Determination.

Alphys/Mettaton

Alphys has been watching us all along. Ever since we left the ruins. Frisk has noted cameras in some of the rooms we have been through. They wondered what they could be for.

I knew, but when Alphys told Frisk the truth, they were understandably perturbed. Alphys's assurances that she was here to help them calmed them down a little, but not much.

But as they get to know her, a warm, friendly feeling seems to blossom in our shared soul. Frisk really likes Alphys. Alphys has been saving them, time and again, from Mettaton.

First, Mettaton crashes through a wall in Alphys's lab, then instigates a quiz show with zaps that halve Frisk's health every time they get a question wrong. But Dr. Alphys is there to feed correct answers to Frisk, and when Mettaton figures this out, he heavily implies that Alphys has a crush on Undyne to embarrass her. But Frisk does not care. Alphys saves Frisk thrice more, at Mettaton's cooking show, at his news report, and at his colored tiles maze. Of course, I have my suspicions about whether Mettaton is really a threat, but it builds Frisk's trust in Alphys. They befriend her.

That last fight was something. Frisk convinces Mettaton that his fans need him more than any human could.

I learn that before Frisk fell, they greatly enjoyed watching anime and reading manga; this further cements the friendship between Frisk and Alphys.

Her anxious nature feels natural to Frisk, more so than loving Toriel, whimsical Papyrus, mysterious Sans, or passionate Undyne. Frisk feels that there was too much to live up to, trying to put on a brave face for Undyne and Papyrus, trying not to break in front of Toriel and Sans.

They feel like, maybe, if they break in front of Alphys, it would be alright. And this feeling is powerful. It's strong enough to overpower the feeling of betrayal as Alphys tells them that all of the fights with Mettaton, bar the last one, were set up so Alphys could save the day.

It's enough that they feel... safe, finally, with Alphys. They feel more comfortable with the Royal Scientist than anyone, certainly any human they have ever known. It makes them feel as though, perhaps, if they get through this, maybe Toriel would take them back. Would care for them, like she seemed to insinuate she would.

Frisk sings with Knight Knight, helping it to rest.

Frisk stares down Madjick's magical orbs, rendering them weak, and is recognized by Madjick as a fellow mage due to the stick Frisk still has.

Frisk mystifies Final Froggit, showing it that there is more to learn from this world.

Frisk prays with Whimsalot, allowing it to remember its conscience.

Frisk listens to Astigmatism, and doesn't Pick On it, as it requested.

And then Alphys tells them that if they hope to leave, that they would have to kill Asgore and take his SOUL.

And Frisk leaves the CORE, and enters Asgore's palace in a state of panicked agony. They would never take anyone's life, they swear to themself. They should just let themself die, give up their soul, they think to themself.

And I feel more determined than ever. Frisk is more than my vessel. I have grown to care for them greatly.

I will never let them die.

----------------------------------------------------

40 left.

Frisk's essence has retreated to the deepest, darkest depths of our SOUL. My SOUL.

You immediately walk around and around the room you're in, looking to initiate battles. You don't explore. Those days are long gone.

36 left.

You seem disappointed that these monsters are so easy. You seemed to think Hotland monsters would be more difficult than Waterfall's pitiful selection.

This is not a game. We do this for the good of all monsters, though they may not see it.

32 left.

Alphys isn't in her lab. Trying to evacuate the remaining monsters 'someplace safe,' is she?

It won't work.

28 left.

Her console shows a video feed of us- no. It is me, my face, that I see on the screen. My body that I now possess. Frisk is gone. I am here. I will purge this world- for Frisk, and for Asriel, and for all those monsters who have been wronged.

24 left.

Mettaton is scared of me. He tells me that he sees my anger, and then he runs.

20 left.

I see a half-empty bag of dog food in Alphys's lab. I am reminded of something funny.

16 left.

The Royal Guardsmen attack, trying to avenge Undyne. It takes a hit each for their SOULs to shatter and their bodies to turn to dust.

12 left.

I take the elevator up to the top of Hotland, to the hotel and the CORE that lies beyond. All the puzzles are completed- Asriel, doing his work to help me. His time to be liberated will come, too. Call me heartless.

Muffet did, actually, before you killed her.

8 left.

The hotel is deserted. The potted plant is judging me for my sins.

4 left.

Burgerpants is still here. He will never escape.

3 left.

Bratty and Catty are gone, Alphys having evacuated them. Their wares are still here. You steal everything, including five gold. Why do you bother? None of this is for you.

2 left.

The CORE is easily bypassed. The monsters that we encounter, Madjick, Knight Knight, Whimsalot , Final Froggit, and Astigmatism, you destroy them easily.

1 left.

Mettaton transforms into Mettaton NEO.

You seem letdown that, despite NEO's battle body, he still has no attacks, and he can still be killed in one hit.

Determination.