26th February

I awake to the scent of freshly cooked pancakes. Finally, we're back home! Man, that holiday was so fun... I reckon it'll be the last time we'll go abroad before school opens up in September. After talking to Guidea for a bit after finishing breakfast, I head out into town, not really certain of my destination today.

"Hey Tyler. What're you doing, standing around?" Flowey suddenly perks up, popping his head out of the ground next to me.

"Hmm...well, I was thinking of seeing Emma today, but she's probably really busy with the new game show." I explain, before Flowey looks at me as if he knows something I don't.

"Are you braindead? Didn't you hear the news this morning? That was a one-off episode! The show's been cancelled!" He exclaims, as I blink in surprise.
"What?! But why would it be cancelled? It was a great show to be a part of! Well, it's the only show I've been a part of, but still! We have to save the show!"

* * * *

"Emmaton! Emma! It's me, Tyler! I have to talk to you!" I knock on her door, a fancy apartment in the middle of the city. I see someone approach, but frown as Ambstabrook opens the door.
" [Oh, hi Tyler. Didn't see you there. We're not accepting autographs right now, sorry.] " She signs, and I giggle.
"I'm not here for an autograph, Ambie. Can I talk to Emma? It's important."

" ...Where did you learn sign language?? " Flowey interjects, shouting up from his pot.
"Luke taught me." I state simply. He shrugs in response, and Ambstabrook opens the door to let us in.

" [Would you like a drink?] " Ambstabrook asks, as she floats over to the kitchen.
"Yeah, orange juice, please! And some water with a straw for Flowey!" I reply, Flowey rolling his eyes in thanks. I hear singing coming from the other room, along with some metallic whirring. The singing doesn't sound robotic, though...
I knock on the door, and both noises stop, as the person inside goes to open the door. I'm greeted by Emma - outside of her body - and in the back, I see Sam tinkering with her robot form.

"Tyler! What a surprise! Please, come in! Me and Sam were fixing up Emmaton." She smiles, leading me into the room, Ambstabrook following with the drinks. I place Flowey down on the floor, and I see a flash of guilt cross Sam's eyes. Whoever did this to him doesn't matter now. I'll get Asriel back somehow.

"So! What's up with your body?" I ask, sipping my juice, as Sam goes back to working on her.

" Oh, nothing, actually. He's just making a few adjustments so Emmaton can perform better! " Emma frowns slightly.

"Oh! So then... Why is Royal Flush being cancelled? That's what I came here to talk about, actually. What's up? Did your contract with Atozed run out?" I ask, as she shuffles back a little.

" Uhm...let me explain. " Sam interjects, looking at Emma in concern.
"Basically, I'm modding Emmaton's body so she'll be a real robot, working without a human soul. I was actually planning to do this a long time ago...I just needed Emma to give me the OK. She says she's retiring from acting. Forever."

I blink for a bit, processing how easy that was to understand. Pretty unlike Sam to be short and concise.

"But why Emma? You're the underground's one and only star! You were born in the-"

" NO I WASN'T! " Emma yells suddenly, making Flowey nearly spill his drink over.

"I wasn't! Emmaton was! Everyone is so focused on Emmaton, wondering if she's okay, when she's coming back. But nobody asks me! Nobody asks: "Hey, Emily! How are you feeling?" , because I'm not Emmaton! Not anymore... "

She calms down a bit after her sudden rant, and I scuffle over to give her something like a hug - she's a ghost, so I try not to phase through her. She hesitates to hug back, and looks away.

"I...I'm sorry, Tyler... I can't do this anymore. I can't continue being someone I'm not!" She cries, as she fades away.

" I'm going after her! " I immediately yell,  Flowey groaning.

"...Can I stay here and help Sam? Learning how to fix robots might be pretty cool."

"Flowey, you...you want me to teach you how to fix robots? I-I'd be glad to!" Sam chirps, pulling the potted plant closer to him and the half-disassembled robot.

" If I was Emma, where would I run... " I muse, before immediately fighting it out.
"Oh! Mt. Ebott, of course!"

* * * *

As I run throughout the Ruins, thanking Impact for the shortcut, I finally make it towards the room before the flower field. Six whispers fill my head, but I dismiss them for now as I try listen for Emma.

"What? But you said it would be like when you led Tyler through the underground! Why...can't you?" I hear her say, her voice carrying a sense of betrayal. I make my way towards the sound. Another voice replies to her, one that seems a bit familiar.

"...I've told you countless times. I can't go back! Not after what I did."

As I peek my head around to the flower field, I'm paralysed from shock, and cover my mouth to prevent myself from screaming.

It's Luke! He's back! But how?! And why now, in front of Emma? Why is he...why is he leaving again?!

I want to reach out, tell him to stop. I could reset right now! But...something's stopping me from doing so!

"Maybe we'll meet again sometime! Until then!" He smiles at Emma, being enveloped by that light again. He looks in my direction, and I see his face turn to shock for a split second before he disappears once more.

What...what just happened? Was that real?!

Emma turns towards me, and I notice how she no longer looks like a ghost. She's shocked,too.

"Tyler! Did....did you come looking for me? You... You didn't must see that, did you?" She gasps, as she walks closer towards me. I nod, still trying to contain myself.

"Luke...he..why? Why did he come back, just to leave again?" I ask, as she walks over to grab my hand, in comfort. She's...physical. She's...alive. And I know who did this for her.

"It's a long story. You see, to you, I've only been gone a few minutes. But to me, Luke pulled me into the void and we went on a journey to try regain my memories. And it worked! For a while...you see, Luke's soul...I think when he first disappeared, somebody had stolen his soul! And that's why he couldn't stay then and now. You get me?" She explains rather quickly, as I'm pulled out of my shocked daze.

"Yeah...that makes sense, actually. I've been trying to make sense of it for so long, and that sounds like a solid theory. So what horrible creature took hostage of their soul, then...?"

The Puppet-Master. And...like Luke...I have a really bad feeling about what's going to happen in the future. That creature...you don't want to know what they could do to us...to this world.

"...It all makes sense now. I think I know what's going on, Emma. Now, I don't know when it will happen, but I feel like something terrible will happen soon. Luke's instincts never lied. Just...be in your guard, alright?"

It might be sooner than you think.