Underdoom - chapter 26

An oscilloscope graphic came up from under the UAC logos at the monitoring station

“All this time, and none of you remembered I had access to the system. I almost feel insulted that you all could have forgotten me so soon.”

“SANS, KEEP WORKING ON THE LOCK!”

“I’M TRYING! SEE IF YOU CAN GET IT FROM YOUR END”



Series of fireballs from the King and queen, coupled with laser fire from VEGA, crashed against Hayden’s shields to no apparent effect. Not even a flinch from the Cyborg, who stood on the highest remaining parapet abreast the ruined east temple. So much demeaning candor hid from behind his steel mask of a face. It oozed in his voice and flowed through his proud posture. Chin high, shoulders back, a single blue optic looking down condescendingly at the little group below him. New parts had replaced what had been lost in Olivia’s office. New arms, a new chassis, unpainted, and reflecting a glint of the amber sunset.

“Don’t waste my time.” He latched both crucible and Siphon to points on his chassis before picking his rifle back up. “You know, I would have been worried had it not been for this Gaster’s findings. The Doom Slayer would have used the last source of Argent Energy in existence, and I wouldn’t have known there was another way. I really ought to thank you all for doing the heavy lifting.”



Undyne’s fear mingled with her rage as she heard Hayden’s low, condescending tone. “Al, how are doing…”

“I can’t bust it! Neither of us can!”

The Captain drew close and hunched over the station. “What about VEGA? Is he working on it from his end?”

Sans’ frantic hands scurried about the module’s various interfaces, trying fruitlessly to break the encrypted lock. “There’s no way to know! He’s blocked our communications! He’s blocked everything!”



Several notifications popped up in the corner of his periphery, informing him of VEGA and the monsters’ attempts at bypassing his lockout. The supercomputer that made up most of his brain was busy keeping their meddling at bay. “Ah VEGA… I made you to be powerful, but I did not make you to supersede me. You won’t be able to break the lock, neither will anyone in the lab compound.”

“Your ego amazes me, Doctor….” Cold rage permeated every syllable that came out of VEGA’s mouth, his cannon still trained on his old master’s head. “I wish I could understand what makes men like you…”

“Maybe that’s why you’re not up here with me.”

“HE’S NOT UP THERE BECAUSE HE’S NOT THE FOUL, VILE, SELF OBSESSED EXCUSE OF A MAN YOU ARE, SAMUEL!” The Queen’s voice rasped out in indignant fury.

“Testy today, aren’t we…” The Cyborg laughed. “Give up. Give up like your champion has. He didn’t claim what was his, and you see where it’s gotten him. As for me, I will claim what is mine. Neither him, nor any of you will deny me of what’s in my reach. Olivia made the mistake of letting the Imperatrix set the terms when she opted for godhood, but the tables will be turned when I meet with the Icon of Sin. It will be he who begs my conditions and abides by my terms. It will be I who rules over the power of the Crux…”

In an instant, Hayden trained the reticle of his rifle on Toriel’s head.

“… and you will be left here to rot.”

But before he could pull the trigger, he heard something from behind and below him. It sounded almost like galloping, a beast’s paw tearing the ground apart in fervent, steady cadence. It grew closer and louder by the second, and it alone swung Hayden’s attention from his mark to his flank.

He looked down, and saw the Doom Slayer.

The whites of his eyes were set ablaze, and they overpowered the orange light of the fading sky, which covered his back and cast pitch black shadow under him. Those eyes were fixed on him, and the irises seemed stained utterly black. He was climbing the face of the temple, bounding vertically from balcony to balcony, his arms and legs pumping back and forth, seeming almost like a wild cat sprinting as his hands clawed at the stone, and his feet kicked upon the ledges. His mouth was agape, heaving in and out as his breath fueled his ascent. His teeth glistened like his eyes against the amber light, baring themselves like fangs. It was not a man anymore, but a beast, a wild animal, coming for him.

Hayden swung his rifle to meet the Domo Slayer’s head, but he was already upon him, and the barrel was crushed betwixt the Praetor’s fingers as he grabbed it and pulled himself up by its ruined muzzle, taking Hayden face down into the edge of the balcony. The impact was enough to break the rock into pieces, and to disrupt Samuel’s link with the Tether Modules.

VEGA Immediately saw his window of opportunity. “LOCK BYPASSED. Everyone hold on!”



The UAC logos disappeared from the screen. All probe footage resumed as normal. Comms were open again. It took a second to register to both Sans and Alphys before they jumped to the controls, only to find they had no access to them. Something was already starting the tethering sequence. Comms however were still open, and ready to relay traffic. Alphys jumped at the opportunity.

“Base to shore party, base to shore party! Come in!”

“Base, this is VEGA. Tethering sequence underway. Prepare to receive visitors.”

“How did you-?!”

“It’s UAC property. I have full rights to it as long as I’m not locked out, and Hayden’s too busy to keep me from picking it.”

“What do you mean?”

Frisk pointed to one of the monitors, standing on her toes. “Look!”

Sure enough, the grainy footage allowed them a distant view of the Praetor unleashing his fury upon the Cyborg, up in the higher parapets of the ruined temple.



Grab him

Hit him

Kill him

Unholy anger soared through the air in the Doom Slayer’s fists as they swung and battered the Cyborg, some hitting his torso, others blocked by his wrists and palms. Faking a punch, he shot an open hand at Hayden, who reached out to block, only to feel his opponent’s hand grab him and wrestle him to the floor. The Hell Walker pounced on him, wasting no time to end the miserable Doctor’s life.

You’re on top of him. Swing. Hit. Swing again. Keep hitting. Hit until his shields break. Hit until his head bursts open. He’s struggling. Keep his hand down. Other one’s reaching for you. Swat it away. Keep hitting. Shields almost down. Hand is there again, trying to gouge your eye. Grab it. Hold it down. Headbutt him. Hurts Keep going. Don’t stop until he’s head. Ears ringing. Head feels like its cracking apart. His is. Top of his optic is chipped. Kill him. Crush him.

WHAM

He’s kicked you off. Stomach churning, aching. Falling. Grab the ledge. Climb it. Hayden’s getting up, running away. Blue light behind you….

The light encircled the Queen, the Prince, and the AI, arcing around them in small thunderclaps and raising them into the air.

Asgore took a look toward the fleeing combatants before parting with his family. “Asriel, remember to do what your mother instructs, do you understand?”

The little boy clutched the Praetor’s empty helmet. “O-Okay.”

“Toriel, you keep him safe until I get back. Both of you stay safe.”

“We will.”

“I love you.”

“I-“

Toriel’s words were cut off by the tether. The light came to its crescendo, and in a flash and sound of thunder, his family and the Ai that accompanied them vanished before his eyes.

To all in the lab, the sound of the tether module at work was familiar. It had become almost routine at this point, but everyone was still on the edge of their seat, waiting for its passengers to come through the divide.

The noise subsided, the flashing light vanished, and three figures came toppling to the floor. VEGA did not have the biological processes that would render him sick, but the tether had enough of an effect on his optics to warrant system diagnostics and a few seconds of optical and audio function recovery. Toriel was sick to her stomach, and could barely stand. Asriel had the worst of it given his size, and he could scarcely move from his prone position on the floor. His head throbbed, and his stomach burned. He couldn’t make out the shape of his hand in front of his face. No sound registered as anything but muffled mush to his ears.

But then he heard Frisk’s voice

“Asriel?”

His own voice was hard to find. “F-Frisk-?”

He heard pattering feet running toward him. Then, a small hand taking hold of his. Strength and speech weren’t as hard to find anymore. It pulled him up, and his feet managed to prop him up long enough for Frisk to embrace him and make up for what strength he lacked.

“I never thought I’d see you again…”

“Frisk, I-I…” Asriel could barely hold back tears. He tried laughing them away. “I’m sorry I’m – I-I always do this, I-“

“Hey, it’s okay…”

“I-I’m such a crybaby.”

“I’m okay with crybabies.”

The Prince managed to clear his eyes well enough that he could see the room around him. All eyes were on him and Frisk, all speechless and astonished. Sans, Alphys, Mettaton, Undyne, VEGA.

And of course, his mother.

“You… you know each other?!”

Asriel let out a breath that came up somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. “It’s a long story, mom.”

A sense of urgency bid VEGA to return, as much as he wanted to hear the story. It pained him to stay so distant, but Asgore’s life could be on the line, and every second counted. “I ought to tether back. King Asgore and the Doom Marine will need help if Hayden really is doing what he says he will.”

Undyne looked quizzical. The thought of either the mighty King of the Underground or the Scourge of Hell needing much help to take down one man seemed outlandish. “Why? What’s Hayden up to? What do mean, thay’ll need he-“

The Praetor’s helmet caught her eye, just a few feet off to Asriel’s right. She ran up to it, picking it up and eyeing it over as if to search for any damages. Her eyes gravitated to the Argent Sigil on its forehead, painted in red, seemingly after the fact of his induction into the Night Sentinels. It felt so odd to hold it herself. It felt distressing. Uncomfortable. Worrying. It shouldn’t be in her hands. It shouldn’t be with her.

Toriel’s voice shook her from her disconcerted distraction. “He’s going to fuse souls with Baphomet.”

“What?!”

VEGA confirmed her words to any disbelieving ears. “He plans on merging power with the Icon of Sin and becoming a God. He also plans on brokering the deal and setting his own terms, and with the Crucible and Siphon, I can see him pulling it off.”

“We’ve got to send more in there than just you and Asgore. That sounds way hairier than what three guys can handle.” Sans surprised even himself with such initiative.

“how much more are you thinking?” Mettaton drew eyes to the back of the room. “We need as many here as we can get if our guests in New Home get any antsier.”

Alphys feared another argumentative logjam. “Didn’t you say they were dormant?”

“Yes, but they’ve certainly woken up.” Hall eyes once again fixed to the security screens. Indeed, activity in New Home had resumed its usual clamor. Demons once more crawled along the walls, now painted in hellish sigils and partially crumbled by their innate violence.

VEGA’s ruminations led him to similar concerns. “He’s right. And if Hayden manages to reach the Icon first, he will certainly send more our way.”

“Let me call Papyrus.” Undyne was again fixated on the helmet. “I’m going in. He’ll take charge of the Guard underground while No 1 and No 2 keep things under wraps up top.”

“Undyne, are you sure?” Alphys asked. “Are you sure you want to go to the Time Crux?”

“You’re not sending me there.”

“What?”

Her eyes once again fixed themselves upon the Sigil.

“You’re sending me to Argent.”



The Hell Walker’s gaze tore from side to side as he searched for his quarry. He could hear the cyborg running away, metal pads hitting sandy stone. He had chased prey down before, but seldom had he felt such hatred for any single demon as he felt for this man. This man, who used him like a common tool, who had stolen what was rightfully his, who had formed the lives of innocent thousands to make his pedestal, and who now, after all that was done, all that was lost, after the ultimate test of his honor and integrity, came to insult him.

He didn’t claim what was his, and you see where it’s gotten him

He had spent countless ages working up to that moment. For so agonizingly long, he had awaited the day when he could undo the sting of his betrayal. Eons had been spent looking forward to the day when he would take back what Hell had stolen from him, when the fruits of their treachery would be ground into dust, and their vindication broken into pieces.

But fate had given him a test. Calling it a “hard decision” would be a vulgar understatement. It was the hardest, most soul-crushing choice he had ever made. Even now, the irreversible reality of the situation scorched his soul and renewed his grief.

Deep down inside however, he knew it was the right thing to do. He had passed the test. He had proven his honor.

And what did Samuel Hayden, callous waster of men’s lives, egotistical self-proclaimed hero. hopeful usurper of Hell and god thereof, have to say about it?

You see where it’s gotten him.

The nerve, the gall, the unprecedented arrogance and pompous ego that complete brat of a man had to spit on that sacrifice.

And it was so much more than that insult. It was what fueled it. It did not matter how many suffered or died as long as it brought him glory. As long as it did not keep him from attaining his prize. Now that prize was in his reach. He could sense it as he pursued him up the pathways that lead into the great tower. Imps and lesser hellspawn were either torn asunder by buckshot or ignored altogether. The Doom Slayer sought much more important quarry.

Indignation gave speed to his sprint. Righteous fury guided his aim and strengthened his arm. Raw determination lent fortitude to his mind.

Rip and Tear until it is done

And it shall be done



The King’s breath pumped furiously, staving off the burning in his arms as he skewered and scorched knights and imps and Hell Razers, and giving his legs the strength to sally forth past their carcasses and up the sloped paths that lead to the Seat of power.

Asgore knew he would not catch them in time to intercept the Cyborg. Him and the Doom Slayer had long gone past his reach for now, but he could not give up the chase. He would catch up to them sooner or later, and when he did, he needed to be ready to lend aid to the Praetorian. He had seen the strength of his sword arm and the lethality of his aim, but he knew Hayden’s as well, and whether the Praetor had the upper hand or was on the brink of defeat, he would need to step in. He could not afford to delay, nor waste too much of his strength. He knew that before the day was over, he would come to battle against the Cyborg.

He knew there was a chance that he would not make it out of this alive.

But that would not dissuade him. It could not. There was far too much to lose.

And so, he trudged on. Up the stairwells and through the rocky passageways that lead to the citadel center. On and on, cast under the shadow of the Great Tower. Therein lie the power to save or to destroy the people he loved. Therein lie the ultimate test of his courage. Therein lie the stage on which would be set the battle to decide the fate of millions.

He came upon a door, thrice his height and twice his width. The visages of lords from ages past were carved into its face. This was it. The entrance to the tower, the door to the Seat of Power, to the ancient well. The Time crux awaited him. It was set a ways from the tower proper, but even now, its horrible grandeur could not be ignored

The King pushed in a nearby switch: a skull placed in its own stone slot. The sound of grinding rock and clanking iron gears shook the earth beneath him as the great doorway opened.

“Don’t think you’re going in there by yourself.”

The King turned himself around to see VEGA standing stalwartly and ready to delve into the heart of Hell. “Ah. I hadn’t noticed you tethering in.”

“Only three minutes ago. I did not think this was something you could tackle on your own.”

“You’re probably right.”

Some unknown monstrosity bellowed in the distance. Its voice was sharp, loud, and high, and it shook the King and sent the AI’s precautionary systems into overdrive, even if only for a second. Both looked inside the door. It led into a hallway, empty save for some loose rubble, and the iron cages on either side, brimming the remains of the mortal dead. The longer they stared, the more the corridor seemed to stretch out in front of them. A primal darkness hailing them from within.

There wasn’t much more to say. “Are you ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be, your highness.”

“Right…. Let’s go.”

And they set forth into the Citadel.



Once more, the temples at Argent D’nur were silent. Once more, a semblance of peace could be felt, if one were to look and see the clouds fleeing from the sun and over the gold-washed mountains. Gone was the stain of crimson from the skies. Gone was the presence of demonkind as well. One could almost assume, had it not been for the Hell Sigil Stones flying around the shattered remains of argent, that it had been liberated from Hell’s ancient grasp.

Within the keep however, the scene was far more foreboding. What remained of their destroyed bodies had all but disappeared. A few trails of blood and small bits of gristle could be seen leading to the third temple’s chamber. From the maw of the skull gate enclosing the Imperatrix’s remains, smoke rose steadily into the sky, together with the smell of charred flesh and the faint smell of iron liberated from blood.

Undyne looked on from the cavern entrance at the billowing smoke. Formidable a sight as it was, it brought her hope. Hope that perhaps this little stunt just might work. She looked down at her waist to the helmet clasped to her belt, then back to the Wrath’s altar. Many times had she reported directly to her King. She was a regular servant of royalty, yet she felt a reverent awe and fearful respect of what lay ahead the likes of which she had scarcely felt before. Her knighting was perhaps the only moment in her life that came close to filling her with this much apprehension and mixed fear and admiration for someone. The fear here was greater. Asgore was a kindly man who was like a father to her, but these? They didn’t know her, and presumably would not care for her. Maybe they would just ignore her. Maybe they would lop her head off if they saw their master’s headgear in her hand….

Undyne closed her eye, took in a deep breath, and dismissed her fears, no matter how likely or unlikely they were to play out as she imagined them.

“Here goes….”

She jumped down from the entrance and landed with a knee into the plaza. Without delay, she ran up the steps to the alter, unlatching the helmet from her belt. She found herself atop the temple, making eye contact with the wraith’s corpse. It lay there with open arms still, as if to greet her.

She paused, wondering what to say, wondering what to really do. There wasn’t a sign of them anywhere, save for what must have been their handiwork, fuming from the dead titan’s mouth. Last time she saw them, they simply showed up at once and out of nowhere, practically out of thin air. She remembered the green coloration of their spectral form, their bulky, imposing frames accentuated by thick and formidable white armor.

Then, she remembered their salute. Feet at attention, fist closed and brought to the heart.

She assumed the salute, and raised the Doom Slayer’s helmet in front of her.

Nothing happened.

She stood there for a minute or two more before raising it further over her head. She wanted to say something, to call or beckon out to them, to plead their aid and rally them, but she did not know what to say, if anything needed to be said at all. Above all else, she feared disrespect.

It seemed her current action was construed as disrespect anyway, for as soon as she raised the helmet higher into the air, they appeared. Not just the few she had seen before, but hundreds, if not thousands of them, standing along the walls and ledges, all pointing a sword or a spear or an arrow at Undyne’s head. The nearest had his blade mere inches away from her remaining eye. His faceless stare bore down upon her, as did the scores of other Night Sentinels who stood ready to strike the intruder down.

Undyne was paralyzed. One wrong move, and she would be torn to pieces. She chose her words carefully, swallowing her terror with her spit, steeling herself to speak with dignity as becoming a warrior. Their very presence deserved – and demanded – no less.

“Your master needs you!”

Their arms were trained on her still.

“Your master calls for your aid! He goes to battle the Icon of Sin!”

Their weapons wavered as some exchanged looks, though most still kept their blades pointed at the strange girl pleading their help.

“My name is Undyne! I am a friend to him and I know him! I know what Baphomet really is. He had an opportunity to undo what had been done…. But he used it to bring that same chance to someone else. He has learned from his mistakes… “

The Sentinels began to disarm at once, either lowering or sheathing their weapons.

“Now he seeks to give him peace…. But someone threatens to merge souls with the icon. He threatens to swallow every world in his path and do to them what they have done to you!”

They all stood still. Unresponsive and silent.

That continual silence began to eat at Undyne’s patience. Anxiety began to take over. “Please! Please, you have to come with me! Lives are at stake! My home and my family are at stake! Your master’s life is at stake!”

The second in command, with sword still in hand approached her.

She was so eager to see a response. It was enough to calm her troubled heart, even if only for a moment. “Fight with me!” She held out the helmet with one hand and brought out her spear with the other, holding it aloft in the air. “It was said that you would follow the one bearing the Sigil… I bear it now… Fight with me!”

More of them slowly approached her. She could just barely make out eyes peeking out from their glowing visors. The second in command held her by the shoulder, and for that fraction of a second, she almost felt her heart burst from within her chest.

Then he took his hand, and beat it upon his.

And all his men followed.

Undyne saluted them back.

___________

WHAM

WHAM

WHAM

He’s coming for you, Samuel. You’ve set him off and he’s coming for you

WHAM

WHAM

WHAM

That door is only going to last you another few seconds. Maybe a minute tops. You had better get this done fast. The Icon is just in the next room

WHAM

WHAM

WHAM

The doors are open. There he is. His spectral form. Better close the second door. Stone and steel instead of wood. It’s going to take a lot more than what he’s got the break this one down.

WHAM

WHAM

SMASH

There that door goes…

Come on, wake up, wake up, open those eyes-

“WHO DARES TRESSPASS?! WHO COMES TO INTERRUPT THE SLUMMBER OF THE LORD OF THE FOURTH AGE?!”

All that light behind him. You can see it. You can see the Time Crux. Massive, leviathan tangle of steel and sinews encircling a pillar of red light. The whole place is awash with it. This whole chamber is massive. Has to be. Tower circumference Is at least 3km. Makes sense the room at the base would be-

WHAM

WHAM

There he is again. Better-

“WHO ART THOU?”

For just a moment, Hayden almost felt genuine fear. The avatar of all human evils floated above him, and the slayer of millions, no, billions of demons was tearing at the door behind him.

But who were they? A crippled god with nowhere to hide and nowhere to run, and a fool who wouldn’t advance himself for the sake of other fools. Both were unworthy to stop him. Both would be crushed under his heel soon enough. Neither could stop him now

“I am Samuel Hayden. Perhaps your… associates have told you about me?”

“ACCURSED FOOL! THINE ARROGANCE HATH UNLEASHED THE DOOM SLAYER’S WRATH ANEW UPON US! WHAT GALL HATH YE TO APPEAR BEFORE ME?!”

“Why, I’d love to tell you. You see-“

The Icon roared and nearly shook the tower to the earth. Red flashes heralded the summoning of not dozens, not hundreds, but thousands of hellspawn all throughout the chamber. Their shrieking shook the stone anew, and some stray blocks from around the tower’s inner construction came tumbling down, crashing upon the black obsidian floor.

“PLEAD BEFORE ME, THOU CUR. PLEAD AND BEG. CONJURE IN YOUR FRAIL MIND A REASON I SHOULD SPARE YOU. A REASON I SHOUL DWITHHOLD THE HORDE FROM TEARING YOU APART.”

“Oh I’ve got one that may convince you. Do you hear what’s behind me?”

The Icon gave no reply. Neither did the demons behind him, who now began to wax quiet.

“Ahhh, so you do know who it is. You know, there’s really nowhere left to go for you. Once he’s beaten down that door, I can assure you, he’s going to kill you. He’s going to kill you and every single demon in this tower, and he’s going to destroy your precious Time Crux.”

The door began to crack apart, The iron within it began to whimper as the Doom Slayer’s fists bent them.”

“Oh dear, he really is going at it, isn’t he? I personally thought that door would last a little longer.”

“WHAT DOST THOU WANT?!”

“I’m here to help you just a little. See, I can escape him. I already have once, and when he breaks through that door, I can escape him again. You cannot.”

“SAVE ME YOUR PETTY RAMBLINGS.”

Hayden pulled the Crucible and Siphon from his waist and brought the sword and shield to life. They now glowed bright white instead of red, the Argent energy depleted from them.

“No doubt you recall your dealings with my associate, Olivia Pierce, and her union with the Imperatrix…. I propose a similar union.”

“THY MADNESS NIGH EXCEEDS THY HUBRIS, DELUDED MORTAL.”

‘Call it whatever you want. It’s the only way you’re getting out of this alive.”

More of the stone door cracked apart. Pieces of it came down from between the iron framework. Hayden lowered the artifacts, and two propulsion modules popped up from the back of his chassis, their thrust vectors pointed down, and beginning to blow as they prepared for takeoff.

“You know, I can just fly right out of here. I can take on whatever you’ve got in the sky too. I promise you that.”

The Doom Slayer’s fist emerged from a hole in the stone. Grasping, clawing at it, looking for something to grab onto and pry apart.

“Do you really want to be the one? Do you really want to be the last Lord? The one who failed?”

The Praetor’s LMG poked its hefty muzzle out from the breach, immediately opening fire. Hayden raised his hand to block with the shield.

“Last chance. Either we unite, I go.”

The Icon’s eyes went wide and white and every sound in the chamber, from the demons screaming, to the Scourge’s rifle firing, was muted. Runes engraved on the lower portions of the walls glowed white, then hollow black, pouring out great gouts of viscera onto the floor. It made no noise as it poured upon the floor. It washed around the feet of the demons, knocking some of the lesser ones down. So great was the flow that it had covered the floor in mere seconds, reaching up to the Cyborg’s ankles. A rune signifying the Herald of Great Ones past, illuminated itself onto the great pool of gore. The Icon’s eyes went black, and its murky silhouette sunk into the pool.

“There there…”

Hayden stepped forward to the center of the rune as some of the viscera began to drip upwards, trailing off in tendrils that came to surround him.

He began to sink into the pool.

“Was that so hard?”