It's incredibly powerful. Maybe better than a human's! Why would anyone pass up an opportunity like this!"

I gasped. Echos of Flowey. Again.

Why was I so scared? Death was the least of my concerns. I...no...it's Asriel. I know it's really Chara but all I see is Asriel.

The other Chaos Saber came out.

"In this world...it's kill or BE killed! DIE!" The sword began its maiden voyage toward me--

"AUGGGH!!!" You...!"

The other blade was now stabbed through his arm.

Asriel's eyes were streaming tears and he was cringed in pain.

"You IDIOT! These injuries are inconsequential!"

"Chara...I'm tired...I don't want to fight you anymore..."

"Then be a good little brother and stop interfering!"

"I won't fight you anymore...that's why...I'm so sorry...but..."

"What are you doing, Asriel..."

"Hey...mister...you'll remember me as I used to be...right?"

"You won't do it, Asriel.  You've always been a coward.  You can't stand against me.  Now give up and let me have total control of this body--"

"SHUT UP!  Just...stop talking, Chara...just stop...stop....no more...no more.  I don't want to hear you anymore!"

Asriel squeezed his eyes shut hard then looked back up at me, trying to ignore Chara.

"We're going to lose everything because you lost the nerve to do what has to be done!"

"So that's it.  This...this is The End."

"Asriel...what are you saying? Don't talk like that. You're stronger than she is." I forced a smile but it must've look like pure panic.

"No. I'm weak. I'm pathetic. And I've given her everything to keep her from turning me into a...a...a serial murderer."

No don't speak that anagram out loud, Asriel. Don't do it. Please don't rearrange the letters of your name into...that.

"I guess this is goodbye. Hey. Why don't you visit mom...she makes a great snail pie. Or maybe you're the type that likes butterscotch-cinnamon. Heh. It's to die for. Kinda...wish I had some right now."

"Don't do it!"

"YOU'LL REGRET THIS, ASRIEL!"

I started streaming tears.

"Please!  There has to be another way!  It can't end like this!  I...don't want to lose you!"

"Don't cry. That's what I do. You don't have to feel sad for me. Asriel Dreemurr has been dead for a long time. I'm just an......an echo in the mirror."

Asriel tilted his head back, looking up to the sky with an excruciatingly painful attempt at an open smile.

"Mom...dad...I'm going to be a little late getting home. I was just too impatient. Guess I'm REALLY grounded, this time. Well...if I don't see you soon...catch up to me when you can..."

And the blades flashed.

"No...!"

His expression softened. I saw the black heart with the white outline leave his chest...shudder a bit then break in half before exploding to shards and falling to the ground.

And then I saw the dust drift off of him as he slowly dissolved away. The particles swept over the floor.

I was aghast. I dropped to my kneels and tried to scoop up the dust. I threw my head back and squeezed my eyes shut.

"ASRIELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"

I anguished, calling out his name. The glitches were getting worse. The world was starting to twist and distort. Dimensional collapse. My bracer was dead. This was the end.

I kept calling out to him while crying my eyes out, even though I knew he was gone...this was it... As the world turned white I heard it...

"Volt...! Volt...! Volt...!"

I felt myself shake as the light grew blinding.

"Volt! Wake up!"

Sub-Entry 30: "See you round', Space Cowboy...er...Time Traveler..."
My eyes snapped open as I felt myself being shaken.

I looked up and saw...!

"You...  I thought that... It was... She tried to... So horrible... I thought I had lost y--"

"Shhhhhhhhhh..." I was shushed with his gentle voice and the gentle stroking of my forehead and muzzle.

"This is all just a bad dream...*

Those words...the last words Asriel spoke to Frisk before...!

I then noticed I was in the lawn chair. Still topside the roof. It had turned to night. Moon hadn't come out from behind the clouds yet.

"You were tossing and turning, and crying in your sleep.  Are you okay?"

A pause. I wondered...if I said anything in my sleep? Did I...reveal anything...? The things that Asriel might have overheard... Calm yourself. Calm yourself.

"....yeah. I am now."

"That other wolf guy over there woke up and he got started while you were asleep. Also...someone dropped off a bunch of food earlier but I wasn't watching and didn't see who it was. The door closed before I could get a look while I was busy with the rabites."

Violet. Heh. And this was one of the moments that I really appreciated having her on my team. A firecracker she might be but she kept her affection in the closet. It'd ruin her reputation if people saw her actually be nice and not just a crass, annoying tease.

"Rise n' shine, gov! You keep overworking yourself and you really will sleep through one of these. Can't have a bloke miss out on the best three nights of the month."

It was impossible to mistake that British accent for anyone by my son-in-law, Jonathan Lawrence Talbain. Known around UCIAT ranks as our gentle giant, Jon was even bigger than me at my usual six feet in morphed height and multiple times stronger. In fact he was probably the strongest in our ranks, bench-pressing ridiculous amounts of weight. But we also knew him as the walking, talking, furry, tailed garbage disposal. When it came to eating he was a black hole by werewolf standards.

His favorite staple was the quadruple-decker "He-Man Burger Deluxe" with two triple cheese side orders of fries (with apologies to Commander Cody). :detemmienation:   (Music Video Link) A sandwich the diameter of a dinner plate with four layers of burger and toppings. Even for your average werewolf that was a ludicrous amount of food.

Jon was out and about wearing his usual purple pants and an extra large shirt that could accommodate his massively furry barrel chest. Plus he was wearing his favorite Kiss the Cook apron as he grilled. He stood completely barefoot on his haunches. His sub-species of lycan was closer to wolf than man when morphed. Which likely explained his embarrassing habits and behaviors such as yelping and hiding when Elektra ran the vacuum cleaner or his tendency to get down on all fours and sniff around. And of course that silly dog-like behavior of shaking his leg while on his back when Elektra gave him belly rubs. Seriously, Jon. Show some dignity for our species.

"Sorry."

"Cor' blimey, Volt. You're lucky that I'm here to lecture you about being a workaholic instead of Lisa or Elektra.

"Or Velaska." I brought up our other chief medical officer.

"Well, steaks are on the grill. A bit more and happy days are here again."

I smiled at that.

"Oh! I need to introduce you both. Jonathan, this is Asriel Dreemurr. Asriel, this is my son-in-law, Jonathan Lawrence Talbain. He's our data archiver and part-time tailor."

"Howdy, Mister Talbain."

"You can call me Jon, love. How are you this fine evening?"

"I'm doing a lot better now."

"Smashing!"

Asriel giggled with his eyes closed. He grinned;  a floppy-ear-to-floppy-ear grin.

"By the way, we've kinda drawn a bit of a crowd."

Asriel looked off to where the rabites had gathered. Wrench. Marie. Chu-Chu. And even Bunnie's trio--Houjicha, Bancha, and Kukuicha.

Jon was one step ahead and brought the caro root, veggies and such and laid them out on little plates for our hungry little puffballs. Asriel had been keeping himself occupied with fawning over each one. He let Jon borrow the cam-corder to film. I had modded it to include a playback option with a flip-out panel screen. I delighted upon seeing him play with them with such energy. There are no words for watch a dog pile...er...rabite pile on a laughing little goat boy.

It's just. That. Good.

Eventually the food was ready and the additional guests that we entrusted with Asriel's secret arrived. Mostly other lycans in town. Vidian. Glenn. Valerie.

Some not so-lycan like our favorite genetically engineered "R-Series", Red Stokes. The VARS cyborg sisters. I was even sure I caught sight of a certain chaos cat and his own rabite companion

As had been customary, those of us of the lycan variety had started adopting dojo rules for the lunar cycle cookouts and left our shoes and/or sandals by the entrance to the stairwell. Something about the full moon brought us closer to our animal instincts. And animals tended to be barefoot. We lycanthropes and theranthropes were weird that way.

The circle was growing and it was amazing how well the secret was staying secret. But I knew the expiration date on that was fast approaching.

I had decided to call in UCIAT co-founder, Kitty Rosetta Dimitir to accelerate the legal process. As one of the ten co-founders of UCI, Kitty was way meeker than even Asriel when he first arrived. Described as mousey, apologetic, and nervous.....y'know in a way she reminded me of Alphys. At least when it came to most of the time. As soon as she opened her legal briefcase, got her paperwork readied and snapped it shut...it was like all sound just stopped for a moment and the echo of the briefcase clacking reverberated through your soul. Because that was the point she would have that super-intense, industrial strength aura about her, accompanied by a cold expression that screamed 'I'll put you to bankruptcy for mistaking my generosity for weakness.

Rumor was that she served as prosecutor in a case against a notorious mob boss; by the end of the trial the accused had soiled himself and gave a full confession, pleading that Kitty be kept the Hell away from him. It was the most unexpected turnabout victory ever recorded in recent Neo Arcadia times. And I thought Maya Fey had a split personality. With her speeding things along, Asriel would have his new legal home and guardians.

Mitzi had even come by to deliver a generous supply of garlic bread and garlic toast. Mmm! Garlic was like candy to our lycan species. Quite to opposite of vampires.

Food was served and soon the magic hour arrived. For the clouds parted and there was the full moon.

"Goodness! Look at that!" Asriel looked up at it, bathed in the light. His laughter and excitement were peaked.

"The only thing as beautiful as the sun." I smiled.

Jon didn't waste a moment baying at the big white ball in the sky. I looked to Azzy and shrugged. I'd explain later. But for now...a few of us decided to join in on that.

It was the first of three nightly celebrations and it was good. Despite the bumps in the road and the nightmares, things were looking up. And I was finally looking forward to what lay ahead...

Chapter 4

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