Chapter 5: Iron Fist
Sergio returned to the underground later that evening in order to give the impression that he'd searched all day for "the fugitive." It was ironically humorous to think that he completed his assignment the day it was assigned, but Asgore wouldn't know about it.
Why shouldn't Asgore know about it, though? Sergio promised, or rather, threatened to expose Asriel if he didn't come through in a week. The human was never that big on honor, so breaking a promise he made to someone like Asriel wouldn't have been a problem for Sergio. Of course, Asgore was doing the most political work he'd done in decades, it seemed. The king needed to be focused; knowledge of your runaway son would have messed with your head, too.
Sergio also feared that he gave Asriel too much time to present evidence. On the one hand, this would provide Asriel a week to screw something up, and a lot could have happened in a week. Unlike Asriel, Sergio never claimed to see Tobias walking around. If Asriel saw Sergio personally to explain what "Flowey" did, why didn't Tobias have the same courtesy?
On the other hand, the odds were pretty stacked against the prince; it was a big city, and finding someone while trying to keep a low profile was next to impossible. He still doubted Tobias's existence, but he had seen stranger things. Besides, monsters down here gave him a chance (whether they realized it or not), so it would have been fair to give Asriel one as well.
But if the prince got any funny ideas, his chance would be nullified on the spot.
"There you are, ya little punk!" Undyne teased as he entered the throne room, a slightly exasperated grin on her face. She was dressed in her black tank top instead of her armor. "What took you so long? I texted you ages ago!"
Right...the phone's busted up...What was the best excuse for the destroyed phone? Was it smart to mention "the fugitive" at all? Not likely.
He reached into his cargo pants pocket and pulled out the pieces of his phone. "If ya did send me somethin', I ain't get it."
Asgore entered the throne room, holding a hot cup of tea. He found the broken phone in Sergio's hand. "What happened to it?"
"It was runnin' low on battery, so I tried ta charge it wit electric magic. It ain't work out so well."
"Clearly! That thing's toast!" Undyne commented. "If you used magic, you must have overloaded it."
Score. Sergio sold them. "Yeah...I'm good wit fire, but electricity's a different ball game." That part wasn't a lie; when Sergio fought Asriel, the first spell he cast was a flame that engulfed his entire body, which had broken magical restraints the prince cast on him. Since then, fire magic seemed like second nature to him. He could cast electricity, but it was definitely harder to do.
"Maybe fire is your specialty, just like with Asgore," Undyne claimed.
"Is it like that fa all boss monstas?" Sergio asked, looking at the king.
"Somewhat. It varies from monster to monster. Back when Gaster was my royal scientist, he did research on how magic affected the soul. He concluded that one's magical abilities and specializations were usually, but not necessarily, hereditary."
"Guess there's a lot more ta this magic than I thought. I'm guessin' these same 'specializations' apply ta Undyne's spear and whatnot?"
"Ah, see, for weapons, there's a complex process that goes into that. If you'd like, Undyne can show you how you can better defend yourself if the need arises."
Sergio felt he knew well enough about magic, despite having possessed the ability for less than a week. After using it in the fight against Asriel, it seemed just as normal to use magic as it did using a pistol. He "killed" a godlike monster being who possessed almost all of the souls underground. Nevertheless, the monsters had been using magic all of their lives. It wouldn't have hurt to learn a thing or two.
"Aight, I might jest take that offa," Sergio accepted. "Anyway, what is it ya wanted me for?"
"The video's been finished!" Undyne said proudly, producing a remote from her pocket. She pointed it at a projector on the center table. The screen appeared on the stone wall.
The video faded in to a kid monster sitting in a chair as Undyne interviewed her.
"What makes you so excited about the surface?" Undyne asked her.
"I want to see the Sun!" the kid responded. The video switched to various other kids who gave their answers.
"I wanna see the moon!"
"The stars!"
"I wanna see the changing seasons!"
"I want to play with the kids on the surface!"
"We can finally get fresh air!"
"My mommy always seemed sad that we couldn't get to the surface. Now that we can go there, I think my mom will finally be happy."
Sergio felt a mixture of jealousy and nostalgia when he'd heard that last statement. The fact that the kid loved his mother had reminded him of his rocky domestic past. It certainly didn't help that the background music sounded like a faster, more orchestrated version of the song he heard from a fountain in the underground. He blinked a little to dispel the tears forming in his eyes.
The video switched to Asgore sitting in his throne, showing a banner in the bottom right that displayed his name.
"Despite what initial appearances may seem, our hopes and dreams are just like yours. We're not in this for money or dominance, as some may have assumed. All we want is the opportunity to prosper, to live the way civilized people should. We ask for your support as we make this transition. This is our opportunity for a new and better life for both of our peoples." And the video faded out to the hashtag #FreeTheMonsters.
"That's it?" Sergio asked.
"We had to cut the parts where you or the barrier were mentioned," Undyne clarified.
"For real? What they sayin' 'bout me?" the human inquired defensively.
"Actually, they didn't say anything bad. Everybody knows that you broke the barrier, so I guess they forgot about the Mettaton thing."
"Also, I wanted to get this video done well enough as soon as possible," Asgore added. "The sooner we finished it, the sooner we can rally for the cause."
"I see whatchu sayin'. Well, otha than length, I think it'll be a home run. Get it inta circulation."
"Noted. I'll get Alphys to send it out over the internet," said Asgore.
. . .
The video went viral. In just one day, it had received over a million views, dozens of news stations talking about it. Alphys created an email account for business inquiries so that news stations could contact the king.
The account was bombarded with messages, some of additional support, others from troll accounts, and even a few from news stations asking for interviews. All of this plus the security work she had to handle had to have been too much for Alphys. It was apparent that someone should be assigned to address business inquiries.
Sergio and Undyne talked about it as they sparred with wooden weapons at the Royal Guard's training grounds. The human blocked a downward strike with his sword and ducked under a spinning spear blow. Just as he tried to strike the guard in the back, she came back around to swat his sword away, the weapon landing ten feet to Sergio's left.
Undyne pointed the spear at Sergio, smirking proudly. "You're dead," she said simply.
"Heh," Sergio scoffed, retrieving his sword. "What about Papyrus?"
"Remember what I said at my house? About Papyrus being a softie?"
"Ay, he's a nice guy. I'm sure he'd do a betta job at this than bein' a guard." Sergio lunged toward Undyne's torso, the guard parrying the attack and going for his head. He countered with a parry of his own.
"Well, that'd be to his demerit. He's too nice for something like this. I mean, Asgore told me what happened yesterday with you and the shooters in the surface. If bad people showed up online, there's no telling what it'd do to him." Undyne swung her spear at Sergio's feet, the human jumping over the attack. He swung the sword toward Undyne's left, the guard using her training bracer to deflect the attack. Undyne then lunged at Sergio, the human catching the attack and struggling to keep the spear away from him. He finally pushed Undyne back a couple inches.
"Come on, Undyne. You knew 'im longa than I did. You should know that literally nothin' someone could say to 'im would bring 'im down. Matta fact, you roast 'im, he'll think you talkin' bout ya self!" Sergio rolled under another lunge. He knelt behind her and swung at the back of her knee. Undyne kicked the sword by the flat end and turned around, jumping and lifting her spear. Sergio rolled backwards to dodge the downward attack, her spear hitting the floor.
"You may be right about that. Even if that wasn't an issue, I don't know if he'd really be 'with it,' you know? Like, Asgore's entire 'surface council' only has four people, and those are people he knows can keep up the whole 'we-have-a-nonviolent-history-with-humans' thing."
"But he can trust a human he barely knows?" Sergio said, standing up.
"I'm not saying that wasn't a gamble, either. But, everybody knows what you did for the underground when you took out that demon creature. Since you did that, you must have earned Asgore's trust."
"Guess so. You ain't tell Asgore 'bout Papyrus?"
"I only said that the king may have a new royal cook soon, as long as he kept up his training. Speaking of which," Undyne tossed her spear, "show me what you can do with magic."
Sergio stashed his sword and brought an open hand in front of him. He cast a small open flame in his palm.
Undyne huffed, unimpressed. "Is that all you can do?"
Sergio frowned and brought his other hand up, summoning another small flame. He remembered the sheer power he exhibited when he fought Asriel. The flames enlarged above his hands, his entire body eventually enveloped in an orange-hot blaze. For added measure, a small ring of fire appeared around him.
That got Undyne's approval, her jaw dropping. Sergio closed his hands and brought his fists to his side. The fire vanished immediately.
"So...that's what I got," Sergio concluded.
Undyne nodded. "Fire's not a bad spell to use, but it's a bit overkill if you're only going against one person. Do you know how to concentrate it at all?" She looked around the training hall, then pointed at a training dummy. "Hit the dummy with a fireball."
Sergio briefly recalled the encounter he had with the dummy prior, where the dummy sprung to life and sent a barrage of missiles at your local hood rat. He pointed an open hand at the dummy and thought of the instance where the Slingers attacked him. A second later, the dummy and the immediate area around it were lit aflame. It wasn't exactly a fireball, but Sergio was still glad the dummy took it like a champ.
He closed his hand to dissipate the flame. Undyne stared at the dummy, then at Sergio's fist. "Try doing it with a closed fist," Undyne suggested.
Sergio obliged, aiming a fist at the dummy. He went through the same thought processes as before. Heat generated from his chest to his knuckles before a ball of flame shot toward the dummy, hitting it with more force.
"Yeah, that's it! That's the key to precision!" Undyne exclaimed, patting Sergio hard in the back. "So I guess if fire is your go-to spell, it must be your specialization. But it's better to be a jack of all trades in case fire doesn't work. I remember you struggled to use electricity properly with your phone and all. First, show me how you would summon it."
Summoning it was the easy part, but controlling it was a different ballpark. Sergio put his index and middle fingers together and aimed at the dummy. The spell seemed delayed as electric heat flowed from his chest to his fingertips. Then, he jabbed his fingers forward to summon the electric spell, which arced in the twenty feet between him and the dummy. A black spot appeared where the power hit, which vanished just as quickly.
"Lot harda ta do," Sergio commented.
"Eh, it takes practice. Magic is also linked to emotions. Monsters usually summon electricity when thinking about thrilling moments in their lives. I'm pretty sure you can think of a couple near-death experiences," Undyne spoke with confidence.
She wasn't wrong. In fact, she was a catalyst of many of the "thrills" Sergio had felt in recent times. He thought back to the time when they were enemies. The human bobbed and weaved to avoid a series of magical spears she cast at him. He feared that the low whirr of the spears would be the last thing he heard before passing onto the everafter.
These thoughts fresh in his mind, Sergio repeated the index-middle finger gesture and pointed at the dummy. This time, the spell flowed without delay, Sergio laying down an electric barrage on the dummy.
He then splayed his fingers, his palms pointing toward the dummy. More electric arcs flowed toward his target, each one stemming from one of the human's fingers. Curious, Sergio put the bottoms of his hands together, causing one large electric beam to shoot toward the dummy. He closed his hands to dissipate the magic.
Undyne nodded. "You shouldn't be blowing up any more phones now. I'm curious, what did you think about when doing that?"
The beef Undyne and Sergio had was water under the bridge, so he didn't want to bring up the truth. "I thought a' goin' on a rollacoasta once."
"Rollercoaster, huh? Cool."
In reality, he'd never ridden in a real one; family outings only happened when Sergio's father was around, and his height back then definitely prevented him from going on the actual coasters. Even so, the kiddie rides weren't that bad as a child.
"So, why you stuck wit a spear when otha monstas can use elemental joints?"
"Not all monsters are alike in abilities. I wasn't born able to use fire or electricity like other monsters. That was the reason I was so hotheaded back then. Everybody was showing off these cool tricks back in elementary school, and there I was, stuck to using my fists. I was just...so angry that I was like this. Why couldn't I be like the other kids? Why did I have to be different?" Undyne slightly frowned as she recapitulated her past.
Oh. They were getting into some real talk. Sergio stuck his hands in his pockets, listening intently.
"I was so bent on proving to the other kids that I was just as tough as they were. I'd pick fights with a bunch of them, but once they figured out I couldn't really use magic that well...it didn't turn out good.
"Things were like that until I discovered that I could turn someone's soul green," Undyne continued, liveliness returning to her countenance. "Having the power to stop someone dead in their tracks really leveled the playing field. Soon, people started to respect me...or fear me. When I joined the Royal Guard, King Asgore trained me with all sorts of weapons. You can guess which one I chose."
Undyne extended an arm to her side, her hand open. As she closed her fist, she summoned the glowing spear, bringing it in front of her. "I bound this baby to my soul so that I could use it wherever I was. I never need to store it anywhere." She moved her arm to the side, the weapon dissipating.
"Even though you got a weapon now, don't ya think you still at a disadvantage? I mean, other guards got soul-connected weapons and elements at they disposal," Sergio pointed out.
"I haven't really had a problem before. Besides, if a weapon is bound to you, you don't get tired like you would if you were using elements. And if you get good enough with a weapon, it doesn't matter what other people have. Now, enough talk." Undyne picked up her training spear. "We've still got some training to do!"
Sergio chuckled and picked up his sparring sword.
. . .
The next day, Asgore was scheduled to meet with a local talk show host about his campaign.
"How do you expect to make the transition to the surface, King Asgore?" said the host.
The king sat in his seat, looking as confident as ever. He absorbed all of the attention he got from the live TV interview. The talk show host awaited his answer with the utmost anticipation.
"The support we've gotten from surface audiences has been overwhelming. I am confident that this support will be echoed within the city's legislature in the upcoming days. I will be open to discuss any transitional matters that may concern Mayor DeMarco and anyone else within the council."
Millions were confident that the mayor would at least consider talking with Asgore. Why wouldn't he? The king was quite civilized for an underground dweller, and he seemed eager to disclose reasons why a coexistence would benefit not only monsters, but humans as well.
However, luck didn't favor the monarch. A New York city council meeting was televised that same night.
"Finally, our last topic for the night. There is a staggering amount of people who support the 'Free the Monsters' movement. Many have called for another meeting between the mayor and Asgore Dreemurr. Mayor DeMarco, your thoughts?"
"Why are we wasting time talking about this?" the mayor responded with a look of annoyance. "I've said it before, and I'll reiterate it: We have to look out for our own city first. We have neither the time nor the resources to spend housing or protecting these creatures. Some have said that I'm 'heartless' for refusing to allow the monsters to move to the surface. I feel it's my responsibility to care for the people who have lived here for years, especially before even thinking about aiding non-humans who became a fad in the last few days. This entire situation is nothing more than a distraction from my true duties, and I pray that the rest of you feel the same."
Surprisingly, quite a few council members disagreed with the mayor. They wanted Asgore to at least explicate what he planned to do on the surface and where he would set up shop. The majority of members sided with the mayor, however, reflecting on the prioritization of their own species. Many others were silent, as if they knew that the mayor's word was law regardless of what side they took.
While people were arguing on the surface, there was another meeting for Asgore's surface council. The main subject was Alphys's finds from the security footage. Everyone gathered around the king's table for the small conference.
"So, Dr. Alphys, what could you dig up?" Asgore began.
"It t-t-took a long t-time to get something over the last f-f-few days because of the s-s-surface emails," Alphys said. "B-b-but I did find something: the f-f-fugitive w-w-went to S-Snowdin and c-c-crossed into the ruins. It looked like S-S-Sans and H-Her Highness were witnesses to the whole thing."
Sergio gulped. He really hoped that the rest of his friends could stay out of the entire political realm. Sans could have been pressured to reveal condemning aspects about Sergio's past or Asriel's existence. As for Toriel, Sergio merely wanted to avoid awkward moments that could come with two exes meeting each other.
It was apparent Asgore felt the same way about the latter, the corner of his mouth twitching. "I see. We've got a dilemma on our hands, then. If I summon them and disclose the fugitive's escape, there's a chance that news of this will spread throughout the underground, starting a fire that doesn't need to be started. However, they may have crucial knowledge of the fugitive's whereabouts..." He stroked his beard.
"All that's true, but Toriel don't really go outside the ruins much. If you tell 'er somebody escaped, the only otha person she'd tell is Sans, who you was gon' interrogate anyway," Sergio pointed out.
"Yeah, and I know Sans can keep a secret if he needs to. The main problem is making sure he'll actually get out of bed once we summon him," Undyne added.
"So we've come to a consensus?" Asgore asked. Everyone else looked at each other and nodded. "Then it's settled. Undyne, you and three others go to each monster's residence in groups of two. Escort both Sans and Undyne here."
"Yes, Asgore," Undyne murmured before leaving.
About a half hour later, Toriel had joined everyone else in the throne room, Sans having been brought in shortly prior. It looked like a straight up court trial in there; Asgore sat on his throne, with Undyne standing on his right side. Alphys stood on the left side of the throne, her hands fidgeting meekly. The "defendants" Toriel and Sans stood across from the king, the former's posture stiff. Sergio leaned against the room's wall, appearing neutral, though expecting an interesting outcome.
"Never thought I'd get summoned by the big man himself," Sans remarked, breaking the tense silence.
"And I never thought I'd be escorted by soldiers. What's this all about, Asgore?" Toriel asked, her face stern.
"Apologies for the abrupt summons, but I've brought you here today in grave circumstances," Asgore began, Toriel's barbed words deflected from his countenance. "What we're dealing with today is a breach in underground security."
The news was slightly startling to Toriel, but Sans remained unfazed. "What, uh, happened, Your Majesty?" questioned Sans.
"Two days ago, a hooded figure had circumvented underground security and found his or her way to the surface. Surveillance footage shows that this figure had entered your residence, Sans, and walked into the ruins, Toriel. You two are the most valuable witnesses of this fugitive, and I want to ascertain that you are not accomplices to this crime."
"Don't be ridiculous, Asgore. What stake would we have in helping the fugitive?" Toriel responded.
"That's what we're here to find out," Asgore fired back, his expression neutral. "Tell me everything you know about the fugitive."
Toriel blinked. "The only thing I know about this fugitive is that I saw them in my house one morning. They were cloaked, so I couldn't discern their identity. They never said anything to me."
"How long was the figure in your house?"
"I don't know. It seemed as if they were there for the whole night," Toriel admitted.
"Really? The fugitive hides out in your home for the night, and you happened to just see them the morning after? Where were you when the fugitive entered the ruins?" Asgore pressed.
Toriel crossed her arms. "The only time they would have gotten in was when I went on an outing with Sans. I came home shortly after and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary."
"Hmm," Asgore said, apparently unconvinced. "What did you do when you saw the fugitive?"
"I greeted them, but they merely ran away when I said something. That was the last I saw or heard of them until today."
Asgore pondered the testimony quietly. Sergio felt that her story checked out; it made sense that Asriel ran as soon as he was discovered, what with the whole cloak and dagger aspect of his actions.
Then again, the prince's shenanigans had led him to his own mother, of all people. Asriel likely spent the night there without his mother's knowledge. The fact that Toriel's long lost son was closer to her than she thought had angered Sergio. Toriel had been worried sick about him ever since his death so many decades ago. Nevertheless, the prince's whole Tobias crusade made Asriel think that he was too good to show his face to a mother who loved him.
Sergio really ought to have exposed Asriel right then and there. Of course, Asgore's political focus was still relevant, and Toriel knowing that her son left her in the cold would have hurt her even more. But this dude ain't makin' it easy.
"Very well. Sans, your testimony," said Asgore.
Sergio's mouth twisted. What was Sans going to do here? The skeleton presented himself as one who hated liars. Would he become a hypocrite just to protect the identity of someone he didn't really know?
Without missing a beat, Sans answered, "The guy came in my house asking for a cup of hot chocolate; it gets cold out there in Snowdin. He was kinda creepy 'cause he kept his face covered, but other than that, he seemed okay."
"So you can confirm that this fugitive was a male?" pressed Asgore.
"By the sound of his voice, I assume so," the skeleton shrugged.
Well, he prolly ain't lyin', Sergio thought. At the very least, Sans's reaction seemed geniune. It made sense that a living lie detector would be one of the best at telling them himself.
"And he hasn't said anything else?" Asgore continued.
"Nope. Just finished the cup and left without another word."
"Was all of this really necessary?" Toriel inquired. "The soldiers, this trial, any of it?"
"I would hope you thought it was necessary," Asgore responded. "With the barrier gone, there are all kinds of incidents that could occur. I won't allow my - our - campaign to be sullied because of one fugitive. And protecting the fugitive's identity will do nothing to help anyone."
"We aren't protecting anyone. And what are you doing, besides accusing innocent monsters and lying to the presses, in order to find this fugitive, since he concerns you so much?" Toriel countered.
"I've tasked Sergio with finding the fugitive's identity on the surface. We were hoping you two could give us more insights on the fugitive," Asgore answered, obviously disappointed.
"So it was you who led him into danger!" accused Toriel, her brows furrowing. "Your assignment had nearly gotten Sergio killed!"
"Hol' up," Sergio spoke up, standing up straight. "Don't get it twisted, Toriel; I volunteered ta do all a' this. I ain't sign up completely ignorant ta the city I grew up in."
"But if you were not tasked to look for the fugitive that day, you wouldn't have been put in harm's way," said Toriel, turning to the human.
"Yeah, and Manny woulda gotten iced. Since I happened ta be there, he didn't."
"Whoa, what? Sergio's life was threatened? This is the first I've heard about it. What all happened?" Sans asked.
"That is not important right now," said Asgore.
"Oh, so Sergio's life isn't important to you?" Toriel assumed.
"I never said that. I'm saying that the subject we're here to discuss is the fugitive. I forgot how much you like to divert attention from the main business at hand, Toriel," Asgore quipped.
"Far be it from you to value both human and monster lives, Dreemurr," Toriel came back. "I don't understand why you are willing to talk for hours on end about the transition to surface life lying through your teeth, but when I'm calling your policies into question, policies that nearly got Sergio killed, you're suddenly uncomfortable!"
"Toriel, look," Sergio cut in. "I get that you concerned fa my safety, aight? But, savin' Manny was neva in the job description. It was somethin' I jest did in the spur a' the moment. Plus, don't be goin' about this like I'm some little kid. I'm more than old enough ta know when somethin's dangerous. If I felt I wasn't capable a handlin' this bidness fa Asgore, don'tcha think that I woulda stepped down?"
Toriel balled her fists. "Whose side are you on?"
"I'm on the side that keeps it real. Once you throw me into the mix, I'mma speak fa myself if necessary. I want you ta know that anythang that involves me up there," Sergio pointed up, "I'm responsible for it. I ain't jest some human robot bendin' ta Asgore's every whim."
Toriel looked as if she wanted to say something, but realized that Sergio had a point. She turned back to Asgore, silently threatening him with her piercing gaze.
"As for your comment on human and monster lives," Asgore resumed, "I am concerned now more than ever about the wellbeing of both species since the fugitive's escape. We have no idea why he left the underground without authorization. What I do know is that I want him to be found at all costs before he commits crimes that would be linked to our civilization."
"Why not inform the human law enforcement? Why not ask around the underground about the fugitive?" Toriel asked.
"Because I don't want to give the impression that our fleet of soldiers is easily pregnable. I want to keep the underground's sense of security high and the humans' knowledge of our location and personnel low. The humans have already staged one takeover of our land, and I will not risk another."
"See, Asgore? This is the reason the humans were afraid of monsters. Militant showcases like this give the wrong impression and only harbors aggression between both sides. If there's a fleet of soldiers waiting between here and the surface, what will happen if a human - a human child - finds their way down here? Are you going to kill them, as you're undoubtedly used to doing? Or will you risk security by letting them go?"
"If unauthorized persons come here, they will be warned to turn back. If they don't comply, they will be regarded as a threat and will be dealt with as such."
"You fail to see your own hypocrisy, Asgore. How would you feel if the human government set up a military fleet that prevented monsters from seeing the surface?"
"If the humans remembered the war between humans and monsters, I would understand. I would find alternative means to make my voice heard."
"'Alternative means.' Pardon my lack of assurance," Toriel wisecracked.
"You know, for someone who abdicated her throne, you seem really interested in political matters that don't involve the fugitive."
"Well, that can easily be fixed. As of now, I am returning to the royal crown as an adviser."
Asgore gave a short, clear laugh. "You're moseying back into the crown now? On what grounds?"
"On the grounds that our kingdom shouldn't be solely ruled by a hawk."
"Is that the only reason, Toriel? Or is it a last-ditch effort to regain the glory you've lost? How do I know that you're not really in it just to get a taste of the fame that I've gotten? It seems that you want nothing to do with the crown when it gets tough, such as when our sons died, but you want back in when it appears glamorous."
"'Glamor' has nothing to do with my intended position. I am not going to retake my previous position as queen. My main concern is making sure your policies don't endanger anyone else."
"You're no longer part of the royal crown, Toriel, so your 'advice' no longer has merit to the people underground, nor to the humans. You also forget that, like other royal positions, advisers are appointed by the king. You don't get to decide whether or not you become an adviser."
"I suppose the position would be appointed; you'd rather surround yourself with people who agree with you than consider multiple points of view."
Sergio wanted to protest, but he thought about Toriel's words. He had been there for pretty much all of Asgore's major transition choices. Every time the "surface council" convened, they've generally come to consensuses all the time. Sergio didn't feel as if everybody was a yes man to Asgore's decisions. They simply all agreed that their past courses of action were the best. There was usually at least a little debate between them all before decisions were made.
"I grow weary of these meaningless 'discussions' with you, Toriel. You and Sans are both dismissed," Asgore concluded.
"You can't just-" Toriel started.
"Undyne, see them out." Asgore's stare was steely at Undyne, who briefly hesitated before approaching Toriel and Sans. The skeleton had fallen asleep while standing up as the discussion became more political. He had snapped awake as soon as his name was uttered.
Reluctantly, Toriel headed for the door. Before exiting, she declared, "This isn't over, Asgore."
What is the source of Toriel's sudden determination? What is she planning for the monsters' political future? On the surface, what will Asriel encounter that will help him find Tobias?
Find out on the next chapter of New York State of Mind!