~Cody~
The kids crammed into a little elevator. Percy immediately moved to the corner, hugging himself. Cody stayed in the middle, nearby his sister. Frisk pressed a button from the selection of levels. The elevator began moving up.
"I watched a documentary about people who got stuck in an elevator," Percy spoke up. "The elevator snapped off its chains and plummeted down to the earth. Everyone inside died."
"Cool!" Brayden commented.
"Cool?!" Melody shrieked. "That's horrible!"
"She's got a point," Clover agreed. "But we don't really wanna think 'bout that while we're in a lift, right?"
"Did they scream a lot?" Brayden asked Percy.
"Brayden, no!" Melody groaned.
"WHAT?" Papyrus asked.
The kids were standing outside Sans' sentry station, dialling Papyrus. Sans was selling hotdogs.
"MY BROTHER'S ACTUALLY AT HIS STATION?" Papyrus gasped. "BUT SOMEHOW, HE'S SELLING HOTDOGS INSTEAD?"
"Unfortunately." Melody responded.
"SLACKING OFF BY DOING WORK…" Papyrus sounded astounded. "TRULY, MY BROTHER IS A MASTER."
"You got that right, pardner." Clover said, eyeing Sans.
"I'm gonna get a hotdog." Cody said.
"Me too," Frisk stepped forward.
Cody was curious about what hotdogs in the underground tasted like. Did they even have meat? Brayden and Clover tagged along as well. The others were watching Percy attempt to hack every puzzle in the underground.
"hey kids, what's up?" Sans asked. "wanna buy some hotdogs? they're only 30G each."
"We'll take seven," Frisk handed Sans some gold. He nodded, handing the kids seven hot dogs. Frisk passed them around
"Thanks," Cody said. The meat seemed to be a … water sausage?
"thanks, kids," Sans said. "enjoy your 'dogs."
"'Dogs?" Cody asked.
"yeah. 'dog," Sans replied. "apostrophe-dog. it's short for hot-dog."
Percy looked up. "Sans, there is something I need to ask-" His phone buzzed. Someone had posted a picture of a cute anime girl. Percy gasped, forgetting all about the question.
"This way, y'all." Clover said, walking left.
She made sure Cody was behind her by standing beside him protectively. Cody's grip tightened on his pan.
"Clover, I can look after myself," he grumbled.
Clover gazed over her shoulder. "I don't know, it's dangerous around 'ere, bro…"
"Clover…" Cody gritted his teeth.
ALPHYS posted a picture. It was a picture of an anime cat girl next to a bowl of instant noodles.
ALPHYS: dinner with the girlfriend. ;)
~MelodyTrust~: What the heck…?
OtakuBoy: Don't judge her Melody, she's an otaku just like me.
~MelodyTrust~: Hold on, Percy, did you change your username?
OtakuBoy: Yes, I felt this username better suited my online persona.
CoolSkeleton95 posted a picture.
It was a picture of Papyrus wearing sunglasses with giant muscular biceps pasted onto his arms. The biceps were also wearing sunglasses.
Ilovecooking6: Nice picture papyrus…?
ALPHYS: LOL, CoolSkeleton95! … that's a joke, right?
CoolSkeleton95: THE ONLY JOKE HERE, IS HOW STRONG MY MUSCLES ARE!
OtakuBoy: ?
👍SUPERMAN👍: I'VE GOT BIG MUSCLES TOO! LIKE, REALLY BIG! RIGHT FAYE?
imfayedingaway: um…..
sevenleafclover: screw this i'm leaving you guys are weird
sevenleafclover left the server!
~MelodyTrust~: Well that's that.
FriskyBits: Um guys, I think Faye might be dying...
A Pyrope was approaching Faye, a roaring flame above its head. Faye was on low HP. Frisk was on the case. They charged towards Faye, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. Brayden yelled something at the Pyrope.
Cody ran over to Faye, making sure she was okay. He had experience in first aid, so he knew what he was doing.
Luckily she seemed to be fine. She smiled up at her friend. Frisk seemed proud as well.
NAPSTABLOOK sent you a friend request.
Of course Cody accepted it, but the request dejected itself.
Ilovecooking6: Aww napstablook… :(
FriskyBits: *pats ghostly shoulder*
…
The kids approached a conveyor belt with lasers. A laser on the other side was blocking their path. Alphys rung.
"H… hi… !" she said. "Dr. Alphys here. This p-puzzle is kinda… um… timing-based. Y-you guys see those switches over there? Y-you'll have to press all three of them within three… wait what?"
The laser had deactivated and the puzzle had switched off. Percy held up his phone, almost smiling.
"If I can't interact with the human species, I can at least interact with technology and hack a puzzle," he said. "Though, I wish I could come up with more memorable quotes."
"You… you hacked it?" Alphys asked, a little taken back. "Uh… uh, w-well... d-done!"
"... thanks." Percy said awkwardly.
"YEAH NERD BOY!" Brayden cheered. "YOU GO BRO!"
Clover gave him a grin. "Ya did good."
Percy went bright red.
"I'm so proud." Melody smiled.
"Nice work!" Frisk clapped.
Alphys forced a happy tone. "Um well! You guys! Go on then!"
She hung up. Cody wondered if she was okay. The kids walked across the puzzle, still congratulating Percy. He seemed so flustered, like he wasn't sure how to respond to all these compliments.
ALPHYS: that's the last time i try to help with a puzzle :/
OtakuBoy: … Did I offend you?
ALPHYS: uhhh no? I don't even know you?
OtakuBoy: ?
ALPHYS: uh gotta go bye!
OtakuBoy: …
"Uh, h-hey!" Alphys called. "I'm going to the bathroom, so I'll be MIA for a bit. I'm… I'm sure you can handle this puzzle yourselves!" She hung up.
"Reckon you can hack this one too, Perce?" Clover asked.
It was a puzzle with vents and arrows.
"It isn't like other puzzles, so I can't hack this one." Percy said, sounding a little disappointed.
"Never mind, Percy," Frisk told him. "I think we can work this out together."
Frisk led the others across the puzzle, not even breaking a sweat. They truly were a natural. The kids approached a table that had a safe with some cheese concealed inside.
ALPHYS: OMG? ppl think Mew Mew 2 is better than Mew Mew 1? LOLLLL that's a joke right… omg… DONT THEY GET IT IT RUINS Mew Mew's ENTIRE CHARACTER ARC
OtakuBoy: I beg to differ. Mew Mew 2 is far better than Mew Mew 1. It makes Mew Mew 2's character much MUCH more interesting.
~MelodyTrust~: Percy please no…
ALPHYS: no way! Mew Mew 2 is neither Kissy or Cutie. Its Trash. 0 Stars.
OtakuBoy: The original is just boring contrived nonsense. Mew Mew 2 is WAY better.
ALPHYS: I bET you dont even know the show! 1v1 me you twerp!
OtakuBoy: お前はもう死んでいる。...*
👍SUPERMAN👍: WAIT AREN'T YOU MEANT TO BE PEEING OR SOMETHING ALPHYS?!
ALPHYS: uh no monsters don't use the bathroom?
👍SUPERMAN👍: WAIT WHAT?!
"THE ROYAL GUARD PATROLS THIS AREA," Papyrus spoke from the phone. "YES, LIKE SNOWDIN, HOTLAND HAS ROYAL GUARD MEMBERS. WATERFALL DOESN'T NEED THEM BECAUSE IT'S GOT UNDYNE!"
"I do hope we don't run into any royal guards," Melody scoffed. "I've had enough of those guys for a long time."
"Well, even if we do, Undyne would've told them not to hurt us because we're friends, right?" Cody asked hopefully.
Frisk sweat beaded. "I don't know…"
"Hey!" a voice from behind the kids called out. "You kids!"
Two monsters wearing armour approached the kids. Cody stiffened up.
"We've, like, received an anonymous tip about a bunch of humans wearing striped shirts," the guards spoke up.
"Is this a shirt?" Brayden asked Melody, gesturing to his tank top. Melody shushed him.
"They told us they were wandering around Hotland right now," RG 01 told the kids.
Everyone stared at each other.
"I know, sounds scary, huh?" RG 01 asked. "Well, just stay chill. We'll bring you guys somewhere safe, okay?"
"Stay calm, guys," Frisk urged.
The kids followed the guards, until 02 turned around and faced his buddy.
"... huh?" 01 asked. "What is it, bro?" The kids gave each other anxious glances. "The shirts they're wearing? … like, what about them?" 01 paused. "Are you thinkin'… what I'm thinkin'?"
"I hope not." Melody mumbled.
"Bummer," 01 said. "This is, like… mega embarrassing. We, like, actually totally have to kill you kids and stuff."
"Bummer?" Brayden asked. "MORE LIKE BRING IT ON!"
"More like no thanks, actually." Melody grumbled.
"Hmmm…" Frisk made a face.
They approached RG 02, a stride in their step. They cleaned his armour using a sponge they pulled out of nowhere. Its cooling dirt was beginning to wash away.
Melody joined in, only because she's a clean freak. Soon, RG 02 removed his armour, revealing his abs. It made RG 01 sweat all over.
"Bro…" he muttered, trying not to look at RG 02's abs. "I can't…"
"You should be honest with your feelings," Cody told RG 01 gently. "It's the only way he'll know."
RG 01's attacks were scattered and very easy to avoid. Then he turned to RG 02 and began to speak…
"D-dude…" he said. "I can't… I can't take this anymore! Not like this! Like, 02! I like… like, LIKE you, bro! The way you fight… the way you talk… I love doing team attacks with you. I love standing here with you, bouncing and waving our weapons in sync… 02, I, like, want to stay like this forever…"
02 looked so embarrassed. "Bro…"
"OH JUST KISS ALREADY!" Brayden yelled. Melody smacked his arm.
"Uh…" RG 01 started sweating. "I mean, uh… psyche! Gotcha, bro! Haha!"
"... 01." RG 02 said.
"Y-yeah, bro?" 01 asked.
"... do you want to…" 02 paused. "Get some ice cream… after this?"
"Sure, dude!" 01 laughed. "Haha!"
"Awww." Cody smiled.
"Can I come too?" Brayden asked. "I want some ice-cream!"
Melody face-palmed.
The kids were walking in a suspiciously dark room. Cody noticed his sister had her eyes narrowed.
"Okay, I'm back," Alphys rang. "A-another dark room, huh? Don't worry, my-"
"Done." Percy said, holding out his phone.
The lights switched on, revealing Mettaton sitting behind a counter. The kids were on some kind of news program. Random items were surrounding them, such as a dog, a basketball and a trash can.
"Again, huh?" Clover asked, frowning. "Hmmm…"
"That's my line!" Melody grumbled.
"Are you serious?" Alphys asked.
"OHHHH YESSS!" Mettaton exclaimed. He was wearing a red tuxedo and was holding a bunch of cue cards. "GOOD EVENING, BEAUTIES AND… WHAT'S GOING ON?"
"I refuse to partake in any more of these shows." Percy said, holding up his phone.
The whole stage collapsed, revealing that Mettaton was right in front of the kids the whole time.
"And, according to my research, I have discovered that every item in this area is actually a bomb," Percy spoke, slowly. "Even that… trash can…"
"Howdy," someone popped out of the trash can, before vanishing once again.
"Wait, a bomb?" Clover asked. "Everythin' here is a bomb?"
"HOLY CRAP!" Brayden yelled.
"We need to get out of here!" Melody exclaimed. She looked around. Lasers were blocking their exits. "Percy, can you-"
"NOW NOW HOLD ON," Mettaton flew over to the kids. "WE'RE NOT JUST FINISHED JUST YET! IN FACT, I HAVE QUITE A SURPRISE FOR YOU ALL."
The random items indeed turned into bombs.
"I WILL LET YOU GO FREE IF YOUR TECH-SAVVY FRIEND HERE CAN HACK ALL THE BOMBS WITHIN…" Mettaton paused, eyeing Percy. "TEN SECONDS."
"Ten seconds…" Percy looked like he was going to combust.
"That's not fair!" Clover growled, glaring at Mettaton.
"AND IF YOU DON'T MANAGE TO HACK ALL THE BOMBS IN THAT TIME…" Mettaton sounded sinister. He pointed to a large pink bomb. "THIS BIG BOMB WILL BLOW YOU ALL TO SMITHEREENS IN 20 SECONDS!"
"Oh absolutely fantastic." Melody grumbled sarcastically.
"Maybe there's some way we can help Percy?" Cody offered. "Like, we can go and deactivate some of the bombs ourselves!"
"Well, you actually can…" Alphys spoke up. "I installed a bomb-defusing program on your phones! So, just in case Percy can't hack all the bombs in… ten seconds… you'll still be able to deactivate them!"
"That's actually very smart." Melody commented.
"YEAH!" Brayden yelled. "Let's go deactivate some bombs!"
Cody grinned. He was glad he was able to help his friend.
"Good luck, Percy." he told Percy.
"You got this!" Frisk cheered.
"Ban kai help me…" Percy mumbled, shaking. He sat down, holding out his phone.
"YOUR TEN SECONDS…" Mettaton cleared his 'throat'. "START… NOW!"
Cody ran off at top speed, Frisk on his tail. Brayden had been hit in the head by an extremely agile glass of water that was flying for some reason. Clover was firing at some kind of book.
"2…" Mettaton continued. Percy was on his phone, stressing out. But he looked almost done…
"1." Mettaton concluded. All the bombs suddenly switched off, aside from the big one. Percy collapsed for a second time.
"PERCY YOU DID IT!" Melody exclaimed, grinning at her best friend. She composed herself. "Well done."
"YOU GO BRO!" Brayden gave the tired Perce a noogie.
"Don't touch me…" Percy mumbled.
"(I can't believe he managed to do that.)" Alphys mumbled.
"WELL DONE, DARLING!" Mettaton congratulated the ASD kid. "YOU MANAGED TO HACK ALL THE BOMBS! IF YOU DIDN'T HACK THEM, THE BOMB WOULD'VE EXPLODED IN TWENTY SECONDS! NOW IT WON'T EXPLODE IN TWENTY SECONDS! INSTEAD, IT'LL EXPLODE IN 5… 4…"
"Percy, quick!" Melody urged her best friend. "Hack that big bomb!"
Everyone was staring at Percy.
"I… I can't," he replied. "My phone's been blocked! I… I can't access anything anymore."
"AUGH!" Brayden yelled.
"Hold on!" Frisk cried.
The gang stared at the bomb…
Nothing happened.
"AH," Mettaton said. "IT SEEMS THE BOMB ISN'T GOING OFF."
"That's b-because!" Alphys' voice appeared. "While you were monologuing… I… I! I… f… I fix… um… I ch-change..."
"You hacked the bomb." Percy said.
"Yeah!" Alphys said brightly. "That's what I did!"
"CURSES!" Mettaton exclaimed dramatically. "IT SEEMS I'VE BEEN FOILED ONCE AGAIN! CURSE YOU, HUMANS! CURSE YOU, DR. ALPHYS, FOR HELPING SO MUCH!"
"Why does he sound so much like a cartoon villain…" Clover grunted.
"BUT I DON'T CURSE MY EIGHT WONDERFUL VIEWERS FOR TUNING IN!" Mettaton continued. "UNTIL NEXT TIME, DARLINGS!" He flew away.
"Well good darn riddance." Clover said, crossing her arms.
"You can say that again," Melody agreed. "Though please don't. It'll annoy everyone."
"W-wow…" Alphys chuckled. "W-we really showed him, huh?"
"Thanks for stepping in there, Alphys," Cody said kindly. "You really helped us!"
"Yeah, that was awesome!" Brayden agreed.
"Awww…" Alphys blushed. "Um… I know I was kind of weird at first… but I really think I'm getting more… uh, more…"
"Confident." Percy suggested.
"That's it," Alphys said. "Confident! Confident about guiding you all. S-so don't worry about that big dumb robot… I-I'll protect you all from him! A-and if it really came down to it, we could just t-turn… um, nevermind. Later!" She hung up.
"But what about my phone?" Percy asked. "I can't hack like this." He made a face. "... and I also wanna read manga online on legal sites."
"Take mine," Clover gave Percy her phone. "I'm sick of this good fer nuffin' Undernet."
Percy began hyperventilating. Cody had to wonder why Percy was so funny around his sister.
Wait, he thought. Is it because he has a crus-
"The CORE again," Clover noticed the CORE in the distance. "Getting closer, aren't we, y'all?"
"We're goin' home!" Brayden yelled, punching the air.
Cody nodded, Frisk standing beside him with a big grin.
"We're so close!" he told them. "Are you excited to go back to the Surface?"
Frisk chuckled. "Of course I am."
"You're not scared of anything happening, are you?" Cody made a face.
Frisk shook their head. "No way. Nothing bad's gonna happen, as long as we stay determined!"
Cody smiled, but deep down in his soul, he realised Frisk's optimism sounded just as… odd as Mettaton's television babble.