Since I will be inside my room for the solar eclipse, i figured what is there better to do than start a new chapter? Things are about to get hearted in the upcoming chapters, and that's not because we are currently in Hotland. Yes. Things are going to get spicy in this chapter for a reason I hope you will love. I know I do~
RF the Great : I am having fun actually but I am also eager to get back to school. XD
Begin!
Frisk stared up and the plain, white block shaped building simply labeled LAB, making the teen wonder if Asgore named the building. Either the names were painfully obvious or was a pun based off of something else that was painfully obvious. The teen resisted the urge to face palm as they stepped up to the doors, which automatically stood open. A blast of cold air washed over Frisk but before the teen entered, the turned their head and asked Gaster if there were any bad memories of this place. They didn't want the scientist to enter another panic attack and was making sure that they were very careful of what they said, where they went or what they did to prevent the trigger of any pleasantries. With a nod of confirmation from the skeletal monster, Frisk entered the building, the doors sliding shut behind them with a loud sucking noise. The facility was dark so Frisk couldn't really make out what the interior looked like. It was quiet, the steady hum of the machinery being the only sound as it echoed across the room. A bright light came from behind a wall, and turning the corner, Frisk realized it was them. But on a large monitor, mimicking their every move in real time. Great. Not only was Flowey following them and Sans keeping tabs on them, but someone in a lab was stalking them as well. Though, Frisk should have taken the hint sooner. After all, there was a camera in the bushes exiting the Ruins and being a waterfall in well Waterfall. The teen was sure they weren't there for decorations. Unless someone was setting up for a large scale prank of some kind. Only Sans would have that kind of idea, but then again the guy was so lazy that instead of picking up his socks the first time, he just kept putting sticky notes on it. So the large scale prank was definitely out of the question and they were definitely being followed. Frisk let out a breath and reminded themselves to be open minded about what they were about to face.
They squinted, stretching their arms out and waving them, trying to find a wall or something they could hold on to. After bumping in what seemed like a table full of papers, judging by the sliding sound, Frisk simply resorted to crawling low on the floor, until they heard a door slide open and the shuffling of feet. They stopped, hearing the lights flicker on, revealing a lime colored walls, and a blue tilted for with yellow grout. Before them stood a yellow lizard or dinosaur monster wearing coke bottle glasses and a lab coat. Some kind of tag was pinned to the breast pocket and she mumbled to herself, seemingly unaware of Frisk's presence. The teen stood up and straightened their clothes, wanting to make a good first impression for once in this journey. After hearing about Dr. Alphys from Papyrus and considering the fact that she took Gaster's place, the teen assumed that Alphys was the professional and serious kind of scientist. The one who didn't take shit from anybody. Alphys, with her head still down, walked in Frisk's direction until she saw metal feet. Looking up, and jumping back with shock, the doctor's hands flew up to her head as she began to freak out.
" Oh. My God. I didn't expect you to show up so soon! I haven't showered! I'm barely dressed, its all messy and ummm...judging by that look y-you really d-don't care do you?" Alphys smiled nervously pointing out Frisk's flatter than flatbread expression.
Frisk cleared their throat, and shoved their hands in their-never mind the suit didn't have pockets- and stood in front of Alphys all, former professionalism out of the window.
" Doctor Alphys right? Ass-I mean Asgore's royal scientist? Heard about you from Papyrus. You made the puzzle in Snowdin? Brilliant idea I guess but it broke so you might wanna tweak that a little." Frisk held their hand out.
Alphys fumbled over her words, her scales turning shades of red Frisk had only ever seen in anime, Alphys grabbed Frisk hand and shook it, squealing at how soft they were even though it was covered in armor. Gathering her wits and the blush fading out of her face, Alphys coughed and resumed talking her introduction.
" G-glad you k-know me somewhat. J-just letting you know, I-i'm not one of the 'bad guys'? You know? The ones that are trying to kill you and st-steal your soul? Actually, ever since your stepped out of the ruins, I've been observing your journey through my console." Alphys blushed slightly as she adverted her eyes.
Frisk's expression remained flat, somewhat turned off at the Royal Scientist being a stuttering mess. " Yes. I can tell. If the badly hidden cameras in the bushes and being Waterfalls weren't obvious enough. I'd say the giant monitor I just passed certainly would do the trick."
" Your fights, your friendships, everything!" Alphys nodded excitedly.
" Well that isn't creepy at all."
" S-sorry about that. I understand if that would be uncomfortable. I remember when I took my application test for the p=position of the royal scientist. The instructor w-was literally breathing down my neck. Watching every letter I bubbled, gazing at my essay and definitely scrutinizing my short answers and I swear he only did that t-to me! U-uh. Let's not get off track here. I-I originally was going to stop you cause you're a human and all but watching someone on a screen r-really makes y-you root for them."
" Like some king of anime or tv show?" Frisk put a finger to their mouth as they titled their head,
" Exactly! U-uh n-not that your life is some kind of sitcom for me to enjoy." Alphys added quickly as she nodded the growing frown that was halfway manifested on Frisk's face. " N-now I want to help you! U-using my knowledge, I can easily guide you through Hotland. I know a way right to Asgore's castle!"
Frisk narrowed their eyes as they put an hand to their chin, considering Alphys' offer. For some reason, Alphys' eagerness to help Frisk rubbed them the wrong way. Every other monster was bent on capturing them save for the business monsters or monsters that were too old to put up a fight. Even Papyrus who was the cinnamonest cinnamon roll who ever cinnamoned wanted to 'capture' them and send them to Asgore. That doesn't even count the monsters who didn't even realize Frisk was a human. But wanting to help them out of the gate? Something was wrong with that. Frisk at least expected Alphys to trick them or manipulating them first before actually trying to give them a bit of useful advice. Based on the actions of the other monsters, the teen would be very disappointed if the doctor didn't hurt them at least once. Accidents don't count.
" Kk. I'll bite at your offer." Frisk said, looking at the woman once more.
Alphys squealed excitedly, thanking Frisk for only who knows what. Calming herself, Alphys began. " Great. Uh there's just a teeny tiny problem. A long time ago, I made a robot named Mettaton."
" Oh yeah. The one Papyrus wanted me to watch but his show wasn't on." Frisk commented
" Yeah. I built him to be an entertainment robot. Uh. You know, like a robotic TV star or something! Anyway, recently I decided to make him more useful. You know, just some small practical adjustments. Like um...anti...anti-human combat features?" Alphys began to sweat and fiddle with her clothes.
" I do not like where this is going."
" Of-course when I saw you coming, I immediately decided to remove those features. Unfortunately, I may have made a teensy mistake while doing so."
" And that mistake is?" Frisk raised an eyebrow.
" He's uh. Now he's a...now he's and unstoppable killing machine with a thirst for human blood?"
" How the hell do you accidentally-!" Frisk cut themselves off with a sigh and began rubbing their oncoming headache. Though something about Alphys's comment didn't strike with one accord with in Frisk. The teen couldn't really put their finger on what was wrong with it other than the fact that is sounded like a cheesy anime excuses from a liar with more lies to their name than the people on earth.
" But uh! Hopefully we won't run into hi-" Alphys was cut off and Frisk quickly pressed a finger to her lips.
" No. You don't say shit like that. You are asking the powers that be to give Mettaton a call and say come for me. No. I'd rather not have any sort of divine intervention right now. Whether it be good or ba-"
BOOM!
" OHHHH YES~ WELCOME BEAUTIES TO TODAY'S QUIZ SHOW! " said a square robot with buttons on his face as he balanced his body on one wheel. Noodle like arms with gloved hands like in the old Mickey Mouse cartoons holding a microphone.
Glowing balls of light lowered from the ceiling spun, casting a colorful shadow of lights along the lab walls. Confetti flew everywhere and landed on the floor. The lights shut off, only leaving a single light on. A spotlight. Focused on Mettaton.
" I hate you so much right now Alphys you have no idea."
" S-sorry."
" OH BOY I CAN ALREADY TELL THIS IS GONNA BE A GREAT SHOW! EVERYONE GIVE ME A BIG HAND FOR OUR WONDERFUL CONTESTANT. " Mettaton mockingly clapped for Frisk, more confetti raining down upon them. The human shuffled to the side as the confetti kept raining in their previous spot.
" NEVER PLAYED BEFORE GORGEOUS? NO PROBLEM IT'S SIMPLE. THERE'S ONLY ONE RULE! ANSWER CORRECTLY...OR YOU DIE!" the robot seemed to laugh manically.
" How cliché." Frisk muttered with slight disgust at their punishment for failing to answer a question but raising an eye as their soul glowed and the world went dark.
Mettaton attacks!
" LISTEN YOU BUCKET OF BOLTS-!"
" SCREAMING IS AGAINST THE RULES! ALRIGHT, LETS START WITH AN EASY ONE!"
What's the prize for answering correctly? Gaster asked for the robot, knowing that the teen had instantly blocked the robot out. They had a habit of tuning out people whom they found extremely annoying with no chance of redemption. A platform with letters next a few answers rose from the ground. A timer that counted downwards in the center. Frisk glanced up and found that Alphys was making the letter D with her hands. And Frisk pressed D on the platform. not questioning how she had known the answer. Perhaps Mettaton had planned these questions beforehand and being Mettaton's inventor, Alphys probably had access to the right answers.
" RIGHT! SOUNDS LIKE YOU GET IT! THE QUIZ SHOW CONTINUES!"
Frisk narrowed their eyes, an unspoken sign for Gaster to check Mettaton.
Mettaton ATK 10 DEF 999
His metal body renders him invulnerable to attack
" Alphys really knows how to pick her metals..." Frisk muttered
" HERE'S YOUR TERRIFIC PRIZE! "
What's the kings full name?
Laughing at the Dr. Friendship choice, Frisk didn't even need to look at Alphys hands to know that the answer was C. Asgore Dreemurr. Frisk, in the bad of their head swore Mettaton said something was too busy snickering.
What are robots made of?
Frisk glanced at Alphys, just to humor her even though the answer was obvious. Her finger hovered over snips and snails. chuckling as Alphys shook her head furiously and emphasized the sign she made.
Don't do that
Gaster lightly scolded as Frisk sighed and selected B.
" HERE'S ANOTHER EASY ONE FOR YOU!"
Two trains, train A and train B-
" D. 32.058 minutes." Frisk shouted, remembering having this exact question on a test one time plus Alphys gave out the answer.
" I'M ASTOUNDED FOLKS."
How many-A. The answer is A.
Frisk selected A, asking Gaster how he knew the answer. The skeleton smirked and said 'magic' to which Frisk rolled their eyes with an 'of course.'
" LET'S PLAY A MEMORY GAME! WHAT MONSTER IS THIS!"
A screen appeared and showed what looked like to be a quarter of a frogs face. Frisk remembered seeing a frog like creature in the ruins. And since they looked like a frog, shouldn't its name have 'frog' in it. At least that's what Frisk's logic was telling them. However, Alphys was making a D with her hands, something that Frisk didn't understand but went along with anyway. Frisk pushed down the option for D, which was Mettaton.
Frisk frowned as they picture was revealed to be Mettaton wearing a shirt with a picture of a Froggit on it. How narcissistic.
Would you smooch a ghost?
All the answers were ' heck yeah' and both Alphys and Gaster were looking at Frisk judgingly. The teen noticed that the time was going up instead of going down but that didn't bother them as they pressed D 'heck yeah' though they were sure all the other options were correct as well.
How many letters are in the name Mettaton?"
" NNNNNNNNNNNNNNN..."
" Mettaton you jackass." Frisk grumbled as they pressed C par Alphys's instruction.
In the dating simulator of-
Both Mettaton and Gaster were interrupted as Alphys shouted something neither Frisk or Gaster could interpret. As the yellow monster slowed down and the waving in her hands stopped, she began to sweat and look at Mettaton nervously.
" ALPHYS! ALPHYS! ALPHYS! YOU AREN'T HELPING THE HUMAN ARE YOU?" Mettaton asked as Alphys shook her head from side to side. " OHHHH. YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME. NOW I'LL HAVE TO ASK A QUESTION YOU'LL BE SURE TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO."
Alphys bit her nails nervously as Frisk wondered what the question was about.
Who does Doctor Alphys have a crush on?
Frisk noticed that the timer didn't move at all, giving the human time to think. They looked at the various options. Undyne. The human. Asgore. Don't know. Frisk didn't question why Asgore or they were on the list. But thought about selecting ' I don't know' in order to save the doctor's feelings. Then again, Undyne talked about Alphys a lot so Frisk assumed that the two of them were best friends somehow. If Undyne was still with Papyrus, the two would most definitely be watching this show. It would be fair to Alphys to have her crush revealed on national television if it so happened to be correct. It wouldn't be fair to Undyne neither if those feelings were returned. She would at least expect Alphys to tell her if it was true right? And what if it was wrong? What if Alphys didn't like Undyne but Undyne did. That is still just as bad and having it be on tv would be even worse if both had feelings for each other. Frisk grimaced at their options. They didn't really like playing match maker and thus decided to select ' I don't know'. However, the positions of the answers switched and Frisk ended up selecting Undyne instead. Frisk paled in horror and Alphys blushed furiously, covering up her face.
" SEE ALPHYS? I TOLD YOU IT WAS OBVIOUS! EVEN THE HUMAN FIGURED IT OUT. SHE SCRAWLS HER NAME IN THE MARGIN OF ALL HER NOTES. SHE NAMES PROGRAMMING VARIABLES AFTER HER. SHE EVEN WRITES STORIES OF THEM TOGETHER. SHARING A DOMESTIC LIFE. PROBABLITY OF CRUSH: 101 PERCENT ! MARGIN OF ERROR. 1 PERCENT. "
Frisk frowned. Mettaton was wrong for that.
' WELL WELL WELL. WITH DOCTOR ALPHYS HELPING YOU...THE SHOW HAS NO DRAMATIC TENSION. WE CAN'T GO ON LIKE THIS. BUT THIS WAS JUST THE PILOT EPISODE! NEXT UP, MORE DRAMA! MORE ROMANCE! MORE BLOODSHED! UNTIL NEXT TIME, DARLINGS!" at this, Mettaton retracted his arms and legs and blasted off with a rocket from underneath him.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...well that was certainly something." Alphys laughed nervously, trying to shrug off her public embarrassment though Frisk knew the scientist wanted the earth to swallow her.
Alphys muttered something under her breath unaware Frisk heard it. " That last question...Mettaton wasn't supposed to ask that one."
Frisk raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. So she definitely saw Mettaton's question cards. That was why she knew the answers. But could there be something deeper happening in between the two? Could the two of them be planning this together? Could this be a plot to secure false trust in Alphys with Mettaton as the bad guy before Alphys reveals herself to be the actual bad guy and steal her soul. Frisk would not be disappointed if their off the rails thought came to pass. After all, its strange to see a monster willingly help Frisk at breakneck speeds. Frisk continued their journey as if Alphys helping them was all an elaborate plot. Even if it wasn't true, it would still entertain the teen.
" Alright. Alphys can I look around your lab a bit? I need to continue my tradition of sticking my nose in every nook and cranny of people's personal lives while they are watching." Frisk asked jokingly.
" U-um I guess? L-let me give you my phone number. Then...maybe if you need help... I could...wh-where'd you get that phone? It's ANCIENT!"
" This isn't actually my phone. My phone is in my other pair of pants smashed from here to kingdom come." Frisk handed the phone over to Alphys.
" This doesn't even have texting! Hold on. I'll fix this phone up for you and then you can bring me your other one later so I can combine the two! So uh...all the numbers and things you download and stuff can be in one system." Alphys muttered, not really giving Frisk a chance to answer as she walked away.
Frisk tapped their foot but before they could begin snooping, Alphys came back, the upgraded phone in her hand looking similar to the phone they had in their pants. She probably based the model from the phones she saw in the dump.
" That was fast."
" U-um thanks! It can do texting, items, its got a key chain. I even signed you up for the Underground's number 1 social network. Now we're officially friends! hehehehe...eeeehhhh...i'm going to use the bathroom!" Alphys quickly dashed behind the door.
Monsters don't need to use the bathroom. The food we eat turns into pure magical energy. Nothing is left behind.
Gaster answered Frisk's unspoken question.
" Hmmm...Alright. Time to snoop." Frisk hopped on an elevator, shelves of books being the first thing they see.
They pull a book from the shelve labeled Human History. It's a manga. A hideous android is running to school with a toast in its mouth. It seems like it was late. It didn't strike Frisk as very accurate because it wasn't. Frisk couldn't tell what the name of the manga was because it was scratched out. The original characters had been drawn over by the same hideous android. Pink goop dripped from a strange machine on the wall that looked like it belonged in Jade from Homestuck's garden. Or Rose's mom's laboratory. Alphy's worktable was covered in dusty blue prints and a red chainsaw. Her wardrobe, which was slightly ajar was filled with dirty lab coats but a single clean dress. Many letters from many monsters sat on Alphys's desk, all unopened. Some of the monsters being Froggit, Snowy and Doggo. Frisk kicked a blue looking box.
One of Alphys' inventions. When not in use, the bed folds into an easy to draw box
A poster starring Mettaton's TV premier peeled off the wall and floated gently to the ground. Frisk tried to stick it back on but to no avail. On the back was a message to Alphys.
" Thank you for making my dreams come true? It sounds like Mettaton Mettatoned before Alphys made Mettaton be able to Mettaton."
Pardon me?
Gaster raised a bony brow as Frisk sighed. " I'm saying that this sounds like Mettaton existed before Alphys built Mettaton. Wait! You know what's up. Viewing the timelines and all that. "
What goes on between Mettaton and Alphys is not for me to tell you.
Gaster folded his arms and Frisk stuck their tongue out at him. The skeleton rolling his eyes in return as the teen giggled as they hopped on the downwards moving escalator. Alphy's desk was covered in books and paper and the computer was trying to access some sort of puzzle in Snowdin. A beat up figurine of a human cat ears dangled on the edge of the table. Frisk pushed it back as they opened the fridge, finding packages of instant noodles and soda.
" What kind of monster would put unopened noodles in a fridge?" Frisk said in a horrified voice as they shut the door at least not before grabbing a package themselves.
An Alphys apparently
Frisk blinked then laughed. " Oh I get it. " They opened the package of dog food and scooped some out.
Don't eat that!
Frisk frowned. " I was only going to smell it." Frisk poured the food back in the bag.
Yeah right
Gaster made a motion to grab Frisk's hand but it phased through.
S-sorry. My so-Sans. Sans used to eat things he wasn't supposed to and I would grab him away from it and...
Gaster started to mumble, fumbling with his hands as he began to fade out of Frisk's vision until he was completely gone. Frisk sighed, remembering things between Gaster and Sans weren't so hot right now even if they shorter skeleton wasn't aware of the betrayal within. Frisk exited through the door appearing outside. They blinked in confusion. This could not be it. This was not a lab. The teen backed up and pulled out their phone, preparing to call Alphys even thought the dinosaur was still in the bathroom. It had happened to them once.
" Dimensional Box A? Dimensional Box B?" Frisk selected dimensional box A and saw that the items inside were things they left in the box in Snowdin. Dimensional Box B consisted of the items they left in Waterfall. They squealed giddily, realizing that they didn't have to go all the way back to either town to collect their stuff. Not having to traverse back and forth to keep tabs on their items, filled them with Rebellion. A glowing star appeared before them and the teen raised their eyebrow. They went back outside and realized the start was gone. They turned their head, the star hovering above the area where they were just standing.
Interesting
Gaster reappeared as Frisk stuck their hand in the star, a warm sensation washing over them as they saved. " Interesting."
Frisk Lv 1 356:04
Hotland- Laboratory Entrance
" Thanks. Its been a while since I knew what those were. Now I can see how long it has been on the Surface since two hours down here is like three days up there." Frisk said as they mentally calculated the time span, counting on their fingers and going back and forth. " Nine days. I've been gone for a little over a week. That is more than enough time to warrant a search and rescue."
Hmm?
" In Portfree, the city I live in, if someone goes missing for 24 hours or more, call the police and they will initiate a search and rescue. If the person becomes missing for more than three months, the search is stopped and the person is pronounced dead." Frisk explained.
With a nod of understanding, Gaster followed Frisk as they headed outside but stopped as the phone vibrated. Alphys had updated her status, saying that she didn't get to watch Undyne fight the human. Frisk pocketed the phone once more before they were stopped by another beep. It was Alphys again saying that she would ask Undyne about it later. Frisk was confused for a moment as to why they were getting these messages but remembered that Alphys added them to the Underground's social media and friended them. Frisk only stepped a few feet before the vibrations from the phone shook the armor. It was...Alphys again, saying she had to guide the human. Frisk didn't bother putting their phone away and just let it swing in their hand. Frisk jumped on a moving conveyer belt, backing away from metal pipes that shot out of the ground spewing blue fire. However, they bumped into a Vulkin, who thought their lava could heal people but was sadly mistaken.
" What are you..." Frisk breathed as pillars of lava shot from the sides of the fight screen, flaming rocks spewing from the pillars and hitting Frisk who finally escaped the fight with 17/ 20 to their name.
Frisk hopped on more belts, moving in a zigzag pattern and wasn't sure if they were heading in the right direction. They balanced on top of beige pipes, arms out to the side as they wobbled on the rounded platforms. Jumping on solid ground, they spotted another star.
The wooshing sound of steam and cogs fills you with Rebellion
" 360: 19. The Magma Chamber." Frisk read the black panels hanging above them for themselves.
Tsundereplane gets in the way. Not on purpose or anything.
A giant plane wearing a pink bonnet hovered in the front of Frisk, blocking the way. Blinking at the beginning part of Frisk's name, Frisk didn't need to press Act to see what one of the options were.
Frisk clapped their hands together downwards, and dug their foot into the ground, staring longingly at the plane. " I-I like your t-taste in books and m-movies!" the teen said in a 'cute' voice. Intentionally stuttering.
You disgust me
Frisk bit down a laugh, keeping their stance until the monster reacted. The plane blushed before pouting. " A-are you stalking me? Y-you sicko!" Miniature planes, dropping torpedoes soared above Frisk who managed to dodge them and the flying shrapnel. The monster ' accidentally' bumped Frisk with its wing.
" Yeah no." Frisk flee the fight, running away from the plane and exclaiming as they were suddenly shot through the air. The teen stumbled to the ground and got up, looking back to see that they were launched into the air by steam vents.
" Who built those? Because that is the best and worst idea I have ever seen."
I built those. My team and I built the Labs and the entirety of the Core from the ground up using trash that fell from the Surface.
" Hey. One mans trash is another man's treasure but I'm definitely suing if those things malfunction as I'm using them and I'm stuck on one side of a flaming chasm. Or if the stream isn't powerful enough and I fall and die a fiery death."
Don't worry. Those things were built and rebuilt. There was a cat monster. His name was Michael. I asked him to clean the vents to prevent them from plugging up with soot and the gunk from slime monsters lest it overheated. Michael forgot and the half of the vents plugged up and overheated. Three months of hard work and complicated physics melted and sunk into the lava in one minute.
Frisk laughed. " On a scale of one to ten how apoplectic and choleric were you?"
Eleven
Frisk held a hand to their mouth, trying to hold back a laugh and apologizing after seeing Gaster's unamused expression. Frisk sniffled and wiped tears.
Anyway, it was a blessing in disguise I suppose. The Core had problems with cooling considering the fact that it used geothermal energy from the lava and converted it into electricity and it made it hard for monsters to move around. So the steam vents were used as a method cooling system and a method for transportation. It's fine if you're not wearing a dress.
" Lucky me. Cause I hate dresses and skirts. The only time I wear those is when I go to school or church."
Religious much?
" Eh. Not a conversation I'd like to have. Don't want to go on a spiel of how if you don't do this or that you're not gonna get into heaven and start a war in the reviews or whatever." Frisk said, smirking at Gaster's confused expression.
Stopping in front of a laser, Frisk answered their phone which began to ring. " Ello ello."
" U-uh hi! So uh this is Alphys by the way and uh so the blue lasers won't hurt you if you don't move. O-orange lasers you uh you have to be moving and they uh they won't um...move through those ones! Uh bye!"
Frisk raised their eyebrow at the phone call barely grasping what they were told. The moved through the two orange lasers in the front of them and stopped for the blue laser that passed through them harmlessly. The moved through the orange one but stopped short and ended up getting zapped by two smaller orange and blue lasers. They hissed in pain but stopped for the blue laser and moved through another orange laser, stopping short again because of the two blue lasers in the front of the orange one that moved back and forth in a confusing way. They got zapped by three more orange and one more blue mini laser and stumbled out of the path. They opened their inventory and ate a blue nice cream, not bothering to read the message on the wrapper. They gagged at the flavor, remembering all too well the taste of ammonia from the Windex products they dipped their tongue into as a child. Despite the horrendous flavor, their HP was maxed out from its previous 13. They stared at a big red switch.
" If I come across a big red switch at any point in my life I will always press it." Frisk said as they switched the switch, deactivating the laser.
Alphys send a photo of herself to Frisk's phone. It was a garbage can covered in pink glittery filters. " Hey. Who told her she could take a picture of me and put those filters all over it."
What have I told you about the self deprecating jokes?
Gaster folded his arms and frowned at Frisk. " Sorry."
Frisk stopped at a set of three steam vents. The arrows alternating between up, right and left. It was at this moment that Alphys called Frisk.
" The northern door will uh...will stay locked until you solve the puzzles on your right and left. I uh think you should uh g-go to the r-right first! "
Frisk hopped on the steam vent that launched them to the right, landing on one knee. They got up and caught bits of the conversation between a green cow monster wearing a purple suit and a black shadow monster wearing shades, a white sleeveless shirt and green cargo pants holding a drink of some sort.
" The way to work was blocked so I had to catch Mettaton's show on my phone. The special effects were amazing. The human almost looked REAL. "
" Mettaton? Yeah. He's the most popular star in the Underground. His fan club probably was two no THREE dozen members."
Frisk didn't hear what the shadow monster said as Gaster had to manifest physical hands to grab Frisk by the back of their armor, for their hands were open in a position and their face scrunched up in a way that said Frisk wanted to choke the green cow monster to death. Frisk, with one foot in the air and one foot on the ground was pulled into the puzzle room, foot sliding on the ground . In the corner of the room was a fox head wearing glasses, explaining something about restarting the puzzles and their coworkers not wanting to go the work. Frisk was confused as everything the fox said was a question. There were instructions on the wall
Shoot the opposing ship and move the boxes to complete your mission.
" Did you make this puzzle?"
No. Old Puzzler, son of Elder Puzzler and grandson of Eldest Puzzler made the puzzles in Hotland.
" You agreed to have these puzzles placed here?"
No. I wasn't in charge of overseeing the puzzles built into the Core. I mean I was in charge of the whole project but the puzzles were not my first priority. Making sure the Core didn't explode from over heating and killing us all was.
" Ah! Now lets see. What the hell am I supposed to be doing here?" Frisk moved the joystick around, shifting the positions of the two boxes. They moved the two boxes to the right, one of which blocked the path to their target. They shot the box with one bullet and shot the target with the other, realizing the second box was just to trick the player. Somewhere, Frisk heard a large metallic click. The sound of a heavy lock being opened. Frisk went back to the steam vents and jumped to the left side. But that side what blocked by a blue laser. Behind the laser was a purple humanoid octopus monster wearing a school uniform and standing on a skate board and a green fire girl that sat on the ground with her legs crossed, on her phone trying to call someone but to no avail.
" Uh! Alphys here. That blue laser seems totally impassible! B-but as the Royal Scientist! I have some tricks up my sleeve. I-I'll hack into the Hotland Laser Database and take it out! " Frisk put the phone up to their ear.
" Thanks Alph but don't say weird things like that. It sounds like you're auditioning for a role as a main character in a show but trying way too hard."
The phone shut off and the laser was deactivated, the ones trapped behind the laser thanking Frisk for deactivating it though the two didn't really make any efforts to move. The puzzle inside was a bit more complicated than the first one, having more boxes but Frisk managed to solve it with little problems as well. However, one of the steam vents malfunctioned and Frisk died a fiery death in the lava. They frowned reappearing at the start then saving once more.
Frisk called Alphys who nervously answered the phone. " Alphys fix the vents. If you don't I will be upset with you until the end of all time." the teen said in a deadpan expression that would have been hilarious save for the wave of anger being funneled through the receiver. Frisk hung up before giving Alphys a chance to answer. They decided to go in the opposite direction to see what they missed and ended up nearly dying of a heatstroke in battle with a Pyropre. The picked up a Burnt Pan, then put it down as Gaster stiffened beside them. The mage that attacked Gaster in the park used a frying pan as weapon. Frisk held the frying pan in their hand regardless, apologizing to Gaster and he began to quite visibly, at least only to Frisk, freak out.
" I get more HP per healing item with this thing. I promise I won't use it on anybody. I can't keep it out of your sight completely but I promise that with this pan in my hands no harm will come to anybody."
Al-alright just- I'm sorry I just I can't just I know you won't hurt anybody but I was hurt with it and things like that...they don't go away even for someone as old as me and-
" I understand. But one question. If pans are a trigger for you...how did you cook for your-for the kids?"
I didn't. Grillby would come for and cook for us. I would be at work. Though Sans , Papyrus and Grillby wouldn't remember that since everything associated with me was erased. Papyrus would probably think Sans cooked for him all those years. I hate cooking.
" Hmm." Frisk said, getting back on track, resolving the puzzles and passing through the big metal doors.
Alphys called Frisk again more nervous due to Frisk underlying threat. " U-um I sent some workers to fix the vents so that's that and uh. The puzzles on the left and right? They are a bit difficult to explain but-"
" I already solved them. They weren't that hard." Frisk cut Alphys off, jumping over three steam vents with a grunt.
" Oh? You did? That's awesome! I uh I guess."
Frisk grinned, hearing Undyne and Papyrus talk over the phone but frowning as they entered a dark room. It lit up, revealing a kitchen with the same color theme as the lab and one Mettaton wearing a chef hat.
" DOES THAT MEAN YOU DO NOT CARE ABOUT ME?" the phone shut off.
Happy Author Appreciation Day! And uh the eclipse didn't pass by us so...but I did get to see pictures of it from people with the special glasses so yeah it was cool. This is probably the last chapter you're gonna get for a while. I'm still on my break and once school starts the updates are gonna get slower. Not that they were fast to begin with lol but hopefully I'll be able to come up with a schedule. Ugh. This thing is over 6,000 words and I still don't think that this chapter is long enough. Maybe I'll be satisfied in the next one. Whenever that comes out.
