Illusion Steve decided that he wanted to give Memory Steve a taste of the soon-to-be new reality by taking him to a Blue Steve village to celebrate. Memory Steve requested that they avoid a sit-in diner, and the two went to a bakery where they purchased a batch of cookies.
"What'll become of Alex and the Guardian?" Memory Steve asked while they waited for their order.
"I teleported them somewhere else," Illusion Steve said. "Since the Guardian works for me, I ordered him to betray Alex and lock her up. Later, I'll take her to the Illusion Town, where I'll remove her powers and put her under the illusion again. That's the next stage of my plan."
"I can erase her memories, if you would like me to."
"No, no! I can handle this one!" Illusion Steve quickly said, forcing a smile. He laughed and tried to relax. "You don't need to erase any of Alex's memories, but thank you for the offer. But I got this one!"
Memory Steve tilted his head, confused. Well, I guess with Sabre harmless now, we don't need to erase Alex's memories. Just covering them with the illusion will suffice.
"Really! You've done enough! Fantastic work today," Illusion Steve continued. "I really appreciate what you have done. Though I have to ask: why did you blow up those two signs Sabre put down? Wouldn't it have been cleaner to just break them?"
"Oh, umm..." Memory Steve looked out the window, as if the sentences he wanted to fabricate would be found outside. "Yes, it would have been cleaner. But at that moment, I thought it would be humorous to surprise Sabre and destroy those signs with TNT. It was worth it."
"Oh. Well, nice quick thinking."
"I should also thank you, Illusion Steve. Like I said before, this plan couldn't have worked without you. You used your powers on me and Sabre, allowing me to return the recently stolen memories while I kept the other memories." Memory Steve silently appreciated Illusion Steve for working around his drawback instead of forcing him to get over it.
Suddenly, an Elder Blue Steve jumped between the two of them. "Thank you! Thank you so much for visiting our village and supporting my bakery! It means the whole reality to me!" He gave an exaggerated smile and an eye twitch. His dark blue hair was horridly unkempt. Not even the unusual sheep horns growing out of his skull could distract anyone from that messy hair.
Memory Steve took two steps back. Smart move, because the Elder Blue Steve snatched Illusion Steve and crushed him with a hug.
Illusion Steve squirmed. "Yes, yes! I get it! Thank you!" He broke out of the Elder's embrace and fell to the floor. He got up with a scowl and brushed the dust off his clothes. All while Elder Blue beamed madly.
Elder Blue whirled around and skipped towards Memory Steve, who was stunned, and gave him a box of cookies. "Please come again! I love making new friends!"
"We will!" Illusion Steve snapped. " Keep up the good work or I'll destroy your village!"
"Will do!" Elder Blue's grin widened unnaturally. "I'm used to rulers who threaten my people!"
Illusion left the bakery with Memory Steve following. Once they were a distance away, he facepalmed. "Why did I come here? Coming to his bakery out of pity was a mistake."
"Is that Elder Blue Steve alright?" Memory Steve asked as they walked out of the village.
"No," Illusion Steve said. "When I found him, that village was empty and he was grieving for all the Blue Steves who died. And it seemed like he went through a lot, because this tragedy made him...snap. I put an illusion over that village. He's actually the only real Steve there. Everyone else is a hologram. He doesn't remember being alone, but the emotions are still there, no matter how strong I make the illusion. No wonder he's crazy."
Oh Colors, do I look like that Elder Blue Steve? Memory Steve wondered. I've been alone too for so many centuries. He couldn't help but pity that brainwashed Elder. This uncontrollable world brought tragedy to many. If Void Steve was here, he would have given everyone like that Elder Blue mercy by ending their misery and starting the world over.
"Oh, sorry for going on a tangent," Illusion Steve added. "But have you ever wondered why all the basic color Steves have the same name? Like, you're the only Memory Steve and I'm the only Illusion Steve, but there are so many Steves called Blue Steves or any color Steve."
Memory Steve paused. He turned to look back at the village, hidden mouth agape. Wait a minute...all the Blue Steves over there were called Blue Steve! And that Red Steve village he dealt with a few days ago. They were all called Red Steves! And in the Memory Dimension, when he showed Illusion Steve the memory of that blue moon festival. All the Blue Steves in that memory were called...oh my Colors. All the Blue Steves in that village who called themselves Blue Steve and called each other Blue Steves had the SAME NAME.
"No way..." He gasped.
"Wait, you never noticed that they all had the same names?! It's their names!"
"...I never noticed because I didn't care," Memory Steve admitted.
"Of course." Illusion Steve rubbed his eyes, annoyed. "Well, now you know."
The cousins found an area that was shaded by a tree and overlooking the Blue Steve village. (Memory Steve continued staring at the village, still disturbed by the name revelation.) When the two sat at a newly placed table, Memory Steve set the box down and opened it.
Illusion Steve took a cookie. "Well, here we are, celebrating Sabre's defeat."
Memory Steve nodded and took a cookie for himself. "A wonderful accomplishment for the both of us." With his free hand, he raised his mask a bit, tugged the balaclava down to expose his mouth, and took a bite of the cookie.
Illusion Steve inspected the cookie before eating it. "This actually isn't half-bad. That Elder Blue Steve's a good baker, for someone who's hasn't done anything but oversee others for generations. I'm impressed, and I usually don't like sweet food."
Meanwhile, Memory Steve was thinking, Holy shit, under the bright eyes of the Six Colors, this is the best thing I've tasted in literal centuries. It took every ounce of willpower to not devour the cookie in milliseconds.
"Anyways, Memory Steve, how do you feel about our recent accomplishment? I know you really wanted Sabre to forget about you."
"Well, I suppose I feel satisfied." Memory Steve paused. No one ever asked him how he felt after missions, so explaining his thoughts felt challenging. "I'm pleased that I finally completed this task I started generations ago."
"I'm pleased that you helped me deal with Sabre," Illusion Steve replied. "You were the only Steve who could affect his mind, and you did it. But, since you finished your main goal to erase Sabre's memories, what do you plan to do now? Do you...still plan to work with me?"
Memory Steve did like Illusion Steve and enjoyed working for him. However, Void Steve was his main priority. He had to abandon Illusion Steve once the right moment arrived and Void Steve returned. Regardless, he had to continue serving him until then. "I'd be a fool to leave now. Like you said, if I work for you, I will see you create a new reality. It was something...my father failed to do."
"Well...I'm-I'm glad to see you're still interested in working for me!" Illusion Steve cheered. There was a flicker of nervousness behind that enthusiasm, but Memory Steve decided not to dwell on it.
"You haven't completed your task yet," Memory Steve changed the subject after finishing his cookie. "You now understand that blocking everyone's memories isn't a solution for the long run. You'll need to find a new way to keep Galaxy Steve happy in your illusion."
"I know. I've been thinking of new plans. And I'll, of course, ask for your advice about it. Let's just focus on celebrating Sabre's defeat." Illusion Steve looked triumphantly at the village. "He's been such a thorn on my side, telling me that what I'm doing is wrong when I just want good results. And honestly, he looks pretty foolish when he believes this world is reality. I'm glad that he's harmless. It means I don't have to kill him."
Memory Steve smiled. His cousin was actually learning to enjoy the moment!
Illusion Steve looked back at Memory Steve. "I don't want to repeat what Galaxy Steve did. Forcing people to forget about things just so he doesn't get in trouble. I'm curious: when did you realize that erasing memories led to my father's downfall?"
Memory Steve's smile fell and he gazed at his hands. "...It was when Elemental Steve joined my father." He readjusted the balaclava and mask to fully conceal his face.
Illusion Steve raised an eyebrow. "My brother? What was Elemental Steve like after you erased his memories? My father had an infamous past and a lot of enemies; he wanted Elemental and Time Steve to help him. They had a huge burden to carry because of him. They were like me! If I didn't know better, I would have assumed Elemental would be happier not knowing about his father and the mess he left behind."
He didn't though, and that was the problem. Memory Steve dipped his head down and eyed the low-hanging leaves of the nearby tree. "Well, you know what actually happened, Illusion Steve. Instead of living blissfully...he lost his mind. A Steve may not know everything about their past, but they can still feel curious, frustrated, and confused about the unanswered questions. They'll go to anyone for answers. That's how Void Steve got to him..."
"If I block the memories of all the Steves in this world, and suppose someone like Void Steve comes in..." Illusion Steve nervously chewed on the cookie. "...would they be easily influenced by that evil Steve and turn against me and Galaxy Steve?"
"Highly likely. History will repeat itself." Why am I answering this with so much confidence? Memory Steve grabbed another cookie.
"So that's how you learned that erasing memories and running away from his problems caused Galaxy Steve's downfall. Eventually, someone would crack and demand answers, and that happened to be Elemental Steve and Void Steve? ...Did you expect any of that to happen? When you erased his memories, did you knew Elemental Steve would end up working for Void Steve?"
Crumble! Memory Steve suddenly formed a fist, crushing the cookie in his hand. "..."
"...You ok?"
Memory Steve relaxed. "...It was a total surprise. Like I said, I learned this after Elemental Steve went mad." He dropped the broken cookie to the grass and brushed the remaining crumbs off. "When I erased his memories, I just thought of it as revenge. Void Steve's revenge after Galaxy Steve left us. I didn't expect Elemental Steve would join us years later."
"Have you ever talked to Elemental Steve when he started working with your father?"
"Well, when I lost control of my powers, Elemental Steve forgot all of the conversations we had. He was good company before that."
Illusion Steve set his arms on the table and leaned towards Memory Steve, curious. "If Elemental Steve were here now, what would you say to him, now that you have control over your powers?"
Memory Steve flinched.
"I'm so sorry, Elemental. I'm so, so sorry. Your story wasn't supposed to begin like this. I never wanted this to happen."
Memory Steve remained silent, forcing the thoughts away. He reached for another cookie and shrugged. "...Nothing. I have nothing to say to him."
"Oh..." Illusion Steve frowned and looked away. He sighed and ate another cookie in defeat, to Memory Steve's relief.
"If I may ask...what happened to Time Steve?" Memory Steve began. "I am aware that you destroyed him when you stole Alex's powers."
Illusion Steve shot an alarmed look. He got up to his feet and slammed his hands on the table. He stared at the henchman, a serious aura in his eyes. "I'm going to entrust you with a little secret...follow me."
Illusion Steve and Memory Steve teleported to the Illusion Town. It was the same as before: a stone wall, the cobblestone building, and a towering faux Rainbow Tree of Life.
"With Sabre out of the way, I can finish building this place in peace." Illusion Steve headed to one of the Town's corners, which was to the right of the entrance. "I recently built a secret dungeon and you're the first to see it. Let me show you how it works."
He handed Memory Steve four levers. "Place a lever on this grass block here."
Memory Steve did so and activated the lever. Suddenly, a rectangle area in the grass moved, revealing a stone stairway down. Illusion Steve removed the lever before holding up a torch. The two descended down the stairs. Illusion ordered Memory Steve to put another lever on a certain block on the wall at the end of the stairs.
"Activate it," Illusion Steve told him.
Memory Steve tensed. "Umm..." He looked back at the stairway. He had an idea of what this second lever would do, and he didn't like the thought at all. He opened his mouth to argue, only to realize that he couldn't force any words out as the air seemed static, refusing to enter or leave his lungs.
Illusion Steve gave a sympathetic blink. "...Fine, we'll keep it open. This lever moves the grass blocks to close the stairway. That's how we'll get in and out and make sure no one else enters or leaves. From now on, make sure you always carry at least two levers on you."
"Ce-Certainly," Memory Steve finally forced out. He was relieved that the stairway wouldn't close, but he eyed the hallway ahead nervously, desperately trying to ignore the surrounding dark walls. "W-Why do you need an underground dungeon anyways?"
"Two reasons. First, an escape route. That's why there are halls. Follow me and I'll show you the second one." Holding the torch, Illusion Steve headed deeper into the halls.
Memory Steve found himself planted on the ground, unable to ignore the hall's darkness and small space. Only his hands trembled, and he didn't even want them to do that. Oh Colors, what if these halls go on forever? What if...
Illusion Steve looked over his shoulder calmly. "Hey, don't worry. Just focus on following me. I promise you we'll be out of here in no time."
Memory Steve gulped and began to follow, holding his hands together to force the tremors down.
Illusion Steve guided him through the complex hallway. "Oh, there's also a third reason," he said when they passed an elevated window. Natural light seeped through. "It's a hideout and a lookout, to see any outside threats. The Rainbow Town had something similar, except it looked within instead of outside the walls."
When they turned the corner, a glowing white light greeted them. Memory Steve covered his eyes with his arm. He only caught a glimpse of the two portals that were glowing white. "Impossible...you can create your own dimensions?"
"They're more like pocket dimensions," Illusion Steve explained. "I accidentally learned this power then I tried to get to the Spirit World. Must be a power Alex has. The one of the left is off-limits; only I can enter. The one on the right, however, come with me. I have something to show you."
Curious, Memory Steve blindly followed him into the portal.
They arrived in a 15x15 block room that had gray walls and a white floor. The room was well lit, muting the strength of the portal's glow. Memory Steve sighed, relieved to be in a much bigger room with an obvious exit. Then he noticed the room's only furniture: a giant redstone machine mounted on the wall opposite of the portal wall. The machine's glass chamber held an entity, who was asleep but propped up by pistons. The entity's face was lowered, concealed from view. But the entity wore a trench coat and black cape that immediately struck familiarity to Memory Steve.
"Time Steve?!" He turned to Illusion. "But in Sabre's memories, I saw you destroy him."
"That was before I took Alex's powers and I had the ability to turn my illusions into reality. Could I really do anything fatal to a Steve with just my illusion powers? No. Destroying Time Steve was simply an illusion. A little surprise for Sabre."
Did you not kill him because you had limited power, or because you couldn't bring yourself to do it? Memory Steve wondered. Illusion Steve had more powers now, but he still hadn't officially destroyed Time Steve. It would take so much hatred and willpower to destroy one's brother...
After getting over the shock, disappointment began to bubble. "So...he's alive after all. This is what you wanted to show me." Memory Steve glared at his long lost kin. "What is he doing here?"
"I'll eventually add him into the new reality, but not yet. If Time Steve is walking around the Overworld, he will eventually encounter Galaxy Steve. Galaxy Steve will remember all the terrible things that happened to Time Steve and feel guilty. I can't risk that.
"So I placed Time Steve in this pocket dimension. I put an illusion in his head, so he's currently dreaming something happy. I want him here, and I don't want to harm him either."
Illusion Steve approached the redstone machine and deactivated a part of it.
Time Steve jumped awake with a loud gasp. The hands on his clock mask did a frantic spin. "Illusion?! You're back! I – " He suddenly bent over in a coughing fit. "I'm...I'm still infected."
"I promise I'll figure out how to cure you soon! Until then, just please stay in here. It's the only way we can talk to each other without creating something bad," Illusion Steve assured. "Whatever Sabre did to you sped up the infection. But I'm close to figuring out how to remove it safely."
"With or without removing my powers?"
"I don't know yet."
"I guess it doesn't matter." Time Steve dipped his head down. "Because I can't control my powers right now. They're too dangerous."
He can't control his own powers. And he's trapped too! Memory Steve scoffed to himself. How tragic yet so satisfying.
"How...how's the Overworld?" Time Steve panted. He looked miserable with a fever. "Or...how's the illusion?"
"The illusion is still spreading."
"Illusion, you know I don't support this plan of yours!" Time Steve protested. "Trust me. I've seen what happened to Elemental when he started thinking about creating his own world. It wasn't good for him!"
Memory Steve flinched and looked away at the mention of Elemental Steve. Oh, Time, if you only knew the real truth behind Elemental's corruption...and why he fell...
Illusion Steve closed his eyes and sighed. "I know, I understand that now."
Time Steve perked up. "Does that mean you'll get rid of the illusion?"
"Not until the infection is gone and I figure out how to help Galaxy Steve. I promise you I won't do what Elemental Steve did."
Time Steve gulped. Memory Steve sensed uncertainty and concern from him.
"I just want to remind you that I'm your brother," Time Steve continued. "It's never too late to change your mind, because your actions aren't permanent yet. So if you find yourself in trouble, let me know and I'll do whatever I can to help you. You can be a good person, Illusion."
Illusion Steve looked away, eyes burning with annoyance. "Stop lecturing me. You think I'm stupid? No? Then just stop."
Time Steve flinched before turning his focus to Memory Steve. His face may be hidden by the clock-mask, but Memory Steve could guess what expression his concealed golden eyes wore.
"Oh...who's this, Illusion Steve?"
Memory Steve rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. Of course he only notices me now.
"This is my henchman, Memory Steve." Illusion Steve took a step back and smiled. "And Memory Steve, this is Time Steve." He seemed eager to tell his brother more, but he kept silent.
I'll disclose more information on my own terms. Memory Steve walked towards the glass chamber. He was taller than his cousin, so he towered over Time Steve.
"Well, umm, nice to meet you?" Time Steve could not walk forward, but he offered a hand.
Memory Steve gave him a blunt handshake. "Charmed."
Illusion Steve tugged Memory Steve's sleeve. "Don't tell anyone that Time Steve's alive. Rebellious people will continue to fear me as long as they think I killed my own brother."
Memory Steve nodded. "Your secret is safe with me. May I speak to Time Steve in private?"
"Yeah, go ahead. I'm heading back to work. You will know the way out; I've added a map of the dungeon in your mind, and some positive emotions that'll calm you when you navigate the halls. Make sure you reactivate Time Steve's machine before you leave. If he somehow breaks out, I'll blame you and I'll destroy you!" Waving farewell and shooting an ambiguous glare at his brother, Illusion Steve went through the portal.
Grumbling, Memory Steve formed three tiny balls of energy in his hand. The balls morphed into the shape of darts. This was the only way he could erase memories while the illusion powers blocked his memory powers: transforming his memory powers into range weapons. The illusion power blocked his memory power but not his ability to create range weapons out of energy. However, it costed more energy to transfer the memory erasing ability to the range weapons. These darts should be enough to erase one conversation from Time Steve's memory.
Memory looked back at Time Steve. His spiral mask hid his expression of pure disgust. He had so much he wanted to say, but where to start?
Time Steve sighed, "Well, you've heard it: Illusion Steve is my brother. I don't know what your opinion about him is, but I worry for him. He has the power to stop the infection, but he's so obsessed with making everything perfect. I don't know where this train of thought came from!"
Memory Steve recalled the first time he invited Illusion Steve to the Memory Dimension. How Illusion Steve confessed the origins of his irrational thoughts and his long-term goals. He felt satisfied that he discovered Illusion Steve's worries before Time Steve.
"I wonder what went wrong..." Time Steve looked down sadly. "Because I thought I raised him to be better than me."
Memory Steve raised an eyebrow. "You raised Illusion Steve?"
Time Steve chuckled. "Yeah, it's a long story. Galaxy Steve, my father, absorbed me generations ago. But I still existed inside his mind. I saw everything he saw. And when the infection became a threat, I eventually met Illusion Steve. He was a toddler when I found him, so I took it upon myself to raise him."
"So Illusion Steve grew up inside his father's mind?" Memory Steve asked. "That's fascinating." He, Time, and Elemental Steve grew up together in the Overworld, the Void, and the In-Between, but never in someone's head! Memory Steve could alter someone's head by erasing memories!
Time Steve nodded. "It was difficult, but rewarding. And it was something I had to do. I knew how damaging it could be to a Steve's wellbeing if they don't have parental figures. I underestimated the damage of that with my other brother, Elemental Steve. I had to be better for Illusion, so he won't suffer the same fate..."
Memory Steve nervously twisted one of the darts he hid behind his back. What should he say? Thank Time Steve for being an older brother? But he didn't deserve hearing that. Tell him that he didn't know the full truth behind Elemental Steve's descent to madness? No, not yet. Ask Time Steve why he didn't understand Illusion Steve's way of thinking, despite raising him?
Or...if Illusion and Time Steve existed in Galaxy Steve's mind...then did Void Steve exist in there too, seeing everything Galaxy Steve saw?
"I definitely find it interesting that Illusion Steve grew up inside his father's mind," Memory Steve repeated. He wanted to learn more about what happened in Galaxy Steve's mind, in hopes he could learn about his father's current state. "He was like Athena with his upbringing, I suppose."
Time Steve tilted his head. "I'm sorry, but who's Athena?"
"Oh...Athena...she was a...well her father absorbed her mother when she was pregnant and then...Ugh, nevermind." Memory Steve threw the first dart at Time Steve. His cousin flinched and the dart disappeared.
How did this slip by me? Memory Steve scolded at himself. Time Steve forget his childhood. Time Steve didn't remember the day Galaxy Steve returned home from the Great Library and gifted him with a book about Greek mythology – a lore from a different world somewhere. He didn't remember reading this book everyday with Memory Steve. He didn't remember that they recited the plays and poems. He didn't remember the times they roleplayed as Athena and Artemis, or any of the other experiences they shared growing up...
Time Steve shook his head and looked around confusedly before returning to the conversation. "I know you're a stranger, but I worry for Illusion Steve. You work for him, right? Can you please make sure he doesn't do anything foolish?"
Memory Steve froze, unsure how to respond to this request. "...I'll make sure he doesn't go too far," he finally said. "It's my job to make sure his plan doesn't get himself or Galaxy Steve hurt."
"What exactly is your job?" Time Steve asked. "You're called Memory Steve, right? So are your powers...?"
The thing Memory Steve really wanted to say nagged him. About what happened to Time Steve and Elemental Steve. He may not respect him, but Time Steve deserved to know, and honestly, he wanted to get this out of his chest. And now was his chance.
"I take away and restore memories. Actual memories. Unlike Illusion Steve, who covers them with illusions."
"I see."
"Galaxy Steve is your father, correct?"
"Yup."
"What was he like?"
"Well...he really liked sandwiches and...I actually don't know much about him despite living in his mind for generations," Time Steve admitted. "He did create me, yes. But I forgot about him when I was young, and he forgot about me."
"Forgot?"
"Yes. Galaxy Steve had an enemy who erased his memories. That enemy also erased my memories and my brother Elemental Steve's memories. Apparently, that enemy was working for Void Steve, a family enemy. I never got closure for that whole situation."
"Ahem." Memory Steve straightened his back and tilted his head up.
"...No...no way. Oh no no no no no." Time Steve shook his head, his chest heaving as he started to panic. "It can't be. It can't be. It can't be..." His clock mask snapped back at Memory Steve and his muscles stiffened with rage. "IT'S YOU. MEMORY STEVE. YOU ERASED MY MEMORIES. YOU ERASED ALL OF OUR MEMORIES."
He pounced and Memory Steve jumped back in fear. But the machine kept him in place. All Time Steve could do was snarl and shake. "YOU SEPARATED US. ELEMENTAL BECAME A VILLAIN BECAUSE OF YOUR ACTIONS. I LOST MY BROTHER. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HELL I'VE BEEN THROUGH. I HATE YOU. I HATE YOU AND YOUR POWERS. YOU SPLIT APART MY FAMILY."
Memory Steve tore his eyes away, shame and pity overwhelming him.
"My family...my family..." Time Steve looked at the floor. He screamed as unstable tears spilt, leaking from the bottom edge of his mask.
Memory Steve shut his eyes tight and clenched his fists. Now I know how he'll react to what I've done...
Time Steve gasped, fear replacing his aura of heartbreak and wrath. "Illusion. WHY ARE YOU WORKING FOR HIM?! WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO TO HIM?! TO GALAXY?! I REFUSE TO LET YOU HURT THEM. YOU WON'T GET AWAY WITH THIS. YOU WON'T – "
Memory Steve winced and threw another dart at him, making his breakdown cease.
Just breathe. Just breathe, Memory Steve willed himself to calm down and bottle up the boiling shame and guilt. He had no idea why he felt these things. Well, separating the family was never his idea; he just did what Void Steve wanted. But why did he feel bad for Time Steve? He shouldn't feel any pity for him...especially after what his clock-faced cousin had done to him...
Time Steve calmed down before looking around the room in confusion. Memory Steve had one more dart left. One more conversation. What did he want from Time Steve now?
"Umm...I'm terribly sorry, but I forgot your name," Time Steve said sheepishly. "And you are?"
Memory Steve's hidden disgust returned, and he narrowed his eyes at Time Steve.
Oh, why not just say it? Just for the hell of it.
"My name is Memory Steve, and I hate you. I've always hated you."
Time Steve looked offended. "What?! I've literally never seen you before in my life! What did I do?!"
"You never noticed what you did back when you had your memories," Memory Steve muttered as he approached the lever that would reactivated the machine. "No point explaining what happened between us now. It's been a nice chat, Time."
"What do you – AH!?"
Memory Steve flicked the lever. Time Steve went limp, back into a slumber. He threw the last dart at Time Steve, erasing the short conversation from his memories. "Rest well, Time."
Memory Steve looked at his free hand and a flower appeared. The flower replayed a shaking and thrashing image as Time Steve yelled and screamed at Memory Steve.
At least I finally know, he thought remorsefully. I didn't know he would hate me that much for what I did. Then again...His hidden gaze softened when it returned to the sleeping Steve. It's been so long since I've heard from you, Time. I wonder what else you have to say...
He exited the dungeon and returned to the Illusion Town surface, where the night sky greeted him. He set down a lever on the grass and closed the dungeon. He exhaled a huge sigh of relief. He was grateful that Illusion Steve somehow calmed his claustrophobia, but navigating the halls still stressed him.
Memory Steve noticed light from the cobblestone building. The building that used to have the glass chamber where he talked with Illusion Steve. Ever since he gained the new ability, that glass chamber was useless. So what was the building being used for now?
Memory Steve approached the building. Through the windows, he saw the glass chamber was gone, replaced with bookshelves and study material. The building's door was open. He paused when he saw a familiar person on the floor unconscious.
"Illusion Steve?" He sprinted inside and stood by his unconscious cousin. Illusion Steve had fallen. From exhaustion? There was an open book near Illusion Steve's hand, its pages facing the floor while the covers greeted the ceiling. Unfortunately, the covers were incomprehensible.
"Illusion Steve?" Memory Steve sat down and nudged his cousin. "Illusion? Are you alright?" He rolled over the body, laying him on his back.
Suddenly Illusion Steve sat up with as gasp. "I – I figured it out! I – Oh, Memory Steve?" He tried to get up, but stumbled.
Memory Steve quickly caught him and helped him stand. "Are you alright? I found you unconscious. What happened?"
"I...probably studied too much. Dozed off."
Memory Steve's hidden eyes glowed with suspicion, but decided not to press it. "Did you eat? If you haven't, you probably should eat something."
"You're right." Illusion Steve took a cookie from his inventory and ate it.
"It's night. You should head to bed now. What are the coordinates to your home? I'll teleport you there."
After Illusion Steve muttered the coordinates, Memory Steve teleported him. They arrived at a small cottage by a lake, somewhere in a new forest biome. "Now you will head straight to bed, will you?"
"I will, I will!" Illusion Steve snapped. Something dark flashed in his eyes.
Memory Steve feared that something must had disturbed Illusion Steve greatly. Illusion Steve must had fainted from stress, but what stressed him out so much? What was that book about? What did he discover or figure out?
"Is there anything else you would like to say, before we part ways?" Memory Steve offered.
"...Can I ask you a question?" Illusion's light hair covered his eyes' dark expression.
"Certainly."
"When you learn that the life you've always known is utterly hopeless, and you know there's a place where you can start over and fix everything...would you take the chance to just run away from it all?"
Memory Steve gave a confused blink. This was not a type of question he expected. How was he going to answer?
Suddenly, he painfully recalled something from his past. A long time ago, his life did fall apart and he did try to run away. It was unsuccessful though. He couldn't leave it all behind and had no choice but to return. It left him in complete despair and pain. But overtime, he had accepted that he could never escape from that. That would always be a part of him. Plus, running away from his problems would have made him no better than Galaxy Steve; neither he or Void Steve wanted that. And didn't he warn Illusion Steve to not repeat Galaxy Steve's mistakes?
He should say "no" to Illusion Steve's question. He was used to his situation and wouldn't try to run away again. But Illusion Steve was not him. Memory Steve was an exception. If that never happened to Memory Steve, how would he answer this question?
"If there are no negative consequences...then yes. Yes I would take the chance. But after careful planning."
Illusion Steve smiled, gratitude in his tired eyes. "Thank you, Memory. Good night."
Memory? He watched Illusion Steve enter the cottage with pitiful eyes. No one has called me just "Memory" in a long time.
...He realized at this moment that Illusion not only cared about him, but also trusted him. If things went wrong, Illusion Steve would come to him for advice, not to Time or Galaxy Steve.
He should be glad that his cousin reciprocated this affection. But instead, guilt formed in his heart. He was supposed to betray Illusion Steve and watch him fail. Now, Memory Steve was dreading for that day to happen...
Word count: 5801
I have a huge author's note for you all:
1: If you are an Overseer fan...I'm so sorry.
2: "Fun" fact: This chapter was posted on October 2, 2020. This is 2 years after Elemental Steve's last episode...the episode where Time Steve lost his brother... 8) Poor, poor Time. He's in the story, but he's helpless and Memory has something against him. I wonder why, huehuehuehue...
3: You may have noticed that flashbacks are becoming more prominent in this story (indicated as separate, italicized sections). Starting in Chapter 13, there will be even bigger flashbacks, because they'll play an important role in hinting at Memory's backstory and the Galaxy Fam's past. So if you like mystery or theorizing, look forward to that! In general, look forward to more characterization.
4: I used the name "Steve" a lot in the beginning to distinguish the characters from their powers. Hopefully everyone's got the gist of it. From now on, I'm going to drop the "Steve" in the name if the sentence is understandable without it. Sorry if this is an awkward style change, but hopefully it'll be easy to adjust to :'D
5: RRFF now has a meme/art book! It's called Memory's Meme Hour and it's exclusively on my Wattpad (SurreallyStressed). Check it out for RRFF side-content.
See you next chapter! Take care and stay safe.