Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was supposed to be one simple mission, one short trip to the King's Castle, and that's that. Then they could all go home, then they could all go back to normal.

But no, lives were changed, and they will never be the same.

From this day forward, days will no longer be bright, despite no sun shining in the Underground. From this day forward, hearts would've been impacted and would be left with a gaping hole that can only be filled by the shape of a special person. From this day forward, life would feel hollow and empty. It would feel void, it would feel even more lonely.

That's what Martlet’s life had turned to, now that the light that brought excitement to her mundane life, had been snuffed out on the same day.

Having Starlo and Ceroba pry her off of Clover's dead body was one thing, enduring that agonizingly quiet walk accompanying the Dune dwellers to Asgore’s throne room was another. But now…

…The King asked them to bring the body to the Castle… so that Clover can rest peacefully, alongside all the dead unfortunate children that were sacrificed for the Hopes and Dreams of Monsterkind…

That was a whole ‘nother level of hurt for Martlet's poor heart.

And yet, if she was honest, Martlet wanted to retrieve the body. It was reasonable to follow the King's orders as a member of the Royal Guard. But… truth be told, Martlet knew deep down, if she were to hold Clover in her arms again, she'd break. She may never want to let them go…

Clover wasn't just some random human that met their end in the Underground, no… Clover was her first friend, her best buddy. Even when she got lost in her ramblings, he listened to her when nobody else did, even though she got carried away sometimes. Clover was precious to her, they were so special to her, and feeling them slowly slip away and become dead weight in her arms had been the worst experience in her life.

Thankfully, Starlo volunteered to do the treacherous job. Yet, no less did that make her feel better. It just made her feel lower than dirt if she was being honest.

She didn't want to burden Starlo with such a responsibility, but the sheriff argued it was the least he could do for his deputy. Ceroba had already carried the container that held Clover's SOUL, Martlet was still too much of a wreck, and Starlo was the only one out of the two who was still emotionally stable. He had a valid point, and Martlet didn't argue with his reasoning.

Yet, it still felt wrong… Martlet had seen the room where all the dead children lay. They were all kept inside stone coffins, resting on a cold and hard surface. That's not something Clover deserves, he doesn't deserve to be treated like an insignificant corpse… That was the reason why Martlet suggested that they should make Clover's final resting place comfortable.

Ceroba and Starlo didn't argue, and now, the three of them set off to go back to their homes to find something that can comfort Clover in their rest.

Martlet opted to fly, Ceroba and Starlo left the Castle together, knowing both of them were going in the same region of the Underground anyway. She lived the farthest from the Castle, so it's going to be a long journey ahead and back. It was something Martlet rather dreaded.

It wasn't the tiring distance from New Home to her house, it was the silence that accompanied it. Because whenever it was silent, Martlet’s mind often wandered to who knows where in her scattered brain. Back then, she'd daydream about puzzle ideas and personal carpentry projects. But now… all she could think about Clover.

She knew little about humans, all the knowledge she gained were from random human media she found, and small facts and negative opinions about them; a bit from the other members of the Royal Guard, and very often from Chujin. Her views on humans had remained unchanged, not until she met Clover. While she was traveling the Dunes with him, getting roped up in the Wild East alongside him (moreso getting tossed in a wooden jail cell), and both of them hanging out outside her house, that was when she started to doubt her beliefs on humans. Because of Clover's kindness, she was starting to believe that maybe… just maybe, humans and monsters were two sides of the same coin.

Until they passed away in her arms…

She was expecting Clover to turn into dust the moment he went limp, to fade away from existence, never to be seen ever again. When they didn't, she actually had thought that all was not lost, that miraculously, Clover was still alive. She had hoped that was the case, hoped that it was the same situation when Ava had crashed, and she stayed beside Clover until they woke up… But it wasn't the reality she had wished for, because she wasn't stupid. Clover was cold, Clover was limp, Clover wasn't moving, Clover wasn't breathing.

And that was when Martlet realized, humans and monsters were nothing alike, in a physiological sense at the very least…

No, it must be painful being a human. Unlike monsters, all that was left of them after death was white dust. The deceased person’s remains would be placed in an urn, and then buried in a tomb, marked with a grave of their name, birth and death, and an acknowledgement. Some monsters sprinkle their departed loved one’s dust on the person's favorite objects when they were still alive. Humans however, must suffer with the fact their loved one was still there, but was forever out of reach… It was like Falling Down, but even more hopeless; A permanent sleep.

The thought of that hurt Martlet, she could only imagine what humans must go through when sudden death befalls a loved one during the night.. they would go to bed seeing them all fine and healthy, then the next morning they'd see a dead body. A body, something that monsters would identify as a living being, not just a pile of dust…

Martlet fought back tears, she didn't want to blur her vision as she was navigating her way through the air. Yet, it was futile, since tears still streamed down her face, and fell down to the ground a couple of feet below.

If she knew that about humans, she must think that human funerals were more of a great standard than their practices.. She hopes her idea was at par with a real human funeral, it was the most respectful thing Martlet could think of, and she would make sure Clover would have a proper resting place. It's what they deserved after all the good things they've brought her, and to the Underground.

So, in the end, Martlet concluded that humans and monsters are very different on the outside. But in the inside? Deep down, she believes that there were other humans out there that were just like Clover: kind, friendly, selfless, and so full of love.

When she landed outside her snow covered front yard, her eyes caught sight of the wreckage to her right that was once known as Ava, the Underground Aviator. Before she received an urgent message from the UGPS coming from Moray, she had been looking for her keys in the snow after clocking in with the Royal Guard. She should really get to fixing Ava as soon as possible.

But before she even had the chance to forget about her initial mission, she laid eyes on the rickety looking birdhouse still sitting atop her workbench. Not a perfect creation, but something made with love. And even from the far distance where she stood, she could clearly see the little sticker placed at the side of the tiny build that read: “Made with love by Clover and Martlet!”

Her heart ached unbearably, because now she realizes from now on, everywhere she goes, Clover had left a mark. Especially right here in front of her house, where they hung out and bonded not so long ago. No matter what, the entire land of Lower Snowdin would be littered with Clover's memories and–

Oh dear… How was Martlet going to tell Dalv that Clover was… not here anymore? That he didn't make it home..? That Clover was.. dead…?

Dalv would be distraught. She considered him a friend the same way as she considered Clover. Knowing he entrusted Clover's safety in her hands, and now because of her carelessness, Ceroba put their life in peril, and now..—

“Keep it together Martlet…” The bird wiped her tears, “No time to waste… Clover still needs you…” She shook her head to get rid of her spiralling thoughts. There was something she needed to grab inside her bedroom, and then she'd be off, back to the castle. But of course, she forgot she had locked herself outside of her house, and had the only key she owned lying around somewhere in the snow.

Martlet's day couldn't get any worse.

She pounded her head on her front door once, slumping on the wood as she groaned. “I should get an award. First birdbrain to ever experience the worst best day in all of the Underground. Bonus points for the human encounter.” She said to herself sarcastically.

But then, she remembered something. How could she have ever forgotten the trap door next to her balcony that led to the attic? She never locks that door, seeing as there's no point. There's no other monster she knew that could fly as her… or was as freakishly tall as her house.

She wished she thought of that earlier, maybe by then, she would have shown Clover the inside of…

Nope… no.. Focus Martlet, focus..!

Martlet flew up until she landed on the same spot where her human friend was sat on earlier, where they were sightseeing Lower Snowdin before she had to clock in. The blue bird monster opened the hatch, and slipped into her attic. There she climbed down the ladder, and into the second level of her humble abode. She walked down the hall past the main staircase, took a left, and entered the first room to her right. Martlet was now met with her disorganized bedroom.

She should really tidy it up at some point, but she was far too scatterbrained to focus on one thing at a time. She would be folding clothes, and the next thing she knew, she'd be in the other room brainstorming and sketching puzzle blueprints.

Which reminds her of her initial mission, once again. Thank you brain, for working with me and not against me for once! Martlet thought to herself. There inside a cabinet from the far corner of her room, laid inside a chest of small trinkets. These weren't just any other scrap items though, these were the puzzles she made when she was still a teenage birdling, while she was still under Chujin's mentorship. They were small, handcrafted wooden puzzles that boggle your brain cells trying to solve ‘em, and she was very proud of each masterpiece. Some of them were difficult for surface thinkers, and some of them were easy for a toddler to solve.

In which, Martlet finds the very item she was looking for: a puzzle that was challenging, but not too difficult to solve. She took it into her wings and gently dusted off some cobwebs and debris from it. It was a small wooden chest-like cube with a crank on its right side; a music box. But not just any music box though. When you open it, you will find a little maze and a silver ball on the bottom left corner. Martlet turned the crank for the ball to move, consisting of a pattern of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations. When the ball reaches the middle, a soft melody plays out of the box, reminiscent of the tune you can hear from the memorial statue found in the lobby of UG Apartments, and when you close it, the puzzle will revert back to normal with a rattle.

This portable puzzle was one of Martlet's most complex personal projects ever, and, ironically, one of the easiest puzzles to solve in her crate of past creations. It helped her calm down whenever she was having a bad day, but now, she seldomly uses it anymore.

Even though she knew Clover won't ever be able to solve nor hear it, she wants Clover to have the musical puzzle box anyway. This little thing was important to her, so she decided to give it to Clover because that child, even if far away, is still, forever, and always will be, important to Martlet.

Making sure the little DIY toy was still in good condition, Martlet discovered her old signature on the bottom face of the box. It wasn't a sticker with multiple doodles around her name, but a dignified looking signature written using a pyrography pen. Chujin's old pyrography pen. Sure, Martlet loved signing her works with the stickers and markers she uses, but this…? This mark is definitely more deep in meaning.

Stickers can tear, wear off, or get scratched away; and markers can smudge, fade, or melt to an unintelligible mess. This old signature, solidifies that this small thing was a work of her mastery. But also, signifies that she'd keep her promise to Clover. Wherever they may go, she will always be by his side.

Also Clover will know who this music box once belonged to, Martlet mused to herself. Sighing wistfully, the bird packed up the crate and placed it back in her cabinet. She placed the puzzle box in her pants pocket, and headed straight for her front door. Unlocking the knob, Martlet stepped outside back into the snow, opting to leave the door unlocked until she got home, or if she found her keys in the white blanket around her.

The Royal Guard prepared for lift off, but before she took flight, Martlet spared a glance back at the unorderly looking birdhouse Clover had made with her. A melancholic smile crept up her face as she glanced at the drawing of a four leaf clover next to her human friend’s name.

“I’ll see you soon, Clover…” Martlet flapped her wings, and flew her way back to the Castle.

Chapter Text

Heavy.

Everything felt incredibly heavy.

Her arms felt heavy as it cradled a precious canister, her legs felt heavy as it walked towards the throne room, her eyes felt heavy as they tired from the many tears she shed, her guilt felt heavy as she couldn't fulfil her late husband's wish, put her daughter's life in danger, and especially attempted to take the life of an innocent young human.

But most importantly, Ceroba's heart weighed more than the heaviest things tangible, as she had let yet another child suffer in the guise of becoming Monsterkind’s hero. As she cradled the magical jar encasing a yellow SOUL close to her chest, she threatened to break down. If not for Starlo, she would have definitely lost all of her remaining composure right outside the throne room. She didn't want to see the King of the Monsters face to face, not after the pain he had brought upon her husband, and later on, her entire family.

Ceroba should have known better than to blame others for her actions, but as of now, she had very little emotional stability, and she did not want to lose her cool at this moment. So, she just tried her best to stay calm. Maybe she will never fully move on, not when the burden of her mistakes have piled up on her grief. But maybe, there really was a chance for her, a chance that she could actually stop grieving her shortcomings.

Though, one thing's for sure, after one grievance, comes another, in the shape of a human child named Clover.

As she looked down on the top lid of the container, barely noticing the King’s small shock when he noticed what she was holding, she let her mind wander for once while Martlet was doing the talking. There was no other way, she knew that. If there truly was an option where Clover could have lived, she'd choose that outcome in a heartbeat. Even if Clover would want to never see Ceroba again, she could live with that. As long as she knew they were safe and well, she'd do anything, if there really was a way. But no matter how much she wanted to, no matter how hard Martlet and Starlo tried, there was nothing they could truly do to change Clover's fate.

Clover had already accepted their destiny, she saw it in his eyes on that view deck under the Sakura tree. She knew no child would have to be burdened by the fact they were meant as a sacrifice, no child should ever have to give up their life just for a chance a civilization could have freedom. It was cruel, it was far too cruel.

Ceroba thought she had already come to terms with that fact, she thought she had already accepted the belief that humans were not trustworthy as she spoke to the king, telling him all about Clover's sacrifice. Chujin had taught her that in the years she had loved him, and she was too focused caring for him and their daughter to ever have an ounce of empathy for humans.

But not Clover… No, that child had changed her, they had left a large impact on her entire character. She knew immediately that Clover was different, a far cry from the previous human Chujin had told her about, the previous human child that had almost attacked her daughter.

A pure hearted human. Perfect for her Chujin's plan. She saw it in them everytime she secretly Checked the human whenever she was close. They never gained Execution Points, they never had a single Level of Violence. That was what she saw in Clover back then, just a mere guinea pig in her blind and foolish attempt to save the Underground from this hopeless life.

But now, Clover was now something more, something greater. He was the light that pulled her out of the dark when it threatened to swallow her whole; he was the hand that guided her through the maze of doubt and despair; he was the warmth that embraced her in a hug when she was growing colder and colder.

When she was beginning to believe she could get used to these new feelings, when she thought she finally knew how to be whole again, Clover left a hole in her heart, and she returned back to phase one: cold, lost, and alone.

The fox monster didn't know what felt worse: catching Kanako in her arms when she Fell Down, or feeling Clover's hand squeeze hers until it went limp and cold under her paw.. All she knew was, it was a pain like no other. She had already lost Kanako, with little hope of ever seeing her little girl again. And now, she lost Clover, forever…

Maybe it was a punishment, maybe she deserved it.. even if it was common knowledge that these circumstances were far too cruel, far too horrific, far too tragic.

A mother should never outlive her children, nor should she bear the burden of burying them.

The past minutes were all a blur to her, the last thing she remembers was the king mentioning about retrieving a body, Martlet suggesting they give an offering, and now Ceroba was walking silently beside Starlo, the two monsters sharing the grief that hung over them, Ceroba now remembered what they were about to do. Right.. Martlet wanted to have Clover’s resting place be as comfortable and appropriate as possible. She couldn't argue with that, after all, it's what Clover deserves. A hero should be laid down with the highest honor, and the highest honor they could ever give Clover, was to make sure his long slumber didn't feel so cold and lonely.

Starlo and Ceroba slid down the laundry chute from beside the Hotland elevator, back down to the Steamworks. She shook off any of the overgrown white vines that stuck to her hair and fur. As she finished, she saw Starlo dusting off his hat, circle rimmed glasses clearly visible now that it wasn't in the shadow of his hat. Afterwards, he placed it back on his head, donning the Sheriff North Star get up once more.

Neither of them said a word, there was nothing much they could say. Ceroba only gave him a nod to tell him she was ready to keep going, and then they were off. They exited the laundry room, journeyed through that walkway above the first of many bottomless pits in the Steamworks, back to the main generator, and then they were out back in the familiar sandy grounds of The Dunes.

After a long, agonizing walk, Starlo broke the silence. “There's somethin’ I wanna get fer’ Clover back at my folk's house but…” the sheriff sighed, “I need’a tell the posse about the news… They deserve ta’ know.”

Ceroba understood. She would have told Starlo to just tell them after the whole ordeal with the king was done, but knowing Ed was with Starlo when he tried to stop her from bringing Clover to the lab, the rest of the Feisty Four would most likely have been on edge until Clover was safe. They were most likely with him before he left with Martlet, so they must still be worried. “Okay…” was all that came out of Ceroba, her voice had unnaturally gone hoarse from the prolonged silence. The kitsune monster could only imagine how hard it would be for Starlo to explain that Clover had kicked the bucket.

After passing through Sunnyside Farm, Ceroba could faintly pick up the sound of chatter from the voices of Starlo's parents, and their supposed guests: Angie and Gilbert. They would have to learn of the news eventually, as the 4 older monsters have met Clover in his journey.

Then, as if there was no distance from the farm at all, they were back in the Wild East. Ceroba didn't know if it was just her, or the small town had already taken a somber atmosphere, already aware of the loss of its deputy. Neither of the two spoke at all, but each of them could tell the other felt the change in the air.

“I’ll… see’ya at the Castle, Ceroba.” Starlo said as he walked towards the Saloon, hoping to find his posse there. Though, Ceroba's better hearing already knew they were in their shared little home at the west side of town. She didn't dare stay, even if she had her belongings in that nice little shack. What she wanted to give to Clover was way back at her home with Chujin and Kanako, back at the Ketsukane Estate in Oasis Valley.

Now that Starlo was no longer with her, the air felt even more quieter, albeit the fact that she and Starlo were silent the whole time. Ceroba walked past the lone carriage that rested a good distance away from the front entrance of the Wild East, it had been so much time since she made this journey back to that house. The structure was always too big for just the three of them, Chujin most likely wanted a bigger family, Ceroba mused. Even though in the absence of her husband and daughter, Ceroba did get herself a bigger family now that she thought about it..

Yeah, Starlo and the Feisty Four were her family, most definitely. They had taken her in in her lowest moments, always had her back, always entertained her. They always made her smile, always did their best to make her forget about her woes, even for a little bit. And that, they did. Every time they did one of their antics and little stunts, she had a little fun. Everytime Starlo donns his North Star persona and puts on a show at the Saloon, she'd be a little thrilled.

Honestly, the five deserve a bigger house like hers, but she knew they'd stay in the Wild East even when she'll offer them her open doors.

Ceroba had entered Oasis Valley, coming out of that stone hallway and being greeted by the UGPS signage on her right peripherals. She wonders what would have been like if she took Clover with her.. Sure Clover was closer with Martlet that she knew they'd stay with her, and sure Clover was very attached to Starlo and his posse to participate in their daily rodeo.

But what if she took them in? What would life be like with a son, a human one nevertheless?

Ceroba always wanted a son… She actually always wanted to experience the best of both worlds, to bring a girl and a boy into this world, and raise them both with love, care, and guidance. As wishful as it was, Ceroba was only left with ‘what if’s, there was no way for them to become realities.

Truth be told, Ceroba actually had been a little protective of Clover during their little adventure in the Steamworks. Always reminding him to be careful, and to not stray from the path. Even with the reminders, Ceroba knew that wasn't enough, so she did the extra measure of summoning protective barriers around him. As exasperated as Ceroba was with the annoying AIs she's encountered, seeing that glimmer in Clover’s eyes, well… least to say, Martlet told no lie when she said he was adorable. They acted just how a child would. When she felt them pulling at her arm when she was about to lose her cool on that one dimensional pixelated GIF to calm her down, it worked. And then his little “Again!” when Axis had caught them one time and pushed them down the elevator shaft, down to a bed of white grass, it was cute.

There was also that time they were building a companion for Axis. Clover had approached Ceroba with a red bow on top of their hat, and she had to stifle a giggle from how ridiculously cute they looked. She could've even said that it suits them a lot.

No wonder Martlet was protective of them. Ceroba caught herself smiling at the memory from earlier.

That same smile fell when she remembered how she treated them in their fight. It just made her feel even worse that she betrayed them. Ceroba tried pretending to care for them, only for it to be genuine in the end.

She was now staring down at the metal gate of her house in front of her. It was closed, but not locked, she figured Starlo's friends didn't bother to. With a sigh, Ceroba pushed open the creaky metal, and closed it behind her. She walked past the front porch and into her house— not home, house. Home is where the heart is, and before today, her mangled heart was in the Wild East. Now, half of it will rest with Clover.

After taking off her boots and leaving them at the rack near the front door, she opened the fusuma sliding door that led her to the west wing of the estate. Her socks padded on the wooden floorboards of her desolate homestead, each step was as heavy as her heart. Following the hallway, she ended up at the area with a door to the right, and a flight of stairs to the left. Beyond that right door would be Chujin’s old office, where she knew his old notes and papers still laid askew on his desk. Starlo mentioned that he and the Feisty Four had gone back to clean her house after his standoff with Clover (which she had put a stop to), and it looked like they left Chujin's office, therefore also his belongings, untouched. Eventually, she'll have to clean this room up herself, all in her husband's memory.

For now… she had to climb up the stairs to the left… The stairs that led up to Kanako’s bedroom. The wood creaked under the pressure of her footing, it had been such a long time since she had gone up here…

The last time she came up the stairs was when the accident involving her daughter was still fresh. Ceroba had cried herself to sleep next to her daughter's bed, overwhelmed by immense guilt and despair to sleep in her own bedroom and leave her Fallen Down child alone. Even after she had given up Kanako to the Lab, she slept on Kanako's bed, for even her own sleeping quarters weren't safe from her broken heart, because every night would be a reminder she was sleeping on a bed made for two. It was lonely… So, horribly lonely…

That's why she went to stay with Starlo at the Wild East, and the sheriff was kind enough to give her her own bed to sleep in. She was forever thankful that Starlo was always there.

As Ceroba was finally at the top of the staircase, she was met with the neat and tidy, albeit a little dusty, sight of Kanako's old bedroom. The fox monster looked around at areas where it would be a mess, or areas where her little girl would be doing her business. Her heart ached with each memory. Especially the memory that happened every night, where Kanako would ask her to tuck her in, and they'd go back and forth telling each other how much they loved the other, until Kanako fell asleep.

Sighing to herself, Ceroba went towards the dresser at the far corner of the room, some footprints not going unnoticed by her keen eyes. There were two pairs of shoes that have been in here, a pair of large rain boots and a smaller pair of slacks. If she were to guess, they belonged to Martlet and Clover respectively. Ignoring the dirt for a while, Ceroba knelt in front of the bottom drawer and opened it. There she took out a white blanket, with baby pink Sakura flowers for a pattern, sitting on top of a couple bedsheets. In one corner of the silken sheet, bore an imprinted stamp of the Ketsukane Family Crest.

This blanket belonged to Kanako, it was her baby blanket when she was still a newborn kit, crafted and sewn together by Crestina as a gift (with help from Starlo, she remembers her mentioning). It was far too big for Kanako when she was born, even as she had grown, it was still bigger than her. Ceroba remembers the first nights after Kanako came to her life, she and Chujin would often cuddle her in-between the same big blanket. And during the nights right after Chujin's death, and Kanako's accident, Ceroba would hug this very blanket in an attempt to comfort herself.

It barely did, but it was still precious to her.

The blanket was a little dusty, like the rest of Kanako's belongings, but it still had the faint smell of the laundry detergent she uses; Cherry Blossom and Raspberry. Ceroba cleaned it before she went to stay in the Wild East, and she was glad she did. She didn't want Clover to have a blanket that smelled like a suffocated closet with them.

Ceroba closed the drawer and stood up, dusting off the blanket, and then folding it back neatly. This blanket holds a lot of dear memories, she could even say this heap of fabric symbolized her family, more than the crest that donned her house. And now, she was about to give it to Clover.

Honestly, now that she thinks about it… This blanket, and what she's about to do with it, symbolizes something greater…

This blanket symbolizes her loved ones, Chujin and Kanako. Both are now in a far off place, forever out of reach. Even so, she still clung onto them each lonely night, and she hid them away when she left to wallow in her self pity somewhere else. Now, as she gives this blanket away, it symbolizes her way of finally letting go of the past. Of finally letting Chujin and Kanako rest, of finally… moving on. She hugged the heap of fabric close to her SOUL, letting a few tears freely roll down out of her eyes.

As she gives this blanket away to Clover, the blanket that symbolizes her family, is like Ceroba's way of telling Clover that, no matter near or far, or wherever they are, they were now part of her family.

The fox woman made it back to the foyer, she put her boots back on, and exited the Estate. When she stepped outside to meet the withered front yard garden planted by Chujin, Ceroba was surprised when she didn't feel a single ounce of sadness as she looked at it anymore. There was something more.. hopeful, inside her as she looked around at the dead trees and plants. No longer did she see memories of her husband working on the plants, but rather, she's starting to see herself, Starlo, the Feisty Four, and maybe even Martlet helping out at restoring the garden.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Ceroba sighed with a hopeful smile. “Oh, Clover. You truly are one of a kind, if you are able to make me feel like this.” Ceroba spoke to the air, her voice barely croaking from disuse. She looked up towards the cavern's ceiling, as a single tear rolled out of her eye. “Thank you, Clover… You have done so much for us… You have done so much for me…” Even if her words would've been appropriate to say to the actual SOUL, or to the child's body, it felt right out here.

Ceroba walked past her gate, closing it behind her, she just hoped at the very least, Clover had heard her.

Chapter Text

Today was supposed to be the greatest day in all of Starlo's life. It was an unexpected surprise, but a welcome one nevertheless. His lifelong dream of meeting a human had been fulfilled, and good golly, a young human cowpoke was just the bonus!

Oh but, Starlo will have to admit, the human he met was special. He knew from the very first moment he laid his eyes on the kid, he knew there was something about them that just… reached out to him. When Starlo took them in for the training, he half-expected Clover to be a tenderfoot. The sheriff never saw it coming, but the child was a sharpshooter, one of the finest gunslingers he's ever met.

Starlo didn't know why, but ever since meeting Clover, he'd had a strong sense of kinship with them. Like, they felt connected in a mysterious way. It was as if Starlo had known Clover for more than a few timelines already, even if he only met them today.

He didn't know why he ever thought of trying to kill Clover on the outskirts towards his family's farm… He was so blinded, and he was glad he didn't shoot.. He didn't have the heart to do it, he didn't even wanna do it in the first place. Clover surrendering was just the final nail in the coffin. Ceroba had just shown up when he had already thrown his weapon to the side. It was by some kind of twisted miracle that his own revolver hadn't gone off of the ledge, and into the bottomless chasm below. The monster knew there was something special about Clover, because if he, Sheriff North Star, of all monsters, had that urge to wrap the kid in his arms like he was his own whilst sighing in relief that they weren't too harmed, then he knew Clover was more than just some human to him.

Starlo actually wished he didn't hold back after their fight, he wished that he had let the North Star persona fall off sooner, even for just that moment, just to hold Clover in an embrace. In the end, he got to do that exact thing on that view deck in New Home, but he wished he could of had the chance to let it be just him and Clover. Now, he won't be able to do that any more, because Clover is gone. He was more than just a deputy, he was more than just a human that became part of his posse. No… Clover was a hero. A hero who had sacrificed his life for the Hopes and Dreams of Monsterkind. If that there wasn't noble, Starlo didn't know what is.

He just wished it didn't have to be Clover…

Starlo had his face in his leather hands, his glasses on the other as he mulled over the circumstances of today. He was sitting on the green couch, inside his shared home with the Feisty Four, and Ceroba. He had gone separate ways with the aforementioned fox to look for his posse at the Saloon. Dina welcomed him with a warm greeting, though she sensed something was wrong. Starlo wanted to tell her what exactly was wrong, he wanted to let it all out, pour out his heart in that moment, but he couldn't afford to have his North Star get up crumble in front of another, not after Clover. Not to mention that it was too soon. Starlo assured Dina he'd tell her when the time was right, and the barkeep didn't push, just told him to have a good day and i formed him of where the rest of his posse were at.

Now, he was at their humble shack, stable facade threatening to crack, as he had just revealed the dreadful news no one wanted, but needed to hear.

“…What..?” Mooch was the first to speak up, “I… wh… Star, you can't be serious.”

“What do you mean Clover's gone? They.. they're not dead are they??” Moray was next, they were visibly more sweaty as they became increasingly distressed. “You mean that, they did it, right? Clover's gone home, they crossed the barrier. Is that what you mean?”

Starlo was silent for a little.

“There was no other way around this…” He whispered, “No matter what me and Feathers tried at convincin’ ‘em, Clover was already dead set on the idea that they had to cash in…” His voice cracked at the last sentence.

Cash in. Meaning “to die” in cowboy vocabulary, and the Feisty Four did not forget about that fact.

“So… Clover, sacrificed themself..?” Edward connected the dots and Starlo nodded. “And willingly gave their SOUL to Ceroba…?”

“That's what happened… The SOUL’s in Asgore's hands now…” Starlo confirmed, “His majesty now only needs one more to break the barrier…”

“So, Clover gave up their life for the sake of our freedom.” Ace came to the conclusion, “They must have realized the greatest injustice of all was our imprisonment. Truly, a noble cause..” The mysterious member lowered his top hat to hide more of his already hidden face.

“But…” Mooch sniffled, “B-But, why did it have to be Clover??” She petted her tail to try to comfort herself. “I.. I know we weren't really the nicest to them when you made them your deputy, but Clover didn't deserve this!” It wasn't working. “Clover didn't deserve to die……”

Ed was quick to scoop up Mooch in his hand, and let her sob into his arm. Moray didn't hold back their tears either, but they were more composed than Mooch. “There was really nothing you could have done?” They asked Starlo, and the sheriff only shook his head with a shaky sigh.

“Think about it, when has a human ever survived the Underground?” Ace said quizzically. “Every single human that had fallen in here, has met the same fate each time. Clover’s fate was predetermined the moment they fell in here. In the end, Clover knew they weren't making out alive, so they had to go.”

“And leave us down here?” Ed fired a debatable statement.

“What difference will it make?” Ace refuted. “Whether Clover dies down here, or makes it out the Underground alive, they were still going to leave us either way.”

“I know that! I just…” Edward’s anger immediately dissipated with a sigh, it really was a bad day today. “It would have been better if Clover was alive…”

“Ya gotta hand it to the kid..” Starlo managed to laugh humorlessly. “Clover was selfless, thinkin’ about others more than fer themself.” Starlo removed his hand from his eyes, looking down at his circular rimmed glasses in his other hand. “Wish they just weren't.” The sheriff sighed, “We coulda’ waited fer another human to land down here, but Clover didn't wanna be burdened by the fact they get to live, and the rest don't…”

Everyone was silent after this, no one said a single word. Only sounds emitted from his posse were Mooch’s silent crying, and Moray in tears trying to even their shaky breathing.

For the nth time Starlo has sighed, he placed his glasses back on his face and stood up whilst adjusting his hat. “Hate to break it to y’all in the first place, but I just wanted to clear things up before any of you try aiming for Ceroba's neck. She's in as much pain as we're all in right now.” He eyes each of his friends, making sure they understood.

“We’ll be nicer to her when we see her again, Star.” Ed said, “She's not entirely at fault here, we know.”

Starlo nodded gratefully, “I have to go back to the farm.. get somethin’ nice fer Clover, before they're put down in the King's Castle…” he said as he walked towards the exit of the house, leaving his friends to grieve together over the loss of the posse’s sixth member, the deputy, and their friend.

After that fiasco was over, it was time for another one. He's just hoping that his parents won't pry into much of his baggage, but knowing his folks, it was inevitable to be asked questions. To be fair, he hasn't visited in a while. He only ever acknowledged his father on his way to the Steamworks entrance, barely had the moment to chat, but he did greet him a good day. Walking past Blackjack’s shop, his heart ached when he laid eyes at the shooting range. There he saw himself beside Clover, directing him how to shoot his revolver, just to be bewildered at the absolute skill the kid had with the gun.

Going through the stone bridge in the outskirts of town, he made sure he didn't step on any of the random puddles of water. It never rained in the Dunes, so these random puddles were most likely from spring water underneath the sand. Much like the large pond in Oasis Valley. This path may very well be dangerous, because if this strait of ground in the middle of a deep chasm is full of water, then one natural earth disaster can cause serious issues like subsidence, or liquefaction. Starlo barely knew what those meant, or what they do, but he picked it up growing in a farm run by his old man. He for sure knows it will cause a major destruction to this pathway. Therefore, deterring him and his family out of reach, which would be terrible for the family business.

He didn't know why he did it, or what prompted him in the first place, but Starlo gazed back at the ground. Memories of a Showdown had flashed in his mind, especially the dreadful and embarrassing demolition of his premium lasso. Well played Clover, well played.

Though, as Starlo looked back on the very area where events had played today, he couldn't help but let his mind wander off to grim territory. Intrusive ‘what if’s came to be in his tired mind. What if Starlo didn't hesitate? What if Ceroba hadn't come in time? What if he had pulled the trigger immediately after speaking? What if Starlo had killed Clover, even when they surrendered? He shook his head, trying to get rid of those vile ideas out of his brain. He can't afford to think like that, not right now, not when Ceroba and Martlet were counting on him for an anchor, not when Clover was still waiting on him to bring them to their final resting place.

Finally after a reasonable amount of time, Starlo set foot onto the porch of his childhood home. He mulled to himself, how is he going to explain to his parents about how he needs something to give to a dead child? That'd be too alarming, especially now knowing Moray’s parents: Angie and Gilbert, were here too. It doesn't seem that Orion was in there with them, could he be in their bedroom? If so, how was he even gonna tell him? Knowing him and his brother never had the best relationship, he didn't wanna make it awkward between them.

Bracing himself with a large breath in and out, Starlo walked across the wood. Now he was standing in front of the front door framed by beautiful roses, a welcome mat underneath his shaking boots. He knocked thrice, then opened the front door. The sheriff was immediately greeted by the gazes of his and Moray's parents, gathered at the kitchen counter, probably eating BBQ prepared by his mother. “Starlo? My, it's been awhile!” Speaking of his mother, Crestina was the first to greet him. “How have you been doing?”

He wanted to lie, he wanted to say that everything's going absolutely well, and he wanted to tell stories about his great adventures in the Wild East. But when met with his mother's soft voice, and the circumstances of today weighing on him, he threatened to break. “I’m…. Honestly not doing well..” Even the accent was gone, he really was in a lot of pain.

Crestina and Solomon were immediately concerned, even Angie and Gilbert. “Somethin’ botherin’ ya my boy?” His dad asked, raising concern.

He can't tell them, not now. He's going to break if he told any more than four other monster's about what happened to Clover. “I’ll… I’ll tell you when I'm ready, I promise.” Starlo strengthened his nerves, “I just.. need to get something in my room...” but Starlo hasn't moved yet, he was frozen in his place, like he had no right to move until he was dismissed. His parents weren't like that, but he just wanted to be respectful to them at the very least.

“Okay..” Solomon sighed, “Whatever’s gotten you so low, just know your old man’s here fer ya, got that?” The farmer smiled at him. “We won't rush you, take your time dear.” Crestina softly smiled at Starlo, and he was grateful to have them as his parents. He nodded in response, and he silently walked up the stairs to the second floor, passing by an old photograph of him and Ceroba when they were teens. When he was in front of the door to his shared childhood room, he hesitantly knocked, waiting for an answer. Sighing in relief to know there was none, either Orion was fast asleep, or he wasn't in here and must be in the cellar.

Starlo twisted the knob and entered his room to find it empty, meaning Orion was in fact in the cellar, probably sorting out corn for the Farmer's Market this coming weekend down at the Wild East. When Starlo stepped inside, everything was just like how he remembered. Walls, floor, and ceiling littered with glow in the dark stars, a space cowboy themed bunk bed, two separate dressers, and a sewing machine on the right corner. No time to really be reminiscing right now, Starlo knelt by the bedside and reached down underneath, feeling for something. When gloved hands touched a plastic box, he yanked it out. He pried it open to be met with a lot of cloth, some already cut, some still yet to be used. He felt nostalgic when he saw the very fabrics he used to make his current costume, still sitting folded within the pile. Starlo reached deep within the box, looking for a specific craft he made long ago. He finally felt something soft and squishy-like from his rummaging. Carefully, Starlo pulled out a pillow from the box.

He made this pillow with his mom when he had gotten the hang of sewing. It was a pentagram-star shaped head pillow, halved into four colors: His family's favorite colors. Cerulean Blue on the top right for Solomon, Lavender Purple on the top left for Crestina, Eggshell White on the bottom right for Orion, and Sunflower Yellow on the bottom left for Starlo. At the back of it is just plain white silk. There was a tag attached to the side where Starlo's color was, where it read: “Property of Sheriff North Star”.

The stellar monster had been playing sheriff for as long as he could remember how to sew, and because he kept playing make believe up until this day, he got to meet Clover. Hey, going along with your silly, childish, and wildest dreams do pay off. And so, he's hoping wherever Clover is now, this pillow can help them chase their own dreams, no matter how high up they were.

Satisfied with his findings, Starlo packed everything back up and pushed the box back underneath the bed. He held the pillow in his left arm, underneath his poncho, then exited his room. When he made it back down the stairs, his and Moray's parents stopped their discussions about retirement. “I'll be back, mom and dad.” Starlo said in an almost whisper, but was still loud enough for the four older monsters to hear. “Take care Starlo..!” Crestina said in her usual soft and caring voice. When Starlo was about to reach for the knob, it suddenly opened to reveal Orion.

The four pointed star monster stared down the sheriff with an unreadable expression. Starlo's response was to lower his hat, hiding his eyes beneath the rims. “Hey bro…” He said, “Sorry for the impromptu visit, but I have to go.” He huffed as he slipped out of the door, squeezing past Orion as he exited.

The aforementioned was just about to question his presence, when he was stopped by their father. “Let ‘im go Orion, seems to me Starlo's down in the dumps t’day, don't be goin’ around lowerin’ his spirits.” Solomon reprimanded. He knew his boys well, and he knew Starlo and Orion didn't have the best relationship. The last thing he wanted was a fight to break out in his house, caused by an upset Starlo, while he and his wife had guests over. Orion didn't argue, therefore decided not to push it further. He'll get answers out of him eventually.

✿༺ ✧ ༻✿

He really thought he got over it by now, he was a cowboy, a sheriff of all things. North Star knew he's meant to be strong, especially when Martlet and Ceroba were emotionally wrecked. That was the reason why he offered to volunteer in retrieving Clover's body from that view deck in New Home. Martlet had already carried the difficult job of escorting him and Ceroba to Asgore, Ceroba had already carried the heavy burden of presenting the human SOUL to the king, and now, it was his turn..

His turn to carry the daunting task of delivering Clover to his final resting place.

It was gonna be easy, he thought. He really thought it was that easy to carry the body of a dead child. A dead child was never a sight for the faint of heart, but this dead child was Clover. If it were anyone else, maybe it would have been easy.

But not to Starlo.

As he walked up that narrow path up to that stone rooftop, his heart tremored as his hands shook. It was just recently when he had witnessed Clover's final living moments, the feeling of their head lolling against his right hand will forever haunt him. Clover was super special to Starlo, he didn't know why he thinks like this, but deep down, somehow, Starlo considered Clover as his son. That's what he felt like after he gave up on their dual, the blast of regret through his entire being when he realized what could of happened if he had just held the gun wrongly, the fear for Clover's life when he unearthed something suspicious about Chujin and Ceroba.

The harsh sense of protectiveness that filled his SOUL when Clover had found him and Ceroba, when he had told them that they should have hid from her.

On this very view deck, of all places.

…

Starlo could finally see the top of the Sakura tree. Its lush, vibrant petals swaying along the Underground breeze that blew by. Why was he so scared all of a sudden? Starlo’s heart was racing at the thought of seeing Clover’s body again. “Get a hold of yer self Star.” He scolded himself. “You gotta be strong fer Feathers, fer Ceroba..” he took another step forward. “Fer Clover.”

Clover still needs him, even when they were no longer here. Deep down, Starlo believed that Clover could have heard their conversation in the throne room. It was their culmination of existence in that jar Ceroba was holding, after all. As wishful as it was, maybe the Clover they knew had been sucked into the SOUL after going limp. So this might be Starlo's silly belief, but it was working as motivation.

Or maybe, Clover was in the air. Their spirit spread out across the places they've visited in the Underground. Maybe, Clover's been secretly watching over the three of them in their small journeys to their homes, and back to the Castle.

Starlo hadn't even realized that he let his mind wandered until he was standing right at the mouth of the entrance. There he stood frozen in place, looking down at Clover's fragile form, lying down on top of a patch of Sakura flower petals. Even some stray petals from above had fallen gently on their form thanks to the breeze. He was just how they had left them here, after prying Martlet off of her death grip on him. Right hand still on his chest, left hand open upwards from holding Ceroba's. The expression they wore was serene, the face of someone who had accepted death with no struggle.

Too young… He was far too young…

Clover was supposed to wear that kind of peaceful expression every night in bed, after a long tiring day of rootin’ and tootin’.. not for the rest of the years to come.

“Hi’ya partner.” Starlo knelt down beside Clover's right side, “Been a minute, aye kiddo?” He set down the pillow next to their head. In an uncharacteristically soft manner, Starlo swept away some of Clover's bangs off of his forehead, tucking a few strands behind his ear. “Sorry to interrupt yer rest, deputy. But unfortunately, ya can't snooze up here.” Starlo humorlessly chuckled to himself, even in such a dark situation as this, he still tried to find light in it.

Starlo tried to smile more, he really tried to keep up his facade. He's been holding it in together for awhile, keeping his true feelings hidden ever since Clover passed on, trying his best to be strong for Martlet and Ceroba.

But Martlet and Ceroba weren't here right now, it was just Starlo and Clover.

Letting his guard down for a little, Starlo accidentally let himself tear up. He tried to stop himself for going any further, but it was too late, that internal dam had cracked. As he looked down at Clover, his friend, his deputy, his precious son, Starlo started crying. As embarrassing as it is for North Star to cry, it was plausible when he was alone.

But as of now, he wasn't the almighty sheriff North Star of the Wild East. He was Starlo, a father grieving the loss of his child.

He picked up Clover and cradled them into his arms, hugging them tightly as he let his emotions finally overflow, draining him of his agony. “I’m sorry…” He whispered into brown hair, “I’m so sorry Clover…”

He had nothing to apologize for, it wasn't his fault, but it felt right to apologize to Clover, on behalf of the world. This reality was a cruel one, placing Clover in a trapped situation where there was no escape. Starlo would give up his own SOUL, if it meant Clover would have another shot at life.

But what's done, was done. All Starlo had now was this moment, to truly show Clover how much the human meant to the sheriff.

“You… were the best of the best kid…” He hugged Clover tighter, the cold feel of their body made him shiver, but that didn't stop Starlo from hugging them. “I could never ask for another soul to be my deputy, no one could ever replace you partner.”

Starlo grieves his illegitimate son as he held their dead corpse in his arms. Now, Starlo finally understood the pain Ceroba had gone through these past months, the pain of losing a child, of saying goodbye too soon, of living longer than someone who had a whole life ahead of them.

“I'm gonna miss you like hell, Clover…”

After sobbing into Clover's hair, Starlo recomposed himself. He had to complete his mission, he had to bring Clover to the Castle so they could finally rest peacefully. “Sorry for cryin’ all over ya..” He mused wetly, carefully Starlo placed the pillow underneath Clover's head and let them lean against him. He placed his other arm beneath Clover's knees, and then lifted them up in a bridal carry.

It was a long road from here to Starlo, the silence and the heavy weight in his arms doesn't make the distance any better.

“Ya ready to go Clover?” Starlo did not wait for a response, he slowly walked back out of that view deck. It was time let his deputy rest.

Chapter Text

Ceroba held the blanket in her arms tightly as she walked down the golden glow of the Last Corridor. She was holding it so tight, it was like she was hugging herself. The soft, cottony feel of the cloth did little to comfort her, but maybe it would be enough to comfort Clover instead.

The Last Corridor was beautiful, the architecture here was otherworldly, ethereal. A stark contrast to the most majestic looking places in all of the Underground, expected of the royals. The ornate design of the structure basked in the light of the barrier that kept them all trapped here, a breathtaking scenery illuminated by a grim reality. What a harmonious irony.

Ceroba walked down this hall at a slow pace, like a bride walking down the aisle towards the altar. As much as she wants to reminisce about her own wedding day, Ceroba can't help but compare this part of the castle to a church. The first time she walked through here today, her mind was a mess. She didn't look anywhere but downwards at the tiles, but even her mind wasn’t able to register the tiles she was staring down upon. The only thing she could feel earlier, was an overwhelming numbness, and the warm canister in her hands. Now that she has a clearer mind, she can't help but admire the place. Her assumption wasn't a long shot, this corridor gave off a beautiful kind of mysterious vibe, like what an ancient church would. The only variables missing were an altar, and chairs (and maybe, a red carpet). She wonders if this very corridor she's walking through, is the same corridor where the royal wedding took place.

She wasn't into politics, and she disliked the royals. That negative opinion on them turned to spite when she watched Chujin's tapes, revealing he was fired by the king's orders, and that spite turned into hatred when she read through the reports about her husband in the Steamworks. So she couldn't care at all about the royals, let alone spare a thought on where the missing queen had gone.

It wasn't much of a surprise, but Ceroba was the first one to arrive back at the Castle, out of the three visiting.

Yeah, they were just visiting. They were just visitors. Ceroba, Starlo, and Martlet weren't heroes, they were nowhere close to that margin. They were not any kind of prestigious titles the king would offer them, just for the mere reason of obtaining a human SOUL. The real hero in this situation would be Clover.

Sweet, selfless, amazing Clover. He didn't deserve this, he didn't deserve this outcome, he didn't deserve this ending. And yet, the most undeserving of souls, are put through such tragic fates.

When Ceroba had arrived in the throne room, she found herself alone. Asgore was not in here, maybe he was at the barrier, where the rest of the human SOULs were kept, or he was where Clover would be laid down. Not only that, Ceroba noticed neither Martlet nor Starlo were here yet.

Sighing to herself, Ceroba decided that she should let herself wander around, look at her surroundings, spectate the throne room. Like the Last Corridor, the Throne Room had that same glow to it. Less golden, more like… a sunny day. She didn't know why she came to that conclusion, Ceroba had never seen the sun in her life, just a ginormous mass of a Swealterstone that destroyed The Meadow. But the warmth illuminating the room from the windows, it reminded her of Clover in a metaphorical sense.

Maybe Ceroba had never seen the sun in her life, but Clover had given her a gist of what it was: Bright, Warm, and Hopeful.

Ceroba spared a glance at the lonely throne, and another one at the far back corner, covered by a cloth. Once again, she didn't care about the royals, therefore, did not give a damn about the queen. What caught her attention more is the floor, littered with bright yellow and healthy flowers. Now with a closer look, she could see soil and cracked tiles from underneath the golden flora. She knew a large patch of them were wet, as her and her friends had come in here while Asgore was in the middle of watering them.

She has never seen these flowers before, sure she wasn't a florist nor a botanist, but she's married to Chujin to know enough these flowers don't exactly exist anywhere in the Underground. Maybe she could ask the Flower Girls in Oasis Valley some time after this, inquire about any golden yellow flowers growing in the Underground. Perhaps she could ask Pedla, she is centered around yellow flowers.

Ceroba’s train of thought halted as her ear twitched at the sound of heavy footfalls, coming towards the throne room. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was, nor did she have a reason to tense up and be on guard. But still, maybe keeping her guard up was for the best.

“Oh, I see you have returned.” The king's gentle voice sounded from behind her, though she kept her head low, and chose not to reply. Asgore understood anyway, he understood her grief in a sense, he opted to change the subject. “I see you've taken an interest in my flowers.” He mentioned. Ceroba didn't realize she was staring down at the flowerbed. “Would you like a cup of tea, while we wait for the others?” Asgore offered, and Ceroba finally spoke to reply.

“No thank you, I appreciate the offer.” She tried to be courteous, masking her hatred for this man behind her calm voice. Asgore hummed, then she felt his presence move from behind her to beside her. Ceroba didn't dare look his way, just kept staring down at the flowers, trying to keep calm. She didn't want to blow up at the very monster that ruined her family.

“These flowers have always been special, I suppose you have realized they don't grow anywhere in the Underground?” Asgore turned his head to look at Ceroba, and the fox reluctantly nodded. Ceroba expected him to explain how these never seen before flowers were a work of science and magic, she half expected these flowers to have been a gift from the Royal Scientist to the king. She was so ready to start resenting the royals again, until Asgore spoke…

“It’s because these flowers came from the surface… I believe it originated from a human village, back in my time.”

Ceroba's eyes widened, and for the first time in the two times she's visited this Castle, she looked Asgore in the eye. He wasn't looking at her though, he was looking at the flowers with a melancholic smile. “I do not know if Monsterkind still remembers why I declared this war.” He sighed heavily, “It was a very stupid decision in a time of grief.”

Asgore walked forward, going towards one particular patch of flowers near his throne. From this distance, Ceroba saw burnt flowers overgrown by younger ones. She knew what caused that burn, she read it before in the Steamworks that her husband had been fired from an incident regarding upsetting the king.

“There are a lot of things I regret, one of them being the war, and another being the way I treated your husband.”

Ceroba didn't mean to gasp. She never told him her name, never told anything personal. How did he…?

“My apologies, Mrs. Ketsukane, for startling you.” Asgore lightly chuckled, “I believe I owe you an explanation.” He smiled at her as he spared her a glance. “The first time I met Dr. Chujin, I couldn't help but notice he had a photograph always attached to his binder. It was an image of a family of three. Curious as I was, I asked him if the two others in the picture were his wife and child.”

Asgore sighed as he recalled that memory. “The absolute glee he had when he told me about you and your little one. His enthusiasm reminded me of my own excitement when I was once in a similar situation.”

Ceroba silently listened in, her head started to turn into another mess as she let the king speak more about her husband. How dare he… How dare he bring Chujin up in light of a situation like this…

“I don't know how much you resent me for what happened to your husband's career, but believe me when I tell you that, I do not blame you at all.” Asgore stood up, though he never tore his gaze away from the burnt flowers. He should really trim and throw them away, but he didn't have the heart to do so… “Ordering for Chujin's removal, was just another half-baked decision I have made in the midst of grief and anger. For that, I would like to apologize to you directly, even if it may be too late and you may never forgive me.”

“It's far too late.” Ceroba snapped. “Because of your decision, my husband had worked himself to dust.” She glared at Asgore with a fierce fiery glint in her eyes. “Chujin's dead, he's been gone for a year now.”

Asgore nodded solemnly. He didn't say anything else, there was nothing for him to say to make the situation feel better. He accepted the inevitable truth that the widow would not forgive him, he could live with that, just another grievance that weighed on his SOUL he would carry.

They were silent for a while, Asgore looking down at the burnt buttercups, with Ceroba's glare boring a hole into his back.

“I didn't fire Chujin, just because I was angry he tarnished some random human flowers…” Asgore began again, “These flowers were what was left of my son… Asriel.”

Ceroba's glare involuntarily softened at the mention of the prince’s name. She barely remembered what happened to him, nor did she care to even know more about what had happened to him.

“The human… Clover, was it? They were technically the seventh fallen human. The first of many, was a child by the name of Chara. My son, Asriel, had found them when they had fallen, and brought them to our home. Eventually, my wife and I treated the human as our second child.” Asgore recalled that very day that happened a century ago. “One day, Chara had fallen ill and had unfortunately passed away. Asriel, in his grief, absorbed Chara's SOUL and crossed the barrier with the child's body, wanting to lay Chara's body down in the flowerbed in their human village.”

Why was Asgore telling her this? Ceroba couldn't decipher the king’s intentions of laying down his sob story on her. But… she couldn't help but be invested in it.

“The humans… they believed Asriel had killed the child, and attacked my son…” Asgore's gaze darkened as he looked out of the window, glaring at the glowing barrier that held his kind for a century and a few decades. “Wounded, Asriel returned home with Chara's body, and had dusted in this very room… Out of grief and anger, I declared that—”

“All humans that come down here must die…” Ceroba finished it for him, and Asgore only felt even more low as he was reminded of his foolish plan. “Because of that brash decision, my wife had told me I was disgusting, and left… never to be seen again.” Asgore half wonders where Toriel was right now, and if she was faring well. But the other half of him is starting to move on.

“After Asriel's death… these very flowers started growing here. I figured these were the same flowers from Chara’s village. I did not have the heart to get rid of them, nor move them somewhere else, and so… I let them fester and flourish the tiles.” Asgore chuckled, “They reminded me of Asriel, always in places where he shouldn't be.”

It reminded Ceroba of Kanako, too. That little rascal could be found ransacking the cookie jar, or was up and about with Starlo and his Saloon shenanigans.

“The thought of losing these flowers to a fire caused by your husband, made me feel so much fear after a very long time.” Asgore sighed, finally turning around to face Ceroba once more. “I couldn't bear the thought of losing what was left of my children… But because of that choice, not only did I ruin your family, but I put you through the grief I am experiencing…”

Asgore was silent for a while, before he apologized once more. “I am… so sorry, Mrs. Ketsukane, I…” He paused, “I know what has come to your daughter… Not so long ago, Dr. Alphys provided me with the list of the Fallen Down that were sent to the lab.. I do not know if I had any fault in her predicament or not, but I am apologizing from the bottom of my SOUL. My sincerest condolences go to you, and your loved ones…”

Ceroba should have been mad, Ceroba should have been enraged. She should have lashed out at the king for bringing up Kanako, she should have screamed at him that it was because of him that her husband and daughter were both gone. He had no right to speak of them so highly, when it was his calloused actions that have made them both disappear.

But Ceroba didn't do that, she didn't do any of that.

Maybe she still held some hatred towards the king and the Royal Scientist, but in this moment, as he spoke to her like he knew her sorrows, Ceroba saw Asgore in a new light. In this moment, she viewed him not as her king, but as another parent. She lost her husband, he lost his queen. Ceroba lost Kanako, Asgore lost Asriel and Chara. They were both on the same page of grief, the only difference was that Asgore had been grieving since the time of Ceroba's great grandparents. That revelation dawned in, Ceroba had been grieving for a year, Asgore had been grieving for decades.

Maybe Ceroba still did hate Asgore, maybe she still didn't respect him as she should, but she can definitely sympathize with him. “...Thank you, your majesty.” Ceroba managed a reply.

Just as their conversation had finished, Ceroba heard a familiar voice, winded from running (and possibly, also from flying). “Hah… S-Sorry I'm late I…” Martlet gasped for air, unable to finish her sentence.

“It’s fine. Don't worry about it too much, Starlo's not even here yet.” Ceroba informed the out of breath bird. “You got what you needed?”

Finally regaining her breathing, Martlet nodded. “Yep..! Got it right here!” The bird took out the puzzle box she had taken from her house. “It's a puzzle slash music box I made while still under Chujin's mentorship.” She opened up the lid and cranked the handle to move the silver ball inside. “You just gotta get this ball through the maze and… voilà!” In one satisfying click, the music box inside started playing a small tune. “Like a lullaby for Clover…” Martlet said the last one quietly, she didn't mean for it to make her heart ache more than it did. But what could she do? She was grieving too.

Unbeknownst to Ceroba and Martlet, Asgore's eyes widened at the familiarity of that melody. The nostalgia struck the king like a bullet to the SOUL, but he didn't let it show, he didn't want to reminisce about his past right now, for this moment belonged to these monsters who have (in his words, unfortunately) brought Monsterkind one step closer to their freedom.

“It is a very beautiful song, I am sure your friend will love it.” Asgore smiled at Martlet, who nodded in return as she closed the box, cutting off the tune that emitted from it. Now all that's left for them to do, was to wait for Starlo and Clover.

“I will be waiting in the next room, when your friend arrives, all you have to do is go to the left from here, and down a flight of stairs.” Asgore declared as he began to leave the throne room, “There, we will lay the human to rest, alongside the other fallen.”

Without another word to spare, Asgore left Ceroba and Martlet in the throne room.

“…What did you bring for Clover?” Martlet decided to change back the subject, “Oh, I got him this blanket.” Ceroba showed the bird the white fabric with Sakura flowers. “It was… Kanako's. Even as she got bigger, she never really grew out of it.” She chuckled lightly, then came the silence of her grief.

“Hey…” Martlet put a wing on Ceroba's left shoulder, “We'll get through this together, okay? We're here for you now, no more dealing with baggage alone, got that?” She said with an empathetic smile on her face.

Ceroba couldn't help but smile back, placing a paw on top of the feathers on her shoulder. “Yeah, I do.” Ceroba sighed, “Thanks again Martlet.”

“Don't sweat it, what are friends for?” Martlet tittered, and Ceroba giggled as well.

Feeling like this, like there's a hope for tomorrow, it was nice. Kinda sad that it only took meeting a human to steer Ceroba in the right path.

“Starlo is… taking awhile, huh..?” Martlet mentioned, pocketing her puzzle box once more. “Do you think he's okay with… y’know…” She frowned. Ceroba sighed in response, not an exasperated kind of sigh, it was more like a downtrodden kind. “Honestly, I doubt he's doing any better than us…” She looked off to the side, clutching the blanket a little tighter like before. “But, I know Star. He'll pull through this, if it means doing it for Clover.”

Then came another wave of uncomfortable silence, as devastation hung over the two women with the circumstances that had befallen them. “Think we should look for him?” Martlet suggested, and Ceroba nodded. So, the Royal Guard and the widow both exited the Throne Room, aiming to go towards New Home to find Starlo. When they exited to the Last Corridor, Martlet and Ceroba were caught in surprise to see just the monster they were looking for…

There he was, Sheriff North Star, walking down the hall, basking in the warm, golden glow of the building. But even though this monster was Sheriff North Star in appearance, it was just Starlo in demeanor. His head was hung low, cowboy hat covering his eyes within its shadow. His lips were pressed into a thin line, the corners slightly turned down in a small frown. Those with not the keenest of sights would have overlooked the tear tracks on the uncovered regions of his face.

In his arms, was a small child, no older than twelve. They had brown slightly messy, dishevelled hair, pressed on a sewn up, handcrafted star shaped pillow with four different colors, against the sheriff's arm. They wore a light brown long sleeved button up, a vest that had a darker shade of the same color, blue baggy jeans held by a black belt with a silver buckle, and cowboy boots that lacked spurs. Pinned to the left side of their vest, was a golden star that had the word "Deputy" engraved on the surface. Their pale complexion was riddled with freckles. If their eyes were open, they would be chestnut brown with a sheen of bright yellow.

But that bright yellow has long since left, and their eyes were closed in a state of perpetual slumber.

Starlo cradled Clover like the fragile little thing he was, the ethereal golden light made the sleeping child look angelic in the sheriff's arms. The prophecy of the Deltarune suggests an entity known as The Angel will one day free Monsterkind from its imprisonment. But to Starlo, Martlet, and Ceroba, Clover was their Angel, both in the context of mythology and the prophecy. He had come down here, barged into their lives, and saved them from their own personal prisons. True to the kid’s name, Clover had brought everyone they have come across immense luck. And true to Clover's SOUL trait, they had brought Justice to the Underground thanks to their offering.

Even with such hope given, Martlet, Starlo, and Ceroba still drowned in despair. Ceroba had approached the two cowboys as Starlo had reached the end of the Last Corridor, he still didn't dare look up, but he gazed at Ceroba as she reached out to Clover. Her paw rested on Clover's cheek, caressing it softly with her thumb. They were cold… they were so so cold, it pained Ceroba to feel such icy coolness from a being that had brought her so much warmth. Martlet stood where she was, unable to move closer, unable to tear her eyes away from the little boy she met just a couple of hours ago.

Clover wasn't a kid of facial expressions, Martlet knew that. But whenever she got to see a smile grace their face, her heart leapt into the skies. Now, as she sees a small smile on their face, frozen in time, signifying a peaceful death, it broke her. She's going to miss Clover, she's going to miss them so badly.

“Heh, don't be cryin’ in front of Clover now…” Starlo managed to say with a smile. It was broken, a broken smile was something that was incredibly foreign on his face. “The kid wouldn't wanna see y’all weepin’...” He said those words half for Ceroba and Martlet, and half for himself. If Clover were still alive, they would have called Starlo out on his hypocrisy, pointing out the wet patch on their head from Starlo's tears. As embarrassing as that would sound, deep down, Starlo would take a snarky remark from Clover over complete silence.

“Are we ready to go…?” Ceroba asked her two companions as she pulled away from Clover. Starlo and Martlet nodded silently, Starlo nodding once, and Martlet nodding twice as she wiped away fresh tears. No more words left to say, Martlet beckoned Starlo and Ceroba to follow her back inside. This time, they walked past the Throne Room and kept going forward, until they were met with a flight of stairs going downwards to their right. In a single file line, they descended down, until they were met with the sight of seven coffins before them. Asgore was standing at the end of the hall, looking down at an open, empty casket. The very stone container that will be Clover's final resting place.

All of them had a heart painted on the lid, below the heart were engraved labels, names of the fallen children. The coffins were arranged in the order of the rainbow. The first of the many coffins had a red heart that had the name “Chara” written on it. Next to it was a coffin with an orange heart named “Andy”. There was an empty space between Andy's and the green colored heart coffin that had the name “Sunny”. The coffins with cyan, blue, and purple hearts did not have names. The three unfortunate humans who never got to reach Asgore alive.

There were exactly seven coffins, one for each owner of the SOULs needed to break the barrier, with the exception of Chara's SOUL. It was a twisted sight to behold, and it didn't make it any better when learning the reality that Clover already had a grave laid out for them. Soon enough, Clover would most likely be placed in-between Andy and Sunny, a yellow heart would be painted on top of their coffins, and their name would be written in stone for all eternity.

It was dark, but it may as well be better than burying them.

Once the trio had reached the end, Asgore turned around with a somber look in his eyes. He found himself gazing at the child in Starlo's arms. No cuts, no bruises, no calluses. Compared to the rest of the children's bodies Asgore has received, especially the most recent one, Clover had died in a peaceful manner, just like Chara in a sense. It appeared like the human had only passed out from playing all day, and with the three’s offerings, it looked like they were about to tuck them into bed.

“Do what must be done, I will stand aside to give you your time to say goodbye…” Asgore bowed his head and stepped away from the open coffin.

Starlo had stepped forward first, kneeling down to the side and gently placing Clover inside. Before he laid them down, he held Clover up by their back with his left arm, took the star pillow with his free hand, placed it inside the casket, and slowly laid Clover's head onto the pillow. “There ya go, deputy. Feels better with somethin’ comf’trable beneath yer head now, doesn't it?” Starlo smiled bittersweetly, he didn't move from his position as he petted Clover's hair.

Ceroba came next, slowly unfolding the blanket and laying it on top of Clover. As she expected, it was a bit big for them, just like it was for Kanako. So, she tucked the blanket inside the coffin in an orderly fashion, making sure none of it looked wrinkled in there. She pulled up the sheet above Clover's chest, taking out their arms from underneath and then folding their hands above their SOUL (or where it used to be…) Ceroba knelt on the opposite side from Starlo. “This'll keep you warm…” She said in a whisper, holding the child's forearm and caressing it with her thumb.

Finally, Martlet stepped up. She took out the musical puzzle box from her pocket one last time, and knelt beside Ceroba. She carefully places the trinket beside Clover's head, a short distance above his left shoulder. “There you go buddy, a nice little lullaby to keep your dreams sweet…” Martlet tried her hardest not to cry again, but she really should have known by now she was not the best when it comes to not crying. Seriously, she should ask Starlo a thing or two about holding it in.

As the three sat beside Clover, looking down on the child as he was ready for a long rest, it felt like the world had stopped spinning. They didn't want to leave Clover, not now, not ever, but they had to. Clover wouldn't want them wasting their lives away sitting around, hanging out with his corpse. Clover would want them to live their lives to the fullest, chasing dreams, accomplishing big things.

Clover has given them hope for a future on the surface. The best way to honor his memory was to take on tomorrow one smile at a time.

Their time had come to an end, it was time to say goodbye. Though, deep down, they knew they weren't ready to let go just yet. Yeah… they're going to stay in denial for a while.

“Time for us to go…” Ceroba brought it up, Martlet and Starlo nodded. She was the first to stand up and walk away, but she didn't exit the room. Not yet.

“Sleep well, kiddo…” Starlo was second, he tipped his hand in a respectful gesture of bidding farewell, before standing up and joining Ceroba at the beginning of the room.

“…” Martlet stayed with Clover the longest. In another life, with no war, no discourse, no dead children for the sake of Monsterkind's freedom, she would love to meet Clover again. Maybe by then, she could finally take him under her wings, and care for them like she always wanted to. But until she roams this Earth, she'll have to wait and see if her wish will come true in her next life.

For now, it was time to let her little human rest.

“Goodnight Clover…” She said with a shaky voice. Then, Martlet stood up and walked away. Never to see Clover ever again.

Even in death, Clover was loved. He truly was so lucky to be loved by so many people all at once. Maybe in the next life, Clover can keep returning the love given to him, tenfold. In this life, he will sleep beside the other unfortunate children, waiting on a miracle of resurrection.

Waiting on a call to action.

One day, someone will call for help. One day, they will all answer that call.