Bunker (anti) theory because we're back on the hype train! Humans are not in the bunker

This post's primary purpose is to debunk (heh) a popular theory that humans are sealed within the bunker/Kris came from the bunker. I will offer my own theories and opinions towards the end so if you're interested in those scroll down!

THE FACTS:

• Kris has been the adopted child of the Dreemur family since they were at least in Pre-K/Kindergarten.

By inspecting Toriel's classroom book shelf, it reads "Kid's books. Some of them used to be yours." If monsters and humans develop more or less at the same time in this universe, then Kris was young enough to have had those books that live in the little kid's classroom. We don't know the age of the kids in Toriel's class, but seeing the building blocks and drawings we know they are very young and still developing.

Why is this important? Well, in many of the theories that Kris came from the bunker it is implied that they intentionally left the "human world" for one reason or another. Assuming Kris was a child in pre-k, I don't see a 3-4 year old making decisions like that.

• Humans are not taboo or unknown in this world.

It is no question that humans and monsters do not coexist with each other. However, a lot of theories suggest that in this universe, the monsters won the war and sealed the humans away (opposite of Undertale). If that were the case, why would there be a book about "How to raise a human" in the library? Enough humans must've been raised by monsters for that to have been published, which means a human living with monsters might be abnormal but it definitely isn't unheard of or taboo in society. Also, none of the monsters are scared of Kris/humans like in Undertale,

• Kris is scared of the bunker.

If Kris originally came from the bunker/underground, why would they be scared of it? Snowdrake and monster kid argue about being "a weenie like Kris", so we know Kris is very openly scared of the bunker due to something that happened to them involving it in the past. I just don't think that something was leaving it.

MY THEORIES:

1. There is no sealed Underground, and humans are now more or less an endangered species.

Gerson published "The History of Humans and Monsters" so we know something happened between these 2 races. I choose to believe that in the distant past, the Deltarune universe was like Undertale's. Except instead of the 2 races ruling Earth before going to war, the monsters lived as an oppressed race that did the humans bidding. Monsters probably *chose* to live underground (literally, not like the magically sealed Underground) so as to avoid oppression. As humanity and their science evolved, they destroyed themselves in some calamity. I like to believe it was nuclear fallout, and the bunker in Hometown provided natural protection for the monsters that lived beneath it. The vast majority of humanity was killed, and the survivors were left to fend for themselves. Monsters returned to the surface and over the course of hundreds (thousands?) of years they populated and inhabited all of the places humans used to be. Though instead of enslaving humans, they chose to let them live among them. Most humans probably retreated to small, deserted settlements and were never able to regain the population they once had.

Where's the proof?

• Toriel and other monsters seem to have a deep compassion for humans. They probably don't resent humanity at this point and only feel bad that their species was wiped out. Hence why Toriel is so overprotective and worried about Kris.

• The religion of Deltarune does not have sin. Alvin recounts to Kris that Asriel confessed to many sins when he was younger, "despite the absence of sin, or confession, in our religion". Sin is a moral transgression, and one that humanity (in the real world) has always believed and valued as a concept. Some religions, like Buddhism or Hinduism, are karmic and focus on the consequences of actions. The Deltarune religion appears to be similar, though the concept of sin indicates other schools of religion that probably came from humans.

• Magic is completely absent in the light world in Deltarune.* We know it doesn't exist because Noelle tells her dad "I wish I knew healing magic in real life". In the dark world, after defeating Queen, Noelle talks about how the dark world is so much better because it has "axes... and battles... and magic." If the monsters don't possess any magic, then it is unlikely that the humans do, either. This supports the natural/manmade calamity part of my theory. *There is definitely some magic or interdimensional shenanigans happening, considering we keep visiting the dark world. But there are not magicians and magic users are described in Undertale.

2. Kris became possessed from something in the bunker

This is not a new theory, but it is the one I find most plausible within the world of Deltarune. We know that Kris has only been acting strange "lately", like how the nurse at the hospital is surprised they can't play the piano as well as they usually do. However, the presence of the rusty bird cage in their room suggests the possession happened a long time ago, but is only showing its face now (as it is undoubtedly tied to the dark worlds.)

As for who or what has possessed the human known as Kris, I have no idea. I like the idea that it is a monster, considering how the red SOUL is tied exclusively to humans and whatever is possessing Kris keeps ripping it out in order to take control.

Proof (or lack thereof):

• Dess never explored the bunker with Kris & co. Well, not that we know at least. The dialogue line that makes people believe something happened with Kris, Dess, Noelle, and Asriel is when Noelle recounts a memory of the 4 of them exploring "the forest behind the graveyard", and the bunker's proximity to being behind (beneath) the graveyard. However, this reminiscent memory only serves to develop Noelle's character, as she says "I guess I didn't mind being scared if it meant... someone would comfort me". Later, on the Ferris wheel with Susie, Noelle admits to liking scary things and talks about how she and her sister would stay up late watching scary movies. Noelle associates scary things (not people) with comfort, and in this case it was to show how Susie comforts her. I don't believe that the 4 of them did actually explore the bunker and something horrible happened to Dess and/or Kris.

• Monsters are envious of human SOULs. This lends credence to the idea that a monster has possessed Kris, and comes from a lot of dialogue with Spamton in which he really wants Kris' [HEART SHAPED OBJECT]. Kris is also the only one that can seal the dark fountains, because their SOUL is strong enough to do so. That being said, whatever is possessing Kris is not trying to claim their SOUL. It only wants to use/manipulate their soul for their own agenda.

• Kris and Spamton are both puppets. Pretty straightforward here. Kris is visibly shaking and shouting after the fight against Spamton, probably because everything he was talking about regarding strings and being controlled were all to real for Kris. Kris knows something is wrong with them, and only Spamton has been able to vocalize what they've been feeling.

CONCLUSION

If you were to take anything away from this mess of a post, let it be this: the bunker is significant, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise! It's very easy to get caught up in theorycrafting, but at the end of the day the story and its messaging are what's important. I could be completely wrong, but that doesn't change the fact that this game is telling a beautiful story of self acceptance, sense of place, oppression, and friendship.

I'd love to hear your guys' bunker theories, proof or no proof!

Here's to hoping we learn more tomorrow when the chapters release ;)