The barrier rippled as something fell through it. A golden skinned adult human with a purple-striped blue shirt, khaki shorts, and brown boots descended into a slanted tunnel.

Frisk tumbled down, barely having time to brace themselves as they smacked against the side. Sticks and stones here and there scraped at their skin and clothes as they fell. They wanted to grab something along the side, but it wasn't worth exposing their face by reaching out a hand. The fell for what felt like ages.

Eventually, the tunnel ended, and they were thrown down towards a flat piece of ground with a small cluster of flowers. It look as if the flowers came up to greet them, their fragile stems collapsing under the weight of the nineteen year old human. They made a soft thud as Frisk smack into the ground. Petals and leaves briefly flew up into the air upon impact.

A groan escaped their mouth as Frisk shakily sat up. If that impact didn't leave a bruise, they wouldn't know what would. A hand rubbed their forehead. They could already feel a headache coming on.

Frisk looked up, trying to get a sense of the area they'd fallen into. If they were going to get out, they needed to get a sense of what was around them.

The tunnel itself looked to hold a number of old, partially withered roots and vines from what Frisk could see from their bed of flowers. And despite being so far underground, it shed quite the light onto this small bed of flowers.

Unfortunately, everything beyond this small garden of flowers was dark. And why wouldn't it be; it was a long way underground, and the tunnel only shed light in a small circle. It made this place feel so eerie. Something felt...magical?

The human stood up and looked around. Something in the darkness caught their eye. It was a pink floating light about the size of a baseball that looked to be emanating some sort of fire or plasma around itself. It floated there seemingly at eye level. Something about it made Frisk's hair stand on end.

Frisk took a step forward. The flowers crunched beneath. The small ball of light, as if alerted by the sound, began to drift forward as well. It almost looked like it got brighter, but Frisk couldn't tell. Slowly, it drifted forward until it was no less than six feet away from Frisk.

Human.

Frisk froze. Who had said that? Was is their imagination? They started to shake as their body tensed.

Offer me your hand.

There it was again. Was it the pink light talking? Should they listen? What would happen if they didn't? Frisk didn't want to think what might befall them if they didn't do as they were told. They didn't know what mystical powers this small orb had, after all. If there was anything movies and videogames had taught them, it was never to underestimate foes, however small or cute. They held out one hand, palm facing up.

Lines began to sketch out beside the pink light, slowly forming the shape of a hand. Or more accurately, a glove. It reminded Frisk of someone sketching on a piece of paper. To their surprise, the glove moved, placing itself on Frisk's hand. Slowly, it closed around their palm.

It felt like a gate opened up. Frisk was barraged with feelings; betrayal, fear, horror, confusion, distrust, vengeance, hesitation, despair. At the same time, it felt as if they had been unwillingly opened up, exposed. Whatever this strange entity was, it could look right through them. It made the human very uncomfortable.

You're a human worth trusting, it said again, only much clearer in Frisk's head.

A startled Frisk exclaimed, "What?"

It's hard to explain, dear. Without a body, I'm very weak. I need a host to inhabit. And you, sweetheart, are worth inhabiting. Please, take my soul, and we'll discover the truth behind this terrible place.

Frisk was hesitant. How did they know they could trust this thing? It was possible they were lying. It was possible they were trying to trick Frisk. And yet, with what Frisk had felt coming from the other entity, Frisk didn't think they were lying, whatever they were. In fact, these feeling, combined with this thing's weakness, made Frisk feel incredibly bad for it.

The glove vanished. The human quietly opened their arms, fully willing to let this entity join them in their body. They could almost see the entity smile in glee as it promptly rushed into Frisk's chest, disappearing into them.

A strange sensation flooded their body. It felt like someone else was trying to get comfortable in their body. It felt lewd. Uncomfortable. At the same time, a searing pain crawled over Frisk's cheeks and wrists. And lastly, they felt glee. But it didn't feel like their own. No, it was from the other person that was now part of them.

The pain on their skin receded back into nothingness only to be replaced by a strange feeling in their hands. Without a command from Frisk, their head suddenly turned to look at their hands. The edges of their hands seemed to emit a purple ghastly essence. It made Frisk think of a flowing, purple, lacy cloth.

Oh my, it feels so good to be in a body again! Even if it is different from my last body.

Oh, I should introduce myself, shouldn't I? I am Mettaton, former STAR of The Underground! Frisk could feel his delight ebb. I'm having trouble remembering everything, but I do remember that I was unjustly murdered by a skeleton named Papyrus. Weak and bodiless, I fled here to avoid being found by anyone else. And I remained here, weak and alone until you came along, darling.

Well, that was certainly some interesting and frightening information to learn. Perhaps Frisk could lighten the mood a bit with a joke. "Really laying it on thick, aren't you?" They said aloud, even though Mettaton probably would have heard it as a thought.

Well EXCUSE me, I was an entertainment robot, darling. The tone made Frisk think of him crossing his arms and sticking his nose in the air.

"I thought robots didn't have souls." They realized only after saying that that Mettaton might take offense to it. Luckily, he didn't.

I was a ghost before I got my robot body. But don't you dare tell any monsters we come across; I will not have my audience knowing that!

Frisk's eyes widened. Their hands began to trembled. "Monsters?"

Oh, darling, most of them aren't dangerous. He could feel hatred flare up from Mettaton. Despite that, he kept his voice surprisingly level and calm. Except Papyrus. Frisk hugged their arms. After already proving himself such a flamboyant and dramatic character, such hatred from hadn't been expected from him. And so quiet about it, too. It scared Frisk more than the thought of monsters.

Apparently Mettaton picked up on this fear. His hate evaporated as he tried to console Frisk. Oh, my dear, I didn't mean to scare you. There's no need for you to fear me, really. You have such a kind heart...And a strong soul, too! I would never hurt you, sweetheart. And besides, the only way I could is-

Mettaton cut himself off. Frisk felt a flash of shock and realization from him. Say, darling, do you have any questions?

Frisk was glad for the change of topic. They looked up into the darkness. "How do I get out of here?"

The exit is at the capital, on the other end of the cavern. You'll need to get past our queen. Past there is the barrier, the spell that keeps monsters trapped underground. Normally I might say it was completely undeserved that such lovely creatures were so unfairly locked down here, but now I think you humans had a good reason to do so.

Alphys told me-

"Wait, humans locked everyone down here?" Frisk cocked their head to the side.

Yes. Thousands of years ago, humans chased monsters underground and seven of their wizards used their power to seal everyone underground.

Now, this seal, according to Alphys, will only let someone with the strength of at least one human soul and one monster soul pass through. Now, since you have mwah, you can pass through once you get past the queen.

"You keep saying queen. Do you guys have a king, too?"

We did.

When he didn't continue, Frisk dug a bit. "What happened to him?"

For a time, Mettaton was silent. It felt like he was thinking. And then, there was a tinge of confusion. I can't remember.

"What about when you died? Do you remember much about what happened then?" Maybe someone had injured Mettaton and that had damaged whatever held his memories.

I can't seem to remember much about that, either. Frisk could feel that he was forcing his fury down. Oh deary me, it seems I've forgotten so much! If only something could jog my memory!

A faint sigh escaped the human's lips. "Well, it looks like we really will be discovering a lot about this world together."

A sound caught their attention. It sounded like a gremlin's laugh. Frisk turned towards it. The two barely caught something gold vanish from sight. They felt uneasy about this, as did Mettaton. "I guess we better get moving."