#evolutiontale-info

"Do you know what I like about living, Asriel?"

The question came out of nowhere, and the Prince turned to look at the newest addition to the family- the Princess Cheydan. With chocolate brown hair and icy blue eyes, she was the prettiest girl in the room. She wore a striped dress of pale green and blue, the same dress she'd been wearing when she fell, and this was... unusual to Asriel. He had thought that the girl would've discarded her old clothing; that it was something all humans did.

Still, she did look rather pretty in this dress. The silver design on the collar- an upside down heart with a hammer above it- went well with the pale blue and green stripes, and the gentle cyan ribbon in her hair.

But, he needed to answer the question. It'd be rude to just keep on staring at her... like he was now... probably making her uncomfortable...

"Th-that you're not dead? Um, what is it you like about living?"

There! He'd established that he was listening, and gave absolutely no hint towards liking her. None at all. He was completely, utterly crush-free!

Cheydan smiled at him, her hands kept behind her back. It was something she often did, usually when hiding something or trying to look cuter... it made him curious about what the answer to the question was.

"My parents, my human ones, told me that I have a unique quality. They told me that my soul was the brightest cyan soul they'd ever seen, and that I was perfect because of it. My soul shines more when I'm being patient, and it darkens when I'm not. You monsters have seen me shining all this time, haven't you?"

This was all said in a cheerful tone of voice, but the way her eyes darkened slightly at the last question implied something was... wrong. She seemed to be waiting for something, likely the answer to her question, but maybe something more, too.

"Yeah, I mean, we've had to make sure your soul is healthy. It really is a pretty shade of cyan... I-I mean, not that I've been looking at it, just that I've heard-"

Her face was frozen in that sweet smile, and with a single look, she shut him up.

"Look at my soul now, brother. It's not shining anymore. Do you care to guess why?"

Something was very wrong here. Cheydan was acting... a bit off...

Asriel glanced from side to side quickly, and noticed that the large room they were in was completely empty.

The Princess was quick to reclaim his attention, her hands moving forward from behind her back, a very real knife held within her left hand. That didn't belong to her.

"It's because I'm done waiting, Asriel. I have succeeded in my objectives to get this far, and now, all I have to do to complete the mission is push the Kingdom of Stars into chaos. Today is the day, brother. It's time for you to die."

With that, the girl rushed forward, and Asriel screamed for help...

.......

..................

............

 Behold; it is the inner ring of the Crystal Province, one of the seven capitol cities of Humanity.

As you follow the maglev highway into the city, shimmering skyscrapers seem to grow around you, the reinforced glass upon them reflecting and refracting the light of dusk in a brilliant display of color. In the daytime, these same buildings light up with a variety of colors based upon their designated purposes and the events that go on within; organized minds working together to keep the city running seamlessly.

Down on the ground below these skyscrapers, there is the hustle and bustle of beings moving quickly about their day to stay on schedule, people clad in colorful clothing nearly as bright as the skyline itself. We work reliably for that which we want and converse regardless of what we are doing, exchanging both pleasantries and information in equal measures as they go about their days. When one isn't working, there are often trips taken to the parks nearby and the community centers and the game lounges, as recreational activities and sufficient amounts of rest are proven to be important for one's mental and physical health. It is a safe and secure life to live, one which many citizens consider themselves lucky to possess.

Of course, things were not always this way.

Our evolutionary level began low, as all must, with primal desires slowly being replaced by self control. Over time we became smarter, less instinctual and more analytical, yet less happy and more cynical. Danger lurked around every corner; horrible things were done to each other in every dark alley; terrible crimes were committed in broad daylight with no protest. Everyone was an enemy, someone to be wary of, and as our technology level grew, we began to destroy ourselves.

Bombs capable of decimating the entire planet were created. The first detonation wasn't an accident; it was deliberately done so others would die and one group of belief could be proven the most powerful of us all. Yet not all of us were evil. Not everything was bleak. There were those of us who had come to see that the current state was no state to be in, and wanted to do something about it. So they did; they stole the remaining bombs against all odds, and disposed of them so thoroughly that we still don't know where they went to this day.

Technology afterwards advanced rapidly yet sloppily, and those who desired such unreasonable destruction were brought to justice. Our race had finally united together, forgetting our troubles with each other, and we worked towards the goal of common advancement. The one who had led the revolution and inspired the people to unite together was delegated the leader of all, and he laid out the framework for society to advance beyond his doings.

As the dust settled and peace began to reign throughout the land, our first Ascendant declared an heir to his position; the last official statement he made before dying. His best friend's great-grandson became the leader of all Humans, and decreed that with his leadership would come a time for the betterment of our species.

The Caste System was developed during this time. What had previously been a mere framework for progress became the stepping stones for Human society today, as the citizens of various talents and skills were organized into classes based upon what they could do best. The second Ascendant, at the very top of our societal hierarchy, gave us the organization we needed to better ourselves, living up to his promise:

The First Caste consists of only one person, given leadership above all. This is the Ascendant, responsible for all of Humanity, leading as is their duty. They can be removed from power at any time, should they ACT threateningly towards the peace that has been established, by the Advisors and the People below them. Otherwise, an Ascendant will remain in leadership until they step down or die.

The Second Caste is made of the Advisors. These people are much like the Dukes and Duchesses of ancient medieval history, providing valuable council to their current Ascendant, while keeping the wishes of the people in mind. As the closest to the top, being past Ascendants, they rule over multiple estates as a regional charge, and are in charge of the military forces together. A contract made at the end of their individual leaderships declares their loyalty to the Ascendants that take their place, and should they disagree with this contract, they are free to leave their position to become a member of a lower caste. Advisors are a part of the Tri-Caste Council beneath the Ascendant, representing themselves and the deceased members of their Caste.

The Third Caste consists of the Scions, land-owning lords of the Ascendancy, looking over large estates beneath the Advisors. These are the scientists making progress towards the improvement of Humanity as a whole, be it through psychological comfort, physical improvement, or otherwise. They are the ones who travel the most throughout society, interacting with the people of all castes in order to make sure that everyone is relatively happy and healthy, and most commonly work alongside Spans, Artisans, and Tributes alike. Scions are a part of the Tri-Caste Council beneath the Ascendant, representing themselves, the Artisans, and the Tributes.

The Fourth Caste is known to host the Spans. Much like the knights of old, these people act as the mercenaries, guards, police, and military for the Ascendancy, making sure that the laws are enforced and the citizens are safe. Like the Advisors, those of this caste are under contract that declares their loyalty to the Ascendant in power, and they are also free to leave their positions at any time if they so desire. Not everyone is cut out for violence, after all.

The Fifth Caste contains the vast array of Artisans, those most skilled with the arts of all visual and auditory manners. They lead the people in the way of media, and are considered the idols and celebrities of Human society. Everyone has their favorites, of course, but seeing one on the street is always a perk up to the day. These Class A citizens are are allowed to go anywhere inside and outside the cities, but are not allowed within The Ascendant's Tower or the research facilities without proper authorization.

The Sixth Caste consists of the Proletarians; the working class of society. Proletarians possess the largest population of all other castes, followed by the Hangs and the Spans, and perform a variety of jobs throughout the city. These Class B citizens are free to to anywhere inside and outside the cities, but are not allowed to enter the inner ring (which holds the Ascendant's Tower, the research facilities, and the homes of the Advisors, Scions, and Artisans) without proper authorization. Proletarians are a part of the Tri-Caste Council beneath the Ascendant, representing themselves, the Spans, and the Hangs.

The Seventh Caste hosts the Hangs, citizens that don't have jobs for various reasons. Most commonly, the Hangs are children, disabled, and elderly- people who are physically unable to work- although there have been exceptions to this. A lack of jobs in one field of work may cause a few citizens to become Hangs until they prove their ability to work in other fields, at which point they are no longer considered Hangs. As Class C citizens, their travel is limited to within the cities, unless they have the necessary skills or authorization to go out into the wilds.

The Eighth Caste is made of the Tributes, people who have willingly given themselves up to a higher Caste for various purposes. This may be because they wanted to repay a debt they felt couldn't be paid any other way, or because they wanted the chance to be subjects of the Scions' experiments and score some cool stuff, or because they wanted to learn things they otherwise wouldn't be able to in their previous Caste. Citizens of the Ascendancy are incapable of becoming a Tribute unless they or a guardian prove their understanding of all this entails, and if a Tribute was signed on as a child, they are officially given the chance to rejoin normal society upon reaching the age of adulthood.

With the creation of the Caste System, we let our society continue to grow, and set forth on our journey of evolution.

Scientifically, our greatest step forward at this point has to be the development of genetic engineering software. We created machines that could decipher individual DNA sequences, and studied hard to identify the traits that was within each separate part. With such an advancement, we could- and did- make our immune systems stronger, our kids taller, and gave them unique features like violet hair and neon orange eyes and other appealing traits.

When these kids grew up, they took over the process and improved upon it; adding health and intelligence and beauty. As more DNA sequences were identified, we became much more versatile, our adaptability increasing. We grew stronger, faster; able to bring ourselves to a satisfactory physical condition with little effort. No more diets and no more concern over obesity!

Our stories and legends told of people who could become one with nature; of people who could run freely across a city skyline with the utmost faith in their own ability to stay safe doing so; of people who could wrestle dangerous animals and come out on top with a smile. With genetic engineering, we could do all of that, and more... We are fulfilling the fantasies of our ancestors one by one.

Name: Mettaton Stratablook is my name, darlings. Don't wear it out.

Nickname: Sometimes I'm called Strataton or Mettablook, but I like my favorite cousin's nickname for me best... Stratz.

Age: One hundred percent Adult, and I'm proud to say that I have the first vertical stripe to display ;3

Gender: Male, female, what's with all of these restrictions? I am who I am, my lovely audience, no matter what I may be classified as.

Sexuality: Wouldn't you like to know~?

Species: Immortal Monster, previously of the Ghost subspecies, and currently of the Artifice subspecies.

Powers: I am Fabulous, and with the information I have been given, living in defiance of logic itself. Alphys and I have also modified my body to have several hidden features, of course...

Weapons: Several of my hidden features are indeed weapons, but there's something just a little more elegant about holding an energy pistol when it's not always connected to your body.

Weaknesses: Oh darling, do behave~

Appearance:

Height: 6'10"- Alphys may have had a hand or two in designing my appearance, and given her appreciation for a certain Aquati Monster, I'm not entirely surprised I ended up this tall... haha!

Weight: It's rude to ask someone their weight, lovelies, but the metal of my body makes me a lot heavier than other Monsters.

Body Type: Ah, I am a specimen to die for! Tall and lean, with a perfectly displayed balance between femininity and masculinity. My lovely, two-toned soul is on display in my stomach area, when I'm not wearing any shirt...

Skin Tone: Silver, to reflect the Grace that any star should have. I have alternating Gold and Bronze rings along my arms, to display the natural Charisma and Ingenuity I possess ;3

Eyes: What is it called... secular heterochromia? Normally, my left eye is Gold and my right eye is Bronze, but if I activate the modified clock function Alphys and I installed, they will both appear to be Gold with a segment of Bronze that grows larger clockwise as the day goes on. At midnight, they will appear to be Bronze with a clockwise-growing segment of Gold, in continuation of and contrast to the previous half of the day. I also have a variety of patterns designed for other usage.

Hair: Despite its short length, even the slightest breeze has it flowing majestically along my scalp. Many have professed their jealousy for these silky black locks~

Favorite Clothing Style: A star must be well-dressed, darlings. I have gone to only the best of fashion consultants, and he has chosen a wardrobe that I will likely never see the end of! But usually, I wear a tailored black suit with curves designed to accent my sharp features, and a gold button-up with a bronze tie to match my eyes. My shoes are often boots of the heeled variety, but occasionally I will wear those fancy suede shoes that are often appreciated by the high crowd. No matter the shape, though, their color often varies between black, gold, and bronze.

Scars/Characteristic Markings: Ah, as my form is essentially that of a robot, there are a few panels here and there that show. My face has four alone, two along the sides of my face and two in the middle, meant to easily open up for maintenance. Other notable panels would be those on my chest, back, biceps, thighs, hands, and feet; though these are considerably less visible.

Personality: I am one of the most confident Monsters in the Underground, lovelies, and for good reason. With as public a presence as mine, one cannot kill me and get away with it... and the punishment for murder simply isn't worth whatever my Quirk or Foible is. That, along with the fact that most of the Underground likes me, both keeps me safe from malicious intent and grants me the freedom to do nearly anything I please. I am... happy!

Likes: My job! My family! My friends! My life, oh! I am living the dream, darlings! Do you have any idea just how fulfilling this is?

Dislikes: The only thing I can dislike, lovelies, is the fact that not everyone has the chance to live like me. I will help them, just you wait! With Alphys by my side, I will figure out just the way to make all your dreams come true!

History: I spawned into the world shortly after my cousin did- Napstablook, that is. Being the rambunctious little ghost I was, I immediately set off on the first journey I'd ever take, and found myself a home in Waterfall right next to Blooky's house! Oh, the chance, the happenstance! I met them mere days later, and we bonded over our similar circumstances and the differences in our personalities, creating a family name for ourselves! We became the Blooks, and developed family traditions, and went through school together!

While we were both teens of two horizontal stripes, there was a day in school that brought about guest speakers from all over the Underground, and children of all ages were in attendance. It was there that Nappy and I met our third cousin, Mariblook, who had come into existence just a few years after I did. And as the guest speakers came in and we were forced to put the family development aside, it was there that we each found the next step we would take forward.

Blookybloo saw Queen Toriel that day, standing tall in her robes with a smile of genuine joy and amusement. With the manners and poise and confidence she had, I'm not surprised my cousin became more of a gentleman after that. It was so wonderful seeing him train beneath her after school- the two seemed to be great friends, and even after she moved to the Ruins, they still kept considerable contact.

But I digress- back to the guest speaker day we go! Naturally, as Blooky was starstruck by the Queen, I had found a role model of my own. Doctor Flamel, Alphys Drakiel Flamel, the Royal Scientist of our kingdom... Her intelligence, her passion, her goals; they were high enough to rival and even outmatch my own. I simply had to speak with her; I simply had to work with her when I graduated!

I was sad to find out that she didn't work with technology often- the field I was most interested in at the time- but her colleague's expertise more than made up for her own lack. She designed the body I've always wanted, and he built it with nothing short of the best, and the three of us have made quite the odd group of friends.

Of course, I must admit, I find myself closer friends with Alphys. Together, we've done great things- the design of my body merely being one of many. Together, we're a team to be reckoned with- her unpleasant assistants step down when I'm around, and my own would-be conquerors retreat with her in sight. With my face everywhere in the Underground, and her name much the same, we have the backing and protection to do everything we could ever hope to. Our limits are only what we ourselves cannot overcome!

Oh, it seems I have a call! Excuse me, it'd be rude to keep them waiting~

A boy stood in front of the Lab, gazing upon his reflection in the almost mirror-like metal doors. The light silver shirt and smooth grey pants he wore were frowned upon- the simple, baggy clothes a symbol of his low status in Human society- and his gaze soon shifted to the pale green accessories he'd acquired.

A frying pan in an ugly color; one of the only two possessions he could truly call his own. It was what he used to cook with, and something he would not part with easily, as it was the last thing truly linking him to the Surface.

The other object, currently draped over one shoulder in a dramatic fashion that made the boy nod in approval, was what he and Papyrus had dubbed the CAPRON. They'd made it together- rather, Papyrus and Sans had made it while Undyne pretended to be oblivious to his presence- after he'd demonstrated his appreciation for kitchen activities. The apron had a pocket on the outside while it was being worn properly, but as it had been slung over his shoulder to make it into a cape, the pocket was currently inaccessible.

It looked better than any clothes he'd had before...

Blinking himself out of his thoughts, the boy knocked on the door of the Lab, focusing on his objectives. He had to talk with Undyne's crush; try convince her to let him pass through unhindered. The robot living in the area had already agreed to leave him be due to his incredibly peaceful ways, but only under the condition that he could convince Alphys to do the same... this could be tricky.

"One moment!"

Footsteps sounded from inside the Lab, and the boy caught a final glance of his reflection before the doors slid open.

"I've been expecting you. Come in."

Gazing up at the scaled Monster nearly two feet taller than him, he nodded, and entered without a moment further of hesitation. This was the greatest obstacle that stood between him and the King. If he could reach Asgore; if he could convince Toriel's husband to realize that Humans could be just as Kind as they could be Cruel; then maybe he and future Fallen Humans could live down here peacefully.

He had quite a lot of ACTing to do, after what the last Fallen Human had done.

Where you fail, we will succeed. Where you fall, we will rise. Join us, Kindness. Monsters are a species that have no HoPe for recovery. It would be a MERCY to Lay them down to Rest.

The boy jolted upright, his hands coming up to pat at the body he wasn't quite sure was untouched. Those voices... those other kids... had they truly been there, or was he only dreaming?

He'd been told their stories by Toriel, the beautiful Monster that he was happy to call his Mother. Patience, the first Fallen Human, had started this whole mess... and Perseverance, the last Fallen Human before him, had only worsened it. It was bad enough that the Monsters in the Ruins mostly moved out for fear of meeting a Human as bad as they were, leaving only the Froggits, Whimsuns, Loox, and Vegetoids he'd met along the path, but to hear from the kids themselves what they'd done...? Did he hear their sides of the story, or had it only been a dream?

"Everyone's had a hard time of it, huh?"

The boy stood up from the couch he'd been laying on- Alphys had let him stay over for the night- and slid on his boots. Checking his frying pan over for any scratches, he nodded to himself and clipped it onto his belt. The CAPRON was donned, flowing majestically over his shoulders with the pocket still inaccessible. He was ready to go forward.

After tapping out a quick thank-you note on one of the screens floating around nearby, the boy grasped the edge of his CAPRON and turned with a dramatic swoosh, making it out the doors to Hotland before giggling and tapping his wrist. A holographic projection came from the silver cuff he wore on his left wrist, displaying the map he'd downloaded of the area while the lizard scientist wasn't looking. (He didn't want to get her in trouble for helping him.)

"Alphie said that the lifts are working, but that they only went to the third floor left side, because the right side elevator was under maintenance. That means I'll have to go out past the... residential section, and around an abandoned building, if this map is right."

Lining out the path he'd take on the map, the boy then tapped his wrist to dismiss the hologram, and set off for the Capital.

The boy stared at the Monster above him, perched on a windowsill of the run-down building. She had pale magenta skin, and five eyes, and six arms, and her hair reminded him of a princess from an old movie series he'd done a report on for Media Studies.

"Ahuhu, are you only going to stare at me?"

He blinked, his mouth closing with a soft snap, and he shook his head. Fiddling with his CAPRON, he said the first thing that came to mind, intent on correcting his rude behavior.

"S-sorry, you're really pretty."

His face flushed up immediately, and he hid behind his frying pan, fiercely pretending that he couldn't hear the high-pitched laughter at his behavior. Alas, he couldn't ignore it for long, as the girl was suddenly close enough to gently lower the pan.

Her eyes were a solid color, he noticed, and her face looked very soft. But there was another look about her, a sort of gleam in her eyes and a certain tilt to her lips that he'd seen among the kids he'd known back on the Surface... before he ran away.

"No need to apologize for a genuine compliment," the lady spoke, and he blinked, paying attention again. "I'm Miss Muffet, but my friends call me Emmy. I'm known for my ability to find things, and you, dear Human, are what I've been looking for since I've heard about your Fall."

The boy became aware of a pressure at his back- he hadn't been anywhere near the wall, what was this?- and the energy of magic began to spark and flow around him.

He'd been caught in her web from the second he could see her.

"Please wait, Miss Emmy. We don't need to FIGHT. I want to see the King, and talk to him about the past Fallen Humans, and I won't be able to do that if we FIGHT and I lose. I only have one chance."

That talking flower had told him he had one chance to get to the King before it was too late, and not to make any detours... He probably shouldn't have slept as long as he did.

Fortunately, the spider monster seemed to be interested in what he was saying.

"Why? You could've stayed in the Ruins and waited for him to visit Toriel, and then spoken to him without risk of being killed out here. He visits often, I'm sure you know. Why leave safety and risk your life like this?"

It was true- Asgore had visited only a few days before he Fell- and he could've waited for him to visit again. That would've certainly helped him, and the next Fallen Humans... but...

"It wouldn't have helped the Monsters that Perseverance caused grief to. A lot of people died, and their families and friends don't have closure yet. As long as Humans and Monsters have this tension between them, they'll be hurting and afraid, wondering things like 'What if the next human kills more of us, or the last one to venture out after him?' I don't want them to be afraid of me, Miss. I don't want to be hurting them simply because I exist nearby."

The web of purple strands around the boy stilled in its movement, neither tightening its grasp nor unraveling to release him. Muffet considered the strands, her fingers weaving through them without being caught as he had been. It seemed that she was thinking hard about something.

That look in her eyes...

"What is your name, Kindness?"

Oh. She wanted a name to go with his face. That's right- he'd forgotten to introduce himself. Oh geez, had he forgotten to introduce himself to everyone outside the Ruins? Way to go, volt-head!

"Alexander Tomaz Ward, miss."

Her gaze sharpened- intrigue, perhaps?

"Ward?"

...he shifted in the web she'd woven, uncomfortably aware of his baggy clothes sliding against his skin. Fine quality, as every Human got, but a visible sign of his status.

"I'm an orphan, Miss. My parents were poor, and died in the Outskirts shortly after giving me up to the Institution to have a chance at a better life. The people responsible were caught, and executed in front of me because I had the Right to Blood, but I wasn't satisfied in the end... Their deaths didn't really make me feel better."

The boy sniffed, and Muffet held out a handkerchief for him to use, as his arms were somewhat tied up at the moment.

"They said I didn't like it because I was Green, and that other kids my age had been pacified by the punishments their wrongdoers had received. I was too weak, so they sent me to an orphanage in the same area where my parents had died, in hopes that it would toughen me up. I ran away, and Fell into the Underground, and now I find out that another Human had caused the same grief to the people here? They're not satisfied either, are they?"

There was a long silence, long enough that Alexander began to think that he would get no response. That was okay. The odds that this girl understood him were low, especially since she didn't know the ways of the Surface...

"They're not."

What?

"They're not satisfied with the death of their parents' killer, because the killer didn't do anything to make up for it. The killer received a quick and merciful death, despite the screams many had heard coming from the Monsters she befriended and killed soon after. All the traits she'd acquired from those deaths, the traits that were so much better suited in their parents' grasp, gone to waste. All the happiness she'd ended before they'd even gone to school... No, they're not satisfied with death, but they can't allow such a thing to happen again to others."

...she did understand. Though her solution was different than his, she still understood.

"I'm sorry, Alexander."

The boy tested his bonds, and sniffed again. He knew why she had to do this, knew that he thought a lot differently than most other Humans. His ideas were always snubbed and considered foolish, and maybe they were right... but maybe he thought more like Monsters than Humans, anyways.

"It's okay. But, Miss Emmy, can you make me a promise?"

His gaze shifted from eye to eye to eye, as he looked the spider monster in the face. There was no way of knowing whether she would do what he asked, but he didn't have a way out of this situation anyways...

"I know that there's a reward for capturing me. You're not entirely interested in the reward, I can see that now, but you'll receive it anyways. Please, use it to help others like us. Those who lost everything, who have nobody to turn to, who need each other. I give you my soul freely, Miss Emmy, as long as you help them live without the fear we have."

The web tightened, and it became more and more difficult to breathe. Still, as his vision began to fade, and his heartbeat pounded in his ears, he tried to hear the lady's response...

Darkness overtook Alexander's world, and he smiled, before falling limp.

Name: Little Miss Muffet- yes, I was named after the nursery rhyme.

Nickname: Missy seems to be my most popular nickname, but I have been called Emmy by more than a few of my customers and acquaintances.

Age: Young Adult.

Gender: Female, dearies.

Sexuality: Pan, much like a little skeleton you know~

Species: Monster, of the Arachne subspecies.

Powers: Purple webs and orange goo; be quick if you want to pass. I'm a puppeteer, through and through, and my webs are known to last...

Weapons: The sniper rifle is my weapon of choice, dearies, if I am forced to fight. Long range fighting is easy with the expansive webs I've weaved.

Weaknesses: Ahuhu, you're so cute! I could just pinch your cheeks!

Appearance:

Height: 4'9"- on the smaller side, but that's alright.

Weight: Tsk, didn't your mother ever tell you not to ask a lady her weight?

Body Type: Slim, dearie, very slim. Two of my arms side by side are roughly the thickness of an average adult human's arm, or the thickness of Grillby's arm, for comparison. Three of them together are the thickness of Gerson's arm, ahuhu!

Skin Tone: Lavender, like the flower. Just a few shades darker, though.

Eyes: All five of them have a darker purple tint to them than my skin, an iridescent gleam that makes them seem to flash in the light. Quite useful for scaring away trespassers, if I do say so myself~

Hair: Ah, my magenta-red hair is long enough to reach the back of my knees, and I love to weave it into different styles! However, my favored hairstyle is a braided bun on either side of my head.

Favorite Clothing Style: I wear a simple thigh-length red dress, one with short sleeves and a pale red horizontal stripe across my waist. Beneath this, I wear magenta-red leggings that match my hair, and heeled ankle-boots that match as well.

Scars/Characteristic Markings: Many have attempted to kill me, dearie, seeing my young age as weakness. What they don't quite understand is that no matter how many legs you rip off of a spider, they can keep going... and I haven't even lost any legs. Any scars I may possess are hidden beneath my clothes and my hair; good luck finding them.

Personality: Some have called me dreadful, and some have called me sweet. I'm usually a bit of both, depending on who you meet. Now then dear, come to my desk, let me offer some advice; you can't catch a fly with vinegar, but you can catch them if you're nice~

Likes: The children I take care of, dearies. They're so adorable, I could just eat them up! Ahuhu!

Dislikes: Trespassers. Thieves. Traitors. Murderers.

History: I was born a few centuries after Monsters were sealed Underground, much like most of the current population. Due to certain others preying upon my Mother, I found myself an orphan shortly after I'd shed my third stripe. Of course, by then I was in school, so I didn't see much of her anyways... but it was somehow more final.

Shortly after I graduated, a Fallen Human had made his way to Hotland, where I was housed at the time. Back then, I had a nasty habit of sneaking around the streets at night and exploring places that I shouldn't have been anywhere near... And this was how I met the boy.

He was so bright; his soul of Kindness shining through the hardships he'd faced. We got to speaking, and as I slowly wove my web around him, he told me of how he Fell. He told me how his parents died, leaving him an orphan much like myself.

Of course, I couldn't let him escape no matter how many similarities we had.

When I told him of the bounty on his head set by the King, told him how I needed that reward to move forward in my life, he understood. He even offered his soul to me freely, under one condition. I was to open an orphanage for other children like him, like me, like us.

You know I run such an establishment right now, so I'm certain you can figure out what happened next.

The children have lately been begging me to open a bakery, as well as a hairdressing salon. According to my last horizontal stripe, I still haven't found my place in life, so I figure I'll try one of those sometime soon... Perhaps the bakery; Mother always did like sweets.

Name: Asgore Dreemurr, the King of the Underground and Monsterkind.

Nickname: My wife calls me Gorey, sometimes... and Gerson, naturally, likes to call me Fluffybuns.

Age: Adult- I bear two vertical stripes, just as my wife does.

Gender: Male, just in case the deep voice didn't make it clear to you. Oh, you can't hear this? My apologies.

Sexuality: ...? I love my wife.

Species: Monster, of the Boss variety.

Powers: The magic of our family is based within the elements of earth and fire. It is used primarily for destruction, but if one knows how, it can be used for healing as well. Do try not to require either usage...

Weapons: We wield in equal measures a trident and a greatsword; but the trident is saved for more... official occasions.

Weaknesses: If you want to know this, you should ask someone else. We would not share our vulnerabilities so easily.

Appearance:

Height: 8'6"- without counting my horns. With the horns considered, I am closer to 9'4".

Weight: 130lbs- average for my species.

Body Type: Sturdy, with more muscles hidden beneath my fur than you'd think... and also, I have been referred to as being fluffy.

Skin Tone: Hidden by my fur, it is a pale off-white, similar to that of milk.

Eyes: My eyes are a murky yellow, as though they were tainted alongside my soul...

Hair: My fur is the same shade of cream as my wife's. I also have a golden beard and mane; quite fluffy.

Favorite Clothing Style: Black pants, with two grey stripes running down the sides, rest beneath my golden greaves. A black long-sleeved shirt is worn underneath my golden chestplate and bracers. My gold pauldrons secure my deep blue cloak in place; the cloak made to match my wife's favored dress.

Scars/Characteristic Markings: ...the scars I bear rest upon my soul, young ones. Worry not; you shant see them at all.

Personality: I have been told by many that I am a fair ruler, and I would have to agree. I wait to hear all sides of an issue before progressing forward, and the collective needs of my people are generally present in the back of my mind during consideration. Of course, I won't always favor the many over the individual, in certain circumstances. Sometimes there simply comes an individual person who stands out from the rest...

Likes: Gardening. My wife. Most of her adopted children. The sunlight shining through the Barrier. Baking fudge brownies.

Dislikes: Humans. The stacks of paperwork on my desk. The subtle murders present among our people. Humans.

History: When I was born, the War was just about to reach its climax. We had lived in Immortal territory, then. For those not fighting, this was the safest place to live; you see, the Immortals had declared neutrality in the War, and conflict was not allowed on their land. Alas, the Humans that also lived there were becoming subtly hostile, in order to drive us out... Had my parents but known this, they wouldn't have moved us back to the last of Monster territory; back to Mt. Ebbot.

I was only a lad of four horizontal stripes when our race was trapped within our own safe haven. The Seven Mages responsible for this had been coerced into such action by threat to their loved ones; I blame them not. They could have done much worse. They could have, instead, ERASED us all... but they didn't.

I don't blame them... but I do blame the Humans.

As I grew up, the Queen of that time set the foundations for the new era we were entering, and an experimental system of education was developed. So many children numbered against so few adults; it was a necessity for us to be occupied in some way. What better way would there be than education? I'm not complaining- at the first school established, I met Toriel... and fell in love with her.

We graduated together, and after jumping through several hoops for her mother's approval, we were finally free to have our Bonding Ceremony. We were taught many lessons, how to carry ourselves and rule, and then the Queen Fell Down to Rest.

Together, Toriel and I led the Underground for many years following. Our son, Asriel, was born not long after our mother died, and he was so full of life. He used to run around with a... hmm, what was it... a chemistry set? Yes, that sounds right. He'd run around with a chemistry set, and if you looked away from him for a second, off he was getting into trouble and mixing up another explosion! Oh, the joy and satisfaction on his face... I couldn't deny him that, so I pretended not to see him sneaking away a few times.

I wish I hadn't. Stars above, I wish that I hadn't, that last time...

A Human child, with a soul of Patience so pure and bright, Fell into the Underground. Her name was Cheydan, and she was so sweet, so innocent, that Asriel fell in love with her instantly. They were nothing less than adorable, running around the palace and causing mayhem together, playing and enjoying life... but it was all a lie.

That girl, that Human that my son trusted with his life, ended it. She killed my son... my only son... and I can still feel the Hatred I have in my soul for her.

The next thing I recall after finding my son's Dust in the garden, was holding the soul of the girl. It glowed bright, as it always did, and I felt the urge to simply shatter it... but I couldn't. Seven Human Souls to break the Barrier, the Mages had told us. Seven Human Souls, or a thousand years; whichever came about first.

If those Mages were still alive, I'd ask them why they lied. They said that neither Human nor Monster could pass through the Barrier; yet somehow, Humans have been Falling.

...I apologize. I cannot speak anymore. Please, return later if you have any more questions.

Name: Toriel Dreemurr, Queen of the Underground and Monsterkind.

Nickname: Tori, if you truly wish to nickname me. It is what my children sometimes call me.

Age: Adult. I have two vertical stripes that I display upon my skirt.

Gender: Female.

Sexuality: As straight as a ruler can be, dear children.

Species: Monster, of the Boss variety.

Powers: ...We possess the elemental magic of our family, centered around water and light. It is strong and versatile, as a Royal must be; able to heal and destroy in equal measure. You will likely not see it unless you have revealed yourself as an ally... or a threat.

Weapons: We need no weapons, but if you insist upon knowing, we do favor the falchion and the spear.

Weaknesses: Our weaknesses are none of your concern, dear children. Do refrain from inquiring further.

Appearance:

Height: 7'6"- I am one of the taller monster types.

Weight: It is rude to ask a lady her weight. I recommend you avoid doing so in the future.

Body Type: I am what my children call "fluffy," due to my fur. I also have two conical horns upon my head, small in size unlike those of my husband's.

Skin Tone: You wouldn't normally see it, but it is a faintly off-white color, similar to milk.

Eyes: Violet, as though the colors of patience and determination were combined.

Hair: My fur is a lovely shade of cream, like marshmallows just beginning to brown over a fire.

Favorite Clothing Style: Upon my head I wear my crown, golden with red and blue gems. My usual outfit consists of a periwinkle dress with a deep blue sleeveless tunic over it, a periwinkle heart upon the front of the tunic and the Delta Rune upon the back. A deep blue skirt is tied over this with a light blue belt, and adorned with two light blue vertical stripes upon the skirt.

Scars/Characteristic Markings: Whatever scars I may possess are hidden beneath my fur, but my horns do have a few rings around them from when they had broken and regrown in my childhood.

Personality: I prefer to think things through before I ACT, and this shows in my dealings with Asgore and my people. People have described me as being inviting, and relaxing to be around, which are accurate descriptive terms. I can be somewhat cold at times, particularly if angered or disappointed, but I do my best to avoid making serious decisions while experiencing such emotions. Keep in mind that I am well-balanced, and I will neither favor you over my people, nor my people over you.

Likes: My children, wonderful they are. Cooking. My kingdom. Nature. Magnolia flowers.

Dislikes: Killing. The shift in the energy of the Underground when a new human falls.

History: I was born in a time of war, sealed in the Underground with the rest of my people when I had merely four horizontal stripes. I do not remember what my father looked or behaved like, but my mother was a Queen of passion and dedication, and it was only due to her that Monsterkind was not left in chaos with the aftermath. Surviving Monsters were identified, and due to the dangerously low amount of adults alive, a new system of raising children was created based upon our stripes. If you have ever heard the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child," then I am certain you can imagine the basics of our society.

As a child in the Underground, I was raised by the adults whom had the time to spare, and I grew up with many other children. Asgore was one of them, his parents having died honorably beneath my father's command in the War, and we bonded over being the last generation of our kind. I never expected to fall in love with him as we grew together... but I did, and with my mother's blessing, we underwent the Bonding ceremony.

Mother stepped down at this time, and taught us how to rule. She taught us everything she knew, and when she was done, she finally Laid Down to Rest.

Together with my husband, we ruled the Underground ever since, keeping the society she created stable and encouraging it to grow. It was not long after that new fields of education cropped up with the next generation, and we instated a Royal Scientist for these new teachings... a young Ms. Flamel. It surprises me that she learned all she did without a teacher, but her knowledge has been invaluable towards improving the quality of life for Monsterkind. Our son got along with her well.

Asriel... He was such an energetic boy, and somehow he got into one of these new fields. Chemistry, I believe. He loved to create flashy shows of fire and light with all the chemicals, explosions being one of his favorite things, and it was all ended by the first Human child to fall- Cheydan, the soul of Patience.

Asgore wished to kill all fallen humans for what she did, but I knew that it was wrong to punish many for the crimes of few. I remained calm until his anger had subsided, made an agreement with him, and moved to the Ruins where I could better wait for more fallen children.

Oh, forgive me if I cease my story here; for I have a visitor. It is likely one of my sons, and I must ask a favor of them both...

Gaze upon the Delta Rune, visitor.

A winged circle hovers above all, representing the vast whole of Magic (the circle) and the Ten Chosen Vassals that govern it (the feathers upon the wings). Beneath it lay the three triangles representing the alignments of Order, Balance, and Chaos.

The Delta Rune is a symbol that, when wholly depicted in certain shapes or forms, will change to reflect the ebb and flow of Magic. In accordance with this, the triangle of Balance is slightly lower than the triangles of Order and Chaos, due to the lesser amount of Vassals that lie beneath this category. Of course, power is also considered; the Angel soars with Magic itself due to the sheer strength and versatility they carry within.

Regardless of circumstances, the Delta Rune will display the overall state of the magic around you, so long as you are within Magic's reach.

A long time ago, the force of Magic was self-governed by its Ten Chosen Vassals. With them, any imbalance was quickly found, followed, formed; RESET to its previous state of being so that it could discover a different path through which to evolve. Life continued on, and the living creatures upon the world grew to become much greater than they had ever been before.

Each role had a unique placement in the old days, falling under the categories of Order, Balance, and Chaos. Three Vassals fell beneath Order. Three were ruled by Chaos. Three carried onwards with Balance. One oversaw the rest with Magic itself. In this, there was an overall equality... then, the Barrier rose.

When the Barrier was created, Magic itself was disrupted, diverged, divided. Two separate pools of pure energy now flowed; whilst the impure runoff from both pools were given free passage in-between. The roles of the Vassals were chosen, checked, changed; perhaps even deleted altogether in order to obtain balance once more. Much information has been lost to the ages due to the inherent evolution that Magic has been forced to go through, and in recent memory, there are only Six Chosen Vassals able to be recalled.

Rejection- the Fool.

The Fool exists to begin a new cycle via rejection of something within the previous one. Due to the sheer strength of self required to be the First to ACT, this Vassal is more often than not a Human, as their souls are generally the most powerful in existence. The Fool falls under the alignment of Chaos.

Retribution- the Judge.

The Judge exists to decide what course of action Magic will take in the current cycle. As this Vassal determines what is right and what is wrong, so shifts the very force of Magic to reflect it. With the logical, reliable consideration behind this role, the chosen Vassal is most often a Monster. The Judge falls under the alignment of Order.

Redemption- the Jury.

The Jury exists to support the decisions of the other Vassals, primarily by going between them and relaying information from one to the next. As such, those of this role are often charismatic creatures with innumerable friends and acquaintances. The Jury is one of the only Vassal roles capable of choosing multiple representatives at once; however, Humans remain the favored parties for this role. The Jury falls under the alignment of Chaos.

Resolution- the Executioner.

The Executioner exists to end the cycle begun by the Fool and led by the Judge. As the changes of this cycle are brought to a close by this Vassal, all adaptations are set in stone, and the world thereby evolves in tandem with the overall entity of Magic itself. Immortals are the favored species chosen to represent this role, due to their diverse composition and presence. The Executioner falls under the alignment of Balance.

Recollection- the Librarian.

The Librarian exists to keep the memories of important events available for the other Vassals to consult, in order to avoid the mistakes of the past. Unfortunately, the duties of this Vassal have been interfered with by the Barrier, as most knowledge from the other side is unable to be obtained. This is especially true due to Monsters being the favored species for this role, and it is generally unknown how this role has adapted to get around the Barrier, though some theorize that there are now multiple representatives of this role as with the Jury. The Librarian falls under the alignment of Order.

Recovery- the Angel.

The Angel exists to save that which is lost or beyond reach. This Vassal is capable of doing nearly anything, as long as there is sufficient energy and willpower to fuel it, and is therefore considered the Primary Vassal. There is no favored species choice for this Vassal, due to the fact that all sentient species are capable of saving what is important to them, but there can only be one such Vassal in existence at a time. The Angel falls under no specific alignment, but if forced to be categorized within one, they would be aligned with Balance.