Eschatale: TEM003's Origin

Serial Number TEM003 opened their eyes, the world pixelating and glitching into view around them. Their vision came to life with analytics and scans, assessing the bright laboratory that they were in. TEM003 felt panic, confusion and fear stir in their SOUL. 

... Where were they? What's happening?

They tried to think, tried to remember what led them to this place. 

Nothing.

They couldn't even remember who they were. But they knew—no, their SOUL knew—that this was NOT their body. TEM003 tilted their head down to look at their body, only for something on their body to hit thick glass with a CLANG. Their head snapped back up and they tried to move their limbs, but they couldn't. They glanced at either side of them, and their SOUL trembled in terror. 

They were not alone, and these other bots looked identical. 

Fear and panic took over TEM003's body and they struggled, slamming their head against the glass in an attempt to break free. For a reason they couldn't remember they were terrified of being in such a tight and closed-in space. The glass began to crack and unfamiliar individuals wearing lab clothes rushed into the room. 

They were shouting at each other. Something about a malfunction; a problem. 

They mentioned shutting them down.

TEM003 didn't like that.

They let out a mechanic and ear-piercing screech, shattering the glass that trapped them. In an instant, they stumbled out, wobbling on two digitigrade legs as they tried to make their escape. 

"DEFENSE PROTOCOL ENGAGED" A robotic voice that wasn't theirs announced, and TEM003 felt something long and flexible move and hit several people. They heard yelps and screams as people fell to the floor, some blood even splattered over a nearby wall. "THREAT HAS BEEN ELIMINATE, YOU HAVE GAINED 3 LV. WELCOME TO THE QUEENSDOME ANDROID SYSTEM, SERIAL NUMBER TEM003."

... That is not their name.

They know it isn't. So why can't they remember?!

Alarms went off and TEM003 could hear shouting. They didn't have time to think before their body moved on its own, and they were speeding through corridors that they didn't recognize. Shouts of startled scientists came and went, shouting about a 'Lead Scout Undyne'. 

It didn't take long for TEM003 to come to a dead end. They turned around and were met by someone who wasn't wearing a lab coat. Analytics recognized the individual as Undyne—Lead Scout of the Queensdome Military—along with various bits of information that TEM003 honestly didn't care about. All they cared about was escaping.

Before they could take a step, tall blue arrows barricaded their path. TEM003 was trapped.

They curled up on the floor, trembling in fear. They were trapped, put into an enclosed space. They had no clue where this fear came from, but they feared it anyway. Their SOUL feared it. TEM003's system went into overdrive and their body shutdown for a reboot, making them blind to the environment they were in.

The world pixelated and glitched into view again, although this time TEM003 was no longer in an enclosed space. A scan of the area told them that this was a store that sold TEMbot models. Many people—humans, monsters, and robots—bustled about, observing the other TEM models and chattering amongst themselves.

TEM003 caught sight of a nearby text board and zoned in on it, enhancing their vision for reading. 

-----

Brought to you by the Science Sector, these TEMbots are a must for every task and job you require assistance with. Not only are TEMbots built to withstand radiation, they are also perfect for difficult and/or dangerous work. 

Need a soldier? They can do that! Need a worker? They can do that! Need a caretaker? They can do that too!

With the latest high quality technology (and advanced customization features) you won't ever have to worry about the difficult things ever again! Buy your TEMbot today!

-----

... This felt wrong.

All of this felt wrong.

TEM003's SOUL boiled in anger. They aren't property, they're a living and sentient being! Surely the ones who built them knew this?!

No. Either they didn't know, or they didn't care. TEM003 was just something that companies could sell. A nearby television screen showcased various models, and TEM003 was one of them. TEM003 stared in awe at their appearance. It wasn't much considering TEM003 had the same parts and colors as the other TEMbots, but what set them apart was the yellow lights on their body and in their eyes, and their hair. Their hair was black, wavy, and curled up at the ends. The other models didn't have that, their hair and light colour was diverse. Well... As diverse as you could get when you're selling almost a thousand models.

TEM003 stood idly for quite some time, blatantly ignoring anyone who stood in front of their display to observe and question the staff. Soon enough the world around TEM003 disappeared, and their systems were shut down.

...

What was this dark place? Who are these robots? Are they Android Monsters? Where were they-

"WELCOME TO THE MILITARY SECTOR, TEM003."