Second Chance

Prologue

It was a beautiful day outside. A beautiful morning, at the least. Rays of a soft spring sun peered through the curtains, bathing the bedroom in a dark yet cosy atmosphere. An atmosphere one would describe as cosy, in a way.

It was a sharp contrast with the loud beeping of the alarm clock they were awoken by. Frisk groaned, slamming the snooze button.

"Rise and shine, Frisk."

"Get out of my head, Chara.", they mumbled against the pillow.

"Are you kidding me? I wish I could. The stuff you dream about is unnerving."

With a short 'mhm', the conversation ended as soon as it had started. The human slowly rose up to a seated position, giving their eyes the slight second needed to adjust to the light. Glancing to their right, the clock read that it was eight in the morning. Frisk yawned. Granting their body a big stretch, they threw the covers off of themselves.

As they walked towards the dresser, they took a moment to observe themselves in the mirror. Messy dark brown hair framed a tanned, round face. Scars decorated their bare chest, and Frisk couldn't help but smile as they bore them a gentle touch. Spending their teenage years in agony, this was still the best decision they had ever made.

Aside from entering the Underground, of course.

"You admire yourself in the mirror. Don't you think that's kind of vain?"

"You're allowed to stop narrating my life, you know."

"It's funny."

"Sure it is."

"Make yourself decent, Toriel is waiting downstairs."

"... Right, on it."

Frisk threw their pyjama pants lazily on their bed, opting for a proper change in clothing instead. Their eye fell on a small, heart-shaped locket, stored neatly on top of a hand-knit sweater in one of the shelves. They heard a sigh.

"... You still have that?"

"I'm keeping it safe. So you can wear it when you get your body back!"

"Frisk..." The voice sounded rough. Almost pained.

"It's only a matter of time before Alphys makes a breakthrough. She brought back Asriel. She can bring you back, too."

Silence.

With a pained sigh, Frisk left their bedroom and made their way downstairs. They were greeted by the aforementioned goat monster and his mother.

"Rise and shine, Frisk!", Asriel greeted them.

"Good morning, my child. Did you have a nice rest?"

"Mhm. Good morning." They made their way over to the cupboards, grabbing a green mug from the shelf. "How's life today?"

"I need to go by Alphys later today.", Asriel spoke in between shoveling spoonfuls of cereal in his mouth. "Something something soul research."

"You're not having any complications, are you?" Toriel took a sip of her coffee.

"I'm fine, mom. It's just a checkup."

"If you say so..."

Frisk joined them at the table with their own cup of coffee. They drowned out the conversation happening in front of them, opting instead for a conversation in their own head.

"Chara?"

No response.

"Are you upset with me?"

"... I'm not upset. I just..."

Frisk took a sip of their coffee, warming their hands on the sides of the mug. They waited for Chara to continue.

"I just think you're being too... Too positive. Or too gullible."

"Too positive?"

"I get wanting to see the best in everything, but you're just gonna have to face it. I'm dead, Frisk. And I'm not coming back."

"Asriel was dead too..."

Silence befell them once more. Frisk let out an annoyed groan, slamming their face on the table. The sudden movement scared Toriel and Asriel.

"... You alright?"

"Chara."

Asriel chuckled, having a drink of his orange juice. "Can't say I'm surprised."

Toriel beckoned Frisk towards the bowl of rolls. They took one, taking a bite out of it. "Spit it out, my child."

"They're so... stubborn?! It's like they just refuse to ever see a positive side in anything and the moment I confront them on that they just fuck off to some dark corner of my brain that I can't reach."

"Watch your language, Frisk."

"Sorry, Toriel. I'm just. I'm frustrated."

"I'll be the first person to admit that Chara can be incredibly frustrating.", Asriel started.

"Says you."

Frisk chuckled. The goat boy cocked an annoyed eyebrow.

"It's like I can hear them myself. Anyhow, I think they're just scared. I've known them as always putting up a big front, but when push comes to shove, they're as big of a scaredy cat as I am." He smirked. "Or was, at least."

"Chara is... like a kitten.", Toriel continued her son's explanation. "They can be so sweet, loving, and affectionate. Then, three minutes later, they're slamming their bedroom door." She smiled down at her cup of coffee.

"It feels like they're not even willing to listen to me."

"Not like you listen to me."

"I do."

Saying that out loud earned them a confused glance from the monsters. "... Sorry.", Frisk smiled.

"Then talk to me. Why do you shut down the moment I mention we might get you a body?"

"Has it maybe occurred to you that's not what I want?"

"You're content just living in my head?"

"Maybe I am. It's... peaceful in here. Aside from your perverted dreams I'm forced to watch."

"And yet, I don't believe you."

Another aggravating silence was met.

"Why don't you go with Asriel, Frisk? Perhaps you could talk to Alphys. Ask how things are going."

The human nodded. It was a good idea, if not for the whole ordeal Chara had just shown. But it was true what Frisk had said. They didn't believe them. They do believed Chara wished to hug their family once more, or enjoy the sweet taste of chocolate on their tongue. Chara was a lot. But Frisk refused to believe they were a quitter.

----

"Your readings look good, Asriel. I-I'm surprised you wanted to see me.", Alphys stuttered as she copied some notes from the computer in front of her. Frisk sat seated at the other side of the lizard's desk, waiting for her to finish up Asriel's examination.

"It'd been a while since we did a checkup... And I might be a little bit paranoid. I don't really wanna turn back into a flower."

"I don't think anyone wants that...", she muttered. "A-Anyways! What brings you here, Frisk?"

"Hm? Oh, I just came along with Asriel."

"I do have something for you."

The statement peaked the human's interest. Could it be something revolving around Chara? Or would it just be a wedding invitation from her and Undyne?
She handed him a blank envelope. Frisk opened it, skimming over its contents.

"I don't get it."

"I recommend going through when Sans is with you. It's... research."

The title of the bundle caught Frisk's eye.

Splitting human souls.