Chapter ten:
Chara and Frisk arrive to the laser room that Alphys had spoken about. They stop just out of the lasers reach. They can see a whole line of lasers lined up all blue ones, positioned low enough to avoid crawling but not too low, and they are too close together to try to step between them. They glance around to look for Alphys only to pause seeing movement in the darkness. They tense wondering if it's an enemy.
Frisk feels her heart pound as she wonders if the possible enemy is Mettaton. She doesn't doubt that he would try to sneak in the shadows to try to kill her. She watches the figure very carefully as her senses are perked up and alert. She won't let him get the upper hand.
The figure moves towards the light as the two girls lean closer in anticipation.
Frisk glances to Chara for the briefest moment, at least glad that whoever ends up appearing the other will help identify them. She brings her attention back to the figure. She is silently pleading with whatever higher power is listening that it's a more docile one.
The figure steps into the light revealing it to be just Alphys.
This causes the girls to sigh in relief.
Frisk is left with her heart wanting to scream about how that had gone down. She would have much preferred if Alphys had shown herself much sooner. She really doesn't appreciate the possible enemy lurking way she moved. She almost doesn't want to 'answer the phone' for Alphys when she does the ringing. She does know that they need her to make it across. She needs to be seen as alive after all. She can't just give in and just walk past areas like this.
"O-Okay so I'll hack into t-the lasers. I'll also s-stay on the phone w-with you just in case." Alphys goes silent for a moment then the lasers are turned off. "G-Go."
Frisk and Chara hurry along and skid to a stop as Alphys tells them to stop. They stay still as the lasers deactivate.
Frisk does notice that the lasers have a little pulley system that can click the buttons. She does see Alphys controlling it by pulling on a string.
"I-I can only turn t-them off for a short time. Y-You'll need to s-stop when I tell you. Stay s-still until they turn off a-again. Okay?" Alphys looks pleased when Frisk makes a sound of confirmation. "O-Okay. Here we g-go." She pulls on the string and the lasers turn off.
Frisk and Chara dash towards the other side and they almost make it. They skid to a halt when Alphys tells them as the lasers come on. They wait just a few more moments then on the lasers turning off they run again. They make it to the other side lightly panting only to smile with a slight giggle to each other.
"G-Good job. Y-you made it!" Alphys does sound rather happy that they made it. "T-Take the turn u-up ahead. F-Follow it until you can't g-go any further. Then turn t-to the right. You'll find a button. P-Push it and head b-back. A path should o-open up. Did you g-get all that?"
Frisk glances to Chara sharing a look with the other giving assurance that it's all good. "Yeah I did. Thanks Alphys." She 'hangs up' and goes with Chara to venture ahead. She follows the path told to her not straying onto the side paths. She doubts that there is anything there for her anyways.
The two begin approaching a turn to another area, that isn't where they need to go, only for a preteen to jump out in front of them stopping them.
This person is on the shorter side. They have a vent grate on their face like a knights helmet mask, a knitted hat with two antennas, a Halloween costume pair of wings, a knee length dress with straps that cover their shoulders, a pair of leggings, no shoes but a pair of socks, and a duster handle with a paper looking spear head on each side.
"Whimsalot." Chara tells Frisk. "This one should be easy. Pretend to pray then catch at least one of the green butterflies they'll throw. It'll only be after you pretend to pray."
Frisk nods softly and focuses on the one standing before them.
"I've made my choice." Whimsalot says grabbing a some plastic butterflies from a bucket, the bucket is brought out from its hiding place.
Frisk still can't be sure if they're a boy or girl. She dodges the plastic butterflies thrown at her by jumping to one side then the other. She notices that they are of all different colors except green. She remembers what Chara just told her. She raises her hands to seem like she's praying. She notices Whimsalot grab a plastic butterfly from under their dress. She lowers her hands as the other grabs other plastic butterflies. She keeps her attention on the one from their dress. She knows that it has to be the green one.
"No regrets." Whimsalot tells her then throws a handful of the plastic butterflies, that Frisk leaps backwards to dodge, before tossing the single green one.
Frisk dashes for it reaching forward she manages to catch it before it hits the ground. She looks to it confirming that it is indeed a green one. She looks to Whimsalot who seems happy then leaves wandering away. She drops the butterfly to the ground and heads off with Chara to continue further. They can see the end of the direction they're going in.
That's when from around the corner that they need to go in someone leaps out on all fours.
Frisk notices the same frog costume as one from before but with new things added.
A painted pair of face on its stomach, three black dots on its chest, paper spikes taped to the costume, and what looks to be a paper crown on its head.
Frisk thinks this person is a boy though she isn't sure.
"Final froggit." Chara tells Frisk. "You need to mystify it."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Frisk questions glancing to Chara. She really has no idea how to even go about doing what the other girl has suggested that she do.
"Do something mysterious. You gotta make it think it has more to learn of this world."
Frisk groans to Chara. "Not helpful!" She then jumps closer to the other to avoid some thrown plastic flies. "Do something mysterious?! That doesn't make any sense!"
Chara thinks about how to put it in a way that might make more sense.
"Robbit robbit?"
Frisk and Chara glance to final froggit and Frisk gets an idea seeing the confused look.
"I have special magic that lets me talk to beings that you can't see." Frisk quickly tells the other who seems to understand that there is more to learn.
With that Final froggit hops away.
Frisk turns to Chara. "Hopefully we won't run into anyone else that needs something like that."
"Sorry I wasn't that good at trying to figure out what you could do." Chara apologizes to which Frisk waves it off, and the two set off around the corner they need to turn down.
Frisk glances to the other turn seeing a thick blue rope blocking the way. She supposed that they need to get rid of it, if there is anything that is over there that is. She turns back to continue following Chara.
This hallway is more narrow than where they were before.
"The rooms in this area had to be bigger as they are rooms for like boilers, power, servers for like the computers, water tanks, and stuff like that. Plus some storage that have long been since raided." Chara explains to which Frisk nods to this.
They go down the hall until they reach the end where there is a button on the wall.
Frisk swears it looks like a fake button glued or screwed to the wall. She can't see any screws but they might have been painted over.
"This will probably allow us to go through that one place that was blocked." Chara softly nods to the shadows beside them so Frisk glances that way.
There's someone in the shadows waiting as if to see if the button is pushed.
Frisk turns to the button and approaches it. She pushes it causing it to light up with a small glow. She hears the person hurrying away meaning Chara must be right.
The two turn around and both jump in surprise when they find someone there.
This person is wearing an empty white beanbag over them, their arms poking out of holes in the sides, and their legs legs out of the beanbags open zipper. They look to be maybe six years old. They have a painted eye on the beanbag, with a hole in the middle of the pupil probably to be able to see, plus three long pieces at the top that could be eyelashes. They also have fabric hand sown horns that look messily torn from maybe a couch, they are wearing white pants, white high heels, and a white long sleeved shirt with white gloves.
"Astigmatism is what she calls herself." Chara explains to Frisk. "Dodge her attacks at first then do what she tells you. She likes to think she always gets what she wants. So the only way to get her to leave is to do what she says. It's not bad. It's usually to either pick on her or not pick on her. Depending on her mood." She explains as the enemy retrieves a bucket of bouncy balls from a nearby room. She moves to the side hoping to not get hit by the balls.
Frisk prepares to be ready to dodge the attacks. She's glad that this enemy is a lot more simple than final froggit. She runs one way to avoid the thrown bouncy balls, then runs another way as they bounce around wildly. She is hit by one then two which she thinks might leave little bruises.
The bouncy balls bouncing in the hallway is crazy.
Frisk still has to move until the bouncy balls either move on or settle down. She is hit by a few in all of the craziness. She turns her attention to Astigmatism listening to what she needs to do.
Astigmatism pauses as if in thought about what Frisk needs to do, before finally deciding. "...Pick on me." She tells Frisk who is quick to try to say something.
"Um..." Frisk looks over the delusional persons outfit. "You look fat." She's not used to picking on people but she hopes it's enough.
"That's it!" Astigmatism sounds pleased. She throws another handful of bouncy balls before fleeing.
Frisk and Chara hurry down the hallway to try to avoid the balls, while also making sure to not step on any. They get away and arrive to where the rope was blocking their way. They see that it is gone now as they take a moment to catch their breaths. They go through the new direction that they can take. They come to an area with a door painted dark and an almost demonic looking arch way painted around it.
"There's a room we have to pass through here to get to the stairs." Chara explains to Frisk but continues before she can move forward. "And I don't have any doubt that Mettaton is going to be in that room. Waiting for you." She turns to look to the other girl. "Do you feel ready to face him?"
Frisk closes her eyes taking a deep breath then opening them. "As ready as I'll ever be." She confirms to the other and the two head through the door finding a dark room bathed in a red light.
"They found a Halloween red bulb." Chara explains. "And made this place eerie."
The two move forward as they can see Mettaton waiting for them. They stop with a gap between them and Mettaton just in case.
"Greetings darling." Mettaton greets Frisk. "I have been expecting your arrival. I must confess that I haven't been completely honest with you."
The doorknob to the door behind him jiggles then Alphys's voice can be heard.
"W-Wait! Why is t-this door locked?"
Mettaton continues after Alphys has spoken. "You see. I wasn't actually on a human killing rampage. My dear friend Alphys watched you on her monitor. She wanted a chance to be like a hero to you like in her little animes." He explains to Frisk. "So I played along and she helped you at every turn. Except it was indeed I who sent those monsters after you. I can be a master of disguise if I do please." He sounds rather proud of himself. "And when you were to reach here Alphys planned to come and stop me to save you. But I have made a change to that plan."
"This isn't good." Chara sounds worried about this especially since they're locked in with him.
"I am an entertainer. And I actually want to make it to the surface and make it big. Im the only tv star here in the underground. So I plan to take your soul and go to the surface." Mettaton gets ready to attack and Alphys calls through the door as he pretends not to hear.
"I-I can't get in! Y-You should get h-him to turn around. H-He has a switch y-you can use on h-his back."
Frisk already has an idea on how to do this. She gasps then points behind Mettaton. "Oh! Look! A mirror!"
Mettaton perks up. "Well I suppose I should look my best for my final performance!" He spins around revealing a plastic sliding switch obviously quickly glued to his back. "Where is it?"
Frisk dashes forward and slides the switch before backing away again. Her heart pounding as she hopes that Alphys is telling the truth.
Mettaton freezes not turning around. "Oh? If you flipped my switch that can only mean one thing..." He begins as Frisks heart sinks and her eyes widen realizing something isn't right. "You're desperate for the premiere of my new body. How rude that you couldn't wait... Lucky for you, I've been aching to show this off for a long time. So... as thanks, I'll give you a handsome reward. I'll make your last living moments... ABSOLUTELY beautiful!" He then rips off what he was wearing and spins around revealing a new look he was hiding underneath. He shows off his slender human figure. He has pink knee high high heel boots, black leggings, his stomach painted with grey, a little plush pink heart on the middle of his stomach, a pink radio attached to his chest, a crop top black shirt, black paper extensions on his shoulders, painted arms that look like robotic arms, white gloves, his face is painted with a little robotic part showing, and black hair with it covering his one eye. "Ooh baby!" He greets almost making Frisk groan.
Luckily Chara does it for her.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen!" Mettaton greets as if there is a camera. He stands with his legs spread and his arms stretched out as if offering an embrace. "To my final show in the underground! With our special guest the human!"
"Frisk. I have an idea." Chara tells Frisk who turns to her as Mettaton is distracted talking to an invisible camera. "Mettaton tracks the ratings of his shows. It's all fake but that's besides the point. Maybe if you figure out a way to raise the ratings maybe we can spare him. I don't want to actually fight if we don't have to. And from what I've seen neither do you."
Frisk turns back to Mettaton knowing that it is true. She doesn't want to fight if she can avoid it. "Okay. I'll try my best." She whispers to Chara who is ready to help her where she can. She is glad to see this as she has a feeling she will need the help.
"Lights camera action!" Mettaton calls out then starts swinging his legs in kicks at Frisk.
Frisk leaps this way and that way to try to dodge the attacks. She stops when Mettaton moves back. She moves forward and glances to Chara trying to figure out what to do.
"Boast! Make the 'show' more interesting!" Chara calls and Frisk nods then turns back to Mettaton.
"I'm not going to be hit by any of your attacks!" Frisk shouts then tenses ready for whatever attacks are going to come next.
"Oh! The drama! The bloodshed!" Mettaton then grabs some rocks painted as bombs, plus pencil sharpeners that are painted to look like him. He throws them at Frisk keeping the pencil sharpeners to the sides, and the rock bombs in the middle.
Frisk is forced to duck to dodge the bomb. She then runs to the side when there's an opening. Only to run back to the middle to avoid the pencil sharpener. She swears the pencil sharpeners look like cheap dollar store ones. She supposes that it is why Mettaton has so many.
Those encouraging the delusions must have gotten them in bulk.
Frisk focuses on the fight as that part doesn't matter anymore. She needs to focus on not getting hit. She realizes that it must be her turn as Mettaton is waiting to see what she'll do. She glances to Chara wondering if she should blast again.
"Take a bite of this!" Chara quickly gives Frisk a burger. "It's Mettaton brand. He loves the advertisement of it. Was Saving it for later but getting out of this alive is more important." She moves back as Frisk turns to Mettaton and takes a bite out of the burger.
Frisk gives the burger to Chara as Mettaton prepares to attack again.
"I'm the idol everyone loves!" This time Mettaton kicks and throws wooden blocks at her.
Frisk tries to dodge the swinging legs and gets hit in the shoulder by the block. She ducks down just barely avoiding being kicked as well. She jumps to the side landing by laying down as more blocks are thrown. She turns expecting an attack though Mettaton seems to be waiting for her move now. She hurries to her feet and before she can turn Chara calls to her.
"Strike a pose! Show confidence!"
So Frisk puts one foot forward and leans back, slightly turning her head as she brings a hand to her head. She goes back to standing normally as Mettaton grabs some more blocks.
"Smile for the camera!" Mettaton throws the blocks though this time they seem to be stuck together.
Frisk leaps to the right to avoid the blocks. She hears them break apart when they hit the floor. She then ducks to dodge a kick from Mettaton. She jumps to the side when he tries to swing another kick at her. She drops to the ground as another line of blocks is thrown. She is almost hit by more blocks when Chara knocks them away since they were close to hitting her head. She is at least grateful of that save. She hurries to her feet as soon as the coast is clear. She is glad to see Mettaton stop his attacks as it's her turn now.
"Seems you've gotten good at blocking darling." Mettaton mentions as though Chara, who backs away, isn't there.
"Scoff! You gotta keep it interesting for the 'audience!'"Chara calls to Frisk.
Frisk crosses her arms and gives her best unapproved look. "Oh! Look at me! I'm watching a robot kill a human! How entertaining!" She then lets that look fall and sees Mettaton grab pencil sharpeners again.
"Ooh! It's time for a pop quiz!" Mettaton announces making Frisk worried as she doesn't have Alphys.
Frisk reminds herself that she now has Chara. So surely she can do this.
"I hope you brought a keyboard..." Mettaton comments though it doesn't make much sense to Frisk, who decides to ignore it as he continues. "This one's an easy question!" He tells her and Frisk can't tell if he's lying or not. He is covering his one visible eye for some reason. "Essay prompt! What do you love most about Mettaton? No X or Z." He then waits keeping his eye covered with his hand.
"Don't do anything." Chara butts in before Frisk can say anything.
Frisk closes her mouth and waits.
After a few moments Mettaton moves his hand smiling wide. "Speechless? I don't blame you darling!" He then does the splits before getting up and lifting his feet as if to dance.
"Go back to boasting! Don't lose the imaginary momentum of entertainment!" Chara tells Frisk who puffs out her chest.
"I'm not going to be hit at all!" Frisk tells Mettaton who is indeed looking rather pleased with it all.
"Your essay really showed everyone your heart." Mettaton mentions causing a little confusion to Frisk as she had said nothing.
Frisk supposes that he could mean that he took it as him being so awesome she was speechless. She'll let him believe that if he wants as long as it works for him.
"Why don't I show you mine?" Mettaton questions and Frisk tenses in preparation for a surprise attack. He shows a plush heart, and some water with an open container of yellow food dye in it. He starts tossing water at her with one hand.
Frisk dodges as best as she can though does get splashed a little. She ignores it and keeps running this way and that to try to dodge it all. She then is hit by a few pencil sharpeners she didn't see coming. She was too focused on the dyed water. She moves back a little once the attacks come to an end. Her gaze slightly turning to Chara, while trying to keep Mettaton at the edge of her vision.
"Do another boast! Show your willpower to keep fighting to win! Keep up the tension!" Chara calls so Frisk smiles to Mettaton when she turns back to him.
"You aren't going to hit me Mettaton!" Frisk boasts then gets ready to dodge attacks once more.
"Oh! Im just getting warmed up!" Mettaton says as though a promise to her. He starts throwing the pencil sharpeners at her.
Frisk runs to the right then back to the left to dodge the attack. She is glad that she isn't hit by any of the things thrown this time.
"Now pose! Be dramatic!" Chara calls out making Frisk glad that she is here.
Frisk doubts that she would be able to make it through this as easily without her. She turns away bringing a hand to her forehead, trying to be as dramatic as possible. She returns to a normal stance after a moment.
"But how are you on the dance floor!?" Mettaton demands then holds a plastic looking disco ball. He shines a laser pointer and spins the disco ball.
Frisk notices that it is blue so she stands as still as possible as the light goes by. She sighs in relief when that is done. She then notices the orange light and knows that she'll need to move. She moves to one side then the other as the orange light goes by her.
Mettaton puts the laser pointers and disco ball down as if it's the end of his turn.
Frisk hopes that this fight will soon be over.
As Mettaton throws his various 'attacks' at her Frisk continues to dodge.
Frisk also switches between posing, boasting and scoffing at the audience by whatever Chara says. She trips a few times on all the stuff laying on the ground when dodging. She arms are a little sore from trying to break her falls.
"Oh! Look at these ratings!" Mettaton mentions as though noticing the invisible ratings. "This is the most viewers I've had!" He sounds happy and impressed making Frisk hope that this is going to be the end. "We've reached a viewer call-in milestone! One lucky viewer will have the chance to talk to me... Before I leave the underground forever. Lets see who calls in first!" He pauses for a moment before giving a wide smile. "Hi. You're on TV. What do you have to say on this? Our last show!"
Frisk hears someone call from the door she and Chara entered the room from. She blinks at who it is. She also notices surprise on Mettatons face.
"Oh... Hi... Mettaton..." Napstablook is the one speaking. "I really liked watching your show... My life is pretty boring... But... Seeing you on the screen... Brought excitement to my life... Vicariously... I can't tell but... I guess this is the last episode...?" His words make Frisk feel a little sad for the kind delusional human; Mettaton seems to be saddened as well. "I'll miss you... Mettaton... Oh... I didn't mean to talk for so long... Oh..."
"No! No wait! Bl..." Mettaton seems to stop himself from saying something. He looks to Frisk with a thoughtful look. He seems to be having some kind of existential crisis. "H... They already hung up... I'll take another caller." He decides after a moments break.
Another voice speaks up from where Napstablook was. "Mettaton. Your show made us so happy!"
Then another. "Mettaton. I don't know what I'll watch without you."
And another. "Mettaton. There's a Mettaton shaped hole in my Mettaton shaped heart."
Mettaton takes pause by all of this. "Ah... I... I see..." He pauses again looking down to find the right words. "Everyone..." He glances up as if to face the audience. "Thank you so much..." He looks to Frisk. "Darling. Perhaps... It might be better if I stay here for a while." He admits to Frisk. "Humans already have stars and idols... But monsters... They only have me. If I left... The underground would lose its spark. I'd leave an aching void that can never be filled." He looks grateful to Frisk as if she showed him something he needed. "So... I think I'll have to delay my debut. Besides. You've proven to be very strong. Perhaps... Even strong enough to get past Asgore. I'm sure you'll be able to protect humanity. Ha, ha..." He slightly glances away. "It's all for the best. Anyway. The truth is. This forms energy consumption is... Inefficient. In a few moments I'll run out of batter power. And. Well. I'll be alright. Knock 'em dead darling." He offers a wide smile to Frisk.
Frisk realizing that it is indeed the end with Mettaton.
And everyone... Thank you. You've been a great audience!" Mettaton lays down as though his battery power is down.
"I... I managed to open the lock! Are you two..." Alphys hurries into the room then sees Mettaton on the ground. "O-Oh my god." She hurries over to him checking him over as Frisk worries she'll be mad. "Mettaton! Mettaton are you..." She trails off as she continues her inspection. She then turns with her side facing Frisk. "... Thank god... It's just the batteries. Mettaton. If you were gone I would have... I would have..." She trails off once more. "I m-mean hey. It's n-no problem. You're okay. He's just a robot. If y-you messed it up, I could f-fix it. Or b-build another." She glances away.
Frisk is starting to feel like there's more to Mettaton than is known.
"Why don't you go on ahead?" Alphys offers to Frisk before turning to focus on Mettaton.
Chara and Frisk slightly share a glance then move around the two leaving the room. They walk down the hall towards the stairs that they can see up ahead. They're going to get out of here.
Frisk tries to keep her focus to the fact that she is going to get out of here... As soon as she gets the doors open and takes care of Asgore or gets past him. She will probably remember this little adventure for quite awhile. She glances to Chara noticing that she seems to be a little worried. "Are you okay?" She inquires causing Chara to glance to her.
"Yeah. It all feels a little weird. I've been just going around alone. All invisible. Suddenly I'm helping someone else to get out of here." Chara admits to which Frisk places a comforting hand on her shoulder. She sighs a little. "You know... The last time that I was this important in helping someone... I caused things to go horribly wrong." She closes her eyes for a moment as the two have stopped walking. "Maybe I shouldn't follow you to face Asgore. What if I end up causing something bad to happen?"
"Chara." Frisk speaks the other's name getting her to look to her. "Honestly. I probably wouldn't have made it this far without you. Please. Come with me. You can be free if we get past Asgore. We can get them the help that they need by sending the authorities here. Things can get better."
"Is that really for the best? I'm starting to have doubts." Chara admits to Frisk. "They've been lost in the world for so long. All encouraged by those that were supposed to help get them better. They could be put under observation, maybe even under experimentation. Or perhaps maybe they'll even get a huge shock to their minds when they are possibly fixed... If that is even possible anymore." She glances away from Frisk with a sigh. "Listen. Maybe it'll be better if I stay here and you don't say what you really saw here."
"Chara that's crazy!" Frisk protests to the other. "These people need some serious help! I understand that you have been among them for the longest time. That you see them as they are. Delusions and all. Even though you know that it is delusions. You care about them. Which is why I need your help getting them the help that they need." She hugs the other close to comfort her. "Please Chara. I know that it'll be a big road to recovery for them but think of all of the good that'll come of it. They can be free one day. They can become more than what they have being stuck here. Lets give them the second chance to a more normal life that they deserved. Plus I've been missing for way too long. I can't just brush it all off and pretend none of this happened. I would really like your assistance in this." She pulls away to look to the other. "You know them a lot better than I ever could. I could really use your help in getting them the help they really need. So please. Stand with me and help them after we get out of here."
Chara pauses for a moment as she stares into Frisks eyes. She closes her eyes taking a breath then opens them giving Frisk a nod. "Okay. Lets do this."
The two share a smile then turn to continue for the stairs but don't get a single step.
"W-Wait!" Alphys calls from behind them. She approaches Frisk as the two turn around to look at her. She looks sad and possibly a little guilty. "H-Human... I haven't b-been entirely honest." She admits fiddling her hands as she doesn't look at Frisk. "You see... I-I haven't been entirely t-truthful to you... M-More than the whole M-Mettaton thing. I just wanted t-to help. Be seen as h-hero like in my anime. I'm not b-brave or strong." She looks down ashamed. "M-Mettaton is my f-friend. I asked him to p-play along. W-When I was locked out I-I knew I had to do s-something. I told you t-to flip the switch because I-I knew that the batteries w-would get drained. As I tried to o-open the door. But now... Y-You're going to go a-against Asgore... And you'll h-have to kill him." Her words makes Frisk shift uncomfortably as Chara looks away. "A h-human or monster soul a-alone cannot pass t-through the barrier. You'll need a m-monster soul. You can t-turn back now if you w-want. I'm sorry." She then runs off.
Frisk lets her go and turns to look to Chara. "I don't actually have to kill Asgore." She reminds the other.
"I know. But I still didn't want to bring anything about that up. He became like a father to me." Chara closes her eyes for a moment then opens them to look at Frisk. "It's okay though. I'm repaying them for the damage I caused back then. Let me help you help them get the help they need. Let me help save you."
Frisk smiles softly to Chara and nods her head. "Let's go."
"To New Home." Chara agrees speaking of the next area.
With that the two head away climbing the stairs to the main floor. Both ready to go through the final stage before they'll be able to escape.