u/0ptic-b1ast

(DISCLAIMER: THIS POST IS NOT ABOUT SHIPPING. I'll also be assuming that Dess is the Knight and entertain the possibility that Susie is not the second hero, or at least wasn't supposed to be.)

When I say "everything", I mean EVERYTHING.

Kris working with Carol to bring back Dess? For Noelle.

Kris wingthey-ing for Susie and Noelle despite their complicated feelings for both? For Noelle.

Kris pushing away Noelle for years despite it obviously hurting them both? To keep Noelle safe.

https://preview.redd.it/5bjusk3sspah1.png?width=862&format=png&auto=webp&s=b33fb2e66e2c292fdc653ef8c2e47e4445112b98

​This is part of the reason the weird route is so messed up and why Kris is furious with the player in Chapter 4; Noelle is the one person Kris has been trying to keep away from all this. You might say Chapter 2 disproves this but I would argue it only makes the case stronger.

Why would Cyber World be a city like Dess wanted to take Noelle to, along with the moon being a baseball, if Dess didn't make the fountain.

​Chapter 2's Dark World was made by Dess for Noelle, the whole adventure was for her. The Cyber World barely accomplished anything for either groups' end goals. The Knight didn't capture anyone and the $!%? Squad didn't gain much either. I believe this is because Dess and Kris wanted to do something nice for Noelle before executing the rest of their plan (one they're not even sure will work.) Noelle was never in any real danger in the Dark World, everything was an act to give her things she desires in real life. In this "dream", Kris spends time with Noelle again and helps her become more brave (getting over her fear of mice), Noelle gets to be rescued by Susie and have a romantic Ferris Wheel ride with her, and Noelle stands up to a figure that represents her controlling mother. She even has healing magic, something she could use to help her dying father.

While we're on the topic of magic, people often say Noelle replaces Ralsei's role in the party, but I would argue she's more like Susie. Both have an attacking spell, a healing spell, and a spell that pacifies all enemies. I believe this is because Noelle was supposed to be the second hero.

\"But no horns\" Where were the white cloak's horns in MANTLE? Showing them here would spoil the twist (along with blocking the text lol)

We know that the prophesy ends in tragedy and the second hero will likely suffer the most. Susie's reaction to the final prophesy and Ralsei praying for her in Chapter 5 hints towards this. I believe Noelle was supposed to be the second hero but Carol hatched a plan to change that. Susie is the perfect replacement for Carol's plan. She's a bully to Kris, doesn't have a caring family, and is a delinquent that Noelle has a crush on. While I don't think Kris hated Susie pre-Chapter 1, I believe that Carol could convince Kris to go along with the plan; especially to protect Noelle and bring back Dess. However as we see in the latest chapter, this plan backfired immensely. Especially for Kris.

https://preview.redd.it/v8uzoxjxspah1.png?width=1408&format=png&auto=webp&s=f1c6bf5cc3feb177563d962da11e94d7f698dcac

Susie wasn't supposed to be a good person. She wasn't supposed to become Kris' new best friend and possible crush. Susie wasn't supposed to make this "Noelle's thing too". Kris trying to play both sides didn't work and now Susie and Noelle are both in danger to whatever the final prophesy is. This obsession with Carol's plan could also mirror Asgore's arc in Chapter 5: "But even when I found that proof I wanted... I failed to protect you." The "proof" Kris was searching for being a way to change the prophesy.

This dialogue is in both routes.

The Shadow Crystals have "the power of lost dreams" and I believe this dialogue shows Kris' lost dream with Noelle. One they gave up after feeling guilty for what happened to Dess. The weight of the guilt consuming them, Kris even offering their SOUL to the Devil (Gaster) to try and fix things for Noelle. I think a lot will be revealed next chapter with the Dark World likely being at Noelle's house. Whether by choice or force, Susie will find out that Kris has been working with the Knight and Carol. Kris will finally have to decide which side they're on. They may also realize that "protecting" Noelle by pushing her away isn't right and finally explain to her why they did it. I'm not sure how the story will end but I hope Kris will finally get past their guilt. They've already suffered so much because of it. >!(Also the throuple bit has been going on for like 3 chapters now which is notable. Krusielle endgame PLEASE Toby.)!<