𝔸𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕖𝕩

『✎』Chapter Two『✎』

"So, uh. Turns out my suspicions of them being Cuttlefish's Soulmate were... Completely correct."

Misfire looked at Alter with visible annoyance.
"We figured that out already, you nut. We've also already been through what that means."

He blinks then laughs sheepishly, "Guess you don't need my explanation do you?"

We both share a look then glare at him.
"Full story, excruciating details, start." I say folding my arms. He just lets out a sharp bark of laughter. He then stops seeing as I am completely serious and coughs awkwardly.

"You're tied to Cuttlefish, he's basically the guy who helps creators create shit that I have to clean up and balance out. Thing is Cuttlefish has no Soul, can't feel feelings, yada yada you get the drill. So you."

He points to me his fur bristling for a moment before relaxing again, lying smooth.

"Aren't supposed to exist. No Soul means no Soulmate. But there you are."
He sighs flicking his tail in an agitated fashion.

He looks at me.

Um.

Okay?

Hello?

Rude much?

"Can you stop."
I say, shifting in my seat, he laughs at me.

"Sorry, I'm just thinking. We can't take you back home. He'll find you easily. Or maybe not. He's never had a good memory." Alter mutters, humming a little here and there.

"I suppose I could just move you into a different Au..."
He frowns again.
"But it has to be one Ink won't enter without reason. And it has to be one that isn't going to cause your Soul to release a distress call."

Misfires eyes are closed when he taps on the table twice with his index finger.
"Can I suggest the Au Underblossom variants? One of the timeline variations are missing the 'fallen child' anyway. Kill two birds with one stone as they say."

Alter blinks then grins.
"You my boy are a genius! I forgot about that Au!"

"Exactly."

His front hand-like paws place themselves on my shoulder.
"You don't have hay-fever do you?"

I laugh slightly then shake my head.
(Don't care if you do, it's gone now.)

"Then it's settled." Alter says with a finality that can't be argued with. He is gone in a blur of motion to return half a minute later with several charms in the shape of various flowers. He rumages in the pile for a moment before handing me one that looked like a red peony.

I blink at the charm now in my hands.
"Tap that twice and call for me, I'll come for you. Only call for me if you encounter an outcoder like me, Misfire or Ink. Especially Ink. Oh and call if you're about to die. That too."

I laugh at him.
"Alright."

Clearing his throat Misfire presses a flint and steel into my hands. "This works the same. 'Cept you can use it as a fire starter."

I grin and take him by surprise, hugging him.

Misfire tenses up for a moment before relaxing and awkwardly patting my back.

"Uh, good luck I guess. Alter already said it with the peony."
He chuckles awkwardly.

Alter prys us apart then ushers me off and out of the house, into a meadow filled with numerous flowers, some recognisable and others I could never dream of what they were.

I point to a patch I find particularly beautiful. "What are those?"

Alter doesn't even stop to consider his answer. "Depends on what you're asking. The flowers are Aconites if that's what you're confused about."

"So what's the other part of what are those?" I ask, curious.

"Au shortcuts. All of the flowers here are shortcuts. The Aconites are all Underfell variants and the original. The most battered flower is the original." He says without missing a beat.

"Do you know the meanings of each flower?"
"Yup. So does Misfire, he surprisingly took a shine to them when he was younger and it stuck with him. Ironic given his magic and what it is."

I nod, remembering those green flames, those seemed to be specifically for healing injury. I can imagine what he could do to someone if he felt the inclination to.
"Yeah, it's kinda funny actually."

Alter snorts, tenderly brushing a black rose in a patch of several, somehow not scratching himself on the thorns.
"What's the Au?"

"Aftertale. I believe that you know what a black rose means yes?"
I shake my head.

"It means death. Aconites mean hatred with the hidden message of be cautious. And the buttercups we passed earlier? They are symbolic for childishness. The buttercups are all underswap variants, steer clear of the pitch black ones. Trust me."

I nod.

He stops in front of a singular golden flower, a blue one wrapping it's way around the stem. Several white flowers all grouped around it. He lets out a sigh and bows his head. Alter then continues to walk as if nothing happened tapping on a specific white chrysanthemum.

"What was that?"
"What?"

"You, of all outcoders as you put it, showing respect to a flower of all things."
Alter hums in response quietly.

"That is the Undertale gateway. The universe that started it all. How can you not show respect?" He asks mildly and I frown.

"Ah. That makes sense I guess."

He smiles before flicking over the chrysanthemums again, a menu becoming visible. All of it written in jibberish.

He scans over the options selecting a few, Alter then trundles over to me and stands on his hind legs. He motions for my hand, so I give it to him. He traces something on the backside of my hand then makes a pulling motion. Another menu written in jibberish pops up and he selects yet more options.

He pulls me closer to the flower he was working with then places my hand on it. He flicks over a few more options then the world flickers around me.

Alter stops, seemingly pleased with his work. Looking over at me he smiles almost apologetically. "You're now linking to this timeline, it may hurt a bit."

Almost immediately after he says this, a stabbing pain erupts in my chest. Gasping I curl up clutching the area where my heart rests.

My vision fades into a black, all I can make out are the fuzzy outlines of a heart and a circle, both were white.

"Good luck."