As Illusion reentered the room, Galaxy nearly bumped into him. "Oh, sorry!" Galaxy hurried around his son, leaving behind a trail of loose blocks. "I really need some yellow tape. I don't understand why this world doesn't have it."

"What are you…" Illusion trailed off and stared at the room. If Galaxy wasn't here, he would have thought he was in the wrong room. The quartz floor was replaced with wooden planks, while the walls were redone with cobblestone. Half-walls and different colored wooden planks divided the room into four sections, one at each corner. One corner was decorated with plants, seats, and bookshelves. Another corner was incomplete, marked with signs that read, "sink goes here" and "food chest goes here."

Where was Elemental? Illusion began to panic, but soon saw Elemental's recovery area and machinery were untouched. Even the floor beneath the structure was still quartz.

Illusion looked at Galaxy, who was assembling a black-and-white tile pattern in the soon-to-be kitchen. He sensed Galaxy's concentration and decided to linger on it. He could even detect traces of pride and was surprised by how much it pleased him. Illusion wished he had the freedom to try art, but at least Galaxy's feelings gave him an idea of what it would be like.

Galaxy finished the tiled floor and wiped his brow. "Sorry for the mess. I was originally going with all wood, but the kitchen deserves its own floor pattern. Back to the finishing touches!"

Illusion huffed. "Whatever."

"Where's Time?"

"On an errand."

"What errand?"

"Nothing to worry about." That was an absolute lie. Illusion was screaming on the inside about the infection, but he couldn't let Galaxy know. "Anyway, I can clearly see what you are doing, but why are you doing this?"

"To make this place nicer!" Galaxy went to the living room and started stocking the bookshelves. Soon the shelves were populated with paperback books, each presenting a colorful cover full of action and characters. "I heard that a cozier place helps someone recover faster, so I thought making this place look less like a liminal space would help Elemental."

Illusion looked at Elemental again. Elemental did look better. Along with monitoring and increasing his health, the redstone was configured to restore Elemental's appearance, and now the effect had finally happened. His clothes had been mended and even his hair had been cut back into a buzz cut. Illusion was still skeptical of Galaxy's hypothesis, given that Elemental was asleep and couldn't see the room…and he had no idea when he would wake up. But Galaxy did give him an idea. "The decorations are nice, and I know something else that'll help him heal."

Galaxy paused from stocking the shelves. "What is it?"

"I could give Elemental an illusion to boost his mental state."

Galaxy set his items down, looking uncomfortable. "I don't know…Sabre told me that illusions are bad for Steves."

Illusion, so offended that his great new idea got criticism, wanted to argue. But instead, probably influenced by the decorations (maybe they did help after all), he said, "I know, but what other choice do we have?"

"Decorating!" Galaxy picked up and shook a plant for emphasis. "This will help Elemental feel safe at home!"

"That's what I'm trying to achieve through my illusions. Hear me out."

To Illusion's surprise, Galaxy set the plant down and gave him his full attention.

"I think I know why Elemental hasn't woken up," Illusion continued. "He spent so long outside the server, focusing on surviving and nothing more. I think he still believes he's outside the server, and that's stopping him from recovering. If the redstone didn't convince him that he's safe, then maybe the illusion will. And I'm not lying to him; the illusion would convince him the truth: that he's safe. Sabre was okay with using the illusion to get more time to solve problems. I think he would understand if I used the illusion to put Elemental's recovery on the right track."

Galaxy shrugged. "I guess you're right, but…everytime someone says doing something bad wouldn't be that bad, it leads to a mess that I really don't want to repeat again."

Illusion paused and remembered the warning Memory gave him, about the person Galaxy used to be. How Galaxy used Memory to make Steves forget about things he was ashamed of, and how it hurt so many people.

"If we don't have to use the illusion, then we shouldn't," Galaxy said. "We already cast a big one for the infection. We did all that to help everyone find a better way, so we might as well use that extra time to take care of Elemental with no illusions."

Illusion groaned. "Not you too. First Sabre, then Alex, and now you're saying that."

"Saying what?"

"That I should have just used the illusion for the infection and none of the other stuff I did."

"Well, yeah. It's impossible to control everything, so just focusing on the infection is the reasonable thing to do."

"Of course it's reasonable!" Illusion snapped. "I get it: everyone was right and I was wrong! I took the illusion too far and I shouldn't have done that!"

"Then why are you mad?"

Illusion fumed. "Do you have any idea how annoying and painful it is to have the most simple, logical plan in mind, and then not do it because you're stuck in someone else's emotional mess?" He knew arguing couldn't change the past and the mistakes he had made, and it certainly wouldn't change what he knew was true about Galaxy. But still, he was dying to ask. "You said you wanted the illusion to freeze the infection to give everyone more time to solve it. Is that what you always wanted, even when you yourself were infected?"

"Uuummm…" Galaxy scratched his head. "I…can't remember. So much was happening at that time and…actually, that was a lie. I knew nothing was going on, but still I can't remember what I did…or what I didn't do."

"That's what I thought. But whatever your intent was, I didn't get the memo. I just got my free will taken by you."

Galaxy gasped and looked at him with horror.

"You never gave me a clear answer of what you wanted me to do about the infection. You just wanted everything to be better, without telling me what 'better' was supposed to mean. The only input you gave was by linking your emotions to my mind. I couldn't be free until you were happy, which was why I did what I did."

Galaxy shrank back, holding his head tighter. "The way you bossed everyone around…the way you hid the truth from Sabre…that's why you're like that. Oh Colors…"

Illusion could feel Galaxy's horror. He should try to anchor him back to the present, but he wanted to give him something else to worry about. "I didn't know anything: only that you wanted me to make sense of this world for you. And if you think that's unfair, it's because it is. If all this time you wanted me to cast one simple illusion, then I've caused all this pain for nothing. If you had just told me that, I could have stayed sane while addressing this problem. Instead, I had to fumble figuring out this mess…on my own."

Galaxy frowned. "Yeah…it is unfair."

Illusion seethed more. With Galaxy's admittance, he felt like he had permission to feel these things he hadn't told anyone but Memory. Time and Memory told him it was ok to mess up, but it was hard to articulate his hurt. How he wasn't hurting just because of his mistakes, but also from knowing he didn't have to make these mistakes alone, knowing that circumstances robbed him of a father figure who could have guided him through these complicated problems.

If only Galaxy had kept his head straight for a little bit longer. But imagining that made him mad too, because he would never experience that alternate timeline.

"Do you need a hug?" Galaxy offered all of a sudden.

Illusion sputtered. "No!" It was out of disbelief rather than hostility.

Galaxy smiled uneasily. "I know what you've been through was unfair, but it gets better. You can work with me, Alex, Time, and Sabre. You don't have to be mad anymore!"

"I know things are better, but do you know that?!" Illusion challenged, causing Galaxy to shrink back. "Did you get over your shame and guilt? Did you tell yourself that you could do better and stop letting the past haunt you, instead of giving all the responsibilities and emotions you couldn't deal with to me?"

Galaxy looked shocked.

"That's what I thought." In reality, Illusion was more mad at Time for making these false promises about Galaxy than at Galaxy himself, but Time wasn't here right now. "This was why I tried to make a perfect world for you, and why I'm dealing with my own mistakes now. But when this is all over, at least you'll have friends who are patient with you. Those same people will always see me as the micro-managing, perfectionist brat, even though I did what I did to protect your emotions."

Galaxy opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it.

Illusion sensed the guilt brewing in Galaxy. It was making him feel sick, so it was time to redirect the situation. "Are you confident you can look after him without the illusion?"

Galaxy looked conflicted, but also seemed eager for the subject change. "Yes. Please let me do the hard work of taking care of him."

Illusion didn't know if he should feel impressed or insulted by Galaxy's resolution, but he didn't want to make him feel even worse. "It'll help everyone if you tend to him. If you don't want me to use an illusion, then what do you want me to do?"

"You've done more than enough by setting this place up with me! I think you should rest."

If only commanding Illusion to relax actually worked. But to feign appreciation for Galaxy's sake, Illusion faked a smile and said, "Thank you."

Illusion stalked into the hallway. "We're close…we're so close." He tried to control his breath, but he was lying through his teeth. He knew it was reckless to give the raw truth instead of continuing to shield him. He was used to buckling down and enduring this discomfort, but this was his first time causing the negative emotions, and for what goal? Would telling the truth really help Galaxy in the future? He was oblivious before this, but now he could never forget, and Illusion had no idea how long the guilt would last.

He'll feel better once things go right, Illusion thought, trying to distract himself. Elemental has to wake up eventually, or at least Galaxy thinks he will. And once Sabre's problem is solved, he'll worry less!

But for Sabre's problem to be solved, they needed to find Memory first.

Illusion withdrew the Galaxy Flower, studying it once more. He realized now it no longer had a pot, its roots exposed. He should probably grab an empty pot from Galaxy's inventory. Did the Flower need special soil? The sentimental part of him worried for its wellbeing. However, his pragmatic side told him that if the flower's days were numbered, then he had to seize this opportunity now.

Illusion closed his eyes and began his analysis. He sensed information pulsing from the flower – the memories it held. But he brushed them aside. He wasn't here to analyze them. He was here to study the energy powering the information instead. If this flower was the last thing Memory interacted with, then he needed to get a trace of Memory's energy. Anything to help him find where Memory was now.

Information swarmed him again, but he tried to focus only on the energy. "Come on…give me something. Anything – "

The thunder roared, and Illusion stiffened in terror. Lightning broke through the ceiling and struck him.

"Ah!" Illusion stumbled and fell on a grassy surface. There was a bright sky above. He thought it was the Overworld, until he noticed the grass was gray and the sky was bleak. The mountains and canyons that surrounded him looked even more foreign without color.

Illusion tensed and struggled to breathe. But once he did, he was so relieved. He became even calmer when he realized he could still move. That didn't mean he felt at ease though.

He scoped the area nervously. "Hello? Hello?!"

"Taker of memories. Divider of families."

Illusion startled at the voice. Who was that? If it was someone hiding somewhere, then Illusion started feeling mad. "If this is about Memory, show yourself!"

"He's left everyone, including himself, unprepared to face the past. There's nothing they can do to stop what he'll bring next."

Illusion's fury replaced his fear. "And what is that?!"

There was a sinister laugh, faint enough to make Illusion worry he was going crazy and mishearing the wind. "The true harbinger of suffering."

Thunder. Illusion turned towards the sound. Behind him was a cliff where someone stood: a dark figure against the bleak sky because of his suit and mask.

"Memory!" Illusion cried, causing his cousin to flinch and whirl around to see him. "Memory, where are you?! What are your coordinates?!"

Memory was frozen in place. Illusion began to run towards him, but then a dark shadow soared through the sky. The entity grabbed Memory and shoved Illusion off the cliff, sending the younger Steve spinning until he activated his flight power. The force felt like a tornado and the rattling of…leaves?

"Memory!" Illusion screamed as he saw the entity – a swarm of leaves and flowers – soar across the sky, taking Memory with it. Memory twisted and flashed in-and-out of existence in fruitless attempts to teleport.

"Let him go or else!" Illusion flew after the entity, but the entity darted through the canyons and cliffs with great speed and ease, leaving him winded and more behind. At each turn, the snaking body of flowers grew in size. After minutes of flying and tormenting its captive, it finally paused, forming sharp thorns in the shape of jaws. The jaws enclosed on Memory.

"N-NO!" Adrenaline gave him sudden speed. Illusion grabbed the jaws. He pressed his boots against the lower jaw and pressed one hand against the upper one. The sharpness of the thorns and the crushing strength pained him, but he refused to give up. He reached his free hand towards Memory. "TAKE MY HAND!"

Memory tried to reach out, but the vines within the entity ensnared his arm. He thrashed and tried to fight them off. Illusion reached his hand deeper into the entity and pushed against the jaws with all his might, but his strength was giving away. Soon, it wasn't fatigue that slowed him down. It was fear. And it was probably fear that stopped Memory too.

Memory shuddered as he faced Illusion. "Forgive me…"

Memory raised a leg and kicked Illusion's chest, knocking him out of the jaws of the entity. The vines pulled back. Memory screamed as he was yanked into the entity's dark insides and the jaws snapped shut.

Illusion fell back with a scream. He panicked at the sudden change of colors and lighting. He knew he was back in the Time Dimension's hall, but that didn't make him feel better or less disoriented. Every muscle and his palms burned with pain. Yet, a part of his mind knew that the sensation was merely imaginary, even though he didn't comprehend what he had just imagined.

Thunder rumbled, fully bringing him back to the present. It was coming nearby, through a portal. He tensed when he realized where that portal led. "Elemental…"

Illusion rushed back to the recovery room, and he nearly fell again. The ground was shaking and the lights were flickering. The water in the cauldron swished and the new plants shuddered.

"What's happening?!" Galaxy cried. Illusion saw his father hovering over the bed, holding a healing potion and redstone but unsure of how to use them. Elemental was still in bed with his eyes closed, but he was twitching and making small, rapid breaths. The machine behind him was blinking rapidly.

When Illusion ran up to him, Galaxy nearly spat at him. "I was watching him when this suddenly happened! What did you do?! I told you I didn't want any illusion used on him!"

"I didn't do anything! I was just messing around with – " The words caught in his throat, and he made sure the Flower was in his inventory instead of in his hands. "Look, we have to make sure Elemental's health is safe and – !"

More thunder. Illusion and Galaxy whirled around and saw Time at the entrance. Time briskly headed to the bedside, not flattering once despite the chaos, his masked face unreadable. "He's waking up." Kneeling down, he grasped Elemental's hand, clenching it tight like a charm for a prayer. "Come on, Elemental…" Time tried to sound firm, but fear soon entered his voice and his hands trembled. "Please…Please come back to me…"

Illusion wanted to join Time, but Galaxy stepped in his way and nudged him away from the bed. "I think we should give him space." Galaxy's voice was full of worry, yet it was the calmest thing Illusion heard all day. That was why Illusion, despite his annoyance, followed him until they both neared the entrance, leaving Time alone.

Elemental coughed, which sounded dry and weary. Time took off his mask, revealing his pleading, teary-eyed expression.

Illusion stared at his brothers, so when Galaxy tapped his shoulder, he nearly jumped. Galaxy looked both antsy and resigned as he said, "This is their moment, not mine. Mine will be later, and I want to do it right. Look after them for me."

"What the – " Before Illusion got another word out, Galaxy turned and exited through the portal.

"Hey!" Illusion felt compelled to follow – to join him or scold him, he didn't know – but his boots felt glued to the floor.

"Elemental, you can do it. I know you can." Time rested a hand on Elemental's other hand.

The hand slowly opened and wrapped around Time's.

The thunder softened and the machine's activity slowed down, just as Elemental finally took a long gulp of air, ending the panicked gasps.

"Ugh…" Elemental twitched before opening his eyes, looking at the ceiling. He winced and closed his eyes shut, turning his head away.

"Elemental, it's me." Time held his brother's head and propped it tenderly, blocking the ceiling from view. "Can you stay awake a bit longer? For me?"

Elemental coughed again and looked at Time. His breathing hitched, though his expression didn't change. He blinked several times, his eyes becoming more focused, showing a different emotion each time. Confusion, denial, shock, fear.

"T…" His mouth contorted, as if it had to fight to form the words he wanted to say. He shut his eyes. "This can't be real," he finally said, his voice faint and dry. "You're not supposed to be here."

Time sniffed. "You're not hallucinating if that's what you think. You're home. You're really home, and I'm here."

Elemental released and held Time's hand again, as if to test if Time was truly there. After a long moment, he leaned into Time's body. "...it is you…"

Time nodded. "It is."

Elemental curled into a fetal position, struggling to sit up. When Time shifted his stance to help, that seemed to break something inside Elemental. He first laughed, then he shook, and then his breathing accelerated again until he cried against Time's body. Time didn't move, uncomfortable that he couldn't offer words. As if realizing he didn't have to say anything, he wrapped Elemental in an embrace, bringing him even closer. He rested his head on Elemental's shoulder, pinpricks of tears forming in his eyes.

Illusion recalled the stories he'd heard of Elemental: the brother he had never met. In another life, this would have been Elemental's nightmare: to be seen before a living soul this vulnerable and this hurt. But that other life had past. The resentment was gone. All that was left were two brothers, who were done being apart and wanted to seize this long forgotten love.

Elemental struggled through the tears. "I'm sorry for everything."

"And I forgive you," Time soothed.

Illusion kept to the wall, watching the two brothers in silence. He couldn't help but smile. He wondered how love and joy sparked that easily, no matter how many years of pain they'd endured. He painfully realized he could make an educated guess. After all, he was now in his own situation, so badly missing his best friend…

As unwanted as the first time it came, the image of Memory trapped in the jaws came to his mind, and Illusion's smile fell.

Elemental seemed to droop. Time helped set him down, but Elemental tensed and raised his shoulders. He propped his arms against the bed and refused to lie down. All vulnerability in his face vanished. "We're not alone." Slowly, he turned to face Illusion.

Illusion gulped and stood up straighter, as if he were a soldier being called.

"Who is that?" Elemental whispered to Time. "Why are they here?"

"He's a friend," Time quickly assured as he got up. "In fact, you'll never be prepared for who you're about to meet."

Time rushed up to Illusion and brought him to Elemental. Illusion was nervous all over again but couldn't voice his protest. He couldn't believe it. He was going to meet Elemental, who was conscious this time! He hadn't thought of what to say or ask! His heart drummed rapidly and he nearly stumbled again, but he tried to hide his anxiety with a smile.

Elemental propped himself up, leaning against the headboard for support. He brought a hand to his chin, trying not to show the tremendous effort it took to lift his arm. He narrowed his eyes as he observed Illusion. Ah, another Steve who studied people, probably to anticipate and counter their next moves. Illusion honestly related to that. As a former villain, he didn't know if he should find camaraderie or concern in that.

"Elemental," Time began. "This is someone I want you to meet."

"Actually, we did meet before," Illusion corrected, before silently scolding himself. He just couldn't help being a smartass, and now this moment was ingrained in Elemental's mind forever.

"Have we?" Elemental narrowed his eyes even more and was silent for a long time. A moment later, he blinked in recognition. "It's you!" He stirred, wincing as he moved to the edge of the bed, causing the machine to sound an alarm.

Time leapt in front of Elemental, arms out and ready to catch his brother if necessary. "Elemental, be careful!"

Elemental tried to stand before giving up. He gave a sharp, annoyed exhale before leaning against Time for support. Looking back at Illusion, he said, "You were the one I saved from that horrid place. Are you ok now?"

Illusion looked confused, feeling even more off-guard. "I-um, yeah, of course I'm ok."

"But you look different from before. What happened to your colors?"

He's talking about Reality Steve. "It's a long story, but this is what I look like most of the time. Nothing bad happened to me."

Elemental seemed relief. "Well, I'm glad you are safe. I'm sorry for not asking this sooner, but what may I call you?"

"...Illusion Steve," he said after much delay, which he now realized was pointless hesitation.

"Illusion Steve…it is wonderful to meet you. But now I wonder why our paths have crossed again, and how you've come to know my brother. I first discovered you in that horrid place because you were the first change I've seen in a very long time, but I also felt…how do I say this…compelled to rescue you. It's hard to explain, but there might have been a connection of some sort, but there are only a few reasons for such connection…" Elemental's wandering expression then morphed into confusion. Then shock. "Wait, Illusion, do you know me as well?"

Illusion's mind was processing everything. With every sentence, what he had thought and assumed of Elemental was rapidly changing. He didn't expect conversing with Elemental to be this…easy. This technically made Elemental another Steve who didn't meet the expectations Time put in his head. But in this case, it felt freeing to deconstruct the mythos Illusion had about Elemental. It felt freeing to see him as a person who just wanted to live, who had shown kindness to him, and who conversed with him for the sake of conversation. And now it was his turn to let Elemental learn about him. "Yes, you connected the dots correctly. We're related. I'm your younger brother."

"Then that means…" He turned to Time, eyes wide. "Our creator is alive?"

Time hesitated before nodding. "Yes, he's alive, and he's here."

Slowly Elemental began shaking. Before Illusion could assess if something was wrong with his body, the older Steve brought his hand up and the air in the room shifted. Elemental looked serious as he harnessed his power, before he bent over in sudden pain.

Time was immediately all over him. "What are you doing?!"

"I-I want to see him."

Illusion sprung into analysis mode, playing all possible scenarios in his head. If Elemental met Galaxy right now…in his current condition…in this current predicament…

Something in his stomach churned and his breathing shortened. God, how was he going to navigate this? There were both physical and emotional risks if Elemental ran out to meet Galaxy right now, with the biggest, most unpredictable variable being Galaxy himself.

"He's left everyone, including himself, unprepared to face the past."

"Where is he?" Elemental pleaded.

"No need to hurt yourself. He's right – " Time faced the portal, and looked confused and heartbroken to see no one there. "Well, he was here a moment ago…"

"Help me find him."

"NO!" Illusion shouted.

Time and Elemental were both taken aback, eyes wide and jaws dropped.

Illusion recoiled. "Sorry, it's just…" He couldn't say his true reasons. He couldn't say that meeting Galaxy would be disastrous, because no one wanted to hear that. He had a drive to protect Galaxy's emotions, but he was choosing to protect Elemental's as well. He saw him capable of feeling vulnerable and hurt, after all.

Time came in with a save. "He's concerned for your health, that's all. Our father must have left for a reason, but I'm sure he'll visit in the future. For now, focus on resting."

Elemental frowned. When Time tried to say more, he coldly shifted away and reclined back in bed.

Time looked guilty. "I know you want to see your creator, and I really, truly hear that this time. I'm asking you to rest not because I'm forgetting that, but because you need to. I promise you'll meet him soon."

Elemental didn't look at Time, but he was putting a lot of effort to keep his face neutral. "...fine…a little more waiting will not kill me."

"It won't be waiting. You and I will have a lot of catching up to do, and you have Illusion too! Right, Illusion?"

Illusion gave a ludicrous amount of eager nods, hoping it would make up for his previous outburst.

"Rest, please," Time said in a softer voice. Elemental still had protest in his eyes, but his head drooped and he strained to stay awake. Eventually, he gave in and dozed off.

Without looking away from his sleeping brother, Time said, "I know you're protecting Galaxy and his feelings, but this family has to come together one day."

Illusion groaned. "I know, but just because it will happen doesn't mean we should do it carelessly."

"Is that why Galaxy left?"

"He said something about making his first reunion with Elemental right. From what you've told me, he and Memory were awful when they tried to talk, and I think he wants to avoid that with Elemental. If he's somewhere else planning how to make things right, then I'm not going to complain."

Time faced him and crossed his arms. "I'd feel awful if we keep Elemental waiting for too long."

Illusion couldn't help but laugh. "That'll be easier than we think. I think my existence alone is enough to occupy him for a while."

Time chuckled too. "True."

"I know you'll be catching Elemental up on everything but…" Illusion became serious again. "Don't mention Galaxy or the infection. And don't mention Memory at all."

"But those are pretty big – "

"Give him time to process things! One minute ago, he learned he was on the last season of his daddy issues. We can't drop another bombshell on him. Galaxy alone is a shaky subject, but Memory will be an even harder topic to handle. It hurts me to say this, but we're not ready to talk about Memory."

Time still looked conflicted, so Illusion dropped his serious front and was basically begging now. "Please, I don't want this family to implode."

Time sighed. "We'll talk more about this later. But for now, I won't tell him anything."

Illusion exhaled in relief. "Thank you…"

Time returned his focus to Elemental. Illusion's relief was short-lived, and he began to pace. How was he going to fix this family? All he'd ever done was hide the truths and troubles away, but now he had to make everyone face each other and somehow solve all their problems. And he was already getting annoyed thinking of the hundred different ways his family could mess things up.

How was he going to get this family together, when he himself only had cynical memories of this family?

Word count: 4967

Thank you so much for reading! RRFF will be going on hiatus again. I have a few chapters that need some rewrites, some that need editing. And there are some chapters I haven't gotten started with. So I thank you all in advance for your patience. Feel free to follow my tumblr (illusion-reality-steve) for more frequent updates on the writing process. I really want to update again soon, so I'll do my best to write as much as I can!

I will complete the Chapters 1-50 recap soon! I will be attaching it to the bottom of Chapter 50 on August 23.

Thank you so much again! Take care!