Summary: It's been 6 years since the disastrous events of the gallery. Though Ib is free of the horrors, she's left to fend for herself in the world, without any close allies. Having burned her only friend, Mary, and since Garry walked out of her life without a single memory of her or the gallery, Ib has been left alone. But when Ib unexpectedly meets with Garry, she's only in for pain, for he's living a happy and content life with his girlfriend, while Ib is left to mourn over forgotten memories and forgotten feelings. As Ib struggles between her spiraling emotions and her morals, someone else is watching the stage to make their abrupt comeback.

A/N: This is my first story. Summary could be better but eh. Please feel free to leave whatever thoughts you have in the reviews. I don't mind constructive criticism.

Disclaimer: I don't own Ib and probably never will.

With that said, please enjoy.

*Amethyst

Chapter 1: Reminisce

The light of the sun shone dimly through the open windows and curtains. It illuminated the room pleasantly and splashed its rays right onto a girl the age of 15, laying on her bed, her long brown hair underneath her, spread out like a fan. As insects and birds buzzed around outside, and the sun's rays lightly danced and settled upon the freshly mowed and watered grass, 15 year old Ib could have cared less as all she was focusing on was the lace handkerchief she had grasped in her tiny hands. Despite being the tender age of 15, she had not grown very much, and she looked the age of 12 or 13. Her ruby red eyes were pinned on the dainty cloth she held in her hand, studying the fabric closely. Her mind flashed back to those events which had taken place 6 years ago. In Guretena's gallery, she had met Garry, and together they had escaped the world of horror. Ib closed her scarlet orbs. And Mary...she had truly thought that she and Mary could have become friends...and she was sure they would have too, if it hadn't costed Garry.

"Ib...! Ib...! IB!" Mary cried shrilly, reaching out towards the duo as a flame lit in her chest, enveloping her in flames not unlike the flaming painting behind them.

Ib gazed towards Mary, distraught. 'No'. She had tried to convince herself, shaking her head. Mary...Mary had tried to kill Garry! She had led them in a trap and nearly got her way.

But as Ib looked back towards the blonde girl being eaten by flames and slowly charring to ash, and saw Mary's clear azure eyes filled with sorrow, all she could think was, 'It wasn't Mary's fault.'

As Mary burned and was reduced to a pile of ash, Ib could only look down, thinking silently, 'Mary was never evil...she...she just wanted to get out of here...she only wanted to live. If only...if only she could get out of here with us, there would be no need for sacrifices, and we could have all been together and happy. But almost most of the time, we are denied happy endings...aren't we?'

Ib crouched down, scooping a pile of ash up in her hand, looking at it sadly as it dwindled away. She felt a hand grasp her shoulder supportively, and she looked up to see Garry's dark navy blue eyes staring at her reassuringly. With a light nod of his head, he helped Ib stand, and together, they rushed to the painting and jumped out and back into their own world.

After being assaulted by a blinding flash of light, Ib found herself in the regular gallery again, standing in front of the Fabricated World. Happiness bubbling up in her, she whirled around to face Garry, only to end up in a full 360 degree turn and meet air.

"Garry?" She asked, looking around. She shrugged it off and decided to go look for him. As she wandered down a hall, she almost gasped in delight as she caught sight of a dark blue coat.

Excitement consumed her as she rushed up to him and tapped him lightly. She was about to call his name and hug him as he turned around, when he suddenly smiled politely and said, "Hm? What is it little lady?"

She felt the smile on her face fall off as she desperately tried to search for words. Not like she had any experience or anything, but she thought it would have been pretty creepy if a little girl came up to you and started spouting things of memories you didn't know of, so instead, she settled for, "Um...what's this statue?"

The purple haired man glanced at the large rose sculpture before answering, "Ah...this? It's called 'Embodiment of Spirit,' apparently."

He turned fully around and voiced out quietly, "...When I look at this sculpture...I feel somehow sorrowful...I wonder why?"

He turned back around to face the girl as he gave a sheepish look. "...Ah, I'm sorry if I said anything to trouble you...Never mind what I said. Well, bye."

Without a word, he turned and left, leaving the bewildered girl to try and make sense of her partner's amnesia as she fought her sorrow.

'...It was bad enough that we were denied our happy ending with Mary. But...did fate have to deny my happy ending with Garry too?' Tears threatened to spill over at the edge of Ib's eyes, when she heard someone coming towards her and quickly dried her eyes.

(Ib First POV)

"There you are, Ib!" The voice of my mother rang through my ears as I faced her soundly, making sure I wasn't near tears anymore.

My mother peered behind me at the rose sculpture. "...Oh, were you looking at this?"

She went around me and looked closer. "Wow, this is really great...It represents a person's heart, I suppose?"

Facing me and smiling, she giggled, "I wonder if you have such a beautiful rose in your heart, Ib?"

I feigned a faint smile. It didn't matter how beautiful or ugly my heart really was. It was crying inside.

"Let's take a look around. Have you looked at anything else? I hope we find some more things you like!" My mother exclaimed, taking my hand and leading me away. As she led me away, I turned around and glanced at the exhibition one last time before turning around again and leaving the piece.

~Ib Third POV~

Ib sighed as she opened her eyes and stared up at the smooth, white, blank ceiling. She rolled over onto her side, her crimson eyes shining as she laid her eyes on the vase with three roses. A blood red one, a dark blue one, and a sunny yellow one.

Me, Garry, and Mary. She thought to herself silently. Although none of us are together anymore...

The image of when Garry's hand was injured appeared in her mind.

Ib stood up, making sure to wipe her eyes and hide her weakness from Garry. It was then that she noticed a gash on his hand. Her eyebrows furrowed, staring at it worriedly.

"Garry...your hand...it's hurt..."

He blinked and looked down, showing a hint of surprise. "...Hm? My hand? Oh, you're right, I cut it...I didn't even notice...It must have just happened."

He turned his head towards her and gave her a reassuring smile. "...Well, it's just minor."

Despite his words, Ib couldn't help the little bit of worry in her stomach. "...Are...are you really okay?"

Garry nodded and said, "Don't worry about it. How about you, Ib? Are you okay?" He looked her over. "...Hm, you seem fine. I'm glad you're okay. Well, let's get going!"

Ib suddenly gripped the handkerchief in her hand, wrinkling the smooth piece of cloth.

She knotted her eyebrows, frustration dawning on her pale face. '...It was my fault. I was so worried about Garry, the handkerchief slipped my mind. Even though it should have given me more reason to remember about it when he was seeping blood. I'm such an idiot! Maybe if I had given him the handkerchief, he would have remembered…..Well, there's no chance now….."

She sniffled as she pressed the handkerchief against her nose and tried to will her misty eyes back to normal. As she was about to give in and close her eyes, her mother's voice came from outside the door.

"Ib?" She called.

Ib shot open her eyes and sat up straight upright, lightly trying to force her voice not to crumble. "...Yes?"

Her mom slowly opened the door, peeking in and grinning. "Ib! I was wondering if you wanted to go with me to a nearby cafe. I heard the macaroons are to die for! How about it?"

Ib pursed her lips as she stared at the ceiling. "Umm...I don't-" Something flashed in her mind then.

"Macaroons?

"Yeah! Macaroons. They're this; um...sweet round...you know what? Once we get out of here, I'll show you. It'll be my treat. I promise."

Ib's heart shook for a moment, but then she let out a quavering breath. The worried voice of her mother reached her ears. "Ib?" She asked, frowning worriedly.

She looked straight at her mother and gave a tight-lipped smile. "I think I'll go. It's been quite some while since I went out, after all."

After saying that, her mother gave a small squeal and clapped her hands in anticipation and winked. "Yay! I knew you would come. Meet downstairs in a few minutes okay?"

As she closed the door, Ib stood up and walked over to the vase of three flowers, taking the dark blue rose and inhaling its sweet, fragrant scent. She silently whispered into the rose. "When I go to the cafe and have the macaroons, I'll think of you. Garry."

A/N: Don't forget to leave a comment and alert/favorite if you enjoyed. See you in Chapter 2.

*Amethyst