From now on, it's a straight line to the final resolution! This chapter and the two next ones are the most perilious ones, and I hope it all makes a worthy finale to the story! So… enjoy! :D

The day after the Legendary Artefact had been saved in extremis, Noelle was getting ready to go outside. In a few minutes, Undyne would come for her, as she would take her for a fencing training. Undyne was the best person to teach Noelle how to handle a sword, because she's been the captain of the Royal Guard for many years, and thus she knew everything about using weapons. As she waited for he fishlady to arrive, Noelle looked at the kids, who were sitting on the couch. The two had very concerned faces and Noelle quickly guessed that something was bothering them.
"Kids... Is everything alright..?"
"You'll have to face Chara very soon, right?" - Sam asked back with a serious tone.
"Y-yeah, sooner is more likely than later." - Noelle replied, looking down.
"But are you ready to face her, Noelle?" - the boy asked again - "If she showed up now, would you be able to win?"
"Sam, if by 'win', you mean kill her, then you know I can't do that." - Noelle answered seriously - "But I am training to rise my chances against Chara. I'll do everything in my power to stop her in another way."
"And what if there's no 'other way'? What shall you do then? You'll let Chara kill you, is that what you're saying?" - Sam challenged his mother, his tone subtly frantic.
"If I kill Chara, I'll be no better than her!" - Noelle stated as she put her hands on her hips - "What's happening to you, I thought you both wanted me to be a hero to the very end, no matter what."
"We still want you to..!" - Piper finally spoke up too - "But... but now being a hero is what will take you away… and it's hard to accept."
Noelle sighed and looked at her children with sympathy and regret. Of course her children wouldn't accept her possible death, no matter the circumstances. It wouldn't really matter if she'd be heroic or not, all the twins would know would be that they lost their mother. The thought spooked Noelle, actually. Like any person, she hated to think about dying and leaving those she loved behind. Noelle wasn't ready to die yet. But if she wanted to stop Chara, accepting her possible death was unavoidable.
"Kids... I understand your fear... I'm afraid too, to be honest." - Noelle spoke gently - "It's not easy to accept the possibility of dying. But it's surely even more difficult for you. And I'm so sorry that I must put you through this…"
"I just don't want you to go away…" - Sam said, suppressing a tear - "Our dad already left us… I don't want you to leave us too."
Moved, Noelle hugged her upset kids without saying a word. The twins didn't really cry, but they burried their faces into Noelle's shoulders. The three didn't know that Sans had been listening to the entire conversation. He was sitting near the stairs, his eyesockets dark as night. Sans was a smart skeleton, he knew about Sam and Piper's inner suffering. Even if they put smiles on their faces, Sans could see right through it. He couldn't miss the obvious pain in their eyes. Hiding the pain so the others don't fuss about it was something Sans was too familiar with. Sam and Piper didn't talk much about Gaster, but it was crystal clear that they weren't dealing with their father's amnesia as well as they pretended. And their sadness was getting worse after every visit in the hospital. Sans hated that Gaster was hurting people again, and that those people had to be Sam and Piper. "this must come to an end." - he decided - "today, we're in for a talk, gaster." The skeleton was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard the doorbell ring. He peeked down the stairs and saw Noelle open the door.
"Noelle! It's so good to see you!" - Undyne exclaimed, before pulling Noelle in a tight and painful hug.
"Ow..! Y-yeah, I'm glad to see you too, U-Undyne…" - Noelle replied as she winced in pain - "Never losing your shape, as I see..?"
"Nope! Only getting stronger every day!" - the fishlady declared proudly, finally releasing Noelle - "To make those humans respect the law, you gotta be very intimidating!"
"I have no doubt you succeed at this…" - Noelle commented.
"Of course I do! I'm a former knight! So, intimidation is one of my talents! Just like weapon handling. Ready for the training? Just let me warn you that I won't be soft!" - Undyne said with enthousiasm, then noticed the kids and said - "Oh, hi kids. And don't fret, I'll bring your mom back in one piece!"
The kids didn't reply, not being in a chatting mood, but still nodded in response. Noelle sighed and remarked:
"Well, I hope you will. Who else shall protect the world otherwise?"
"I know... Man, it really sucks what's happening to you all." - Undyne replied, then she put her hand over Noelle's shoulder and said apologically - "I wish I could be here to help you guys. But you know, my police duties in the city…"
"It's okay, Undyne. I understand perfectly." - Noelle replied with a faint smile - "You have your own life, so you must live it fully."
"Well, at least I'll help by teaching you fencing." - Undyne said with a brighter tone - "Shall we go now?"
"Yes." - Noelle nodded, then turned to her children - "Sam, Piper, don't go outside unless accompanied."
"Is it still okay for us go visit Dad?" - Piper asked.
"Of course. As long as my parents are with you."
"could that be me for a change?"
Noelle, Undyne and the twins looked in the direction of the stairs, where Sans was now standing, leaning against the wall.
"Well, I guess why not..?" - Noelle replied with a shrug - "As long as you don't do anything stupid."
"hey, i'm a smart and fully grown skeleton."
"And yet, sometimes you're being a kid." - Noelle replied - "But more seriously, I know that things've always been harsh between you and Gaster. I just hope you'll behave when you arrive at the hospital."
"sure, no problem." - Sans said easily - "children's interests prevail."
"Good. Alright, I'm going now. Not sure when I'll return." - Noelle said, opening the front door - "Take care everyone."
The kids and Sans waved a bit in response, before Noelle and Undyne went out of the house. When the ladies were gone, Sans scribbled a small note for Papyrus and Frisk, telling that he took the twins to the hospital. Papyrus actually took Frisk out for a walk, estimating that she needed the sun and fresh air after being trapped in the void-like timeline for many days. (Frisk was getting over rather well, but she still had a bit of nightmares the previous night.) After Sans put down the note on the coffee table, he said to the kids with a wink:
"how about we take a shortcut?"
The twins nodded with smiles, then grabbed their skeleton great-uncle's arms. A fraction of second later, the three were gone, leaving the house empty.

Gaster was staring through the window. The weather was very cloudy, it would surely rain. The former scientist smiled at the thought; it would be nice to hear the sound of the rain after many days of pure sunlight. Rain would help him relax. After a moment, Gaster sat down on his bed, pulled his journal from under the mattress, and started to write another entry.

Entry n°7

Last night, Patty took her pills thanks to a trick from the medical staff. She didn't take their gesture that well, and so she started to cry and yell at the doctor and nurses. To calm her down, they administrated her some tranquilizers. I checked on her afterwards, and she barely looked like herself. She was undeniably upset. Patty had even requested me to keep her company until she fell asleep. I couldn't say no to her. She's apparently doing better this morning, although quieter than usual. She says her mind's foggy.
At least, my neighbour could sleep soundly. I can't tell the same about me. I had strange, somewhat disturbing, dreams tonight. It started rather nice, actually. I was resting in a huge field of golden flowers. The sun was shining bright and a nice fresh wind was blowing. It even blew off many golden petals, making those fly in the air. If it was all real, I would've wondered if I didn't accidently end up in Heaven. But my moment of peace didn't last very long, since I heard two familiar voices talk to me. It were without any doubt the twins who claim to be my children. I don't remember what they were saying, but I recall that they were sitting next to me. Both of them were wearing pure white clothes. I'm not sure what surprises me the most in that part: that I was comfortable around them, or the too pure representation my mind gave them? I know too well how demoniac humans are, so them wearing the heavenly white attires is a very unsettling image. Especially if that happens in my dreams. What the heck is my mind doing? Anyway, the oddities in my dream go on from that point. The twins take me by my hands (the thought of it makes me shudder) and we walk together, talking about random things. I'm not sure for how long this kept going, until at some point, everything around darkened. The sky went grey, just like the empty and dry field. The kids were nowhere to be seen either. When I realized that, I... started to call their names and look for them. I remember I feared for the twins' safety. I was calling for them over and over, running across the unfinite field, but the two were nowhere to be seen. I woke up before I could find them. It's probably the most out of character I behaved in a dream ever. I am so very frustrated. I can barely believe it. What's wrong with my own mind?

Before Gaster got the possibility to write anything else, a nurse spoke to him from the doorframe. She informed him that his children came to pay him a visit. "Ugh, why now..?" - Gaster mentally whined - "Why do they always return? Why don't they leave me be?" Before he could protest and tell that he wasn't in the mood for visits, the nurse left allowing the twins to rush in the room.
"Hi! How are you feeling today?" - Piper said with a smile.
"Horribly." - Gaser replied, his tone flat.
"Come on, you should rejoice. It's gonna rain today!" - Sam told his father, hoping to lift his spirits - "It'll wash all your problems away."
"He knows about how much I love the rain…" - Gaster felt pressure in his metaphorical lungs - "How? I tell those things only to the people I'm close to…" Despite just having another evidence of the truth he made lots of effort to deny, Gaster managed to keep his breathing relatively steady. He looked at the twins and said:
"I know it will rain. I can see the sky through the window, you know."
"No need to be sarcastic." - Sam replied - "Anyway, Piper and I thought your amnesia's lasting for a little too long now."
"Yes, so? It's not like I can do anything about it."
"No, but maybe we can." - Sam said as he proceeded to unzip his backpack.
"Okay, what are you up to?" - Gaster asked, lightly rubbing his skull.
"We thought that since you can't remember by yourself, maybe we can help you." - Piper replied enthousiastically - "And so, we brought a few photos of us three!"
"W-what?"
"That way, if you see those, it could help you remember about our life together!" - Sam added with a grin.
Gaster wasn't really sure how to react. His face paled and he felt his SOUL tighten up, feeling uncomfortable. Gaster and the twins were unaware that Sans was standing outside right next to the door, not missing a bit of the conversation. He wanted to know how things would go. But Sans could already sense negativity radiating from Gaster.
"Here, this is the photo taken in the other world during the De-Code." - Sam said, pulling out a framed picture from the backpack - "See? It's the three of us, the man is your de-coded self."
Gaster took the picture in his hands for just a few seconds. The kids seemed to be a little younger, wearing warm gyftmas-themed sweaters, smiling happily. And the man, who undeniably had facial traits that reminded Gaster of his own, had his arms wrapped around the kids shoulders. He had a small, yet present, smile on his face. Gaster's hands trembled and put the picture aside.
"This... this man's not me." - he said blankly, yet quieter than intended.
"Come on, you can't deny the obvious." - Piper replied - "The man's you! He has the scars where the cracks on your face are."
"Yes, he has the same thin face, same glasses, same fashion style…" - Sam added.
"This man is not me." - Gaster repeated, but this time his voice trembled unwittingly - "He's a human. And I am not."
"Oh, don't be silly, you know that in the other world everyone had to be human. So you know you were a human too." - Piper said easily - "But we also brought photos of us where you're a skeleton."
Sam pulled out a pile of pictures taken after the De-Code, when Gaster and the twins were at their happiest. Gaster was feeling even less at ease now. He wanted to protest, to tell the kids put the pictures back in the backpack and out of his sight. But his hand took the pile against his own will. He browsed the photos with shaking hands. There he was, on all those pictures, with the twins holding his hands or in his arms, looking happy. Gaster felt his breathing quicken and hurriedly put the pile of photos back in Sam's hands.
"Be careful..! You might damage them!" - Sam said with a frown.
"Put that away. That's… that's not me…" - Gaster said, starting to hyperventilate despite trying not to.
"What..? You really can't remember anything?" - Piper asked, sounding disappointed.
"That's a bummer." - Sam said with a sigh - "What else must we do to make you remember?"
"Maybe he'd remember if he saw our house?" - Piper suggested - "I guess it feels more real than photos."
"Yeah, you're right! I wonder if the doctors would allow him a day out so he can see it?"
"Stop it! Don't you decide for me!" - Gaster ordered as he stood up from his bed - "I am not going anywhere."
"Aw, but don't you want to finally get out of here?" - Piper asked, still a bit startled by Gaster's sudden exclamation.
"I do. But if I'd go anywhere, it would be a place where I'd be nowhere near you." - Gaster answered, his look hard.
The way he said those words was sharp, as if in the intention to hurt. And it indeed felt like a dagger piercing its way through the heart. The twins looked at their father with wide eyes. Gaster basically just said that he wanted them out of his life. It was the first time that he said something so hurtful to them.
"You... you can't mean it..." - Piper shook her head.
"I can and I do." - Gaster replied as firmly.
"So, after all this time you finally said it out loud, huh..?" - Sam said with a sad tone, looking down - "You never truly cared about us."
"now, i think that's enough gaster." - Sans spoke up with a deep voice as he finally stepped in the room - "i always knew you were a jerk, but i thought that you at least were a true father to those two."
"I am not their father." - Gaster replied with irritation, clenching his fists.
Those were the words that hit the children's hearts the hardest. Their feelings hurt, the twins rushed out of the room and long the corridor. Sans looked at them with a sorry gaze, before he looked back at Gaster, his eyesockets turning dark.
"so it's true what they say - some people just can't and won't ever change." - Sans said - "just like when they say that children are given to the wrong persons."
"I don't want to hear any more word from you, Sans." - Gaster's eyes briefly glowed red - "Just because you're a better person than I am, you think it gives you the right to judge everyone around you? You have no idea how it's like to be with my current condition. You don't know how it's like to not remember twenty-two years of your life! I woke up in the hospital to find out that my world changed. Since that moment, I'm constantly being told that I have human children I don't even remember having raised! Do you even know how hard it is?"
"'hard', huh? so you think it's hard for you? did you ever consider how hard it is for them, what they have to go through?" - Sans asked, his left eye starting to glow - "the man who's been their father since their baby days, all of sudden forgets about them and despises them just because they happen to be humans. did you know how much they've cried that day? how difficult it's been for us all to comfort them?! you don't get to see the disappointement in their eyes after each damn visit they pay you! since you got amnesic, you did nothing but break their hearts a little more every day. but why am i surprised? hurting people's always been your biggest talent. and yet the twins still love you, unconditionally."
"They love a man who doesn't exist." - Gaster said surprisingly quietly, but then he spoke louder - "The father they describe sounds like a really good guy, but he's just not me! I am not that man, I am different!"
"they're not delusional gaster, they know exactly who you are and what you've done. but to them, it doesn't matter. you're their father, no matter what." - Sans replied - "so you better accept that, before they get even more hurt."
"They'll learn to live without me. Don't those two have a mother though? From what I heard, she takes good care of them."
"their mother might get killed at any moment! because a megalomaniac's after our family! and the kids know that too. they might end up parentless! they need you now more than ever!" - Sans exclaimed.
Those words created a silence in the room for a moment. What Sans said about the twins' mother possibly dying didn't leave Gaster indifferent. For a brief moment, he felt almost as if he had empathy for the two children. But he quickly chased the thought away from his mind. Clenching his trembling fists, Gaster spoke up:
"What's happening to them is regretful, but I just can't be the father they see in me."
Another silence followed. But it didn't last. Sans sighed and turned to the door. But before before he exited, he said:
"you know, i think i know what's actually going on. you simply can't accept the idea that you could've been a better person. because if deep down there's good in your soul, it makes your past actions even more horrible."
It was with those words that Sans left Gaster in his room alone. The former scientist's body started to tremble and his bones rattle. His breathing was unsteady again. Then, with a short yell of anger and frustration, Gaster grabbed the plush Ralsei and threw it against the wall. Still trembling, Gaster sat down on his bed and put his head between his hands. He then let out a groan, as a throbbing pain pierced his hands. It used to happen years ago, but it was usually after experimenting on Sans and Papyrus. So why were they hurting now?

Outside of the hospital, Sam and Piper were sitting on a bench. They were regularily sniffling and wiping their tears with their hands. Sans was standing in front of them, looking at them regretfully.
"kids, i'm sorry things went like that." - he said - "but i guess something like this had to be expected at some point. you know how your father is… or was. it's just a shame you had to see the worst of him."
"Sans... please leave us alone for now." - Sam requested quietly.
"what? uh kids, you know i can't do that." - Sans replied uncomfrotably - "it's not safe to walk alone with what's going on. noelle shall kill me if she finds out i left you wander by yourself."
"We just need to be alone, okay?!" - Sam snapped.
Sans' eyes rounded, surprised by the boy's sudden aggressiveness. But he still could understand the boy's agitated state of mind. Thus, despite his better judgement, Sans complied to the request to leave the kids alone. Muttering a recommandation to return home as soon as possible, the skeleton teleported himself away. The kids sat on the bench in silence for a few minutes. Drops of water started to fall from the sky, and a distant thunder could be heard. Sam and Piper didn't care about that. It was a light rain anyway. But as the rythm of the rain intensified, the twins guessed that they perhaps should go back home. They were about to stand up, but then they heard a dark voice say from behind:
"Well, well, if those aren't the Savior's kids, Sam and Piper?"
With a gasp, the twins turned around and saw that Chara was there, standing in between the trees, with the usual evil grin on her face. The kids quickly stood up from the bench and made two steps backwards, almost tripping.
"It was about time for us to be properly introduced."
"What do you want from us?" - Sam asked with obvious fear.
"I'm just curious to see how much of survivors you are in a fight." - Chara said, showing up her knife - "How about we test it and see?"
"No! Stay away!" - Piper yelled alarmed - "We don't want to fight!"
"We didn't do anything to you!" - Sam said on his turn - "If you wanna let go your anger against humanity, do it elsewhere!"
"As much as striving on you for being humans sounds fun, I want you dead for another reason." - Chara said, making her knife spin gracefully in her hand.
"Well, whatever your reasons are, we'll fight back." - Sam said with a determined look.
"I like that much better!" - Chara's grin widened and her eyes reddened even more.
"Sam... How can we fight back..?" - Piper asked her brother - "She has a knife."
"We have one too." - Sam said as he quickly pulled out a smaller knife from his backpack - "Stay close to me Piper, I'll cover you."
Piper's eyes got filled with fear. The kids had decided to secretely carry a knife just in case. Well, it turned out that foresight had been useful. But the kids were obviously afraid, because they knew that they weren't as good at those things as Chara was. But they especially didn't have the will to kill, which disadvantaged them even more. Suddenly, without any warning, Chara jumped straight at Sam, who almost dropped his knife, while pushing his sister further away from the danger. As Sam was busy dodging Chara's knife, Piper stood on her shaky legs after her fall and screamed with all the voice she had:
"Heeeeeeelp!"
She hoped that anyone who was around would respond. It would save her and her brother's life. There had to be some people outside despite the rain, right? Someone had to hear her cry for help. Before she could yell again, she felt Chara seize her and muffle her with her hand, the knife threatingly close to her face.
"Oh no, you're not calling for help." - Chara hissed - "Nobody will come anyway."
Before she could hurt Piper in any way, she felt a sharp pain pierce her back. This made her gasp and release Piper unvoluntary. She and Piper looked at Sam, who was pointing a tainted by blood knife at Chara.
"Sam... Oh God..." - Piper breathed out, her eyes wide.
"You... So you're willing to play rough after all..." - Chara growled, before grinning again - "This shall make it even more fun."
Before the fear of blood would totally paralyze her, Piper quickly ran to her brother and stood behind his back. Sam, despite shaking, was standing in front of Piper ready to fight and protect. They had nobody else to rely on at that moment but on themselves.

In the hospital, when it had only started to rain, Patty was sitting in the garden, supervised by a nurse. Patty really needed some fresh air after what happened the previous day. She also hoped it would help to somewhat clear her mind. Breathing the cool air and feeling the wind on her face did feel nice. She was enjoying the soothing sensations as she suddenly heard the nurse say:
"It's starting to rain. We better head inside before you catch a cold."
Patty barely noticeably nodded in response. As she slowly stood up, something in the air made her left ear move. Patty's eyes rounded a little as she could hear a pretty distant but clear call for help.
Heeeeeeelp!
Was it real or did she imagine it? The latter was unlikely, considering the dose of medications she was given. This meant somebody actually just called for help. But what surprised Patty was that the voice sounded familiar. "Where did I hear it before..?" - she asked herself - "Ugh, I can't recall…" But after a few moments, despite the difficulty to think, it hit her. "I know that voice!" - Patty's mind excliamed - "It's Gaster's daughter!" Without wasting any more time, Patty rushed inside the building under the nurse's surprised gaze and up the stairs to the second floor. She had to inform Gaster now! It was with panting that Patty finally made it to Gaster's room. The skeleton was sitting near the window, his skull pressed to the cold glass, in an attempt to relax (and mostly calm down) by the sound of the rain. As soon as he heard footsteps rush in his room, he turned his head with a slightly annoyed look. But when he saw Patty with an alarmed expression, Gaster's annoyance quickly turned into concern.
"Patty? What's wrong..? Did something happen?"
"I... I'm not sure, but..." - Patty paused to take a deeper breath - "Gaster, I believe your children are in danger."
A pause. Gaster's SOUL tightened up.
"What..? What do you mean..?" - he asked.
"I think... no, I'm sure I heard your daughter's voice from afar. A cry for help." - Patty replied.
"But why didn't anynobody else hear her..?" - Gaster asked, trying to process what Patty just said.
"I'm a cat monster. My hearing's a little sharper…"
"Patty, are you sure of what you're saying?"
Gaster's tone grew alarmed, and his eyesockets glowing yellow, shortly altering to purple.
"Yes, I am." - Patty answered with a nod - "I believe the voice was coming from a somewhere beyond the garden, some place out of sight behind the pines…"
"I... I must go...!" - Gaster said, rushing out of his room.
"Gaster, wait..!" - Patty yelled after him - "Don't get caught by the staff!"
"I won't, don't worry." - the skeleton said with a surprisingly soft tone.
Then, after Patty gave him a light nod of encouragement, Gaster rushed down the stairs. He had to find the right lapse of time to rush out of the building. But it wasn't his main concern at the moment. Something from deep within his SOUL was telling him to go find the kids. "What's happening to me?" - Gaster asked himself - "What's that strange urge I feel inside..?" He didn't have much time to question it further as the way out of the hospital building was momentarily free. Gaster rushed out and across the garden, not caring a bit about the intense rain pouring on him. He almost slipped due to the sliding ground, but he barely paid attention to this. As he ran in a vague direction, he was asking himself: "What's that call from within my SOUL?" Whatever it was, it gave him strength and courage. There was now that new urge to protect those two kids he barely knew. Despite the questions running in his mind, Gaster didn't stop for a second. He was out of the hospital territory now, his eyes looking around searching for the kids. Soon, Gaster came across a familiar object. He knelt down to pick the soaked wet backpack. "It's theirs…" - Gaster thought - "They mustn't be too far." Gaster quickened his pace, hoping that it wasn't yet too late.

The kids not being that much of fighters than they were dodgers, were now trying to hide from Chara between the trees. They were almost desperate, the streets were too empty due to the weather. Their nervousness would often give their not very good hideout away, as Chara was an observant person. She'd notice the slightest movements, hear the jerky breaths. Luckily, Papyrus had trained the twins well, so they were pretty good dodgers. Sam even managed to cut Chara once, to allow Piper run away. But the street was sliding by the ever intensifying rain and it took Piper a few steps to slip on a puddle and fall on the ground with a yelp. Chara then couldn't help but laugh hysterically, while taunting the kids.
"Don't you see it? Nobody cares! Nobody cares if anything happens to you! That stupid comedian left you behind while knowing I was around! And your father… it looks like he never cared for you in the first place! At least, you'll know my pain before you fall down!"
"Shut up!" - Sam yelled, moving his knife around in a threating way - "You know nothing about us!"
"Oh, I've seen enough to judge." - Chara replied, unimpressed by Sam's gesture - "Had Gaster truly cared, he'd have remembered about you by now!"
"You have no right to talk about his amnesia!" - Sam shouted - "You're the one who broke his skull! It's all your fault!"
"I did. But I didn't wipe away his memories, it's the deed of his own mind. If he forgot you, that can only mean that deep down he wanted to forget you. Now that he got Asgore and Toriel's forgiveness, he simply no longer needs you! You've been nothing but a booby prize during the De-Code years."
"That's not true..!" - Piper protested, trying to stand up - "He... he really loved us..."
"Aw, the truth hurts, doesn't it? Do you feel that unsufferable pain, piercing your little hearts? I'd enjoy that melodious sound of heartbreak forever!" - Chara said with dramatic sadism - "But I sadly must finish you off today."
"Why..? Just why do you have to hurt us..?" - Piper asked on edge of tears.
"Why, you ask? Don't you two get it? Just because you two are the Savior's children! I realized who's my real target. Noelle's the embodiment of light and hope. She's what keeps this big family together. If I want to make them all suffer, I just have to snuff out the light! But… it turns out it's not as easy as I'd like. And I haven't killed for a while, I must regain my taste for it. By killing you, I'll become strong again. I'll stand a twice better chance against your mom." - Chara explained as she pointed her knife at Sam, who backed away - "But I'll also enrage her. I've seen what she's capable of when her family's hurt. She almost killed me for keeping Frisk captive. When I kill you, she will cross the line. Do you understand now? Either I manage to kill Noelle off, or she'll kill me, destroying the good in her heart. Either way, I'll reach my goal - snuff out the light of the Savior's SOUL."
The kids' eyes widened as they understood. Chara was really serious about this and nothing could make her back up. Piper gripped Sam's hand, who squeezed it shakily in return. Chara's eyes turned all creepy and made one quick movement with her knife. The twins shut their eyes close, preparing for the mortal strike. But seconds passed and… nothing happened. The twins dared to open their eyes and saw a... cage of bones surround them, protecting them from Chara. Chara, who was rubbing her hand in pain (her knife dropped on the ground), turned around and her eyes rounded in surprise. It was Gaster. He was there, soaked wet like everyone, wearing nothing but his PJs, and his expression reflecting pure relief that he made it in time. Sam and Piper looked at him with amazement and happiness.
"You came..!" - Piper breathed out - "You saved us..."
"I thought you wanted to be nowhere near us..?" - Sam asked, which was of course a poor attempt to cope with the fact that he and his sister just almost died.
"Are you two alright..?" - Gaster asked the kids, panting heavily.
The children just silently nodded in response. Chara glared at Gaster, getting really pissed off now.
"So, you're in for another round, Doctor Gaster?" - she growled.
"C-Chara?" - Gaster's eye widened as he recognized her - "No... No, it can't be, you're supposed to be-"
"Dead? Yeah, I know, and we already had this conversation."
"We... did?"
"Oh right, you can't remember, since it was before I smashed your skull with that cabinet." - Chara smirked.
"So it's because of you that I lost my memories..?" - Gaster said, as he got a mild headache.
"Yes! See the pain I can cause? Then, how about you just turn around and let me finish what I started? Because if you don't, this time I'll turn you to dust."
"N-no... I can't let you do this..." - Gaster said, despite shaking a little - "I won't let you harm them!"
"So, you're on the side of humanity now? You and I had so much in common, it's a shame you were too blind to see it. You and could've gotten so well along!" - Chara said with irritation and a hint of rancor.
"I'm not that much on the side of humanity, but..." - Gaster looked at the twins - "...I'm on Sam and Piper's side. They've shown me that there's more in the humans than what meets the eye. That humans may not all be cruel."
"Aw, isn't that cute? May I remind you that it were those thoughts that costed you everything at war? It's because of your pacifist attitude that your whole kind died, except yourself. Because you found nothing better to do but hide under a coat. Pathetic, isn't it? You should've died with the rest of your family."
As soon as she said that, Gaster's world turned all blurry and distant. He instinctly braced himself, feeling a sharp pain in his SOUL. His expression was one of sorrow and his body started to shake uncontrolably. Gaster's survivor's guilt was resurfacing and hit him with all its might. He was seeing the image of the dusted battle field again. As Gaster was paralyzed by his trauma, Chara didn't waste time to strike the magic bones protecting the kids. She had so many HP that its loss from hitting the bones was unsignificant. Again, the twins were unprotected from Chara's knife. With a maniacal laugh, the mad woman rased her knife, ready to kill. But Gaster, unlike Chara hoped, snapped out of his self-loathing pretty quickly this time. Without thinking, he used blue magic to paralyze Chara.
"Sam, Piper, lower yourselves!"
The twins obeyed at once. Less than a second later, a blaster appeared and fired straight at Chara. It was a huge blast, making Chara scream in pain to the point of almost breaking her voice. When the blaster dissipated, Chara fell on her side, straight in a puddle. She still found the strenght to glare up at Gaster. The skeleton could read her surprise, so he said:
"You are wrong. Yes, I used to think that I should've died. But I no longer do. Because I found what to live for. I live for those two kids."
Those words came from Gaster's SOUL, not his mind. He wasn't overthinking what he just said; he just did. Gaster then turned to the kids and knelt down to them, asking:
"Are you okay..?"
The twins nodded, while shaking in cold and stress. But then, Gaster moaned in pain, his skull hurting again. But this time, he was also seeing important memories run through his mind at the speed of light.
"I'm naming them Sam and Piper."
"What I am sure of is that without Sam and Piper… I wouldn't feel alive."
"I need you to know that I... I love you."
"I'd do anything to protect you and your sister from harm."
"I know this SOUL like nobody does. You're one of the kindest people I ever knew."
"I'm just so very lucky to have you... Have you not been there, I would still be lost on my path to darkness."
The pain went away as quickly as it came. Gaster looked up at the kids again, who were looking at him in concern. Gaster's eyes glowed green and a smile grew on his face. He suddenly pulled the kids in a tight hug, while his bones rattled out of his control. After a moment, as he came down from shock, he spoke up:
"Sam... Piper... My children… I... I'm sorry... I'm sorry I forgot you… And for what I said earlier… Please forgive me…"
"So you remember..?" - Piper asked.
"Yes. Everything." - Gaster confirmed, pulling away to look at his children - "It must've been so hard for you... I can't tell how sorry I am."
"It's alright. You saved us, you showed that you care..." - Sam said with a breaking tone.
"I'm so happy!" - Piper said, burrying her face into Gaster's wet t-shirt - "We missed you so much…"
"Shh, it's okay, don't cry. I'm back. And I'm never leaving you again." - Gaster said soothingly - "Now, listen. I know I said many bad things during my amnesia, and I wasn't very nice to you. And I'm so sorry. But I don't want this make you doubt about my true feelings for you. It doesn't matter a single bit that you're humans. If you were monsters, I wouldn't love you more, because I already love you beyond reason."
"So, even when you were being mean, you actually liked us?" - Sam asked.
"It just took me this long to realize that I care for you. I guess I was being a... 'tsundere'? I believe it's the word Alphys would use." - Gaster joked to light up the mood a bit.
This did make the twins chuckle. The three sat there in a comforting embrace for a long moment. Sam then pointed out that Chara ran away. But despite the danger Chara represented, it was Gaster's lesser concern. Sam and Piper have been in the rain for too long and they had many scratches and bruises all over their bodies. The family didn't wait any longer before returning to the hospital. There, the hospital staff went nuts about the fact that Gaster ran away. But when the skeleton explained that he went save his children from danger and that he recovered his memories, the doctors and nurses calmed down and provided the children all the care they needed. The children got to take a hot bath, and their injuries had been treated. Meantime, Gaster bathed in his own bathroom. When he was done, he put a provided bathrobe, went out and saw that Patty was sitting on his bed.
"The nurse left your clothes here." - she said, pointing at the table where were lying Gaster's outside clothes - "And she said that you'll be allowed return home tonight."
"Well, my memories returned, so they have no reason to keep me in here."
A moment of silence passed. Patty then gave Gaster a shy smile and said:
"I was right... your real face is beautiful."
It didn't take long for Gaster to understand what she was talking about. The previous day, Patty's been telling him how he was "wearing a mask". It appeared now that he no longer did, and Gaster had an idea why. He was no longer hiding his face, now that he let his feelings for the twins take over him. Because he admitted that he cared for them before remembering, before even saving them. He realized that he cared as soon as Patty told him they were presumly in danger.
"Thank you, Patty." - Gaster then said - "For telling me about the kids' cry for help."
"Oh, that was nothing..." - Patty replied with a light blush - "I'm glad I could help you and your family."
And then, for the first time since he met her, Gaster gave Patty a warm smile. This made her look at him in wonder, her cat eyes shining, until returning that smile. But the smile soon faded and she looked down. Gaster looked at her questioningly, but Patty then stood up, walked up to him and... wrapped her arms around him in a hug.
"I... I'm happy that you're healed now. I'm happy that you can be with your children again. But I'll miss you. A lot." - she said.
Gaster could hear in her voice that Patty was probably on edge of tears. Someway, it saddened him. He awkwrdly put his hands on her shoulders, then one of them stroke her blonde hair.
"Hey, don't be so sad... It's merely a goodbye, not a farewell." - Gaster tried to reassure her - "You still have a chance to get out of here."
"Do you think they'll let me go if I start taking the pills?" - Patty asked, looking up at him.
"I'm certain of that." - Gaster replied with a nod - "And keep expressing yourself by drawing. It should train your imagination. Keep relying on your imagination like you always did."
Patty couldn't help but smile at his last words. She really wanted to keep him in her arms forever. She didn't want him to go. Patty knew that when he'd go away, she'd be very lonely. She wanted him to be happy, but why did it hurt so much? Reluctantly, she let go of him. Gaster saw the sadness in her golden eyes and thought that he had cheer her up someway. So, he took the plushie given by the twins days ago and handed it to Patty. The cat monster looked at Gaster curiously.
"I think you need it more than I do." - the skeleton said - "This fuffy boy will keep you company."
"What's his name?"
"Um... Don't tell anyone, but... I named him Ralsei."
"A lovely name!" - Patty said with a smile, then hugged the toy close to her chest - "Thank you, Gaster… It was a gift to you from your kids and yet you're giving it to me now… It's so very nice from you, and… I promise that I'll take good care of it… I... I shall go now. You need some personal space to dress up, right..? G-Goodbye, Wing Dings Gaster."
Before Gaster had the chance to reply anything, Patty rushed out of his room, straight to hers. Hugging Ralsei tightly, she let her tears silently slide down her cheeks.

A/N: It must be the longest chapter of my entire story! But it one of those I'm the most proud of. Only two chapters left before the end. They're like two halves of one finale. I hope you'll love it.