Three Years Later…
Asriel stood before the mirror in his room, dressed in his traditional Dreemurr attire, a silver beard now adorning his chin. His horns had now grown thick and long, now almost the length of his father's, and today, they would surpass them, for today was the biggest moment of his life: The day he would follow in the footsteps of his ancestors and take his rightful place as King. He closed his eyes, and exhaled.
"How has it gotten to be this way?" he asked himself. "I should be overjoyed, proud, prepared to take this step… I've been preparing for this ever since I returned… even before, when I was a kid… and yet… here I am… second-guessing myself. The trident even chose me over Frisk… but… So did the Staff… Ugh, why am I so worried about all this? Am I worried I'll have too much power? That, if something happens with the humans, I'll lose control and earn a one-way ticket back to Ebott?" Just then, there was a knock at the door, and Asriel jumped at the sharpness of the sound.
"C-Come in…?" he said, as Asgore and Grag pushed into the room. Asgore immediately noticed his son's expression and sighed.
"I had a feeling. The thought of becoming king is weighing heavily on you, isn't it?" he chuckled. Asriel smiled solemnly and scoffed.
"It's that obvious, huh?" he groaned, moving to the bay window. "I honestly hoped you wouldn't notice… but I guess that's not a problem with you, is it?"
"Even I could tell, and I'm not the smartest one in the world." Said Grag.
"Huh… guess I don't hide my fear very well." Sighed Asriel.
"Asriel, there's nothing to fear. You know your limits as King, and you know how to control your power." Said Asgore in an attempt to calm his son. Asriel turned sharply.
"What if something happens that's out of my control? Like, if the humans were to attack? What if they start fearing us again? I mean, the very heir of Sombus is being put on the throne! The amount of power that puts on my shoulders is the reason I'm so afraid!"
"And that same heir has a Human Ambassador for Monsters, and a Human wife. There is no reason you should be concerned. You will be ruling during the longest era of peace we've had since the war. This peace is worldwide… not just in Monstrum. You'll do wonderful things, Asriel. You just need to believe in yourself." Said Asgore firmly, placing his hands upon Asriel's shoulders. "Believe in yourself like my father believed in me. Plus, you have something I didn't have."
"And what's that?" asked Asriel.
"A living father. No Dreemurr King has ever stepped down from the throne… They either died of natural causes or were killed. I'm still here to guide you if you need it." Reassured Asgore. "Not to mention your wonderful advisor, Undyne, Frisk… Even Toriel, thanks to you." Asriel chuckled, and looked out the window at his mother, who was talking with Anastasia on the patio.
"It's… funny… today is the day we almost lost her three years ago, and… here I am being crowned King." He laughed. "What are they even talking about?"
"The school's funding. Since Toriel left her in charge, the place has been booming with new students! It's practically overflowing! They're talking about possibly opening a second school, and this one will be harder to get into, because you have to pass an entrance exam." Replied Asgore. "You know, even as one of Aberon's former supporters, she's done so much for the advancement of education in Monstrum. In fact, it's because of her input that we found a cure for Toriel's condition from three years ago and helped others that were influenced by that same Dark Magic."
"…There were others…?" asked Asriel.
"Many of Aberon's supporters had some trace of Dark Magic in them… It festered in them, and was causing all sorts of ailments… But with her help… It's no longer an issue." Nodded Grag.
"Huh… And I guess she was patient zero." Replied Asriel.
"Yes… she was…" said Asgore. "Plus, she melted Gaster's cold heart with her intellect. It was interesting while the relationship lasted… Shame he passed… She was devastated."
"Well, Gaster wasn't exactly young. He was older than you, Dad…! Hell, I think he was the same age as Gerson, if not older, and Gerson passed ages ago…!" laughed Asriel, before noticing his father's solemn expression.
"I'm getting to that point, too, son… and… When I go… so will she…" sighed Asgore.
"I know, Dad… and I'm glad that I was able to help her. But… Gaster was… well… he was too stubborn to accept help… even from me. But hey, I know he's happy wherever he is! He's with Ebrima, again… and I couldn't ask for anything more…" sighed Asriel. Asgore smiled and turned to Asriel.
"Asriel… you have such a kind heart. And if you're anything like me, you'll be just fine." He said, turning to Grag. "Grag, is Undyne ready with the car?"
"I believe she is. She's waiting up front at the gate." Replied Grag.
"Well… no time to waste. If you're ready, Asriel, we can go, but… if you need time-" started Asgore, before Asriel raised a hand.
"No… I'm… I'm ready." He nodded. "And Karen is…?"
"She's already left with Frisk and MTT." Replied Grag. "If you thought she was a bombshell before… Ooh-wee… Good luck keeping your pants on till the end o' the coronation."
"GRAG!" shouted Asriel and Asgore simultaneously. The two looked at each other for a moment in stunned silence, before laughing.
At the venue, Karen was pacing back and forth nervously, holding her dress up to prevent from tripping.
"Oh, I knew he'd get the jitters…" sighed Karen. "You don't think he's bailing, do you?"
"He wouldn't bail on something like this. He might get nervous, obviously, but Asriel would never bail on it." Replied Frisk snarkily. "At least, I don't think he would. My Soul was trembling, so I think he was just having some second thoughts…"
"That's not exactly helping my nerves." Grumbled Karen.
"Darling, if he was going to bail on you, Undyne would have dragged him here, herself, and we'd be on to the reception by now." smiled Mettaton. "Think about it; the weight on his shoulders right now must be close to unbearable."
"You're makin' it worse. Both of you are makin' it worse." Moaned Karen. "Oh, this is just like the wedding, only worse; I'm becomin' royalty."
"Karen… I would slap you if it weren't for the makeup. Calm down." Said Frisk. "He'll be here… It could be worse."
"How could it be worse?" asked Karen.
"You could be pregnant with triplets…" said Mettaton.
"Mettaton, what the hell?!" shouted Karen. "If I were pregnant, I'd be showing…!" Mettaton raised their hands defensively.
"Easy, darling! I was just teasing! Besides, I know you guys agreed to not have children until after the coronation. Asriel was, and still is, quite worrisome about such things." Karen sighed, and sat down in the chair next to Frisk.
"I hope there's wine at this reception…" she quivered.
"Only what we have from the cellar of Dreemurr Castle. Stuff's been aging for a while, now, so you know it'll be dee-lish." Said Frisk.
"Wonderful…" Karen replied tiredly, just before Grag knocked on the door frame.
"He's here, and boy does he look dapper." He smiled.
"You don't look too bad yourself." Smiled Karen through her worry.
"Well, I tried, this time. That's the big difference." Laughed Grag, as Asriel appeared behind him, and froze when he saw Karen. Karen stood up, both out of respect and surprise.
"Karen… Y-You look… Wow… Purple really works with you. And that dress! It's…" gasped Asriel, recognizing the crest sewn into the fabric. Asriel felt his heart flutter, and his hand flew to his chest.
"That's right. It's Mom's… She… well, she made some adjustments to the size, and… made an alteration to uh… m-modernize it." Stammered Karen, showing Asriel the dress's changes, most notably the one on the front.
"I uh… I noticed. I mean it looks great, but… are you sure you should be showing that much skin?" asked Asriel.
"Well, if it bothers you, I do have some skin-tight black shirts-" started Karen.
"Oh, no no no…! I don't mind! I'm just unsure, is all. In fact, it feels like something is missing." Said Asriel. At that moment, Mettaton slapped their metal forehead with a resounding clang!
"I almost completely forgot! How could I have been so stupid?! It's traditional for any coronation!" they shouted, reaching into their bag and pulling out a set of matching cloaks.
"Wow, we did almost screw the pooch on this one." Groaned Frisk, rubbing their neck.
"You won't catch me wearin' a cape." Denied Karen, raising her hands nervously. "That kind of thing would look better on Azzy." At that moment, Asriel placed his hand on Karen's shoulder.
"Karen, I think it would tie the look together very neatly. Besides, you know this about me: If it looks good on me, it'll look good on you… embarrassing as that may sound, all things considered. Give it a shot. Besides…" said Asriel, before hooking his claws through two metal hoops on either side of Karen's bosom. "I think that's what these are for."
"Asriel…!" laughed Karen, smacking his hands away, her face blushing.
"He's right, Karen. Mettaton and I had the same idea." Said a voice from the doorway. Asriel turned, and was greeted to the sight of Toriel in an ivory and black dress.
"Mom…! Shouldn't you be getting ready for your speech with Dad?" he asked.
"And not see my son before he becomes the new King?" smiled Toriel.
"Mom… you shouldn't be here. You and Dad are up any minute." Said Frisk.
"I understand… but… I just wanted a few moments to see my little prince before… he finally grows up…" replied Toriel tearfully taking Asriel's hands. Asriel stared at his mother, before his fear of her being late for the speech gave way to a need to show his mother affection. Already, he felt the tears welling up, and as he saw the tears in his mother's eyes… He could not help but embrace her.
"Mama… please don't cry… you're gonna make me cry…" whimpered Asriel. Frisk hid a tearful smile behind her hand, while Chara was inside her head, desperately trying to keep from bawling as snot dribbled down past her lips.
"I'm so proud of you, Asriel… you've come such a long way since your days in the Underground… and yet… Here I stand, as your mother… not wanting to let go of you…" cried Toriel. Chara couldn't take it any longer.
"Let me out. Let me out, I want to speak to her!" she shouted through a thick wave of tears. Without hesitation, Frisk opened the locket around her neck, and Chara burst forth and ran toward Asriel and Toriel. The two turned, just as she buried her face into Toriel's midsection.
"Chara…? What's… What's wrong?" asked Toriel.
"Please… don't cling to him… he's not a kid anymore… He's a King." cried Chara.
"I know that, Chara… but you have to understand… from the perspective of a mother… it's difficult for any parent to let their child go, and if I may indulge you with a story…"
"Mom-" started Asriel, before she raised a hand.
"It's short." Replied Toriel. "Back when we were still in the Underground… You know that every child I led through the Ruins eventually left and fell to Asgore. I saw every child that came… and every child proved that they were strong enough to survive… and every time… I let them go, but not before saying goodbye and hugging them." Asriel opened his mouth, but she stopped him again.
"Imagine… sending a child out into the Underground… It's… kind of the same up above… and I know that Asriel is prepared to take the steps he needs, and he has been for a long time… but… it doesn't make the feeling of letting go any easier… Especially in your case, Chara… So, why cry? It is only the natural cycle of life." Continued Toriel. Chara's hands balled into fists.
"It's just… hard… seeing you go about it like it's the end of his journey, but it's only the beginning!" shouted Chara, moving to Asriel's side. "And while it is true that he may still be a child at heart, he's not the same kid that I knew growing up. He's not just some kid to me, anymore… He's my brother. My King. My Determination." At that, Chara took Asriel's hand in hers and squeezed. "I feel nothing but pride for my brother… I only wish I could say the same for myself…"
"Chara, you listen to me, and you listen good." Said Asriel, kneeling down and flipping Chara around by the shoulders. "You should be more proud of yourself, of your progress. And… let's face it, Chara… if you hadn't shown up in the Underground, all those years ago…?" He sighed heavily. "We wouldn't be here. This may be my coronation, but this day is a celebration of your actions. Heh heh… I'm just a victim of circum-stance!" Before Asriel could even finish, Chara had wrapped her arms around Asriel's neck, and buried her face in his neck.
"Shut up, you big furball." She wept. "Just take the win."
At that moment, music could be heard coming from outside. Toriel smiled, and kissed both of her children.
"Got to go. That's the opening number." She said, picking up her dress, and running up the stairs towards the balcony. Chara pulled back and placed her forehead against Asriel's.
"You'll be a better King than Dad ever was." She said. "Good luck, bro."
"Thanks, Chara. Karen… are you…?" started Asriel, before seeing the cape around her neck.
"Still nervous? Definitely. But you're right; it really does tie the look together." She chuckled.
Meanwhile, at the curtains behind the balcony, Asgore was looking at his watch, just as Toriel appeared by his side.
"Fashionably late, as usual?" he asked.
"I'd say dangerously early, but whatever floats your boat, Gorey." Smiled Toriel. "I had to talk to him… and Chara had a small episode."
"Oh…? Well, is she alright?" asked Asgore.
"She is now. And Asriel's still nervous, but he's been through worse… at least according to him." Replied Toriel, with an exasperated sigh.
"Hard to believe, isn't it? Neither of us thought this day would come after he passed." Said Asgore. Toriel smiled somberly.
"That's in the past, though, and our son is… with us…" said Toriel, as a tear fell from her eyes. She wiped it away and shook her head. "The time for tears is past. The time for celebration is now."
"Presenting the Most Esteemed Royal Highnesses! King Asgore Rembrandt Dreemurr and Queen Toriel Galengale Dreemurr!" called Undyne from the balcony dressed in her armor, which for the first time in ages, had been polished to a mirror shine. She gestured towards the curtains, which parted to reveal the two Dreemurrs as the crowd below cheered with great vigor. As they walked past her, Undyne went to claim Asriel and Karen, only to find the two approaching slowly.
"Hey…! I was just coming to get you, guys! Azzy, dashing as always…" she said with a wolf whistle. "And Karen… Wow… I was apprehensive when MTT told me they'd made alterations to the Dreemurr robes… but damn… I am digging the window. If Azzy hadn't married you, I'd have snatched you up in a heartbeat."
"Oh? Should I tell Alphys that you're open to a three-way?" asked Karen jokingly. Undyne raised a single eyebrow and leaned over to Asriel.
"No." said Asriel flatly with a smile.
"I was going to suggest we go out for a beer later, but hey, your loss, my dude." Said Undyne.
"Yeah, well, if that's the case, we'll talk after the coronation. For now, we have to get to the balcony. It's almost time for our call." Said Asriel.
As Undyne made her way back to the balcony, Karen stared after her and chuckled.
"What is it?" asked Asriel.
"I would have been down, to be honest." She giggled. Asriel shot a look of surprise her way.
"Really?! I thought you were joking." He laughed, before turning back to the curtain. "What would they think?"
"You got me there… and I suppose you're right. A queen does not engage in such behaviors." Said Karen, staring down at the floor. Asriel took notice of this and squeezed her hand tightly.
"Hey… If you're still worried about having a kid…" he started.
"Asriel… That's… actually something I've been wanting to tell you… I didn't want to tell you until after the coronation… um… I… uh…" started Karen. "I might have taken a test yesterday… and it came out positive. I haven't told anyone yet, and I intend to wait until after the ceremony to… you know, drop the bomb-"
"You're joking…! I… Me, Asriel Dreemurr… am going to be a dad?!" gasped Asriel. Karen nodded frantically, and Asriel began pacing up and down the hall, laughing to himself excitedly.
"Oh, there's no way…! I can't believe it! I can hardly breathe…! Ho-holy… okay, okay, I need to rationalize this." Said Asriel, trying to catch his breath. "I'm about to be crowned King… I'm married to the best woman in the world… and now I have a child on the way… Okay… I'm cool."
"You sure…? We could ask for a minute…?" asked Karen, before Asgore's voice could be heard.
"And now, as the sun sets on this day, so ends my reign as King of All Monsters, as does my wife's… but with every sunset comes a beautiful sunrise. Here, today, to continue the Dreemurr legacy and continue this era of peace between Humans and Monsters; Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present the new King and Queen! Asriel Rayburn Dreemurr and Karen Evangeline Dreemurr!" The curtains opened, and Karen took Asriel's hand. He gulped and stepped forward. Sure enough, the sun was setting, and was just barely visible over the horizon. Asriel turned towards Asgore, and Karen turned to Toriel. Toriel held her crown in her hands, while Asgore held the trident in one hand and his crown in the other. Karen knelt before Toriel and Toriel, in turn, placed the crown gingerly upon her head. Asgore first extended the trident to his son, and as Asriel grabbed it, it shone with a flurry of prismatic light. Asriel then knelt before his father, trident in hand, and sighed nervously as the crown fell upon his head.
"Rise, my son… and face your new kingdom." Said Asgore, offering a hand to his son. Asriel looked up and turned to the crowd, which erupted into cheers.
"As-ri-el! As-ri-el! As-ri-el!" boomed the crowd, as he waved to them nervously. This was supposed to be the happiest day of his life, and yet… here he stood, crown on his head, trident in hand, and nervous as all Hell.
"Asriel…? Don't you think we should say something?" asked Karen, placing her hand on his shoulder. Asriel snapped out of his small trance, and turned to the crowd, raising his hand. They silenced.
"All my life… My parents have raised me to be what you see now… a strong, confident ruler that will lead the Monsters… and… admittedly, it started out as only the Monsters. But now, with the twenty years of alliance between the Humans and Monsters still going strong…? I can see nothing but a bright, and beautiful future ahead of us. Human and Monster couples are free to wed and have children! Monsters are given equal rights as Humans! There's not been a conflict between the two races in over fifty years! Need I say more? We are united, all of us, as one unified heartbeat! I couldn't ask for more. And I know that with your help, we can make everything better for future generations, if we just try! I believe in all of you! Human or Monster, come what may, WE ARE ONE!"
The crowd roared their approval, and after about two minutes of cheering, Karen raised her hand, and the crowd silenced.
"Now… I, admittedly, don't know much in terms of speeches… but what I can say is this: I echo Asriel's hopes and dreams. For a brighter future, for a better tomorrow, for future generations, we will stand as one unified people." Called Karen. "You all remember Ambassador Frisk, who made all this possible, but we must also remember the children who came before. All of them who had fallen before her, they will be remembered as heroes and martyrs. Without them, none of this would have been possible. The days of fear and anger and war are behind us! The Era of Peace HAS BEGUN!"
Again, the crowd roared their approval, but this time, with even greater vigor. Asriel nodded his head, and made note that Karen was the crowd favorite. Asgore stepped forward, but Karen raised her hand once more. Asgore stopped, and the crowd silenced again.
"I… I have one small announcement… even before being crowned Queen… I have begun to fulfill my greatest duty to the Dreemurr family… provide an heir to the Dreemurr Crown…" said Karen, as the crowd began to murmur and mumble amongst themselves. "As of yesterday… I am now bearing the child of Asriel… and if things go well… In just under a year, the Dreemurr family will have a new prince or princess!"
As Karen spoke, the crowd evolved from mumbles to claps to all out pandemonium. They were thrilled, overjoyed with the news that there would be a new Dreemurr heir, a new link in the chain.
"Asriel…?! Is this true?!" gasped Toriel and Asgore, covering their mouths.
"Hehehe… I just found out a few minutes ago, so… yeah…!" chuckled Asriel nervously. "S-Surprise?" In an instant, Asgore scooped the two of them up, and placed them on his shoulders.
"Three cheers for the new King and Queen!" he called to the crowd, which cheered their praise to Asriel. And it was at that moment… Asriel knew… this time, for certain… He had finally gotten his happy ending.