Chapter 26
*DETERMINATION
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Frisk looked around at the infinite blackness that surrounded them. They tried to gather the DETERMINATION to do anything, but..
Nothing.
They sighed, plopping down on the floor. Connor was probably out there, getting his ass handed to him by Anomaly, and Frisk couldn't do anything about it!
The gripped at their hair, curling into a ball. Jeez, DETERMINATION, why can't you just open a portal and-
Wait.
Can I...?
Ftisk opened their eyes, holding out their SOUL in front of them. They concentrated, focused on forming their DETERMINATION into something that could be used for travel..
A bright crimson flooded their vision, forcing them to shut their eyes. A hand reached out to them, calling their name. To Frisk, the person sounded so... Familiar. Like there was someone they'd known for a lifetime.
Frisk grabbed their hand, before gasping as they got pulled through the crimson portal.
--
"C'mon, c'mon!"
Chara's eyes flickered crimson, trying to open a way out. They growled in frustration, kicking at the black ground.
Papyrus held Connor's body in his arms, using his limited amount of healing magic to mend some of the more serious wounds.
He sighed, wiping sweat from his forehead. They'd been running for what felt like hours, and Anomaly would find them eventually. Papyrus's browbones crinkled together, looking to Chara, who kept kicking angrily at the ground.
"It's hopeless! There's no way that we'll get out of here!" They cried, before collapsing to the ground. "We're gonna be stuck here forever.."
Papyrus huffed. "NOW, DON'T THINK LIKE THAT, CHARA! THERE HAS TO BE A WAY OUT OF THIS CONUNDRUM!"
Chara just sighed. Suddenly, they gripped at the chest of their sweater, a red heart appearing where the heart would be. Their eyes sparkled with crimson. A red knife materialized in their hand, and they slashed it through the air, creating a shimmering cut in reality.
"UH.. WOWIE. THAT WAS.. FAST?"
Chara simply grinned. It wasn't me, mostly. They looked to Papyrus. "Go. This should lead us back to your house, where we can grab Frisk and get them both to Doctor Alphys's lab." They panted, sweat dripping down their face.
"BUT.. WHAT ABOUT YOU?"
"Calm down, Papyrus, I'll follow after, but I can only keep it open from this side." They let out a breath, the portal flickering for half a second, before it solidified. "Go!"
Papyrus nodded, stepping through the portal with Connor's unconscious body in his arms.
Chara huffed, stepping through the portal shortly after.
--
A little while later...
I groaned, holding my head as I sat up. I had a pretty freakin' big headache, if I do say so myself.
I looked to my arm.. Seemed.. Healed?
In fact, everything seemed perfectly mended. Even my wing, thank god.
I sat up, looking at myself. You doing okay, partner?
Sans groaned in my head. yeah, i think so.. this headache's killer, though.
I smiled lightly, letting out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. It looked like he was okay.
But what about Frisk?
I looked around.. Alphys's lab? How long had I been out?
I leaped out of the bed that was usually folded up into an easy-to-draw box, and stepped down the escalator.
Frisk. They were right there. They seemed.. Okay. Healthy, even.
Oh, the hugs.
As everyone got caught up on what all happened, I had drawn up a battle plan on how to fight Anomaly. It was going to take all of us, no matter how hard we went.
My eyebrows furrowed. I couldn't let anyone but Alphys in on the plan, as that could end up.. Unpleasant. I didn't want to risk hurting any more than I had to.
and i guess that includes my brother, huh? Sans's puppet form had materialized beside me.
Cool it, smol boy. I'm not including Papyrus in th fight proper. He's going to be back here, acting as a strategist so we can fight properly.
Sans's puppet form nodded once, before he looked down. look, if we don't make it..
We will.
but if we don't.. i'm sorry for killing you.
It's okay, Sans. I don't blame you. But we've gotta stay focused.
okay.. okay. let's do this.
--
Frisk had, evidently, learned to make portals made of pure DETERMINATION. Because Chara's and Frisk's SOULs were now connected, that's how Chara was able to break us out of the void.
Sans took over for a bit, telling Papyrus his new role. He seemed dissapointed, sure, but he seemed determined to help.
Sans wrapped his brother up in a hug with increasingly familiar arms.
"I love you, bro."
Papyrus nodded. "I love you too, Sans."
When we pulled away, I put in the earpiece Alphys had developed. We stepped through the portal, ready to fight like Hell.
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A/N: I know, I know, a lot happened in this chapter, but, y'know how it is. Sudden inspiration, and I wanted to get a lot done.I hope you enjoyed!
And, as usual..
Wingah Flies Away!