Alice in Undertale

By Lolitafreak88

Chapter 39 Family Reunions

"Sorry about that Alice… They get kind of sassy when they don't get fed on time. I think they were alerted to the piece of candy you had on hand and… Anyway! The power went out, and I've been trying to turn it back on! But it seems like you were one step ahead of me. This was probably just a big inconvenience for you… B-but I appreciate that you came here to back me up!" Alphys said in admiration.

"Well I was hoping to find you down here to inquire about your secret but it turns out that all of this was the secret. It was no trouble for me in terms of bringing back the power." Alice said, straightening out her apron.

"As I said, I was afraid I might… Not come back… But that's not because of these guys or anything! I was just worried I would be too afraid… To tell the truth… That I might run away, or do something… Cowardly." Alphys looked a bit glum and turned away. Alice wasn't sure what could be more cowardly than running away but she decided to give Alphys the benefit of the doubt by not questioning her on what she meant.

"I think I can understand why. What I've uncovered here would certainly shake up and startle the monsters. It's alarming and tragic. Yet I do feel now's the best time to return the Amalgamates to their families and start to proceed towards the future. Barrier breaking and all." Alice offered sweetly. Alphys slightly smiled at that even though she was well aware that there had yet to be an uncovered method besides the one that sacrificed a monster's life.

"Uh… I… I suppose I owe you an explanation. As you know, ASGORE asked me to study the nature of SOULs. During my research, I isolated a power I called "determination". Alphys explained.

"Determination is a power humans naturally are attuned to yes? It's a user's willpower and attachment to life made manifest as a magical element. Yet because of this, it's very dangerous and potentially fatal for monsters to use in large displays… Even if it's for a good cause." Alice frowned, being reminded of when Napstablook had utilized DETERMINATION to fight valiantly alongside her against Nightmare Flowey only to fade away from overexertion. Furthermore Chara's explanation from long ago about it being the will to keep living or to change fate also had stood true all this time.

"It definitely isn't something to trifle with and should only be used by monsters as a last resort. B-because humans are naturally more in tune with Determination though, they ultimately hold more potential power than us… i-is what I've uncovered. Back to the experiment, I injected it into dying monsters so their SOULS would last after death. But the experiment failed." Alphys winced.

"So you were asking for dying participants…? So that means the parents and everyone who became part of these Amalgamates were already gone…" Alice was surprised at that, given how Snowdrake's mother and the mothers mentioned in Doggo's letter were among these participants. She wondered how they got sick or how old they were when they first partook in these experiments. Come to think of it, in Mettaton's diary entry, he mentioned that Shyren's sister had "fallen down" and she had seen Shyren's body shape in Lemon Bread. Perhaps this was a sign that if you had "fallen down" you were dead or dying and thus fit the quota Asgore and Alphys were seeking for the True Lab studies. Alice realized it was very likely that the participants may have been asked to volunteer by their families who were desperate to save their lives and bring them back. No wonder they were so distraught and stunned to not get any word back on how things went despite their letters and calls, Alice realized.

"It was a hope to see if we could somehow make enough lingering SOULs to harness their power along with the human SOULs we already had to break the Barrier together… As you said before though, monsters' bodies can't hold that much Determination like humans can. They lack the physical matter to take those concentrations within themselves. Their bodies started to melt, and lost what physicality they had. Pretty soon, all the test subjects had melted together into… Those." Alphys faced Alice with a sad, insecure look.

"And their abnormal powers must be remnants of the Determination they were given." Alice realized. Alphys nodded back.

"Seeing them like this, I knew… I couldn't tell their families about it. I couldn't tell anyone about it. No matter how much everyone was asking me. And I was too afraid to do any more work, knowing… ...everything I'd done so far had been such a horrific failure." Alphys lamented.

"Not everything you did was a failure though. You made Mettaton's dream come true and you've made lots of things for your friends. Most importantly, I finally understand why you hid all these things from their families because of you coming clean to me. It may not have been the best decision but I wouldn't be sure of how the monsters involved would handle the new forms of their loved ones either. So for the time that you made this decision, I completely understand." Alice said, putting her hands gracefully to her apron.

"Y-you're really nice t-to try to reassure me like this… even if Mettaton and I kind of had a falling out at some point… I did make his dream come true. B-but I can't deny my failures and sins as a Royal Scientist and failing Asgore I'm afraid. I'm hoping now though I… I can stop being afraid and be clear with everyone to keep these things from happening again." Alphys said, looking brave and confident.

"I'm very happy to hear that. Was Papyrus's training truly that motivational to help you come to that conclusion?" Alice asked curiously. After all, the last she had seen of Alphys before all this True Lab investigating started was when she had run off with Papyrus as part of Undyne's training.

"Well… Sans actually came to me and spoke not long after I lost track of Papyrus." Alphys admitted. Alice looked a bit surprised at this. Sans had come directly to talk with Alphys about all this? Maybe Sans was aware of some of the elements of the timeline that carried on without Napstablook and Asgore's lives and felt compelled to confront Alphys about it? Or had he noticed a connection regarding the True Lab and Alphys or whatever secret he assumed she was hiding and decided to get to the bottom of it? Sans was incredibly perceptive so Alice didn't doubt that he would've figured something about all this out or assume that the final piece to truly freeing everyone rested in Alphys. There was also something rather sweet of Sans helping her out in this sort of fashion, getting Alice to where she needed to know and giving Alphys the courage to speak up about her secret.

"Really? Was he the one who pushed you to tell you the truth?" Alice inquired. Alphys took a deep breath and calmly recounted the discussion that took place in Waterfall's natural scenery

"You wanted to talk to me…? U-um… sure… Sans is it?" Alphys asked, a bit caught off-guard by his forcible presence. Sans eyes closed in response, smiling… happily? It was a strange smile to discern in all honesty. He nodded once. Then his eyes opened to reveal one glowing blue eye that Alphys seemed to notice possessed a formidable concentration of magic. Something that seemed to be DETERMINATION yet lacked the transformative aspects of it...

"Yeah. Sans. Sans here wants to know what you've been hiding in your lab…" Gone was most of his comedic nature and instead was a brutal, cold aura.

"... I'm not hiding anything i-in my lab…" Alphys cowered. Regardless of the sight of perhaps a new form of magic appearing before her, Alphys couldn't feel admiration for it. Not when it was clear Sans was calling her out. She never imagined a monster she hadn't really gotten to know would be the one to do it.

"Not that lab. Your hidden lab that I don't think anyone other than maybe the King and Mettaton knows. You have some experiments down there, something disturbing. I'm not saying you are an evil scientist or anything but you've been hiding something important from the Underground." Sans put his hands in his pockets and never broke eye contact from Alphys who tried desperately to avert her eyes.

"... I've hidden it for a reason… H-how did you find out?" Alphys asked, losing some of her meekness in favor of acceptance. She didn't feel like trying to deceive Sans or that in this situation forcefully denying his accusations would work against her. He seemed deathly serious in uncovering the truth about this hidden lab he was correctly suspicious about. Then there was Undyne's words, telling her to stop lying and be true to herself, ever present in her mind and urging her that this was the right thing to do.

"You could say that I've walked down this road before and come across something new that's never been along the road before. Let's cut to the chase though. Alice needs help. Something messed up is down there and I know from experience it's driven people mad."

"Mad how…? I don't quite understand that part…" Alphys certainly couldn't have known the previous timelines that Sans was all too aware of.

"You have to let Alice uncover the truth about your Lab. But you also have to be brave yourself and answer her concerns, keep her company, don't let her succumb to despair. I feel she's more than ready to handle whatever you hide down there but… I've seen what they look like and what they represent. What the heck happened to those monsters…?" Sans looked visibly pained and pupiless, trying to come to terms with what he himself had seen. Alphys on the other hand appeared frustrated. It was hard to tell if it was with herself for being accurately called out for these things or with Sans for doing this to her. She fiddled with her fingertips and finally spoke again,

"It was a failure… the worst failure. I was asked to study up on SOULs and I managed to uncover DETERMINATION. Yet… when I-I tried to see if monster SOULs could linger after death if they had been injected with Determination… I found out they lose their physical forms because monsters can't handle it the same way humans can. They melted together and became… Amalgamates." Alphys whimpered, now feeling like she might cry.

"... Then the folk from Snowdin who disappeared all those years ago…" Sans reasoned.

"Y-yes… *Sob*... I-it was a horrible mistake… I wish it never h-happened… I hid it because I couldn't… I can't… fathom what the families will think of me… of their loved ones new forms *Sniff*..." Alphys started crying. Sans put a lone skeletal hand on her shoulder and for a moment, his normal and happy expression returned.

"I'm relieved that it was just an accident and not some cruel and unsafe mad scientist experiment. Still… I think that not just the Snowdin folk but every other monster that had their loved ones participate in that experiment… they have a right to know alphys. having the loved ones presence back in their lives could do a lot for the underground than anyone might realize." Sans urged her calmly.

"... U-Undyne… *Sob* told me she didn't want me… t-to lie to anyone anymore… b-be happy with myself… I haven't felt l-like I should be happy with myself… that I wasn't worth being happy in myself for how much trouble and pain I've caused…" Alphys confessed, sobbing sadly.

"i can kind of relate…" Sans admitted.

"R-really Sans…? *Sniff*" Alphys looked surprised.

"... i'm not ready to tell the whole story yet but let's just say i've given alice and other people a bad time in the past. i don't trust people easily and i'm extremely protective of my brother to the point i'd lose it if anything happened to him. i'm only coming to the conclusion thanks to alice that i don't need to feel broken or distrustful or like this world's out to get us. that... well… we should be honest with ourselves and others. even ol' fuzzybeard could use this kind of advice too." Sans explained, reflecting his newfound epiphany on what his self-assessment and assessment of the Underground was.

Alphys had hardly had a conversation with Sans prior to this, him being on sentry duty and her having become a hermit in her lab keeping them apart for extended lengths of time. She was profoundly surprised at not only the amount of observation and intelligence he demonstrated, but that he clearly expressed he had gone through change. Positive change. Even though he seemingly had done some bad things (She was afraid to ask what they were but assumed they had to do with the human SOULs they'd been collecting), he had been forgiven and allowed to be honest about it. Maybe it was with his brother or perhaps with the Underground as a whole but by opening up about what had been tormenting him deeply, he acted and seemed satisfied and positive. Alphys realized that this is what he had been trying to tell her, to push her into finally finding the resolve. The resolve to come clean with what she had done. She finally felt ready to do it and so she committed to a sure of herself nod that made Sans smile back.

"You're right. We all could afford to be honest if we… really want to be free from here." Alphys said, wiping the last of her tears as she vowed in her mind to help Alice see and learn from the True Lab's discoveries.

"Ah, so that's what he did for you. That was extremely charitable." Alice was beaming from the story. Sans really was listening to Alice's words and seemingly aiding her as best he could by giving Alphys the confidence to reveal the True Lab to her and also make sure she was ok. She agreed with his perspective that honesty would be very helpful in moving on from the grim past of the Underground and she felt Alphys had made the right decision.

"After that he thanked me and went to go look for his brother. I-I returned home and set up everything for you… t-though I didn't count on the elevator losing power. Sorry about that…" Alphys apologized after pushing up her glasses.

"It's fine. I was only out cold for a few minutes from the impact. So you're now going to tell everyone else and return the Amalgamates to their families?" Alice asked. Alphys solemnly nodded.

"... It's going to be hard. Being honest… Believing in myself… I'm sure there will be times where I'll struggle. I'm sure there will be times where I screw up again. But knowing, deep down, that I have friends to fall back on… I know it'll be a lot easier to stand on my own. Thank you." Alphys expressed in the most natural and peaceful tone Alice had ever heard from her.

"You are very welcome. I too should thank you and the others for teaching me so much about myself and the world around me. It's knowledge and companionship I'll treasure for the rest of my life." Alice replied with a gracefully grateful curtsy.

As Alphys smiled calmly at her, the Amalgamates returned to the room, this time looking more peaceful and content with the food that they had been provided with. They also seemed unusually peaceful or perhaps hopeful in their body language, facing the two ladies with intent stares. Alice deduced they may have overheard some of the conversation just now and were wondering if there was a chance that they'd finally get to go home to their families. Families who thought them dead or worse missing for all of time. There was no other reason to question their earnest and heartfelt desires any longer. Alice spoke up before quickly correcting herself,

"You are all going home today Mome… Amalgamates. I believe Alphys you'd like to take the reigns?"

"Y-yes I do. Do your best with Asgore." Alphys showed her trust in Alice before taking a deep breath and addressing the Amalgamates, "Come on, guys. It's time for everyone to go home."

With that, the Royal Scientist took determined steps out of the room and all the Amalgamates followed her. It was a scene of splendid justice and incredible redemption. She couldn't wait till she saw Snowdrake and his father again and saw their reactions to the mom returning to their lives again. For now though, she needed to return to her original purpose and finally abandon this dreary place. With Undyne befriended, Alphys empowered, and Amalgamates freed… the Underground's freedom was her last objective. It was one she had to succeed at, but not at all costs. Rather, in costs that Alice decided and found that would be healthier for the Underground as a whole. And most importantly, Alice would be doing this alone again but hopefully with a greater sense of truth and wisdom this time.

"Still, if I can't find another solution beyond using SOULs… what if there's a solution that uses a different power entirely? Like say… hmm?" Alice, after leaving the room, had begun to brainstorm aloud to herself again but then noticed something different about the hallway.

The monitors she had previously believed to be defunct were now on. Strangely though, rather than green text, there was a strange red smile grinning at her on the screen. Startled by the resemblance to Flowey's smile, Alice felt a twinge of fear creep up her spine. Then she realized that this monitor had to have been activated when the power had been turned on as a whole in the True Lab. So this clearly was an Entry of Alphys's and there had been a few numbers skipped in the current amount of entries Alice had read here which supported that fact. Yet why the different color and why was this smiling face here? When she got closer, the face metamorphosed into text that she could read. 'ENTRY NUMBER 8. I've chosen a candidate. I haven't told ASGORE yet, because I want to surprise him with it… In the center of his garden, there's something special. The first golden flower, that grew before all the others. The flower from the outside world. It appeared just before the king left. I wonder… What happens when something without a SOUL gains the will to live?'

"I see. Then Flowey is… the first golden flower." Alice was quickly reminded of what she had discovered in that room with all the flowerpots. Alphys had humanely tried to experiment things that weren't inherently living to test the powers of DETERMINATION. Clearly this unique flower caught Alphys's eye and she thought that if it came from the human world (Perhaps seeds from this flower having fallen down from Mt. Ebott or were carried by birds and the wind), then it'd possibly have a reaction to her tests. It also meant that around this time, Toriel had certainly left Asgore after he made his vengeful vendetta clear and right now Alphys was desiring to cheer him up with successes as the Royal Scientist. Certainly a straightforward cause and effect sort of fashion, Alice thought regarding these events.

"'ENTRY NUMBER 18. the flower's gone.' That means it worked too well…" Alice noticed that this entry number was the most recent one made after the disastrous discovery of the Amalgamates. While there didn't appear to be a 17th entry given this was the last monitor Alice had not read, it did confirm that Alice had learned as much as she could about Alphys's history and her experiments.

"So Flowey had left the garden in the throne room I assume around that time, or perhaps he was stationed down here and escaped. Then he became his own entity and remained in the Ruins or wandering about the Underground. It's no wonder no one suspected he was Asriel if he has been rarely seen since…" As Alice proceeded to enter the odd looking powerless elevator, she suddenly got a rather ominous 'Ring' from her phone… Alice answered it, more out of confusion rather than fear. Was it Alphys? Sans? Papyrus? Undyne on a rare chance? Toriel even if it was a likely impossibility? No… It was a voice you have never heard before.

"Chara... Are you there? It's been a long time, hasn't it…? But you've done well. Thanks to you, everything has fallen into place. Chara… See you soon." The strange though masculine voice then hung up the call. Alice stood momentarily petrified and baffled but she wasn't allowed to reason about this when she noticed the elevator doors on both sides of the hallway close. Alice instinctively held onto the wall as she suspected the worst was about to happen and as the elevator began to plunge downward somehow again with the red flashing lights appearing again, she knew she was right. This time however, she found that the elevator came to a stop rather smoothly this time despite the dramatic situation and that she was somehow forced out of the elevator. Perhaps by a strong push or some use of magic. Landing on her hands and knees, she realized she was in the territory where the New Home was and very close to the Hall of Judgement.

"Well that saves me some time but… that couldn't have been Flowey could it? Or was it Asriel…?" Alice got up shakily and turned around, noticing the elevator door was closed and jammed shut with vines. That almost certainly indicated that this was Flowey's doing but he had spoken differently if he really was the one who just called her. Plus he called her Chara… wouldn't he obviously know that Alice was not Chara when she herself had used Chara's name in a second person fashion to protect herself back before she went to Snowdin? Or was this Asriel, who had never met Alice in person before, speaking to her without any memories of Flowey in this particular instance? If so, then Alice had to contend with the realization that something very different was likely to happen when she encountered Asgore. She looked out at the vast horizon in reflection.

"It's not just the king who's waiting for me… it's Asriel too. To break the barrier. To fulfill his last wish. Isn't it?" Alice asked.

'Yeah… he's been counting on this. For you to uncover the human SOULS for him before killing you off for your soul. It's happened twice before… but then when the genocide began… he ended up being as helpless as anyone else.' Chara calmly said in her mind.

"This is the first time anyone's ever gotten this far in a timeline. First time that there's someone who could bear the truth." Frisk added.

"I think the reason I could bear such a truth in the first place is because I've always sought my own truth of the world around me. I wanted to be among nonsense, dreamt of a more curious and exciting life, imagined a world of my own. It could be seen as running away from the truth but I think after coming all this way, I realize I was weighing the upsides and downsides of the real world and Wonderland. The Underground is not a Wonderland, it is the real world. The truths of this world have meaning and aren't nonsensical and yet it's just as magical and magnificent as Wonderland was. And the best part of the Underground being the real world means that all my friendships, all my actions, all this truth-seeking, and rescuing and working to free everyone… has value. No nonsense." Alice reasoned, now slowly heading towards the Hall of Judgement.

"That value means a lot to us. Your life is now truly your own now and you can choose what to do for yourself." Frisk said.

"But… we have to face the unknown now. We don't know what's going to happen beyond this prophesied encounter with my dad. Let's hope we can make things right." Chara sighed sentimentally.

"It's perfectly alright to not know what's coming up next. It makes the discoveries ever more exciting don't you think? At the very least… I'm confident things won't repeat twice. Something different awaits us if what Flowey urged me to cause in the previous timeline." Alice said.

Passing through the Hall, passing by the coffins of the fallen children (And Alice realizing that Frisk probably now knew exactly where he had been separated from his body), climbing the stairs with the conviction of a knight seeking the rescue of a fair maiden, Alice felt oddly weightless in spite of this. She wouldn't say it was because Napstablook was not with her this time but rather that she had every loose end tied neatly up and that she had everyone's hopes and dreams on her back for certain this time. Before then, Chara and Undyne still regarded Alice as an enemy to distrust and trying to relieve Asgore of his burden had tragically led to his death. Now she knew to brace herself for Asgore being in danger and that she had everyone in the Underground save for the soulless Flowey on her side. That she had come to terms with what time she was in. The moment she stepped into the throne room, and saw Asgore watering his flowers, The End was reached. Alice admittedly wasn't sure how she should go about a conversation with the King this time around but she knew she could be patient this time rather than be stressed about persuading him.

"Dum dee dum… Oh? Is someone there? Just a moment! I have almost finished watering these flowers." Asgore's singsong voice being heard again filled Alice with determination. Or perhaps, Alice considered, Chara's thoughts within me are filled with determination at hearing his dad again.

Alice was surprised at how everything that transpired when she and Napstablook met the King seemed to repeat itself here with her alone. Asgore's shock, his discomfort, his awkward attempts to cheer her up and wish to offer a proper greeting to her yet failing to do so, and talking about the beautiful day. Alice wondered for a moment how Frisk handled this encounter, whether he was silent the whole way through it like she was doing now. Or perhaps he had been more vocal like she was against the king who hadn't made the best decisions for his people. Strangely enough, pretending as though she was silent in front of the king took a lot of pressure off her mind to address the statements and focus on discerning what could change about this scene this time. As Asgore allowed her to come to him when she was ready, she looked around the flowerbeds carefully. She thought for a moment maybe Flowey had disguised himself amongst these flowers and spied on them in order to plan his ambush back then. None of these flowers appeared to have faces though, only a perfectly normal and beautiful set of petals, stigma, and stem. Alice sighed with a mixture of content and anticipation as she followed after Asgore to see the Barrier for the second time.

"This is the barrier. This is what keeps us trapped underground. … If… If by any chance you have any unfinished business… Please do what you must." Asgore's words made Alice realize that she really did have a lot of unfinished business to attend to at some point. Now that she had attended to them though, there was only one thing she could say,

"No it's quite alright. I'm not particularly thrilled it has come down to this confrontation but… I'm hopeful for the fate of the Underground regardless of who wins."

These were her first words to Asgore in this timeline and Asgore looked surprised and spellbound at her articulate answer. He gave her a respectful but bitter smile as though he realized he was going to steal the SOUL of someone as composed as her. Alice watched as the seven capsules designated for the children's SOULs emerged from the ground and witnessed the strange light fill the room again. The twilight glow peering through the ever wailing Barrier was truly a sight to behold now that Alice could somewhat more reasonably pay attention to her surroundings. However, she knew that this time her journey was not yet over and that something unexpected had yet to happen. Right now though, she was fairly uncertain as to what it would be though. She stared down Asgore who wore a surprisingly peaceful smile on his face.

"Human... It was nice to meet you. Goodbye." Asgore looked down. Alice flinched slightly, worried she was about to lose her voice again as soon as Asgore drew his spear. That was when the miracle occurred…

Asgore never got to draw his spear and in fact the reason why was terrifically mundane. A fireball conjured to the right of him, emitting an ember glow and forcing a reaction out of Asgore. He gave an expression of stunned shock but not out of fear but rather that he had possibly never imagined seeing such a sight. Alice's reaction to the fireball was different as she couldn't resist making the biggest and longest gasp she had ever made in her life and holding her hands to her heart. This whole sight mirrored the moment Alice had first been saved in the Underground. A fireball, summoned by Toriel, flung powerfully at someone who was being an aggressor towards Alice. When the fireball made impact on Asgore, he was sent flying in a somewhat comedic fashion across the room with a bewildered expression on his face. Alice's eyes traced Asgore's movements before she started seeking Toriel desperately. It had to have been her fireball and considering Toriel's status as Asgore's former wife, it made sense for her and him to share fiery magic. As Asgore landed on the ground with a rather loud thud, Toriel ran into view, coming to Alice's side and it was like she hadn't changed at all. She was still a guardian angel for Alice and now she was here to protect her at long last.

"What a miserable creature, torturing such a poor, innocent, youth. Do not be afraid, my child. It is I, TORIEL, your friend and guardian. It has been very long since we last saw one another… hasn't it Alice?" Toriel's radiant smile made Alice's eyes tear up with joy.

"T-Toriel… I… I thought you didn't want me to disclose your whereabouts… to keep you a secret." Alice wiped her eyes. Toriel tapped her fingers tentatively as she was aware Alice was correct about that fact.

"At first, I thought that I would let you make your journey alone… you were very vocal about surviving on your own. But I could not stop worrying about you. I felt compelled that hiding my identity was a small price to pay if it meant I could help you survive and find what you were looking for. Your adventure must have been so treacherous. ...and ultimately it would burden you with a horrible choice." Toriel reasoned.

"You… knew a-about that as well…?" Alice slowly walked over to Toriel and hugged her. The goat mom was overjoyed to return the gesture, smiling sincerely and speaking to Alice softly as she patted Alice's head.

"Yes, I'm not the only one who was familiar with the Royal Scientists studies. You'd have to either slay my… well ASGORE and take another life to escape. Or give up your life because of feeling as though you are burdening the Underground. However… I realized.. I cannot allow that. You don't deserve to have to take a life at so young an age or have to face such immense expectations Alice. Is that not what I have been trying to prevent this whole time? So, for now, let us suspend this battle. As terrible as ASGORE is… He deserves mercy, too." Toriel explained as she looked towards her former husband.

Alice was touched by Toriel's sensibility and sentimentality. It felt just like her sister comforting her in her dream and wishing her the future. Granted what Toriel was saying did not provide a direct answer to the breaking of the Barrier, it promised a ceasefire and an end to the hunt for human SOULs. It was also refreshing to see her address Asgore with less bitterness and anger (Though she certainly didn't hold back on putting him down still) than she did in the Ruins. Alice's only inner regret was that she couldn't outwardly make up for their tragedy of losing Asriel and Chara. That was something of extreme personal despair and regret between the two of them and given both of them separated over their respective reactions to what became of their sons, it meant Alice would just have to accept the feelings they may have had for one another. Still, it was clearly a positive sign that Toriel felt this way about her husband and Alice nodded in agreement.

"I agree." Alice said and looked over to see Asgore was back on his feet and somewhat shyly approaching them. He looked at Toriel with an expression of pure joy and relief, perhaps looking so much more free and relaxed than Alice had seen him before. Much like Asgore had appeared in those tapes in fact.

"Tori… You came back…!" The king exclaimed with joy. Toriel looked briefly sentimental before outwardly scoffing at the exclamation.

"Do not "Tori" me, Dreemurr! You pathetic whelp. If you really wanted to free our kind… You could have gone through the barrier after you got ONE SOUL… taken six SOULs from the humans, then come back and freed everyone peacefully. But instead, you made everyone live in despair… Because you would rather wait here, meekly hoping another human comes." Toriel savagely tore into Asgore's ideology with little restraint.

"Doesn't that still entail killing more of my kind…?" Alice asked, more surprised at the pacifistic Toriel being the one to come up with such an idea than disappointed.

"... Yes my child I'm afraid it does. Knowing that my husband would have followed such a plan is the worst of it. If he was already going to subject the Underground into being put on a human manhunt every time a human child fell down here, then he should've at least had the dignity to go up to the surface and conduct the manhunt himself. He instead got everyone wrapped up in this plan and made the wait for freedom a painful cycle that could possibly have had no end." Toriel explained as Asgore looked visibly crushed.

Alice couldn't deny her logic was sound. He was the king expected to shoulder the responsibilities of all the Underground so such a deed should be no trouble for him to do so. Everything she had seen and learned of him thus far had accurately shown he was not really capable of handling that responsibility and felt emotionally burdened by it. Perhaps deep down inside, he didn't really wish to hunt down the humans so ruthlessly like he had stressed to his Royal Guard and couldn't muster up the willpower to go do it himself. So he'd rather wait passively so that if a human did fall into the Underground, it'd be more of a sacrificial hunt that was necessary to do so. Or maybe he was afraid that by using a human SOUL, he'd end up with the same grim fate as Asriel did. Either way, both sides had very valid reasons to be upset with one another over how things progressed.

"... ...Tori… You're right. I am a miserable creature… ...but, do you think we can at least be friends again?" Asgore bravely mustered up enough spirit to try asking Toriel for forgiveness. Toriel just gave an exasperated sigh.

"NO, Asgore." Asgore burst into somewhat comical tears.

"I mean there could always be a chance to rekindle after enough time has passed if that'll help." Alice offered to both of them, as she did think they made a beautiful couple once. At the very least, maybe them being friends again would bring some unity and comfort to each other. Similar to how she helped Mettaton and Napstablook make amends with one another. Toriel and Asgore looked to Alice surprised, Toriel pleasantly and Asgore clearly stunned that the human child would try to cheer him up like that.

"You are very optimistic Alice. Alas, I still don't believe in him the way I once did." Toriel explained.

"I know, but… I'd like to believe you two could truly find companionship in some sense of the word again. Granted this is more wishful thinking on my part. I'm glad you two were able to reunite at least." Alice further explained.

"... I am too…" Asgore nodded sincerely. Toriel looked away from Asgore in a somewhat tired way before both she and everyone else in the room suddenly perked up when they heard very quick footsteps approaching.

Alice quickly deduced something unexpected was happening when she looked over and saw Undyne, running straight into the room with her casual clothes on. She had her usual level of intensity worn on her expression and body language but she quickly analyzed the scene and spoke sharply. Or at least, screeched sharply was more appropriate,

"Ngahhhhhh! ASGORE! Alice! Nobody fight each other! Everyone's gonna make friends, or else I'll…! I'll… …" Her bravado died down once she realized that no conflicts were happening.

"Undyne? It's wonderful to see you again but how did you know I was here?" Alice asked a strong feeling of hope and excitement filled her heart.

"Long story, gonna cut it short. A certain skeleton I know had the scoop. But uh… there's… nothing going on?" Undyne asked shocked.

"Hello. I am TORIEL. Are you Alice's friend as well Undyne? It is nice to meet you." Toriel seemed perfectly content with this surprise on her part.

"Uh, yeah…? Nice to meet you! And I'm glad Alice has more friends than I thought!" Undyne grinned cheerfully before making her way to Asgore.

"Hey ASGORE, is that your ex? Jeez. That's rough buddy." Strangely enough, her frank words seemed to cheer Asgore up a bit.

"Is Alphys coming here too?" Alice asked as she looked around for her. The sound of more footsteps approaching answered her question already but Undyne gave a keen reply of her own,

"The whole cavalry's coming!" Following these emboldened words, the Royal Scientist herself ran into the room showing no signs of exhaustion. Clearly her own determination (And perhaps some more stamina gained from jogging with Papyrus) had helped her through it.

"H-hey! Nobody hurt each other! … …" Alphys's meek but noticeably more self-assured voice had the same request as Undyne and the same precise timing of realizing there was no need to worry. Toriel giggled sweetly as she started to recognize this pattern of impromptu new arrivals.

"Oh! Are you another friend? I am TORIEL. Hello!" Toriel waved hello to Alphys.

"Uh h-h-hi! … (THERE'S TWO OF THEM?)" Somehow, Alice seemed to read Alphys's mind. Alphys then retreated to the comfort of Undyne who had been looking at her with pride. Next to enter the room suddenly was the ever excitable Papyrus.

"HEY! NOBODY FIGHT ANYONE! IF ANYONE FIGHTS ANYONE…! THEN I'LL! BE FORCED! TO ASK UNDYNE FOR HELP!" He declared with a proud disposition.

"I assure you Papyrus, there was no conflict going on." Alice said. It was a half-lie since Asgore was about to challenge her to a duel like before but also half-truth since Toriel put a halt to that smoothly.

"OH. THAT SIMPLIFIES THINGS TREMENDOUSLY ALICE! THANK YOU!" Papyrus showed his genuine gratitude for that. Alice smiled brightly even as she saw Papyrus do a double take between Asgore and Toriel.

"Hello!" Toriel said once more.

"OH! HELLO YOUR MAJESTY!" Papyrus's jovial response had a twinge of confusion and he ended up approaching Alice. Alice figured he was going to whisper something to her.

"PSST! HEY, ALICE… DID ASGORE SHAVE…? AND... CLONE HIMSELF?" Papyrus inquired.

"Oh no, that is Toriel. She was his former queen and is the current caretaker of the Ruins. You've never actually met her before." Alice explained patiently.

"OH YOU MEAN THE PLACE SANS STRANGELY LIKES SLACKING OFF TO AND VISIT DISCREETLY. YEAH. BUT I THOUGHT-" Papyrus was interrupted when the skeleton of the hour himself, Sans, entered the room.

"hey guys… what's up?" Sans seemed very casual and relaxed in spite of what clearly was a meeting between some of the most important individuals of the Underground. Toriel's reaction, Alice noticed, was clearly surprised in a pleasant way.

"That voice…!" Toriel ran up to Sans with a fond smile on her face as though she was about to meet someone she knew very well over a long-distance for the first time in person. Alice knew that this meant a lot of important things for her as she had heard Sans through the Ruins door for so long and fully recognized the voice of the one who told her so many jokes.

"Hello, I think we may… Know each other?" Toriel asked very politely.

"oh hey… i recognize your voice, too." Sans, with a faint trace of modesty, responded.

"I am TORIEL. So nice to meet you."

"the name's sans. and, uh, same." Sans winked coyly.

"Isn't this wonderful Papyrus? They are finally getting to meet in person!" Alice exclaimed in increasingly happy excitement.

That was when she took notice that Asgore seemed to be crying unusual amounts of tears with an expression that suggested he understood why he was crying fully. That Undyne seemed agitated, perhaps because she was aware of Papyrus's brother's antics but not realizing Sans had known the lost queen all this time. Alphys just seemed a little reticent as she usually did and Papyrus seemed skeptical if a bit lost in his own way about this new revelation regarding his brother. Alice's statement drew Undyne, Alphys, and Papyrus to look at her in surprise.

"Wait. You knew that Sans knew about Toriel all this time?" Undyne asked.

"Oh… well, I did have to keep my knowledge about Toriel secret upon her request. I had deduced based on a journal in her room that she knew someone who told jokes about skeletons so it makes sense that it was Sans. I didn't know she was royalty or anything of her past really so that's all I really knew about their connection." Alice clarified.

"Thank you for doing such a wonderful job keeping my instructions to heart Alice. I'm truly proud of you… Oh! Wait, then…!" Toriel gave words of sincere gratitude towards Alice before realizing something. She ran over to Sans, put a gentle hand on his right shoulder and pointed at a now perfectly excited Papyrus.

"This must be your brother, Papyrus! Greetings, Papyrus! It is so nice to finally meet you! Your brother has told me so much about you." Toriel's words made Papyrus blush.

"WOWIE… I CAN'T BELIEVE ASGORE'S CLONE KNOWS WHO I AM! THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!" Papyrus gushed excitedly.

Alice chuckled to herself. Papyrus still didn't quite seem to get who Toriel was but as long as he was alive and happy then that's truly what mattered most. This truly felt so riveting to see such genuine and casual conversation going on between more than three people like Alice usually had ended up experiencing for herself.

"Hey, Papyrus… What does a skeleton tile his roof with?" Toriel, unexpectedly, seemed keen on telling a joke. Alice could easily detect the excited glint in her eye that was characteristic of someone wanting to jest. Despite having all the experience in the world of dealing with Sans puns and disdaining them, it seemed Papyrus was up for this.

"HMM… SNOW-PROOF ROOF TILES?" Papyrus inquired.

"No, silly! A skeleton tiles his roof with… SHIN-gles!" Toriel announced gleefully while Papyrus looked like he was doing a spit take.

"I CHANGED MY MIND! THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE!" Papyrus cried out in comedic agony. Sans and Toriel looked at each other fondly, happy to make Papyrus cringe it seemed.

"Do you think you two will start a comedy routine together?" Alice asked Toriel and Sans. Asgore practically squawked at the suggestion but Alice was certain that they'd love to do such a thing together.

"it's really up to her y'know. but we could definitely make a fortune leaving people in crossbone-stitches." Sans joked, making Toriel laugh.

"GAHHHHH! DON'T ENCOURAGE THEM ALICE!" Papyrus scratched his head in angst and seemingly real pain.

"I'm sorry… *Giggles* But it's fun and rather uplifting to talk about the future is it not?" Alice questioned aloud.

"HMM… I SUPPOSE IT IS! ONLY YOU COULD BRING THIS TRAVESTY INTO A POSITIVE ANGLE."

"Come on, ASGORE! It's gonna be OK! There are plenty of fish in the sea… or maybe you and Toriel will reconnect like Alice believes!" Undyne, clenched her fists excitedly and tried to encourage the still somber monarch with a pep talk. It seemed to work just a small amount as he stopped crying but still seemed clearly uneasy with the separation he and his former love now had.

"Y-yeah, ASGORE! Undyne's totally right about that fish thing! S-sometimes you've just got to, uh… S-stop going after furry boss monsters and, uh… J-just get to know a really cute fish…?." Alphys's attempt to cheer up Asgore came off as awkward yet endearing to Alice. It was confusing at the same time.

"We are still talking about monsters aren't we? I don't think it's prudent to date actual fish when they can't talk. Or do things that monsters can." Alice asked.

"... It's a metaphor." Alphys responded, embarrassed and noticing that Undyne was giving a cheeky smile at her.

"Well. I think it's a good analogy." Undyne smiled.

To Alice's surprise though, a long and quite familiar-looking leg kicked up right by her head and pointed towards Alphys and Undyne like some kind of crude rifle. She looked over and saw Mettaton Ex poised and prim in a fabulous pose and looking as though they were also part of the crew. Papyrus looked positively gleeful to see his idol and hopeful future boyfriend show up in person. Asgore, Undyne, and Alphys stared at Mettaton in shock, for varying reasons Alice assumed. The monster king most likely hadn't seen Mettaton's glamorous celebrity form in person, let alone speaking to him. Undyne had never been Mettaton's biggest fan but must've been somewhat impressed if caught-off guard by his arrival. Alphys appeared to be on the cusp of mortification, especially once Mettaton demanded,

"OH MY GOD! WILL YOU TWO JUST SMOOCH ALREADY!? THE AUDIENCE IS DYING FOR SOME ROMANTIC ACTION!"

"HEY, SHUT UP!" Undyne howled furiously as she processed what Mettaton was asking of her. Mettaton giggled coyly and posed in a flirtatious manner before he then posed in a debonair manner before he gracefully did a series of chassés away. Papyrus swooned but Undyne just huffed in annoyance before grinning.

"Man, the nerve of that guy! Right, Alphys!?" She nudged Alphys gently with her elbow.

Alice noticed that Toriel seemed rather curious in her body language and expression while Sans and Papyrus had a mixture of suspicious and sly looks. If anything they were spectating all this as though it was some fun activity or banter at a party. It was definitely not the kind of situation Alice had ever been a part of in England since most people kept to themselves. The only time anyone gawked at anyone was for respect, special occasions, entertainers performing, or for her older figures and role models like her teacher or her sister. Was this what would be expected from now on were they to be free? It's actually rather enjoyable seeing everyone interact like this, Alice concluded. For the moment there was an awkward silence. Undyne caught onto this and looked uncharacteristically shaken.

"... Uh, Alphys?"

"... No. He's right. LET'S DO IT." Alphys declared with the same level of passion as she did when she was roleplaying with Alice but at a more reasonable volume.

"? Well? Uh? I guess? If you want to? Then? Don't hold anything back!" Undyne agreed to this request, blushing madly but with a bright and earnest smile.

As they brought their faces closer to one another in a somewhat awkward fashion with their lips puckered out, Toriel stepped in between them quickly with an embarrassed look on her face.

"W-wait! Not in front of Alice!" She urged.

"Uhh, right! S-sorry, I got a little carried away there." Alphys apologized meekly.

"Hee hee hee." Toriel chuckled. Then something wonderful happened.

All six of them gathered together… or at least five of them did and Sans somehow flew out of view before descending gently in between Toriel and Alphys while Papyrus moved to Alphys's right. They all faced Alice with radiant smiles, even Asgore who seemed to cheer up having his closest knight and his lost love in high spirits. Alice looked at them with awe and realized that it was because of her DETERMINATION, persistence, and hope that she was able to bring them together like this. Maybe Napstablook wasn't here but he didn't have to be because Alice knew he had listened to her and stayed home to keep himself safe from whatever would lie ahead. For a moment though, Alice felt that even though the Barrier hadn't broken… this was just as worthy of a victory for her.

"My child, it seems as if you must stay here for a while. But looking at all the great friends you have made… I think… I think you will be happy here." Toriel declared.

Alice froze. In fact she suddenly realized that Toriel was, in her own way, still asking her to stay here in the Underground rather than free the monsters. Was Alice really happy with that…? Was anyone here really happy with that…? Maybe they were. After all, these were the monsters she had spent a great deal of time with and had befriended despite not even knowing them over what seemed to be a week ago but perhaps had only been a few days. Truthfully Alice had lost track of time the moment she came back to Napstablook and this renewed future after leaving that tragic timeline. Then it occured to Alice that she had said 'a while' rather than 'for the rest of her life'. Clearly they were now fully committed to finding a peaceful way out of the Underground and not going to condemn her and take her SOUL. Not that Toriel would've ever allowed that to happen but her being here and actually getting the other monsters that Alice had befriended to listen and trust her meant that they clearly sided with Alice now. This was not what Wonderland had been like in the slightest, where it seemed Alice only ended up making an enemy out of everyone. This was… a family. That realization she was now a part of a new life for herself and for these monsters and their lives… made Alice foolishly lower her guard as she teared up with happiness..

"H-hey, that reminds me. Papyrus, YOU called everyone here, right? Well, besides, uh, her. Uh, anyway… If I got here before you… How did you know how to call everybody?" Alphys's statement struck Alice as a little odd so Alice felt she needed to respond.

"Is that really so important…?" She wiped a delicate tear away as Toriel opened her arms to beckon Alice to come over for what was most likely a group hug. Nothing out of the ordinary at all. But then Papyrus said,

"LET'S JUST SAY… A TINY FLOWER HELPED ME."

If Toriel's flinch and grave expression or the pupils suddenly disappearing from Sans eyes wasn't enough of a reality check for Alice to realize she fell victim to the same carelessness that left her so distraught last time, Alphys's slow and started reply only cemented it.

"A tiny… flower?"

A colossal thorny bramble surged across from the shadows and from it, prickly vines entangled around Asgore, Undyne, Toriel, Sans, Alphys, and Papyrus. It was scarily similar to Omega Flowey but yet it appeared to be the only bramble which meant that Flowey must not have yet tapped into his full power. Alice's tears of happiness quickly turned into ones of fear and she steeled herself desperately in her body language as she thanked her lucky stars that they had not been killed instantaneously. Her friends though grunted and groaned and whimpered in pain and agony and they looked so anguished Alice felt guilty for having not been paying attention. As if to add insult to injury (And perhaps a calculated move on his part), Flowey emerged. No longer sympathetic like he was the last time Alice had seen him but back to being the power-hungry and cruel flower that tormented the Underground all this time. Even if he was Asriel, Alice couldn't forgive this callous action.

"You IDIOTS. While you guys were having your little pow-wow… I took the human SOULS! And now, not only are THOSE under my power… But all of your FRIENDS' SOULS are gonna be mine, too!" Flowey's delighted savagery was not something Alice had wanted to hear again. Alice briefly wondered if she could appeal to Asriel in a vague enough way without letting Toriel and Asgore know it was their son doing these terrible things to them.

"Flowey, I demand you cease this at once! Don't you get that what you are doing is not going to benefit anyone other than yourself?! You can't possibly think this brings you true happiness…" Alice summoned her Vorpal Blade in a defensive measure, noticing it actually appeared a great deal bigger and more ornate. Perhaps from Chara's presence within her granting her additional power just like Frisk.

"Hee hee hee. Oh but it will. You challenged me once upon a time and now I am undermining your cocky pacifism. It's what led these fools to being so VULNERABLE to me. It's all your fault. It's all because you MADE THEM love you. All the time you spent listening to them… Encouraging them… Caring about them… Without that, they wouldn't have come here." Flowey rambled insidiously to break her spirits. But it wasn't going to work on her anymore.

"No! You're wrong. A wise skeleton once told me I never gained LOVE… I gained love! Besides, you came here for entirely selfish reasons. Must've been fairly difficult for you to get here on your own." Alice retaliated. Sans, in his great pain, lifted his head slightly to look at Alice despite still being agonized by the entrapment.

Flowey looked at her with a cross expression and yet he seemed perhaps guarded. Alice wasn't sure if it was due to her imposing weapon and stature or the impact her words were having on him. Maybe he wasn't entirely secure with what he was doing… or was still contemplating on a plan of action.

"And now, with their souls and the humans' together… I will achieve my REAL FORM. Hee hee… And of course I came here on my own. Don't you get it…? This is all just a GAME. If you leave the underground satisfied, you'll "win" the game. If you "win," you won't want to "play" with me anymore. And what would I do then…? But this game between us will NEVER end." Flowey spoke on a different level as opposed to what Alice had seen from him before.

"He's GONE! The reason we've kept events repeating so often was in order for us to feel close again! As long as I linger in this form, I can be with him in spirit and he can tell when I'm around! He wants to become a god just as humans who've fallen down here have desired! Our goals are mutual, we want to get out of here and take the Underground that betrayed and demoralized monsterkind down with us!"

This must be what Chara was getting at then, Alice realized. The game between Flowey and Chara to keep events repeating endlessly so they'd still be together and ultimately achieve their goals. A cruel equilibrium that kept anything from ever becoming better. That was what Alice had to break and had to show Flowey and Asriel was the wrong way to go about things.

"Games have to come to an end Flowey, otherwise it's not a game anymore! It's a method of torture!" Alice pointed at Flowey and gestured to her suffering friends.

"... You wanna see torture? How about if I hold victory in front of you, just within your reach… and then tear it away just before you grasp it. Over, and over, and over… Hee hee hee. Listen. If you DO defeat me, I'll give you your "happy ending." Flowey made a surprising statement.

"Surely that's too big of a request for someone like you to fulfill." Alice sarcastically questioned. Flowey continued however,

"I'll bring your friends back. I'll destroy the barrier. Everyone will finally be satisfied. But that WON'T happen. You…! I'll keep you here no matter what!"

To Alice's shock, she suddenly felt herself tripped up by a big vine pressing behind her and slipping her onto her bottom. She dropped the Vorpal Blade in this sudden commotion and winced before she saw the true horror. The dreaded magical bullets Flowey had made his signature spell flying straight into her, making her feel a grave pain that she had never felt before. Were they real… Alice probably would've been bleeding heavily out of every shot that had fired and connected with her.

"Even if it means killing you 1,000,000 times!" Flowey howled with laughter and lunacy as Alice was quickly brought down to a sliver of stamina and life.

"Y-you… aaaagggghhhh… done it… once… t-that'll… be the only time…" Alice tried to maintain some strength and by sheer willpower was fighting back the childish desire to cry tears of pain but her voice was unable to carry out the conviction she had hoped for.

As she leaned desperately to her Vorpal Blade and another cruel ring of bullets surrounded and swarmed her, she braced herself for the cruel fate of starting all over again. But it didn't happen… A ring of magical flames blocked the path of the bullets and sent them back. Alice weakly stared up to Toriel who, despite all the pain she was going through, still looked out for her precious child. Flowey was naturally dismayed at yet another of his attacks not going the way he planned it. Even if he remembered how successful his solo ambush on Asgore was in the last timeline, he couldn't account for her friends having the fortitude to keep fighting to protect someone they loved.

"What?" He spat out.

"Do not be afraid my child… No matter what happens… We will always be there to protect you!" Toriel said encouragingly in spite of her pain.

Flowey attempted a linear path of bullets that approached from either side of Alice but a bone and a spear defended Alice with the power of a shield.

"THAT'S RIGHT, ALICE! YOU CAN WIN! JUST DO WHAT I, WOULD DO… BELIEVE IN YOU!" Papyrus cheered her on optimistically in spite of his struggle.

"Hey human! If you got past ME, you can do ANYTHING! So don't worry! We're with you all the way!" Undyne fiercely honored Alice's accomplishments in spite of her bindings.

"huh? you haven't beaten this guy yet? come on, this weirdo's got nothin' on you." Sans teased with an affectionate air about it in spite of his suffering. Alice realized slowly but surely their encouragement and brave defense of her was slowly healing her wounds and giving her more and more strength to stand. She forced herself up from the ground to barely standing again, still resting on her blade for help.

"You're… quite right. To give up now… is to say I've lost hope…!" Alice spoke out bravely, looking at Flowey with fire in her veins. No… looking at Asriel. Saving Asriel, saving her friends, saving the Underground. This was her hope!

Another wall of flames and curiously a wall of electricity as though surging from thin air protected Alice from the third wave of attacks.

"Technically, it's impossible for you to beat him… B-but… Somehow, I know you can do it!" Alphys meekly analyzed Alice's chances with her own faith in spite of her preference towards logic.

"Human… no… Alice… For the future of humans and monsters…! You have to stay determined…!" Asgore gave Alice his hopes and dreams as ruler of the underground in spite of their conflict.

In a miraculous and even uplifting fashion, Alice was stunned to see a bunch of monsters suddenly flood into the room. All familiar faces she had met on her journey and who she had spared and who she had listened to and done all the things Flowey said had made her friends vulnerable. But he was wrong. These friends of hers weren't make-believe characters she had concocted in her 'world of her own' but individuals she admired and had made full-blown connections with. Monster Kid, Vulkin, Shyren, Snowdrake, Muffet, RG 01, Froggit.. And so many more. Them, the Underground's faith in Alice… filled her with DETERMINATION. Fully restored, she aimed her sword at Flowey who looked completely befuddled and even rather sad. He was alone and that was something to pity and even feel bad for him. If he had a SOUL, maybe he wouldn't have gone down this path. If he was Asriel, maybe he would've stopped at potentially hurting his beloved family. If all was found, then nothing would be lost anymore and that included the method for breaking the Barrier. Alice was ready now and fully aware that she needed to seize this chance. Defeat him, bring Asriel to his senses… and she'd win.

"Alright Flowey. This will be the final game. If you truly are serious then I'm afraid I won't hold anything back!"

"Urrrgh… NO! Unbelievable! This can't be happening…! You… YOU…!" Flowey sounded genuinely distraught but Alice wasn't fooled. Flowey was not exactly subtle with his emotional manipulation. However… exactly what did happen next was entirely unexpected.

"I can't believe you're all so STUPID. ALL OF YOUR SOULS ARE MINE!" With a ghastly declaration of pride and glee, a terrible gust akin to a hurricane or a storm flew about the room.

Lights flashed wildly and randomly, monsters around Alice attempted to scurry away or flee but seemed as though they were being pulled towards Flowey and eventually vanished in the encompassing light while her dearest friends seemed as though their bodies were burning up in fiery redness and scattering into dust… or was it being sucked into something…? Alice had to avert her eyes as the blinding radiance of whatever this horrific act Flowey was doing consumed the room of all monsters. Despite it all, Alice wasn't appearing to be directly harmed by whatever this attack was which was the only reprieve. A hideous noise grew louder and louder and then suddenly there was complete silence. Alice cautiously opened her eyes and noted that there was no one else in the room anymore besides her and… and...

"Asriel?" It wasn't her that said it. It was Frisk and Chara both simultaneously exclaiming with shock at the sight before them.

The same striped shirt, the same casual pants, the same gorgeous fur, the white hue of snow, the goat ears that had made her think of Toriel… it was the Asriel from that dream. The lost prince. The martyr. The victim. Alice clasped her hands over her mouth, holding back the urge to say something in response though unable to hold back a long gasp. Asriel appeared maybe slightly taller than she had seen from him before but it was him nonetheless. Somehow Flowey had transformed back into the Asriel she knew was inside him. But… that meant… He took the SOULS of her dear friends to do it. A cruel sacrifice indeed to bring him back and not one Alice would allow to let pass. Alice calmly noted that Asriel seemed to be gently moving his limbs, looking around with his head, twiddling his fingers, getting reacquainted with a sensation that had been lost for so long for him. Then he appeared to laugh to himself, too quietly for Alice to hear but his heaving shoulders betrayed the motion to her. In any other scenario, Alice would've been incredibly happy for him but right now all she felt was fear. Sadness. Concern. She was… going to have to fight him wasn't she? No she had to… She had to make him see reason and save her friends. Remind him of what he truly wanted just as she had done for Chara.

"Finally. I was so tired of being a flower." Asriel spoke for the first time since he had died. He sounded just as gentle and likable but it was marred by a bitterness and a slight melancholy that Alice noted sounded very similar to that of Asgore. Like father like son, their sadness over the tragic events of the Underground carried through their tone.

"... Asriel I-" Alice wanted to start speaking but to her surprise, Asriel turned around to face her and Alice's quickly conceived statement disappeared in shock. His eyes were closed but his face still was just as she had last seen it. Full of conviction. Even when his best friend was killing himself with the toxicity of the buttercups. It… scared Alice.

When he opened his eyes though, the first reaction he gave to Alice through the beautiful eyes was that of confusion and even stunned disbelief. He took a step back, as though he was scared of her and then clearly was trying to work out what he was seeing before him. Alice winced and dispelled her blade, trying unconsciously to ease him into some kind of truce.

"... Asriel it's… very nice to meet you. My name is-" Alice curtsied elegantly as a proper formality but again, Asriel's actions interrupted her train of thought.

"Chara… I… I see. I know that… things didn't turn out right last time. It means the world to me, especially now, to see you again. Even in this new form you've taken just for me. You are there aren't you?" Asriel sounded happier, even satisfied despite the fact his conclusion was entirely wrong. Alice wondered if this was all Asriel last remembered, that he and Chara promised to see each other again and were committed to repeating the timelines in this "game". Maybe Flowey's words regarding this game and his offer of victory were actually Asriel's then, Alice thought with some surprise. Asriel even put his foot back where it once stood, standing firm.

"Asriel…" Again, Chara spoke in Alice's mind, this time with clear pain and regret. Never wanting to see Asriel like this, longing to reunite with someone who had done so much wrong for their sake. Alice felt Chara's emotions overcoming her briefly but urged him mentally that she could handle this. After all, if the prince truly thought Alice was Chara in another human's body, then she'd have to show her identity.

"Asriel I… Chara is not me. I am-" Yet again another interruption, as though Asriel was refusing to accept any alternative of who truly stood before him. Or that this scenario he had dreamed of to play out was something he was fully committing to. What else did he have otherwise?

"Howdy! It's me, your best friend." Asriel smiled brightly. Then there was a flash of light.

"No I'm not…!" Alice responded with a bit of anger before she realized that Asriel was now floating… and significantly different in appearance.

He was now wearing a robe just like Toriel with the same Delta Rune on it and had a more adult-like body, toned but not overly muscular. Strange shoulder pads were on his clothes as well as black symbols painted onto his face like some tribesman of an aboriginal culture. He also had full horns, not as big as his father's but curved elegantly instead. But most dauntingly, his eyes now seemed to be their own black space with a sharp pupil like that of a bat or a wolf or another threatening creature of nature. He had somehow transformed so quickly and now appeared incredibly powerful in his presence that Alice was now suddenly regretting dispelling her Vorpal Blade. ASRIEL DREEMURR. As soon as the reality of his identity and the scenario screamed out to her, the ground disappeared beneath her feet.

"Ahhh…!" Alice gave a small shriek before descending down into nothingness. No… PLUMMETED. Down, down, down. From heaven to hell. It's the end.

To Be Continued...