Frisk and Nemo looked around as they stood in front of the glowing star. They knew that to the left was where Nemo had fought Undyne, so going that way was pointless. They'd just come from the back, and it looked like if they tried to go forward, those guards wouldn't let them. "Well, due to our lack of options, it seems like we're going right." Said Nemo.
"Yeah." Said Frisk softly as they went right and walked for a short distance before finding themselves in front of a huge laboratory.
"Well that isn't ominous in any way, shape, or form." Commented Nemo drily. This earned him a small chuckle from Frisk before they entered the lab. It was kind of dark, the light's were all turned off. But enough of the natural lighting from outside coming in through the windows made it so that they could still see. As they ventured further into the lab, Nemo could hear Frisk whispering something. "What was that?" He asked.
"Huh?! Oh, uh… nothing." They said.
Nemo raised an eyebrow at them. "Riiight…" He said drily. The duo passed by an escalator and saw a large monitor with the two of them on it. "Wha…?" His head whipped around to look and see a camera in the ceiling, he then looked back at the screen. "Ok… that's a little dis- no, that's a lot disturbing."
"Yeah…" Said Frisk as they continued to stare.
"I get the feeling we shouldn't stay." Said Nemo.
"You're probably right." Said Frisk as they turned and continued moving. They continued walking, passing a gigantic table with a computer and a bunch of paperwork. Then a fridge and a pinkish-purple bag of… something. They then stopped when they heard a door open as the lights turned on. Out from the door stepped a yellow lizard monster in a lab coat. The monster then started walking towards them, but stopped when she noticed them.
"Oh. My god." She said as she started to move around nervously. "I didn't expect you to show up so soon!"
"What?" Asked Nemo.
"I haven't showered," She said.
"T.M.I." Said Nemo drily.
"I'm barely dressed," She continued.
"Aaand she's ignoring me, because of course she is." Said Nemo.
"It's all messy, and…" She said, she then stopped and looked at them. "Ummm… h-h-hiya! I'm Dr. Alphys. I'm Asgore's royal scientist!"
"Oh yeah, I remember Undyne mentioning someone named Alphys." Thought Nemo.
"B-b-but, ahhhh, I'm not one of the 'bad guys'!" She continued.
"I wasn't aware there were bad guys." Thought Nemo. "Wait, is she referring to Undyne?"
"Actually, since you stepped out of the ruins, I've, um…" Said Alphys.
"Been watching us like a creepy a-" Started Nemo, but paused when he remembered Frisk was present. "...a creepy stalker?"
"Right… th-that." Said Alphys. "Though I prefer the term, 'observing your journey through my console'. Your fights… your friendships… everything! I was originally going to stop you, but… watching someone on a screen really makes you root for them. S-so, ahhh, now I want to help you!"
"Really? Just like that?" Asked Nemo with a raised eyebrow.
"Y-yeah, using my knowledge, I can easily guide you through Hotland!" Said Alphys. "I know a way right to Asgore's castle, no problem!" Said Alphys. "...Well, actually, umm, there's just a tiny issue."
"I don't like the way you phrased that…" Said Nemo.
"A long time ago, I made a robot named Mettaton." Explained Alphys. "Originally, I built him to be an entertainment robot. Uh, you know, like a robotic TV star or something."
"Okay…?" Said Nemo.
"Anyway, recently I decided to make him more useful. You know, just some small practical adjustments." Said Alphys. "Lik, um… anti… anti-human combat features?"
"Oh you've gotta be kidding me." Said Nemo as the image of an imposing, murderous machine entered his mind.
"Of c-course, when I saw you coming, I immediately decided… I have to remove those features!" Said Alphys.
"But… let me guess…" Said Nemo drily as he gestured for her to continue.
"Unfortunately, I may have made a teensy mistake while doing so." Said Alphys nervously.
"Ah, yup, there it is." Said Nemo.
"And, um… now he's an unstoppable killing machine with a thirst for human blood?" She said nervously.
"Oh you've gotta be kidding me!" Said Nemo as he buried his face in his hands. "How do you call that a teensy mistake!?"
"Ehehehehe…" Laughed Alphys nervously. "Heh. But, ummm, hopefully we won't run into him!" Nemo gave her a flat expression as he held up three fingers and used them to count backwards. Once all three fingers were down, a loud clanging sound was heard.
"Called it." Said Nemo drily. Alphys and Frisk made confused expressions. Another clang was heard.
"Did you hear something?" Asked Alphys.
"No… of course I hear something!" Snapped Nemo. "I can even tell you what's making the sound!" More clanging was heard, and it was getting louder.
"Oh no." Said Alphys.
Suddenly there was a flash of white before the room went dark. "OHHHH YES!" They heard a voice shout. "WELCOME, BEAUTIES…" There was a drumroll before a spotlight appeared above the northern wall, where they saw a large hole in it, and in front of the hole was… a giant calculator with arms and a wheel keeping it up.
"Huh, not what I was expecting." Thought Nemo.
"...TO TODAY'S QUIZ SHOW!" Shouted Mettaton into a microphone in his right hand.
"This is the murderous killing machine with a thirst for human blood? Asked Nemo unimpressed.
Suddenly music started playing as confetti fell from the ceiling and a neon sign with the words "QUIZ SHOW" printed on it was lowered along with two colorful disco balls.
"OH BOY! I CAN ALREADY TELL IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT SHOW! EVERYONE GIVE A BIG HAND FOR OUR WONDERFUL CONTESTANTS!" Mettaton then started clapping as an audio track of clapping played in the background.
"Is this guy for real?" Thought Nemo.
"NEVER PLAYED BEFORE, GORGEOUS? NO PROBLEM! IT'S SIMPLE! THERE'S ONLY ONE RULE. ANSWER CORRECTLY…" Said Mettaton before the music abruptly cut out. "OR YOU DIE!" He then proceeded to laugh maniacally.
"Well ok then, this just took a turn." Said Nemo.
"Well, it's not anything we're not used to.' Said Frisk.
"I guess not." Said Nemo.
Suddenly their souls manifested. "LET'S START WITH AN EASY ONE!" Said Mettaton as he pulled out a piece of paper from… somewhere, and read off it while a holographic screen appeared. "What's the prize for answering correctly?" On the screen were four options A: Money. B:Mercy. C: A new car. And D: More questions.
Nemo looked at Mettaton before looking over at Alphys who he noticed was making a D with her hands. Nemo sighed before answering. "D?"
"RIGHT! SOUNDS LIKE YOU GET IT!" Said Mettaton happily. "HERE'S YOUR TERRIFIC PRIZE!" He pulled the paper back out. "What is the king's full name?" This time the screen read A: Lord Fluffybuns. B: Fuzzy Pushover. C: Asgore Dreemurr. Or D: .
Nemo couldn't help but chuckle at that before answering out the only real name among those four. "C?"
"CORRECT! WHAT A TERRIFIC ANSWER!" Said Mettaton. "ENOUGH ABOUT YOU. LET'S TALK ABOUT ME!" Out came the paper. "What are robots made of?" On the screen was A: Hopes & Dreams. B: Metal & Magic. C: Snips & Snails. And D: Sugar & Spice
"These questions are dumb." Thought Nemo as he answered. "B."
"TOO EASY FOR YOU. HUH?" Asked Mettaton. "HERE'S ANOTHER EASY ONE FOR YOU!" He pulled out the paper and started reading an essay long math problem. As he talked, the screen showed the four answers. A: 31.054 minutes. B: 16.232 minutes. C: 32.049 minutes. And D: 32.058 minutes.
Nemo looked over to Alphys who was making a D with her hands. Nemo shrugged and decided to roll with it. "D?" He asked.
"WONDERFUL! I'M ASTOUNDED FOLKS!" Declared Mettaton. Then Nemo noticed something. This was still a fight, albeit a rather dumb one. So he charged forward and punched Mettaton. Only for it to do nothing but really hurt his hand.
"Ow…" He groaned.
"DON'T 'COUNT' ON YOUR VICTORY…" Said Mettaton. Nemo raised an eyebrow as the paper came out. "How many flies are in the jar?" Suddenly a screen with a jar full of flies buzzing around in it.
"Ah…" Said Nemo. Another screen appeared with the answers. A: 54. B: 53. C: 55. D: 52. Nemo looked over and saw Alphys make an A with her hands. "Let's go with A."
"CORRECT! YOU'RE SO LUCKY TODAY!" Said Mettaton. With nothing better to do, Nemo simply stood there and waited. "LET'S PLAY A MEMORY GAME." Out came the paper. "What monster is this?" Then a screen with half of a Froggit's face appeared.
"I sense a narcissistic trick question." Muttered Nemo. Another screen with the answers showed up. A: Froggit. B: Whimsun. C: Moldsmal. D: Mettaton. "D." Said Nemo drily.
The screen with the Froggit face shifted to show Mettaton with a Froggit's face painted on his chest. "I'M SO FLATTERED YOU REMEMBERED!" Said Mettaton.
"Shocker." Said Nemo drily, causing Frisk to smile.
"BUT CAN YOU GET THIS ONE?" Asked Mettaton. He pulled the paper once more. "Would you smooch a ghost." It went quiet.
"...What?" Asked Nemo in confusion. The next screen appeared with the answers. All of them were "Heck Yeah". "...Heck yeah." Said Nemo reluctantly.
"GREAT ANSWER! I LOVE IT!" Said Mettaton, he then moved to the next question. "HERE'S A SIMPLE ONE." Cue paper. "How many letters are in the name Mettaton?"
Nemo looked at the name and started counting, only for a bunch of 'n's to suddenly start appearing at the end. He looked down at the answers, and he saw that the numbers written in each slot were increasing as well. He sighed before looking at Alphys, who was making a C with her hands. "C." Said Nemo unimpressed.
"OF COURSE THAT WAS EASY FOR YOU!" Said Mettaton. "TIME TO BREAK OUT THE BIG GUNS!" Paper. "In the dating simulation video game "Mew Mew Kissy Cutie" What is Mew Mew's favorite food?"
Nemo raised his eyebrow before he heard Alphys excitedly shout. "OH! OH! I KNOW THIS ONE! IT'S SNAIL ICE CREAM! IN THE FOURTH CHAPTER EVERYONE GOES THE BEACH! AND SHE BUYS ICE CREAM FOR ALL OF HER FRIENDS!"
"This is so obviously a trap." Thinks Nemo as Alphys continues to rant.
"BUT IT'S SNAIL FLAVOR AND SHE'S THE ONLY ONE WHO WANTS IT! IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE GAME BECAUSE IT'S ACTUALLY A VERY POWERFUL message about friendship and…" Alphys trails off, realizing her mistake.
Mettaton wags a finger at her. "ALPHYS. ALPHYS. ALPHYS. YOU AREN'T HELPING OUT CONTESTANT, ARE YOU?" He asks as Alphys looks around nervously. "OOOOOH! YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME. I'LL ASK A QUESTION… YOU'LL BE SURE TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO!" This causes Alphys to start chewing on the tips of her claws nervously. Paper out. "Who does Dr. Alphys have a crush on?"
Nemo stares for a second before coughing/laughing into his fist. "Wa-ha-ha-how Mettaton, that is cruel!" He laughs.
"WHY THANK YOU DARLING." Said Mettaton.
"Nemo, don't be mean." Said Frisk.
"C'mon Frisk, it's a little funny." Said Nemo with a grin.
"Mmm…" Said Frisk.
"Whatever, let's see the answers." Said Nemo as he read the answers. A: Undyne. B: Asgore. C: One of the humans. D: Don't know. This made Nemo think. "Let's see… not D, that's basically a surender. I doubt it's one of us. The king maybe? Wait… a second. Nerd with crush on jock? Oh this has to be a cliche." Nemo looked over to see Alphys nervously gesturing to them, telling them not to answer. "It's Undyne, isn't it?" Asked Nemo.
There was silence for a moment before Alphys turned beet red and hid her face in her hands. "SEE ALPHYS? I TOLD YOU IT WAS OBVIOUS." Said Mettaton. "EVEN THE HUMAN 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. ONE PERCENT." Alphys uncovers her face as Mettaton decides to wrap things up. "WELL WELL WELL. WITH DR. ALPHYS HELPING YOU… THE SHOW HAS NO DRAMATIC TENSION! WE CAN'T GO ON LIKE THIS! BUT. BUT! THIS WAS JUST THE PILOT EPISODE! NEXT UP, MORE DRAMA! MORE ROMANCE! MORE BLOODSHED! UNTIL NEXT TIME, DARLINGS…!" Mettaton's arms and wheel then retracted before he blasted off like a rocket. Everyone watched him go. The lights returned to normal and Alphys turned back to the humans.
"Well that was certainly something." Said Alphys, she then looked nervous. "Th-that last question… he wasn't s-supposed to ask that one…"
"Relax Alphys, from what I can tell, Undyne is too busy recuperating from trying to kill us and nearly being cooked alive to even stay awake, much less watch TV. So I think you're good." Said Nemo.
"Oh thank goodness… wait, recuperating!? Why!? Is she hurt!?" Asked Alphys worriedly as she clung onto his arm.
"N-no, stop!" Said Nemo he grabbed one of her claws with his free hand. "Don't worry, she's just exhausted, and Papyrus is watching her, so she'll be fine."
"Oh thank goodness…" Said Alphys.
Nemo chuckled. "Well, that was fun, catch you around doc." Said Nemo as he and Frisk moved past her and made their way to the exit.
"Wait, wait!" Said Alphys, making them stop.
"Now what?" Asked Nemo as they looked at her.
She then walked over to them. "Let me give you my ph-phone number! Th-then… m-maybe… if you need help, I could..." She said nervously.
Nemo sighed. "Sure thing." He said as he pulled out his phone.
Alphys stared at it. "Wh… where'd you get that phone!? It's ANCIENT!" She exclaimed. "It doesn't even have texting. W-wait a second please!" She then grabbed his phone and booked it. She went up to her workshop and suddenly there were sounds of machinery. Nemo made a face of concern as he heard her work. She then came back. "Here, I upgraded it for you!" She said.
"I'm not even going to ask." Said Nemo as he took the phone back. "It can do texting, items, it's got a key chain… I even signed you up for the underground's Number 1 social network! Now we're officially friends! Ehehehe! Heheh… heh…" Then there was an awkward pause. I'm going to the bathroom." She said as she left through the door she'd first entered through. Nemo and Frisk blinked before exchanging a look. They both giggled before taking their leave.
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