Good afternoon, readers! I am back with a brand new chapter cooked up just for you! This one is going to have some action in it, so prepare yourselves! Thank you all again for your support thus far, and I hope you enjoy!
Before Alice could even ask who "he" was, there was a loud blast from down the corridor, Alphys wincing a bit. "Mettaton, I just fixed that from your last 'grand entrance!'"
"Every one of my entrances are grand, Alphys; especially when we have a NEW contestant!" A loud, boisterous voice sounded as a rectangular robot on wheels rolled out from the wall he broke out of. Alice raised a brow, shooting Alphys a flat look.
"I really do hate you scientific types, your creations are more of a nuisance than an assistance." Alice snapped.
"Is that what you REALLY think, Alice?" The robot asked in a sing-song tone.
"How is it that everyone seems to already know my name without proper introductions?" Alice put her hands on her hips.
"Such a GREAT feeling, isn't it? In your case though, the walls have ears in this place!" Mettaton emitted a metallic laugh. "But enough of the casual chat... it's time to begin my BRAND NEW gameshow! I adopted this one from a dear friend of mine, so I hope he doesn't mind me saying that it's a real SHOCKER!"
"Mettaton, don't!" Alphys whined.
"Come now, Alphys... beauty is nice, but it doesn't tell what could be hiding... so, I have something that does!" Mettaton exclaimed, Alice gasping as she felt a gloved hand shove her forward, a chair extending forward from the wall where Mettaton had blasted out of. His gloved hands spun her around as she stumbled so she fell right into the chair, where she was immediately strapped in, her hands on two blue, glowing orbs that were fixed into the ends of the armrests.
"What the bloody hell- get me out of here at once!" Alice shrieked- she did not like being restrained in the slightest.
"Ap ap ap! That wouldn't make for a very interesting game now, would it?" Mettaton laughed.
"Is this really necessary?" Alphys huffed.
"Aww, don't fret, Alphys! You can be my lovely assistant! Now as much as my viewers LOVE my sultry voice, I think we need to teach little miss know it all here that scientists like you should be appreciated! After all, that's how I was created, is it not?" Mettaton laughed.
"And what a marvelous contribution to society you are! Tell me, do you think that speaking louder will make up for your sheer lack of relevant intelligence?" Alice snapped. She was about to say something else when Mettaton covered her mouth with one of his gloved hands as it extended forward.
"Please hold all questions until the end of the- ow! Alphys, she bit me! Well, seems humans are really nasty little things, aren't they?" Mettaton exclaimed.
"M- Maybe we should just get on with the game... get it over with..." Alphys muttered the last part.
"What a splendid suggestion, Alphys! Now, here is how the game works! It's quite simple, really... I will ask you a question. Now, you will answer said question; but here is the twist, because twists are such a delicious treat after all... you are now hooked up to a lie detector... approximately 99% and some decimal points effective, whatever, that is more up Alphys' alley... along with her little anime shows, but that is besides the point!" Mettaton said.
"Come on, I can't help that they're so good!" Alphys whined. "Except for the sequel to Mew Mew Kissy-"
"AAANYWAY! Back to me! Now, every time you tell the truth, we move onto the next question! Simple, right? But every time you lie, those orbs there are going to give you quite a nasty shock. So of course, that would want to be avoided, unless you like that sort of thing!" Mettaton said.
Alice stared daggers at the robot. "You know, Alphys, I wouldn't be surprised if this was a failed experiment, seeing that this bastard is the only twisted one around here, unless you're just as sick as he is!"
"Now young lady, this is a family friendly show, that sort of language will not be condoned!" Mettaton said.
"Oh suck on an egg you clanking pile of junk!" Alice snapped, hissing when Mettaton shocked her.
"That is quite enough. I think it's time to get this game started." Mettaton said a bit darkly, a slot opening on his side before he withdrew a small piece of paper from it. "Alphys, won't you do the honors? This is just a test question to make sure the system is working properly."
"Mettaton, can't we just-"
"Alphys, you're not being a very good assistant!" Mettaton said in a sing-song tone.
"Okay..." Alphys sighed. "What is your name?"
"Alice Liddell, you oversized rubbish bin!" She spat, and a small ding was heard.
"Fabulous! That was just a test... now the real game begins! Ready? No? Too bad!" Mettaton laughed, producing another paper for Alphys to read.
"Oh dear, um... why are you here in the underground... really?" Alphys read.
"I am here because I was called to this world. There are those who call to me with intention, and those who do not, those with incredible minds that surpass that of a normal person's. However, I have discovered that this is no mind I have entered. It's interesting how this world was left out of the history books... or... perhaps it wasn't. I wouldn't have the slightest idea, I only have the technical equivalent of a second grade education." Alice shrugged as she stared at the faceless machine arrogantly. "But I suppose it's more than you have."
At the sound of a ding, Mettaton cleared his throat. "Doing well so far, it seems... unfortunately for me, that is not settling well with our viewers." He said, handing Alphys the next slip of paper.
"A- Are you... oh Mettaton, isn't this being a bit too blunt-"
"Darling, we only have so much airtime, please just read the question." Mettaton interrupted.
"Are you... a cold blooded killer?" Alphys asked.
"Why does everyone assume this of me! Of course not! If I was, wouldn't I have already-" Alice gasped, hissing when she felt the stinging voltage of a shock followed by the sound of Mettaton gasping.
"Well, well, well! It's time for fast fess up! You have thirty seconds to tell us the truth! For every thirty seconds you don't spill the beans, I push this button." Mettaton says.
"I'm not telling you another thing, you calamitous sod!" Alice spat.
"Someone doesn't want to cooperate with their host! Well that's tough for you, because it's time for the lightning round!" Just then, Alice's eyes widened as suddenly, the metal rectangle before her began to change, reform in a human image. The formerly bulky machine now had a sleek body, arms, legs, and a head that flipped bobbed black hair seductively as he flashed a smile. "So, my darling murderer, who did you kill? A monster? Some other innocent life who had so many fabulous achievements to gain?" Mettaton asked.
"Get me out of this bloody chair before I slice your head off!" Alice shouted, struggling against her restraints.
"Ah, there is our killer talking! Not going to be deceptive like our former guest, are we? It must be so tiring to put on that charade!" Mettaton laughed.
"You're speaking of the child, aren't you? That's who I'm here to-"
"I am the one who asks the questions here!" Mettaton interrupted, waving his index finger at her as he leaned in. "All you are is a pretty face, darling... and as a beauty connoisseur, you aren't fooling me!"
Alice glared up at Mettaton, her eyes burning as she tightened her lips, sending her foot forward and nearly knocking the robot down when she kicked his leg. He gasped, wearing a horrified expression as Alice forced an angry laugh. "What's wrong, princess, did I leave a nice scuff?"
Mettaton grabbed the button remote, about to press it when Alphys interjected.
"Okay Mettaton, there is something I really need to tell you-"
"You never answered my question, Alice!" Mettaton said in a sing-song tone, but he had a growl to it as he pressed his thumb down on the button. "Who did you kill, Alice? Whose life did you take for your own sick enjoyment, HMM? You think I am going to allow any more of my beloved viewers perish at the hands of a human? I think not, darling! So answer the question..." He pressed the button down hard with every word he spoke in the next sentence. "Who... did... you... kill?"
The shocks made Alice's brain go into overload. Memories of unbelievable pain and torture came back to her, visions of being in straitjackets, being thrown about like a slab of meat and being treated with electroshock therapy made her clench her jaw before she finally released the building tension inside her."
"DOCTOR ANGUS BUMBY! That poisonous name is but a taste of that wretched man's true nature! Are you satisfied?" Alice's voice cracked.
Alphys' eyes widened as Mettaton gasped dramatically. "A doctor?! You... you fiend! You would kill someone like Alphys! Can you go no lower, Alice? To my viewers, you can now submit your answers to what you think the answer is on my online poll!"
"No! He was no doctor, he was a demon in the flesh! You have no idea what it's like to watch your entire family be burned to smithereens, your home, everything you ever loved! Then, oh then after losing everything, to live in a bloody torture chamber for an entire decade thinking it was your fault when the real murderer was living in luxury while he turned dozens of children into feed for swine!" Alice finally broke down, and Alphys furrowed her brows when she heard a small ding. She and Mettaton were quiet for a moment, Alphys biting her lip as she snatched the remote out of his hand.
"Alphys, don't-"
"I think you've seen enough, Mettaton. I know I have." She said, going over to release Alice from her restraints.
The moment Alice was released from her bonds, she shoved past Alphys forcefully, exiting the other side of the lab despite hearing her name being called. She ran until the was far away enough, gritting her teeth before emitting a frustrated scream. She exhaled sharply, closing her eyes for a moment before reopening them. "I promised myself that I would never go back to that place again... that I would never allow myself to be that vulnerable." She shook her head. "What am I doing...? Have I strayed so far from the path? Come now, Alice, you should know how to weed out the sensible from the nonsense by now..."
As Alice spoke to herself, something small emerged from the ground a few feet from where she was standing.
"You idiot. You thought you could just waltz into this world and sweep it off its feet when you aren't even completely put together yourself." Flowey said as Alice turned to glare at him. "You think you can find the kid, don't you? You think you can stop her from destroying everything, don't you? You can't. You won't. Because the one I have been waiting for, the one I have been anticipating to return has finally surfaced... and together, she and I are going to put this boring, redundant world to an end. We're going to gain all the power we can so we can finally control everything!"
"Again, the lack of originality in you is made evident. Even your motives are typical. Gain power, gain control, can't you do something better with yourself than project your misery upon others?" Alice asked.
"You've got some nerve to criticize me! I face my problems head on while you run away like a big baby! I've been watching you, Alice Liddell... you try to save others because you failed to save your family, and for years, you have regretted it. You think saving others from the same fate will fill that big void, but it won't do a damn thing! So you save a bunch of people, so WHAT?! It's always the same sappy love story over and over again! Living for others is stupid, because that doesn't matter! In the end, you are always alone. In the end, the ones you love the most, the ones you trust your very life to are the ones who betray you!" Flowey spat, his face contorting and twisting as he spoke. As Alice stormed over to lift her foot, he cackled. "Go ahead Alice, turn me into sap, you've got it in you! Or are YOU too much of a sap to do it?!"
Alice growled, taking a step back. "No. I won't stoop to your level, and I have a friend who would agree when I say you are an insult to all who are three inches high." She said, turning to walk away.
"You really are a wuss, aren't you? You think you really insulted me with that? You're weak, soft! You will never accomplish anything and you will lose everything!" Flowey shouted.
"Too bad for you, for I have nothing to lose." Alice replied before continuing on her way.
As Alice ventured onward, she took out a fan to cool herself. "This heat is stifling, but not so much as the residents within this atmosphere. I suppose this is the less irritating of the two." She said to herself, sighing with relief when she saw water up ahead. She approached it, whisking her hand to make a small glass bottle appear, using it to collect some water from the river to drink. Not as crisp as the icy water from Snowdin, but still refreshing nonetheless. When she heard the sound of shifting water, she looked up, her guard raised as a hooded figure approached on a rowboat. He stopped in front of her, Alice taking a step back.
"Tra la la. I am the riverman... or am I the riverwoman...? It doesn't really matter. I love to ride in my boat. Would you care to join me?" The hooded figure asked.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid I'm running on a tight schedule. I need to find the palace." Alice replied.
"Wish to speak to king Asgore, do you? Well, you still have quite a ways to go. You've got to go through the core, and it can be dangerous at times. I only go where the river can take me; here, the waterfall, and Snowdin. Should you ever need a ride, I charge nothing. This is an enjoyment for me."
"Thank you kindly, I shall seek you out if a need ever arises." Alice replied, giving him a nod. As she stared to take her leave, she stopped when the river person had one more message to give her.
"One more thing, young lady... beware the man who speaks in hands."
Alice blinked, raising a brow. "Man who-... what do you mean by-" When she turned, Alice was surprised to see the river person was no longer there, leaving her to ponder upon their words. Before she could think too deeply into it, she was jostled from her thoughts when she was suddenly tackled to the ground, gasping as she shot her hands forward to brace her fall. She whipped her head around to see her assailant, her eyes widening when she was met with the sight of a little tomboyish girl in a striped shirt. Hands groped at her, trying to snatch Alice's vorpal blade. "Oh no you don't!" Alice shouted, shoving the child off of her as she quickly got to her feet.
"Give it to me!" The girl shouted, dark undertones in her voice.
"So you're the one everyone has been talking about, I presume... you've been quite naughty, gave me a nasty bump on my cranium." Alice said sternly.
"You don't belong here." The child spoke, clenching her fists. "This world is mine, go back to your own. I alone have the power now to do what I want with it. I know why you're here."
"Of course you do... everyone around here seems to already know who I am." Alice rolled her eyes. "So tell me... what is ruining this child to annihilate this place going to serve you? I suppose you have the same motives as that rotten little flower?"
"My affiliations are none of your concern. You will either return where you came from, or be destroyed with this world. Make your choice now." The child said.
"I'm sorry... but I'm afraid a little threat isn't going to intimidate me. Besides, I owe you for catching me off guard twice now, I need to sharpen up and it seems that you're going to be the one to help me do that." Alice replied.
"Hm... perhaps you misunderstood me. While you are too busy wasting your time trying to reason with these senseless fools, I am actually being productive. I sense it in you... determination. You've been through something like this before, haven't you? This struggle. Fighting for control, snatching it from your superior. Your determination overcame hers, your hatred for those who spited you drove you to strengthen your soul. But now, you've weakened. The enemy is all around you, trying to weaken your soul and make it vulnerable... penetrating your soul with useless emotions. Once the puncture is made, if town out, you bleed, diminish. You must make yourself stone again. I know you won't join me now, because you have made your choice. I also know you won't kill me, because you will also kill her. There is only one logical outcome. You will become the seventh soul to break the barrier, Alice. I shall make it so. Then I alone will ascend to the surface and destroy humanity in earnest." The child said.
Alice scoffed as the child withdrew their knife, she her vorpal blade. "Luckily for me, I find as much value in nonsense as I do in logic. When one cannot be relied on, the other becomes my safety net."
The child growled, lunging forward to try and stab Alice. She burst into butterflies, dashing behind the child as she fled.
"Come back here and confront your fate!" The child screamed, chasing after Alice.
The young woman rematerialized, running along the dry, barren ground. "As much as I would like to place her in time out, I am not quite ready to deal with her yet." She said to herself, slowing to a stop when she ran into what seemed to be a large kitchen in the middle of nowhere. "Oh dear, I do hope the Duchess isn't about..." Alice said to herself, jumping a bit when she turned to be hugged tightly by Mettaton.
"Oh, you poor, pitiful human! I had no idea you had such a... tragic backstory." He said dramatically as he held her shoulders, Alice raising her brows as he looked into her eyes. "It was wrong of me to judge a contestant without doing a background check first. To make it up to you, I will do an entire highlight starring you! A full half hour of you basking in the spotlight, darling! I was just so concerned for my family and adoring fans with one human murderer running around here, I was afraid that you would spell double trouble for me!"
Alice glanced back to see the child gaining up on her. "Speak of the little devil..." Alice muttered to herself. "I appreciate your offer and apology, but I have more urgent business to take care of at the moment, and I suggest you flee from here if you value your life."
"Mettaton!" Alphys shouted then, panting a bit. "Did you find the- human! Look out!"
"Uh hello, I clearly see her right here, sweetheart." Mettaton said as he flipped his hair out of his face, rolling his eyes.
"N- No, the OTHER human!" Alphys cried, Alice breaking out of Mettaton's hug just in time to block the child's attack. The robot emitted a girlish shriek, jumping right into Alphys' arms and waving his hands as he told her to run. "Come on, you're a ROBOT for mew mew's sake, Mettaton!" She grimaced as she struggled to carry him as they both got out of harm's way.
The child growled as Alice tucked her blade back into her dress, conjuring her hobby horse instead. As she swung it through the air, the child ducked down, sliding between Alice's feet. On the other side, Flowey suddenly popped up.
"Now, Flowey!" The child shouted as the small plant activated something near the stove Alphys and Mettaton were hiding behind. To their sudden shock, the child managed to grab Alphys, holding the blade of her knife against her neck. "Let's play a new game, shall we? In thirty seconds, I bleed her dry."
Alice clenched her jaw, dashing forward to grab Alphys, but the stove began to rise high in the air, ascending towards the sky. Without hesitation, Alice began to soar up after them, having a hard time keeping up at their speeds. She saw something zoom up past her, glancing up to see Mettaton catching up to them quickly. When Alice finally caught up, the child laughed sinisterly, grinning.
"Darling, this is not cute, now please give me back Alphys... she's quite dear to me." Mettaton said.
Alphys trembled with fear as the child's grin grew. "You want her back that badly, hmm? Well then... you did win my game, after all. But... there is a second half to my game. Alphys knows better than anyone that what goes up must come down, right?"
"Please stop this..." Alphys whimpered, tears brimming underneath her glasses. "Just give her back, give us back Fri-"
"The new game starts now." The child said darkly, shoving Alphys off the edge of the stovetop. As Mettaton and Alice dove down, the child pounced onto Mettaton's back, and as they struggled in midair, the robot's metallic shriek faded from Alice's hearing range as she continued her descent.
"Mustn't be late, Alice... there will be a steep price to pay this time for tardiness." Alice said to herself as she narrowed her eyes, keeping Alphys in her sight.
Oh dear, this has definitely taken a turn for the worse! Will Alice be able to save Alphys in time? Will the river person's warning need to be heeded? What lies ahead will be revealed in upcoming chapters! Thank you for reading, my lovely viewers, and I hope to see you tuned in for the next episode! ;)