Chapter 01: Overworld

💛 “...another one... Flowey is an idiot..."

💛 "...wait. This isn't the flower bed."

Those were Clover's first thoughts as they woke up, inmediately jumping on guard against whatever stunt Flowey might have planned this time.

A few couple of resets had ocurred since Clover started figuring things out. How it seemed that Flowey already knew what was going to happen, how they felt familiar with the underground every time they walked through a new area. How they always knew how to confront every monster, even their weakest spots with their gun... That feeling that they had fallen to the underground thousands of times, and never left with the human SOULs, or not even with their own.

They never remembered fully, but it was enough to know they were stuck in a narrative with no way out.

However, this time, it felt… different. And it wasn’t just a feeling. As Clover looked around, they didn't see the Ruins' big entrance, nor the flower bed that always broke their fall. There was no trace of Mount Ebott, or not even the village they had escaped from before climbing. Were they even in the same country?

But as they turned around, a giant, snow-layered mountain loomed over them. At the top, just barely recognizable, stood a red flag. Any footstep of the brave explorers who dared climb it were already washed out by the snowstorm just ahead. How did they even get here? What was happening?

...

Well, they are not gonna figure anything out just by standing still.

Step by step, the cowboy started walking towards the mountain. They tried looking backwards first, for any place nearby that would save them from the impending cold, but the only thing they could see was a road stretching for miles. The mountain was the only nearby place Clover could possibly find any refugee until they decided their next steps. Snowdin had been enough training for their body to adapt to the cold.

...although, they were feeling lonely. Yes, Flowey was a jerk, and Clover despised him, but at the same time, at LEAST he kept them company. Not having him around mocking them felt… weird.

Right now, it was only them and their thoughts. And the pulse of their soul calmy beating on their chest, filled with power.

...wait... Their soul. Clover wasn't in the underground anymore, but maybe if they tried...?

PING!

...indeed! Their menu opened brightly in front of them. Good to know there was still some familiarity.

💛 [ STATS ]

"Clover" | "Justice must be delivered.”

HP 20/20 | LV 1 | AT 10 - DEF 10

crack

💛 “!?”

Clover immediately raised their head, to the sight of a big chunk of ice falling towards them, and in a quick-thinking move they rapidly jumped to the next rock ahead, barely avoiding the debris that almost crushed them. They should better be catious; Without Flowey, they surely wouldn't be able to cheat death as always.

Well, at least dying once would mean they wouldn’t suffer while remembering every single death of this current run.

Arriving on solid ground, they could see a little cabin up ahead. It looked comfy, with a little chimney letting smoke out. Wooden-made, it looks like it had seen better days, with snow covering its roof.

An old woman, white haired and a walking cane on her hand, stood in front of the door. A blue bird was calmly resting next to her, with its beak closed against the floor. Maybe she could let them stay for a moment while they decide what to do? It’s not like they would find anyone else living here, they thought.

Speeding their pace, they rapidly approached the lady, waving their hand to be noticed by her. She looked at them, and grinned, like if this was nothing of a surprise to her. The bird chirped, and slowly got up from the ground, flying for a bit and landing on Clover’s head.

— Oh, hey kiddo! Nice seeing a new face around here! Looking for the mountain trail? —

The cowboy, accommodating their hat (while trying not to disturb the bird), made a simple “Hi” in sign language. They hated talking, since people used to laugh at their squeaky voice, so if they could avoid it, better. The lady visibly frowned for a second, but seemed to get the message.

— Sign language, huh? It’s been a while since I las’ practiced. But I can take a punch. It looks like you don’t know what you’re doing here, though! — She said, smiling again.

Clover nodded, clearly not knowing what was going on. They wanted answers, but started shivering a little. The cold was getting to them, so they pointed to the door of the woman’s home.

— Yeah, you don’t have any cold-proof clothing, silly! — She said, laughing a little. Regaining her composure quickly, a smile was retained in her face. — Sure, we can go inside. There’s some old clothes of a friend of mine that you can use. —

The door was opened, and Clover immediately rushed inside.

— So… let me see if I got this right. My brain isn’t used to this much information anyway. — Granny said, looking at the kid now covered with a very comfy (and big) jacket, while reading again the little card they had written for her. — You woke up just a few feet before the mountain, with… no memories from where you come from? And you need advice on where you should go? —

Clover nodded, a cup of hot chocolate in their hands. Yummy!

Granny thought for a second. Yes, she knew about the Mountain’s power. She was the one to advise Madeline a few months ago while she was climbing, and Granny herself had also experienced it first-hand. If someone came to climb Celeste mountain, even if they gave up on the city’s ruins or perished on the way up, it was for a reason. However, she didn’t know that the mountain could affect someone this deeply. It was... a peculiar case.

She sighed. At the very best, being here means something. So, might as well guide the kid through it.

— You’re a really special kiddo... — She said. — ...but if you want any further answers, you might as well try to climb up the mountain. Everyone who gets here does so for a reason, being intentional or not. —

Clover looked at her confused, while drinking the hot chocolate. What did she mean by “a reason”? Granny seemed to catch quickly the question.

— You see, this is no ordinary mountain, kid. — Granny seemed to calm down from her laughter, taking a more neutral face. — Celeste Mountain makes you realize things, things that maybe you are not ready to see yet… —

The ambient became tense. Clover was a heartbeat away from drawing their weapon, feeling an uneasy feeling towering over Granny…

— But who knows! — She laughed hard, once again the ambient clearing itself from any tension. — It could be good for you! Maybe y’ can learn a thing or two! —The cowboy couldn’t help but smile at Granny’s attitude.

Even if she didn't know what really happened to Clover, she was actually right. They were tired of the same, repetitive looks of the Underground. Even the most exciting places like the Wild East or the Steamworks had been explored by the justice human like it was a playground. The resets could not clear that sense of familiarity anymore.

A new adventure could surely refresh their spirits.

Clover nodded, and stood up, demonstrating eagerness to start going up. However, noticing the cup in their hands, thought that an item could serve them well, in case it is needed. Getting more trust with Granny, they decided to speak their request.

💛 “…more…chocolate?” — They spoke softly, with a bit of embarrasment noticeable in their voice.

The lady seemed to be surprised by hearing the cowboy’s voice, but ultimately smiled.

— Heh, and here I thinkin’ you were mute! — She let out a smile. — ‘course you can have more. Nothin’ better than a nice cup of chocolate for the way up! —

Granny took Clover’s cup, filled it to the brim with hot chocolate, and gave it back to them.

[ * You got Hot Chocolate! ]

💛 “…thanks.”

— No problem! You gotta do what you can when helping a fellow traveler ‘round here! — She said, laughing. Clover smiled too while leaving the cabin. They could hear the bird leaving right behind them.

💛 [ ITEMS ]

💛 Hot Chocolate — Info

“Hot Chocolate” — SPEED +3
**“Granny’s own recipe. Doesn’t seem to be getting colder.”

💛 "So... I've got to climb this mountain. Looks like it's my best chance at learning how to return to the Underground." — The cowboy thought while going into a bridge. Even if it was refreshing to see a new environment, they knew they had a mission to accomplish. — "...shouldn't be too bad though. I mean, after all the stunts Flowey has pulled, what could be so hard about a magic mounta-"

The bridge trembled deeply, and Clover could hear how it started falling behind them, instantly answering their question. With no need to look back to confirm the obvious inminnent death they were upon, their little legs inmediately ran forward, trying to get to the end of the bridge as fast as possible, jumping over a few holes that had opened while the bridge shook.

However, they looked at the end of the bridge, collapsing. Now there was a dead end on both sides, with one of them shortening even further. With no other rational options, Clover used all their strength to jump over the edge of the bridge.

However, it was obvious that it wouldn't be enough to reach the other side. They just didn't had enough speed to make it over.

...hilarious, wasn't it? A promising adventure barely starting, and they were already in a free fall towards the void.

...

💛 “No..."

No, they weren't gonna let it end like this. Clover knew they had to keep going. A simple fall wouldn't deter them now.

They felt determined.

And as if their SOUL acknowledged, it glowed deeply, filling Clover with a burning, powerful sensation. And just like magic, they felt themselves dragged through the air, landing on their feet, before quickly stumbling over to the ground, catching their breath.

...what... was that? A dash?

It felt... familiar, like if they had done it before. But... where?

...

Looking ahead, the red flag standing on the top of the mountain was calling to them.

This wasn't going to be a simple climbing adventure anymore. There was something else this mountain had to teach Clover.

And they were going to discover it.