#...also i just really want alphys and kris to have a deep discussion about self-harm and escapism and hiding things from your loved ones

[stainedglassthreads]

I acknowledge that Knight Alvin and Knight Papyrus are the two most popular candidates, and with good reason. But. May I also propose. Knight Alphys.

Association with Determination. (Carried out experiments with DT in UT,) Association with NEO as a concept. (Created Mettaton's NEO body. Asriel Dreemurr, whose God of Hyperdeath form shares similarities with Mettaton NEO's design, was revived by her. Undyne the Undying, who shares design traits with MTT Neo and God of Hyperdeath, who creates more of her own DT than any other monster, NEEDS to confess to Alphys in order for the True Lab to be opened, the secrets of DT and Flowey revealed, and the path to the True Ending revealed. Alphys has many crushes, but it NEEDS to be Undyne who reciprocates.) Shows strong tendencies of escapism, to the point of self-destruction, in normal Undertale. Holds strong connections with both Gaster(in UT) and Gerson(in DR).

Consider with me! We're led to believe Alvin is the Knight. But! It is a red herring. At one point when Kris and Susie go after Alvin, he explains to them about his Father's relationship with Dark Worlds, and how he's recently re-opened the Castle Town Dark Fountain because he felt it was necessary. But the Castle Town Dark Fountain and the other Dark Fountains are different--each Fountain reflects the will of its opener. Those other Fountains are impure, and are made by someone with a more anxious, self-deprecating, wavering heart.

They were made by Gerson Boom's other pupil, and his true successor. Ms. Alphys. Kris' own teacher. Because Kris' classmates have gotten a lot of emphasis...and the teacher is a member of Kris' class too.

Alphys. Who, in Undertale, had issues with escapism. Forcibly cast a human and her best friend into a role so she could feel better about herself. Because she hated herself to the point of wanting to vanish into an endless abyss. Alphys, who spends time putting milk out in an alley which has graffiti of a tree found in the Dark World, and of Everyman, who appears in the attacks of the Amalgamates, and of certain Dark World enemies. (Queen, most notably.)

Who would be able to pause class to go check up on Kris and Susie, and then shut the doors on them? Alphys. Who is known to frequent the Library often? Alphys, who left her opinion on Mew Mew Kissie Cutie in Library. Who's complaining about how the previous MMKC was too light, and likes how much darker and more complex the sequel is, in contrast to her more heroic and well-intentioned otherworld self? Alphys. Who in Undertale believes in the existence of alternate universes?

Fucking. Alphys.

Is this incoherent? Maybe! But I think of all the Dark World candidates, or of UT characters who may have significant roles later on, Alphys is comparatively overlooked.