Fear.

It was eating at my determined heart; digging into the core. Like a colony of termites. My heels clicking against the tile floor; making each step more hesitant than the last. I kept my head down and shuffled through the crowds of people. The monsters were all packed in this single lobby; waiting, impatiently, for the elevator. Some chattering on their phones, probably to tell their families they would be late for dinner. And others, most likely, internally banging their heads on a wall for the long delay. The last thing I wanted was people questioning my well-being, so I headed towards the door with 'Exit' on it.

Immediately, I was greeted by a soft breeze and let out a small smile. The door behind me swung shut and I was left to my own devices. I closed my eyes and took a few steps forward. The wooden deck, creaking under the new weight. Small, outside lamps shone even through my eye-lids. Every step was 10 seconds of relaxation. No worries. No pain. Just nothing but the wind hitting my cheeks. I deeply inhaled the air and breathed out in satisfaction. For the Core, it had a clean smell to it. Opening my eyes, I felt 10 times better and continued onward.

I'm not going to let what Sans said stop me.

I don't have time for doubting myself.

This is too important to be worrying about my own comforts.

I knew this would require a lot of bravery.

So, I need to finish what I started.

I was so busy trying to give myself a pep talk that I almost didn't notice the two figures, run towards where I was going. I flinched at the sudden movement and did so again when my phone rung. It was Alphys.

¨Hey. Did you see those guys that walked to where I was going?¨ I asked, curiously. I frowned and waited for a response.

¨Y-yeah. But.....N-nobody else is s-supposed to be here.............¨

¨Will that be a problem or......?¨

¨Oh well! We can't worry about that now!¨ Alphys commented quickly and hung up. I puffed my cheeks at her harsh words. It was like she was.........occupied with something. Eh, who am I to judge? She probably has her hands full, with my soul and all. Speaking of it. I pulled the collar of my sweater and pulled; seeing my soul appear. I winced as the cracks got deeper than before. The color seemed to fade a bit but still looked a little healthy. I sighed and let go of the collar of my torso. I hope Alphys found something to fix this.

I walked forward; the environment suddenly all metal and a red light flashed above the doorway. Walking through it, I gawked at the futuristic room that I stood in. The floor was blue and electric currents lighted up, carrying thousands of messages to different locations of the Underground. Metal trim accompanied the matching walls and an elevator appeared in front of me. As much as I wanted to observe the room further, I needed to get to the Core. I tried to press the button for the elevator but it didn't do anything. Confused, I pressed it again. Nothing happened. Then, Alphys called.

¨Strange.....The elevator should be working.....W-well then! Go to the right and keep heading up!¨ Hung up. I sighed loudly and walked to the right of the elevator; a doorway on that side. But, unfortunately, I was met with a dark room and fire blocking my path. I clenched my fist and held back the urge to scream in frustration. I don't need this. So, knowing she probably meant left, I exited and went to the opposite way, However, mid-way through the hall, I was encountered by those two figures again. Then, I was taken to a fight. Again.

The monster had a mischievous grin and no arms. It wore a wizard outfit and had two orbs floating on each side of him. Checking him, he was pretty tough but I think I could manage. He smirked and said, ¨Please and thank you.¨ Then he threw balls of magic at me. I side-swept from where they aimed at me; the orb still following me. I continued to dodge it until it disappeared. I really didn't want to think about him, so I looked towards the wall. I felt a little better. ¨Hocus, pocus¨ it cackled, throwing another orb. I snapped my attention towards the monster and dodged them, noticing that I was a lot faster.

I noticed the orb on its right and watched it spin curiously. However, the orb started to crack under my gaze. ¨Please and thank you.¨ Three more orbs started to chase me. After dodging them, I decided to stare at the orbs when I have the chance. So I did. After staring at both of them, he was weakened and I spared him. I decided to keep going and forget what just happened. I came to an electric field and, once again, Alphys called and told me to hit the switch. However, it would activate some lasers and she told me the combination. As I hit the switch, the lasers zoomed towards me as the opposite colors and I screamed in agony as two hit me. I fell to the ground. Feeling the sizzling pain on my arms. The material was burned and stuck to my slightly charred forearm. The worst part? It wasn't bleeding so the pain was ten times as worse!

I was sniffling as she called me and I picked up. ¨Oh my god.........Are you hurt? I....I'm so sorry, I.....I gave you the wrong order.¨

¨I....It h-hurts.......¨ I spoke up, softly and hoarsely from screaming.

¨Everything's going to be fine, okay? Just use some of the items in your inventory and l-let's continue to the right.¨

After she hung up, I got some of the instant noodles and ate it raw. What? They taste just like chow-mein! It healed me up a little bit. My shirt was still burnt on the sleeves and my wound looks more like a scab. I almost gagged staring at it. Shuddering, I picked myself up and walked to the other end of the bridge. I continued until I was stopped with a dilemma. I didn't know which way to go. Left or straight. As I was about to go left, I saw something orange appear in front of me. It was the orange orb again!

¨Hey, buddy! How have you been?¨ I asked, happily. It spun around, happily. Like it was saying 'i have been good'. I giggled and smiled at the orb. Suddenly, it started to head forward and, being the curious person I am, I ran after it. Ahead of me, a view of the lasers were coming closer. I was about to stop when they all disappeared and we were able to run out of there safely. I didn't care though. This little ball was leading me somewhere important. I just know it!

I didn't keep my eyes off it and followed where it went. Left, up, right, up. Fortunately, it knew its way around the maze and we were able to make it to a dark hallway. It sped up and I went faster, almost feeling a little out of breath. My legs pumped with the small amount of energy I could put and my breathing becoming heavy. Finally, after crossing a fog infested bridge, the orange ball stopped in front of the elevator. I huffed behind them and leant against the wall; trying to catch by breath.

¨Woo! You sure are an energetic little ball of energy, aren't cha'?¨ I shout out, my breathing slowing to its normal breathing. After getting relaxed, I pushed myself off the wall and walked towards where it was standing. However, it pushed me towards the front of an open doorway. I arched a brow at it. ¨I thought the elevator is supposed to lead to Asgore's?¨

It bounced in frustration and pushed me towards it, unsuccessfully. Chuckling at the persistent spirit, I went in front of it.

¨Alright, but if I'm going, you're coming with me.¨ It spun happily and hoped in my bag, snuggling into the clean clothes. I smiled and adjusted my bag. I sighed and walked inside. It was mostly dark except for a figure in front of me. It was Mettaton. I growled under my breath and stomped towards him.

¨Hey, what do you want know?¨ I asked, rather rudely.

¨OH YES. THERE YOU ARE, DARLING. IT'S TIME TO HAVE OUR LITTLE SHOWDOWN.¨

¨Look, I don't have time for this. So, let's get this over with.¨

¨IT'S TIME TO FINALLY STOP THE 'MALFUNCTIONING' ROBOT.¨

¨What are you talking about?¨ I snarl. ¨Alphys said you were reprogrammed!-¨

¨MALFUNCTIONING? REPROGRAMMING? GET REAL. THIS WAS ALL JUST A BIG SHOW.¨

I frowned but shook my head. No, Alphys would never betray me. Especially with me helping the monsters escape the Underground! ¨You're a liar!¨

¨ALPHYS HAS BEEN PLAYING YOU FOR A FOOL THE WHOLE TIME. AS SHE WATCHED YOU ON THE SCREEN, SHE GREW ATTACHED TO YOUR ADVENTURE. SHE DESPERATELY WANTED TO BE A PART OF IT. SO SHE DECIDED TO INSERT HERSELF INTO YOUR STORY. SHE REACTIVATED THE PUZZLES. SHE DISABLED THE ELEVATORS. SHE ENLISTED ME TO TORMENT YOU. ALL SO THAT SHE COULD SAVE YOU FROM THE DANGERS THAT DIDN'T EXIST.¨

¨N.......N-No....It c-can't be......She....she-¨

¨ALL SO YOU WOULD THINK SHE'S THE GREAT PERSON.........THAT SHE'S NOT. AND NOW, IT'S TIME FOR HER FINEST HOUR. AT THIS MOMENT, ALPHYS IS WAITING OUTSIDE THIS ROOM. DURING OUR BATTLE, SHE WILL 'INTERRUPT'. SHE WILL PRETEND TO 'DEACTIVATE' ME, 'SAVING' YOU ONE FINAL TIME. FINALLY. SHE'LL BE THE HEROINE OF YOUR ADVENTURE. YOU'LL REGARD HER SO HIGHLY SHE'LL EVEN BE ABLE TO CONVINCE YOU NOT TO LEAVE. ....OR NOT.¨

¨How can I trust you?! Y-you could be lying for all I know!¨

He sighs and continues.

¨I HAVE NO DESIRE TO HARM HUMANS. FAR FROM IT, ACTUALLY. MY ONLY DESIRE IS TO ENTERTAIN. AFTER ALL, THE AUDIENCE DESERVES A GOOD SHOW, DON'T THEY? AND WHAT'S A GOOD SHOW......WITHOUT A PLOT TWIST?¨

Then, I heard Alphys' voice and a clicking sound.

¨H-hey!!! Wh-wh-what's going on?! Th-th-th door just locked itself!¨ she shouted. But I didn't pay attention to her. I watched as Mettaton posed dramatically and red lights appeared from the floors. Things just got a little frightening.

¨SORRY, FOLKS! THE OLD PROGRAM'S BEEN CANCELED!!! BUT WE'VE GOT A FINALE THAT WILL DRIVE YOU WILD!! ¨

Suddenly, the floor jerked up slightly and elevated quite quickly. I gasped as I fell onto the floor; hands and knees on the floor. The air whipped my hair and clothes as it continued going up.

¨REAL DRAMA!! REAL ACTION!! REAL BLOODSHED!! ON OUR NEW SHOW...........'ATTACK OF THE KILLER ROBOT!'¨ Then, I was in another fight. But this time, Alphys can't save me now. But, would she?