I can’t even remember what the pain felt like, but I do know I don’t ever want to experience it again.
That purple fire will haunt me forever.
I woke up to a dark, red-tinged room. Is this whatever humans call ‘Hell’?
Then I had that dumb detective-wannabe face looking over me.
“Wakey, wakey… flower boy. Nice to see my blood ain’t completely useless in this scenario…”
“Howdy…?”
I can’t see very well, but Cenna sure sounded tired. I guess if she’s alive, I’m not thrown into the land of dead people.
“What the heck are you talking about?” I tried to sit up. Well, however much a flower can ‘sit’.
When I looked down, I noticed that I’m in the middle of a seven-point star. It’s drawn with blood and it’s sending life magic into me. And me alone…
“Chara!” I cried out. “Wake up, Chara!”
They’re outside the Gram, wilted and unconscious. They don’t even have a face anymore!
Miss Magus patted me on the head and said: “My magic ain’t working on them. Dunno why… But the kid’s not dead yet. So keep that precious water content inside of ya. Nngh… Can’t say the same about me though.”
“Why?”
“You can operate a phone, right?”
“Yeah?” Okay, why does she need me to do the job? Nevermind. She passed it to me anyway.
I tapped the torchlight function with my vine.
OH MY GOLLY WOLLY THERE IS BLOOD EVERYWHERE!!!
It’s all flowing out from the side of her chest. Dark red. The cut isn’t deep enough to have hit one of those ‘arteries’, but that doesn’t look like it’s gonna stop anytime soon.
“You IDIOT!” I yelled, “You didn’t bandage yourself up?! Y-you should have done that before taking care of me! I’m gonna call for help!”
“Sorry, flower boy… Zero bars.”
Great. She’s right. There’s absolutely no reception down here.
“I got an idea,” said Cenna. “…Could you… make some sort of makeshift bandage out of plant material? …I hope ya can.”
She’s right. We got to plug that dumb leak first. “I’ll try…”
I tried to make some blunt vines. Big Fail. Had to yank the sharp bits out with my teeth. It may seem gruesome, but it doesn’t hurt at all.
I then helped Cenna paste a bunch of leaves over the cut. Strapped them in place.
“Did that help?” I asked.
“Yeah.” She smiled back at me. “I’ll be good for a while. Thanks a ton.”
“Now that I’m not spewing a waterfall… Why not shine that little light on the Spirit Gate?”
I pointed the torch at it. As if the day cannot get worse. I’m looking at moronic idiocy personified in the form of a six-winged red Mark.
Yup. I flipped out. Hard.
“THAT USELESS SMILEY TRASHBAG!!! Of ALL the times he chose to be not-lazy, it’s on some stupid, idiotic, gambit NONSENSE poo-pooheadness!”
Cenna chuckled.
“What? This isn’t the time to laugh!”
The nerve. This is a serious situation after all.
More snort and giggles. “Poo-poo head? …Hahaha! So cute… Great to see you so fired up. That’s a clear sign you’re healthy.”
I grumbled under my breath. Nevermind. I gotta be the mature flower here! “Can you walk?”
Cenna answered, “Even if I could, I won’t be able to get outta here. …The blackout we experienced ain’t a normal one. More so after the few ka-booms you slept through.”
“Excuse me?” I blurted. “That last part didn’t make sense.”
“Go shine in the direction of the elevator.”
I did that. There’s no corridor. Instead, there’s a huge block of reinforced steel plunked right in the middle: complete with yellow and black warning stripes.
“See what I mean?” she said, “Security measures kicked in and locked down the Crimson Hall tighter than a fort. …We’re talking vault-level here. …See this ain’t the first time someone tried to hijack the Trial, flower boy. After all, this is the Supreme Judge’s most vulnerable moment…”
I tilted my head at her, confused.
“Let’s start from the top.” I heard a grunt or two as she tried to make herself comfortable.
“On a normal day, Lucy controls the Spirit Gate…. Everyone thinks all you need is a SOUL to pass. Na-uh, ain’t gonna happen. …Only folks with authorization can open the door. Like me.”
“My job is to take down any intruders from the outside and drop the lockdown on command. …Unfortunately…” She glanced at the big stone door. “We’ve got a real cunning assassino this round. …That blackout gave him a window where Lucy’s cut off from the systems. Forced the door open with a Mark while she’s not looking, then sealed it right behind him.”
Things looked bad. Super bad.
I frowned. “So what now? We’re gonna sit here until we run out of air?”
“Nah. Air vents exist for a reason. Y’know, the one you and Chara busted out from.”
It’s still open at least. I can easily crawl back in there and find my way out.
“Flowey,” said Cenna. Serious mode too. “Sorry for dumping all this on ya but… you’re the only one who can go get help.”
That made me feel a little… nervous. The last time someone depended on me, they--
………………………………
“Why do you trust me?” I asked. I had to.
I can understand if it’s Frisk. That kid is a kid, and a determined one too.
But Cenna? She’s a Vanquisher. An Exorcist to be exact.
In case anyone forgot, it’s her JOB to kill DEMONS like me!
The lady huffed. “Well… Let me give you a lil’ secret, flower boy. There are times where I honestly don’t wanna be kind. …Or do the right thing… But I kept to the right side… even if it’s a little bendy. You kids chose to be good despite being DEMONS. Tried to save my hind despite everything. That puts the both of ya in better light than my usual targets. You can say Cinnamon Roll and Frisky’s vouches paid off.”
“Besides… ya gave me a vital clue on how to kick Sans’ butt.”
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
That’s a lot to take in. I think she’s trying to say that love and compassion are active choices. I don’t need to actively ‘feel’ it to relate to them.
Of course I know that! I mean, I realise it now. Thanks to Frisk.
I drooped my head. “But if I leave… what if Chara dies while I’m away? What if you die?”
Cenna laughed. Again. She’s a witch for a reason. Scoffing on the brink of death… so annoying.
She said: “If I die, someone’s gotta house my SOUL… Also, you're taking Chara with you. …Look for Lucy…”
I see!
I made more vines. Cenna gently picked up Chara and tied them on my back.
She shouldn't be moving, but she did so anyway.
“…Get them… to safety. It’s… all… Up to… you… now.”
The way she talks… it’s getting more and more fragmented. She’s getting weak despite the bandages.
Then, she collapsed on the ground.
“Cenna!”
She replied: “Eh. Feeling… lightheaded. I’m gonna… lie down… for a while.”
With a smile and a slight poke on my forehead, the Magus told me this: “Flowey, you can do it… Be… determined.”
Be determined.
BE!
DETERMINED!
I puffed myself up with courage and determination.
“Okay. I’ll do it. B-but… Don’t you DARE die on me! If you die I’ll… I’ll!”
I tried my best to put on the scary face, but I failed. Instead I just threw a short tantrum.
“I’ll! I’ll kill you after the stupid Spring Mission! I’ll wreck your fragile SOUL because you’re can’t stay alive for more than one timeline!”
With that said, I climbed back up to the air vent. Left the phone behind because it’s too bulky.
From above, I took a deep breath to yell one last insult:
“YOU IDIOT!!!”
Cenna didn’t laugh back. Didn’t wave. Just grinned.
I rushed into the vents with tears in my eyes.
I’m scared. I’m still scared.
But I can’t stay as a crybaby forever. People are depending on me.
I won’t make that same mistake again.
When I reached ground level, I smelled the lingering remains of smoke.
Eeew, there’s soot on the walls too! …That’s bad. Looks like the building caught fire recently. No way I’m gonna drag Chara through the icky aftermath. I’m betting there’re a billion and one toxic byproducts littered everywhere.
…I checked their leaf. It’s all limp and wilted. They need water.
Find a way out… find a way out…
C’mon Flowey you can do this!
Aha! I see light!
Without electricity, none of the ventilation fans worked.
Good. Getting chopped up by spinny blades is the last thing I want to experience. Can’t load my SAVE anyway. Do anything stupid and the both of us will end up deader than dead.
So I crawled around it, squeezed through the gaps, and breathed some glorious fresh air. If the leftover fumes from the fire didn’t taint it. Ugh.
I heard a ton of commotion echoing in from outside.
It’s not too far away from where I am, so I went to take a peek.
Sirens blared. Ambulances, fire trucks and police cars tried to pass through the congested main gate.
Then there are some humans being all happy that their loved ones are safe.
And…
I recognize that flair from anywhere.
Mettaton showed off his glitzy self in front of a horde of impatient reporters.
They badgered him with questions. He answered them without… really answering much of anything. Instead he’s gracefully deflecting the complicated details with gratuitous self-promotion.
Some things never change.
Huh? What’s this? Terrorists? Hostages? IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIRE?!
What the heck even happened here?!
………………
Calm down Flowey.
It’s just another day in the land of magic drama. There’s no time for this dumbness. We’re just going to have to go far, far away…
Wait.
Wait wait wait! Isn’t there that lake filled with colourful fish at the northwest side?
Water!
Sunlight!
Soil!
I need to get Chara there quick! It’s my closest source of water and the open sky. That’s the best way to revive a flower. From personal experience, of course.
I slipped out of the grills and hurried north. As long the sun is on my left, I know I’m heading the right direction.
The Sun’s angle is pretty low. Man, it’s late already?
There’s no one around the lake. Phew. That’s good.
I dipped my roots into the water for a taste test. Doubtful that it’s contaminated because of the rich fish life. But, hey it never hurts to be careful.
A school of koi immediately swam at my direction.
“NO! GO AWAY YOU STUPID FISH!!”
“I’M NOT YOUR FOOD!!!”
I showered friendliness pellets on them. That will show them who’s boss!
“SHOO! SCRAM!”
The dumb fish darted away in all directions.
Sigh. I guess I can’t dip Chara straight. I need to either plant them in a grassy spot, or wrap their roots with moisture.
Now, before I plant them, I’ve got to make sure that the soil is just right. They’re really weak now: a sucky spot will hurt more than help.
Eeeew! There’s too much clay in the grass!
That’s the WORST!
I’d rather take sand over this choking, smelly mud.
There goes the planting plan. The only place guaranteed to have good soil is the greenhouse. But… I don’t think it’s safe to go there yet.
You know, with the FIRE, HOSTAGES and TERRORISTS!
The best I can do now is to dampen some leaves and wrap them around their roots.
It’s better than nothing…
DARNIT. Isn't there another way???
“OH! FLOWER THE FLOWEY!”
Huh? Is that…?
“Papyrus!” I cried out. Chuckled a bit too. “Jeez, you’re getting my name wrong again?”
He finally got my name right in recent days, but I guess he can still slip up from time to time.
The little fun time is over. There are bigger things to settle. “T-that’s not important now. Cenna’s hurt really bad. And Sans--”
“I KNOW. WE HAVE TO BRING YOU TO THE FAIRY GODMOTHER.”
In the Underground, I would think he’s talking nonsense.
Now… he means what he says. It’s actually really cool.
Papyrus scooped us flower children off the ground and jumped over the lake. Turns out there’s a shortcut hanging right over the waters.
He landed feet first inside the massive airwell. The Magi call the Atrium. This place makes me dizzy to be honest. It’s all the spirals.
I see Lady Lucidia and… Grillby? I’m not going to question why he’s here. My attention is on the one and only person who can help Chara now.
The blue lady muttered: “Flowey?”
Just one look at us and she understood everything. I knew I’m in trouble. She told us to stay far, far away from Sans for a reason.
And we… we went against her advice. Just like the dumb rebellious kids we are.
Still… that silly witch trusted me. I have to put others first, before myself.
“Cenna is in trouble!” I said, “Sans cut her pretty deep. Like, over here.” I motioned my leaf to where the wound would be. “I made some bandages, but she’s clearly bleeding out. And Chara. They…”
I couldn’t finish the sentence.
Lady Lucidia attended to us without any extra lectures; “Hold Chara for us, little prince. Papyrus, assist me.”
I held Chara’s wilted form in my leaves. Both skellies worked their healing magic on my friend. They’re no longer as limp, but…
Lucidia furrowed her brows. “They’re resisting.”
Papyrus flipped out. “CHARA! WE CAN’T HELP YOU IF YOU INSIST ON BEING A SANS!”
Hmm. Wasn’t there a time when Papyrus refused to wake up? Lady Lucidia had to do a whole lot of fancy things to enter his mindscape.
I asked: “You mean Chara doesn’t want to get better?”
Papyrus nodded. “YES. MY BROTHER’S LETHARGIC POISON IS RUBBING TOO MUCH INTO THEM! OH MY GOD, HE’S THOROUGHLY INFECTIOUS!”
“I understand what you mean, but the statements are misleading. This not bacterial or viral,” said the lady. “It would be clearer to say that Chara has a similar response to negative stimuli as Sans Serif. Both of them withdraw. Though, their directions do differ.”
Language, too obscure. “I… don’t get it…?”
With a kind tone she explained: “Chara’s determined refusal is repelling our healing magic. They have little regard for their own life.”
“No…!” I cried. “Don’t be an idiot, Chara. Wake up! I DEMAND you to wake up!”
I tried shaking them back to life.
It’s just like that fateful day when they ate those buttercups.
Papyrus tapped my stem to get my attention. He said: “FLOWEY, YOU’RE THEIR BEST FRIEND. ONLY YOU CAN REACH OUT TO THEM.”
“Is that a hint?” I asked back, skeptical.
“YES. YOU HAVE A DIFFICULT PUZZLE AHEAD OF YOU.”
I heard the screeching of wheels coming down from the hallway. Undyne had somehow borrowed a motorbike. Rode that thing all the way inside like some anime hero--
Oh, what am I talking about? It’s Undyne. I should have expected this.
She shut off the engine. Looked at Papyrus, at me, and then towards Lady Lucidia. “Let me guess: we’re not out of the woods yet.”
Lucidia nodded. “If Gaelic was here, he’d say we’re in a jungle. Please give me a moment.”
She conjured one of those magic stars and planted it on the back of our heads. I started to see ripples in the air behind her.
The images behind were so familiar. After a while, it clicked in my head. “Is that… the greenhouse?” I muttered.
“Chara may reject magic, but their physical plant body will react to the presence of appropriate nutrients. We will attend to Cenna and stop Sans Serif, therefore their care is now your primary task.”
“I BELIEVE IN YOU,” Papyrus added.
I don’t get it.
I really, really, don’t get it.
Why does everyone trust me?!
That crazy witch…
Lady Lucidia…
Papyrus…
News flash: I don’t have a SOUL!
Tears welled in my eyes again. I jumped out of Papyrus’ palm and straight towards the shortcut.
I heard Undyne yell something along the lines of ‘LET’S SAVE THE DAY LIKE REAL ANIME!’. That’s not important now; I set my mind to the mission ahead of me.
The balmy air greeted us. There may be no electricity here, but everything else is still intact.
I hurried to the herb gardening area. It turns out chores are not a stupid waste of time. Thanks to them, I know where they keep all the stuff. And I know what to do!
Okay. Chara’s roots are contaminated with fish water, so I got to rinse it off first.
I tried to turn on the tap. Nothing came out.
REALLY?! No water AND no power at the same time?! Today sucks so hard! Oh well, gotta make do with what I have.
Pot. Checked.
I slapped a red warning sticker on it so the botanists don’t muck it up.
Botanical quality sterilized soil mix, found that too. Don’t forget to add some coconut husk to improve drainage.
And I popped the cap of a bottle of distilled water. Too much of those can make plants sick, so I have to be careful with it.
I compiled all of them together in a way that’d make Dad proud.
Can Chara hear me? Do they even want to listen?
“…Look,” I began, “Maybe you weren’t the perfect friend. In hindsight, you were pretty mean. And hurtful.”
“But now, I made up my mind to BE your very best friend. That means sticking around even if you aren’t perfect. Especially if you aren't.”
“So what if we can’t ‘feel’ love and compassion anymore? You heard Cenna: we still have our minds. And my mind tells me to take care of you. Okay? I’ll lead by example!”
Then… I placed them under the setting sun. Plants need time to photosynthesize and every little bit helps.
“Hopefully those idiots can stop the Trashbag in time.”