Greetings, readers! I have another chapter for you and the action continues! What will be the fate of Alphys and Mettaton? Read on and find out, and please enjoy as per the usual! Thank you again to all who have supported!

Alice narrowed her eyes, embracing full focus as she sped downward towards Alphys. When she got close enough, she conjured her umbrella, not opening it, but holding it out. "Alphys! Position yourself upright and take this!" Alice shouted.

Alphys was falling in circles, screaming as she tried to do what Alice said. As she was clawing at the air, she accidentally knocked her glasses off, gasping as suddenly, everything became blurry. "A- Alice, I can't see anything-"

"You're not going to see anything permanently if you don't grab it!" Alice shouted, Alphys whimpering as she tried to grasp the blue object. Her claws finally got a good grip, holding it tight.

"Got it!" Alphys shouted.

"Now hurry, open up the umbrella and it shall break your fall!" Alice instructed.

"B- But Alice, the surface area isn't compatible with my mass, it will never-"

"Just open the bloody thing!" Alice shrieked. Alphys fumbled a bit, nearly losing the umbrella before managing to open it. She clung to the handle, shutting her eyes tightly as she bit her lip. After a few moments, Alice sighed as she touched down, crossing her arms as she retrieved the dinosaur's glasses. "You can open your eyes now, you're almost all the way down." Alice rolled her eyes.

Alphys cracked open an eye, gingerly extending a foot to feel the ground just a few inches beneath her. Her face lit up then, emitting a relieved chuckle as Alice placed her glasses back on her face. "Wow, that was amazing! This kind of thing only happens in anime! I owe you my life, Alice!"

Alice nodded to her once, but when something caught her eye, she blinked, taking a step back when Mettaton crash landed not far from them, the child being flipped off of his back as she rolled a few feet, struggling to get up once she stopped. Alphys gasped, running over to help Mettaton to his feet.

"Oh, Alphys dear, I'm all dented!" Mettaton whined.

"You're lucky you're in one piece! Come on, we haven't got time to waste! We've got to get going!" Alphys cried.

"You may want to get a move on, doctor..." Alice suddenly said lowly as the child shakily stood to her feet.

"Do you think you can change the fate of this useless world, Alice? Do you think you can prevent me from attaining absolution? I am from the forgotten time. I have seen much, even when the eyes I saw with were not mine. The time has come for this fantasy to end, and the lies that comprise it as well." The child said, slowly lifting her head to reveal crimson eyes, red as blood.

"Very well... I suppose we will just have to see about that." Alice replied as she gave Alphys and Mettaton a chance to flee back to the lab.

"You think you have saved them, Alice? Maybe now... in this moment... but in the end, it will be for naught. They will join the others when the time of deliverance has come. When there is only me and the void; a blank canvas in which to make my own masterpiece." The child said.

"You have a rather twisted sense of imagination, and if anyone knows about twisted imaginations, it would be me. Now enough of this diabolical chatter!" Alice shouted, wielding her hobby horse. "You will either retreat or deal with me!"

The child chuckled lowly. "You think you are a match for me? The more I gain of myself, the more of her-... the lie... is lost."

Alice hissed when the child lunged forward, barely able to dodge her attacks as she dove after Alice relentlessly. As the child was about to stab Alice's leg, she burst into butterflies, rematerializing behind her to grab the child's hands. As she tried to wrestle the knife away, the child growled, biting down hard on Alice's wrist. The older female cried out in pain, the child knocking her down as she tried to force the knife into Alice's throat. Using the handle of her hobby horse to prevent this, she used a sudden spurt of energy to shove the child off of her, losing her grip on the bladed weapon as the knife went flying. As the child clenched her jaw, crawling over to grab it, a metallic clang was heard as something pinned the knife to the ground.

"You're not going to do another thing while I'm around, PUNK!" Undyne shouted, picking up the knife and tossing it aside. Alice got to her feet, looking to Undyne with slight shock. The child stood still, her head bowed as her hand extended outward for some reason. "Alice, go to Alphys and she'll tell you how to get through the core!"

"Alright, but Undyne, perhaps you should-"

"Just go already!" Undyne shouted. "I have been training for this moment all my life... just tell Alphys that... oh never mind, just go!"

Alice gave her a nod, beginning to back track towards the lab. As she was turning however, something she spotted out of the corner of her eye, and Undyne did as well, shocked them to their own cores as the child's extended hand trembled, not having moved. However, something else had moved along the ground; by the time they both realized it, it was too late as the knife Undyne cast aside had gotten close enough for her to snatch it up. Alice gasped as the child reared her hand back, sending the knife hurling through the air. Undyne barely had a chance to move, hissing as she felt a sharp pain along the right side of her head. The child was about to attack again, but Alice reared her hobby horse back, sending the child flying into the river bank as she then tried to stay afloat, being washed downstream. Alice then hurried to Undyne, the side of her head bleeding profusely.

"Damn it... that little sucker made a fool out of me... got me good, huh?" Undyne chuckled lightly.

"Hush, save your breath. I need to get you out of this armor, it's dead weight." She said, freeing Undyne from the bulky material before hoisting her to her feet, placing Undyne's left arm around her own shoulders as she helped her towards the lab.

"Maybe you aren't a heartless murderer after all..." Undyne said lowly. "I... saw you save Alphys... it's why... I came to help you."

"Hush now, you must save your strength." Alice said, approaching the lab as she helped Undyne inside.

"U- Undyne!" Alphys whimpered. "Everything is gonna be okay, just... just hang on, okay?"

"I know it will be, Alphys... I just... I feel so stupid, how could I fail to dodge that attack...?" Undyne hissed lowly.

"Don't say that, just lie down- I'm going to bandage your head, okay?" Alphys came over with medical supplies, cleaning and bandaging the wound.

"Hey... Alphys...?" Undyne said quietly.

"Y- Yeah?"

"... you are one of the most awesome people I know. There are few people who have a passion like you do, and... I'm glad I know you."

Alphys nearly fainted then, smiling crookedly. "You think... I'M awesome?" She chuckled nervously. "Wow..."

Alice crossed her arms, rolling her eyes playfully. "I hate to interrupt this rather lovely moment, but I still do need to find my way to the castle. I was told by someone to find a King Asgore."

"Oh, just leave that to me, darling! You're going to have to keep moving east through hotland... you may want to consider staying a night at my lavish and fabulous resort! When you do, please leave a review of how wonderful it is on my gab wall!" Mettaton beamed.

"Right..." Alice said flatly, Alphys shaking her head as she smirked knowingly. "Thank you for that, but um... is there anyone else who I may run into so I can brace myself for more accusations?"

"N- No, I think you should be okay from here... please do be careful in the core, though... it can be a little dangerous sometimes..." Alphys said.

"Noted. And one more thing... when I do see the king... what should I expect?" Alice asked.

"Oh, he's pretty friendly! I'm sure you two will be able to come up with some kind of solution!" Alphys chirped.

"I do hope that is the case... well, please recover soon Undyne, and I hope you all remain safe. Keep an eye out for any mischief snooping around." Alice said.

"I've got it covered! Cameras, remember?" Alphys replied.

"Tell me about it, you could have used all those materials to integrate a storage unit in my calves." Mettaton rolled his eyes.

"Mettaton, you can just use the purse I lent you!" Alphys whined.

"Puh-lease, THAT frumpy thing? So outdated honey! I could just reach into my boot all sexy like and pull out my MTT brand-"

"Can we talk about something else?!" Undyne snapped.

Alice chuckled to herself, rolling her eyes as she headed out of the lab. "I swear, it's a tea party all over again..." She said to herself as she exited the lab. As she went along her way, she noticed a stairway leading up. Deciding to follow it, she ascended them, tilting her head upon reaching the top. "Hm... 'MTT Resort...' resort indeed, my very last one." Alice said to herself, about to approach the double doors when she heard a low cough in the shadows to the left of the entrance. She halted, narrowing her eyes warily. "Who's there...?"

"Heh... you're supposed to wait for me to say 'knock knock' first." Sans said, emerging from the shadows with his hands in his sweatshirt pockets. "So... you made it here, huh?"

"It would seem so... I suspect Papyrus is nearby as well?" Alice asked.

"No. He's home. I told him to stay there, stay low pro, know what I mean?" Sans replies. "I want him to stay out of all this now." He then glanced up at Alice, nodding towards the doors. "Wanna grab some grub with me before you head on over to the core?"

"I suppose some nourishment would do me some good... very well." Alice replied.

"Thanks a bunch for treating me." Sans chuckled as Alice shot him a distainful expression. "Come on. Let's go this way, it's a shortcut."

"A shortcut to be pickpocketed and gutted like a stuffed pig?" Alice asked, sighing as she strolled behind him.

"Well unfortunately, you're going to have to 'resort' to following me, aren't you?" Sans chuckled, Alice huffing in response.

Once they were seated, Alice glanced around. "There isn't a soul here, how are we supposed to have anything to eat with no staff?"

"Well, I usually only eat the ketchup if I come here. Can't afford anything else anyway." Sans said.

"Do forgive me, but I happen to prefer a meal that consists of more than just a cheap condiment." Alice tapped her fingers on the table, raising a brow.

"Not one of those cheap dates, huh?" Sans chuckled. "Help yourself to the back, they probably have a few more of those 'glam burgers' that everyone raves about."

Alice huffed, throwing her napkin down as she stormed into the employee area. She grabbed some things, putting them on a plate as she sat back down at the table. "This is positively barbaric." She said, making a face when she took a bite of the burger, sighing lightly.

"So... you're gonna go see King Asgore, huh?" Sans asked.

"Yes... it would be best if I reached him before that little hell spawn does." Alice said, dabbing her mouth.

Sans sighed then. "Yeah... you know, I'm gonna be honest with you. I've done this song and dance before. I've done it so many times it's like a blur. But this time, something's changed."

"Let me guess, I am that something." Alice replied.

"No, you're the some ONE." Sans said. "I know that kid better than they think I do. Something has gone wrong. I think Alphys is on the verge of something, but... I don't want to be the one to stop her again. See, I've seen her go down this path before. But se started out going the right way. I thought maybe I would get to see the surface again before it all goes back to square one. Nothing seems to work. It's always the same story. We get to the surface, we have a happy ending, but that's just it. After that night, something always happens, and it literally ends. I wake up, I'm back here in the underground. It's like a never ending loop." Sans says. "Problem is, if I told my brother this... if I told anyone this, they'd think I'm crazy... because their memories are set back too."

"But yours is not." Alice said, and Sans gave her a nod. "I know that feeling. Saying something and knowing no one would believe you... seeing things no one else can."

"Look. I'll be Sans with you... because my name isn't Frank." He chuckled lightly, Alice shaking her head. "I don't know how you got here, and... maybe that matters, maybe it doesn't, I don't know. But I think I know WHY you're here. Let me spare you the gimmicks when I say this."

"Oh, please do!" Alice exclaimed.

"I know that you're not from around here." Sans said. "And when I say that, I don't just mean the underground. Even the kid knows what a cell phone is. You've never heard about that in your life. You're from the surface alright, but... from long before this time."

"You're smarter than you appear to be... whenever you decide to appear and disappear, that is. I have a rather furry friend like that and I can tell you it can be quite exhausting." Alice said.

Sans laughed. "I come and go as I please." He paused for a moment to squirt another packet of ketchup in his mouth. "Well, Alice... this has been a nice chat. I don't know too much about you, kiddo... but I know enough to say that I'm rootin' for you."

"I appreciate your sentiment." Alice said, dabbing her mouth as she rose from her seat.

"You've beaten your own demons, haven't you, Alice? Well... I'm hoping you can beat hers, too." Sans said as Alice turned to walk away. Alice's eyes widened for a moment, inhaling sharply as she whirled around, pausing when she saw he had vanished without a trace.

"Oh, you sneaky devil..." She breathed, her hands flat against her dress as she smoothed it out.

Alice decided to waste no time, foregoing a night of rest to continue on her journey to the palace. She exited MTT Resort through a door with a sign that read 'CORE' in giant letters, continuing until she reached a bridge. She inhaled deeply, crossing over. She stopped when she noticed a small fork, but saw that the path to the right had been blocked. Shrugging, she was about to go to the left when she heard a ringing sound, the normally unfazed young woman nearly jumping out of her skin. She dug in her dress pocket, withdrawing the cellphone to open it and answer it.

"H- Hey, Alice! It's me, Alphys! Have you reached the core?"

"Yes, I just entered now..." Alice replied.

"Okay, take the elevator up to the top most level." Alphys said. "Should be right in front of you."

"This is an elevator? Looks more like a solid steel cage..." Alice raised a brow. She approached, pressing a few buttons and blinking. "Either I am truly, absolutely, technologically inept, or this contraption seems to be faulty." Alice remarked after a few moments.

"Oh... guess it isn't working... here, try taking the path to the left." Alphys said.

Alice raised her brows, doing as she was instructed. Upon proceeding through the door, she stopped when she saw another glowing fragment of light, similar to the one she witnessed in Snowdin. She approached it, lightly touching it so that as it had before, a small slip of paper sparkled out of it. Alice opened it up, scanning the words.

"What does this one say... 'Sensing you are on the verge of a significant turning point in your journey... it fills you with determination.' A turning point...?" Alice said to herself as the paper dissolved in her hands. She heard something behind her then, the sound of water dripping to the floor. She slowly turned, gasping when suddenly, the child was standing inches behind her, smirking darkly as she remained drenched with water, her hair clinging to the sides of her face. Alice narrowed her eyes, wielding her hobby horse and rearing it back without sparing any chit chat. As she was about to swing, she saw the child move past her quickly out of the corner of her eyes, time seeming to slow down. She stopped mid swing to turn around, the child's back facing her.

"Did you really think that it was going to be this easy? That you would rampage your way through this world with your composed and stoic nature, maintaining your emotions even in combat? Why are you really here, Alice? For your own accord, or someone else's? But that is all you know how to do then, isn't it? You're always a pawn in someone else's game, and you are too caught up in your own self-centered atmosphere to realize it. In this world, it does not revolve around you, Alice." The child said.

"Let me guess... it revolves around you?" Alice asked.

"No. It revolves around the same pointless attempt of stopping the inevitable, over and over again. You were chosen to be the very piece in this game to destroy the opposition... but it is you who will fall, and all of their fruitless efforts to make their dream a reality." The child said, turning to hold up the dagger she was holding.

Blood.

Alice gasped lightly then, staggering as she held her side. Her sky blue dress was slowly being stained red, holding her hand up to see crimson on her fingertips. Distracted by the realization of her wound, she cried out in surprise when she felt someone push her, losing her balance as she felt herself teetering on the edge.

'You may have determination like I do, Alice... but the potency of mine far surpasses yours.' Alice heard the child's voice speak as she no longer felt the ground under her feet, the air hitting her back as the child's haunting face grew farther and farther away.

As Alice felt her life fading with her fall, she heard an odd sound that she could not distinguish. She felt a sudden impact before losing consciousness, as if something was embodying her. Whether this was in safety and protection or captivity and harm, she would have to find the answer upon coming to.

And yet another cliffhanger, readers! Does the child know more about Alice than she is letting on? How DOES she know what she does about her? For those of you wondering, though Frisk/Chara are gender neutral in the game, I am making them female in my fic as a personal choice. You can still continue to view Frisk/Chara as gender neutral if that is what you prefer. :) Anyhow, much more to come, so please keep an eye out for updates!