So sorry for the long wait! Unfortunately, it might be something that will happen again. I will explain at the end of this chapter.
Frisk's apartment wasn't anything special. A common 4-roomed flat placed on the 3rd floor or an inter-city apartment block. It was roomy without being spacious, nice but rarely cozy and it's central location meant that she was never far from any happenings or events that could do with some coverage.
She shuddered a bit at the thought as she entered her apartment, locking the door behind her. There were still a few hours until her interview, but already her hands felt clammy; this was probably her biggest stint so far, and with such a heinous person to boot. Yet she had vowed to do her best and she would not be known as a quitter or a liar; her adoptive mother had taught her better than that.
She went around, doing what she usually did when settling in for a work week; taking stock of the fridge contents, checking the laundry, taking out the trash and just because she still had a few hours to kill, she decided to set a cup of coffee over. She smiled inwardly as she remembered the mournful look on her fathers face when he had learned of her little habit. It wasn't that tea was bad by any stretch of the imagination, it just lacked the oomph needed to keep one on the go.
With that thought in mind, Frisk plumped down on her couch with her laptop, it would still be a few minutes before her delicious dark drops were ready, and if the previous Mondays were anything to go by, her e-mail in-box could do with some housecleaning.
Yup, there it was; a handful of hate mail, a couple of crafty spam mails that had eluded her filter, even a single birthday invitation from one of her coworkers.
But one mail, in particular, stood out; mostly because of it's all capitalized "VERY IMPORTANT!"and the fact that it came from their source within the capital's congress hall.
Opening it, she quickly realized just how important it was.
And how devastating it could be for monsterkind.
33 of the Icebreaker Candidates... just gone.
For a few moments, she just sat there, hands starting to feel cold, heart beating faster in apprehension and eyes dark at the possibility of the fallout this could cause. She was only wakened from her stupor by the "pling" of her coffee machine. She went for it; she needed a warm cup of coffee for more than energy now; her whole body felt icy cold, but worst of all was the growing fear in her heart.
Her dad and her brother would more than likely walk into a political bloodbath.
Red lights, honking horns and lots and lots of cars. Even 2 streets away, it became quite clear to Asriel that the news had been broken publicly, sitting as he was, in a traffic jam with news vans on all sides of him.
Everything about this day had just gone from terrible to almost hellish.
The Icebreaker Project was a social experiment started a few months after his crownquest, when the ban on leaving had been placed on Ebott. In a rare show of goodwill, the human government had agreed on a deal where 50 monsters, handpicked by Asgore and approved by a committee, would live and work in the capital for the span of 6 years, under almost constant surveillance, regular medical and mental check-up, all in order to acertain whether or not monster and humans could coexist. Never mind that they had done just that in the years before his crownquest.
He still remembered the surprisingly difficult task of selecting these 50 individuals, as his father had asked him to help him with it. Asriel had thought that pretty much every monster could do; just go out unto the streets, grab some at random and ask if they would try, but his father had been more considerate.
True, most monsters were amicable, but they would need people of the right disposition and composition. Having the skelebros on the team was considered, but they thought better of it when they realized most humans probably didn't fancy having a living reminder of their inevitable mortality walk around in their streets.
But in the end, 50 individuals had been picked, they had agreed and so had the committee, and for the last 4 years, there had been no news, which in this regard, was good news.
Until now.
33 of them, vanished into thin air.
"King Asgore, was it your decision to withdraw from The Icebreaker Project?"
"King Asgore, what will this mean for the future of any reunification plans?"
"Lord Asgore, does this move mean you have given up on any pretense of lifting the ban?"
The barrage of questions from the pressing mass of journalists was unending. Asgore stood in front grand Congress Hall, vigorously holding up a fake smile at the questioning masses; sometimes giving a court nod of the head or a 1-sentence answer when suitable.
But it all belied the growing, almost suffocating fear and angst growing within in. He had spent almost all morning in Temmie Town, amongst its namesakes, and while the small critters were usually charming enough, they could also be exceedingly annoying; like a whole town full of screaming, shouting children all vying for attention and some of them even "dying" at the honor of meeting their "liege-lord" only to live up again soon after.
But even that palled in comparison to this. It was, perhaps, the 2nd most dreadful experience he had ever had. His people's last hope for the freedom that were them long overdue snatched away in the blink of an eye. It only made matters worse that the whole ordeal had been publicly leaked, and they believed that he himself was responsible.
He could feel it; this was too much. He was doing a decent job at keeping appearances, but he was falling apart at the seams inside. In the past 8 years, his experiences with surface world politics had worn down his once legendary patience. He liked to tell himself that it was just a sign of him getting old, but in his heart, he knew there was more to it than that. Lately, he had felt tired, been quick to anger and constantly fearful that the fragile armistice between the races would crumble at a moments notice. It had been so bad that he had had to have tea-brewing equipment installed in his office, it being one of the few things that could calm his frayed nerves.
But tea was a weak alternative to a far better cure to his ailments.
His children; Frisk and Asriel. Having either of them at his side was like balm to the soul; dispelling his fears and doubts and reminding him of what he was fighting for.
And as he saw Asriel's car come to a screeching halt in-between 2 news vans, and his son rushing up the stairs to meet him, he was once again reminded of this.
Asgore stepped down and took him in, in a quick but firm hug. He would've wanted it to last a bit longer, but there were too many eyes watching. He pulled back, shifting his hands to grab his son firmly but gently at the shoulders.
"I'm so glad you could come, Asriel. I'm not sure I could have faced the music alone"
"Of course I'd come, but, what's going on? What happened with the Icebreaker candidates?"
Asriel asked, trying his best to ignore the flashing lights of the cameras and photographers.
Asgore shook his head dejectedly.
"I don't know; I got a call, demanding that I come to an emergency meeting regarding my "Unapproved recall of 33 of the candidates""
"What!? Dad, did you-"
"No! I didn't! I don't know how this could happen..."
Out of the corner of his eye, Asriel spotted a pair of burly security guards coming down the stairs, undoubtedly to bring them in for the hearing.
"I guess we're about to find out then"
Asriel said under his breath.
The meeting hall was a grand work. A huge circular room with a just as huge domed, chiseled ceiling, all held up by roman-like pillars, flanked by centuries old paintings, sculptures, statures and other pieces of art. The only real dent in the atmosphere being a bright red "no smoking" sign hanging above the entrance.
It wasn't Asriel's first time there, but it never failed to impress. Even if the grandiose scenery served a bit more sinister purpose.
He knew it was meant to overwhelm the sense, to bamboozle the mind.
But the tension it could inspire still paled in comparison to the 23 men and women sitting around a semi-circular table in front of them. 23 of the country's most important figures, both in the business and political world. Centered in the middle sat Julian Manes, the graying but nonetheless sage-looking director of the Monster Integration Committee, or M.I.C. The group responsible for ensuring a safe and just integration of monsters into human society... or lack thereof.
Asriel supposed the director could have been worse. From what he had seen and heard from him, Julian was surprisingly neutral in the affair, despite his position as director, or perhaps because of it.
While he never seemed to further any effort made to hasten the integration, he also vehemently opposed every action taken against monsters unless there was a good reason behind it.
Asriel flanked his father's right, standing behind a speakers podium, in full view of the assembled committee, standing on row like a pair of criminals. He tensed as he saw the director motion of silence.
"I object, we can't start the hearin' yet; there's a pair o' wild animals loose"
Came a baritone and accented, mocking voice.
Asriel instantly sneered in contempt as he traced it back to a bald-headed, smiling,obese man, leaning comfortably into his chair, wearing a suit that seemed about ready to burst from his bloated gut, and gingerly curling a fat cigar between his fingers.
"Sloanes..." Asriel hissed under his breath, at the sight of the fiend. Sloanes served as vice-director to THE biggest job creator in the country, having about 12% of the country's population on it's payroll. A business corporation spanning lawyers, industrial factories, shipping companies and even construction firms.
One of which was responsible for the sports section in the Weathergood Mall, Asriel remembered.
Sloanes was an absolute anti-monster activist, but unlike most others of his ilk, he made no attempt at hiding the obvious pleasure he took in crushing monsterkinds hopes under a corporate boot. While it was true the corporation he advocated could possibly suffer substantial losses from having monsters enter the job market and industries, he made absolutely no effort to at least try and find away to work together. Having monsters integrate meant change, change meant having to work and Sloanes really didn't seem like the guy to work.
"I wasn't aware this was bring your kids to work day" Julian answered with an amused grin. "Want me to have the guards bring in some Nice-cream from the cafeteria? Have your kids settle down, maybe?"
The rest of the room broke out in supportive chuckles and laughter, and even Sloanes had the sense to laugh at his own expense.
As the amusement died down, Julian leaned forward on the table. "Sloanes, your "dislike" of monsters is well-known, but I would ask that you at least show King Asgore and Prince Asriel the respect they deserve as honored members of this committee. I will not tolerate such behavior in my court. Are we clear?"
"Crystal, sir"Sloanes replied dismissively, before taking another chug on his cigar.
Apparently satisfied with the answer, Julian switched his view to Asgore, who gave out a funny breath under his scrutiny.
"Now, King Asgore, do you know why you are here?"
The king Stood up to his full height and stepped forward. As he did, Asriel glimpsed the sheen of his armor hidden beneath the robes he wore.
"I do" Asgore's booming voice affirmed throughout the hall.
"Then let's dispense with the briefing and just jump right to it" Julian said, opening up his hands in a questioning manner.
"Where have the gone?" The director asked. Immediately, every head snapped to attention at Asgore, awaiting his response.
Asgore shuffled nervously on his feet before replying.
"I do not know, sir"
"Are you sure?"Came Julian's doubtful reply.
"Of course I am! Why should I-" Asgore burst with an angry tone, just barely stopping himself. He looked over his shoulder at his son, feeling his rising gall subside at the sight of his calming smile. The procedure and the fact that he had to answer to so many people that would seek his people's downfall were infuriating, but seeing the reminder of what he fought for, he could just manage to swallow his pride.
"I... do not know where my people have gone, Honored Director, nor do I see the reason to the suspicion placed upon me. I would have nothing to gain from prematurely backing out of the Icebreaker Project"
The director held his gaze, thinking the words over before nodding his head.
"That's what I thought, some people here actually lobbied to have you arrested on the spot for your... assumed lawbreaking. Nevertheless..."
Julian took a moment to look around a few of the assembled council members. "The disappeared Icebreaker Candidates were all under the strictest scrutiny and security available to us. I have been told that even one of them disappearing, nevermind 33 of them, was all but impossible. Which only leaves one possibility"
He returned to look at Asgore, with a worried frown.
"Magic" The director finished bluntly.
"Do you have any proof of this?"Asgore hurriedly asked.
"The lack of evidence is evidence in itself. No one could have kidnapped so many candidates without us noticing. Which only really leaves magical means as the only possibility. And as the only one's capable of utilizing magic..." The director offered, letting the unfinished sentence hand in the air.
"I assure you, I, and everyone I know, have nothing to do with this" Asgore responded strongly, utilizing the full weight of his deep, booming voice.
The assembled council members settled into small groups of hushed whispering and mumbling, arguing whether the kings statement was true or not.
Julian lowered his head in concentration, no doubt trying to gauge the general feeling of Asgore's innocence.
After a few moments he looked up again.
"Allright, guess we'll have to widen the search then" He concluded.
"What!?" Came the almost gurgling voice of a surprised Sloanes. "Yer' lettin' 'im of the hook so easily!? The man's guilty, can't ya see!?"
"Unless you have been withholding new evidence, Sloanes, there's nothing that proves Asgore's direct implication in the matter"
Sloanes scowled furiously, but nevertheless retreated back into his armchair, and took an angry chug of his cigar, almost biting the thing in 2 pieces.
"I humbly request that the search efforts be headed by us" Asgore asked, silencing the few whispering councilmen in surprise.
"I'm sorry?" Asked the befuddled director.
"As king of monsters, I have a duty to see that no harm comes to my people, and if what you say is true that magic is involved in their disappearance, then who better than us to find them?"
Asriel felt an immense sense of pride swell in his chest at his father's words. He almost seemed to be glowing with the nobility of them, but that was more than likely a subtle magic trick to make him seem more impressive.
The director pondered the offer with an amused expression. "That is an... interesting proposition, King Asgore. Are you sure of this?"
"Absolutely, sir. We will find them, and bring whoever is responsible to justice"
Julian nodded his head in an agreeing motion. "Well... I approve, King Asgore"
For the first time during the whole proceeding, Asriel saw his father's posture ease a bit.
"Thank you, Honored Director. I swear we will do out utmost-"
"Not so fast" Julian interrupted "While I certainly approve of you leading the investigation, my fellow colleagues might not, and contrary to appearances, they aren't just for show" Julian said, as he spread his arms to gesture at his fellow councilmen, most of them laughing halfhearted at his expression.
Behind the podium, Asriel felt the onset of a cold sweat. Of course it had to be like this. A major decision like this couldn't just be made by one person. Almost everyone in here could be affected by having monsters searching the city in one way or another.
"Gentlemen and gentleladies, if you're ready, we'll start the vote now" Julian prompted. In front of every council member, a small screen, ringed by a red and green button rose from a shall hatch in the table.
Asriel nervously tapped his feet on the floor, as he regarded the councilmen. Some immediately pressed a button, while others re-read their papers, pondering their choice.
Despite the massive challenge it would be, Asriel deeply wished for the vote to pass in their favor. In truth, no one in Ebott knew the first thing about criminal investigation and the like, but the thought of him sitting in his office, going trough endless stacks of written garbage, while someone else was looking for the missing people, felt like such a dereliction of duty it almost made him feel sick.
In front of him, Asgore stood, paws folded behind his back. Even a few meters away, Asriel could hear his breathing, tense and heavy.
"Alright, time's up" Julian called. The small screens sunk back into the holes, and behind, a huge painting of some ancient battlefield rose upwards, revealing a just as huge flat-screen hidden behind it. As if seeking to immediately dispel any tension 3 rows of lines quickly appeared on it.
11 green lines. 11 red and 1 yellow, abstaining one.
Julian checked his screen before looking over at Sloanes with a surprised expression. "Sloanes? You... abstained? I would have thought for sure you would be against?"
The bloated bureaucrat gave off a wet laughter "And yer'd be right, Jules, but, if I may, I'd like ta' give the king o'er there an offa'" He said, turning in his chair to face Asgore.
"What it is?" Asgore asked, failing to hide his displeasure. Sloanes took a few seconds to revel with a malicious, victorious grin. "Now see 'ere, little king, I can un'erstan' that yer really want this thing to go trough, yeah? So how's'about a friendly wager, huh?"
Asgore couldn't help but let out a low, angered growl "Go on" He nevertheless asked.
"Hah! That's the spirit! Now, what I offa' is this... I give you my vote, AND 1 month with which ta' find yer little mongrels"
"Sloanes..." Julian protested.
"1 month... and if we fail?" Asgore asked.
The smirk that crossed the fat mans face was one that would have made even Flowey cringe in fear "Then ya' hand o'er the rights to Ebott Mountain"
Asriel had to grip the arms of his chair tightly to keep himself from jumping up in protest.
Ebott Mountain. Just about the only noteworthy natural landmark within their territory. Very few still lived down there, but that wasn't the cause for alarm. The mountain was an extremely important part of their people's history. They had spent hundreds of years there, thriving despite the lack of sunlight, fertile soil and many other things. It was like a monument to their peoples determination and refusal to give up hope and surrender to fate.
It also happened to contain a great bounty of gold ores, their single largest income.
Losing the mountain would mean giving up a great part of their identity, as well as stripping them of what wealth they had. His people would go poor, they would go hungry.
They might even lose hope for the future altogether if they lost Mt. Ebott.
"I accept" Asgore said in an uncharacteristically uncaring, calm voice.
"What? But dad-" Asriel said flustered as he rose from his chair, but was quickly silenced by a stern look from his father.
Sloanes clapped happily, accompanied by a booming laughter. "Then it's settled! I might not fancy you misbegotten creatures, but I hafta' say, I guess those horns of yer's aren't just fer show!" He said in a sickeningly jovial tone.
"Sloanes, I'm warning you, one more insult and I will have you thrown out of this room!" Julian cautioned.
The fat bureaucrats only response was to lean back in his chair, with a smile that reeked of satisfaction and victory
The old human king, Valantis, had once told Asriel that while humans were supremely proficient at destruction, they were just as good, if not better, at rebuilding what they destroyed, often stronger and better than before.
If that was the case, he wondered just how many had laid down their lives and souls to build such a vast city, as the one he watched trough the passengers seat window. The meeting had ended and his father, who had been dropped off by Papyrus, had opted to drive them both home.
So now, here they sat, father and son, prince and king, both bearers of different news that spelled disaster for their people. For just a second, he thought back to the nightmare he had had when had accidentally fallen asleep in his office. All of monsterkind, screaming for his downfall, for the removal of the monarchy because of some unknown slight.
But did he know now?
This was probably one of the most disastrous days they had ever witnessed after returning to the surface. Looking down, he noticed his hands shaking, and his mouth felt dry from heavy breathing.
To his side, his father seemed like an unmovable statue of calmness in the storm, but Asriel knew the better of it. The way he was staring dead-ahead on the road unflinchingly, darkened by a gathering of stormy gray clouds as it was. Even just the fact that he hadn't immediately started up a friendly conversation told him enough. His father was just as troubled, if not more so, as him.
"Why is it like this?" He whispered out loud, only to be met with silence. For a moment, he wondered if his father had even heard him.
"Why is it like this, dad? We can't... things just ever go right?" Again nothing more than a whisper, but it gave way to something greater. Like a small fracture quickly growing large and expansive, bringing down his inner walls.
"Dad... why am I even here? I shouldn't be... I keep trying to make sense of it, but... I just can't! I keep failing and the world just seem to be content and watch!"
At this, his father finally showed some reaction, turning to look at him with wet, heavy eyes.
So many times he had done bad... Chara had died because he was too afraid to tell his parents of their plan, and they in turn had been heartbroken when he had turned to dust in their arms. He had even failed to die properly, instead turning into a floral abomination. Him, the prince, the one who should be caring for, protecting and looking after the people, instead indulging in every want and desire he could think of just because he was bored. Then Frisk had come and offered their soul, and once again he had failed, failed to convince them of the better solution to just simply let him be. Then the crownquest, which he had succeeded in, but only due to the sacrifice of a far more noble spirit than him, a victory bought with the dust of another.
And now this; he had cost them perhaps their only chance at lifting the ban, and because of his fathers brash actions, they would more than likely lose Mt. Ebott as well.
Even if he had no input, even if there was nothing he could have done, fate seemed more than happy to just keep shoveling dirt in his face.
"I shouldn't be here... I don't want... I should be dead"
Suddenly, his father brought the car into a violent turn. Asriel choked on his words as the sudden motion sent his seatbelt into his throat. The car stopped and as he looked out, he saw they were parked to the side of an empty stretch of highway, crossing the countryside.
"You're wrong, Asriel..." His father said with a quiet voice, but there was no mistaking the heavy, guilt-laden pressure behind them.
"I don't know why things like these keep happening. Sometimes I wonder if coming up to the surface was a mistake. Sometimes... I even want to just give up on... everything. Bah, some king I am. I swore to keep our people's hope up, yet I can barely do so myself"
Asriel looked on as his father spoke. All the time, he had stared dead-ahead, completely unmoving.
"But whatever goes on in my thick head, I want you to know, Asriel, that you have nothing to be ashamed of. Every day, when I read the reports, hear the news talk about our situation and the like I keep getting struck by this immense sense of failure. I have made many mistakes in my time as king, things that keep me up at night, but knowing you, Frisk and everyone else is happy and well keeps me going. It's all that keeps me going"
He took a deep breath and exhaled, a motion that completely shocked Asriel in the way it seemed to change his father. His shoulder sunk low, his head bowed down and his chest seemed to almost deflate completely. The great king Asgore, his father, seemed smaller and older than he had ever done.
"That's why... hearing you say these things and thinking these thoughts... it hurts more than you can possibly imagine, my son. I'm well aware that I've failed at being a good king, and ever since that day in the royal gardens, I was utterly convinced that I was the most wretched father on the planet. But I thought I could get past it. With you all at my side, I thought I could at least begin to make peace with my many mistakes"
He turned to look at Asriel. The prince himself was already in tears at his fathers words, but he was still surprised to see the same diamond-shaped drops on his fathers grief-stricken face.
"I love you more than anything in the world, Asriel, and would do anything, anything! To ensure your happiness, and I will do that... because you are worth that, Asriel. I have watched you grow up, and my heart still swells with pride every time I see you, and I'm confident the same can be said for your mother, so don't you EVER dare think you shouldn't be here, and that you don't deserve to live.
Because you do... which might be more than can be said for me"
At that, Asriel immediately reached up for his father, and the king responded in kind. Holding each other close, thoughts shifting between the hardships they had and would face, and the sheer joy of knowing that whatever happened, they would still have each other, as well all their friends. The bond between the father and son glowed brighter than it ever had.
After a while, Asgore broke the comfortable silence, speaking with a soothing voice "Hehe, golly, look at us! Sitting and bawling like a pair of crybabies" He said, his voice shifting from the almost growling tear-choked to chipper "Now, how about we head home so we can put this dreadful day behind us?" Asriel pulled away, and reached up to wipe a tear away with his paw "Yeah, I think I'd like that" he said.
With a last parting smile, Asgore settled back in properly in his seat, and started the car up again, sending it back on the highway heading home.
"Why don't you take the day of as well? I'm sure a good day's rest would work wonders" His dad started.
"You sure you don't need me to come in? I mean, if we-"
"I'm sure I can handle one day without you, I'm not THAT broken yet"
"Hehe, alright then"
"Oh, and Asriel... I'm sorry about the, hah, "devil's deal" I made back there"
"You mean the one with that creep, Sloanes?"
"Yup, I was just... angry, I couldn't stand that smug grin of his, couldn't back down. I thought I could show him up, but I'm afraid I just played right into his hands instead. But I promise you, we WILL get trough this in once piece"
Bolstered by his father's words, Asriel clasped a paw on his shoulder.
"Together!"He insisted.
"Together" His father concurred.
So yeah, this was my attempt at being sappy? Did it go well?
That thought aside, I have some semi-bad, semi-good news. Because of the somewhat low reception this story has so far, I will be putting it on a temporary hiatus until I can improve in some way.
But improving does mean that I will have to write something, and that's exactly what's gonna happen!
In the coming days, I will start a new story I have thought of. It's going to be a short cross-over between Undertale and another universe, usually mentioned as being very DARK, and one that also dabbles heavily in the nature of SOULS.
Before I leave you with that, know that I WILL finish The Price of Peace eventually. Probably shortly after I finish the aforementioned crossover.
Until then, stay safe :)
