Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Prologue

Long ago, two races rules over Earth: humans and monsters. While both species lived amongst each other, they also feared each other greatly. This was due to implications of their SOUL being absorbed by the other race.

Due to the lingering fears, a war broke out between the two races. It was a long, grueling battle, and many monster lives were lost. A monster's SOUL isn't strong compared to a human SOUL. Heck, it would take nearly every single SOUL of a monster to match the power of one human SOUL.

The war ended and the monsters surrendered. The humans won by a landslide, not a single life of theirs lost. When it was over, the humans forced the monsters Underground beneath Mount Ebott. Seven of the greatest human magicians summoned a magical barrier to prevent the monsters from escaping. The barrier was impenetrable, and monsters yearn to return.

Many years have passed. A tale was spread throughout in Mount Ebott that any human that falls in has never returned. There was a tale of six human children that went missing when they climbed the mountain.

In 201X, another human child by the name of Frisk decided to explore the mountain. They had yellow skin, small black eyes, and wore a blue jumper and pants, the shirt fit with pink stripes. But upon looking at the hole that had such a huge drop, Frisk's foot tripped on a vine and they fell into the monsters' world.

Once they fell in, Frisk met a golden flower by the name of Flowey, who at first acted nice towards the human, but was revealed to be sadistic, mentioning his mantra of "In this world, it's kill or BE killed."

But before Flowey could kill Frisk, the golden flower was blasted away by fire magic by a goat woman named Toriel. Toriel was very nice and treated Frisk as if they were her own child. She introduced Frisk to the Ruins, reminding them of the puzzles and gave them a cell phone since they'll be separated for a while.

The two bonded during separation and Frisk traveled the Ruins. They also encountered many monsters who tried to harm them, but Frisk, peaceful in nature, did different acts to show that they weren't a threat, and was able to spare them

Soon, Frisk made it to Toriel's home and she gave the human a place to stay. The human was comforted, loving the new place and enjoying Toriel's butterscotch-cinnamon pie. The next day, she told the human stories and prepared their future here.

However, part of Frisk knew they had to go back to the surface. Upon telling this to Toriel, she began to grow antsy and went into the basement, where Frisk followed her. Toriel explained the door on the other side of the basement is the exit to the Ruins.

But Toriel mentioned she's going to destroy it so that no human leaves ever again. She stated that she has seen humans come here, leave the Ruins, and die at the hands of a man named "ASGORE." But Frisk was resilient and Toriel mentioned that the human must fight her in order to leave.

Frisk refused to fight back, and Toriel eventually gave up, understanding the human's desire to leave, since the Ruins are small once you get used to them. She allowed the human to leave, but reminded them to not return to the Ruins. She gave Frisk one last hug before they left. Flowey also reprimanded the human they will eventually give into violent urges and to prepare for the way he sees the world.

Frisk ends up in a place called Snowdin, where they meet Sans, a goofy skeleton man. He's not into harming humans, but his brother, Papyrus, is a "human-hunting fanatic." Sans did offer the human to stay hidden, but after some time in Snowdin, Papyrus finds out Frisk exists and wants to capture them so he can join the Royal Guard.

Papyrus prepares many puzzles for the human, and Frisk passes them with ease, playing along to make Papyrus seem valued, as suggested by Sans at one point. But soon enough, before leaving Snowdin, Papyrus tried to fight the human to capture them.

It ended with Papyrus offering them mercy, but he felt sad that he will never join the Royal Guard. But Frisk offered to be their friend, and Papyrus accepted. The two even went on a funny "date" at his house before they depart. Frisk even got Papyrus's number.

Frisk traveled along Waterfall with a yellow dinosaur-like monster named Monster Kid while constantly being pursued by Undyne, the Royal Guard's captain who was tasked to capture humans and bring them to Asgore.

Eventually, since Undyne was relentless in her goals, she confronted the human head-on. But Frisk continuously ran away until they ended up in Hotland. Undyne passed out from heat exhaustion upon entering. Frisk helped Undyne by pouring a cup of water over her head, but she leaves awkwardly once she was revived.

Papyrus also called the human, saying that he, them, and Undyne should hang out sometime. The two make it to Undyne's house, and Papyrus jumps out the window to give the two some bonding time. When Undyne refused, Papyrus mentioned that maybe Undyne isn't one to be friends with everyone.

Taking that as a challenge, Undyne ensured she will become "besties" with Frisk. Frisk explored the house, and Undyne offered to give the human a drink, which they chose golden flower tea.

This sparks Undyne to tell the story of how she was a hot-headed kid and tried to fight Asgore. She could never land a hit on him and he refused to fight back, making her feel humiliated. But Asgore, being a kind person, offered to train Undyne. She went through with the training until she was finally able to take him down. While she felt bad, Asgore felt proud of her and gave her the position to lead the Royal Guard.

She admitted to Frisk she knew that Papyrus wanted to join, but she knew he was too kind and would get killed, so she offered him how to cook instead, allowing him to pursue a new passion. However, she realized Papyrus was supposed to have a cooking lesson today and made Frisk fill in his position.

The cooking lesson was aggressive to the point Undyne's house caught on fire. Eventually, knowing Frisk's pacifistic nature, now views Frisk as "a wimpy loser with a big heart," and warned them to continue being kind.

Frisk makes it back to Hotland, where they wound up in the lab and met Alphys, the Royal Scientist. She isn't like the hostile ones to attack Frisk, and offered to join them on their journey through texting.

Alphys also created a robot named Mettaton, who started off as an entertainment robot, but now wants to hunt for humans. Mettaton made Frisk the guest star of a lot of dangerous shows, acting along with Alphys to make the views skyrocket.

As Frisk reaches the end of the CORE, Mettaton locks the door and changes the show program to give one last finale in killing the human. With help from Alphys, they manage to trick Mettaton to turn around and hit the switch on his backside, turning him into Mettaton EX.

The two perform for the audience until the ratings reach an all-time high. Upon receiving calls from viewers about how they'll miss him, Mettaton was touched. He respects Frisk a whole lot more and decides to stay in the Underground to give the monsters something to look forward to.

Before leaving for New Home, Alphys reluctantly admits that Frisk would have to kill a monster and have their SOUL in their possession in order to leave. During the trail in New Home, monsters told Frisk about the story of the first human that fell into the Underground, as well as the Underground's prince, Asriel Dreemurr.

Long ago, the first human by the name of "Chara" fell into the Underground and called for help, where they were founded by Asriel and bonded with them through many adventures, along with Toriel and Asgore, who decided to keep the human as their own child.

One day, the human fell ill, and when they died, Asriel absorbed their SOUL. The human requested Asriel to bring their body to the flower bed at their home village, located on the surface. Asriel, since his SOUL was half human due to the absorption, fulfilled this wish.

However, the humans of the village, believing Asriel killed Chara, began to attack. Asriel had the ability to fight back, but he refused to do so and he was brutally beaten. He took Chara's body back to the Underground and died in Asgore's throne room.

Frisk soon made it to Asgore, and he felt reluctant to fight, but knew he had no other choice. Frisk tried to talk their way to him when the fight began, but talking could only do so much, so they had to fight.

Once Asgore was almost down, he admitted he never wanted to do this. When Asriel died, he was so overrun by grief and anger that he declared war on humanity, and that any human that fell into the Underground will be killed and he will collect their SOULs.

The declaration sparked a new hope in the Underground, but Asgore's wife, Toriel, became disgusted with his actions and left him. But truthfully, all Asgore wanted is to see his wife and child again.

When he offered the human to kill him, Frisk refused. Asgore was touched and decided to adopt Frisk, but he was killed by Flowey, who was disappointed in Frisk and absorbed the six human SOULs Asgore had in his possession.

Flowey became an equivalent to GOD in a form known as Omega Flowey. Frisk called for help numerous times, and the six human SOULs heard their call. With the help of the SOULs, Frisk managed to defeat Flowey.

Frisk's pacifistic nature remains and Flowey runs away in confusion. When Frisk left the Underground, Flowey came back with a proposition to give Frisk a "happier ending." He then reminds Frisk to spend more time with Alphys, and resets to the time before Frisk fights Asgore.

Frisk backtracks back to Snowdin by Undyne, who requested the human to give Alphys a letter. Alphys opens it and assumes Frisk asked her out on a date, so they go to the garbage dump to do it. But the truth is revealed that Alphys has a huge crush on Undyne.

Frisk decided to help Alphys become more open by roleplaying with her. Undyne soon came and Alphys admitted all her lies and insecurities. Her tough demeanor still intact, she has Papyrus help train Undyne to be more open.

Frisk then goes back to the lab for Frisk to see "the truth." They end up in a door in the lab, which Frisk thought was a restroom. But it turns out to be the "True Lab."

Frisk met a few goopy creatures called "amalgamates." Despite their vicious attacks on Frisk, it was revealed they lost their memories, and with Frisk's actions, they manage to recover them.

Frisk also finds a bunch of data entries, where Alphys experimented on monsters who have "fallen down," another term used for a monster in a comatose state before they turn to dust. She injected a sample of the six human SOULs as to why they persist after death, and she called this power "Determination."

She injected Determination into the monsters' bodies. At first, it works, and they're alive again. But they soon melted into each other and became freaky combinations. Feeling insecure, Alphys refused to accept the calls from their families in fear of them being angry.

When Alphys came to Frisk to admit the truth, she decided she can't hide it anymore, and decided to tell the truth and bring the amalgamates back to their families. And now, it was time for Frisk to confront Asgore again.

This time, Toriel intervenes before the fight begins. While Asgore is ecstatic to see his wife again, Toriel scolds her former husband that he couldn't just pass through the barrier to get more SOULs that way instead of meekly hoping another human falls in. Asgore admits his failings, and despite his request to be friends with Toriel again, she declines for now, still deeply hurt by what he has done.

Soon, Undyne, Alphys, Papyrus, and Sans come by, and Toriel is amazed at the friends Frisk made. She is also surprised to meet Sans, as the two have "met" before, but just by voice by interacting through the Ruins door.

Then Flowey comes by and captures the six as well as the six human SOULs. But the monsters persist and cheer for the human, as more come by and give Frisk more Determination. However, this works in Flowey's favor and he absorbs, not only the six human SOULs, but every monster SOUL in the Underground.

As it turns out, Flowey is Asgore and Toriel's deceased son, Asriel. Asriel believes Frisk is Chara and the two fight it out, with Asriel using a form known as the "God of Hyperdeath."

Each time Frisk dies, their SOUL is Determined enough to refuse to die. They pull through, and even when Asriel powers up, Frisk saves their friends. However... there was still one more person to save.

And that person was Asriel himself.

Feeling emotionally distraught, Asriel admits his fears to being afraid and left alone. Asriel reverts back to his child form and apologizes, where he kinda knew Frisk wasn't Chara. But Frisk forgave Asriel for his actions, which surprised the young goat boy.

Despite having to turn back to Flowey soon, Asriel uses the six human SOULs and nearly every monster SOUL, and...

The barrier has been broken. Monsters are free.

Frisk and Asriel share one last hug before they part ways, ending the battle in what seems to be a dreamy world before reality kicks in.

Main Story

"Frisk! This is all just a bad dream...! Please... wake up...!" Toriel's voice was heard.

Frisk's eyes snapped open, and they found themselves lying on the cold, stone floor of the Throne Room. They sat up groggily, looking around to find that everyone was okay. The battle was over, the barrier was gone.

The feeling of euphoria was short-lived, however, as the reality of their newfound freedom sank in. The six closest monsters looked at Frisk with hope in their eyes, and the human knew they had to start making preparations to ascend to the surface.

Frisk saw the six with relieved expressions, all circled around them.

"Oh! You are awake! Thank goodness!" Toriel rushed over, helping Frisk to their feet.

"W-We were so worried...!" Alphys added, her voice quivering. Her eyes were wide with concern behind her large, round spectacles. "It felt like you were out forever!"

Frisk rubbed their eyes, trying to shake off the last remnants of their battle-induced daze.

"Yeah! Any longer, and I would've freaked out!" Undyne exclaimed, slapping a hand on her knee, a hint of a smile peeking through her usual stern expression. "Tell us next time you decide to take a nap, okay?!"

"yeah. you made papyrus cry like a baby," Sans chimed in, a rare smirk playing on his lips as he leaned back slightly, his hands in the pocket of his blue jacket.

"WHAT!! I DIDN'T CRY!!! I DON'T CRY!!" Papyrus retorted, his cheeks flushing a shade of magenta. He tried to keep his usual cheerful demeanor, but his voice cracked slightly, betraying his own lie. "I JUST... CAUGHT SOMETHING IN MY EYE."

Sans looked over at his younger brother with that same knowing smile.

"what did you catch?" the shorter skeleton asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"TEARS!!!" Papyrus exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air dramatically before falling to his knees and bawling into his hands.

Everyone shares a small chuckle at the silly skeleton's innocence, before Asgore breaks the silence.

"Now, now. The important part is that Frisk is all right," he said, a gentle smile spreading across his face. "Here, Frisk. Why not drink some tea? It'll make you feel better."

Toriel nodded in agreement and bustled over to the side of the room to fetch a steaming teacup. She handed it to Frisk with a soft smile, the warmth of the porcelain seeping into their cold hands. The sweet, comforting aroma filled the room.

Frisk takes a sip, the familiar golden flower flavor of the tea bringing a moment of calm. As they look around at their friends, they notice a peculiar absence. But they decided to keep silent for now, not wanting to burden anyone with the details.

"Errr... how about we give them some space first? They must be very exhausted," Toriel suggested, looking over at the exhausted human. "Though, from what, I am not certain."

The group nodded, stepping back to allow Frisk to regain their composure. Alphys fidgeted with her lab coat, her eyes darting between her friends. She was about to mention something, but Toriel broke the awkward silence again.

"Frisk... we do not remember exactly what happened," she began, her voice shaking slightly, "There was a flower... and then, everything went white. But now the barrier is gone."

Frisk nodded solemnly, taking another sip of their tea. They knew that Asgore and Toriel had been through so much because of the humans. The war, the loss of their children, the endless waiting for a way to bring them back.

And now, after all these years, Frisk had inadvertently become the catalyst for the monsters' freedom. The weight of that responsibility felt heavy on their shoulders.

"When you are ready, we will all return to the surface. It seems the door to the east will lead us there now," Toriel continued, her eyes filled with hope. "But before then... perhaps you might want to take a walk? You can say goodbye to all your wonderful friends."

Frisk nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. They had made so many friends in the Underground, and now it was time to part ways.

"say, actually... frisk, would you do me a favor?" Sans spoke up, his smile fading a little. "you and alphys, come with me into the other room."

"Oh? What is it?" Toriel asked, tilting her head in curiosity.

"SANS, OF ALL TIMES TO DO SOMETHING IMPORTANT... YOU PICK THE MOST INOPPORTUNE ONE?!?!" Papyrus yelled out dramatically, his eyes wide with suspicion.

"this came up right before you called us over," Sans reminded Papyrus with a smirk.

"Sans...?" Alphys looked at him with uncertainty, her grip tightening on her lab coat. "A-Are we really going to-"

"shhh... in the other room," Sans interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "it's... personal."

The older skeleton walks back to the throne room. Everyone looks over at Alphys, who chuckles nervously.

"Eheheh... guess I gotta get going," she said, trying to lighten the mood before she bolts out of the room to meet up with Sans.

"Curious... I wonder what that was about," Asgore mused, watching the scientist leave with the skeleton.

"Frisk... you should hear what they have to say. It seems to be... important to them," Toriel encouraged gently, her eyes filled with warmth.

"YEAH, FRISK, FIND OUT WHAT THEIR DEAL IS," Papyrus added, his voice a mix of curiosity and teasing. "I HAD NO IDEA THEY KNEW EACH OTHER!"

Frisk smiles at Papyrus's innocent bravado, nodding in agreement.

"You BETTER go help her, punk! Oh, and good luck out there!" Undyne called out as Frisk prepares to leave.

"Whatever it is you three intend to do, please stay safe," Toriel added, her voice tinged with concern as Frisk followed Alphys into the room.

The room was dimly lit, with only a few flickering lights from the ceiling. Asgore's throne lays tall and proud, and the large bed of golden flowers beneath it seemed to glow under the soft light. The air was thick with anticipation as Frisk stepped inside, feeling the warmth of the friendship they had formed with these monsters.

"Are we really going to involve them in this?!" Alphys stuttered as she spoke to Sans, her voice echoing in the quiet room.

"hey, they broke the barrier, didn't they?" Sans shrugged, his usual lazy tone a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation. "plus, I think they could handle it."

And just in time, they turn their heads to notice Frisk noticing their small discussion.

"what's up, frisk? we were just talking about you," Sans said, his eyes meeting Frisk's as he leaned against the wall casually.

"...You just told them to come here, though..." Alphys murmured, her cheeks a bit flushed.

Sans rolls his eyes playfully, letting out a quiet "yeah, yeah." He clears his throat, looking at Frisk carefully.

"so, y'know how alphys had a bunch of melted monsters in her lab?" Sans started without any preamble. "right before coming here to the castle, she called everyone's families. and all of them have been sent back home... except for one."

Frisk's eyes widened, setting down their teacup with a clink.

"S-So I had called her family, but... they never picked up," Alphys continued nervously, her voice cracking. "I tried a few times, but nobody answered! And then I got the call from Papyrus, and... w-well, you know the rest."

Frisk's heart went out to Alphys. They knew the pain of feeling lost and forgotten, especially after their own experiences in the Underground.

"I-I'm not sure if you saw her when you were down there..." Alphys murmured, her eyes darting to the ground, "but she's a very... unique monster."

Frisk felt their curiosity piqued.

"What's her name?" the human asked, stepping closer to the nervous lizard.

"Her name is Kanako," Alphys spoke softly, her eyes filling with a mix of sadness and hope. "She's the only one that didn't melt with anyone else. I... felt really bad for her in particular. She seemed so... distraught. Even moreso than everyone else..."

She then shakes her head around, adjusting her glasses since they were slightly askew.

"Oh, I'm getting sidetracked!" The Royal Scientist exclaimed, her cheeks growing redder. "I was telling Sans on the way here, I... I wanted to take her back home myself. But her family... well, her mom... she lives in the Dunes. B-But I've uh... never actually... been there before."

Frisk nodded solemnly, never having heard about that place during their journey.

The Dunes was a part of the Underground that was far from the castle that not even Alphys had explored. Not a lot of local monsters knows the Dunes exist, let alone ventured there.

"i've been there a couple times, but the desert isn't my kinda rodeo," Sans admitted, leaning against the wall. "not really the place for a bone-chilling fella like me. although, you might another snowdinadian that likes the dunes, alphys."

Alphys looked up at Sans with confusion for a moment, but then the realization dawns on her.

"Huh? W-Wait, are you talking about Martlet?" Alphys stuttered, her eyes lighting up slightly at the mention of the cyan bird monster from Snowdin. "I-I haven't talked to her in a l-long time, though... a-and I don't know how she'll react after I ignored her calls..."

Frisk looked at Alphys, understanding the turmoil she was feeling. Secluding herself in her mind for a long time has made her feel inadequate in the eyes of others.

"wouldn't hurt to hit her up about this," Sans suggested, his expression serious despite his casual tone. "but, uh... frisk."

He pauses as he turns to the human.

"i know you weren't looking for another adventure, but... i've known alphys for a while," Sans began, his gaze intense yet caring. "and i don't think anyone has been able to help her more than you have. i think it'd mean a lot if you went with her, y'know? of course, you don't have to. i know you've already been through a lot today as is. but i'm just putting it out there."

The short skeleton pauses for a moment to take a deep breath, his smile still plastered on his face.

"so whaddya say, frisk?" he asked, patiently waiting for a response.

Frisk looked between Alphys and Sans, feeling the gravity of the situation. The thought of another journey was daunting, but the idea of bringing a lost soul home to her mother was something they couldn't ignore.

"Okay," Frisk said, a gentle resolve in their voice. "I'll help you find Kanako's mom."

"Thank you so much, Frisk," Alphys breathed out, visibly relieved. "This means a lot to me."

Sans nodded, his eyes meeting Alphys's. There was silence for a few seconds, which makes Alphys feel more awkward.

"So... what first?" Alphys asked, her voice shaky as she looked over at Frisk.

"i'd say give your friend a call," Sans suggested, nodding towards Alphys.

"O-Oh!! Right!" Alphys stammered, her cheeks aflame with a mix of embarrassment and excitement. She rummaged through her pocket and pulled out a small, outdated phone, the screen flickering to life with the sound of a retro video game startup. "Let's hope she doesn't immediately jump into interrogation."

With trembling hands, she dialed Martlet's number, the phone beeping with each button pressed. The line was quiet for a moment, the anticipation thick in the air. Then, a cheerful chirp, and a familiar voice echoed through the receiver.

"H-Hello? H-H-Hiya, Martlet!" Alphys greeted, her voice shaking slightly. "...I... I know, it's been forever!"

Sans and Frisk couldn't hear what was going on through the other end of the phone, but they could see the change in Alphys's expression as she talked to Martlet. Her eyes grew wide, her cheeks grew more red, and she nodded vigorously.

"Listen, I have something very important that I need y-your help with," Alphys spoke into the phone, her voice barely above a whisper. "M-Meet me at the Lab as soon as you can. Th-Thanks!"

With a quick hang-up, Alphys turned to Frisk, her eyes wide with hope and apprehension.

"She's on her way over," Alphys murmured, slipping the phone back into her pocket. "I... I can't believe she said yes."

"looks like you guys are all set," Sans commented, stretching his arms. "guess this means my work here is done. see you two in a bit."

"S-Sans, wait!!!" Alphys called out, her voice shaky. But it was too late, as Sans was already walking away, his footsteps echoing through the hallway.

Frisk watched as Alphys took a deep breath, trying to gather her composure. The lizard looked nervous, but also determined.

"I guess it's just me and you, Frisk," Alphys said with a weak smile, trying to keep her anxiety at bay. She looked down at her phone, willing it to ring with good news from Martlet. "W-Well, and Martlet, too... see you at the Lab!"

Frisk nodded solemnly, understanding the weight of the situation. They both knew that finding Kanako was essential, not just for Kanako's sake, but for the future of the Underground.

The human picked up their bag, filled with supplies. A bunch of healing items, and even a few objects they have found scattered around this world that had once brought them comfort.

A couple of these included a cowboy hat and an empty gun holster, remnants of a forgotten era of the Underground that had been tucked away. The items were a stark reminder of the battles and sacrifices made in the past.

Frisk knew that this journey was going to be tough, but with Alphys by their side, they felt a sense of comfort. They had come so far together, and Frisk knew they could rely on each other.

Chapter Text

The walk to the lab was filled with a tense silence, punctuated only by the occasional nervous giggle from Alphys. Frisk knew that she was feeling the weight of what they were about to do, and the human couldn't help but feel the same.

When they finally arrived at Hotland, Martlet was already waiting outside, her cyan feathers ruffled slightly from the warm wind that had picked up outside. She turns her head to see Alphys, immediately showing a big smile.

"Dr. Alphys! It's been so long!" Martlet's cheerful voice pierced through the tension as she spotted them approaching. Her eyes were wide with excitement, her hands clasped in front of her chest.

"Y-Yeah, I know... heheheh..." Alphys chuckles nervously, waving a hand. She then remembers her company and steps beside Martlet to give the human a proper introduction. "Oh, Frisk! This is Martlet! She used to work under me a long time ago..."

"Hiya, Frisk! Nice to meet you!" Martlet greeted with a cheerful smile. "Heheh... it's weird. I feel like I know you from somewhere... even though we've only just met!"

Frisk returned the smile, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu. They had never met Martlet before, yet her bubbly personality felt oddly familiar.

"So, Dr. Alphys," Martlet began, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she turns her head to the Royal Scientist. "I heard the barrier got destroyed."

"Y-Yeah, well... Frisk actually helped with that," Alphys replied, her cheeks tinged with a hint of pride. "B-But that's not why I called-"

"Wait, REALLY???" Martlet's eyes grew as wide as saucers, looking at Frisk with newfound admiration.

She sprints over to Frisk, kneeling down and grabbing one of their smaller hands with both of hers, shaking it up and down rapidly.

"Oh thank you thank you thank you thank you soooo much!!!!!" Martlet squealed, her cheeks flushing even more. "I've always dreamed about what it'd be like to fly in the sky! And now that dream is finally here!"

Frisk couldn't help but laugh at her exuberance. Her energy was infectious, and it was hard not to get swept up in it.

"H-Hey, Martlet..." Alphys interrupted, her voice slightly shaky.

"Yes, Dr. Alphys?" Martlet released Frisk's hand and turned to her, her smile fading into a look of concern.

"There's a reason why I called you here," Alphys replied, her voice wavering.

"Oh! Right!" Martlet's excitement waned slightly as she realized the gravity of the situation. She stood up, brushing off her feathers. "What did you need?"

Alphys took a deep breath, her eyes flickering towards Frisk before speaking.

"Remember when you called me around a year ago? About the investigation you wanted to start?" Alphys started, her voice trembling slightly.

"Wait, I did?" Martlet's eyes narrowed in thought before snapping open in realization. "Wait... I remember now..."

She then looks at Alphys, her expression a mix of frustration and concern.

"Why the heck were you ignoring my calls?! I was trying to help a worried mother, y'know," Martlet exclaimed, her voice a mix of frustration and concern. Alphys looks down, expecting the upset response.

"W-Well... you might've heard the news, but... earlier today, I called everyone about their loved ones. What I did to them," the yellow lizard explained, her voice barely above a whisper. "...What they became."

"...Is THAT what everyone was talking about?" Martlet's expression softened as she took a step closer to Alphys. "The mixed up, goopy monsters from the Lab?"

"Exactly that... w-well... all except one," Alphys said, her eyes misting over.

"Except for one?" Martlet echoed, her eyes wide with sympathy. Silence filled the air of Hotland, the only sound heard being the bubbling from the lava.

Martlet's eyes widen as she realizes who Alphys was mentioning.

"You're not talking about who I think you're talking about," Martlet said, her voice softening as she stared at Alphys.

"I'm talking about Kanako," Alphys murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I remember you asking about her. She's still in the Lab, waiting... a-and I tried to call her family, b-but nobody came. I'm not sure how well you know her mother, but-"

"Of course I know her!" Martlet assured Alphys, her expression becoming determined. "Her name's Ceroba, and she lives over in the Dunes! I... haven't talked to her in a while, though. Not since we said goodbye to..."

Her voice trails off as she remembers the past, but the mention of Kanako's mother snaps her back to the present.

"Saying goodbye to who...?" Alphys asked, her curiosity peaking as she stepped closer to Martlet. The bird monster sighed, her eyes distant.

"Don't worry about it," Martlet waved off Alphys's question with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "But why'd you call me here?"

"Well, I was wanting to take her home myself," Alphys said, her voice trembling with a mix of excitement and anxiety. "I've never been to the Dunes before... and I heard from a friend that you go there a lot. S-So..."

"You don't need to say another word, Doctor," Martlet said, her voice filled with understanding. She placed a gentle hand on Alphys's shoulder. "Of course I'll take you to the Dunes! Heck, I can eve give you a tour around! Since you've never been, and all."

"I'd r-really appreciate that..." Alphys stuttered, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Then it's an adventure!" Martlet cheered, her excitement bubbling over like the lava around them. "Let's grab Kanako and get going! Lead the way, Dr. Alphys!"

"Y-You can just call me Alphys, heheh..." the lizard scientist murmured shyly as she approached the lab door with trembling hands. The room was eerily quiet, save for the soft hum of the machinery and the occasional drip of condensation from the ceiling. "B-But yeah... follow me."

Inside, the lab looked much like it had when Frisk first saw it: cluttered, yet organized in its own chaotic way. Littered food cartons around the computer desk, the escalators leading to the second floor fit with bookshelves and an anime poster. Not to mention the giant hole nearby when Mettaton first came into the fray.

"It's been a long time since I've been in here!" Martlet commented, her eyes scanning the room. "...Uh, wait, where is she exactly?"

"She's not in here," Alphys said, her voice quivering as she glanced around the lab. "This... isn't the real lab."

"Huh...? What do you..." Martlet whispered, her excitement waning before her eyes widen in realization. "...Oh yeah, duh! It's over here!"

She dashed off further into the lab, her feathers fluttering behind her. Frisk and Alphys exchanged glances before following.

"Wait, what," Alphys called after Martlet, her voice rising with surprise as she tried to keep up with the bird monster's swift pace. Frisk followed closely, their curiosity piqued by the sudden turn of events.

The three then stare at the entrance to the True Lab, which Frisk recognized immediately.

"This elevator is where the TRUE lab is, right?" Martlet asked, her eyes wide with excitement as she hovered in front of the metallic doors.

"H-How'd you...?!" Alphys stuttered, her eyes wide with shock.

"I... may or may not have gotten a little curious... and, uh... motivated. Let's just say that," Martlet giggled nervously, her cheeks a slightly darker shade of cyan.

Alphys's eyes grew even wider, but she managed to nod her head.

"Well, ummm, Kanako's in there," she confirmed.

"Oh, okay! I will say, I'm impressed with how you've hidden this," Martlet said, her eyes shining with excitement. "Disguising the elevator as a bathroom is pretty genius. Even if Ceroba actually went through with it, she wouldn't have-"

"I'm sorry, what?" Alphys sputtered, her eyes flicking back and forth between Martlet and the elevator.

"I... umm... never mind!" Martlet said, quickly changing the subject as she pushed the call button for the elevator. "Let's go to the REAL lab!"

The doors dinged open, revealing a gleaming elevator interior. They stepped in, and as the doors closed, Alphys's anxiety spiked, the weight of the truth heavy on her shoulders.

"Are you okay, Alphys?" Frisk asked gently, noticing her tremble.

"I-I'm just worried, Frisk... about Kanako," Alphys replied, her eyes glued to the elevator floor. "It's been so long since she was... herself."

Frisk nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. They had seen the effects of Alphys's experiments firsthand with the other amalgamates. The thought of another one, especially a young one like Kanako, stuck in such a state was heartbreaking.

The elevator descended with a smooth hum, the lights flickering slightly. Alphys nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. The doors opened to reveal the stark contrast of the True Lab: cold, sterile, and hauntingly quiet. The starkness of the dark teal walls and gleaming steel surfaces sent a shiver down Frisk's spine, a stark reminder of the experiments that had once taken place here.

"I forgot how spooky it was in here," Martlet murmured as they stepped out of the elevator, her wings fluttering slightly with nerves. The air was heavy with the scent of antiseptic and something else, something almost metallic and unnatural. "It almost seems like a zombie video game."

"Y-Yeah... follow me..." Alphys said, her voice barely above a murmur as she led the way down the cold, metallic corridor. The lights above them flickered erratically, casting eerie shadows that danced on the walls. The three walk along the hallway, slowly but surely.

"So... you made all those fallen monsters all goopy... what caused that to happen...?" Martlet asked, her curiosity getting the better of her as they walked through the True Lab.

"W-Well, I was able to harvest an essence from Asgore's human SOULs," Alphys explained, her voice shaking slightly. "This essence is what allows human SOULs to persist after death. I called it 'Determination.'"

Frisk nodded, understanding the gravity of what Alphys had done. It was a power that had been used for dark purposes, but now, it was their ticket to redemption.

"Oooh!" Martlet exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with interest.

"If you remember the PSA that Asgore sent out... I was trying to use it to make monster SOULs do the same thing," Alphys continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "Well... that was if they actually died... but they didn't. They woke up, and then... melted together."

"O-Oh," Martlet murmured, her voice a mix of awe and horror. "So it IS like a zombie video game. Does this mean that... Kanako..."

"Her body did start to melt, yes," Alphys said, her voice cracking slightly. "She never combined with anyone, though. But... she's not the Kanako anyone would remember. Not in the slightest. So... be prepared for that."

"I'm sure it can't be THAT bad, right?" Martlet said, trying to sound reassuring, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her. "Especially if she never combined with anyone like the others.

"...R-Right," Alphys nodded, though her voice was filled with doubt. "But let's just... let's just get to her."

They approached a room in the middle of the lab, where there were six beds. They were stale, a bit dirty, but surprisingly comfortable-looking.

"Is this where everyone slept?" Martlet asked, her voice hushed as she took in the room. "...These beds look kinda sticky..."

"Th-They used to be... they're just stained now," Alphys mumbled, avoiding eye contact with the beds. Her voice was barely audible, the weight of her words pressing down on the air like a thick fog. "I-I tried cleaning them, but i-it never came out. Uhh, anyway...!"

She paused to look at Frisk, her eyes searching for reassurance, before turning back to the beds.

"Frisk, did you... happen to sleep in any of these beds?" Alphys questioned, her voice cracking.

Frisk nodded solemnly, remembering the night spent in the lab during their journey.

"I did," they said quietly. "I was tired, and I didn't know where else to go. As I slept, I felt someone tuck me in and pat my head..."

"Oh! Then you probably saw her already," Alphys said, her voice a mix of relief and sadness.

"Wait, really? What do the beds have to do with Kanako?" Martlet's eyes darted around the room, trying to piece together the puzzle.

"She's... very shy. She usually comes out when things aren't really active," Alphys said, her voice trembling as she approached the last bed on the right. "Like, when everyone's sleeping..."

"So... should we just lay in the beds and wait, then?" Martlet suggested, trying to lighten the mood with a playful nudge. But her joke fell flat, as the gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air.

"It's... probably our best shot at finding her," Alphys replied with a sigh, her shoulders dropping slightly.

"O-Okay..." Martlet nodded, her smile fading as she looked at the beds with new understanding.

They each took a bed, the silence in the room thick with anticipation. Frisk lay down on the the one on the right, feeling the stickiness that Alphys had mentioned. The bed was surprisingly warm, as if it had been recently occupied. They closed their eyes, listening to the faint hum of the lab's machinery.

"And be sure to keep your voice down. She startles easily," Alphys reminded them as they all settled into their respective beds.

"I'm sure it'll be fine!" Martlet said, trying to inject some positivity into the tense atmosphere as she laid down on the second bed from the left. Her wings folded neatly beside her, and she looked up at the ceiling.

A tall spoon-like monster appears beside Martlet and slowly begins to inch its elongated hand toward her. Martlet didn't notice at first. But the tense noises began to grow louder as the hand gets closer.

Martlet soon noticed the hand and the spoon-like monster, and her eyes bulge out of their sockets.

"W-What is THAT?!?" Martlet squeaked, jumping up from her bed. The spoon-like monster froze in place before it melts into a single white puddle.

"SHHH!!! Keep your voice down! That's Kanako!" Alphys hissed, her eyes wide with alarm as she rushed over to the puddle, her heart racing.

"Really?????" Martlet whispered, her voice high with shock and a hint of fear. She stayed in the bed as Alphys investigates the puddle.

"Kanako, don't worry about her... w-we're here to take you home to your mom!" Alphys spoke in a gentle, soothing tone, her eyes filled with hope as she bent down to the puddle.

There was no response. Martlet looks down and sees that all the puddle does is bubble around in its current spot.

"Kanako...? Are you upset with me?" Alphys called out softly, extending a tentative hand towards the puddle. It was eerie how the goo remained silent, not even a ripple disturbing its surface. "Or... do you not..."

Her voice trailed off as she realized the possibility that Kanako might not remember her or her mother. The thought brought tears to her eyes. But then, an idea pops into her head.

"I, uhmmm... one second! I need to grab something," Alphys exclaimed, turning on her heels and rushing out of the room.

Martlet looks around awkwardly, unsure of what to do as Alphys leaves the room.

"What's going on...? Does Kanako even know what's happening right now? B-Because she's really just a goopy puddle," Martlet whispered to herself. "It's... really sad to watch. What do you think, Frisk?"

She turned her head to the human, and saw they were fast asleep, a serene expression on their face despite the tension that had filled the room just moments ago.

"Uhh, Frisk?" Martlet whispered, raising an eyebrow at the now-sleeping human.

Soon, Alphys runs back into the room. She was holding a black kitsune mask with blue trimmings, and some dot patterns on the cheeks.

"Kanako! Look! It's the mask you made while you were here. You made it for your mom, right?" Alphys held out the mask with trembling hands, her eyes pleading for any sign of recognition from the puddle. "Don't you remember?"

The puddle bubbles faster until it begins to slowly manifest. It rises slightly, showing two green glowing eyes and small fox ears.

". . . m a s k . . . " a faint, distorted whisper echoed from the puddle, the syllables stretching and warping like the very essence of the room itself.

"There we go! Ready to come home with us, Kanako?" Alphys's voice was filled with hope as she offered the mask closer to the small form.

" . . . k a n . . . a k o . . . ?" the whispers grew clearer, the puddle shivering with anticipation as it reached out a goopy tendril to touch the mask. The fabric felt warm and familiar, bringing a sense of comfort and belonging that had been lost in the cold, metallic confines of the True Lab.

"Y-Yes, that's... your name," Alphys said softly, her voice wavering as she watched the tendril trace the mask's outline. "B-But you surely must remember your mom if you remember the mask... r-ready to go home?"

". . . y e s . . . " the whispers grew stronger, and the puddle continued to feel the mask.

"Whew, that's settled!" Martlet sighed in relief as she watched the puddle. "Ummm, Alphys... how come she doesn't seem to remember anything? Including her own name..."

"Well... when a melted monster loses their physical form... they also lose their sense of self," Alphys said softly, her eyes never leaving the mask as the puddle retracts its tendril. "And ultimately, they end up forgetting who they are. But that's besides the point! I think we're ready to head on our way now. So, Martlet, you know how to get to the Dunes?"

"Of course I do!" Martlet nodded eagerly. "I've visited the Wild East TONS of times before!"

"...You know how to get there from the ground, right?" Alphys added with a hint of doubt in her voice.

"Well... I... I've had some thoughts about a kind of safe way on ground," Martlet said, her enthusiasm waning a bit. "It's a route through Waterfall. There's a minecart system that connects Waterfall to the Dunes. I think it's mostly used for moving swelterstones around. But that's our safest option."

Her eyes gaze to the wall, a hint of nostalgia in them.

"The other two routes I know of aren't that great," she admit, her voice a bit quieter. "The first is a trip through the Steamworks."

"...That'd be too dangerous," Alphys murmured, her expression a mix of concern and doubt. "I already know that old thing isn't being maintained... not counting the robots that live there."

"Yeah... or... a riverboat from Snowdin... which I know from experience is too dangerous," Martlet said, her voice trailing off as she remembered her past adventures.

"Then it looks like we have no other choice," Alphys nodded decisively. "Minecart ride it is! I guess you can lead the way, Martlet."

"Of course! Follow me!" Martlet exclaimed, her spirits lifting as she fluttered out of the room, her wings beating a steady rhythm as she led the way. They navigated through the lab's corridors, passing by silent machines and empty pods, remnants of the past now collecting dust. 

Kanako and Alphys trailed behind, until the latter stops to look at Frisk.

"Frisk! We're leaving!" Alphys whispered urgently. Frisk jolts awake, their eyes scanning the room before focusing on Alphys and the shivering puddle.

"Is that...?" Frisk began to ask, but Alphys nodded vigorously.

"Y-Yes, it's Kanako," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant hum of the lab. "We need to get her to her mother."

Frisk nodded, still in awe of the situation, and climbed out of bed. They approached the puddle, their eyes filled with empathy and curiosity. The puddle looked up at them, its eyes reflecting the soft, dreary glow of the room.

". . . h u . . . m a n . . . ? " the whispers grew even clearer, the puddle tilting slightly as it studied Frisk with a mix of curiosity and fear.

Frisk knelt down to be at eye level with the puddle.

"I'm a friend, Kanako," they assured her gently. "We're going to take you to see your mom."

The puddle quivered in place. As it spoke again, the whispers grew softer, more hesitant.

". . . m o m m y . . . " 

The puddle's eyes lit up with a spark of hope. It was a word that resonated deep within the gooey mass, a flicker of a forgotten emotion.

"Yes, we're going to take you to Ceroba," Alphys said with a gentle smile, her stutter gone for the moment. "But we need to be careful. It's a long journey, so we'll have to stick together, okay?"

Kanako's eyes, which had been a soft green, grew brighter with hope. The puddle nodded slightly, the mask still clutched in its tendril. Frisk reached out and lightly touched the goo, and to their surprise, it felt warm and almost comforting.

"Huh... despite the gooiness, she feels... furry," Frisk mused as they withdrew their hand, a small smile playing on their lips. "Let's get going, then. We don't want to keep her waiting."

They turned to follow Martlet, who was already at the lab's exit, her tail feathers fluttering with excitement. The journey ahead was fraught with uncertainty, but the promise of reuniting a mother with her lost child fueled their determination. As they made their way through the lab's winding corridors, the whispers of the past seemed to echo around them, a solemn reminder of the lives that had been lost and the hope that now lay before them.

Chapter Text

The group of four head back to Waterfall by traveling through the River Person's boat, a common travel system that Frisk used in the Underground. Once they reach one of the docks to Waterfall, the group steps off the boat and onto the solid ground.

"Come again some time. Tra la la," The River Person said, his face unseen through his thick navy blue hoodie.

"Thank you so much! Goodness, I've never been on this boat ride before," Martlet exclaimed as they stepped off the boat. "It was so relaxing, and the river person had so many stories!"

"Yeah... so... where is this minecart system?" Alphys asked, breaking the silence that had descended upon them as they disembarked the boat.

"Oh! It's just up ahead! Right behind Gerson Boom's shop!" Martlet replied cheerfully, pointing in the direction up ahead.

"Oh okay," Alphys nodded, looking a bit nervous as she tightened her lab coat around herself. "Let's get going."

Martlet sprints off ahead, with Alphys and Kanako trailing right behind. Alphys stops for a moment as the thought just crossed her head.

"Wait, his shop is in front of a mineshaft??? How come I never knew that?" she murmured, her voice a mix of excitement and confusion.

Frisk turns back to the River Person. It was hard to tell what he was feeling, but he seemed... at peace.

"People that listen to my stories are very rare... perhaps the surface holds a place for me... or perhaps not," the hooded figure mused as the boat disappeared back into the river. "It really doesn't matter."

Frisk waves goodbye to the River Person before running to catch up with Alphys and Martlet. They see the familiar sign to Gerson's shop, remembering how they first entered this place when first exploring Waterfall.

Upon entering, the human sees Gerson, the old turtle whose seen historical events for centuries, grinning widely despite his old age.

"Wa ha ha! I knew you could do it!" Gerson chuckled as they stepped into his shop. The sight of the old turtle brought a smile to Frisk's face. He was always so cheerful, despite the gloomy nature of the Underground. "Guess my junk helped you out after all, eh? And say, ya brought friends with you this time!"

"H-Hey," Alphys stuttered, her eyes darting to the floor. "We, uh, we're just passing through."

Gerson nods, his magnifying glass clutched tightly in his hand.

"What kinda business can I help you three with?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Mr. Boom, we need to use the mines to get to the Dunes," Alphys said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Eh? The mines?" Gerson's smile faded slightly as he spoke. "This old shaft is pretty run down and barely used these days. You got feathers in your head or something?"

"Ah, about that... it was actually my idea," Martlet began, her voice wavering slightly. "This is the safest option we have. I'd fly there, but I can't carry three other people with me."

"Wait a second, there are four of you?" Gerson squinted at the glimpse of the shivering puddle in the corner. "Who am I missing here?"

"Y-Yeah, I... I'm bringing home the last fallen monster from the lab," Alphys replied, her voice quivering as she clutched lab coat pocket tightly. "She's, uh... kinda shy."

"Ah, I see! I've heard Shyren's pretty happy to see her sister again," Gerson commented, nodding knowingly. "Even if she's merged with twenty other monsters. Wah ha ha! I assume she's the tiny blobby thing hiding behind you?"

"Uhh... yeah. Kanako, say hi to Mr. Boom," Alphys stutters before glancing at the puddle.

The puddle slowly peeks out from Alphys and wiggles over to look up at Gerson. It was hard to tell what Kanako's true expression was due to the only thing seen are her eyes, and what's assumed are her ears.

"Hm... Kanako, was it?" Gerson leaned down to get a closer look at the puddle, his ancient eyes twinkling with kindness. "And judging by the glare in her eyes... you're all heading down to Oasis Valley, aren'tcha?"

"W-Whoa! How'd you know?" Martlet exclaims, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Being a historian has its benefits," Gerson chuckled as he shows a knowing smirk. "A few years ago, I interviewed some of the old Steamworks engineers... regarding their lost jobs after Alphys was hired."

Gerson gazes out into the distance, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

"I dunno what ol' King Fluffybuns was thinking... 'specially when he never fired them after the CORE was built," he continued, shaking his head. "And rewarded the engineer behind it with the 'royal scientist' title... what was his name again...? Doctor-"

"Y-You're getting sidetracked," Alphys interjected, her eyes wide with nerves.

"Ah, my bad!" Gerson laughs, a big grin on his face as he slaps his forehead. "This one's got Mr. Ketsukane's daughter mixed in 'em, right?" He gazes at the puddle with a keen interest as he said that.

"It's... ummm... just her, actually," Alphys corrected Gerson, her cheeks flushing a soft pink.

"A unique case, eh? I wouldn't expect anything less from the Ketsukanes, wah ha ha!" Gerson chuckled, his ancient eyes lighting up with interest as he studied the puddle that was Kanako. "Say hi to your mother for me, would ya, little one?"

Suddenly, the puddle began to bubble around again, and everyone backs up slightly.

"... Little one...?" Gerson's voice trailed off as he watched the puddle intently.

". . . k e t s u k a n e . . ." The whispers grew clearer as the puddle, Kanako, responded to the mention of her mother. The room grew quiet as the weight of their mission settled in.

Suddenly, the puddle begins to form into a ghostly shape. Kanako's skin was a pale, her hair a pastel pink, and wearing a opaque white dress.

"...i will..." Kanako's whispers grew stronger, and her form solidified even more. Her eyes shone with a determination that had been missing before.

"Whoa... she, um..." Martlet stuttered, her eyes wide as she took in the transformed Kanako.

"I wonder if this'll keep happening the closer we get..." Alphys mused, a hint of wonder in her voice as she watched the transformed amalgamate.

"Very interesting..." Gerson murmured, stroking his chin as he observed the change in Kanako. "Now, where were we? Oh, right. You can use the minecart in the next room."

He gestures to the back of his shop, where an open room can be seen, a dusty old minecart sitting idle on the track. The cart's once vibrant blue paint had faded with time, giving it an almost antique look.

"But be careful... this isn't your typical minecart ride... it's an express route meant for quick mineral transport," Gerson warned, his smile fading a bit. "It's got a few... quirks."

"Got it... and, uh, thanks!" Alphys nodded, her grip tightening on the mask as she cautiously approached the room. "Let's, uhh... let's get going."

"This should be fun!" Martlet cheered, walking into the next room with Kanako. Frisk and Alphys tag along behind the two.

"By the by, Dr. Alphys... you did a good thing, admitting to what you did," Gerson called out as they began to approach the minecart. "As much as I wrote well of your predecessor... he wasn't responsible in the slightest. The Steamworks guys had to pick up his slack when he went missing, and-"

"Y-You don't need to go into that much detail..." Alphys stammers, her cheeks burning. "But, I... really appreciate it. I just hope Kanako's family is as understanding..."

"I'm sure they will be. Some great people, those are," Gerson assured her before stepping back some more to let them pass. "Although a bit rowdy... but be careful out there!"

"W-We'll try," Alphys said awkwardly as she and Frisk enter the next room.

When they got there, they see that Martlet and Kanako are already on the minecart, the former fidgeting with excitement while the latter looks around, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and hope.

"You seem excited, Martlet," Alphys pointed out, trying to lighten the mood. The bird monster's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"It's a whole new route I've never been on!" Martlet chirped, unable to contain her excitement. "I also haven't ridden in a minecart before, either. It's two new experiences in one!"

"Yeah, s-same here," Alphys nodded nervously, her eyes darting to the rickety looking tracks ahead. "Uhh, let's hop in, Frisk."

Frisk nodded and took a seat next to Alphys, who was trying to keep her balance on the shaky cart. The minecart groaned under their weight, but it held steady. Alphys's face flushes a deep crimson due to the closeness of everyone near her.

"Whoops..." Martlet giggled nervously as the minecart rocked, her eyes not leaving the cramped space of the minecart.

"I-I'm okay! Don't worry!" Alphys stammered, trying to put on a brave face as she gripped the sides of the minecart. Frisk gave her a reassuring smile, the kind that had seen them through so much already.

Alphys looks out by the edge, looking for the way to start the ride.

"Hmm... how do I... oh, right here!" she exclaimed, finding a lever and pulling it with a clank. The minecart jolted to life, the wheels squealing as it slowly lurched forward.

"Here we go...!" Martlet exclaimed as the minecart slowly went upwards with a series of jerks and clanks.

As the minecart continues its slow travel through the upwards ramp, everyone could see a view of Hotland and the CORE from far away.

"Oooh, what a view!" Martlet exclaimed, sticking her head out of the minecart, her feathers ruffling in the cool, damp breeze that emanated from the tunnel ahead. "This view is... well, very familiar to me, frankly."

"Why's that?" Alphys asked, her voice still a bit shaky from the minecart's jolts.

"Y'know that river ride I brought up earlier? I saw this same view when taking that," Martlet said, her eyes shimmering with excitement. "It... reminds me of an old friend."

"Well that's nice!" Alphys said, trying to match Martlet's enthusiasm, though her own nerves were palpable.

"I guess so..." Martlet murmured, her gaze drifting off into the distance as the minecart continues its journey. "Goodness, this little adventure is making me feel nostalgic."

The cart rattled as it climbed higher, the rickety track groaning under their weight. The light grew dimmer as they ascended. Alphys looks on ahead, and her eyes widen, mouth agape.

"Say, isn't this supposed to be an express route? I wonder why we're going so slowly," Martlet mused, peering ahead into the gloom. "What do you think Alphys?"

Alphys was unable to respond, her eyes solely focused on what's up ahead.

"Alphys...?" Martlet's voice grew concerned as she noticed the scientist's frozen state.

"Uhhhhhhhhh... y-you know how we've been g-going up this whole time?" Alphys finally managed to squeak out, her eyes glued to the tracks ahead.

"Yeah?" Martlet responded, turning to look at Alphys. "What's wrong?"

"...Look ahead," Alphys said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Wait, why?" Martlet asked, raising an eyebrow.

She and Frisk followed the scientist's gaze to see the track stopping its uphill ascent and going in a straight line. Ahead, a steep downhill slope waited for them, plunging into darkness. The air grew chilly and the light dimmed, as if they were being swallowed by the very earth.

"Oh... a drop," Martlet murmured, her eyes widening as the gravity of the situation settled in.

"Hang onto something!!!" Alphys shrieked as the minecart reached the peak and started to pick up speed, plummeting towards the abyss below.

As the minecart reaches its fastest speed, it ends up in a crystallizing cavern. There were a couple loops and turns, but the cart remained surprisingly stable. Alphys's heart was racing, and she could feel her palms sweating despite the chilly air.

Eventually, the track is broken apart, but continues after a rickety jump. The jump knocked everyone off balance as they held onto the cart. Martlet had it the worse and was sent flying, but since she is a bird, she starts flying to catch up.

Finally, after a wild rollercoaster-esque moment, the track ends as the minecart slows down. Frisk and Alphys were dazed from the sudden plummet, while Kanako seemed excited after that whole ride.

"Wow. W-Well, we're here," Alphys said, her voice a bit shaky as the minecart came to a screeching halt. The walls of the cavern sparkled with crystals, casting an eerie glow around them.

Alphys looks over at Kanako, who still had those happy eyes.

"Y-You look like you enjoyed that, Kanako," Alphys chuckled nervously, her heart still racing from the thrilling ride. The ghostly-like amalgamate bobbed up and down, her hair slightly askew.

"...again...?" Kanako's whispers echoed through the cavern, her excitement palpable.

"Uhh... maybe later... we need to get you home," Alphys said with a nervous laugh, her eyes darting to Frisk for support. The human was dizzy, their chin resting on the edge of the minecart. Yet they manage a weak thumbs up.

"Okay..." Kanako's whispers trailed off as Alphys exits the minecart, her diaphanous form still shimmering slightly from the exhilaration of the ride. The minecart had come to a rest in a cavern adorned with crystals, their light reflecting off the damp walls and casting a serene glow over the quartet. The air was cooler here, hinting at the proximity of the Dunes.

Just in time, Martlet catches up, landing gracefully on the cart's edge.

"Wow, that was crazy!" she exclaimed, panting slightly from the exertion of flying. "I didn't know that they delivered minerals like that!"

"Y-Yeah, I... I don't know how they did," Alphys replied, her voice shaking slightly as she looked around the cavern. "Seems like they'd just lose a ton of work to all those loops."

"I guess that makes sense," Martlet agreed, still catching her breath. "But hey, we're in the Dunes now! Follow me this way!"

Martlet and Kanako go on ahead, and Alphys trailed behind, until she turns back to see Frisk's dizzy state.

"Frisk, we're going!" Alphys called out, her voice echoing in the cavern. She took a deep breath to calm herself and followed Martlet and Kanako, her heart still pounding from the minecart ride.

Frisk's head lurches up as they heard their name being called. They took a moment to gather their senses and followed the trail of light from Martlet's feathers, hopping out of the minecart and onto the cold, crystalline floor of the cavern. The light from the crystals glinted off the wet tracks, creating a mesmerizing pattern that seemed to dance as they moved.

They explore around the cave, and notice a sign attached to the stone wall. It read:

= NOTICE =

DO NOT TAKE THE EXPRESS ROUTE!!!

It's archaic and dangerous to use!

The other route is only five minutes slower and much safer.

- MANAGEMENT

Frisk couldn't help but chuckle at the ominous message on the sign, considering the exhilarating ride they just had.

"Well, too late for that," Frisk said to themself with a nervous laugh as they stepped away from the minecart. They looked over at Alphys, who was already a few steps ahead.

"C-Come on, don't lag behind!" she called out, her voice echoing in the vast cavern.

"Coming!" Frisk called back, their voice bouncing off the crystalline surfaces. They hurried after Alphys and Martlet, their eyes adjusting to the dimmer light as they ventured deeper into the cavern.

They see a light up ahead, leading to the Dunes. The left shows more part of the cavern, along with a dead end. Frisk checks out more of the cavern, and sees a SAVE Point under a light.

Frisk approaches the SAVE, their hands hovering on top of the shiny star. They felt the cool breeze of this cave filling them with Determination.

Better safe than sorry to mark their Save on this spot, Frisk thought. They gently press down on the star, feeling the familiar warmth emanate from the SAVE Point.

"Alphys, Martlet, wait up!" Frisk called as they hurried after their friends, who were already disappearing into the light.

Chapter Text

The group stepped out of the cavern into the vast, sandy expanse of the Dunes. The air was cooler and dryer, with the occasional warm gust of wind that carried the faint scent of the desert's mysteries. The sun hung high in the sky, casting elongated shadows that danced and twisted with every step they took.

"This is the Dunes, huh," Alphys murmured as they stepped out of the crystalline cavern, her eyes scanning the horizon.

The sun was a fiery blaze above them, casting a stark contrast against the cool blue sky. The sand stretched out before them, endless waves of gold and brown that whispered secrets of ancient civilizations lost to time.

"It's so... dry... duh, I know, but it's kind of shocking seeing it in person. How a simple discovery could completely change an entire ecosystem," the yellow lizard continues, squinting her eyes against the relentless climate.

Kanako walks ahead a little bit, taking in the new environment with wide, curious eyes. Her whispers become more coherent, a sign of her growing excitement and anticipation.

"... i... remember..." Kanako's whispers grew stronger as she looked around the Dunes, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the rolling sand dunes.

"Y-Yeah, Kanako...?" Alphys called out softly, her voice a mix of excitement and concern as she watched the amalgamate's ghostly girl form staring at the sandyscape.

"...home... ahead..." Kanako's voice grew more distinct as she pointed a trembling hand towards a distant point in the Dunes, her eyes gleaming with the excitement of a child about to be reunited with a long-lost mother.

"Say, actually... the way to Oasis Valley is super simple," Martlet said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "The path there is led by fences... so you can't get lost in the middle of the desert."

"Huh," Alphys murmurs, her eyes squinting against the glare of the sun.

"This means any one of us could lead the way! We could let Frisk make a heroes welcome," Martlet suggests, a mischievous glint in her eye. "What do you think, Frisk?"

Frisk didn't respond, but the sweat forming on their head is palpable. They're not exactly used to the desert heat, unlike Martlet, who seems to be thriving. Alphys notices the human's discomfort and fidgets with her lab coat, considering whether she should offer some kind of protection.

"It's really hot?" Alphys questioned, looking over at Frisk with a concerned expression. The human nodded, their eyes squinting against the scorching heat. "Right, the big swelterstone. D-Do you have anything that can help them, Martlet?"

"I wish... I mean, I guess I could fan them with my wings," Martlet offered, flapping her wings a few times to demonstrate. "It's not much, but it's better than nothing."

Footsteps could be heard from behind them. The group of four turn around and everyone, except for Kanako, was surprised to see Sans there. His pink slippers were replaced with brown cowboy boots, and he also had a cowboy hat on his head.

"howdy," Sans greeted with a tip of his new hat, his usual lazy tone replaced by a hint of mischief.

"SANS??? How'd you get here???" Alphys squeaked in surprise, her eyes wide with shock.

"took a shortcut," Sans said with a grin, his eyes glancing around at the Dunes.

"...Of course," Alphys groaned, rolling her eyes playfully at Sans. "Why do I even bother asking with you around?"

"yeah, I'm the serif 'round these parts," Sans said with a wink. A rimshot was heard out of nowhere after he says his pun.

"Wait, really?" Martlet's eyes widened.

"nah, i'm kidding. i actually don't know any shortcuts to the oasis," Sans replied with a chuckle.

"Well that blows..." Alphys mumbles under her breath, but she couldn't hold back a small laugh at Sans's pun.

"Wait, I have an idea!" Martlet exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she looked at Sans.

"Huh...?" Alphys looked at Martlet quizzically. "What's the idea?"

"Maybe Frisk can wear a hat to beat the heat," Martlet suggested, her eyes lighting up with the idea. "It's not much, but it's something!"

"Oh. Umm, Sans, do you happen to have a spare hat?" Alphys asked, her eyes darting to the skeleton's new headgear.

"sorry, but this is the only one i got," Sans replied, adjusting his hat. "unless frisk has a cowboy hat in their back pocket. and i get the feeling they might've forgotten to put one away earlier."

"What? Where would they even get a hat like that?" Martlet exclaimed, her wings flapping in surprise. "They haven't even been here before."

Frisk looks down, their eyes remembering. Right next to the MTT hotel, they visited Bratty and Catty's shop, where they remembered purchasing a worn cowboy hat and an empty gun.

Frisk reaches into their pocket and pulls out the hat, a bit dusty from their travels. They had completely forgotten about it. Upon putting the hat on, the heat was a lot more tolerable.

"and there it is," Sans said with a chuckle, pointing to the hat on Frisk's head. "looks like you had a plan all along, kiddo."

"Huh?" Martlet blinked, staring at Frisk. This lasts for a second before she stumbles back in shock. "F-FRISK????? Where on EARTH did you get that?!"

Alphys couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Martlet's sudden mood swing.

"...What about it?" She asked, her voice quivering with anticipation and a hint of fear.

"W-Well, it's a... umm... a memento!" Martlet exclaimed, trying to keep her cool. "Yeah, it's... an old item from an old friend."

"Are you okay, Martlet?" Alphys asked, noticing the anthropomorphic bird's sudden shift in demeanor. "It seems like this whole adventure is bothering you. Especially when you keep bringing up your friend."

Martlet took a deep breath and nodded.

"I... don't want to get too into it..." she murmured, her feathers fluffing up slightly. "We can talk about it after Kanako is back with her mom."

"yeah, probably best to not pry too much," Sans agreed, his grin fading slightly as he looked at Martlet.

"Y-Yeah, sorry..." Alphys nodded, her eyes flicking to Martlet with concern. "Anyways, I think we're about ready to keep going. Frisk, are you wanting to lead the way?"

Frisk nodded firmly, their newfound determination to keep going was clear as day. The hat was doing its job, keeping the harsh sun out of their eyes and off their head. They stepped forward, the sand crunching under their shoes as they followed the fences that stood tall against the desert backdrop.

"Okay! Then we'll just follow behind you," Alphys said, her voice still a bit shaky but filled with newfound resolve. "Let's go find Ceroba together, everyone!"

"welp, that's my cue to mosey on outta here," Sans said, his smile never leaving his face. "see y'all later."

He walks into the cavern entrance, his tiny pupils fading into the shadows. Alphys, Martlet, and Frisk watch him go, the silence hanging heavily before the sound of his footsteps faded away.

"Okay so, I didn't want to ask while he was still here or anything... but was that Sans the skeleton?" Martlet whispered, her eyes still wide as they watched the cavern swallow up the skeleton's retreating figure. "The popular comedian? How do you even know him?"

"Y-Yeah, he's a good friend of mine," Alphys said, her cheeks tinted with a slight blush.

"Oh, neat!" Martlet chirped, her curiosity piqued. "Anyways, let's stop wasting time! Lead the way, Frisk!"

Frisk nodded, taking a firm grip on the fence. The metal was hot to the touch, but their newfound resolve didn't waver. They began to walk, the sand whispering under their feet as they followed the fence deeper into the Dunes. The landscape was starkly different from the lush forests of Snowdin and the fiery cliffs of Hotland. The endless sea of sand stretched out before them, dotted with the occasional cactus or withered tree.

The group had many different encounters while learning about the land. A Dunebud pops out in front of Frisk, mistaking the human as an intruder. Which makes sense, since it's possible the monsters living in the Dunes haven't figured out about the news of the barrier's disappearance.

Frisk begins to dance around, and the Dunebud lets out a happy noise as it joins in, mistaking Frisk's dancing movements for a friendly greeting. Alphys and Martlet watch in amazement as the human interacts so naturally with the creature of the desert. After a few seconds, the Dunebud leaves in satisfaction.

Frisk runs on ahead as they all move into an area with small pillars. Martlet and Kanako, being used to the land, hide behind the pillar. Alphys was about to join Frisk, when she stopped to question why Martlet and Kanako stopped.

Then a quick sandstorm occurs, sending Alphys and Frisk back with them, causing Martlet to apologize for not telling them sooner about certain landmarks of the Dunes.

When they stop to take a break to munch on some snacks and drink some water, a Sir Slither attempts to scam them with cryptocurrency. Alphys doesn't fall for it, knowing that the scam is at least ten years old.

The Sir Slither continues to try and persuade them, but Martlet grows sick of the scammer, so she grabs the snake out of his pot, and flies away with him.

As the journey continues, they continue to sprint along the scorching lands. Alphys gets hit by a tumbleweed and falls into a lower level of the Dunes for a short period of time.

But finally, after navigating the unpredictable nature of the Dunes, Frisk and Martlet make it to Oasis Valley.

"Aaaand we're here! Welcome to Oasis Valley!" Martlet announced as they reached the outskirts of Oasis Valley. The stark contrast between the harsh desert and the lush greenery of the valley was breathtaking. Palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, and the sound of water trickling from afar was like a sweet symphony to their parched throats.

"Umm... sorry about not giving too detailed of a Dunes tour. There isn't too much to say before the Oasis admittedly," Martlet said sheepishly, her wings fluttering slightly as she looked around the bustling town. "That, and... the route on foot is a little bit hectic. But that wasn't TOO bad, right?"

Kanako shortly meets up with the two. While Alphys, sweating and panting, slowly met up with the rest. Her lab coat was wrapped around her waist, and she was only wearing a black sleeveless shirt.

"Uhhh... yeah. That," Alphys murmurs, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red as she ties her lab coat tighter around her waist, her eyes glancing at the vibrant life of Oasis Valley.

"Whoa, what's with the new outfit, Alphys?" Martlet asked with a playful nudge, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she took in the scientist's disheveled state.

"This is what I was wearing under my coat... I, uh... underestimated how dry it is here," Alphys mumbled, trying to straighten her glasses. "At least in Hotland, I can find a water source. Even if it's completely artificial."

"Oh, whoops! Well, we came to the right place, then!" Martlet exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with excitement as they stepped into the lush Oasis Valley. The sudden burst of greenery was a stark contrast to the barren desert they'd just crossed. The sound of water was music to their ears as they approached a bustling area filled with monsters going about their daily routines.

And speaking of water, they approach a pond set in the middle of town.

"There's a really cool water reservoir here north of town," Martlet said, her eyes sparkling. "It has a filtration system that keeps it drinkable."

"Oh thank god," Alphys murmured, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the water. "I've never been so thirsty in my life."

She approaches the pond and scoops up some water in her hand, drinking some of it before splashing some on her face.

"Actually, last time I was here... I think they started making another one south of here," Martlet mentioned offhandedly, watching Alphys with a gentle smile. "But we can find that out in a minute! We have a fortune teller over here."

She gestures to the east, where the fortune teller's building was. As Martlet continued to talk, Kanako walks away from the group, heading north. Alphys begins to panic as she saw Kanako go missing.

"Uhhh... probably not really interesting, especially today," Martlet continued her rambling. "I don't even think they're open anymore. But it used to be one! And to the east is Café Dune, where you can enjoy a nice-"

"Uhhhhhh... guys? Where's Kanako?" Alphys's voice cut through the chatter as she looked around frantically.

"Oh, she's just right here!" Martlet replied, gesturing near her. But when she opened her eyes, she saw that Kanako was not there. "Oh, she... wandered off... hmm... I mean, we're VERY close to her house. She could've gone there on her own. Especially considering that-"

"Wait, WHAT?! Oh god, oh god... w-we haven't explained to her mom w-what happened to her!" Alphys's voice cracked with panic, her eyes darting around the area. "We need to stop Kanako! Where's her house?!"

"I- uh... j-just follow me this way!" Martlet called out, flapping her wings as she took off in a hurry. The group raced after her, their footsteps echoing through the vibrant streets of Oasis Valley. The town was alive with activity, monsters of various sizes and species chatting and going about their day, unfazed by the sudden gust of sand and feathers that whipped up in their wake.

The three approach a locked gate, which served as an entrance to an otherwise formidable house.

"Oh my god, it's locked," Alphys whispered, her hands shaking as she stared at the heavy wooden gate. "What do we do now?"

"Actually, this is a good sign!" Martlet exclaimed, her voice tinged with excitement as she hovered in front of the gate. "Ceroba usually locks her gate when she isn't here."

"Okay, good... but... we still need to find Kanako," Alphys reminded them, her voice still shaky with concern. "How do we get in?"

"What if I told you she gave me a spare key?" Martlet said with a smug smile, pulling out a key from a small pocket on her pants. The key was attached to a small charm shaped like a peacock feather.

The cyan bird monster inserts the spare key into the lock, and the gate opens with ease.

"I had no idea how she got this peacock charm, but it also seems a bit nostalgic," Martlet mused, twirling the key around her finger. "It's definitely her style. But anyways, with Kanako, she probably didn't need to, because I could just-"

"H-Hey, n-not to be rude, but..." Alphys stuttered, her eyes darting from Martlet to the open gate.

"Oops, sorry!" Martlet blurted out, her cheeks reddening. She quickly puts the key back into the pocket of her pants and runs through the now open gate. "C'mon, we gotta find her before she does something crazy!"

Frisk and Alphys exchange a quick look before following Martlet. There, they see a huge towering Japanese-styled home, fit with red walls and black rooftops.

"Oh wow. That is a REALLY fancy house," Alphys said in awe, her eyes widening at the sight of the towering dojo.

"Funny comment coming from the royal scientist," Martlet chuckled as she led the way, her eyes searching for any sign of Kanako.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's focus on finding Kanako. There aren't too many places she could've gone in here, right?" Alphys said, her voice echoing in the vastness of the dojo's entrance hall. The place was eerily quiet, the only sound being their footsteps on the wooden floor.

"I got lost in here once, but I remember where to go," Martlet called back, her voice echoing through the dojo's hallways. "There's a few places we can split up to find her. I guess I'll take the left side."

"Me and Frisk will take the right. Let's go!" Alphys called out, her voice steady despite the growing knot in her stomach. She couldn't help but worry about what they'd find when they reached Ceroba.

Frisk was about to join in, when they stepped back outside. Part of them had a feeling that Kanako wasn't actually inside the dojo. When they gaze over to their right, a blue glow was seen in their eyes.

This... wasn't ordinary. Blue is a color meant to represent integrity, a human SOUL trait. But Frisk knew that Kanako had to be that way. They'd felt something similar before.

"Hang on a sec," Frisk murmured to themself, their eyes locked onto the blue light flickering in the distance. "I think... I think I know where she is."

They decided to go on ahead since Alphys and Martlet were busy searching the estate.

"C'mon, let's go," Frisk urged, their eyes never leaving the blue glow in the distance.

They walk along the left pathway, where they end up in a small, lush garden. In the middle of it had a tombstone that read "Chujin Ketsukane" in a language that seemed ancient, even to the residents of the Underground. It was clear that the garden was well-tended, with vibrant flowers and a gentle stream of water running through it.

And then, Frisk found Kanako. Kanako looked kinda like her old self. She was goopy, her skin and hair having a grayish tone, and she wore a kimono that also had that same gray shade.

"I miss you, Daddy," Kanako murmured, her voice barely audible above the whispers of the stream. She was kneeling by the tombstone, her tiny hands folded in front of her, eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'm sorry I failed you. I'm not a hero."

Frisk approached her, their heart aching at her words. They knelt beside her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. The contact startles Kanako, but she relaxes as she feels the warmth of the human's touch.

"You... your name is Frisk, right?" Kanako sniffled, turning to look up at them with her bright white eyes.

Frisk nodded solemnly, feeling the weight of the moment. They didn't know what to say to comfort her, but the warmth of their presence seemed to be enough.

"Where's Dr. Alphys?" Kanako asked, her voice trembling as she looked around.

"She's... she's coming," Frisk replied gently. "They were looking for you. We're all worried."

Kanako's eyes avert away from Frisk, focusing on the tombstone once again.

"Why are you so worried about me?" Kanako asked, her voice small and shaky. "Mommy probably hates me."

Frisk's heart clenched at the thought of anyone hating the tiny, scared creature in front of them.

"That's not true," Frisk said firmly, their voice filled with gentle conviction. "Your mom loves you, Kanako. She's been missing you dearly. I know she would."

"How do you know?" Kanako's eyes searched Frisk's, desperation etched in her voice. "You didn't see what happened. This was my idea. This was my fault. I deserve to be like this."

Frisk's grip on her shoulder tightened slightly, trying to convey the sincerity of their words.

"Kanako!" Alphys's voice was heard from the dojo's entrance. She rushed into the garden, her lab coat billowing behind her. Her eyes searched the area until they landed on the small figure of the amalgamate by the tombstone. Martlet trailed right beside the scientist.

"Kanako, what are you talking about?!" Alphys called out, rushing towards them.

"Dr. Alphys..." Kanako's voice was a mix of relief and fear as she saw the scientist approaching. She looked up at her with a hopeful expression that quickly crumbled into despair. "...I'm sorry."

"Kanako... I knew both of your parents," Martlet spoke up, her voice gentle as she hovered closer to the young amalgamate. "And I can tell you for a fact that they wouldn't hate you. Your dad had a lot of heart. He did what he did to protect you. For everyone's sake."

Martlet pauses her sentence, her eyes growing more concerned.

"And your mom... she... told me everything," the cyan bird monster continued, her voice cracking slightly. "And I promise you that she doesn't hate you. She misses you so much. She doesn't stay here very much because of it. I know for certain that she would love to see you again."

Kanako's shoulders quivered, and she looked down at her goopy form with a sadness that was palpable.

"I remember after I woke up again," she whispered, her goopy form trembling. "I remember I started to melt. I felt like I was going to pass out. I don't know if I did. I can't... I can't remember a lot after that. It felt like I was in a bad dream. And I only woke up today."

Alphys kneeled down beside Frisk, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at the young amalgamate. Kanako stares at the tombstone again, her mind racing with a bad memory.

"The only thing I remember about the dream is a tall man," Kanako continued, her voice barely a whisper. "He had scary eyes and would stare at me. He was always really far away... but I would always hear him whisper in my ear."

Kanako begins to tremble as she recounts her haunting memory. Alphys and Martlet exchange concerned glances, recognizing the gravity of the situation.

"He said I was a failure," Kanako's voice grew smaller, "He said I deserved to be like this. He said my mommy and daddy hated me. And I believed him."

Alphys's heart broke hearing that. She knew that feeling all too well, the feeling of believing the worst about oneself.

"Kanako, that's not true," Martlet said gently, placing a comforting wing over the trembling amalgamate. "You were just trying to save everyone. I feel like you were put under a lot of pressure... and I..."

Frisk lowers their head, shaking slightly as they listen to Kanako's haunting words. They can feel the pain and fear emanating from her, and it resonates deeply within them.

"Uhh... are you okay, Frisk?" Alphys asked, noticing the human's reaction to Kanako's words. "You're... you're not gonna pass out, are you?"

"Is this a little too much for you...?" Martlet added, her eyes flicking towards Frisk with genuine concern.

Frisk pauses for a moment before they approach the tombstone, their gaze meeting Alphys and Martlet's. With a deep breath, they speak with a firmness that seemed to have come from deep within them.

"You... I don't know if you care about what I think... but I guess I have some merit to talk," Frisk said, their voice calm yet filled with a quiet strength. "Seeing how I got here, and how I kinda helped break the barrier... you... have a lot of heart. You have a lot of integrity."

Kanako looked up at Frisk, her eyes wide with wonder.

"You didn't deserve what happened to you," Frisk continued, their voice steady and kind. "And it isn't your fault, or your mom, or Alphys's. It's the place you were put in. And I guess on behalf of humanity... we're sorry."

Just those last two words seemed to shake something within Kanako, and she looked up at Frisk with a mix of hope and doubt.

"It's silly when I put it like that," Frisk admitted with a small smile, trying to ease the tension. "but-"

Before they could continue, Kanako wraps her small, gooey arms around Frisk, her body shaking with sobs.

Kanako's form began to grow more solid as she cried, essentially turning her back to her normal appearance.

"I forgive you... even though you didn't do anything," Kanako said through her tears, her grip on Frisk tightening. The human felt a strange warmth spread through them, as if her words had a healing power of their own.

"K-Kanako??? You look... normal???" Alphys stuttered, her eyes widening in shock and relief as she saw the transformation.

"What...?" Kanako pulls away from Frisk, her eyes wide with wonder as she looks down at herself.

Her gooey form had indeed solidified into her usual kitsune-like figure, her fur fluffing out in the cool breeze. Her magenta kimono was instead colored a bold blue. Her pants were a creamy yellow, and she can see the outline of the diaper she wore underneath them.

"Whoa... my hands look normal again..." Kanako whispered, her voice filled with astonishment as she stared at her small, no longer goopy, fingers. "But I still feel... weird."

"That's fascinating..." Alphys murmured, her eyes darting from Frisk to Kanako and back again. "I've never seen a transformation like that before. How did you feel when you hugged Frisk?"

"I felt like the hero of the Underground saved me. With words!" Kanako replied, her voice still shaky but with a newfound strength. She sniffled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, which was now free of the goop.

"Y-Yeah, I, uhh... didn't know you could be so verbose, Frisk," Alphys said, her cheeks reddening slightly. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of Kanako's transformation, her heart swelling with relief and joy. "Honestly, you haven't said much during your time here."

Frisk lowers their head and blushes slightly, not quite used to the praise.

"And I didn't know they were a human until just now!" Martlet exclaimed, her eyes wide with amazement. "Probably should've noticed how well the hat fits them sooner."

The tension in the garden dissipates as the group shares a moment of relief and wonder. The gentle sounds of the stream and the rustling of leaves in the breeze seem to celebrate the lifting of the heavy cloud that had hung over Kanako.

"Though, Alphys, I am curious about something," Martlet said, tilting her head to the side, her feathers fluttering slightly in the breeze. "Is Kanako back to normal now?"

"I don't think so, no," Alphys replied, her eyes scanning over Kanako's form. "She said that she still feels abnormal despite what we see. That kinda says to me that she's still unstable. Just... she's a lot more put together than earlier. And even than she could destabilize like the others. Which is caused by extreme emotions."

Frisk nods solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"...Like what?" Martlet asked, her voice filled with concern as she hovered closer to Alphys and Frisk.

"Overt sadness, anger, fear, panic... mostly negative emotions," Alphys confirmed, her eyes never leaving Kanako. "Luckily, none of the others experienced a regression in mind. So Kanako should be fine as well."

Frisk watched as the young monster took in her surroundings with newfound clarity. The blue light in their eyes flickered slightly, a silent promise that they would help her.

"So if I stay calm, I'll look normal?" Kanako sniffled, looking up at Alphys with hopeful eyes.

"Exactly! Try to stay calm until everyone knows about your condition," Alphys instructed gently, her voice filled with kindness. "We don't want you to melt in front of them before then."

"Okay! I'll try my best!" Kanako nodded vigorously, her eyes shimmering with determination. Despite her small stature and the diaper she wore under her pants, she stood tall, ready to face the world once more.

"So... what's next? Where would Ceroba go if she isn't here?" Alphys asked, her gaze scanning the serene garden. The question hung in the air, urgent but gentle, as the group gathered their thoughts.

"Oh, easily the Wild East," Martlet said, breaking the silence, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "It's a really friendly town east of here. I'm friends with the sheriff there! He's also really good friends with Ceroba, too. It isn't too far from here, either. So we shouldn't have to deal with anything hectic."

"Then let's not waste any more time," Alphys said, her voice a mix of relief and urgency. "The sooner we find Ceroba, the sooner we can tell her that her daughter is safe. Would you lead the way, Martlet?"

"Of course I will, Alphys! Let's go!" Martlet exclaimed, her cyan feathers ruffling in excitement. She took the lead again, guiding them out of the garden and back into the bustling streets of Oasis Valley.

"I can't wait to see everyone again!" Kanako said, her voice filled with excitement as she skipped alongside Martlet. Her eyes were wide with anticipation, the tragedy of moments before seemingly forgotten in the face of her impending reunion.

As Frisk catches up with the group upon making it back to Oasis Valley, they were stopped by a sudden voice.

"Pssst! Hey, you! Yeah you, with the hat! Can you come over here for a second? Behind the big building?" A whisper was heard from behind a building. "I need to ask you something."

Frisk goes up to the building and looks at an alleyway. When the human got close, a yellow glow shines in front of them, startling them.

When the glow disappears, Frisk ended up seeing another human. The other human has light skin, black eyes, and short brown hair with a small ponytail. They wore a brown leather jacket with light red sleeves, blue cuffed jeans, and a yellow bandanna with a blue dot pattern around their neck.

"Whoa... you felt that too, right?" The light-skinned human asked, their voice filled with excitement and wonder. "Your aura, it just changed. It's like you've got the power of the universe in you! Actually, wait a second... I think I recognize you! Yeah, I helped you out earlier, didn't I? You must've recognized me too, right?"

Frisk gasped quietly, immediately remembering what the voice was referring to. They remember their battle against Omega Flowey, and they called for help a few times. The last time they called for help... was this human right here.

"The human with the yellow SOUL?" Frisk asked, their voice filled with disbelief. The light-skinned human nodded enthusiastically, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Say... I hate to interrupt what you're doing, but can I ask you for a favor...?" they asked with a hopeful smile. "'Specially since I gave you a hand earlier... I need some help... reintroducing myself. I didn't expect this to happen, so I don't know how to go about this. Would you be willing to help?"

Frisk stared at the human, their mind racing. This was the same person who had lent them their strength before. They had never seen them outside of battle, let alone in person. The human's hopeful expression was contagious, and Frisk felt a sudden urge to help.

"What's your name?" Frisk finally managed to ask, their voice still filled with astonishment. Placing a hand on their hip, the light-skinned human grins.

"Howdy. I'm Clover," they reply, extending their hand. "I know it's weird seeing me, but I just kinda... woke up here after I sacrificed my SOUL to help out. And now, I'll bet everyone'll be all confused if they see me. Can you imagine?"

Frisk takes the outstretched hand, shaking it firmly. The warmth of the gesture feels genuine, and for a brief moment, they wonder what it would've been like to have met Clover under different circumstances.

"I'm Frisk," Frisk says, their voice still filled with awe. "And... yeah. I guess I owe you a huge thanks. Without you, I might not have made it out of there."

Clover chuckles, their eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Well, I guess I am a bit of a surprise," they admit. "But let's not dwell on the past too much. I've got a bit of a... situation."

"Situation?" Frisk echoes, curiosity piquing.

"Yeah, it's about... Martlet," Clover explains, their smile fading slightly. "She seemed the most hurt when I made my choice to free monsterkind with my sacrifice. Whenever Martlet's on her own, I... I want to see her again. And I would like your help regarding that."

Frisk nods thoughtfully, considering the gravity of the request. They look back at Alphys and Kanako, who are waiting for them far away, and make a decision.

"Your existence is safe with me until I reunite you with Martlet," Frisk says, a determined look in their eyes. "But I need to take care of something important first."

Clover nods, understanding the urgency of the mission at hand.

"Fair enough. Just... remember me when you do," they say with a small smile. "And maybe we can catch up later, yeah? Justice has been delivered, after all."

Frisk nods solemnly before turning to rejoin Alphys and Kanako, who are waiting patiently. They can't shake the feeling of excitement and curiosity that comes with the revelation of Clover being alive. But for now, they had a mission to complete.

"Stay determined," Frisk says before they part ways with Clover, the human's words echoing in their mind as they rejoin Alphys and Kanako.

Chapter Text

The three make it to the entrance to the Wild East. Kanako stays behind Martlet and Alphys to keep the surprise well-hidden.

"Is... is this it?" Alphys asks nervously, her eyes scanning the bustling town of the Wild East.

"Yes, ma'am! Welcome to the Wild East!" Martlet chirped, her cyan feathers fluttering with excitement. The town was a stark contrast to the quiet solitude of the Oasis Valley, with its vibrant colors and lively monsters moving about their business.

"Seems like someone REALLY likes human westerns," Alphys murmured to herself, her eyes widening at the sight of the buildings adorned with wooden signs and cowboy hats. "But, uh, we're not here for the decor. So... how should we go about this?"

"Well, Kanako should probably stay behind us," Martlet suggested, her eyes glancing at the young amalgamate with a gentle smile. "Y'know... in case someone comes in and-"

Suddenly, a blue fish-like monster approaches them from the town's entrance. They gasp quietly at the newcomers.

"Martlet??? Well, hey! It's been a while!" the fish-like monster greeted with a cheerful wave.

"O-Oh, hey, Moray!" Martlet stuttered, her eyes widening. She had hoped to avoid bumping into anyone they knew before finding Ceroba. But with Moray here, the chances of keeping their mission a secret just plummeted. "Sorry, I've, uhh... things have been pretty busy with me lately."

"I get you," Moray said, waving off Martlet's flustered explanation. "You came over at a good time. We're preparing a party at the saloon! We're celebrating our newfound freedom. Say, actually..."

Moray pauses to turn their head to the town entrance.

"Guys! Martlet's in town!" they called out, and before the group had a chance to react, a gray squirrel monster in a green coat and scarf and a gray humanoid-like monster whose face is obscured by his long hat and scarf walk into the fray.

"Hiya, Martlet! Who's your friend?" The squirrel-like monster, Mooch, called out, her eyes landing on Alphys with curiosity.

"I think I recognize her," The humanoid monster, Ace, spoke up, his voice low and thoughtful. "I didn't know you were still friends with the royals."

"W-Well, it's more of a h-hired position th-than royalty..." Alphys stammers, her cheeks growing redder by the second.

"Ace, now's not the time," Martlet interjected quickly, her eyes darting between her friends and the nervous scientist. "I brought Dr. Alphys over here for an important reason."

"Oh, you were helping her out? That's nice of you!" Moray said with a smile, clapping their fishy hands together.

"What's goin' on over here?" A manly westerner voice boomed over the chatter, and everyone's eyes snapped to the source: Starlo, the star-shape faced monster. He faces the group with a big grin.

"Well howdy, Martlet! Long time no see," Starlo greeted with a wide smile, his star-shaped head gleaming under the sun.

"Yeah, it's been a while," Martlet said, trying to keep the conversation light. "So I hear you guys are throwing a party?"

"That's correct!" Starlo confirmed, his star-shaped head bobbing. "We're gonna throw a big town party here before we, uhh... figure out how to move everything here to the surface."

"Is that even possible, Star?" Mooch asked, her curiosity piqued. "Movin' everything to the surface?"

"We'll get there when we get there, Mooch," Starlo said with a wink, his star-studded hat tilting back. "If nothin' else, we could turn this into something extra special.

Soon, Frisk makes it back with the group, and the Feisty Five members' expressions shifted to confusion upon seeing them.

"Oh, THERE you are, Frisk! Where the heck did you go?" Alphys exclaimed as soon as they saw them.

Frisk felt their cheeks heat up under the sudden attention, and they looked down at their feet, trying to formulate an explanation for their sudden disappearance. They couldn't explain having just met another human and needing to keep it a secret. Not now.

"Oh, we got ourselves more visitors?" Starlo boomed, his smile growing even wider as he spotted Frisk. "You a tour guide for these two, Feathers?"

"Pretty much, yeah!" Martlet exclaimed, trying to maintain the facade of normalcy.

"So who do we got here...?" Starlo murmured, his eyes squinting as he took in the newcomer. His smile fades a bit as the realization kicks in. "Wait a sec... Martlet, did you just bring the royal scientist to our town???"

"I already brought that up..." Ace mumbled under his scarf, eyeing Alphys suspiciously.

"Martlet helped her get here," Moray chimed in, smiling warmly at Alphys.

"Ah, that explains that," Starlo said, his smile returning. "If you don't mind, Doctor... I may be interested in conducting a little interview later. I've got a few aching questions regarding something important..."

"I... ummm... t-that's kind of why I came here," Alphys replied, her stutter becoming more pronounced under the sudden pressure.

"Glad that's in order, then!" Starlo boomed, slapping his hand on his hip. "And now, yer other friend..."

He glances over at Frisk, and for a moment, a shadow of surprise flickers across his starry visage. Meanwhile, Ace looks at Alphys and notices a hint of a small brown tail behind her. He lets out a quiet gasp, and then turns away to compose himself, not wanting to alert the others.

"A tiny little... hold the phone... Martlet, are you a human magnet or somethin'?" Starlo exclaimed, his eyes widening as he took in Frisk. The tension grew palpable as the Feisty Five members exchanged glances, recognizing the human from their own past encounters.

"O-Oh! They didn't come to me!" Martlet said, her feathers fluffing up with embarrassment. "They're a friend of Alphys."

"Y-Yeah..." Alphys chimed in, her eyes darting nervously between Frisk and the Feisty Five. "They... helped break the barrier."

"No freaking way..." Starlo's eyes widened even more as he took a step back. "Well, by golly, we got ourselves a hero in town! What's your name?"

Frisk opened their mouth to speak, but then Starlo cut them off before they could say a word.

"...Wait, I got a good feeling... it's Frisk, ain't it?" he said, his star-studded eyes squinting at the human.

"Wh... what?????" Martlet's voice overlapped with astonishment, their eyes bulging at the revelation. "How'd you guess that???"

"Wait, I was right?!" Starlo's grin grew even wider, and he took off his hat, holding it against his chest with a dramatic bow. "I was just taking a shot in the dark. Call it a sheriff's luck or something."

Frisk couldn't help but chuckle at the over-the-top greeting, their cheeks still tinged pink from the attention. Starlo walks back to his friends, grinning widely as ever.

"In any case, howdy Frisk, Alphys," Starlo greeted with a tip of his hat. "Welcome to the Wild East. The name's North Star, and I run this town. Though y'all can just call me Starlo."

"N-Nice to meet you, Starlo!" Alphys stammers, her eyes wide and a little overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events.

"Say, Star... we actually came here for a special reason," Martlet spoke up, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

"Lay it on me, Feathers," Starlo said, his smile widening slightly. "What's on y'all's minds?"

"O-Okay! Uhhh, brace yourself, I guess," Martlet began, her cheeks reddening as she turned to face Alphys and Frisk.

She then steps back, revealing Kanako who was hiding behind her. The Feisty Five's eyes widened in shock, except for Ace, and Alphys held her breath, watching the reaction of the monsters she just met.

"H-Hi..." Kanako greeted, her eyes darting shyly to the ground. The Feisty Five, excluding Ace, stared at the young amalgamate, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion.

"Oh my GOD???" Moray gasped, their hands flying to their mouth.

"There's no way this is real," Mooch murmured, her eyes wide as saucers as she stared at Kanako.

"K... KANAKO???" Starlo's voice was a mix of shock and disbelief, his smile replaced with a look of pure astonishment. "Is that really you?"

"I hope so..." Kanako's voice was a whisper, her body trembling slightly. Starlo's face broke into a huge grin.

"Oh my stars, Doctor, yer a GENIUS!" he exclaimed, rushing forward to scoop her up in a bear hug. The sudden affection made Kanako's ears perk up in surprise, but she didn't resist, instead returning the embrace tentatively. "We GOTTA tell Ceroba bout this!"

He then lets go of Kanako and begins to run off, but Martlet stopped him.

"Wait wait WAIT, Star!" she called out, her voice strained as she held onto his arm. "T-There's something we wanted to do regarding that..."

Starlo's enthusiasm didn't waver, his starry eyes still gleaming with excitement.

"Oh, I see. You just wanted to surprise Ceroba yourselves, huh?" he said, grinning from ear to ear.

"I guess you could say that..." Martlet replied, her grip on Starlo's arm tightening slightly. "But it's something very important about Kanako..."

"Maybe me and the doctor should discuss this kinda thing," Starlo suggested, his grin never leaving his face. "Now, Martlet, I think Ed and the others might need some help. The supplies high up are always a pain to deal with. Mind helping us out with that?"

"I, umm... sure, I guess...?" Martlet responded, her feathers ruffling with anxiety as she exchanged glances with Alphys and Frisk. She knew that Starlo's excitement was infectious, but the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her.

"Thanks a bunch!" Starlo said, slapping Martlet on the back before turning to the rest of the group. "Y'all go continue prepping the bar."

"Come with us, Martlet!" Mooch offered, her squirrel tail flicking with excitement. "We've got some cool tricks to show you!"

"O-Okay!" Martlet managed a smile, trying to match the enthusiasm of her friends. With a final look of encouragement at Alphys and Frisk, she followed the Feisty Five into the bustling town. "Umm... see you guys later."

Alphys and Frisk watched the group disappear into the throng of monsters, their hearts racing.

"Now, what was Martlet talking about regarding Kanako?" Starlo's question brought the conversation back to the forefront as the town's excitement grew in the background.

"O-Oh... I... uhmm... y-you see... uhhh..." Alphys stammered, her cheeks flushing a bright red. "Kanako here is... she's actually..."

"Uncle Starlo, can we please do the tour first?" Kanako asked in a small voice, looking up at the towering monster with a hopeful glint in her eyes. "Dr. Alphys seems nervous..."

"Oh, shoot! You're right, Kanako," Starlo said, his grin turning gentle as he crouched down to meet her eye level. "Prolly best to give y'all a nice, warm welcome first. Lemme show y'all round our small little town. Come this way."

The sheriff led them through the bustling streets. The three stay here to have a small discussion before meeting up with Starlo.

"I-If you don't mind going ahead of me, Frisk... I need a minute," Alphys murmured, her eyes darting around the crowded street. The weight of her secret was palpable as she tried to compose herself.

Frisk nodded in understanding, giving Alphys a comforting pat on the back.

"Don't worry, we'll be here when you're ready," they assured her, their calm demeanor a stark contrast to the scientist's nerves.

Alphys took a deep breath and nodded, her eyes focused on the distant horizon where the bar was located.

"Thanks," she said, her voice barely audible. Frisk nods again then walks into town. When Frisk was gone, Alphys turns to look at Kanako.

"Kanako...?" Alphys began, her voice shaky.

"You seem scared of Uncle Starlo, Dr. Alphys," Kanako observed, her own tail swishing nervously.

"I won't lie, I kind of am," Alphys admitted, her shoulders drooping slightly. "I don't know how HE'LL react when we tell him about... well..."

Ace, who was revealed to have been watching the discussion this whole time, steps forward, his usual stoic demeanor cracking into a gentle smile beneath his scarf.

"...About how Kanako is one of those amalgams?" He finished for her, his voice softer than usual.

"HUH??? How do you...?!" Alphys's voice grew high-pitched with surprise.

"Believe it or not, I'm the only one here that heard the news," Ace said, his eyes never leaving Alphys's. "...I didn't have the heart to tell anyone, though. I am surprised that she looks nothing like the others."

"Y-Yeah, it was, uhh... rough getting her to this state," Alphys replied, her voice wavering. She glanced down at Kanako, who was now hiding behind her leg, peeking out with wide, hopeful eyes.

"What do you mean by rough?" Ace asked, his curiosity piqued.

"J-Just some SOUL-searching, I guess," Alphys said, her voice barely above a whisper as she tried to lighten the mood. She didn't want to scare Kanako with the dark truth behind her creations. "Nothing in the lab, that's for sure. Considering how everyone else turned out.

"...I see," Ace said, his expression unreadable behind his scarf. He knelt down to Kanako's level. "I presume Martlet also knows?"

"Y-Yeah. She guided us here, so she saw everything," Alphys nodded, her eyes glancing towards the direction Martlet had disappeared with the others.

"Then I'll join her in breaking the truth to the others," Ace decided, his voice firm and comforting. "Seeing as she was about to break the news to Star herself. If we can get a moment with him, we'll tell him, too."

"I... I appreciate it," Alphys said, visibly relieved. Ace nods once and heads back to town. At the same time, Starlo comes back with a raised eyebrow.

"Hey, what's the hold up?" he boomed, his enthusiasm not dimming even a bit. "The heck was Ace talkin' to ya for?"

"U-Uh... nothing important! We're coming!" Alphys stammered, her heart racing as she scooped up a slightly trembling Kanako.

some time later...

Starlo took the three along for the tour, introducing everything the Wild East has to offer. He started with the hospital, moved onto the jail, and he did pause at a mysterious house before deciding it's not worth sharing in the tour.

Instead, he shows them the stable with monsters dressing up as horses, and after that, he shows them the shooting range, while also finding out about Frisk's reluctance to try out shooting a test dummy. After the shooting range, they all walk into the town's central hub.

"Finally, the center of town! And our nice little bell," Starlo announced, pointing to a grand bell tower that stood tall in the middle of the hub. "Prolly should've done this bit first, but whatever. This little thing ain't THAT cool, but... it holds a special place in my heart. It's the first thing we put in to sell the western town feel."

Kanako looked up at the bell with wide eyes, her curiosity growing by the second.

"I... I remember it," Kanako whispered, her eyes glistening with excitement.

"Agreed, my little deputy! It's also practical, too!" Starlo exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "Just give it a ring, and..."

He looked over at the group, and he saw that Frisk wasn't looking at the bell anymore. When Starlo looked around for them, he saw the human staring at a statue.

"Uhh, Frisk...?" Starlo called out, noticing their distraction. "You more interested in our little statue?"

"It's a pretty statue!" Kanako exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she skipped over to Frisk.

The statue standing tall and proud showed a human child with cowboy attire in a confident pose. They held their left hand up, holding a yellow human SOUL, while their left hand was lowered, holding their gun. The sign on the statue's podium read:

In memory of Deputy Clover.

May your sacrifice not be lost.

Built 20XX.

Starlo lowers his eyes, a slight hint of vulnerability etched onto it.

"Yeah... they were a good kid," Starlo said, his voice soft. "Always did what was right. They certainly helped put me on the straight and narrow. We may have only known them for a day, but... gosh, they left such a mark of this place and the people here. You definitely would've liked them, Kanako."

Kanako looked at the statue with a mix of awe and sadness.

"You knew them, Uncle Starlo?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"Yep," Starlo nodded solemnly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "They were a friend of mine. And of all of us in the Feisty Five."

Alphys looked at the ground, her heart racing with anticipation. Starlo then turns back to Frisk, his eyes gazing on the human's hat.

"Say, Frisk. I couldn't help but notice... your hat," the sheriff monster said, his eyes squinting as he studied the accessory. "It used to be theirs. Where'd you get it?"

Frisk looked up from the statue, the hat in question sitting atop their head. It was a simple cowboy hat, frayed around the edges but still holding onto its original shape.

"This hat?" Frisk asked, their voice filled with innocence. "I got it from a shop owned by Bratty and Catty. They said it was a popular style around here."

"Hmm... not sure who those two are, but... just askin'... cause we had a bit of a send-off a while ago," Starlo said, his gaze lingering on the hat. "Wouldn't be surprised if someone else found their stuff."

"That reminds me... Martlet's been talking about an old friend a lot today," Alphys said, trying to steer the conversation away from the sensitive topic. "Is this... them?"

"Almost certainly. Honestly, I'm not too shocked," Starlo forced a chuckle, shaking his head. "I'd wager Clover was her best friend. As much as I say I miss them... I think she's particularly heartbroken over their departure."

"Departure...?" Alphys echoed, her voice shaking slightly as she clutched Kanako's hand closer. "What... what do you mean?"

"I suppose I should just come out and say it. Clover was a human that fell down here a long time ago," Starlo began, his tone turning more serious as he leaned against the bell tower. "They gave up their SOUL after a heavy confrontation... you remember the 6th human SOUL? That was them."

"Oh," Alphys murmured, her eyes widening with shock and sadness. "Oh... that... explains a lot. Not just today, but... back then, too."

"Yeah... though I guess we shouldn't linger on it," Starlo said, his eyes drifting to the bell. "It's in the past, and... well, I'd say their sacrifice finally paid off today. For that, I am most grateful."

The group nodded solemnly, the gravity of the situation settling over them like a quiet storm. The town's celebration seemed to dim slightly in the shadow of the conversation, but the music and laughter didn't completely fade away. It was a stark reminder of the joy and sorrow that intertwined in their lives.

"That kinda brought down the mood," Starlo said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly as he looked around at the now quiet group. "I think we've had enough tourin' for today. Think at this point, they've got the saloon all set up. Let's head over there to unwind for a bit."

"O-Okay!" Alphys exclaimed a bit too cheerfully, eager to move on from the heavy topic. "I guess... we will."

Starlo and Kanako stick by each other as they walk to the saloon. Alphys turns to Frisk, who had their head lowered.

"Frisk...? Are you... okay?" Alphys asked tentatively, reaching out to touch Frisk's shoulder.

Frisk looked up, their expression a mix of wonder and sadness. They didn't say anything, as they were still trying to process all of this information.

"Okay...? Well, you seem more despondent since we left the oasis," Alphys observed with a furrowed brow as they approached the bustling saloon. "Just... I'll buy you a root beer at the bar, okay? If they have any, that is. Let's go."

Frisk nodded, their eyes still glued to the statue. The story of Clover's sacrifice weighed heavily on them, and the realization that they were now a symbol of hope in this alien place was a bit overwhelming.

"Y-Yeah, that sounds nice," Frisk finally managed to respond, following Alphys into the saloon.

Chapter Text

The atmosphere inside the saloon was vastly different from the quiet contemplation of the square. The air was thick with chatter and laughter, the smell of various monster drinks wafting through the room. The saloon was a riot of colors, with neon lights flashing and the clink of bottles punctuating the air.

Everyone took their seats. Some are just chatting with each other, and some are focused on two monsters on the stage initiating in a playful gun fight. Alphys was tapping her fingers against each other, Martlet is engrossed in a conversation with Moray and Mooch, while Frisk was just spinning around in their seat.

"Psssst, Frisk... I-I'm not sure how to break the truth to them..." Alphys whispered anxiously, glancing around the saloon. The place was lively, with monsters of all shapes and sizes mingling together. The sound of laughter and the clinking of glasses filled the room. "Apparently they can't get a moment with Starlo... and I'm worried about him getting closer to Kanako. What should I do?"

Frisk stopped their spinning to gaze at Alphys with a firm expression.

"Come clean," the human suggested, their voice steady. "The truth always finds a way out, Alphys. It's better to tell them sooner than later."

Alphys nodded, her stomach in knots. The saloon was packed, and the sound of the crowd grew louder as the music from the stage filled the room. A couple of monsters danced, while others played card games at the tables. It was a stark contrast to the quiet, solemn moment they had shared by the statue.

"Y... you're right," Alphys murmured, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "There really is no way around it, huh. It's better to get this done and over with."

"Well, now! Y'all look mighty comfy," Starlo's voice boomed over the din as he slid into the booth opposite Frisk and Alphys. He had a mischievous twinkle in his eye, as if he knew something they didn't.

"Y-Yeah..." Alphys managed a weak smile, her eyes darting to where Martlet sat with Mooch and Moray, trying to get into the spirit of the party. "Thanks for having us."

"My pleasure! Gotta say, though... I wonder what took you so long," Starlo said, raising an eyebrow at them playfully. "I mean, I can't be too mad."

He suddenly grabs Kanako with one hand, lifting her in air, which startles both her and Alphys.

"You brought Kanako back to us in perfect condition!" Starlo continued, looking at Kanako with a big grin.

Kanako's startled expression melted into something more nerve-wracking as Starlo held her aloft. Alphys hurriedly jumped out of her seat, her mind jumbled up into a mess.

"U-Uh... about that," she stammered, growing more anxious when she saw him pick up Kanako like that. "You see... I, uhh... the PSA we put out w-was for a-"

"Wait a sec... now that I got a good look at you, Kanako... you look awfully damp," Starlo said, his smile faltering slightly as he looks at her in concern. "The heck have you been playin' at?"

Kanako did suddenly feel like her body was sweating a bit more than usual. It wasn't just the normal sweat building up, more like her entire body was a part of it.

"U-Uhh... I... ummm... I-I'm sorry!" Kanako squeaked, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Huh?" Starlo murmured, raising an eyebrow. "What're you sorry for-"

Kanako's stress levels began to go up that she reverted back to a gray state, a little more goopy and pale than usual. The sudden transformation causes Starlo to drop Kanako and launch his back into the bar. The patrons around them stared, some in shock, others with knowing expressions.

"WHAT IN TARNATION?!" Starlo's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull as he took in the sight of the now gooey Kanako.

The music stopped abruptly, and the chatter in the saloon died down to a hush. The tension was palpable as all eyes fell on the trembling little amalgamate.

"What the...?!" Martlet squeaked, her eyes going wide as she saw Kanako's transformation.

"Oh god, what did he do," Mooch groaned, hiding her face in her hands.

"Oh no," Alphys murmured, her eyes darting around the room nervously as whispers began to spread like wildfire.

"Kanako... are you...?" Starlo stuttered, his shock and concern etched onto his face as he stared at the transformed amalgamate.

He reached a hand out, but Kanako scampered away, her eyes wide with fear as she hid her face in her hands, letting out high-pitched whines.

In an instant, all the flashiness and camaraderie from Starlo vanished, and he was filled with anger. He stared at Alphys with a scowl as he towers over her.

"What the hell did you do to her?!" Starlo's voice boomed, cutting through the tension like a knife. The saloon grew eerily silent as all eyes fell on Alphys, whose face was a canvas of fear and regret.

"I-I," Alphys stuttered, her heart racing as she looked around the saloon, "I j-just t-tried to-"

Starlo takes another step, with everyone jumping from their seats due to how loud the stomp was.

"SPEAK, you damn royal!" Starlo's voice was a low growl, his fists clenched by his sides. "I oughta throw you in jail for what you've done to her!"

In the middle of the bar, Ed was about to intervene, but he backed up when he saw Frisk jump out of their seat and stand in front of Alphys in a protective manner.

"F-Frisk?!" Alphys's voice was a high-pitched squeak as she saw the human step in front of her.

"Oh no, are they about to..." Moray began, their eyes wide with concern.

"Frisk, get out of the way," Starlo demanded, his eyes blazing with accusation and anger. "I'm givin' Alphys what she deserves for doin' this to poor Kanako. Unless you're aimin' to disgrace the hat you wear."

Frisk remained steadfast, their eyes meeting Starlo's gaze.

"Please, let her explain," they said calmly, their voice a stark contrast to the rage in the room. But Starlo was having none of it. He reached into his holster, and Frisk prepared for battle.

But before Starlo can draw his gun, Martlet sprints over and holds Starlo back. Moray trails behind her in case she needs a helping hand.

"Star! Knock it off!" Martlet yelled, her grip on Starlo's arms tight.

"Star, you're scaring everyone," Moray said more calmly, though their eyes held a stern warning. "Just look at Kanako."

Starlo wriggles free from Martlet's hold, and he stares at both her and Moray with anger.

"Don't you see what she did to our dear Kanako?!" Starlo's eyes were filled with rage as he snapped, but Moray's face remained calm.

"Yeah?! What, would you rather her be dead???" Martlet yells, her eyes flashing. "Because that's the only other outcome. Besides, she was in a WAY worse condition earlier."

She pauses for a moment to look over at Alphys and Frisk, then turns her gaze back to Starlo with a stern expression.

"Alphys tried her best to help Kanako," Martlet continued, her voice firm as she stepped in between Starlo and the trembling Kanako. "You wanna know why you never heard about her condition? This is why. Because you'd rather scream at the one who saved her life... than to actually accept for for who she is now."

Starlo's expression calms down a notch as he looks at Martlet, his rage dissipating into confusion. He then looks back at Alphys and Frisk, who are both tense and worried. Finally, he looked at Kanako, who was huddled in the corner and visibly upset by his outburst with her whines. A growing wet spot bloomed in the middle of her pants.

Realizing his mistake, Starlo lowered his head.

"I'm sorry... just... I'm thinkin' how Ceroba could react to this," he murmured, his gaze lingering on the trembling amalgamate. "How is she gonna react to her daughter melting in front of her? 'Specially considering she hates the royals."

"Kanako isn't the only one that came home from the lab today," Martlet assured him, her voice firm but gentle. "And consider her lucky. Everyone else melted together into completely different monsters. And still, they were all accepted back into their families. Kanako is just kinda goopy, that's all."

Starlo sighed heavily, his hand dropping to his side. He looked over to the stage where the two performers had stopped their act, looking at the commotion. The saloon remained eerily silent, all eyes on the unfolding scene.

"...Very well. Alphys, I'm sorry about getting antagonistic towards you," Starlo said, his voice softer now. "Just... lots of emotions were flaring in me from seeing this."

"I-It's fine... I k-kinda expected this, haha," Alphys said nervously, trying to laugh it off despite the fear in her eyes. Starlo then looks over at the shaking amalgamate.

"And I'm sorry for scarin' you, Kanako," Starlo added, his voice laced with remorse as he approached the trembling figure. "I really should've been more considerate. I'm just a big ol' dummy, as usual."

He reached out a hand to help her up, but she shied away, hiding her face.

"No, Shen... leave me alone... don't kill me with the sizzley thingies..." Kanako's muffled voice came out from behind her hands, her whines getting quieter as she tried to compose herself.

Frisk watched the scene unfold, their heart breaking for the little amalgamate. They knew all too well what it felt like to be feared and misunderstood. Slowly, they approached her, kneeling down to meet her at eye level.

"Hey, Kanako," Frisk whispered gently. "It's okay. No one's going to hurt you. We're all here to help."

Kanako's trembling slowed a bit as she peeked over her hands, her eyes red and filled with fear. She looked around, taking in the concerned faces of her friends. Slowly, she reached out her hand to Starlo, who took it with a gentle grip.

When she did, her form began to turn back to normal, the goop retreating back into her body. The crowd around them sighed in relief, and the whispers grew quieter. Starlo helped her to her feet, his face etched with a mix of guilt and regret.

"It's okay... I love you, Uncle Starlo," Kanako murmured, her voice still shaky as she tried to stand on her own.

Starlo's eyes grew misty at her words, and he pulled her into a gentle hug. The tension in the saloon began to ease as the music started up again, the patrons returning to their drinks and conversations.

"H... hey, don't make me cry now," Starlo said, his gruff exterior cracking as he held Kanako tightly. His eyes searched the room for Ceroba, the weight of the situation sinking in.

"Well, there goes our party," Mooch quipped, though her voice was laced with genuine concern as she observed the scene from the bar counter.

"Yous could say that again..." a crocodile monster grumbled as he walked out of the saloon.

"Oh, shush up, all of y'all," Starlo said gruffly, wiping a tear from his eye. "We've got more pressin' matters at hand. We gotta get Kanako back with Ceroba!"

"God, how are we gonna handle this..." Moray said with a sigh, leaning back against a chair. The rest of the group exchanged glances, the gravity of the situation settling over them like a heavy blanket.

"Well, me, Frisk, and Alphys can take it from here," Martlet offered with a brave smile, patting Starlo's shoulder. "I have an idea on how to ease into things with her. Say, where is she? I'm surprised that she isn't here."

She glances around the saloon, noticing the way the monsters have returned to their drinks and games, the music playing a bit softer now, as if to accommodate the shift in mood.

"Well, she's been sleeping in lately... if I had to wager, she'd be over near the farm," Starlo spoke, his voice gruff but filled with a hint of concern. "But she's been actin' real strange, ever since Clover's selfless sacrifice..."

"Got it," Martlet nodded firmly, a newfound resolve in her eyes. "Alphys, Frisk, Kanako, follow me."

Alphys and Frisk follow Martlet on the way out, while the other patrons continue with their leisurely activities within the saloon.

Kanako, however, didn't immediately follow them. She stays behind for a moment as she tugs on Starlo's poncho.

"Uncle Starlo?" Kanako's voice was small, barely audible over the reviving chatter of the saloon. She looked up at him with a quiver in her eyes.

"What is it, little one?" Starlo crouched down, his expression a mix of tenderness and weariness.

"Um... I, um... ...I need to be changed," Kanako whispered, her cheeks reddening as she tapped her hidden wet diaper. The sudden tension in the saloon had overwhelmed her, revealing that she had an accident during his outburst.

Starlo's eyes widened in surprise, but his expression softened immediately. He picked her up gently, cradling her in his arms.

"Ah, don't you worry about that," he assured the little Amalgamate, his voice gentle. "We'll get you sorted out real quick."

Starlo keeps Kanako close as he heads to the back of the saloon, heading into the bathroom to help her clean up. Frisk and Alphys glance over and follow, their eyes filled with a mix of understanding and pity, and stay by the doorway to give the two some privacy.

The bathroom was small and dimly lit, with a single stall and a sink that had seen better days. Starlo enters the stall sets Kanako down on the changing table hanging by the wall, her legs dangling as Starlo gently unbuckles the soiled diaper.

"You're okay, kiddo," he murmurs, his gruff exterior cracking under the weight of her vulnerability. He carefully peels the soggy material away from her skin, tossing it into the bin. The smell of fear and the faint scent of urine hung in the air, a stark reminder of the trauma she had endured.

Kanako sniffles, looking up at Starlo with wide, teary eyes.

"Uncle Starlo? Am... am I still your friend?" she asks, her voice trembling. Starlo's eyes widened at her question, and he paused in his actions.

"How... how could ya say that? Of course I'm still your friend!" Starlo's gruffness melted away as he gently wiped away her tears with his thumb. "You're always gonna be my friend, no matter what, ya hear?"

Kanako nodded, her sniffles turning into sobs as she hugged Starlo tightly. The sheriff felt a pang of regret in his heart for scaring her earlier, but the warmth of her embrace reassured him that she still trusted him.

"Let's get you cleaned up," he said softly, picking her up again and placing her back on the changing table. "Wait right there."

He exits the stall and walks to the cabinets beneath the sink, rummaging through spare supplies.

"Now, where could... ah, here's one," Starlo muttered, pulling out a fresh diaper from the cabinet, as well as a pack of wipes.

Frisk and Alphys hovered outside, their hearts aching for the young amalgamate. Alphys looked at Frisk with a question in her eyes, unsure if they should go in.

"It's okay," Frisk spoke as they nodded. "Starlo's got it covered. He's a good guy, I know he is. He was just surprised, that's all."

Alphys took a shaky breath, her eyes still glued to the bathroom door.

"Y-You're right, Frisk," she murmured, trying to keep her voice steady. "B-But what if Kanako... what if she doesn't w-want to look at me after all this?"

Frisk offered a comforting smile.

"Trust me, Alphys, she'll understand," they said softly, placing a comforting hand on the scientist's shoulder. "Kanako's a strong kid. And she's got a big heart. She'll get it."

"But what if she doesn't?" Alphys's voice was barely above a whisper, the doubt heavy in her tone. "What if she hates me for what I did to her?"

Frisk's smile remained, though it was filled with empathy.

"You saved her life," Frisk reminded Alphys, their voice calm and soothing. "And you're here to help her now. Give her a chance to understand, okay? She's just a child like me, and she's been through so much."

Alphys nodded, taking a deep breath to gather her composure. Inside, Starlo was finishing up with Kanako, his movements gentle and precise.

"Now, let's get you into something dry, okay?" He said, his voice tender as he lifted her up and slid the diaper under her. As he secured the tabs, he whispered, "You're doing great, kiddo."

Kanako sniffled, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

"Thank you, Uncle Starlo," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion as he fastened the clean diaper.

Outside, Frisk squeezed Alphys's trembling hand reassuringly. The scientist's scales had paled slightly, her gaze fixed on the bathroom door as if awaiting judgment.

Inside the stall, Starlo finished fastening Kanako's fresh diaper with practiced care. He lifted her gently, settling her onto his hip. Her small arms wrapped around his neck, clinging tightly as he pushed the stall door open. The scent of disinfectant lingered faintly in the cramped space.

Alphys froze as they emerged, her claws twisting nervously in her lab coat. Kanako buried her face in Starlo's shoulder, peeking out with one wide, uncertain eye. Silence stretched thin until Kanako spoke.

"Dr. Alphys...?" Kanako's voice was small, muffled against Starlo's poncho. The scientist flinched, bracing herself.

Alphys swallowed hard, her claws digging into her lab coat sleeves.

"Y-Yes, Kanako?" she stammers, her voice cracking.

Kanako wriggles out of Starlo's arms and pads toward Alphys, her tail drooping slightly. She stops inches away, staring at the trembling scientist.

"I... I'm sorry," Kanako whispers, tears welling in her mismatched eyes. "I got scared when Uncle Starlo yelled. And..."

"Kanako, y-you don't need to explain," Alphys interrupted softly, kneeling to meet her eye level. "I understand why you'd be afraid after... after everything."

Her voice trembled as she spoke, but she held the amalgamate's gaze, opting to not show hesitation.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't fix you properly," Alphys continued, her voice thick with regret. She reached out tentatively, her claw hovering near Kanako's shoulder before gently resting it there. "But I promise I'll help you get home to your mom."

Kanako sniffled, then launched herself forward, wrapping her tiny arms around Alphys's neck in a hug. The scientist froze for a heartbeat before melting into the embrace, her own tears falling onto Kanako's fur.

"You did fix me," Kanako murmured into her shoulder. "You made me not-dead."

Her small paws tightened around Alphys's lab coat, the fabric wrinkling under her grip. Alphys hugged her back fiercely, her shoulders shaking with silent relief. Frisk watched with a soft smile, their own eyes stinging.

Martlet, who has entered the saloon again when she saw the others not follow her earlier, leaned against the doorway, her cyan feathers ruffled with emotion.

"Everything okay, guys?" Martlet murmurred, her voice unusually soft as she watched Alphys cradle Kanako.

The scientist nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat while Kanako nestled deeper into her embrace. Frisk gave Martlet a reassuring nod, their expression warm with understanding.

Martlet's feathers smoothed as she gestured toward the exit.

"We should get going," she suggested gently. "Ceroba's farm isn't far, but I don't know how much longer we can wait. Also, uh... not sure how to explain this, but... I found something I haven't noticed before."

Martlet gestured toward the saloon's entrance. The thing wasn't in plain sight, so Frisk knew it must be somewhere around this town they haven't explored yet.

"What is it that you found?" Frisk asked, their curiosity piqued as they stepped closer to Martlet. The cyan bird monster lowered herself to her knees to be at eye level with Frisk.

"It's... better if I show you," was all Martlet said, her cyan feathers ruffling.

Alphys glanced over at Martlet, her expression shifting from relief to curiosity. She gently patted Kanako's back before standing, then pulls out a fresh pair of pants, which had the same color and fabric as the last pair.

"Here, let's get you dressed," Alphys said softly, her stutter momentarily absent.

Kanako nodded, her fur still damp with tears. Alphys helped her step into the clean pants, the fabric soft against her fur. The little amalgamate sniffled once more, rubbing her eyes with a small fist.

Martlet led them out of the saloon, her cyan feathers catching the late afternoon sun. She paused near a weathered wooden fence behind the building, pointing to a patch of disturbed earth partially hidden by overgrown vines.

"There's a small path to it," Martlet reminded them, her voice low as she pushed aside tangled vines.

Frisk walked beside her, peering at the faint trail winding through the dunes toward a distant farmhouse chimney. Alphys adjusted her glasses, squinting as she tries to get a closer look. Kanako clung to Alphys's lab coat, her tail flicking nervously.

Once they step into a more open part of the path, the thing was revealed to be another statue. But this one was different from the others. It was made of the stone from the cave, depicting what seems to be a peacock wearing a thin robe, his wings hidden and folded together, and his head turned to the side. His tail was high up in the air, with feathers carved in intricate detail. His expression was cold and distant, as if he was glancing over at something with disdain.

By the plaque, a sign read this:

Freed from LORD SHEN'S tyranny

Choosing to live in the present paves the way for a brighter future

Built 20XX.

Kanako whimpered, pressing her face into Alphys's leg.

"The peacock man!" Kanako whispered, her voice trembling as she clutched Alphys's leg tighter. Her fur bristled, and her form began to droop slightly at the edges. "H-He's... watching us?"

Alphys knelt beside her, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder.

"N-No, Kanako. I-It's just stone. See?" she assured, demonstrating by tapping the statue's base. "He's gone. This... this is just a reminder."

Kanako relaxes slightly at Alphys's touch, though her wide eyes remained fixed on the statue's carved frown. Martlet shuffled her feet, scattering sand as she avoided looking directly at the stone peacock.

"Why... why did they make a statue of him?" Kanako's voice was a mix of awe and fear as she stared at the towering figure.

"Ceroba requested it to be built, from what Ace mentioned," Martlet murmured, tracing the plaque with a feathertip. Her gaze lingered on the inscription. "After Shen... well. She said it wasn't about honoring him. More like... marking where his story ended."

Frisk stepped closer, studying Shen's stony eyes. The carving captured his arrogance perfectly: the tilt of his beak, the disdainful curve of his brow. It sent shivers down their spine, a reminder of each time a monster has tried to hurt them during their journey.

"Alphys, Frisk, I know you weren't there when he was around. But... that guy stepped foot into the Underground when he arrived," Martlet explained, her voice tight as she gestured toward the statue. "He caused a lot of trouble. I heard he hurt Ceroba badly before he... well, before he died."

She paused, her feathers ruffling uneasily. Alphys nodded in understanding.

"I-I was in my Lab during his time here," the yellow lizard replied, her claws tightening protectively around Kanako's shoulders. "Didn't want t-to step foot with him harming i-innocent monsters... and... haha, I'm just glad Mettaton was there to comfort me. A-And Undyne, too!"

She blushes slightly as she mentions Undyne, but Kanako's whimper snaps her attention back. The little amalgamate stares at the statue, her form visibly drooping like melting wax. The statue's shadow stretched long across the sand, its carved feathers sharp against the fading light.

"But why would anyone want to remember that?" Kanako asked, her voice trembling. "He... he tried to hurt me. He hurt Mommy. He was the reason Daddy got so stressed that he passed away, and why I'm still wearing these stupid diapers."

Her form rippled, edges blurring as she leaned harder against Alphys. The scientist held her close, her own claws trembling against Kanako's fur.

"S-Some people build statues to remember bad moments, but with good intentions," Alphys murmured, her claws gently smoothing Kanako's fur.

She met Frisk's gaze over the amalgamate's head—a silent plea for support. Frisk smiles and nods, kneeling by Kanako's side.

"Alphys has a point, Kanako," Frisk said softly, placing their hand beside hers on the statue's cold base.

Their fingers brushed the inscription: "Choosing to live in the present paves the way for a brighter future." Kanako leaned closer, her drooping form stabilizing slightly as she traced the words with a tentative clawtip. The cold stone beneath her touch felt solid, grounding.

"So... it's not FOR him?" Kanako whispered, her paw lingering on the inscription. The stone felt strangely warm under her touch, absorbing the desert heat. "It's... to help us after what he did?"

"Precisely!" Martlet chirped, her voice brightening as she tapped the plaque. "Ceroba wanted everyone to remember how darkness ends when we choose hope. Like..."

She hesitated, searching for the right words.

"Like how your mom never stopped looking for you," Martlet finished softly, her cyan feathers ruffling in the breeze. "Even when things seemed darkest."

Kanako's form solidified, the drooping edges firming as she stared at the inscription. Her paw traced the words again, slowly, thoughtfully.

"And think about it this way," Frisk added gently, "On the surface, humans see peafowl as a symbol of beauty and purity. This statue? It's reclaiming that."

Their fingers brushed the plaque's hopeful words.

"Turning something ugly into a reminder that we choose our own endings," Frisk continued, their voice steady. "Like how I chose my ending to be kind to monsters. And it led to a new era where monsters can finally return to the surface."

Kanako nodded slowly, her fur smoothing as she finally pulled her gaze from Shen's stony glare. The late sun cast long shadows across the dunes, painting the statue's carved feathers in warm gold and deep violet. She squeezed Alphys's claw once before stepping back, her tail held higher now.

"You guys have explained it much better than I ever could've," Starlo's voice was heard from behind. He approached, his hat tipped low against the setting sun. "I deeply apologize from hiding this from you. When Ceroba requested it, I wanted it far away so that no one was reminded of him... but she insisted."

He gestured toward the statue, his expression somber.

"I suppose she wanted it built so that she doesn't become like him," Starlo continued, his voice low as he removed his hat. The setting sun painted his star-shaped head in warm hues. "Ceroba told me... vengeance only breeds more pain. This statue marks where his darkness ended, so ours doesn't begin."

Kanako nodded solemnly, her gaze lingering on the inscription one last time before turning toward the sky.

"We should go," she whispered, her voice steadier now. "Mommy's waiting."

The group took a moment to absorb the significance of the statue. The peacock's fiery gaze seemed to pierce through the darkness of their past, reminding them of the perseverance they'd shown. As they began to make their way to the farmhouse, Starlo glances over at Frisk.

"Wait a second, Frisk! I got one more thing I wanna tell you," Starlo called out, a serious look crossing his face. "C'mere for a sec."

Frisk approached the sheriff, curious about what he had to say. Starlo leaned in, speaking in a hushed tone that only the human could hear.

"Look, I know I snapped back there," Starlo began, his expression earnest. "But you gotta understand, we've all been through a lot because of that... peacock man. And now, seeing Ceroba's baby... it's just a bit much, ya know?"

Frisk nodded, understanding the weight of the past that hung over the town like a shadow.

"I get it, Starlo," they said, their voice calm and reassuring. "But we can't change the past. All we can do is help make the future better."

Starlo shows a sympathetic smile, his heart warming up to Frisk's words of wisdom beyond their years.

"That's similar to what Clover said," Starlo mused, his voice a mix of fondness and sadness. "You remind me of them a whole lot, Frisk. Maybe that's why I'm so protective over you and Kanako. Now I'm starting to see what Ceroba meant when she told me that I'm..." He trailed off, shaking his head with a soft chuckle. "Well, never mind that."

Frisk returned the smile, feeling a warmth spread through them at the comparison to their dear friend.

"Clover seemed pretty wise," they said, a hint of nostalgia in their voice. "And I'll do my best to live up to that."

Alphys stepped forward, her eyes on the statue from afar.

"You coming, Frisk?" she called, her voice steadier now. Kanako tugged her hand, already pulling her toward the path leading to the farm. The little amalgamate's steps were a bit antsy, her tail flicking with renewed purpose.

"Be right there," Frisk called back, giving Starlo one last nod.

"Don't lemme keep ya then. But before ya go, here," Starlo said, pulling out a golden star badge from his pocket, the symbol of the Feisty Five. "You're a part of this now, whether ya know it or not."

Frisk took the badge, feeling the weight of the gesture. It was warm to the touch, almost alive with the history and camaraderie of the Wild East. They pinned it onto their shirt, feeling the metal press into the fabric.

"Thank you, Starlo," they said, their voice sincere. "We won't let you down."

"I know ya won't. Now get going, Ceroba's waiting," Starlo said, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

With the golden star badge shimmering in the light, Frisk felt a sense of belonging they hadn't felt since they first fell into the Underground. The group set off, their steps quickening as they approached the farm, the excitement of the reunion building with every step.

Chapter Text

On the pathway set to Sunnyside Farm, Ceroba was kneeling on the sand, her eyes closed as she sat in a praying position. She was not wearing her usual white kimono with red trimmings, and instead opted for a black dress with a blue skirt.

The beige kitsune's head is lowered as her hands, in a praying position, was also holding a steaming hot cup of chamomile tea. On the sturdy brick trail, the group of four prepare for the reunion and how to go about it.

"There she is," Martlet whispered, her eyes filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness as they spotted Ceroba in the distance. "I've never seen her wear that outfit before."

"So, Martlet. How do we plan on doing this?" Alphys asked, her eyes focused on Ceroba's figure in the distance.

"I'll tell her about all the news. I guess both the barrier and the lab stuff," Martlet said, taking a deep breath. "Then talk about how Kanako got really lucky. Then I'll call for you, and we'll give her over. What do we think?"

Alphys takes a moment to look at Frisk and Kanako. She saw that Kanako was slighty gray and goopy again, seeing as how she shook a bit and her form dripping slightly.

"K-Kanako??? Are you okay?" Alphys's voice trembled as she spotted the young amalgamate's distress.

"I-I'm sorry! I... I'm scared..." Kanako's voice quivered as she looked at Alphys, her form dripping along. Her eyes searched Alphys's, looking for reassurance.

"It's gonna be okay, Kanako," Martlet said, her voice soothing. "Would it feel better if Frisk went with you?"

"Y-Yeah..." Kanako's voice was barely a whisper as she nodded, her eyes not leaving Alphys's. "P-please, Frisk. Will you come with me?"

Frisk nodded, understanding the depth of fear and hope in her eyes. They took a step forward, reaching for the young kitsune's hand. It was sticky and warm, but the grasp was firm and reassuring.

"Of course, I'll be with you," Frisk promised, giving her a gentle squeeze. "We're all in this together."

"Then they'll come with you and Alphys when I call her over," Martlet said, trying to keep her voice steady. "You just remember that no matter what, you're not alone, okay?"

"O-Okay..." Kanako nodded, her grip on Frisk's hand tightening as they stood firmly on the brick trail.

"Well, sounds like a good plan, Martlet," Alphys said, trying to keep her voice from cracking. She took a deep breath and looked at Frisk. "G-Good luck."

"I should say the same for you," Martlet said with a nod, trying to hide her own anxiety. She took a step forward, her blue pants fluttering in the gentle breeze. "Welp, here goes nothing."

As they approached Ceroba, she seemed lost in thought, her eyes closed tightly. Martlet cleared her throat, and she opened her eyes, looking up at them with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"H-Hiya, Ceroba...!" Martlet called out, her voice wavering slightly as she approached the kitsune. Ceroba's eyes widened, and she brings her head up. It was revealed she had bags under her eyes, a clear display of her rough past.

"Hello, Martlet," Ceroba's voice was calm yet tired as she spoke. "It has been a long time, hasn't it?"

"That seems to be a really common thing today, haha," Martlet replied with a forced chuckle, trying to ease the tension that had suddenly coated the air like a thick fog. "Yeah, I've been a bit busy to visit. And... well, I heard you haven't been picking up your calls."

"Oh. I'm sorry if I made you worry... I have been in a rather poor headspace recently," Ceroba replied, her voice heavy with an unspoken burden. "I just couldn't stay at the house. It's been about a month since I've been over there. I'm surprised no one told you."

"Honestly, I didn't call Star and the others that frequently," Martlet said with a shrug. "Been a little too busy working odd jobs and whatnot, haha. Say, what's with the get-up? It's strangely appropriate."

Ceroba looks down at her black dress and blue skirt, a hint of sadness flickering in her gaze.

"Oh, I just woke up. I just threw this on and took a back route over here," she said, her voice trailing off. "Just to... reflect on a dream I had."

"Ah..." Martlet hums as she sits next to Ceroba, patting her shoulder awkwardly. "Seems very peaceful."

"It is... I do appreciate you visiting me," Ceroba said, her eyes gazing out into the distance. "Is there a reason you came by other than to say hi?"

"A few reasons, actually," Martlet began, her voice gentle. "First of all, the barrier was destroyed!"

Ceroba's ears perked up at the news, her eyes widening.

"You're joking," she whispered, her voice filled with disbelief. "There's no way."

"There's been a lot of talk about it," Martlet continued, her eyes on Ceroba's hopeful expression. "Heck, Star's holding a party at the bar to celebrate. We all can finally return to the surface!"

"That... that is quite shocking," Ceroba murmured, her gaze drifting back to the horizon. "The dream I had... it was about the barrier's destruction. The details escape me, but... two things in the dream in particular stood out to me. The king's son... and a human named Frisk."

'Another person that knew their name???' Martlet thought with a gasp. 'What actually happened then the barrier broke?'

"So... who had to die to destroy the barrier?" Ceroba asked, her eyes still fixed on the horizon, the hopeful expression from earlier replaced by one of solemnity.

"Well... to my knowledge, no one," Martlet replied, her heart racing. "There weren't any mentions of a 7th human SOUL. But we do know that a living human was involved!"

"...Really?" Ceroba's voice was barely above a whisper as she processed the information. Her eyes searched Martlet's face for any signs of deceit, but found none.

"Yeah... and umm... coincidentally, their name WAS Frisk," Martlet said, her gaze drifting back to Frisk and Kanako, who were standing a few paces behind her and the latter hidden from sight.

"Surely you must be joking, Martlet," Ceroba groaned, her eyes finally focusing on her friend.

"W-Well hold on, because I haven't gotten to why I'm here," Martlet said, her voice cracking slightly with the tension. "They started releasing people from the lab."

Ceroba froze in place, her eyes widened as she drops the cup of tea she was holding. It shattered into a hundred pieces, the sound echoing through the quiet evening air as the liquid evaporates into the sand almost instantly.

"What," Ceroba whispered, her voice barely audible. "They... they're alive?"

"Yeah, and Alphys has been calling everyone's families," Martlet said, her voice growing softer as she watched Ceroba's reaction. "And everyone survived! B-But I should say, the experiment that let them live... it caused everyone to... melt together. Well, except for one of them."

Ceroba places a hand on her temple, trying to process the overwhelming information. Her eyes darted between Martlet's nervous expression and the shattered glass on the ground, her mind racing with thoughts.

"I... I'm sorry, this is way too much for me to handle," Ceroba breathed out, her eyes welling up with tears. She looked at her shaking hand, then at Martlet with a tremble in her voice.

With all the energy she could muster, Ceroba stands up, her eyes never leaving Martlet's.

"You say they're actually calling families now. We need to get to the lab right now," Ceroba's voice was firm as she stood up, her eyes focused on the horizon as if she could see the lab from here.

"Uhhh... about that..." Martlet hesitated, her eyes shifting to the side before returning to Ceroba. But it was too late, as Ceroba already started running to the Wild East.

As she approached the brick trail, she stopped in place when she saw Frisk and Alphys, both of which turned to Ceroba with shocked expressions. Kanako, still behind them, stifles a gasp as to not make herself known yet.

"What the...?!" Ceroba gasped, her eyes wide as she took in the sight of Frisk and Alphys standing before her.

"Uhhh... h-hi?????" Alphys stuttered, her eyes wide with shock as she saw Ceroba staring at them with a growing angry expression.

"Why is the royal...?! And the human with the...?!" Ceroba's voice grew louder with each word, her shock and confusion morphing into anger.

"H-Hey, wait!!! They're with me!" Martlet called after Ceroba, jogging to catch up with her. "Both of them, actually."

"I..." Ceroba stuttered, her eyes darting from Martlet to Alphys and then to Frisk, the human's name echoing in her mind from her dream. The beige kitsune pauses as she places her palms against one of the pillars holding the trail up.

"Okay, one thing at a time here..." Ceroba's voice was tight, trying to control the swirl of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

She turned to face Frisk, her eyes searching for answers.

"Human... err... Frisk, was it?" Ceroba's voice was low, edged with suspicion as she took a step closer. Her gaze flickered to the golden star badge pinned to Frisk's jumper, then shakes her head to focus on the present. "Tell me... have the humans prepared for monsters to escape?"

"Er... no?" Frisk replied tentatively, their gaze flickering to Alphys for support. "Everyone's pretty much just trying to get out of the Underground. There hasn't been any talk about... you know, an invasion or anything."

Ceroba's shoulders relaxed slightly at Frisk's words, but her eyes remained sharp.

"There is absolutely no way. The humans... they were a cruel race," Ceroba spoke, her voice shaking. "It's impossible to me that they could just... forget what they've done. There's no way I'm not still dreaming right now."

With a cheeky grin, Martlet tiptoes over and pinches Ceroba's shoulder.

"Ow!" Ceroba yelped as Martlet's pinch brought her back to reality.

"You're not," Martlet said with a gentle laugh, "and trust me, if you were, I'd be just as surprised as you are."

"Okay... then if I am truly awake... I am in the presence of the lovely Royal Scientist. Dr. Alphys," Ceroba said with a hint of venom in her voice, turning to face the yellow lizard monster.

"Y-Yeah, t-that's my name..." Alphys stuttered, visibly nervous under Ceroba's intense gaze.

"Do you know how WORRIED I've been for the past-" Ceroba began, only to be cut off by Martlet's hand on her shoulder.

"Ceroba, please...! This is important," Martlet interjected, her eyes pleading. She knew that the revelation of what they had done could lead to anger and accusations, but she believed in the goodness of their intentions.

"I..." Ceroba paused, taking in the sight of Alphys standing before her. The yellow lizard looked back with a mix of fear and hope. "I'm sorry. I just... I was overcome by grief. I'm sure you have your reasons to have secluded yourself."

"Yeah... I, uhh... w-well, it's not really that important," Alphys mumbled, her eyes darting away from Ceroba's intense gaze. "What IS important is your daughter, Kanako."

"Of course," Ceroba nodded, her anger fading away as the mention of her daughter brought her back to the present. "I apologize for not picking up the phone. But about what Martlet was talking about... what happened to Kanako?"

"W-Well, I can tell you for certain t-that she's alive," Alphys stammered, her heart racing as she glanced at Frisk, who gave a nod of encouragement. "B-But she's not perfect. F-First of all, she-"

"I don't care about the details right now," Ceroba interrupted, her voice filled with a mother's urgency. "Please take me to the lab."

"O-Oh! Uhh, actually... I just decided to bring her to you!" Alphys said, her stutter lessening as she realized the conversation was shifting away from her own past.

"W... What???" Ceroba's voice trembled as she took a step back, her eyes searching Alphys's for any signs of deceit. "Kanako... she's here? Right now?"

Alphys nods in agreement, then turns behind her.

"You can come out now, Kanako," the yellow lizard said, her voice shaking with excitement.

Frisk felt the young amalgamate's grip tighten on their hand, her breathing quickening. With a gentle squeeze, Frisk whispered, "It's okay, everything will be okay," and together, they stepped out from behind the pillar.

Ceroba's eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the sight of her daughter standing before her, looking so much like her lost love Chujin, due to the gray tone in her skin. The kitsune's expression was a storm of emotions – shock, anger, sorrow, and above all, hope.

"H... Hi, Mommy," Kanako's voice was barely a whisper as she stepped forward, her eyes brimming with tears. The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air as Ceroba took in her daughter's form, completely frozen in place.

"I... I can explain," Alphys began, her voice shaking as she looked between Ceroba and the trembling form of Kanako. "Y-You see, I..."

But as Ceroba mentioned, she didn't care about the details. She made a beeline towards her daughter, dropping to her knees and spreading her arms wide before pulling the shaking creature into an embrace so tight that it seemed as if she was afraid to let go.

"KANAKO!!!" Ceroba's shout of joy echoed through the canyon, the raw emotion in her voice resonating with every soul present.

She held her daughter tightly, feeling the warmth and life that had been missing from her for so long. The years of pain and loneliness melted away in that single moment, replaced by an overwhelming love and relief. The other three stood frozen in shocked positions, even Kanako was surprised as her mother immediately hugs her with no warning.

"My sweet daughter, I thought you were a goner!" Ceroba sobbed into Kanako's shoulder, her voice muffled by the goopy fabric. Her fingers dug gently into the amalgamate's back, not caring about the slight stickiness or the unnatural coolness of her skin. "I was so worried that you had passed on..."

"You... you aren't angry?" Alphys's voice was small, her eyes wide as she watched the mother and daughter embrace.

The only answer Alphys got was heart-wrenching sobs from both Ceroba and Kanako as they held each other tightly, the mother's gentle whispers of "I'm here, I'm here," soothing the daughter's trembling form.

Frisk looked on with a gentle smile, feeling a warmth spread through them at the sight of the reunion. Martlet's eyes were misty, and she felt a lump form in her throat as she saw the love between them.

"I'll... take that as a no, then," Alphys murmured, her shoulders slumping in relief as she watched Ceroba cradle her daughter. The moment was so pure, so filled with love and joy, that it seemed to chase away the shadows of the past.

"There's no need to cry... Mommy's here with you..." Ceroba whispered into Kanako's ear, her own voice cracking with emotion. She gently stroked her daughter's fur, feeling the warmth that had been missing from her life for so long. "You're safe now, I promise."

The everlasting love from Ceroba causes Kanako to revert back to her normal appearance. She was no longer a shaky mess, but a young, healthy kitsune. Her fur was sleek and her eyes were no longer sad, but filled with joy and warmth. The sight of her mother had healed her in ways that no one could have anticipated.

"Love you lots..." Ceroba whispered, her voice chocked with emotion as she held her daughter tightly.

"Love you more..." Kanako mumbled into Ceroba's fur, her voice muffled but filled with happiness. The tightness in Frisk's chest eased as they saw the transformation in her.

Frisk looked at Alphys, whose face was a mix of relief and disbelief. She had created these amalgamates as a way to let monster SOULs last after death, but the reality was something she never could have predicted. The joy of the reunion washed over them all.

"Alphys," Martlet whispered.

"Yeah, Martlet?" Alphys replied, her eyes still glued to the mother-daughter reunion.

"I think this went really well," Martlet said, her voice filled with hope.

"I mean... this is kinda how it went with the other families," Alphys said with a nervous chuckle, wiping a tear from her eye. "I guess I didn't have anything to worry about."

Frisk looked at Alphys, the scientist's stutter gone, and felt a sense of pride for her. Despite the weight of her actions, she had found a way to bring joy to the lives of those she had unwittingly harmed. It was a stark reminder of the complex nature of good and evil, and how even the most well-intentioned acts could have unforeseen consequences.

"Mommy...?" Kanako's voice was filled with wonder as she pulled away from the embrace, her eyes taking in her mother's tear-stained face.

"Yes? What is it?" Ceroba asked, her voice filled with warmth and love as she wiped her eyes, looking at her daughter with pure adoration.

"I made something for you while I was gone," Kanako said shyly.

"You... made something in the lab?" Ceroba's eyes grew curious as she gently cupped Kanako's cheek with one hand. The young amalgamate nodded, her tail swishing with excitement.

"O-Oh! I've been carrying that with me!" Alphys exclaimed, reaching into her lab coat pocket. "Not to interrupt, but... yeah."

She pulls out the black kitsune mask with a shaking hand and holds it out to Ceroba, who takes it with trembling fingers. It was a symbol of hope, a reminder of the love and connection between them. The blue trimmings of the mask gave it an ethereal feel to it. Coincidentally, it matches the dress Ceroba currently wore.

"Kanako, I... I love it. This is such a beautiful mask," Ceroba said, her voice cracking as she took the mask from Alphys, holding it up to the light. The delicate stitching and intricate design sparkled in the sunlight, revealing the care and thought that had gone into its creation.

"Yay! Thank you!" Kanako giggled, her cheeks flushing with joy.

Frisk watched as Ceroba carefully placed the mask over her face, the blue fabric contrasting sharply with her gray fur. The transformation was instant. Her eyes grew bright with hope, and her entire being seemed to radiate with newfound strength.

Frisk gasped quietly. They just remembered Clover's request to reunite with Martlet. Now that Kanako and Ceroba are back together, they can start with their other plan. Giving the mother-daughter duo one last smile, Frisk back-tracks to Oasis Valley.

"Umm... Frisk?" Alphys called out as the human walk away. "Where are you-"

"Dr. Alphys... I do not know what you did, nor how it affected Kanako... but thank you," Ceroba said sincerely, her voice steady despite the tears still glistening in her eyes. "This has been weighing on my being for a very long time."

"Of... of course!" Alphys exclaimed, her eyes shining with relief. "I wish it could've gone better... and she wouldn't have ended up like..."

"I'm sure we can work something out once we get to the surface," Ceroba assured Alphys, her eyes never leaving Kanako's face. "But... I think... I need some time with my daughter."

"Y-Yeah, of course," Alphys nodded, taking a respectful step back. "I-I understand."

Ceroba held Kanako close, her gaze softening as she traced the familiar curve of her daughter's ears. The mask rested against her hip, a tangible symbol of their unbroken bond. Around them, the desert wind whispered through the Wild East, carrying the distant murmur of monsters preparing for their journey to the surface.

Kanako nuzzled into her mother's shoulder, a contented sigh escaping her lips as Ceroba hummed a half-remembered lullaby—a melody from brighter days before the lab, before the grief.

"Alphys, I think we've done what we can," Martlet said gently, sensing the mother and daughter's need for privacy. "I'm gonna head back to the bar if you wanna come along."

"I think I'm good, honestly," Alphys said with a small smile, still watching the mother and daughter.

"See you later, Ceroba and Kanako," Martlet called out as she began her journey back to the bar, with Alphys trailing right behind. She felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing that she had played a small part in reuniting the mother and daughter.

Once the two were gone, Ceroba shifted Kanako to face her fully, her hands trembling as they traced the faint brown patches where fur met soft, yielding membrane.

"My little star," she whispered, "you feel... different."

Her gaze lingered on the slight droop of Kanako's shoulders, the way her form seemed softer, almost liquid at the edges where her fur met the amalgamation beneath. Kanako shifted nervously under her mother's intense scrutiny, her tail curling tightly around her leg.

"It's... it's okay, Mommy," Kanako murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She pressed her face into Ceroba's chest, seeking the familiar scent of desert sage and home. "Dr. Alphys helped me. I'm still me."

Ceroba's fingers brushed against the edge of Kanako's pants, feeling the slight bulk beneath the fabric. Her breath hitched—a sharp, painful intake of air.

Memories flooded back: Chujin's frantic notes about Kanako's trauma, the nights spent holding her daughter as she trembled each night, the desperate, unspoken fear that had haunted their home. Her grip tightened, protective and fierce.

"I know you remember him. But... while you were gone, I stopped him," Ceroba whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Kanako's ears perked up slightly at the mention of "him."

"You defeated Lord Shen?" Kanako breathed, her eyes widening with a mix of awe and lingering fear. She remembered the peacock prince's chilling presence in her dreams—cold, calculating eyes and promises whispered in shadows. "He... he was scary."

Ceroba smoothed Kanako's fur, her touch grounding.

"He won't hurt anyone ever again. I made sure of it," Ceroba's voice held a steel edge that softened as she kissed Kanako's forehead. The desert wind carried away the lingering tension, leaving only the warmth between them.

Kanako pressed closer, her small hands clutching Ceroba's robes.

"I also stopped him in a dream," Kanako murmured against Ceroba's shoulder, her voice muffled but triumphant. "He was mean... but a human helped me become brave. They were kind of like Frisk."

Ceroba's breath caught—not at the mention of Shen, but at the quiet strength in her daughter's words. She pulled back slightly, studying Kanako's face. The faint tremor in her paws had stilled; her eyes, though still holding shadows, shone with fragile resilience.

"You faced him?" she whispered, pride warming her voice despite the ache in her chest. Kanako nodded, her tail giving a tentative wag.

"The human... they held my hand one time, like Frisk did," she replies, her gaze drifting toward the distant path where the others had vanished. "It made me feel... strong."

Ceroba's chest swelled—a fierce, protective warmth blooming beneath her ribs. She traced the curve of Kanako's ear, her touch feather-light.

"You've always been strong," Ceroba murmured, her voice thick with unshed tears. She traced the curve of Kanako's ear, her touch feather-light. "Stronger than I ever knew."

The desert wind tugged at Ceroba's robe, carrying the scent of dust and distant rain. Kanako leaned into her mother's palm, her form solidifying further—no longer the trembling amalgamate, but a child anchored by love.

"Can we... go home?" Kanako asked, her gaze drifting back to the Wild East, as if looking for Oasis Valley.

Ceroba's breath caught. Home. The word echoed with memories—Chujin's laughter in the workshop, Kanako's tiny paws pattering across the floorboards, sunsets painting the dunes gold. But now... now it was different. While Kanako was in the lab, the estate only held bad memories. She couldn't bear to step back into those empty halls alone. Not yet.

But now, with Kanako by her side again... maybe she can reclaim those memories. Ceroba tightened her embrace, her voice thick with resolve.

"Yes," she whispered into Kanako's fur, the word thick with dust and hope. "We'll go home."

She rose, keeping Kanako tucked securely against her hip, the kitsune mask dangling from her other hand. The mask felt solid, real—a promise kept.

"Mommy?" Kanako's voice was small, muffled against Ceroba's shoulder. "...How much longer until I can stop wearing these?"

Ceroba's breath hitched. Her gaze dropped to the slight bulk beneath Kanako's pants, the familiar outline she hadn't seen in years. The bedwetting, the nightmares after Shen's cruel whispers – it all flooded back.

"Oh, sweetheart..." Ceroba murmured, her voice catching as she smoothed Kanako's fur. The question hung heavy between them, stirring memories of damp sheets and tearful nights. "We'll take it slow. Day by day."

She adjusted her grip, feeling the subtle padding beneath Kanako's clothes—a necessity born of trauma that lingered like a ghost.

"Okay, because... I don't wanna wear them any more," Kanako mumbled into Ceroba's fur, her voice thick with shame. Her small claws dug lightly into Ceroba's robe as she confessed. "It's... embarrassing."

"I know, I know," Ceroba cooed softly, her voice a gentle murmur against Kanako's ear. She shifted her daughter's weight, careful not to jostle her, and began walking toward the familiar path leading back to Oasis Valley. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the dunes, painting the sand in shades of amber and gold.

Kanako nestled her face into Ceroba’s shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of desert herbs and worn fabric. Her small paws gripped Ceroba’s robe tightly, as if anchoring herself to this moment. The distant sounds of the Wild East—clinking glasses, muffled laughter—faded into the rustle of wind through dry grass. Ceroba’s footsteps were steady, purposeful, carrying them away from prying eyes and toward the shaded path home.

With happy tears, understandings, and a warm reunion, the last amalgamate has finally returned home.