Chapter Twelve: The Era of the Underground
Gerson: Can someone say something funny ? I'm starting to get depressed.
Gaster: The humans have lost their minds… I can't believe the pope ordered the extermination of our race…
Toriel: Don't move Gaster. The humans did a number of your head, the healing is almost done.
Gerson: Okay you won, I'm really depressed…
Toriel: That's not really what he ordered, he declared a « crusade », formed an army in order to have the holy city.
Asgore: But the monsters aren't the humans's enemies. We always considered them as our friends.
Gerson: I think we were more like their tools than their « friends »… Our trust in humans doomed us all, and now, we are trapped in the mountain…
Gaster: I think we should talk for later, right now. Until this seal is broken, we should make ourself comfortable in this place… I'm gonna explore it entirely to see if we can really move in. *walks away* Thank you Toriel, I'm feeling better now, I can take care of the minor wounds…
Gerson: Wait for me, I'm coming with you. *follows Gaster*
Asgore: …
Toriel: *puts her hand on Asgore's shoulder* Don't worry dear, it will get better one day, you'll see…
Asgore: *holds Toriel's hand* I know Tori… It's just…
Toriel: What ?
Asgore: I don't know what to think, the humans killed a lot of monsters, and sealed the survivors in this… underground… I can't understand why have they done this… We never caused any harm to anyone, we offered our friendship and yet…
Toriel: Please Gorey, don't be sad, nobody could've predicted this would happen
Asgore: But I'm not sad Tori, I'm angry: angry at the humans for betraying us so cowardly, and to myself, I can't help to think about those who didn't make it… They were calling for help, and I didn't hear them… The moment whey I noticed the danger, it was too late… They, they… *starts crying*
Toriel: *hugs Asgore* It's not your fault… You did your best when we confronted the humans. You could've kill many of them, but you made sure your trident's blade wouldn't touch their flesh. We gained enough time for our people's flee. Don't be guilty, it's nobody's fault in here. Come dear, you need to get some rest, you fought like a beast earlier.
One year later:
Asgore: Tori told me you wanted to see me Gaster ?
Gaster: Yes Asgore, come inside. I have two things to tell you.
Asgore: How is your creation ?
Gaster: You must be talking about the CORE… It's almost finished, I just have to add some settings.
Asgore: Hard to believe you created an energy source by magic only.
Gaster: It wasn't so easy as you think…
Asgore: *pats Gaster's shoulder* But you did it well ! Now we have decades of advances on the humans. Honestly Gaster, what would we do without you ?
Gaster: *smiles* Consider it as my thanks for teaching me how to speak. But I didn't wanted your presence to talk about the CORE, it's about the barrier.
Asgore: You know how it works ?
Gaster: *nods* For many years, I have studied human magic, almost none of them use it but i doesn't mean that learning magic is impossible for them, but they need a lot of training and DETERMINATION.
Asgore: I already know that Gaster, Tibault explained to us before he passed away.
Gaster: Please let me finish, I'm getting to the point. When a human uses a sealing magic, the barrier summoned is unbreakable since it is made by DETERMINATION. The only way to break a barrier, is to use a SOUL, a human SOUL to break the reason why a human SOUL is needed is because it contains a lot of DETERMINATION, unlike us who barely have some in our SOULS… In our case, the barrier which got us trapped was created by seven humans, combining their magic, like you and Toriel did for example. To break this barrier, we must gather seven, seven human SOULS.
Asgore: But how can we gather them if we can't go out of this prison ?
Gaster: We can't go out, but humans can go through the barrier and fell in the Underground.
Asgore: Seven lifes in exchange for our freedom…
Gaster: Freedom always have a price to pay Asgore…
Asgore: I-I must talk to Tori about it…
Gaster: I understand you despise murder Asgore, believe me, I find it very despicable, but you accepted the throne and the sacrifices you had to bear as a king. Remember your mother's last lecture…
Asgore: I didn't forgot Gaster, but… I need time to think about it… There is something else, you want to talk about, what is it ?
Gaster: … *sighs* If you're getting like that… I'm trying an experience, for my own satisfaction, I don't want anyone else to know about it, at least, until it is finished… Look at this, *shows his notebook* the sketch on the left is my first, the construction has begun and the one on the right is still not done.
Asgore: *raises his eyebrow* Gaster, you're not explaining, I'm confused, what are you talking about ?
Gaster: I'm trying to create… « creatures » linked to me… When they come, I want to take care of them… But it will take centuries, the process is very slow. The sketches I'm showing you, it's them, but as fetals. The day they shall be born, they would start to grow up, like a true living being.
Asgore: *blinks slowly and smiles* Gaster… You want to be a father ?
Gaster: *blushes* N-no…! I told you, it's just an experiment !…Alright, fine you won, I do want to be a father…
Asgore: Why are you using science to create children ? Why don't you use… the « usual way » ?
Gaster: You mean, the way you and Toriel are using almost every night ?
Asgore: *blushes furiously* GASTER !
Gaster: Now that I think about it, do you two want to have a child ?
Asgore: Aren't we talking about YOUR children ?
Gaster: *crosses his arms* Asgore…
Asgore: …
Gaster: Don't play that game with me, it doesn't work…
Asgore: To be honest, we really want to become parents, to take care of children, but it means we have to give up our immortality…
Gaster: This is the price you have to pay for giving life to a child. Before I met you, I saw boss monsters as the only creatures who could defeat death.
Asgore: *nods* You forget we still can die if we're badly wounded. Your life spam is very high too.
Gaster: I'm not the only one: Gerson too, and I suppose most of the monsters are able to live very long.
Asgore: Or humans's life spam is very low…
Gaster: *shakes his head* It doesn't matter if our life spam is high or not, we're getting out of the subject.
Asgore: I know Gaster, but this is between Tori and me. We are the one who must decide if we want to become parents or not.
Gaster: Of course, I'm not telling you to be a father in any minute. I was just curious…
Asgore: *stares at the sketches* They are skeletons like you…
Gaster: Yes, each of them will have their own personality. For now, I don't know which I should choose for them…
Asgore: That's stupid Gaster. You don't need to choose a personality for those children, why don't you decide in the random way ?
Gaster: What do you mean ?
Asgore: I think you cannot expect your children to act like you want them to. They will just look like your clones. Your children are a part of you, so make them independents.
Gaster: That's interesting… I will think about it… Thank you Asgore, I think I would need your advice again
Asgore: *smiles* It's a pleasure to help a friend.
Many centuries later, in 21th century:
Toriel: Gorey, can you come here for a second ?
Asgore: What is it Tori ? Something's wrong ?
Toriel: No, not at all… I'm getting bored so I want… to play a game with you: I'm going to ask you a few questions and all you gotta do is answer and find a link between those questions.
Asgore: So if I'm not mistaken, your game is like a quizz ?
Toriel: *nods* You got that right ! You ready ? Let's start !
Asgore: *chuckles* You sound very excited, are you sure you are a grown woman ?
Toriel: Are you sure you want me to not give you a slice of butterscotch pie ?
Asgore: *whines* I didn't say anything…!
Toriel: That's exactly what I'm thinking. Don't get upset, you'll see this game would definitely brighten this day !
Asgore: *pouts*
Toriel: *sighs* Okay you big baby, first question: what is the most beautiful thing that life gave you ?
Asgore: Meeting you on one fateful day ?
Toriel: *smiles* Go on ?
Asgore: Falling in love with you ?
Toriel: *blushes* …Then ?
Asgore: Our wedding ?
Toriel: And ?
Asgore: I think that's all ?
Toriel: Gorey dear, you forgot something.
Asgore: Did I ? What am I—
Toriel: *puts her hand on her stomach, blushing softly*
Asgore: *widens his eyes while his jaw dropped* Tori… You're…
Toriel: I went to Gaster… It's a boy…
Asgore: I'm gonna be a father…
Toriel: I'm gonna be a MOMster !
Asgore: *rolls his eyes playfully* You're really into those puns aren't you ?
Toriel: *laughs* Yep, and I can tell you're not a fan of those.
Asgore: I never said that.
Toriel: But what is going on inside your head right now, Fluffybuns ? *caresses Asgore's hair*
Asgore: Many things: tiredness, shock, happiness… I wasn't prepared for this… I can't believe we're gonna have our own child… But Tori, are you sure you want this ? Do you really want to give up your own immortality for us ? For him ? *puts his hand on Toriel's stomach*
Toriel: Gorey… I told you already last night… *hugs Asgore* I wouldn't be so willing if I didn't want this boy… I'm making no mistake, because I know I made the right choice to share my life with you… I'm willing to give up my own life for you, for our baby, for our future family… Even if we lose our immortality, we could still have a happy life, no matter if this is quite short. My only wish is to be happy with you…
Asgore: *hugs Toriel back* Your determination is greater than the Humans's… You are going to be a wonderful mother…
Toriel: And you are going to be an exemplary father…
Asgore: This unborn child, is a blessing… I know he's gonna write a new chapter of our history… I'm sure of it…
Toriel: Only time will tell dear, only time will tell…
A few months later:
Toriel: Psssst. Gorey, wake up. *shakes lightly Asgore's sleeping body*
Asgore: Mmm ? What is it, dear ? *notices a video camera* … err, and why do you have that video camera ?
Toriel: Shush ! I want to get your reaction . Gorey, dearest. What is my favorite vegetable ?
Asgore: *scratches his chin* Hmmm… Carrots, right ?
Toriel: *grins* No no no ! My FAVORITE vegetable is… Eda-MOM-e…. get it ?
Asgore: *stares at Toriel with an unimpressed reaction* … Go back to bed, dear. *lays down on the bed, pulling the blanket*
Toriel: *removes the blanket* No no ! Not yet ! *giggles* Now, if I were a dog, what breed of dog would I be ?
Asgore: *gets confused* Hmmm… I don't know, honey. What kind of dog would you be ?
Toriel: I would be… A MOMERANIAN.
Asgore: *chuckles* You sure are excited to have this child. *lighten up* You know, if you keep making jokes like this… One day, you could be… *gets Toriel's attention* a famous MOMedian.
Toriel: *widens her eyes, hiding her grin* … Well, I am going to bed.
Asgore: Hey ! Come on, Tori ! That one was funny ! *pouts*
Toriel: *cracks up laughing* I know. I am just teasing you. *joins Asgore on the bed* Goodnight, dear.
Asgore: Goodnight, honey.
Toriel: … oh dear, perhaps it is too dark in here for the video to come out…
Asgore: *laughs*
The memories are flowing back…!
I remember now… It's still foggy but I can remember who I am: I was born in the era the Humans are calling the Middle-Age. I was a member of the Royal Family of the Monsters. When I turned 8, I met a boss-monster, just like me, crying all alone, looking for her parents. My kind nature lured me to help her. She told me her name: Toriel… Her name is making me feel some emotions I don't understand yet… Love… Passion… Sadness… Grief… Depression… and, anger…? Hatred…? No, not hatred, resentful…? Why am I feeling such negative emotions ? The memories I have seen showed nothing but happy moments I shared with Toriel, so why…? This could be the proof some memories are still in the shadows, do I really want to see those painful memories ? Do I have the choice ? Or must I recover everything one day or another ?
….. All of the questions I asked myself, there are no answers before me… This… This is unbearable…! Frustrating ! ….Calm down… calm down… I must continue my recall… Over the years, I spent all the time I had with Toriel so she would never feel alone ever again. And then, we fell in love with each other, we even nicknamed ourselves… I called her « Tori » and she called me… What was it…? Errr… Let's see… Ummm… « Asgory » ? No… « Fluffybuns » ? That's the second nickname she gave me, that's kind of embarrassing… But, the first one…. « Gorey »…? Yes, « Gorey », still embarrassing but I guess I've come to like it as time flowed… Anyway, when I was crowned King of the Monsters, I must have proposed to her… Since she was crowned Queen… We were inseparable, nothing has ever disturbed our world… Until that day… The Humans declared war upon my people, calling us « devils »… As I recall, their army was heading towards the holy land, towards Jerusalem, when everything has begun… Does that mean Humans are… fighting with each others ? How… ridiculous… That's the stupidest thing I ever heard of… Humans are so warlike… Who are the true « devils » ?
They… They sealed us, in a place called the Underground… My friend Gaster was seriously injured on his head, but thanks to Toriel and her healing magic, he managed to stay alive. But his wounds are still to be seen by everyone… He doesn't seem to mind… Gerson grew tired of fighting, he decided to retreat in Waterfall, favoring the peaceful sound of the water than the crowded streets of the capital, called the RUINS by now… But he is still offering his services.
At the 21th century's dawn, Tori and I… we had a child, a little boy, his name is… his name… I know I can remember what he is called…. « Asriel »… That's the name I gave him. But one last question remains: what is MY name ? I heard it again and again…My name is, Asgore Dreemurr…