(WARNING: This has some implied sexual content in this chapter but that's about it, no sin here.)
Ever since Sunny turned 14, he couldn't get Basil out of his mind. It filled Sunny with urges that Omori found out, not even a simple replica could satisfy. Each replica couldn't exactly match the way Sunny would expect Basil would react or say. This led Omori to desperately create the perfect Basil for Sunny.
Sunny's consciousness screamed at Omori to satisfy his desires. Omori sighed as he was out of ideas. It was like feeding a lion at piece of meat instead of giving it the whole zebra. He always wanted more.
'Why are wet dreams so dissatisfying and annoying?' Omori thought as he let out a huff. He hoped Sunny's enjoying himself, because this was becoming a handful already. He preferred that he doesn't leave white space. Instead of the white door that leads to Omori's dream land, a world that made Sunny have good dreams, another door with a burgundy color stood in it's place.
This door was full of Sunny's desires. The door was neither bad nor good. At least for others. It just held some of Sunny's most selfish desires. Most of his desires either benefited some or didn't. Sunny's wet dreams were intoxicating. Omori doesn't know what exactly Sunny's dreaming about. But he knows that he's dreaming about doing some inappropriate things with Basil. Some things Omori doesn't want to bother knowing.
Omori both liked and hated that door. Sure the door had things that were most appealing to him, but he hated how dangerous it was. It was so appealing to him that he felt like he could never leave. The thought disturbs how much the room wants the inhibitors to stay in it. Which is why Omori refuses to enter. The only person that can easily leave without a problem is the dreamer itself.
'Does Basil have this door too? Does he also get wet dreams? If so, what does he dream of then? Does he think of Sunny like Sunny does with him?'
The thought makes Omori think how much of a hassle his alter ego would feel having to deal with it. This stopped Omori's thoughts for a moment. Does Basil have his own headspace?
If he does, he wouldn't have to worry about having to make another replica. He could simply take Basil. Of course this would be a problem if his alter ego tries to stop him. But the curiosity sparked when he wondered what his alter ego was like. Was he just like Basil? Or does he act like someone else entirely? What did he look like?
His thoughts were interrupted when the door opened to reveal a disheveled Basil. He panted as he tried to walk steadily. He almost fell to the floor when Sunny caught Basil by the waist. Sunny looking flushed but sated, was panting softly than Basil with him taking big heaps of breaths. Both covered and sweat and possibly some of each other's juices.
Their clothes looked like they were clumsily put on. Basil's overall straps were slipping down his shoulders. Some of the bottom helms of his shirt weren't tucked in. Sunny's white shirt under his vest was wrinkled and improperly buttoned. Basil rested his head on Sunny's shoulder as he tried to take more calming breaths. Sunny closed his eyes as he leaned on the door frame. Omori gave them a second to collect themselves.
"Are you done?" Sunny's eyes opened to look at Omori. His eyes have a gaze showing that he was far from done. But his reply was the opposite of what he desired. He nodded numbly as he gently pushed Basil to Omori's waiting grasp. Basil held on to Omori, about to pass out. Omori carefully carried him to a blanket and a pillow in the middle of white space for Basil to cool off on the floor. Sunny watched at how Basil dozed off when he got comfortable.
The hungry look he was directing at Basil was just implying that he wanted to continue to take his desires off of him. Omori stared at Sunny with sharp eyes.
"Are you sure you're done?" Omori softly asked, but his voice didn't falter. Sunny shuddered as he let Omori's words sink in. He wasn't done. He wanted to continue. Oh so badly. But he knew he would become obsessed. Sunny closed his eyes, knowing that he couldn't tear his eyes away from the very person that awaken these sexual desires. He quietly nodded.
Omori knows what he's trying to do. But he doesn't speak anymore of it. He walks over to Basil, properly tucking him in the covers. Sunny quietly walks back through the burgundy door. It softly shut behind him leaving Omori alone with a sleeping Basil. Omori looks at the door again. He snaps his gaze back to Basil. He softly pets him as a reassurance.
"Sorry...I didn't mean for you to be the one to deal with Sunny's desires. But I had no choice. You can sleep soundly now." He silently lay down next to him. Tomorrow everything will be back to normal. There would only be just Omori and his friends. And everything will be okay.
Omori woke up with a jolt. What was that? It can't be a dream. Omori doesn't dream, It's impossible for him to dream. Was it a memory? He doesn't remember having to experience that memory. He rubbed his eyes noticing that he was laying on Mari's lap. She looked down at him and gave him a warm smile.
"Oh you're awake! I didn't mean to wake you up, you can go back to sleep little brother." Omori would've liked to, but it would be difficult to go back to sleep. He sat up seeing that everyone else was asleep.
"You know, it's been a while Since it was just the two of us." Mari whispered. She gave him a sad smile. "It's nice."
Omori didn't say anything but he looked at her with sincerity. Omori's affection towards Mari was genuine. He knows Mari knows that this all a dream that Omori made for Sunny. She knows the real Mari was long gone from this place. Though she didn't seem to mind. She knows that at least her little brother was moving on, while remembering she was ever his big sister. And Omori wasn't that different from her either. They both aren't real either. Omori is another identity of an already existing person. Mari is the identity of a once alive person.
Yet the identities they have are related. So technically they are brother and sister. Well for Mari, she has two brothers since she still considers Sunny as her little brother too.
"Sunny or not, I still see you as my little brother. Omori." Mari puts her arms around him gently. This hug was more different than the one she usually gives him. Those hugs were quick and simple. This hug was more careful. Like she wanted this hug to last a bit longer.
"Omori, I know being the one in charge of everything is hard. You might not even realize that. I know that ever since Sunny left, you've lost sight of what happens next. And that's difficult. I'm not saying that I know exactly what and how you feel, but I'm saying you don't have to bare the burden all alone. You can tell me. You can tell them." Omori held on to her shoulder. He looked to see Hero, Kel, Aubrey, and Basil sleeping on the picnic blanket peacefully. "You know they've been concerned about you. You shouldn't keep them in the dark forever. You have to tell them the truth. The truth about this world."
Omori closed his eyes. He didn't want to talk about this. He can't. He wants them to live in ignorant bliss. Not making them act like that had to put up a show in a play. Not when things are finally peaceful now. But he knows that facade can't last forever. They're going to find out eventually. Omori felt his hands tremble.
"I'm scared. What if they react negatively to the truth? They might hate me for what I've done to them." Mari rubbed his back.
"You won't know until to do. And if they react negatively, you still have me. And I highly doubt they would hate you Omori." Omori trembling didn't stop. He he felt the reassurance Help him calm down. She finally let him go holding his hands in hers. She gives him a happy smile as they sit and look at one another.
They decided to talk about before everyone else wakes up.when they do, Mari tells them to sit down for a bit. She turns to Omori with encouragement. Omori stares back and closes his eyes to take a deep breath. He opened his eyes as he face the others.
"I have to tell you something."
Sunny didn't like black space. His greatest and darkest thoughts and fears resided within these black ominous doors. Though he wouldn't have to stay there for long.The hands recognized him immediately. As their original orders were to protect, and guide Sunny back home. That's where he found his way back to the white door. Sunny hasn't seen this door in a long time. But he knows it's still active.
Omori's in there. The thought of his twisted alter ego scared him. He felt himself feel more uneasy the more he hesitated. He didn't want to go in. He would just call it a day and never even brother to open the door he now considers a pandora's box other than a paradise. But Basil was was there too.
And Mari. He wanted to see Mari, for at least one more time. And he's gone this far, might as well see through to the end. With that, Sunny grabbed the handle and turned it to reveal the same bright light he remembers. He squinted, trying to let his eyes adjust to the light. He walked through, noticing how the light was like a barrier trying to suck him in the moment he made contact with it. But he didn't resist. He determined to see what had happened to the world that he once found as a safe haven to him.
The door quietly closed shut when the light absorbed him.
Omori's curiosity grew more and more he thought of it. Is it possible? Could he really find the way to Basil's headspace? If he could, then he wouldn't have to worry about making a replica with the memories that Sunny had. He could just go off by the 'blueprints' and Sunny will never feel unsatisfied. He could create the perfect Basil.
But for such a selfish need would cause some conflict. Basil's alter ego.
He doesn't know if Basil's alter ego would just simplify give his dreamer away. An alter ego's dream was sacred and special to them. Simply giving away your dreamer would be like giving away your own existence. An alter ego could never replace the original source.
Still. Omori wanted Basil. Needed him. It was the final piece to complete the perfect paradise. And Basil is the key to it all.
Omori summoned a few of his red hands.
"I need you try and find if there's away to go to someone else's headspace."
The hands all clambered around as they were quick to follow instructions. Omori watched as they left white space to all swarm like a giant wave into black space.
He knows it was wishful thinking and he might come to a dead end. But he'll do anything for Sunny. Even it it meant he was the bad guy.
"So let me get this straight..." Kel took a deep breathe as he put his hands together to bring it up to his mouth. "This isn't real."
"Yes." Omori replied.
"And we're just younger 'replicas' of the real us in in the real world?"
"Yes." Omori sighed.
"And you're basically an 'alter ego' of a boy named Sunny that is you 'dreamer', who is friends with the real us. Creating this world for him to escape because he killed the real Mari years ago and you made him forget about the whole incident to protect him."
"That's what I said Kel." Omori rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"If you're Sunny's alter ego, does that mean you two are completely different? Or at least you are?" Hero asks as he seems to have more questions the more answers he gets.
"Not really. I pretty much act the same as Sunny does, but with a bit more confidence."
"That's true. I've seen how much more bolder Omori is than Sunny." Basil chimes in.
"Also to clarify, you're all replicated from Sunny's memories. I just modified some of those memories to make it more accurate to Sunny's expectations of how you would act or say if you were that person. Of course it's not perfect but you're all very accurate enough to identify as that person."
"So...I'm still me?" Kel asks. Omori sighs but doesn't show his exasperation towards him.
"Kel, you were always you. I didn't change anything about you." Kel let out a happy cheer while Hero let out a nervous laugh as he pulls him behind by the shoulder.
"Anyways, we're glad you told us, but there is one question that bothers me. If you're an alter ego of Sunny, don't our real world selves have an alter ego as well?" Omori expected this question to come up, but not so soon.
"Yeah, they do. Well, I haven't met the others but I have seen one of them."
"Do they know they have their own alter egos?" This question stopped Omori for a second. Do they know about their own alter egos?
'Your case is different from mine. My dreamer doesn't know I exist...I am someone that doesn't exist, therefore I shouldn't have the right to speak it's name.'But if Basil did know about his alter ego, would it be different?
Does Kel know about his alter ego? What about Aubrey and Hero? Do they know too? The thought make home wonder what their alter egos are like as well. After all, alter egos are what the person wants to be. An idealized person with the exact qualities that they desire. Omori is the type with the confidence of a leader that Sunny lacks and desires. What exactly do the others desire about themselves?
Then there's Stranger. What exactly is Stranger that Basil lacks? Now that he thinks about it, Stranger is everything that Basil wants to be. He's blunt about the truth and isn't afraid to say what's on his mind. He puts up walls to hide his true emotions and thoughts from others. He also isn't easily the kindest person either, but he can be soft if you know him enough. Is that what Basil wants to be? Or is it something he suppresses? Basil is the kind, gentle, sweet, loving, flower boy that Sunny has come to admire. So him also suppressing the negative thoughts into a being, his alter ego, would make a lot of sense.
Negative thoughts always follow you like a shadow. Sometimes you forget it's even there when you focus on the positive things. Is that what Stranger is? Basil doesn't easily get that upset. But Stranger, let's it all out. He gets mad, he cries, he feels everything. Except for happiness. That's something Basil has and something Stranger lacks.
"Well, I only met one of them, and they don't know their alter ego exists, however Sunny knows I exist so I guess it's a different case with everyone." Hero nods his head as he understands here he's coming from.
"Man, it'd be cool to have an alter ego, I bet we'd be the best of friends! Right Hero?" Kel exclaims. Hero playfully scoffs.
"And deal with two Kels? No thanks." Kel whines while Heor playfully teases him. Aubrey is silent for some odd reason and Mari doesn't hesitate to question it.
"Aubrey? Is something the matter?" Aubrey doesn't answer her, but she does turn her attention to Omori.
"But I still have some questions." Omori nods gesturing her to continue. What he doesn't expect is the question she asks. "Does the real Aubrey have a crush on you?" Kel and Hero stop to stare at her. Basil and Mari look at her shocked unaware of Aubrey obvious affection towards him.
Omori however, showed no reaction towards this. Though it was unexpected. But it didn't make him hesitate to answer.
"No, she doesn't. Sunny had a childhood crush on you when he was twelve. When he got older, he realized he started developing feelings for Basil. He only sees you as a good friend. When I created this world, I wanted everything to fit whatever Sunny desires. Therefore, you're affection towards me or Sunny is all fabricated. It's not real."
This made Aubrey tremble. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. But she took a deep breath and held it in.
"I should've known. After all, you gave Basil everything when you made this world, didn't you? You gave him his own house, a beautiful place for him to garden to his heart's content. It's obvious you treasure him more. Of course I knew that. But to think that you fabricated my own feelings, just for your own selfish reasons!" Aubrey broke down crying as she fell to her knees. This reminded him of Stranger's own outburst as she continued to cry.
'You deliberately want to erase your mistakes even if it hurts others because you're just that selfish!'
Omori accepts this. He is selfish. He knows this. But he can't help it. Everyone wants to be selfish. He was just too childish to stop and think of the consequences and the thought of others. Now he must live with his mistakes.
"So what of it?"
Omori's eyes widen. He turns around to see Sunny standing behind him with the same neutral look he always had. Everyone else looked at Sunny shocked that he was here. Aubrey looked up with tears in her eyes. Sunny doesn't pay her any mind though as he walks up to Basil and puts his arm around his shoulder bringing him flushed against him.
"This world was created for me anyway."
Omori had it. He finally has it. After all this time of trial and error. None of the replicas could quite match up to real deal. Little did he know that he would've just went and grabbed it himself. Now here he was in his arms, Basil slept soundly in his arms. Omori felt the swell of sheer giddiness of finally having the perfect Basil. He nuzzled his face on the top of Basil's head.
"You're finally mine." He murmured as he walked into white space. Sunny would be so happy.
Although, he felt disappointed that Basil's alter ego tried to attack him. He did like him. He was something that Omori want to explore inside and out. And if he was willing to give him up, he would've taken him too. Take him for himself. Then he'd have something for both Sunny and him. But sadly, that wasn't the case. But it didn't matter, he got what he wanted. But he feel upset of no taking Basil's alter ego too.
Maybe he'll get him later if he has the chance.
He entered white space quietly as he stood there thinking where he should put him. He wants him to be comfortable after all. This is a very valuable guest. He wants him to be as safe and unable to leave as possible. Though it did take him long when a certain idea popped in his head.
"Yes. That would be a perfect place for him." He walks over to it. He opens it letting the red hands take him inside.
"Don't worry Basil. This place is just perfect for you. In fact, it's a place where someone like you can't even escape from. But it's alright, Sunny loves you very much and I'm sure he'll enjoy it when he sees you there. He'll finally be satisfied."
With those words, it closed.
(I actually gave a hint where Basil is. Can you guess where?)