195X...

I charged right at Mystrium, letting out a loud war cry, putting all my strength behind my swing. My bone sword clashed with Mystrium's enchanted blade, magical sparks flying out from the impact. Mystrium expended little effort in blocking each of my attacks, while I had to use every once of energy just to make them count. Our swords locked, and he instantly overpowered me, shoving be back across the stone pavement. I keep my balance and my stance as I slid backwards, coming to a stop some feet away. I caught my breath while I had the chance and kept focused on Mystrium, who reset his own stance and shifted it to a more defensive state. I watched him carefully, ready to predict and react-

"You're doing great Semi!" Calibri's voice shouted from across the garden area.

"Thanks Cal-"

Mystrium tripped me with his sword and I fell flat on my back.

"Keep your focus Semi! You must not let anything distract you while in the heat of battle!" he advised me.

That's why we do this in the Royal Garden isn't it? Because Calibri works here and you know she'll distract me… You're taking full advantage of her job by using it against me! Crafty little— I reacted quickly enough to block his next attack on me. Barely.

Focus Semi!

I got around Mystrium and out of his sword's range, trying to find an opening to attack him through, but any attack I made that he couldn't block with the blade he used his magic to block off. He kept up with my swings, summoning either a diamond shaped sheet of white magic, or getting his sword around in time to deflect me, which was impressive given he was using only one hand, and the blade being a long-sword. It wasn't a magically summoned sword either, it was a real, forged in fire, blade, somehow enchanted with magic similar to his own. He's had it for as long as I've known him, and I was told by Asgore he's had it since the war. You'd think he would have mastered wielding it with one hand by now, heh.

I gave up trying to find an opening and decided to try disarming him instead. He wasn't use to wielding that sword with one hand, hence why he was getting some practice in with me, so I had a decent chance of knocking it out of his grasp. As I bought myself time to think, dodging his round of attacks, I recalled the techniques I'd seen him use with the other Guards during training, fencing style moves that could disarm an opponent. If I could pull one of those off, I'd have a chance of possibly beating Mystrium! Or is that dreaming too big?

Our swords locked once more and he promptly shoved me back across the pavement again, but this time charging at me right after. Once he was close enough, I tossed myself up with magic and sent a barrage of bones down at him as he went under me. He was quick to summon a sheet of magic above him as a shield to take the shots, after which he let it break into smaller shards and tossed them my way.

I used my sword to counter each shard as I fell to the ground, making a safe landing as I deflected the last one. Right behind it though, was Mystrium, and we soon locked swords again. While I had him, I twisted my sword one way to push his with it, and quickly reached up to the hilt of his sword to turn his hand and basically 'scoop' the blade from his grasp. To my dismay, he reacted to my plan by catching his blade back with his other hand, grabbing it in a reverse grip, and making a full circle around himself as he used his falling force to keep balance and strike at me, knocking me back to the ground as his blade cut right through my bone sword.

I got up and summoned a new sword as quick as I could so he wouldn't catch me off guard again. That's it! I have to catch him off guard! If I can divide his attention I'll have a better chance at disarming him for sure.

Before he made his next move I summoned bone attacks behind him, to which he summoned a sheet of magic to block them, as he did that I summoned another wave of attacks at his side, shifting his focus. When I saw his eyes dart that direction, I summoned another wave above him, and for a split second, as he moved to dodge the attack from above, I could tell his attention was off of me. I quickly tossed myself forward with magic and grabbed his arm, throwing him off balance as he dodged my incoming attacks, and snatched the blade from his hand as he fell. He hit the ground behind me and I promptly struck his blade into the stony ground far out of his reach. I turned back to him as he was getting up and pointed my sword right at him. I had'm!

"Impressive work, Semi." Mystrium commended me.

"'Keep your focus', right?" I repeated his advice, still tense.

"Indeed." he replied, with a smug smile.

I heard something behind me, and realized it was his sword being pried out of the rock. I glanced over my shoulder to see his magic prying it loose and tossing it through the air over me in a graceful arch, landing right in Mystrium's hand as he stood up. He chopped away my sword and butt me in the face with the hilt of his blade, knocking me to the ground, and within seconds I was the one down with a sword in my face.

"It is also good to know how to tell when your enemy is truly defeated." he told me with a smug expression.

Yeah, I was dreaming too big thinking I could beat him...

Mystrium slid his sword back into its intricately decorated sheath at his side, then held a helping hand out to me, I took hold of it, and he picked me up and plopped me on my feet. I straightened my Royal Guard commissioned coat and dusted off my pants, showing no signs of shame from my defeat. It was pretty well expected, heh.

"I must admit, I did not expect you to manage to disarm me. You have been paying more attention to my combat style than I first thought." Mystrium smiled at me with a hint of fear in his expression.

"You always say to watch and learn from the rest of the Guard, so I did." I winked.

"Just try not to copy the combat styles exactly, you have to create your own in order for you to be the most effective in a real fight." he advised me.

I nodded to him in agreement. I had been building up my own set of skills into a unique, quick, combat style that suited both my abilities and height. Mostly my height.

"That finishes your morning training then." he brushed the sleeves of his layered robe off. "You have the usual tour of the city starting at noon." he glanced at me as he straightened his outfit.

"Yes Sir, Captain Sir." I replied with a salute.

"And if you don't mind my asking; do you plan to visit Home after your shift?" he asked.

"Probably. It's been awhile since I've visited." I shrugged my shoulders.

"If you do go, stop by the barracks beforehand, I have something that needs delivering to the Guards in the area."

"Your schedule booked I take it?"

"Yes, I have many appointments to keep, a report to make to Asgore, as well as assist Erudi with crystal gathering," he already looked tired. "and there is another, bit more, personal matter, I must... attend to." his eyes darted around.

"That's one full work day." I commented, feeling bad for the guy. "Tell'ya what, I'll go to Home just to make the delivery for'ya! No extra charge!" I snapped a finger and winked.

"Thank you Semi." he sighed with relief. "If I am not in my office after your shift, it's a blue folder-"

"In the bottom drawer behind the cactus?" I finished.

"Yes..." he replied, a bit annoyed at me.

When you let me organize your office on a weekly basis you shouldn't be surprised to hear I know where everything is and goes, heh.

"I will be expecting the same daily report on my desk as well." he then stated.

"No problem Captain." I answered.

Mystrium nodded to me and made his way into the Palace to start the rest of his busy work day. Meanwhile, I went looking for Calibri in the Palace Garden here. She had recently been hired by Asgore to help upkeep the place, since he didn't have as much time free to do it himself these days, what with all the scientific advances Erudi was making each month, not to mention all the immigration problems facing the underground now. The population was starting to reach its limit down here, especially in New home, and space had to be made for everyone in every part of the underground. Asgore wanted to make sure everything stayed fair, so he kept up with it as well as he could.

I finally found Calibri near the wall of the garden between it and the Barrier, the eerie echos from it came over the wall along with the morning sunlight. That sound will forever give me the heebie-jeebies.

"Finished training already?" Calibri noticed me walking up, getting up from the flowers she was planting in the bed.

"Sure thing, but don't let that stop you from getting those little flora's to their new homes!" I told her with a wink.

"They can wait a few moments." she chuckled. "Would you like to share some tea? I feel I could use some myself." she then offered.

"With you? Anytime my lady." I answered with a knight's bow.

"I'll go make us some then." she smiled.

We met back up at the fountain in the center of the garden and sat on its wide edge wall with the tea set out between us. Calibri was the only one I knew who could make a pot of tea as well as I did; maybe even better! We talked for a bit about things, recent events, happenings around the Palace, gossip over Asgore and Toriel— the usual.

"Absolutely delightful my dear madam." I complimented her tea brewing, being extremely formal.

"Why thank you young squire." she laughed.

"So, how are you liking your new gig here?" I shifted my position on the fountain wall, taking a good swig of tea.

"It's been hard keeping the garden up to King Asgore's standards, but, I am enjoying getting to work with such a wide variety of plants." she told me, looking out over her work.

"I can tell, I hear you out here whistling almost all the time." I commented.

"Y-You do?" she looked embarrassed.

"Yup. You make the birds outside jealous." I winked.

I took another sip of tea, and so did she, with her pale face showing a little blush of embarrassment from my comment. I put my cup down on its saucer and laid back on the fountain wall, my arms behind my head and legs crossed towards Calibri. I relaxed and let out a sigh as I listened to the flowing water and the echoes of the Barrier. If I didn't have a patrol to get to in little bit, I'd take me a good nap right here...

"How is W.D doing with his new job?" Calibri broke the silence.

"Heh, he's as happy as a bustling spider bake sale. Erudi's had him busy helpin' him with all sorts of experiments lately." I answered her.

"Oh? What kind of experiments?" she asked with keen interest.

"I think the recent project has to do with the Barrier. They've been tryin' to find a way to break it."

"Break it? Is that really possible?"

"That's what they're tryin' to find out."

I leaned my head back and looked at the light coming over the wall from the Barrier. Sure would be nice if we could break that old magic wall...

"What about you?" Calibri got my attention from the Barrier.

"'Bout what?" I asked, looking her way.

"Your job in the Royal Guard, is it what you thought it would be so far?"

"Neh, it's a bit more work than I thought it would be, but it's worth it to help my fellow monsters out."

"You seem happy with it." she commented.

I sat myself back up and shrugged my shoulders. It was more fulfilling than the mining gig I had before, and I was thankful for that at least. I finished up my tea before it got too cold while Calibri started tidying everything up. As soon as she had everything on the tray she had brought out I picked it up to take it in for her.

"I'll get it, I gotta head out anyway." I insisted.

"Thank you Semi." she replied thankful.

"No problem sweet pea." I winked. "Don't you and these flowers stop being beautiful now." I told her as I left.

"Semi..." she laughed in embarrassment.

I took off and got the tea set back to the Palace kitchen, having to wash it myself since the Royal Chef was out, I wasn't going to leave a mess in here for him to walk in on later. I snuck a piece of Mushroom pie while I was there and took it with me on my patrol of New Home, I had a long trek ahead of me, having to circle the entire city, and I wasn't going to do it without a snack to munch on in between.

Half past 3 I stopped at a corner in the shopping district of New Home along my route of the city. Everything seemed fine around the place, everyone going about their business as usual. I took a bite out of the slice of mushroom pie I had, and kept a look out for any signs of trouble, not that I was really expecting any. The city was surprisingly quiet these days.

"Good afternoon Semi!" someone called as they walked by behind me.

"Oh, afternoon to'ya Mister Puzzleton!" I replied when I saw who it was.

"Semi." another, more serious voice, suddenly called.

I looked back and saw one of the Royal Guards, No.3 we nicknamed her, standing over me, she was a feline type monster, bobcat variety. Her full suit of armor made her look bigger than she really was, but equally strong and scary. Her keen eye for detail is what got her the rank of Lieutenant in the Royal Guard, so she out ranked me by a mile. I quickly hid the pie in my pocket and smiled up at her.

"Heya No.3! What's shakin?" I asked her.

"Just checking in on you. Have you anything to report?" she inquired.

"Nope, today has been as mellow as a glass of old wine." I replied.

"Very well, keep up the good work Semi." she nodded to me, seemingly unaware of my undertone joke. "And stop taking food from the Royal Kitchen stock, we have plenty in the barracks." she sighed as she walked away.

"You have no proof!" I shouted at her.

I then noticed the crumbs smeared on my hand. I shouldn't have put my hand in the same pocket as the pie. I tried to shake it off, but it was smeared on good. I laughed through a sigh and continued my patrol route around the city.

I passed by the entrance to Hotland and took note of every monster going in and out of it. Sometimes you could catch a thief coming through here, as it was the only way between the two areas, but I didn't recognize any known criminal faces, so I moved on.

I later stood at the end of a quiet street on the other side of town, my watch telling me I still had another hour to go on my shift. I leaned against a wall and rested for a moment, feeling myself doze off in the silence of this part of town, but something went across my hand, something wet. I looked down and saw a pup with its paws up at my hip to reach my pie covered hand. They were licking away at it happily.

"You know, it wouldn't hurt to ask first before licking someone." I informed them.

The pup stopped mid-lick and stared up at me. Their eyes grew wide, and they hopped back from me in excitement.

"Oh wow! You're a Royal Guard!" he excitedly hopped up and down.

"Sure are little pup. Name's Semi." I told him as I reached my slobbered hand out to him.

He hopped up to it and hit his head against it.

"I'm Moshi!" he told me.

"Well Moshi, what brings you to this part of town?" I asked him, realizing he was a pup without a guardian.

"I always patrol this place every evening! I keep an eye out for bad guys." he got low and peered around.

"Oh? You got a bad guy problem around here?" I asked, trying not to laugh at the cute little guy.

"Ha! Not while I'm around! They're all too scared to come out while I'M on patrol!" he stated proudly.

"You must be one tough pup then." I played along.

"I'm no pup! I'm a sharp clawed and composed kat!" he corrected me...?

I took a better look at the little white monster and noticed he wasn't completely dog-like in appearance. He had a long and graceful tail, and whiskers that were as long as his face was wide, but everything else about him said he was a dog to me, he even had the cute little floppy ears like a canine type monster.

"You uh, sure about that?" I asked.

"Of course! My great-great-great-great grandfather was a feline type monster!" he explained.

"That... That doesn't make any sense." I said confused.

"It just skipped a couple of generations is all! I'm the next proud feline of my family!" he stated with pride.

"If you say so kid." I didn't bother arguing it with him. Then remembered how late it was. "Say, shouldn't you be getting home?" I reminded him.

"I got one more pass to make before I go home! I can't let my fellow monsters down!" he told me with determination.

"Heh, keep that attitude up and you may find yourself in the Guard."

"Really?!"

I reached down to pat his head, but he leaned into my hand before I reached him, like a kat would. This was one odd pup... kat... monster. I joined him on his 'patrol' to make sure he didn't get in any real trouble, and to make sure he got home in time. He reminded me of myself when I first dreamed of being a Royal Guard. Eugh, that sure makes me feel old. After seeing him home I started back towards the Palace. I'll have to tell Mystrium to keep an eye on that one, we might have a new recruit on our hands.

I got back to the barracks late in the day, and got right to work writing up my report. It didn't take long to write it up, since nothing really happened, thank goodness. The sooner I could get started on my trek to Home the better. I packed my stuff into a satchel at the barracks, then headed for Mystrium's office in the Palace to drop off my daily report. I hurried in and placed my report on his desk, weighing it down with a book he had left out. I found other misplaced books scattered about the room, and decided to help him out by putting them all back in their proper places. Mystrium had a tendency to let things get disorganized when he worked, which is why he let me help clean the place from time to time. He really was a scatter brain when it came to keeping things organized, even in his own home I know now. All my life watching him command the Royal Guard I never suspected he was such a clutter maker, or so forgetful.

I finished putting the books away and headed for the metal drawers that held the important documents of the Royal Guard; reports, routes, profiles, evidence, and the folder I was told to deliver. I carefully reached for the pot that held the security cactus, a deterrent for trespassers, and pushed it aside, with it out of the way I could reach the drawers. I opened the bottom drawer and spotted the blue folder right away among the others. I got it out and put it in the side pouch of my satchel, being careful not to bend it or let it get crushed, then closed the drawer and pushed the defenses back into place.

As I started out, something I had missed on the desk caught my eye, it was an extra paper lying under my report I failed to notice earlier. I hopped up into the desk chair and picked up the book to pull the paper out, it was probably something Mystrium was working on before he left, so I wanted to put it out where he could see it. I tried not to look at it in case it was confidential, but what I saw before turning my gaze caught my attention. It was a letter it seemed, written in Old Mons, the ancient, long dead, language of monster kind. I scanned it and tried to make out what words I knew from Mystrium's lessons to me and W.D from when we were kids, but all I could make out was that this was sent to him. By whom, I didn't know, it didn't even look like it said. Who would send a letter like this to Mystrium? Someone passed by outside the room, so I quickly shoved the letter back under the book with my report. For all I knew, this was a letter from a secret agent working for the Guard. But why would Mystrium leave it out in the open like this if it was? I lifted the book back up and took another look at the letter. The paper was soiled just a bit on its edges; mud maybe? Did it come from Waterfall? Another Guard walked by, and I took it as my cue to stop snooping around. I hopped out of the chair and left the room right away.

I stopped myself before leaving the Palace, thinking of W.D. He hadn't been to Home in a while himself. It had been weeks for me with my schedule, but he hadn't been in months! I checked the time on my watch and saw I had enough to spare to go hunt him down and ask.

Wonder where that upstart inventor could be?

"I'm telling you now W.D, it is not safe." Erudi warned his student.

"Forgive me for not believing your word alone on the subject." W.D replied.

Everyone here stepped away from him, moving equipment aside, and prepared for... something. I was walking in on a test of some kind it seemed. I joined Erudi at the sidelines and watched along with the other scientists as W.D stood before the Barrier fearlessly. He took a deep breath and gathered his focus.

"Not anything too big now, it will only cause more damage." Erudi advised him, sounding a bit annoyed.

W.D grumbled at that. I made a quick glance of the surroundings and saw what look like magical damage on the rocky ground. What had they been doing out here? W.D regained his composure and stood up straight, snapped a finger, summoning a normal bone ahead of him, and threw it straight at the Barrier. As soon as it made impact it was reflected back at him in the same straight direction and at the same speed. W.D was caught off guard by this and was knocked back onto the ground by his own attack.

"I warned you." Erudi sighed.

I walked over to W.D to check on him. He had a black scuff on his head where he had been hit, but no cracks thank goodness.

"Reflective? How? I thought it would simply absorb the magical energy..." W.D groaned as he sat up.

"Weren't expecting such a strong reaction were'ya?" I snickered as I stood level with his face next to him.

"Who's the Guard who let you out here?!" he snapped.

"Myself." I winked.

"Of course..." he sighed.

"It is a curious reaction." Erudi walked over to us. "But that is why we are conducting research. If we can come to understand its properties, we can come to better understand its make up, and possibly how to destroy it." his gaze drifted towards the Barrier.

I stood beside W.D as he used me as a support to get himself up. He brushed the dirt off his jacket, then looked down at me with a puzzled look. Boy he's gotten tall, he's almost as tall as Asgore now, guy's had two growth spurts in his life now, while I've had none, heh. Heh...

"Where are you going at this hour?" he noticed my overstocked satchel.

"Home." I winked.

"Ah, going to visit your parents again I presume?" Erudi asked me.

"Yup! I haven't had the time these past few weeks, so I'm going while I got the chance now. Plus, Mystrium wanted something delivered." I was happy to say.

"I find it admirable that you take the time to do so despite the strict schedule Mystrium gives you. Such a long trip cannot be easy for you." he commented.

"Nah, it's nothin' for me now. I've found some good shortcuts that help shave a lot of time off the trek." I replied with a little pride.

"You best be on your way then, it will be nearly tomorrow when you arrive if you don't leave soon." W.D told me.

"Oh? You're not going with him?" Erudi asked him surprised.

"I came here to ask'm actually." I stated. "Whadda'ya say De? You got time to pack still!" I nudged at his leg.

"I-I can't! Doctor Erudi needs me here during this project!" W.D stuttered.

"Nonsense, I and the team can handle this. You should go W.D." Erudi told him.

"But I-!"

"In fact, I will give you the next 5 days off so you can enjoy your stay with your family without any pressure to return in a hurry." he ordered.

"'5 days'?! That's-"

"Perfect!" I interjected. "Come on De! Let's go get you packed!" I dragged him away by his tail.

"Wait! I haven't written up my findings! O-or even filed in my theories!" W.D shouted.

"You will have time for those later. Go have some fun and relax your mind for a bit!" Erudi told him.

W.D sighed with disappointment as I continued to tug him by his tail. There's no getting out of this now brother, you're comin' whether you want to or not. He jerked his tail from my grip, or at least tried to, I was still holding on as he lifted his tail up with me hanging at the end of it. He growled at me and I replied with a smile, then let go before he did more than growl.

"Let's hurry this up, De! Like you said, it'll be tomorrow if we don't leave within the next..." I checked my watch. "The next hour or so!" I informed him.

"I am well aware of the time Semi. I will take no more time than is needed to prepare for the journey." he walked past me towards the Palace.

"I'll help you pack! That'll speed things up!" I offered.

"You most certainly will not. I do not want my things haphazardly stored away like yours always are." he complained.

"They're packed in order of importance!"

"Your socks are more important than food and herbs?"

"Yup. I'd hate to get cold feet midway through the trek after all."

W.D groaned as he held back a laugh.

We arrived at the stairwell some time later, the two of us nodding to each other before heading down into Hotland and beginning our walk in earnest for Home. As we crossed Hotland, I recalled one of W.D's crazy ideas he had told me about once. Some kind of machine that could create power from lava.

"Hey, you still workin' on that, uh... geothermal, idea?" I asked, unsure of what he had called it.

"Yes, but I have not made much progress sadly, due to Doctor Erudi's recent project." he explained, sounding a bit disappointed.

"He keeps you busy, huh?"

"He keeps everyone busy. Studying the Barrier is something he has always wanted to do, but until recently, he never had the technological means to do so."

"I'm guessing you helped out with the said 'technological means'?"

"I cannot take the majority of the credit."

"But you can take some of it."

"Some."

We were soon in Waterfall, making our way through the crystal covered caverns. I showed W.D some of my shortcuts, one involving the use of a minecart rail that lead through the crystal mining caves. He had his complaints about it, but I think he really liked the ride in the end.

We bundled up as we crossed into Snowdin, matching the cold weather style of the locals as we passed through the town. The town was pretty alive for it being so late, there were groups of people out and busy with things more than usual.

"This place is really starting to grow don't'cha think?" I asked W.D as I watched folks.

"It has grown since I last passed through. It seems more families are moving here." W.D stated as he glanced around with me.

A group of kids ran past us in a hurry, all of them hopping around happily and playing with each other. There was definitely more room in this area for a family to live in than in New Home. If I ever had my own kiddos, this would be a good spot to bring'm once in a while as a vacation from the city. Heh, me, a dad. I can hardly keep up with myself as it is, how in the underground would I keep up with a rambunctious little ankle-biter? Especially if they were anything like I was as a kid, or even W.D.

W.D got my attention by clearing his throat, and I realized he had just about left me behind while I was watching these kids. I caught up to him and we kept on.

"Don't tell me you are interested in children." he commented.

"Children? Me? Why? I don't have any special interest in them. Why would you ask?" I nervously said.

"I did not ask anything." he stated with a suspicious look at me.

I kept on walking and ignored the thought of having a family. I didn't have time for that right now! I had my duties in the Royal Guard, my room at the barracks to clean, parents to visit, and... well, a bunch of other important things! A family is the last thing I need right now.

Though, thinking on it… No. No don't. FOCUS Semi!