/* Hi, quick note here: I know that the chapter title for the previous chapter is not the correct quote. I did that on purpose. Cause I liked the feeling of the phrase but didn't want to quote the song verbatim. Anyways, on to the story!/*

Peter strode out onto the walkway that connected MTT Resort to the Core. Phone in hand, he waited for the inevitable call from Alphys. Peter noticed two shadowy figures walk into the Core, but sure enough, three seconds in and Alphys called.

"Hey, is there supposed to be anyone inside the Core?" Peter asked. "Cause two fellas just walked in. Like they were expecting me..."

"Huh? Who are they?! N-nobody else is supposed to be here..." She paused. "Oh well! We can't worry about that now!"

She hung up.

"I think she knows something we don't." Chara cautioned. "Stay determined."

Peter nodded.

Inside the Core, peppy music played. Alphys called again as soon as Peter reached a crossroads.

"Ready? This is it!" She cheered. "Take the elevator up to the top of the Core!"

"Seems a bit too easy..." Peter noted. Sure enough, the elevator wasn't working. "Well, teach me to open my mouth."

"What? The elevator should be working..." Alphys started ruffling papers and talking nervously. "Er, w-well then! Go to the right and keep heading up!"

Peter did so, but in his vigilance mixed up left and right. Alphys let him know about this, when suddenly a small pixie-magician-like monster sprang up.

"Watch out!" She yelled.

"Char, who is this?" Peter yelped.

"Madjick." She replied. "A magical mercenary menacingly mincing magic mutterings."

Peter gave her a look.

"He only says magic words." She huffed. "Clear your mind, or he may cause nausea."

Madjick began to chant, but taking Chara's advice, Peter didn't pay attention. His attacks were easy to dodge, and with a flash of webbing, Peter tied him up and ended the FIGHT.

"I forgot to ask, new suit?" Alphys asked.

Peter nodded. "Yeah." Pointing at Madjick, who was chanting gibberish, Peter turned to the nearest camera. "What was that?"

"I-I... I don't know! But it sure was close! Wh-why are there so many monsters here?" She suddenly cleared her throat. "I mean... It's no problem, r-r-right? W-w-we've just got to keep heading forward!"

"That's the most nervous I've heard her." Chara noted. "That's odd... and unsettling. Stay determined."

Peter squared his shoulders and walked on. In the next room was an electric ray blocking the way. Alphys called.

"Looks like you can't proceed until you hit the switch to your left." Alphys noted. "But the lasers will activate when you do. Looks like they'll come in the order orange orange blue So move until the third one! "

Peter took a deep breath and hit the switch. The moment he did, his spider-sense seemed to tell him to freeze. Trusting this, he froze. The lasers came in the opposite order Alphys had said! Thankfully, he got past.

"Oh my, are you okay!?" Alphys yelled. "I... I'm sorry, I gave you the wrong order... E-everything's fine, okay? Let's just keep moving forward. At the next crossroads, go right." Suddenly she screeched. "No, up! Oh gosh, sorry."

Chara shook her head as Alphys hung up. "Something's wrong."

Peter went up, and suddenly was ambushed by a Knight Monster!

"That's Knight Knight!" Chara exclaimed. "This megaton mercenary wields the Good Morningstar. Also, I'm not making that up."

"Good night." Knight Knight brought an eclipse of meteor bullets into the field.

"It seems night-pun based, right?" Peter exclaimed. "Maybe if I put it to sleep..."

He sang softly while deftly leaping obstacles. The first song that came to mind was Shyren's, so that's what he say. Sure enough, Knight Knight fell asleep, and Peter left the FIGHT.

"Sorry, I... I... I thought that..." Alphys started hyperventilating, but calmed herself down. "Ok. Let's try the right path instead."

"Guess that would be the "right" one!" Peter quipped. Chara chuckled nervously, and Alphys said nothing. "Tough crowd."

In the next room was more lasers.

"Um... Okay, I... I won't mess around this time. I'll just deactivated the lasers and let you through."

The sound of clicking keys came from the other end of the line. Nothing happened.

"... They're... they're not turning off." Alphys was beginning to panic. "I can't turn them off, I..." She took a deep breath. "I-i-it's okay! I have this under control! I'll just turn off the power for the whole node. Then you can walk accross."

The moment the lights shut off, Peter broke into a sprint. Suddenly, his spider-sense went off, and he skidded to a halt as several tens of blue lasers burst to life.

"Eeep!" Chara yelped.

"Th-the power..." Alphys was sounding frantic. "It's turning itself back on... d-dang it... th-this isn't supposed to..." More keyboard noises. "I... I'm gonna turn it off again. When it turns off, move a little, and then stop."

"Blue stop signs." Peter said to Chara, who was shaking slightly.

She chuckled and then nodded. "D... Determination?"

"Determination." Peter stated. Taking a deep breath, he fell in with the pattern of the lasers, his spider-sense helping him along the way.

"S-see? I've got everything under control." Alphys sighed with relief as he made it to the other side. "Everything's under control!"

"I'm not sure..." Peter said.

Moving through the halls, he soon found a pattern to the shifting rooms, but not before he bumped into what looked like an old friend.

"Loox?" He asked.

What appeared to be the eye of a Loox darted up to reveal sharp teeth.

"That's no Loox..." Chara gasped. "It's an Astigmatism!"

"Really?"

"Really!" Chara yelled. "It's a relentless bully who always gets it's way!"

"... pick on me..." Astigmatism spoke in a mocking whisper, launching balls of light at Peter.

Peter thought while bounding about. "Hmm... if it wants its way, and wants to be picked on..." He leapt to Astigmatism. "Hey buddy! You're eyesight's worse than a nose's!"

"Heh, that's true." Astigmatism chuckled. It stepped aside, and let Peter end the FIGHT.

"Just do what they say, and they'll leave you alone." Chara cautioned.

As Peter pressed on, what looked like a Whimsum and a Froggit appeared.

"Hi guys!" Peter said.

The two ignored his welcome and began to attack.

"That's no Whimsum or Froggit.. Those are Whimsalot and Final Froggit!" Chara yelped. "Whimsalot is an honor-bound knight who's lost his way, and Final Froggit refuses to be confounded!"

"It's too late for me." The Whimsalot said, firing mystic bullets.

"Robbit, robbit." Spoke Final Froggit, spewing magical fly bullets.

"Final Froggit said he knows why he's here." Chara noted.

"Whimsalot, it's never to late!" Peter yelled. "You can still do good!"

Whimsalot considered. "Perhaps you are right. I shall vex you no more."

"For Final Froggit... If it's so sure of itself, confuse it!" Chara yelled.

"FF!" Peter yelled. "What walks on four legs in the morning, two at noon, and three at dusk?"

Final Froggit thought. "Robbit... robbit..."

"It say's it doesn't know, and still has much to learn." Chara translated. "It's sparing you."

At the end of one path lay a shooter puzzle. Peter solved it, unblocking a path further on. Walking down there, he bumped into the monsters again. With his new suit and knowledge of them, he was able to easily progress onward. After what seemed like hours, he was able to reach the end of the Core.

"Through that door is the elevator to King Asgore." Chara spoke, breathlessly. "The fact that you've come this far, and are this close fills you with determination."

Peter took a deep breath and focused his determination. Walking down the final corridor, he stepped carefully and slowly. At the end, of course...

"Mettaton." Chara spoke.

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

"Really?" Peter dropped into a crouch. "I was hoping we could hang out, have some tea, sing Kumbaeya..."

"HAH. YOU'RE FUNNY." Mettaton put his hands on his hips. "BT DUBS, LOVE THE NEW OUTFIT. VERY FAB. BUT NO MATTER. IT'S TIME TO FINALLY STOP THE "MALFUNCTIONING" ROBOT." Mettaton spat. "UGH. NOT!"

Peter tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"MALFUNCTIONING? REPROGRAMMING? GET REAL." Mettaton raised his voice. "THIS WAS ALL JUST A BIG SHOW! AN ACT!" He lowered it again to a low whisper. "I'M AFRAID ALPHYS HAS BEEN PLAYING YOU FOR A FOOL THE WHOLE TIME."

Peter jerked up. "What!?"

"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 PUZZLES. SHE DISABLED ELEVATORS. SHE ENLISTED ME..." Mettaton spat. "TO TORMENT YOU. ALL SO SHE COULD SAVE YOU FROM DANGERS THAT DIDN'T EXIST."

Peter shook his head. "No. You're lying. You're LYING!"

Mettaton laughed. "HARDLY. ALL SO THAT YOU WOULD THINK SHE'S THE GREAT PERSON... THAT SHE'S NOT."

"I... told you so." Chara sighed and slumped her shoulders.

"No, no!" Peter shouted at her. "Mettaton has got to be lying!"

Mettaton laughed. "OH, AND NOW, IT'S TIME FOR HER FINEST HOUR. AT THIS VERY MOMENT, ALPHYS IS WAITING OUTSIDE THE ROOM. DURING OUR "BATTLE," SHE WILL INTERRUPT. SHE WILL PRETEND TO "DEACTIVATE" ME, "SAVING" YOU ONE FINAL TIME. AND FINALLY, SHE'LL BE THE HEROINE OF YOUR ADVENTURE. MAYBE YOU'LL REGARD HER SO HIGHLY SHE'LL EVEN BE ABLE TO CONVINCE YOU NOT TO LEAVE... OR NOT."

Mettaton gave a sigh. "YOU SEE, I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS... PREDICTABLE CHARADE. I HAVE NO DESIRE TO HARM HUMANS. FAR FROM IT, ACTUALLY. MY ONLY DESIRE, TRULY, IT TO ENTERTAIN. IT'S WHAT I WAS MADE FOR, DARLING. AFTER ALL, THE AUDIENCE DESERVES A GOOD SHOW, DON'T THEY?"

Peter's spider-sense was going off. "What are you saying, Metta-bot?!"

"WELL, WHAT'S A GOOD SHOW... WITHOUT A PLOT TWIST?"

The door slammed behind him. Frenzied knocking came from behind the door.

"H-hey! Wh-wh-what's going on!?" Alphys yelled. "Th-th-the door just locked itself!"

Mettaton laughed. "SORRY FOLKS! THE OLD PROGRAM'S BEEN CANCELLED! BUT WE'VE GOT A NEW ONE THAT WILL DRIVE YOU WILD!"

The platform rose into the air as theme music played.

"REAL DRAMA! REAL ACTION! REAL BLOODSHED!" Mettaton exclaimed. "ON OUR NEW SHOW..." Mettaton seemed to grin. ""ATTACK OF THE KILLER ROBOT!""

The FIGHT began, and Peter faced down the robot. Anger caused his fists to shake, and the eyes of the suit narrowed.

"Chara..." Peter shook his head. "Nevermind. Let's end this."

"Peter-"

He ignored her. "HEY METTATON! YOUR MOTHER WAS A BLUBERRY AND YOUR FATHER WAS A MACINTOSH! KNOW WHY? CAUSE YOU'RE ABOUT TO GO TO THE WORLD WIDE WEB!"

He thwipped, catching Mettaton off-guard.

"OH! FIESTY!" Mettaton exclaimed, buzz-sawing away the webs. "AS YOU GUESSED, I REARRANGED THE CORE! I HIRED EVERYONE TO KILL YOU! THAT WAS, ADMITTEDLY, A SHORT-SIGHTED PLAN. I SHOULD DO IT MYSELF!"

"Peter, listen!" Chara yelled. "Seriously, his metal body is invulnerable! You can't win this!"

Peter ignored her.

"LISTEN, DARLING, I'VE SEEN YOU FIGHT." Mettaton spoke. "AND SORRY, BUT YOU'RE WEAK. IF YOU FACE ASGORE, HE WILL TAKE YOUR SOUL, AND HUMANITY WILL BURN. BUT... IF I GET YOUR SOUL, I CAN STOP ASGORE'S PLAN! I CAN SAVE HUMANITY FROM DESTRUCTION!"

He began to attack, but Peter felt sluggish. Despite the anger coursing through him, he couldn't concentrate. So he forced himself to calm down and make a plan.

"THEN, USING YOUR SOUL, I'LL CROSS THROUGH THE BARRIER... AND BECOME THE STAR I'VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF BEING! HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS... NO, MILLIONS OF HUMANS WILL WATCH ME! GLITZ! GLAMOUR! I'LL FINALLY HAVE IT ALL!"

"Yeah, but think of what the consequences of your actions will be!" Peter exclaimed. "I... I should know. I should realize."

"SO WHAT IF A FEW PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE?" Mettaton shrugged. "THAT'S SHOW BUSINESS, BABY!"

Alphys called.

"What is it?" Peter asked, hesitantly.

"U... uh... I can't see what's going on in there, but... D-don't give up, okay!? There's one last way to beat Mettaton... its... um... its... a work in progress, so don't judge it too hard... but you know how Mettaton always faces f-f-forward?"

Peter nodded. "Yes, what is it?"

"That's because there's a switch on his backside. S-s-so if y-y-you c-c-can turn him around... um... and, umm... press th-th-th-the switch..."

Chara groaned. "Hey Mettaton! There's a mirror behind you!"

"WAIT, A MIRROR!? WHERE!?" Mettaton flipped around. "RIGHT, I HAVE TO LOOK PERFECT FOR OUR GRAND FINALE!"

As he spun around, Peter used his own momentum to flip the switch on his back. Mettaton started shutting down.

"DID YOU. JUST FLIP. MY SWITCH?" He asked, winding down. "Cleeeeeveerrrrrrrrr..."

He glitched out and fell over.

Peter was about to cheer, when...

His spider-sense went off.

Smoke filled the room.

"Oh yessssssssss." A silky voice spoke.

Dual spotlights, all on one monster, hidden in shadow.

"Ohhh my." The voice crooned. It sounded familiar, like...

"Uh oh." Peter said.

"If you flipped my switch, that can only mean one thing." Mettaton's voice rang out. "You're desperate for the premiere of my new body. How rude... Lucky for you, I've been aching to show this off for a long time. So... as thanks, I'll give you a handsome reward."

Peter's spider-sense rang out. "I don't suppose it's a free trip out of here..?"

Mettaton laughed. "Oh, no, much better! I'll make your last living moments..."

The fog cleared as Mettaton slowly strutted forward in a body that could best be described if David Bowie and Michael Jackson merged themselves into a robot.

"ABSOLUTELY beautiful!" Mettaton exclaimed. "Hit it, boys!"