Chapter 15: The Prince And Princess

Undyne felt tears gather in her good eye as she looked at the seven children looking up at her. "Long ago, there was a human-monster war," she said. "There had been peace between the monsters and humans until the humans decided that the monsters had to be banished." She paused her, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Many monsters died while the rest were sealed away down here."

"Sealed away?" David asked curiously.

The fish woman nodded. "The humans used powerful magic to form a barrier, one that could only be broken by the seven traits: determination, bravery, justice, kindness, patience, integrity, and perseverence. None of us liked the idea, though the barrier did seem to deter any of our enemies from entering the mountain.

"It was hard for the first few years, but we managed to make the Underground into our home, one that was safe for us and we knew we wouldn't be bothered by humans. Well, one day, Prince Asriel, the king and queen's son, was playing outside the Ruins when he found Chara, a human girl who had fallen into the Underground by a hole high up in the mountain."

The kids looked up in surprise. "I think we might have fallen down in that same hole," Carmen said. "And it's right outside the Ruins."

Undyne nodded softly. "A fall like that should have badly injured the girl, but it didn't. The flowers had caught her and cushioned her fall so that she didn't get any broken bones, though she was already hurt from the Surface world. For a while, we weren't sure if she'd make it, but Asriel refused to believe that. He stuck by her and he and his parents used their healing magic along with the doctor's own magic to heal the girl. When they learned Chara had no family and had been abused, Asgore and Toriel took her in, raising her alongside Asriel. The two became very close as brother and sister, bringing happiness to the rest of us, who loved the princess and swore to protect her just as we would protect the Royal Family."

She paused here again, tears now falling down her face as she seemed to be recalling a terrible time. Frisk went up to her and touched her arm, to which the fish woman smiled gently and ruffled his hair, his kind touch seeming to help her calm down.

"One day, Chara got very sick and she was on her deathbed when she asked Asriel for a final request: to see her favorite flowers. As a good brother, he wanted nothing more than to grant her final wish, so he took her to the barrier and crossed it with her in his arms, her determination helping him to cross to the Surface world. But the humans seemed to be waiting for them and...they killed Asriel."

The children gasped as Sans, Papyrus, and Muffet hung their heads, recalling that awful day. One of the guards had seen what had happened and rushed to the castle with the awful news, which had made the monsters lose hope of ever getting back to the surface world. They all looked up as Undyne cleared her throat a little so that she could continue speaking.

"When we heard that not only had Chara passed away, but Asriel was killed too, it hurt all of us, as the most precious things to us had been taken away. Asgore decreed that we were to stay away from humans forever, because they would never understand and we'd only be in danger if we got to the Surface. We'd remember Chara as the first human to accept us, but we felt she'd be the only one to do so. Toriel left the castle not long after to grieve the deaths of her children and she took up residence in the Ruins. Some of the Royal Guard have been watching over her per request of the king, but after a bit, she stayed in the Ruins."

"But she must miss her husband," Thomas said softly.

"I'm sure she does," the fish woman said. "Because he misses her, but has understood and given her space."

Julie stood up. "But Mommy was afraid that if Asgore saw us...," she trailed off.

"He might change his mind about breaking the barrier," Nathan said.

Frisk stood up. "It's not fair for the monsters to be trapped down here," he said. "I bet we could find a way to break the barrier and the monsters could live peacefully on the Surface."

"Being trapped is better than being killed," Muffet said softly.

Sans nodded in agreement. "Most humans wouldn't understand," he said.

"But we do," Carmen said.

"True, but you kids understand because you've seen the bad side of the world," Undyne said gently. "You kids escaped hard Surface lives. I can see that in your stats."

Knowing what she meant, they all nodded, because it was true that they had all escaped horrible lives on the Surface, coming down here and finding Toriel, who had taken them in and raised them as her own. "We sensed Mom was sad about something, but...we didn't want to make her even more sad by asking what she was sad about," Sarah said.

Julie looked like she might cry. "Maybe it's better to stay down here," she said softly. "Mommy's been nice to us and...the other monsters haven't hurt us. They can't be bad like we've been told."

"No way," Thomas said firmly. "And this place feels like home."

Papyrus nodded. "Despite being a prison, the Underground is wonderful because we've worked to make it our home and make it a pleasant place," he said. "You kids have restored some hope in us, hope that humans like you will understand and accept us."

"Especially with Toriel adopting you," Muffet said. "You kids are the princes and princesses of the Underground."

All seven children ducked their heads shyly at hearing that. While they hadn't been called that before, they were unsure about the titles, though with their mother being Queen Toriel, then Muffet was right. They were all princes and princesses. Carmen was first to speak up.

"To go from being mistreated into royalty is a lot to take in," she said softly.

Nathan stood up. "But we don't want any of you or the other monsters treating us differently as a result," he said. "We don't want to be seen as better than anyone."

"He's right," David said with a nod. "We're all equal."

"How do you mean?" Sans asked, curious as to what the kids meant.

"Well, you're alive, just like us," Julie pointed out.

"You've got hearts and feelings," Thomas said.

"You treat us with kindness," Carmen said.

"You haven't once hurt us and you helped us see that you wouldn't harm us," Sarah said.

"You accepted us instead of shunning us," Nathan said.

"You want to do what's right," David said.

"There's really no difference between us other than outward appearance," Frisk said. "Inside, you guys are just like us."

The kids' words made the monsters smile because it was true. "I never thought about it that way, but you're right," Papyrus said. "Perhaps humans and monsters are more alike than some think."

"Monsters are made of compassion and love," Muffet said. "And some magic."

"And you kids mean the world to us," Sans said. "And not just because you're of the Royal Family now."

"He's right," Undyne said with a smile. "Your titles are just titles. We see you kids as family."

The seven children all looked at each other before Carmen smiled. "I'm glad I came down here," she said. "Because the family I've always wanted is right here with me."

Her siblings agreed as they hugged the four monsters, who hugged them back with fondness and family love.

In the void, Gaster was smiling as he saw the monsters' souls and kids' souls shine. "They are truly angels," he said to himself before deciding that it was finally time to not only bring more hope to the Underground, but to have everyone have a happy ending.


Hmm, what is Gaster up to? And what does he have in mind for everyone? Stay tuned to find out! :) Also, I will not be online next week, but will be on the week after. And Happy Thanksgiving! :)

And please leave a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418