The Surface was much larger and more extensive than the Underground, where it was enough to walk for a while to get from point A to point B. Above, to get from one place to another, the use of the car turned out to be very practical. The town of Ebott was on the other side of the mountains: by car, it took about fifteen minutes to get to the embassy. The road followed a relatively flat path, which skirted the hills and crossed a wood.

On the road, while Papyrus enthusiastically enjoyed the air on his head with lively music, Frisk took advantage of the quietness to grab a pink booklet from his bag. Inside, he kept a very detailed agenda on the program of the day: a meeting with the mayor of Ebott, discussions with certain senators and, finally, an important speech detailing the successful cohabitation between monsters and humans.

So much has happened that I barely had time to realize, thought Frisk in the back, who was checking his notes for the fifth time while listening to Papyrus rave behind the wheel.

Everyone had given so much to get this far. Both on the side of the monsters and the humans who supported them. The integration of the monsters had not been a long calm river but, with patience and by showing this peaceful civilization, they had succeeded in making the inhabitants of the Surface accept a future together. Now it was a matter of making it official; on this day that would mark history for a long time, Frisk felt on his shoulders the weight of everyone's hopes and dreams.

Thinking about it, the child became nervous. Even after two years of acting as a monster ambassador, it was still… very intimidating.

What if he expresses the speech badly?

What if something terrible happens?

What if… I mess everything?

So, nothing you have accomplished will have been for anything.
By your OWN fault.

Suddenly, he wanted to jump over the bridge that crossed the river, to reach the sea not far away and hide there among the fish. Although only Undyne would probably be capable of such a feat, while Frisk would certainly break his bones upon contact with the watery element, before drowning. Instead, the child preferred to address the person who only asked to be present for the others:

"Tell me, Papyrus. Do you think I can make it? I'm counted on to make humans trust monsters enough, and... now I wonder if that was such a good idea. Maybe someone else, like Alphys or Asgore, should have taken my place to speak during the speech ?"

"NYE EH EH! THE FRISK-HUMAN HAS STAGE FRIGHT! BUT DO NOT FEAR, MY FRIEND, Papyrus added before Frisk denied and gave him his pet rock (where did he get it from?), I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, HAVE FORESEEN THIS CONDITION! HERE, TAKE IT! "

"Um… Thank you?"

"YOU ARE REALLY WELCOME! WITH HIM, ALL YOUR WORRIES WILL FLY AWAY!"

Not wanting to sadden him and knowing how much the skeleton loved his rock, Frisk put it in his pocket so as not to lose it. At least his worries had faded for the moment, like every time he spoke with Papyrus. The fact that the latter didn't doubt and was supportive of Frisk comforted him better than any words.

-oOo-

Back home, Asriel prepared to spend the rest of morning outside. Since there was no one left, not even Sans, he planned to take a short walk instead of sitting in his room doing nothing. Another reason was that Asriel also wanted to clear his head this morning: he couldn't forget Frisk's face, when he rejected his offer to accompany him. The young human had seemed hurt, and ever since he left with Papyrus, regret gnawed at Asriel. Soon after, more confused feeling had also begun to rise within him. The young monster didn't know exactly what it was or what caused it, but it had annoyed him so much that he preferred to calm down by taking a breath of fresh air. When he was a flower, the young monster felt none of this. He had been in this state for so long that, for Asriel, the little Boss Monster still had to get used to feeling like this again. It was sometimes very trying; nor did it mean that he regretted having found a Soul. Far from it, Asriel would never think such a thing, which would be very wrong and disrespectful after Frisk's efforts to bring him back.

He would never, EVER, want to become again... him. But his rehabilitation remained exausting. Asriel sighed: he needed to get out, to clear his mind.

Meanwhile, Toriel was planning her own departure, to go out of town to the near school. Its opening would be a major breakthrough for both monsters and humans, since it would be the first educational structure that would welcome students from every race. Toriel took her role very seriously: it was a distant dream for her, to teach the younger generations. She had never been able to before, being the queen of the Underground, then isolated alone in the Ruins of which she became the guardian. But now it was different. Toriel was free to do exactly what she wanted.

Recently, the teaching staff had been sent to support her, as well as all the manpower necessary to take care of the establishment. So that there would be no problems, she wanted to take this opportunity to check that the school would be ready today. Toriel and her adopted child, Frisk, were very much alike in their need for everything to be perfect.

I will have to do another inspection on the equipment; Asgore had warned me that everything had been delivered yesterday. I also received the textbooks for the children... Oh, I have so much to do before everything is ready to receive them! she realized, without realizing that her son was approaching from behind.

Asriel chose this moment to join her at the entrance, as the former queen made a mental list of what she should watch, and asked:

"Mom, can I take a walk outside, please ?"

Toriel blinked, not expecting this sudden request, and looked back at her son uncertainly; Usually, Asriel never went anywhere alone. The idea didn't enchant her either, but considering the young goat's expression of anxious expectation, the former queen didn't have the heart to refuse him.

"O-Of course, dear", she began, before adding a little hastily: "But, after, can I count on your help for the school ? I think I need more arms with the boxes of books. Let's say... around noon? Would that suit you?"

"All right. See you later !"

The young monster bounded out of the house compound, eager to stretch his legs. He had finally decided to go near the entrance that led to the Underground. From the door, Toriel saw him quietly walking along the neighborhood, where many monsters and humans had settled, including her and her children. Involuntarily, the mother goat felt a twinge of worry for her son. In her joy at having found him, Toriel never wanted her dear Asriel to be taken from her again. She was barely able to stop herself from rushing outside, as Asriel narrowly avoided a young human couple and said "sorry" to them.

I still have difficulty separating from him, but I must remember that my son is growing up; I couldn't keep him with me always, no matter how much I wanted to. Toriel admitted reluctantly; it was something Frisk had taught her years ago when, terrified of the idea that he meeting a horrible fate, she had done everything to discourage him from leaving. Warning him... Threatening him... Even if, in the end, it means fighting him. But... that wasn't how a parent should act, keeping their children locked away. They had to guide them as best as possible and then, when the day came, let them fly away. Toriel hoped she would be ready then. She stood there for a moment, before going back inside to prepare to leave.

Along the way, Asriel was caught up in his own thoughts. But he wasn't left alone for long : soon, he passed Snowdrake repeating to himself a series of lines to play on stage. When he saw him, the dragonbird with icy blue plumage whistled happily as he saw the young prince, and his feathers ruffled cheerfully as the kid raised his head at him.

"Ice to meet you, Prince Asriel!" He greeted him with a rather bad pun, but Asriel certainly wouldn't say that to him as he politely replied:

"Howdy, Snowdrake. Have a nice day !" he told him before passing him.

Further on, Aaron gave a group of monsters (mostly giggling females), along with a few humans, a squat session. His eel tail beat the ground rhythmically, and his very muscular equine half-body demonstrated how to do them - more than happy to reveal the muscles in his body he was proud of and for the joy of his groupies who were ecstatic over his sweaty body.

"Alright ! Excellent ! Stretch me more muscles, like this! Give me that bicep, like that! Do- Oh, hello, Prince Asriel! Nice morning to stretch, isn't it? " The monster paused briefly and, for his prince, did a saluting pull towards the younger monster. Asriel had to stop again, trying to keep smiling despite his urge to continue on his way. However, he would not leave that way and imitated him :

"Oh yes, of course. Good morning to all of you, guys." Aaron seemed satisfied and returned to his group, while Asriel took the opportunity to quickly escape from here.

The monster walked a little faster in order to reach the exit, but that didn't prevent it from meeting other people like Moidsmal, Dogamy and Dogaressa's patrol, Woshua... They all greeted it with joy and a lot of smiles, and Asriel answered them, trying to hide his growing unease behind polite thanks. Unable to take it any longer, the prince decided to leave the premises in a more… discreet way.

He went behind a building, making sure no one could guess what he was doing. His body was shaking uncontrollably: Asriel clutched his shirt with a sweaty palm. His Soul was very agitated; he could tell just by looking at his physical condition. When he was certain of the absence of witnesses - fortunately, it was only the beginning of the morning and few people had gone out - the child closed his eyes. He didn't like it, but to get out of here without being seen was the easiest way. Beneath his bare feet, the greenery started to shine and grow abnormally. His own fur took on the appearance of grass, while his entire body became covered in vegetation. On him appeared shoots, leaves and petals. Then the earth swallowed it, before returning to normal.

Unbeknownst to Asriel, the monster Jerry had seen him flee. The rude squid was lounging in a bush, which happened to be near the prince in too much of a hurry to notice him spying on him. However, that hardly mattered: Jerry had such a bad reputation, and everyone knew THAT guy to say anything and everything, that no one would believe him or really listen to him.

Far up the mountain, a mass erupted from the earth, and Asriel, who had been in town a moment ago, emerged from the cocoon, coughing before dismissing it with his fire.

"Ugh! I can breathe !"

He vigorously removed the earth and the roots scattered on him and spitting stones that had entered his mouth. The child grimaced, before sticking out his tongue to pull out a small twig. This power he possessed was a remnant of Flowey's magic. Asriel maintained a very powerful form of connection with the plant element, although it did not enchant him much. As in the days when he was a flower, the young monster could partly change his anatomy, to blend into the earth and thus move incognito from one place to another.

Until now, he hadn't told anyone close to him, even Frisk. He kept this secret, and only used his magic to isolate himself from the rest of the world when it became suffocating. Now that he was alone, in the shade of the forest, Asriel lay down on the ground for think about many things.

The monsters who had spoken to him, naturally, were delighted to see the sweet and gentle Prince Asriel Dreemurr. But what would they do if they met his olds faces: a murderous flower, as well as an ancient evil god of Hyperdeath who had stolen their Souls and would have destroyed the world, if he had not been brought to his senses by their ambassador.
They would certainly be horrified.
And his parents...

Everyone had welcomed his return with joy; yet Asriel remembered what he had put them through. All the atrocities and infamy of his actions remained forever in his memory. Even those like Sans or Frisk didn't know every detail of what he had done, countless timelines before using the TRUE RESET.

Never mind that the consequences of his madness have been erased.

Never mind that fate gave him this new chance.

Asriel refused to forget, despite his desire to do so, as if absolutely nothing had happened. This truth made him laugh, but there was no joy in it.

"I'm really pathetic."

-oOo-

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK ! WE, THE GREAT PAPYRUS AND HIS HUMAN-FRIEND FRISK, ARE HERE! "

Papyrus cheerfully pushed open the huge door at the end of a hallway to let them in. Frisk followed him from behind, finishing nibbling on a snack he had brought to give himself courage. As he entered, blue arms appeared out of nowhere to chain him in a grip, then a fist rubbed hard – but affectionately – on the top of his head.

"Yo, punk! You finally show up, huh ! We were getting impatient!"

"H-hi Undyne," moaned Frisk who managed to pull himself away of her.

The flamboyant one-eyed ex-captain of the Royal Guard offered him a wide sincere smile. Her and Papyrus were responsible for keeping Frisk safe during his travels in the city. Toriel had been adamant about this; someone had to accompany him while he carried out his duties as an ambassador. His two friends had been more than willing for the task, with the skeleton coming to take him there and Undyne going so far as to put him through "a workout to strengthen your shrimp body" - her terms.

Once the little human free, Undyne went to Papyrus who had discreetly walked away, under the amused gaze of Frisk. Then he saw a gigantic horned figure approaching him, draped in a purple cape that wrapped around him. His size was so imposing that the child, not intimidated, had to raise his head to greet him.

"Hello, Asgore."

"Howdy, Frisk!" the big goat greeted him cheerfully, the hoarse voice, but friendly and cheerful. "I'm happy to see you again."

Their hands are clenched; that of the king, warm and light, but strong, engulfed his tiny and frail one. They were the hands of those who worked the soil, like farmers, and Frisk found that description more apt than those of a warrior - which Asgore was and had been. Frisk thought about how many times the two had hurt each other with them. In many alternate pasts, the King of the Underground had stood before him, clad in shining armor and holding a scarlet trident, to fight him. The child retaliated with the blade of his knife, in response to repeated attacks, to defend his life. But only the child remember that ; it was for the best. At this time, when monsters were still sealed away and at war with humanity, his soul was the last needed to destroy the Barrier. In reality, this gentle monarch meant no harm to anyone but, unable to betray the hope of the people, Asgore was forced to face him in a fight to the death, then to be finally stopped by Toriel and her fireball.

Subsequently, once the spell cast by the mages was broken, the king had asked him to be the ambassador of the monsters: Frisk had immediately accepted. Asgore helped him enormously in his duties; being himself a politician, the Boss Monster offered him useful advice and educated him in this world where dialogue was a delicate art - and under the reluctant but essential supervision of Toriel, who sometimes intervened to bring her own experience as a former co-ruler who managed the bulk of the important and economic affairs of the monsters' kingdom. Frisk loved these moments they shared together, as much as those when they drank tea in his garden, or took care of the plants in the greenhouse. Their relationship was far better than when the child had fallen into the Underground ; Asgore was truly kind and caring to the child, as much as he was to his own son Asriel.

In his own heart and Soul, Frisk loved Asgore as a father as he loved Toriel as a mother, though he never dared to call him by anything other than his name. The king treated him with affection, but the human child was afraid of crossing a line that might undermine their friendship. Moreover, one of his goals that he had set for himself in this timeline was to reconcile Toriel and Asgore : Frisk knew better than anyone how much their absence had destroyed each of the two monsters, despite the denial or resentment of one. Being an ambassador had the advantage of training him in various situations. Maybe it would help him with the royal couple's heart issues?

But, for the moment, he had to attend to a very important speech!

With a big smile under his groomed beard, the king gently pushed Frisk to another room, leaving Undyne tormenting Papyrus who begged her.

"PLEASE, NOT NOOGIES THE SKELETON!"

"Oooh, come here !"

"NOOO !"