"Come on, come on," Artemis said looking at his phone.

"Artemis don't stare at your phone all day," Marco said looking up from his breakfast.

"Sorry dad," Artemis put his phone screen facing down. He started to stare at his breakfast cereal. "The Callum Carpenter results are supposed to come out today and I'm a little nervous."

"I'm sure you got in," Marco said before taking a sip of coffee. "And if you don't, then they don't know what they're missing out on."

"Thanks, Dad," Artemis said before taking a bite of his cereal.

"Are you okay with the whole Harmony deal?" Marco asked.

"Yeah I miss her but I'm sure we'll be able to visit her soon." Artemis took another of his cereal, before mixing it in the bowl a little.

"Even though," Marco started to cough heavily. Artemis sat up straight in surprise. "Sorry about that. As I was saying, you sure you okay with."

Before Marco could say anything else, the coughing started again. He took a quick sip of coffee. Resting a for a moment before trying to speak again. The same thing happened again. He growled and mumbled to himself before getting up and walking out of the room. Artemis sat there for a moment. After a little bit, he flipped his phone over. Still no updates. He sighed and slowly continued eating his breakfast.

"Oh, Artemis I'm so proud of you," Star said pulling Artemis close to her. She kissed him a few times on the forehead. Artemis leaned on her shoulder, smiling happily.

"I love you Mom," Artemis said to her softly.

"I love you too sweetie," Star said in a very sing-song voice.

"I really do," Artemis said quietly. He few a tear slowly start to fall down his cheek. Quickly he wiped it away. He heard his father walking downstairs. Artemis sat up and made sure his eyes were as dry as he could make them.

"Okay I got to go," Marco said kissing Artemis quickly on the head. "There's some leftovers in the fridge for when you get hungry. Text me if you go anywhere."

"Okay Dad," Artemis said quietly. Luckily his dad didn't seem to notice anything off with him. Soon his dad walked out the door. Artemis finished his breakfast quietly. Occasionally looking at his phone. He walked up to his room and laid on his bed. Staring at his phone. After a while, he sighed and rolled on his side. His mind went to the world of Callum Carpenter. Flying on Griffins, making potions, taming wild beasts. All things he could see his mother doing. Even in the wildest dreams, the two could never do together.

When lunchtime rolled around, Artemis walked downstairs and opened the fridge. After some searching, he pulled out some leftover chicken. Quickly microwaving it and placing it in between two slices of bread. Digging through the snack closest he pulled out some chips. Sitting down on the couch and put on the television. It became the only sound filling the empty house. Silence had become the norm over the past week. The only break being whenever Artemis was watching something with sound.

Soon Artemis heard a buzz from his phone. Immediately he jumped to it. He saw only a text message. But it was from Tyler. Shaking he opened it. Just got the call! I got in! Artemis smiled at it. He quickly replied with, Congrats! I still haven't heard anything. Artemis frowned a little and leaned back on the couch. He placed a pillow behind him for comfort. After a few minutes, he got a reply. Don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll hear by six.

Artemis smiled at the message. He placed his phone down after sending Tyler another message. The two continued to chat for a bit. The day went on slowly. Artemis constantly looking at his phone. He tried to keep himself busy, but nothing worked. Even reading different Callum Carpenter books didn't help. His eyes could not leave his phone. Then it hit, the clock read six o'clock. Still nothing.

At that moment, he couldn't hold it in anymore. He started crying. Burying himself in his pillow. It was so hard no tears came out. He didn't even try to stop himself. He could hear his phone buzz, for a text message. Not even looking at it, he turned around and just stared at the wall. Soon he heard his dad some back into the house. He curled up into a little ball. Not going downstairs at all. He just stayed in his bed, until he fell fast asleep.

"Artemis are you in there?" Marco asked knocking on the door. Artemis lifted his head off his pillow. The time on the clock now read 10 am. He sulked back on his bed. Slowly he heard the door open and Marco walked in. Gently sitting next to him. "Are you alright?"

"I didn't get in," Artemis said softly. Marco placed his hand on Artemis's back and rubbed it gently.

"It's okay," Marco said gently. "Those casting agents don't know what they missed."

"That's not helping," Artemis turned to bury his head into his pillow.

"I'm sorry. Look if it helps when we visit your mother tomorrow, we don't have to bring this up."

"I'm not going!" Artemis shouted lifting his head off the pillow for a second.

"What why not?" Marco asked appalled. Artemis didn't respond, only burying his head deeper in his pillow. Marco lifted his hand off of Artemis's back and crossed his arms. "Artemis I'm not leaving until you tell me what's going on. Not getting a minor part in a movie isn't the end of the world."

"Mom wouldn't want to see me." Artemis slowly sat up. He got on his knees and looked down. "Harmony isn't here."

"What?!" Marco asked in complete shock. "Artemis where did you ever get an idea like that?"

"Mom never wanted me. I only made things worse for her. If I weren't born she would never have ended up there." Marco didn't say anything. Only looking at him in confusion. "She only loves Harmony, not me. She blames me for everything"

"Come on," Marco said after a few minutes. "I want to show you something."

Marco led Artemis down the living room. He led Artemis to the couch and had him sit on it. Marco walked up to the TV, he pulled out a small red box. Carefully he opened it and pulled out a case with a CD inside. Slowly he opened in and placed in the player. As it was loading he took a seat next to Artemis and wrapped around on it. The screen so loaded and Artemis saw an image of his mother sitting in a rocking chair he recognized as one from his room. Currently, she had her hands on her stomach that was bludging out.

"Are we rolling?" She said softly, before smiling and taking a breath. "Hi Artemis," She raised her hand to wave, before clasping her hands together at rest. "I don't know when exactly you're gonna be watching this, but I hope things are going well!"

"Hey Star!" Marco called, causing her to chuckle, while covering her mouth.

"She seems... happy..." Artemis looked away for a moment. "Happier than she ever was with me." Soon he returned his focus to the screen, allowing Star to raise a framed photo to the camera.

"Look, sweetie! It's your first picture!" She smiled before glancing down at her ever-growing bump, wrapping her arm around it, before looking ahead.

Suddenly, the air seemed to tense up. Star's jubilant face softened while her tone became more somber. "Artemis, you're gonna be born in a world better than any I could've imagined." She forced a smile. "You might not believe this but, we worked hard to make it this way. And I know... some may not agree, but... I know you'll love it. You and your sister made everything we went through worth it." With that, she smiled as bright as she could, before blowing a kiss into the camera. "Can't wait to meet you!"

With that, she stuck out her tongue and threw up a peace sign, before the video ended.

"Dad, why did we watch this?" Artemis asked in a mix of announce and confusion. Marco didn't say anything, only pointed back to the screen. The scene had changed. It was dark now, with only the soft nightlight and the moon illuminating the scene. Yet, even in the darkness, his mother's face glowed brightly.

"Hi," She held the note, before turning the camera to the crib. "Look at you, you're getting so big," She turned it back. "My sweet baby boy."

Despite the shadows trying to obscure her face, he could see how she had changed. He could see the running mascara and dried tears that stained her perfect skin and she now had bags under her eyes as she forced another smile into the camera.

"Artemis, I know you're too young to understand but... mommy's having a hard time right now." She wiped her eyes, getting some leftover makeup on her sleeve. "But when I look at you, I can't help but wonder what your Grandma moon and Grandpa River would think. I'm sure they would've loved to meet you..." Her voice trailed off and she sniffled. "But... they never will." She teared up again, only to quickly wipe them away. "I... I'm sorry. I... I wish I could go back. But I know there's no changing what I did... I had to. I had to do it, to make this possible. To save this world... But couldn't there have been a better way?" She shook her head.

She looked down. "I know I shouldn't be saying this but... I need to. Please, don't listen to what others say. Please, even if you start believing their words. If mommy doesn't get better please understand, it's not your fault." She slowly raised her head, tears filling her eyes. "Sweetie, you and your sister are my everything. Even when I don't have the energy to get out of bed, I'll force myself if it means I can see your smiling faces. Artemis, I know that my life wasn't perfect, and I have my regrets, I promise that you're not one of them. I love you no matter what."

The video then faded to black once again. Artemis did not take his eyes off the screen. Marco turned to face him. Artemis slowly looked at him.

"She made that for me," Artemis said in disbelief.

"Of course she did," Marco said quietly. "She loves you and I know she would love to see you tomorrow."

"You ready?" Marco asked as he and Artemis started to walk out of the house. Artemis nodded and the two walked over to the car. "Okay, now we have to be gentle when talking about Harmony with your mom."

"I'm sure she won't mind her going to boarding school," Artemis said in confusion.

"No about," Marco started to couch heavily. He kept trying to speak but heavy coughs came out each time.

"Dad are you okay?" Artemis asked very concernedly.

"I'm not sure." Artemis reached down and pulled out a coughdrop. Marco took it and looked at it. "Unfortunately I don't think these will help."

Artemis laughed a little. He placed the bag of cough drops in his backpack. Soon the arrived at the house. Artemis jumped out of the car. Slowly he followed his dad into the house. After checking themselves in Artemis found himself walking more and more behind his father. His father turned around and gestured towards him. Artemis sped up a little bit to catch up. Before he knew it, they were in front of the door to Star's room. Artemis couldn't help but stare at it as his dad opened it.

"Hi Mom," Artemis said quietly walking into the room.

"Artemis!" Star said rather excitedly but still in her normal quiet tone. She stood up and hugged him. Gently she kissed him on the forehead. "I missed so you much sweetie."

"I missed you too," Artemis said with a smile. Burying his head into Star's shoulder. Star held him tightly and brought him closer. She looked up and around.

"Where's Harmony?" Star asked still not letting go of Artemis. In fact, she held him closer.

"She got into a special boarding school program," Marco explained placing a hand on Star's shoulder.

"Good for her," Star said. Despite trying to sound happy, Artemis could hear some somberness in her voice.

After a bit more of catching up, Star, Marco, and Artemis made their way to the cafeteria. The sat down at a small table. Artemis took a turkey sandwich and a bag of chips. Star kept Artemis close to her.

"I miss you so much," Star said quietly. Part of Artemis's mind wondered if he was supposed to have heard that. He could tell there was some sort of guilt in her voice. Silently Artemis grabbed his mother's hand. She started to stroke her hand. Soon they heard something go on the TV behind them. It was showing clips from the earthquake two weeks ago.

"Oh, I heard about that," Star said turning towards the television screen. "Are your parents and sister alright?"

"Yes," Marco said with a bit of relief. "Thankfully the whole thing happened a good deal away from their house."

"There sure has been a lot of bad luck around that place."

"Yeah hopefully it isn't a side effect of." Marco once again started talking. Artemis was quick to give him a cough drop and Star looked at him concerned.

"The well," the voice said. Artemis frowned a little bit. "You must go there Prince Butterfly. Please hurry your time is running out."

"Running out?" Artemis thought to himself. "For what?"

Before anything could happen, he heard his mother start to laugh little.

"What is it Star?" Marco asked.

"I'm sorry but there's a girl that looks a lot like Harmony on screen."

Artemis looked up at the screen. Currently, a video was playing showing a bunch of teenagers dancing, as the person a reporter was interviewing was explaining what had happened. One of the girls had the same hair color as Harmony just tied in a ponytail and Artemis was sure he had seen Harmony with those pairs of shades.

"I hope she was near that place." Star shivered a little in place.

"She was just running out to get some medicine," Artemis said taking a bite of his sandwich. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his father give a look of confusion.

"Phew that's a relief," Star sighed with a smile. "Still it's funny that she has a clone at the party."

"Yes," Marco said sounding rather suspicious. "It is."

AN: A big thank you to my friend Omega Ultra for writing the video scene. Most of it was his work with me changing a few details. Please check him out if you also happen to like the Loud House.