Undertale: Fallen Angel

Mirstone's Last Chance

Observing the orderly decor lining every wall and the immaculate tidiness of every corner, Asgore can't help but smile. He wasn't sure what he was expecting when he stepped into the small residence for the first time, but nothing he saw surprised him. Everything is just so... Toriel.

What should be a joyous occasion is dampened by a heavy atmosphere thick with unease. Shortly after Frisk warned of their vicious counterpart, everyone went their separate ways within the compact house, having nothing to do but sit and wait for what is to come.

Currently, Undyne and Alphys are outside, being drenched in nasty weather; Asgore hopes neither monster catches a cold. Papyrus is in the kitchen, brewing a concoction that already smells burnt, and his older brother must be somewhere around.

Much to their mother's silent dismay, Frisk went back to their bedroom, with the shut door indicating a want to not be disturbed. The Boss Monster cannot entirely blame them for seeking momentary isolation. Back when he did something... shameful, it took a while before company was welcomed.

As for the owner of the house herself, Toriel hasn't left her spot, sitting on the velvet sofa opposite of an inactive television. She hasn't done much aside from stare down at her paws, undoubtedly lost in deep thinking. Given recent events, there is certainly a lot to think about.

King Asgore is still nearby, standing next to the curtained window, he too a victim of thorough reflection. The boundless extent of Frisk's Determination has set many things into perspective, making what was previously considered to be a flawless human who knew all the answers into a much more understandable figure. 

However, in his mind, the truth behind the child's impossible feats doesn't take away from the inarguable good that resulted from them. And Toriel undoubtedly feels the same way.

Mustering the strength to overcome his cowardice, Asgore finally departs from the living room wall, approaching the furniture his former lover is situated in. Internally, he struggles to place what exactly was so terrifying about the thought of conversing with her. 

Hoping the couch can support the weight of two Boss Monsters, Asgore gently eases himself onto its left-hand side. Other than the wood softly creaking in protest to the sudden increase in pressure, it looks to be holding fine.

"How, um..." he clears his throat. "Are you alright?"

It takes but a moment for her to respond with:

"I'm a terrible mother."

Asgore opens his mouth, already prepared to dismiss the absurdity of such a claim. Toriel must have sensed his surprise because she continues before he can get a chance to voice his disagreement.

"All those years ago, when Chara fell down, you and I felt something we had never before."

She smiles.

"True hope that things will get better. We gave them the responsibility of ending an age-old war. It was a heavy task. Maybe if we hadn't put so much pressure on them, they'd still be-"

"Tori..."

"And then there's Frisk- always trying to fix others' mistakes. Our mistakes. I pushed them too hard, believing them to be perfect when... they're still so young. They've had the weight of the world on their shoulders and I have been completely oblivious. Pathetic, is it not?"

"Tori, stop," Asgore says, his words coming out more forcefully than he intended them to.

He got her attention nonetheless, as she now stares at him, tears on the cusp of leaving her eyes.

"None of this was your fault. If anyone is to blame, it is me. As the king of all monsters, the unfair expectations placed on Chara were a result of my failure to fulfill everyone's needs. It was wrong to think a single child could solve all of our problems, just as it is to suspect as such with Frisk. It was I who offered the role of monster ambassador and shifted the heavy burden of being a peacekeeper onto them."