Undertale

Chapter 14: Alphys

 I went back to the River Person. This time, the prow of their boat was shaped like the Annoying Dog's head. "Tra la la. Care for a ride?"

"Yes."

"Where will we go today?"

"Hotland."

"Then we're off." The boat rose up out of the water, so that it seemed to be standing on the water with little dog's legs. It trotted off across the stream, splashing the water behind it. "Tra la la. Temmie Village... the room before the darkening lantern room."

"Yeah, I found it."

The boat arrived at Hotland, and its dog's legs sank back into the water so that it floated on top. "Come again some time. Tra la la.

I walked up the path, back into the searing desert. I glanced at the enormous white building. Over the door was the word "LAB".

Seeing such a strange laboratory in a place like this... I'm filled with determination.

As I approached the building, its sliding doors opened automatically. I walked into a very dark hallway. There was an escalator coming down one side of the room, and a strange machine with a screen on it. The screen showed my face on it, which moved along as I did. I felt very unsettled. The camera in the bush in front of the door to the Ruins in Snowdin... the camera behind the waterfall... someone was watching me! I figured I was about to meet whoever it was.

I couldn't see anything else in the dark. I stumbled around, trying to find a light switch and trying not to look at the screen. A door on the other side of the room opened, and someone came out. The person flipped a light switch. She was a stocky, yellow, lizard-like monster. She had a three-pointed crest on the back of her head, buck teeth, and a thick, stubby, pointed tail. She wore round glasses and a white lab coat. She walked towards me, and gasped in shock. "Oh. My god." She started bouncing nervously, looking around. "I didn't expect you so soon! I haven't showered, I'm barely dressed, it's all messy, and..."

"You were expecting me? ... who are you?"

"Ummm... H-h-hiya! I'm Dr. Alphys. I'm ASGORE's royal scientist!

"Oh." Undyne had mentioned this monster several times.

"B-b-but, ahhhh, I'm not one of the 'bad guys'!"

"W-what?"

"Actually, since you stepped out of the Ruins, I've um... been 'observing' your journey through my console. Your fights... your friendships... everything! I was originally going to stop you, but... watching someone on a screen really makes you root for them. S-so, ahhh, now I want to help you!"

"Well, thanks for stalking me," I said, in a tone of voice that made it sound genuine. I was half sarcastic, but I was glad she wanted to help me.

"Using my knowledge, I can easily guide you through Hotland! I know a way right to ASGORE's castle, no problem!"

"Well, that's great! Thanks!" Though honestly, I didn't fully trust her... even if her intentions were good, she had still stalked me.

"Well, actually, umm, there's just a tiny issue. A long time ago, I made a robot named Mettaton. Originally, I built him to be an entertainment robot. Uh, you know, like a robotic TV star or something. Anyway, recently I decided to make him more useful. You know, just some small practical adjustments. Like, um... anti... anti-human combat features? Of c-course, when I saw you coming, I immediately decided... I have to remove those features! Unfortunately, I may have made a teensy mistake while doing so. And, um... now he's an unstoppable killing machine with a thirst for human blood?"