I realize that this type of fic is, for the most part, rather easy to find. Your classic 'Evil Chara Somehow Takes Over Again' story is not really hard to find. However, most of those particular stories seem to each be unique in their own way, having their own twists and turns along the way. And in this respect, I have endeavored to take this particular story a little bit further. And while this fic does start off as a few people may expect, I hope that I will be able to keep you reading until the end. As for afterward... Well, let's just say that I have a plan.

Congrats if you managed to read this far into this A/N without skipping it. Kudos to you. I should probably mention that there will likely be spoilers, so... Yeah. Anyway, with that out of the way, let's get on with the show!

Disclaimer: Undertale and its characters are all the creations of Toby Fox, and those who aided in their creation. Any OCs that you see at this point will be unimportant, but even so, any similarities to anybody real is purely coincidental.

Savestate: A Demon's Pain

Chapter 0: A Promise to a Prince

Hesitation.

It's funny if you think about it.

Through all this, they haven't hesitated. They've showed no remorse, no pity...

No Mercy.

They've left a trail of dust in their wake, and they've overcome every obstacle. So many of my friends, my family, have died trying to stop them. Toriel and Asgore, Papyrus and Undyne, Mettaton...

Sans...

And of all those guardians and warriors, none could stand in Chara's path.

But now a flower is crying. He doesn't pose a threat, he doesn't stand any semblance of a chance. And yet, the one controlling me has hesitated.

And in that moment of hesitation, those few seconds of stillness, Chara made their first mistake.

They let their guard down. And that was all I needed.

Whatever Determination I had left, I lashed out with it. I threw myself against the ghost possessing me. The Real Knife clattered to the ground. Our shared body doubled over in agony as the two of us clashed for control. I must have taken them by surprise, they were unprepared for this retaliation.

For a brief few seconds, I managed to take back my control.

More than enough time.

And as I Reset, I looked down at Flowey the Flower.

And I smiled.

I fall again, and I land. My fall is broken as always by the same bed of flowers. I stand up, and I dust myself off, like always. I walk through the door at the end of the room. Mom still has to meet me, after all. Best not be late.

An angry presence swells for a moment inside my head. Chara had been close, they would be angry. A few minutes into the ruins, and they've gone silent.

From what I understand, Chara somehow leeches off my Determination. The higher my LOVE, the more they can take. And they had reached twenty LOVE.

By all rights, I shouldn't be standing here. But through some miracle, here I am. Only one LOVE, and Chara was powerless.

This was my third run. My first wasn't perfect. I killed something by accident, before realising I had the option of going back. When I did, it was too late. I had already Saved.

My second run was where it went downhill. A voice in my head spoke up. It told me it could help me to escape this place. And it would have. I would have escaped this mortal plane alongside my friends, and Chara would have my soul.

Second chances come rarely, but thirds are unheard of. No more mistakes. I had to get this right. I owed them all that much. I will save them. All of them.

And I swear on my soul, I will never hurt anyone again.

"Don't you have anything better to do?"

The words stung.

No, I wanted to say. No, I don't. And normally, I would have.

But I knew it wouldn't matter. Besides, I somewhat expected this.

I looked over my shoulder at the empty flowerpot I took from Mom's house. I had to spill out one of her flowers to make room. I'd apologise later. I felt the trowel I took from the King's garden in my pocket.

Silently, I sat down against the wall of the cave.

If Asriel wouldn't come, I wasn't going to drag him.

But I was going to carry him.

I'd take him to Alphys. With the right tools and support, maybe she could undo one more of her mistakes.

And as I carried Flowey down the mountain that night, I made him a promise.

"I will save you too."