Return to innocence



       It had been a long while since Asriel had regained his original form, all thanks to a peaceful child who fell into the underground by accident and showed monsterkind a new light, a beacon of hope. However, even with their help, it seemed to be insufficient. Like many monsters, determination was something that helped them survive; yet, in large quantities, it could harm them irreparably. Secondly, a monster needed a soul fit for their kind, or many human souls, enough to form it from scratch. This second option was what brought Asriel back from his flower form, retrieved his memories and rearranged him back to what he once was.
       But the truth was, even after all this pain, suffering, and sacrifice, there was still a chance of losing him once more. Afraid of this, Asgore, his father, requested the royal scientist, Alphys, to find a way to help his son once more. She wasn’t sure she could, and voiced that sentiment clearly, especially considering it was ultimately her fault that the prince had taken on the cursed shape of a plant. However, Asgore denied himself the luxury of forgoing such an opportunity. He owed it to his wife.
       Asgore, heavy with worry, approached Alphys as everyone gathered around both the monster and human children, whom together had broken the barrier between worlds and asked her once more.
       —Alphys, please, we must find a way to save him.
       He implored her as Toriel carried Asriel once again in her arms after years of not doing so, a sad smile withered with tears drawing on her face like only a mother would. Asgore’s eyes reflected a mix of desperation and determination as Alphys tried to avoid his glance –her expression one of guilt and uncertainty.
       —I… I’m not certain if I can, it was my mistake that led to Flowey.
       Asgore’s gaze softened momentarily, understanding the weight of her words.
       —It was me who requested your help then, it was my fault too. All I ask is for you to help me once more. We cannot let this chance slip away, Alphys. I owe it to him, to Toriel. —He urged, the memory of his beloved wife fuelling his resolve—. Please do whatever you can, even if you fail, let it be my failure as a father.
       With a heavy sigh, Alphys nodded, recognizing the gravity of the king’s words.
       —I will try my best, Your Majesty.
       Asgore’s face turned into a smile and quickly shaped into a river of tears as he thanked her, all while Alphys made her way to the child.
       —Your Majesty, Mrs. Toriel. If you please.
       It took an inhuman amount of effort to convince Toriel as well, but given the urgency of the situation even she ended up begging her to save him as with a troubled mind she saw her son be taken away one more time.
       As for everyone else, only the human child crossed the now broken barrier, returning home. Everyone else went back to help with the prince’s recovery.
       During the first day, Toriel made her home a fortress of solitude. She had seen her little boy return to her and be taken away once more, the reality of both being hard for her to process.
       Spending hours in Asriel’s old room reminiscing of the old days when her family was together, she tried to cope with the pain. Her child being so close yet so far, trying her best not to trust her hopes once again on failed theories and experimental science. Unlike Asgore, who had blind hopes in every monster of the underground –Toriel’s heart couldn’t count on any of them for the life of it.
       Some of these feelings did change with the arrival of the human child, their compassion, innocence and abilities to make the best in every monster they met shine was something that slowly but surely reopened her eyes. Still, when it came to Asriel it wasn’t that easy to transfer those feelings over.
       Toriel gazed over the old pictures, some featuring him alone, others of him and Asgore, etc. She chuckled at the memories of both.
       The one she blamed the most was of course, Asgore. He was the one who took Asriel to Alphys the first time and had him turn into a flower of evil intent. Now he was relying on the same person to save him again. But it is obvious that she loved him too and knew he loved Asriel just as much as she does.
       Fleeting shadows of the past had her recall from the closest to the farthest details. How Asgore was just like Asriel and vice versa –so much so, Asriel could very well be a clone of him, both in personality as well as in appearance. Seeing Asriel was like seeing the past itself and when she met Asgore for the first time.
       And like any father and son, one would know the other pretty well and share many if not all of their quirks and imperfections.
       But it had been a long time since they went their separate ways, and Asgore had done terrible things that she deemed unforgivable too. It would take a miracle to bring them back together at this point. And even then, that miracle was already laid upon Asriel’s recovery, if some god had to intervene –let it at least be on what mattered the most.
       As for her relationship with Asgore, no matter how much she felt driven by nostalgia, spite is a hard feeling to overcome –but she knew she had to do something about it eventually if she was to keep in touch with Asriel’s state of being. Even if she was the mother, Asgore was still the king and she was no longer the queen, and he would be the one getting first dibs on anything Alphys did.
       If not for themselves, she would do it for her son and the wishes and hopes of seeing his smile once more.
       Follow a few days later and the doorbell echoed a hollow chime in the mostly bare living room. Toriel paced, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, a nervous habit from her married years. When Asgore stepped in, a hopeful smile strained on his face, the air crackled with unspoken words.
       —Hey… —Asgore asked, his voice betraying a tremor—. Can I come in?
       —Sure. —Toriel forced a tight smile—.
       She gestured to the lone table facing the armchair and fireplace. She hadn’t bothered changing much of the house, making the remnants of a life once cherished, now a painful reminder for Asgore.
       Sitting down, his gaze sweeping the living room before landing on Toriel.
       —It feels… different.
       —Everything’s different. —Toriel said, her voice clipped—.
       Asgore’s smile faltered.
       —I guess you’re right…
       Silence settled between them, heavy with the weight of the past.
       —So, Toriel… —Asgore finally started—. About the call… you said something about needing to talk about Asriel.
       Asriel, still under Alphys’ care was the reason for this uncomfortable reunion. Toriel hadn’t wanted it, but Asgore’s lack of communication, the lack of updates on Asriel’s wellbeing, worried her.
       —It’s been a week now. —Toriel started, her voice softening—. You haven’t said anything, Alphys doesn’t give clear answers and it feels like I’m being kept out of the loop on purpose.
       Asgore’s face flushed.
       —Alphys’ been working ever since, I haven’t got any news either, but I trust her and I know you trust her as well…
       —That’s the problem. —Toriel countered, a bitter edge to her voice—. I trust her, yes. It’s you who I don’t trust in the slightest. All those kids you hurt; all the lives lost…
       Asgore flinched.
       —Yet it worked. —He reached out, a hesitant hand hovering in the air before falling back to his lap—. All those souls not only broke the barrier but gave us our son back.
       —For how long? A monster can’t shelter a human soul, let alone 6. —Toriel continued, her voice cracking—. And what does a broken barrier even do but put everyone here in danger’s way.
       Asgore sighed, his shoulders slumping.
       —I know it is a stretch to ask for your trust, I already lost you two once… I won’t lose you again…
       Toriel felt a pang of something akin to pity, then a surge of anger.
       —You already did, Asgore. When you chose death and violence over reason, over love.
       Asgore’s eyes welled up.
       —I never meant to…
       —It doesn’t matter what you meant. —Toriel cut him off, her voice firm—. It’s the actions that speak louder.
       A tear escaped Asgore’s eye, tracing a glistening path down his cheek. He looked so lost, so unlike the confident, driven king she once fell in love with, that it almost broke her heart. But the love was gone, replaced by a hollowness that echoed with the ghost of what they used to have.
       —Toriel. —Asgore said, his voice thick with emotion—. Let me prove myself. For Asriel, for us.
       Toriel’s heart ached. The part of her that yearned for the man she married tugged at her, but reason prevailed.
       —Asgore, I don’t love you anymore. And frankly, I’m not sure you are even the same man I fell in love with. The only reason we are talking right now is because of Asriel, that’s it. 
       The raw pain in his eyes was a punch to the gut.
       —But we were happy once, weren’t we? Imagine Asriel waking up to a broken family…
       —Are you now trying to manipulate me through our son? —Toriel felt insulted—. Just when I thought you couldn’t sink any lower.
       Asgore opened his mouth to protest, but Toriel held up a hand, stopping him.
       —Listen, I’m not saying I don’t want you in Asriel’s life. He needs his father. But us? That’s set on stone, all you are supposed to do now is reparations.
       Asgore nodded slowly, a flicker of determination replacing the despair.
       —I can do that, Toriel. I really can.
       —I hope you can. —Toriel replied, a sliver of hope blossoming despite herself—.
       The conversation continued for another hour, awkward at times, raw at others. They discussed logistics on Asriel’s wellbeing, direct access to Alphys’ work, and most importantly, how to present a united front for him once he recovered.
       As Asgore reached for the door, a hesitant smile touching his lips, Toriel saw a flicker of the old Asgore –the one she used to love. But a part of her knew, that version was gone.
       —Asgore. —She said softly, stopping him at the doorway—.
       He turned, his hopeful gaze searching her face.
       —Moving forward. —Toriel continued, her voice firm—. This is about Asriel. Nothing more.
       Asgore nodded, understanding replacing the flicker of hope as it died. Toriel watched the door close behind Asgore, the silence echoing in the once familiar space. The air felt thick with the weight of the past, and she sank back onto the worn sofa, fatigue suddenly heavy on her shoulders.
       Though the conversation had been difficult, a sliver of hope wormed its way into her heart. Maybe, just maybe, Asgore could be the father Asriel needed, even if for them, there would always be an unbridgeable gulf.
       Rising with a sigh, Toriel brushed a stray tear from her cheek as she imagined her life with Asriel once more at her side, thinking of all the things they could do together like in the old days before anything went downhill. A flicker of determination ignited in her eyes. She would rebuild their lives, one slice of pie and bedtime story at a time.
       Meanwhile, back in Alphys’ dimly lit lab, the whirring of machinery and the glow of multiple monitors cast an unsettling green hue across the cluttered workspace. Alphys, her signature lab coat askew and hair a mess from frantic scribbling, hunched over a holographic display projecting a detailed image of a monster soul. Worry etched deep lines on her brow.
       Asriel’s condition gnawed at her. Every time she glanced at him; she was made to remember her mistakes. The guilt of being the one who, albeit unintentionally, played a part in his predicament. But guilt wouldn’t solve anything. Alphys needed a solution, and fast. After all, it has been a week or more and she was still in grounds of making no progress at all.
       Her mind raced as she scrolled through endless lines of her own research and experiments, each one a potential key to unlocking Asriel’s true form as a permanent one. The initial excitement of having a way to repent for her actions in the past had quickly evaporated, replaced by the chilling weight of responsibility. She couldn’t ignore the ethical quagmire either. Using Asriel’s condition she could potentially create stronger monsters, or even better; boss monsters like Asriel himself or Toriel and Asgore –her scientific nature forced her to theorize about everything and every option or chance that showed itself along with it. No, the focus had to be solely on restoring him.
       Flicking through data entries on the Underground’s history, she paused at a section dedicated to the legendary Barrier. Due to the war, seven human magicians conjured it to protect humanity and keep monsters trapped in the Underground. Anything, included humans, could fall through the barrier and enter the Underground’s Ruins. However, only a being with the souls of a human and a monster can pass through the barrier and exit the Underground. Then again, the barrier was now broken.
       Still, Alphys could feel the secret lied within this as it was the destruction of the barrier for what caused Asriel to return to his original form.
       Asriel, empowered by the six human souls, had briefly broken the barrier. Could the key to his stability lie in replicating this phenomenon in some way? Maybe keeping the human souls as an anchor, a constant source of energy for a monster soul to feed on and properly populate Asriel’s body, was a possibility. But that meant finding a way to safely integrate the human souls into a monster body, something never attempted before until now, and there was no way to tell if Asriel’s body would give up eventually and return as Flowey once more.
       Alphys gnawed on her lip, her mind chewing on the idea. The human souls, currently in a dormant state within Asriel, could potentially be extracted and used for this purpose. But the risks were astronomical. Messing with souls was a delicate dance, one wrong step and the results could be catastrophic. The consequences of a botched extraction could be anything from a complete erasure of the souls to an agonizingly slow disintegration.
       Then, a different line of thought emerged. Perhaps the solution lay not in the human souls themselves, but in the essence of their power –determination. Determination, according to the countless experiments she’d conducted, was a powerful force unique to humans. Could she, somehow, extract enough determination from the human souls to essentially “monster-fy” them on their own?  Creating a sort of hybrid soul, strong enough to anchor Asriel in his true form?
       This approach felt less invasive, but still carried its own set of risks. Extracting such a potent force without harming the human souls would require a delicate touch, a level of precision Alphys was unsure she possessed. Additionally, what would become of the essence of the human souls themselves? Would they even retain any sense of self after the process?
       Alphys slumped back in her chair, the enormity of the task weighing heavily on her. Every option she considered seemed riddled with loopholes and ethical quandaries. Yet, she couldn’t simply do nothing. Asriel remained trapped in a form that was not his own, his future uncertain. 
       A sudden beep from the medical equipment she had connected Asriel to, showed a small reaction from his body.
       Asriel, sensing her presence, pulsed with a faint green light. A wave of sadness washed over Alphys. He was trapped, yet still yearned for connection.
       —It’s ok, Ms. Alphys… —Asriel spoke in an almost silent voice—. I believe in you.
       Next to her was of course, Asriel. While she read through book after book of information she was in constant watch of his vitals, making sure he could at least be somewhat stable while she looked for a solution.
       —Hold on, Asriel. —She muttered; her voice thick with determination—. I won’t give up on you.
       She knew the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but the hope for Asriel’s restoration fuelled her resolve. She would scour every forgotten book, tap into every obscure theory, exhaust every avenue until she found a way to bring him back. It was a daunting task, but one she was prepared to face.
       The night deepened, the rhythmic hum of the lab becoming a soundtrack to Alphys’ relentless pursuit.
       Suddenly, that’s when it hit. As she was disconnecting Asriel for the night so he could go to sleep, she noticed her determination theory at work –something she had noticed and known since the very start but couldn’t bet on it since by then not too much time had pass enough to warrant a more focused approach.
       In other words, she knew keeping his determination levels in check prevented the human souls from breaking free and Asriel from returning to his flower form, but since this was just a temporally solution in her eyes it never really crossed her mind at first. Now, with so many days of this working as intended; she came to the conclusion it was worth a shot.
       So, after sending Asriel to bed for the night, Alphys began working on what she titled the Determination Inhibitor Calibration Kit.
       The acronym made her grimace. It was crude, even for her standards, but it captured the essence of the project -regulating the flow of determination within the souls. A more professional name was needed though.
       Flicking through her notes, a thought struck her. Determination, with its unwavering focus, was akin to a runaway train. To slow it down, she needed a conductor, a regulator. Her eyes landed on an obscure paper detailing the use of a rare mineral – “Krystallon” – known for its stabilizing properties in magical objects, although it was never really tested on live subjects.
       —Eureka! —Alphys slammed her hand on the table, nearly sending a vial of blue liquid toppling over—. Determination Inhibitor and Krystallon Calibration (DIKC)!
       It wasn’t perfect, but it was certainly an improvement. Krystallon added a scientific touch, while “Calibration” emphasized the delicate balancing act she was about to attempt. With renewed vigour, Alphys started sketching a prototype of the DIKC. She was unsure how she was going to apply it, but ideas followed about a machine, or maybe something edible like a pill. As long as it interacted with the monster’s body it was good enough.
       The road ahead was still shrouded in uncertainty. Would the DIKC function as intended? Could Krystallon truly regulate the powerful essence of determination? But Alphys, fuelled by a growing sense of purpose, decided to press on.  The fate of Asriel, and the potential consequences of tampering with human souls, hung heavy in the air, yet she was determined to find a solution. The rhythmic hum of the lab filled the night, a testament to her unwavering resolve as a new day dawned.
       The following days were a blur for Alphys. Sleep became a luxury she could barely afford, replaced by a relentless pursuit of a solution. Her lab transformed into a battleground of beakers, half-eaten instant noodles, and scribbled calculations scrawled across every available surface. Eventually, the prototype DIKC took the form of a small vial filled with a shimmering purple liquid. 
       Alphys had chosen a potion over a pill, aiming for a faster and more complete absorption into the system. The key ingredient, of course, remained the elusive determination essence she hoped to extract from the human souls. Countless machine simulated experiments yielded meagre results. Separating the determination proved far more challenging than anticipated. The souls, while dormant, seemed to resist the intrusion, their essence flickering erratically under Alphys’ probes.
       Frustration gnawed at her. Every dead end felt like a betrayal of Asriel’s trust. She yearned to confide in someone, but Undyne, ever the optimist, wouldn’t understand the complexities of soul manipulation and who knows where Mettaton was.  Then, a familiar face flashed in her mind –Toriel, after all, Asgore told her to keep Toriel informed of anything related to Asriel, so she was the perfect confidant.
       Alphys, after a night of deliberation, steeled her nerves and sent a hesitant message. 
       —Toriel. —The message read—. This is Alphys. I need your help with something… urgent. Can we meet to discuss?
       The response came quicker than expected.
       —Meet me at Grillby’s in an hour.
       The dingy diner, usually bustling with monsters seeking solace in greasy food and strong monster brew, felt strangely empty. Toriel sat in a corner booth, her expression unreadable. Alphys gulped, a knot forming in her stomach. 
       —Toriel. —She stammered—. This is about Asriel.
       Toriel’s eyes narrowed.
       —What have you done?
       Alphys recounted the events in a nervous rush, explaining the predicament with the human souls and her attempt to develop a Determination Inhibitor. She elaborated on the DIKC potion; her voice tinged with self-doubt.
       —It’s highly experimental. —Alphys admitted—. And I haven’t been able to test it properly.
       Toriel leaned forward, her eyes filled with a desperate hope.
       —Is there a chance it could work?
       —There’s a possibility. —Alphys said cautiously—. But it’s untested. Giving it to Asriel directly is too risky.
       Silence descended upon the booth, thick with the weight of the situation. Then, Toriel spoke, her voice resolute.
       —Test it on me.
       Alphys’ jaw dropped.
       —On you? But… but why?
       Toriel’s gaze held a quiet strength.
       —I already failed to protect Asriel once, Alphys. Now I’m being fed hope that he can be saved. I can’t afford to lose him again. If there’s even a sliver of a chance this potion can help, I’m willing to take the risk.
       Alphys felt a wave of conflicting emotions. Awe at Toriel’s selflessness battled with the fear of putting her former queen in harm’s way.  
       —Toriel, I can’t ask you to do this. It’s dangerous, and the effects are unknown.
       —Alphys. —Toriel countered, her voice firm—. I understand the risks. But I also understand the potential reward. This is my chance to help my son, and I won’t let it pass.
       Alphys studied Toriel’s determined face, the years of grief etched around her eyes.  A grudging respect bloomed in her chest. 
       —Alright, Toriel. —She finally conceded—. But you need to understand, this is uncharted territory. There could be side effects, personality changes…
       —I understand. —Toriel interrupted gently—. Just tell me what I need to do.
       Relief washed over Alphys, tinged with a healthy dose of apprehension.  She explained the potion’s properties in detail, the potential risks, and the monitoring procedures she had in place.  Toriel listened intently, her brow furrowed in concentration.
       By the time they left Grillby’s, the first rays of dawn were painting the sky a pale orange. A fragile sense of hope flickered between them, a shared determination to save Asriel. Back in the lab, Alphys meticulously prepared the DIKC potion, her movements imbued with a newfound sense of purpose.  
       As Toriel bravely downed the shimmering liquid, a nervous energy crackled in the air.  Alphys monitored her vitals with laser focus, watching for any sign of adverse reaction.  The minutes ticked by, agonizingly slow.  Then, a faint change. Toriel’s eyes began to shake around as she tried to keep her composure. All charts on Alphys’ metrics going insane and the scene quickly turned into chaos.
       What was going on truly surprised both as Toriel began to age down. Neither of them could tell what was going on at the time, how Toriel began to turn younger and younger until she reached what seemed to be the same estimate of Asriel’s age –between 8 and 10.
       Toriel’s eyes, usually filled with a quiet strength, widened in shock. Her hand flew to her face, and when she pulled it back, Alphys’ breath hitched.  Gone were the familiar lines etched around her eyes, replaced by smooth, unblemished fur.   Even her posture had changed, a youthful energy radiating from her now smaller frame. Her clothes falling down as they no longer fit her shape, leaving her effectively naked.
       —Alphys? —Toriel’s voice, when it came, was a mere squeak, utterly unlike the mature queenly tone Alphys was accustomed to—.
       Alphys scrambled back, her glasses askew.
       —T-Toriel? What… what happened?
       Toriel stared at her hands, her brow furrowed in confusion.
       —I… I feel different. Younger somehow. Is this… is this a side effect?
       Alphys’ mind raced. The potion wasn’t supposed to alter physical appearance! Was this a temporary change? Or something more permanent? Panic gnawed at her.
       —I… I don’t know. —Alphys stammered, her voice barely a whisper—. The readings are all normal… but your physical form…
       Toriel’s eyes welled up.
       —Alphys, what have you done?
       The sight of the once stoic queen on the verge of panic triggered a surge of protectiveness in Alphys.
       —Hey, hey. —She soothed, forcing a smile—. It’s okay, we’ll figure this out. Maybe it’s just temporary.
       But the tremor in Alphys’ voice betrayed her confidence.  Toriel, sensing her fear, took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders, despite her smaller stature.
       —Let’s hope so. —She said, her voice regaining some of its former strength—.
       Alphys nodded, a flicker of admiration replacing the initial panic.  Toriel, even in this child-like form, possessed a remarkable resilience. 
       —I am so sorry, Your Majesty. I-
       —Focus Alphys, besides, I asked for this. I am just as much in fault for this. Now is where we solve it. —Toriel continued—.
       The next few hours were a whirlwind of tests and frantic research. Alphys monitored Toriel’s vitals, searching for any sign of physical or magical anomalies.  Toriel, ever the pragmatist, insisted on helping, her sharp mind surprisingly unaffected by the transformation.
       By nightfall, both were exhausted, but no closer to understanding the cause of Toriel’s regression.
       —Maybe… maybe we should take a break. —Toriel suggested, her voice thick with fatigue—. Get some rest and try again tomorrow?
       Alphys glanced at the clock on the wall. It was late, but given she constantly stayed up for days during hard research she felt like sleeping would only hurt her investigation.
       —You can go to bed, Your Majesty. —She disagreed with a sigh—. I must stay here. For you and for the prince.
       Toriel hesitated. She was always caring for everyone and seeing Alphys put herself in harm’s way to keep her promise had her feel some guilt. Still, she understood her feelings and agreed to take some rest herself, to which Alphys showed her to a bedroom, the same in which she would put Asriel to sleep each night.
       —You can sleep here; I’ll keep an eye on Asriel for a while longer. —Alphys said, handling Toriel a thin coat to cover herself—.
       Settling onto the thin coat, Toriel pulled a blanket around her small frame. Sleep, however, wouldn’t come.  The rhythmic hum of the machines and the faint glow of the monitors fuelled her anxieties.
       She couldn’t tell the time she spent between trying to sleep, weak sleep and being awake to her no time had really passed at all.
       But something was wrong. Now there was a figure to her side. The figure was white and small, it felt like seeing herself in a mirror, her confusion getting the best of her. Because of this and her assumption that Alphys was still working and looking for Asriel, she could only assume one thing –Asgore.
        Toriel’s breath hitched. Had Asgore also taken the potion? She began to settle on the idea since it was possible that Asgore had visited the lab on his own accord to check on his son, but Alphys would have hesitated to give him a faulty potion as well. Maybe she had already tried a new variant on him or something else.
       Or maybe this was a dream, too lucid than any other, a side effect of the potion she took. With a newfound determination to find out she approached them.
       It was in fact Asriel, whom Alphys had sent to sleep a couple of hours after Toriel, but she could not tell the difference between her own son and her ex-husband, since after all they knew each other from childhood.
       Instead, she doubled down on her own theory of Asgore taking the same potion as her.
       —Asgore, you dork… —Memories hit Toriel—.
       He was always the kind of man that went headfirst into the unknown for the sake of others, so in Toriel’s eyes this was just another act of self-sacrifice. Maybe it was her child-like transformation, but a remnant of her past began to leak to the outside as she began to caress his fur.
       Meanwhile, Asriel, unaware of his surroundings, reacted to her touch with a sweet smile.
       Nostalgia increased as Toriel began to remember every time she saw that sweet smile on Asgore back when they were actual kids. It was like falling in love with it again and unable to hold herself back any longer she went for a kiss.
       Asriel’s lips met with Toriel’s in the most romantic way imaginable, but it also triggered a new scene that would forever seal the misunderstanding between the two:
       His eyes opened in surprise as he was being kissed by his mother, but since Asriel never knew what happened throughout the day, nor was he able to recognize Toriel in this form; for him this was simply a random girl on top. He quickly tried to push her away, but he was too weak to even apply force and Toriel; who still thought this was Asgore, saw this as cute and simply played along.
       No words were spoken either as Asriel was too weak and in shock to talk and Toriel was now deep in melancholy as her lips met Asriel’s. Instead, she climbed on top of him and kissed her son with increasing intimacy. Each time their lips disconnected Asriel’s mouth would remain open for brief seconds before closing again, his head pushing upwards as he began to enjoy the kissing himself.
       Toriel would kiss his cheeks too, his neck tufts all the way down to his chest. Asriel’s hands would move on their own to hold his mother tenderly as she made her way down and then back up.
       After several minutes, Asriel’s body became more and more relaxed, comfortable with the sensations caused by his mother’s kisses. It didn’t take long for him to start moaning softly while holding onto her waist. His eyes futtered shut, making him appear sleepy and innocent. However, beneath those gentle features lay a second appearance waiting to reveal itself. Little did he know that as his mother showered him in kisses his body would begin to react as expected from any male in his situation. His penis starting to harden more and more until it inevitably poked Toriel, and she smiled.
       Toriel’s heart filled with joy upon realizing how much he enjoyed being kissed by someone so lovingly, and hers grew heavier with each passing moment as if it had grown wings. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride within herself for making him experience such pleasure. Maybe it was the innocence that comes from children or the memories of the past, but whatever it was made her lust feel warm and fuzzy. More than simply dive into sexual pleasure, she longed for intimacy and love like they once shared.
       The feeling of love bloomed in her heart unprecedentedly, and she felt warmth spread through her soul like sunrays shining over a lush garden during springtime.
       Asriel found himself unable to resist the growing tension building inside of him. He gently caressed Toriel’s face, running his fingers through her to emphasize his gratitude towards her for showing such tenderness towards him. They embraced tightly together, sharing moments of blissful euphoria, forgetting about everything around them –the world outside, their names, their past experiences... nothing mattered anymore except for the present moment they shared underneath the sheets. And so they continued to explore each other’s bodies, discovering new pleasures and desires that neither of them had known existed until that very moment. Their kisses grew deeper and more passionate with every touch, leaving behind a trail of hot and sticky saliva on their fur.
       Toriel, who was clearly taking the dominant role in their debauchery, seemed eager to start pleasing both herself and her partner. Detecting Asriel’s erection, she finally began to lower more and more, meeting his penis face to face. It was very well sized from what she expected, and already had a faint musk that called her to it as precum leaked from it.
       Without hesitation she brought her face to it, having it rest over her left eye as she took a deep breath to take it all in. With her hands she began to caress his balls, gently playing with them as she reached to them with her mouth –licking and kissing them as she began to move up his phallus.
       Suddenly she was now kissing its head, licking Asriel’s penis over and over as her son began to release sweet moans of pleasure. Her tongue moved up and down his penis’ corona with such intensity, Asriel couldn’t help himself as his body responded with involuntary shivers and his hands reached for the bedsheets to hold onto something and his legs kicked against the bed.
       Asriel’s mind was going blank as he had never experienced something like this before, the pleasure was such he assumed he had to be dreaming all of it, nothing else could explain it.
       Throughout every single moment, Toriel held onto her dominance as much as possible. She continued to use her tongue, teeth and lips to explore every inch of Asriel’s penis while using her hands to massage and tease him along the way. The sensation caused him to let out even greater moans of pleasure, making his entire body tense up as he struggled to contain himself. But through it all, Toriel maintained her focus on giving Asriel absolute pleasure. Despite being under her control, there were moments where she allowed herself to indulge in the pure pleasure of simply sucking on him. And as Asriel continued to buck uncontrollably beneath her, Toriel knew exactly how far to push him without risking a premature end to it all, she wanted this to last but must importantly she wanted to remember it all.
       Asriel was still beyond himself. He was lost in the sensations she was providing him, his body tightening and loosening in waves around her as his orgasm approached rapidly. And then, just when he thought he wouldn’t be able to handle any more stimulation, Toriel added another layer to the mix. Using her fingernails, she lightly scratched across his penis, causing Asriel to scream out loud. For the first time in the night Toriel was startled, she was afraid they could be heard by Alphys or anyone else and find them in the act. In fact, she stopped so fast what she was doing that Asriel was taken to the edge of extasy for a fraction of a second, and was now more than ready to cum.
       As he finally was able to relax for a moment after being driven to the edge, Toriel released her hold on him but continued to stroke his member slowly and lovingly, making sure he could stay hard but silent enough so she could listen to anyone approaching their room, thankfully it was just silence and when she felt like everything was clear, she return to her job at hand.
       Toriel continued by reaching down to Asriel’s penis with her mouth once more. After having reached an edge moments earlier, just feeling her warm mouth cover him was enough to send him to heaven and back –his body shivered just from the gentle push of her breath, but as soon as she covered it whole and her tongue reached as deep as his ballsack; Asriel couldn’t hold it anymore and came inside Toriel’s mouth.
       Asriel’s hands reached for her head as he began to shoot his warm, sticky seed, holding her by her small horns like a pair of handles that told her not to move. His cum going through her throat effortlessly as she swallowed it all, subsequently sucking Asriel off more and more, causing constant cum to flow.
       Once she was able to drink up to the last drop of his seed, Toriel finally reached back to him to kiss Asriel once more. But even though she was ready to call it a night after that, he was not. In fact, Asriel was as hard as ever and his cute blush and sweet moans demanded for more.
       Toriel felt this too, to a point she had to gaslight herself to comply with her feelings. “We may forget this even happened” she thought to herself over and over, as well as a convoluted series of steps of how Asriel (who she still thought was Asgore) would probably think this was all a dream in the worst-case scenario, for her any excuse was valid as she looked down at her son’s penis so close to her entrance.
       But right before she could do anything on her own, Asriel was taken over by his instincts and suddenly began to move his hips up and down.
       Their position wouldn’t allow him to penetrate his mother, yet was just enough to let him grind her vaginal lips –sending an electrical wave through her body that made her shiver for the first time. 
       If only she had been more observant, she would have noticed Asriel’s eyes locking onto hers, realizing that the green tint of his iris was not Asgore’s yellow hue. Instead, she merely brushed it off as an optical illusion and took his narrowed eyes as an invitation for their love to continue.
       —You naughty boy… —Toriel moaned—.
       Asriel’s cum covered penis was more than ready, and Toriel’s body was too, all you had to do was notice how little by little her hips began to meet his as she eventually changed her position to one in favour of sex.
       And as soon as she did, he made his way inside smoothly and quickly. Now it was Toriel moaning, as she felt Asriel’s length reach her insides and fill her pussy completely.
       Her small frame came with what you expect, a smaller, tighter inside –small enough to be completely filled by his member.
       But she wasn’t the only one experiencing bliss either, Asriel could feel her walls palpitate around his dick and cover it in warmth and wetness way beyond what her mouth was able to. It felt more intense and erotic.
       It didn’t take long before Toriel began to take control once more and began to ride Asriel’s cock, taking Asriel’s hands and leading them to her breasts as he pinched on her nipples out of pure coincidence and giving Toriel more reason to go as wild as she could.
       Between her little jumps, she would take a second to hold it in and instead move back and forward too.
       And at one point she had to finally slow down as she was causing Asriel’s dick to slip out and couldn’t keep her pace while fixing their position.
       Overall it was all in her hands how she would please herself and her lover, but those hands had been holding back for so long she couldn’t control them herself.
       The pure and raw emotion that emanated from their love would eventually collide instead with exhaustion, but even then they refused to stop. Instead, Toriel had Asriel climb on top of her as she was now the one lying on the bed and him being the one doing the heavy lifting.
       It was heartwarming to see him struggle to fuck her consistently as he too was too excited to keep a style or a rhythm –instead relying on his hips to do all the work while he tried to hold himself above her.
       Toriel hugged him, Asriel fucked her –all while both could feel how his dick reached for her womb in an effort to compel their most natural instinct.
       —It’s ok, you don’t have to hold back. —Toriel reassured him—. Let it out…
       But Asriel did not listen, it was true that he had reached orgasm once, but it did not grant him understanding of the situation as he was just letting himself be incentivized by his instincts –so he couldn’t simply cum on command or on desire alone, in fact, the desire to cum scared him, causing him to try and retain it for as long as he could before the sensations would overpower him.
       At the end it was up to Toriel to help him reach climax as she forced him to stay inside with her legs locking him in place and her hands pushing down his head towards her to please him with yet another kiss. For her it was now or never to fully complete their sexual act as she had grown tired of waiting.
       And like clockwork it happened. Asriel finally reached his second and final climax. His cum filling up her womb as it inevitably began to leak outside. Even Asriel could fill how she was being completely overtaken by his seed as she moaned passionately.
       Toriel’s head went blank as both finally reached their rest, the night dying along with their fiery passion.
       A shaft of sunlight, sharp and unwelcome, pierced through Toriel’s eyelids, dragging her from a restless sleep. Disoriented, she sat up and blinked, her vision blurry. Panic clawed at her throat. Where was she? The unfamiliar surroundings –the metallic walls, the rows of blinking lights –jolted her memory. Alphys’ lab.
       Relief washed over her, followed by a wave of self-consciousness. How long had she been asleep? Had she even slept at all? Memories of the previous night flooded back –the strange potion, her youthful transformation, and the strong passionate love made with Asgore; or more accurately, Asriel.
       She looked at her side with slight fear of finding Asgore still in bed with her, but the bed was now empty, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
       As Toriel stretched, a groan escaped her lips. Her body ached, unaccustomed to the thin coat and unfamiliar position. But as she straightened, a curious thing happened. Tentatively, she reached for her face, expecting to feel the smooth skin of a child. Instead, her fingers brushed against the familiar wrinkles around her eyes, a reassuring confirmation of her returned adulthood.
       Gratitude welled up within her. Whatever the temporary regression was, it seemed to have worn off. Now, the focus needed to shift back to Asriel.
       Suddenly, the lab door creaked open, and Alphys, bleary-eyed and clad in rumpled pyjamas, stumbled in. She froze when she saw Toriel, her eyes widening in surprise.
       —T-Toriel? You’re awake! And… back to normal? —Alphys stammered, rushing towards her—.
       Toriel offered a shaky smile.
       —Apparently, the effects were temporary. Thank goodness.
       Alphys let out a relieved sigh, the tension evident in her slumped shoulders.
       —Thank the stars. —She echoed—. I was worried sick. Didn’t sleep a wink all night, analysing the readings.
       Toriel’s heart ached for the scientist. Alphys’ dedication, despite their past differences, was undeniable.
       —How are you holding up, Alphys? —She asked gently—.
       Alphys shrugged, a flicker of exhaustion in her eyes.
       —Exhausted, but determined. There has to be a way to modify the potion, to make it work without these… side effects.
       Toriel nodded, understanding the weight of responsibility Alphys carried.
       —And… what about Asgore? Did he also transform back?
       Alphys hesitated, her brow furrowing.
       —Asgore? What are you talking about Your Majesty?
       —Last night, he slept here with me.
       —Oh! My goodness! No, Your Majesty, that was Asriel. The transformation may have altered your perception too.
       The revelation sent a shiver down Toriel’s spine. The kid was Asriel? Does this mean… she had sex with her son? But that couldn’t be… In no way she took her own child’s innocence that night!
       —So… then Asgore… —Toriel said, her voice trembling—.
       Alphys nodded.
       —He still doesn’t know about yesterday if that is what worries you.
       Toriel had to pretend as if nothing had happened, now coping with the idea of having had sex with her own son, and not only that, but loving it.
       No way she could be thinking about it in a positive light, but just remembering his taste got her excited again. Was she really going to admit to loving what she did with him? After all… he probably doesn’t remember anything… He also liked it… Right? The warm feeling of her mother’s pussy, he probably loved it as much as she loved the taste of his cum… No… this can’t be it…
       Having to keep her feelings a secret, the day unfolded in a whirlwind of activity. Toriel, fuelled by determination and a hearty breakfast of instant noodles (Alphys’ culinary skills left much to be desired), delved into Alphys’ research alongside the scientist. They pored over ancient texts, analysed data charts, and conducted countless experiments, each one a tiny step towards unravelling the mysteries surrounding the potion and the transformed figure.
       But with Toriel not knowing the first thing about science she instead remained in the lab as an assistant of sorts. Helping Alphys reach for things, holding papers, taking notes. All while keeping an eye on Asriel as her mind ran around, creating fake scenarios of different and ever more deviant sexual interactions. She saw herself on both her adult and child form with him, breastfeeding him, Asriel eating her adult pussy, her tits getting covered in cum. Or her small-self getting fucked in the ass as he stretched her tight, petite form.
       Eventually all that Alphys was doing flew over her head as her mind dwelled on all her ideas.
       She should’ve felt bad, wrong and sick for thinking about them –but instead she felt warm, excited and hoping for more.
       As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the lab, fatigue finally settled in. But that fatigue would quickly turn into excitement, she knew that at any moment now Alphys would send Asriel back to bed, and then she would be able to continue her fantasies with him.
       She had even noticed during the day there was some potion left, so if she wanted; she could easily take it.
       —Maybe we should call it a night. —Alphys suggested, her voice hoarse from disuse—.
       —I think you are right. —Toriel agreed—.
       Alphys closed all her books, arranged her tools and papers and began to turn off Asriel’s monitors once more, with Toriel carrying him for a change.
       She was more excited than ever, almost impossible to hide it for much longer. As she carried Asriel, Toriel would gently caress his crotch, so gentle in fact that Alphys thought she was just petting her son, thinking of how much she loved him as a caring mother, when in fact she was just dipping back on her lustful self.
       —Good night, Your Majesty. —Alphys signed off as Toriel laid Asriel to sleep—.
       —Good night, Alphys. —Toriel replied, with the potion now hidden between her breasts—.
       And as soon as the little scientist closed the door Toriel began to work. She left the potion on the bedside and began to strip herself naked later helping dormant Asriel do the same.
       Her adult size compared to him was astonishing compared to last night when both shared the same size. Her hand was able to cover his dick whole with only her palm, let alone her fingers. Playing with his balls turning into a gentle art as to not hurt him in the process.
       But the part that she loved the most was daring to kiss him. His small snout compared to hers made it so she could feel herself overpowering him as her tongue made its way inside his mouth, playing with his small tongue.
       Meanwhile, Asriel faintly opened his eyes, realizing the taste of her mouth was the same one he tasted the previous night. And realizing she was his mother, he quickly put two and two together; matching what had happened yesterday with the now unfolding events of today.
       —M…Mom? —Asriel faintly talked—.
       —Don’t worry, my child. Mommy’s here now.
       She continued teasing him the same way she did before, furthering the shocking differences between her child form and her adult form in regards to Asriel’s.
       She wanted to overpower him more and more as she caressed him. Feeling an evil force take over her. And she was too weak to fight against it, or more clearly; too excited to care.
       First, she sucked on his member, fitting it all inside her mouth effortlessly alongside his sack. She could just cover him in her saliva and feel as his erection grew inside, and even then she could still hold it all, letting his length reach down her throat.
       The warmth Asriel felt made him want to thrust on his own, but Toriel was too strong for him to even try, instead his hips trembled from time to time as he tried to hold onto something.
       Toriel continued his intense blowjob by sucking air in, causing Asriel’s penis to feel pressured; keeping this sucking action as she let go of him little by little. The more she freed of his penis the more violent Asriel’s trembles would become –his penis leaking precum over and over as soon as he was let go.
       Next, she turned him around. Exposing his butt to the air. Her goal was to give her son a deep kiss on his hole. Toriel’s tongue stretching Asriel’s anus as it went inside to lick his walls.
       A sensation impossible to describe, Asriel felt more and more inclined to be taken by his mother’s actions. His moaning being gently muffled by the pillow as he pushed his butt towards Toriel’s face.
       Then, out of nowhere, as she continued to lick his anus; Toriel took Asriel’s penis and began to masturbate him in a gentle but firm fashion. Her touch was sweet and soft but her movements were quick and stiff.
       Her goal, to milk him out just so she could hear his more lustful moans as soon as possible, and hopefully make him more lenient to her further experimentation.
       Asriel, of course, could feel the pressure building up in no time. His mother’s hands were soft silk touch to him, like a caring pillow hugging him instead of the other way around. And her firm movements drove his mind away as he was left with only lust alone.
       Toriel could feel Asriel’s struggles through her touch. His butt clenching and his balls swelling from time to time as the pressure build up.
       He tried to hold it in, but the more he fought against it, the stronger the pressure would build up. Asriel would thread on the edge for as long as he could even as it proved fruitless to resist.
       And when Asriel couldn’t take it anymore, he finally broke free from his own insecurity and released himself. Pleased by Asriel finally cumming, Toriel let herself go, stroking it faster than ever while whispering words of encouragement into his ear. Truly encapsulating her dominance over him.
       With each stroke, Asriel found himself cumming harder and harder until he couldn’t cum any longer, totally dried up.
       But Toriel was far from satisfied, she wanted more. Helping Asriel lay on his back, she helped herself by mounting him –but not his cock, instead she sat on his face, leading her dripping wet pussy to his mouth.
       Asriel gasped for air as he took deep breathes, trying to catch his breath after coming so hard just moments ago. Toriel smiled at the sight of seeing Asriel struggling to regain his composure. She knew it wasn’t going to happen soon enough though, especially since he had been craving for her touch once again.
       Feeling helpless with her sitting with a leg on each side of him, Asriel felt powerless, yet aroused at the same time. The smell of her pussy intoxicating him as she slowly pushed it against his nose.
       Like an instinctive reaction he opened his mouth and began to lick, tasking her vaginal fluids and getting Toriel to release moans of her own. His wet nose pushing near her clit.
       She was using her son’s snout as a makeshift dildo at this point, letting him in to eat her out and eventually letting him out to catch his breath. Over and over until she too felt satisfied enough. 
       Toriel continued to ride Asriel’s snout with her tight pussy around his face. He felt trapped between two worlds, unsure if he should keep indulging in her or push her off him. However, something deep inside told him to continue doing what he was doing. And so, he went along with the motion without questioning further.
       Each lick made her wetter and warmer, making it increasingly difficult for him to maintain control over himself. But there was no stopping him now. Her scent filled his nostrils, her taste lingered on his lips, and every movement sent shivers down his spine. It was almost hypnotizing.
       Move after move, their bodies got warmer and warmer until they reached a peak. Sweat beading across their skin, they held onto one another tightly, unable to contain themselves any longer. And as Toriel came down from her orgasm, Asriel was forced to drink it all down as she released herself on him.
       But, despite the great feelings that were shared, Toriel knew something was off. The sensations she felt when she had her young body were just so different and more intense that even when she was feeling every inch of lust already; she could still compare it to that first night.
       It wasn’t that their bodies could mix better, or the compensation of Asriel’s length compared to her adult form. It wasn’t even the adorable nature of her son reacting to her sinful hunger. She couldn’t put a finger on it, but the answer was clearly the return to innocence.
       Something in her being a child once more really moved her, like the energy of youth and fiery passion one can feel when they are at such a young age. Toriel wasted no time and drank the remains of the potion she had been holding on, and waited for the effects.
       Asriel, who was still recovering was drawn in shock as he saw Toriel transform into her younger self. He recognized her in an instant, the girl that had her way with him the night before; it was his mother all along.
       Toriel was feeling restless and horny. Asriel noticed this change immediately and decided to take advantage of the situation. He gently caressed her cheek, inviting her to join him in bed. Toriel obliged without hesitation and lay down next to him, eager to give in to her desires. Truth be told, Asriel did not know what he was doing, he simply found himself listening to his instincts as his body began to crave a reenactment of the previous events.
       Asriel kissed her neck and worked his way slowly downwards towards her breasts, causing her heart to flutter wildly in anticipation. With each passing touch, Toriel could feel her desire growing stronger and stronger. When he finally reached them, her breath hitched and her whole body tensed up.
       She couldn’t believe her son would take such a direct approach, she was ready to take the lead as always and simply show him a good time in exchange for her pleasure as if that made this any less immoral. She really wanted to feel no guilt from it, and with Asriel taking the lead, there was no guilt greater than the one of corrupting your son.
       He licked and suckled at her nipples tenderly, leaving them slightly sore yet intensely pleasurable, the continuous suction leading to her nipples turning red, sensible to the gentlest touch. His tongue traveled lower and found its way towards her belly button, causing her stomach to clench and her legs to tremble. She began to feel vulnerable to her own child. Afraid of what he could do next but excited to find out. Toriel couldn’t wait to see just how far he could go on his own.
       As he continued to explore her body further, he ventured southward and began stroking her vaginal lips with a feathery touch, sending shivers down her spine. By now, Toriel was moaning loudly and squirming around on the bed, helpless against his touch. He was surprised of how easy it was to slid a finger inside, then two and then three.
       Each time he fingered her, Toriel would moan intensely as her hips tried to stay in place. But she couldn’t fight the need to input her own movements to the mix just for that extra sensation.
       Asriel took things slow and didn’t rush anything, savoring every moment of her pleasure. Gradually, his eyes wandered over every curve, crevice, and fold of her body, marveling at the perfection of creation.
       His hands roamed everywhere, touching, exploring, and discovering every secret spot that excited him endlessly. She let out small whimpers and gasps, begging for him to continue as though she was starving for attention and satisfaction. Every brush of his fingers against her skin sent thrills through her body.
       Asriel leaned forward to deepen a kiss while one hand cupped her breast gently fondling it playfully. The other hand still playing inside of her. He could sense her getting wetter with each passing second, becoming more responsive to his touches.
       He continued the teasing of her chest until her breathing became faster, and soon enough, Asriel broke off the kiss to look her straight in the eye. He didn’t know the wording, but his body language was screaming just how much he wanted to make love to her now.
       Her response came quickly, a silent yes as she nodded to him, causing his heart to skip a beat. Without breaking eye contact, he replied confidently with a new kiss.
       In that moment, Asriel couldn’t help but feel humbled, grateful for having this opportunity to express his own love for his mother.
       Finally, he began to penetrate her. Just like the previous time, he felt her warmth take over him as he began to thrust inside of her, going from gentle to rough fucking in an instant as Toriel deafened his ears with pleads for more, screams of approval as he did his best to keep the pace she demanded.
       It was undeniable that compared to when she was in control; having Asriel take it from her was in all regards a superior feeling.
       For what felt like a second in the sea of eternity Toriel felt outside the real world. All her worries, her sorrows, her pain, gone. Now more than ever she couldn’t wait for her son to be saved.
       Hold him without a care, care for him like before and feel like she used to feel way back when.
       One could argue sex wasn’t the way and this was but a depravation of the flesh, but for Toriel it was the only way. It was the return to herself, the return to innocence.
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