Underdoom - Chapter 3

After the last bits of dessert had been finished off, Asgore went to prepare a speech to deliver regarding the barrier break. Mettaton had only just arrived, and was tasked with making sure everyone in the underground knew that freedom was at hand, utilizing his popularity and high ratings to ensure everyone's attention and call them all to New Home. Undyne (with help from Papyrus and Sans) was tasked with marshaling the Royal Guard to make sure crowds stayed in control, and that proper disembarking routes were well manned. Frisk prepared herself for human contact and ambassadorship with help from Toriel, making sure the humans got the right message and that Monsters could integrate properly and peacefully. Alphys checked monitoring from her phone, multitasking between making sure all the maintenance and infrastructure in the underground was properly taken care of once everyone left, and coordinating moving efforts with the Royal Guard. At most, it would take a good 24 hours to get everything underway. In the meantime, The Doom slayer was instructed to keep himself scarce until the King could properly introduce him. Everyone was feeling this odd sensation; it wasn't fear, though there was a tinge of it in them all. it wasn't simply apprehension, though that made up a great deal of it. The best way to describe it was "I am here." The time had come, and they were "there" so to speak. It's like the same feeling one would get before leaving home; a big, irreversible decision with an uncertain, but exciting future. All the while, the Doom Slayer closely and carefully observed everyone as they went about, taking note of their behavior one to another. The Warrior woman and the Scientist were obviously infatuated, while the King and queen seemed somewhat... distant. He could see that though Asgore acted and spoke kindly to Toriel, she didn't seem to reciprocate his courtesy. Perhaps he had wronged her in some way in the past. The two skeletons were close brothers, and though Frisk was a relatively new addition, just about all of them were very warm and caring around her. That "Mettaton" character was perhaps the oddest automaton the Praetor had ever beheld; his manner was excessively flamboyant and bombastic, and he didn't seem to realize that his frilly posing and constant physical contact were starting to annoy the Hell Walker. Still though, annoying as he sometimes was, he was harmless. As the day drew further to a close, everyone began to close up shop, ceasing their business until the next day, when everyone's freedom would be realized.

Before retiring for the day however, everyone went back to the palace, as that was where the majority of the next day's events would take place, and everyone needed to be ready. It wasn't all business, though. Everybody gathered in the loving room, playing games, telling stories on a newly set up couch sitting adjacent to the dining room table, and just enjoying each other's company. The Doom Marine simply sat in the easy chair by the fireplace, watching everyone mingle. He was not much for conversation (as much as he had been forced into it within the past 24 hours), and though it would be fun to join in, he was quite content to sit quietly, watch, and smile. His self-induced isolation wouldn't last in the presence of such gregarious people, however.

"Uh, M-Mr. Doomguy, sir?" Alphys stuttered. "You sure you don't wanna come over here with us?"

"Yeah! We were about to start this game Alphys found in the dump! Some human game called 'twister' or something. I'm sure I'll win, tho- AH! NO! DON'T NOOGIE THE SKELETON!"

Undyne laughed as she rolled her armored knuckles across Papyrus' head before addressing the Praetor. "Hehe... Yeah, c'mon dude! You can't stay all cooped up forever!" The Hunter merely chuckled a little and put his hand up, kindly refusing the offer and reaching towards the bookshelf until Undyne decided he had spent enough time secluding himself, and she knew just how to draw him in. "Remember what I said about that sparring match?" She said, taking off her armor piece by piece, revealing her bandage-bound musculature and taking up a fighting stance. "Or are you just too chicken to fight?!" He eyed her with head and brow askew, looking at her incredulously.

"Oh this is gonna be good..." Sans quipped.

"U-Undyne, I don't think this is a very good idea."

"Ha! You're just flustered because my armor's off, aren't you?"

"N-no, I mean, this c-could get rough really fast."

"For him, maybe!"

"Oh no dear, there's no need for that!" Asgore said, trying to discourage Undyne from bringing utter destruction upon his living room. "I'd rather no one got hurt before the big day tomorrow!"

"Oh relax, no one's getting hurt..." Undyne replied, looking back at the King. "Not unless they WANT to! Isn't that right, Do-..."  As she turned to face her opponent, a massive tower of armor loomed over her, fists tightly clenched with an opaque visor barely hiding a deep scowl. The Doom Slayer first took off his Helmet, then his gauntlets, followed by his breastplate which landed on the floor with a loud thud. Now standing before the Leader of the Royal Guard was a beast of raw muscle and sinew, scars borne from teeth and claws covering his skin and bare from the waist up, as she nearly was. His eyes were deep set and overshadowed by his furrowed brow, making Undyne a bit nervous as she hoped that he saw this as just a sparring match. It didn't make her feel any better when his expression changed from menacing to devilish as the single most unnerving smile she had ever seen crawled onto his face. He assumed his fighting stance, fists guarding his upper body and legs squared perfectly on his center of mass. "Well... Alright then!" She said, quenching her nervousness. "You ready, Buck-o?!" The Hell Walker replied with a smug, beckoning finger. "ALRIGHT THEN! NGAAAAAHHHH-"

As Undyne charged at the Doom Slayer, he made no movements to dodge or evade; just one outstretched, open palm that caught her flying fist. Everyone gasped as he then took her by the arm and threw her over himself. She saw it coming however, bracing herself for impact by trying to land on her feet. She ended up slamming on her left knee while her other leg faltered. Doomguy then raised her up, locked her arm in his and sent his fist flying repeatedly at her head. Barely having enough time to think, she dodged his lightning fast blows. She could feel the wind moving her hair as his fist flew all around her. She caught it and it bruised her palm as she tried to wrestle his arm away in an attempt to get a clear shot at his face. He would waver, only to immediately push her arm back. He did this a few times, no doubt deliberately, just to tease her. It only managed to further invigorate her. "Oh, THAT's how you're playing it now, huh?!" She said between gritted teeth as she noticed his amused grin. "NNGGAAAAAAAAAH!!!" She switched tactics, wrapping her leg behind his and buckling it backwards, forcing them both to the floor. He lost his vice on her other arm, and as she straddled his trunk, she wasted no time landing blow after blow until he managed to get his feet under her, kicking her off several feet. He got back up and re-assumed fighting stance, wearing that same confident look until he felt something trickle down his lip. Undyne got back up just in time to see him wipe his face and look at his now bloodied hand. At first she felt overwhelming confidence. Then, she felt heart stopping fear as he smooched the blood off his knuckles and looked at her once again with that absolutely horrifying grin before charging her. It didn't take long for him to subdue her, kneeing her in the gut, grabbing her arm to turn her around, and wrapping an arm around her neck from behind. Mimicking her earlier move, he kicked her supporting leg in, and as they fell to the ground, he wrapped both legs around her torso, making it almost impossible for her to escape, no matter how much she bit or clawed. She saw his fist in her periphery, making her only more desperate to escape as she heard his knuckles crack. She braced herself for a series of blows to the head, but instead if feeling those knuckles pulverize her cheekbone, she felt them rolling all over her scalp. "Wh-WHAT!?" To her complete and utter surprise, she found herself being mercilessly noogied by the Praetorian.

"HA HA! THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR NOOGEYING THE SKELETON!"

"Oh dear... that looks uncomfortable!" Toriel giggled.

"U-Undyne! Quickly! Noogie him back!" Alphys called out.

Everyone else was laughing as the Marine continued to rough up Undyne's hair with his fist. "GET OFF ME YOU BIG LUMMOX!" she shrieked in protest, no longer trying to actually fight so much as she was trying to swat his fist away. By the time he released her, her body was covered in bruises just from how hard the Doom Slayer had her restrained, especially on her arm and scalp. The Doom marine had a few small marks on his face from Undyne's blows and several bite and scratch marks on his arms that bled just a little, but not enough to be of any real concern. He got up first, offering a hand to his downed opponent, who reluctantly took it and stood back up. "You big stupid oaf... You're not bad, you know that?" she said, chuckling between panting breaths. Still gripping his hand she looked him in the eye to see he had a big, gruff smile of approval on his face, as if congratulating her. Returning his expression, she gave him a brisk, open-palmed smack upside the head (in no way lessening his smile, save for closing his eyes) before letting go and crouching down to put her armor back on. "You put up a good fight, big guy...."

"I assume we're done roughhousing?" Toriel asked, "It's getting late everyone. We all need to be up bright and early for tomorrow!"

"Don't have to tell me twice." Sans said, yawning.

"Oh there you go again, Lazybones. Off on another of your seven hour naps, are we?"

"Isn't that just called 'sleeping,' Papyrus?" Undyne chuckled. "Yeah, I gotta rest up. I think I've had a little more fun than i expected tonight..."

"I call the couch!" Sans.quipped.

"We all know where we're sleeping, everyone?" Asgore called out.

As everyone claimed rooms and bunks, The Praetor simply put his armor back on, stretched a little and walked over to the front entrance, but not before some of his new friends could intercept him. "Oh come come now, sir!" Toriel called out. "Don't tell me you mean to sleep outside!"

"It's much warmer in here my friend!" Asgore added. "Are you sure about being alone out there?" The Marine only shrugged, smiled, and continued on his way out before more voices beckoned him to stay.

"Oh come on, man!" Undyne called out. "You can't keep isolating yourself like this!"

"Hey, Mr Doomguy..." Frisk called out. "You can bunk with me, Undynne and Alphys if you want."

"But I thought it was gonna be 'no boys allowed?"

"Shh, Alphys...."

"Come on, bud..." Sans added. "You've gotta at least try to open up...."

Frisk spoke up again. "Please, mister?" His heart somewhat softened at everyone's combined plea, the Praetorian relented, drooping his shoulders sarcastically as he followed Frisk and her friends.
_________________________________

The Marine sat in the right hand corner of the room, Frisk having taken the twin sized bed and the other two taking up a blanketed space on the floor, against Frisk's insistence. The Praetor had refused any extra space, preferring where he was at. As the night passed away, the girls went on to tell stories and talk light gossip. He couldn't help but laugh a little to himself at their antics as they continued to whisper and giggle about such things as The King and Queen coming back together, texts from the Automaton, and finally, the Praetor himself, at which point they tried adding him to the conversation. "Doomguy! *psst* Doomguy!" Alphys called out. "Do you like anime?"

"I don't think he knows what that is." Frisk replied.

"He's practically anime already!" Undyne added. "I think he could even beat that one bald dude with a cape Alphys goes gaga over..."

"No he couldn't!! Well, he, um, n-not that I was saying you were weak, but, uhh" before she could finish, the Hunter jokingly took her pillow and gently threw it in her face before shooting raspberries. "*mmmpphmpmphmph!"

"Heh... Hey, I gotta hand it to you man, you know how to keep someone pinned!" said Undyne. "You bruised my arm pretty good there." He replied light-heartedly, pushing his hands up in the air and bobbing his head. "Pfft.... You're such a goober..."

Throwing off the pillow, Alphys spoke up. "I'd say... You sure you don't wanna have us scootch over?" The Marine replied with a shaking head and a yawn. "You sure? Okay then.... Man it really is getting late..." she said, looking at her phone. I think it's time we hit the hay, everyone."

"yeah... "

"Sure is..."

"..."

After a brief pause, Alphys spoke up again. "Guys.... we did it... it's really happening... "

"Yeah... and all thanks to you, Frisk!"

"Ah, it was nothing. I still don't remember how it happened..." She said, lying a bit and trying to hide her sadness over Asriel's fate. "But yeah..." she said, quickly recovering. "Tomorrow's the big day, guys..."

"Yeah.... Good night Frisk."

"You too..."

"'Night, punks..."

As everyone started to fall asleep, the Marine couldn't help but feel a kind of peacefulness he hadn't experienced in a long time. It felt notably secondhand, as he understood he had arrived right as monsterkind emerged victorious. It didn't lessen his feelings however, and as he finally let his eyes close, he couldn't help but feel that however long or short he'd be here, he'd remember these people for a long time to come.
___________________________________

"Citizens of The Underground... I, King Asgore, have a momentous announcement to make!"

The Doom slayer and all his new acquaintances were seated behind the king in a grand Rostrum overlooking the entirety of New Home. They spoke among themselves in excitement as he continued his Speech. "Get ready for the noise everyone..." said Sans

"The barrier that has trapped us here for ages, that has kept us from the outside world, that has sealed us down here in this prison.... HAS BEEN DESTROYED!!"

The crowd erupted into tremendous applause almost before the King finished his sentence. "Look at them..." Frisk said. "This is amazing..."

"All because of you, my child."

The King continued. "My initial plan, to capture seven human souls and become godlike, was not needed... all thanks to a small human child whose compassion, love, kindness, and selflessness became the fulfillment of that ancient prophecy regarding our freedom, which prophecy is strewn about this palace in the form of the Delta Rune that has so transcendentally embodied our hopes and dreams... Ladies and gentlemen, I give you our new Ambassador to mankind...a friend to all monsters, the one who freed us... Frisk.... would you come up, please?"

As Frisk made her way up to the cliff-like overlook on which the King stood, the multitude cheered all the louder. Joy filled her heart as she saw everyone cheering and calling out to her. There they were. All of monsterkind was there to see her, and every one of them was now free. "T-thank you!" she said, overwhelmed by emotion. "Thank you all so much!"

"We owe you a great debt, Frisk..." Asgore continued. "We all do..."

"Are you ready to reveal who you are, Toriel?" asked Papyrus. "You've spent a long time away..."

"I suppose..." she said apprehensively, wringing her hands. "Me and Asgore have some things between us... we discussed it last night and we both decided that our kingdom really won't be a thing anymore once we assimilate into the outside world, hence why I'm not wearing my regalia."

"Oh..."

"That's what I'll be telling them at least. I hope it doesn't discourage anyone..."

"I think everybody will be just fine as long as you emphasize that they're free now." Undyne replied. "Just don't worry too much. It'll all be okay! Everyone's been waiting for this for years, Toriel. Trust me, they'll understand."

"I guess so..."

"And with that, I would like to announce the return of someone who we have all missed dearly...." Asgore continued. "Some of you know of her. Many more of you have heard tales of her... Let us all welcome the return of our beloved..."

"Here I go..."

"Queen Toriel!"

Once again the cheering became deafening. Hope had been so thoroughly renewed in everyone's hearts. So many old wounds seemed to be healing at once. The dreariness of the years seemed to be melting away. Although New Home's palette was noticeably grey. light and Color seemed to prevail that day. Toriel gave her part of the address, informing the monsters of the dissolution of the Kingdom. Some were initially disheartened, but when she brought up the future that lay ahead, all frowns seemed to disappear. The others continued to speak among themselves as Toriel went on with her address. "I told her it would work..." Undyne said. "Hey Sans, you alright? You seem kinda... down for some reason."

"Me? nah I'm alright..." the skeleton said, not realizing that his countenance was fallen somewhat. "i'm okay..."

"Thank you, my dear..." he said as Toriel stepped back from the orator's point. Though she still harbored resentment towards Asgore, she could put it aside at least for one day. "Now, I wasn't planning on doing this, but I have one more announcement to make before i have the Royal guard here guide everyone to the exit. Not too long ago, another human joined our company. We know not how he got here, nor do we know his actual name. He is a warrior from across time..." The Doom Slayer put a hand to his helmet, dreading the publicity. He hadn't heard anything from Asgore about this. No plans, no short talk before leaving the palace, nothing. Oh well. It's not like he was expected to speak, right? He stood up reluctantly as the King prepared to announce his name. "Citizens of the underground, I would like you to meet-"

Before he finished his sentence, a deep rumbling shook the ground, inciting excited and nervous murmuring and shrieking from within the audience.

"What was that?"

Undyne immediately addressed her second in command. "Did you see where that came from?"

"No, but our other human guy is looking over that way..." he said as the Doom Slayer seemed to have his eyes glued in one direction, focused as an eagle hunting its prey.

"Doomguy... hey doomguy, what are you looki-" she was cut short by more of the same rumbling, and now she saw what her mystic friend was looking at. Flashes of red were popping up all over the horizon behind the crowd, who now were taking notice and becoming increasingly afraid. "Okay, get some boots down there, ASAP, we might have trouble...."

"Yes ma'am!"

Before she could address the Hell Walker again, he had run off to the orator's point next to Asgore, Toriel, and Frisk, his steel gaze fixed on those red flashes.

"Doomguy, what's happening?! Frisk asked worriedly as the Predator pulled out a massive firearm with multiple barrels, much to the crowd's further alarm.

"Sir, you have to tell us what's happening..." Asgore added. "Do you know what those flashes are?"

"Everyone's starting to panic..." Toriel observed. "Sir, we need to know, what is-"

Before she could finish, the Doom Slayer took a running start he he hurtled himself over the edge. He stuck his landing with his fist, breaking the concrete around him for several feet. Without delay, he ran through the crowd as they all stepped back in terror. Faster and faster they retreated, letting him pick up his pace until he reached the end of the throng where some barricades were posted. He stopped after passing them, holding up his weapon and ignoring the pleading inquiries of the crowd behind him. The flashes and thunderous noise continued for a few seconds and then stopped suddenly. The crowd went quiet.The suspense was sickening to all but the Doom Slayer, He knew what was coming. He gripped his weapon ever tighter as he heard what sounded like stampeding feet and throaty roars coming toward him. As the multitude heard it, they all stumbled back in fear.

"Toriel, what's happening?" Frisk asked, now terrified to tears.

"I don't know, my child..."

"Sans.. is someone lighting fireworks back there or something? Everyone looks awfully scared..."

"Something tells me that's not what's going on..."

"M-mettaton, you're gonna wanna get over here fast!"

"I need all feet on the ground! We need to make sure everyone's sa- Oh my goodness..."

"Heaven help us..."

Out of the shadows and streets of New home, they came. Snarling, roaring and shrieking as they all lined up in front of the Doom Slayer. Some were great and grey, with bald, pale heads and bared teeth, roaring in a deafening chorus. Many others still crawled along the walls, holding balls of fire ready to be hurled at their quarry and screeching at fever pitch. More still flew slowly in the air, mandibles twitching, ready for new meat to consume. Some were hunched over, growling and snarling at their prey between large tusks and glowing yellow eyes while the biggest ones, large, tall, and adorned with great and terrible horns stood behind them, roaring menacingly, surrounded by fatter, more slovenly beasts whose bellies bulged out of their armor while singular green eyes adorned their hideous, toothy maws..

The Doom Slayer's blood began to boil, and he trained his weapon at the enemy as the civilians behind him screamed in terror.....

Above all one familiar voice spoke up above the clamor:

"KILL HIM"