Previously on Raw Determination

The human encountered a strange and yet angry dummy and the familiar Napstablook after waking up in the junkyard. He continued his journey out of Waterfall and had more run-ins with Undyne and the Monster Child. He was finally able to convince the child to return home after he nearly fell off a bridge as he caught him before then. Undyne letting the human off the hook for a few minutes until he made it out of Waterfall. Undyne and the human had clashed into a duel, but didn't last long because he left Undyne stunned from a knockdown to the ground, buying him enough time to run away from her into a volcanic environment called Hotland. But as Undyne fell from a heat stroke, he rehydrates her with cold water. Allowing her to walk away without further harm as he ventures into a nearby building looking for a place to cool off before his armor gets too hot.

And so the story continues.


As the human enters the building, he finds that it's pretty dark and could barely see anything, but as he passes by a large computer, he looks closely at the screen and could see himself from a camera distance. He looks up somewhere to find the camera but it's too dark to see

Human: "Wait a minute … has someone been watching me?"

Flashing back to the camera he had seen back in Snowdin Forest, he backs away from the computer looking all surprised at the feeling that he's being watched by someone that works these computers.

Human: "This must've been this way ever since I left the Ruins… but who is so interested in me all the sudden?"

After a short while, lights suddenly turn on and blinds the human enough to see a silhouette of a hunched down monster. But then as the lights dim down, he sees a small yellow dinosaur looking monster in a lab coat moving closer, then suddenly noticed him and freaks out over his presence.

Monster Doctor: "Oh, my god… I didn't expect you to show up so soon! I haven't showered, I'm barely dressed, it's all messy, and…"

Human: "Hey, take it easy… I'm not here to hurt you…"

The doctor then tries to calm down in front of the human as he looks at her with a slightly creeped out look on his face. While the doctor regains her composure, the human lets go of his sword hilt, convinced that she's not a threat.

Monster Doctor: "Ummm … h-h-hiya…"

Human: "Hey, sorry to barge into your lab ma'am, I was looking for a place to cool off from the intense heat outside."

Monster Doctor: "Hey, it's alright, I was expecting you to come through here anyway. I'm Dr. Alphys. I'm Asgore's royal scientist!. B-b-but, aaahhhh … I'm not one of those -Bad Guys-"

Human: "Ah, pleasure to meet a person who isn't wanting to capture or harm me for once"

Alphys: "Yea, you look like you've had a few rough rounds out there… Anyway, ever since you left the Ruins, I've um… been -observing- your journey through my console. Your fights, your friendships, everything. I was… watching your every move in more simpler terms."

Human: "Hope you didn't make any big news out of me."

Alphys: "Well, I was going to stop you at first but … watching someone on the screen makes you root for them. Like… your duel with Undyne for example. Watching you two clash at each other like that, I almost thought that you were going to kill her. But since you're here now, I now want to help you."

Human: "Sounds pretty good, I could use all the help I can get through the underground. Been roaming Snowdin Forest and Waterfall totally blind to directions."

Alphys: "Well, good thing with my knowledge, I'll easily guide you through Hotland! I even know a way directly to Asgore's Castle."

Human: "That's good news. I might be able to get out of Hotland in a heartbeat."

Alphys: "Well… there is a tiny issue going on right now. Long ago, I made a robot called Mettaton. I built him originally to be an entertainment robot. Like, you know… A robotic TV star or something, but recently I decided to make him more useful with some practical adjustments. Like… anti… anti-human combat features?..."

Human: "And how long ago was that? I'm already on edge from my Undyne run-ins, and I don't want anymore problems right now!"

Alphys: "Well… when you arrived, I immediately decided that I have to remove those features! But … I may have made a teensy mistake while doing so. Now he's an unstoppable killing machine with a thirst for human blood? Ehehehehe…"

Human: "Is Mettaton going to be a problem? Because I'm not gonna let some scrap metal get in my way"

Alphys: "With luck, we hopefully won't run into him anytime soon."

While the human and Alphys make conversation, something suddenly shakes the building, causing them both to brace themselves while the ground shakes on them while loud metal banging echoes across the lab while it gets louder and more intense shaking.

Human: "What the hell was that ?!"

Alphys: "I don't know … some sort of earthquake I guess?"

Human: "That's no ordinary earthquake…"

The shakings intensify and the banging goes louder, they both have a feeling that something is breaking into the lab, but Alphys realises that someone has found them

Alphys: "Oh no …"

Blinding lights come through and the entire lab darkens to pitch black, and the loud bang followed by a shockwave of wind pulsing through the human as they hear a mysterious voice.

Unknown Voice: "OHHHH YES! WELCOME, BEAUTIES…"

After the sudden pause, a spotlight shines down on a computer screen looking robot with a studio microphone in it's hand.

Robot: "... TO TODAY'S QUIZ SHOW!"

Signs of a game show started coming down onto the lab, the human assuming that It had snuck everything in the lab while he and Alphys were having a conversation. A television camera points directly at the human as he turns to Alphys.

Human: "I assume that's Mettaton?"

Alphys: "I'm afraid so…"

Mettaton: "METTATON INDEED . LET'S GIVE A HAND AND MEET OUR NEWEST CONTESTANT TONIGHT FOLKS! HE'S THE NEWEST AND YET … OLDEST HUMAN FALLEN FROM THE SURFACE. ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH QUIZ GAMES, HANDSOME?"

Human: "I've never participated in such thing. Nor do I have any intention to do that"

Mettaton: "WELL NO PROBLEM GORGEOUS, IT'S VERY SIMPLE. THERE IS ONLY ONE RULE TO FOLLOW IN THIS QUIZ GAME. ANSWER CORRECTLY… OR DIE!"

*COMBAT START!*

Mettaton rolls around on his wheel to maintain his own balance while he starts to throw his first question at the human.

"WELL THEN, LET'S START OFF WITH AN EASY QUESTION: WHAT'S THE PRIZE FOR ANSWERING CORRECTLY. IS IT:"

A: MONEY

B: MERCY

C: NEW CAR

D: MORE QUESTIONS

The human looking at the obvious answers and knowing Mettaton so far, it might be a trick question to set up the human to get it wrong easily, while thinking about it quickly, he notices Alphys using hand shapes, making it appear to look like the D letter and easily takes notice. Giving the human plenty of time to answer the trick question.

Human: "That would be D, More questions… Final answer."

Mettaton: "CORRECT, YOU'RE GETTING THE HANG OF THIS. NOW HERE'S YOUR PRIZE..: WHAT IS THE KING'S FULL NAME?"

A: Lord Fluffybuns

B: Fuzzy Pushover

C: Asgore Dreemurr

D: Dr. Friendship

Upon immediately hearing one of the 4 names. He immediately flashes back to the past mentions of the king from Undyne and Papyrus.

Human: "It's obvious that I've heard about Asgore plenty of times, so I'm going with C, Asgore Dreemurr. Final Answer"

Mettaton: "YOU SIR … ARE CORRECT, THAT WAS A FANTASTIC ANSWER! NOW ENOUGH ABOUT YOU BUDDY, LET'S NOW TALK ABOUT ME!."

WHAT ARE ROBOTS MADE OF?

A: Hopes & dreams

B: Metal & Magic

C: Snips & Snails

D: Sugar & Spice

Human: "My first thoughts were metal and circuits, but metal and magic in mind. It's close enough. So B: Metal & Magic. FINAL ANSWER!"

Mettaton: "Looks like this is too easy for you, huh? Well darling, I've got another easy one for you."

Two trains, Train A and Train B simultaneously depart station A and Station B. Station A and Station B are 252.5 Miles away from each other. Train A is moving at 124.7 Mph towards Station B and Train B is moving at 253.5 mph towards Station A. If both trains departed at 10:00AM and it is now 10:00, how much longer until both trains pass each other?

A: 31.054 minutes

B: 16.232 minutes
C: 32.049 minutes

D: 32.058 minutes

Unfortunately, Mettaton was asking the question too fast for the human to catch up what he was reading and Alphys saw him in a confused state of mind, she then helps him out to the answer in a hand form in what appears to be D: 32.058 minutes. With the help of Alphys to the question, he answers with confidence to the robot.

Human: "That would be D: 32.058 Minutes. FINAL ANSWER!"

Mettaton: "Wonderful, I'm astounded folks, but wait. How come you didn't explain the answer beforehand?"

Human: "Umm… lucky guess probably?"

Mettaton: "Well, it matters not darling. Cause you've got another question coming your way, so don't count on your victory yet."

How many flies are in this Jar?

A: 54

B: 53
C: 55

D: 52

Upon seeing the jar that Mettaton had handed out for the human to view, Alphys from behind gives another hand letter form of an A, meaning that there's 54 Flies in the jar. He confidently answers to Mettaton's question.

Human: "From the looks of it, I'm gonna go with A: 54. FINAL ANSWER"

Mettaton: "This must be your lucky day because you are CORRECT! This next question is going to be a memory test."

What Monster is this?

A: Froggit

B: Whimsun

C: Moldsmal

D: Mettaton

The question picture shows half a face of a Froggit. But just as he was about to give the Froggit answer, Alphys waves around in a panic trying to get the human's attention and shows her hand in a formation of a D, saying that it's Mettaton. Confused and stumped. He takes Alphys' suggestion but with a face saying he's not so sure.

Human: "I could go with A, but I'm sensing a trick question, so i'm going with D: Mettaton. Final Answer"

Mettaton: "It's flattering that you remembered, that means you are correct again."

The human gives a wink to Alphys in appreciation for helping him with the trick question as they move on with Mettaton's quiz show.

Mettaton: "Now let's see if you can get this one."

Would you smooch a ghost?

A: Heck yea

B: Heck yea

C: Heck yea

D: Heck yea

The human not happy with the question given to him as it's the same answer no matter what. Alphys noticing that he is quickly starting to get snippy with Mettaton.

Human: "What are you trying to pull, Metta? … I'm not going to answer a stupid-ass question like that. I'll fry your circuits if you think I'm going to follow through with... "

Mettaton: "Please human, mind that language. We've got children watching."

Human: "Well let's see if your audience likes some extreme drama."

In a fit of anger, the human gives Mettaton a set of two middle fingers in front of the cameras, thinking that the viewers might be offended. Alphys had to step in to calm the human down to continue the show.

Alphys: "P-p-please … there's no need to act irrational, Mettaton is going to leave you alone at some point."

Human: "Well, he better do so fast, because I'm losing my patience here, Not answering a trick question like that."

Alphys: "If you don't answer, he'll never leave you alone. Please… just play along for now. For our sake?"

Human: "*sigh* Alright then… Mettaton… I'm going with A: Heck yea. Final Answer"

Mettaton: "That's a fantastic answer, I LOVE IT !"

Human: *Mumbling* "Hope you take those answers and shove them up your metal…"

Mettaton: "Hmm? Did you say something darling."

Human: "Nothing … nothing…"

Mettaton: "Anyway, now that little breakdown is out of the way, NEXT QUESTION"

How many letters are in the name, Mettatonnnnnnnnnnnnnn…...

(starting number)

A: 11

B: 6

C: 8

D: 10

The problem with that question is that the numbers of all the answers are rapidly counting up as Mettaton continues the question. Knowing for a fact that Mettaton just asked another trick question. Making the human angry again but more restraint from going into another outburst. He snarls at the cheeky robot but answers anyway while looking at Alphys for the hand formation letters as answers and sees her form a C.

Human: *growls and grinding teeth* "That would be C, Final answer"

Mettaton: "Of course, it was very easy for you. But now it's time to bring out the big guns"

The human starts to get worried about this coming question, he clenches his fists while looking at Mettaton

In the dating simulation video game "Mew Mew Kissy Cutie" What was Mew Mew's favorite food?

The human having looking very confused now, he has never heard of the video game himself. Although back on the surface, whenever he would stay at home, he would be in his man cave either watching his home soccer(Football) team, or playing some various video games he's got. But his childhood favorite, Mortal Kombat. He would play non-stop for hours and knows a lot of lore. Same goes to World of Warcraft due to being an MMORPG where he and his friends would chat and do stuff together. But furthermore as Mettaton asks the question, Alphys starts to fangirl over the question and talks over the human, now with him looking at her with a weirded out look on his face.

Human: "I never even heard of that video game in the…-"

Alphys: OH! OH! I KNOW THIS ONE, IT'S SNAIL ICE CREAM! IN THE FOURTH CHAPTER, EVERYONE GOES TO THE BEACH AND SHE BUYS ICE CREAM FOR ALL HER FRIENDS BUT IT'S SNAIL FLAVOR AND SHE'S THE ONLY ONE WHO WANTS IT! IT'S ACTUALLY MY FAVORITE PART OF THE GAME BECAUSE IT'S A VERY POWERFUL...message about friendship and…"

Human: "Are you alright Alphys?"

Mettaton: "Alphys, Alphys, Alphys, you aren't helping our contestant, are you? Oooooooh, you should have told me. I'll ask a question… that you'll be sure you know the answer to!

Who does Dr. Alphys have a crush on?

A: Undyne

B: Asgore

C: The Human

D: Don't Know

The human is shocked and blushing at the same time as he heard himself being mentioned as an answer selection. Alphys at the same time is signaling the human to stop, but remembering that Mettaton is not going to leave him alone until the quiz show is done. He nods at Alphys with a raised eyebrow on his face, she assumes that he's up to something that could embarrass her.

(At this point, this part of the scene can have multiple scenarios depending on what the human's answer is. So each scenario will be broken up apart from each other into 4 different outcomes)


(Scenario A)

The human looks over to Mettaton with a confident, yet mischievous look on his face.

Human: "I'm going with A: Undyne. Final answer…"

Alphys starts to freak out with her face covered in her palms but blushing heavily, the human gives a mischievous smile with Mettaton responding to his answer

Mettaton: "See Alphys, I told you it was obvious, even the human himself figured it out. Yes, she scrawls her name in the margins of her notes. She names programming variables after her. She even writes stories of them together… sharing a domestic life. Probability of crush : 101 percent. Margin of error: 1 percent.


(Scenario B)

The human confidently said with a mischievous look on his face

Human: "I'm going with B: Asgore. Final Answer"

Alphys starts to freak out with her face covered in her palms but blushing heavily, the human gives a mischievous smile with Mettaton responding to his answer

Mettaton: "You know… why would someone outfit an amusement robot with brutal combat capabilities? Plain and simple, to impress Asgore Dreemurr of course. Or as Alphys calls him -Mr. Dreamy- Those strong arms, that lustrous beard. Like all those who create weapons, she craves the tender embrace of a burly man."

Mettaton then inspects the human's body and gear he carries with him, including his blade sheathed on his waist.

Mettaton: "Say, Alphys. Now coming to think about it, wouldn't the Human be a perfect candidate for you? I mean look at him in comparison between him and Asgore. Who knows… maybe a possible romance between human and monster could happen in the future."

Alphys: "No no no no no no …. GAAAAHHHHH !"

Alphys seems to be blushing even harder, almost as if steam is coming off of her from all the embarrassment and from Mettaton shipping both of them.

Human: "I think that's enough of that Metta, don't you think?"

Mettaton: "I suppose you're right, darling."


(Scenario C)

The human looks at the answer confidently with a mischievous look on his face.

Human: "Well now that there's a fun answer, I'm going with C: The Human. Final Answer"

Alphys seems to have a squinting look on her face, knowing that the human is being a troll now.

Mettaton: "Seriously? My my … how conceited can you get…? I LOVE IT !" While you are wrong, you deserve some credit there. There's been a plenty of times where Alphys was having some romantic thoughts about you, she was even once comparing you to Asgore, wondering how strong you might look out of that armor of yours. But mostly watching you through the computer screen. Smiling when you succeeded, Shrieking when you fail. And always, always whispering "No! Wrong, you have to go that way!" But other than that, is it not love in it's own way?.

Alphys started blushing heavily on the things Mettaton said about romantic thoughts about the human while he slightly blushes as well.

Human: "Metta .. I-I-I think that's enough of that… okay?"

Mettaton: "Well you're no fun at all... "


(Scenario D)

Upon looking at the answers, he decided that he's not going to make a scene out of whoever is Alphys' crush. So he answers confidently.

Human: "Look, I only just met Alphys today, I don't know anything about her other than being a Royal Scientist. As far as I know, her crush could be anybody in the underground, even if he/she is a simple citizen. So with that backing me up, I'm going with D: Don't know. And I'm leaving it at that"

Mettaton dazed in shock from the human's answer. But at the same time, Alphys sighs in relief from the human's speech.

Mettaton: "Well, you're very correct. But you also gave a wise speech there. You see, Alphys believes there is someone out there, someone watching her, someone she thinks is -cute- and -interesting-. Hello theoretical person. Dr. Alphys likes you, too bad you are not real."
Human: "Okay, that is just plain insulting…"

Alphys: "H-hey, I've done research about this! There are alternative universes out there. S-someday maybe, I could meet them…"

Mettaton: "And yet, you said the same thing about -Mew Mew Kissy Cutie- but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Person, if you're out there… how about giving us a sign, right now?"

A moment of silence follows through, clearly nothing is coming to Mettaton's expectations. So he moves on with the show.

Mettaton: "Well that settles that, doesn't it?"


(The four separate scenarios end up fusing back together at the end)

Mettaton: "Well … with Dr. Alphys helping you, there's no dramatic tension in this show. We can't go on like this! But … this is just the pilot episode. So next up, More Drama, more Romance, MORE BLOODSHED! Until next time darlings."

Mettaton then closes himself up and shoots off like a rocket out of the lab. Leaving both Alphys and the Human alone.

(COMBAT ENDS)

Alphys: "Well, that was certainly something…"
Human: "Yea… I just hope that I don't run into him again."

Alphys: "Unfortunately, you will… now that he knows you're here, he'll find crafty ways to try and take your soul"

Human: "Great… I'm certainly not in the mood to be putting up with a hunk of scrap metal"

The human then walks off on his way to the exit of the lab back out into Hotland, but Alphys stops him for a moment.

Alphys: "Hey wait, let me give you my phone number, I could provide some help in case you … wait a minute…"

Alphys inspects the phone the human had on his waist next to his bade, so he takes it off and hands it to her

Alphys: "Where did you even get this phone, it's ancient… it doesn't even have any texting at all… would you hold on a minute please?"

Alphys takes off to her work space and fixes up the human's phone, looks like she's adding some new upgrades to it as she comes back to hand it back to him

Human: "Wha… what did you do?"

Alphys: "I've upgraded your phone for you. It's now got texting, Items, it's even got a keychain. I even signed you up for the Undergound's No. 1 Social Network!. So guess what? We're now officially friends. Ehehehe hehe heh …"

An awkward pause from alphys starts to make her feel embarrassed. The human doesn't know what to say about it. Then alphys panics a bit as the human is getting ready to head out, noticing that his armor and Hotland would not be a good combination.

Alphys: "Hey wait, It might be too dangerous to go out there in your armor. The intense heat of Hotland can exhaust you pretty easily. I may suggest to travel lightly."
Human: "Like, how lightly are we talking about?"

Alphys: "Meaning that I'm suggesting that you'll have to ditch the armor and most of your gear. Your sword and shield you can keep with you if you really need them. No worries though, I'll have them delivered back to you once you reach the MTT resort hotel."
Human: "Hotel? Well there's some good news there, I could definitely use some rest after my encounters in Waterfall"

Alphys: "Well there you go… I'll have your gear delivered to you there as soon as you arrive. You have my promise"

Human: "Alright then, I know I don't usually go out of home without my armor on, but In this case, I can't risk a heat stroke, even with water"

The human then strips off his armor by some belt straps, starting from the top to the bottom of his body. Revealing to her that his body has gotten quite a build on him in the shape and form of a strong adventurer, wearing only his comfortable clothes in black dye. He then sets his armor into a corner where there's a human shaped mannequin. Putting on the armor as if he was wearing them still as he places his heavy backpack beside it. He then walks to the exit of the lab and turns around to Alphys, pointing out where his stuff is now.

Human: "Remember that's there to ensure delivery, okay?"

Alphys: "You can count on me"

(Next time on Raw Determination)

Now without his armor, the human starts his journey across the intense heat of Hotland while trying to evade Mettaton and his onslaught of murderous shows. At the same time getting numerous calls from Dr. Alphys herself for guide across the land. The idea of reaching the MTT resort hotel as soon as possible fills him up with DETERMINATION.

(Tune in next time for Metallic Flames - Part 2 )