Two weeks later the fated day arrived. One of the favorite holidays of children everywhere across the United States. The day when all you had to do was dress up in a costume and grown-ups all around the city would pay for the entertainment you provided, not in money but in delicious candy. Frisk had been looking forward to it, never having much of a chance to participate before. It had taken a while for Frisk to decide on a costume, and once they did there was precious little time to complete it, but with Toriel's help they managed to pull it together. They even arranged to go trick-or-treating with some of their new acquaintances from school. (Sadly Oswald was not feeling up to going, but he sent a photo of himself in his costume: he was dressed in a conservative suit and tie, his wig was off to reveal his bald head, and he was sitting in a wheelchair decorated to look like a yellow hoverchair. He posed with three fingers touching his left temple and his right outstretched as though using some kind of psychic power. Frisk did not recognize the character but Chara was awestruck and sent a text message praising his work.) Toriel, Sans, and Silas were the chaperones for this leg of the trip through the condo association; once they left Toriel would meet with some of the other parents and continue the trek through the surrounding neighborhoods. The children were surprised but ultimately accepting that Frisk knew some of the monsters, and within only minutes had completely relaxed around Toriel and Sans.

Frisk pointed at Hannah, the girl who saved them from Kyle during the game of Red Rover, and screamed, "OGJESSION!" as loud as they could. They were wearing a suit which made them look very respectable. It was not a real suit or at least not an expensive one, stitched together from blue fabric with a red tie. Frisk's hair had been styled and sprayed into spikes jutting forward from the top of their head. The children giggled and Hannah screamed a loud "Nooooooooo!" and tried to pantomime a dramatic breakdown while trying to stifle her laughter.

Silas assumed they were dressed as a specific character but it was not one he was familiar with. He was not dressed up, feeling like he went around in a costume most of the time anyway and not wanting to draw any more attention to it. He was in casual clothing, a baggy sweatshirt over track pants which concealed the curves of his body while being warm enough for the weather. "What… is Frisk…?"

Toriel chuckled beside him, dressed in a simple black dress and a wide-brimmed pointy hat. "They said they wanted to learn more about what kind of work you do, but you made it sound so boring. So we got a video game about a defense lawyer and we have been playing it together. There are an awful lot of words they do not know, but it has been very entertaining and educational for both of us!"

The gears started turning in Silas' head. He narrowed his eyes in Frisk's direction as the child shouted "Ogjession!" once more to the delight of the other children. Silas pointed a shaking finger and asked, "Does… is that what you think I do all day?"

"i wouldn't take it personal," Sans said as he waddled past them. He was wearing his regular blue parka and black shorts. A sign hung around his neck and dangled near the middle of his chest, reading "papyrus" in bold letters. "the kid's showing an interest in you. that's good, right?"

Silas watched Frisk laughing with a few other kids while complicated feelings played out inside him. "It's… being a lawyer is a lot more than shouting and pointing at people, it's about knowledge of and respect for the law. It's-"

Toriel interrupted, "But the law doesn't really matter, does it?"

Silas turned to stare at her wide grin and knowing eyes. He smiled back, defeated. "I guess not."

"Mister Pembrooke," came a shrill voice from behind them that overly enunciated the "k". "It is a shame to interrupt your outing, but I am afraid there is a matter of the utmost importance which I must discuss with you."

Silas winced; Linda. Head of the condo association and lead enforcer of its rules, and she knew all of them. He turned around slowly and plastered a smile on his face. "Good evening, Linda. I see you have decided to be a witch this evening."

She was indeed dressed in a black tattered dress and a pointy hat, thought that was not how Silas meant it. She smiled thinly, recognizing the insult but knowing how impotent it was. "How droll. I am talking of course about the very odd and local twist you've made on Audrey II from 'Little Shop of Horrors' as the centerpiece of your design. While I do appreciate the pride you take in our city and its unique industry, this was not one of the decorations you submitted to the board in your proposal. It is therefore in violation of the condo bylaws and I must request it be taken down immediately. I am sure no reminder is necessary but you are allowed to occupy the condo even though your name is not on the lease as a favor to your father. But this kindness only extends so far, and someone who is unwilling to abide by our rules must be willing to find another place of residence. So! I have written out a copy of the violation and stapled it to the statute which you are in violation of, please take it and correct the oversight immediately." She held out a few sheets of paper stapled together.

"I refuse it," Silas replied. "On the grounds that I have no idea what you're talking about."

Linda's face stretched like someone had grabbed the back of her head and pulled, the skin tightening around the contours of her skull. "The decoration is on your property, so it is your responsibility! You will remove it, or-"

"That's mine I'll get it!" Frisk shouted in one breath as they ran past, handing their candy bucket to Toriel. Then they were gone, running back the way they came to Silas' condo as fast as their feet and their costume would allow.

"Frisk?" Toriel shouted after them. "Frisk! Please wait, slow down or you might trip…!" She took off after them, holding the front of her dress up to keep from tripping herself.

Linda saw the furred legs and Toriel's muzzle opening to produce speech and she blanched. "Oh, that's… not a costume." Linda stared as Toriel left, then sucked in a breath to recover her posture. "Well! If you are in the company of monsters, that certainly answers a lot of questions. May I suggest, Mr. Pembrook, that you keep a close watch on your guests? You will be held responsible for their behavior. As for your…" She flipped through her papers until she found one, frowned, and finished, "…child. Well, they cannot be expected to know all the rules. Children are such lovable little scamps, aren't they? My own Hunter used to be such a troublemaker himself. Trying to raise a child as a single parent… you must have a hard time already. I'm willing to turn a blind eye to it this time, but don't let them make changes to the property or put up unlicensed decorations. Remember, everyone's property values depend on everyone else following the rules. Good day, Mr. Pembrooke." With that she turned around and walked back across the street to join her own group of children and adults.

Sans asked, "what was that all about?"

Silas sighed. "Petty tyrants. You run into them everywhere, especially in positions of little authority and less oversight."

"sounds like a real pain. what'd she want?"

"It seems a monster's come to call on me. Even though I told Asgore to stop giving my number out now that he's got an office and a secretary. There sure are lots of different kinds, though… from what Linda said it sounds like it's a flower monster. That's one I haven't seen before- hey, Sans, are you alright?"

The lights in Sans' eyesockets went out and his smile froze. "aw hell."

Frisk had looked to Chara with a confused look when Linda said something about Audrey. Chara had helpfully explained, "Audrey II is the villain from a horror/comedy. She's a giant, monstrous… evil… flower…" They both looked at each other in shock as they realized what the "decoration" actually was. Really? Really really?! Frisk ran home as fast as they could, hardly daring to hope.

But there he was. Nestled among the pumpkins and spiderwebs Toriel and Frisk had set up on Silas' front lawn was a small golden flower, leaning his floral disc back to stare at the house the way Papyrus looked at the crossword. "Flowey!" they shouted, laughing. Flowey barely had time to turn before Frisk dropped to their knees and hugged them. "You came, you came, you really came!"

Flowey immediately tried to slither out from Frisk's clutches. "Ah! Ack! Leggo! Didn't anyone ever tell you not to hug people out of nowhere?" Frisk obeyed and let go, still smiling. Flowey blinked. Then he leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. "… Frisk? What the heck did you do to your hair?"

Frisk dipped their head quickly, their hair sticking out in front and not moving an inch. "Toriel put some stuff in it, feels like I've got plaster on top of my head. It's for my costume!"

"Yeah, well point it in some other direction, you're gonna poke someone's eye out with that!" He leaned back for his own safety.

"How'd you find us?" Frisk asked.

"Are you kidding? Every monster knows where the eighth human is. 'They're staying with a human, Silas Pembrooke'. You're really popular, you know. They keep saying you're the one who broke the barrier."

Frisk protested, "I keep telling them that wasn't me…"

"Nah, don't sweat it, I'm not mad. It'll be easier for me if people don't know about the whole thing, so go ahead and keep the credit. I don't want any." A shadow fell over the two of them and Flowey's petals drooped. "Uh oh."

From behind Frisk a voice enunciated with great care and trepidation, "My child. I need you to step away from the flower very slowly and very carefully."

Frisk turned and replied, "Toriel! Look, it's Flowey! Do you remember Flowey?"

"Yes," Toriel said darkly, flames dancing on her claws. "I remember him quite well."

Oh, right. Other people might have bad memories of Flowey. Frisk held out their hands defensively. "W-wait! It's okay! He doesn't want to be bad anymore!"

"Yes I do!" Flowey complained behind them, but with his high-pitched voice the effect was not as menacing as he hoped.

"Please," Frisk begged. "You don't want to hurt him. Flowey is-!"

Vines wrapped around Frisk's arm and squeezed hard enough to make them yelp. "Don't," Flowey seethed into their ear. "Tell them about me. Not a word."

Frisk gulped. Then they tried again, "Flowey's good, I know he can be better! Just, please, give him a chance!"

"My child," Toriel said in an even voice. "Do you remember what this… creature did? What it tried to do? This was after I gave him a second chance. I know you are a good child, but some creatures do not deserve a third chance to harm you."

"I'll leave, I can tell when I'm not wanted," Flowey said matter-of-factly. He whispered into Frisk's ear, "I'll come back later, you'll have better luck talking to her when I'm not here." Then he dipped into the soil, vanishing from sight.

Only then did Toriel allow her flame to dissipate with a sigh. "Frisk," she said. "I am not angry at you. But you must learn not to trust so blindly. There are many people who would hurt you."

Frisk stuck their hands in their pants pockets with a pout. There were so many things they wanted to tell her that Flowey would never forgive them for saying. "He's learned better," they insisted. "You'll see."

"That is exactly what I am so concerned about, child," Toriel said. She took a breath, and when she finished she was smiling again. "Come along, we can talk about it more later. For now let us return to your school friends. There is still much more candy to be acquired and enjoyed! Responsibly, of course." She held out her fuzzy paw. Frisk was still a little upset but took it anyway. Toriel was right, they could talk her around to being okay with Flowey later after she calmed down a little.

Flowey did not return until later that night, after Frisk had been sent to bed. Frisk was alerted to his presence by a tapping on their window followed by Chara shaking them and saying, "He's here! Flowey came back!" Frisk got out of bed and noticed Flowey hovering outside the window, his stem elongated to reach them on the second floor.

Frisk opened the window and Flowey asked, "Any luck with Toriel?"

"She still doesn't like you," Frisk sighed. "But she hasn't said I can't see you. I'm really sorry."

"Can't say I don't deserve it. I kiiiiinda had to get her to forgive me and betray her trust to get her to come after you. I would've been more delicate if I knew everything that would follow after it but, eh, hindsight."

"But I stole your mom!"

"Go ahead and have her, I wasn't using her." Flowey leaned his head in and looked through Frisk's room. "Not bad, not bad. You've gotten kinda comfortable, haven't you? Hey, what kind of life did you have on the surface before? I don't think you ever told me, but I get the feeling this is a pretty big step up for you."

Frisk laughed. "I'm really glad you're here. It's been busy, but I've been worrying about you. What made you decide to come up?"

"At first I wanted to stay Underground forever," he admitted. "But, it was awfully boring, waiting around in the Ruins. I… kinda made a mess of things on the last run, and of course that's the one that sticks. So I couldn't really go anywhere or do anything without running into people who remembered what I did. But, I found out something. Something I think I should warn you about." He leaned in closer and whispered, "I don't think Chara's totally gone."

The ghost over Frisk's shoulder yelped and covered their mouth. Frisk managed their poker face a bit better. "Really."

Flowey rolled his eyes. "You don't believe me. That's fine, believe what you want." He folded his leaves over each other like arms and put his back to Frisk. "But I know what I felt. There was something in the Underground. Some sort of… I dunno, presence came to see me. The same kind of presence I felt around you, the one that convinced me you were Chara. It was Chara, I'm sure of it."

"That wasn't me," Chara shook their head and waved their hands. "I've been here the whole time, you know I can't get away from you! And all the pieces of my soul are right here with me! I'm telling you Frisk, that wasn't me!"

Frisk internally grumbled how there was no way they could tell Flowey that without breaking the rule about not letting anyone know about Chara. Instead they pressed Flowey, "So what happened?"

Flowey turned, tentatively, as if testing Frisk's sincerity. Then, satisfied that they were genuinely curious, he said, "Not much. I got the feeling they wanted to come back. I told them to let go and let everyone be happy instead. Because the only way they could come back was by undoing everything. That was the scariest part. I could tell, just by feeling them, that they could Reset. You don't have that power, not anymore. And I think if they did, nobody would remember anything. Not me, not those skeletons, not even you. That's the kind of power they had."

Chara hugged themself and laughed, their eyes going black. "Of course," they said. "Of course that's what he would think of me. Heh heh, who knows, if I had that kind of power maybe a really would! Hee hee hee…"

Frisk, however, was focused on a different part of what he said. "So you know? That I don't have my powers anymore?"

"Relax," the flower said. "I'm not going to kill you. No point now; I don't want power and I'm tired of killing. It just doesn't have the same appeal anymore."

"If you did and took my soul maybe you'd get your Reset powers back." Frisk had to blink at their own words. What were they doing? Were they seriously trying to argue why Flowey should kill them?

"Oh, and what a wonderful day that would be!" Flowey said with a too-wide grin and a smarmy tone. "I could go back and make you redo your journey through the Underground! Or maybe I'll really luck out and start aaaaall the way back in Asgore's flower garden and get to do absolutely everything all over again!" Flowey's smile reversed into a deep grimace. "Yeah, no thanks. I'll take being bored over that."

Frisk laid their arms flat against the windowsill and rested their chin on their hands. "You've changed," they said. "You're not how you were before."

Flowey shrugged. "Don't get your hopes up. It's not like I have a soul or anything. I just can't be careless when I can't undo anything and I'm starting off with two strikes at best. This is my life now."

Frisk was struck once again by the unfairness of it all. Asriel was a good person, maybe one of the best people they had ever met. But what had doing the right thing ever gotten them? If that was the way it was going to be, if that was what the world had decided, they had a right and a duty to defy the ending handed to him. "But what if you could get back what you lost? What if you could, for real and forever?"

Flowey sighed deeply, averting his eyes. "Kindness like that is pretty cruel, Frisk. You're asking me to hope when there's no reason to, and to keep waiting for something to change when nothing can change for me. How long are you asking me to live like this?" He lifted his leaves to indicate himself. "What are you hoping to do?"

"Getting you your life back," Frisk said. "I have a plan and I think it will work." They opened their eyes. "Seven. I just need to get seven."

"Seven?" Flowey raised an eyebrow, then his eyes nearly bugged out of his floral disc. "Frisk, no! Don't you dare! That is the same dumb plan Chara talked me into, and so help me if there's one thing I'm not going to let you do it's follow in their footsteps!"

"It's not though!" Frisk insisted. "I'm not gonna kill anyone. I'm not stealing any souls, and I'm not… I won't hurt anyone. There's lot of good people in the world, lots of people who'll want to help monsters. And if I tell them what I need their soul for, and I ask them… they might let me have it when they die. Memember, when you got seven souls? You got back the power to love. So if we do it again, with people who know what's happening and who want to help you… it'll work, I know it will!"

Flowey turned their head to the side. "Seven volunteers, huh? That's your plan." He sighed deeply. "Geez, don't scare me like that. I thought for a second you had an idea you could actually accomplish."

They frowned. "Flowey…!"

"Look, Frisk, you're not going to find anyone who's gonna hand over their soul without you offering anything in return, let alone seven of them. You're wasting your time. But, you do you. So sure, you get seven souls, I'll absorb them and become Asriel again. Why not? Until then, I'm gonna be hanging out around town, you know, wherever. Be seeing you. Don't find me, I'll find you." With that he sunk back below the window, presumably into the earth far below.

As soon as he was gone Chara spoke up, "Frisk, that was a thought experiment. I wasn't actually planning on going and getting seven human souls!"

"You've had a month and a half," Frisk said. "Come up with anything else?" Chara sadly shook their head. "Then we'll work on this. If we come up with something better we'll do that instead. But we can't wait for a perfect plan. We have to do what we can now."

Chara closed their eyes and sighed. "Alright Frisk," they said, extending their hand for a shake. "One last deal. I'll help you in whatever way I can. If not for you, then for Asriel. We'll get him seven souls, let him feel again. So he can get back the life I stole from him."

Frisk shook their hand, pumping once. "And then we'll get you back too."

Chara averted their eyes. "… We'll see." It was not a flat denial. Progress.

AN: The next Arc will pick up at the end of December (in-story time). The one-shot stories A King Revisited, The Skeleton Mambo, and the present-day sequences of He Was Called "Friend" occur during the time skipped. If you have not read them already you may do so while waiting for the next chapter. But don't feel pressured to do so, they have no bearing on the plot of this story.