A New SOUL

“ Flowey? “ Thorax mumbled, poking the flower with a hoof. Flowey groaned, before blinking awake. The yellow flower just gazed at him, tiredly. Thorax just scoops him up with a hoof, nervously.

“ Are you ok? “ The Changeling asked, gazing back at the flower. Why was he on the ground? He was on the nightstand last night, right? Then how did..Ugh, he just woke up, so thinking hurt. Thorax just let it go, and plopped the flower on his back. He looked back at the bed, before noticing a pie? He missed it, while getting off the bed, thankfully. He grabbed the pie with magic, and wondered where to put it. He looked to Flowey, who was just laying on his back.

“ What do I do with this? “ The king asked, pointing to the pie. Flowey mumbled, “ Inventory.. “. Thorax nodded, but wondered..what inventory? It sucked, because he doesn’t have a bag. He looked around, and found..a bag on the ground? How? When? Thorax scooped it up, and hung it around his neck, carefully putting the pie in the bag. He trotted out of the room, wincing at the light for a moment. He hummed to himself, while petting Flowey’s head. The flower just groaned, trying to scoot away from the king’s hoof. After a while, he saw Toriel just sitting in her chair, reading a book. Toriel looked up, seeing the pastel creature, smiling.

“ Oh! Hello, did you have good rest? “ She asked, normally.

“ Mhm! Although, I found Flowey on the ground though... “ Thorax patted the flower’s head. Toriel nodded, humming. Thorax looked at the book, and asked, “ Whatcha reading? “. Toriel looked to the book, then to him.

“ I was just reading a book about snails! Would you like to listen? “ She asked. Thorax nodded, before sitting on the ground, still worrying about Flowey. All he knew, was that the poor flower was tired. As he listened, he started to wonder...

What’s outside of this place? Are there other monsters? This can’t be the only place, he thought. After he thought that, Chrysalis popped right next to him, making him jump. She snickered, before looking to the tired flower, slowly sliding onto the ground.

” Can’t we just..find the exit? “ She questioned. Thorax..thought for a moment, before looking at Toriel. Thorax took a breath, before asking, “ ..Hey-Uh-Toriel? Can I..go get something real fast? “ He lied. Toriel looked at him, and nodded, naively.

“ Of course! Go ahead! “ Thorax smiled, nervously, before getting up, and trotted toward a staircase. He gazed at it for a moment, before looking to Chrysalis, and noticed Flowey just hanging on his head somehow. He took another breath, and trotted down. Thorax wandered down, into the downstairs hallway. It was like the rest of the Ruins, but downstairs.

“ ..Mmm.. “ Flowey moaned, shifting a bit. Thorax tried not to bother the napping flower. As he made it through the hallway, he saw doors. It was..interesting. Where did the doors lead? He wanted to know. Chrysalis wanted to know too, but she didn’t go ahead, since she could at anytime. She wanted to surprise herself.

“ ..Should we? “ Thorax mumbled. Chrysalis turned to him, and nodded, humming.

“ Mhm. Toriel might be..hiding something, we should know about. So, let’s go! “ She exclaimed, walking in place. Thorax nodded, and poked at Flowey, gently. The flower’s eyes blinked open.

“ ..Hmm..Huh? Where..oh.. “ Flowey blinked a bit more, before standing upright. He gazed, before looking down at Thorax, realizing he was his head the whole time. He slowly, and carefully, slipped onto his back.

“ ..I supposed..we’re going through, huh? “ He asked. The Changeling nodded, and stepped toward the door. He put his hoof on it, and was about to open it. This was going to be exciting! Was there gonna be a Forest? Ooh! Maybe a nice little pond around, or—

“ Thorax.. “ A voice called, sounding..rather disappointed. Flowey peeped, and turned to see Toriel right behind them. They have been caught. Who knew. Thorax turned as well, as Toriel stood, looking rather upset. Flowey started getting..just a tad nervous. Thorax and Chrysalis, though, they were surprised. How did she know?

“ Why are you down here? You aren’t supposed to be here. Go back upstairs. “ Toriel said, a bit threateningly. Thorax stood. He wanted to know what was outside the door! Chrysalis did too! Besides, he’s 15! He’d be fine. He’s tough, right? He could deal.

“ Ok, but..I have a question. What’s through this door? “ He asked, pointing to it. Toriel didn’t answer, she’d only start walking toward him. She grabbed his antlers, of all things, and would try pulling. He was..heavier, and stronger than she was, so he didn’t move much. Thorax blinked, watching this woman try and pull him. Nothing. After a moment, she let go, and turned to him.

“ You do not understand. Once you go through that door, you can never come back. Once you’re out there, everyone outside, will try and get your SOUL, and send it to ASGORE. “ She explained, standing in front of the literal Changeling king. If he was to see another king, maybe they could..negotiate? Try and work it out?

“ ..Ok, but..I’m strong. I know how to fight! I know how to do all of that! I can handle myself! “ Thorax exclaimed, confidently. Flowey and Chrysalis just looked to him, and back to Toriel.

“ ...Is that so? Well then..if you’re so sure.. “ She held her hands out, the area around them flashing black. Thorax’s eye widened, surprised. He looked around, and then saw his SOUL. After Flowey’s demonstration, he knew he was in a fight.

“ Let’s see how you’ll be able, to survive.. “ She started the battle, with a text box, saying: *TORIEL BLOCKS THE WAY*. Thorax backed away a bit, before noticing that he had the first turn. He looked to the ACT button, and would press it. He had..a few options..but none of them would work, he thought, so he exited that option, and pressed MERCY. He saw the option, SPARE, and would press it.

“ Toriel! I don’t wanna fight! Not now, at least! “ Thorax called, but Toriel ignored him, instead, she shot fireballs at the Changeling. He dodged, tripping, Flowey slipping off his head. The flower quickly tried to get himself up.
Thorax looked to the MERCY button again, and pressed it. *SPARE*

“ Toriel! Listen- “ He called, but she didn’t listen. She kept attacking, leaving Thorax to have to grab Flowey, and dodge quickly. He bumped his face against the ground, but that didn’t do much. He got up, wrapping Flowey around his own vines. Flowey looked at them, then to the king, who was trying to get the the MERCY button again. He could do this? How? Thorax kept dodging fireballs, and made it to the button. *SPARE*

“ Toriel, listen! We—I need to move on! I need to get home! “ He cried, but she still ignored him. She just kept attacking. At one point, he got hit a few times, lowering his HP. *13/20 HP*
“ Oh geez. “ He mumbled to himself, making sure the vines were still around Flowey, who was just looking at him, surprised. Thorax turned to Toriel, determined to try and get through to her. He looked to his ACT button. *TALK*

“ Ok. Toriel. Maybe, we can just— “ He was cut off, by a fireball hitting him in the face. He groaned, and shook his head. Chrysalis watched, wincing each time he got hit.

“ Thorax, I think..I think you’re gonna have to fight her!! “ She called out, getting Thorax’s attention.

“ WHAT?! HECK NO! “ He yelled, getting hit again. *8/20 HP*

“ If you don’t wanna die, then KILL HER! “ Flowey suggested, still protected by the vines. Those things were tough. Thorax shook his head, before quickly getting to the MERCY button again. He needed to get through to her, he HAD to! *SPARE*

“ I’m not going to fight you, Toriel! I am gonna keep trying to talk! “ He stopped his hoof, almost getting hit again. Chrysalis was getting more, and more concerned. She then decided, as she ran to the FIGHT button, hoping she’d be able to press it. Thorax didn’t notice, until he heard Toriel gasp. A vine had swung at her, hurting her a bit. Thorax blinked, glaring at Chrysalis.

“ I SAID, I WASN’T GOING TO FIGHT! “ He screamed, dodging. Chrysalis shrugged, and looked over to Flowey. He was..confused. He was over there, not near the button! So how could..this guy might be more interesting than he thought. Thorax started to get tired, getting hit more frequently. 5 to 20. 4 to 20. 3 to 20. 2 to 20. He knew he was gonna die, but wasn’t ready to. At that last hit, he made it for the MERCY button. *SPARE*

“ ..Please..Toriel, Just...please.. “ He called out, weakly, before collapsing. This was it. He was dead. He just layer there...waiting for death to come...but he didn’t die yet? Maybe now? Ok, now....now? Really? Why? He looked up, and noticed...she was missing on purpose. Why? He got up, gaining some strength, to press the MERCY button again. *SPARE*

“ ..Toriel. I know..I know it’s hard..losing people you try to protect. But, I can take care of myself! I’ll be ok!.. “ He explained. He just heard quiet sobs.

“ ..Y-You..You do not know that!.. “ Toriel cried. Thorax gazed at her, calmly. The black around them started to fade. He walked over to her, sitting by her.

“ ..It hurts..I know. You’re trying to protect people so they don’t get hurt. But, you fail...and they die. But, it’ll be ok..all that matters, is that you tried. “ Thorax gazed, softly. Toriel blinked, wiping her eyes. Flowey and Chrysalis just watched. Toriel took a deep breath, and looked at him.

“ ..Thorax. Are..Are you sure..that you will be ok? “ She asked. Thorax nodded, a little too sure of himself. Toriel smiled softly, hugging him. Thorax hugged back, as he needed a hug for a while. After a few moments, they departed, and Toriel stood.

“ ..Before you go..just know, once you leave here, you can never come back. Also be warned, that monsters will try and get your SOUL, and bring it to ASGORE, the king of monsters. Whatever you do, Thorax, do NOT let them take your SOUL! Asgore’s plan CANNOT be completed. Be good..won’t you? “ She explained, and ended it with a rhetorical question, yet Thorax nodded, hugging her one last time. Toriel looked to Flowey.

“ Please..keep him safe. “ She asked. Flowey blinked, before huffing. Thorax trotted to him, scooping the flower up. He headed out the door, giving Toriel one last thanks, before leaving. Once he was out the doors, he trotted down the hallway, and stopped at a room, with a patch of grass on the ground. In the patch, was a rose, with a creepy smile. Flowey gasped.

“ ...You... “ He mumbled, his one eye twitching. The rose just stared at them, before giggling, and leaving. The others were silent, before just moving on. Thorax hesitated for a moment.

“ ..Ready? “ He asked the both of them. Flowey and Chrysalis nodded, as Thorax looked a breath, before moving on through the doors.