One World: Many Souls
Chapter 1: Passing the Torch
Angel's Point of View:
Large chandeliers and glittering lights sparkled around the room we were stationed inside. Hundreds of people lined the inside of the ballroom that was set up for a gathering of the political parties of all seven families, the families themselves, and many members of the monster kingdom. All gathered and mingling together, having a better relationship in the last few months compared to the last century.
It warmed my heart to be able to see a betterment made for those of the underground kingdom. Asgore and his family were returned the castle that once belonged to his grandfather and the current king at the time. Asgore, Toriel and Asriel moved back into the castle and began working with others of both the monster and human races to restore it to its original glory. As well as restoring rights for the monster people. Their rights were unlawfully taken from them a hundred years ago and force to live below the surface, and most likely hoped to die.
Many humans revolted and protested for years against the unrest and unjust against monsters. So much that our country changed drastically in the span of a month then I'd ever seen it.
Humans jumped on the chance to research the lives and learn the history of what happened to monsters. Many of their houses were purchased by humans so that they could move to the surface with much more money than they knew what to do with. They also would receive a stipend for the rest of their lives. Every monster would get one, even my husband and brother.
My lord, didn't that sound strange to me.
Sans and I had been married for a month. He'd been my dedicated husband through all the chaos as I was introduced back into life on the surface and he began to learn of it. Sans had his nose hole in so many books and online forms that I had to drag him to sleep sometimes. There was too much to learn. Too much to do.
Too many new puns to learn and use.
I could feel Papyrus' nerves grated as I thought about it.
But things had changed so much... and yet so little. While we had moved ourselves to the surface, we kept our home in the underground. It was the house Sans and Papyrus had grown up in. It was where they held so many memories of the past. They hadn't even finished going through all the items of Wingdings' from before Frisk and I moved in. So... we kept it. It was to be more of a... vacation house. Away from onlooks and in a place we were all so familiar with.
The underground still held so many good memories for us. There was no way we could just throw it away entirely.
And with humans flocking toward it for research and history, that tunnel would be manned for years.
But many things had improved for a lot of our friends since our rise to the surface. In the short span of a month, Alphys had her lab moved to the surface. She was just a short distance away from where Asgore's castle was, actually apart of the same section of land that the Teriens family governed. That meant that our friends were within an hour of travel from us and had access to both Asgore as well as us easily.
And Undyne moved in with her, they were going to start dating. Halleluiah.
Grillby, Sara and the kids kept their restaurant in the underground, but closed up and moved to the surface. The family didn't know if they would open those doors again, but with everyone moving rapidly to the surface, there was no need to keep the old place open. At least for the time being. They opened up a new shop close to the handful of colleges in the area. There were a few in each of the surrounding cities.
Which also made it easy for Sans to teleport and eat some of his friend's cooking. Honestly...
Maria and her family moved into a three bedroom home only just a few miles away from our own home. With Frisk and MK, along with their two other friends so close and going to the nearby high school, it made sense for them all to be in a similar area while getting settled. I was thankful that this was happening just as the school year was let out so there would be a smoother transition for the kids when fall started.
It would also help Will with his recovery. Even after nearly half a year of recovering, he still had so much to rehabilitate from what that drug had done to his body.
Bernie and Vicky moved their kids up to the surface to start a brand-new inn business. They found a great little spot out on the sand in a coastal town just an hour and a half from our home. The two families together ran the new inn with Bernie and Vicky being the owners and running many more activates then they did in the underground. They were a heck of a lot busier. But with near fifteen members of the family between them, they had plenty of a work force.
My friends and coworkers in the jury also changed around the way they worked. Many of them had their own businesses that they moved to the surface. Muffet moved her bakery. Hops moved his nice cream set up. Shyren started up a concert hall with the help of Glyde. Whisk started her own makeup line. Mappy was helping Free as he started up a new homeless center for those still struggling with the transition.
Some people didn't want to leave... It possibly could be years before they may be ready to see the surface and move up.
But even so, things were moving quickly. Sans and I had been speaking to Gram for the last week after our honeymoon was over about what was expected of him as well as helping him get established into the family set up.
To try and improve his position among the humans who didn't know him well just yet, Sans offered to teach at one of the nearby universities. After seeing his near flawless stacks of certificates and diplomas of his knowledge of science, he was hired. He would be working part time there for the moment, just to get people used to him. He would teach a handful of classes.
Sans seemed really excited about it, especially with all that he was hoping his students and this new world could teach him. I was actually surprised when I saw Sans was already doing a course line up of labs, research, and subjects he would cover.
I was stunned at the work he was putting in already for classes that hadn't even started. But there was a gleam to his eye lights that was a little unnerving. Sans certainly wasn't going to go easy on them.
I felt pity for the class that got to deal with my husband, the lazy, genius monster.
Speaking of the man I loved, I turned in his direction. Wearing a quite dashing suit and tie, he listened to the speeches going on only fifty paces or so away from us by other members of the seven families and servants to them. Pollical stuff that I was slowly learning with the help of my grandmother and staff. I wasn't interested in it much. I was hoping that the meeting that was being run between the political people would be over soon. I just wanted to go home and relax with my husband.
Was it bad that all I wanted was that?
"Yo, Precious." My husband whispered to me while the men droned on only so far before us. Others of the party still mingled on the other side of the ballroom or in other rooms on the first floor of the mansion. That's where Frisk and Papyrus were, away from the stuff they didn't have to sit through yet until they were older. Well... at least Frisk didn't have to yet. Papyrus never had to unless he chose to do as such.
"Yes?"
"How long this shit gonna go on for?"
I sighed. "As long as they still breathe."
"Damn." My husband let out a groan, rubbing his skull between his phalanges. "They're too winded for my likin'."
I struggled to hide my snort. "Darling, hush."
"Can't they just get the borin' talk over with?" My husband continued on as he held my hand in his own, fingers wrapped together. I couldn't blame him, both of us should have fallen asleep a long time ago. He was only fighting through it to see my moment in being announced, when we didn't know when that was. He was tired. "Thought tonight was to let everyone know ya were Gramz's next head o' family?"
"I did too, but you know how those politics gets." I sighed, trying to keep my back straight regardless before glancing to my said grandmother just behind Sans and I. Said woman sat behind us with a scowl beginning to etch into her features.
Grandmother wasn't planning on this becoming a political event for some of the members to begin talking about all the boring things. With myself not listed as next head of house yet, I wasn't supposed to go up and stop the fools from embarrassing themselves. It had to be my grandmother who did as such, at least until she made the announcement for myself and my backup as Sans in my steed if I fell ill.
Granted, I wasn't sure how much longer my grandmother would be able to take the abuse on her ears.
"Thank you, Mr. Evans." My grandmother's curt tone cut through the air before the man could begin another topic. The look my grandmother gave off made the male her junior shrink and slowly back away to his chair. She rose from her seat and slowly stepped about the then silent room. "As much as I was enjoying the changes that we should be implementing soon, this night is not for work. This is an honor that I didn't think I would be able to give. My granddaughters have returned to me, and I am able to pass on the line of the Terians name. My eldest granddaughter has much to learn in her time away, but for what little she has yet learned, she has done so much."
With that, my grandmother paused and turned her head toward myself. Sans and I sat together. I kept myself with a rigid form while my husband's relaxed looking grin was seen by others. Many of the other members around weren't big fans in my choice of husband. It was easy to see on their faces. Some were proud in my choice, a monster who had been trapped below the surface I was kind enough to marry. Or perhaps how ridiculous it was that I allowed myself to fall into a bed with a monster?
Sometimes I really hated the humans.
"My darling Angel and Sans, would you two join me?"
Hearing my grandmother's words, I knew this was coming. I stood carefully with Sans at my side. A lazy grin never left his face, yet I could still feel the somewhat nervous pulses from my husband. I took his arm and the two of us carefully walked to the center of the ballroom where my grandmother stood. The two of us faced the crowd while my grandmother addressed them.
"It has been a long time since my granddaughter has been among us. Much has changed, and I hope that you will be there to assist her. And her husband has much to learn of our culture. My granddaughter, she shall be named the next head of house as I grow older and unable. My granddaughter and grandson will take the next few years to learn as much as they can before I fully hand over the title to Angel, and Sans in her steed should she ever be unavailable."
"Thank you, Grandmother." I bowed my head to her. Sans giving her a sly grin before doing the same himself.
"And with that, allow us to hold off on any more informational sharing until Monday." Gram concluded quickly. "Please enjoy the rest of your night."
And with that, Gram moved away from the center of attention. Swiftly we followed after her while the people began to mingle once more, but not in a meeting type fashion. Gram was quick to make her exit and stepped into a quiet hallway of the mansion.
I could feel the tension and exhaustion roll off her in waves. She was in her sixties, soon to be seventies. She couldn't run around as much as she used to. And while I knew she would continue to be a spit fire and as energetic as she could until the day she passed, she still got tired. More so than I remember when I was much younger...
Perhaps the accident did more damage to her then I knew?
"Gram?" My grandmother halted for a moment and looked back at me with a softer set of eyes.
"Yes, Angel?"
"Are you retiring for the night?"
"I believe that would be best." She sighed, holding a hand to her head. "Go get some rest and enjoy your weekend, you two. I will see you on Sunday morning to give you a brief bit of information about what will be upcoming this week. There is much for you to cover."
"Of course, Gram. Have a good night."
"See ya, Gramz."
"Goodnight you two."
And with that, the older woman walked away. Watching her carefully, she stepped into the elevator inside the mansion to head up to her own floor before I could turn back to my husband. I was already holding his arm still and ready to be teleported home.
"Should we tell the others we're heading back?"
"Nah. Pap knows not to let Frisk stay out late. And she's got plans. She'll come back when she's ready." Sans yawned loudly. "Time for bed."
"Yes, it is late..." Agreeing with my husband and leaning into his clothed arm, I sighed. "Let's go home..."
With a quick use of Sans' magic, we had returned to our home on the surface. The lovely three-story home sat quietly among the trees under the moonlight. Sans always loved to teleport just outside the door and glance at it before walking in. He was a little less lazy since coming to the surface. So much to learn. So much to do. So much to love.
I couldn't help but smile as I stared at his skull under the moonlight. The breeze passed over us gently. It blew the curls on my head toward him, tickling the back of his skull. His bones glowed under the bright moonlight. He couldn't help but be fascinated by what he was seeing every night as the sun would rise and set, and then the moon would do the same.
I giggled at him. "I thought you were tired?"
There were a few beats of silence before he could tear away from the beauty of the moon. "Sorry Precious. Even after nearly a month... this place still amazes me..."
"It's a new adventure for us all." Giving a small tug to his arm, I tried to drag him inside. "How about we go get ready for bed, and then we can sit out on the balcony and watch the moon for a bit before we crawl in? No rush to get up tomorrow."
"Ya know what?" Sans paused, turning away from me to glance at the moon one final time. "That sounds like a bright idea ta me."
"Oh my god!"
"What? Ya love my puns!"
Rolling my eyes, I kissed him quickly. "That I do."
Witch's Note:
What a cute start to our new story! Welcome everyone! Its so good to see you all again and welcome to our second story of Undertale for the two of us! Mystic Girl and I are so happy to see everyone again! I hope this last month hasn't been too lonely for you all! I hope you've all been having fun, reading great books, growing, and thriving!
Mystic Girl: Everyone better be! And if they're not, they better now! We're back! And so much shit to cover!
Me: You said it Mystic! There is so much to cover, and this is just the beginning. We didn't want to give too much for the first chapter besides just giving you all a little taste into this new story, because so many things are gonna change. So many things are going to be manipulated, and this is a SEQUAL! I know so many of you have been so excited for this! After all, this is the continuation after escaping the underground and moving to the surface to start a brand-new life!
How do you feel about Sans' appreciation for the surface? The fascination just like a child seeing the stars for the first time. And of course, new jokes and jabs whenever possible! I can't wait to throw all the curveballs and spin offs that I and Mystic Girl have crafted for you all-
Mystic Girl: And trust us, there's a lot of 'em!
Me: Of course! It wouldn't be a great story if I didn't make it hell or heaven for our characters!
Mystic Girl: I still think you went a little too hard in some spots.
Me: I think I haven't done enough, but… I should be content with what I've done. So many lovely things! I hope everyone can appreciate the research and time spent on these chapters like we do Mystic.
Mystic Girl: (She grins and laughs evilly.) I can't wait for my next set of victims.
Me: (I roll my eyes at her.) Yes, yes, give me some time and I'll let you have at the two your thinking of. And of course, there's going to be more.
Mystic Girl: (That evil grin didn't leave her face.) I can't wait.
Me: Okay then… with that in mind, let's sign off here for the day and I can't wait to see you all again! I'm eager to see what you say about this little number and what you think will happen next! I'm rather eager, because next chapter is gonna be rather heartbreaking in its own way, and showcases a particular character incredibly well if I do say so myself.
Mystic Girl: Really? Oh yeah! We're talking about that chapter! We're starting the arc of those two!
Me: Good, your keeping quiet about who! Our readers will see who exactly we mean in the next few chapters. It won't be long, so let's let them enjoy the suspense!
Anyway, love you all and see you next week!
Halloween Witch and Mystic Girl
