Archive of Our Own ^beta

Ten years. Ten years since she first escaped her nightmare on the surface. Ten years since she fell into this hell. Ten. Years. Since she'd been taught "It's eat or be eaten". After all this time, it still feels like only yesterday that Aliza was running and scavenging for her life. Now, she sits pretty on a throne, in the highest station of the Underground.

It was never something she wanted. The first five years down here had been nothing but survival. She had been poisoned, drugged, and threatened by one of the first monsters she'd met. Her name had been Toriel, a large goat woman that seemed so nice in the beginning. But in hindsight, that was probably expected that a woman, monster or otherwise, that was clearly in isolation would have...issues. There had been very few other monsters around, and those that WERE still alive wisely hid from the Ruins' caretaker to not end up as dust in the wind. But at least Toriel only tried killing her out of rage and waning sanity. The monsters in Snowdin were downright sadistic. Toriel only left her with minor burns, while the rest in that icy wasteland...Well, it wasn't pretty.

She'd gained frostbite, burn marks from nearly being cooked alive, and various lasting scars from deaths she'd been revived from. Her only true friend, Flowey, had once explained it to her, but it had been so long ago and...she rather not think about her various ends. But none of that dares to compare to the torture Sans the skeleton put her through.

Aliza reached over to her prosthetic arm with her real one, before lifting to the jagged scar marring her neck at the thought. So much done to her, so many threats, fear, and pain caused by him, and yet...she owes this all to him.

It had started when that skeleton covered in black sludge appeared. He had offered some kind of deal to Sans, involving proper food supplies, and that led to such a shift. The terrifying red-eyes skeleton obviously agreed to the deal, and then immediately went and dusted Undyne. She'd been dragged along to watch, gazing helplessly as the unstable fish lady was impaled before she could even scream. He explained to his captive audience later on that he couldn't let the tyrant continue to freely rule if he was going to be gone for long periods of time. She supposes that makes sense, but it was still sudden. And her being witness had seemed so weird back then.

The queen's murder left the throne bare, ripe for the taking. Aliza had thought his plan was to take the place for himself. Sans always felt like a looming mastermind for everything, so why not make it official? Or maybe he'd put his brother in charge. Papyrus would probably, at least, care enough to try helping other monsters' lives. But instead, he'd dragged her scrawny ass to the capital and announced her as the new queen to an entire crowd.

The human woman nearly threw up when that first happened. Because...Why!? Why was she now being placed in charge of her own personal hell? Why is she meant to care and provide for monsters that have tried to kill or eat her? It was insane!

"All the scum down here are barely functional," Sans had once answered when Aliza mustered up the courage to ask. "Most are too manic, or in survival mode to properly focus on others. Even my bro would struggle with so many mouths to feed. Way more than Snowdin, for sure. Besides," he had leaned in, blood red eye light searing into her very soul, "you would know better than to disappoint me when I'm putting SO much trust in you. Right, kid?"

That unspoken threat, as he wrapped a fur shawl around her shoulders and fitted the magic-infused prosthetic onto her, was set in stone after that. Aliza really had no choice but to take the "honor" of being queen. And if she tried to do a bad job, to be relieved of this torturous post, there would be...consequences. So she smiled and accepted, listening to every plea and offering a gentle hand to those who had nearly given up, promising to uphold every monster's hope for a better future. She let little monsters, who had known little else but this nightmare, doodle on her porcelain arm, soothe those who bow at her feet in shame for their hunger for humans, and support any who could not stand on their own.

Now, after five years since her forced coronation, Aliza sits regally on the throne in her heavy dress that felt like chains weighing her down, a passive stare to not let her exhaustion and torment show. Flowey was snaked gently around her good arm, his single eye gazing eerily in the distance. The vine tendrils hugging her arm gave her a passive comfort as they were able to just relax. Not put on a front.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The queen flinched at the loud sound of someone at her throne room entrance. Flowey's single-eyed gaze snapped up and narrowed, vines tightening for a moment.

"YOUR MAJESTY! IT'S ME, YOUR PERSONAL GUARD, THE GREAT PAPYRUS!" Even with it being muffled by the door, the familiar voice of her tall skeleton guard was still very loud. It made her have a small, amused smile as she relaxed. Even when the Underground was so broken, there's still this friendly charm to him. "MAY I COME IN?"

"Just a moment." With a calming breath, Aliza bent down to bring her arm holding Flowey closer to the ground. "Go do a quick check-in of the areas. Just stay out long enough for an hour or two to go by. And make sure you aren't seen." She whispered quickly.

The eldritch flower gave her a nervous glance, but knew better than to argue with someone possibly in hearing range. "Don't be stupid or get yourself killed." He muttered his usual gruff goodbye before slipping off her arm, to the floor, and dug down to begin his scouting. She was now alone.

Alright. It's fine. Just breathe, compose herself, and smile. "You may enter, Papyrus." She calls out with an even tone. Aliza can't show any cracks or weakness, especially if it's in front of Sans's brother. Too risky. He is caring, but not trustworthy.

Papyrus thankfully opened the door with an unexpected gentleness when entering. It had been awhile for him to manage his strength and excitement, and he's doing so well now. He strode over to the throne and bowed in front of the queen, looking distinguished in his clean armor and straightened teeth. His beloved brother really made sure he was cleaned up and presentable. It was something she had actually assisted the two with, no argument or resentment attached. Getting the poor thing braces, which it seems are no longer needed, and a proper diet of magic food really did wonders. "APOLOGIES, QUEEN ALIZA!" Ah. His volume certainly will never change. "I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT SANS HAS RETURNED WITH MORE RATIONS."

Aliza's chartreuse eyes widened as her fists clenched. Sans? He's back already? But he'd already arrived for the monthly supplies drop last week. She should have more time to relax in his lack of presence. Why is he back so soon with no summons? Clearing her throat, and smoothing out her expression, the young woman gave a nod in acknowledgement. "I see. Thank you, Papyrus. Have him come in to report to me."

"AND...WHAT ABOUT HIS COMPANIONS?"

Companions? So he isn't alone. That could be concerning, she thinks. But she had no reason to panic yet, so Aliza merely waved dismissively. "You may allow them in as well. I will see why they have arrived so unexpectedly." One upside to having Papyrus as her personal guard, he takes having "proper manners" quite seriously. So he takes those who lack such manners as quite insulting to him personally. And from the poorly veiled annoyance on the lanky skeleton's "face", she could count on him to scold his brutish brother for the uninvited- unplanned- visit.

With a quick bow, Papyrus stalked off to go retrieve Sans and his compatriots. That left the brunette woman to quickly check over her appearance. No flaw can be noticed, no visual weakness can be seen or exploited. She can hear Papyrus's loud and disappointed tone as he speak-shouts at her "guests". She needs to hurry. Fix any stray hair in her pinned up crown braid. Any wrinkle in her long, large Victorian-style dress smoothed out. Her fur shawl straightened. And her prosthetic arm checked for any knicks or cracks. She must look like the perfect, weak little doll Sans forced her to play as, as sickening as it was.

As she settled in to a calm and stoic posture on her throne, three figures slipped into the throne room wordlessly.

The first she'd noticed was a skeleton she'd only seen once or twice before. They were far shorter than Sans and Papyrus, a mere five feet and two inches compared to their 7'3 and 9'4 respectively. Even Aliza, at a modest 5'3 just that bit taller than them while standing, but that didn't stop the menacing aura they gave off to be effective. The viscous black tears running down their cheekbones and pulsing red and white target symbol on their chest made sure of that. And the way they moved...So stiff and hollow, like they were a puppet with its strings being pulled. Their lack of eye lights and permanent, eerie grin also added to that sense of wrongness they gave off.

Only time she'd ever heard them speak was three years ago, when they had mistakenly called her "Chara" in shock. The misunderstanding was quickly resolved, and the small skeleton gave a stilted "sorry". But even recalling that gravelly and nearly emotionless tone sent shivers down the queen's back. So creepy.

The second was a hooded skeleton she is a bit more familiar with. He'd been introduced as Dust, or was it Murder? It HAD been about two years since they'd last seen each other. Aliza recalled him being unassuming, rather reserved. That alone wasn't too odd or worrying, but his habit of just silently staring made him rather unsettling. She'd sometimes hear him mumbling to himself, even chuckle quietly on occasion, but never had he spoken directly to her. The most he'll do is stare at the queen, as if trying to summon her soul to unearth any and all of her sins, before turning away and ignoring everyone until it is time to leave. How odd.

And lastly...Sans. His large, intimidating form lumbered in after the other two, axe slung over his shoulder. His single red eye and gaping hole in his skull is as frightening as ever. And his height, heh. It's hard to imagine he once was only 5'11 before his diet was corrected. She got so used to him truly looming over her, just as he's done to her mentally and emotionally for a decade. At least he has the decency to change his clothes to a new jacket and shorts, so he's no longer covered in blood and dust. The expression of exhaustion and frustration he had made Aliza tense. Maybe letting Papyrus scold him before speaking to him was a poor decision.

"Ah, my royal judge," the queen greets warmly, "what a pleasant surprise. I had not expected to see you again so soon. What can I do for you?" The brunette knew better than to be snarky or rude to Sans's face. Ruler of the Underground or not, the two of them knew who had the true power and authority in this situation. So, just smile and act kind, and maybe she can get out of this unscathed.

Sans snapped his gaze to her, expression smoothed over to something unreadable. Oh dear. He scanned over her seated form, pausing briefly when his gaze would land on her fur shawl and her porcelain prosthetic, the symbols of his hold over her life. It took everything in her not to squirm under such a heavy look. And that blood red eye softening as his smile widen just made her worried.

"Hello...your majesty." Sans spoke with a voice that resembled thunder or a growling lion. It bounced and felt like it shook the walls. But she could hear the lingering mocking at her title. He slowly bent to bow, still towering over her as he did so. "Sorry...for the suprise visit. I thought it was for the best to tell you the boss ordered us all to complete a long-term mission. Don't know how long it's gonna last." He spoke so clearly now. No pauses and wandering gaze. The steady meals he must get now has helped with his focus, and hopefully his sanity. But it's hard to tell.

Regardless, Aliza took his vague explanation with a hum. Long-term mission, huh? "I see..." She scanned the three visitors, taking in that each of them had rather large carrier sacks. "I take it those sacks of yours contain more rations?" She was given a slow nod in response. "Hm. So this is your way of making up for any scheduled supplies deliveries."

"Yes, your majesty." The large skeleton responded, only letting a hint of amusement at her "responsible" tone. To him, she must look and sound like a child playing pretend a bit too seriously. Oh, that bastard!

The queen merely smiled gently, not letting her irritation show for even a moment. "Ah. How thoughtful of you." At least he was making sure the rations won't run out before he returns. Small mercies. "Then the least I can do is offer you and your allies a warm meal and lodgings for tonight, before you return."

"Oh?" Sans craned his neck from his bowing position, his eye boring into her soul, judging her resolve. "We wouldn't want to impose. After all, we DID show up unannounced. Should a queen really reward such...disrespect?" He puts the ball back in her court. This fucking jerk, she thinks.

"Nonsense," Aliza chirps, "don't be silly, Sans. I am showing my gratitude for your thoughtfulness and loyalty to your people." More like she was feeding him, and letting him sleep uninterrupted, to keep him in a good mood. "Besides," she gives a playful look, "isn't denying a royal invitation a BIGGER insult to the crown?" It's his move now.

That smile he has twitches, making her breath catch, but it didn’t fall. The looming skeleton just tilted his head, not breaking eye contact with her. Ah, did his pupil shrink? She rather not die from possibly stepping too far. It has been quite awhile, and she always found the process of reviving quite draining. Aliza was starting to get used to not expecting death in order to out maneuver it constantly.

Thankfully Sans was "kind" enough to break the tense atmosphere by letting out a deep chuckle, which rumbled and echoed within the throne room. "Fair enough." He said while straightening himself. "Can't say no to the queen." The irony of such a statement surely didn't go unnoticed by either of them. "So why don't we go grab that bite to eat now? My friends and I have worked up quite the appetite after such a busy day, and I doubt you've had a proper meal this evening. Best to KILL time together. Right...friend?"

Oh...Oh, this asshole! He's keeping an eye on her, forcing her to play this sick game still, instead of accepting her kind offer and leaving quietly. Now she'll be stuck with her tormentor, an ominous puppet-like skeleton, and the hooded one that just mumbles and stares. Because now that he's said it with that amused expression, she can't say no. So, fighting back a shriek and enraged tears, the queen gave a small laugh and softened gaze. "Like many times before, your judgement is rivaled by no other. If you are interested in my company, then I have no choice but to join you." The hidden jab was quick and spoken with an "innocent" joy, only meant to be picked up by her target. "Let us not waste time then," she went on, finally standing from her throne. "Come, Sans, let us inform the kitchen staff of your orders for tonight." The brunette lifts her normal hand in invitation, a sign of trust she wishes she didn't have to give.

But that move had its needed effect as Sans smiled a bit more genuinely, taking her hand to guide the little queen to their destination. "Of course. Wouldn't want to give them a scare, or anything."

The two continued to laugh and chatter, furthering this deadly game of words like a dance. All she can hope for is that her metaphorical shackles don't make her stumble.

~~~

"Man," Killer chuckled hollowly as Horror led the little queen out, "If I didn't know better, I would have thought they were actually friends. That lady has got some acting skills." He almost sounded impressed.

Murder gave a hum, nodding. "She is good. But her pausing before moving or speaking shows her lack of sincerity. She needs to do better before Horror notices."

Killer just snorts. "Oh. I think it's too late for THAT." The big guy was too expressive, showing how fun messing with his AU's queen is for him. But thinking on how he always warns the two to not harm the human whenever they join for these visits, his protective behavior might just be as dangerous as his amusement. He almost pitied the poor queen.