Toriel sheepishly apologized to the server for what seemed like the dozenth time in two minutes. The server waved it off and smiled as she cleaned the shards of glass and liquid all over the table. Undyne's response to the news was to blankly stare while accidentally crushing the glass she was holding, causing water to spill everywhere. Everyone was preparing to leave, the server cleaning up after them. When they walked outside into the crisp, warm air, greeted by the sight of the sun falling just below some clouds, Toriel began explaining the situation. According to Asgore, the mayor of the city had warned him that a large demonstration of people against the monsters was to take place tomorrow at city hall. It would be a large parade, protesting their stay. The mayor feared violence and set about warning monsters. Police would be dispatched over night to watch over monster houses and cruisers would stay parked in monster neighborhoods in case of any mischief. However, Asgore believed that simply avoiding contact would not make the anti-monster sentiment go away, and wanted to make an appearance at the event tomorrow. Knowing everyone was planning on going camping, he hated to interrupt their plans, but found it necessary. Asgore was requesting that Frisk, Asriel, Papyrus, and anyone who wished to speak at the event be there. He anticipated that the event would be over in time for them to still leave for their vacation at a reasonable hour, especially if things went as well as he hoped they would. Asgore asked that anyone who wished to participate arrive at City Hall at 7:00, an hour before the march was scheduled to begin. He called to ask Toriel for the children's participation, which she agreed to. Asgore thanked her and said that he would explain the situation to the three of them.
The three of them were flabbergasted at what Asgore had just told them. "So, uh, do you have any questions?" "Uh, yeah, a billion. Why would they be against monsters?" "Well, Frisk, they haven't had the same experience with us that you have. People are afraid, it's a lot for them to take in. I'm sure it will blow over soon. I wish I could just offer them all some tea, and have a nice chat, but there's far too many of them for that." Asgore chuckled, but no one else smiled. Then Papyrus seemed to regain his cheer and proclaimed, "DO NOT WORRY FRIENDS, AND KING! I'M SURE WE CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT AND TALK TO THEM REASONABLY! SURELY, THEY CANNOT BE ALL CRUEL AND CRUDE!" Usually, Frisk would've been comforted by Papyrus' optimism, but right now all they felt was dread. This is the reaction they feared, a knee jerk of fear and hate. However, they did agree that talking might do some good. They didn't know how much good theirs would do, considering they had already tried their best, but maybe it would get through to them with others. All 3 of them agreed to meet tomorrow, and the two children went to get some extra sleep before their big day tomorrow. Papyrus decided to stay and watch out for them until Toriel came back.
"Jonas, we need to get a handle on this situation, some of the monsters could get hurt out there, we have death threats and threats of violence." "I know, Ashley." Jonas said exasperated, squeezing the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger with a grimace on his face. "Then what are we going to do about it?" "Nothing." "Nothing!?" "Listen, I don't like it anymore than you do, but you know what the orders are!" "Yeah, to protect them! The report that they aren't dangerous went through, was supported by other evidence and we're now only watching to keep them safe, so what the hell!?" "Correction: We're watching to keep the kid safe. We can't interfere with any of the others unless they're in direct danger, like a house robbery. Besides, the police have it covered." "Do you really believe that, Jonas?" Jonas himself didn't know the answer to that question, but decided to keep Ashley from going into hysterics. "Yes, yes I do. You and I both want the same thing, the best life we can possibly provide for these monsters, but we're not yet at liberty to do that. I've put in requests, and we'll see how they go, but until then, we just have to watch." Ashley sighed, still angry at the bureaucratic stalemate she was stuck in, but she had no choice. "Okay. Talk to you tomorrow, I guess. Are you going to be there?" "Yeah, you?" "In the crowd. Maybe I'll change a few hearts and minds, eh?" "Sure, live it up, just be careful, alright?" "Alright, Mom." Dragging out the last word like a whiny teenager. Ashley and Jonas both cracked a smile. "Good night." "You too."
"Alright, kiddos, up and at' em." Sans was relaxed when he walked into the room the two children shared. He was always the best person to wake them up, as he had plenty of experience sleeping. Unfortunately, the kids had to get dolled up, and as such were awakened at 6:00, brutal by their standards. Toriel picked up dress clothes for the both of them on the way back home, and now fussed over them incessantly. Frisk laughed indignantly when Asriel did his shirt buttons in all the wrong order, garnering a stern glare from Toriel. Sans stood in the doorway with a smile and said, "I don't know if those clothes suit them." Everyone giggled but then Toriel turned around, folded her arms with a smug look on her face and said, "Well maybe you'll like your own." Sans' smile disappeared and he stiffened a bit, as a sweat drop formed on his forehead. "W-What?" "You heard me, I got you one too." She held up a child-sized suit, just his size. "Uh, ya know, I think I should just, uh, go in my normal clothes, show the people how I am on a daily basis." "Oh no, I think you need to look nice today." The kids held in their laughs for fear of Sans' revenge, but it was hard not to give in.
Soon after, Sans grumbled in his own suit and Papyrus looked proud standing in the living room. "I SEE THE QUEEN HAS FINALLY INSTILLED IN YOU A SENSE OF FASHION! I'M LIKING THIS RELATIONSHIP MORE AND MORE BY THE MINUTE!" Toriel giggled and Sans continued mumbling to himself with his arms crossed, pouting. Toriel wore a nice spring dress, with flowers on it, something she had bought recently. Papyrus was wearing a Purple blazer and slacks, a green shirt, and a sky blue tie. He was mismatched every way to Sunday, but he liked it that way. Frisk and Asriel both came out wearing simple but very snazzy black suits, with white shirts, and red ties. Both of them struggled under the constriction and heat they felt. "Yeah, not so fun when you're in them too, hunh?" "Okay, hold on. How does this make you uncomfortable? You don't even have skin to constrict on, a throat for a tie to choke, and you don't feel hot or cold." "Well, uh, I, uh… Alright, I don't know it just doesn't feel right!" He yelled, flailing his arms for dramatic effect. "Alright children, including Sans." She said with a joking air of superiority, "It's time to go. We want to be there a little bit early."
Papyrus took his own car and everyone else packed into the Dreemurr car. When they made it to Town Hall, people were already starting to gather in groups, a half-hour earlier than scheduled. Asgore met them at the back entrance and thanked them all for coming. "Mettaton is already here, and I don't know if anyone else is coming. We're just doing this on a sort of improvised schedule. We're playing it by ear. The ideal solution is that we get through to them, they leave, and we don't have to worry about it anymore. At the very least, however, we want to give them something to think about. We have donuts here, help yourselves." Muffet was sitting at a nearby table with her arms crossed. Frisk was very happy to see her again and everyone else introduced themselves. Everyone enjoyed their breakfast, but Frisk noticed a scowl on Muffet's face and asked, "Are you alright, Muffet? You seem unhappy." "Well, dearie, I am a tad upset. The King is forcing me to give every monster participating free food. Not like I have anything against these people." She said gesturing towards everyone else. "But, I could at least make a little bit of money." She grumbled. "Why do you need money? Didn't the spiders get everything they needed with the bake sale?" Muffet laughed and then said, "You can never have too much money, honey." Frisk decided this was a fair enough, if not greedy, answer and took a seat on a nearby couch.
It was 5 minutes to the start of the parade, and Frisk was overcome with nervousness. They looked out a window to see hundreds, maybe thousands of people outside, some with signs. Asriel came up behind them and whistled. "Guess we have our work cut out for us, hunh? Hey, you okay?" "Huh? Oh, y-yeah. I'm just a bit, nervous." "How are you nervous? You performed in front of the entire Underground, dancing and stuff." "First off, how do you know that? Second, that was different, I didn't really have a choice. Now I'm going headfirst into a nest of people who hate me." "First, Mettaton was very proud of it, showed me the recording of his debut as Mettaton EX, adding that you, 'did okay, too.' Second, they don't hate you, they hate us. Don't worry about it." Asriel said with a smile. Frisk lightened up a bit. Besides, they didn't have to talk for a bit, Mettaton volunteered to go first. Speaking of which, Asgore walked outside onto the platform above the City Hall stairs, something usually set out for speeches during elections. "Good Morning. I am Asgore Dreemurr. It is my understanding that you people gathered here today are of the opinion that monsters are… dangerous, or unpleasant. Today, I have brought with me many other monsters, friends of mine, to try and sway you. I would like to become friends, with all of you. But I can only do that with your cooperation. Without further ado, I present to you, Mettaton, the star of the Underground!" The crowd looked unimpressed and stern as they waited.
Suddenly, spotlights that were on either side of the steps turned on. Considering it was well into the morning, they made no effect on the lights or the drama, but Mettaton probably thought it was a good idea. Music began playing on the speakers, as ropes fell from the top of the building. People looked up to see a bedazzled Mettaton rappel down to the platform, followed by two human back-up dancers. Mettaton looked completely energized, pink sequins and rhinestones covering his body, purple highlights in his hair, a deep blue scarf and the biggest smile he'd ever worn. Mettaton was finally on the surface, enjoying the limelight and the only thing in the way of his success was prejudice, which he certainly wasn't going to let stand if he could help it. A panel on his chest opened and a microphone came out of it. He waved as he hit the floor and as he strutted to the edge of the platform said, "Gooooood Morning, Beauties!" With a flourish of his hand and scarf. At that moment, people started flooding in from all the entrances, cheering and screaming.
Back inside the building, everyone was very confused, practically panicking. "Asgore, what's happening?" Toriel asked, calmer than most. "I-I don't know. But I think they like us." All faces were plastered to the windows of the building or to the screens with live media coverage. A reporter spoke, "O-Okay we have new reports coming in that the Pro-Human Activist movement has been, uh, interrupted by another group, it seems. The Pro-Cooperation movement, as it calls itself, has arrived on the scene. We, uh, we have a spokesperson with us now…" But none of the monsters were listening to that now, they were all watching Mettaton. "Oh, hello! Welcome, Darlings! Now, they told me that I can't have a performance out here, but there's something they don't know." Mettaton leaned closer, as though whispering to a close friend. "Everything I do is a performance." Mettaton winked and struck a pose, to an uproar of applause from the newly arrived fans. Many of them wore Mettaton shirts. "Hey, look." Asriel said, pointing. "They have shirts of you, Frisk!" Frisk was startled to find that some of the fans wore shirts with Frisk's face on them. Most were professional, but even more disturbing, some were hand-made. Frisk had never blushed harder. Everyone covered their mouths as they giggled, but it didn't spare Frisk from the knowledge that they knew; Frisk was much smarter and more perceptive than they gave them credit for.
Mettaton continued, "Now, I can't force you to change your minds about monsters, but I'm certainly going to try! Monsters want nothing more than to live peacefully on the surface. The world we lived in Underground was dark, musty, foul-smelling, and… Well, you get the idea. It was terrible! The only thing I ever thought about, was coming to the surface. Where I belonged, to the spotlight!" Mettaton spread his arms out in a dramatic fashion to the screams of fans. "And now that I'm here, I'd like to thank those of you who would let my dreams come true, and I hope that the rest of you will come around. Now, I don't have much time now to talk, and have to get off soon, so I'm hoping you'll come to my first performance exactly 1 week and two days from now, where we will have a Q&A with the audience. Goodbye for now!" This statement wasn't true at all, considering Mettaton could stay as much as he wanted, but everyone figured that he had more planned for the future. The backup dancers danced energetically while Mettaton strutted off stage. Everyone cheered when he entered the room they all waited in, as he bowed and took their applause with relish. Asgore stood and said, "Alright Frisk, I think you're next." "Can Asriel come with me?" "I see no problem with that." "Wait, what!? Are you sacrificing me with you?" "Yeah, what are brothers for?" "I hate you." Frisk looked towards Sans, remembering a similar incident weeks ago and winked as they said, "No you don't." Sans looked confused but then recognition crossed his face and he winked back. Frisk took Asriel by the arm and dragged him to the door with a groan from their forced companion.
As they stood in front of the doors, about to step outside, Asriel whispered to Frisk, "Why am I here?" "Because you know I'm terrified and if you're so sure about this being a good idea, Prince Dreemurr, then you're coming with me." "Fair enough." The doors opened and they walked out, holding hands. They put on their bravest faces and waved as they walked to the platform. They smiled and hid their fear. Immediately, they heard a combination of "Aww"s and "Boo"s from the opposing sides. They ignored the negative ones and stood in front of the crowd. Frisk walked to the microphone stand and held it tightly. "Uh, h-hello. My name is Frisk, uh, I'm sure a lot of you already know that. Uh, this is my brother Asriel." Frisk gestured towards the goat-child and the boo's intensified. Frisk reflected that it was probably a bad idea to emphasize the family aspect to such a hostile environment, but decided that moving forward was the only option available to them. As they were about to continue, a ruckus broke out. Their attention snapped to a nearby section when a scream rang out and the sound of an impact. A woman was on the ground, wearing one of the very popular Mettaton shirts. A large man in a wife beater stood above her, evidently ready to let another fist fly. As the fist flew, it landed on solid bone with a sickening crunch.
As the man reeled in pain, a circular wall of bones appeared around the woman and a tall skeleton, looking absolutely horrendous in mismatching colors jogged onto the platform, eye glowing orange and face contorted in anger. He yelled inaudibly before reaching the microphone, "-UMANITY! OH, LET ME START OVER! HOW DARE YOU!? YOU WOULD HURT ANOTHER HUMAN, ONE OF YOUR OWN KIND, JUST FOR TOLERATING OUR OWN!? DO YOU TRULY HATE US THAT MUCH!? YOU ARE A SHAME TO ALL HUMANITY, SIR! I LOVE HUMANITY AND LIKE MANY MONSTERS I IDOLIZED YOU! WE SIMPLY WISH TO JOIN YOU, TO BE FRIENDS! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK!?" Out of the corner of their eye, Frisk saw a bottle flying towards them. Frisk raised their arm to block it, shielding the more fragile Asriel with their body when the bottle shattered against another bone that rose. Soon after, Sans casually walked out onto the stage, characteristic smile on his face. "Hey, guys. Let's not turn to violence here. Now forgive me if I sound like a broken record player, you've probably heard a lot of the same stuff before. But maybe I can bring some new material. In summary, Humans were jerks to monsters long ago, killed us by the thousands and trapped us Underground in squalor out of purely unfounded fear of the unknown. Through the help of a child with a kind heart, we escaped that hell, and now come back to those that ruined our lives, not with a message of war, but of peace. We have forgiven you for countless transgressions, and you just won't let us be. So now I'm warning you." His eyes shut and returned without his bright pupils, suddenly snapping his head to face a man in the audience. He was already holding another bottle, and had several around his feet. Frisk could tell that man was very drunk, even this early in the morning, and he was reliving his every last sin, with Sans staring deeply into his soul. He dropped the bottle in fear as Sans continued. "But… I'm not here to judge." His pupils returned. "I'm here to have fun, eat some hot dogs, by the way, great stand down there." He pointed towards a hot dog cart near the entrance who gave him back a big thumbs up. He reminded Frisk of the Nice Cream Guy, and almost immediately some 'Pro-Cooperation,' people, as they were called ran over and started buying. "And, uh… huh, I forgot what else I was going to say. With that, I thank you for your time. I'm gonna take a nap. You alright, kiddos?"
They both nodded and took Sans' hands as he walked them off the stage. Papyrus said, "WELL THEN, I GUESS IT'S MY TURN TO TALK." He pulled on his jacket and straightened out his look. "NOW, I BELIEVE WE GOT ON THE WRONG FOOT. EH?" Papyrus stopped to see that no one was interested anymore. They seemed to all be regretting their decisions leading up to that day. A few people threw down their signs, breaking them first or in the process. People started to leave, but many stayed, ready to listen. As Papyrus looked on, he noticed the woman still lying on the ground. "EXCUSE ME, MISS." She looked up. "ALLOW ME TO HELP." He extended his hand and platforms made of bones appeared in front of her, making a staircase to the platform. A piece of the wall opened and she got to her feet, slowly making her way to the platform. When she made it to the last one, Papyrus took her hand and gently guided her to the platform. No one else heard it, but he said, "COME ON, LET'S GET YOU FIXED UP, I THINK I'VE DONE ENOUGH TALKING TODAY." Deep inside, he knew that wasn't true. In fact, he had so much more to say, but he would say it later, when a woman wasn't bleeding in front of him, eye already swelling. Papyrus took her arm in the crook of his and walked her off the platform like a true gentleman, to the annoyance of no one.
When back inside, Papyrus guided the woman to lay down on a couch. He began healing her using magic, taking special care with her eye. Toriel was near hysteria, knowing that her children were just in danger. She was stroking Asriel's fur like a baby as she held him on her lap, furious that someone would dare to attack her children, even as they tried to promote peace. It took a lot of talking and jokes from Sans to bring her to a state even remotely close to peaceful. "HEY, I REMEMBER YOU!" Everyone turned to face Papyrus, who was handing the woman a spider donut. "FRISK, ASRIEL, IT'S ASHLEY! REMEMBER, FROM THE STORE, AND THE ICE CREAM PLACE. WHAT A COINCIDENCE!" Frisk vaguely recalled the woman and noticed that Sans had a look that said, 'What a coincidence, indeed.' She said, "Yeah, it's me. Uh, no thanks on the, uh, donut." Muffet stood from her table with a bang and rolled up her sleeves. "Excuse me dearie, but what?" She said with a tone halfway between annoyance and unyielding rage. "Do you think you're better than my pastries, hon? Do you!?" Ashley was startled and looked through Papyrus' ribs to see Frisk sending every physical sign they could that the answer was no. Frisk was shaking their head, making a gesture resembling the safe used in baseball and their eyes were bugged out. "No, I, uh, I'm just not hungry. I ate on the way here." "Hmph." Muffet sat down and unrolled her sleeves as she poured herself a cup of tea, offering some to no one.
Asgore walked in and passed out tea to everyone, from his own personal collection. Muffet grumbled that hers was better anyway, but no one paid any attention as Asgore cleared his throat to speak. "Everyone, as you know, there was an…" He looked around, resting his eyes on Ashley before looking nowhere in particular as he continued. "- Altercation. However, it seems many of the protesters have changed their minds. Many went home, but some have fully converted and become supporters. I don't know how, but we did it. You're welcome to stay if you like, but if not, I understand. Thank you all so much, especially our caterer supreme, Miss Muffet." The aforementioned spider stood and laughed gently as she curtsied low to the floor. "Thank you, thank you. And remember, I'm always selling at a stand outside my house, in case you simply can't get enough of my delectable creations." "Now then," He looked again towards Ashley, "How are you?" "I-I'm okay. Pleasure to meet you, King Asgore Dreemurr." "Please, call me Asgore." Toriel butted in, "Or Fluffybuns. He likes being called King Fluffybuns." "Please don't call me that." Ashley laughed and said, "No promises, your majesty."
"But, uh, I have to tell you something. I-I have to come clean. I work for Child Protective Services. I was hired to watch you guys and make sure you weren't holding Frisk under duress. I'm sorry I had to lie to you guys, but it was my job. Can you forgive me?" Before anyone else could respond, Papyrus said, "OF COURSE! YOU ARE BY FAR ONE OF THE NICEST HUMANS I'VE MET SO FAR. EVEN THOUGH WE MET THROUGH LESS THAN IDEAL MEANS…" Papyrus firmly gripped her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "... I'M STILL GLAD WE HAVE. YOU ARE MY FIRST, NEW, ON-THE-SURFACE BEST HUMAN FRIEND!" Ashley giggled and said, "Thank you, Papyrus. I'd be happy to be your friend." Papyrus threw up his arms and yelled, "YAY!" Frisk and Asriel came up to the couch holding hands, and Frisk said, "We would too." "Thanks, guys." Ashley teared up a little and shared a hug with all three of them. Everyone else, looked on happily, even Muffet, who didn't have a pleasant start with Ashley. Sans and Toriel acted surprised at this information, despite knowing all along. Sans would've been harsher and given her a bad time, but she was hurt and had just become a friend of Papyrus, so he refrained.
Asgore announced that there would be a break from speeches to the audience outside, and then went back inside. Everyone except Mettaton and Asgore decided to leave, the majority of them deciding that they had their fill of excitement for the day. They planned on going to a restaurant, inviting Ashley to come along and have a chat. They agreed to get in their cars and meet at a nearby Mexican restaurant, and Frisk used their phone to invite Undyne and Alphys from the back seat, with Toriel's permission, of course. As Ashley drove to the familiar destination, a favorite lunch-time visit of hers, with a bandage over her right eyebrow and gauze on her lip until she could get some ice, she never would've anticipated the interrogation she was in for from the surprisingly caring and maybe over-protective spear fisher that was Undyne. To be fair, nothing can really prepare you for that.
(Note: Next chapter, Undyne shows a caring side for the kids she really never does, and the camping trip gets under way! I've been planning this for a while, so I'm glad to finally be here. Happy stories are fun, but they get a bit boring without some drama, so I took the liberty of adding this chapter's contents, a buffer before camping fun. In other news, school finished today and all my finals are over, so I have some more time to myself during the summer, probably kicking my writing into gear. I also have a big summer project that might take me a long time, significantly larger than the summer can provide, but I ain't saying nothing and it will all be released at once. I'll tell you this, it'll be huge, and I'm very excited to write it. See you next time!)