-CHARA-
"My child!"
Chara had not heard that voice for a long time. Hearing it made a sentiment rise in their chest.
"Mom..." they mumbled, looking up. Two furry arms wrapped around them. They smelled faintly of butterscotch-cinnamon pie and motherly love. Toriel.
"Oh my child, you have returned to us!" Toriel said with glee.
Asgore came over as well, smiling at Chara. He had tears in his eyes.
"Chara..." he sniffled. "It is so good to see you again."
He continued crying, then joined in hugging Chara. Toriel gave him a faint glare, but did not push him away.
"Thanks..." Chara said, their voice trailing off.
"So you're this Chara we've heard about, huh?" Undyne asked, folding her arms. "The Fallen Angel?"
"I am afraid so." Chara answered.
"Wow, you... really came back!" Alphys gasped. "I still don't get how... but it's incredible!"
"The power of Determination has many capabilities." Chara replied.
"SANS!" Papyrus yelled. "THERE'S ANOTHER HUMAN! OR IS THAT THE OTHER ONE WITH THE STICK?"
Chara's heart dropped.
"nah, they're the fallen angel, bro," Sans replied. "i dunno where the other one is. the other kids are here, though."
With that, the other children walked into the room.
"Oh my children!" Toriel gasped, smiling. She released Chara. "I am so glad to see you all alive and well!"
"Yeah, punks!" Undyne agreed. "If you kids died, I... I... might've cried!"
"WELL, I DIDN'T CRY!" Papyrus said, proudly.
"then why were tears coming out of your eye sockets?" Sans asked.
"THERE WAS SOMETHING IN MY EYE!" Papyrus retorted.
"what was it?" Sans asked.
"TEARS!" Papyrus exclaimed, his voice full of emotion.
"Chara!" Cody gasped, running towards Chara. He gave them a hug, which made them tense up. Though, they were happy to see him. He reminded them so much of Asriel...
"Thank goodness you're okay." Melody sighed, smiling at Chara.
"YEAH!" Brayden agreed. He dug his knuckles into Chara's head, grinning broadly at them. "Now we can be friends!"
"Fascinating..." Percy was observing Chara. "The fact that you created a physical body out of SOUL power alone... fascinating..."
"Nice to see ya, Chara," Clover said. She folded her arms. "But where's Frisk?"
Chara's face went pale. They bit their lip.
"... Frisk..." they sighed. They chuckled quietly, with a small smile. "Frisk is... somewhere over the rainbow."
"What does that mean?!" Brayden asked, folding his arms.
"... Frisk is dead." Faye said, quietly.
"Frisk is WHAT?!" Undyne roared.
"That... that cannot be!" Toriel gasped with horror.
"Oh my God..." Alphys covered her mouth.
"WHAT?!" Brayden growled. He stormed up to Chara. "YOU'RE LYING!"
"We... heard some of what they said to us..." Melody said. "... they... sounded... well, we couldn't stay completely mad at them."
"Oh Frisk..." Cody began to cry. He sobbed into his palms. "I... I wanted to give them another chance again... but..."
"We can just reset, right?" Brayden asked Chara, his lip trembling. "RIGHT?!"
Chara smiled sadly. "Their SOUL cannot be healed. They are gone for good."
"THERE THERE CODY, DON'T CRY," Papyrus knelt down to Cody's height. He patted his back. "IT WILL BE OKAY, WE WILL HAVE SPAGHETTI, AND MY PUZZLES, AND..." He began to cry as well. "THEY... THEY WERE THE FIRST ONE... THAT TRIED MY SPAGHETTI... THEY LOVED ME!"
"They loved everyone..." Cody sobbed into Papyrus' scarf.
"Dead..." Clover gritted her teeth, bowing her head. "In all honesty, they kinda deserved it but... man..." She trembled. "I... I don't like that feelin'..."
"They got karma." Chara replied, still smiling.
"THERE'S NO WAY THEY'RE DEAD!" Brayden roared. "THEY... THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULDN'T DIE!"
"They told me they would always be with me and they stabbed me," Chara snapped back. "They were never reliable."
"STUPID KID!" Brayden yelled, holding up his fists. "IF THEY WERE ALIVE I'D BEAT THEM UP!"
"They were horrible but... I miss them..." Melody admitted. "And... I want them back, despite how BAD they were." She wiped away tears. "Frisk you... idiot! Why... why did you have to..." She began to cry even more.
Brayden was trembling, his teeth bared.
"I'M NOT CRYING!" he yelled. "I DON'T CRY!"
He stared at Faye, who was gazing at the ground, almost with indifference. She looked up at him for a moment, and she had so much sorrow in her eyes. Brayden clenched his fists and fell to his knees. Tears trickled out of his eyes. He yelled in agony, punching the ground.
"DAMMIT!" he yelled. "DAMMIT, FRISK!" His breathing was heavy. "I WANT THEM BACK!" He continued sobbing. "I WANT THEM BACK!"
Faye walked over and sat next to Brayden. She cuddled him gently, giving him a small smile... though the sorrow was still in her eyes. He hugged her back, almost protectively.
Percy was panicking. His breathing was scattered. Clover glanced at him. She looked concerned. Though she couldn't blame him.
"Perce..." she sighed.
"Dead dead dead," he muttered. "So quickly, gone. A life taken away. They ruined themself... My friend... my friend ruined themself... and they couldn't be saved..."
Clover shook her head. "Yeah. I know, Perce... dammit... that kid..." Her teeth were gritted. She was shivering. "I... I hated them... but I didn't want them dead, y'know? I wanna see justice but death..." She looked down. "... Cody was right. Killing that person who killed my mom... that's not justice... you're just bringing yourself to their level." She wiped her eyes. "I don't wanna be that person."
"I don't think you are that type of person," Percy said. "I mean, you could be, yes, but if you veer yourself in the right direction... then you will be a hero."
"I like that food for thought, Perce," Clover grinned at him. "You're a smart cookie, aren'tcha?"
"I'm not smart," Percy replied. He frowned. "I'm not a good best friend. I just... take notes... and Google things... I... I'm trying to be a better friend, not be so... anti-social."
"I can help ya with that," Clover told him. She shrugged. "Sure, I'm no professional at the whole social thing, but I'll give ya all the advice I've got. I mean, I can tell you're on the right track already, Perce. You'll be a good person. I promise."
Percy blushed, as she held his arm.
"T-thank... thank you..." he croaked.
Chara stared at their shoes, feeling awfully guilty. Toriel was weeping quietly, her head down. Asgore was frowning. Undyne was screaming various curse words while Alphys was panicking. Sans had a dark look on his face.
"I... I am sorry..." Chara apologized. "I... I wish I could have saved them... but I failed."
"It is not your fault, my child," Toriel told Chara, patting their back. "Yes we are devastated... but you have returned to us! And the Barrier has been shattered! So at last, we may return to the surface."
"... I did as I said I would, so long ago..." Chara sighed. "Yes, the Barrier has been shattered. Finally... we may return to the Surface."
"But what about Frisk?" Melody asked. "We have to honour their life in some way, right...?"
"Yes, yes we do," Chara replied. "And I know the perfect location for such event. It is a bit of a travel away... but it will be worth it. Alas, if you would rather go to the Surface now..."
Brayden glared at them. "NO WAY! WE FELL IN TOGETHER, WE'RE LEAVING TOGETHER!"
"He's got a point," Clover folded her arms. "And besides, we're not gonna let Frisk get forgotten that quickly."
Chara smiled at the other humans.
"I guess... not all humans are bad," they said. "Come along, then. Let us honour the Eighth Human's life at the place it began."
"We will wait here for you," Toriel said. "While we miss them so, you all knew them better than we did. Give them our condolences."
"We shall." Chara promised.
"You famous fetuses are back, huh?" Burgerpants sighed.
"We're free! The Barrier's been shattered!" Cody cheered.
"Mettaton told me as much," Burgerpants replied. "Then he told me, 'don't think that means you're getting out of work early'. Ah, my boss. I love that guy. And by that I mean I hate him so, so much." He made a face. "By the way, where's that weird kid with the stick gone?"
"HEY!" Brayden snapped, holding up his fists. "THEIR NAME WAS FRISK!"
"Frisk, huh...?" Burgerpants asked. "Did something happen to them?"
"We need to go." Chara interrupted, biting their lip.
"Undyne told us that the Royal Guard is being disbanded," one royal guard said. "Like, bummer... guess we'll have to get used to Love and Peace."
"That ain't a bad thing, y'know." Clover retorted.
"It is a bit when you're used to, like, Death and Destruction." the guard shrugged.
The kids visited Muffet, who thankfully was willing to forgive Cody and even gave him a hug.
"I... think there's a spider in my hair..." Cody mumbled, nervously patting Muffet's back. The spider lady chuckled.
"You are such a dear~" Muffet said, grinning widely. "Where is that other child? The one with the sword? I may forgive them as well."
"Lest we forget their admittedly short life." Chara sighed.
"Oh... they died?" Muffet looked sad. "That's terrible." She handed Cody a donut. "If you are going to bury them, put this on their grave for me, dearie~"
"Okay," Cody grinned. He took the donut. "Thank you."
The kids entered Tem Village. The tems were very excited about going to the Surface, aside from the one that was watching an egg hatch. Chara stayed out of Tem Village. That place made them... uncomfortable.
"COME ON!" Brayden yelled at a Temmie. "I'M NOT THAT SWEATY!"
"sMelli hooman." Temmie waved him away. Brayden angrily waved his fists in the air.
"i like Hoomans shOez!" another Temmie squealed. She stole one of Brayden's shoes.
"HEY!" Brayden yelled, running after the Temmie with one shoe. Clover burst out laughing. Melody rolled her eyes.
"Wa ha ha!" Gerson chuckled. "I knew you kids could do it!"
"Hey, you should tell us... about the Fluffybuns thing..." Faye said. "I'm interested..."
"I just want to know if ASGORE is a goat or some other animal." Percy commented.
"OK, OK, kids!" Gerson gasped. "I remember it clearly now. It was the monthly address at the castle, and the queen was giving her part on current events. After finishing her update, she moved to pass the microphone to the king. However, she didn't realise the microphone was still in her hands when she said: 'Your turn, Fluffybuns'."
"Aww!" Cody smiled.
"EWWWW," Brayden commented. "NO WAY I'M CALLING MY GIRLFRIEND THAT!" He looked thoughtful. "INSTEAD I'LL CALL HER... UHH... MELODY, WHAT DO I CALL HER?"
Melody sighed.
"The audience burst into laughter," Gerson said. "Realising what she had said, she started laughing too. After a few moments, the king held up his arms. The crowd grew silent. He leaned towards the microphone, expression... stern. 'Dear citizens. Thank you for coming here today. I... King Fluffybuns...' And the rest is history."
"Aww, that's so cute..." Faye giggled.
"Hmm, I remember being told that story..." Chara laughed silently. "M... Toriel and Asgore had... such a close bond... and so did we."
"You know the king and queen, kid?" Gerson asked Chara. He sounded thoughtful. "Your face... it's kinda familiar..."
"Perhaps... I do." Chara replied, chewing their lip with their head bowed.
"Human-darlings!" Mettaton exclaimed, as the humans found him and Napstablook hanging out. He had his body with the sexy legs. "Feast your eyes! Dr. Alphys completed my wonderful new body! Oooh! Did you hear? The barrier's open! I can't wait to see the sun... the greatest spotlight of all!"
The kids looked unamused.
"Oh yes," Mettaton made a face. "I suppose I should thank you too, darlings. Before fighting you I had... forgotten how fun it was to perform with others! So I've been searching for HOT TALENT to fill my upcoming troupe. So far, Shyren's agreed to be my backup singer. And Bl... Napstablook here, will be my sound-mixer! The three of us performing together... it really feels overdue, doesn't it?"
"That sounds... interesting," Melody said. "I've always liked performing... you don't have to say yes but maybe I could-"
"Oh yes, a human member!" Mettaton exclaimed. "What a brilliant idea! Melody-darling, you're a genius!" He gasped. "I heard you and that other one, Frisk I believe, perform together very well. Perhaps you should invite them to join in on the show as well!"
Melody's smile disappeared.
"... no one knows the truth?" she asked, staring at the ground.
"Frisk cannot perform with you," Chara told Mettaton, their voice quiet. "Because they are dead."
"Oh my God!" Mettaton shrieked. "When? How...? What happened to them?!"
"I don't want to talk about it again," Chara sighed. "We will accept your condolences."
The kids found the trash can again. It was dabbing.
"Let's ignore that atrocity of humanity." Chara grumbled.
One does not simply
Ignore the memes of life
The kids passed by Endogeny, in Snowdin town.
"The product of my determination is quite disturbing..." Chara commented.
"THAT IS ONE DOG I DON'T LIKE!" Brayden commented. "I MEAN, IT ALMOST KILLED ME!"
"Yo!" Monster Kid grinned at the humans. "What's up! I've been, kinda doing some thinking. Maybe Undyne... isn't actually as cool as we thought. She's just... kinda mean."
"HEY!" Brayden grumbled. "I KINDA LIKE UNDYNE! EVEN THOUGH SHE SMELLS LIKE FISH!"
"Undyne is a true hero." Chara folded their arms.
"But YO!" Monster Kid squealed. "I just found out about someone WAYYYY cooler! Nyeh heh heh!"
"Cooler, because he comes from Snowdin." Faye winked. Everyone groaned.
Some monsters had apparently fixed the bridge that Frisk broke a long time ago. Seeing it made Brayden uncomfortable.
"Man..." he sighed. "I wish I could've helped them before they..."
"Frisk was not that type of person," Chara admitted. "They liked to deal with their problems by themself. They... isolated themself so much..."
The kids made it to the RUINS. The doors were open. They entered, Chara walking slightly ahead of them. Chara was holding their arms to their chest.
"Not far now," they said.
"Wow, feels like years since we were last here," Clover commented, shaking her head.
"Yeah..." Faye agreed. "I... kinda missed this place."
"Don't you DARE say you wished you'd stayed here!" Brayden growled at her.
"I wasn't gonna say that..." Faye replied. "I was gonna say... I'm glad I didn't stay. This journey made me really happy. Thank you... everyone."
"Aww," Clover grinned at her. "We're glad ya came too, Faye."
"HELL YEAH!" Brayden agreed, giving the blonde girl a noogie.
"You all have such a close bond..." Chara sighed. "Treasure it. Things like that... no amount of gold can ever save them if they were to disappear."
"GOLD can buy you manga," Percy replied. "That's close enough."
Chara made a face. Melody shrugged at them.
The kids finally made it to the end of the RUINS. They were reminded of when they first fell down. It felt like years ago...
They remembered the Surface too. At long last, they would be going home.
Yet... it wouldn't be the same without Frisk.
"I bet Frisk's family will be so upset..." Cody sniffled. "Their parents must miss them a lot."
Chara stopped moving. They almost burst into tears.
"Yes," they said painfully, as if their throat was full of glass shards. "Yes, they would."
The kids entered the first room. The sun was still faintly shining down on the bed of golden flowers.
Chara began to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Clover asked them.
"It is... it's just... interesting," Chara responded, still laughing. "My body is buried underneath these golden flowers. So... Frisk and myself will have the same place as a memorial."
"We landed on a dead person?!" Melody exclaimed.
"This timeline is... interesting," Chara replied. "So... interesting. In all other timelines, every human aside from Frisk is dead. In this timeline, we are all alive... aside from Frisk."
"WE'RE ALL DEAD IN ANOTHER TIMELINE?!" Brayden exclaimed.
"Yes," Chara replied. They turned and stared at the golden flowers. "I remember this place... so well. I fell here. We all fell here. And so we shall rise. But lest we forget."
They turned around and stared at the other humans. "Lest we forget the Eighth Human. Lest we forget the one who lived for honour and glory, heartache, murder, and died for the sake of the world. Lest we forget the one so terrible but so loveable. Lest we forget their undying determination, their passion, their will to live. Lest we forget their last sacrifice. Lest we forget everything they fought for. Lest we forget..." They paused. "Lest we forget..."
They clenched their fists, trying not to cry. "... forget..." They were trembling.
"Are you okay, Chara?" Cody asked. His eyes were full of tears.
"I'm... fine..." Chara stammered. "No... I... I cannot finish this by myself..."
"Lest we forget their sins..." Faye said. "But lest we forget their kindness, either."
"LEST WE FORGET THEIR COOL SWORD SKILLS!" Brayden punched the air.
"Lest we forget their endless talents." Melody sighed.
"Lest we forget their intelligence." Percy said.
"Lest we forget their smile..." Cody sobbed.
"Even though they did a lot of bad stuff, lest we forget their good intentions." Clover said.
She had removed her hat and was bowing her head.
"T-thank... Thank you..." Chara said. They took a deep breath. "Lest we forget... lest we forget their love."
The kids all stood around the flowers. Cody sobbed into his sister's arm. She kept her head bowed.
"I'M NOT CRYING MELODY!" Brayden yelled. "YOU ARE!"
Melody patted Brayden's shoulder. He bared his teeth and started crying as well. Melody gave him a hug. She cried.
Chara stared at Faye. She stared back at them.
"I'm glad you told them the truth, in the end," Chara said.
"Thanks..." Faye said. She bowed her head. "But... I never saw... this coming..."
"Neither did I..." Chara replied. "Sometimes... things are better left off as mysteries." They sighed. "But as I said, you are alive. Live your life and enjoy yourself. You are free." They smiled. "That is the best we can hope for."
Asgore offered some Chara some of his golden tea when the children returned. They accepted it graciously.
"I... truly am sorry about what happened to my brother..." they said, frowning. "I would bring him back if I could, I hope you know that."
"Of course you would," Asgore patted their head. "You two would've done anything for each other, right?"
Chara wiped their eyes.
"I'd give my soul away if I had to." they replied, their lip twitching.
"My dear child..." Toriel hugged Chara once more. "I am not happy that you encouraged monsterkind to commit war... but you have redeemed yourself by saving everyone."
"I never wanted war anyway." Chara replied.
"That is my good child," Toriel said, wiping their cheeks. "I am so proud of you. You and the other children too."
Chara smiled sadly.
It was time to go.
It was really the end now. The kids faced the Barrier.
"Y'all ready?" Clover asked. The others nodded.
"It is time..." Chara sighed. "To go home."
The kids passed through the Barrier.