Chapter 3: Building Bridges
With life in his legs and energy flowing through his marrow, Papyrus bikes to the other side of town. His house sports a bright white color on the walls, with red-orange roofing to boot. His house towers over much of the Ebott territory. In fact, it might just be the highest altitude in the whole town aside from Mt. Ebott itself. Papyrus himself thinks so, anyway.
Papyrus' femurs and ankles shake, and his breaths are shallow and filled with fragile huffs and puffs as he grows closer to his home.
"I… THE GREAT PAPYRUS… DO NOT… KNOW WHY… I MOVED TO A HOUSE… ON TOP… OF… A HILL!"
After reaching his house and taking time to slowly climb off of the goatmobile, Papyrus places his skeleton hands onto his knees. He spends a few moments catching his breath, and after his breathing becomes regulated again, he takes the door key out from his pocket and slowly inserts it into the door knob. Just as he's about to turn the key and enter his home, a figure jumps out from the bushes and jumps on him. The figure has aquatic features covering her stature. The bright blue scales shine for Papyrus. It's Undyne, one of Papyrus' closest friends and former leader of the Underground's military.
"NGAAAH! What are you doing, Papy?!" She exclaims as she intensely noogies Papyrus' skull, and he immediately tries to place his hands onto his skull quickly. He trips and stumbles into the unlocked door, causing them both to fall into his home, with Undyne still giving him a hard time.
"NO! PLEASE, UNDYNE! DON'T NOOGIE THE SKULL!"
As Papyrus rubs his head gently, Undyne gets up from the ground and relents.
"Sorry, Papyrus! I can't help myself sometimes!"
As she grins widely, her adrenaline subsides and she walks by Papyrus, who's still laying on the floor and working himself to his feet. She takes a seat on the front porch and her fins and arms relax. "Anywho, why are ya rushing back up here for? I thought you were preparing for the party at your brother's place?"
Papyrus quickly gets up from the ground. He places his right hand on his hip and lifts up his left pointer finger authoritatively.
"I MUST PREPARE FOR MY NEXT MISSION! ASGORE JUNIOR NEEDS ME TO HAND OUT THE LAST INVITATION FOR THE PARTY. THUS I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, SHALL DELIVER THIS FINAL INVITATION! AND THE HUMAN SHALL BE THANKFUL FOR MY BRAVERY AND HARD WORK! I HAVE ALSO COME BACK HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT I HAVE ALL OF THE INGREDIENTS FOR MY FAMOUS SPAGHETTI."
Undyne smiles and chuckles.
"Sounds like a plan to me! But, who's the invitation for, anyway? Did ya forget to have it delivered?"
"IT'S THE MONSTER NAMED JERRY! I HAVE NO CLUE WHO HE IS BUT I WILL MAKE SURE HE GETS THIS LETTER! I'LL SEARCH OVER ALL THE TOWN OF EBOTT IF I HAVE TO! I JUST MADE A NEW ONE FOR HIM TOO!"
Undyne chuckles and shakes her head.
"You could've done some research before going on this mission, Papy! If you learned who Jerry was, then you'd probably be able to find his address easier. At least, that's how it would work for me. Not pickin' on ya; just food for thought!"
From behind the front door, three of Undyne's closest friends come out of Papyrus' house. The first is an eccentric and flashy robot covered with a shimmering style and blaring pink coloring. His name is Mettaton, who is the creation of Undyne's beloved. After Mettaton is that one who is beloved, who is Dr. Alphys herself, the former royal scientist of the Underground. Unlike Undyne, Alphys is a short and doughy figure sporting glasses and a lab coat, who wears an extremely modest and quiet countenance. Finally, out floats a gently ghastly figure. He is fairly small and wouldn't be noticed in most social settings. This ghost is named Napstablook, but he goes by "Blooky" for short.
As Papyrus and Undyne enter the house, their friends wave at them. Papyrus speaks first.
"ALPHYS! BLOOKY! METTATON! WHAT ARE MY DEAR COMPANIONS DOING IN MY HOUSE? I THOUGHT I LOCKED IT!"
Undyne chuckles.
"Well, you did. I hope you don't mind that we used your spare housekey to get in. It's hot out there and we needed to get some air conditioner care in here!"
"WHY ARE YOU HERE THEN, PRAY TELL?!"
Undyne shrugs.
"Just wanted to hang out with ya before the party begins."
Papyrus sniffs and looks up to the sky sharply, with the sun giving his skull a bright sheen.
"IT IS NO PROBLEM, UNDYNE! THE GREAT PAPYRUS ALWAYS APPRECIATES SPENDING TIME WITH HIS CLOSEST COMPANIONS."
Mettaton smiles and then speaks.
"Darling, I hope that my eavesdropping ears are wrong, but surely you were not just talking about Jerry, the one who just shows up uninvited anywhere he goes? I couldn't help but hear from the front lawn your predicament! Such drama!"
Papyrus shakes his skull and places his hands on his hips.
"WE CANNOT NEGLECT A SINGLE MONSTER. THIS MISSION IS MY DUTY! FOR THE HUMAN, AND EVERYONE IN THE TOWN WILL KNOW OF THIS GLORIOUS PARTY. ASIDE FROM THE HUMAN OF COURSE!"
Alphys scratches the back of her neck, while Mettaton continues to speak.
"I may not care much for Jerry, but that means everyone in the town should be INVITED! OH, this will be like a PARADE!"
Alphys cleans her glasses with her lab coat quickly.
"Well, if all of t-these parts of the party are g-gonna come together, we should really send o-out that last invite… I wonder w-when this party w-will happen…" Alphys slinks over to Papyrus, who has had the invitation in his hand the whole time. She gently yanks it out of his hand, and studies it over. Her eyes light up and she pulls at her collar. "W-wait a minute! If this invitation is t-true…then the party's only a c-couple hours away! Papyrus, you n-need to get this to Jerry, asap! You should find his house near the bridge over the river, near s-snowdin street!"
"AGREED", Papyrus shouts. After taking a moment to run into his house and inspect the cupboards for his spaghetti ingredients, he runs back out the door and grabs the goatmobile. "I HAVE ALL THE INGREDIENTS. I SHALL DELIVER THE INVITATION AND THEN MAKE THE SPAGHETTI."
Undyne quickly grabs Alphys' arm.
"Let's go home and get dressed." Undyne drags Alphys out of the house while Alphys weakly yet politely waves goodbye to Papyrus. Mettaton and Blooky follow them out, with Mettaton dancing delightfully.
While walking somewhat quickly up the street, Alphys folds her hands and begins playing with her fingers. Undyne looks down at her and smiles.
"What's the matter, Alphys? You don't look so swift!"
Alphys' tail curls underneath her body as her face glows red.
"I h-have a bit of a d-dilemma… I just…"
"Just spit it out! You know I hate waiting."
"I'm n-not sure what to wear to F-Frisk's birthday party. I-I think I w-want to wear my favorite Mew Mew Kissy Cutie t-shirt! You k-know the one; the one that d-depicts the t-true ending because the w-writers deemed it c-canon?"
Undyne laughs.
"Oh yeah, that one! I bet you'd look great in it. But, what's stoppin' ya from wearing that one?"
Alphys blushes fiercely.
"Well, I have t-this purple and b-blue striped shirt, like the o-one Frisk always wears. It will fill me with DETERMINATION!"
Undyne laughs again.
"You're spoiled for choice! But hey, you'll look great either way, and Frisk will be happy that you're there." Undyne winks at her and says "why does it matter? Be yourself!"
Alphys' eyes swing like a pendulum while she stares at the ground. Her eyes flicker a little, but then her face fills with warmth and life.
"Thank you, Undyne. You're right! Who cares what everyone thinks? I'm sure Frisk would be happy if I showed up, even if I were dressed as a glamorous killer robot inhabited by a ghost with dreams of stardom... that I i-invented, heh."
Undyne holds her chin highly in the air, with her eyes glowing.
"Exactly! Just let yourself go in there and do whatever! The party will be great either way."
Alphys rubs the back of her neck and chuckles nervously.
"Heh, yeah… I h-hope so."
A lightbulb goes off in Alphys' brain. She turns her head up to Undyne and smirks.
"I actually know w-what I'm going to w-wear, Undyne!"
"What's that?"
"Remember when I b-bought that spare b-black tank t-top?"
"Yeah, why?"
Alphys grins widely.
"I've been s-saving it, along with one of your s-spears, for a time like this! We can do twinsies!"
Undyne blushes and laughs.
"They say imitation is the finest form of flattery. Let's do it!"
After a few minutes of travel, the group reach Undyne's home. Undyne unlocks the front door, while Mettaton and Blooky stand back. With a quick swing of the arm, Mettaton grabs Blooky and begins to walk towards Sans' house. Blooky's head shakes slightly. Undyne turns her head towards them and smirks.
"Where are you two goobers headed off to?"
"I just received a brilliant idea, darling! My dear cousin and I are going to go prepare this idea!"
Undyne shrugs and laughs.
"Alright, take care then, you two!"
After Undyne and Alphys walk into the house, Mettaton looks down at Blooky and smirks. Blooky stares back up at Mettaton with wide eyes and a frozen face.
"Mettaton… what are you doing…? Where are you taking me?"
"You know how I used to be a killer robot before I became a star?" Mettaton does a flashy pose, then continues with his answer. "Well, I plan on doing a little killing of my own at the human's party…"
Blooky's ghost eyes begin shaking wildly and he stammers.
"No, wait… don't kill anyone, Mettaton. That's mean…"
Mettaton looks at Blooky intently, and then releases a hearty laugh.
"I didn't mean literally committing murder, darling! I'm not a murder robot anymore; that part of my programming is dead… at least, I presume it is!" Blooky shivers a little, and Mettaton continues. "The only killing I will do will be on the DANCE FLOOR!"
Mettaton extends his left leg into a power pose and Blooky nods.
"Oh… now I get it."
Mettaton widens his eyes again and his smile increases.
"I'm gonna put on a show for them, Blooky!"
"But… why are you telling me all this?"
Mettaton clicks his robot tongue and says, "what's a dance floor murderer without the perfect accomplice, my darling?~"
Blooky nods softly.
"I see… are you taking someone as your plus-one?"
Mettaton laughs and points forcefully at the ceiling.
"My plus-one? THAT'S MY PERSONALITY! However, I could ALSO use a talented spooky DJ to play some tunes at Frisk's party, too!"
Blooky stares at Mettaton for a bit and nods slowly.
"Oh… who would that DJ be?"
Blooky looks down at the ground for a few moments. Mettaton laughs and proclaims with vigor, "it's you, silly! Why do you think I pulled you away in the first place?"
"You're… serious?"
"Yes! While I seldom say it, I do love your tunes, darling! They're seriously a joy to listen to every single night before I get my beauty sleep. You should join me for the glamorous festivities!"
Blooky sinks down slightly.
"I'm not sure… I want to start showing my love for music more, but… I'm not sure if they'll like me or not… what if I'm not even that good at it?"
Mettaton clicks his robot tongue as they run faster towards the party location.
"Why don't you want to show off your talent? Your abilities? You are more than meets the eye, Blooky!" Mettaton's eyes then look distant, off past the hills. "To be honest my friend, I've been worried about you lately. You seem so lonely and isolated! Why not share your talent? It's what I do every day!" Mettaton forces a smile onto his face, with his metallic teeth gleaming. However, Blooky isn't smiling. He takes a look at the mic being carried with them, then back at Mettaton's face.
"Well… I appreciate how you look out for me… I still can't shake this nervous feeling I have…"
Mettaton laughs.
"You'll do just fine! Now, let's get to that party and show them what we're made of!"
As the pair of cousins approach Sans' house, a lean, skinny figure looks at the house from across the street through a pair of binoculars. A few balloons are flying behind the house. The figure stares through the windows, stalking the citizens inside. After a few more minutes of staring, the figure dips behind a bush and mutters to himself.
"Party at Mr. Skeleton's house… for the ambassador." His hands shake. His hair trembles. The figure pulls out a white mask from his back right pocket, and from his back left pocket he pulls out a knife. "I have the information I need. Soon, I will strike. It's time to shift this town in the direction I want."
…
An hour has passed. Inside Sans' home, balloons, streamers, confetti, and many neon colors of different party items are scattered around the room and the patio behind the house. A couple monsters and humans are running all around the house in a chaotic fashion. Asriel, along with his human classmates and monster classmates, are trying to blow up balloons as quickly as possible. Undyne and Alphys are trying to put up more streamers around the rooms. Sans is sleeping on the couch. Mettaton is posing and staring at himself in the small mirror placed on top of the dresser in the living room. Party items litter the floor and the couches are turned in many directions in the living room.
As Toriel walks out from the bathroom and back into the kitchen, her eyes widen and her pupils grow pin-pointed. Her fur sticks on end and her snout tingles. After taking a moment to breathe in and breathe out slowly, she claps her hands together and shouts, "ALRIGHT PEOPLE, LISTEN UP!"
Everyone stops moving immediately. The house deafens and the other inhabitants don't even move. After looking around the room and nodding quickly, Toriel speaks, with her voice echoing throughout the rooms of the house.
"Undyne, don't forget to hold onto your spears and point them to the sky passionately when Sans brings Frisk into the house! Alphys, move those blocks over there and stack them so they look like pillars in the ruins!" After taking time to explain her instructions to Undyne and Alphys, she leans slightly over to make closer eye contact with Asriel. "My child, don't forget your flower costume." She takes a moment to breathe and speaks slightly louder. "Everyone got that?"
Despite reciting her orders, none of the three make any response. Her right eye twitches slightly. She folds her arms slowly and calmly, and then opens her mouth.
"EVERYONE GOT THAT?!"
With no hesitation, Undyne, Alphys, and Asriel all exclaim "YES, MA'AM" simultaneously.
As they go about their new tasks, Toriel breathes out and wipes the sweat off her forehead, with a slight smile appearing on her face. From behind, a large, stout male goat approaches her. The large goat opens his own mouth and breathes in a large clump of wind. With a mighty shove from his diaphragm, he belts out, "YES, MA'AM!"
Toriel jumps slightly with her eyes popping slightly. She takes a moment to catch her breath and shakes her head. After her mind resets, she turns around and hotly stares at the large male goat, Asgore. Steam is blowing out from Toriel's ears as she points at Asgore's chest.
"I didn't give you a job to do!"
Toriel rolls her eyes and turns around again to inspect how the setup is going in the kitchen and living room. Asgore's eyes droop a little, then he pulls out a bouquet of bright, golden flowers from his back pocket.
"But, I'm still useful, though. See? I brought you flowers! They're golden flowers from the Underground! I've been saving them for a time like this. They're so beautiful, aren't they?"
Toriel rolls her eyes again. Without looking at Asgore, she places her hand to the bridge of her nose and retorts, "Asgore, I don't need your help at the moment. We have everything covered."
Asgore scratches his nose while his face blushes hotly.
"But Toriel, these could look really nice for Frisk's party! They fit the Underground theme, right?"
Toriel facepalms herself, and lets her hand slowly fall off her face.
"Alright, fine. Just go set them on the windowsill in the glass vase. I'll water them."
As Asgore walks towards the windowsill, Toriel's eyes gaze onto Asgore's chest. His body is covered in a golden-flower Hawaiian shirt. Toriel shoves her left hand onto Asgore's chest and coughs. Asgore longingly stares at Toriel.
"Wait, what's the matter? Didn't you want me to place these lovely flowers into the vase?"
Toriel shakes her head quickly.
"No, it isn't that. It's your garb!" She forcefully points towards Asgore again, with her mouth frowning somewhat heavily. "Where are your kingly robes? This is supposed to be an Underground theme party and you're out of costume."
Asgore holds his fingers together and blushes.
"Um…"
Toriel shakes her head and holds her arms on her hips.
"Well? Don't keep me waiting."
Asgore fumbles with his words for a few moments, but finally figures out what to say.
"I think it grew legs and walked off?"
Just outside, there is an 18-year-old cat-like creature named Temmie bouncing up and down in the front of Sans' yard with purple-colored kingly robes on her. There is a royal emblem sewn onto the robes, which would signify the position of the king of the underground. Temmie happily chants "hOI! tem iz ruler of teh undrgroundz! good 4 colleg applcationz!" Despite her loud, jubilant voice carrying throughout the street, nobody inside seems to hear what she's saying.
Toriel raises an eyebrow and her left foot taps wildly on the floor, like a quickly moving metronome.
"That doesn't sound like a believable argument to me."
Asgore places his goat fingers more harshly together, and spits out another argument.
"U-um, i-it grew a soul and walked off?"
Toriel sighs and cracks her neck.
"You know inanimate objects don't have souls, Asgore. It's only humanoid beings; humans and monsters."
Toriel turns around to stare outside the back window in the kitchen towards the woodland area, which serves as the scenery in front of the mountains. She folds her arms and snorts.
"You're just as air-headed as when we were in the Underground. I should've been ruler the entire time."
Asgore's head lifts up quickly, like toast popping out of a toaster.
"Great idea! Would have given me more time in my garden."
With a great rush, Toriel spins around and slams her hand onto the counter. He holds his hands in front of him, face gone cold, as Toriel raises her voice.
"You SEE?! You shun responsibility when it matters the most!"
Asgore's face droops. His eyes grow dark and he bites his lip. He takes part of his right pant leg and bunches it up, squeezing the life out of it.
"Shunning responsibility… well, when one thinks of my war on the human children, perhaps you're right."
"Of course I am, Asgore! It was senseless and disgusting!"
Asgore nods. The room twinges with searing pain as the walls quiver. Asgore's brain sparks and explodes as his voice lowers deeper. "I still get dirty looks despite the peace treaty I signed back in BB02."
Toriel snorts quickly and her face hardens.
"And if you didn't sign that treaty, you'd probably be in prison right now. You're also lucky that you've got a really good lawyer."
Asgore bites his lip more harshly. A small drop of blood trickles from it. His limbs shake like a scrawny tree branch in a violent wind gust. He backs away, with his eyes watering slightly and his soul twisting.
As Toriel takes a moment to breathe, Asriel looks up at his parents with his eyes trembling. The balloon he's holding pops. Toriel stares at Asgore, then Asriel, then stares back at Asgore. As she's doing so, Asriel drops the broken balloon onto the floor, regains his breath, and looks at his mother. His mouth droops and he looks down at the ground. He presses his foot into the floor and his gentle voice quietly escapes his lips.
"Mom, please don't be upset. I hate it when you and dad fight."
While there aren't many eyes staring at Toriel, it's enough for her to blush vibrantly.
Toriel blinks, sighs, and rubs her temples.
"I'm sorry, my child. I shouldn't be so angry. This is no way for a mother to act."
After Toriel and Asriel share a quick hug, Asriel walks back the hallway towards the spare bedroom, where Sans is sleeping. When he's just out of eyeshot, he rounds the corner and hides behind the door frame of the spare bedroom, with his head slightly peaking out from the doorway. Undyne takes a glance at Asriel, then follows him back to the bedroom.
The tension dies off and the attendees continue to prepare for the party. Toriel and Asgore stare at each other, nod, and sit on a pair of loveseats in the corner of the room. Toriel sinks into her spot and leans as far back as she can. Asgore slowly places himself into the other couch in the corner of the living room. He sighs and rubs his right hand through his bushy beard.
"Toriel, I know I'm not the best king, or the best husband. Well, ex-husband. I know you won't take me back, and I realize that my buffoonery and awful handling of the death of Chara caused this. I also realize my mishandling of our son Asriel's short and temporary yet still real passing didn't help, either." He nods and folds his hands. "I know that I'm a menace, even with vowing to never slaughter again."
Toriel mutters under her breath, "you've got that right."
Asgore's eyes slam shut. His face contorts and he taps his foot rapidly a few times. His face burns a purple color, but then regains natural hue. He opens his eyes with a quick jolt and his face lights up.
"Let me propose this, however. I can still be a good friend to you, even if you won't re-marry me! I'm good at flowering." He smiles slightly. "You know, these were the flowers that I brought Asriel the day after he came home in his real body. The least I could do is help spruce up your home a little." Asgore's smile grows to a wide range, as Toriel turns toward Asgore's face. She doesn't retort, but listens in more deeply. Asgore continues. "And on the day after, Asriel told me that the flowers make him and Frisk happy and that they love me." Asgore nods as his face lights up with life and bright, golden rays. "I'm so proud of my sons, too."
Tears of joy flow out of Asgore's face as Toriel takes a long look down at her legs. She smiles slightly, with serene ocean waves passing by in her eyes.
"I agree. They've grown up into fine young men. Both you and I know it, evidently."
Asgore nods politely then stares up at the ceiling.
"I still think about those flowers every day. I think I'd even give my soul to become one!"
Toriel lets out a quiet laugh and shakes her head.
"It doesn't surprise me that you have that idea."
Asgore takes one of the nails from his hand and rubs it across his lips. He quickly bites on it, then relaxes his jaws.
"Do… they still talk about their father a lot? I know I shouldn't pry… but you should tell me, so I don't have to!"
Toriel leans her head at Asgore, rubbing her hand against her chin. Her eyes burn into the floor boards. After a few long moments, she blinks harshly and answers.
"Sometimes. Asriel talks about you more than Frisk does. Both miss you, but Frisk doesn't talk about it as much. He has accepted our… situation." Toriel gulps and continues. Her brow begins to secrete drops of sweat. "But Asriel hasn't. Most nights, I hear him praying in his room right before bed that you and I get back together."
"What kinds of things does he say, Toriel?"
"Normally it's along the lines of, 'Lord, please let mom and dad get back together. I don't want to see them apart anymore.'" Toriel nods and rubs her hand over her chin. "He's on his little knees nearly every night with that request."
Asgore nods, with his voice flowing like a soft, tranquil river.
"He sounds very hopeful. I can tell that he loves us and cares about us, too."
Toriel can feel tears welling up, but she sucks them back into her eyes.
"He's such a gentle, sweet son. I'm lucky to have him back. But even still, this is how it is. It's sad, but reality."
Asgore nods in agreement, but before he can reply, Toriel's eyes glisten like rubies. She blurts, "I have to admit, I don't know how to break it to him that there's no chance of you and I getting back together. I've just dodged around the question whenever he's asked it, and it's been for nearly two years. I'll say something like 'perhaps' or 'it's complicated' but never being forward with it." She sighs and holds the bridge of her nose again, with her tongue unfolding and her heart melting. "I'm sorry. Even still, I'm not sure if we'll ever get back together. I'm sorry, but it doesn't feel sensible to me."
Asgore takes a moment to stroke the coarse fur on his chin, then he raises a pointer finger towards the ceiling.
"I know! We should just tell him."
Toriel raises her head towards Asgore again.
"Wait, tell him what exactly?"
Asgore continues, with a little gray in his eyes.
"Perhaps we should say: 'Son, I want you to know that your mom and I love you very much… and that's why we are telling you that we are never getting back together.'"
Toriel's eyes widen and freeze.
"Wait, hold on. Tell me, why would we even tell him that? What's the point of it?"
Asgore narrows his eyes and his irises bury into Toriel's soul.
You love Asriel, right?"
Toriel's snout expels some wind.
"Of course, I do! What kind of a stupid question is that?!"
Asgore leans slightly forward and his eyes bury even deeper into hers.
"Then, do you love him enough to tell him the truth?"
Toriel's ruby eyes fade to a grayer color. She clasps her left hand over her mouth and sinks in her seat like a rock. Hours pass, or so it seems that way for her.
"I screwed up, Asgore. I'm really sorry."
Asgore solemnly shakes his head.
"You're not a bad mother, Tori." Before Asgore can finish his sentence, Toriel glares at Asgore.
"Please don't call me that. We're not married anymore."
Asgore slowly nods.
"Ok, ok, I'm sorry Toriel. Anyway, you took care of Frisk when he fell down into the Underground, right?"
Toriel nods.
"Yes, of course I did. I loved Frisk like my own child. And now, Frisk is truly my own child."
Asgore leans back in his chair, releasing a deep, calm breath into the air.
"He loved it when you gave him a slice of that butterscotch cinnamon pie. One of Frisk's favorites, indeed." Asgore then puts on a cheeky smile and looks slightly at Toriel and begs, "bythewaydoyoustillhaveanyleftforme?"
Toriel face palms.
"No. I don't have any pie for you."
Asgore chuckles half-heartedly and leans back again.
"I'm sorry. I had to ask. Besides, I just wanted to help lighten the mood."
"I do appreciate it."
"In any event, I'm glad that Frisk is enjoying life with you. I've heard that Frisk loves your snail bedtime stories at night. You'd tell him of the great snail race down at the waterfall every time and they'd sleep well after that."
Toriel nods while picking up the teacup sitting next to her on the end table next to her seat and begins spinning it in her hands.
"Yeah. I've read him those stories too... Frisk was always a fan of those stories. Even as much as my Asriel."
Asgore folds his hands together and sits up in the chair.
"Do you see now? Do you understand?"
Toriel rubs her cheek.
"I'm… not sure."
Asgore stares at her and smiles. He grins a little and his deep voice wafts into her ears gently.
"You are a good mother. And, you're a far better parent than me. Don't doubt yourself."
Toriel rolls her tongue in her mouth a few times over.
"You're right again. On that note, I'm thankful that I let Frisk go into the Underground, or else we would've never been freed. And, Frisk got our Asriel back; in the flesh." Toriel begins to tear up and holds her right hand over her mouth. "I'm so thankful."
"Agreed. I'm glad he escaped his flower form, too."
The room quakes and Toriel slams her hands on the sides of the couch. Asgore leans backward and his eyes widen. His pupils tremble slightly and his mouth opens wide.
"Did I say something wrong, Toriel?"
"I just want to stop talking about this now. I'm aware that our son cheated death and that it should relieve my feelings, but both you and I know that it certainly doesn't. You know the rule about discussing our son's Flowey days around the public."
"Oh, right… I apologize. Loose lips sink ships."
Toriel nods and smiles slightly while her eyes burn and her scalp continues to sweat, saying nothing. Asgore nods slightly and leans his head forward to stare at Toriel more intently.
"Now, please hear me. You must tell Asriel what he needs to hear, not what he wants to hear."
Toriel stops holding the tea cup, and places it back on the coaster where it was originally placed.
"I'll do my best. I want to do what's right for our children."
Asriel sinks his head from down the hallway, with his face twisting slightly and his eyes emitting deep blue hues. He sinks his head and clenches onto his stomach. Undyne smiles slightly and gently pats him on the back. Toriel rubs the back of her neck, breathes out quickly, and shakes her head.
"Despite our, um… differences, Asgore… I'm honestly glad that you're here." Toriel sighs and smiles. Asgore's eyes light up and he grins a little. "I mean it, Asgore. And, I'm sorry I was so short with you earlier. It'll be good for the children to see you again. It's been an entire month since they've spent time with you."
Asgore can feel his soul filling with joy.
"I'm glad I'm here too! Now, let's make this party something special."
Toriel swings her head up and down, with her smile widening with great magnitude. The former king and queen of the Underground agree to head around the house to help prepare for the party. There is warmth in the air. Only two hours await until the party.
…
An enormous volcano erupts out of an expanse of water. The earth of the volcano trembles as it arises hundreds of feet above sea level. The clouds of the sky are swirling with hues of purple and black. On top of the volcano stands a member of the monster race, standing sharply. She towers above the average human, and is sporting bright purple scales and long, unkempt hair. Her yellow eyes are mostly hidden from sight, thanks to her locks flowing downward over her forehead. Covering her toned scales and limbs is a plain white shirt with a striking jacket. This jacket blares its dark black color for the whole world to see. Her jeans are fairly tattered, and her shoe laces are untied.
She places her hands in her pockets and looks down at a brown bug with green and yellow stripes crawling across the rocky edge of the volcano. The monster growls, and stomps on it fiercely and quickly. Multiple times. The bug disintegrates into a sloppy mess, and she breathes heavily.
"How do you like me now, huh?"
She places her hands into the pockets of her jeans and turns toward the black and purple sky. A giant face forms in the sky. Their countenance is covered with long, flowing brown hair and piercing crimson eyes. Their face lifts up slightly, and they reveal a very plain, neutral face. It freezes for many moments. Minutes. Days. Years, even. The iciness of the face in the clouds would make anybody stop and stare with hesitation and awe. The purple monster continues to stare into the face, however. Her gaze hasn't broken. Her eyes narrow now, with her brow wrinkling. The waves of the ocean splash up onto the volcano's crust, and the lava begins to flow faster and faster from the top of the fiery mountain.
The face's mouth twists into a wickedly wide grin. The bright white teeth of the face in the sky shimmer brightly. The purple monster takes a few steps backward, as she veers closer towards the mouth of the volcano. The face laughs wildly, with the grin contorting in many directions and the red eyes flashing in grand blood tones. The purple monster stares up at the face again, and places her fists at the sides of her body.
"WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?!"
"Hahahaha… why would I answer that? I don't bend to your wishes. I'm the champion of my own destiny, not you!" The purple monster grips her heart, and takes a few steps closer towards the volcano. The embers fly up and hit the back of her jacket. She's only one pace away from falling into the mouth of the volcano. The face leans in closer now, with its bright red eyes coming close to the monster's face. It grows even greater in magnitude, and now the face is right up next to the monster. The breathing is heavy. The swirling waters below are crashing higher against the crust and the embers are flying higher. The face leans in towards the monster and chuckles.
The purple monster lunges forward at the face, with a mighty punch. However, she misses. The giant face spins around and flies into her, knocking her body into the volcano. She screams loudly as the lava erupts from beneath her as she falls into the fiery pit below. Her body contorts and flies all around, yet she feels no pain. There is no pain to feel.
…
A monster awakens with a jolt. She is covered in purple scales and her white shirt is covered with sweat. Her locks cover her yellow eyes. It is the same monster as before, yet alive and in the flesh. She holds her arms together for a moment, while letting the sweat from her brow drip onto the bed sheets below her. The ticking of the clock in the room deafens her ears. She doesn't know what day it is. There's nobody else in the room, despite all of the other beds littered across the floorboards. With a sudden awakening of emotion, she punches the mattress repeatedly.
"Blast it all. Blast it all to the fires of Hell."
She stops punching. After spending a few moments doing her best to unwrinkle the bed sheets, the monster takes a moment to peer out the window. There is a gentle pattering of rain on the windowsill. Her ears burn as she slowly turns her head towards the open expanse of the door across the room from her. There are sounds of children laughing and chattering entering the room. She then hears a growling noise and looks down at her stomach.
"Crap, I'm missing the breakfast rush again."
She then gets out of bed and picks up the black jacket on the floor. It's covered in holes, but the black sheen stands as something to be marveled.
As soon as she throws the jacket on her shoulders, a loud noise echoes into her ears. She turns around and notices the grandfather clock striking at the back of the room. The hands point to match the time of "7:30" as the chimes echo throughout the property of the dormitories.
"No, not again! If it's that time already, then that means…" Before she can continue, a petite human standing at about 5'2" walks into the room and smiles petitely. Her figure is very slender and her voice would sound similar to a mouse's voice. Her brown hair is tucked neatly underneath a prim and proper hat, and she waves to the monster.
"Good morning, Susie. I hope you received good rest."
"I didn't, but what's it to ya?"
"Your case worker is here to take you to tutoring. You don't want to get held back another year in school, do you?"
Susie grumbles and shrugs.
"School sucks, but whatever. Just more crap to work through I guess."
The small woman sharply sighs, and clasps her clipboard tightly.
"Right… I'm sorry to hear that, dearie. I hope you can heal soon from whatever is ailing you. Now please, come with me. We cannot be late again."
Susie shakes her head and shrugs.
"Yeah yeah lady, I hear ya."