"Is there news of Sabre and Alex?" Memory Steve asked in their meeting in the cobblestone building the next morning.
"They still think I'm clueless," Illusion Steve chuckled. "Later today, I'm sending Guardian to join them. To see how that throws them off. But before I send him, I need you to erase both Sabre and Alex's memories for me. Make them think this is reality. I'll ask the Guardian to roll along with it, and hopefully he doesn't mess it up."
Memory Steve once again erased Sabre and Alex's memories. Illusion Steve eventually sent Guardian as a spy, who joined them on their misguided quest to find Time Steve and Green Steve, completely unaware of unfortunate faith of the former. Guardian's appearance didn't provoke any memory revival.
However, Sabre eventually remembered the illusion, reminded Alex, and helped her remember. Back to a disappointing square one: Sabre and Alex planning to take down Illusion Steve, first by slowly stealing his powers. Hopefully, the addition of the Guardian would bring a disadvantage to the heroes.
It confused Memory Steve that Illusion Steve still allowed Alex to keep her remaining power and her immunity from the illusion. Illusion Steve was supposed to believe that Alex finished her mission and destroyed Sabre. Shouldn't he take the power back if she had no mission to work on?
Apparently, Alex had a special task that justified her keeping the power. Illusion Steve had other plans for her, and Memory Steve had no clue what that was.
Although he was another henchman for Illusion Steve, Guardian was unaware of Memory Steve's return from the Spiritless World. Illusion Steve didn't bother telling Guardian, knowing that Memory Steve's drawback would cause Guardian to forget anyways. Guardian could fly with his wings, but he had no other powers thanks to the illusion. However, when Sabre suggested that his team should steal more of Illusion Steve's power, Guardian seemed...obsessed with the idea of gaining some power for himself. Was he being temped by the heroes to betray Illusion Steve, or was this all an act?
"We have to find a nice area to build the machine," Sabre instructed while he, Alex, and the Guardian trekked through the dry mesa biome.
Memory Steve watched them underneath the shadows of an orange arch. He was able to listen to their conversation despite the distance between them.
"Oh, I'm so glad I'm not stuck in the illusion! I can't imagine what it's like!" Sabre mocked. Guardian rolled his eyes, being the only one in the trio underneath Illusion Steve's control.
"I'm glad I'm no longer under it." Alex shuddered. "It was horrible."
"Yeah, you looked so afraid, unsure if anything was real." Sabre sympathetically patted Alex's back, causing Guardian to roll his eyes again.
Alex nodded. "Yeah, especially when I couldn't remember Rainbow Steve and when that clashed with my real memories. I still have no idea how Illusion Steve managed to do that. Finding all of my memories about Rainbow Steve and completely filtering them out..."
Memory Steve flinched, recalling what Illusion Steve told him yesterday.
"When I analyze memories, I use the memories to construct illusions. Since many people only want to see what they like, I use my powers to filter their true memories, blocking the distasteful ones and letting the favorite memories become the foundation of my illusion."
The ability to filter memories...
Void Steve's memories...the red flower...crossed his mind...
"We need some sort of valley where we can build a machine to sap more of Illusion Steve's powers," Sabre continued. "You remember how the last machine was in a valley, right Alex?"
"A little bit," Alex replied.
Sabre flinched. "Dang...I just remembered something..."
Memory Steve took out a pencil and notebook and jotted down "mention of the word 'valley.'" Sabre was slowly recalling everything, and Memory Steve wrote down every instance when he suddenly remembered something. So far, he listed about 20 instances, or triggers. However, there was no pattern connecting them together. The only thing these triggers had in common was that they provoked something in Sabre's memory...
Although Illusion Steve assigned Guardian to observe Sabre to find out what caused him to remember things, Memory Steve conducted his own research. It wasn't that he distrusted Guardian. Far from it, actually; if the Guardian observed Steves from the Spirit World for generations and knew Memory Steve's weakness, he could easily find out Sabre's secrets. However, the mystery behind Sabre's memory revival kept Memory Steve up at night. He just had to watch the heroes and find out for himself how Sabre's mind functioned. He badly wanted to find out what caused the player to eventually remember things, no matter how many time he erased his memories.
He knew why he wanted this. But he wondered why Illusion Steve wanted Sabre's memories erased too. Why couldn't he just destroy Sabre? Illusion Steve's plans for Sabre did confuse Memory Steve. Why would a villain let a hero wander? Villains were supposed to make the heroes suffer, not wander freely. After all, in order for evil to live, some good and innocent people must suffer.
But...wasn't Illusion Steve good? He was technically a hero because he was trying to prevent disaster. Him wanting to reduce Sabre into a harmless entity instead of destroy him was evidence that he had some good in him. Though he was willing to do harmful things, Illusion Steve's end goal was to make sure no one got hurt.
And if Illusion Steve was good, and good people had to suffer for evil to exist...why did Memory Steve want Illusion Steve to do well?
Memory Steve shook his head, focusing on his job again. He had to stop being nice to Illusion Steve if he wanted Void Steve back. He could sometimes help his cousin, but not all the time.
After observing Sabre recalling everything, Memory Steve heard Illusion Steve summoning him for another meeting. Memory Steve teleported into the glass chamber. The moment he felt his powers deactivated, apprehension consumed him. He didn't know what Illusion Steve wanted to talk about, but he was completely at his mercy again. If Illusion Steve decided to attack him, he could not fight back. He started to wonder if he should have come after all. Not that he had the option to be absent anyways.
Memory Steve stood there, accompanied only by his thumping heartbeat until Illusion Steve arrived. He gave his boss a respectful bow.
"Thank you for coming," Illusion Steve said. "And...I'd also like to thank you for allowing me into the Memory Dimension and for the talk."
Memory Steve straightened his back and held his breath, and excitement and hope starting to form in his chest.
"I was thinking about what you've told me in there. And I now understand what you were trying to tell me underneath those words. You were trying to warn me that my plan to put everyone under the illusion will fail. If Galaxy Steve eventually paid the price of erasing his friends' memories, then that means my plan to block everyone's memories with an illusion...probably won't guarantee Galaxy Steve's happiness in the long run. Is this what you were trying to tell me?"
Memory Steve gave another bow. "That was exactly what I hoped you would see through my words."
"I have a feeling that you didn't tell me directly because you believed I wouldn't listen. When you indirectly told me, it allowed me to think about it and to accept it on my own terms. And I have to say...that you are right. If you were around when Galaxy Steve first fell, then you're probably right about my current plans. I realized now that I was dealing with some irrational assumptions. Dangerous assumptions that could have repeated history. Now I hope to continue with more rationality."
...Wow...my plan actually worked! Memory Steve thought. He actually took my advice. Though actually using my advice is another story, and I hope that's not easy for him.
"If I may ask," Memory Steve said. "How will my advice affect your plans now?"
"Well, I still need to think through that," Illusion Steve answered. "We'll continue with the current strategy to prevent the heroes from winning. But the plan...the plan will change. I will eventually come up with a new, real plan. I just wanted to take this time to personally thank you for your warning. Seriously, you must have put in a lot of effort into giving me that indirect message. It'll save me from a lot of stress and obstacles. And the talk in general...it was nice and thoughtful."
Memory Steve's face grew warm. No one had ever called me nice or thoughtful before. But I suppose that's what happens when you help someone.
"You were very indirect when you spoke to me...So I hope you're okay with me being indirect with what I plan to do to you..."
Memory Steve froze and watched fearfully as Illusion Steve took an item out of his inventory. He recognized it immediately. An illusion block: the condensed form of some of Illusion Steve's powers.
Illusion Steve twisted the block in his hands. "Tell me, while you were out in the field, have you noticed that Galaxy Steve was powerless? That he didn't use any of his powers? Same with the Guardian, who can only fly?"
Memory Steve nodded. "I immediately noticed."
"Well, Galaxy Steve actually still has his powers. The Guardian too. They just can't use them, because my enhanced illusion powers block a Steve's access to their powers, not just their memories." Illusion Steve then turned to Memory Steve. The illusion block started to glow pink, and purple shadows formed behind Illusion Steve, casting a sinister aura in the building.
Crap crap crap crap crap, Memory Steve panicked. Maybe Illusion Steve was lying and I actually messed up badly when we talked yesterday! If he uses that illusion block on me, it'll be my defeat. I've failed! I've failed Void Steve!
Thunder roared and Memory Steve's vision flashed. Memory Steve shut his eyes and cringed back. A sudden surge of power raced through his veins, paralyzing him. It coursed through his entire body, leaving a chilling effect on each of his limbs. Then he felt a sudden burst of energy, which left a painful, throbbing feeling.
The thunder ceased. Memory Steve groaned and rubbed his temple, his head complaining about the unexpected power surge, and his legs needing a moment to remember the ground beneath him.
"Are you ok?" Illusion Steve asked.
Memory Steve hissed under his breath before looking back up. "A little headache...but I can manage. What have you done me?"
"Nothing should really change except one thing," Illusion Steve said. "I gave you some of my own power. You now have the ability to block or unblock your own memory powers at will. And when your memory powers are blocked, you won't erase people's memories."
"WHAT?!" Memory Steve jumped back. If he could stop himself from using his memories powers...the powers that were out of control because of his stupid drawback...then that meant...
"I...I can talk to people again without erasing their memories...I can talk to them outside of this glass chamber or outside of the Memory Dimension..."
Illusion Steve nodded, his aura more gleeful and friendly. "Give it a try. See if you can block your own powers. Come back to me when you figure it out." He turned and deactivated the glass chamber before stepping outside.
Memory Steve immediately looked out of the window and teleported outside of the building, then out of the Illusion Town. He inhaled the fresh air and closed his eyes. So...how does this work?
Memory Steve found a lone Green Steve wandering through the Overworld. I suppose I can use that Green Steve to test this ability...when I figure out how to block my powers.
Galaxy Steve crossed his mind. His uncle seemed unaware of his blocked abilities. Was that because Galaxy Steve had no reason to think about his blocked powers, or because he didn't remember his powers existing? Should Memory Steve try blocking his memory powers...by no longer thinking about them? But he was Memory Steve. He thought about his memory powers every single day!
Maybe he was approaching this the wrong way. He shouldn't think about what Galaxy Steve would do about his blocked powers. Maybe he should think about what Illusion Steve would do, since he was the one prohibiting Galaxy Steve's powers. What did Illusion Steve do to block someone's powers? Blocking memories or powers was just something he did. Was it natural for him to use those powers the way a Purple Steve used their teleportation powers? So should Memory Steve just...feel his memory powers being blocked? Worth a try.
Memory Steve closed his eyes and just...willed his memory powers to go away. He felt the same. Just in case, he silently told himself, BEGONE, THOUGHT REMOVER. This time he felt a change; was that because he officially blocked his powers or because he felt stupid?
Well, time to give it a try. Memory Steve emerged from the shadows, making himself easy to spot. The wandering Green Steve paused and looked at him.
"Umm...hello, stranger." Green Steve waved his hand shyly. "I am a bit lost. Are you familiar with this place?"
"Umm...yes?" The voice came out as a squeak and Memory Steve panicked. He was so focused on testing if this power allowed him to hold conversations with people, that he forgot that actual people would come up to him to hold an actual conversation with him!
"That's a relief!" Green Steve cheered. "I'm looking for a village. Where I can find the nearest one?"
"It's...northsouth from here – I mean northwest!" Ugh, this Green Steve must think I'm so weird since I don't actually want to talk to him. For a moment, Memory Steve dreaded that his growing panic would accidentally unblock his memory powers. After all, that was how his drawback formed in the first place, generations ago...Crap, did worrying about my memory powers unblocking accidentally unblock them?! Well, if it did, at least the Green Steve will forget about the cringy things I said.
"How far do I need to walk until I get to the village?"
"It won't be long. I recommend you start walking now if you want to get there soon."
"Ok. Thank you, stranger!" The Green Steve turned to face northwest.
...And he just walked away. Nothing happened.
"...No way," Memory Steve gasped. "It actually worked...his memories didn't get erased when he looked away."
His breaths suddenly turned rapid and his heart soared. Future possibilities danced his mind. He could finally talk to people. He imagined how he could make friends again. He imagined how he could navigate through crowds without his wild memory powers disorienting him.
He smiled under his mask. "It...it actually worked!"
After a few more tries with blocking and unblocking his powers, Memory Steve teleported back to the Illusion Town with his memory powers suppressed. When he spotted Illusion Steve, he gave him a bow of greeting and Illusion Steve smiled in response.
"So did you figure it out?"
Memory Steve nodded. "...It works...It works...I can talk to people...and they won't forget about me...It's..." He looked away, a hand over his hidden mouth. His breath was cut short as a sob full of emotion threatened to spill. The joy that had been growing ever since gaining this new power finally overwhelmed him. Memory Steve didn't think he would miss talking to people, yet here he was now.
"It's...so wonderful," he finally managed to say.
"I can tell! When you looked away, you didn't teleport and I didn't forget about you," Illusion Steve commented. "Memory Steve, I wanted to give you this as a thank you for everything so far."
"No, I should thank you! This is the kindest gift anyone has offered to me!" Void Steve never gave me a gift like this...
"Well...you're welcome," Illusion Steve said. "I gave you this new power because I do trust you. Really. We already know Alex is working against us, and I sense that the Guardian is tempted to betray me. You're the only loyal henchman I can trust and depend on."
His compliment warmed Memory Steve, until it was followed by an icy sense of irony. Because Memory Steve did plan to go against Illusion Steve one day.
"I really appreciate your help and your loyalty, so I wanted to give you something to help you control your powers better. That way, we can work better and communicate better. We're no longer limited to the glass cage or the Memory Dimension to talk to each other, now that your drawback is no longer a problem."
Memory Steve looked away, his hidden joyful expression fading away. If you only knew...
"But...can we still use the Memory Dimension to confide with each other?" Illusion Steve asked hopefully. "The Memory Dimension calms me, knowing I don't waste a second in the Overworld there."
"Of course, Illusion Steve. After all, I agreed to use the dimension to let you analyze Galaxy Steve's old memories."
"You better give me an actual memory from him this time!" Illusion Steve snapped suddenly. "So I can learn more about what the other worlds and dimensions hold!"
"And to see what Galaxy Steve would enjoy so you can build your illusion better?"
"Yeah, yeah, that too. Just learning in general." Illusion Steve waved a hand dismissively, not even looking at Memory Steve.
Maybe he's just embarrassed that my gratitude overstayed its welcome, Memory Steve thought. He awkwardly coughed and adjusted his tie. "Let me know when, and I'll take you to my dimension."
"Thank you," Illusion Steve said. "Now that you know that Alex and the Guardian may conspire with Sabre against me, keep an eye on all three of them. Make sure they don't do anything dangerous to our plans. Report to me whatever you find. I'm going to be skeptical about Guardian's reports from now on."
"Certainly, Illusion Steve." Memory Steve gave him a final bow before Illusion Steve walked away and teleported, thunder announcing his departure.
...Memory Steve brushed a hand over his covered head, his eyes fixed on the grass as a heavy question weighed down his heart. "Ugh...what am I supposed to do now?"
After that amazing, kind gift...could he really let Illusion Steve fail just to bring back Void Steve?
Word count: 3081
I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Act 1 is halfway done now, and I think the second half of Act 1 is more exciting ;3 If you're hyped, let me know!
Feel free to leave a review if you enjoyed the chapter. Theories are also welcomed.
See you guys later. Take care and stay safe.