Hello everyone, it's AlwaysTheTruth back with another chapter! I got some good feedback on the first chapter, but hope to get better as it goes along. I knew this took forever to make, but I wanted to add a little length. Not to where I want it yet in terms of how long I want these to be, but it's. a start. As always, feedback is appreciated.

UPDATE: Slight spelling fixes.

Well, here I am. I'm at the party... okay Asriel, calm down now. You can do this, just, focus...

"AHHHH!" I cried out.

Mom was startled, "What's the problem my child?"

"There's just so many monsters here! What if I let them down?"

I looked around the room, everyone is here. The Royal Guard leader, Captain Undyne and her henchmen are the life of the party, Doctor Alphys the Royal Scientist is oddly hiding in a corner, Muffet, the "Queen" of the Spiders, actually brought cider this time, and last but not least Mettaton! Along with all the guests he brought with him. All these important people here just for me, I can hardly believe it myself.

"You do not need to worry Asriel, everyone's focused on other things, such as catching up with people around our house, so you should just enjoy yourself until the main event," she said this with her typical warming smile, she was truly a great mother.

I took a moment to collect myself and took a deep breath, "Thanks Mom, I needed that."

"You're welcome, now if you'll excuse me, I need to talk to your Dad about something."

I gave her a wave, "Alright Mom, talk to you later."

With that, she walked off in search of Dad, who wasn't visible at the moment. I went back to starring at the cider I hadn't even touched. Feeling curious, I decided to finally take a sip and was surprised by the flavor. It tasted like strawberry, but there was something... off about it? I didn't feel tipsy or anything, it's just...

Muffet bumped into me, "Oh, sorry dearie. What seems to be the matter?"

"Well, your cider is delicious and all, but did you use something special in it? Something about it tastes... unique."

She clapped her 6 hands together and said, "Well, I didn't want to threat intoxicating children. So I used spider venom in place of alcohol! Nothing lethal, of course. How is it?"

My mind stopped, "Good, see you around."

"Um, okay?" Muffet walked away.

I am hyperdeath eternal. I have drunk the venom of thy friend, now I have nothing more than tears coming down my face... It came from a spider? Goodness, it may have even been one I've seen tonight! But who...

"Asriel, snap out of it!"

Just when all seemed lost, Chara snapped her fingers in my face, sending me back to reality. "Sorry Chara, were you trying to tell me something?"

"No no, you were just standing there devoid of life, it was creepy. I was half expecting you to turn to dust."

"Oh, sorry about that."

She gave a short laugh, "I'm kidding of course, I would've been a lot more drastic if I though you were dying."

I gave a sigh of relief, "That's what I thought, but it's always better to be sure."

"Well, it's not like I'm not glad you're alright, it's just I wouldn't lose my cool that easily. I know I've put you through worse," she said in a self loathing tone.

I chuckled, "Thank goodness you're still here to say that."

Thinking back to those times, I remember the first time I had a birthday with Chara. Funny story actually, by the time my birthday came around my parents had no idea when Chara's birthday was. So, instead of asking her like a normal monster would do, they decided we'd share a birthday!

It went as normal, for the most part. We both got presents, got a cake, and celebrated, but Chara never smiled. We didn't say anything about it, we thought maybe that's just how she is. However, when the party ended and everyone had left, Chara looked at the calendar, then turned to us and said, "I didn't want to say anything, but... it's not my birthday today. It's three months from now... sorry."

You want to talk about weird moments... that was the last thing any of us expected. My parents were so embarrassed! It turns out, humans use the same calendar as us. Which shouldn't be too surprising considering we both come from the surface.

I focus on the present when I notice Chara tapping her foot faster and faster, "Is something wrong Chara?"

"No, just nervous..."

"I'm right with you there. I wonder what dad got me."

"I wonder what it is too," Chara chuckled a little. "Knowing him, it's probably another shirt or something."

"You're right about that."

"Well, what do you really think it is?" Chara leaned in, her eyes focused. Does she think she's a detective or something?

"Uh, probably a crown? No, maybe it's the start of some initiative into the Royal Guard... I don't know, I'm dad's only child and future king. He could get me anything."

Chara sat upright and put her hand on her chin. "You know, he'll probably get you something to protect yourself with, like a sword or something."

"Hmm, I suppose you could be right. I guess it's just hard to picture."

The Underground is not a perfect place, and we know that very well. Every week my dad locks himself in the castle with the higher ups to discuss things such as security, happiness, and well being of the monsters. There's also the Human Emergency Initiative, which was put into place after Chara fell down here. She would've gone unnoticed if I hadn't been walking by when she fell. For the most part, however, the Underground is a really friendly place! It's pretty great, if I do say so myself.

Chara patted me on the head, "Don't worry about it Asriel. Remember, this is a good thing."

I feel slightly relieved, "Thank you Chara, you always know how to calm me down."

"Of course I do, silly. We're friends forever."

I take a couple more glasses of cider, which I've quickly developed an odd taste for, before my dad comes to the stand.

"Thank you all for coming," he booms, "your company I'd appreciated. The speech will be held in 15 minutes. For now, you're all dismissed!"

The guests parted until the next house event and went down to a reserved section in the crowd. The four people that stayed were Mom, Dad, and me.

Dad walked up to me with his present. And just by looking at the box that contained it, knew Chara was right.

"My son Asriel, we both knew this day would come eventually, we just didn't know when." He put the present in my hands. "Open it."

I easily unwrapped it and inside was a sword. A little bigger than I thought I'd get, and it was a very thin sword too.

"We had Dr. Alphys model this after her human documentaries, we think it'll help if a human ever comes down here. We all know that protection starts with authority, that's why I still have my serpent. We hope you never have to use this, but if you do, promise me you'll protect yourself."

"Of course I will."

"From now on, you will be training with the leader of the Royal Guard, Captain Undyne. Trust me when I say she's been awaiting your arrival."

"I will make you proud, Dad."

With this, I take my first steps towards leaving dad's shadow.

With tears in his eyes and a smile on his face, Dad walked up to me and gave a giant hug. "That's good to hear Asriel. You couldn't make me any prouder if you tried. You'll need to believe in that promise. For now, just focus on your speech."

"I can't wait to see you up there, my child. We will give our speeches first, then you will go up."

I went to a room- by myself- and read my speech to myself over, and over, and over. Finally, the bell rung, signalling it was time for me to give my speech from the overhang.

I reach my position when I hear Mettaton announce my appearance, "Now presenting, the Underground's savior, Asriel Dreemurr!"

The crowd roars with applause, it made shivers go down from my spine as the stage fright hit my heart. I almost fainted!

Fortunately, I recovered and began my speech, "T-Thanks for coming, everyone. I just want to thank you all for all the support I've been given over my life. I couldn't have done it without you or my family. Anyways, let's get down to business. Over the past 15 years, I've gone through many events. Many expected, but some unexpected. Yet, today, I begin the most important event of my life so far," I unsheathe my sword, presenting it to the crowd, "I, from this day forth, will work to defend the Underground and it's hope with everything I have!"

The crowd roars as applause rains from about everywhere, even the kitchen sink seems to have gone off. I feel my heart pounding, so I quickly thank the crowd and leave.

I was just about to book my way down the hall to avoid commotion when, to my surprise, Chara appeared from the corner.

"Oh my goodness... did you hear all of that Chara?"

"Of course I did, silly. Everyone in the Underground did! I'm just here so I could talk to you a little alone after it ended. Get your thoughts on it."

I turned away, "Well, I was pretty scared, and felt like I was going to die. Did I do good? I probably sounded ridiculous, huh..."

Before I even turned my head to face her, I was embraced.

"Of course you sounded good Asriel. You were great..." her voice started to crack, and tears welled in her eyes, "I can't believe this weird little talking goat that saved my life has grown to be the determination of everyone in the Underground." After a little while longer, she broke off and patted my shoulder, "One day, however, you'll have to be the determination of the entire world. I believe you can do it."

I felt at ease and smiled, "Thanks Chara, I'll believe in that belief." I felt tears form in my eyes. Geez Asriel, do you have to be so melodramatic? Hold yourself together!

Chara clearly noticed, "What are you doing?"

"Uh, nothing."

"You're trying not to cry, aren't you? Do you think you seemed tougher that way?" She covered her mouth, "Pfft, you look so silly!"

"No I don't!"

"Yes you do. Asriel, you're only 15, and I'm only 14. We can cry if we want."

I wiped my teary eyes clean, "You're right. I just worry so much about the expectations that have been set for me. I feel like I could never meet them."

"You know you could never disappoint us. The only person you need to strive to be is yourself, and no one else. Anyways, I'm going home, see you there!"

Chara ran through the long path of halls back home. I, however, have to meet back up with my family.

I saw them at the main exit hall, where a large crowd of reporters seems to have us surrounded.

"You did great, my child. The Royal Guard will guide us through the mess in front of us," Mom said as I met up with her and Dad.

"Thanks Mom, you did even better."

Captain Undyne is currently occupied on learning and practicing battle strategies from watching human war films with Dr. Alphys. So the two guards in charge are, as Undyne calls them, One and Two. In case you're wondering, and I'm sure you are, all guards wear helmets and full plated armor to protect them. Due to this, Undyne decided to number them by rank, and assign that as her name. Some say that's because as he doesn't care about them enough to refer to them by a name, but Dad tells me she does it to protect their families in case someone forms a grudge against one of them. Undyne is the only one who's name is known, and no one is dumb enough to go after her. She's the star pupil of my Dad, after all.

One commanded the crowd, "You all, like, need to back off! These people need to get through."

The reporters moved back a little.

Two walked up to the front and just said, "...Move."

With that, the reporters scrammed and we were guided back to our houses without trouble.

Tories waves them off when we reached the entrance, "Thanks again!"

We finally entered our now empty house after the long day. Chara presumably already sound asleep across the hall. It was late, so Mom and Dad waved me off to bed soon after. The moment I lied down, I fell asleep.

Well, that's all for this chapter. I wanted to focus on characterisation and some more backstory, while still getting some important events out of the way. I hope you all enjoyed! As always, feedback is deeply appreciated and will be applied where I feel necessary. If I got screwy with my grammar somewhere, please point it out so I can fix it.