"The Memory Dimension is gone."

At that moment, the entire world halted.

"N-no!" Illusion barely kept his voice stable. "You just didn't look hard enough!"

"But it's true. I opened the entrance, but not for long. I only saw a glimpse until – "

"A glimpse? Then it isn't gone!"

"Let me finish. I only saw a glimpse of the ruin. No lava. No stars. The land was damaged bedrock as far as the eye could see, if it wasn't shrouded in darkness. Something horrible happened to the dimension." Time dropped his head, looking even more exhausted. "I tried to reverse the wreckage, but it didn't work."

"There's no way it's destroyed! You haven't seen the Memory Dimension's power and what it can endure."

Time shook his head. "I know what I saw, and you wouldn't deny it either. You're free to see for yourself."

"I'll only do it if you admit you could be wrong!" Illusion knew he was being foolish, but at least the nonsense helped him stall. He was afraid of what would happen if Time was speaking the truth, especially if the pain in his voice was an example of what he could experience.

"Illusion, we're wasting time by arguing. The Memory Dimension is gone, and I tried to save it and I just…" Time sat down in defeat, burying his face in his palms. "I couldn't do it."

Illusion sunk to the ground too. Place and distance meant nothing to him as a heavy feeling of dread began settling in. He still wanted to give a hundred reasons why Time was wrong, but none of them could undermine the truth.

"Oh my God." Illusion covered his head with his hands and began to panic. "It's really gone! And Memory's still missing!" He looked at Time desperately. "What are we going to tell Sabre?! I've been keeping him in the dark because I thought you would bring Memory back, but that's not going to happen!"

Time looked equally as nervous, but looked focused instead of panicked. "Well…there is – "

Sabre barged into the room, covered in redstone dust and sweat. "THERE YOU ARE!"

"Sabre!" Illusion jumped into a defensive position. He hated how startled he sounded. "How did you get in here?"

Sabre marched up to the Steves. "Do I even have to explain myself?! You all just left me in the Illusion Town, without even giving me back my account. Galaxy and Alex came by and finally returned my account, but before I could say anything more, Alex just took Galaxy and left me hanging! What the heck?!"

"That doesn't answer why you're here."

"I built a machine that sent me into the Time Dimension."

Time leapt up. "A machine let you into my dimension?!"

"Yeah, it's probably my most complicated machine yet. The machine harnessed Illusion's energy from the Illusion Tree, manifested a portal, and now I'm here."

"What?!" Time cried, while Illusion simultaneously exclaimed, "My powers can jump into the Time Dimension?!"

"My working theory is that the closer the family becomes, the more integrated your powers become too," Sabre said. "In other words, another reason you all should get family counseling."

Time looked so stunned that Illusion felt compelled to help him. "Time, I think breaking and entering is a normal thing Sabre does."

"I know Sabre has raided many lairs during his adventures. I just feel betrayed that he would use his…what do you call his condition again?"

"Protagonist syndrome."

"I feel betrayed that he would use his protagonist syndrome to infiltrate my home."

"Can we please ignore my tendency to trespass Steves' properties for one minute?!"

"Sabre, listen, umm, we can talk about this" Illusion fumbled with his words. He had bet everything on the hope that Sabre wouldn't find him until Memory returned. But now that he was here, he didn't know what to say. "How about we go to a different room?" He gestured to Elemental's bed behind him. "That way, we can let Elemental rest and – "

"I'm back!" Galaxy entered the room with a cheerful expression. "Hey again, Sabre!"

Illusion grumbled quietly. " – and talk without Galaxy here…"

"No, I'm tired of waiting," Sabre said. "I know you've been avoiding me on purpose, and you somehow got Alex in on it too. But you're not getting away with this anymore. Where's Memory?"

Illusion gulped. Despite the discomfort, he wished he could stay in this moment and all its awkwardness for eternity. It would be way better than hearing the inevitable outbursts.

He glanced at Time for support, but his older brother stepped back, looking uneasy. Guess he no longer had it in him for the deception.

A nag in Illusion's mind brought his attention to Galaxy, who was giving Sabre a worried expression. Even if Illusion squirmed his way out of this, Sabre would come back with even less patience. And now that Galaxy was aware, he'd want his friends to get answers as soon as possible.

Illusion sighed and braced himself. "He's missing. Time and I don't know where he is."

Sabre flinched. "You're telling me that Memory Steve – the only person who can restore my world's memories – is missing?"

"...Yup, that's right."

"Alright!" Sabre smiled, whirled around, and headed towards the portal. "I'll be back in a second! Don't worry about me!"

He left the room. A few seconds later, there was a thunderous "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" that burst from the portal and echoed in the room. Illusion recoiled as if he had been slapped.

"Oh no! This is bad!" Galaxy bounced nervously and began to pace. "Sabre's in trouble without Memory Steve!"

Illusion grimaced at Galaxy's stinging panic. Great, now everything was falling apart!

Time ran to Elemental and hovered over him protectively. "Get Sabre to calm down!"

Illusion bolted past Galaxy and headed to the hallway, where he saw Sabre pacing around. "I can't deal with this!" Sabre ranted, shifting between panicked and furious. "How am I going to get out of this mess?!"

"Sabre!" Illusion shouted, but he didn't know what else to say. How could he make Sabre feel better when the only person he wanted to see was missing? Maybe he could tell him that healing Elemental was more important than finding Memory right now? He recoiled at that idea, hating that he thought of his cousin that way. Plus, if Gaaaaalaxy (ugh) heard that, he might feel guilty that he was more worried about Sabre than his son for two seconds, and that would be another headache for Illusion. "Sabre, calm down! We can – "

"Sabre!" Galaxy leapt out of the portal and looked at the player. "Sabre, I'm so sorry!"

Illusion balked at Galaxy. "What are you doing?!"

"Not now!" Sabre snapped, delivering a new wave of shame to both Steves. Realizing what he did, he softened his expression. "You have nothing to apologize for. You did great saving Elemental."

"It's not about that! I said the wrong things to Memory earlier. I think he ran away because of me!"

"No!" Illusion stomped forward and pointed at Galaxy. "Stop panicking and stop taking the blame for everything!"

Galaxy shut his mouth in disbelief. His new confusion was a good, temporary relief for Illusion.

"You did your part, and things take time to solve," Illusion said. "So just stay there, stop feeling like everything you're involved in needs to be fixed, and be patient."

Sabre groaned. "Illusion, you can't make Galaxy feel better by forcing him to feel different. That's not what I want."

"This is different!" Illusion insisted. "In the past, yes, I would have shielded him with an illusion, especially when he thought he did something wrong. But this time, I know Galaxy shouldn't blame himself, because he didn't do anything wrong."

Sabre stepped back, unconvinced but listening.

"I…sabotaged Memory," Illusion confessed, feeling a mix of his own guilt and Galaxy's. "We had a backup machine to preserve Memory's own memories of me. But I destroyed it, and that's why Memory isn't here."

"So there was a machine to benefit you and Memory, and you still destroyed it?"

Illusion grimaced but nodded. Wow, his mistakes sounded even worse when Sabre verbalized them.

Sabre laughed in exasperation. "Wow, thanks a lot, Illusion! Always doing the right thing!"

"I'm sorry, ok! I know I made things worse, but give me time to think things through and make it right!

"Think things through?!" Sabre repeated. "You didn't give me a chance to think things through before you put an illusion over the world!"

Illusion fumed to match Sabre's endless rage. All progress they made to understand each other had vanished, all unraveled by a few mistakes. Where would they be if Memory didn't go through with his sinister plans in the first place? If Illusion had handled everything better? "And I'm sorry for that too! I can't undo this mess, but at least I can find Memory if you give me more time for that!"

"I don't know how much longer I can wait." Sabre was distressed instead of angry now. "If Memory isn't here to fix it, I don't know what else will…" He glared at Illusion. "You should have stopped him. You let Memory do whatever he wanted. Things are bad because of him!"

"Don't say that," Illusion challenged, his righteous anger renewed. "He made bad choices, but he wasn't evil. He was scared." He would defend Memory even if it meant arguing forever, but he also saw the truth in Sabre's words. He didn't want to believe Memory had the vileness in his heart to hurt Sabre. But it did happen, and it was partially because of Illusion's own actions. He caused this when he revealed the truth of this world to Memory.

"Sabre, please!" Galaxy shoved himself back into the conversation. "Don't be mad at Memory or Illusion! Be mad at me!"

What is wrong with you?! Why are you making yourself feel bad on purpose?! Wait. Illusion stepped back and focused on his own feelings. He didn't feel worse about Galaxy's interference, which meant his father wasn't feeling horrible.

Did Galaxy want to take the blame?

Sabre rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Whose fault it is doesn't matter, and I'm sorry I got caught up with that. I just want you – any of you – to fix this!" He was about to say more, but he flinched and looked around in alarm. He was probably hearing something from his world, from his desk. "Look, I have to go. Just find Memory as soon as you can!" He opened the menu, pressed the Disconnect button, and disappeared.

"Double standards," Illusion muttered. He knew why Sabre was more forgiving to Galaxy, but it still annoyed him.

Galaxy looked down and kicked the floor, and there was the pang of guilt.

Time popped his head out of the portal. "Is he gone?"

"He disconnected," Illusion said. "When he comes back, he'll appear in the hallway."

Time fully exited. "I'll brace myself for that then. Galaxy, why don't you look after Elemental?"

Galaxy gladly hurried back to Elemental's room, leaving Illusion and Time alone. With Galaxy focused on something else, Illusion leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor with a long sigh.

Time knelt down. "What happened with Sabre?"

"Nothing productive. So the usual. And it's gonna stay that way until we find Memory."

Instead of responding, Time was focused on the ground with an unreadable expression.

"At least I know someone else is stressed out of his mind," Illusion joked half-heartedly. "What's wrong?"

Time swallowed, as if considering the words he wanted to say. Finally, he said, "Did you know we had a grandfather?"

Illusion startled. He'd been trying to worry about the present and future, but so many vivid images of the past flashed before him. "Why are you bringing this up?"

Time opened his coat and withdrew a cyan flower.

"The flower!" Illusion snatched it. He inspected it, then a second later looked at Time, who was peeved and had his hands to his hips. "...Can I borrow the flower?" He asked sheepishly, to which Time nodded.

The flower was exactly how he remembered. A galaxy spun inside, red stars waltzing through. He remembered Memory saying this flower sometimes manifested Origin Galaxy's memories. He didn't know what signs to look for, but he suspected this flower would stay inactive for a while.

"This belonged to our grandfather, right?" Time asked. "Was Origin Galaxy his name?"

"Yeah, him. And yes, the same Origin Galaxy who was part of the Colors."

Time looked a bit dizzy. "Wow. We swear to the Colors, and I never knew our grandfather was one of them."

"Do you need a moment, or could you tell me where you found this?"

Time regained his composure. "After the portal debacle, I tried to trace Memory's energy in the Overworld, and it led me to that flower. It was a couple blocks away from the portal. If this belonged to our grandfather, I guess it makes sense that I found it."

"You say the dimension was destroyed, but this flower survived." Illusion perked up. "If this flower survived, then maybe Memory got out safely too!"

Time softly smiled. "I have high hopes you're right."

Illusion hoped he wouldn't regret this optimism. "Maybe this flower is the key to finding Memory. Time, we can – "

"Hello? Anyone?!"

Illusion shoved the flower into his inventory. "Who's barging into the Time Dimension this time?"

Alex appeared, running towards the brothers. She was carrying some redstone before she put the material away and washed her hands with a rag. "It's happening again."

"What is?" Time asked.

"The infection. At the haven, Steves are mumbling and developing fevers. I know those symptoms from anywhere."

"What?! The illusion should have kept the infection at bay! Unless…" Illusion paled in horror. "I…I think I gave too much energy to Elemental, and it took some power away from the illusion." He groaned and marched away. "How did I screw up like that?!"

Time was on his heels. "Where are you going?"

"To fix the illusion!"

Time blocked his way. "We don't know how contagious it is. We should only go to the Overworld when we absolutely know how to respond."

"Plus, you used a lot of your powers," Alex added. "I don't want anyone to strain themselves, and that includes you."

"Then what am I supposed to do?!"

Time sighed. "I don't want the illusion to be the final solution, but it's the best we got for now. I want to do better at helping you, but this only works when you recognize that as well. Let's formulate a plan together."

"…yeah, you're right." Illusion gave them both a grateful look. "Thank you."

"You made the illusion using both my power and your power," Alex began. "Does that mean I can also restore the illusion?"

"In theory and in practice, yes. The functionality of the illusion is still there. It just needs more power."

"How do I give power to the illusion?"

Illusion quickly formed an illusion block. "I stole your power, so it's only fair that I lend you mine. This power will give you the know-how of finding the illusion and boosting it. Just follow what your new instincts tell you, and the infection will be rendered harmless again."

Alex then looked nervous. "I'd still have to go to the Overworld while the illusion is weakening. There's no way I'm going back there with the infection ready to take over."

"Then we need to keep you protected until the illusion is reinforced. Time, are you able to slow the infection without slowing Alex and yourself?"

"That involves freezing the environment at a microscopic level…it's not impossible though. With a few warm ups, I can do that."

Illusion recited a list. "So we have Alex to give the illusion more strength and Time to protect her from the infection while…wait a minute, why can't you freeze the entire infection? That'll protect everyone."

"Aside from the cure, that would be the best solution, but that takes too much power. Maybe…when Alex and I go out there, we can find samples of the infection and bring it back to study. And with those samples, we can either find a cure or something to make the mass freeze possible!"

"Ok, we'll go with what we have then. It's a good plan, right?"

"I think it'll work," Alex said optimistically.

"Don't rush it," Illusion warned. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I am counting on you. I'll stay in the Time Dimension to keep watch over Galaxy and Elemental."

"Oh, will you be telling Galaxy about the situation?" Time asked.

Illusion hesitated before answering. "If the illusion gets restored, then I don't want him to worry about it. If this bothers you, then you can tell him yourselves when you get back. In a way that doesn't scare him, mind you."

"Fine. We'll discuss later." Time led Alex through the hallway. Illusion watched them until they turned a corner. Faint thunder announced their departure.

Illusion brought up Origin Galaxy's flower, the galaxy pooled within still glowing. "What secrets are you hid – "

A flash of thunder. Illusion jumped and quickly stuffed the flower away.

Alex quickly returned. "So the pink layer in the sky is the illusion, right?"

"Yes, that's it."

"Is the sky always pink in your perspective?"

"No. I put a small illusion on myself, so I see the sky as it is. Sunrises are dull when the sky is constantly pink."

Alex quickly recollected herself before adding, "I did see some open spots in the layer. What do I do about those?"

"Give power to the illusion, and it'll repair itself. And yes, it'll be pink too."

"Got it. Thanks." Alex teleported away.

Illusion recovered the flower, which was exactly how he last saw it. "What secrets are you hiding? Well, I'm going to find out."

He held the flower to his chest, and he would keep it there until he returned to the recovery room.

Word count: 3008