~Cody~
The kids crammed into a little elevator. Percy immediately moved to the corner. He looked like he was trying not to freak out. Cody stayed in the middle, nearby his sister. The eighth human 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. He sounded dead inside as always. "The elevator snapped off its chains and plummeted down to the earth. Everyone inside died."
"Cool!" Brayden commented.
"How is that cool?" Melody gasped. "It'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 asked. "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 getting a hotdog." Cody said. He had to admit, he was curious about what hot-dogs in the underground tasted like.
The eighth human looked like they wanted one as well, so they came with him. Brayden came with them as well, because food. So did Clover. The others were watching Percy attempt to hack every puzzle in the underground.
"hey kids, what's up?" Sans asked. "wanna buy some hot-dogs? they're only 30G each."
The eighth human forked out the GOLD for four hot-dogs. Where did they get that from? It seemed they had unlimited amounts of the stuff.
"Thanks," Cody said, accepting a hot dog from the eighth human.
The meat seemed to be a ... water sausage?
"thanks, kids," Sans said. "enjoy your 'dogs."
"'Dogs?" Percy asked, looking up.
"yeah. 'dog," Sans replied. "apostrophe-dog. it's short for hot-dog."
Percy held out a hand. "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. Cody's grip tightened on his pan. He didn't want to admit it, but his overprotective sister was beginning to get on his nerves. He almost wished she could be like she was before... the incident. Back then, she wasn't nearly as overprotective. He wasn't such a pushover. And his mom was still...
...
ALPHYS posted a picture. It was a picture of an anime catgirl 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.
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.
imfayedingaway: um i dont mean to be annoying but i think im dying
...
A Pyrope was approaching Faye, a roaring flame above its head. Faye was on low HP. The eighth human was on the case. They charged towards Faye, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. Cody ran over to Faye, making sure she was okay. He had experience in first aid, so he knew what he was doing. The eighth human, however, shook their head at him. It seemed they had things covered.
Cody stepped back. That kid made him wonder...
"You really don't know anything more about Gaster?" Cody asked the eighth human. They shook their head. "Then... do you at least know who... Frisk is?"
The eighth human stiffened up. They turned to Cody and shrugged, seemingly unsure. Cody was surprised by this. He thought they would know. But they didn't?
Cody assumed Frisk was someone else, then. Someone completely different. He didn't talk about Frisk with anyone else. He kept it to himself. He would ask that strange human in the Void... if he managed to get there.
...
NAPSTABLOOK sent you a friend request.
Of course Cody accepted it, but the request dejected itself.
Ilovecooking6: Aww napstablook... :(
mynameisnotchara: *pats 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 PERCY!" Brayden cheered. "YOU GO BRO!"
"I am not your brother." Percy replied, tilting his head.
"Nevermind, Perce," Clover gave him a grin, making him go red. "Ya did good."
"I'm so proud." Melody admired.
Cody clapped. The eighth human gave Percy a thumbs up. Even they were impressed.
Alphys forced a happy tone. "Um, well! You guys! Go on then!"
She hung up. Cody wondered if she was okay. She sounded a little...
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 guys 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," Cody told him with a grin. "I think the kid's got it sorted out anyway."
The eighth human indeed had it 'sorted out'. They led the others across the puzzle, not even breaking a sweat.
The kids approached a table that had a safe with 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: Dude I will rek you so hard you'll consider joining the Penguin Squad.
👍👍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.
"There's guards here?" Cody asked, a little worried.
"YES, LIKE SNOWDIN, HOTLAND HAS ROYAL GUARD MEMBERS," Papyrus replied. "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.
"Hey! You kids!" a voice yelled behind the children.
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 explained.
"I am wearing a sweater, not a shirt." Percy said. Melody shushed him.
"They told us they were wandering around Hotland right now," RG 01 - who was some kind of rabbit - said.
"But that's-" The eighth human shushed Melody. She was not giving them away.
"I know, sounds scary, huh?" RG 01 asked. "Well, just stay chill. We'll bring you guys someplace safe, okay?"
The kids followed the guards, until 02 turned around and faced his buddy.
"... huh?" 01 asked. "What is it, bro? The shirts they're wearing?" The kids gave each other anxious glances. "... like, what about them?" 01 paused. "Are you thinkin'... what I'm thinkin'?"
"I hope not." Melody mumbled. The eighth human shushed her.
"Bummer," 01 said. "This is, like... mega embarrassing. We, like, actually totally have to kill you kids and stuff."
"BUMMER?" Brayden asked. He clenched his fists. "MORE LIKE BRING IT ON!"
"More like no thanks." Melody grumbled.
However, it seemed the eighth human had a plan. They approached RG 02, a stride in their step. They cleaned his armour. 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 very uncomfortable. In a... romantic way. ;)
"Oh my gosh," Percy gasped. "Is that shipping I see?"
"Oh no." Melody face-palmed.
Cody was thoughtful. He approached RG 01.
"You should be honest with your feelings," he 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 spoke...
"D-dude..." he said, facing 02. "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.
"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. Percy was on the edge of his metaphorical seat.
"Y-yeah, bro?" 01 asked.
"... do you want to..." 02 paused. "Get some ice cream... after this?"
"Sure, dude!" O1 laughed. "Haha!"
"Awww." Cody smiled.
"CAN I COME TOO?" Brayden asked. He made a face. "I'm hungry and I want some ice-cream."
Melody slapped him once again.
The kids were walking in a dark room. You can only tell how this will end.
"Okay, I'm back," Alphys rung. "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, a trash can...
"Again?" Clover asked, frowning.
"That's my line!" Melody grumbled.
"Are you serious?" Alphys asked.
"OHHHH YESSS!" Mettaton exclaimed. He was also 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. Even that... trash can..."
"Wait, a bomb?" Clover asked. "Everythin' here is a bomb?"
"HOLY COWABUMMER!" 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 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 FRIEND HERE CAN HACK ALL THE BOMBS WITHIN..." Mettaton paused, eyeing Percy. "TEN SECONDS."
"Ten seconds..." Percy looked like he was going to un-spontaneously 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 pointed to a large pink bomb. "THIS BIG BOMB WILL BLOW YOU ALL TO SMITHEREENS!"
"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. Nearly everyone forgot she was there. "There's 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.
"Ban kai help me..." Percy mumbled, shaking. He sat down, holding out his phone.
"YOUR TEN SECONDS..." Mettaton cleared his... throat... who cares. "START... NOW!"
Cody ran off at top speed. He approached the trash can... which suddenly sprouted wings and flew off.
"3..." Mettaton was counting down.
Cody turned around. 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. "Ahem. 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.
"SO CLOSE, DARLING!" Mettaton told the purple child with fake sympathy. "YOU MANAGED TO HACK MOST OF THE BOMBS!"
"Whatcha talkin' 'bout?" Clover asked. "We hacked all the bombs."
"ALL THE BOMBS... ASIDE FROM THE BIG PINK BOMB!" Mettaton retorted. Percy froze up like an icicle. "WHICH MEANS... YOU WILL ALL DIE NOW!"
"Percy, quick! Hack that big bomb!" Melody urged her best friend.
"I... I can't," Percy replied. "My phone's been blocked! I... I can't access anything anymore."
"AUGH!" Brayden yelled.
"And it's not even FAIR." Clover grumbled. Everyone braced themselves...
...
...
But 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!"
"(This sounds scripted,)" Melody mumbled. "(I know, I've been in plays before.)"
"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, Alph," Cody grinned. "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..." She paused. "Um, nevermind. Later!" She hung up.
"But what about my phone?" Percy asked. "I can't hack like this." He made a face. "And also, I need something to fuel my life-controlling internet addiction."
"Here you go." Melody gave Percy her phone, sighing. Percy looked happy with that.
"The CORE again," Clover noticed the CORE in the distance. "Getting closer, aren't we, y'all?"
"I'M GONNA WHOOP ASGORE'S BOOTY!" Brayden yelled, punching the air.
"That's where he died." a voice whispered in Cody's ear.
He turned around, but no one was there. Though, that voice did sound familiar...
"You really should go to sleep soon Cody," Faye told Cody quietly. "If you really wanna know..."
"Know...?" Cody asked.
But then Faye was distracted by the eighth human. Cody sighed. He had too many questions and no answers.