Images will be on the Ao3 posting of the story.
One thing that had changed slightly was Zane having to travel to go to afternoon tea at Asgore's.
"Hey Asgore," said Zane, hanging up his suit jacket on the coat rack as he came in.
"Howdy Zane, how are you adjusting to living in Waterfall?" asked Asgore
"It's certainly a change from here in the palace or Mettaton's apartment at the resort, granted on long nights of filming we still crash there," said Zane sitting at the table as Asgore poured the tea
"I hope Papyrus hasn't been giving you too much trouble," said Asgore
"Not since I froze him solid then called Sans to get his Brother-cicle off our yard," said Zane
"Oh dear," chuckled Asgore
"Undyne was grumbling about how she wished I had been there when he first knocked on her door at midnight to ask to become part of the Royal Guard," said Zane
"I've been considering giving Papyrus a non combat position in the guard, much like his brother, what do you think he would best be suited for?" asked Asgore
"Papyrus does best when he thinks he's helping, but his ego could be a problem because humility is not one of his strengths. He is strong when it comes to combat but his ambitions are just popularity. He doesn't see how ruthless Undyne or I have to be with our training, and that fame is usually earned. If I'm being honest he'd never survive in the real world without his brother protecting him. If you put him anywhere in the guard it will go right to his head and he will become even more insufferable than he is already," sighed Zane
"Then what should we do?" asked Asgore
"I hesitate to say put him in charge of protecting the fallen kids but Andrew and Valarie have told me that he gets on their nerves, I think inducting him into the guard is our only option but put him at a station well out of the way, like as a bodyguard for Gyftrot, keep the teens from messing around with the poor guy," said Zane
"Hmmm, that would allow him to stay in Snowdin, however, someone will need to explain to Gyftrot exactly what's going on, try to curb some of the annoyance he is bound to get when hanging out with the perky skeleton," said Asgore
"I can do that," said Zane
…
Undyne loved having tea with Asgore, other than Zane and Alphys, the king was one of her few friends. Today was one of their scheduled get-togethers.
"I have to say, getting Papyrus to be the bodyguard for Gyftrot was a stroke of genius," said Undyne
"I take it Papyrus has taken well to his new position?" smiled Asgore
"Yes, he loves it," said Undyne
"Tell me Undyne, of all the Royal guards under your command, why is Zane the one you turn to for advice, you are above him in status but an outsider looking in would swear the opposite," asked Asgore
"He's an experienced warrior, only a fool doesn't listen to the advice of someone who is more knowledgeable. The fact that he is willing to teach me what he knows warrants its own respect, and the fact that his abilities with magic are only second to yours, he also insanely intelligent, the only person that comes close to his level of intellect is Alphys, but he's very humble about it, doing whatever he can to help monster kind even though he doesn't have to," said Undyne
"Would you be insulted or even just opposed to him being in a position above you?" asked Asgore
"Why would I be? He's a great guy who deserves far more than he gets, heck if curing the amalgamates doesn't warrant a promotion I don't know what does," said Undyne
"I wish to reward him for all he has done but I am unsure of what would be the best way," said Asgore
"Well if you put him in charge of the guard he gets to deal with Papyrus instead of me," said Undyne
"I won't be replacing you Undyne, all monsters look up to you, it would be foolish to demote their hero for no reason," said Asgore
"Great so the spaghetti obsessed Skeleton is still my problem," said Undyne
"Have you asked anyone to the ball next week?" asked Asgore, trying to change the subject.
"Yeah, I'm going with Alphys," said Undyne
"That's good," said Asgore.
….
"DARLING WHAT ARE WE WEARING TO THE BALL?!" exclaimed Mettaton, bursting through the door of the house.
"You could wear that blue dress you like, I'll just wear my guard uniform," said Zane
"That is a costume, not proper attire for the premiere event of the year in the Underground," said Mettaton.
"I saw at least 30 discarded prom dresses in the trash dump, find one you like that fits and I'll fix whatever flaws it has," said Zane
Mettaton burst out the door again, forsaking his wheel for the rocket booster. Aaron and Woshua were walking by and saw a square blur shoot past them down the street to the dump.
"What was that?" asked Aaron
"It looked like Mettaton in a panic," said Woshua
Metton found that Undyne had the same idea that Zane suggested.
"Are there any pink ones?" asked Mettaton as he crash-landed in the water.
"Yeah, there's that light pink overly poofy one with the ridiculous amount of lace (Think of Lottie's ball gown from The Princess and the Frog)
Mettaton looked over the huge garment and grabbed it, other than missing some of the gemstone and a torn hem, it was flawless. He raced back out of the dump, leaving a very confused Undyne to search through the other dresses. Then she found a red one that matched her hair perfectly.
"What is it with humans and throwing away perfectly good clothes?" she asked as she looked the dress over, a hole was in the seam close to the bottom of the dress but it could easily be fixed or turned into a slit.
…
"DARLING LOOK WHAT I FOUND!" exclaimed Mettaton, transforming and putting on the dress
"It fits in this form too, oh don't I look fabulous?" exclaimed Mettaton
"Get me the rhinestones and my sewing kit and I'll fix that hem," said Zane
"Can you fix it while I wear it? I never want to take it off," exclaimed Mettaton as he danced around the room, knocking things over.
"Well we do need to wash it," said Zane
"Fine," sighed Mettaton
"It's a good thing your public form doesn't need shoes," said Zane
"I don't even care, Darling isn't this dress perfect?" asked Mettaton
"It's definitely you," said Zane
"Oh it most certainly is, but we are going to have to find an outfit for you that matches this wonderful gown," said Mettaton, still flouncing around the room
"Metty, of all your talents, singing isn't one of them, if your break out into song I'm telling Blooky on you," said Zane
"Fine, I shall find other ways of expressing my delight," exclaimed Mettaton
"Take off the dress first," said Zane
…
The night of the ball had arrived. Zane and Mettaton entered arm in arm, Mettaton barely fitting through the door due to the size of the dress.
Zane was in his royal guard dress uniform. Sans was in his own nice outfit, only Asgore and Zane knew that Sans's outfit was the official uniform of the royal judge of souls. Sans wore a black suit with a white square showing on the collar and a hooded cape. A hyperactive Papyrus wore a variation of his favorite outfit, he wore a white suit with a red cape and yellow epatulates. Alphys was on Undyne's arm in a cute little purple dress. Undyne was in the floor-length red dress she had found, opting to turn the ripped seam into a slit. Both monsters wore black flats. The ballroom was enormous, it was in a second cavern located under the castle.
The music started and everyone made lots of room for Zane and Mettaton, whose dress was sure to knock someone over if they didn't get out of the way.
Eventually, the two left the dance floor to go get some punch and mingle.
Towards the middle of the evening, Asgore stood from his throne.
"I would like to thank all of you for coming tonight and I have some very important announcements," said Asgore
Excited murmuring greeted him.
"Many of you know Zane, the young android who arrived here only a year ago, however, his accomplishments and presence has affected all of you, whether you watch him on TV or are family to the monsters he has given new life to. I am a king who recognizes bravery, talent, intelligence, and a good heart, which is why I recognized the need to reward such a commendable deed as saving the lives of over 16 monsters from a state that was thought to doom them. I also know how he is viewed in the Royal Guard, being the one Undyne herself turns to for advice, as I have also turned to him on a few occasions for advice. These traits and deeds shall not go unrewarded. Citizens of the Underground, it is my pleasure to announce that I have chosen Zane to take the throne after me, and promote him to General of the Royal Guard!" announced Asgore.
All eyes turned to Zane who stood there shocked, not expecting this at all.
After a moment Zane walked over to Asgore and kneeled before him.
"My king, I am both humbled, honored, and surprised at this decision. If this is your wish and you see me as worthy I will humbly accept these roles and do my best to uphold the hopes and dreams of all monsters," said Zane
Asgore took a silver cornet off a pillow that was being held by a Vulcan. Another Vulcan held a folded outfit for Zane. Asgore placed the cornet on Zane's head.
"Rise Zane, Heir of the Underground," said Asgore
Zane stood and accepted the outfit from the Vulcan. He walked into a small room behind the throne on the dais and changed. The outfit was white as snow, with a black cape that had a single large snowflake on it, and silver epatualates. The robe had the Deltarune in black on the front. The cornet itself was silver with a purple gemstone on the front. There were also black heeled boots with silver soles. The cape swept down his right side attached to the epatualates. There was also a beautiful nangita with his name on it off to the side. The note read
A future king needs a powerful weapon, I talked to Undyne and Alphys and they agreed on this, -Asgore
He stepped out of the room to clapping and chanting.
"Hail Zane, The Hope of Monsters!" was shouted by all.
After the impromptu coronation, Zane went back over to where Mettaton was waiting for him.
"Well that was unexpected," said Zane, letting Mettaton lead as they hit the dance floor again.
"Looks like our lives are going to change again," said Mettaton
"Yep, peace and quiet is over," said Zane
…
It was very late that night when the new heir to the throne and the TV star made it back home. Zane carefully hung his new outfit and weapon in the closet, his ninja gi had become dusty and hung in the very back, a testament to how far behind his life as a ninja had become. He had so many different outfits now, so many different roles. Crawling into bed beside Mettaton was one of such changes that the last year had brought, a welcome change, but change nonetheless.
…
Nya could see a small amount of hesitation in her brother at the idea of stopping the time twins, she knew the exact reason too.
"Kai listen to me, this is not about saving Zane, this is about saving the world. Zane is happy, he's in another world that needs him, we've been doing alright without him but we have to stop the time twins," said Nya
"Alright," sighed Kai.
…
They were back in the iron doom fighting the time twins, out the window they could see moments in time flashing by. Nya had to stop Kai from jumping out at Zane's last battle.
"Stop," hissed Nya.
…
They were back in their own time now, a few days after their epic battle on the iron doom. Nya and Kai were walking past the statue of their fallen brother.
"I'm sorry I stopped you but think about where he is now. He's surrounded by people who love him, respect him, and look up to him. If we had saved him, not only would it have caused a disaster on our end but who's to say he would have been just as happy as we know he is now. When he called last month, I don't think I've ever seen him so content, even when he was with us his smile always seemed forced, like he didn't understand us. Now he's with people who adore him," said Nya
"Do you think he'll remember to call again?" asked Kai
"To be honest Kai, probably not, it sounded like he's really busy, he might keep track of how long he's there but not much else. I bet his gi is hanging in the closet gathering dust, but that's ok," said Nya
"How is that ok?" snapped Kai
"Because he's happy, we got a real gift with him being able to call us, otherwise we would have just assumed he was in the departed realm with his father,
She knew that during Nadakahn's timeline Jay had agonized over using his last wish to bring their brother back, believing that Zane would be able to help. It had even been one of Nadakahn's temptations. Keeping Jay from wishing his friend back had been a real struggle.
"I know he's happy, I know he's safe but we all miss him Nya. Lloyd told me that not being able to save Zane was one of the things Morro tortured him with, Cole is still a shell of who he was before we lost Zane, sure he's getting better but he was closest to him, he thought about actually going through the rift because he'd at least have our brother back, only to find out an hour later that Zane isn't even in the departed realm," said Kai
"Do you think Zane regrets sacrificing himself?" asked Nya
"No, I know he doesn't, just like I know that he's happy. But even knowing that he's happy and safe isn't enough Nya, I know Lloyd recorded that whole conversation, just so he can hear it over and over, just to hear Zane's voice again, so guilt doesn't eat away at him. All of us want our brother back, so why don't you?" asked Kai, glaring at his sister
"Because I wasn't as close to him as the rest of you were and I think back to that conversation with him, I remember how happy he looked, that fish woman grabbing the phone demanding which human was me. I think back to how that other robot wrapped his arms around Zane, how could I take all that from him?" said Nya
"Do you think he taught her Spinjitzu?" asked Kai with a small grin
"Without Wu to tell him not to, probably," laughed Nya
"They really do love him in that place don't they," sighed Kai
"Of course they do, he's Zane," laughed Nya
The two siblings looked up at the filthy statue.
"I'll give this a power wash, he always hated being filthy," said Nya
She used a steady stream of water to spray away over a year's worth of grime from the statue, leaving it gleaming as brightly as the day it was unveiled.
"What if we all came here once a month, if we had like a team picnic it'll almost be like Zane is here with us," suggested Kai
"That's a great idea, we can talk to the others about it," said Nya
The siblings looked up at the statue again, wondering what their brother was doing now.
…
"Papyrus, for the last time, it's midnight! Why are you here?" asked Zane, clothed in pajamas and irritated.
"Waiting for my next assignment! Gyftrot told me he no longer needed my services and I, the great Papyrus, knew it had to be because I was getting assigned somewhere else!"
"Papyrus, you know your enthusiasm is appreciated but now is not the time or the place, go back home and I'll see you in my office tomorrow afternoon," sighed Zane, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Papyrus saluted and walked to the river person, Zane went back to bed, grumbling about how he was going to take away Papyrus's spaghetti privileges.
