Content Warning: brief morbid discussion about death/injury, medical/recover-related scenes, mental breakdowns, arophobic comments, and acephobic comments. There are also recaps to Chp 20, so there is a mention of self-injury in a fantasy context at the beginning and a brief flashback depicting emotional child abuse near the end of the chapter.
If you are uncomfortable with the content listed, please take care of yourself and stay safe. You are not required to read.
Also, heads up: I did research about blast injuries and treatments for the story. Buuuut, I glossed over writing that stuff accurately to streamline the story, so please don't take the injury/treatment/recovery scenes seriously.
In my defense, this is the Steve Saga. Minecraft logic and anime logic rule out realism.
Memory's consciousness fuzzed back to life. The orange and black blurs morphed into the familiar Memory Dimension and void sky, and two silhouettes were above him.
Reality knelt down. "Be honest, Memory: how did you get those injuries?"
Memory could barely register the question. The words creaked out of his throat. "TNT...explosions...walls." He flinched, the horrors replaying in his mind again.
The unseen walls. The bursts of shards. The ringing silence. The tosses and crashes, only confirming that the walls were eternal and dense. Trapped. Trapped.
"Explosions?" Alex repeated with an exhausted breath. The bags under her red-veined eyes became clearer as she came closer.
Reality gave a dark expression. "I think I know what happened..."
"There you are!" Guardian approached the group and gasped. "Oh Colors, what happened?!"
Memory tore his gaze away and gave a half-gasp, half-cry.
"I-I don't know," Alex replied. "He got hurt while we erased Sabre's memories. I teleported all three of us back to the Memory Dimension. It took a lot out of me since my small amount of power isn't equipped for that."
"You did the right thing," Guardian gave his approval. "You two couldn't have brought him to a gateway to the dimension without hurting him more."
Alex got up and walked away. "You look after him. I'm tired, but I can still build a machine to help."
Guardian knelt down and inspected Memory. Memory winced again, wishing everyone could just go away.
"Blunt trauma on the head. Lung damage, bone fractures, chest pain, internal bleeding, burn on the left shoulder," Guardian listed, his voice becoming heavier after each observation. "Reality Steve, was he near an explosion?"
Reality looked like he was the one about to meet his life's ends. "He set off TNT on himself when he was trapped in cobblestone."
Guardian paled. "Explosions in a trapped space?! That is worse! He's lucky he's a powerful Steve with a high health bar. If he was a Color Steve...he would have died."
Memory caught that last word, and it made his breathing even more rapid.
Reality explained, "He had a golden apple to heal him, but an illusion undid its effects. He probably fainted from the pain of all his injuries returning."
"Worst possibility is that he faints again. But he'll live, but he badly needs help."
Alex returned and nudged Memory's shoulder, startling him. "Come on, Memory. I can help you."
Memory grunted and grabbed her offering hand. She gently pulled him onto his feet.
Reality eyed her skeptically. "Are you doing this just because you need him to restore Sabre's memories?"
"Wait, what?" Alex voiced.
"Did you forget about the second half of the plan?!"
"Oooh, now I remember! Sorry, the stress is getting to me. I just want him healed."
Reality stepped back, bewildered. "Wait...you actually care? I thought you'd hate him and only help him because you needed him."
"Well, I'm still upset at him, but I can't stand to see him hurt."
Memory's breathing heaved as his vision blurred and his scattered thoughts morphed into heavy sand. He balanced himself against Alex as she helped him walk. Unsure of where they were heading, he looked up and saw Guardian opening a chamber attached to a machine. The chamber was getting closer and closer.
"No. No." Memory tugged away from Alex. "I refuse to go in that machine. I can't be trapped!"
Alex turned towards him. For every step she took closer, he took a step back, despite every step echoing the pain of every bruise, and every step bringing him to the closer to the terrain's edge. "We're not trapping you, I promise. But the machine has to hold you in place to stabilize your condition and summon lightning to heal you."
Memory hyperventilated, feeling a pseudo-darkness snuff out the surrounding lava's glow.
Wall.
Wall.
Wall.
Wall.
He aimed his last arrow at her. "NO. I REFUSE. YOU CAN'T MAKE ME. I REFUSE."
Alex froze, her fair skin becoming even paler. "OK! We won't use the machine! We'll use a redstone circuit, which I can build quickly. It'll be slower in healing you but – "
Memory shook his head madly. "I can't! That still traps me! I REFUSE BE TRAPPED. AH – " He dropped his weapon and collapsed. Before he hit the ground, two people grabbed him, but it made his body scream more.
He panted and held his injured left shoulder, but the burn wasn't enough to distract him from the three sets of eyes on him. He dipped his head down and whimpered, as if being watched undid the golden apple's effects like the illusion, highlighting his bruises, burns, and fractures.
He saw Reality on his left, words spewing frantically out of his mouth. The scattered, intensified thoughts blurred his words.
On the right was Guardian, who listened to Reality with uncertainty before nodding.
Memory barely heard what came next.
Then unconsciousness welcomed him again.
Memory groaned, pressing his hand on his wrinkled nose and shut eyes. He struggled and failed to sit up on the soft ground, questioning where he was.
"Looks like...finally wearing off..." a voice whispered somewhere.
He opened his eyes and saw the void sky.
Barred by iron beams.
He immediately tensed. He wanted to launch up and flee, but his mind and body hadn't connected yet.
Wall.
Wall.
Wall.
Wall.
"Memory, stay still!" Reality hissed, pressing one hand against Memory's forehead. "You're not trapped. Look!"
He nudged Memory to observe his surroundings. The open lava sea and the surrounding swamp greeted him, but they were separated from him by a sterile iron platform, which held the bed he rested on. The platform was lined by redstone. Beams stood at the platform's corners and midpoints, joined together by beams above them. It wasn't a cage. Just a structure supporting itself.
"You can move around freely," Reality explained. "The redstone is stabilizing you. I asked Guardian to use the old-fashioned way to treat your injuries. It's a lot slower than using lightning, but I know the last thing you want is waking up in a machine."
Memory finally allowed in a breath. He sat up on the bed and held his arms. It didn't feel like his coat or gloves. He inspected himself, realizing he was only wearing his white undershirt, dress pants, and shoes. He brushed his shirt, feeling indents of bandages beneath it.
"Ah!" He gasped painfully and clung his right arm. Bandages had wrapped the arm to wooden braces. He glimpsed at his left, bare arm, still damaged from the burn and purpled with bruises from...from...
As Memory began to tremble, Guardian emerged from a shaded area, carrying several supplies. "Ah, he did wake up! I was hoping he'd stay asleep while I treat the arm."
Memory shielded his bare arm from view. He covered his face, and he flinched when his hand met skin and hair. "Aaaah!" He curled into a ball and shielded his face, despite how much it ached his body.
"Memory, it's ok!" Reality placed a hand on his head again before dropping it. "Uuugh, why is this so hard?! Look, Memory, please look at me!"
Memory shot a tearful glance at Reality, who mouthed the word "breathe." Reality slid towards him the spiral mask. It was dirty and chipped from – no, don't think about that – but it was here. Memory reached for it and traced the spiral print, drawing out a exhale.
Reality nodded. "Think of the now. You're not out there, fighting Sabre. You're in the Memory Dimension. You're home."
Memory nodded along, sensing the swamp air and hearing the gurgling lava. "Right...I'm home...I'm home..." He uncurled himself, showing his face and arm. It pained him to think about how badly he wanted to disappear and hide, but for his sake, he reminded himself that the people around him were helping.
Guardian approached the bed, trying to wear a friendly smile. "I set your bones in place and made medicine to treat the other injuries, including the internal ones. Though I'm afraid you won't heal properly until you eat a golden apple." He looked at the burn on Memory's shoulder. "And golden apples and magical potions are ineffective because of the illusion Sabre put. Now that you're stable, I'm going to treat that burn. My hope is that once the burn heals, the illusion will go away and we can use golden apples to complete your recovery."
He set down his supplies, which were bandages and thick, long leaves that shined like enchanted items. "This is an ancient healing method used by the Green Steves, long before Steves discovered the use of redstone. Unlike redstone which attracts energy from lightning, these plants heal with their natural chemicals." He crafted dressing with the some of the leaves and bandages, then crushed the remaining leaves into a gel. "This plant in particular treats burns."
Reality suddenly looked curious. "How do you know all this stuff anyways?"
Guardian stiffened. "...I've greeted many Steves who met the end of their journeys... broken...injured...Seven generations of painful deaths caused by Nightmare Steve...So many Steves who weren't ready to..." He shook his head. "Anyways, can I see your arm?"
Memory reluctantly brought out his left arm. Guardian placed some gel on the burn.
"AH!" Memory winced.
"Stop being such a sissy. Just because Green Steves made this medicine doesn't mean it won't hurt! At least be grateful this plant heals you instead of hurt you."
Memory looked away embarrassed, but complied.
Reality scolded, "Don't be insensitive. He's had a long day."
"I've had more long days than him, thanks to all the trouble he caused in the past." Guardian rolled his eyes as he applied more gel and placed dressing on bigger bruises. "I'm only doing this because it's the least I can do. I've always known about Memory Steve's inability to break blocks and Void..." He nervously glanced away before continuing. "...Void Steve's mistreatment of him. He deserves to be healed in a way that doesn't involved closed spaces."
Memory remained silent as Guardian applied medicine. Every time the leaves stung, the pain weakened. Not disappearing, but weakening. Afterwards, Guardian wrapped parts of the arm with bandages. Memory gently moved it, pleased that he could swing his arm and roll his shoulder, albeit with some pain.
Guardian stood up. "There! Please exercise more caution in the future, Memory Steve. I may not be around the next time you injure your arms again."
Alex, who was leisurely flying across the sky, landed on the island and approached the three. "Yes! Memory's doing ok!"
As Memory quickly put on his mask, Guardian explained, "You have to fully heal before you can use your powers or do intense activities again. It's a good thing we're in the Memory Dimension, so you have all the time you need to rest. Legend says that the magic in the leaves temporarily links you with the spirits of the Green Steves, who will use their powers to heal you. But you maintain that connection by being surrounded by people who wish you a quick recovery."
Alex thought long and hard. "I hope...you recover soon, so I can see Sabre soon."
Guardian added, "I wish the same thing."
Reality glared at both of them. "Seriously?"
Alex chuckled. "I'm just joking. Please get some rest, Memory. Let us know if you need anything."
Memory stood up, which took more effort that he thought it would. "If I must rest, then I'll return home." He focused on teleporting before he gasped and collapsed in pain.
"What did I just say?" Guardian scolded. "You can't use your powers while you're healing!"
Memory propped himself up with the bed, unsure if he was shaking from the stinging aches or Guardian's chiding.
Reality got to his side, putting Memory's arm over his neck. "You're ok. Don't push yourself."
Alex, who had paused mid-sprint when Reality beat her to Memory, asked, "What are your home's coordinates? I recharged some of my energy, so I can teleport you."
Memory whispered them to Reality, who repeated it louder to Alex. "Can you teleport me too?"
"Umm…"
Reality tensed. "You can't trust us?!"
Alex awkwardly looked away. Guardian scowled. "Well, do you trust us, Reality?"
"…No. Well, I mean – ugh, I don't know! Just please…Memory needs help."
Alex sighed. "Ok then." She raised her arm and lightning surrounded the two.
"God, you're too heavy!" Reality grunted as he set Memory on the bed.
Memory pulled off his mask, revealing his taunting expression. "Perhaps you're too small."
Reality rolled his eyes before inspecting the home. The house was two stories tall and they were on the first floor, which was split into a bedroom, a bathroom, and the crafting room. In the bedroom, a large bed occupied the center of a wall, opposite of the wall with a dresser and closet. The bedroom also had a door to the balcony, several decorations on the walls, and a window overlooking the lava.
"Well, we're here." Reality looked back at Memory, with his multicolored eyes warmer. "God, I'm so glad you're safe. Do you need anything?"
"I suppose an extra pillow. It's in the double chest in the other room."
Reality quickly retrieved and inspected the pillow. "This is a strange pillow. What's it made out of?"
"...memory foam."
"..."
"...I have to keep my brand consistent. It also helps with my neck pain."
"...Anyways, I also got you an ice block for your head."
Memory accepted the items, nudged off his shoes, and settled comfortably with the pillow. Reality noticed a stairway by a wall. "What's on the second floor?"
"Furnaces, a study room, another bathroom, and a music room."
"Music room?"
"Music was one of my hobbies." Memory sighed as he pressed the ice to his head. Did he really say 'was'? Well, it had been a long time since he touched one of his note blocks. One day, he just lost motivation and never found it again.
Reality observed the wall décor and paused when he noticed the two flags by the dresser. "Wait a minute..."
Memory flinched. Crap, he had the flags out for so long that he forgot visitors could actually come and see them! Already dreading the on-spot explanations, doubtful remarks, and plant jokes, he stammered, "Oh, umm, ignore those. They're just, um – "
Reality raced towards the flags and hovered a hand over the purple one. "I think I know this one! Is this the asexual pride flag?"
Memory perked up. "Umm, yes. Wait, you know about asexuality?" Wait, of course he would! He's Time's brother!
"Yeah, Time explained it to me when we were in Galaxy Steve's mind! What's the green one?"
"It's the aromantic flag."
Reality drew his hand back and gawked. "No way! Can I touch it?!" After getting approval, he brushed the two green stripes of the flag. "Green's a nice color! I'm so happy that this exists!"
Memory was confused. Why was he so interested in the flag? Then a thought occurred. "Reality, are you aromantic?"
"Yes."
"REALLY?!" Memory squealed. He shut his mouth immediately, but he wasn't even sorry for that outburst.
Oh my Colors.
YES.
I'VE BEEN WAITING FOREVER FOR THIS.
"And you're aroace!" Reality said. "Wait, is that why you're great at archery?! I had a feeling your entire existence was an arrow ace pun."
"Yes!" Memory answered eagerly. He learned he was asexual the moment he learned that term from a village, though it took him longer to discover and embrace his aromanticism. Then one day, he woke up discovering he could create arrows of light and shoot them well. Because it was totally, 100% true that all aroaces had incredible archery skills. "If I may ask: when did you learn you were aromantic?"
"Time mentioned it a few times, telling me that aromantic was similar but different from asexual, and it just clicked. I didn't ask more about it because I wasn't sure if I was aro back in Galaxy Steve's head. Now, I'm pretty sure I am, though I never knew we had a flag."
Memory sighed. Despite his faults, Time never judged when it came to labels. Long ago, Memory used to talk with him about being asexual. He often explained his aromantic experience to him. Time couldn't completely relate as a gay asexual, but he listened well and stood up for Memory against anyone who dared ridiculed his aromanticism.
Time would had totally listened to Reality. If only Reality took the chance to trust others, or knew a safe environment where he could grow trust...
Memory offered, "Well, if you want to learn more about being aromantic, I'm can discuss it with you. You're actually the first person I've met that's aromantic too."
Reality turned to him. "Really?! You would?" Memory had never seen him this thrilled about something.
It seemed that Reality was quicker to embrace his aromanticism than he was. Memory had tried dating Steves of various genders, but he couldn't feel anything special from it. He wondered if he did something wrong, had problems with trying new things, or was just terrible with any social interaction. He had dreaded the thought that he would always feel uncertain about who to love and spend his future with. When he realized he was nonamorous (not wanting a long-term partner), he began feeling happier. It was pleasant to feel certain about one thing in life.
The cousins started talking, and Memory realized how much he needed this. Reality explained how romantic relationships would probably make him unhappy. He ranted about how some Steves would pressure others to find love. He was sick of fulfilling the purpose Galaxy gave him, so he immediately detested the idea of society telling him to get a love life.
"Seriously, why can't we just choose who to spend our time with and what kind of relationships we want, without some asshole telling us who or what is more important?!"
"You're complaining about amatonormativity," Memory explained.
"Amato-what? I never heard that word before, and I have Galaxy Steve's knowledge!"
"It's not a well-discussed topic."
"Of course, barely anyone talks about it! Of course! Then again, I'm also clueless, so please explain this amatonormativity."
Memory froze. His freckled face heated slightly, overwhelmed by the sudden expectation. Hell, why was he saying these things so confidently? What if he was saying the wrong things or blowing things out of proportion? All those comments replayed in his mind, back he explained his experience to others. How people told him he was just as edgy and bitter as his father when he said he couldn't understand romance. How people offered to find "the One" who would make him understand, which sounded more ominous than helpful. How he worried that they were right and that he couldn't trust his own emotions.
He silently reminded himself that he identified as aro for generations and his experience was worth talking about. "I'll do my best to explain. Though keep in mind that I've been absent from the Overworld for generations, so my knowledge may be outdated." Aro, ace, and aroace people always expanded their knowledge and their terms as their conversations grew.
Memory explained amatonormativity while Reality listened. "Thank you for telling me all of this, Memory. You're really knowledgeable and easy to talk to."
Memory gawked. "Knowledgeable?"
Reality laughed. "You're amusing when you look surprised. You probably look like this every time you deal with my bullshit! But seriously, your wisdom has helped me a lot, and I cannot thank you enough."
"Well, um..." Although shy at first, Memory eventually gave a smile. "...You're welcome?"
"You're starting to get it, boy. You're not at the level yet to think about your own schemes. From now on, always listen to me and never question it. You learned firsthand what happens if you don't. Got that?"
Reality brought in a chair to sit next to the bed and keep Memory company. As the days passed, he got him food and water (Alex and Guardian occasionally visited to bring food and medicine), helped him move, kept him entertained, and much more. To pass more time, Memory taught Reality how to make music on the note blocks. He couldn't rekindle his old passion, but seeing his little cousin's thrill from playing his first song made the activity so, so worthwhile.
Perhaps they were secretly making up for lost time. When they and the heroes had waited for Sabre to come to the Illusion Tree, Memory and Alex would keep watch together while Guardian and Reality took a break, and visa versa. The heroes had only allowed the cousins to hang out together once. Once they had gotten that break, Memory had expected Reality to complain about the heroes not trusting them and be eager to brainstorm villainous plans. But to his surprise, Reality had just wanted to spend time with him. Chat about random stuff, try new hobbies with his freewill, watch that funny memory of Galaxy being stuck in Sabre's head that Memory "bookmarked."
"But what about twisting the heroes' plan to our advantage?" Memory had asked him.
"We can worry about that later," Reality had insisted. Or was he just procrastinating?
Perhaps Reality would give the same answer if Memory asked why he was more focused on taking care of him than plotting evil things. It was strange. While Void focused on achieving his goals no matter the cost, Reality put his plans on hold just for Memory.
He didn't know how to feel about that.
Word count: 3588