+ It's good that we can't see what isn't there +

[vitaelamorte]

Who: EVERYONE
Where: Wonderland and adjacent dimensions!
When: Friday, April 21st to Monday, April 24th
Rating: PG-13, warn if higher!
Summary: A place to list your tears throughout the event, and describe the worlds that can be seen or accessed through them. Event Post.
The Story:

While invisible zombies ravage Wonderland, tears are popping up everywhere! Through them characters can see versions of themselves from alternate universes. Some of them show a different version of Wonderland, some a different version of their home. Some are as benign as a character drinking coffee instead of tea, others are as drastic as somebody's entire personality changed completely.

On day one tears are so small as to barely even be recognisable. Faint voices and melodies can be heard through the tiny cracks if you step really close, but these brief and indistinct glimpses are barely even worth describing.

On day two tears have opened up wide enough to recognise them for what they really are. Yesterday's melodies will sound clearer, and the voices will become decidedly familiar, belonging to people characters know, sounding perhaps even like the characters themselves. Look through the tears and they may catch sight of home, or something that merely looks like another part of Wonderland. The tears are yet narrow and instable though, and the field of vision is correspondingly poor.

On day three the tears have grown a great deal. The worlds beyond them can be seen and heard, though most cannot be interacted with at all. Only the biggest ones are already stable enough for characters to stick their hand inside, and pulls through any objects within reach.

On the fourth and last day some tears have finally become large and stable enough for characters to pass through whole. Not all tears will reach this stage, but those who have can be visited, and the world beyond them explored... at each character's own peril.

Comments

Mettaton | OTA

[mettatonvevo]

Day 2 - I'm gonna live, I'm gonna fly, I'm gonna fail, I'm gonna die

[One particular tear floating in the gardens gives a view of a certain robot in his box form wheeling himself through a large facility. It looks like some kind of energy plant surrounded by magma. He speaks into a cellphone, his tone seemingly nonchalant but a bit tense.

"Alphys, when you get this message, I hope I am standing beside you, alive and whole. If I'm not, well. Please understand that I did what needed to be done. If I can protect you and the others for even a moment, this will have been worth it. Be safe, darling. Oh. And tell Blooky... never mind. Good bye, Alphys."

He puts the phone away, wheeling into a large room with a stage and waits. It doesn't take long before someone arrives; a small human child that looks at the robot blankly.

"My, my. So you've finally arrived."

As this goes on, the Mettaton of Wonderland stands by, watching the tear completely enraptured. He can't look away as he sees his alternate self give his entire spiel. He's heard of this. He knows what will happen next.

But when his alternate transforms into his NEO form and when the human shoots him down in one series of quick shots, Mettaton raises a hand to his chest, an approximate re-creation of where that Mettaton was hit.

It's hard to watch yourself die. It's even worse to know that your death was futile. Mettaton stands there silently. He may need to be prodded a bit to get his attention.]

Day 3 - And I discovered that my castles stand, upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

Today's tear showcases a Mettaton more recognizable to Wonderland at large, his pink high-heeled boots and large shoulder pads accompanied by a large purple cape and a golden crown nestled into his hair. He sits upon a throne in a room overgrown with plant life and golden flowers, his body language regal and stiff. He holds a picture in his hand, unseen by whoever is looking in, and he stares at it for a moment before he bows his head, a hand pressed to his face as he silently shakes.

Day 4 - And if you want survival, kneel on my arrival, for this is how I rule the world!

[The tear from yesterday is now large enough to be stepped through. However today our weeping ruler is sweeping through the castle. His long and confident strides betray none of the weakness of yesterday as he makes his way to whatever goal he has in mind. Another Monster quickly approaches him, meekly holding out a clipboard with many papers.

King Mettaton takes it from them, looks over it closely, then throws it carelessly to the side. The monster, a small bird dressed in purple with the Delta Rune displayed on her coat, quickly crouches down, collecting the papers feverishly. The king watches her, bored.]

Do you think I care about that right now? I have my loyal audience waiting for me. Do not disturb me like this again. Now apologize.

[The bird nods furiously and silently, bowing instantly as Mettaton holds out a hand. She takes the offered hand and places a reverent kiss to it. Mettaton smirks, taking his hand back and discreetly wiping it.]

Good. Now get out of my sight.

[The other monster can't seem to leave fast enough as the king watches her go. Hm. Her penance had seemed rather lackluster. Perhaps he'll have to send his guards to truly teach her and her family the meaning of love through fear.

He stands there, thinking. He will mostly certainly notice if someone steps through the tear and joins him.]

Day Four

[theothermrgray]

[Well, Dorian was going to try and escape the zombies through this tear, but after seeing how this alternate version of his friend interacted with that bird thing...]

[... Yeah, he'll just pass this one by. The last thing he needs is an angry killer robot king trying to kill him.]

day 4

[punful]

[Sans is not in good shape. Zombies are easy enough to deal with--invisible zombies? A lot less so. Throwing bones around willy-nilly just to keep them at bay is not at all Sans's style, and it's been wearing him out. 4 was a huge help, but at some point the cat got out of his grip and Sans lost track of him.]

[So now he's kind of cornered, lots of angry sounds in front of him and a tear behind him. There's a familiar voice on the other side. Sans has noticed that going into tears seems to get rid of the zombies, but he has very deftly been avoiding going into tears back into the Underground. For obvious reasons.]

[Not much choice right now, though. He's tiring, and this is bullshit. He'll just pop in there, hide for a bit to collect himself, then leave. He glances behind him just to take stock--throne room, okay fine, and looks like Mettaton nearby--great. He'll just hide behind one of the pillars or something.]

[Something grabs at his arm and Sans wrenches away, clambering through the tear and sinking to his hands and knees on the throne room floor. Instantly everything goes calm and quiet, and Sans keeps his breathing as silent as possible. Hopefully the Mettaton of this world won't notice him.]

[He just. Needs to catch his breath.]

[mettatonvevo]

[There's a brief moment of silence, a gentle pause in the world that will allow Sans the smallest of respites. King Mettaton continues to look after the bird monster, thinking of something or other.

Unfortunately for Sans, he turns around rather quickly, spotting the skeleton instantly.]

Sans. You're here. And on time for once.

[He walks over to him, raising an eyebrow at Sans's position on the floor.]

Oh come now. I highly doubt you're showing me the respect I deserve, so stop this nonsense and get to your feet. I have news and I must know if it corroborates with what you know.

[He makes no show to help Sans up in anyway. He merely looks at him, vaguely annoyed at this unorthodox action.]

[punful]

[Sans does enjoy those small respites, since they're usually all he ever gets. He's about to get back to his feet when Mettaton turns and spots him.]

[Sans freezes like a deer in headlights and stares up at him.]

[He's wearing a robe and crown.]

[It takes Sans only a split second to understand what's happening, which reality this must be. He doesn't really remember it, just knows that it happened. That he was...King Mettaton's agent or something, that having Mettaton be king was one of the worst possible ends to the timeline, even if Papyrus was alive. He can't remember the details...just the feeling. The unsettling, uncomfortable tension of that ending.]

[His agent. That's what King Mettaton must think he is. Shit.]

uh.

[He gets to his feet and brushes himself off, since he's pretty sure the Sans of this timeline has to at least make a cursory attempt not to look like garbage. You don't piss of King Mettaton--that's one thing he remembers.]

right, sorry, your highness. just--heh. acting the part, yanno?

[God, it's...been awhile since Mettaton looked at him with that much disdain.]

what's the news?

[mettatonvevo]

[A wide-eyed oaf staring up at him from the ground. How maddening. If he weren't as capable and as useful as he's made himself...

He brushes himself off and Mettaton nods smartly. Good. He's remembering to keep himself clean at least.]

Of course you are. Though it shouldn't be an act at this point, Sans. Adulation and adoration of me is not something to be faked.

[He turns on his heel and begins to walk through the throne room. It's obvious he expects Sans to follow him without a word.]

The news is something interesting, to say the least. I've got it in good faith that not one but two humans have fallen into the Underground recently. No one knows where they are other than they fell into the Ruins a couple of weeks ago.

[He continues his brisk walk, careless tromping through the flowers that grow quietly.]

This is the single greatest opportunity we have had for taking the barrier down in quite a bit of time. And since they continue to hide like the cowards they are, I don't think they are inclined to join my fan club.

[He looks to Sans.]

I had you stationed in that vicinity around the time frame that they fell. Did you see them?

[punful]

...right. sorry, just. a bad joke.

[This is horrifying. Utterly horrifying. It's like every belief he had about Mettaton while back in the Underground, but turned up to eleven.]

[The King starts walking, and he walks quickly, because why would he slow his pace for common dirt like Sans? Sans follows, casting a glance back at the tear. It's almost invisible from this side of things. He'll have to remember where it is, get away from it in a few minutes. Fake it until then.]

[He's good at faking it.]

[He has to almost jog to keep up with the King, which is possibly the worst part about all this.]

two humans? whoa...

[God. God, that's right. If timelines like these were ever allowed to continue--and hell, they probably did for awhile, some of them, no real way of knowing--then more humans would start to fall. It would happen eventually. And whoever ended up as ruler of the Underground would have to take charge of harvesting those souls.]

[Mettaton in this case. Maybe Toriel, if that integrity of hers could be compromised. Alphys, like in that tear he saw earlier.]

[Papyrus.]

[It occurs to him suddenly that Papyrus is here. Papyrus is here somewhere. He's alive in this timeline. He's alive, and--he became Mettaton's agent too, didn't he? Maybe he's even in the castle...]

[It then occurs to him that he just tuned out a good chunk of what the King was saying.]

oh, me? no. hadn't heard anything. uh...one of the other sentries might've, though. there's...only one real path from the ruins to snowdin, so. yeah.

wildcard

[readytocomply]

[Bucky has witnessed a few tears already. Both were from residents of Wonderland that he didn't know personally, though he had seen them in the mansion or on the grounds at some point. He didn't understand the nature of the event, in great detail, but he had the gist of it - invisible monsters and glimpses into other lives.

It was probably a lot more complicated but it didn't have to be to make it through. He's walking down a hallway when a familiar face steps out of his room and Bucky heads towards him.]

Hey, Mett-

[That's when it happens, a tear. Not quite between them, almost as if it has taken over the wall beside them and as it opens, he makes sure to get as close to Mettaton as he can without touching him. Just in case. His brow furrows as it widens, enough that they can see through and he hears his own voice coming from the other side..

kids, leave your pa alone. he's got a performance tonight and he's got to get ready.

Bucky steps closer, eyes narrowed. There's him, scooping up an orange cat and a small robot that had been trying to get the tear's version of Mettaton's attention.]

[mettatonvevo]

[He had been in his room because being away from his mirror as of late has become stressful to him. And with his friends asking pesky questions, he can't exactly talk to him with any random mirror. So he's been making trips to check on things and also get tips on where might be safer from the invisible zombies running around.

He steps out after another session with him, his brow furrowed in thought when he hears someone call out his name. He looks up and sees-

Ah. Bucky. They have been seeing each other more often than they used to (much less than when things were uncomplicated between them hoever), though Mettaton has been trying to keep those few and far between. He needs to. It's important. He opens his mouth to reply when reality splits itself open.

Mettaton twists, turning to look at the tear straight on. He hears Bucky speaking again and it's odd, because it comes from in front of him, not beside him. He steps closer in time with Bucky, seeing this other Bucky cradle... Sugar? Yes that has to be Sugar. And Mini, goodness, that's Mini who had been pulling on this other Mettaton's pant leg as he sits at his vanity mirror.

Thank you, Bucky, dear. I'm almost done sweetlings, so there's no need to worry.

This other Mettaton is dressed fabulously, if you asked the real Mettaton himself. A black sequin tuxedo is such a Look that for a moment Mettaton is distracted by his fashion choices and doesn't notice the gentle and warm way his alternate reaches out a hand and touches Bucky's elbow.

I've made sure you and Mini's seats are as comfortable as possible. And if the lights and sounds are too much for either of you, they're close to the doors so you'll be able to slip out easily without any trouble.

Mettaton doesn't know what to make of this. What is happening here...?]

Bucky...?

[He looks to his friend, confusion written on his face.]

[readytocomply]

[Bucky watches as his other self moves comfortably around the room.

There's no tension in his shoulders, the lines around his eyes and mouth are gone. It's as if he's.. less stressed there, in that world with that life. He moves with an ease that Bucky hasn't felt in years. Mettaton gets dressed as the other Bucky tries to wrangle an orange version of Sugar and Mini, so that they quit interrupting the robot as he slips into his outfit.

It's not the touch to the other Bucky's elbow, the words that show how much that Mettaton cares for his other self, but it's the expression on the tear Bucky's face that makes his breath catch. He's in love with him. Completely, totally and without anything getting in the way, in love with Mettaton.

He's never known that kind of freedom.]

I..

[His face heats up and he suddenly hates it, this vision and alternate life. It's everything they could have with one another and it's going to ruin all their progress. Bucky's chest aches and he takes a step back.]

What is that?

[mettatonvevo]

[He's hypnotized. He sees the love, the utter adoration on Bucky's face directed towards him, this other him, and Mettaton stands transfixed. For a moment he forgets the real Bucky standing next to him, taking a small step forward to the tear to get a better view.

It's so domestic. It's so sweet. It's everything Mettaton could have wanted from his relationship with his Bucky; moreso even, because this Mettaton was able to presumably admit he loved him, admit he loved him and then go for it. He was able to take it that one step further that the real Mettaton could never do.

There's a longing in his eyes as he takes in more of the scene. A desperate and muted desire for something he can never have. Even if Bucky offered him his entire heart.

It takes him a moment to process that Bucky is speaking. His Bucky, not the other one, and Mettaton blinks a little. He doesn't look away as he answers.]

This... must be a tear. Of another Wonderland where we...

[He can't finish his sentence. His eyes widen as he sees his alternate self pull Bucky in for a sweet kiss, lingering against the alternate Bucky's lips with a love and heat that makes Mettaton put a hand on his chest as his soul flares just a little.]

[readytocomply]

[Bucky exhales shakily, a rush of air pushing out that he hadn't realized he'd been holding in.

He thought HYDRA had broken this part of him, taken away most of his ability to love and feel, to want even if he didn't understand what was going on. The Bucky he's watching being kissed by a different Mettaton is relaxed, so at ease. His hands are sliding up and down the robot's arms and he's comfortable, happy.

At some point, in some way, that version of him hadn't been broken or someone had fixed him. He'd let Mettaton completely in and the Bucky standing outside this glimpse at another world doesn't exist. He feels too much in that moment, the strongest emotion being jealousy and with that jealousy comes a muted anger that makes his face flush and his chest go tight. He inhales, loudly, rough and takes another step back.]

I don't want to see this.

[He's the opposite of composed, face scrunched up and blue eyes squeezed shut. Bucky's confused and he's making this all about him and he hates himself for it.]

I don't deserve that. It's not real.

day 2

[naughty_nurse]

[There's a horrified gasp - Mikan hadn't meant to intrude, and she wanted to leave, but then she couldn't tear her eyes away. Can you blame her? Even with the real Mettaton alive and well right in front of her, her hands stay in front of her mouth, tears flowing.]

No... No! Mettaton...!

[mettatonvevo]

[It takes Mettaton a moment to pull himself out of the tunnel vision of seeing his body explode, a moment to dig his fingers into his chest to feel that yes, he is alive and whole and that he isn't shrapnel spread across the CORE.

When he does come out of his fugue, he is a bit startled to see Mikan crying next to him. He reaches out a hand and places it on her shoulder.]

Oh, Mikan... I'm sorry you had to see that.

[He's sorry he had to see that, tbh.]

[naughty_nurse]

[Mikan is so upset at the sheer idea of him dying that she can't even form words. His touch sends a spark through her - and then she lunges without thinking, her arms around him, hugging him tight, afraid that if she lets go he'll vanish.]

Uuu... Don't die, please don't die...!

[mettatonvevo]

[He accepts the hug, holding her just as tight. It's a simple thing, an expected response for someone to weep over his death, but it's still touching to hear.]

I won't, dear, it's all right. I'm all right.

[He looks to the tear again, quiet, contemplative.]

...This never happened in my timeline. But it's one of the fates I can have.

[naughty_nurse]

No!

[She clenches a little tighter, shaking her head, despite knowing what she's saying is kind of absurd. Blame it on Jabberwocky island.]

No, it can't be your fate anywhere! It's wrong... People shouldn't have to kill people... Not for any reason...

day 2

[determinedest]

[It's hard to watch yourself die. It's easier to watch yourself do the killing, when you've come to understand what it is you are and what it is you're capable of. They never really mentioned to him directly, the lack of a threat that NEO presented. A flashing of stage lights, a peacocking intimidation effort, and - little else, honestly.

He never attacked.

When the explosive burst of his body detonating echoes through the confines of the tear, it's tempting to look away, to shield their eyes from the blinding supernova of shrapnel propelling itself across the confines of a world that both did and didn't happen.

They watch.

It's the least they can do.]

He never attacked. [Low words split the silence, overriding the distant hum of the CORE's mechanisms through the severed edges of the tear.] I checked.

[mettatonvevo]

[He doesn't turn to look at them. Of course they're here. Of course they would see this and see him. It's like there is a beacon burning bright on these "memories", reminders of the terrible things Frisk has done in past lives. Lives that Mettaton has no memory of.

He keeps watching, even as the human walks forward without a word. He didn't leave a body. Nor did he leave any dust.]

Really now?

[His question is quiet.]

[determinedest]

[Shouldn't be surprised by his lack of surprise, his quiet acknowledgement that someone has been watching the private moment unfurl in a whiff of ozone-scented air, the searing tang of metal and smoke. It's not like they haven't seen it before. But watching now just seems - rude. Maybe it should feel stranger, surveying their own shape as it advances with a crisp, alien resolve, tramping through the wreckage of burnt-out wires and blackened chassis without looking back until the doors slide quietly shut behind them with a faint, pneumatic hiss.

It should feel strange, but it doesn't. They've seen stranger.]

I think he was buying everyone time.

[It's just a theory, of course; they can't know for certain what was going on in his head. If it was just hot-air confidence and nothing more. But from what they know of him, it simply seems the most likely.]

Stalling me.

[mettatonvevo]

[Mettaton is silent for another moment as he stares. There's not much left now. Just the low sounds of the core rumbling. But it feels like the battle replays in his head, over and over again. Though could you really call it a battle?]

Hm. Maybe.

[It makes sense. It makes more sense now than it would have months ago.]

...You were a threat to everything I cared about. I didn't stand a chance but that wouldn't have mattered.

[He didn't think he stood a chance against Bill, but he still fought. For himself, for his friends, for Wonderland. For his mirror.

Justice must be served, after all. Even if he had no right to serve it.]

day 4, I FORGOT TO TAG THIS IM SO SORRY

[sciencelizard]

[She's managed to avoid a lot of the attacks this weekend; by being quick and quiet, she can avoid a lot of the worst of it. She's spent most of the event in her personal lab, letting the golem guard the door and knock most of them away on sense alone. Unfortunately, she has to leave for food, and a wrong turn on the way back ensures she's trapped unless she makes a great escape.

She hardly even notices where she tumbles into, ungraceful and tail-over-head before landing in a small pile. Alphys lifts her head, blearily, looking back towards the tear to see if it's safe before actually looking around.

Was this... the castle, in New Home? It looked like it, almost. It had been more than a year now since she had been here. Maybe she wasn't remembering it correctly. She stands, adjusting her glasses, and... finally lays eyes on Mettaton, standing nearby.

... Well, this is not what she expected.]

... Uh... h-hey, uhm. There.

[mettatonvevo]

[He doesn't recognize her voice at first. It's been too long since he's heard her, since she's been close enough to hear. He turns, ready to address a fan or admonish a castle worker who stumbled in-

And he sees her. Sees the familiar hunch of her stance, the lovely yellow of her skin, the cute way she adjusts her glasses. Like she used to before she...]

Alphys.

[He takes a step towards her, drinking in her face.]

Is this... really you?

[sciencelizard]

[She... has no idea what to say to this. Why is he dressed like that? Why does he look so surprised?

What... happened here?]

Uh... y-yes? I mean, uhm, I think I'd know if I was someone else, or it'd be, uhm, pretty apparent, and--

Yes. Uh. It's me.

[mettatonvevo]

[It's her. It's her.

The stutter and confusion and those lovely, lovely eyes and he's walking to her, strides long and sure and it's a quick movement but she's gathered up into his arms, bending down to one knee so he can bury his face in her shoulder.

This is the most solid hallucination he's ever felt.]

Oh Alphys... I've missed you.

[He doesn't want to question why she's here. She'll disappear again.]