Chapter Six: Is There More?

Since the time between the EX's forms creations and Mettaton's new updates, he's been taking every opportunity he could to strut around with his new body. His box form had to have more bulk to carry on with maintaining three forms at once, but this was the only downside he could see. He would return to his box form only when he was on camera or in public. Mettaton wanted to keep the new body a secret until the right moment. What or when that moment would be was still up for debate and chance. Nonetheless, he fell in love with is EX form the moment it was made. Being inside such a new form was awe-inspiring to him. On the outside, Mettaton was complete. He often carried a mirror around to gaze at himself. He had become the god Narcissus, give or take a few qualities.

But there was that nagging feeling. A feeling that the ghost turned robot couldn't escape. It was a feeling of emptiness. No matter what he did, it just didn't feel good enough. It was a somewhat lonely existence being famous. Sure, there was the crew and Burgerpants to boss around, but there were few individuals that even slightly filled that void. There were his cousins, Napstablook and the now Mad Dummy, though he had more of a connection with the former. Not that he didn't love Mad Dummy, but his off the wall anger would sometimes deter Mettaton. There was also Alphys, who he had grown to appreciate her friendship more over time. He thought her interests were a little pathetic at best, but he himself was on the same boat of strange as well. He was thankful for the day he first got a body and had his show developed. If it weren't for her, he would probably still be at the Snail Farm with Napstablook. As much as Mettaton loved his cousin, there was only so much more time at that place before he would lose his mind. There was more to what Mettaton wanted than just the Snail Farm, but is there more to where he is now?

Even they weren't quite the solution he needed. They helped, but they didn't completely take those emotions away. Was it his act? Was it his surroundings? Mettaton knew that there had to be something else out there beyond the Underground, and he wanted to have a taste of it. But trying to leave the surface was near impossible now. No one has found a solution to break the barrier yet, and it was highly unlikely that a solution would come to that problem anytime soon. So for now, he and everyone else was stuck down here.

He greatly suspected that his act was beginning to tire out, so Mettaton decided to ask Alphys for her input on the situation. Mettaton found her on her usual spot, watching anime on her personal computer. The scene was currently showing some sort of transformation scene.

"Alphys? May I ask you something?"

"S-sure, Mettaton." Alphys turned to him, pausing the show on the screen. "What is it?"

"Do you think my act has gone stale?" Mettaton asked, putting a hand on his hip.

"What do you mean?" Alphys grew curious. She sat down with her stomach laying on the back of the chair with her arms crossed on top of one another.

Mettaton sighed. "Well, it's just that... Ever since I became a star, it's like I've barely done anything to change things up. My fans deserve better- hell, even I deserve better! Them and I need something new, something refreshing! I can't just keep doing the same old thing forever, you know. That's how stars fade on the surface. No variety is a sign of being a one trick pony, and I am more than just a one trick pony. I can sing, I can dance, I can do all sorts of things in this body thanks to you. But how do I implement those talents? Sure, there's the cooking program and the news, but that can only hold an audience for so long. I'm so afraid of my audience leaving me for someone else! So please, I ask of you... what should I do?"

"Oh, gee Mettaton..." Alphys cleaned her glasses and put them back on. "I-I really don't know what to say, m-me being a scientist and all that. Is there anything you haven't tried yet? Maybe one of your older ideas could help bring in new viewers."

"I see." Mettaton rested his chin in his fingers. He then took a notepad and pen from the desk and began to jot down more ideas. "Go on."

"W-well, didn't you say you wanted to do a talent show or something like that?" Alphys thought back to the first ideas Mettaton brought up when they first met.

"Of course I did!" Mettaton's memory of that flashed like a light bulb being turned on.

"M-maybe now you can actually follow through on that!" Alphys continued.

"Alphys, you're a genius!" Mettaton put an arm around her. "Just imagine it: monsters showing off their talents in front of a live audience! And the best part? The winner gets to have a role in my upcoming movie: METTATON: THE MOVIE XXVIII! Or better, become a star! Oh, I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here!"

Alphys chuckled lightheartedly. "Hey, it's your brain not mine. Glad I could help jog your memory."

"And it would be the perfect way to introduce my new body to my fans!" Mettaton clapped his hands. "Imagine the looks on their faces when my beautiful EX form is first showcased on live TV!"

"I j-just know they'll love it!" Alphys clapped along with him.

"Now you're speaking my language! But we're going to need judges. I myself would be one, obviously, but there's two more slots that need to be filled." Mettaton's eyes widened shortly after commenting, and he slowly turned his head. A devilish grin started to grow on his face. He was now completely turned towards Alphys, with her eyes darting from left to right.

"Um..." Alphys mumbled. "W-who were you-"

"Well, you sweetie!" Mettaton exclaimed. "Who else would I pick?"

"B-b-but Mettaton! I-I don't know how to be a judge!" Alphys replied.

"You'll get the hang of it once you keep doing it. But please, Alphys?"

Alphys sighed. "No, Mettaton."

"Please?" Mettaton asked again, stretching out the word.

"No."

"Ple-ease?"

"No!" Alphys then saw what Mettaton was doing. He pouted his lower lip and his eyes grew wide. "Oh no..."

Metaton gave a whimpering sound, trying to sound like a puppy.

"No, Mettaton! That trick i-isn't going to work on m-me!" Alphys crossed her arms.

Mettaton whimpered again repeatedly, quivering his lip.

Alphys gave out a frustrated sigh. "You're not gonna stop until I say yes, aren't you?"

Not once breaking out of his scheme, he nodded slowly in response.

"F-fine..." Alphys caved. Only then did Mettaton's face return to its regular demeanor.

"Fantastic!" Mettaton smiled. "I'll meet up with you later to discuss further plans. Ciao~"