Sans reluctantly left his wife after she fell asleep once more, her body needing more rest the closer she came to delivering. He had just managed to make it on time for his meeting with Asgore thanks to his teleportation, but the dark circles around the King's eyes set his nerves on end. No doubt, the goat father had been up all night worrying over something.

Sans approached the throne cautiously as Asgore blinked wearily, shifting his gaze to stare into Sans' icy blue eyes. At first he was stunned, no human was supposed to be Underground! Mouth settling into a grim line, he stood to his full height, easily towering over the small human. His eyes held a general distrust and slight malice to the human standing in front of his person. How he managed to slip past the guards was beyond him, but he would not stand for a rouge wandering into his territory and putting his subjects and family at risk.

"I suggest you leave now, human, before I ship you back to your kind in a body bag.." The King snarled, baring his sharp fangs in challenge to the suspected threat.

To say Sans was shocked would be an understatement. Who knew the king would react so violently to his human form? Raising his hands in a placating gesture, he quickly removed the bracelet resting against the flesh of his wrist before a blue mist enveloped his form, stripping him of flesh and muscle until all that remained was the normal skeletal appearance of the monster prince.

The King had called for his guards, all the while raising his trident in preparation to attack the strange human. Never before had he seen a transformation like this, nor was he even aware his son-in-law was the human standing before him; nevertheless, he readied himself for a fight. Nothing and no one would dare bombard his home nor get close to his family. Just as he moved to spear the trespasser, the must cleared to reveal Sans standing there with a look of shock etched into his skull.

"Jeez, Asgore. You really need to chill out.." he whispered, too shocked to actually joke at a time like this.

True, the monsters were free up with humans and their oppression, but for their king to willingly attack even when he submitted.. that was a new low. A deep rumbling filled the tense silence of the room as the king narrowed his gaze upon the monster before him.

"How do I know this isn't an illusion?"

Clearing his throat, Sans took out his phone, holding up the text messages sent between him and Asgore. As he moved to hand the device to him, Undyne advanced, spear pointed at the skeleton menacingly, "Drop it! You will not get so close to our king until you have proven you are whose form you've taken."

Slowly, he set the phone on the floor, kicking it to him with hesitancy. This wasn't like Asgore. Something must have truly set him off for the king to act with such distrust and malice. All the prince could do was wait as the monster picked up the device and scrolled through the texts, gaze softening as he came to the realization that the monster before him was really Sans.

After a few tense moments, the king sighed, tossing the phone with precise accuracy before slumping back into the throne, a heavy sigh passing his frowning lips, "What is it you wished to discuss, Sans? And why have you taken the form of one of them."

The skeleton quickly snatched his phone from mid air before putting it in his hoodie pocket, focusing on the king once more. Sans slowly approached the throne, gazing curiously at him, "I have news about the mayor. Turns out the pitiful excuse of a man is gay. Who'd have thought huh? Figured you'd find it humerus. I had this gadget made a while back for investigating the murders, I apologize for not informing you sooner but I figured it tibia useful, but why did you react so violently just now?"

A tired sigh resounded through the room, a furry paw swiping over his face in exhaustion as the king composed himself, "There was.. an attack last night. Two guards were slaughtered at the border.. another was caught in the skirmish, but managed to defeat the intruders."

Fear overwhelmed Sans as he quickly jumped to the worst case scenario. God, what of his brother? He hadn't thought to check on him this morning! Panic clouded his mind as his eye lights completely disappeared, his breathing becoming frantic with every passing second. Empty eye sockets stared into demanding cerulean orbs as he faintly registered Asgore's commanding voice.

"Calm yourself, son. Your brother was one of the few unharmed."

At this, the trembling skeleton began to slowly calm down, relief flooding him at the good news, but his face fell as Asgore continued his tale.

"Although Papyrus was on duty last night, he had been caught up in tracking down a few drunkards that tried to sneak past our defenses. It seems that it was all an elaborate setup since a group of extremists ambushed the remaining guards at their post. It.. They didn't stand a chance.." he sighed wearily, once more slumping forward, his crystalline eyes staring at the flowers beneath his furry paws.

"Stan was slain last night.."

Sans froze, the news hitting home as the realization that the young monster had fell far too soon, his life cut short at the hands of the humans. With barely restrained fury, he closed his eyes momentarily, allowing himself to fully process just how serious this issue was. Things were only going to be worse from here on out. Their situation was turning dire with each passing day, only adding to the guilt and worry eating away at his fragile sanity. He focused on steadying his voice before asking the dreaded question.

"What of Dan? With his partner.. gone.. how has he been faring?"

The King frowned, looking to the side unable to meet Sans' gaze, "He.. He couldn't cope. Consumed by grief, he took the last memento his lover possessed and he.."

Sans shook his head, sorrow filling him. Dan and Stan had been loyal, devoted knights to their kingdom, second in strength only to Undyne thanks to her taking them under her wing. The two had always been shyly oblivious to the others feelings, and it was only until Frisk came along that the two realized their mutual affection that later sparked into a full blown romance. Last he heard was the two had married, as per monster tradition, shortly after his own wedding and were looking forward to starting a family once the recent extremist attacks had settled down. Yet, their happy ending would never come to pass.

He couldn't imagine losing his lover in a bloody battle, let alone having to live without her for the rest of his life, yet a part of him wished Dan hadn't turned the blade on himself. He understood why he did it, but it didn't lessen the pain at the youth's untimely demise.

"There was nothing we could do. By the time we arrived, they were nothing more than dust."

The King burrowed his head in furry paws, letting the strong exterior he portrayed shatter in front of one of his most trusted advisers. The sight was more than Sans could bear, and with deliberate steps, he reached out to settle a strong hand to his shoulder, silently encouraging the overwhelmed and anxious monster to take solace in his comfort. The gesture didn't go unnoticed by Asgore who silently wept for the lives lost this day.

Their hearts were nearly torn in two. How could humans be so cruel as to kill someone they know nothing about? Prejudice, hatred, ignorance.. these misconceptions of their race along with the arrogance and unwillingness to learn only bred more destruction. There was no longer a question of how far the humans- nay, beasts- would go.

Several minutes passed as Sans stayed by his side, continuously offering his support, before finally Asgore broke the silence. Lifting his head, Sans could clearly see the tear streaks left behind on furry cheeks, the way his eyes puffed up, no doubt after the sleepless night he had spent shedding tears for their people. His eyes were bloodshot, evidence of his sorrow, but yet in the depths of sapphire, a spark of rage burned bright. The last words spoken between the two were vengeful, full of suppressed fury and righteous anger.

"They will pay.."

~oOo~

The following evening was spent in vigil overlooking the mountains, down below to where the battle took place, where their brethren had laid dying amongst the fallen leaves, underneath the starry sky. Those who wished to attend were given the choice to emerge from Underground, to pay witness to the injustice done upon this day. None had spoken, each monster absorbed in their sorrow as they gazed down upon the blood ridden soil below the shallow cliff. As expected, the King and Queen stood at the edge of the cliff, gazes roving over the bloody patch brokenly, their hearts slowly breaking at the realization that the beloved Royal knights would be lost forever to this world, their time come far too soon and at the hands of hatemongers. It was with a heavy heart that the other monsters, ranging from people such as Undyne and Papyrus, to the rest of the royal crew, to monsters as inconspicuous as snowdrakes, moldsmalls, even shyren in all of his antisocial anxiety attended the heart-wrenching funeral for two lover's lost to needless bloodshed before their rightful time.

Each creature in attendance kept silent as they watched the sky darken as the sun slipped beyond the horizon, shining a rustic orange over the clouds dotting the sky and casting different shades on the alternating dark and light clouds. It was beautiful, yet melancholic as those who bared witness to the setting sun could only focus on offering prayers of safe passage into the next life.

A hoarse cough drew the monsters' attention, gazes settling on the King as he proceeded to speak on behalf of the fallen warriors.

"Today we have gathered to mourn the loss of two of our most loyal guards, friends, and family.."

He kept his back to their people, too afraid of turning around, lest they lose all hope, if they even had any left at this point. For if the King could not keep it together for his subjects, then all would truly be lost. The pressure was far too intense for the goat father as he silently wept once again for the injustice caused by the humans. It was only after his wife's furry paw enveloped his own that he found the strength to swallow past the emotional lump in his throat.

"Stan and Dan.. two of the bravest, kindest men I've ever had the pleasure to meet, let alone enlist. The lovers were quite a handful, constantly dancing around each other's feelings all the while focusing wholeheartedly on their training. They wanted to be monsters that could protect us all, to keep every one of us from harm.."

As Asgore couldn't continue on anymore, he turned his head to the sky, allowing his grief to wash over him, encase his soul, all the while Toriel continued on, turning to face her people.

"They sacrificed themselves to keep us safe this night. They were some of the most compassionate and friendly monsters I've ever known, the dedication they held for us rivaled only by their unshakable faith they entrusted to our cause. Their lives should not have been lost. We have failed you, our people. 'Sorry' will never be enough, there are no words meaningful enough to express how deeply regretful we are. It is your safety, the monsters of Underground, that we dedicate our lives to protecting, to upholding the peace, to being everything you could need and then more, yet we could do nothing to prevent the tragedy that took place last night. If any would like to speak on behalf of the departed, please.. speak now.." she finished tearfully, looking at the rocky earth below her paws, too ashamed to look at their people after such a tragedy that they should have prevented, even though none blamed their rulers for what happened.

Tears were shed by those in attendance, each monster knowing that their royals were processing the loss as a personal failure on their part. Many monsters wailed as they succumbed to their misery, their fears and sorrow. Others voiced their concerns, wanting nothing more than to flee from the land they were so clearly not welcome upon. As if sensing the despair, the heavens opened upon the earth, water falling from the sky in fat, heavy drops that did little to ease the somber mood.

Undyne was the the only one to speak up over the heart-wrenching wails and sniveling, feeling the need to say something on behalf of her former apprentices.

"You know, those two knuckleheads wouldn't want us to sit here sniveling like lost pups. They would want us to continue on, to rise above this senseless tragedy, hold our heads high and show the world that we are monsters through and through! We will not be defeated, we will not fall to the hands of those humans. We are monsters and we aren't going anywhere!" She shouted through her tears, holding her head high like the fiery knight she was known to be.

Rounding on the mourning attendees, she gave one of her signature confident smiles, even though her heart was breaking on the inside, "We fought for our freedom! We have every right to exist! We cannot escape from persecution no matter where we go, and besides, this is our home. Are we really going to let a few dumb humans kick us out of our home?"

Papyrus chimed in determinedly, yet seriously, "NO WAY! WE ARE FREE. WE ARE HERE TO STAY! WE HAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE, TO EXIST, TO ROAM THE SURFACE AS MUCH AS ANY HUMAN ON THIS EARTH!"

Mettaton nodded, wiping oily tears away as he steeled his voice, "We have to take a stand, darlings. We have to be heard, we have to endure, we have to fight for our rights! No more fleeing, no more hiding, the monsters are here to stay!"

The King chuckled remorsefully, yet his voice cleared into one of stony, iron will as he turned slowly to face his people. Face set in a grim smile, he let his rage filled eyes meet those of every one in attendance before howling into the night, "We will have our freedom, our rights, and our vengeance! We are the monsters!"

A resounding cry echoed his words, the voices of many filling the night's sky with words of determination, hope, and love. Not even the rumbling thunder could drown out their cries.

"LONG LIVE THE MONSTERS!"

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A/N: Probably wasn't what y'all were expecting, it wasn't originally what I had planned, but.. yeah. For those who are confused about who Stan and Dan are, they are the two guards, Royal Guard 01 and Royal Guard 02 that Frisk has to battle in the game. I couldn't find any real names for them so I figured that Stan and Dan was fitting. (Sidenote: I know they're background characters in the game, but they're two of the most forgotten people in the game as far as I'm aware. Really sad cause they're flippin adorable)

There's more drama to come.

Also, I apologize profusely for the sparse updates. I'm still studying for my exams and it's taking a toll on my productivity. Nerves and all, especially since I failed the first time. Anyway, thank you to everyone who continues to read despite my flakiness. Love you guys!

(Sorry I unpublished the story to fix the chapter. I hadn't meant to upload it yet, so I sincerely apologize for that! 😓)