Book 4: Our Theme
Inspired by: Toby Fox's Undertale
"Howdy!
I'm Asriel!
Asriel the Boss Monster!"
Hmm, that doesn't seem quite right. Sounds a bit too threatening.
"Howdy!
I'm Asriel!
Your new brother."
That's not quite it, either. But at least I'm no longer sounding so... Murdery. I've been practicing this all morning and all afternoon. I feel kind of guilty about all this. I've let everyone assume I'm practicing for tomorrow's coming of age ceremony. But, really, I'm practicing for the speech when we finally meet again, Chara. I suppose Papyrus would say I'm not lying. But, even so, I still feel bad about this.
I've been practicing ever since the last reset sent me back here. Of course, I haven't told anyone else about the other timelines. Who'd believe a crazy whopper like that anyways? Cute little Asriel turning into an evil, time-traveling flower? I suppose you might, Frisk. But Mom and Dad? They'd think I went crazy. Or maybe that I was trying to dodge my royal responsibilities.
Asriel, honey! Are you still practicing for that speech? You've been at it all afternoon. You should take a break. I've made some pie. Hurry on out before it gets cold, dearie.
"Coming, Mother!"
Finally! I've been waiting since morning for this! Snail Pie, my favorite! I throw the door open, completely forgetting to show any sign of decorum appropriate for a prince. Snail Pie, here I come. It's been AGES since I've been able to enjoy one. My body is ready! My taste buds are ready! My nostrils are ready! Let's take a nice, long whiff before I get to the dinner table.
Wait, this smell. It isn't snail, it's... it's... I'm sorry, I think I need a moment. I think I'm going to gag. I know it's only been a few hours to her since she's seen me as her son. But for me, this moment has been centuries in the making. There's no way I can let my first new memory of mother being of me breaking her heart like this.
I'm sorry, Asriel. I ran out of snails. All I had left was a little butterscotch and cinnamon. Forgive me, my child.
I manage to hold back the worst of my aversion. I.. I think I might actually be able to pull this off as tears of joy. I know she doesn't remember any of it, but I still remember everything. After all I've done, I'm not ready to look her in the eyes yet. Let's be honest. I did some weird stuff as a flower. Especially in the days leading up to Frisk's arrival. Shutting off all her water so she couldn't clean any of her Delta Rune outfits. Secretly wearing out her books by using them as makeshift toboggans for the stairs whenever she left to check for fallen humans. I was very bored. And very naughty.
But worst of all was the time I was frolicking around in her sock drawer, like I was a kid playing in a pile of leaves. Scandalous! I've never seen her like that before. I thought for sure she was going to burn the whole house down trying to pun-ish me. No, seriously. She just would not stop laughing at her own terrible flower puns. She lost control of her magic from all that laughter. I do feel bad for that one tree she burnt during my escape though. Ever since then, it's leaves always fell off right away. As I am lost in these horrifying yet humorous thoughts, a familiar voice snaps me back to reality.
I messed up again , didn't I? I'm so sorry. I was just trying to make you happy.
"N...No. You didn't mess up, Mom. It's perfect!" I try to put on a smile for her. As I hug her, tears stream down my face. Afterwords, I run back to my room with the pie before I start making funny faces in disgust. I must act fast. Chara should be falling down down this morning. I have a lot of preparations to make by then.
I guess it's confession time. I didn't like the pie at first back then, either. But, once I brought Chara back to us, Mom often made it. Seeing them enjoy it so much made me happy. I think it made all of us happy. And I didn't want to make anyone upset over wasting my piece. So, I just kind of reluctantly forced it down the first few times, until slowly I began to actually enjoy the flavor. Chara always used to say chocolate bars were their favorite. But, I know better. Even if they refused to admit it, I know all four of us sharing Butterscotch-Cinnamon pie together at the table was their REAL favorite food. I guess this reset really did bring me back to how I was before everything happened, taste buds and all.
Anyways, in short, my body will need to re-learn to like this pie by then. And, I'll have to find a way to sneak outside to the hole in the ceiling without being caught. But, before all that. I need to write a letter. I must apologize to everyone for missing my big coming of age ceremony tomorrow.
"Howdy! If you are reading this letter, worry not. For I am safe. I am just as excited as both of you for my big day today. I tried and tried to find the right words all day yesterday, but they never came. After hours of practice, I finally realized something very important. I'm simply not ready. Not as I am now.
It's not your big shoes, or you big muscles I need to imitate. It's your big hearts. I have yet to discover my own special something to protect. My own reason to stay strong and be true to myself and my heart in trying times. Maybe it's a special person? Or the commitment to an ideal. Or a fond memory of a place near and dear to my heart, one which I wish to both preserve and share with the world? Well, whatever it may be, I will need to find it before I can hope to be half the ruler you two are.
To this end, I am heading to where the sun above shines through. Maybe a glimpse at their world holds the key to my happiness. I should be back tonight. I know this sounds selfish, but please, don't follow me. This is simply something I need to do to become the man you know I can.
See you soon,
Asriel Dreemurr
P.S. Mom, can you teach me how to make that pie when I get back? I think it'd be lovely if we could make something nice like that together, to celebrate my return as a worthy prince."
After my parents both fall asleep, I carefully sneak out of bed, open the door as quietly as I can, and tiptoe over to the kitchen. Once there, I take two more slices of pie before heading outside. One for me to use to practice liking it again, and the other to give to Chara when we finally meet again.
When I was younger and innocent, I used to take what felt like long walks throughout the Ruins. Of course, this was before Chara came, and even before we all moved to New Home. Pretending I was on all sorts of heroic adventures. I could play for hours there and never get bored. The Ruins used to be my entire world, and it had seemed so big. That was then. Now? The Ruins are quite small once you get used to them. Even without being able to burrow anymore, I know all these pathways better than I even know myself.
Wait... Did I just say burrow? I always thought I'd be overjoyed to get my old body back and finally say good riddance to that flower. But, then, what is this feeling inside of me? Why would I even think of burrowing?
After a few minutes of walking through the constant velvet background of my old playground, I found what I was looking for. At first, I notice the a faint glimmer of light. As I approach the pillar of light, I find exactly what I expect. A human child, laying alone and injured upon the ground. There was one small surprise though. I had completely forgot there weren't any golden flowers growing here yet! Just trying to imagine how painful the fall must have been was enough to make me cringe. But, I came here for a reason. It'll take more than this to discourage me.
As I approach the human, I don't seem to notice any movement. I begin to panic. I move closer and, to my relief, the child is still breathing. I try holding their hand. But they don't react. I try giving words of encouragement. But they don't react. It seems I really can't help yet. My only option is to wait.
As I wait, I decide to set one of the slices of pie on a plate and set it infront of them. I don't want to startle them too much though, so I sit a couple feet away and turn myself away a bit. This is to make it so they don't see me as some weird furry creature, just as a fellow child in a striped shirt. Once we are friends for a little while, I'll break the big news. After a little bit of waiting, I hear some sort of sound coming from their general direction. It sounds like they are groaning at trying to pick themselves up and failing. I guess it's showtime...
Author Notes
Sept1, 2016 (post-release)-while discussing my other fics, I realized I accidentally used the chapter name as the fic name for this one. Fixed that now.
Aug 8, 2016 (release)-After some minor encouragement from the Steam Forums and the realization that Chapter 12 of Soultale behind schedule (~50-60% done), I present the first chapter of my Asriel-centric fic to help tide my readers over. I have about half of the next chapter ready as well, but probably won't finish that up until around Waterfall on Soultale.
June 3 (Pre-release)-Chapter is finished. Waiting on a good time to post it.
(Pre-release) (April 4, 2016): Began this chapter in late February 2016.
