Frozen In Devastation, Frozen In Time

by Chordettez

Summary:

Every time Kris closed their eyes, they saw him.
Still frozen, trapped in the ice they were forced to command from the ground.
They couldn't just let him rot there.
They had to do something, everything in their power to save him, to undo the actions of their puppeteer.
Even if it means doing exactly what they're prophecized to stop.

Notes:

The blurbs at the beginning of every chapter are supposed to be pieces of the prophecy by the by. And don't worry about remembering all of them, they'll be pieced together at the end ;P

Hope yall like this yaoi slop i tried my best <3 This is the first fic I've written in a LONG time so I'm sorry if it sucks LOLL

Chapter 1: Forbidden Path

--
THE FORBIDDEN PATH BEGAN WITH ICE MAGIC.
THE OUTCOME, NO MATTER THEIR EFFORTS, WOULD ALWAYS BE TRAGIC.
--

“Proceed.”
Again. And again.
“Proceed.”
The word wouldn’t stop echoing in their mind.
“Proceed.”
Similar to how, earlier in the day, they couldn’t stop it from coming out of their mouth.
“Proceed.”
Try they might, whether through covering their mouth or biting their own hand, the word always came out, as if someone else entirely was the one saying it.
“...”

And they knew that to be true. They glared at the red light shining through the birdcage at the foot of their bed.

They couldn’t hear it, but it was almost like they could feel “Proceed.” Being muttered through the air, desperately searching for a victim to give their words meaning.

But they had already found one. And that word already meant so much more than it was ever meant to.

Kris thought back to the earlier events of the day. Not that they had ever stopped thinking about it at all.

When they saw the piercing darkness erupt from the doors of the computer lab, their reaction was... less positive than the excited dinosaur standing next to them.

They wanted to believe it could be fun. An adventure. Something out of their hopes and dreams, but...
They already knew from yesterday that the heart shaped demon inside them wouldn’t stand for that.

Kris tried their hardest to fight it. The otherworldly force controlling and contorting their body to carry out actions so cruel, they would’ve sooner done them to themselves.

They felt it. Every time their hands were forced to cut their sword through another enemy. Whether they were innocent or attacked first, the guilt Kris felt from every darkner chased away and “Lost”, was... crushing.

And so they had no reason to believe today would be any different. But that... light inside their soul... shone brighter than their fearful doubts. Ralsei had told them the other day, in one of their all too fleeting moments of freedom, that that light was hope. An unkillable light, leading the way through even the most horrific darkness, as long as you had in it you to follow it.

Kris didn’t know if they did. But there was no doubt that Susie had hope so strong, perhaps it could... rub off on whatever had been controlling them for the past two days, and hopefully convince them to act with kindness rather than malice for once. Hopefully.

Hopefully.

But it doesn’t matter how bright the light is. If you don’t follow it, if you choose to turn back and run further into the darkness... There’s nothing that can get you out.

And Kris knew that the monster holding their strings would never follow that light. That they would do anything in their power to extinguish it. For everyone.

As they stepped into the computer lab, they held their breath and tried their hardest to tune everything out. They didn’t want to know what the being inside them was making them do. They couldn’t bare it. They just hoped that Susie and Ralsei wouldn’t be able to tell, through their bangs...

...that their eyes would be sealed shut the entire time.

Chapter 2: Blindness

--
TO TRY TO STOP DESTINY THROUGH INACTION, IS FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE.
THE HUMAN’S BLINDNESS WILL BRING FORTH THEIR OWN LEAST DESIRE.
--

And sealed they were.

Kris hadn’t looked at anything or listened to anyone since they felt their sweater transforming into constrictive iron armor. They thought it best to just give up, and not fight the unwilling actions that threw their body into more and more pain.

That was, until...

“Someone... please, anyone... Help me...”

The weak voice cut through Kris’ efforts to dissociate. They recognized it in a heartbeat.
Noelle, their childhood friend, afraid and wounded. Kneeling and begging.

“No...” They thought. “Not her. Don’t pull her into this. Anyone but her...!”

Words all thought in vain. Even if they wanted to, and god did they want to, they couldn’t force a single word out of their mouth.
They gripped their sword tighter in an effort to hold back their controller from doing something they’ll regret with it.
But they didn’t have a chance to, before Noelle had been whisked away in some sort of electric cage.
Yet again having the unfortunate realization that there was nothing they could do about any of this, they closed their eyes again as the robotic sound of regal laughter filled the room.

All they could do was think to themselves.
“Why? Why is she here...?”
Kris knew she was headed to the library, but they hoped she wouldn't have.. ...walked into the eternal void of darkness that happened to randomly be in the middle of it.

They just wanted her to be okay. Kris knew Noelle like not many others did, despite them drifting apart as of late. Kris had never had very many friends, so every single one they did have meant everything to them. Kris worried that Noelle would accidentally stumble upon someone like Jevil, or not realize that she can win through kindness, or be manipulated into...
.........
They stopped thinking when they felt their heart beating faster than it has in a long time.
“Calm down, atleast... atleast she’s away from me...”

Chapter 3: Love And It's Namesake

--
THE HUMAN’S LOVE, DESTROYED BY ITS NAMESAKE
AGAIN AND AGAIN, THEY’LL FEEL THEIR HEART BREAK.
--

That was the only thing bringing Kris comfort now.
They repeated it over and over, trying to reassure themselves that nothing Noelle could fall into in this world would be worse than the hands of their puppeteer.

Kris was finally able to experience a shred of what some would call “relaxation.”
“Just as long as no one else shows up...” They thought.

With almost insulting timing, soon after Kris had felt their body jerk onto what felt like a rollercoaster, another voice cut through their shielded mind.

“Fear not, my beloved Noelle!! This valiant warrior of brave intelligence will be your knight in glow in the dark armor!”

Kris would’ve jumped out of their coaster if they had control.
The voice was Berdly’s. A voice pretty much anyone else would be irritated to hear.

But to Kris, though they had been designated Berdly’s “Arch-Gaming Rival,” always seemed to be a bit happy when the bird showed up with his egotistical demeanor. Whenever Berdly would stand atop the lunch table and go on a passionate rant about his intelligence, everyone else would tune him out, but Kris couldn’t help but listen. It was nice to see someone so passionate about something. It was... ...cute. Especially because it was embarrassingly obvious it was all an act. Kris tried at every chance they got to break down the emotional wall Berdly had put up. During every one of their gaming sessions, which Kris treasured, they’d analyze his facial expressions intently, trying to understand what was going through his head as he put everything he had into his game; not just because they liked looking at Berdly’s face. But that was a nice bonus.

Kris didn’t talk much. To anyone. But Berdly was the one who got the most words out of them. They genuinely wanted to help Berdly, wanted to let him know that it was okay to not be #1. That it was okay to... feel things. And not be so above it all.

And, Berdly, as defensive as they’d always get, couldn’t sense an ounce of malice or ulterior motive behind Kris’ soft, caring voice. And so, Kris was always the one he would open up to the most. About his struggles. About everything. And Kris never made him feel bad for it. They had a... weird relationship that neither of them thought anyone else would understand. They weren’t sure they even understood it themselves.

Which is why it hurt all the worse to see Berdly infront of them now.

Under different circumstances, being in a dark world together with Berdly sounded like all Kris could ever want. But they couldn’t trust themselves- couldn’t trust it to not hurt him.

As Berdly went on about Queen and his “Smartopia,” Kris tried desperately to gain some control of their body and call the battle off before it was too late. But they couldn’t. They never can. So, again, they were forced to watch as they hurt someone they loved. They could’ve closed their eyes again, but... They just couldn’t. Not when it was Berdly. They had to see. Had to make sure he was okay.

With every cloud of smoke puffing out from Berdly’s breaking coaster, every commanded attack Kris tried their hardest to miss, and every word out of Berdly’s mouth, it’s all... it’s all just too much.

Kris had to wonder. Why me? Why the ones I love? Do I deserve this?
I must, They thought. No one goes through something this awful without doing something to warrant it first.

But what? What had they done? Were all the years of cruel pranks on everyone they knew catching up to them? Regardless, it’s not like they could do anything now. They just had to watch. Watch as they attacked and attacked. Watch as nobody else thought it necessary to say “Hey, maybe we’re taking this a little too far.” But no. It was as if everyone was being controlled.

Oh, god...

Just the thought of that made Kris uneasy. They would’ve thought on it more, if not for the shrill explosion of Berdly’s coaster taking their attention.

“M-my Queen! Save me...!”
He pleaded as he plunged into the depths of the cyber city beneath them.

Kris could’ve swore they felt their body move at their will, for just a moment, as they tried to jump down after him. But it wasn’t for long enough.

“Berdly...!” They yelled in their mind, hoping they’d see the bluebird fly back out of the darkness, unharmed. But no such thing was seen. And soon, All of them were falling below in tandem.

Chapter 4: Ring Of Thorn

--
IN THEIR MOMENT OF WEAKNESS, THE HUMAN WILL BE TORN
AS THEY’RE FORCED TO BRING FORTH THE RING OF THORN.
--

The next events are hazy. Kris grapples their hair trying to remember.
The impact on the trash pile hurt their head. They couldn’t think straight, all they remember are the bright lights, being alone, and... ...the cold.
It was so cold.
It still is.
Kris grabs their chest as they fight breaking down.
That word, that... sick, twisted word.

“Proceed.”

When it first came out of them, they were just as confused as Noelle, who they didn’t even remember had joined them. The soul was taking the reigns completely now, and leaving Kris behind in their own body. Kris tried to readjust, tried to make sense of their surroundings, but...

“Proceed.”

Then they heard that word again. They looked forward to see Noelle with not just confusion in her eyes, but... fear.

Then realization struck Kris like they unwillingly struck everyone else.

Oh- oh my god...!

It was their worst fear, the one thing that they had found comfort in praying wouldn’t happen.
Noelle was right in front of them. And there was no one else around to stop the monster controlling them from hurting her.

Where’s Susie? Ralsei? Berdly...?!
Kris looked around as much as their imprisoned eyes would allow them in fear.
They assumed the worst.
Did it already hurt them? Is Noelle the only one left...?

It might seem overdramatic, but how couldn’t they think those things? Kris had already seen what they’d done to everyone else they’d come across. Kris almost loses themselves in paranoia, when...

“Proceed.”

That word again. And Noelle...

“K-Kris, there’s lightning in the way... If... if we move any further... I’ll be... I’ll be...”

Kris’ eyes widened in horror. Noelle was inching closer to an electric barrier, being... pushed towards it by...

“K... Kris, you didn’t really hear what I said earlier, did you? You... You wouldn’t... Let me...”

Kris didn’t hear. They had no idea what was going on just a minute ago. They’re terrified to even imagine what went on while they were disoriented from their fall.

They try to help Noelle, try to stop this... thing from hurting her, but...
They try to say something, anything, but...

“Proceed.”
Is all that comes out.

Kris can feel their lungs bursting from trying to scream so hard. To break from their cruel imprisoner. To stop Noelle from...

There were only a few inches between her and the forcefield now. The edges of her gown were getting charred by the electricity.

She looked back at it in fear, and then at Kris with even more.

“K... Kris...?” She said in a voice so soft, so... weak... it made Kris want to jump into barrier instead.

“Why... Are you crying...?”

They feel their foot take another step forward, pushing Noelle closer to the forcefield; and slam their eyes closed.
I can’t, I... can’t... Noelle...!
Kris prayed with every fiber of their body that this wouldn’t happen, that someone would stop them, that this is all just a dream, that...

Then they felt cold.
And they opened their eyes.

“Th... there, looks like I... I did it?”
Noelle said, unharmed.
Kris looked around at the unfamiliar puzzle around them. Every inch of it was coated in ice. Every button, every sign... Frozen in time. The tears that had welled up in Kris’ eye’s had frozen over too.

They looked to the ground to wipe their eyes, when they noticed a peculiar ring on Noelle’s finger.

...That wasn’t there before...

---

A wetness streams down Kris’ face. They didn’t even realize they were crying.
It hurts them so much to relive these events, but... They have no choice. The memories, the visions of what they did, the... the cold! It was so cold! Kris’ mind is being held hostage by what they were forced to do. They can’t stop thinking about it. Even if it makes them feel...

Kris let out a yell of anger as they threw one of the books in their shelf at the birdcage. They fumbled out of bed and fell on the floor, just to pick it back up and throw it again.

They throw it again, and again, and again. The bars bend with rage.

Even after everything that happened with Noelle, none of it could’ve compared to...

“Kris? Kris, are you okay? Is everything alright?”
Toriel’s concerned voice called through the door.
“I heard banging, and you yelling, and...”

“I’m fine.” Kris dryly forces out in the most not-fine tone ever.

“U-uhm, alright. Please let me know if you’re not feeling well.”
Kris doesn’t respond. There’s a long silence until they can hear Toriel slowly walking away. They hear her mutter something about a red light. Kris turns to the soul.

It doesn’t have a mouth. It doesn’t have eyes. It doesn’t have any features at all, but...
Kris can swear it’s laughing at them.
Laughing as it screams, “Proceed!” “Proceed!”
Kris’ fist shakes with more than just anger. They grab the birdcage and launch it towards the window, shattering it.

Immediately, Kris regrets doing that as Toriel yells in distress.

Whatever. Whatever. Whatever.
Kris had been meaning to leave anyway.
From the moment, the barely able to remember moment, that Berdly was talking, sounding so... afraid.
And then it snowed.
And Berdly fell silent.
And Noelle fell silent.
And everything fell silent.
Except for Kris.
Screams of desperation and agony rang out across the streets of the city, as kris fell to their knees infront of the hellish crystal that stood before them, forever unmoving.
They couldn’t say anything, couldn’t get any more out, before they had been taken control of again. Kris’ body dragged its feet down the alley as Kris tried to turn around, to go back, to save him, to do anything. Anything at all.
But the soul had things to do, and carried on.

That’s the last thing Kris remembers from that dark world.
After that, they sunk down, deeper and deeper into their lonely inner void. They let the soul do what they wanted. They didn’t care anymore. It wasn’t Kris’ place to decide what happens with their body. It’s not theirs anyway, is it? If something incomprehensible comes down and rips all the autonomy you ever had away... did you ever really have any at all?

...
...But they do for now. For as long as that demon stays locked up.
And they have to do something. Anything.
...For Berdly.

Chapter 5: Rot

--
IN THEIR GRIEF, THEY’LL BRING FORTH WHAT THEY’VE PLEDGED TO STOP
IN THE HOPES IT WILL HEAL, BUT IT BRINGS ONLY ROT.
--

Kris makes sure to land on the birdcage as they jump out of their window, even though it causes them to fall over. They don’t care. They’ll hurt themselves a million times over just to hurt to soul once. It’s what it deserves.

Kris doesn’t turn back as they hear Toriel frantically asking if they’re okay.
They don’t respond. They don’t think about anything other than Berdly as they head towards the hospital.

Kris had brung him there as soon as Susie left for the day, saying she didn’t feel too great.
It was so late in the day by then, it was past visiting hours; and Kris couldn’t stay. Even after they begged the nurse.
But Kris doesn’t care anymore. They need to see him. They have to.

Kris rattles the door of the hospital. It’s locked. They let out a grunt of frustration as they kick the door repeatedly. They punch it. They ram into it. They kick it again. Nothing happens. Kris is about to slide to the ground in defeat when they notice a rock in the grass. They hesitate for a moment, not wanting to break any property, but quickly decide they have no choice but to break and crawl through their second window of the day.
They pick it up, and throw with everything they have. It shatters. Kris prays Undyne didn’t hear it.

As they crawl through the window, they accidentally cut their foot on the glass. They don’t care.

They enter the barely-visible-in-the-darkness hallway, and stare at Rudy’s door in remorse for a long moment, before turning to the door they were truly remorseful to enter.

“BERDLY”
Was all that stood on the door, written in still-drying marker.

Kris’ hand shook as they reached for the doorknob. It was freezing.
A chill ran down their spine. They wish it would just... stop being so cold.
Unfortunately, after opening the door, it only got colder.
Kris walked in, eyes to the floor. They were too ashamed to look at him.
Though, that didn’t last long, as the shiver they had as soon as they entered prompted them to look up.
Berdly looked just as he did when Kris was in this same room, begging to stay.
Weak and tired.
Kris didn’t even get a chance to fight back their tears before they started falling.
They just felt... so much guilt. So much anger, so much...

Love.

Kris enjoyed Berdly’s presence more than anyone. They were the one who initiated over half of their gaming battles. They didn’t even care about the games that much, they just wanted... To be near him. To hear him say his cliché insulting lines, knowing that was just his love language.

Kris was a little nervous to say that it was love they felt for Berdly, but...

...Do friends really bet that if they lose the game, they have to kiss the other?
...And then lose on purpose?

They knew the answer. That’s why they were here now. If Berdly was really just a friend, then Kris wouldn’t feel so... heartbroken over it all. But he wasn’t. Atleast to Kris. And it would kill them every day they were alive if Berdly never knew. But... how could they tell him? He’s out cold, No pun intended.... And Kris knows they can’t wake him up like this. They tried.

Kris’ tears well up even harder as they fall to their knees and cry into their arms over Berdly’s chest.

“I’m sorry... I’m sorry... I’m sorry...”

They repeat it endlessly. What else is there to say? They can’t say it was the soul; they made a promise. One they might now regret.

They’re so angry... at everything. They clench their fists without thinking, and accidentally pluck out one of Berdly’s feathers.
At first, they almost scream. “Oh my god, I’m sorry!! I didn’t mean...”

But suddenly, Queen’s words, words they weren't even paying attention to, somehow echo through their mind.

“This power... This power of the will...
This power of determination...
Is this not something that all lightners possess...?
If one was simply... determined enough...
...Could not anyone make a dark fountain?”

Kris stares at the feather. Then at Berdly. Then back at the feather.
They remember Ralsei’s warning. About the roaring.

Two... Two fountains can’t be too much, right? There were two during both of the last dark worlds, theirs and the grand fountain...

It couldn’t be too much. It won’t be too much.

Kris stands over Berdly. Even though his eyes were closed, Kris could feel him staring at them. Staring with the same terrified look that shot through them when...

No. No....

They don’t want to think about that right now. They can’t. They just want to see Berdly. They just want to hold him again. To feel the softness of his feathers again. To hear his condescending façade fade away when he realizes Kris truly cares about him one more time.
They have to.

“I’m sorry...” Kris says under their breath as they rotate the feather so that its point faces the ground.

“Just Please... Please be okay.”

Kris grapples the feather as strongly as they can, and, with the determination to see the one they care about the most one more time...

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ They stab the earth. ✧ﾟ･: *✧ﾟ･: *

Chapter 6: Birth Only Another Fight

--
IN THEIR DARKNESS, THE HUMAN FINDS THEIR LIGHT.
BUT IT WILL BIRTH ONLY ANOTHER FIGHT.
--

“Kris...?”
“Kris?”
“Kris!”

They jolt awake.
They look around for the voice calling their name... ...But there’s no one there.

They look at the ground. Bricks of dark blue for as far as they can see, and they can’t... see very far. It’s extremely dark.

Kris looks at their hands. That ungodly shade of blue they’d previously been so unsettled to see, but now...
...They’re just happy it worked. But where’s...

“BERDLY!”
Kris yells out into the darkness. It hurts a little to speak so loudly, due to their usual silent demeanor; But they continue yelling. They don’t care how much it hurts; they just want to find Berdly.

Kris yells and yells, but... there’s never any response. They get up and begin to trek down the seemingly endless blue brick road. They look around, in every direction, trying to make sense of their new surroundings, but it’s all just... black. It makes sense that it would be dark, cause it’s a... dark world... but this was more than that. Kris hung their head low in worry this world might not be a very enjoyable one.

As Kris walked, they thought to themselves that this was the first time they’d ever actually been in a dark world. Kris, not some thing living through Kris. They were a little sad that their first time had to be under such depressing circumstances, but atleast they get this. Better than nothing at all.

Speaking of nothing at all... Kris was starting to worry how long this road was. Actually, was it even a road? It just seemed there were endless blue bricks in every direction. Kris had just picked one and prayed it was headed towards Berdly. But... they can’t find Berdly. They can’t find... anyone.

This is a dark world. Shouldn’t all the objects in Berdly’s hospital room have become darkners? Shouldn’t there be some kind of architecture here, shouldn’t there be... ...anything?

Then, as if at Kris’ very whim, a light appeared in the distance. It was faint, weak, flickering. Like it would go out at any moment.

Kris ran towards it as fast as they could. They prayed it was Berdly. It had to be. Who else would be here? They just kept running as the light slowly got closer.

It seemed like years before the light got enough to make out. And, sure enough, it was clear this light had feathers.

Kris unwillingly started to cry. They’d never been this relieved in their life. Berdly was okay. Their bluebird was okay.

Kris yelled out to Berdly.

“Berdly! Berdly, it’s me! It’s Kris! Are you okay?! I’m so sorry, I’m...”

But, as they got closer...
Kris’ running slowed down.
“Berdly...?”
Kris was face to face with him now.

It was Berdly, but he was... frozen. Not literally, just... motionless. And his entire body was covered in some kind of static, like he was... fading out of existence itself.

“...Berdly...? Can you hear me? Please, I’m sorry! Say something, please! I just need to know that you’re okay!”

But there was no response. Berdly’s face remained exactly the same, frozen in fear.
Kris knew that face. It was the last face they ever saw Berdly make before it snowed.

Kris started to cry again, but not out of joy this time. Out of guilt.

Th-there’s no way... not even a dark world... can bring him back...?

“...It’s my fault.” They muttered, barely audible.

“IT’S ALL MY FAULT!” They screamed, very audible.

Kris fell to their knees.

“I knew what I was doing, making that promise! God, how could I... How could I not see it was a trick? A trick, of course that’s what it was. ‘Cause I can never have ANYTHING!”

Kris curls up as they ramble on in anger.

“I’ve never been able to have anything! I’ve never had friends, not real ones, I’ve never belonged here, I’ve never known where I came from, why... Why my real mom abandoned me... Fuck, I would’ve abandoned me too! Who wants someone like me, always silent, always “weird”, always... OHH, always going on about how much their life sucks! God, shut up...”

Kris hadn’t talked that much in a long time, but they already feel they’ve said enough. They fall silent as they continue to mellow in all the many sorrows of their life.

“And... And the one time... The only time I’ve ever, finally been in love, they’re ripped away from me by forces I can’t understand! The universe is literally working against me!”

They look back up, teary eyed, at Berdly’s frozen body.

“God... I’m- I’m so sorry... I’m so sorry you had to get caught up in this... Get caught up in me... I’ve always just been a disaster waiting to happen, and... it finally did...”

“...But why you?! Anyone but you!” Kris cried as they attempted to hug Berdly’s legs, but they fell to the ground as they just phased right through them.

“Whuh..?”

Kris moved their arm back up to make sure... and it just went right through.

“Wh.. You...” Painful realization washes over their face.

Kris stood up, and hugged Berdly as best they could.

“You really aren’t here...”

Kris continued to hug the empty space the hologram of Berdly filled.

“...I’m sorry I yelled... I’m not mad at you, I never was... It wasn’t me, I swear...”

Kris knows they’re not supposed to tell people about the soul, but they don’t care anymore. Not at this point.

Kris still wants to believe Berdly can hear him... somehow.

“I’m sorry I picked your feather... I didn’t mean to... I’m sorry...”

They continue to hug in silence.

For a long

 

Long

 

Time.

 

Kris doesn’t want to let go.

 

Even though they aren’t holding onto anything at all.

Their arms fall.
They look Berdly in the eyes, trying to find some semblance of life.
Kris laughs, a depressing, pained laugh.

“I always loved your eyes.. they were always... my...”

Something stops them.
Looking into Berdly’s eyes, they swear they can see...
...The alleyway?
The same alley where Berdly last spoke to him, albeit terrified...

It was reflected in them so vividly, as if that’s what he was really seeing...
As if he...
Was still there.

Kris stepped back.
But before they could even wonder, their entire body jolted.
The temperature of the world had suddenly dropped drastically.
“B-Berdl-!”
Kris couldn’t even get their words out as they fell to the ground, shivering.

“Haah.. Haah...!”
They can barely breathe through the suffocating cold.

They try to stand, but...

- CRACK! - - SHATTER! -

Kris looks down in terror as the ground begins to split beneath them.
They try to run, but they can’t. The cold is immobilizing.
The bricks run black. Berdly’s light disappears.
Kris can’t see anything.
The only sense being used now is hearing, as they hear the ground continue to break apart.
They wince as the tears in their eyes crystallize, and stab into their skin. All that they can do now is just pray they don’t fall in.

They grapple onto the ground as hard as they can, when the splitting tectonics give way to what was breaking through.

Kris’ eyes are forced open as a pulsating geyser erupted from the ground before them. A geyser so dark, somehow it lit through the darkness, and became all Kris could see.

Instinctively, they reached out to try and seal it, but...

There was nothing to seal it with.

Kris remembered. The soul was still trapped in the birdcage. They couldn’t seal the fountain...

This world was a trap from the moment it was created.
Kris grabbed their chest, trying to pull forth any kind of power... ...but there was nothing.

They pleaded; they begged to some higher power to let them out...
But nobody came.
They tried to dig deeper into themselves...
But found nothing.

"I.. I have to have something... Don’t... Don’t I have... A soul?"

Not that red thing, that’s nothing more than... a means of connection.

But... what about mine?

In the piercing cold, as the earth was splitting, and the noise was deafening...
Kris, the real Kris, reached their arm out to the fountain, and...

Chapter 7: Leave The Lightened Land

--
THEY’LL PUSH AWAY EVERY HELPING HAND
AS THEY ONCE AGAIN LEAVE THE LIGHTENED LAND
--

“Kris...?”
“Kris?”
“Kris!”

They jolt awake.
They look around for the voice calling their name... It’s... Toriel?

“Kris, thank the angel! I was worried sick! I heard your window break, and I saw you heading to the hospital... I know you prefer to be let be, but I... I had to check on you. I could feel something wasn’t right... What happened to you? The window outside was broken, and I found you asleep on the floor, shivering...”

They look around. They’re back at home. The birth of daylight is beginning to shine through their shattered window.

“Kris, honey, please... talk to me. I am truly worried about you...”

Kris snaps back to her attention.
“I’m... I’m fine, mom...”

Toriel sighs and puts an exhausted hand to her face.
“Now, you say that all the time, every time I ask you, but... I can never believe you. Please be honest with me. I love you so much; I just want to be sure you’re okay.”

Her words stung, ‘cause of how similar they were to the ones they spoke about Berdly.

“I’m okay mom, really... I’m not hurt or anything.”

“But you were! Your foot was bleeding when I found you!”

Shit. They forgot about that.

“Kris, you know I am not a very strict parent, but... I am a loving one. And it would not be the actions of loving parent to just let this go. I need to know what happened, please.”

Kris looks away. What are they supposed to say?
She wouldn’t understand. She couldn’t understand.

Still, as Kris felt their heart break with its every struggling beat, they knew they needed to talk to someone. Anyone. And Kris doesn’t really like do that, but... this was different.

Kris’ mouth struggled to open as they hesitated.

“...What... do you do... when you lose someone... close to you...?”

The words were whispered so quietly, Toriel was unsure if she had even heard them at all.

“I... ...you lost someone? Who?”

“I... I can’t...” Kris hides their head in their knees.

Toriel realizes she probably shouldn’t be pushing so far.

“Uh... Well... I’ve... lost people before... Uh... I...”

Toriel gathers her thoughts.

“Okay, okay. I know you might not want to hear about this, but... Back when I divorced your father, I knew it was what I wanted. But I also knew, as much as I hated him for...”

She stops herself.

“...I knew I would miss him. And I did. And I still do. I won’t lie to you, the feeling of losing love doesn’t go away. The best thing you can do is just... try to live with it.”

Kris doesn’t respond.

“Uh-! I- uh, maybe that wasn’t very good advice, but!! The joy of finding new love also doesn’t go away! With every love lost, there’s always more waiting for you. I promise.”

“I don’t want anyone else...” Kris says quietly.

“Wh- what was that?”

“Ugh, nothing! Just... Leave me alone.”

Toriel considers pushing further, but she knows it won’t work. Kris has always been this way. It’s best to just... leave them to their devices.

As Toriel walks out of the room, she places her hand on the doorframe.
“I’m always here for you Kris, I promise.”

No response.
She leaves.

Kris just lies silent in their bed for a long time. They’re so exhausted. They’re so hurt.
They don’t want to go on. They can’t. Not without him.

“He’s still in there...” They mutter to themselves.
They remember what they saw in Berdly’s eyes.
That alleyway.

Kris feels around in their pocket, and takes out the feather they’d accidentally plucked off of Berdly.

They hold it close to their chest.

They already know they can create dark fountains, but...
...Would it really work?
Could they really... reopen a previously sealed dark world?
It wasn’t like Kris had any doubt they were going to try it anyway; they just feared the risk. What if Spamton was still there? What if there was someone worse than Queen in charge now? What if... ...They hurt him...?

Kris jolts upright. They hadn’t even considered that Berdly could be at risk being trapped there.
They look to their shattered window. Dawn was breaking.
There’d be people at the library, they couldn’t risk creating a fountain there, they shouldn’t...

But they can’t wait. Any second that Berdly could potentially be in danger made Kris’ chest ache. They had to save him. They had to try.

They stumble out of bed and wince in pain as their bandaged foot presses against the ground. It
hurt, but they didn’t have time to worry about that right now.
They lean out of their window, and see the soul, still trapped in its bent cage.
They’re about to jump out, when they remember about their foot. Jumping from this height would be... agonizing. But how else could they get out? Toriel’s up, she’d surely see them leaving... They didn’t want her to worry, but... They had no choice. They went up their door and turned the knob as quietly as possible.

They tip-toed down the halls, praying that Toriel would be turned around or something and wouldn’t see them.
As they got down the stairs, their prayers were answered. Toriel was baking some kind of pie, very likely Butterscotch-Cinnamon. Kris realized that they haven’t eaten in almost 24 hours now. They hang their head low... ...they’ll eat later.

After successfully sneaking past Toriel, they were only inches away from the door.
They reach for the knob, When the power strip on the floor catches their leg.

“Augh!” Kris yelled.

Toriel ran over.
“Oh, Kris! Are you alright?! I did not even see you...”

“No! I mean, yes, I’m fine! Don’t worry about me!”

“Kris, I am very worried! You’ve been acting so strange, What is wrong?!”

“Nothing!” Kris yells as they push Toriel off of them.

“I have to go. I’ll be back. Please don’t follow me.”

Kris gets those words out quickly, and then runs out the door before Toriel even has a chance to respond.

They just run, and keep running. Their heart hurts for making their mother worry. Their heart hurts for what the soul did to Noelle. Their heart hurts for what it did to Berdly...
...They were used to their heart hurting. But that never made it hurt any less.

When they finally reached the library, they were relieved to see that no one was inside yet. And thankfully, the door wasn’t locked either, due to... Them and Susie being the last people to leave it. Kris pushed away bad memories as they anticipated remembering many more.

They entered the library, painfully devoid without Berdly’s usual Prescence.

They stood at the doors of the computer lab, and looked back to the front desk.
“...I’ll bring you back... ...I promise.”

They lock the doors behind them, and darkness erupts between the cracks.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ﾟ･: *✧ﾟ･: *

Chapter 8: Across The Sky

--
WITH THE ONE WHO NEARLY PUSHED THEM TO THE GRAVE
THEY’LL FLY ACROSS THE SKY, TOWARDS LOVE TO SAVE.
--

“Kris...?”
“Kris?”
“Kris!”

They jolt awake.
They look around for the voice calling their name... It’s...

“[[Kris]]! YOU [[Beautiful worm]]! JUST COULDN'T GET ENOUGH OF [[Spamtopia]], COULD YOU?”

Oh god.

Kris struggles to stand, and points their sword straight at Spamton, still in the NEO body.

“[[Woah Mama]]! WHAT ARE YOU IN SUCH A [[Bloodthirsty Rush]] FOR?”

Kris doesn’t know how to respond. They assumed Spamton would want to kill them on first sight.

“RELAX, [[M’theydy]], I HAVE NO [[Primal Rage]] WITH YOU ANYMORE.”

“W... Why...? And, how did you... escape the ice...?!”

“DON’T YOU REMEMBER? A LITTLE COMMUNION WITH [[Unintelligible Laughter]] AND YOU CAN GET OUT OF ANYTHING!”

“Y- you mean the knight?! Are they still here?!”

“WHY? WHAT TO DO YOU NEED TO [[Proceed]] THEM FOR? WASN’T THAT [[Hochi Mama]] ENOUGH?”

Kris gets agitated at the mention of that word.

“It’s not for... anything like that! Just tell me where they are!”

“SORRY KRIS. THAT SHIP’S ALREADY [[1912]]. [[Unintelligible Laughter]] ONLY CAME DOWN TO RETURN WHAT YOU [[Hamburgler]] FROM ME. THIS BEAUTIFUL [[Spamtopia]]! THEY AREN’T HERE ANYMORE. SAID THEY NEEDED TO HAVE A [[Communion]] WITH [[HEAVEN]].”

“Wh... Why?! Why would they come back to free you?!”

“HELL IF I KNOW. IT’S NOT LIKE THERE’S ANYTHING LEFT HERE TO [[Dictator]] ANYWAY. YOU AND THAT [[Hochi Mama]] FROZE ALL MY [[Valuable Assets]]!”

Kris stares at the ground in silence and confusion. Why would the Knight do that? What good would it serve? Spamton’s right, there’s... there’s nothing left here.

“WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHY ARE YOU HERE AGAIN?”

Kris held their breath. They couldn’t say.

“WAIT. I KNOW. IT’S THAT [[Frozen Chicken]] ISN’T IT? YOU FEEL BAD, DON’T YOU? [[Agonizing RegretTM]]?

Urgh... Looks like they didn’t have to.

“WELL, [[Get Well Soon!]], ‘CAUSE THAT ICE AINT [[Global Warming]] ANYTIME SOON. NOT BY YOUR [[Deranged]] HAND.”

“Y-you’re wrong! I’ll... I’ll find a way... I-“

“DON’T YOU THINK IT’S A LITTLE [[Free Trial Expired]] TO FEEL THAT WAY NOW? PERHAPS YOU AND THAT [[HeartShapedObject]] SHOULD’VE BEEN MORE [[Heartwarming]].”

“It wasn’t me! I can’t control myself when that thing’s inside me! I didn’t want to hurt anyone!”

“OH, [[Scripted! Rigged!]]. THAT’S WHAT THEY ALL SAY. CONVIENTLY ONLY AFTER THE [[Lifelong Trauma]] IS DONE.”

“I’m telling the truth! I was trying to stop it the entire time, I swear!”

“[[IDGAF]]. IM NOT THE ONE YOU NEED TO BE [[Begging On Your Knees]] TO. I’D TELL THAT TO YOUR LITTLE [[Elsa]].”

“I... I can’t...”

“WHAT? DON’T TELL ME YOU’RE GETTING [[Cold Feet]] NOW?”

“No, it’s not that, I want to tell her so badly, but... I made a promise...”

Spamton’s deranged expression shifts to one with a hint of empathy. A rare sight.

“OH. YOU CUT A [[Specil Deal]] DID YOU? I BET YOU WERE SO HAPPY TO [[Congratulations! You’re The 1,000,000th Customer!]], BUT RIGHT WHEN YOU’RE ABOUT TO GET YOUR [[Kromer]], THEY SAY [[It’s TV Time!]]. BOY, DO I KNOW ABOUT THAT.”

Kris pretends to understand what the hell he’s talking about.

“Uh, yeah... Something like that...”

“WELL. I WISH I COULD [[Free Hacks Tutorial]] YOU OUT, BUT [[Unintelligible Laughter]] ONLY COMES [[Once In A Blue Moon]].”

Kris sighs.

Spamton looks out upon the frozen cyber city. After feeling for Kris just a little over their deal gone wrong, he feels inclined to help. Just a little.

“...I CAN TAKE YOU TO HIM. THE [[Frozen Chicken.]]”

“You can...?! Please! Please let me see him...”

“WOW, YOU’RE REALLY [[Desperation]], AREN’T YOU? QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THE [[Cut My Life Into Pieces]] I FOUGHT BEFORE.”

“I... I just... really care about him...”

“HM. I WOULDN’T GO [[Counting All Your Eggs]] ON A [[HeartShapedFeeling]]. BUT... YOU ALREADY SEEM [[Bottom Of The Dumpster]]. I SUPPOSE YOU CAN’T GET ANY [[Gloobier]].”

Spamton leans down to Kris.

“GRAB ON TO MY [[Little Piece Of Heaven]]. I’LL LET YOU SEE YOUR LITTLE [[Lovebird]].”

He means one of his strings. Kris has no idea what they’re attached to, they just... stretch endlessly into the sky. They grab on.

“HOLD ON, KRIS. [[Nothing Beats A Jet2 Holiday]]!”

It’s a good thing the NEO body is so big. There’s enough space to sit comfortably. Well, comfortably enough...

Kris only has enough time To wonder what would happen if they fell off before they were flying through the sky.

The cyber world looked the same, but... all the colors were different. The field had turned a cold shade of blue, and the city had become a mournful purple. Queen’s mansion, which Kris could see had been defaced and rebuilt with Spamton’s likeness, was also shifted to a purple color. Kris hadn’t even noticed due to being so overwhelmed, but Spamton’s colors had shifted as well. His unsettling pink and yellow glasses had become Green and... a beige color. An equally ugly color combo as before. Guess not even prismatic rebirth can save him there. Kris wondered why he hadn’t said anything about it.

“Uh, Spamton... Haven’t you noticed that the colors of... everything changed?”

“HOW COULD’NT I? IM A BIG [[Excitedly Screaming]] OF THIS NEW PALLETTE! MY GLASSES EVEN BECAME [[The Least Creative Color]]! A SHAME THE OTHER ONE IS THE COLOR OF [[Won’t Someone Please Help Me?]], I WAS HOPING FOR [[Alexandria’s Genesis]]!”

Unfortunately, talking to Spamton will only lead to you physically feeling dumber after every sentence.

Kris remembered how Berdly would say that. That listening to them talk would make him dumber. But, he never stopped Kris from talking. Kris was the only one that Berdly wouldn’t cut off to proclaim his higher intelligence over them. Well, that’s a lie, but he did it to Kris a lot less then everyone else. Still, they wouldn’t be annoyed when it happened. They’re stare into Berdly’s eyes while he went on about how much better he was than them in every way, not even listening to what he was saying.

“It's stupid,” Kris thought.

“It’s stupid that I’m so in love with someone like him...”

It sounded mean to say, but there kinda wasn’t anything appealing about Berdly. That’s what everyone would say, with Susie and Noelle asking that Berdly be excluded from whatever they hangout they were planning, and Queen lying to his face that she didn’t think he was insufferable. And, by all means, Kris should think those things too. But... they just can’t. They can’t help that they find it all cute, what everyone else finds annoying. To Kris, it was all appealing.

They buried their head into Spamton’s body as they got depressed over him all over again.

“HEY! WATCH THE [[Merchandise]]!”

“S-sorry...” They sniffle and wipe their eyes.

“KRIS, ARE YOU [[Acid Rain]]?”

Kris assumes that means crying, and lies.

“No. I’m fine.”

“COME ON, KID. I CAN SEE THROUGH [[All Your Theories Are Wrong]] LIKE NO ONE ELSE. IT’S A LONG RIDE TO [[The Frozen Chicken Aisle]], YOU MIGHT AS WELL JUST LET IT OUT.”

Kris hesitates, but Spamton’s right. Atleast he won’t have heart crushing motherly concern for what Kris says.

“I... I loved him. I know it’s stupid, but I just found his super intelligence, better-than-everyone-else shtick really... cute. And... he’s cute. Always getting so flustered when he’d lose a game, losing his focus when I’d ruffle his feathers... They were so soft...”
Kris started crying again.

“DAMN, YOU’RE [[Down Cataclysmic]]!”

Kris laughs at that.
“I am! He’s just so fun to be around, so warm... Whenever we’d have a sleepover, I’d opt to use his chest as a pillow...”

“YOU SURE YOU TWO HAVEN’T [[Bought Marriage Shoes]] YET?”

Kris sighs. “No... He’s so oblivious, bless his heart... Always thinking that my hugs, my random gifts, asking to hold his hand... ...That it’s all a prank somehow. That I don’t really mean it. But I do. I mean it more than anything...”

“THEN WHY HAVEN’T YOU [[HeartfeltConfession.EXE]] TO HIM?”

“Because I’ve always been too afraid! Afraid that he won’t feel the same, that he’ll be wierded out, that I’ll ruin what we have, ruin everything...”

Kris laughs painfully.

“But I guess I ended up ruining everything between us anyway, didn’t I...?”

“DON’T CRY TOO HARD, KID. I’M NOT [[Waterproof]].”

“I’m not...” Another lie.

“LISTEN. I’VE HAD MY FAIR SHARE OF [[Hot CRT’s In Your Area!]], AND I’VE HAD MY FAIR SHARE OF [[Dropping The Phone]]. IT’S BEST TO JUST MOVE ON, UNLESS YOU’LL END UP LIKE ME!”

Kris groans. “My mom said the same thing...”

“WELL, [[Mother Knows Best]]! YOU DON’T WANNA BE [[Sleeping In A Dumpster]] YOUR WHOLE LIFE, DO YOU?”

Kris groans harder. “But how?! How can I just move on?! It would be different if we just stopped being friends, but I’m literally the reason he’s gone! How can I not think about that every moment I’m alive?!”

“BUT IT WASN’T YOU, WAS IT? IT WAS THAT [[Life Changing Deal]] YOU CUT. THAT [[HeartShapedObject]]. IF YOU’RE BEING [[Applejack]] RIGHT NOW, THEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEEL BAD ABOUT. I’VE BEEN [[Abused]] AS A PUPPET BEFORE, THERE’S NO GETTING PAST WHAT YOU WERE FORCED TO DO. BUT YOU CAN’T BELIEVE IT WAS YOU, BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT WILL [[Kill You]]. ALL YOU CAN DO NOW IS TRY YOUR BEST TO STAY [[PureOfHeart]], AND LIVE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WHEN YOU WERE ACTUALLY IN CONTROL, YOU DID [[Mercy]]. DON’T BE LIKE ME, [[Monstrous]] IN AND OUT OF CONTROL.”

Kris is surprised that Spamton is being so kind, and that his advice is... actually kinda good...?

“Why are you being... so nice to me? The last time I saw you, you were trying to kill me...”

“WELL. BEFORE, I DIDN’T SEE ANY REASON TO CONTINUE OUR [[Fight To The Death]], BECAUSE IF [[Unintelligible Laughter]] SAVED ME BEFORE, THEY’D PROBABLY DO IT AGAIN. WHY, [[i don’t knowwwwww]]. BUT NOW, AFTER YOUR LITTLE [[Acceptance Speech]], I DON’T REALLY WANT TO. NOW THAT I KNOW IT WASN’T REALLY YOU.”

Kris laughs. “Thanks...?”

“BUT IF I EVER SEE THAT [[HeartShapedDemon]], IT’S ON SIGHT!”

Kris laughs harder. “God, you and me both...”

They continue to fly over the cyber world in silence. Kris didn’t realize how big this place really was. They looked down to the streets of the cyber city, all lined with frozen statues of enemies.
They stopped looking.

They just looked to the sky, shining with countless flickering stars that resembled the lights of a sever room.
...
...The blue ones reminded them of Berdly’s eyes.

Chapter 9: As It Is Written

--
AND JUST AS IT IS WRITTEN...
--

After staring up at the stars for what felt like hours, Kris noticed their altitude beginning to drop.

“Oh god...”, They thought.
Even though they want to see Berdly so badly, they’re still a little nervous to.

“ALRIGHT KRIS, [[End Of The Line]]. I WISH YOU [[Jackpot!]] IN YOUR [[Heartbreaking]] ENDEAVORS. I’VE GOT TO GET BACK TO MY [[Mojo Dojo Casa House]], MY PIPIS’ ARE PROBABLY STARVING!”

“Uh, yeah... Thank you.”

“NO [[Fatal Error]]. WISH I COULD SEE YOU [[Spread Your Wings]], BUT IF I DON’T [[Eject]] NOW, THE PIPIS’ WILL EAT ME ALIVE. YOU DON’T WANT TO LIVE IN [[Pipistopia]], DO YOU?!”
Spamton yelled as he flew away.

Kris stood in place for a long while.
They were so afraid. They could already feel it getting colder.
But they can’t waste any time. They need to do whatever they can to help him.
Kris rounded the corner Spamton had dropped them off at, and..

Visions of all-encompassing snow flash across Kris’ eyes. They’re washed away by their tears.

Just as Kris thought, Berdly was still there. Frozen in time, at the moment he stared at them with those terror filled eyes...

They could barely see through the crystal. But Kris knew he was in there.

Kris felt their legs go weak just having to look at that ungodly crystal.
But they powered through... for just long enough to reach him.
They put their hand to the crystal, the ice almost burning from being so cold.
Their fist shook with god knows how many emotions. They were depressed, they were devastated, they were...
Angry. They were so angry. Angry at themselves, angry at the soul, angry at the angel for making this path for them...

With a yell of rage, Kris drew their sword and struck the crystal.

Nothing happened.

They struck it again with everything they had.

Nothing happened.

They struck it again, and again, and again. Harder each time.

Nothing happened.

Kris can’t stop crying. They drop their sword, and just start punching the crystal.

“Berdly...!” They cry as they pound their fist into the crystal as hard as they can.

Nothing happened.

“Berdly, please...” They punch the crystal once more.

Nothing happened.

Kris draws their breath as they look into the crystal with tear filled eyes, and scream.
They scream the loudest they have in a long time.
It rings out across the frozen city as Kris continues to punch the crystal, fists full of agony.
Kris' screams shift into guttural cries.
“Berdly, please! Why, Why me?! Why him?! Why?! Why?! Why?!” They repeat over and over, as they punch the crystal harder and harder.

Kris sniffles, not making them cry any less, and slides down to the floor.

“Why.... Why.......?”

The crystal stands, stained red and undamaged in the alleyway.
Kris clings onto it with bloodied hands, trying to feel even a hint of warmth from the bird.

But nothing happened.

They’re about to scream again, when a voice calls out to them.

“Kris...?”

They turn around.
Ralsei.

“Kris, are you okay?! I-I heard you scream, and-“

“I’M FINE!” Kris screams, yet again in the most not fine way imaginable.

Ralsei almost wants to cry. They had never heard Kris yell like that, if anyone.

“Kris... Your hands...”

“I’m fine...” They repeat, crying through their words.

“Kris, please let me heal you...”

Kris wants to reject, to say they’re fine again, but they just don’t have the strength.
Not anymore.
All they can do now is cry.

Ralsei walks up to them to give Kris one of their healing hugs, but to his surprise, Kris hugs him first.

“K-kris...?!”

“I’m sorry... I just... need someone to hold...”

“W-well, I’m always here...”
They embrace, and Kris’ hands are healed. But Kris doesn’t let go.
They hug Ralsei tighter and tighter.

“Kris...? Are you okay...?”

“No... No, I’m not...”

Ralsei can feel Kris’ tears dampening his fur.

He doesn’t ask Kris what’s wrong, he already knows. He’s known everything Kris was prophesized to do for as long as he can remember. He just didn’t think Kris cared for Berdly... this much.

THE CAGE WILL BRING FORTH THE SNOW, AND TWO HEARTS WILL BE FROZEN.

That’s what the prophecy said.

Ralsei had been able to interpret what it meant, but he was never able to nail down who the “two hearts” were supposed to belong to. It was clear to him now.

ONE HEART FROZEN IN DEVASTATION,

THE OTHER IN TIME.

THE CLOCK MOVES JUST LONG ENOUGH

TO MEET TERRIFIED EYES.

“Kris, I.. I can use fire magic. You know that?”

Kris raises their head. “Y-you can...?!”

Ralsei nods.

“T-Then get him out of there! Please!”

Ralsei walks over to the crystal.

“You really care about him, huh?”

“Yes! Please...”

“Then... ...You’d better tell him now.”

Ralsei lifts his arms, and there was a burning light, so bright, Kris never would’ve thought it could’ve come from Ralsei.

And when the light faded, he was gone.

And through the steam, the silhouette of the bird on the ground.

Kris felt their hands shake. They ran towards him. Their foot no longer injured, they ran with everything they had.

“BERDLY!” They cried as the silhouette got closer and closer.

And finally...

“Kris...?”

Something happened.

“BERDLY!” Kris cried as they wrapped their arms around him.

But Berdly did not return the embrace.

“NO! Kris, get off me! Stay away! Please, I... I’m warning you...!”

“What...?!” The words struck through Kris, breaking their heart just as it had start to mend.
To look into someone’s eyes with nothing but love, and see in return, nothing but terror...
It was an unbearable pain.

Berdly struggled to stand while he drew his halberd.

“Don’t come any closer! I won’t let you... I won’t let you hurt her!”

But It was only the two of them in the alley.

“N... Noelle...? Where’s Noelle?! What have you done to her?!”

Kris’ stomach turned. They wanted to vomit, but they kept it in.

“Berdly, it wasn’t me, I promise! I didn’t do anything! It was-“

“Don’t lie to me! I saw the look in her eyes! You were commanding her, ordering her to-“

“BERDLY, I SWEAR! You knew I wouldn’t ever do something like that! I was being controlled, like, uh... uh, in- in Super Smashing Fighters! Imagine you’re a character in that game, and there’s some higher power controlling your every move and forcing you to hurt the other fighters, even if you don’t want to!”

“What...?!” Berdly just stares in confusion.

“Berdly, I promise I’m not lying! B-but it’s gone now! Well, for now... I-I came all this way to save you! Why would I do that if that was really me who...”

“Came all this way? What are you talking about, you... You were just here...?”

Kris has an awful realization.

“Y... You don’t... You weren’t...?”

“Kris, how long have I been frozen here?!”

“So you really couldn’t hear me... In the hospital...”

“I was in the HOSPITAL?! What the hell did you make Noelle do to me?!”

“Nothing!! I’m telling you, I had no choice! I swear, I was trying my hardest to stop it every second that it was happening! I didn’t want any of it!”

Berdly breathes nervously.
“Where’s Noelle.”

“She’s okay, I promise. I tried my hardest to stop anything bad from happening to her, she’s... she’s my friend too.”

It seemed that those words got through to Berdly.
He dropped his halberd.

“Kris... what’s going on...? What is any of this...? I don’t...”

Kris hugs Berdly again, gently.

“It’s okay. It’s okay, I promise. You were never supposed to get involved in all this...”

“What is this? I don’t understand any of it...”

“I don’t either. I never have. It’s just something I apparently have to do. You never had anything to do with this, I’m sorry... I’m sorry you got dragged into everything, It... It only hurt you.”

“Kris... Are you... Crying?”

Kris hugs Berdly tightly.

“Yes! I’ve been crying all day thinking about you! I couldn’t stop thinking that you were really gone, that I’d lost you, that... that it was all my fault...”

“Kris...”

“It hurt so much, It killed me... I had to see you again, I had to come and save you, and as soon as I had control of myself again, I ran here to do it. Berdly, if you were gone, I would’ve... I...”

“Since when did you care about me so much...?”

Kris pulls away from him.

“Since FOREVER! I’ve always cared about you so much! I’ve always loved hearing your rants about your favorite games, I’ve always loved having our battles at your place, I’ve always loved you! I’ve always loved you!”

Berdly stares at Kris as his face turns red. He doesn’t know what to say.

“Kris... Y-you mean, like... love, love?”

“Of course that’s what I mean, birdbrain! You really think I lost that one game on accident?”

Berdly laughs anxiously. “Uh, wow, I... Uh... Uh..........”

Kris wipes their tears. “I-I’m sorry. I know this probably isn’t a good time or place to tell you that... But I mean it.”

Berdly gathers his breath, and snaps back into his usual cocky personality.
“Well, it’s no surprise you’d fall for someone as great as me.”

Kris laughs and hugs Berdly again.
“There’s the bird I love...”

Berdly was broken right back out of it. Kris was really serious. There’s no way they actually... ...felt the same?

Berdly returns the hug at last.

“Kris... ha... you really mean it?”

“You know I do. I love you so much.”

“W-well... I wouldn’t be honest I said I didn’t... also look forward to every time we’d game together. And not just for the games, I just... Liked being around you. A lot. ...Is that weird?”

Kris laughs. “Yes. But that’s why I love you. ‘Cause I’m weird too. Y’know, like attracts like and stuff like that...”

They continue hugging in silence.

“Your feathers are so soft... I was so afraid I’d never get to feel them again...”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I won’t be so hesitant next time! This pro gamer won’t lose again!”

Kris can’t stop laughing. They had missed this so much, even if it was only for a day Berdly was gone.

Kris holds Berdly’s face.
“I don’t ever wanna lose you again. I won’t let you get hurt again, I swear.”

“And...”
Berdly holds Kris’ face back.
“I won’t let whatever was controlling you hurt you again. You don’t deserve it.”

Kris smiles through tears. “I don’t deserve you.”

Berdly gives a loving smile. An honest one, not like one of his many smug ones.

Kris looks at the end of Berdly’s beak, then back into his eyes.

“Berdly... I just wanna do this... In case I don’t get another chance.”

“Kris...?”

Kris inches closer.

“Can I...?”

Berdly inches closer.

“...It’s not like we haven’t before.”

They smile, and share a kiss.

And Berdly was right, it wasn’t like they hadn’t before. But it was different this time. As kris felt the cold on Berdly’s lips, and Berdly felt Kris’ tears on theirs... They felt like this was what they’d been hoping for all along. Their “happy ending.”

They remain as they are for a long while. They’ve both wanted this for years.
When they pull away from eachother, they can’t stop smiling. They don’t even say anything, they just look at eachother. That’s all they want to do now.

“WOW! WAS THAT A [[You like me! You really like me!]] OR WHAT?!”

They both jump at the sound of Spamton’s voice.

“W- what are you doing here?!”

“WHAT, DID YOU REALLY THINK I’D MISS OUT ON [[♪ Be Who You Are ♪]]?! THIS IS A SIGHT FOR [[Burning Eyes]]!”

Berdly leans over to Kris.
“Kris... Who is that...?”

“Ugh, just-“

“JUST YOUR OLD BUDDY AND PAL [[FreeKromer1997]]!! I WAS THE ONE WHO GAVE THAT [[Hochi Mama]] THAT RING THAT TURNED YOU INTO [[Frozen Chicken]]!”

Berdly looks more confused. “W-what..? What ring???”
Kris interjects. “I know who you are! Shut up talking about that, no one wants to hear about it!”

“WHAT, I THOUGHT IT WAS ALL IN THE PAST? ALL [[Behind The Tree]]? CAN’T WE LAUGH ABOUT IT NOW?”

Kris sighs in exhaustion. “It hasn’t exactly been long enough yet.”

“WOW, YOU’RE IMPATIENT. GO AHEAD AND [[Stab The Earth]] WHEN YOU’RE READY TO [[♪ Laugh And Cry! ♪]] WITH YOUR BUDDY AND [[Ring Supplier]] IN [[Pipistopia]]! I DIDN’T FEED THEM IN TIME. THEY OWN THE CASTLE NOW.”

Kris grabs Berdly’s arm. “Let’s just... get out of here...”

“FINE, GO! I’M ONLY NOT KILLING YOU NOW BECAUSE [[Love Wins]]!”

Chapter 10: As Ordered

Kris and Berdly walk hand in hand through the cyber world towards the fountain.

“Berdly, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. About how I felt. I was just scared. Scared you wouldn’t feel the same, and-“

“What? How could I not feel the same? Kris, you are literally the coolest person I’ve ever met. And I’m not just saying that because you were able to beat my Super Smashing Fighters 2 speedrun!”

Kris laughs. “You’ll catch up to me someday!”

Berdly playfully punches Kris’ arm.
“We’re having a 1v1 right after we see Noelle!”

“Yeah... I just have to hope she isn’t too torn up about all this, I already feel so bad...”

“If I could be frozen in ice for 24 hours and still be fine, I have no doubt she’ll be able to bounce back too. She’s strong. As long as we both fight to stop that... soul thing from doing bad things through you, we should all be okay.”

Kris smiles. “I’m lucky to have someone willing to do that...”

“Kris, we’d all do that! Noelle, Susie... We would never let anything bad happen to you.”

“...Thank you... And I’ll be sure nothing bad happens to you either. We’ve got eachother, right?”

Berdly pulls Kris into a Susie-like side hug. “Always.”

Kris continues to hold onto Berdly as they approach the darkness of the fountain, and return to the light.

Together.

--
THE ICE WILL MELT
AS THE WARMTH OF LOVE IS FELT
BUT THE KNIFE GROWS DULL
AS THE SOUL REMAINS FULL
AND THE CAGE SHALL FULFILL ITS PURPOSE
AND KEEP ITS PROMISE
AND THE HEARTS WILL RETURN TO HOW THEY WERE
COLD AND ALONE, AS THE PROPHECY ORDERED.
--

Chapter 11: Prophecized

Summary:

All the prophecy excerpts pieced together in order.

THE FORBIDDEN PATH BEGAN WITH ICE MAGIC.
THE OUTCOME, NO MATTER THEIR EFFORTS, WOULD ALWAYS BE TRAGIC.

TO TRY TO STOP DESTINY THROUGH INACTION, IS FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE.
THE HUMAN’S BLINDNESS WILL BRING FORTH THEIR OWN LEAST DESIRE.

THE HUMAN’S LOVE, DESTROYED BY ITS NAMESAKE
AGAIN AND AGAIN, THEY’LL FEEL THEIR HEART BREAK.

IN THEIR MOMENT OF WEAKNESS, THE HUMAN WILL BE TORN
AS THEY’RE FORCED TO BRING FORTH THE RING OF THORN.

AND JUST AS IT IS WRITTEN,
THE CAGE WILL BRING FORTH THE SNOW, AND TWO HEARTS WILL BE FROZEN.

ONE HEART FROZEN IN DEVASTATION,
THE OTHER IN TIME.
THE CLOCK MOVES JUST LONG ENOUGH
TO MEET TERRIFIED EYES.

IN THEIR GRIEF, THEY’LL BRING FORTH WHAT THEY’VE PLEDGED TO STOP
IN THE HOPES IT WILL HEAL, BUT IT BRINGS ONLY ROT.

IN THEIR DARKNESS, THE HUMAN FINDS THEIR LIGHT.
BUT IT WILL BIRTH ONLY ANOTHER FIGHT.

THEY’LL PUSH AWAY EVERY HELPING HAND
AS THEY ONCE AGAIN LEAVE THE LIGHTENED LAND

WITH THE ONE WHO NEARLY PUSHED THEM TO THE GRAVE
THEY’LL FLY ACROSS THE SKY, TOWARDS LOVE TO SAVE.

THE ICE WILL MELT
AS THE WARMTH OF LOVE IS FELT
BUT THE KNIFE GROWS DULL
AS THE SOUL REMAINS FULL
AND THE CAGE SHALL FULFILL ITS PURPOSE
AND KEEP ITS PROMISE
AND THE HEARTS WILL RETURN TO HOW THEY WERE
COLD AND ALONE, AS THE PROPHECY ORDERED.

Notes:

hope u liked my crinch little yaoi fic it's 3am as im writing this im so tired. also yes the end of the prophecy implies that Berdly is going to die eventually regardless. Sorry for the bittersweet ending 💔💔💔 who knows maybe they can change it. with enough #HOPE!!!!!!!!!!