Asriel: I guess this could have went much better...but it certainly isn't too bad!

Fell!Undyne: The hell you talking about, this is terrible! Once again, the chapter name is garbage!

Fell!Alphys: I suppose with a few minor adjustments, this can be considered somewhat readable. But the probability of that happening is dreadfully low.

Red: Okay look! This chapter isn't the best, but it isn''t the worst. Can we just leave it at that?

Frisk: If it'll make the arguing stop, it's okay.

Fell!Papyrus: WHAT IS THIS PLACE?! WHERE THE HELL AM I?!

Fell!Toriel: Oh my goodness, not this again...

Chapter Start!


(Hotlands)

Asriel, Flowey, Frisk, and Toriel landed just a few feet in front of Alphys's Lab. Like always, the terrain was intense with heat because there was much boiling lava beneath them. Asriel and Toriel were the only ones no longer heavily affected by the heat, given how they've conditioned themselves to be used to such intense heat. They still sweat a bit, but they don't get hot to the point of passing out. Frisk however, his case may not be as simple. Human skin is still very sensitive to temperature changes.

Flowey looked for any signs of injury on any of them. To his relief, they were all mostly unharmed. But now...now they really had to keep Frisk safe. He can no longer see on his own, due to the flowers fully covering his eyes at this point. That, and they were now at the home and workplace of the Mad Scientist, Dr. Alphys.

Asriel turned his head to Flowey. "Alright. Different timeline, different Alphys. Can you tell us anything about this timeline's Alphys?"

"D-Dr. Alphys...I'm sure that you and Frisk know at least know half of what she's done based on what happened in your own timeline. She is the reason why I'm like this. A-And she's well aware that this is something that hurts me deeply...but she doesn't care. To her, I'm just another experiment that's both gone right and wrong. I couldn't serve my purpose, so she simply threw me aside."

"...Flowey..." Frisk said softly, facing the sound of his voice. Flower gently attached his vines to Frisk and climbed atop his shoulder. He sensed he was right next to his head, as he reached his hand out and gently petted his petals. The flower closed his eyes and leaned into the hand gently petting his petals.

"...Thanks for caring, Frisk. I really don't get a lot of that despite the timeline we're in."

"Well you should. Everyone should. I know everyone can become better than all of this." Frisk nodded. "But before we can prove that, we have to break that Barrier..." He sighed, lightly rubbing his neck. "This is going to be hard. Once we break the Barrier, then what?"

"First and foremost, we have to get Asgore to call off his declaration of war on humanity." Asriel said. It didn't matter if this wasn't his universe, war was never a good idea if it can be easily avoided. Though he had a distinct feeling that this version of Asgore would be much less willing to call off the war. Everyone is so willing to come to blows here, he didn't find it impossible for Asgore to be much more aggressive.

Toriel gently hugged Frisk closer to her bosom as she looked up towards the lab. "Shall we proceed?"

"I'll go first." Asriel said as he moved through the sliding doors, with Flowey serving as Frisk's seeing eye flower. Toriel cautiously sets Frisk down as she enters the Lab last, the doors closing behind them and sealing them in darkness. She raised a paw and a ball of blue fire illuminated the room.

Asriel took hold of Frisk's hand as they moved through the lab. "Asriel. Is there anything different about her Lab?" Frisk said, being unable to see.

"Other than the room being significantly darker, I don't see much different about her lab. I see notes, her refrigerator, dog bowls, opened noodle packs, cupcake wrappers..." He blinked. "She must really like cupcakes..."

"I do smell cupcakes in here..." Frisk said after smelling the room a bit.

Soon enough, Alphys slowly emerged from the darkness, glasses shining. "You got past Papyrus, and you got past Undyne. I must say, your tenacity is admirable...and irritating."

"Alphys...we don't want any trouble..." Frisk said quietly.

"Ah. It's too late for that. You're human. There's going to be trouble whether we like it or not." Alphys declared. "Like I mentioned before, I'm rather interested in you. Just what is so special about this particular human that Sans is willing to go against his brother to keep it safe?" She shook her head. "I was never able to accurately analyze how he thinks. It makes him one of my more annoying companions."

"...You don't like Sans very much, do you?" Asriel asked curiously.

"Whatever gave you that idea?" Alphys mumbled, slightly hissing angrily at the mention of him. "...Anyway, now that you're here, I can finally satisfy that curious itch of mind the moment I saw you two. Now, I'll need a sample from both Asriel and Flowey."

"How do you-OUCH!" Asriel was beginning to ask, but Alphys leaned in and plucked some of his fur from his body.

"W-Wait! I don't think we-OW!" Flowey protested, but yelped in pain as she also plucked one of his petals from his flower body. He quickly regrows it, panting tiredly.

"Thank you for your contribution, boys." Alphys said sweetly. She then turned her gaze over to a machine on her right. Placing Asriel's fur in one petri dish, and a piece of Flowey's petals in another. "Well, I've got what I wanted. You lot can go ahead and leave me to my work."

Asriel blinked. "Wait...you're just letting us go?"

"I'm a scientist, not a fighter. And even if I did try to capture you myself..really. My chances of victory are rather miniscule." Alphys said, not looking back at them. "Besides, I don't think this is something Queen Toriel wishes to hear right now. I don't want to burn to a crisp."

Toriel narrowed her eyes. "Is there something you're not telling me, Dr. Alphys?"

"Something that I want to tell you at this exact moment? No, not really." She retorted. "Seriously, I need to work in somewhat peace, so you might want to get going. Queen Toriel...King Asgore has been informed that you were coming. I'm sure he'll be very interested in seeing you."

"You told him I left the Ruins!?"

"No. I told Undyne, who told Asgore. It's a bit different from that." Alphys shrugged. "You'll know more when I'm ready to tell you. Not a second before."

"What else did you disclose?"

"I believe I've said enough to you for the time being. Now I know Asriel still has enough stamina to teleport. How about you do that and leave me to my work?" Seeing that the Royal Scientist was not going to cooperate any longer, Asriel sighed as he concentrated and warped everyone out of the lab.

Alphys was focused on the petri dishes, inserting them into the machine she stood in front of. Typing a short sequence of numbers, she looked upon the screen with interest. Her eyes widened slowly. "Amazing. The dust particles of Asriel Dreemurr attached to Flowey, as well as the magic residue from the other Asriel...it's unbelievable. They're both the real Asriel! Same genetic codes, same magical makeup, same age and body! The only things of significant difference is that the other Asriel is not a flower anymore. And if he's not a flower anymore, then he's not of this world! Not just any clone! Simply...a different version of him, due to contrasting experiences..."

Suddenly, much of Sans actions began making a bit more sense. This alternate Asriel, and the human and canine he traveled here with, must have something important on them that Sans was willing to risk everything to protect. It would also explain why Toriel has come out of hiding. There were very few other reasons why she would leave the Ruins. She's grown to care for the alternate version of her son. She didn't care about the small details. He looks like her Asriel, just like Frisk looks like Chara. Hotland would sooner freeze over than Toriel letting those two die.

Alphys's glasses shined white again as she looked towards the camera that viewed Snowdin. Sans and Papyrus were locked in a fierce and personal battle. Sans was using this opportunity to get back at his brother for all the mistreatment he's been out through. Whatever Sans was fighting for, it surely built up his courage.

But what was the purpose? What was the catalyst? Why, Sans? WHY?!

Alphys hated not knowing things.

(Snowdin)

The citizens of Snowdin have wisely decided to run and duck for cover because of the intende battle taking place. Sparks of red magic crackled all over the town, red splintered bones sticking into the snow and into a couple buildings, as well as narrowly missing a couple of the citizens themselves. Some peaked behind walls, others behind windows. But one thing was for certain...never in many years could they have predicted something like this.

Sans has snapped. He's found the courage to stand up to his tyrannical brother, and was fully intent on humbling him. Since there was no way his brother was going to listen to reason, he'll do it by force, if that's what it took.

Papyrus was pushed back as Sans turned his soul blue. Eyes narrowed dangerously, razor sharp bones manifested above him and shot towards Sans. The latter easily dodges a majority of them by simply moving to the side or warping out of the way completely. Sans cackled darkly.

"tis' that all you've got, bro? you haven't even dealt a single blow."

"ANNOYING BROTHER!" Papyrus shouted as a Gaster Blaster discharged on his left, firing straight at Sans. He once again warped out of the way, sending a flurry of smaller bones into Papyrus's midsection.

"ah yes, the insults." Sans noted with another casual shrug. "bro, when are you simply gonna accept that you're all bark and no bite? oh wait...you've got plenty of bite. it's just not as bad as mine."

Papyrus snarled. A sharper bone formed in his hand as he rushed towards Sans and slashed at him with an overhead strike. Sans dodged to the right and used a blunt bone attack to lightly bash Papyrus's skull, forcing him to step back. Once he was unbalanced, Sans turned his soul blue and pushed him back, sending him tumbling across the snow. Sans tucked his hands in his pockets and snickered.

"taking a bit of a tumble, bro? ya looked pretty steamed."

"SANS!" Papyrus shouted as he bursts out from the snow with a serious death glare. "I WILL NOT BE HUMILIATED BY THE LIKES OF MY NO-GOOD WORTHLESS BROTHER!"

Sans was less than impressed. "ya know pap...i've been thinkin'. if you think i'm so worthless, why exactly haven't you tried to dust me before now?"

"I DONT HAVE TO ANSWER TO YOU!" Sans acknowledges Papyrus ever-growling hostile tone. Like he said, Papyrus was becoming all bark and no bite. He didn't have enough bite to back up his bark. Sans however, has more than enough bite to collaborate with his bark. "THIS INSUBORDINATION SHALL NOT STAND, SANS! More Gaster Blasters manifested over his head and fired at Sans simultaneously. Sans warped out of the way once again, the blasts picking up a majority of the snow.

Sans shrugged. "i'm still standin'. and you're still a lousy shot. lemme show ya how it's done." A Gaster Blaster formed behind Sans as he casually steps to the side. It discharges at Papyrus with devastating force. The younger skeleton had to raise a sturdy wall of bones to even try to defend himself against the onslaught. Sans simply pushed his hand outward, a powerful telekinetic push decimating the bones and pushing Papyrus further back, until he hits a tree back-first.

"anyway, bro...ya still haven't answered my question." Sans said as he kept walking towards Papyrus. "if i am such a worthless brother...how come you haven't dusted me? am i not worth the effort. don't wanna dirty your precious battle body with my dust? or is it because ya don't have the guts to kill me? or is it because ya know you can't do it?"

"DON'T SPOUT SUCH NONSENSE TO ME, SANS! I'VE MADE IT CLEAR TO EVERYONE ALREADY!" Papyrus stands in defiance. "I'VE ALREADY TOLD YOU, ANYONE WHO STANDS AGAINST ME WILL FACE HARSH RETRIBUTION! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S BEEN SUPPORTING THE KILL OR BE KILLED MANTRA! NO ONE IS EXEMPT FROM IT, NOT EVEN YOU!" His hand thrusts forward as Sans' soul turned blue, and he swiped his hand to the side. The shorter skeleton flew with the same motions, but was able to stop himself by having a Gaster Blaster stop him from flying, and he shot multiple bones towards Papyrus, then a blast of his own from the same blaster. Papyrus deflected the bones with his bone staff and moved out of the way of the blast.

"quit dodging the question." Sans said, his frown lessening. "ya may have smacked me around a couple times and even gave me a few good jabs. but you've never went farther than that. would you really be so gentle with me compared to other monsters, if you thought so little of me?" Sans cocked his head to the side.

Papyrus faltered, just slightly. "THAT...THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU."

"now you're just bein' stubborn, bro. this subject is pretty much about the two of us, so i'm pretty sure it has something to do with me." He sighed as Papyrus summoned another Gaster Blaster over his shoulder. "okay, i might as well once again show you how things work." Sans summoned his own Gaster Blaster. Just one. He raised his hand as the Blaster opens it's maw, and fired quickly before Papyrus could fire his own. The blasts cuts clean through Papyrus's blaster, causing it to explode and push Papyrus back against the snow.

The taller skeleton coughed as he got up on his knees. Sans stood right in front of him, hands in his pockets, as his Gaster Blaster levitated by his side. Papyrus thought that he was finally going to claim his revenge.

"...SO THE TIME HAS COME? YOU'VE FINALLY STEPPED UP AND DECIDED TO TAKE CHARGE? YOU'RE BITING THE HAND THAT'S FED YOU, BECAUSE YOU WERE TOO LAZY TO DO IT YOURSELF FOR A MAJORITY OF OUR LIVES TOGETHER." Papyrus stated. "...YOU ARE NO LONGER A WEAKLING, SANS. YOU'VE STOOD YOUR GROUND AGAINST ME, AND ACTUALLY MANAGED TO DEFEAT ME. NOW...END IT. YOU DESERVE THIS SORT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT, BECAUSE YOU HAVE VERY FEW TO BOAST OF THAT ACTUALLY HAS MEANING."

he wants me to end this battle? so be it. Sans grinned as his Gaster Blaster neared Papyrus. Thinking that it was either a bite or a point-blank blast, Papyrus just shuts his eye sockets and awaits the end. The Blaster opens it's maw and...

...promptly licks Papyrus's face while purring softly. He jumped a bit from the shock.

"...EH?"

"my gaster blasters aren't just a powerful weapon. they may disappear in and out, but they're still livin' creatures, not just tools. more than that. they're also highly influenced by my emotions. i bet you can guess what i'm feelin' right now?" Sans said, his grin becoming more relaxed as he gently pets the blasters snout.

"I...I DON'T UNDERSTAND..."

"what? didja think i was gonna dust my own brother? i'm not THAT much of an asshole." Sans winked playfully. "you treated me like shit for a long time because you thought i was too weak to defend myself, you wanted to protect me. but as you can see, i can manage just fine. i do appreciate the thought, though. i'm sparing ya. take the time to cool off, kay?" Sans turned and began walking away towards Waterfall, his Blaster following him. "oh. and as for that 'kill or be killed' mantra..." He shrugged. "i don't really believe in it anymore."

Papyrus was in complete and utter awe at what just transpired. Sans has bested him, rather easily. And despite clearly having the power to take revenge for his abuse, he simply shrugs it off and walks away? He was left to his own devices, currently thinking about how much Sans has changed.

Out of earshot, Sans moved his scarf and grabbed his necklace a bit, grinning with relief that he didn't need to go all-out on his brother. Now he just needed to catch up with the others.

(Waterfall)

Undyne was gripping her spear tightly as she glared hard at Red, her grin wide and sharp.

"Fuhuhu...you're no ordinary pup, are ya?"

"I guess you can say that." Red said, the Royal Guardians levitating on her sides. "I know what these things are called. But I have no idea where they're from or how I'm able to summon them. Right now, they're just the support I needed to fight you, since my fighting experience is still in development."

"Well, that doesn't matter too much to me. A fight's a fight. And I've been itching for a good one for a long time now." Undyne grinned madly. "You'd better make this wasted time worth it, pup. I have a human to hunt down."

"That human is my friend. And I have to say that I'm not really a fan of him getting killed at your hands. It would be too jarring. So, if you want that human, you'll have to go through me."

"I'm fine with that!"

Another red spear manifested in Undyne's hands, her eyes turning slitted. Red sniffed the air around her, and blinked. Huh. Smells like fishsticks and bloodlust. Lots of bloodlust. Yep. I'm in trouble. She clenched tightly on her sword. But if she gets past me the way she is now...

There's no more time for her to think this over. Undyne threw a red spear towards Red with much speed and force. It surprised her for a moment, she was just barely able to reflect it with a swift sword slash. It pushed her back a couple feet before she eventually stopped. That was much more forceful than I expected! Oh wait, unlike the other Undyne, she's not going easy on me! Another spear sped in her direction. She was better prepared, and managed to deflect the spear to the side just barely.

"So. There IS a bit of bite to go with your bark. I REALLY like that!"

Red looked towards the Royal Guardians, who seemed to be stationary. She sweatdropped. Ooooookay...I remember I can summon these things...though remembering how to USE them might-OH DOG BISCUITS!

Undyne threw five spears towards Red, making her backflip a couple times to avoid all five of them. A sxith one shoots just past her ear, slicing off a bit of her fur. The mermaid grinned as she pursued the canine, running past the Royal Guardians. "What's the matter, pup?! Aren't ya gonna use your new toys?!"

I would if I remembered how! Red mentally shouted frantically. Undyne grabbed her spear and thrusts it downward, leaving Red just barely avoiding it before she was kicked aside, rolling across the ground. She gasped as she held her side in pain. Okay...don't let her get physical. Like, at all. Because that HURTS! She leapt upward as a red spear drills into the ground where she was just lying. She needed to get those Royal Guardians to listen to her or this fight would be painfully short. Emphasis on painfully.

"And here I was saying that you had some bark to back up your bite! You're disappointing me, Pup!" Undyne frowned. "And I HATE being disappointed!"

Ten more spears manifested over her head as she shoots them one at a time instead of all at once. Red dodges one with a side jump, dodging another with a backflip, the third one with a front flip, the forth and fifth one she ducked under, the sixth and seventh one she deflected with her sword. The last three shot towards her simultaneously as she was swinging, leaving her open. She moved just enough that the spears didn't pierce her body, but they still gave her nasty cuts alongisde her face, left arm, and right leg.

She winced as she collapsed to one knee, holding her arm as her sword dissipated. Crap...I'm not gonna last long like this. She's absolutely relentless...

"Hmph. And you thought you were gonna bar my way to the human. Pathetic." Undyne spat as another crimson spear manifested in her hand. "You were nothing like I expected. I thought I would actually break a sweat, but I was wrong. Now...I'm going to put you down." She raised her spear over her head.

Red panted in exhaustion. This is not working out like I hoped. I need to even things out NOW! She closed her eyes tightly. Royal Guardians! I don't know what happened that made me sorta lose my connection to you, but I need your help! I'm pretty sure Royal Guardians are supposed to Guard Royalty, but you can't do that without someone to direct you! Red lifted her paw. You're Royal Guardians, right? Well Asriel is Royalty, and I just assured him that I would be fine! Don't make me out as a lier!

The Royal Guardians heeded Red's plea. They appeared by her side in a blink. The eyes of both Royal Guardians turned cyan for a couple moments, before a cyan magic pulse sounded from the both of them. The blue blast pushed Undyne back before she could deal the killing blow. She skidded across the ground before stopping herself by jabbing her spear in the ground.

"Damn...those things pack a punch..."

"Close combat, you'll surely kick my tail. So if you don't mind, I'm gonna do this long-distance. Kay, thanks!" Red smiled as magic bombs manifested in both of her paws, and the tossed them towards Undyne. The mermaid through spears straight through the bombs, detonating them before they could reach her. Though this left her open as chakrams sliced through the fog, and she was just barely able to avoid having her fin sliced off. This left her open AGAIN, as one of the Royal Guardians sent an orange laser her way while she was moving, striking her in the chest and making her lose her balance.

Red didn't let up. One Royal Guardian glowed bright purple and sent multiple orbs of purple energy straight towards her opponent. Undyne stood her ground ready to knock them aside. That is until the other one glowed red and began shooting a higher number smaller orbs of energy towards her. Her eye widened as the much faster red orbs struck her first, distracting her long enough to be struck by the larger purple orbs. Loud hisses of pain slipped through her teeth as she tried to stand her ground. Speaking of the ground, more magic bombs were thrown at her feet, and they exploded at the same time. Undyne couldn't keep her balance anymore, and was sent flying into a wall, and collapses onto the ground, her spears dissipating. She grunted a bit, getting up on one knee.

Red already had her sword trained on her remaining eye.

"...Fuhuhu...how humiliating..." Undyne muttered. "I lost to a mere pup...pathetic. King Asgore will be ashamed of me."

"I'm not some mere pup, Undyne. And you're more than some knight for Asgore." Red responded.

"Tch, what do you know?" Undyne huffed. "You're just a pup. You don't know anything about this world. Asgore has decided that this world is 'Kill Or Be Killed'. That's the way it's always been."

Red tilted her head. "Yeah, I gotta say. That mantra is not very well liked as you think it might be.

"i agree with the pup." Sans said as he appeared in a flash of crimson.

"Wait, Sans?! How the hell did you get past Papyrus?!"

"he's chillin out in snowdin. heh." Sans shrugged. "anyway, this is turning out to be a pretty deep subject. let's discuss it...at the lab."

"Wait wha-" Sans didn't let her finish, he simply teleported the three out of Waterfall.

(Hotlands)

"yo, alph!" Sans said right when they entered Alphys's Lab. The Royal Scientisr turned towards the him with a calculated eye, but was rather surprised to see Undyne and Red with him.

"W-What?! What's going on here?!" Alphys said frantically.

"here's the gist of it. you." He pointed towards Alphys. "and her." Then he pointed to Undyne. "need to have a talk that's been prolonged for too long."

"What the hell...?"

"He means your relationship." Red added.

"Ugh! We don't have time for this bullshit, Sans! I'm going after the Human!" Undyne said as she turned for the doors. Sans quickly raised a wall of bones in front of said door, as well as a Gaster Blaster snarling at her.

"neither of you are leaving until you sit down and talk this out." Sans reinforced.

"SANS! You skeletal bastard! Let us out!"

"nope."

"SANS!"

"nope."

"GODAMMIT SANS!"

"nah. i'm comic sans."

"GRAAAAGH!"

Alphys sighed. "He seems pretty intent on this. If we are to make this proceed quicker, we should do what he says."

"glad ya see it my way."

Alphys sits on a wheeled stool and folded her arms. "So, Sans. What do you wish for us to spesk about that requires thst we waste time we could have been spending towards gaining the human's soul?"

"that right there." Sans pointed out. "human soul this. human soul that. it's like no one down here has a life outside of gaining the last human soul." Sans shrugged. "so honestly, i'm not playn' that schtick anymore. i've got my own life."

"Oh really? Does that include how you're helping beings from a world parallel to our own?" Alphys questioned.

"i saw a way to finally put am end to these damned regulations. i was gonna take it." Sans declared, holding his necklace tightly. He closed his eyes sockets. "and i know that you two hate these things just as much as i do. its taken up all of your time together, and ya can't stand it. yet you keep puttin' business first."

"What are you insinuating?"

"sooner or later, one of you is going to say those dreaded two words that's sure to break you two apart." Sans paused. "and those words are...'what relationship?'"

"Bullshit!" Undyne's eye became slitted, gritting her teeth.

"You're speaking nonsense!" Alphys shouted, losing her composure.

"wanna bet? when was the last time you two have spend some actual, genuine, time together?" Alphys and Undyne looked at one another, trying to think of the last time they actually interacted face-to-face. Their eyes slowly grew large in realization. Sans nodded. "didn't think so. you both are so intent on achieving the key to our freedom and looking towards a bright future together, that you're neglecting that the time you spend together in the present is just as important. if you can't maintain your relationship in the present, then getting to the surface will no longer matter to either of you, will it?"

Undyne and Alphys continued staring at one another as understanding sunk in. Sans was relentless with his words...but he was right. They were far too intent with doing their jobs, waiting for something that most likely would have never come. And as that time passed, and they grew more anxious about getting back to the surface, the time they spent together dwindled to mere phone calls and not even seeing each others faces.

Without their knowing it...they've become distant.

Undyne's eye lowered sadly. "Alphys...is...is the bonehead actually right about this...about us?"

"As much as I'd hate to admit to Sans being right about something, especially about something like this...I have to concede." The lizard sighed, grasping her chest. "We're so focused on progressing on our future together, after the Barrier is destroyed...but what would be the point, if the time we spend together in the present has been reduced to nothing?!"

Undyne rubbed her arm. "Hell...we've spent too much time apart. We kept making plans to get together...but every time we get so close, something is always coming up! Either it's Royal Guard stuff or Royal Scientist stuff! I'm sick of it!"

"As am I. As devoted as we are to our positions...I find the personal cost to be highly displeasing." Alphys then turned to Red. "You. You're from the alternate world like the others. What...what are we like...?"

Red held her chin, her tail wagging softly as she recalled what she was told. "From what Asriel told me...after the Barrier was destroyed, you both quit your original jobs so that you two could spend more time with each other."

Both of them were taken aback by this. "We...we quit our jobs? We just dropped them like that? Why?" Undyne asked.

"Because you both decided that your time together meant so much more to you than jobs that don't make you happy, and caused you a lot of pain. You both still like helping others, but on your own terms, without the stress of your jobs keeping you apart." Red smiled. "Now you both live in the same house on the Surface, cuddle constantly, and watch all the anime and read all the manga that you want." Truthfully, Red doesn't know much about either, just that they enjoyed those things.

Once again, Undyne and Alphys looked at one another, blushing slightly. The former awkwardly played around with her hair, while the the latter fiddled with her skirt a little. They didn't seem to know what to say. Thought a gentle nudge from one of Sans Gaster Blasters made Alphys trip forward. Undyne got on her knees and quickly caught her, holding her in her arms as they looked into each other's eyes. Alphys's swirled glasses grew foggy as a blush overtook her face, while Undyne's blue face grew a blush of her own.

Undyne found the courage to speak. "So...um...those other versions of us...they actually had the guts to quit their jobs..."

"Because they found their love for each other to be far more valuable to them..." Alphys finished. "Though can we really do the same...? What about the Barrier...and Asgore?"

"let me worry about those things. you two worry about yourselves." Sans insisted.

Alphys turned to Undyne again, wondering what to say. There was so much she didn't take into account, so many things she wanted to know but didn't. She knew what Sans was up to, and she was ashamed to say that it's working. As she thought about this, she looked into Undyne's eye once again as they held one another. It really has been too long. She can't even remember the last time they embraced like this. Making her decision, Alphys took off her swirled glasses and out them in her pocket. Her crimson, slitted eyes were now visible.

...Fuck it.

Putting all rational thoughts aside, Alphys pulled Undyne by the chin and kissed her with much passion and vigor. Undyne was a bit taken aback, but she easily caught up and kissed back, fully wrapping her around the lizard's waist. Said lizard's tail was wagging softly in pleasure. It was such a cute moment.

Then Alphys bit Undyne's lip. Hard.

The mermaid pulled back quickly in shock. Alphys wasn't at all regretful of her actions. If anything, she seemed very pleased with Undyne's reaction, watching as a line of blood ran down Undyne's chin where she bit her. Undyne was again able to recover again, and grinned ecstatically as Alphys leaned in and licked the blood away herself.

"Hm. This is good. I haven't sampled your blood in so long~"

"Hell yes..." The mermaid pulls Alphys by her lab coat as the latter cups her chin, and they kissed again, completely oblivious to the world around them. Alphys's tail now wagged more excitedly than before, as she stroked Undyne's crimson hair.

Red smiled nervously. It's cute! In it's own sadistic way...

Sans grinned. This was such a wonderful moment that he had helped set up...time to ruin it for his own amusement.

"and i now pronounce you two: fish bitch, and fat bitch!"

"FUCK YOU SANS!" They both shouted at him simultaneously, and in true anime-like fashion. Sans just stuffed his hands in his pockets and cackled wildly. Red facepawed. He just couldn't help himself, could he? "I knew he would say more shit, I just KNEW it!" Alphys folded her arms. "You've got some nerve, calling ME the fat one."

"big-boned. totally different. you're just flat-out chubby."

Undyne rolled her eye. "He's just being an asshole, Alphys. We knew he would do this." She grinned as she hugged Alphys closer. "But that doesn't matter. I've got the hot mad scientist. Fuhuhuhu!"

Alphys grinned. "Indeed."

"Besides...I've got nothing against your physique. If anything, it makes you more fun to cuddle." Undyne grinned. "Not to mention, what I can fondle..." Alphys blushed brightly, adjusting her lab coat so that she covered her chest, as well as her rear.

Alphys cleared her throat. "W-Well. We've gotten that out of the way. Sans...what do you plan to do about the Barrier? Asgore?"

Sans shrugged. "like i said. let ME worry about that. pup, let's move." He turned as the bones and Gaster Blasters disappeared, walking through the doors with Red following him.

"Another thing...why? You've changed so drastically in such short time...I find it truly baffling. Please tell me how and why this happened?"

Sans didn't stop, but his grin grew softer. "how and why, eh? if things go well, then you'll know soon enough."

that's five out of six, sweetheart. including myself. now all that's left is asgore...and boy, why do i feel like that encounter is gonna be hell?

(New Home)

Asriel and the others suddenly appeared in the deeper parts of New Home, managing to land on their feet. Or in Flowey's case, he just kept hanging onto Frisk. Asriel panted slightly as he forced himself not to fall over. It took him a couple moments to recover before he straightened himself out again.

"Okay...this is pretty far ahead, isn't it?" Asriel asked.

"It really is. We completely overshot MTT Resort and the Core." Flowey noted, looking around a bit to see that the surrounding areas were beginning to appear gray. "Anyway , it's not like we actually have time for dealing with all of those monsters AND Mettaton. Frisk's time is highly limited."

Toriel placed her paw on Frisk's forehead, which was also covered by flowers along with his eyes, making it look like a flower crown. She frowned with concern. "The flower is right. Frisk is getting worse with much of this prolonged time. I do not know what you plan to do to help him, Asriel, but I do hope we can do so quickly." She said as she removed her paw. "No monsters will dare strike at me. Follow me through New Home, children." With this, Toriel turns and leads the way.

Asriel gently grabs hold of Frisk's hand and leads him along. His concern grows as he feels his brother wobble a bit without his own accord. Then he sees the flowers on his legs. He's not going to be able to walk on his own at this rate... He's reminded of how Chara died the very first time, poisoning himself with the golden buttercups, and how he watched helplessly as the life slowly left his body. Now, he was watching golden flowers bloom over Frisk's body, draining the life out of him in a very similar way. Both cases, he was completely powerless to do anything to help, other than watch. At least this time, there was a way. He stopped a bit as he turned around and faced Frisk. "We're going to save you, Frisk. Just hold on a little longer for me, okay?"

"I'm fine, Asriel. Very woozy and dizzy, but fine..." Frisk said slowly, looking in the direction of Asriel's voice. "We're going to make it. I'm not going anywhere..."

Asriel stared worriedly. He could sense that with every flower that gradually blooms on Frisk's body, his magic gets more difficult to sense. Even his Determination was beginning to greatly wane. And yet the human boy was still doing his best to smile and reassure Asriel that everything would be alright. He was thinking this, even as theh passed through the golden light of the Judgement Hall.

"...I know we are. I'm just worried..." He muttered as he held Frisk's hand continued walking. Then he whispered so Toriel didn't hear: "I've already lost Chara in a slow and painful death because of the buttercups and I had to watch every moment of it, completely powerless and full of regret. I don't want to go through that again with those same flowers. Not with you, Frisk."

Frisk understands how devastated Asriel would be if he allowed him to perish because of the same buttercups that Chara killed himself with in his very first life. And he understood how desparate he was to not let that happen again in similar circumstances.

"Children. We grow closer." Toriel forewarned them. Asriel and Frisk nodded readily, while Flowey whimpered. She sensed two magic sources appear behind her, and turned to see Sans and Red. "Sans and Red. You both are alright and well?"

"we've hit a couple speedbumps." Sans shrugged.

"Red, how much did Undyne hurt you? Are you alright?!" Asriel asked with worry as Toriel was already getting to healing the damage she currently had.

"She didn't hurt me enough to put me out of commission, that's for sure." Red huffed, though her look softened when she sees the genuine immense concern Asriel had for her. "Asriel...I'm fine. Really. Nothing I can't walk off."

Asriel looked towards Frisk, then towards Red, and back towards Frisk again. "Red...I need you and Flowey to stay here and guard Frisk for me. Please." The way Frisk was now, confronting Asgore with him would be the worst thing they could do. Frisk won't even be able to shield himself because his soul has gotten weaker. He wouldn't risk that.

"Me...?" Flowey said a bit nervously. Asriel nodded in confirmation. With a nervous nod, he wrapped himself around Frisk a bit more and began gently applying he and Red friendliness pellets.

Sans was most supportive of Asriel's choice. Asgore was not one who could be talked down, not this universe's version of him. Frisk being there would just serve more as a serious detriment than a benefit. They'll bring him before the Barrier AFTER Asgore's been defeated. Without another word, Asriel, Toriel, and Sans proceeded forward to Asgore's Throne Room.

Frisk, Flowey, and Red were left in the Judgement Hall, the latter two having been assigned to guarding the former. Frisk just sits on the ground quietly, doing his best not to remain unconscious.

...he suddenly lifted his head up. The three of them weren't alone. "Who's there...?"

"...So you CAN sense me. That makes things muuuuuch easier."

Frisk tried to focus whatever magic he had left into sensing who was speaking to him. He gasped as the Soul he sensed was very familiar. The Soul was present, but it had no body. And somehow it has eluded everyone's attention for many years, and for many constant Resets. He did his best to paint a mental picture of the Soul he sensed, since he couldn't use his eyes. He could make out the chocolate brown hair, the rosy cheeks, the green sweater with a yellow stripe, and the crimson eyes. The only thing totally different, was the brown skirt.

"No way...Chara?"

"Bingo, Frisky. Or at least, a different version of Frisk...er...whatever. Either way, while our friends are busy keeping King Dad at bay, you and I need to talk."

(The Barrier)

King Asgore stood before the Barrier, patiently awaiting for the intruders to appear before him.

This version of Asgore was much unlike his classic counterpart. His hair and beard were not golden, but pitch black. His horns were razor sharp, as well as his fangs. His armor as pitch black, while his cape was blood red like his eyes. His black trident stood by his side as he held it woth his left paw, which had it's claws completely unsheathed. The aura around him was immense, powerful, filled with supreme dominance and demanded submission from all who stood before him. The expression he wore was definitely one worthy of a conqueror.

...But the two Heart Lockets hanging loosely around his neck proved that he was far from being a completely cold-blooded conqueror.

Soon enough, as he expected, the first one to come through was his banished Queen, Toriel. Then came the imitiation of his son, Asriel. And finally came the Lazy Skeleton, Sans, who's more rhan he let's on.

His gaze lands squarely on Toriel first. "Toriel...my Queen. And here I thought you'd still be at the Ruins. Where you were meant to stay."

"I cannot live there alone anymore, Asgore. I just can't." Toriel shook her head. "You can't force me to stay in those accursed Ruins all by myself while my sins continues to haunt me when I'm awake AND when I'm in slumber!" She shouted angrily. "You have just as much to be guilty for as I did, yet you forced ME ro take the fall! Almost everyone turned agaisnt me!"

Asgore's eyes narrowed. "It is exactly what you deserve, considering your failure from long ago."

"How is it just MY failure? Chara and Asriel were OUR children, Asgore! We both failed at keeping them safe! Yet you were so angry that you sent me away to deal with my demons all by myself! How could you leave me to rot like that?!" She said while tightly clutching the red scarf around her neck. "We were supposed to get through this together...we were supposed to be a family...we allowed ourselves to be torn apart..." Toriel shook her head. "Asgore...cease this madness. We can still try to preserve whatever memories we have of them. You and I can still be together and begin anew. We can't allow the family to completely tear itself apart!"

Asgore breathed out, smoke emitting from his nostrils. "I know. And you must also know that is the reason why I shall do what I must to avenge them. Our family is eternally shattered. Both of our children have perished under our vigilance and it's haunted me for years, just as much as it haunted you. I shall avenge them. I shall avenge them both, and I shall see the humans burn!"

"You mustn't!" Toriel shook her head. "You can't restart this war! Not only is it a war we're incapable of winning, but it's not what our children would have wanted!"

"DON'T SPEAK TO ME ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE WANTED!" Toriel was unfazed by Asgore's furious roar. "They had hopes. They had dreams. They WERE our Hopes and Dreams! The humans took those hopes and dreams and turned them into dust, along with our son! You cannot expect me to forgive them for such insidious action!"

"It's not like we're any better! Our Kill or Be Killed mindset has turned into complete savages, just like they imagined us to be!"

"What the humans think of us is of no concern to me." Asgore clutched tightly onto his Trident. "I shall not kill you, Toriel. You're the only one I have left. However, this time I shall make sure you can never run away from your banishment again. But Sans...your treachery has been acknowledged, and will not be forgiven."

"i figured as much." Sans shrugged.

"And as for you...the one who dared to impersonate my late son..." Asgore snarled viciously as he turned his trident on his alternate son, something he was unaware of. "For your despicable mockery of the Dreemurr Family name, I shall have you personally executed."

Asriel somewhat saw this coming. It just wouldn't do to try to convince Asgore otherwise. Not with how furious he was at the mere sight of the smaller child. To him, Asriel was unintentionally mocking him with the illusion that his son was alive an well. It was just like the situation with Toriel...only that it's much worse. Even if she thought he wasn't real, she was subconsciously holding back. Asgore would do no such thing. But it didn't matter to Asriel.

He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. He exhales slowly, before opening his eyes. The scleras have turned black. Sans for one, was highly impressed with how quickly Asriel could make himself intimidating when he truly wants to be.

"No, Dad. No you won't."


Me: Special Hint, the arc is almost finished!

Asriel & Frisk: Yay!

Me: But since this is Flowerfell we're talking about...there will be some degree of feels. Not 'Overgrowth' levels of feels...but big enough feels to be pretty significant. So yeah...prepare for that.

Fell!Sans: i'm sure we can handle it.

Fell!Toriel: I do hope so. Asgore will not be as gentle as I.

Fell!Alphys: I do believe he means that we can take whatever feels Ben throws at us. It mostly depends on whether or not Ben can handle the feels himself.

Red: I guess we'll have to see, huh?

Me: In the next chapter!