Disclaimer: I don't own Undertale and to view some art for this story go to the tumblr blog: undertalepre2re. I'll also be trying o redo some old art I did, that I think I can improve. Thank you enjoying this story, your kind words, follows and reviews.

"You couldn't relive your life, skipping the awful parts, without losing what made it worthwhile. You had to accept it as a whole-like the world, or the person you loved."

― Stewart O'Nan, The Odds: A Love Story

It was a hard thing to accept a lot of things as she entered a hall that seemed made of gold. A star lay close as she took it, the magic intertwining and she continued on her way. Accepting that saving her mother wasn't possible, was hard. She had tried hard to stop it from happening, making it go away, anything she could think of until deciding to come to the mountain.

It was a decision made after a fight. A decision made in fear, but Frisk could finally see what her mom was always trying to teach her. Magic and nature will always right itself...She swallowed, trying not to think of it longer, wishing for some distraction.

Will skeleton boy work? Or you're still mad at him? Chara spoke inside her head, and Frisk still felt dumb over not recognizing the determination mage that came before her that had disappeared.

I told you I don't want to talk about him.

Well, too bad. He's in front of you.

"What?" She blinked, looking in front of her at what was in the shadows in disbelief. "Sans?" She looked behind her and around, wondering why he was here. Their eyes met, and Frisk swore she could see an apologetic expression on his face until it turned serious.

"So, you finally made it. The end of your journey is at hand. In a few moments, you will meet the king. Together...you will determine the future of this world. That's then. Now, you will be judged."

"Judged?" Frisk blinked as Sans continued.

"You will be judged for your every action. You will be judged for your every EXP you've earned."

"Wait...what's that?"

"What's EXP? Well, it's an acronym. It stands for "execution points". A way of quantifying the pain you inflicted on others. When you kill someone, your EXP increases. When you have enough EXP, your LOVE increases."

"My what?"

"Love, too, is an acronym. It stands for "Level of Violence". A way of measuring someone's capacity to hurt." He looked at her steadily. "The more you kill, the easier it becomes to distance yourself. The more you distance yourself, the less you'll hurt." His pen lights seemed to be speaking to her, "The more easily you can bring yourself to hurt others."

"Sans…"

"...but you." He closed his eyes and opened them. "you never gained any LOVE. of course, that doesn't mean you're completely innocent." He chuckled, and Frisk could feel her cheeks start to burn, as she thought back to the dance. "or naive."

"Then what does it mean?"

"just that...you kept a certain tenderness in your heart. no matter the struggles...or hardships you faced…. you strived to do the right thing. you refused to hurt anyone."

"Does running count?" She laughed a bit, hearing him chuckle.

"even when you ran away, you did it with a smile. you never gained LOVE but…" His eyes found hers. "you gained love. does that make sense?"

Frisk blinked at him, "I... but you..." Her brain tried to process it all, and she heard him laugh again.

"maybe not. now...you're about to face the greatest challenge of your entire journey. your actions here will determine the fate of the entire world."

"But what if I don't fight?" Frisk looked at him, seeing his surprise. "I just, what If I ...don't do...anything."

"if you refuse to fight…" Sans voice was quiet. "asgore will take your soul and destroy humanity."

"Oh…and the other option?"

"if you kill asgore and go home...monsters will remain trapped underground."

"I…" Frisk breathed.

"what will you do?"

"Want to tell me what would you do?"

Sans snorted, "well, if i were you, i would have thrown in the towel by now." He gave a shrug, and Frisk gave him a look that only made him laugh. "but you didn't get this far by giving up, did you? "

"No... I didn't." She smiled slightly.

"that's right. you have something called "determination". so as long as you hold on. so as long as you do what's in your heart...i believe you can do the right thing."

"No, kid?" She couldn't help but smile and noticed the mischievous expression on his face. "I'm going to get going before you say something dumb."

"alright then, we're counting on you, kid" he laughed, emphasizing it as Frisk groaned.

"Sans, I swear if you call me kid one more ti-"

"good luck."

Frisk blinked, wanting to hug him as she swallowed. He believes in me...but before…

There's more to that skeleton than meet the eye, so are you two going to run up to each other. Hug and say I'm sorry like normal people. Then say I forgive you. Frisk's eyes stayed on Sans, and she could see his magic starting, with swirls of blue as she shook her head.

No, he knows. I want him to see the stars….

You two are so weird….

Frisk knew when she blinked he'd be gone, so held off as long as she could until it was inevitable. She knew what lie ahead and pressed a hand to her heart. I'll figure out a way…

With a deep breath, Frisk continued walking, making her way to a door with that symbol above it that she'd seen everywhere, that was clearly the royal symbol. As she walked through, it felt listless and grey, her eyes connecting before a door with a sign engraved with the words 'Throne Room' to the side seemed to taunt her. Swallowing harshly, she glanced at a star and let herself use the magic of the SAVE before continuing onward.

"Wait…what's that?" Another entrance caught her attention as she spoke out loud, and she made her way in that direction. She could feel Chara's unease going over her, and wondered what was wrong with the other girl she now realized was a spirit.

Took you long enough. Did you really think I was just some disembodied voice in your head? Sheesh, you can be an idiot like him sometimes… Chara sighed, but it was tinged with sadness that Frisk didn't understand.

Well, sorry. I left my How Ghosts Work book at home, Frisk snapped back though her sarcastic behavior surprised her a bit as they descended down the rows of stairs. I'm not usually that snappy, that's you...Chara is 'us' a good idea, and where did you even come from? I didn't even hear you before I started using those SAVE stars and... Frisk's thoughts died off as horror reached her eyes at the coffins lined up in a row. "Oh my god…" Her fingers trembled as she crept forward, inching closer until her fingers touched the words engraved on it. "Chara…this is…" She felt more unease and now understood why as she looked at more of the coffins. "Your coffin…"

Not exactly...mom moved me. She buried me under the golden flowers near the ruins, so I could at least feel the sun of my world she said. Chara laughed bitterly as images flashed in Frisk's head of Knights, Mages, and regular humans attacking. Pain that wasn't hers wrecked her as she braced herself against a wall. Humans...they're all alike…

Chara! Frisk breathed out, screaming in her head as it all receded and Frisk swallowed in gulps of air as though her life depending on it and she steadied her hands, noticing them shaking. Frisk continued to breathe, leaving that area quickly as she rushed up the stairs, her hand grasped the doorway of the throne room once she made her way back.

She could still see Chara's coffin and those other six in her head, she was sure that unlike Chara's those other six housed six bodies. The six souls Undyne mentioned...She breathed out again, frowning as she made her way into the throne room.

She closed her eyes, steeling herself for what she'd find, she'd heard so many say Asgore was caring and soft, but then there were coffins, and she remembered the anger in Toriel's eyes as she spoke about the man.

Exhaling, she opened her eyes, looking on in surprise at the beautiful golden flowers filling the room. The sight was breathtaking, nearly so much as the majestic monster in the middle of the room humming as he watered the plants in front of him. The sound of birds singing caught her off guard as she looked around the room.

"Asgore?"

"Oh...Is someone there?" Asgore's voice was deep and warmer than she imagined as she felt a Chara's emotions go from sadness to love.

She misses him…. Frisk frowned inwardly, expecting some comeback and was surprised at the silence in her head. He's just like everyone described him...except Toriel.

"Just a moment!" He chuckled, "I've almost finished watering these flowers." He continued his hum as Frisk stay still, staring at the large monster as she tried to figure him out. "Here we are." He turned as he put the water pot down smiling, the concern and care in his eyes threw Frisk off as much as she saw the hidden pain behind it. "Howdy! How can I…"

He blinked, staggering back from her in such surprise that Frisk wondered if she did something wrong as he looked away from her a moment. Silence loomed in the room, and Frisk fidgeted as she opened her mouth to speak.

"I came to see you..." She trailed off, leaving it unspoken as he bowed his head as he faced her. She was sure now he didn't want to do this any more than she did.

"Oh…" He chuckled though it came out sad as he looked at her fully, the smile was tighter as he tried to hide the look in his eyes. "I so badly want to say "would you like a cup of tea?" but...you know how it is." He looked on at her sadly, and Frisk's voice was a whisper.

"Yeah…" She held herself as he started to walk, his large robe trailing the floor of flowers as he made his way and looked back at her. He studied her closely until smiling, and she felt like he was trying to soften this for her best he could.

"Nice day today, huh?"

"It's...pretty nice…" She looked back around the place, as a chirp caught her attention.

"Birds are singing, flowers are blooming…" He chuckled. "Perfect weather for a game of catch."

"I wouldn't know...I didn't get to play outside much. And it was just my mom and me. My dad wasn't the best person…" Frisk frowned as she thought back to her near absent father who she feared. She noticed Asgore's frown and immediately felt bad for making the moment even worse, though she couldn't imagine it could be any worse.

He looked away again, and back at her, his mouth opened but nothing came out as their eyes met. Asgore couldn't hide the frown etched on his face as he let out a deep sigh, and Frisk could see all the years on him in his tired eyes. "You know what we must do. When you are ready, come to the next room."

Frisk barely nodded as he left, leaving her with her thoughts as she stood in the throne room full of golden flowers. Her eyes went to the sheet as she went over, seeing another throne as she blinked at her realization. "The Queen…" An image of Toriel flashed in her head, and she gasped. "Toriel…then that means Asriel was hers and Asgore's child." And so were you…

We need to get a move on…

Frisk frowned, feeling Chara building a wall around herself as she let out a sigh and placed the sheet back on the throne. The way to the next room was close, and yet she feared it with so many questions in her head.

Walking inside, she immediately saw Asgore as he kept a smile on his face that never reached his eyes. "How tense...Just think of it like a visit to the dentist." He looked at her with a sad smile as he turned down the corridor walking.

"This is not the dentist…" Frisk mumbled as she went to follow, and she spotted a Save star near Asgore and another entrance.

"Are you ready?"

"I…" Frisk felt unsure how to answer that, as she held her bag closer to her.

"If you are not, I understand." Asgore's voice was quiet, heavy with exhaustion that Frisk felt was on his soul. "I am not ready either."

"Wait, maybe we ca-" Her words died as he entered the room and she felt frustration build. We can…. She wasn't sure how to answer it, but there had to be something. Chara was quiet, the silence felt ominous as Frisk used the SAVE star that she realized used to be Chara's.

With a deep breath she entered, Asgore stood looking on as Frisk stared at the work of the barrier that seemed endless. It's like a tunnel, one where you always end up back where you started…

"This is the barrier. This is what keeps us all trapped underground. If…" Asgore let out a huge breath. "If by chance you have any unfinished business...please do what you must…"

Frisk's heart raced as she looked on, Asgore stood unmoving as she took in deep breaths, trying to steady her own trembling as she took a step forward and clenched her fists with a firm look. "I'm ready."

"I see...This is it, then." Asgore turned, smiling at her and Frisk could see wetness at the corner of his eyes that he held back. "Ready?" He continued to smile at her as Frisk watched magical capsules appear, and she fought the urge to back away as she saw each one containing the soul of each type of mage but her own. Seeing an empty one, she knew exactly where hers would go, and she could feel the pull of the encounter, as Asgore's head hang.

Frisk looked at Asgore steadily, gritting her teeth as her mouth thinned into a line and she refused to give up as determination filled her.

You really should stop that face….

Chara?

You need me…

Frisk felt confused at her statement and only nodded as Asgore began speaking. "Human…" He looked up slowly with a sad smile. "It was nice to meet you." He exhaled slowly, closing his eyes. "Goodbye…"

Frisk had barely any time to move as she saw the giant spear that she couldn't guess if it were stained with blood or painted crimson. She staggered back, unprepared as she felt a change in her magic as Asgore's trident went through her essence ripping it.

No! She screamed out at the change, it burned through her as she felt herself slipping and no longer having the ability to run or leave this fight be. This is a real fight…

Exactly…It felt like her hand was overcome with something else as she took the knife from her bag and steadied herself. Chara?

Your way, won't work this time…

Frisk was at a loss for words to Chara as she dared to use her magic to CHECK Asgore, and her eyes widened.

80 ATK 80 DEF

His hands moved as balls of fire came at her, and she moved quickly to dodge, trying to form a plan. "Please, I don't want to fight…" The urge was there pushing at her to do so as she saw Asgore's hands tremble, and his grip tightened moments after as more fire came her way.

"I don't want to hurt you! You don't get that?" Frisk yelled out, hearing Asgore's labored breaths and she could see him shaking slightly in indecision. "Please?" She knew she was begging, but she started to wonder if maybe if she got through to him, they could come up with something else.

His trident went out, striking her with magic of blue and orange as Frisk tried to keep up with the pattern, as she ignored the burns on her and coughed up blood from the last hit that landed. "Asgore...stop fighting." Frisk swallowed, and she could see a look pass over him as he readied his attack again.

She tried dodging, the fire hitting her, but Frisk noticed it wasn't as bad as before and looked at Asgore closely, noticing he looked even less that he wanted to do this. "Come on, we can figure this out!"

"Talking won't do any more good! Chara yelled in her head as her own magic formed around the knife and her arm suddenly moved, slashing him as she gasped. She stared at her own handiwork, shaking her head, not wanting to do this. What other choice do they have if they want freedom? But none of this is right...none of it… Frisk wanted to grab her head, only to move and dodge faster as she distanced herself from the fighting. She felt like she was further inside her own head with every hit and stab until it just all stopped.

Chara…?

I can't...Suddenly she felt yanked back, her fingers going to her eyes that had tears as she looked at Asgore in front of her now on one knee. I can't do it…

"Ah…" He looked solemn, holding a hand to his chest. "So that is how it is."

"Asgore...I…" Frisk swallowed, looking at him as his chest heaved with each breath he took and she knew one more hit would be all it would take to kill him.

"I remember the day after my son died…The entire underground was devoid of hope. The future had once again been taken from us by the humans. In a fit of anger, I declared war…." He sighed deeply. "I said I would destroy any human that came here." He continued, and Frisk thought back to the golden flowers of her town.

Their side of the story of Asriel, how a monster somehow broke the barrier and killed a child. It was the beginning of more knights being stationed in their town and mages questioned themselves more on their decision to once side with them. Then came the sacrifices and mages no longer told their children to fight the strange pull to the barrier, that wanted to right itself.

She chewed her lip, thinning it into a line, letting Asgore collect his thoughts.

"I would use their souls to become godlike...and free us from this terrible prison. Then I would destroy humanity and let monsters rule the surface in peace."

"As horrible as that sounds...I can't see you doing that…" She found it hard to picture Asgore doing it, but part of her wasn't so naive. He pushed himself to kill to get this far.

"You are not the only one who thought it horrible, the monsters hope returned. My wife was disgusted with my actions. She left this place never to be seen again…"

"Because of the power you wanted?" Frisk questioned, though Asgore let out a strange laugh.

"Truthfully, I do not want power...nor do I want to hurt anyone. I just...wanted everyone to have hope." He clutched his chest, and Frisk could feel the despair rolling off him. "But I cannot take this any longer."

"What do you mean?" Frisk looked confused, noting her own health was near death as she staggered as she stood, trying to hang on herself.

"I just want to see my wife. I just want to see my child. "

"I …"

"Please...young one…This war has gone on long enough. "

"No...no…" Frisk started to shake her head, falling back as her energy left her "I won't!"

"You have the power...Take my soul and leave this cursed place…"

"No!" Frisk knew she was yelling, but started to glare. "I will not kill you! I refuse!" She felt her power shift back into place as determination fueled her.

"After everything I have done to hurt you…?" Asgore blinked, his head starting to rise. "You would rather stay down here and suffer...than live happily on the surface?"

"I don't know how to get you all out…" Frisk looked down at the ground. "I want to save you. All of you. I still want to, and maybe one day I'll figure it out but...I rather be down here figuring it out than up there missing everyone and... regretting what I did."

"Human…" He chuckled, looking down again only a moment and then smiling at her fondly. "I promise you, for as long as you remain here...My wife and I will take care of you as best we can. We can sit in the living room, telling stories…. eating butterscotch pie. We could be like...like a family." He smiled sincerely, and Frisk could feel herself tearing up, the thought of a real family pulled at her heart, and she couldn't help the smile that broke out on her face.

"I'd like that…" She smiled more, moving slowly to get up as Asgore smiled back, about to move to reach out his hand as Frisk's eyes widened to sudden seeds surrounding him like bullets. "Asgore!"

He opened his mouth, not even a word coming out as they all hit him and Frisk saw dust in front of her face as she stood there staring.

"...no." She wanted to scream, she wanted to cry as she heard the familiar crackle and a golden flower sprouted from the ashes with a smiling face.

"You idiot! You haven't learned a thing. In this world..." He chuckled as Frisk couldn't get herself to move, still in disbelief as the souls circled Flowey as his face turned into something out a horror book. "It's Killed or be Killed! He laughed, laughing more as it grew maniacal and the souls were absorbed by him, the light was blinding, and Frisk had to close her eyes.

"No!" She screamed out, trying to open her eyes only to be surrounded by nothing and empty space. "No!" She screamed out again, refusing to believe it all ended like this and tried to feel Chara, only to feel alone in this void.

"Long ago…" A voice crackled, and Frisk looked, unable to figure out which direction it was coming from as it seemed everywhere. "two races ruled over Earth: Humans and Monsters" It laughed again, going in and out like a glitch, "One day, they all disappeared without a trace!"

"Flowey! I know it's you! Come out!" Frisk looked around more, trying to tap into her power but found it harder than usual. She focused, trying to visualize it like a box with options, as she was told when first learning, only for it to look strange. "Flowey? LV 9999? My World?" The timing was wrong to her, and she focused more, trying to bring up the power to do anything. "Maybe if I completely reset...like a restart..."

She was determined to do all this over again if at least to save them all from this nothingness that Flowey created. Frisk tried, but it seemed out of reach as much as any option, as she breathed out in a huff, only to find herself still in the void. "There has to be something…" She started to move, walking slowly around trying to find anything at all. The moment she saw the familiar save star she was filled with relief and rushed over to it.

She picked it up, trying to let her magic mingle with it until she started to see the cracks in it and her magic. "No, don't do this!" She kept trying to hold on to it, as it cracked, breaking apart into nothing until she felt nothing at all as she brought up a hand, trying to project it outward so she could maybe manipulate her magic visually, only to see nothing at all. "Where's my save?"

"Howdy!" Flowey laughed out, appearing in front of her, larger than a flower was supposed to be, "It's me Flowey! Flowey the Flower!" He laughed more, sticking out a tongue as Frisk felt her shoulders sag.

What do I do now?