Content warning: platonic love confession, discussion about love, and LOTS of yelling/scolding

Memory gave a firm nod, his eyes gleaming more. "I know how we can bring him back. I want to save him."

"You can?!" Time cried, his golden eyes wide. "But Elemental is trapped in the Menu, not the kind of worlds we visited. How can we get there?"

Memory first took out the white potion and drank it. Immediately, he felt some of the Shadow Stone inside him disappear, bringing an alleviating chill into his blood. It would take a while for all the Shadow Stone in him to dissolve, but at least the potion was working. "I accidentally took my cousin's memories, but I can use the knowledge from them to do something noble: figure out how to rescue Elemental from the Menu. It'll require resources."

Time perked up. "Well, with the three of us, we can gather those resources in no time!"

Alex gave a tense look, as if she wanted to say something.

"What will we need?" Time continued. "Redstone? Power?"

"Of course, we'll need those." Memory summoned a flower while turning his attention to the white fires that bordered his dimension. "But that won't be enough for what we must do." After making sure Time and Alex couldn't see the flower, Memory peered into it, viewing Sabre's memories of being held hostage in the Parallel World.

He sped through the memory, anxiously trying to find any clues on how Sabre broke out of the Parallel World, but he couldn't find anything. Come on, I need to figure out how long it took for Sabre to come back after being destroyed. Can I even find an answer in these memories?

"Ok, I'm sorry, but I have to ask you something!" Alex called out.

Memory jolted upright and whirled back to her, instantly regretting that he had no mask to hide whatever terror he was expressing. Alex's new stern expression wasn't wavering, and he wondered how ashamed he looked right now.

"Last time I came to your dimension, I found Galaxy but not Sabre," Alex began. "I'm assuming we gotta use Sabre's account to access the Menu, so there's no dodging the question: where is Sabre?"

Memory stumbled back. "I, ummm – well, you already know that Sabre got unmerged from Galaxy."

"Yes, but where is Sabre?" Alex tried to look more pleading instead of stern. "Come on, Memory, you gotta work with us if you want your plan to work."

But if I tell you what happened to him, you'll refuse to work with me at all. Memory gulped as he again replayed the mental image of Sabre exploding into black goop and green numbers. He turned to Time, hoping that he could sense his pleas, though he had no idea how Time could help. He didn't know if Time got the message, because Time just looked back with an equally pleading expression.

Memory gulped again. "Umm, please hear me out until the end: after Sabre was unmerged, he – "

Thunder raged in the sky, and the three toppled to the ground, clenching their heads. Everyone tried to muffle down their pained cries. And despite clenching his eyes tight, Memory saw a flash of gold and six white eyes

"What's happening?!"

"That's not important right now, Sabre. What's important is that I'm willing to give you another chance."

"No, please don't reset! I'm already dealing with someone who's trying the same thing, but I know this world can be saved! Just take me back, when all you have to do is fix me instead of the universe."

"...Fine, but on one condition: Don't tell anyone about my intervention, and tell my subordinate to return to me."

The pain vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Memory got up and briefly glimpsed at the blue flower he dropped.

The flower glitched into a white variant with six different colored anthers inside.

Memory snatched the flower – back to blue again – and inspected it curiously before it suddenly fizzled out of existence, startling him. Flowers only disappear when a person remembers their lost memories...

Time and Alex stood back up. Alex sighed in relief and gave Memory an apologetic look. "Something tells me that we should head back to the Illusion Town."

After Memory and Time put on their masks, Alex teleported them all back to the Illusion Town, where they all immediately heard someone above them.

"WooooaaaaAAAAAAAAH – "

The three snapped their heads up to see Sabre, falling from the sky, screaming, and madly flapping his arms in an attempt to fly. "AaaaAAAAAAAAH – "

"Sabre!" Alex soared into the air and caught him.

Sabre hyperventilated, eyes darting around his surroundings. "WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" His chicken onesie was messy, but he was in one piece. No Shadow Stone or black goop stained his clothes or skin. "The last thing I remember is the Shadow Stone! And the next thing I knew, blank! I blacked out and – "

"I'll explain everything when we get down!" Alex assured.

Sabre continued babbling and panicking in her arms. "Was I destroyed?!"

"What?!" Alex glared at the ground. "I'll have to have a word with a certain someone later."

Memory shrank back as Alex slowly hovered back to the ground with Sabre.

Crap, crap, crap, the person who I hoped was alive for my plan is actually ALIVE.

Memory whispered to Time, "I'll let you and Alex have your reunion with Sabre. Let me know when he's ready to talk. Bye!" Before Time could ask questions, Memory bolted through the Illusion Town's gates while internally screaming, AaaaaaaAAAAAAA –

"Time Steve!" Sabre cheered back inside the Illusion Town. "Alex told me you broke free from Illusion Steve's machine. Are you ok?"

"I'm great!" Time replied.

Memory paced along the outside walls of the Town, listening closely to the conversation inside. I need Sabre's help to rescue Elemental, but he's going to be furious when he finds out what I did to him.

"I would love to catch up with you, Time, but I need a recap about everything. Alex told me I was being controlled! What happened?!"

"Well, Reality Steve unmerged back to Galaxy and Illusion. Illusion, Alex, and I teamed up to save you, and Illusion gave Alex all her powers back."

"Really?! Wait, what'll happen to the Illusion Tree?! We still need the illusion to pause the infection!"

"Oh, the Tree's fine," Alex explained. "I can control it now, so it still works, and Time froze it in time as an extra precaution. So don't worry about the illusion deteriorating; it won't happen."

"Are you alright, Sabre?" Time asked. "You look tense. We swear we got everything under control."

"I know you guys do! I know!" Sabre took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, but a lot of things just happened in my own life. It's overwhelming."

Memory worried. How am I going to get along with Sabre? If he's stressed, then he won't want to see me now and –

"Ah!" He tripped and fell face-first. He got up and inspected the large, gray, soft rock that he failed to see and tripped over, wondering why it was this close to the Town's wall.

Wait...this wasn't a large, gray, soft rock.

"Ugh," Guardian slowly got up, rubbing his shoulder where Memory accidentally kicked him. "Ugh, my head." He brushed his face, looking in alarm at the grass and dirt stains on his hand.

...Oh, Memory realized. I forgot I also mind-controlled Guardian. Time and Illusion probably knocked him unconscious when they were rescuing Alex.

He tried to inch away quietly, but Guardian leapt up and glared at him, wings flaring like a dragon ready to leap. "YOU!" He advanced and slapped Memory across the face. "I'll never forgive you for controlling me!"

Memory stumbled back, holding his face. "Guardian, I – "

"Don't justify what you did! You've stooped to an even lower level!" Guardian suddenly perked up, hearing the three heroes inside the Town. He grabbed Memory's wrist, his blue eyes full of rage. "With Sabre, Alex, and Time here, you won't see the end of this!"

Memory paled and tried to pull free. "No, please, let me first explain myself to you!" He wasn't ready to face Sabre yet.

"You didn't give me a chance to explain why I didn't want to be controlled, so you don't get a chance to explain something to me either!"

Memory whimpered as Guardian dragged him back inside of Town. "Excuse me!" Guardian waved his hand around madly. "I'd like your attention please!"

Sabre, Alex, and Time looked up from their conversation. Sabre gasped. "OH MY GOD. MEMORY STEVE?!" He grabbed Alex and shook her madly. "HOW DID HE SLIP PAST MY MIND? HE'S THE ONE WHO'S BEEN CAUSING US SO MUCH TROUBLE!"

"That's what I was about to say!" Guardian added with a snap.

Memory cringed. Sabre has his account back, which makes him immune to my powers. He remembers me again.

Time cut between Sabre and Memory. "Now, Sabre – "

Sabre pushed Time aside and stomped towards Memory. "You have a lot of explaining to do!" He jabbed a finger at Memory's chest. "I remember everything and all the trouble you've caused! You came back from the Spiritless World to bother me again when I had so much on my plate. You erased Guardian's memories. You joined forces with Illusion Steve, making him a way bigger threat since he was kinda a joke without you. You blew TNT in my face after I failed your vibe check. And then, you accused me of not caring about everything I've worked so hard for! What the heck, man?!"

Memory trembled and tried to pull away, but Guardian's grip was tight. He tried to teleport, but Sabre yelled at him again, breaking his focus.

Guardian raised his free hand. "Not only that, but he mind-controlled me and made me go against my friends, which wasn't very nice!"

Sabre waved a hand dismissively. "Not now, Guardian. No one sympathizes with a possessed minion who's forced to attack their friends!" He seemed oblivious of the glares he received for that comment.

Alex scolded, "Calm down, Sabre, calm down!"

"I can't! Not when I have so many questions!"

"We can answer them all once you calm down and listen to Memory!" Alex tried to reason. "We all want to listen to what Memory has to say."

Sabre looked away and rubbed his head. "Ugh, everything is a blur. The last thing I remember is the Shadow Stone affecting me." He glared back at Memory. "You were one of the last Steves I saw before everything went fuzzy. Did you possess me, just like how you possessed Rainbow Steve a long time ago?"

Memory grimaced and forced himself to nod.

Sabre scowled. "So my gut feeling was right. Why did you do that?! I don't remember what happened while I was being controlled, but I remember being in so much pain."

"Sabre – " Time tried to warn.

"But that's not even the worst thing!" Sabre paced around. "When I regained consciousness and Minecraft crashed on me...everything changed." He clenched his head, as if afraid that his growing worries would manifest into something alive. "All of my social media accounts are gone. I tried to call a friend, but they all ignored my calls or accused me of being a scammer. My-my own parents couldn't recognize me when I FaceTimed them!"

Alex tilted her head in confusion and worry as she watched Sabre pace.

"And so much more is happening. Other people I rely on – my insurance agents, the lessor for my house – all turned against me because they don't believe I'm their client. If I can't get their help, oh God, I don't even know what's going to happen to me." He bored a furious expression into Memory. "You're the only person I know who can erase memories. I don't know how you did it, but you found a way to directly affect people in my world, and I'm suffering because of it!"

"Sabre – " Time called out again.

"I'm s-sorry!" Memory cried out. When he committed his plan, he knew he was going to ruin Sabre's life. After all, he knew the hardships of living when no one could remember you. He had followed the plan with no remorse, believing Sabre wouldn't be in the server anyway to lament. But of course, Memory now had to negotiate with Sabre for his brand new mission. His previous mission and its reaped rewards had become barriers against everything he was now working towards, and he hated that.

"Sorry? That's all you have to say?" Sabre demanded. "This isn't a small prank or even a huge misunderstanding. This is a cold, calculated attack, and I'm not ok with it! What were you trying to accomplish with all this?!"

Memory dropped his teary gaze and couldn't look up. I don't know the answer to that question anymore.

"Come on, answer me!" Sabre repeated. "You owe me an explanation and – "

"SABRE, ELEMENTAL STEVE IS ALIVE," Time shouted.

Sabre did a double take. All of his fury vanished as he gave Time a perplexed look. "What?"

"Elemental's alive. He escaped the explosion by crossing dimensions. He's trapped in the Menu."

Sabre's jaw dropped. "As in, the Menu only I can access with my account?!"

Memory finally spoke, "Th-that account is the same account we need to rescue him. I know how to save Elemental."

All eyes turned to him, and Memory badly wanted to teleport away. Guardian loosened his grip but refused to let go, his glare still skeptical.

"Why are we listening to him?!" Guardian fussed. "Last time we let him help us, he mind-controlled Sabre and me. What if he's planning to cause more trouble?"

Sabre scratched his chin, but he didn't look as uneasy as Guardian. "Yeah, how can we be sure that you legit want to help us, Memory Steve?"

Memory looked at both Alex and Time. Based on their curious gazes, they weren't going to help him explain himself. I'm not prepared for this. But I've explained things when I was held hostage before, he recalled. Back when Guardian threatened to shoot an arrow at me if I didn't return Sabre's memories. He remembered why he gathered up his nerves to speak up: to prevent the heroes from provoking Reality's trauma.

Memory suddenly felt braver and straightened his back. "I can't give you anything to make you trust me. I, out of all people, should know that trust takes many trials to build, which is something I can't do overnight. But what I can offer is an apology.

"Sabre, what I have done to you was horrendous. I was consumed by my emotions; I wanted everyone to forget about me so I could feel better, and I wanted to use your account and Galaxy to bring back Void. I realized too late how high the costs were, and I regret allowing myself to fall that low."

Sabre nodded along, still skeptical. "Go on..."

Memory grimaced. "Illusion, Time, and Alex did everything in their power to stop me, which I am now grateful for. But Illusion had to pay the price. I erased all of his memories."

Sabre paled. "All of his memories? Oh no, a Steve with no memories usually doesn't lead to good things."

"I know that painfully well." Memory fixed his gaze to the ground. "I'm sorry for everything I've done, which is why I want to do something right for once. I discovered through Illusion's memories that Reality had met Elemental in the Menu. I want to restore Illusion's memories soon, but while I still have them, I can use the memories to help you figure out how Reality transferred accounts and left the server."

Sabre pondered. "And if we figure out how Steves can leave the server, we can figure out how Steves can return to the server." He perked up, beaming at each of his friends. "A rescue mission. I like the sound of that!"

Memory stood upright. "And once we have a connection between this server and the outside world, I can restore the memories I stole from your world."

Sabre gave Memory a jaw-dropped look of disbelief. "You can do that?"

"Unfortunately, not on my own, which is why I wanted to speak to you. I want to ask if we can make an alliance for the greater good."

Sabre winced. His hopeful expression was replaced with uneasiness. "I understand that I should team up with you, but I don't know if I can. I just...can't forgive you for everything you've done. Not to mention you erased Elemental's memories all those years ago. You're the reason why he's gone in the first place, if you think about it."

Memory turned away with a hiss.

"I wouldn't bring that up, Sabre" Time warned. "I understand your reservations, but I got to know him while you were gone. He apologized for erasing Elemental's memories. And remember, Elemental's downfall was mainly Void's doing."

Memory calmed down before speaking again. "You don't have to forgive me, but I hope you're able to trust me when I say this: I will never pull off a stunt like that again. I'm also questioning myself as much as you are questioning me. There are things I need to reevaluate in my life, and I hope in time, things will make more sense and I can grow as a person. Perhaps one day, you'll be able to feel at ease around me, and I can feel at ease around other people."

Sabre relaxed and smiled. "Well, consider your words listened to. I'm glad you want to work on discovering and improving yourself. And I did promise to make it up to you too, after you learned about my audience and my recordings. I'm offering to give you professional help for your social anxiety, but only if you promise not to be evil anymore." He offered an open hand. "Starting with your help now. So, are you extra sure you want to keep this promise?"

Memory looked away, considering his next words carefully. Truth be told, he wasn't ready to commit to that promise. Yes, he wanted to change. He wanted his life to stop being controlled by anxiety. But if anything, wanting to improve himself gave him more reasons to get Void back. He could finally become a servant his father would be proud of with Sabre's help. However, he wanted this for himself, not just for Void. And he didn't want to take Sabre's help for granted.

He sighed, knowing that regardless, saving his cousins was the top priority. He shook Sabre's hand. "My plan to rescue Elemental Steve involves no tricks. I promise that you will not regret helping me with this mission."

Sabre smiled. "Thank you, Memory." He faced Guardian and gave an assured nod. "Let him go."

Guardian opened his mouth to protest, but not a word came out. He gave Memory a hesitant glance, before sighing in defeat and letting go of his wrist. Alex gave a proud smile and Time nodded in approval.

Sabre continued, "I hope you can also forgive me for posting videos about you without letting you know. You definitely went cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs when you learned the truth of what I do."

Memory tilted his head. "I beg your pardon?"

Sabre threw his arms up in exasperation. "Oh, so you know more about my world than any other Steve, but you don't know the most sacred breakfast item of my world?!"

Alex laughed. "He's just saying nonsense, Memory. That means you're part of the group now."

Memory felt flustered.

Sabre cleared his throat and looked serious. "If it makes you feel better, I think the Sky People would be accepting of your anxiety if they knew about it. They wouldn't see it as anything to be ashamed of. Some of them might even be going through the same stuff you are. I believe they can overcome any challenge, so I believe you can too!"

Memory perked up. "Thank you, Sabre, but please don't disclose that information to your people."

"Of course. From now on, I'll ask the Steves for permission before I post my videos and I won't treat Steves like a joke!"

Guardian raised his hand again, "Sabre, can I please say my thoughts about this?"

"Not now, Guardian," Sabre hushed. "I'm dealing with something more important!"

Guardian pouted.

"So what's your plan to rescue Elemental?" Sabre asked Memory.

Memory summoned a white flower. "You and Time are smart. I want you to have Reality's memories of taking your account, so you can study it and replicate what he did."

"Wait, why do we need to transfer the account?" Sabre asked. "I can just leave and find Elemental in the Menu right now since I do that all the time."

Time shook his head. "You can't, Sabre. If you could rescue Elemental outside of the server, Elemental would have called for your help already, but you never sensed him. I believe it has to be a relative who goes out there. That's why Reality and Elemental were able to sense each other in the Menu."

"So that's why we have to transfer my account to a Steve? But I don't want to lose someone out there. If Reality Steve couldn't handle it, then no one else can!"

Time sighed. "I volunteer to go out of this server."

Sabre was about to protest until thunder roared. Everyone whirled around to the sound, and they gasped when they saw Galaxy suddenly appear on the other side of town.

"Wait, guys!" Galaxy raced towards the group. "I want to help!"

"Galaxy?!" Alex cried out. "You're awake!"

"A huge wave of energy woke me up! I was looking everywhere for you and – " Galaxy spotted Memory and skidded to a halt. The purple color of his face drained and his eyes bulged. He refused to look away, but his eyes were starting to tear up and his body was beginning to tremor.

Alex said, "Don't worry, Galaxy. Us and Memory Steve are cool now!"

Time nodded. "She's right. And it's ok to blink. He won't take your memories."

Galaxy blinked and then looked down, a dark expression over his face. "Suddenly, going out of this server sounds less scary. I'd rather do that a hundred times than face him."

Memory stumbled back. Something knocked all the air in his lungs, and something else ignited the bottled up anger inside him.

Alex gave an awkward cough and asked, "You overheard us?"

Galaxy weakly nodded. "I only heard a little bit, but yeah, I want to volunteer to leave the server and save Elemental."

Sabre shot him a worried glance. "Galaxy, leaving the server with my account isn't like the dimension-hopping you're used to. Reality Steve underestimated it, and I'm worried you are too."

"You've been through so much too," Alex added. "I don't want you to go through more stress."

Galaxy refused to look at anyone. "Yeah, I did go through a lot: seeing you all suffer because of my newest creation and getting absorbed again. I messed up big time." He looked up and puffed out his chest. "More reasons on why I want to do this. I need to make things right, starting with saving the person who needs me!"

Memory narrowed his eyes in contempt, wondering if Galaxy knew how much suffering he caused Illusion.

"Plus, I have you guys to help me out," Galaxy continued. "Leaving this world? No biggie! So let's get started!"

"Actually, we can't do anything until we figure out the account-switching process in the recollection that Memory gave us," Time clarified.

"Oh." Galaxy dropped his gaze, shifting his weight uncomfortably from one foot to the next. "Ok...let me know when you figure it out." He trudged away.

Memory silently snarled. That little... The mental image of Elemental and Time unconscious and surrounded by flowers stopped him from finishing that thought. Memory gave a half-hiss, half-scoff. He turned back to the group and handed Reality's memory to Time. "This flower will show you Reality's memories of swapping with Sabre. I know I'm asking too much, but can you build a machine that replicates what he did? The machine can also connect this world to Sabre's, allowing me to return the memories of Sabre's people."

Sabre turned around and noticed the empty machine behind him. It was the chamber that was used to imprison Alex in the past. "Well, since Illusion figured this stuff out, maybe we can use the Illusion Tree and illusion blocks to power up the machine. Yeah, a machine that transfers accounts should be possible! It'll take a billion tries because I have no idea how we're gonna pull it off. That'll be more than enough time to pray that this'll all go ok!"

"I'm guessing we need more redstone and iron for this machine?" Time asked.

"Oh yeah, tons of it. But first, we should analyze the memory and brainstorm blueprints for the machine."

Guardian begrudgingly stepped up and asked, "How can I help with this task?"

Sabre jolted with realization. "Oh my god, this totally slipped my mind! Guardian, since we got Galaxy and Alex back and the illusion's under our control now, I think we can give you access back to the Spirit World!"

Guardian looked offended. "You're sending me away? I mean, I don't mind since the Steves in the Spirit World need me, but you seriously want me to go away?"

Sabre frantically shook his head. "No, please don't take it the wrong way. It's just that...your boss told me that he's looking for you."

Guardian gasped and dropped his wings. "W-What else did he say?"

"I can't say much about it, but we gotta send you back home."

Guardian straightened his back and nodded urgently. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea!"

Alex pondered. "I know Galaxy's powers got linked to the Spirit World a long time ago. I'll ask him to see if he wants to help." She walked towards Galaxy Steve, who was sitting by the wall, rolling an apple in his palm. She whispered a few words to him before he unpassionately nodded. He and Alex both used their powers, and thunder roared in the sky.

Guardian looked up at the sky, his blue eyes full of joy. "I-I sense it! I can go back home now!"

"Safe travels, Guardian!" Sabre cheered.

"Good luck, Sabre. Oh, and Memory." Memory flinched when Guardian faced him. Guardian looked stern before giving a warmer look. "I know what it's like to lose a friend. It's a painful reminder to always cherish your friendships...I hope you're able to reunite with Illusion and restore his memories."

Guardian huffed and whispered to Sabre, "I still don't trust him, but I trust that you'll keep an eye on him." He distanced himself from the group and crouched into a ready-to-run position. He broke into a sprint and raced towards the Illusion Town's entrance. Lightning surrounded him as he opened his wings and leapt into the sky. And in a blink, he vanished.

Memory looked back at Sabre. "I wish I could do more to help, but I already volunteered to search for Illusion."

"Wait, you're going after Illusion now?" Alex jumped back into the conversation with sudden interest. "Is all the Shadow Stone in your system gone?"

Memory nodded. "The potion completed its effect."

Sabre rambled, "Illusion lost his memories, which is bad. His character development got sent back to Square One! He might try to steal Alex's powers again and restart the illusion! Memory, I badly want to get this machine built, so I'm counting on you to safely bring Illusion back, alright?"

"I know him the most out of all of you, so I know how horrible it'll be if he's left without his memories. I'll do everything I can to bring him back unharmed."

Time nodded in agreement. "I trust him. After we make a blueprint, I'll join Memory's search for Illusion, if that makes you feel better."

"Alright," Sabre sighed. "Go find him, Memory!"

Memory bowed farewell and teleported to the entrance of the Town.

"Memory, wait!"

He looked over his shoulder to see Alex racing towards him. "Is there something wrong?"

"Oh, no." Alex caught up to him. "I wanted to give you some advice before you find Illusion."

"Advice?" Memory rubbed his neck. "I must admit: I'm afraid I won't gain his trust. How can I convince him to return to the Illusion Town with me?"

"It'll be difficult to gain his trust, but not impossible," Alex said in an uplifting voice.

Memory scoffed. "Surely, you can't forget how stubborn he is?"

"Illusion's a difficult person, yeah. He's always so angry and distrustful, but he's different around you. More comfortable. More rational."

Memory looked away with uncertainty. Sure, he helped Illusion become more relaxed, but that was after their choice to work together grew into a friendship. But Illusion's mind was now a blank slate. There was no friendship in his mind. Memory had no idea how to rebuild their friendship, when all of his friendships in the past had been cut short by his powers and tainted with failures.

He didn't even know if his companionship was worthy enough to rekindle.

Alex rested a hand on Memory's shoulder, causing him to look back at her. "Memory, you can gain his trust again. You meant so much to him before he lost his memories, and it wasn't for no reason. He doesn't want to forget about you. And I know you feel the same way."

Memory softly smiled. "So, it's obvious how much I care for him, huh?" He looked at the forest biome ahead. He had no idea how far Illusion had wandered, but he did have a trace of his energy. A faint trace. But to Memory, it felt like a strong pull, something screaming at him to follow. The longer he stayed here and didn't race towards Illusion's rescue, the more anguished he felt.

"Abandoning him was a mistake. I want to go back to the way we were – no, I want to make sure nothing stands between us again. I want to be best friends again." He dipped his head in defeat. "Alex, I love him, but does it matter when Illusion doesn't know?"

"It does matter. Do you want to tell Illusion that you love him?"

He looked at Alex curiously. "Yes, I do. Where are you going with this?"

"To get through Illusion and make him trust you, you need to help him remember that he cares about you. You have to show him that you love him."

Memory pondered. "What if I tell him that I erased his memories and apologize for it? Will that work?"

"I don't think that'll be enough. Here's my advice: please listen to your emotions, and be aware that you will have flaws that'll hold you back from telling Illusion that you love him, or whatever you want to say. It's like how some people never chase their dreams because their doubts hold them back, or how some people never stand up for themselves because they're afraid of getting punished. Whatever those flaws are, you have to overcome them when you confront Illusion. You have to answer difficult questions about what things in life matter to you."

Memory grimaced, uncertainty replacing his warm sentiment. Questions. Wasn't it enough to show Illusion that he loved him by caring for him? That was how he expressed his love. Shouldn't love be just an emotion some people feel, not an obstacle course? In what way will confronting Illusion challenge him and make him question everything in life?

"Think about it. Oh, and please be careful if Illusion starts asking you for favors," Alex continued, looking pleading, stern, and sad all at once. "I don't know what he's like without his memories, but figuring out who to trust or what is real is hard for people who don't remember anything. I was in a situation like that with Origin Steve. Yes, I know your love for Illusion is platonic while my situation was romantic love, but I think my insight can still help. I've been learning to see warning signs that exist in any kind of relationship."

Memory perked up. For a moment, all his stress alleviated. "What have you been learning? I'm really curious about your new thoughts on love."

"I learned that if I wasn't blinded by the fantasy of love, I would have seen that Steve and I brought the worst out of each other. You gotta watch out for the Origin Steves and the Origin Alexes in your life, whether they be friends, family, or anyone else."

"Please don't use yourself as a warning. You're way better than Origin Steve."

"While he was definitely worse than me, I still didn't confront him in the best way. When I told him that I loved him, I became...so demanding about how I wanted him to feel back." Her gaze turned serious. "He couldn't say 'I love you' when I asked him to, and it cost us both. Please don't repeat his mistakes or mine. If you get into this situation, try to talk to Illusion without breaking his little grasp of reality."

Now he felt the pressure. Memory bounced on his feet, anxiously gazing back at the forest ahead. I'll be fine, he assured himself. Illusion may not remember all the memories they had together, but Memory still did. He had shown Illusion several ways that he cared. He could do it again.

"Good luck." Alex waved goodbye and returned to her friends. Memory caught a glimpse of Time waving farewell too.

Memory headed out of the Town and started to track down Illusion. He teleported into the forest, and into the next biome, following the energy he sensed. "Hang in there, Illusion. Don't do anything drastic before I find you. Before you do something that'll hurt both of us..."

Then Memory felt something. He didn't know what it was, but he felt that something in this world was suddenly off.

His instincts told him to check his inventory. He saw his usual supplies: TNT, flint and steel, wooden planks, and food. Then he noticed something that he didn't remember obtaining: a folded piece of paper.

He took out the paper and unfolded it, realizing that it was a letter.

Memory,

Your mission worked. It feels great to be out of that fool's head. For once, I'm impressed with your ways. Come find me. Our plan's been put on hold for too long. With how clever your mission was, I have no doubt that you'll help me take back everything that I deserve.

Your father, Void.

Word count: 5787

This chapter in a nutshell: "Well, well, well, if it isn't the consequences of my own actions" – Memory Steve, 2019.

The ending was tricky for me to write. That was my first time writing a platonic love confession(?). It's platonic. No romo.

Just a reminder: This fanfic has no shipping. Please do not comment about shipping here because that's not what the fanfic is about and those comments will stress me out.

I also did my best to set up a "you must use true love to save your bro, bro" plot point, without saying anything insensitive to loveless aros. My first goal was to make sure Memory had agency in describing how he feels, and it was his choice to describe his feelings as love.

My second goal was to make sure Alex went like "you should use whatever you feel about your bro to save your bro, and please don't say the wrong thing, bro," without antagonizing people who struggle to express how they feel. I'm unsure if I tackled this one well, but I tried to show that it's wrong for people to demand love from people who have complicated feelings about love. Memory needs to watch out for those people, as well as overcome all the reasons he hesitates to show love.

I really hope I handled this plot point respectfully. If you have criticism or concerns about it, I'm more than happy to listen.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Take care and stay safe!