Chapter 8 - A Trap
"01, 02, continue your patrol of Hotland. Inform me immediately if you see a suspicious looking flower roaming around the area and apprehend him. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Captain!" The two Royal Guards - the bunny and the dragon - saluted in unison.
It was a weird order to give, but ultimately what they had to do was the same - to keep monsters safe. Hopefully, they don't think I'm under mind control or something.
Undyne watched the Royal Guards walk off together, their dark armour clanking, as she rushed to New Home. While she felt slightly bad for leaving Frisk and Sans behind, she had to hurry.
"Hey punks!" Undyne shouted. "I'll be going off first! Call me if you find anything!"
Confident that the two of them heard her, she sprinted towards the Underground's capital, skidding to a halt in front of its entrance in 20 seconds flat. The Royal Guards stationed there had to shield their eyes from the dirt kicked up from her abrupt stop.
"What's the situation?" she asked briskly and breathlessly before they could let out a greeting.
One of them, a cat-like monster, was the one who answered her. "There's currently a riot at the centre of the capital. It appears to be of a small scale; the rest of the Royal Guard is handling the situation now."
The other Royal Guard hummed in agreement. "We were tasked to inform you about the situation."
"I see." Undyne was frowning. Riots were usually unheard of in the Underground. Generally, the monsters were accepting of their fate, trusting Asgore to bring them freedom. While there were a few cases of rowdy kids, the monsters were normally peaceful and mild mannered.
"What about the attack that I was informed of?"
"It happened before the riot occurred," the first Royal Guard reported. "Eye-witnesses claimed that the attacker was a flower. I believe that only a few monsters were hurt, with no causalities."
I knew it! Undyne clenched her fists. That flower has already taken action...
"Where is that flower now?"
"It escaped as soon as we arrived."
She cursed under her breath. It meant that Flowey was still on the loose, and who knows what he was going to do next? However much she wanted to search for him, she would have to handle the riot situation first.
"Thank you, 03, 04. Patrol Section R1 of New Home and inform me immediately if you see that flower," she ordered authoritatively. "Inform the Snowdin Canine Unit to look out for him as well, and do the same if they see him."
"Yes ma'am."
Undyne wasted no time in getting to the centre of the capital, where the riot was supposedly underway. Much to her surprise, it seemed to be quelled, quicker than she expected. Not that she was complaining about it, of course.
The capital's centre was emptier than the norm. Undyne figured that many were scared off by the sudden riot, not wanting to be involved.
The Royal Guards that took care of the situation were mostly spread out to look for eye-witnesses, but there was some gathered near the dark grey fountain. They were talking to a few monsters restrained with rope, which probably meant that they were the perpetrators.
She stalked up to them, making mental notes of the culprits. They seemed like ordinary folks due to their casual wear, but for some reason, they gave her the idea that they were frustrated at something for a long time, and finally decided to lash out.
"Captain!" One of the Royal Guards acknowleged her presence, saluting. "We have managed to contain the situation and capture the ones behind the riot."
"Good job." Undyne gave them a curt nod. "Have you found out their motives?"
"Isn't it obvious?" one of the perpetrators snapped, interrupting the Royal Guards' conversation. "We are going to be trapped down here forever! Asgore isn't doing anything about the human roaming around the Underground, and we haven't even seen him since yesterday!"
What the monster said about Asgore disturbed her greatly. The king always made it a point to walk around the Underground, no matter how busy he was. She pushed it aside for now and gestured for the Royal Guards to let the monster continue speaking.
"Now there's a crazy talking flower on the loose, intent on killing us all!" At that point, Undyne was not sure whether he was being over dramatic or not, but she could not afford to pay it no mind.
It was then she noticed torn edges on the rabbit-like monster's light blue shirt. As the Royal Guards were forbidden from attacking any monster unless specifically ordered by Undyne or King Asgore, that possibility was ruled out.
"What happened to your shirt?" Undyne questioned.
"That flower happened." The monster was quivering slightly, his frustration shifting to fear. "I was just minding my own business when he attacked me and some others! It was as if he was playing, mocking us about our fate to be trapped here. Then, I remember getting very angry all of a sudden..."
He trailed off, as if he was bewildered as Undyne was. It sounded as if the monster was confused about his own emotions, had some mood swings or worse... both.
"I think you are just... shaken," she said, uncertainty in her voice. "We will take you back to your families for now."
Everyone seemed confused about her order, but did not question it. I hope I'm making the correct choice...
Her phone started ringing, distracting her from her thoughts. Leaving her subordinates to their jobs, she picked up the call. "Hello, Undyne here."
"Undyne, it's me." Frisk's voice sounded from her phone.
"Did you find Alphys?"
"No, but-"
Undyne found herself being interrupted by another of the Royal Guard, who was running towards her frantically. "Captain!"
"What is it?" This better be good...
"I have just recieved a report from the Snowdin Canine Unit," they said in a rush, panting in between breaths. "The flower that you spoke of... he's been spotted in Snowdin!"
Like a jolt of lightning, something struck her. It was dread, combined with shock that came from a sudden realisation.
Papyrus was in Snowdin, alone.
She sent him to Snowdin for the sole purpose of keeping him away from Flowey, but now, that flower was there.
"Sorry, Frisk, but I have to go. Flowey has been spotted in Snowdin, and Papyrus is there alone. I have to stop him." She hung up without waiting for a response, proceeding to type in Papyrus' number on her phone.
Please... pick up...
There was no answer.
The worst situation that Undyne had been dreading all along had come true. Even if she did not know what exactly was happening there in Snowdin, something was clear.
Papyrus was in danger.
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The funny thing is that in the original version, Undyne was the one who got attacked by Flowey, but I decided against it because I wanted character development for Papyrus, which I neglected in the original. Plus it's a very good plot driver. ;)
The name of the next chapter is "Sacrifice". Any predictions?
Votes and comments are always appreciated.
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