Phew ! . .Am.I ? Laziness is the writer's true enemy right ? But I'm still filled with DETERMINATION to finish this story, and I will! Enjoy !
Chapter nine: Guilt against grudge
This face… Even after centuries, I could never forget this face… It brings me back so much memories: it reminds me of the day I met him, when he saved me from my misery; the day when he introduced me to his three friends; and, the day I fell in love with him… At that time, Humans and Monsters were living peacefully, even when discrimination kept targeting us… But Asgore has never shown any sign of hatred or desire to harm the Humans… Before I met him, I was alone, I didn't know my parents and I didn't have a lot of friends. Not only Asgore opened my heart, but he also gave me a reason to live: creating new happy memories while bad ones are being forgotten. But, after what happened in the last months, it's not easy to believe that Asgore tried to hurt me. He was no longer the king who gave me a family after we were sealed in the Underground., he became a person full of rage who hated me.
I don't know how he became like that, but I know why: he just wanted me to stop tormenting him for killing the children who fell in the Underground before Frisk, those children I loved very much. He said he didn't kill any of them but… Chara told us the opposite: Asgore really did kill the six Humans children. It isn't normal he doesn't remember what he did… What happened to him while I was in the RUINS ? Was his health damaged ? I can't know the answer yet… but unfortunately, it doesn't change the fact he took the SOULS himself… Does he deserve my forgiveness ? He said he did all for the Monsters… Even that I don't know, my feelings are so confused after what happened between Asgore and me. Maybe I won't ever be able to forgive him, but I won't leave him all alone enduring more pain like before. I won't allow it..!
Before Snowdin was in sight, our trio heard someone calling them.
?: I think we've met somewhere before.
?: (Your smell is familiar)
What Toriel was seeing behind them was two hooded figures wearing a black dress. Napstablook felt a little nervous when he noticed the two undentified monsters were carryingeach an axe ( even though ghosts cannot be affected by weapons or physical objects). Asgore, given his state, didn't show any expression on his blank eyes. He just kept holding Toriel's hand a little tighter. Toriel had a feeling she already heard those voices somewhere but couldn't remember when and where.
Toriel: It's possible that we know each other. Could you take off your hoods so I can see your faces ? If you don't mind of course.
Napstablook: Do you think they would want to use their axes against us…?
?: If you're a smell…
?: (… Identify yoursmellf!)
It was useless to say that Toriel wasn't impressed at all. The two anonymous Monsters were… running all around them… Toriel and Napstablook were trying to keep them at sight but in vain. Asgore was still making a blank look, like nothing happened.
?: Your familiar smell is saying we know each other.
?: (Your name is Toriel, ex-queen of the Underground, winner of the Nose Nuzzle Championship on year 98.)
Toriel: *thinks* Such precise information just by smelling me… Are they robots like Mettaton or what..?
?: Responsible for King Asgore Dreemurr's death…
?: (Makes us wanna… exterminate!)
Toriel:Wait what ?!
Meanwhile, at New Home:
In the throne room, Frisk was busy watering the Golden Flowers, alighted by Asgore's trident's red aura. Because of that light, it gives the impression the flowers are painted on red. Behind her, two Knight Knights set on each corner of the throne room were watching her. The sight before them was getting them a tittle sleepy, hearing Frisk humming a song, a lullaby probably.
Knight Knight 1: You seem to love gardening…
Frisk: I do, dad taught me how to take care of flowers when we could spend some time with each other.
Knight Knight 2: You consider King Asgore as your father ?
Frisk: Of course, since I met him. He is one of the kindest kindest monsters I ever had.
K.K 1: What about your parents ? Your biological parents ?
The two Knight Knights weren't expecting Frisk's sudden reaction. She let her watering can fall to the ground spelling all the water on the flowers. Her hair was hiding her eyes but a slight frown was visible on the human's face. For a few seconds, the two Monsters swore seeing Frisk shaking. They were feeling guilty for making their favorite Human sad.
K.K 1: Forgive me Human… I shouldn't have asked that… You can forget what I said…
K.K 2: We didn't mean to make you upset…
Frisk: *picks up the gardening can* No… Don't worry, it's alright…
Suddenly, Asriel came joining Frisk, searching for her all around New Home. When the Knight Knights saw him, they couldn't help being more energetic than being usually sleepy.
K.K 1: Good morning Prince Asriel..! Are you feeling well ?
K.K 2: So it's true, you're really alive..! But how..?
Asriel: *blush* U-um… Frisk ?
Frisk: No Asriel, you must learn to get out of your shell. I won't always be here for you.
Asriel: *pouts* Such a friend you are…
Frisk: *giggles* That's what friends do.
Asriel: *sighs* Alright… *stares at the Knight Knights* I cannot tell you anything, for…personal reason… But what I can tell is that… Dad… Dad saved me…
K.K 1 & 2: King Asgore is the one who resurrected you ?!
Asriel: *stares at the trident* … You could say that… He gave me half of his SOUL, knowing that sacrifice could kill him…
K.K 1: The King did that ?
K.K 2: What about the First Fallen Human ? Your sibling..? Did the King save them as well ?
Asriel: *frowns* Chara… Chara is…
Frisk: *sees Asriel in uneasiness* Oh ! Speaking of dad, Asriel told me that he is coming with mom !
Asriel: *whispers * Thanks Frisk…
K.K 1: The King is coming…? Has he awoken ?
K.K 2: He is coming… with the Queen…?
The atmosphere became heavy. The Guards were getting quiet, looking at the ground. Frisk and Asriel knew exactly what has got into them.
Asriel: You guys… Y-you aren't relieved to know that dad is alive…?
K.K 1: No, it's not that… Forgive us my Prince, but…
K.K 2: We don't know what to think anymore… So much revelations the Monsters have learned the day the King fought with the Queen
Flashback:
Asgore: I have been waiting for this since that damn barrier fell apart, and this time, I won't let my coward self take over my actions ! YOU ! *points at Toriel*
You have abandoned the entire Underground to hide in the RUINS just because you disagreed with me ! You gave up trying to find a solution to liberate your people and instead of giving them a little of HOPE, you left giving them more despair! When the six other humans came, I don't know how they were to you but to us some of them were destroying almost everything ! Only three of them, Undyne, Asriel when he was a flower, and sans managed to stop them once and for all !
I was willing to make a pact so I can give you a lesson and I won't stop until you learn anything, did I make myself clear ?!
When the nightmare came to an end thanks to Frisk, you acted like you're an absolute goddess, like you did nothing wrong… I CANNOT stand it ! Show us your humility !
End of Flashback:
K.K 1: Back then, the King wasn't himself… and the Queen as well… We always thought she disappeared, traumatized by your death… and now, we found out that she abandon us … her people…
Asriel: *looks down* …
K.K 2: We apologize my Prince for troubling you…
Asriel: I must know… What are the other Monsters thinking towards mom ? I need you to know the honest truth
Frisk: *holds Asriel's hand* Asriel…
K.K 2: … All the Monsters love the royal family. They admire King Asgore and they're really happy for knowing you being alive, but Queen Toriel… We don't know all the details but it seems that she was being violent toward the King… Some are talking about an incident at the school on the surface…
Asriel: *raises an eyebrow* What incident ?
Frisk: The incident he is referring to… mom threw a big fireball towards dad…
Asriel: *stares at Frisk* Is that why his left arm is entirely burnt ?!
Frisk: *noods*
Asriel: Unbelievable…
K.K 1: Since this incident and the tragical day, the Queen is blamed for King Asgore's suffering and death…
Frisk: It gaves us one more reason to give dad his trident so he gains his memories back. Only you and him could change the Monster's opinion about mom.
K.K 2: The task won't be easy… The Underground have lost faith on the Queen… They even stopped considering her as their Queen…
Asriel: When she called me, mom said they had to go through the Underground to go to the castle.
Frisk: I hope they won't get any trouble…
Back to Snowdin
BGM: Small Shock
Toriel was prepared to feel pain, but instead felt something really hot. When she opened her eyes, she was surrounded by a circle of flames and ahead of her, Asgore faced the two Monsters who wanted to harm her, spreading his arms like he was protecting her. Toriel realized that Asgore, even when he lost his heart, was ready to protect her.
?: What are you doing ?!
?: (Why are you protecting her ?!)
?: Your smell… your smell is very familiar
?: (You are… no... it can't be…!)
Toriel: Asgore… You saved me…
?: … Asgore..? What are you saying ? King Asgore is dead !
sans: don't you think you guys are going a little too far ?
In a eye blink, sans appeared right in front of Asgore, facing the two Monsters. Toriel got relieved to gain some help.
Toriel: sans, what are you doing here ? Aren't you supposed to hang out with Papyrus ?
sans: oh, papyrus and i did hang out… we were at alphys's with gaster, watching you by a hidden camera. when those two went after you, i decided to give you a hand, or a bone-hand if you prefer.
?: sans, get out of the way please !
sans: and why would i do that, dogamy ? to let you avenge someone who is alive, in front of you ?
?: (It's true then… this child is…)
sans: *nods* yes, it's asgore. not in the way you except him to be, but i'ts really him.
?: That can't be ! *points at Toriel* He died, because of her !
Toriel: Dogamy… If you are Dogamy, the other one must be Dogaressa… Am I wrong ?
Dogamy: It doesn't matter if you recongnize us…
sans: maybe it would matter if we explain the entire story so you can understand.
Napstablook: *stares at Asgore* Are you sure he cannot talk..?
Toriel: *shakes her head* Without his memories, he empty as a puppet
sans: heh, maybe he just lost his goat.
Napstablook: I don't get it…
Toriel: sans, I would gladly laugh at your puns when Gorey turns back to normal.
sans: *grins* did you call him « gorey » ?
Toriel: *blushes madly* Just get on with it !
Back to the surface:
Papyrus: WAIT, WHERE IS SANS ?!
Gaster: It seems he's taking a walk.
Papyrus: HOW DID HE DID THIS ?!
Gaster: *chuckles* Magic...
It was predictable for the Monsters to be like that I guess... When people are suffering, they are searching for a responsible for their pain. At first, it was the Humans and then, Toriel...
With sans protecting them, the journey would be less difficult. Will the Monsters forgive Toriel ? What would happen next ? I'm all ears, what do you suggest ? See you next time !