Chapter Text
Frisk lay asleep. The seven souls float around them. Clover, the soul of Justice, Chara, the soul of Determination, Violet, the soul of Perseverance, Carro, the soul of Bravery, and Ivy, the soul of Integrity. Lily, the soul of Kindness, and Angio, the soul of Patience were absent. “Looks like they’re asleep.” Clover comments, looking down at Frisk fondly. “Indeed.” Chara says bluntly. “So, why did yall enter the Underground?” Violet asks. “I just wanted to see what was down here! I didn’t even hesitate to jump down!” Carro declares proudly, raising his fist. “I…I was…looking for someone. Someone dear to me. But it turns out they weren’t down here after all…” Ivy murmurs, a hint of grief flashing in her blue eyes.
“I just wanted to save you guys! When I saw a missing poster, I just had to go investigating!” Clover chirps happily. “By the way, where are Lily and Angio? They haven’t returned yet.” Chara chimes in. “They’re trying to find a way to communicate with the living or to somehow regain physical form.” Violet answers. “I see.” Chara replies, tapping their chin thoughtfully. “Chara, what about you? Why’d you jump down?” Clover asks, curious and excited to know. “It…it wasn’t for a very happy reason…” Chara mutters, their gaze darkening.
That look in their gaze. That was a look Clover knew all too well. That was the look of someone who didn’t value their own life. “Chara…can I talk to you in private?” Clover asks, his usually bright and cheery voice now uncharacteristically quiet and mature. “Sure.” Chara says. As the two float away, Ivy glances at them for a moment before averting her gaze, sighing. “Chara…your life has worth. You deserve to live just as much as anyone else does! You…you lost someone dear to you, didn’t ya?”
Tears prickle at the edges of Chara’s eyes. They almost break into a sob as the painful memories return. “I…I can relate. Losing a loved one hurts. It hurts more than anything else…but…they wouldn’t want you to be all closed off, not even valuing your own life. I’m sure whoever it was, they would want you to value the beauty of being alive…even if we’re ghosts.” Clover reassures. “You’re right. They wouldn’t want me to be like this.” Chara says, contemplating their thoughts and feelings.
“What’s going on? Sorry, I feel asleep. What’re yall talking about?” Frisk mumbles sleepily as they reluctantly drag themselves up. “Looks like somebody’s finally awake.” Ivy teases, smirking. “Hey, everyone! Angio and I are finally back!” Lily cheers as she floats over to the group. “How’d everything go, Lily?” Ivy asks curiously. “Well…we tested all the soul binding methods but none of them worked. Even the ghost Napstablook wasn’t responsive at all.” Lily replies solemnly. “We did discover how to initiate soul fusions though!” Angio chirps. “How exactly is that supposed to be useful at all?” Chara questions suspiciously. “Better than nothing.” Angio says, smirking and winking adorably. “Could you elaborate a bit more?” Frisk asks.
“When Lily and I touched each other’s souls at the same time, we were fused into a single body, a lot different from the fusions we do with Frisk, those are more like soul absorption. Unfortunately Lily and I couldn’t maintain this state for more than a few seconds.” Angio says. “Let’s try other soul pairings to see if they’re more stable.” Frisk says. “Good idea. Angio, go fuse with Ivy.” Violet says. “May I ask why?” Angio asks. “Because both your souls are shades of blue.” Violet states. “I suppose that makes sense.” Ivy replies. “I call dibs on Frisk.” Carro says. “I appreciate the enthusiasm, Carro, but—” Frisk’s words are abruptly interrupted.
“What if we all fused?” Clover asks. “I wouldn’t recommend it.” Lily warns, her voice uncharacteristically cold. “Come on, it’ll be fun!” Clover says. “Worst case scenario, I can always just LOAD.” Frisk reassures. “I’m down.” Ivy chimes in. “JUST DON’T, OKAY?!?!”, Lily’s outburst stuns everyone into silence. “I know what will happen and I’d rather avoid it at all costs.” Lily mutters. “Lily…are you alright?” Violet inquires, concerned. “I’m fine, Violet. I just…ah, never mind.” Lily grumbles. “Mind explaining, Lily?” Chara questions. Before Lily can respond, Clover cuts in. “Let’s talk about something else! Like…hobbies!”
“I’ll go first. I like dancing and taking care of flowers!” Ivy says. “I personally enjoy reading.” Chara announces proudly. “I like proving my superiority in contests. Yall ain’t safe from me. I know where you live, including YOU, yes YOU, the one reading this.” Frisk says deviously, sticking out their tongue playfully. “Uh…anyway I like to play outside and watch cowboy movies.” Clover states softly. “I like dueling!” Angio says. “Dueling…girls of non-royal blood aren’t allowed to duel…you’re of royal blood, aren’t you?” Chara interrupts, questioning Angio. “Correct, I am actually Holly Aetherai.” Angio says.
Everyone is stunned, their eyes wide and mouths wide open. “WHAT?! So you’re—” Chara is interrupted abruptly by Ivy. “Aetherai?! Why didn’t you tell us you’re the Princess?!” Ivy exclaims in shock. “She’s THE Holly Aetherai?!” Clover wonders, his thoughts spinning and spiraling completely out of control. “Hold on, if you really are Princess Holly…wouldn’t King Oak have said something about your disappearance?” Frisk asks.
“Father probably thinks I’m at Marusaki’s place. Besides, he would never publicly announce such a thing. He doesn’t want to cause panic.” Holly answers. “How do we know you aren’t just lying?” Carro asks. Holly flicks her fingers, summoning seven spectral spears: the spears only the Princess could summon. “The wands of the Seven Great Mages…” Chara mutters. “Indeed. I never managed to unlock their power though.” Holly murmurs. “I see.” Chara says quietly. “…Sorry for your loss.” Holly states solemnly. “Wha-how…wait-HOW THE HELL DO YOU KNOW?!”
“I’m not like the previous princess. I am very aware of the unforgivable sins my father has committed.” Holly announces darkly. “Uh…I’m kinda confused…Chara, would you mind explaining? Only if you want to, of course.” Clover adds. “Oak killed my parents because they were helping monsters.” Chara answers. Everyone is silent, nobody being sure of what to say. Frisk notices a human watching all of them from afar. The human is dressed in a brown cloak and wears a hood that covers most of their head. “A human!”
The cloaked human runs away, their messy blue hair swaying in the wind. “Wait! Don’t run! I just wanna talk!” Frisk calls out as they pursue the human. The cloaked human turns a corner and disappears. A blue spear impales Frisk. They gasp in pain before collapsing.