-Part 1-

-Chapter 9: SAVE-

Revision 13

Clyde charged towards Iris, fury in his eyes. Rea tried to call out, to warn him that this very maneuver had killed him last time, but it was too late. Iris sent a sword flying towards Clyde. It ripped through his head, leaving only a bloody stump that was his neck. His body lingered for a moment, before hitting the ground with a dull thud.

Revision 29

Faire was in the back, supporting with her rifle. She took aim, waited to breathe, and shot. The bullet missed by only an inch, but it was enough to alert Iris to her position. A blade flew directly into Faire's chest. She coughed for a second, red spilling from her lips…

Revision 45

Toriel was breathing heavily. This much magical output was really wearing down her body. But she would not give up easily! She sent another barrage of flames towards Iris, who deflected them with ease and sent back a volley of her own weapons. One blade managed to get lucky, and sliced Toriel in half. Her dust spread to the ground…

Revision 131

Rea was almost sobbing uncontrollably by this point. One hundred and thirty-one times. That's how many times he'd been forced to watch his allies die in new and more horrifying ways. Who was to say it would be this way one hundred and thirty-one more times? Or, heaven forbid, it would never end? Was this perhaps a fight that somebody had to die in?

In his distraction, he narrowly dodged another of Iris's blades. He had killed her several times, as well, but he would not be satisfied until everyone here could live. Even Iris didn't deserve to die. In Rea's mind, nobody deserved to die.

Clyde ran to charge Iris, a move Rea had seen multiple times. One that was bound to end in his death. Rea prepared to use REVISE again, when something odd happened. The sword that was destined to end Clyde's life simply missed. Rea felt a chill go up his spine. Something was wrong. Why was this time any different?

Clyde, who was not worried about this anomaly, rammed the spearhead of the halberd into Iris's shoulder. The Holy Knight shrieked, but not in pain. This was pure, blind rage. All pain was lost on her; all emotions were simply shut down to prevent their getting in the way. She ripped the weapon from her shoulder and raised it high above her head. Here it comes, Rea thought, seeing Iris starting to bring the axe section down on Clyde's head and preparing REVISE yet again. Here comes the bloodbath.

Clyde, however, was ahead of his would-be assailant. He ducked low to the ground, kicking Iris's legs out from under her. Faire, seeing her chance from across the room, took aim and fired. Iris twisted in midair to dodge the bullet, which ended up only grazing her chin.

With nimbleness that came with years of practice, Iris landed on her wrist, which sent her into a backwards somersault. Toriel, anticipating this, sent a burst of flames that scored a direct hit on the Knight. She was flung into the air, where she seemed to hang for a second. Faire aimed again, and before Rea could tell her to stop, to beg her to show mercy, released another shit that traveled directly through Iris's heart.

Iris stared at the ceiling in shock. All at once, everything went dark. A light appeared before her. "F-father?' she choked out. "Is that you? O-or…is it just…an…il..lus..i….on…"

She hit the ground with a dull thud.

Her soul rose from her corpse, a pale blue that pulsed gently, like a heartbeat. Rea was still in shock, and was more conflicted than ever. On one hand, they had managed to beat Iris without losing any of his allies, but Faire had still killed her. Was there really no other option? And, now that Rea thought about it, hadn't it been Toriel's flames that sent her into the line of fire? It would have been easy to simply knock her unconscious, or leave her in no condition to fight, but Toriel must have known full well what would have happened.

The only one who was truly innocent was Clyde. But, was he though? His trip had been what started a chain reaction that lead to Iris's death. Even if he didn't mean to, he was still equally responsible, wasn't he? But, then again, so am I, Rea thought to himself. After all, I had no trouble revising whenever one of my teammates died. By not revising, aren't I simply allowing her death, or even encouraging it? Besides, it was be entering the Underground that started this. It was all my fault, it was all my fault, it was all my fault, it was all my fault, it was all my fault, it was all my fault, it was-.

"It was all my fault," Rea muttered out loud, "it was all my fault."

"Rea?" Faire's voice brought him back to reality. She looked concerned. "Are you alright?"

[No] "Yeah, I'm fine. Just taking it all in. I mean…we just killed a person, didn't we? That's a little shocking, considering I came down here to bring a person back from the dead." [You monster, you're the one who killed her. You're a murderer, and I'm a monster.]

"I'm just as shocked as you are," Clyde sighed ]shut up you bastard you're just as responsible as she is]. "I…I'm kind of the one who did it, aren't I?"

[Yes] "No, you're not," Rea reassured [Damn right you started it, you monster] Clyde.

"Well, what's important is that a menace to society is no more," Toriel [I've heard those words before] said. She smiled sadly, gazing down [it was when Sans killed Faire] at Iris's [you were there] body, trying to take (you knew what had happened) it all in.

Rea clutched his head, trying to get over the migraine [ideas] and deny the lies [truth].

He was presented with an option:

SAVE REVISION? (WARNING, THIS WILL DELETE NON-SAVED REVISIONS)

-YES- -NO-

[Don't do it. Delete it all, reset everything back to the beginning.] My friends would be in danger again. [But are they truly your friends? You just witnessed them kill in cold blood.] Do you think that changes who they are? [Are you truly so naïve to think they won't kill again?] They were just protecting themselves. [Not at the end they weren't.] I don't understand what you're getting at? [Yes you do.] I [am] who [you] truly [are.] I [am] the [madness] that [is] inside [of] you. [Your] alter [ego,] so [to] speak. [But] how [long] do [you] think [you] can [keep] me [separated] from [you?] Soon, [we] will [be] one [and] the [same.] [Soon, I will be the one in charge.]

But not today.

REVISION SAVED

[So, you stayed around long enough to spoil all the fun. Oh well, it matters not. I'll be back, sooner than you might imagine.]

The voice fell silent.

Rea gazed down at the corpse of the woman he had just killed. Now that he finally got a good look at her, he fully realized how pretty she was. She wasn't gorgeous, she wasn't hot. She was just pretty. And extremely forgettable. This, Rea reminded himself, was a good feature to have for a woman with a job like hers.

Toriel came up behind him and placed a paw softly on his shoulder. He turned and gazed into her eyes. He hadn't realized before, but she looked very tired.

"Come, my child," she said softly. "It's time for us to leave this place."

Rea nodded, and walked away. He stepped around holes that their battle had left behind. Faire would later say how lucky it was that no one was killed. Rea knew better. Rea knew the truth. And, for now, it was better that he alone knew the truth.

"D-did we actually do it?" Clyde said, shock finally setting in. "I-is it over?"

Rea shook his head. "No. There's still one more thing that needs to be done. And this time, I have to do it alone. Toriel, I'm trusting you to take Clyde to the surface. In case something goes wrong, I can't put anyone else in danger. Not this time. Clyde, Toriel, thank you. I love you guys, so damn much. But from here on, this is where our paths diverge. Faire…I know how useless it is for me to tell you to leave. If you wish to come with me, you're free to do so. But, know this much: it is very possible you will die."

Faire felt a tear run down her cheek as she ran to embrace her brother. "As long as I'm with you, I'll always be okay."

Rea smiled softly and returned the embrace. Two days ago, he was a wise-cracking smartass who would love nothing more than to sleep all day. Now, he was a wise-cracking smartass who would love nothing more than to sleep all day, who was more determined than he had ever been before. It was comforting to know that some things never change.

"My children," Toriel said, "I do not know what you intend to do. But, I know that whatever path you take, it will be one of purity. Rea, act as Faire's conscience. Faire, keep Rea from going too soft. Both of you, please, keep the other safe."

Rea and Faire spoke in unison. "We will."

Toriel nodded and held her hand (paw?) out to Clyde, who gratefully took it. She turned to look at the siblings one final time before she led Clyde to the elevator. The door slammed shut, and Rea and Faire were alone once again.

God, Simon thought, watching through one of the broken windows. Rea…why did you have to go and make me fall in love with you? Damn…I'm getting hard just thinking about him…

Simon's eyes never left Rea, even as he slowly undid his jeans.

"You do have a plan, don't you?" Faire asked.

Rea didn't answer, just waited for the elevator for a few minutes. All things considered, it probably would have been smarter just to ride up with Toriel, then leave her at the throne room, but it was too late now. Rea just shrugged. It wasn't worth REVISING.

Faire looked at her brother with concern, respect, and a little bit of fear. But, above all else, she felt ashamed of herself. Toriel and Asgore risked their lives to protect her. And she had been such a bitch…

"Don't worry too much about it," Rea said, seeing Faire's distress. "Nobody can blame you for your anger."

"But," Faire began, but fell silent when she didn't know how to end the statement.

Rea didn't press her any further. He needed her on his side for this phase. In fact, he needed everyone on his side. If he was going to survive what happened next, he needed everyone…

The elevator doors opened just outside of the throne room, much to Rea and Faire's relief. They had done enough walking for one day.

"Why the throne room?" Faire asked.

"Because," Rea answered, "that's where all of this started. And it's where I intend to end it all."

The two of them walked through what appeared to be a cathedral hallway. When they entered the throne room, Faire stumbled back in shock, while Rea simply stood there, fully expecting this. Flowey sat alone in the middle of the room, but he appeared to be the only living thing in there. All the grass and flowers had wilted, leaving a field of brown on the floor. Flowey perked up when he noticed the siblings.

"Howdy! Might I ask what you're planning on doing here?" he smiled, but Rea saw the truth. Flowey was terrified. He had obviously seen what had happened to Iris. Iris, who was stronger than he was, was now dead. What's to say the same couldn't happen to him?

"Asriel," Rea said, causing Flowey to recoil, "I know you're in there. Please, all I want to do is talk."

"I have no use talking to the likes of you," Flowey burst out, launching a barrage of vines at Rea. He didn't move, and, though some of them came worryingly close, none of the vines so much as touched him.

"No need for me?" Rea asked, his expression soft. "Then, perhaps it's a desire for someone else? Anyone who can help to ease this hell you're living in? Am I wrong in that assumption?"

Flowey didn't respond, only sent another barrage at Rea. They came much closer this time, but none of them hit him.

"Faire, stay back," Rea said, seeing her try to creep up on Flowey. With a knife. She blushed and stepped back. "Asriel, please. I know what it's like to feel alone. So please…stop doing this!"

Tears were flowing down the flower's face, but still he made no noise, just stood still in the middle of the room.

"I understand, Flowey. It's not that you want to be alone, it's just that you feel the need to be alone. You're scared of what you might do otherwise, correct?"

"S-stop acting like you know me!" Flowey broke his silence, sending a flood of bullets towards Rea. These hit him directly, but they just plinked off of his chest like they were made of rubber.

"You won't kill me, Asriel. I know you. I understand you. And, after today," he said, cupping his hands, "I'll be with you always." His soul burst to life in his hands, glowing more brilliantly than ever before. "Everyone," Rea spoke softly, "please. Let me show you my true DETERMINATION. I was telling the truth earlier, but that truth has changed." His eyes gleamed, the same green that Faire had seen all her life. Those same green eyes that had reassured her so many times started fading. "This is what I am DETERMINED to do: I will BEAR the weight of your burden." Rea's body slowly began turning to dust as he faded away. Se smiled softly, spotting Faire, who was sobbing.

The entire room flooded with light as Rea's body fully vanished, and Faire's vision went dark.

When she woke up, Flowey was gone, but so, too, was Rea. All that was in the room was a small child, one who she instantly recognized to be Asriel. He was lying almost perfectly still, but his chest movements told Faire he was breathing. But, at the moment, that was the least of her worries. She scrambled over to where Rea had been, seeing only her phone in his place. There was one message on it. It was from Rea.

She had far more trouble than she should have had opening it, because her hands were shaking so much. But, as she hit play, Rea's voice was there to reassure her.

"Hey, Faire. I think it's time I told you everything. It's time you figured out why a goat child is currently in possession of my soul."

When he woke up, Rea was not alone, as he thought he would be. Instead, he was in a dull grey room. The only feature this room held was and equally dull door on one of the walls. What was truly fascinating, though, was the figure that sat looking at the door. Easily ten feet tall, and what appeared to be a skeleton, it did not react when Rea stood up. Not even when Rea asked where he was. It only broke its vigil when Rea started tugging on the creature's robes. It spoke in a strange language Rea had never heard before, but he still found himself able to understand everything that was said.

"Hello, dear boy, I am going to assume you are Rea? Or, are you perhaps Clyde?"

"I'm Rea."

"Fascinating. Now then, would you mind terribly telling me what has been happening in my absence?"

"Well, monsters are free now, but that happened about twenty years back."

"No, no , that much I knew. I mean, what has been happening with the humans? Have they revolted yet?"

"W-what?! No," Rea said, confused.

"Heh, that is indeed a pity. Oh well, it is only a matter of time now before the second war breaks out."

Rea turned pale. "Second war?"

"Indeed. When you're alone in this room for centuries, you are given a long time to think over things. When news reached me of the monster's release, I knew instantly that it would be a problem. Now, though, I have come to terms with this fact. There will indeed be another war, dead boy, but this one will not end so kindly."

"Kindly?" Rea exploded. He had heard enough of this. "The last time, monsters were trapped down in this hell, not even able to see the sun! And you're saying something worse is going to happen?"

Rea's blood turned to ice when he heard the response. The response that would shape his future. The response that changed everything. "What's worse, dear boy, is the complete eradication of monsters as we know it."

Faire stared down at the boy asleep on the grass. The recording had gone over everything, but it still didn't make sense. Rea had REVISED, all right, but it was far more than anything he had done before. He had converted his own soul into that of a monster's soul, and forcefully removed it from his body, giving it instead to Asriel. This would have led to Asriel's body disintegrating, due to the sheer volume of DETERMINATION, so Rea did something both very brave and very dangerous.

He kept almost all of the DETERMINATION in his own body when he gave away his soul. In a way, Rea became Flowey for a moment in time: a being filled with DETERMINATION, but without a soul. However, here's where things got complicated. After rewriting this much, Rea had unleashed a new ability: ERASE. He removed himself from the timeline completely, removing any trace of Flowey from existence. This, however, should have caused all memories of him to vanish. So, why then did Faire still remember him? If he had completely vanished, why could Faire still remember the smile he gave before her vision went dark?

Asriel stirred from under her, and sat up, rubbing his eyes with his paws. He turned to face Faire, and she almost broke down then and there. His eyes were green.

Just like his.

Hey, guys! Next time is the finale to this part! After that, there's going to be about a month of hiatus for me to plan out the next part. I'll post the exact date in the author's notes. Next part's going to be a lot of build up for Part 2. Until then, remember to comment/critique, and I will talk to you guys next time!