When the light faded, it was just Peter and Asriel. And Asriel was just a small kid.

"I'm so sorry..." He cried.

Chara floated nearby. She was crying too.

"I always was a crybaby, wasn't I, Chara?" Asriel asked.

"I.. I'm so sorry..." Chara's eyes were moist. But Asriel couldn't hear her anymore. "I... I never deserved to have you as a brother. And look you now... twisted. By the things I unknowingly taught you."

Peter got on one knee so his face was level with Asriel. "You know, I've heard that tears are good. They help let your emotions out."

Asriel looked up, a sad smile on his face. "You're... you really aren't Chara, are you?"

Peter shook his head. "I've always just been Peter Parker."

Asriel nodded slowly. "She died a long time ago. It was stupid of me to assume you were the same person. And it was definitely unfair to you."

He began to cry again. "I know that I did so many terrible things. I destroyed my friends, my family, innocents, and you over and over. I killed for fun and manipulated people like a game. There's no reason for you to have any feelings towards me other than disgust, but I have to tell you... I'm sorry. I'm well and truly sorry."

Peter looked at the small child weeping before him. "Asriel… if I didn't kill you when you had no feelings, no regret, and had just brutally murdered multiple times by you... Why would I not give you forgiveness when you're in your right mind, and truly are sorry? I cannot forget the things you willingly did. I don't even think I can trust you. But... I do give you my forgiveness."

Asriel laughed dumbfoundedly. "I... I really don't understand how you can be like that."

"Well... I've made mistakes. I've messed up. And it's gotten people hurt... or worse..." Peter trailed off. "But... If I've been given forgiveness by those close to me, why would I have the right to withhold it for you?"

Asriel sniffed. "It's strange, really. The monsters... their SOULs... I can feel the love they have for you. They've known you for just a few days, and yet... I know what I have to do. I must return their SOULS to them. But first-"

Asriel rose into the air, SOULS spinning around him, and in a burst of light and cacophony of sound, the barrier was destroyed.

As the light died down, Peter and Chara looked to Asriel.

"Peter... " Asriel spoke slowly. "I have to tell you... without the power of the SOULs, I can't maintain this form. I'll turn back into a flower. I'll... I wont be able to feel anymore. When that happens... please, just forget about me. I'd rather you remember me like this... rather than as Flowey."

Chara tapped Peter on the shoulder. "Can... can you give him a message from me? But... not from me?"

Peter understood what she was asking. As she told him how she felt, Peter said, "Asriel… I'll bet, if your sister was here... She'd be really proud of what you did. Maybe she'd wish that you two had had more time together, and... and she hopes you'd forgive her. For all the grief she gave you. You were always the person she wished she could be."

Asriel looked confused. "But... I always looked up to her! What did I have that she would want?"

Chara said what it was. Peter smiled sadly.

"She admired you for your kindness. And your tenacity. And... she would want you to know that she remembers you like this. Not like Flowey."

Asriel sniffed. "Gosh, Peter, you're gonna make me cry again..."

They sat in silence for a moment.

"Peter... I'm scared..." Asriel whispered. "I know what's coming... and it scares me..."

His shoulders began to softly shake. Peter considered for a moment, leaned down, and enveloped him in a hug.

Chara turned away sadly, but Peter gestured for her to come over. "He'll feel it all the same," he mouthed. Chara floated towards them, and hugged Asriel, unable to keep from crying now.

Asriel gently pulled out of the hug. "I... I gotta go now. But... thank you. For everything." He turned, and slowly walked into the darkness. Before he vanished from sight, he turned around again.

"Peter?" He asked. "Please... take care of mom and dad for me?"

Peter nodded. "I promise."

And then Asriel was gone.