Once Woona finished celebrating befriending Undyne, Woona glanced around at the crater where her house had been. "Huh...I should probably try and fix this..."
Or you could go back to making your way to the barrier to try and find a way to break it to let everyone out on the surface, Chara offered. Then she could get a new house up there.
"Good idea!" Woona agreed eagerly. "...so..."
Back to the mountain where we had a FIGHT with Undyne-
Woona took Sans' shortcut, appearing at the base of the mountain. "Oh, a tunnel!" she squealed happily, racing through.
...warn me next time... Chara groaned. Shortcuts are not good for my etheric balance.
"Oops...sorry."
Woona carefully followed the path north into an area glowing red, rocky outcrops linked by wooden bridges suspended over pits of lava. As she walked, she panted a bit. "I see why...this place is...called Hotland..." she gasped out.
Stitch the 'cold' rune into the Stained Apron, Chara suggested.
"...huh. Good idea!" Removing the Apron, she pulled out her sewing kit and stitched in the rune that kept the pouch with the snowman in it cold into the inside of the apron, putting her magic into it.
Woona equipped Chilled Apron
DEF +11
Grants immunity to heat based magic effects
Halves the damage of fire magic
Restores 1 HP every other turn, 1 every turn in Hotland.
The heat of Hotland does not cause exhaustion while worn.
"...wow," Woona muttered. "Talk about an upgrade!"
...maybe you should put runes in your other equipment, Chara suggested.
"But I only know cold, hot, gold, and bigger on the inside," Woona countered.
...you should look up some more useful ones at some point.
Nodding, Woona continued east, deeper into Hotland. After passing an empty guard post and a water cooler, she reached a crossroads, with paths going north, south, and east. The north path was blocked by two large monsters in black armor that concealed all their features. Woona decided it would be best to avoid them for the moment.
The south path led to a dock on a river, but there was no boat. Returning to the crossroads, Woona made her way east, coming to a large white building. 'LAB' was written above the door in red letters. As Woona approached, the front door slid open. Unsure what else to do, Woona made her way inside.
The inside of the Lab was clean, the linoleum tiles almost sparkling as Woona's hooves clip-clopped against them. The walls were a pale yellow, at least what Woona could see of them as the whole chamber - a long hall as best she could tell - was dark, save the light given off by various electronic devices...including a large screen that showed Woona herself walking through the lab. "Whoa..." she whispered as she approached it.
It's just a television, Chara explained. Someone's recording you and displaying it live.
Focusing her magic, Woona levitated herself upward until she was in front of the screen, and saw the screen zoom into an eternally shrinking view of itself. "Whoa! There's millions of me!"
...you are easily amused, Chara scolded.
Only just noticing? Woona teased back.
Quickly losing interest in the TV, Woona continued further east past a computer desk piled high with documents of some sort, nearly obscuring the computer. Since she couldn't make out details in the darkness, she decided not to examine them too close just yet. There was also a large fridge and a bag of what looked to possibly be dog food.
As Woona passed the dog food, she saw a door open in the distance, and a female drake stepped out. Woona recognized such a figure from the adolescent dragons she had seen up on the surface-
There are dragons on the surface? Chara asked in shock, having heard her thoughts.
-and this one seemed much like the wingless variants she had seen, because yes there were dragons on the surface even if now wasn't the time to talk about it with Chara.
...last I checked, it was my job to narrate you.
This one had yellow scales and appeared to have just the slightest bit of what she'd heard described as 'chub'. Her two front teeth stuck out slightly over the lower half of her beak/muzzle, and she wore a white lab coat and thick glasses. Walking across the hall, she turned on a light, illuminating the whole lab and making Woona wince at the brightness. The drake then turned towards Woona...only to gasp in surprise.
"Oh...my god!" she shrieked out in terror. "I wasn't expecting you to show up so soon! I haven't showered, I'm barely dressed, it's all messy, and...oh you must think I'm horrible!"
"Uncle Sans is worse in all three areas," Woona offered comfortingly.
The drake blinked for a bit, then managed to chuckle. "I...I guess that makes me feel a little better," she mumbled as she caught her breath. "Still, I was trying so hard to make a good first impression and had all these plans, and-"
"Will it help if I go back outside and come back in when you're ready?" Woona suggested.
The drake seemed pleased at the idea, but quickly shook her head. "N-no, that wouldn't do. I'll...I'll just have to work with what I've got..." She swallowed nervously.
Woona decided to take the lead. "Hi! I'm Woona!"
"I-I'm Dr. Alphys," the drake replied. "I'm Asgore's royal scientist."
Woona scratched her chin. "So you're the Alphys that wasn't allowed to stay too long at Undyne's house because you're precious to her and she was worried she'd break you if left alone with you for too long?" she asked innocently.
Alphys' cheeks turned bright red and she buried her face in her hands. Chara burst into uncontrollable laughter. I didn't even suggest that one! he gasped out in Woona's mind.
Woona blushed brightly. "D-did I just accidentally make another dirty joke? I'm sorry!"
"Q-quite alright," Alphys replied. "I j-just...never thought Undyne would...l-look at me that way..." She quickly cleared her throat. "A-anyway, ever since you stepped out of the Ruins, I've been, uh, observing you."
"The cameras?" Woona asked, surprised.
"Y-yeah," Alphys confirmed. "At first it seemed like you were crazy, since you talked to yourself when you were alone...but after some tweaking, I was able to see the spiritual being that was overshadowing you, and I was even able to tweak the audio filters to pick up his words."
...okay, I'm impressed, Chara murmured. I didn't think it was possible to perceive me overshadowing you without abilities like Sans'. Pity she can only do it via the screen. There's so much I could say otherwise.
Behave yourself, Chara, Woona chided silently. "That's really cool!" Woona praised Alphys out loud. "You're really good with the science stuff!"
Alphys rubbed the back of her head. "I'm not...really that great..." she muttered. "Well...watching everything you went through, and...hearing what I couldn't see...I found myself rooting for you. I know your soul might be the key to breaking the barrier...but seeing you succeed's become more important than that! So, uhh, I want to help you!"
Woona gasped happily. "I've already made a new friend? That's wonderful!" She clapped her hooves happily.
Alphys blushed in pleasure. "W-well, with my knowledge I can easily guide you through Hotland. I can get you right to Asgore's castle, no problem! ...well, unless someone's tweaked Mettaton's code..."
"Mettaton?" Woona inquired, intrigued.
"Well," Alphys stammered, "a while ago I...built a robot. Originally, he was supposed to be an entertainment bot, like a robo-TV star, but...recently, I gave him a bunch of weapons and human hunting protocols, since, you know, we needed human souls. But you're not human, so that shouldn't be a problem-"
A loud clang echoed as the entire room shook.
"Uh oh!" Woona gasped out, doing her best to be extra dramatic.
Another loud clang shook the room, making Woona and Alphys both jump.
"B-but how can this be?" Alphys demanded, confused.
Five more clangs echoed, each shaking the room enough to make them jump.
"Get behind me!" Woona and Alphys both shouted at the same time, before glancing at each other in surprise.
An explosion erupted from the wall, briefly blinding everyone.
"OH YES!" a robotically synthesized voice proclaimed loudly. "WELCOME BEAUTIES..."
As Woona's vision cleared, she heard a drumroll. A spotlight turned on, illuminating what appeared to be a giant calculator with long arms on a wheeled base, holding a microphone.
"...TO TODAY'S QUIZ SHOW!" the robot proclaimed, its circuitry beeping under its voice.
Confetti began to fall as rainbow-colored lights swirled around and a large placard reading 'Game Show' lowered from the ceiling as the rest of the lab became somewhat illuminated.
"OH BOY! I CAN ALREADY TELL IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT SHOW-"
"Mettaton!" Alphys gasped out. "W-what's the meaning of this? Y-you're only supposed to hunt humans!"
"MY SENSORS DETECT APPROXIMATELY 10.78% HUMANITY IN THE PONY'S SPIRITUAL AURA!" Mettaton replied firmly.
That much from you? Woona asked Chara, surprised.
Chara remained silent, stunned by the implications that he represented that much humanity in Woona's soul.
"THESE PARAMETERS...ARE ACCEPTABLE!" Mettaton concluded.
Alphys snapped her fingers. "Oh...I knew I s-should have waited until the 17th model to bring you online!"
"I'M A POP STAR, NOT A PARK RANGER!" Mettaton countered.
As a laugh track played, Woona wrinkled her brow. "...I don't get it..."
I don't get it either.
7076079
It's a reference to this episode.
7076079 ditto
Me neither
I thought you were going to stop with the TFS references...damnit they're still funny...
I don't get that either....and also I like the DBZA reference.
HEY, KOOL-AID!
I suspect there's going to be an awful lot of "I don't get it" in the comments of this chapter.
I don't get it either.
Even though this is pacifist, I still want to see mettaton Neo. He looks so awesome.
7076079
7076094
7076098 DBZ Abridged. Android 17 made quips about being a Park Ranger.
7076087 And also the TFS Android 17's ongoing desire to be a park ranger, find a nice park, and range the fuck out of it.
Well. That chapter... kind of stopped, instead of ending.
And also, why are all of Mettaton's lines crossed out?
7076160
To signify a robotic voice, since I've already used bold, italics, and underlined for the three skeletons.
7076134 He could just decide that if his co-star has wings, he needs them too...
*sigh*... I missed my chance. I wanted to do an alt!script for when Woona first meets Mettaton, but it looks like I'm too late since that's happening right now... Wait, what if I pretend it doesn't exist, do what I was about to do anyway, and hope for the best that no one with a username in 1337 has something to say about it!
TOO LAAAAATE!!
Eh, not my best. Anyways, let's see you do this!!!
... That is some Homestuck sh*t right there.
Hmm... nah, I'm not feeling up to using R34 jokes today.
... Bad Tatsurou, bad!
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-
Anyways, see ya.
Can't wait to see how this plays out.
7076166 Well the lines look like they're crossed out on my computer, not underlined. Also, I think that just ALL CAPS would do well enough to show that it's Mettaton, since that's what it's like in-game - but hey, that's just what I think.
well, that just happened...
Mettaton can detect human spirits inside someone's soul? Well that's pretty interesting.
Also, I don't get the last part either.
This story...
OH YES!YES! METATTON APPEARS! I AM READY FOR FABULOSITY!
I'm with Luna i don't get the joke at the end either
And i just realized how fitting that is with my avatar
but seeing you succeed's become more
1. Succeed.
At least Woona didn't... Dragon the dirty jokes with Alphys this time.
Pretty cool suggestion from Chara to stitch that rune in.
At least Woona doesn't get all hot and bothered from the dirty jokes she now passively gives out.
Who knew sans stunk even though he didn't give out any dirty puns.
7076087
Once Mettaton appeared, this was my thought process: 'Yay! A gameshow!! .........Oh wait, WOONA MIGHT GET HURT METTATON YOU BETTER NOT HURT THE PRECIOUS CINNAMON ROLL!!'
I dont get it...
EDIT: went through the comments and found your video link Tatsurou.... I still don't quite get it though but at least now its funny
7076462
The "10.78%" and "these parameters are acceptable" are lines from Android 16 in DBZ Abridged by TFS. Thus why Alphys made the comment about waiting until the 17th model.
Android 17, in TFS DBZ Abridged, talks about becoming a Park Ranger. Thus, "I'm a Pop Star, not a Park Ranger".
Wait, I don't get it, This seems rather genuine, is it still an act?
So Woona is at least about 11% percent Chara, not counting whatever percent the less-humany, more ghosty bits make up.
Oh your god, why do I get the feeling this will end when Mettaton detects the ghosty bits in Woona, unless 'ghost', and 'spirit' are considered different.
That or a phone call from Temmie saying 'HOi! Metittaton, Donts hert ma hubbi3!'
This will be interesting.
7076397
45.media.tumblr.com/0c06e803dc62d92785922860e6e31060/tumblr_nz98vrHR051r2c83ko1_1280.gif
Hahaahahah, nice man, nice :D
Good job on this!
17th model xD.... very nice. would have been so much cooler if it was 18th model. but most recognize 17 so its cool
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job.
Well, Alphys, that was pretty ingenious. Now to have fun with Mettaton.
THE WALL!!! IT BUUUUURNS!!!
7076695 It's the Tems. You really gonna fucking question something that 'VIBRATES INTENSELY' whenever you get close?
Whatever.
Also if he can detect human souls, shouldn't he hunt the King instead?
7076397
Abbreviated form of "succeed has" (or possibly "succeed is", though that would reflect a rather more archaic usage than is the wont of the characters of this tale thus far.
If MTT:EX was in the 18th model, he would have ginger hair and love birds.
Woona.
Woona please.
You are becoming too powerful.
Almost every attack from Asgore is related to fire, so she will barely take any damage from him with that rune!
7078127
Actually, that's 16th.
18th, Mettaton would be female, blonde, and have a thing for Sans (likes short guys).
Took me a bit, but I get it now... I approve.
7078543 Wait, then who has the trucker hat?
7078741
Pretty sure that's 13.
7078838
Yup, really. In the game, Sans never speaks in caps except when he gets serious - at which point he doesn't even have his voice effect - and so I don't capitalize him here.
...you reversed Mettaton's development. I'm pretty sure he was meant to be a human-hunting robot BEFORE becoming a pop-star.
7078895
Alphys' explanation is, in order, "I made him to be an entertainment robot, like a TV star or something. But then I thought I'd make him more useful, so I added all sorts of anti-human equipment and protocols."
7078907
I thought it was the other way around. Hm.
7078002 Hi again. Mettaton's an interesting character to say the least. At first glance, it appears he's no different from the Androids in Dragon Ball Z; robots with personality that do precisely what they're programmed to do and nothing less... then, once you tear the veil obfuscating the truth, you think to yourself "... *facepalm* Oh my gosh, how did I not see this coming?"
In short, he doesn't go after Asgore because of the plot of the game this is based on, not to mention the locked house in Waterfall.