Of course there's going to be times when the others are thinking about how bad things have gotten in the past...and with those events, comes a will to do better when it comes to dealing with future threats. Because they WILL come.
Asgore: Thinking deeply about these things helps us consider what we might do in the future...at least a little.
Asriel: But definitely enough to have some kind of goal in mind. And a few of us already have one we want to reach.
Chapter Start!
Asriel was sitting in meditative position in a small smooth patch of grass, surrounded by Golden Flowers, as well as a ring of flames. His eyes were closed and his posture was straight and undisturbed. He took a deep breath, which caused some of the flames to expand and grow, before slowly exhaling, returning them to normal size again. Yet despite the flames touching the vegetation around him, they did not burn, a sure sign of his quality control over them. He's been doing this for an hour this morning. And he's been doing it for three weeks ever since those attacks on Ebott. As a response, Undyne found it necessary to up his training a slight bit. And to his surprise, Asgore was in full agreement; he even decided to participate more directly.
And Asriel was more than on board with this arrangement. He had heard that Frisk was taking Support Magic training from Lunar, so he figured he might as well get back to his own training as well. Frisk was already more than capable of healing, so teaching him and helping him hone magic abilities that can help others in combat as well as himself, it will really boost Frisk's effectiveness in battle, as well as confidence within himself. He knows how much his dear brother needed it.
Asriel breathed in once again for an extended period, causing the flames to rise even higher than before, before breathing out and allowing them to descend. He looked to the side and noticed his father doing the same thing...though Asgore's flames were MUCH more intense than his own. Yet again, however, they did not burn the grass or the flowers despite this. It fits quite well. Asgore's flames were mostly about raw power. Toriel's flames aimed more towards technique. Frisk's was more about healing and support. Chara's was geared towards destruction, something that bothers him slightly. And Asriel's flames was slightly balanced among all four, and he has the creativity to come up with ways to distribute them effectively.
They were training together today, with some emphasis on control of their flames, as well as their magic overall. Nothing like returning to the basics to improve your advance. And also, the training partners...
"NGAAAAAAAAH!"
"NYEEEEEEEEEH!~"
Both Dreemurr's eyes widened as they responded near-instantly; Asgore's trident manifested and expertly deflected a glowing blue spear thrown his way, while Asriel was jumping out of the way of bones nearly smashing into his head. They both stood back to back as they would face their current opponents. Undyne and Papyrus, their respective magics at the ready. The former seemed especially eager to get things started, if her fin to fin grin is something to be acknowledged.
Undyne lunged at Asgore as she swiped at him with her spear multiple times, while he skillfully parries each of them with his trident. The blue and crimson sparks were very noticeable between them, which was a definite sign of their mutual intensity. The ground rumbled beneath them for several moments with each parry connecting with one another. Said sparks would land on the ground and fizzle out after a few moments. Yet still, the flora around them remained undamaged by any of it. Though it was being slightly trampled under Asgore's feet and Undyne's boots. Thanks to Flowey, they would quickly.
"FUHUHU!~" Undyne cackled as she leaped up and swung her spear downward as it again clashed with Asgore's trident. The larger monster didn't budge in the slightest, though neither did she. It was an even exchange for several precious moments, until Asgore forcefully pushed her off. Though she still landed easily on her feet as she again struck forward and lunged with her spear; Asgore twirled his trident diagonally to block it with surprising accuracy. "That's the way, Asgore!"
"Hm.~" Asgore chuckled as again pushes her away, the both of them staying on their feet after the exchange. Even now, she still really enjoys sparring with him. And the feeling is mutual, knowing it does make her happy at certain points.
Asriel was rather watchful of Papyrus. At Sans' advice, Papyrus was working on his long-range attacks just as much as his short range. And even a bit of medium range to really expand his fighting skill. Which was made apparent when Papyrus swiped his bone staff in an arc, very nearly hitting Asriel in the head. While Asriel was jumping back, he manifested multiple shards to shoot towards the Prince with surprising speed. Asriel was easily able to burn them away with a brief yet strong burst of flames, a few embers heading towards Papyrus. Another swipe of the long bone in his hands batted each ember away.
It didn't take long for either of them to further their respective offensives, with another wave of bones heading towards Asriel. Eyes narrowed, he jumped straight upwards to avoid them as he gathered flames in his paw, before throwing it towards Papyrus. Papyrus rose another bone wall in preparation for blocking the flames. Though after a moment of feeling no heat, he wondered what had happened and was close to lowering his bone wall, until he was blindsided by a bolt of lighting piercing right through it, then followed by a fireball. He was tripped up by both, losing focus as the wall vanished by then.
Asriel landed on the ground, with lightning in one paw and fire in the other. He dismisses both and offers a helpful paw to Papyrus, which he gladly took.
Simultaneously, Asgore swung his trident low, catching Undyne by the boots and tripping her up. She groaned while sitting up and rubbing her head. "Agh, damn..."
"Well then, I do believe that's enough for today, don't you think?" Asgore smiles, offering a paw to help her up, which she took and got back to her feet with.
"Fuhu! You knock me on my ass, and yet I'm still having a blast!" Undyne grinned, hopping up and pumping her fist. Noticeable for Undyne, her fiery crimson hair has gotten longer, very close to reaching below her waist. So she managed it a bit differently, keeping it in a maintained ponytail behind her, and also had it styled with a thick bang in front of her left eye. It was also noticeably smoother, but not by too much. There was just the right amount of wildness within it that would nicely suit someone like her. "This has been great practice for the both of us, Asgore! Noticed how you've been getting much more involved lately."
"Hm. Indeed. After everything that's happened, I find it reasonable to keep our skills and strength up to date, so we can be prepared for anything that might happens next." Asgore said while his trident eventually dissipates, leaving his paw free. "And considering that there's an incredibly vast number of adversaries out there, it's vital that we keep ourselves trained and ready."
"Damn straight...I now know that there's much bigger things haunting this world-and by extension, us-that are seriously bad news. Bad news that's beginning to make the old Chara seem like a cakewalk. The game's being upped, so we gotta up ourselves along with it." Undyne said as she headed towards Papyrus and Asriel, then catching them both in headlock while grinning widely. "Now how's that for a resolution, boys? You're not gonna slack off on me, are ya?~"
"COURSE NOT, UNDYNE!" Papyrus said resolutely.
"Wouldn't even dream of it, ma'am." Asriel nodded softly with a smile.
"GREAT! That's what I like to hear!" Undyne grinned while lightly tightening her hold on them, gently smooshing them against her breasts. "I don't even wanna think about the possibility of you two slacking off on me, so best believe I'm gonna be making sure that doesn't happen!"
"Never would we slack off when we have you overseeing training, ma'am." Asriel reassured her with a gentle nod.
"Of course not, ya punks. FUHUHU!~" Undyne grinned as she affectionately smooshed them further to her bosom, before letting them go after lightly bonking their foreheads against one another...which still hurt quite a bit. "ALRIGHT THEN! Now that I've finished today's training with you three, we should go on ahead and check on Alphys. You guys can totally come with." The other three nodded as the soon followed her, as she placed her hands in her pockets. "So, Azzy Wazzy. Heard that Frisky Bits is taking a bit of initiative and has begun training under Lunar. Strange choice for a mentor."
"Lunar is definitely someone who wouldn't really meet the criteria of mentoring. But she does hold magic that Frisk seeks to learn. Support Magic is definitely something Frisk will be comfortable learning.: Asgore commented while rubbing his neck. "Toriel is...understandably concerned about this, and so am I. Luckily for us, Lunar is willing to cooperate, and Darkness is making sure things turn out well. He gives the both of us updates on their progress. And of Lunar does something particularly harmful to Frisk...well...I would have to prevent Toriel from skinning her alive."
"SOMETIMES I FORGET THAT QUEEN TORIEL IS RATHER TERRIFYING WHEN SHE TRIES." Papyrus said rather nervously while pulling on his scarf. "AND WHEN SHE TRIES...WELL...IT DOESN'T END WELL FOR THE RECIPIENTS OF THAT RAGE."
"It doesn't seem that Ms. Lunar's all that affected by it. If anything, she seems...curious." Asriel scratched his ear while smiling awkwardly. "I don't really know what that means, but it seems to bring her some sense of ease. So...I guess I'm fine with it...?"
"So long as she isn't causing any long-term troubles, I don't have a problem with her either. She's got her standards, surprising as it may be." Undyne sighed while shaking her head and gently palming her forehead.
"DEAR MISS LUNAR DOES HAVE A PARTICULARLY STRANGE SET OF STANDARDS THAT SHE FOLLOWS RATHER RANDOMLY...IT'S LIKE SHE DOES WHAT SHE DOES SIMPLY BECAUSE SHE'S BORED...LIKE FLOWEY!" Papyrus noted.
"Well...I guess that's one way to put it." Undyne rolled her eye.
Alphys stood quietly in the fields with Mettaton's arms folded, and with a fellow mini-bot of his showing an image of Geno Alphys gently instructing her on her progress. Techno-magic was a powerful thing when used effectively and efficiently. And there's many uses in said magic aside from simply fighting, though it is a very welcome bonus. And she wanted to put it to use as much as she could.
"Alright Al. We're gonna review a few things regarding you and Mettaton's techno-magic. They're rather simple." Geno Alphys said from the monitor. "It's rather clear that the both of you have quite a reach when it comes to techno-magic. We've already discussed a bit of basis for your techno-magic, Alphys. And we both already know that Mettaton is capable of much more if he finds it within himself because he has the mechanical body to handle it. Ya know: techno-magical weaponry, enhanced targeting, infusing weapons with powerful effects, weapon mode switching and transformation, and even infinite ammo and energy for his weapons. It's of little wonder that Darkness at first considered him a weapon worthy of mass destruction."
"I still take offense to that! I'm more of a performer than a weapon. Didn't really like how Darkness saw me mostly as that. And either way, this 'weapon' has feelings." Mettaton pouted childishly, but gently waved towards Geno Alphys' image, gesturing for her to continue.
"Don't take it too personally. Darkness is logical like that, as he himself is someone who's designed weapons capable of large-scale destruction. Something he's very clearly uncomfortable with. ever since he regained his empathy." Geno Alphys continued. "Now while you're capable of using your bionic magic to enhance yourself and your capabilities with much more limits on yourself...you have the intelligence to explore your options rather creatively."
"It's quite clear that techno-magic has an incredibly wide range of possibilities either way. But Alphys doesn't really have the immense stamina to make the fullest use of most of those abilities." Mettaton rubbed his metallic chin while shrugging. "Still far better than Sans in that regard, though. It's simply her fighting capability as a whole that needs practice."
Alphys nodded softly while gazing quietly at her paws. "That is true. It would be helpful if I could use the magic that I have offensively just as much as I can defensively. I have plenty of avenue's for both. I just need to hone them as best as I can." Alphys consider honing their magics highly important to their growth. Their further expanded potential won't really mean much if they can't hone that potential to make use of it. Undyne has made a valid point about this, and so has she. And she plans of follow through on that belief.
Darkness has noted that monsters and humans do share one unchanged similarity in regards to potential: It was possibly limitless for the both of them. Which is why the latter was somewhat fearful of the former. Though it's been made clear that the fear has gone away and they have begun collaborating much more even before Ebott's monsters emerged from the mountain. Unfortunately, many that took advantage of that collaboration are not friendly people. Ebott was determined to be the minority that didn't end up like them. Corrupted by their own power. And because of their interactions with Shamir's group and the dragon trio, they know that this was not a matter to go ignored.
"Honing our magic as our reserves expands to amazing amounts...it does sound like a necessity we should never fail to consistently recognize." Alphys said quietly as she raised her paw. Moments later, numerous targets made of digital energy, each moving about slightly in numerous motions. Though she was undeterred by this, pulling up both paws and firing concussion beams that struck each and every target down, shattering them into pieces. She flexed her paw a couple times while thinking to herself. Perhaps I can follow Darkness's example and craft a couple things for Ebott's sake. Geno me has done enough for us as it is...she needs a break.
Alphys yelped as she suddenly felt strong arms around her and effortlessly lift her up in a cuddly hug, turning her head to see a grinning Undyne. "Hey Al!~"
"O-Oh! Undyne, it's you..." Alphys stuttered briefly, the blush spreading across her face as Undyne affectionately nuzzles and kisses her cheek, before gently setting her down and lightly slapping her back. She chuckled lightly while pushed her glasses back up. "I've been thinking over how to put my techno-magic abilities to better use in the future. SInce it's pretty clear that we'll be getting into a lot more trouble than we'd really want. Just trying to better the abilities that I have hidden within me."
"FUHUHU! That's good, Alphys! Very good!" Undyne grinned while gazing at the monitor with Geno Alphys shown. "Hey! What, not really up for coming out on your own, Geno Alphys?
"Sorry about that, just checking on a few things in my private time. Nothing too important at the moment, so you don't have to worry about me too deeply, promise." Geno Alphys reassured them. "I'm still up for hanging out later tonight though. Anime binging and the like."
"Heh." Undyne grinned as Geno Alphys waved farewell while the monitor shuts off, returning to Mettaton's side. "Hey Metta. How's Nappstablook and Shyren doing? Are they alright?"
"Oh yes, they're doing rather well! Though I multiple plans in the making that involve lifting everyone's spirits! We have to make up for missing the Dreemurr Trio's birthday somehow." Mettaton responded. "Well darlings, I have to run. Speaking of Nappstablook and Shyren, I'd better get back to them and check up on them. They're both so quiet, yet they also have a tendency to make quite a bit of noise in the most unexpected of ways. Farewell!~" Mettaton parted with the group while the monitor continues levitating right next to him.
"I'M AFRAID I MUST GO AS WELL. SANS MUST BE LOUNGING AROUND WITHOUT ME TO INSTRUCT HIM." Papyrus huffed while pounding his chest. "NOT TO WORRY THOUGH. THE GREAT PAPYRUS WILL BE SURE TO SET HIM STRAIGHT SO HE GETS THINGS DONE LIKE THE REST OF US!~" Before they even get the chance to return their farewell, Papyrus was off in a mad dash, leaving behind a cloud of puffy smoke.
Asriel sighed while sheepishly rubbing his neck. "Well...there he goes. He sure wants the best for Sans, doesn't he?"
"Credit to Sans, he's nowhere near as lazy as he used to be...but he's still Sans." Alphys said with a sheepish laugh. "Papyrus does a lot to keep him focused on something that doesn't require his immediate attention."
"Good luck with that." Undyne rolled her eye. At one point, Sans has been, and still is, the most dangerous of the core group due to his barely existent tolerance for nonsense during combat, regardless of his laid-back attitude. Though Undyne was beginning to believe that Sans knew he would always be the weakest monster of the core group no matter what he does, hence why he does train, just not as much as Undyne and Papyrus would like, much to their great everlasting annoyance. . "Well, whatever. Your training's done, and our training's done. What's say we take a bit of a break for ourselves, boys and beloved?"
Alphys blushed slightly at being referred to as 'beloved', as she twiddled her thumbs while going into her self phone and accessing the Dimensional Boxes. Soon after, each of them were given a little something to refresh themselves. For Undyne, seeing that she was sweating quite a bit, provided her with some cold bottled water. For Asgore, a rather large Legendary Hero. For Asriel, a sparkling Starfait that matched his eyes while spotting it in his paws. And for Alphys herself...Instant Noodles. Of course. It's been working for her, and she's highly unlikely to give it up. Good thing Undyne doesn't expect her to.
Asriel wasted no time indulging himself in his own sweet treat, using a spoon also provided by access to the Dimensional Box,scooping up a bit of the sweet and eating the selected scoop. He closed his eyes and sighed at the taste, his ears rising slightly as sparkling stars surrounded him for several moments. He couldn't help but feel blissful whenever he indulges in his inner sweet tooth once in a while, though his brother Chara is much more shameless about his own sweet tooth than he is. One thing remains certain, he would never deny that Starfaits were among the most delicious monster sweets of all time. He did hope that Muffet wouldn't take offense to this. She was polite, but competitive.
Undyne also wasted no time, sipping her bottled water while Alphys was sipping her Instant Noodles. Asgore was a bit surprised that he was given a Legendary Hero, but he politely thanked them anyway and takes a large bite from it while nodding with his son. Asriel nodded back, while he gazes softly at his Starfait and takes another spoonful from it while gazing at his Rainbow Locket for a moment, gently caressing it as he thought back to the most recent events that occurred within Ebott. After minutes of peaceful silence between the four, Asriel was the one to break it by looking up towards Asgore.
"Dad...is this what it feels like?"
"Hm?"
"All of these things happening over time...they're getting more frequent than we'd like? I can't help but be concerned about what might happen next. What might happen to our friends, to our family. To Ebott as a whole...it only gets more difficult..."
Asgore lowered his eyes slightly, clearly sensing the plight growing within Asriel. It was silent, but it was still significant enough to be noticeable. He certainly felt the same way. Though at the very least, he could reassure his son to some degree. With a small sigh, he lightly pets the top of Asriel's head while gazing out into the sun, his jade eyes shining slightly. He remembered long ago, he couldn't really bring himself to harm anyone. Though these days he was much more willing to harm others in return for them harming his people, especially if he's already given them the chance to leave them alone. He sighed softly while turning his head back to Asriel.
"Asriel. It is becoming quite clear that your protectiveness over the land we live in has grown quite tremendously. It's an appropriate response, given our nature and the most recent events surrounding us. Outside forces wish to harm us. The citizens worry for their safety. We find ourselves digging deeper into our individual strengths so that we may have the power to stand up to whatever plagues us next. I have taken some time to think deeply about it. As much as we may prefer to stay neutral to whatever is going on out there, it has been made painstakingly clear that whatever is threatening us, it will not go away."
"Unfortunate, but true..." Alphys said while quietly gazing at her paws.
"I dunno what those guys are about. But based on what we've heard and what has happened, there's more of them coming for us in the future. Like it or not, we've gotta be prepared to fight them off at every single turn." Undyne said while pounding her fist into her palm. "Getting really tired of them and their crap. They struck once, then twice, then a third time, then a fourth time. That's growing beyond unacceptable. They're deliberately trying to pick a fight with us, and they KNOW that we won't ignore them, because now they're purposefully getting innocents involved. Human and monster alike. They think they've got something to prove by trying to beat us into a pulp, and are surprised that we beat them back. Harder."
Asriel sighed as he gently caressed his Rainbow Locket, thinking over the recent events and what his loved ones were telling him. Asriel has thought this before and his mindset hasn't changed that much: He knew that there were situations that kindness alone wasn't going to solve. Though the increasing severity of the situations one after another was beginning to unnerve him, forcing him to adopt a mindset he wasn't sure he could maintain in the long-term. And then there were also the more unfortunate implications of all these events. And it was in regards to the human and monster interactions that Alphys acknowledged, Undyne was angered by, and Asgore sadly disappointed by. It was unbelievable.
"Scattered monsters...monsters out there that survived the war and managed to both survive and live past it all. There might not be as many of us as there are of humans, it's definitely enough to be worth of notice. There are good monsters out there...and yet, I'm seeing many bad ones as well. And I wonder why they would be doing what they do. And they do so with the cooperation of bad humans so they can oppress and/or control those weaker than them. Or worse, kill them. And even worse than that..." Asriel closed his eyes while shaking his head. "We should be helping one another improve everyone's lives. Not teaming up to push everyone back down...just...what the golly happened while we were in the Underground...?"
"This stuff ain't gonna discourage you, is it?" Undyne raised her eye.
"...No. Of course not." Asriel denied while opening his eyes. "I want to know what happened on the Surface while we were Underground. It's going far beyond Ebott, that much I can say for certain. I want to know how these things came to be, and why. But I'm going to keep my main focus on protecting Ebott from those that threaten it. As Prince of Monsters, they are always to be my foremost priority...but not at the cost of my own life. I do plan on living so I can keep looking after everyone, and protecting them as best as I can. And maybe eventually, I can possibly lead them by example."
"...Asriel. Do you intend to become my eventual successor?" Asgore asked softly. Even though Asgore doesn't always vocally reinforce his title despite Ebott not being a monarchy, it was very clear that the monsters still look to him as their main leader. It wasn't something he could help, though not with lack of trying on his part.
"...I'm thinking about it. I don't think I'm anywhere near ready for such responsibility yet. I didn't forget that I should live for myself as well as for them. Martyring myself for their sake caused more pain in the long-run. While I didn't fully regret my decision at the time, I don't want to take any chances of even remotely repeating it." He looked up towards Asgore with his eyes shining with slight enlightenment. "And after everything you've been through...I know I'm not ready for such an important role..."
Asgore didn't interrupt Asriel at all, he simply listened to him and processed everything he said. Part of him was glad that Asriel remembered that living for himself was just as important as living for his fellow monsters. Back then, Asgore had nothing for himself, yet he kept smiling anyway. His subjects could not see him fall into despair, or they would never be able to recover from their own. He had nothing to live for regarding his own sake, only for the sake of others. That was one of many consequences for his impulsiveness back then, not having the heart to follow through o his own words. It's something that still weighs heavily on his conscience, but he never lets it slow him down for long. And now Asriel was actively thinking of succeeding him one day...but only when he was ready. He knew that he wasn't fully prepared for it. They both did.
"...Asriel. What you say is true. Given the burdens of being King, you are indeed not ready for that burden. A King is nothing without his people. A King must be willing to appreciate the positives of his ideals and accept the negatives as they are. He must be able to emphasize with them and inspire them. Their well-being is a higher priority than your own, but like you said, it does not mean you should forsake your own well-being in the process. He must look after his land with care, and always be prepared to defend his subjects from threats. The trust between King and subject must be mutual, neither can survive long without it. And do you know what one of the most important aspects of royalty is, my son?"
"...Be humble." Asriel said. "Being royalty doesn't make anyone better than better subjects. It mostly means that the person in question has a very important responsibility to lead them. It's easy to let such a position of power corrupt someone into something terrible, believing that with their position of power, they can do whatever they please. That's why it's important to be kind, reasonable, strong, and above all...humble. Without humility, the risks of the other three crumbling apart rise drastically." Asriel knew all about power corrupting someone, even when they have good intentions. Himself, Flowey, Chara, and even Frisk were guilty of this at some point or another.
"Course there isn't anything WRONG with having a bit pride in yourself. Just...keep it on the down-low. On tolerable levels." Undyne reasoned as she cuts in. "Though honestly, Asgore takes modesty and really loves to run with it. I honestly can't remember the last time he's worn his royal garbs. Nope. He wears simple jeans and various shirts with pretty flowers on them. Which by the way, does nothing to hide this." Undyne smirked while teasingly poking Asgore's belly. "You may have your fair share of muscle, but only your armor will be able to effectively hide this jolly gut of yours!"
"Hey now, no need to razz me that way!~" Asgore chuckled while sheepishly rubbing his neck with a slight blush on his cheeks.
"There's a high chance that Asriel will grow to be as big and tall as you one day, Asgore...though he won't have the large belly." Alphys noted with a small chuckle of her own. Another series of laughs left everyone, as they eventually calmed down and collected themselves. "Right. Of course there's still much about this world that we might not be completely aware of. But rest assured, we're going to be what we can to try and adapt to it as much as possible."
"Right, of course." Asriel nodded to Alphys. When it comes to those from Ebott, if there was anyone who was capable of helping everyone find answers to something, it would be Alphys. Geno Alphys can double those possibilities quite well. And then he turned towards Undyne, his mentor. Of course, she would continue helping improve his fighting skill and power. With everything that's happened, it's likely she was considering the Royal Guard's return. Her police force was still such a thing aside from name, anyway. But that was a subject to approach another day. "Well, I finished my Starfait. You want to come home with us and have some tea?"
"You boys go on ahead for a bit. We'll catch up." Undyne waved at Asriel and Asgore, the duo nodding and proceeding on without her. When she was left alone with Alphys, she turned her focus towards her. "It seems like everyone's trying to step up their game at this point, in order to achieve something."
"Yeah..." Alphys nodded. She did agree that the attitude was getting incredibly contagious. Frisk no longer wanted to be a burden, Alphys wanted to hone her magic, Red was getting more serious about her own role. Even Papyrus was taking these matters with more seriousness than before. One of the biggest signs of this is just how rarely he wears his 'battle body' at this point. He hasn't worn it for a while, which certainly took Sans off-guard. It was like Papyrus made a self-made promise to himself, and the increasing lack of his battle-body seemed to have something to do with it. He must really be determined to not let everyone down anymore. "Everyone is working harder than ever...our protectiveness of Ebott grows by the day."
"It's not like it's without reason." Undyne rolled her eye, as she leaned closer to Alphys while grinning. "We all have a common goal of some sort that only brings us closer. Right?~"
"Y-Yes...I guess it does bring us closer together...of course there's always the constant feeling of danger to emphasize that fact...not exactly the best compromise in the world, Undyne..."
"Yeah, that may be." Undyne tilted her head while folding her arms. "Very true...but I know the others are gonna be fine. And I'm pretty damn sure I'm gonna be fine too. Because I've got three things that'll always keep me going. i've got my amazing strength. My even MORE amazing spirit. And of course the third, MOST amazing thing...more of a person, actually."
Alphys blinked while twiddling her fingers. "I see...what would that be...?"
Undyne then turned to Alphys and knelt down to her level, flashing her bright smile towards her beloved. "I've got you, my adorable little nerd.~" Undyne got the reaction she wanted, a bright red adorable blush from her dear girlfriend. "And we also have everyone else to counting on one another and helping each other out. And I count on you the most, just like you count on me. And given how you've begun standing beside me instead of behind me, I'd like to believe my faith is more than justified."
Alphys softly smiled towards Undyne, touched by her encouragement as much as her overall love. Enough for her to reach up and lightly kiss Undyne's lips, which she was more than glad to return, briefly caressing her cheek as well. They soon parted as Alphys lightly rubbed her palms. "Well...what do you say we join the boys for tea? Having both you and Asgore to make it means twice the tea."
"Yeah, tea sounds good and relaxing. Let's go." Undyne beamed as she stood back up to full height. Alphys reaches out and gingerly holds her hand as they began following the two Dreemurrs, which took quite a while to actually catch up to. As they progressed Alphys felt much better about how things were currently going. There were certainly many dangers to be wary of. But as long as she had her ever-improving magic, as long as she had her friends, and as long as she had Undyne, she would do what she could to improve everyone's lives, and fighting chances against whatever threatened them. Even as a scientist, she can become powerful too, just like her girlfriend.
Perhaps soon, the two of them can finally become something more...
Asriel is thinking about taking up the mantle of 'King of Monsters', in a more serious light. He wants to know and understand the burden, so he can be better prepared for when he finally accepts it.
Asgore wishes to help him get to that point if that's what he truly desires, so he can retire the title and the responsibility that comes with it, to good hands.
Undyne aspires to become a more powerful knight-possibly the most powerful knight-so she can protect her friends and her home. Gerson will be proud.
Alphys believes she can improve her magic and knowledge to improve everyone's lives, humans and monsters alike.
They, along with many others...have their hopes and dreams to aspire for. Granted, Asriel's might be a bit of a stretch considering how modern the world seems to be...but future world-building will explain why it might be a positive possibility. Though that doesn't mean it'll be easy to reach. But he's counting on it.
Until next time, dear readers.