In Mourning

"Come on, Asriel!" Chara laughs, running out of the castle.

Asriel runs out moments later, "Wait up!"

"Can't catch me!" she laughs, running into The Core.

She ran until she bumps into a Moldbygg. The monster rises up over her, irritated. She gasps and falls to the ground, eyes wide.

"Chara!" Asriel calls, running over to her. He stands in front of her, holding his arms out to protect her. He yells at the Moldbygg, "Go away, you're scaring her!"

The Moldbygg gurgles and Asriel shakes, he's never stood up to the other monsters before. He swallows his fear, "I said go away! You're scaring my sister!"

"Asriel.." Chara sits up and slowly stands. She puts her hand on her shoulder, her eyes softened, "Let it be.. It was my fault, I ran into it.."

Asriel lowers his arms, looking back at her, "Chara.."

She smiles lightly and walks around him, facing the Moldbygg. She bows lightly, "Sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you. We'll leave you alone now."

The monster seems to relax and it retreats into looking like a Moldsmall as it move away from them. Chara sighs and turns to Asriel, "I'm so-"

Asriel pulls her close, crying, "I told you to wait for me! What if he had hurt you?"

Chara gasps and slowly hugs him back, "Asriel.."

She sighs and pulls back, "Let's just go home, okay?"

He wipes his face, "O-okay.."

She takes his hand and they walk back home. They sit in their room for a long time and Asriel keeps crying. He sighs, "I don't want to be king.."

Chara tilts her head, "Dad's king."

He shakes his head, "You know what I mean. One day I'll have to be king, but I don't think I'll be a good one.."

Chara moves from her bed and sits on his. She puts her arm around him, "You'll be the best king, want to know how?"

He looks at her and she smiles, wiping tears from his face, "Because I'm going to be right there for you, making sure everyone knows how great my brother is."

Asriel smiles, "Thanks, Chara."

She grins and hugs him close, "You're my best friend, Asriel."

Asriel hugs her back, "You're my best friend, too, Chara."

Chara pulls back, "I want to show you something."

"What is it?" he asks.

She jumps off the bed and holds out her hand, "Come on, it'll be cool."

"Tell my parents I'm sorry." Asriel cries, standing in a patch of golden flowers as sunlight shines down on him, "Tell everyone I'm sorry."

Frisk walks up to Asriel and he wraps his arms around the forgotten Prince. Asriel gasps, "Wh-what are you doing?"

"I'm forgiving you." Frisk replies, "And I'm going to stay here with you."

Asriel's eyes widen, "Y-you can't.."

Frisk closes his eyes, "It's not fair that you have to stay here, so.. I'm going to stay here with you."

"No.." Asriel sobs, hugging Frisk, "Go be with your family! You don't have to be here anymore, you're free!"

Frisk pulls back, tears running down his face as he smiles, "I'm not going unless you're coming with me."

Asriel shakes his head, "I can't!"

Frisk hugs Asriel again, "Then I'm staying."

Asriel shakes his head again and pushes Frisk back, "Go home, Frisk. Take care of Mom and Dad for me, okay? You have to promise. You look.. So much like her.. You remind them of her. Of my sister. Do what we can't, and keep our parents happy."

Frisk wipes the tears from his own eyes as he takes a few steps back. He nods, "I won't ever forget you, Asriel."

Asriel smiles, "I won't forget you either, Frisk.."

Asriel turns away from Frisk as the human runs out. In the darkness, Chara stand, watching the fallen Prince with a sense of mourning. The last time she saw Asriel in his true form was the moment before they died.

"Asriel!" she calls, knowing this feeling won't last.

To her dismay, Asriel can't hear her. She turns away and sinks back into the darkness as the light fades and the prince returns to a flower.

"Kid?" Frisk hears Sans voice, just beyond his unconsciousness, "Kid, can you hear me?"

Frisk's eyes flutter open and Sans looks relieved, "Kid! You had me dead worried there!"

Frisk coughs and pain flares through his chest. He speaks in a scratchy voice, "Not.. Funny.."

Sans relaxes a bit, "How are you feeling?"

Frisk closes his eyes, "Why.. Did you.. Save.. Me?"

Sans frowns, "I didn't want you to die? Kid, you've been barely alive for almost a week. You could thank me for saving your life."

Frisk opens his eyes, "I wanted.. To die.."

Sans scratches the back of his head, "I kind of got that when you asked me to kill you."

Frisk coughs again and groans. Those dreams.. Did Chara put those in my head? Sans sighs, "Kid.. I get you must be hurting and all.."

"Don't.." Frisk looks at him and he's suddenly surprised that he can see Sans for what he is.

Sans raises an nonexistent eyebrow, "What's the look for? Do I have something on my face?"

Frisk shakes his head slowly, "I.. Can see.. Really.. See.."

His body shakes and he laughs hoarsely, groaning at the pain the laughter causes, "I can.. See!"

Sans tilts his head, "What do you mean, buddy?"

"I don't.. See what I.. Did.. Anymore. I see.. You, Sans.." Frisk cries from happiness and pain.

Sans sighs, "All right, well, take it easy. I may have stopped you from dying, but you did just take a spear to the stomach. Stay still and rest for awhile, okay?"

"Hey.." Frisk speaks softly.

"Yeah?" Sans asks.

"Do you know.. How.. Asriel died.. Exactly?" Frisk asks.

Sans frowns, "Uh, no, why?"

Frisk smiles lightly, "I"m going.. To save him."