Chapter Text
"Well, h-here we are!"
The True Lab, with all the Amalgamates gone, is still eerie. However, it's probably because it hasn't been kept up in a while due to not having any inhabitants. Either way, it's not pretty.
"F-Follow me! If w-we're gonna do this, I'm gonna need my soul equipment."
They did so, and they entered into the part of the lab with the giant machine.
"T-This is the Determination Extractor! Or at least, that's what I call it. T-that probably wasn't the o-original purpose of it, but I-I don't know what it actually was built for, so I repurposed it! A-Anyways…" Alphys went to press a button on the wall, and it lit up, sockets turning into screens. Soon, three walkways came out of the Extractor, two for the screens and one for the entrance. "I-It looks like it fits two people, s-so go ahead! I… never actually tested it on two s-souls, or souls inside their bodies, s-so if you want to turn back then now's—"
Frisk cut Alphys off. "You think now's a good a time as any!" Before they went inside, clover asked a question. "Wait… why are we here, anyway? Didn't you say Determination ain't the answer?"
"O-oh, the machine extracting the DT is a seperate step. I just need to revert the extraction step to put DT in instead of taking it out, so the souls can reform separately. By my calculations on the way here, we should need about… ~9 vials? Three for Frisk, three for you, three for Chara. W-We have plenty."
"Do WE need to be in there, or can it just be our souls? That might be better."
"A-Are you sure? Abo—"
"Yes. I did it once, I can do it again. It was painful, but not TOO painful. And Frisk?" Frisk was already prepared with a thumbs up. "A-Alright… if you s-say so."
"Frisk? Do what I do." Clover gently touches his soul and pulled, until it unsnapped from her and was in its hand, floating. Frisk followed suit and both handed their souls to Alphys. Alphys gently carried them into the machine and closed the doors.
They fell asleep, cuddling.
'Hm… strange…' Alphys thought, 'what's up with Frisks soul.'
Strange readings were coming up. She wasn't sure what they meant. A part of her was curious, but it wasn't strong enough to reasearch into. Probably a bad idea anyway, even if it may turn out not doing it may be harmful later. Could always look into it later if it poses a problem.
Anyways, she put the determination vials in the slots, and started the machine.
They woke up soon after their souls returned to their bodies. Once they noticed they were cuddling, they snapped upright, trying to hide their faces.
"D-DID IT WORK?!…
S-sorry, that was sudden…
But did it?"
"Should've, y-yeah."
Frisk looked confused, "… something's missing… you can't put your finger on it though."
"M-maybe something broke off? I did n-notice something odd about your soul that changed after the process… O-OH! Speaking of w-which, mind if I study the resulting soul before we go to Chara to put it in their body?"
"Sure! Fine —by…" Clover yawned, "me…." Frisk also gave a thumbs up…?
"A-Alright? See you later than. And hopefully get some rest. You clearly need it."
Frisk stood up and tried walking, but quickly fainted. Clover did so too soon after.
"UM."