Chapter 23 Memory Restored

Morton's feet had taken on a life of their own. He barreled through the hallway, looking for his brother. He didn't even bother to watch his surroundings and take into account the different hazards that rested in his way. He did not stop until he found Iggy in the living room, and even then, he still ran in place.

"Iggy!"

Iggy turned around from his spot in front of the TV, the TV where the news report Bob had mentioned was playing out. The footage showed Stonebrim in dusty ruins, with skeletons of buildings and clouds of debris littering the scene. Iggy, along with the rest of the Koopa family, looked pretty shaken up at the footage. When Iggy turned to respond to the call that Morton had given him, he looked like he had just seen a ghost.

"What is it, Morton? Are you alright?"

Morton nodded his head, a smile bright and excited growing on his face despite the news unfolding in front of him. "I need you. I need you badly."

Larry looked behind him, not even bothering to deliver some snark with the death ridden Stonebrim showed before him. "Dude, what's your deal?"

Morton shook his head. "I just need Iggy. There's something very important that I've discovered and I have to share it with him."

Iggy blinked, looked back at the screen, then looked back at Morton. He sighed. "I suppose it would be healthy for me if I step away from this program for a little bit." He lifted his glasses and rubbed his eyes, almost in an exhausted manner, before getting up. "Proceed to transport me to the area you wish to converse in.."

Morton nodded and led Iggy up the stairs. He figured that it would be wise to make sure that the two of them were in an enclosed space before he revealed what was going on. His excitement filled to overflowing as the stairs creaked underneath his weight. When the two of them got to the guest room, Morton shut and locked the door.

"Okay," said Iggy. He took a seat on the maroon couch near the window. "What is it you wish to reveal to me?"

Morton's breathing rate went through the roof as his excitement increased ever more. He reached into his hammerspace and pulled out the crystal. He didn't show it to his brother though; not yet. He just grasped it in his enclosed fist.

"Iggy," he said. "I am stuck in a time loop, and I finally figured out how I can get out."

Iggy blinked. His face scrunched up into an expression of confusion and disbelief. "I apologize, but what is it you just said?"

Morton sighed and took a seat next to him. "I'm stuck in a time loop."

Iggy blinked again before pinching his brow with his thumb and forefinger. "You are stuck in a time loop?"

"Yes!"

"That's…." Iggy stopped pinching his brow and turned toward Morton. "That's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard."

Morton bit his lip. "Look, I know it might sound a little crazy…"

Iggy snickered. "A little?"

Morton sucked some air through his teeth. "Yeess. Believe me, in the last loop I went through, you were definitely not willing to believe this."

Iggy raised an eyebrow. "The last loop, huh?" He snickered again. "Well, you are correct in the claim that I am not willing to believe this." He rose from the couch and made his way toward the door.

"Wait!" Morton called out. Iggy turned around, but with one of the most incredulous stares that Morton had ever seen. "I...I can prove it."

Iggy put his hands on his hips. "Prove it?"

"Yes." Morton rose from the couch. "That monster attack in Stonebrim today wasn't just mere coincidence. I knew it was going to happen, which was why I decided that we should go see Bob. And all those comments I was making at the breakfast table about me having to repeat the day? Those were hints about the time loop."

Iggy snickered. "That does not prove anything," he scoffed.

Morton smiled. "No. You're right. However, I have something that definitely will." He opened his palm and showed Iggy the crystal. The white glow it produced could lull both of them into a hypnotic trance if they stared at it for long enough.

Iggy looked curious upon seeing the crystal. "What is that?"

"I found this during the first iteration of the day. I think it is the catalyst."

Iggy got in a little closer, the intrigue on his face growing more and more prevalent. "It's beautiful." He slowly reaches his hand toward the crystal. "I wonder what kind of gem it…."

When Iggy laid his finger on the crystal, it flashed. The white light grew stronger, filling the room. Iggy gasped, his breath taken away from him. Before long, he fell to the floor, taking his hands off the crystal as he did so. When he stopped touching it, the light cleared.

"Iggy!" Morton leaned down to lift him up. His brother wobbled, shook, and hyperventilated. Morton furrowed his brow. "Iggy, are you alright?"

Iggy put his hand to his forehead, looking like he was just minutes away from passing out. The disbelief and pain on his face was so strong that it was starting to rub off on Morton. Just as Morton was wondering what exactly had happened, Iggy turned toward him. The words that he spoke made Morton's heart stop.

"I remember now. I remember everything."

Morton's eyes grew wide. "You...you do?"

Iggy nodded and took the crystal, which didn't react this time. He stared down at the glowing gem in awe. "We have repeated Koopsmas four times. In the first loop, there was a monster attack. In the second…." Iggy's eyes grew wide. "Holy crap, Morton, you died in the last loop!"

Morton beamed. "That's right! I did!" He leaned in a little closer. "Do you remember what happened in the third loop?"

Iggy placed his hand to his head, the gears turning around at maximum speed. "Yes. You...managed to convince me about the time loop. However, when we searched the library, we didn't find any information pertaining to such a phenomenon."

Morton nodded. "That's right!" He did a little jump. "You really do remember!"

"Yes." Iggy looked down at the crystal again. He turned it around in his hand, looking at it from every angle. "This is unbelievable. This is just…." He turned toward his brother. "I can't believe it, Morty. You died!"

"I know. I can hardly believe it myself." He pointed toward the crystal. "I think this was what allowed me to enter the time loop in the first place."

"Yes, it would appear that way!" Iggy said with a snort. He handed the crystal back. "We need to figure out exactly how the crystal is enchanted. Then, we can use a counter spell that will destroy it, ultimately stopping the loop."

"Sounds like a plan," said Morton. "But how are we going to do that?"

"We need to study the crystal's molecular structure. I have a microscope in my lab. We can use that."

Morton nodded, relief flooding his soul. After repeating the same day four times, things were finally starting to go his way. However, a horrible thought struck him.

"What if you lose your memories when the next loop begins."

Iggy looked consternated. "That might be an issue." He smiled. "However, I believe that touching the crystal has allowed me access to the inner workings of the loop. I believe that I will retain my memories tomorrow."

Morton nodded. "Okay. I guess we'll find out."

…

The next morning, Morton found himself back in his bed, the same exact scene from before greeting him. He looked at the clock, which read 7:56. His heart sank. Iggy usually came to the room at 8:00 during the loop. If he...no. No! What if he didn't remember! Oh, what if the crystal didn't restore his memories a second time? What would he do?

He got up out of his bed. His breathing rate sped up into hyperventilation. No. No! He couldn't do this again! He just couldn't! He already got some form of a way of breaking the loop; he didn't need to be sent back to square one.

"Please let him remember, oh please let him remember…."

Suddenly, the knob to the door began to turn. Morton turned toward it, his breath caught in the middle of his throat. Within seconds, Iggy was in the room. However, he wasn't smiling this time. Now, his face was serious.

"Don't worry, Morty; I remembered."

Morton let out a breath. "Oh thank the developer!"

Iggy smiled. "Yes, thank the developer. Now, for the sake of both of our sanity, let's find out how to stop the loop. Come with me to the lab."

Morton smiled and followed.