Chapter Text
Two days had passed since the Barrier was destroyed, and four years had gone by since Clover's death.
Ceroba stood before the king’s gray building. The last time she was here, it was with her friends — and with the SOUL of a human child. Now she was alone, answering an invitation from King Asgore. Her friends refused to come, as the fall of the Barrier had reopened old wounds. She hadn’t wanted to come either, but the King’s special request had left her no real choice.
Ceroba thought to herself, “There’s no door… how did I miss that last time?!”
She took a few steps and entered the building. The first thing she saw were stairs leading down to the throne room. Looking to the right, she noticed a hallway with three doors and pots of flowers. Then she heard someone call out to her.
“Greetings, um... Ceroba Ketsukane, correct?” said Asgore.
Startled, she turned toward the voice and saw the relaxed figure of the king sitting at a table. He was working — papers were spread out before him, along with a flowerpot holding a golden flower and a tea set for four.
“I take it you’re the only one who came? Please, have a seat — we can wait for your friends,” Asgore said kindly, gesturing toward the tea.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Asgore, but I came alone. They couldn’t make it — they’re helping monsters pack their things,” said the fox, her voice bitter as she sat down and poured herself some tea.
“I see,” said Asgore somberly.
After a few moments of silence.
“Mr. Asgore, how are the diplomatic talks with the humans progressing?” Ceroba asked, expecting the worst — the deaths of six children couldn’t have gone unnoticed.
“Quite well, actually. If things continue like this, we might be able to move to the surface within a week,” Asgore replied with a warm smile. “The human government responded with understanding — even their citizens aren’t as outraged as we feared.”
Ceroba, in disbelief: Wh-What?! With understanding?! They’re not angry?! H-How??? Why?!
Seeing the expression on Ceroba’s face, Asgore gave a knowing nod and said, “I understand your shock, and I can guess what you're thinking. Before I explain, I suggest drinking some tea — it helps calm the nerves.”
They both sipped their tea. After a moment, Asgore took a deep breath and began, “So… it’s the year 2016. The war with the Human Empire happened 1,020 years ago. That empire is long gone. Dozens of uprisings destroyed it, and there were countless wars among humans. Their history doesn’t even remember us. They’ve forgotten how to use magic, and those who once hated us are no longer alive.”
He paused, then poured more tea into both his and Ceroba’s cups.
“And what about the children who died… because of YOUR orders?” Ceroba asked, taking a sip of tea.
Asgore gave a somber nod and finished his tea. “Let’s start with Frisk. They fell into the Underground the day before yesterday. An orphan living in a children’s home near this mountain. According to the data he gave to the Human Ambassador, the human police raided the orphanage, arrested the staff, and relocated the children to other homes.”
He paused again, refilling his cup and downing it in one gulp.
Ceroba’s face displayed nothing short of sheer shock at the news about Frisk.
Asgore continued, “Chara Dreemurr fell into the Underground 520 years ago. There are no records about them in human archives,” he added gloomily.
“Ada Robinson, 9 years old. Light blue soul. Fell into the Underground on December 21st, 1913. Nothing else is known — the records are classified.”
“Tom Adler, 11 years old. Orange soul. Fell in 1939. He was an immigrant — during what was called the Second World War.”
At the mention of “World War Two,” a chill ran down Ceroba’s spine.
Asgore continued, “Next is Hope Ivy, 14 years old. Violet soul. Fell into the Underground on March 14th, 1973. She had a foster family — but none of them are alive anymore.”
Asgore sighed heavily. “Sunny Benn, 13 years old. Green soul. Fell on July 29th, 1995. He was at the same orphanage as Frisk. His parents died in a workplace accident. No known relatives.”
“Then there’s Melody Blunt, 12 years old. Blue soul. Fell on August 28th, 2010. Her stepmother was an alcoholic. Died from a disease known as cancer. No relatives.”
Ceroba trembled — not from what she’d just heard about the blue-souled child, but because she knew who was coming next. Her blood pressure rose, and she filled a cup of tea and drank it in one gulp.
Asgore gave her a moment to calm down before he continued. “Clover Marshall, 11 years old. Yellow soul. Fell into the Underground on November 23rd, 2012. As for his relatives…”
Asgore gestured with his head toward the tea — Ceroba nodded and refilled her cup. He went on, “As for his relatives… his father died under mysterious circumstances, and his mother passed away in her sleep from an unknown illness. His adoptive parents were distant relatives — they are now in prison, serving life sentences. Nothing else is known…”
With every word about Clover, Ceroba’s heart beat faster. If not for the tea, she might’ve started hyperventilating. They sat in silence for a few moments until Asgore broke it.
“Forgive me for asking, but… would you mind telling me in detail about Clover’s journey and the time you spent with him?”
Ceroba looked at the king, nodded somberly, and for the next 15 minutes told the story of Clover’s adventure. By the end, she had completely calmed down.
“I understand,” Asgore said quietly, then added, “How is your daughter doing?”
“She’s fine. She’s with Starlo right now,” she replied, and added, “Mr. Asgore, I have a question.”
“Please — just Asgore,” he replied gently.
“H-How can the human government be so understanding? And why is their society reacting… so mildly?” Ceroba asked, confused.
“The human ambassador told me they’ve had to deal with far more problematic nations — ones that committed far worse crimes against humanity,” Asgore said quietly. “Compared to those, what we did doesn’t even come close.”
Ceroba stared at him, still in disbelief.
“Angel…” she whispered. “What about their society?” she asked softly.
“According to the ambassador, society still vividly remembers the Second World War and how much it cost them in lives. People have learned from their mistakes. And it’s been a thousand years since our war with them… it’s not surprising that they’ve changed so much,” Asgore said, his voice filled with guilt.
“So you’re telling me... all those children didn’t need to die in the first place?” Ceroba whispered. “Frisk is alive — that means there was never a reason to kill any of them!” she said, now with fury in her voice.
Asgore’s face darkened, and he nodded solemnly.
“Mr. Asgore,” Ceroba said bitterly, “can you answer this — why did you want us to come here? Just to talk? To remind us of the past?!”
Asgore slowly shook his head. “No,” he whispered. “I wanted you to read this document,” he said, pulling a bag from beneath his cloak — one Ceroba hadn’t noticed before. Inside were three large folders.
Asgore stood, took them out, moved around the table, and placed them in front of her, gently setting aside her teacup.
“I’ll be right back… I think you’ll be glad to see him,” he added, and walked into the hallway, heading toward the children’s room.
Ceroba picked up one of the folders and opened it.
“A document… for adoption? Wh-what?” she said in confusion, flipping through the pages, searching for a name — and then she saw it: Clover Marshall.
Ceroba’s heart stopped for a moment. Then she heard the door to the children’s room creak open. She turned—and there stood Asgore, gently holding the hand of a sleepy Clover. He was dressed exactly as he had been four years ago… minus the hat and the weapon.
Ceroba gasped, stood up so fast she knocked over her chair. The sudden noise made Clover look up—and he saw her.
“Ce-Ceroba?” Clover whispered, staring at her with those bright golden-yellow eyes.
“Cl-Clover, is that…?” She didn’t finish her sentence. Instead, she rushed to him, throwing her arms around him and hugging him so tightly it was as if she would never let go. Clover hugged her back just as fiercely.
After a long moment, Asgore gently broke the silence.
“Sorry to interrupt, but… Clover still isn’t fully recovered. Would you please sit down with him?” he said softly.
Ceroba nodded, scooping Clover into her arms as if he were her own child. She returned to the table, righted the chair, and sat down with him curled against her chest.
“So… did you have a chance to read the document and make a decision?” Asgore asked gently.
“N-Not yet, Mr. Asgore,” Ceroba replied, lowering her voice so as not to startle Clover. “But I have a question… H-How? I mean… how did they come back? A-And what does the human government think about this adoption?” she asked, gently stroking Clover’s back.
“Adoption?” Clover’s small voice trembled. “Miss Ceroba… are you going to be my mom?” he asked through teary eyes, though no one noticed his words just yet.
“As for their return… we don’t know,” Asgore answered. “Yesterday, after finishing the negotiations, I was returning with Tori, Gerson, Undyne, and Frisk. And when we arrived… the children were alive.”
“As for any issues — don’t worry,” Asgore said calmly. “We already did the same earlier today. Toriel adopted Frisk, Ada, Tom, and Melody. Gerson adopted Hope. Undyne and Doctor Alphys adopted Sunny.”
He added, “The human government agreed immediately after hearing our report. Their ambassador said it would help ease tensions between our races and prevent potential problems from more radical parts of society.”
“I always knew Gerson was close to that child — I’m not surprised,” Ceroba replied. “But Undyne??” she asked, clearly skeptical.
“I understand your surprise,” Asgore said with a sigh. “But it turns out Undyne knew that child… before. You understand…”
“Ce-Ceroba…” Clover’s voice trembled as he called for her, on the verge of tears.
“Yes, sweetheart?” she answered softly.
“A-Are you really going to be my m-m-mom?” he asked, voice shaking.
“Yes, I am,” she whispered.
Clover immediately burst into tears — not of sadness, but of overwhelming joy. Ceroba gently rubbed his back, whispering that she was here, that she wasn’t going anywhere, and that she would always protect him. A few minutes and a couple more cups of tea passed like that.
“So… would you be willing to sign the documents now?” Asgore asked gently.
“Y-Yes, of course. Sorry,” said Ceroba and began reviewing the documents. After five minutes, she signed everything. Asgore took two copies — one for the monster kingdom and one for the human government — and placed them back in the same bag.
He stood and said, “That’s everything. I have no right to keep you here any longer. It’s already night, so you’ll be escorted by three members of the Royal Guard — Red, whom you may know, and also Units 01 and 02.”
Everyone stood. Ceroba tucked the folder into her coat. Just as they were about to leave, Asgore spoke again.
“Before you go…” he approached Ceroba and Clover — now officially Clover Ketsukane — knelt before them and said, “Thank you, Clover Mar–Ketsukane. If it hadn’t been for your sacrifice, we wouldn’t have our freedom today.”
Clover turned from Ceroba’s embrace and looked at Asgore.
“Th-thank you… for letting me stay… and be part of Ceroba’s family,” he said, eyes filled with golden light — eyes burning with Justice.
Asgore rose to his feet and turned to Ceroba. “Also, if your son experiences any health issues, feel free to reach out to Doctor Alphys. She’ll contact you soon with the time and place for a full check-up.
Farewell… and safe journey,” he finished, bowing his head.
“Goodbye, Mr. Asgore,” said Ceroba and Clover together.
As they stepped outside, Ceroba noticed the Royal Guard approaching.
Red greeted them cheerfully, “Welcome, Miss Ketsukane. Hey, Clover! I’ll be escorting you again,” she said with a warm smile.
Their trip to the dunes was peaceful. Since Steamworks wasn’t safe to cross with a child, they took the route through Waterfall. They arrived at the Oasis — no longer the small town it had been four years ago.
Now, with the Barrier gone, it stood nearly empty: most residents had temporarily relocated to the New Home, awaiting permission to finally reach the surface.
When the group of five reached the manor gates, Units 01 and 02 said their goodbyes and left. Red remained.
“We’ll see each other again,” said Red. “You know where I live. Don’t hesitate to come by. Goodbye, Miss Ketsukane — and Clover, see you soon.”
“Goodbye,” Ceroba and Clover replied in unison.
As they passed through the gate and walked a bit further, they spotted Starlo, Martlet, and Kanako — still in her fox form.
Kanako was the first to notice her mother… and the new brother in her arms.
When Starlo and Martlet saw who Ceroba was carrying with such joy, they were — to put it mildly — in shock.
And it was clear they regretted not going with her to see the King.