There wasn't really a good first choice. Asriel wasn't really sure what each one could mean to the Entity, so instead he took the first object he recognized: the drawings. Asriel looked at the crayon drawings, looking at them wistfully. It had been a nice time, drawing in the abandoned house and just taking the time to spend some time with Frisk and Celia. Asriel wasn't really sure how the Entity could see, but turned the drawing Patta had made of the children drawing. "I found these, Patta"
The Entity was in silence for a moment before letters formed in the void.
…I remember those.
"There are other things in this suitcase! Take a look!" Asriel approached and held the suitcase in front of him, inviting the Entity to take it. The Entity hesitated before extending his branches and taking the suitcase, writing a quick 'thank you' in the air. "You forgot this" Asriel passed the drawing he had taken and waited to see the Entity's reaction. The monster was hoping the sight of those mementos would be enough to convince the Entity modifying the timeline wasn't a smart idea.
The Entity leaned closer to see the contents and took out the other two crayon drawings, the SOUL barely getting out of the hole in middle of the trunk of the tree. A strange mix of feelings were stirring in him, recalling that moment and what he felt. It had been a rather peaceful evening, although he had spent most of his time just staring out of a window. There had been something fulfilling in seeing Asriel get along with human children. Patta had even let himself join them and just…do something he hadn't done in years.
It had been nostalgic. It had reminded the Entity of simpler times, and…and now it was a reminder that it was extremely unlikely he'd have the chance to do something as simple as drawing. What could he even do now?
…maybe…he could do something for someone else? Celia, Asriel and Frisk…two of those three depended on him. The Entity may be out of reality, but if he had the possibility to change the timeline, then…perhaps he could do something else in benefit of the children? Of everyone else?
Asriel had been staring at the Entity's SOUL, attentive to any changes. He was feeling hopeful this could work, at least get the Entity to stop fighting. A sensation of wrongness, the same sensation he had felt while he had been with Ciruel in the study, permeated the void. The SOUL pulsed, shaking slightly, and the fragments forming the tree started to crumble down. The Entity was losing control of his shape.
All around them, the environment changed. An image behind the Entity; it was an iron gate. As if the formation of that image had triggered the Entity's current emotional state, one of the branches broke. It fell down, crashing against the false ground and shattering. The pieces froze in the void before starting to spin. Asriel expected words to appear, but instead he immediately felt something piercing his body. The fragments had crossed the air instantaneously, passing through Asriel's body. 'Azzy!' It took him a moment for his mind to register what had happened, but when he did he immediately raised a wall of fire to stop any incoming fragments. While the Entity wasn't as strong as Asriel, the sudden attack had startled him. 'Are you okay?!'
"…I think I am…" Asriel felt his chest. Logically, all those sharp pieces should have hurt him much more than that, instead he had sensed it all passing through him. The amount of damage done was rather low.
'Why did he attack you again? What did we do wrong?!'
"I think…he's not doing it on purpose?" there wasn't really that much time in trying to understand how he had survived, not when he hadn't finished trying to help the Entity. Once he judged there wouldn't be any incoming attacks, Asriel lowered the wall of magic fire.
The Entity had managed to pick the other two crayon drawings, and was holding them in front of the SOUL. Since there were no words left anywhere Asriel supposed the Entity was deep in thought.
A luxurious dining room formed while the Entity examined the other two drawings. Frisk's and Asriel's drawings…one abstract, supposedly meaning 'determination', while the other showed the New Home. Somehow, the Entity didn't have any particular feelings about the drawing themselves, but those were once another sign of the bond the Entity had shared with the children.
"What do you think, Patta?" Asriel hoped to hear anything that could tell it was all going well, but the Entity didn't reply. The fact no attack came forth was encouraging, or maybe it was because the other two drawings didn't cause any strong reaction in him.
The environment changed. Ciruel's studio seemed foreboding to Asriel, and the Entity sensed the monster's dread. The tension in the Entity's human SOUL increased, something thick and uncomfortable filled the atmosphere. While the Entity took out the apron from the suitcase, he tried to calm down Asriel.
Don't worry. It's okay.
The apron still had stains of mud and grass, marring the fabric. Graham had been a quite kind person. He had been welcoming and now that the Entity thought about it, he never really thanked the innkeeper properly. It was once another regret to the list of regrets the Entity already had. Now that he thought about it, that apron had been delivered with a letter, hadn't it? It had said something…thoughts flocked to the Entity's mind while he took the apron Asriel had brought.
"You'll be the first person I decide to believe in. You already showed a bad side of yours and I could see you regretted it dearly. I can respect that. It is fair I believe you can be a good person."
He had written that in the letter and the Entity had never really understood why. He wasn't any better than anyone else, in fact, he was sure he was a worse person than a lot of people. What did Graham see in him?
A second branch broke, snapping from its juncture with a root with a resounding cracking sound. The pieces of the branch expanded quickly outwards, intermittently taking cyan and orange colors. For Asriel it was very easy to pass through it, it seemed the Entity was starting to get some control over his outbursts.
The thread of the timeline shone brightly for a moment, it had been quite a while since Patta and Gaster had entered the void. It wasn't going to be long before the timeline modified itself to erase any trace of Patta's existence. The images all around Asriel and the Entity broke away for a moment, revealing the blackness of the void, before cluttering back and taking a new form: the streets of the suburbs. The Entity didn't pay attention to it all, though, entranced by the suitcase and its contents.
The Entity took the book Ciruel had gifted him. He hadn't treated Ciruel properly, had he? In hindsight, he…he had been pretty ungrateful towards the scholar, considering him annoying and wanting to get out of the manor as soon as possible, and although Ciruel had been a tad irritating, he didn't deserve the Entity's scorn.
The Entity managed to open the book, flipping the pages and reading some passages. The conversations with Ciruel resonated in the Entity's consciousness. He had to admit: talking with Ciruel about monster biology, about Asgore and about the Hermit had been a pleasant night…and proof Ciruel was rather dedicated to his job and life, completely unlike Patta had been. Ciruel hadn't given up, he instead had continued even though he ended being overwhelmed by his life.
Follow your dreams, see where they take you…did it even make sense to have dreams now?
"Patta?" Asriel tried to get the Entity's attention. Was this all going badly? The Entity didn't reply, starting to tremble. Flakes of the cyclical tree fell down from the branches, that strange mix of emotions was starting to feel like a burden in his SOUL. He wanted to demand an answer, reassurance he hadn't thrown his life away, that there was a reason for him to continue existing.
What am I supposed to do now?
The words had formed so fast Asriel flew back a little, surprised. The Entity's branches trembled with more strength. "What do you mean?"
I'm trapped here. Once you leave, there'll be nothing for me to do.
What am I supposed to do?!
Some of the Entity's roots separated and shot straight towards Asriel. The monster moved further back, avoiding the sharp roots. The roots didn't try to return, though, instead faded away into the nothingness. Without roots, several of the branches withered away.
The tree slowly swayed from side to side, trying to balance itself, the missing branches and roots were starting to take its toll on the Entity's stability. The suburbs didn't last long, morphing into the forests near Mt. Ebott. The Entity tried to lean on the trees all around him, but those were no more than flat images and empty air.
There must be something I can do…
Asriel thought for a moment. There really wasn't much to do, but maybe… "Patta! What had you said about the timelines?"
The Entity managed to stabilize himself for a moment, long enough to interlock some of his branches.
What do you mean?
"You said there were going to be alternate timelines! What can you do with that?" Asriel had no idea what he was talking about, but he figured anything that could give the Entity a goal or something to work for would be good. The Entity's flowing fragments slowed down, he seemed to be mulling it over.
…I'm not sure…
The part of him that was Gaster had infused him with certain knowledge regarding the workings of the timelines and the void, but most of it was theories and wild guessing. Gaster's current theory was that Patta's erasure from the timeline would spawn alternate timelines, and modifying the actual golden thread would stop it…
…modifying the timeline…maybe what the Entity could do was influence the new alternate timelines, instead of the original one?
…that could work!
The subtle sounds of the forest, the limpid air with leaves, everything sped up. Asriel noticed it and prepared himself for what could come, although he noticed this time the cause was positive. No attack came forth. Asriel quickly looked around, ready for anything that could 'It's working, Azzy!'
A rustic baseball field materialized. The Entity was blocking the path towards the mountain, barely maintaining itself intact. Although the tree had been damaged, the SOUL didn't seem to have any damage. He was again looking into the suitcase, taking out another object.
Ananas' deputy's badge was tiny, no bigger than a fist. The Entity had to unravel one of his branches to take it and examine it. It was a comforting item, Ananas had been the first person to help Asriel and him. Without her help, Asriel may have never returned to the Underground. Had Patta even thanked her? He didn't remember.
Asriel, I…I think…
The Entity wanted to tell Asriel to thank Ananas for everything, to thank all their friends once he met them, but it wasn't like Asriel would remember anything the Entity said once he returned into the universe. "Yes?" Asriel encouraged, smiling, hopeful. The Entity didn't write anything, Asriel's smile dropped after a few seconds.
The few words that had been written crumbled away, the tiny sharp pieces falling all over Asriel. Although the monster made no effort to move and received a direct hit, the amount of damage done was virtually none. Asriel took it stoically, never looking away from the Entity.
There now was the chain-link fence that had marked the way into Mt. Ebott. The Entity's shambling form seemed to melt into the intercrossing shapes of the fence, as if it were trying to hide from Asriel.
Hadn't Ananas said something last time the Entity…last time Patta had talked with her? "It's my way to say sorry for the blunders". She also had said it was better for him to not to know what had happened. The badge had been sent as an apology, but since the Entity didn't know for sure what it was apologizing for, the meaning had gone unnoticed at first. It wasn't hard to guess it was meant to be atonement for something, it didn't really matter what.
Face your mistakes and do what you can to fix them. Trying to modify the timeline had been a mistake, it was only right he made up for almost destroying reality. How? He wasn't sure yet.
For now, well, there was one mistake he could fix, at least. One branch more separated from the trunk, this time broken away by the Entity's will. It levitated in the air for a moment before taking a green color, and once that happened, the Entity launched it towards Asriel. The monster extended his hand, touching the branch as soon as it was close enough for that.
…I think I'm starting to understand what I should do.
The journey through memories was almost over, too. The trail upwards the mountain was around them, looking much more peaceful than Frisk, Asriel or the Entity remembered it. The Entity's form was unrecognizable as a tree by now, barely held by the trunk. He didn't stop taking the contents of the suitcase, this time looking at the ballet shoes. Who had those belonged to? Celia's cousin? The Entity had never met her, but he had seen the timeline and found out her actions. Seeing the shoes brought those memories back. He managed to not to show a reaction yet, first deciding to consult Asriel.
What are these, Asriel?
"Those are Byssa's shoes!"
Byssa's…shoes...
Asriel didn't seem to hold a grudge against her. Had he forgiven her? When the Entity requested for more details about Byssa Asriel started a long speech about Byssa. The monster purposely left unmentioned anything about the murder attempt Byssa had done, but the Entity wasn't fooled about that. He had the time to see the contents of the timeline, after all. His branches started shaking in repressed outrage.
How can you talk about her as if she didn't try to kill you?
"...oh..." Asriel looked down "...she just did a mistake, that's—"
She tried to kill you!
"But she changed! She-She stopped that, and we turned friends!"
The Entity didn't say anything for a moment, too stunned with Asriel's response. Once he shook off the surprise more words formed in the air, jagged and hastily written.
How can you be friends with someone who tried to murder you?!
"She changed! We-We talked, and we're friends now! She's not a bad person, Patta"
'I would have befriended her too' Frisk admitted. Having Frisk's support gave Asriel some courage to face the Entity's anger. When the Entity saw Asriel wasn't willing to admit or change his mind about having befriended Byssa, he slowly calmed down, the fragments almost stopping circulating through the remains of the tree.
...why...did you forgive her?
"...because she was sorry" Asriel was rather sure of what he was saying. There was no hesitation in his voice despite having a hushed meek tone "She tried to kill me, but that was because she didn't know me...I know that doesn't mean she should have tried...but she was hurting, and I felt sorry for her. She isn't a bad person, and when I talked to her...I felt she was grateful for it"
Byssa changed. She had literally tried to murder a child for reasons The Entity didn't fully comprehend or empathize with, and her almost-victim had forgiven her because she had changed. Did that mean changing was possible? Someone who had seemed to be so against monsters, blaming them for the disappearances, had changed her mind so why wouldn't the Entity be able to change his mind about other things too?
...right. What I should do isn't to merely not change the timeline anymore...
No attacks came forth, and the Entity's form finally lost its cohesion. The tree melted away, the last remaining branches snapping and breaking apart. The roots shriveled away, the fragments that had formed those spread everywhere, floating and creating a slight haze. The SOUL was the only thing that remained. Around it, a familiar human silhouette took form. Asriel stared, hoping to see his friend again, even if he was blurry and grayscale, but only the silhouette was there.
The final place that'd form materialized, filling the void with a golden glow. It was that hallway near the throne room. Somehow it felt like an appropriate place to see at this point.
The suitcase was floating nearby. "Here, let me help—" Asriel started to approach to take the last item out of the suitcase, but the Entity stopped him. Skeletal hands formed, one gripping the suitcase and the other keeping Asriel at bay. Asriel had been the one to show the path, but it was the Entity...no, it was Patta's duty to walk it to the end. The children had done enough for him already; it was only right for him to get done with it.
The last object in the suitcase...the Youth Troop pin...could be considered the final step of the path, and that was because it was the representation of what Patta wanted, paradoxically provided to someone who had been in a situation similar to his. That moment was represented in that tiny badge, and the Entity could hear once again his own words.
"You lost everything. Maybe that is true, maybe it isn't, but it doesn't mean it is all over. Times won't be easy for you, but don't lose hope. Find something new, something to fill your days and maybe replace what you lost. There are so many possibilities out there, and you can reach and try to grasp them! What matters is to not to let yourself be chained by your regret.
Live and don't lose hope. That is what you should do"
What I must do...is to not lose hope. I must find something new. I must replace what I lost. I must live.
Finding something amidst what was lost and create something new. That was what everything in the journey had all been about. It was a tale about letting go and continuing forward, about learning and growing. Maybe it wasn't what was meant to originally happen, but it was good. Everyone else had gone through their own trials. Some failed, some overcame them...and now it was Patta and Asriel's turns.
Patta had to face his own erasure and create something out of it, thanks to Gaster's knowledge and unwilling help. Asriel had to return to the timeline, face the possible distrust that'd arise from Frisk never returning from the mountain, and work along his six friends to create something out of the ashes and the remains of it all. Frisk had failed their trials, and although it was unknown what would happen to them, they could help Asriel in some way too.
Slowly, the silhouette was filled with the person Asriel had wanted to see. The Entity...Patta seemed serene. He was smiling, staring at his closed fist, he was gripping the Youth Troop badge. "Patta!" Asriel hurried to get to him as if he expected the Entity to crumble down at any moment. Patta let the child approach, still smiling.
I don't think I have words to tell you how grateful I am to you for everything.
The Entity put all the objects back in the suitcase. It felt like closure. He held the suitcase as if it were the most precious thing in the world. Asriel let out a sigh of relief at the Entity's calmness, he had succeeded. His friend had been reminded of what mattered, he had been given support, and now...
...all that remained was to say their farewells.
Asriel, Frisk, do you have time to talk for a little longer? I'd like to us three to part as friends, if that's okay.