"... Hey, Chara, can I ask you something?"

"... What is it, Frisk?"

"I mean, if it's too personal you don't have to answer but... um... before you... y'know, fell down Mt Ebott... did you... did you have a family on the surface? Or some... people you knew?"

"..."

"... yes. I do not consider them 'family', only the ones that brought me into the world. I do not want to talk about them... why do you ask?"

"Well, ya see... I was wondering if... you could help me find my family. I don't really have any memories of anything before falling down Mt. Ebott. The only thing I remember is my name, and that I like travelling and stuff... so, I have to have a family somewhere, right...?"

"..."

"Well... I do have an answer for you, but... I do not think you'd want to hear it."

"Of course I wanna hear it! I've been looking for answers since, well, forever!"

"... are you absolutely sure you want to hear the truth? I fear it will cause you ire."

"Yes I do!"

"..."

"... very well. The truth is, Frisk... you do not have a family."

"What...?"

"You were made for only one purpose, and that is to serve the demands of the player. Everything you are - your gender, your age, your personality... it is all meant to stem from them. That includes your backstory, as well. Because there are so many different players, you do not have a single 'true' life. Sometimes you are an orphan, sometimes you come from an abusive family... whatever the case, you are not really in control of your own life. You do not have any real relatives aside from the player. They are your master and you are their puppet."

"..."

"Then... I... I don't have... a family?"

"You did not even have a life before Mt. Ebott, child. Everything you are now is because of the Player, even your SOUL. They gave you their determination."

"... I..."

"You are different from the other human souls in that way too. While, yes, they can vary across timelines, they are not so deeply connected to the player. Not as much as you are. You are nothing without the Player. Without them, you are weak. And by default, I am vaguely connected too, considering we have the same soul trait. But not nearly as much as you. I have more control over myself."

"..."

"That... look in your eyes, Frisk... are you..."

"I'm fine, Chara."

"I have a feeling that you are not being honest with me."

"I'm fine."

"I did warn you... I was not trying to be cruel, I was just telling the tr-"

"I said I'm fine!"

"Frisk... you know... I did not say you could not make a new family for yourself. You have friends, do you not?

"It doesn't change the fact that my life... my life is meaningless!"

"Your life is not meaningless, you are very impor-"

"I'm gonna go now."

"Wait, Frisk..."

"..."

"You do not understand, child... you are developing your own life by yourself, despite your empty past... and that is what I love about you..."

Frisk didn't know where they were. Were they in the Void? Darkness was all around them. They stood up, hugging themself. They felt... cold.

"You... you really hate me that much?" Toriel's voice asked, as the monster herself appeared in front of Frisk. She was slowly disappearing.

Not again... Frisk clenched their fists.

"Now I see who I was protecting by keeping you here..." Toriel continued, a grin on her face. "Not you... but them!"

Toriel, I... Frisk thought. I... I couldn't stop them... It's too late to...

Frisk was suddenly whisked into Snowdin. Papyrus was standing in front of them, holding out his arms like he wanted a hug.

You can't kill him, Frisk begged in their mind. Don't make me do it!

But it was too late.

"W-WELL, THAT'S NOT WHAT I EXPECTED..." Papyrus said, decapitated. "BUT... STILL, I BELIEVE IN YOU! YOU CAN DO A LITTLE BETTER! EVEN IF YOU DON'T THINK SO! I... I PROMISE..."

He turned to dust.

Frisk sobbed in their mind. They were losing themself more and more.

Papyrus! They begged. C-come back! I need you! I can't handle this anymore!

Frisk almost thought they had a chance when Undyne the Undying appeared. She was powerful and a strong target. The player struggled fighting her for a long time.

But the fight could not last forever.

"Damn it..." Undyne sighed, shaking as her body disappeared. "So even THAT power... it wasn't enough...? Heh... heheheh..." She smiled. "If you... if you think I'm gonna give up hope, you're wrong. 'Cause I've... got my friends behind me! Alphys told me she would watch me fight you... and if anything went wrong, she would evacuate everyone. By now she's called ASGORE and told him to absorb the six human souls." She began to melt. "And... with that power... This world will live on!"

Oh Undyne... Frisk looked down. They began to feel numb. Yet, there was a slight bitterness in their soul as well. A rage. Hate. Burning hate.

"papyrus... do you want anything?"

It's all my fault, Frisk thought. They ran away from the dying monsters, entering more darkness. They all died because I'm not strong enough. I couldn't save them. I'm the worst friend ever!

Frisk ran past piles of dust. Then they saw Flowey in front of them. He had Asriel's face. He was sobbing.

"See?" he squeaked. "I never betrayed you! It was all a trick, see? I was waiting to kill him for you! After all it's me your best friend! I'm helpful, I can be useful to you. I promise I won't get in your way! I can help! I can..." His voice changed to Asriel's. "Please don't kill me."

Frisk turned away as Flowey was viciously stabbed to death.

I just wanted everyone to be safe, Frisk screamed. I never wanted it to end like this!

Frisk didn't know where they were going now. They were climbing up Mt. Ebott, passing by trees and bushes and other plants. Their face was scratched, and their heart was racing. They didn't know where they were going. Voices were screaming at them from everywhere.

Darker, darker, yet darker.

You're not really human, are you?

No, you're just like me.

Empty inside.

Please don't hurt my family.

The will to keep living... the resolve to change fate. Let's call this power...

DETERMINATION

Frisk covered their eyes. They saw faces, too.

I do love you back, Frisk.

You do not even have a life.

It... it's such a... beautiful day today... nature is so pretty... so...

Frisk! You have to stay DETERMINED!

HATE is incredibly dangerous, Frisk, I do not recommend tampering with it.

But... we were already happy...

You... really hate me that much?

The darkness keeps growing...

The nightmare never ends...

You are no better than him.

Frisk suddenly wished someone would kill them. They couldn't live with this pain anymore.

But every time they died...

They always came back.

You will always have Love.

Frisk tripped down Mt. Ebott, but they only felt the desire to die as they fell. They looked up at the sky, tears trickling out of their eyes.

It's okay... I forgive you.

They landed on a bed of golden flowers. They gazed up at the sky, a sad smile on their face.

"Oh Chara..." they sighed, putting their face in their palms. They began to sob quietly. "You didn't deserve any of this... none of them deserved any of this... I'm... I'm a horrible person..."

A hand suddenly touched Frisk's shoulder. Frisk looked behind them and saw Asriel.

"Frisk..." Asriel sighed. "Don't you have anything better to do?"

"Asriel..." Frisk cried harder. "I couldn't even save you... I killed you!"

"Some people can't be saved." Asriel replied.

Frisk glanced at their soul. They choked up.

"Oh, by the way, someone wants to talk to you," Asriel said. He pointed at the gate leading to the RUINS. "They're through there."

"Oh..." Frisk said. They walked towards that door, their arms hanging by their sides. Memories floated through their mind.

They remembered walking through the RUINS with the other humans. Protecting them from monsters, solving puzzles...

Building friendships.

"Hope." Percy monotonously admired, eyeing Frisk. "It is the thing that shines brightest in the dark, yet cannot be seen. To have it costs you nothing but to be without it costs you everything."

The kids finally stopped in the room with the mouse and cheese. They stood still for a few moments, looking at something or doing something. Their injuries vanished and they restored their HP.

"What in tarnation...?" Clover asked, staring at them. "How'd you do that, pardner?" They shrugged.

"That's awesome!" Brayden cheered, fist-pumping the air. "Show me how to do that!"

The others saw this as well. Cody gave the eighth human a hug, very relieved. Faye was watching in awe. There was something special about that kid. Something very special indeed.

"That is one strange kid," Melody breathed. She adjusted her bun. "But my goodness, I'm relieved. I didn't want them to die, even though it's really their fault we're down here."

"I like them," Faye spoke up. She really did. "I think they're nice."

Frisk remembered Snowdin, too...

"YEAH! YOU GUYS CAN'T STOP US!" Brayden yelled, throwing more snowballs.

"Augh! I hate this!" Melody complained, glaring at the snow all over her.

"You're just sad 'cause you can't beat us!" Brayden teased, blowing a raspberry. The eighth human threw a snowball at her in agreement. "YEAH! HIGH-FIVE, STICK KID!" They high-fived each other.

Brayden frowned. "You can do better than THAT!"

The eighth human hit his palm with all their might. They almost knocked him over.

"YEAH!" Brayden grinned. "THAT'S THE STUFF!"

Frisk thought about Waterfall too...

"It looks ancient." Percy observed the statue. He took notes.

The eighth human gestured for the rest of the kids to follow them. In the next room was a basket full of umbrellas and a waterfall. The eighth human picked up an umbrella. They held it above their large head.

"An umbrella!" Cody observed, clapping his hands together.

"Why didn't you tell me there were umbrellas? I could've spared my hair!" Melody complained, fingering her bun.

The eighth human led everyone back to the statue room. They placed the umbrella on top of the statue.

Inside the statue, a music box begins to play...

"Oh wow..." Faye was sitting right next to the statue. A beautiful yet sad song began playing. It made Melody feel very nostalgic. She felt like she had heard that song somewhere. She stayed in the corner, doing a little dance.

Cody began crying, his sister patting his back.

Percy couldn't even take notes. He simply stared. Brayden stared too. He wasn't yelling for once. The eighth human sat there for a moment, more creases on their face. They looked so pained, yet they were smiling. They briefly laughed for a moment, making another sound. They had a quiet laugh, that once might've been more cheerful.

Frisk gave themself a private smile.

"S-see that building in the distance?" Alphys rung. "That's the CORE. The source of all power for the underground. It converts geothermal energy into magical electricity, by... uhh, anyway, that's where we're going to go. In the CORE is an elevator directly to ASGORE's castle. And from there... you guys can go home." Alphys hung up.

"AWESOME!" Brayden cheered. Cody smiled. He liked the CORE a lot more now.

"Then let's get there." Clover said.

"Wait," Faye spoke up. "That means we're getting closer to the end. To home... and to... Chara." She made a face. Cody patted her shoulder.

"We'll be fine, Faye," he told her. "We'll be able to stop Chara. Right, guys?" He eyed his friends.

"Right, bro," Clover replied. She put her arms around Faye and Cody. "And we'll get home. Trust me, the bad won't win."

The eighth human nodded, though they were twitching. They must've been very nervous. But wasn't everyone?

Frisk picked up a batch of golden flowers. A tear slipped down their cheek.

It's... over...

"No it's not." a voice protested. A familiar voice. Suddenly, the six human souls appeared behind Frisk. Frisk turned around and stared at them. Their heart raced with glee... and relief.

"Oh how ADORABLE," Flowey said mockingly. "But you kids can't do anything."

"That's not true, Flowey," Melody retorted.

"We're the ones giving you your power," Percy added. "So we can just as easily take it."

"You can't," Flowey growled. "I'm the one in control. You all do what I say."

"Not anymore," Clover growled. "You're not controllin' anyone ever again."

"You didn't deserve to control anyone in the first place!" Cody added.

"YOU COWARD!" Brayden bellowed. "WE'LL ALL CRUSH YOU INTO FLOWER MUSH!"

"Bye bye." Faye waved at Flowey, her tone slightly creepy.

"Now you DIE!" all the kids yelled together.

Frisk could see something in the distance...

"You will always be with me, yes?" Chara asked Frisk, hope in their eyes.

Frisk smiled approvingly at them.

"Of course, Chara," they said. "Don't you worry. I'll always be there for you. We're partners after all, right?"

"Yes," Chara smiled. "Yes, we are."

Chara knew it now.

"I do," they said, still smiling. A happy smile. "I do love you back, Frisk."

"Chara..." Frisk said. Their grin broadened and they ran towards the first human.

"It is you." Chara growled, their arms folded.

"Chara... I'm... I'm so sorry..." Frisk fell to their knees, in front of Chara. "I... I... I see what I'm leaving behind now... I... I can see how horrible I really am..." They began sobbing. "I thought I was protecting everyone, I thought I was saving us all so much pain... but I was just being selfish..." They kept crying. "You were always right, Chara! You tried to help me, and all I did was hurt you. I understand if you hate me... but I will always love you. You're the hero, the Fallen Angel... not me. Never me. I'm just... the Player. You're the most amazing person I've ever met... no... if the other human souls are in there, somewhere, you're all amazing! I never deserved any of your love. Chara is the one who deserves the love.

"I'm sorry I forced you all into this... I'm sorry I wasn't the friend you thought I was. I'm sorry I wasn't the hero either. I'm sorry I couldn't be that person for you. Even if you don't care for me, I will always care for you. I'll save the world for you. You're all my best friends. You are..."

Frisk smiled, tears dripping down their cheeks. "You are my family."

They looked away. "I wish I knew that... I wish I knew that rather than being obsessed with the whole Player thing. I should've just been happy with you guys instead of trying to get rid of the inevitable. I should've been a better friend. I should've... I should've... I..." They sobbed. "I should've been a better person!"

Chara looked down at the sobbing Frisk. Chara sighed and began to hum...

"Oh, somewhere over the rainbow..."

Bluebirds fly...

And the dream that you dreamed of...

Dreams really do come true..."

"Oh, Chara..." Frisk laughed. "I remember that song..."

"I thought you would," Chara replied. "I had a feeling you would come to your senses eventually. Deep down, you are still the child I knew so long ago. You are the kind-hearted Frisk that cares only to protect. In a way, you were always that child. But your morality became corrupted. I will not forgive you. Yet... I will not condemn you. You already understand what you have done."

"I'm really sorry..." Frisk wiped their eyes. "No one will forgive me. I don't even deserve to live..."

"Everyone deserves to live," Chara replied. "Even you. After all, if you deserve to die you have to live first, do you not? If you can still be a good person... if you can change... then you deserve another chance. Trust me. Return to the surface and be the best human you can be. You will show everyone how much you have learnt. You are not a horrible person anymore. You are striving to become a hero. A great person."

They smiled. A pained smile.

"But what about you, Chara?" Frisk asked.

"Well..." Chara sighed. "I was meant to die a long time ago. It is time to end my destiny. My job has been completed. I don't have a reason to be here anymore."

"C... Chara..." Frisk covered their mouth.

Chara floated up into the air. SOULS flew out of them: the six human souls and many, many monster souls. Frisk stared at the colourful display, their mouth agape. Chara's eyes glowed as they returned to the ground.

The barrier was shattered.

"Chara..." Frisk looked at Chara. "You're wrong."

"Hmm?" Chara asked, tilting their head.

"I'm not the one who deserves a second chance," Frisk said. They smiled. "You are."

"Me?" Chara laughed. "Frisk, please-"

"I've had my second, third and who knows how many other chances," Frisk retorted. "You've barely had anything at all. And you deserve it so much more than I do... you know it. And besides..." Frisk held out their SOUL. It was glitching from black and red.

"Your SOUL is..." Chara stepped back.

"Broken..." Frisk nodded. "Because of all the HATE in my SOUL... I... knew this would happen, but I thought it wouldn't matter anyway because the world would be..."

"You cannot continue forward, can you...?" Chara asked, trembling. "No matter what we do, you..."

"I'm broken," Frisk laughed, tears in their eyes. "Even if you reset... I'll still be broken." They held out their hands. "That's why I want you to have the last remaining bit of my determination, Chara. I want you to have a second chance. With the mix of my determination and the others', you'll get your second chance... " They smiled. "You're the Fallen Angel, after all. You're the hero."

"Frisk... you cannot," Chara clenched their fists. "You fool... we will find a way to fix your SOUL! Your journey cannot be over yet! You are Frisk, you are important, the world needs you! You are the Eighth Human, the one that lives on! You always survive, you live no matter what! Your story isn't meant to end here! I..." They realised they were crying too. They screamed in agony. "I cannot stand to say goodbye to another loved one! I can't lose you! I need you here with me, Frisk! Don't you understand?!" They glared at Frisk. "I love you! I love you and I need you!"

"There's a million other Frisks," Frisk laughed it off, anxiously. "You'll find someone even better than me."

"No one can replace you!" Chara growled. "No other Frisk has been through what you have! You are my Frisk!"

"I love you, Chara," Frisk said, their body glitching grey. "I always have. Look after the others for me, okay...?"

"FRISK!" Chara growled, trying to grab Frisk to stop them from leaving. "I don't want you to leave me!"

But it was too late.

"I'll be in your memories..." Frisk told Chara, their face cracking. They held Chara's hand for one last time. Their body began to disappear. "B-be the best person you can for me, Chara... goodbye..."

Chara felt the determination enter their body. They roared in rage, tears everywhere. They heard Frisk's voice singing as the world flashed white...

"Someday I'll wish upon a star...

Wake up where the clouds are far behind me,

Where troubles melt like lemon drops,

High above the chimney tops,

That's where,

You'll find me..."