Royal Blue

A Familiar Aching Oblivion (Chapter Thirteen)

The stalactites on the ceiling dripped down small droplets onto the grass and the echo-flowers as they walked, creating a soft rhythm to the beat of their travel.

"I WONDER WHY SANS HAS NOT BEEN ANSWERING HIS PHONE LATELY, IT IS SO VERY UNLIKE HIM!" Papyrus said, slightly unsteadily. It was clear he was worried... again.

Undyne pulled off her helmet, allowing her to fully breathe in the heavy condensation of Waterfall. At least for the more amphibious one of the trio, it was... nice. Like a warm, wet blanket lain over the world. But even with this... peaceful atmosphere, something still felt off.

"I dunno Pap, he's usually pretty good about it," Undyne said with a tepid frown.

Her brows furrowed. Sans had been worrying his brother a good bit too much lately.

If it turned out that he was fine, and he had everybody worried for no reason...

Undyne gripped her fists tight.

She looked over to her companions. Papyrus has quickly followed suit in taking off his helmet; though he seemed a good bit less than thrilled with the moisture of the air.

Zero, of course, did nothing but continue walking, though slightly faster now, as if to give the other two some modicum of privacy in their discussion.

"MY BROTHER IS... RATHER UNPREDICTABLE, IN HIS PREDICTABILITY," Papyrus said, Undyne raised a brow.

"I MEAN..." Papyrus rubbed at the back of his neck with his free hand, the other tucking his helmet under his arm.

"SANS HAS A REASON BEHIND EVERYTHING HE DOES. I KNOW THAT."

He paused.

"BUT, NO MANNER OF ASKING WILL BUDGE HIM ENOUGH TO REVEAL THOSE REASONS. ESPECIALLY IF HE BELIEVES THAT OTHERS NOT KNOWING SHALL KEEP THEM SAFE."

Undyne grimaced.

"But... how the hell does keeping us in the dark help us?"

Papyrus looked... rather guilty.

"I... DOUBT I WILL EVER UNDERSTAND THAT." He crossed his arms tight.

"BUT... I BELIEVE IT IS HIS WAY OF TRYING TO, SHOULDER THE BURDEN, SO TO SPEAK. TO... PROTECT US, EVEN FROM WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW WE NEED PROTECTING FROM," Papyrus said quickly.

"BESIDES... I DO NOT WISH TO PUSH HIM; I FEAR HE IS ALREADY ON THE BRINK."

"...The brink of what, Pap?" Undyne asked unsteadily.

"I... I DO NOT KNOW."

"Well, you- oomph," Undyne was jolted back as she unintentionally ran into Zero.

Why did he just, stop like that?

"Hey, what the-"

Zero turned back toward them, a finger held up where his mouth would be.
He shushed them.

Silence reigned in the empty cavern. Empty... or so she had presumed.

Suddenly, Undyne felt a deep gnawing in the pit of her stomach. Turning toward the dock; where, at the end of it, stood a greyed out version of Monster Kid.

There was a confusing sense of nostalgia to the situation.
But an even greater sense of dread.

"OH!" Papyrus exclaimed, squinting, before finally recognizing the figure that both Undyne and Zero seemed to be staring at.

It was just Monster Kid after all!! Even if the child was looking a good bit paler than usual.
Papyrus wondered if they were in need of assistance; as they definitely did not look... well, they did not look very good at all.