Frisk stepped into the dimly lit corridor leading to the Core. The air was filled with the low hum of machinery, and the walls glowed faintly with an eerie blue light. As they advanced, they found themselves confronted by a seemingly impenetrable laser puzzle. Red beams crisscrossed the path, creating a deadly barrier that flickered rhythmically, their brightness pulsating with menacing energy.
Frisk's brow furrowed in concentration as they tried to find a way through. They raised their hand, attempting to conjure a protective shield, but the magic dissipated upon contact with the lasers, proving ineffective against the mechanical menace. Frustrated, they took a step back, surveying the intricate web of beams.

The radio helmet crackled to life, and Alphys's voice came through, tinged with concern. "H-hey, Frisk! I see you're stuck there. Um... those lasers are set to a pattern. If you watch closely, you'll see there's a split second when a pathway opens up. You need to move quickly and precisely. Look for the moment when two of the beams deactivate simultaneously, that's your chance!"

Frisk nodded, eyes focused on the flashing lights. They counted the intervals, studying the pattern Alphys had mentioned. There it was—a brief window of opportunity when the lasers flickered off in unison. With determination, they dashed forward, slipping through the gap just as the beams reignited behind them.

They exhaled in relief, heart pounding with the thrill of having navigated the perilous trap. The radio helmet buzzed again. "Y-you did it, Frisk! That was amazing! I... I knew you could do it," Alphys said, her voice brimming with pride.

"Thanks, Alphys. I couldn't have figured it out without you," Frisk replied, a smile spreading across their face.

There was a pause on the other end, then Alphys spoke again, her tone more reflective. "You know, before I met you, I didn't feel very good about myself. I mean, King Asgore himself picked me to be the Royal Scientist but, well... I always felt like I was just messing things up. Like I couldn't really make a difference. But helping you, guiding you through these challenges... it's made me feel so much better about myself. So, um, thank you. Thank you for letting me help."

Frisk's heart warmed at her words. "I'm glad you're here with me, Alphys. You've been a great help." They stepped through a set of double doors, only to be confronted by an even more complex laser puzzle. This one was a labyrinth of flashing beams and moving conveyor belts, creating a dynamic and unpredictable challenge. Frisk hesitated, feeling the heat of the lasers intensify around them.

The radio helmet clicked on again, and Alphys's voice, now edged with unease, broke the silence. "Oh no, this one... This is much more dangerous. I... I didn't think we'd encounter something like this so soon, I mean, right here." Frisk could hear the sound of Alphys frantically typing away, then she cleared her throat and said,  "Be really careful, Frisk. I... I'll try to find a way to disable it from my end, but it'll take some time. Just... stay safe, okay?"

Frisk took a deep breath, steeling themselves for the daunting task ahead. They scanned the chaotic laser field, their mind racing to discern any patterns or openings. The stakes were higher than ever, but with Alphys's support, they felt a surge of determination. They knew they could face whatever challenges lay ahead. Frisk stepped cautiously forward, their eyes scanning the massive laser trap puzzle before them. The walls of the narrow passageway were lined with intricate arrays of bright red laser beams, criss-crossing back and forth in a complex web of death. In the center of the room, a large conveyor belt made its way steadily toward a massive, ominous looking laser cannon.

Frisk watched carefully as the lasers flickered on and off, observing the patterns of their movement. They noticed the start and stop motion of the conveyor belt and the angle of another laser beam that seemed to control the timing of the others. With determination in their eyes, Frisk stepped forward, convinced they had figured out the pattern to safely navigate the trap.

As Frisk stepped onto the conveyor belt, everything initially seemed to be going as planned. The lasers flickered off and on in a familiar pattern, and they moved cautiously, timing their steps with precision. The first few beams were easy to navigate; Frisk ducked and weaved through them, feeling a surge of confidence. But just as they thought they had the pattern figured out, something they had overlooked turned dangerous, then deadly.

"H-hey, watch out! You're going to get really hurt!" Alphys's voice crackled urgently over the radio helmet.

Frisk had missed a critical detail: a secondary set of lasers that activated intermittently, overlapping with the primary pattern. These beams were faster and less predictable, adding a chaotic layer to the puzzle. Suddenly, the lasers started blasting away at Frisk with increased ferocity. Their magic shield, which had been effective against the initial beams, now dissipated sooner and sooner under the relentless barrage. The beams began zapping Frisk directly, over and over, the searing light scorching their skin.

Frisk tried to dodge and weave, but the secondary lasers seemed to close in from every angle, forming a deadly net of flashing red lights. The heat was intense, and the smell of singed fabric filled the air. The conveyor belt added another layer of difficulty, shifting Frisk's footing and throwing off their timing.

With a final burst of energy, Frisk summoned all their magic to create a massive shield. The effort was immense, and for a brief moment, the shield held, glowing brightly as it absorbed the laser impacts. But it was quickly shattered by the unrelenting barrage of laser beams, leaving Frisk defenseless and surrounded by a sea of flashing red lights. The laser cannon at the end of the conveyor belt began to charge up, its hum growing louder and more menacing.

The air crackled with tension as the cannon prepared to fire. Frisk was running out of options, their heart pounding with desperation. The room was bathed in a harsh red glow, and the sound of the charging laser filled their ears.

Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, Alphys's voice crackled over the two-way radio helmet, filled with worry. "I can't watch this, I'm disabling the lasers. Th...there. Be careful, okay?" and immediately, the room went dim, and the sound of the lasers died down. 

Frisk panted, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins. "Thank you, Alphys," they said, their voice shaky but grateful.

Alphys sounded distressed. "I-I'm sorry, it's m-my fault you got hurt. I didn't explain the lasers well enough and... If I hadn't... If I hadn't... Um, delayed using my hacking skills, I mean... Sorry. I didn't explain the lasers well enough."

Frisk took a deep breath, feeling the cool darkness around them. "It's okay, Alphys. You saved me. That's what matters."

"O-oh, there's no time for this now! Sorry. Look, we're almost at the heart of the Core. It's past the MTT Resort hotel," Alphys said, trying to change the subject. "Alphys out."