Purple almost wished he didn't feel the boat hit land.

He really, really didn't want to feel it.

He knew what it was.

In any other dimension, he'd feel safer if the outcome went in his favor.

But this time, it wasn't.

And it was actually scaring him.

Snap out of it, Purple.

The faster we get this over with, the less time you'll have before you can apologize.

Come on, flower.

You. Can. Do. This.

Violet stared up at the building in front of them. "Jesus Christ, how long have we been out here?" They asked, glancing at their counterpart

"I'm not sure...but I wish we were out here longer."

They sighed. "Your not the only one."

Purple glanced at the sand two feet away from him. "Okay. Here we go."

Just think of King.

King's waiting for you on the other side.

Just think of him.

You. Can. Do. This.

*BLAST!*

Purple instinctively pushed himself and Violet behind a wall, hearing the loud explosion.

"Jesus-"

"What the hell was that?! Orchid should be going after the crown by now!" Purple snapped.

"The what?"

"The...the small yellow thingy that King should have given you?" He at least gave it to me, and thank Becker he did. "That's part of a crown that I used to save the world."

Something in Violet's eyes flickered. "Oh yeah...that. She should be after it by now?"

"She beat us, at least. But in this world, everything went to shit, so it's either she has it, or changed her plans for whatever reason."

"What's more likely?"

Another crash sounded. Louder and closer. "Well, right now, she sounds like she's having a mental breakdown worthy of a six-year-old, so I'm thinking the latter."

Well, they had the last piece needed to complete the crown, and she probably knew that. Wouldn't surprise me if she had to change her plan.

"FIND THEM." Orchid's anger-filled voice filled the echoing corridor. Loud and close enough for both of them to flinch. "THEY HAVE WHAT I NEED, AND THEY'RE NOT GETTING AWAY WITH IT!"

Violet flinched. They knew she was talking about them.

Footsteps approached their small hiding spot, and Purple pushed them both up against the wall as close as he could to prevent getting caught.

God damn it. We're screwed.

Violet grabbed onto his arm, shaking with fear. Purple snapped the feelings of fear out of his head and waited for the footsteps to pass.

Familiar voices filled the empty space.

"Where are we supposed to check?"

"Not sure, but we need to check within at least a fifty mile radius. They couldn't have gone far."

King?

Once the footsteps were gone, Purple and Violet both breathed sighs of relief.

"Thank fucking Becker."

Violet released the grip they had on Purple's arm, staring back down the empty corridor. "Was that...Mango?"

"I think it was. Which...isn't a good thing. He's looking for us."

"But why?"

Purple could tell Violet was terrified of that aspect. Sure, King had gotten through to him when Purple was brainwashed, but now it was the other way around.

How the fuck were they supposed to get through to him?

"...I think I know how they got here and into the predicament they're in now, and maybe a way to get them out. But your gonna have to bear with me on this."

"We're gonna what?!"

"Vi, I know it's a crazy idea, but-"

"It's anything but crazy! How do you think we're going to get through to him?!"

"Well, if you would calm down and listen to me, you'd know."

Violet sighed, collapsing back onto the ground.

"Think. How does Mango get through to you when you need it."

"You were there when I needed someone the most. You became my family after I lost my own. It was you who stopped my rampage. You who brought me back into reality. You, Purple. All you. I need you to realize that. You have to fight against Navy's control. He isn't true family. I'm your true family. I'm the one you see as a father, not him. I'm there when you need someone, not him. You said I was the best thing that ever happened to you. I'm always there to comfort you when you need it! So, please, Purple, fight it! I'm here. I'm right here! I love you, kid. I always have, and always will. Please!"

"Purple, please. You fought through this before, you can fight through it again. I'm here. I'm right here! I made a promise to you, remember? I promised I'd always be there for you. I promised I'd always be with you. I'm not breaking that promise, am I!? I'm here for you, and I'm here with you. I'd never break a promise I made to you, okay?! Please Purple, listen to me! I know your in there. I need you to fight. For yourself, your friends, and for me. I love you, Purple. Always have, and always will."

"Of course. Listen, Purple, no matter what your dad says, always remember nothing he's done is your fault. Only his. Your dad can say anything he wants, but when he says I don't love you, he's wrong. I love you so much, Purple. Always have, and no matter what, I always will."

"What Navy's done to you has shaped you into who I know and love. Hell, if it weren't for you, I would've destroyed all of Minecraft. You've been through so much thanks to him, but it's shaped you into the person I grew to love. You're not Navy's kid, or guard, or an enemy of ours. You're my kid, my best friend, my everything. I can't risk losing you again, not when you're the only one I have left..."

"Please, Purple. Fight it! You've fought Navy's control before, and we all know you can do it again. Fight it!"

"Purple, he's wrong. You're not stupid, or worthless. And you are good enough. Any one of your friends can tell you, but I know you'll listen to me the most. You are good enough, even if your dad doesn't acknowledge it. You're a good friend to everyone, and you're an amazing kid, Purple. I wouldn't have let you come with me if I thought you were a failure. Because you aren't. You are amazing in so many ways. And...I am so, so proud of you and how far you've come, even with everything you've gone through."

"Purple…I know you're in there somewhere. Please, fight through this. You've fought through Navy so much throughout every single ordeal he's put you through, and I know this time won't be any different! Please, honey, I know you can do this. I believe in you, Purple. Nothing is going to change that."

"Come on, Purple. I know you're in there. Please."

"Purple, it's me! Please listen! I know you're probably too far gone to hear this but...I need you to listen. I'm right here. And...I love you. I'm really sorry I didn't tell you that sooner, but it doesn't matter. It doesn't change the fact that it's true. I love you, and I am so proud of you."

"Your my entire world, Purple. And your all over got left, and all I have left is so important to me, that I can't lose it. I can't lose you, Purple. I'm sorry...for ever making you think that you weren't important to me, but you are! You mean more to me than world domination ever did! Please...I can't lose you again..."

"...You think we can do that?"

"If he can do it, so can we."

"...Okay, so how do we get them cornered to try it?"

"Well...they're after us. So that's one obstacle."

"Unless we leave enough clues that'll lead them straight to us!"

"...How?"

"You'd be surprised at how well I've been able to cover up clues in the time I've been stuck at sea."

Purple stared at Violet for another moment, already making mental notes at how much more street smarts they'd gotten their hands on. "Well. Let's do it-"

"Look out!"

Something-or someone- fell from the ceiling above them and crashed into Purple. Hard.

"Ow! Jesus Christ, how many times are people gonna crash into me?!"

The figure on top of him froze, and Purple stared back at him.

Dark?

"Dark, I warned you not to-" The other hollowhead jumped down, glancing at Violet. "Vi!"

"Hi, Second."

"Holy shit, we thought you were a goner!"

Dark jumped off of Purple, joining Second and Violet.

"Easy, you two. I'm fine...somehow."

"Where have you been?!"

"Out in the middle of the ocean. In here with a counterpart from another dimension? Figuring out how the hell we're going to bring our friends back?"

Second and Dark stared at Purple for a moment before turning their attention back to Violet.

"What do you mean by "bringing our friends back", Vi? They're dead."

"No, they aren't. They're very much alive, and they were brainwashed."

The two stared at each other.

"They were WHAT-"

"Shush! Do you WANT us to get captured?!"

"...Sorry."

Purple glanced out into the hallway, a small energy ball resting in his hand. "Get ready, guys. We've got company."

Something crashed above them, and a quick investigation turned up the entire fucking roof had collapsed.

"Oh...oh shit."

Purple backed back into the library, not releasing the energy ball, but moving his gaze to the sky above them.

The sky with an all-to familiar occupant.

"Hello there, Violet."