Undertale Fanfic: WHOLE-HEARTED HALF-SOULS
Authors: Myself and censorship
Prologue:
[Frisk walks into the underground throne room, passing by a clear entryway where the barrier used to be. He has come to visit a special someone…and to free them from themselves once and for all.]
Frisk: …Hello Asriel... been a while; nice to see you again.
[A flower turns around in response. It is Asriel; his soul bound to his Flowey form. A pleasant atmosphere begins to fill the room.]
Asriel: Howdy, Frisk. How is everyone since they left the underground? I'm sure they are enjoying themselves on the surface...
Frisk: They are! Things are great. Undyne and Alphys share a living space…which Undyne built herself in her own likeness of course!
[Frisk chuckles.]
Frisk: …and Alphys is still updating her science knowledge while teaching at the local school, Sans is a radio host, MTT is now a successful talk show host and actor, Papy is still Papy!
[Frisk laughs.]
Frisk: …and I'm living with Toriel. Things are great.
[Frisk pauses. His face carries a expression of pensiveness.]
Frisk: ...Although, I'm glad I'm able to visit you. Must be lonely down here, right? Has anyone else visited you in the past year since all the monsters have been freed from the underground?
Asriel: Well… Dad did...
[Asriel stares into the ground, a debris of dried plant parts where a bed of golden flowers once grew.]
Asriel: He wanted to come to the throne room again, to enjoy the flowers and sip a nice cup of golden flower tea. I think he got a shock when he saw me again, hehe. He was pleasantly surprised to see me again, though. I guess the shock was because I scared him at first, hehe.
Frisk: But… he doesn't know that you're actually... you, right? He never mentioned that to me… I thought that he thought you were long gone?
[Asriel beams.]
Asriel: Well, he recognized me. I also called out to him. He instantly knew my voice. As soon as he heard me, he was all [imitates Asgore's deep booming voice] Howdy... son?
Frisk: ...huh. Interesting. I'm just glad you kept your compassion after everything...that's good at least. Was your reunion good?
Asriel: It was!
[He recalls the past. As he does so, he lowers his gaze.]
Asriel: I told him, when he first found me that I did not have a soul… I could not feel the love that he and Mom were giving to me.
[His gaze remains lowered towards the ground.]
Asriel: I told him that I appreciated what they did for me, and that they tried to make me happy, even if I was a flower.
[His voice trembles a little]
Asriel: I'm just glad I was able to avoid being a rage-filled creature like I was in the past.
[Frisk takes a moment to breathe, and then slowly speaks]
Frisk: ...What if I told you that Alphys and I discovered a way to gain your real body back...that you don't have to be a flower anymore?
[Asriel is taken aback.]
Asriel: Frisk, I… when I had no soul, well… you know what I did. And I have said "sorry" for what I did then, but I'll say it again...
[Asriel's voice shakes]
Asriel: I am sorry for trying to kill you in the Underground...but now, I am no longer evil. Peace and prosperity will rule across the land...
Frisk: It's ok, Azzy...I've forgiven you, and I'm sure that they will too.
Asriel: ...Seems as if everyone is perfectly happy... even you, Frisk. If anyone asks, I would want to tell them, "Let Frisk live their life. So please. Just let them go." I only wish for your happiness and the happiness of others.
Frisk: I appreciate that, Azzy...but what makes you think that you can't regain your true body? I want you to have your body back, and everyone deserves a second chance. I don't want you to have to suffer with loneliness down here.
[Asriel considers, but remains skeptical.]
Asriel: This is the price I have to pay... for abusing the SAVE. I sure did that a lot. But now, I've changed… the idea of "resetting" everything... I... I don't think I could do it all again.
[Asriel's breaths become heavier.]
Asriel: I have changed, and for the better, but... this is the consequence that I have to live with. Me, being trapped in the underground, while MONSTERS have returned to the surface...such is irony. Cruel, but justified, irony. Me, who stole the SOULS and trapped everyone in the underground... now I'm the one who is trapped. Hehe
[Asriel's sad laugh trails off. Frisk stands there with a firm look on his face
Frisk: Owning up to your mistakes shows that you've repented. And besides, your old self, Flowey? He's dead, but both you and I know that Asriel is ALIVE. Look at how you are now! You're kind, considerate, loving… the Asriel I know is back. And everyone deserves a second chance... the monsters got a second chance... you deserve a second chance too.
Asriel: ...But it's what's best for everyone. I... I don't want to break their hearts all over again.
[Frisk stares at Asriel intensely]
Frisk: ...just hear me out. Maybe you'll change your mind. Nobody gets left behind, and that includes you. Both Alphys and I have given it a lot of thought – her more than me since I'm no scientist. But after she explained it to me... it made sense. [chuckles] So…here's my proposal…
[Asriel prepares to listen to Frisk's proposal]
Frisk: You are no longer soulless. This makes sense because you've changed... you're kind, and loving – you're not power hungry and destructive like Flowey was. Asriel's back, but in flower form. Yet, despite retaining your flower body, you keep your compassion, your love...your soul. You have love, but not LOVE. Make sense?
[Asriel nods while Frisk speaks.]
Frisk: Alright, so... if you were able to regain your love permanently just through my influence... and how you're still surviving even after your true body disintegrated to dust all those years ago... it shows that you're one of the only ones, one of the only monsters, who's determined enough to survive after all of your health depletes. You have determination... you know how Undyne refuses to give up, no matter what?
[Asriel continues to nod while Frisk continues to speak.]
Frisk: It's like that... but with you, too. You have DETERMINATION, which is rare for monsters, but it's significant enough for you. Besides… if you survived even in flower form…your high amount of determination is obvious.
[Asriel leans forward, closer to Frisk.]
Frisk: Now then – we know that your soul is back, at least to a degree… and since both you and I remember how you DID temporarily regain your true body during our fight all those months ago due to having enough soul energy... if you have enough powerful SOUL energy, your true body will be yours once more, and permanently as well. Think about this: my SOUL is the strongest this universe has ever seen...
[Frisk takes a pause to catch his breath. His body begins to tremble.]
Frisk: …if you were to take HALF of my soul, you should regain your true body. It all makes sense because you'll have enough soul energy to regain your true body once more, since you used it to regain your true body in our fight. Only my soul is able to redeem you completely, it seems. Our battle, our bonding afterward, how my soul refused to break apart, how you were able to get your body back, if only for a few hours after our fight… it makes sense. Take my soul, the strongest ever known to mankind… and you should be able to keep your body permanently. What do you think, Asriel?
[A long wind howls through the room, otherwise it would have been completely quiet.]
Frisk: Listen, please… you have too much built-in determination to lose your true body once this is finished.
[Frisk speaks a little more deliberately.]
Frisk: ...I'm not sure what the side-effects will be, to be honest. My lifespan may be cut in half. Perhaps my own soul loses half its strength. I won't be able to revive over and over and over again like in the underground, in our battle, more likely than not... but for you, Asriel…it's a risk I'm willing to take!
[Asriel begins to shed tears of joy.]
Asriel: ...Frisk... if I got my body back, would Mom and Dad be happy again? Will they be together again?
Frisk: Asriel...they'd be happier than EVER. But… I'm not sure if they'll ever get back together – Toriel and Sans have been dating and are really close now. But… if you were to come back, as your true self... it's more likely that they'll get along a little better, perhaps. And you don't need to worry about breaking everyone's hearts again... you're ALIVE. Flowey is dead. You just need your true body back.
Asriel: ...If I get my body back... I will be able to have Mom's butterscotch caramel pie. I will take a slice, and eat it, while listening to another of Mom's snail stories...
[Asriel continues to fondly reminisce.]
Asriel: Gardening and frolicking in the flower fields with Dad... weightlifting and spear-throwing with Undyne... making terrible puns with Sans... making spaghetti with Papyrus... doing science experiments with Dr. Alphys... having a spider donut with Muffet... running with the Monster Kid... listening to Gerson's war stories...
Frisk: Haha, yeah! Look at all these monsters you can bond with!
Asriel: ...and there's all the humans I can bond with, like you!
Frisk: And I'm sure they'll love you. I know Gerson knows who you are... he'd love to see the prince again. And I can tell you still know a little bit about many of the monsters, especially since you used their souls in our battle…
[Frisk stretches out his hand to Asriel's plant body]
Frisk: I have one question for you now – will you accept my proposal? Please, Azzy... come with me. Yeah, me and Asgore visit on occasion, but what about when we're not here? You deserve to see your family again... you deserve a second chance. Please... come with me, ok?
[Frisk stretches out his hand even further]
Asriel: On one condition.
Frisk: ...and what's that?
Asriel: I stay with you and we become brothers and we stay with Mom and we have butterscotch cinnamon pie and snail bedtime stories!
[Frisk smiles warmly at Asriel.]
Frisk: …We're already brothers, Asriel.
[Asriel's smile widens in response.]
Asriel: I'd hug you right now... but, no arms, remember? Hehehe… But with arms... I can give you the biggest, bestest hug!
Frisk: You will soon enough...
[Frisk braces himself for what is to come.]
Frisk: …now then…let's do this!
[Frisk reaches into his chest and gently rips out half of his soul. He then thrusts it – painfully yet strongly – into Asriel's flower form.]
Frisk: …
[Suddenly, an aura of bright light envelops Asriel, his body metamorphosizing into a familiar goat form. He looks at his hands, arms, fur, shirt, feet… Asriel looks up at Frisk and beams widely, both of them in overwhelming joy. Frisk comforts and hugs Asriel.]
Frisk: Welcome back, Asriel.
[Asriel tightly hugs Frisk back]
Asriel: You're the type of friend I wish I always had.
Frisk: I'm here for you, Azzy, and I'm nothing like Chara was. You don't have to worry about that – we'll be friends forever. I promise you that.
[Frisk continues to smile, but he grows weary]
Frisk: Ah, dang… I already feel the effects of giving up half my soul… but it's ok, I'll be fine – I'm just tired, much less determination than before, I guess.
[Frisk starts to sway. Asriel catches Frisk as he's falling]
Asriel: Frisk! Hold on to me, we'll make it out together!
Frisk: Hey… could you do me a huge favor? I'm… too tired to walk right now... could you… carry me out? I'll be fine... I didn't lose ALL of my soul... I'll be fine, yeah? Just gotta… get used… to this...
[Asriel frantically searches for a pulse in Frisk's heart as he collapses onto the ground. The goat kid eventually breathes a sigh of relief as he hears his heart still beating].
Asriel: You sure... are heavy... have you been... eating Temmie flakes a little too much lately?
[He struggles to pick up Frisk; slowly he carries Frisk on his back.]
Asriel: …Nah I'm only joking. I have the DETERMINATION TO CARRY YOU OUT OF HERE!
[Asriel is now filled with determination! He is able to carry Frisk out of Mt. Ebott, with some effort. He gazes up at the sky and setting sun, and sees the town...the fish house where Undyne lives, the human buildings...and a home very familiar-looking.]
Asriel: Wowie… look at the stars. Look how they shine… it's beautiful... what a wonderful world this is.
[He gets excited.]
Asriel: Frisk, the surface world is beautiful!
[Frisk is still asleep.]
Asriel: ...Frisk?
[Frisk does not respond. He is still asleep.]
Asriel: Well, I'm sure you're used to it by now… I'm sure you imagine pleasant nonsense... about the stars and the sky and the fresh air... that you see every day... Frisk...
[He pauses to look at Frisk again.]
Asriel: What would you want to do first? Well, once you awaken? ...I can't wait to experience all this world has to offer... and use this second chance... I won't take it for granted... thank you...
[He turns forward again.]
Asriel: Now then...let's get home.
[Asriel sees the familiar building and walks toward it. Down the hill, as he grows closer, it has decorations from the Ruins, but it's human-made.]
Asriel: I'm sure Mom and Dad and the other monsters would be happy to see us again.
[Asriel is at the door of the house. Two familiar voices are having a heated discussion in the kitchen. He puts his goat-ear to the door.]
Toriel: For the last time, I'm not taking you back Asgore! I'm going steady with Sans! Things are going well here.
[Asgore looks defeated.]
Asgore: ...Alright, I'll lay off.
Toriel: Will you, please? This is the third time you've brought me those blasted buttercup flowers this week!
Asgore: I understand. I'll leave you alone, ok? I'm sorry. I just want to make things right...
[Toriel gives a big sigh. As she does, Asriel and Frisk fall through the door.]
Asriel: …Mom? …Dad?
Toriel and Asgore: ...ASRIEL?!
[They both spot Frisk. Tears begin to well up in Asriel's eyes. He smiles warmly at them.]
Asriel: ...Hi, Mom... hi, Dad... it's nice to see you two again.
Toriel: My child! And…my other child!
[Asgore is bawling like a baby. The Dreemurr family warmly embraces.]
Asriel: Heh, hold on mom and dad... I need to put Frisk down, he's getting really heavy.
[Frisk is placed on the sofa. He remains in a state of deep sleep.]
Toriel: Oh heavens! Here my child, I'll put you to bed.
[Toriel takes care of Frisk. She cradles him in her arms and whisks him away to his room.]
Asriel: [thinking] I can't thank you enough Frisk... this is going to be my second chance... and I won't squander it... thank you. I'm filled with DETERMINATION... enough determination to live life to the fullest... and to be the best that I can be... for you.
[Asgore speaks up.]
Asgore: My son...would you like some tea?
Asriel: ...golden flower tea?
Asgore: Yes, your favorite! Let me run back to my home and get you some!
Asriel: Doesn't Mom have any...?
[I guess not.]
Asgore: Would you like anything else before I run out?! Let me get you whatever you need!
Asriel: …A hug!
[Asgore happily hugs his son.]
Asgore: I love you, my son. I'm so happy to see you again.
Asriel: Also, for you and Mom to be friends again.
[Asgore stares at Asriel. A calm yet anxious look appears on his face.]
Asgore: Well, my son... things may be rocky between her and I at the moment... but at least we're reunited – our family is reunited! That's all I want... I'm so happy you're ok. But, I'll do my best, my son… oh right! Let me go get you the tea!
[Asgore runs away to his house up the street. As he leaves, Toriel returns to hug Asriel. She begins to sob.]
Toriel: I'm so sorry...I feel like I can n-never forgive myself...i-is there anything I can do, my child? I'm so glad you're with us again...
[Asriel calmly chuckles]
Asriel: …Got any snail stories, Mom? I wanna hear about the rock that won the snail race!
[She smiles through her tears]
Toriel: "I'd love to, my child..."
[She walks over to the bookshelf, opens a book, and begins reading it to Asriel. He falls asleep a few moments later, on his mother's lap. All is well in the world.]