Safe in the Underground once more, Avia releases a sigh while Undyne and Sans are basically dragging her towards the Laboratory in Hot Land. She tries to resist, but having spent most of her energy, she instead reluctantly follows while Sans keeps her soul blue to drag her in case Avia tries to escape.

"You two over-react. I said I am fine, why can you two not accept that?" She had been pestering them with similar questions since they left the ruins, and Undyne had finally had enough. Twirling around on her heal, she grabs Avia's armor and flings her up over her head, then slams her down against the ground. Sans, releasing his hold on her soul, shouts. "Undyne! What are you doing?" Undyne huffs and glares at her astonished sister. "Proving to her why she needs to go!" 

Avia's health bar had popped up as she made contact with the ground. Although the wound was gone, her health was still extremely low. Another slam like that from Undyne, and she would literally be an inch away from dusting. Avia, blinking her astonishment away, groans as she tries to sit up. "You could have just asked Sans to do it..." She complains, rubbing the back of her neck.

Undyne only growls at her younger sister before softening her features and extending a hand. "Sorry, I just got tired of your pestering." Avia, with a not-so-thankful grin, eyes her sister with her good eye, then takes her open hand. Standing up, she flicks her tail around and smacks the back of Undyne's head. Undyne slightly shouts and rubs her head, muttering, "Guess I deserved that." Sans laughs and continues on to the Lab, Avia and Undyne right behind him. 

As they finally reach the large building, the door flies open before they get close enough for it to register them. A small yellow dino-like monster in a white scientist lab coat rushes out and basically tackles Undyne. "U-U-U-Und-dyne! Y-You're b-b-back s-safe!" Instantly, Undyne wraps her arms around the doctor, and lifts her up in a spin. "Of course I did, ya goof! I couldn't leave you behind, now could I Alphys?" Undyne places a gentle kiss on her yellow forehead before setting her down.

Alphys, blushing madly, gazes up towards Avia. "D-Dr. G-Gaster is w-waiting for y-you." She says with a soft smile. Avia nods and continues on, leaving the two lovers alone as Alphys begins her searching over Undyne for wounds.

Sans, patiently waiting at the open door, smiles as Avia walks up. "Alphys was quite scared. She must have been watching again." He says, his smile turning into a slight frown. Avia places a hand on his shoulder and he gazes at her. She doesn't say anything, but only continues into the Lab, Sans soon following her.

Once inside, multiple monsters are spotted rushing around, carrying papers, books, scales, and other scientist items. A really tall skeleton in a long lab coat had his back to the two walking up, giving orders to a snake like creature. With a nod, the snake monster rushes away and the skeleton sighs. He raises a hand, which has a hole in its palm, and rubs his forehead. He turns around, his eye sockets closed, and sighs once again.

"This is going to take forever." He says, his voice sounding strained and staticy. A large crack is under his left eye, allowing his pupil's glow to still be seen. Multiple, smaller cracks weave above his right eye, a small hole in the center of all of them. Gazing up, he finally spots Avia, who was taking off her armor and handing it to a young scientist that wanted to clean it for her, and Sans, who was helping remove the pieces on her back. Instantly, he rushes over with wide eye sockets. "Oh my! I hadn't realized you were already here. Please, come with me, Avia." He says, taking her clawed hand and pulling her behind him. 

With his pulling, she easily slides out of her boots and the scientist nods at her before rushing away to patch up and clean her armour. Heading up a flight of stairs, they turn right and he suddenly picks her up with his own magic and lays her down on a metal table. "Gaster, I could have done this myself, you know."

He only gives her a glare, his double cracks slightly glowing blue and red. The color fades as he turns towards a cabinet and opens it, pulling out a small vial of pink liquid. "I know you could have, but that doesn't mean I should force you to strain yourself anymore than you already have." He attaches a needle to the end of the vial and walks over towards Avia, his features softening slightly. "You have to stop being so stubborn and let others help you." 

As his left eye flashes blue and soft flames cover his left hand, Avia's soul slowly appears above her chest, and she only sighs at the sight. Three scars covered the whole left side and slight cracks are forming from each. They are slowly spreading across the rest of the large monster soul, and Gaster's face twists in concern. "Why did you not tell me it was getting this bad?" Avia says nothing as the doctor gazes at her with anger and worry. With an exasperated sigh, Gaster shakes his head and lowers the needle to the soul. Avia closes her eyes and forces her mind to wander else where.

As the needle glides into the her soul, Avia hisses, but stays still. Gaster lays his free hand in her own, squeezing gently. He knows the procedure is painful, and most are screaming in pain, but Avia knew better. Any sudden movement would worsen her condition or worse...

As the last drop of liquid flows into her soul, Gaster slowly removes the needle and smiles as her HP begins to gradually increase. Avia huffs and opens her eyes. "Ow.." She says, turning to gaze at Gaster with a wry smile. The doctor smiles in return before turning away to clean the needle and vial. Avia, breathing normally again, gazes at the ceiling above her, flicking her tail around under the table. Her thoughts begin to wander until blue appears in her side vision. "I will live, Sans. Your father knows what he's doing."

The skeleton walks over, his bare feet clacking against the ground. "It's not him that I'm worried about, kiddo." His grin seems lopsided and he lays his boney hand on her shoulder. "You can't be that reckless right now, you know that." Avia begins to protest, but Sans cuts her off. "I know you want to keep everyone alive, and that at the time it was the only thing you could do to save everyone, but please," Sans' grip on her shoulder tightens, causing Avia to watch him closely. His white pinprick eyes seem to soften and his smile straightens out. "Worry about yourself more, okay?"

Avia smiles softly at him and grips his hand with her own. "I will do my best." Sans eyes her wearily, but his smile slightly widens. "Sure you will." Suddenly, he vanishes and Avia sighs while deciding to stare up at the ceiling again. Gaster arrives at her side, typing something up on a piece of glass with lights changing inside the piece. Reaching out, he sets a small, thin, circular object on her chest. She slightly hisses, and his hand stops just above it. "It's cold." Gaster smiles at Avia's statement and turns back to the glass pad.

The object starts to beep and small lights flash on its edges. Avia takes a few deep breathes in, having done this procedure numerous times. The good doctor's smile turns to a frown, and he turns the device slightly on her chest. His frown deepens, and Avia glances up at him in worry. "What's going on, Gaster?"

He twists the device again, and the same numbers appear in red on the pad. "This isn't good..." Avia holds back a growl as she asks again. "What's going on, Gaster? What's wrong?" He groans as he removes the device and sets the pad roughly down on the table next to Avia's head. He leans against it with both hands and his eyes are shut tight. After what feels like an eternity of silence, Gaster speaks as Avia starts to question again.

"You're HOPE isn't rising past 50, Avia."

Her jaw hangs open in shock at Gaster, and she blinks a few times. "What?"

One of Gaster's hands glows blue and he lifts it slightly, pulling Avia's soul out of her with great caution. The scars were now slightly larger and spreading across the whole soul. Avia's eye widens in fear. "What?! Why is that happening?" Quickly, she sits up and holds her soul gingerly in her claws. It beats weakly in response. "I... I feel fine though." She turns to Gaster and he is still leaning against the table with his eyes shut.

With a defeated sigh, she pushes her soul back into her chest. Gaster pushes himself off the table and turns to the warrior, but she is already speaking. "I know. No battles until we figure out how to fix this." Gaster gives his friend a soft smile as she turns away from him, heartbroken. "Avia." He lays a hand on her shoulder and she turns to him. "You are not abandoning your kingdom." He gestures for her to follow as he walks away towards a door. She reluctantly follows, knowing what he was about to do. As they near the door and it flies open, they step out into the heat of Hotland.

Turning left, they walk down a few steps before arriving at a large river. The water calmly laps at the edge of the shore, and they wait patiently. As time passes, Avia soon gazes around before leaning down to roll her pant legs up. Finished, she plops down on the shore and lets her clawed feet soak in the cool water. She sighs in delight and leans back, eyes closed and places her arms behind her while propping her back up with her tail. Gaster merely chuckles and continues to stand.

As time passes, Avia opens her eyes, kicking her legs gently in the water. "Your sister sure is taking a while." Gaster nods in reply and crosses his arm, worry obviously starting to eat away at his patience. "Candara usually doesn't take this long." Avia nods and turns back to the water, debating if she wants to take a quick swim to raise her HOPE a little more. Before she finally decides, a boat with a cat head blasts into view, coming to a splashing halt. A frantic skeleton in a cloak rips the hood off her head and shouts in frantic worry.

"A human has arrived in the underground!"