Chapter Four: Mettaton's Grand Entrance
Alphys was a little stronger than she looked, but Chara was mostly surprised at the action. She glanced at a huge screen just inside the Lab and noticed herself. However, in the image, she also saw a ghostly form of Frisk, a sad smile on her face as Chara remembered what she had promised. She gave the ghost a sad smile, clutching her locket in remembrance.
"I-It's so cool s-since you're human and all," Alphys said. "I-I've not seen too many since I-I've been here."
"Uh, thanks?" Chara asked. "So, uh, doc?"
"C-Call me A-Alphys," Alphys said with a slight blush.
"Okay, uh, Alphys," Chara said, deciding to just ask. "Do you know how to separate a being from my SOUL and also purify her and put her in her own body?"
"Th-That… sounds… l-like something I-I…" Alphys stuttered, suddenly seeming more nervous than before.
"If you know, I have that sort of problem," Chara said.
"I-I don't want to kill this b-being if it goes wrong." Alphys sighed. "I-I've tried it before… with D-Doctor Gaster's experiments."
"Well, he may know what to do," Chara said. "But, I also know he left all his notes in his lab."
"R-Right," Alphys nodded. "B-But, it's not exactly an e-easy thing to do."
"Can't you just extract her essence and move it into a body?" Chara asked.
"W-Well, possibly," Alphys said. "C-Can you give me time to work on a s-suitable body?"
"Sure," Chara nodded. "I'm just going to see my dad in New Home anyway."
"Y-Your dad is also here?" Alphys asked. "I-I didn't know any h-humans survived… u-uh…"
"I know there's dead humans," Chara said. "I was with Undyne before now."
"H-H-How is she?" Alphys asked, her yellow face turning orange.
"Pretty good," Chara said. "She talks about you a lot."
"R-Really?!" Alphys exclaimed, covering her face as she realized her outburst. "S-Sorry."
"No problem," Chara said. "But, my dad isn't human."
"N-Not human?" Alphys asked. "B-But, who… w-wait, I know you. Y-You're the princess."
"That would be me," Chara said.
"Th-This proves s-so many things a-about DETERMINATION!" Alphys said. Chara tilted her head. She had heard Doctor Gaster mention the term several times, but she didn't know exactly what was going on with it. All she knew was that she somehow had a lot of it.
"What is DETERMINATION?" Chara asked.
"W-Well, I suppose y-you should know s-since it's why you're h-here right now." Alphys said. "I-It is what makes h-human SOULs persist after d-death. H-However, beings with a certain a-amount can e-even turn back death."
"But, it took me twenty years to do so," Chara said. "Though, it only took three days the second time…"
"Y-You died again?!" Alphys exclaimed.
"Yeah…" Chara said. "Is that a problem?"
"I-It seems to be confirming some of Doctor Gaster's notes." Alphys said, seeming more confident. "I-If it took twenty years for you to regenerate the first time, but only three days the second time, that must mean you're rapidly generating it."
"What do you mean?" Chara asked.
"Something must have jump started your DETERMINATION," Alphys said, clearly in her element. "And, that something must have caused it to go into overdrive."
"Hmm…" Chara said, thinking.
"Try HATRED," Frisk said, managing to look normal, though she was clearly straining. "Your SOUL generated so much HATRED that over twenty years, it boosted this… DETERMINATION and caused us to revive and me to take your SOUL."
"Would HATRED be a spark?" Chara asked Alphys.
"Only if the HATRED is strong enough and focused enough," Alphys said, thinking. "But… only if there's nothing preventing it from growing."
"Like me being dead for twenty years?" Chara suggested.
"Bingo," Alphys said. "But, what could you hate that strongly?"
"Humans," Chara said. "All humans, with the exception of one, have my hatred. They took everything from me."
"I-I see," Alphys said, nervous again. "W-Well, that could do it. Y-Your SOUL could have also borrowed D-DETERMINATION from the other SOULs as they passed by."
"Good theory," Chara said. "Could we… extract some DETERMINATION and put it into a body for the one in my SOUL?"
"I-It'd be tricky," Alphys sighed. "Unless I had this being's actual body and SOUL, I-I couldn't do much."
"She's bonded to mine, so could a body like mine, but made to look like her work?" Chara asked.
"M-Maybe," Alphys said. "B-But, that's a topic for later. I-I actually have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?" Chara asked.
"W-Well, have you heard of M-Mettaton?" Alphys asked.
"The star Undyne says is a dick?" Chara asked.
"Y-Yeah," Alphys nodded. "W-Well, he… was originally made to kill humans, s-so, he heard you were coming a-and wanted to kill you."
"So, I beat the shit out of him without killing him?" Chara raised an eyebrow.
"Y-You can't," Alphys said. "H-He's too impenetrable."
"That's right, darlings," A robotic voice said as a rectangle burst through the wall. Red and yellow buttons flashed on it and it had two hands and legs. "And, now it's time to play everyone's favorite quiz show: "Will the Human Survive?". And, guess what? Our king may even be watching this one because Doctor Alphys asked him to."
"Well, at least he'll know I'm here," Chara muttered as Mettaton got right up in Chara's face with a microphone.
"So, darling," He said. "What's your name? Say it so all the audience can hear."
"Chara," Chara said, looking directly at him. "Chara Dreemurr."
At Sans and Papyrus' house
Sans spit out the ketchup he was drinking as Undyne and Papyrus looked at him with the tv on in the background.
"SANS, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!" Papyrus exclaimed.
"That kid…" Sans clutched his chest. "That's Chara Dreemurr? The one who's supposed to be dead?"
"BUT, SHE DOESN'T EVEN LOOK LIKE ASGORE." Papyrus said.
"She's adopted, Papyrus." Undyne said.
"I about killed that kid," Sans said. "Oh man, Tori is going to murder me if she finds out about any of that dangerous stuff."
"And me too," Undyne said. "Let's just hope she doesn't see any of this go down… Clearly, something Chara has will let her cheat death, but we still can't count on Lady T being nice about it."
"Yeah," Sans actually gulped. He may not know the former queen very well aside from what she had told him, but since Undyne of all monsters didn't want to be on her bad side, he figured the best bet would be to stay on it too. Papyrus would most likely be on her good side regardless, so he wasn't worried there.
"So… what are you going to do?" Sans asked.
"Stay the hell out of her way," Undyne said. "Trust me, I may be like her adopted daughter, but I'm no fool about staying out of her way."
"Right," Sans nodded. "I guess we should check up on Chara later."
"WHY IS THE HUMAN ON METTATON?" Papyrus asked. "I DIDN'T THINK SHE WAS THAT POPULAR YET."
"We'll see," Sans said.
With Chara
"The first question in our little quiz show goes as follows," Mettaton said. "If two trains are travelling at a speed of fifteen miles and thirty kilometers respectively, both at one hundred miles apart, when will they meet?"
Four answers popped up in front of Chara in a hologram, who looked at them, pushing one. Alphys' jaw dropped as a dinging sound rang out to signify she was correct.
"Uh… wow," Mettaton said. "C-Correct! I didn't think you'd know that one."
"I had two great maths teachers," Chara said. "Of course, one was more for basic stuff, but still."
"Um… well," Mettaton said. "The rest aren't going to be multiple choice. Next question: what is the prize for answering questions?"
"I don't get shocked or whatever your little punishment is?" Chara said.
"Correct," Mettaton said. "Next question: in Mew Mew Kissy Cutie, what flavor of ice cream does—"
"Snail!" Alphys shouted, covering her mouth immediately after.
"I was gonna say that," Chara shrugged.
"Doctor Alphys," Mettaton said. "Are you trying to help her cheat?"
"N-No," Alphys blushed slightly.
"Well, I suppose it's time to ask a question about you," Mettaton said. "So, Chara, what is the name of Doctor Alphys' secret crush?"
Four names popped up on the hologram: Asgore, Undyne, You (meaning Chara), and Mettaton. Chara rolled her eyes.
"I know the answer to this one," She said. She pushed the one for Undyne, making it quick.
"I see you have chosen correctly," Mettaton said.
With Undyne, Papyrus, and Sans
"What did I miss?" Undyne walked back in, having went into the kitchen.
"YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION WAS!" Papyrus said. "IT WAS—"
Sans' hand clamped over Papyrus' teeth as he chuckled nervously.
"Mettaton, uh, asked a question on one of those anime Alphys watched with you." Sans said.
"Huh," Undyne said. "I thought he thought those were total garbage."
"Who knows," Sans shrugged, releasing Papyrus' teeth. "All I know is that Chara answered it."
"Cool," Undyne said.
With Chara
The sixteen year old cracked her knuckles as Mettaton finished up the questions.
"So," She said. "Can I go now? I really want to see my dad."
"Yes, yes, fine," Mettaton said. "But, I should give you a makeover. Sweaters are so out."
"You touch this sweater, I'll turn you into scrap metal," Chara said with a dangerous tone that caused Alphys to cover her head in fear, her eye glowing with the fire magic she was still learning to control. "This sweater, for your information, was knitted by me and my mother, the queen."
"I, uh, see," Mettaton said. "Well, have fun, darling."
"I sure will," Chara said. "Alphys, it was nice to meet you. I hope you come to a conclusion on what I asked."
With that, Chara walked out the Lab the way she came in, heading to the elevator. She took it up to R1, having wanted to skip the puzzles, but being unable to due to the stupid way these elevators always worked.
She walked out, her phone ringing and startling her.
"Hello?" She picked up.
"Uh, C-Chara?" Alphys asked.
"Yeah?" Chara asked.
"Th-The puzzles are still a-active there," Alphys said. "I-I think I can help."
"Alright," Chara said. "I'll call you if I need help."
"B-But, I didn't give you my number." Alphys said.
"I'll use re-dial," Chara said. "Also, how'd you get mine?"
"U-Undyne gave it to me," Alphys said nervously. "A-After she called to tell me about how she saw y-you on TV."
"Well, she clearly didn't see the answer to the question," Chara said, Alphys audibly blushing. "I'll call you Alphys. I'm just kinda wandering at this point. I'll be back, I promise."
Chara hung up, heading to the elevator. She could see all the active puzzles. Unfortunately she knew how this worked for her exiting easily. She sighed and headed to the first one on her left.
Upon nearing it, she saw a green girl made of fire and dressed in a schoolgirl uniform. Immediately, Chara had flashbacks of a smaller green fire girl, barely born, just before she died.
"Fuku?" She asked, standing next to her. The fire elemental looked at her in surprise, studying her.
"You're… Chara, aren't you?" She asked. Chara nodded. Fuku took her hands, shaking them.
"My dad told me about you," Fuku said, smiling in the way only a fire elemental could. "He said you were special, but he also told me you'd died. Are you… the same?"
"I am," Chara said. "Your dad's food is still as good as ever."
"Are you going to see the king?" Fuku asked.
"I am," Chara nodded.
"Be safe then," Fuku said. "Also, could you solve this puzzle? We've been kinda trying for hours. We're hungry and MTT resort has some good food."
"Alright," Chara nodded. She entered the puzzle room, seeing the puzzle set before her.
"Move the blocks and shoot," She read. "You only get one shot."
She began to move the blocks around, muttering all sorts of curses at them as she couldn't manage to get it.
"Left," Frisk's voice came in her head. Chara obeyed without hesitation.
"Right," Frisk's voice said. Chara continued to obey, deciding to trust Frisk completely. Frisk continued to say things. Chara wondered why she wasn't appearing, but her mind came to the conclusion that it was easier for her to fight the hate if she remained in Chara's SOUL, where there was no hatred of her.
After a bit, Chara was able to take the shot. She did so, grinning as she had solved the puzzle. She walked out, nodding to Fuku.
"Thank you, Miss Chara." She said, waving with a smile.
"You're welcome," Chara said.
"So, why aren't you showing up physically?" Chara asked Frisk quietly.
"Tired," Came Frisk's muttered reply. It then occurred to Chara that the specter Frisk had been wasn't consistently there. There was usually a gap of at least a few hours and she had only tormented her heavily on rarer occasions. Judging by that, it might have been that Frisk was more consumed by the hate at different times. Chara shuddered to think what Frisk might be suffering.
"We're gonna get you a body soon," Chara said. "And, we'll get the HATE out of you. I promise."
"Thanks, angel," Frisk muttered softly. Chara didn't hear her again after that, leading her to believe she'd begun to rest. She walked forward, coming to another puzzle. Now understanding it better, she was able to solve it on her own. Making her way to the door, she walked through to the elevator to L2.
After some walking, she came upon a sentry stand with a sleeping Sans. When she walked by, he woke up, looking at her.
"Hey, kid," He said.
"Don't call me kid," Chara said.
"Fine, fine," Sans said. "How about princess then?"
"NO," Chara growled. "Why are you here? And… why is there snow on your roof?"
"Too lazy to clean it off," Sans chuckled. "So, still headed to the palace?"
"Of course," Chara said. "So, why are you here?"
"Keep an eye on you," Sans said. "So, how's it goin?"
"Get to the point," Chara said. "You're diverting my attention."
"Alright," Sans said, his pupils disappearing. "tell me about the slaughtering of monsterkind."
"You had those nightmares too?" Chara asked, definitely not going to throw Frisk under the bus. "Odd."
"I keep seein' a kid who looks like you," Sans said. "You know anyone like that?"
"I dislike humans," Chara said. "They took away the two most important people to me. I don't care about some human, but if they kill monsters, I'll stop them."
"Somethin' tells me you ain't tellin' the full story," Sans said.
"Something tells me that you're pushing against your boundaries," Chara said. "I'm leaving now. I understand your fears, but I promise you I will protect this race from any that would bring harm to it."
"I believe ya," Sans said. "I hope ya find what you're lookin' for at the palace."
"I know I will." Chara said, waving as she walked on. "So, how are you doing selling the hotdogs?"
"Pretty good," Sans said. "See ya. Sorry I got all scary."
"You're fine," Chara said. "I understand why."
The sixteen year old continued to walk through Hotland, coming to a cooking show set.
"I wonder if there's any chocolate in this fridge," She opened it and began looking. Suddenly, she heard the sound of cameras and a voice that made her irritated. Still digging into the fridge, she listened.
"And, welcome back to "Cooking with a Killer Robot", ladies and gentlemen." Mettaton said. "It looks like our guest is trying to sneak food from the fridge."
"Where's the damn chocolate?!" Chara exclaimed, digging through the fridge and tossing things out. "Every fridge should have chocolates!"
"Um… darling?" Mettaton asked. "Are you going to come out and say hello to your many fans?"
"After I find chocolate," Chara said.
"There isn't any in there," Mettaton said. "I used it all up last time."
"Ugh, fine!" Chara sighed, walking over. "What do I have to do?"
"Well we're going to cook," Mettaton said.
"Clearly you've never seen my other attempts at cooking." Chara said.
"I think anyone has potential," Mettaton said. "But, they have to try."
"Me and Undyne have set her house on fire no less than five times over cooking," Chara said.
"… Well, sometimes it takes more practice," Mettaton said. "And less of you two together… But, today, we're going to cook a very special dish. Gather the ingredients and you'll see what it is."
"Works for me," Chara grabbed the milk, sugar, and eggs that were placed on the counter behind her. She brought them to Mettaton, the rectangular robot placing them in a dish and mutilating them as he looked at her.
"Now, for the next ingredient," He said, taking out a chainsaw. "A human SOUL."
"Ha, that's a good one," Chara said.
"You are… not afraid?" Mettaton asked.
"Because I know monsters don't actually eat human SOULs," Chara said. "Especially when they only need one more to break the barrier forever."
"True," Mettaton said. "I suppose you're a smart cookie after all, darling. But, do you think you can make it to get the real ingredient?"
"What is it?" Chara asked.
"It's on that table over there," Mettaton pointed to a can of something on a table.
Chara nodded, walking over as the table shot into the air.
"Let me guess," Chara said. "You want me to climb, don't you?"
"Rightio, darling," Mettaton said. "How are you going to do it?"
"I'll just climb it," Chara said. "I managed to get to the top of the castle once by myself. View was incredible."
"Well, if you managed that, you'll have no trouble," Mettaton said. "But, we're on a tight schedule, so I'll only have to give you ten minutes."
"Let's see if I can," Chara said. She began to climb, Mettaton seemingly surprised at her speed.
"Seems this human can really climb." He mused to the cameras. "Let's see if she can keep it up, however."
Mettaton ignited a jetpack in his body, shooting up above Chara and dropping chocolate kisses down as well as pies. Chara immediately stopped, reaching for the chocolate.
"Well, it seems someone likes chocolate," Mettaton said. Meanwhile, Undyne groaned as she watched with Papyrus and Sans, who had teleported back.
Chara stopped looking for them after Mettaton had stopped dropping them. She continued to climb, making it to the top. Upon reaching it, she pulled on the can to find it was stuck to the table.
"What the hell?!" She exclaimed. "Why?!"
"Sorry, darling," Mettaton said. "Had to keep it from falling off. Congrats though. Last contestant broke an arm trying this. Oopsie."
"Well, I should just jump then," Chara said. "Can't be too bad a—"
Immediately as Chara looked down, she realized it was a bit larger of a fall than she'd expected. Certainly smaller than the bridge, but lager than she preferred to fall.
"Best hold on," Frisk appeared next to her, her body still that sickly yellow shade the specter had taken. "It's a bigger drop and you really don't need to die again."
"Got it," Chara nodded as the cabinet began to lower itself to the ground.
"Whew," Frisk said.
"Well, darlings," Mettaton addressed the audience. "It's time we looked at our finished product."
"Finished… product?" Chara asked.
"Haven't you ever watched a cooking show on the surface, darling?" Mettaton asked.
"They never let me in the house, much less to the TV," Chara said.
"Uh… harsh…" Mettaton said. "But, anyway, darling. Everything is cooked ahead of time."
"Huh," Chara said. "Well, let's see."
"Well, darlings," Mettaton pulled out a finished cake, the look of it immediately causing Chara to drool. "Here's our masterpiece: a "human SOUL" infused chocolate cake."
Immediately, Chara grabbed the cake, cutting it up and taking a bite. She began to finish the slice, going for another.
"A bit greedy, aren't we?" Mettaton asked her.
"I haven't eaten in four days and I love chocolate," Chara said.
"I see," Mettaton said. "Well, I suppose your behavior is justified. Enjoy, darling."
"I sure will," Chara said, noticing something yellow flash out of the corner of her eye. She turned to face it, but couldn't see anything. Whatever it was, it was gone now.
"Have fun on the rest of your adventure, darling," Mettaton waved her. "We'll meet again."
"I'm not sure whether or not to be enthused," Chara said.
"Be awed by my presence," Mettaton said.
"Not gonna happen," Chara said. "Now, where is the exit? Oh, here."
The sixteen year old left, heading further into Hotland. At one point, she saw the CORE in all its massive glory.
"Such a strange machine you've made, Doctor Gaster." Chara said, staring at it. "To think it has become powerful enough to generate all of this."
She continued walking, managing to make it to the heat vent areas.
"Oh no," Chara said with a heavy sigh. "Not these again."
"What's wrong?" Frisk asked.
"I always got sick on these," Chara said.
"It can't be that bad," Frisk said. Chara stepped on one, being launched to another and another in a circle, making it to the end eventually. She landed on the ground, vomiting the cake back up.
"Speaking of which," Chara said, a little upset about losing that cake. "How are you doing?"
"I'm… I'm managing to do a bit better with the hatred." Frisk said. "I think your love for me is helping."
"Well, good," Chara said. "Now… where could that next part be?"
The sixteen year old made it through another set of puzzles of the same kind as the first. Eventually, she made it to another area with some weird objects.
"Hello, darlings," Mettaton said, landing in front of her. "It's time for this human to report on the news."
"The hell?" Chara asked.
"Give us something to report," Mettaton said. Chara sighed, holding up her hand in an offensive gesture.
"My object to report is my middle finger," She said, which caused the ghostly Frisk to cover her mouth to avoid the giggles that she didn't want Chara to hear. "I learned this from Undyne. My mom was super unhappy about this, but I learned such a unique trick. The significance of this gesture means for you to go f—"
"And that's the news!" Mettaton said, clapping to block any answer Chara might have said. "Uh, make sure to blur that out, cameraman."
"Aww, but I was just getting to the good part," Chara said, Frisk lying back in the air and laughing. Undyne was laughing from where she sat on Papyrus and Sans' couch.
"Darling, this is daytime television," Mettaton said. "We can't just say things of that caliber."
"Why not?" Chara asked.
"It's the rules," Mettaton said.
"Eh, whatever," Chara chuckled. "I'm sure you get I was just messing around."
"Of course, darling." Mettaton chuckled. "Well, have fun. We'll see each other in the CORE."
"Uh, sure," Chara tilted her head in confusion. "Well, I guess I'll head off."
"Bye, darling," Mettaton waved as Chara walked off.
"How much longer is this place?" Frisk asked.
"Not much," Chara said. "It shouldn't be too much longer. But, let's be careful anyway."
"Right," Frisk said.
The sixteen year old and her ghostly companion made it to a strange area of Hotland that was purple instead of the typical orange.
"This place seems familiar," Frisk said as black lines creeped up her face. "I'll… be back. I… I'm losing control."
Chara sighed sadly as she walked in. Immediately, she saw the spider webs that covered everything in the room, not much else being lit. She didn't look up, knowing that she probably didn't want to.
"I hear that a human wearing a striped sweater is coming," A voice said from nearby. On instinct, Chara's magic flared up, her eye glowing a dangerous red. She whirled around, seeing nothing but air. Deciding it actually was nothing, she decided to go on ahead.
"I hear they like to step on spiders," Chara heard the voice again, this time looking around as she stepped backwards. She wasn't afraid, persay, but she also knew not all monsters were kind to humans in this time.
"I hear they like to pull their legs off," The voice said again, this time behind Chara. She turned to see five eyes and a fanged mouth grinning at her from the darkness. She jumped backwards in surprise, landing on a large spider web. She found she was stuck to the web. The person that had startled her, leapt on her, binding her fast with webbing in a very intricate pattern that looked like it would take lots of practice.
"Hello, dearie," The person said, lying down on top of Chara and tracing a finger up and down Chara's chest with a seductive smirk on her face. "My name is Muffet and I'm here to take payment for the spiders."
"By having sex with me?" Chara asked. "Because this certainly doesn't scream anything else to me."
"Flirt with her," Frisk's voice came into her head.
"Well, dearie," Muffet said in that same voice. "Perhaps that will come later. Right now is the payment for the spiders you squashed and tortured."
"I haven't seen a single spider besides you here," Chara said, testing her bonds. "I passed out and was carried by my mom into her home in the RUINS. Also, what would you do to me anyway?"
"Take all your money and then perhaps I'd keep you as a pet," Muffet smirked, crossing her three pairs of arms and resting two of them on Chara's breasts.
"I like this one," Frisk said. "Let's keep her."
"I think I'm gonna have to decline," Chara said to both. "See, I'm going to my dad's house in New Home."
"And, I'm sure he'll understand once I… persuade him," Muffet said. "But let's begin this. Perhaps your gold is in your pocket."
Chara gave a shudder as she felt Muffet reach down her jeans. An embarrassed look crossed the spider woman's face as she actually managed to hit her pocket, taking her gold.
"So, who's your father?" She asked. "If I'm to take a new pet, I must know where to send a note. Can't be informal about it, dearie."
"Well, his name is Asgore," Chara said. "I'm sure you know that name."
"Wait… Muffet said. "You're Asgore's human? Aren't you dead?"
"Do I look dead?" Chara asked.
"I don't like when people lie to me," Muffet leaned down to Chara's ear. "It makes me want to have to do some… naughty things to get your behavior corrected."
"Starting to see why mom and dad didn't want me, Asriel, and Undyne coming down here," Chara said with a roll of her eyes. "So, Muffet, what makes you think I'm just going to let you do this?"
"Not like you're in any position to stop me, dearie," Muffet giggled. "But, I'm not cruel, dearie. I'm fully a believer in consensual interactions."
"You, without warning mind you, tied me up and threatened to get all whips and chains on me," Chara raised an eyebrow. "Not really a good argument for you."
"I left you the ability to speak in good faith you wouldn't insult a spider in her own parlor," Muffet said. "I can remedy that."
"The kinky way or the painful way?" Frisk and Chara asked as Muffet's eyebrow began to twitch. "Speaking of, you have any chocolate pastries?"
"Of course," Muffet sighed. "I guess I shouldn't take chances here. If you really are Asgore's human, or worse, his wife's, it wouldn't do to keep you here."
"It's not like I'm uncomfortable or anything," Chara said. "Buuuut, I do like to have a say in the matter."
"I'll have more fun with you later," Muffet giggled, removing the webbing. "But, be nice to the spiders."
"Best pastries ever," Chara said. "I'll talk to dad to see if he can help you out."
"Why thank you, dearie," Muffet said. "I'll be sure to remember this."
She helped Chara up, nudging her out the door.
"Now come back, dearie," She said. "Or else my pet will come and find you."
Chara looked back to see the biggest muffin she'd ever seen with spider legs and a huge mouth walk over. It sniffed Chara, the human staring at it wide eyed. It then licked her face, roaring a little.
"My my," Muffet said, giggling. "He must like you. Or you smell like chocolate."
"Maybe both," Chara walked out, waving. "Bye, Muffet."
Once they left, Frisk appeared beside Chara, giggling. Chara had to chuckle herself as they walked toward the entrance to the CORE.
As she walked out, she saw a Nice Cream salesman next to two buff looking guards. They looked new, so Chara figured Undyne had only recently recruited them.
"Uh, like, hey," One said. "Stop right there."
Chara looked at them, crossing her arms. She knew that this might get ugly and she really didn't want to have to beat these two up.
"We're looking for a human in a striped shirt," The one said. The other just nodded. "But, like, you should… wait. Man, this is awkward."
"What?" Chara asked. "Did you just realize I'm human?"
"Uh, dude," The one said, looking at the other. "We should, like, kill her now."
"Can't you just take me to the king?" Chara asked, realizing these two probably hadn't watched the Mettaton showing.
"Like, no can do," The guard said. "We're gonna take you to the dungeons and let Undyne kill you. The king's, like, super busy and we wanna go watch Mettaton today."
"But, he's my—" Chara dodged the silent one's sword, the talkative one managing to grab her.
"Hey!" Chara exclaimed.
"Come along quietly and maybe we'll let you see the king," The talkative one said. "Right, bro?"
The silent one nodded. Chara sighed and decided to just go along with it. The two bound her hands behind her back and led her along.
"You should flirt," Frisk poked her head up as Chara gave her a look. She noticed Frisk seemed to be getting a better control of her hatred. Perhaps… she was moving on from her own hate?
The two buff guards dragged her to the MTT Resort that connected to the Core. They took her down the elevator in the lobby, taking her down to the lower levels. Once the elevator stopped, they pulled her through it into a large row of cells. They threw her into one, locking the door.
"Stay in there, human," The talkative one said. "Undyne will be there shortly to deal with you."
"Uh, huh," Chara pulled out her phone. "I'm sure she will."
She dialed Undyne's number, the fish woman picking up.
"What is it, punk?" Undyne asked.
"Can you come get me out of this cell?" Chara asked. "Two of the Royal Guard arrested me for being human. So… yeah, can I borrow the keys?"
"I'll handle it," Undyne said. "Put me on speaker."
"Alright," Chara did so.
"HEY, YOU TWO!" Undyne shouted. "Let the princess go! She's heading to her old man's house!"
"Princess?" The talkative one asked. The silent one looked at Chara, doing a thinking pose.
"She resembles the princess from the pictures in the Judgement Hall and in New Home." He said.
"His voice is so hunky," Frisk said. "I'd let him talk like that to me all day."
"I'm starting to think you may have had a questionable job on the surface," Chara said.
"Hey, I didn't tell you all my secrets." Frisk said. "But, I really didn't. And, if I did, I wouldn't tell you so I could spare you that pain."
"Okay," Chara said.
"So, uh, we'll let her go," The talkative one said.
"YOU BETTER!" Undyne shouted.
The guards unlocked the cell, allowing Chara out. Chara nodded to them, walking out of her cell and up to the MTT Resort, which was an odd tribute to Mettaton. In the lobby, she saw Sans.
"Hey, kid," He waved.
"Don't call me kid," Chara said. "What brings you here?"
"Here to take you to dinner," Sans said. "Figured you hadn't eaten anything besides chocolate cake."
"That is true," Chara said. "Let's go."
"No shortcuts this time," Sans chuckled. "It's right here."
Chara followed him to the restaurant in the resort and he sat them down at a table.
"So, I figure it's time I came clean about some stuff," Sans said. "I actually have been following you."
"Big shocker there," Chara said.
"Well, see there's a story there," Sans said. "See, I met this lady who lived in the Ruins and she was super nice. She told tons of great puns and we hit it off."
"You mean my mom?" Chara asked, crossing her arms.
"Oh yeah…" Sans chuckled. "I guess she would be your mom. Undyne said she was the former queen Toriel and she knew her personally."
"She does," Chara said. "She was practically raised by my parents since she was always at the castle. I could always count on her and Asriel to be there for me and I was always there for them."
"Yeah, she talked about that," Sans said. "Undyne, I mean. But, back to my story. So, she eventually tells me about how she wanted me to promise to protect a human if one ever fell. Now, I'd befriended one before… real cute girl… er, in the childlike sense. So, she was killed by the king and I was upset. That was why I didn't like making promises, but the old lady was insistent. So, lo and behold, you show up and I can't deny her this request."
"You've been doing more sleeping than protecting me," Chara rolled her eyes. "Besides, I'm capable of taking care of myself."
"I have been watching you," Sans said. "And, it's not like you've died."
The look from Chara immediately silenced him.
"Oh yeah…" he said after a minute. "Sorry about that. Uh, well, the thing is, if I hadn't made that promise… you'd be dead where you stand."
His pupils disappeared when he said that. Chara stared at him for a second before bursting out laughing.
"Uh, what's funny?" Sans asked.
"You, comedian," Chara said. "I died from collapsing from a bridge. I'm sure I'd be fine. I mean, if not from my own skill, from the friends I have."
"Fair enough," Sans chuckled. "So, what's your story?"
"Well, as you probably know, I'm the princess here," Chara said. "I died twenty years ago to break the barrier in a failed plot. But, I'm back. Not sure how, but Alphys had some ideas."
"DETERMINATION, huh?" Sans said. "Guess my old man's not so crazy after all. Well, I won't keep you longer. You've got a meeting with Asgore, right?"
"Yep," Chara said. "I'll be seeing you."
"We'll meet at least once more before your trip's over," Sans said. "Worry not."
"Right," Chara nodded, leaving after grabbing a ton of food from a nearby table that was empty. She chowed down on it, heading into the CORE for the final stretch of her journey.
And so, Chara enters the CORE. We all know what fight will await her at the end. But, will it go the way we expect?
And, we're coming to the end of the neutral run portions of this within the next two or three chapters. Again, I'm doing it because I think it brings important development (and some cool as shit things I thought of to do during the Flowey fight...) also, there are some things that I need to have from it to use in the pacifist portions, which will be another couple of chapters beyond this. Let me know if you have anything that needs explaining and also let me know if you want me to continue this after the end of the pacifist route.