Ranboo watched as Jinora's spirit disappeared. Techno had tried to talk him out of it, but there was nothing he could say. Tommy needed help and he knew how to help him. Ranboo looked around, getting reacquainted with his surroundings. The grass at his feet was brown and seemed to be spreading from the Spirit Portal, which had turned black and red much like the other side of it. Whatever was happening had started to seep into the Spirit World. He started away from the portal, following the decay of the grass deeper into the plains. The red mist had grown thicker from the last time they had visited the world. He kept the Republic City portal behind him, using it as a guide. Ranboo was heading towards the water tribe portals, hoping to perhaps find him by the Tree of Time where the spiritual energy would be the strongest. And maybe they would run into Toph and Iroh again.

The walk felt like hours, Ranboo lost track of time as he trekked through the endless forests of the Spirit World having no idea where he was. Spirits were scarce and seemed to be hiding from him. They came upon the Tree of Time to see like he expected, Tommy. His spirit was white with the blue markings of Ravaa on his chest and seemed to be held in place by red vines, black crystals circling the air around him. Ranboo approached slowly, but Tommy made no movement to show that he had seen them.

"Tommy," He called, still no response, "Tommy we have to get you out of here." As he stepped forward the vines gipping onto the spirit lashed out at him. He gasped as they pulled him down and he suddenly found himself inside a manor he had only seen once. He looked around to find a younger Tommy standing in front of Clay. Tommy wore a green t-shirt with long red sleeves and dark green pants.

"I'm sorry, it won't happen again," Tommy was saying. "I just wanted to watch."

"I expect it never to happen again," Clay said, "seeing as I can no longer trust you to stay home alone, I'm asking a friend to watch you every day. Now go, it's been a long day for me."

"I'm sorry," Tommy sighed, shaking. As he went down the hall Ranboo followed, maybe he could pull Tommy out of this memory. "I don't deserve his kindness, I always mess up. He just cares about me. He just wants to protect me. He wants to watch...me."

"Tommy, this isn't real, this already happened, it's in the past." Ranboo tried to grab the younger boy's shoulders but the memory dissolved as he did. "Tommy?"

He was brought to Airbender Island, watching as Tommy and Asami walked up to the training area where airbenders were sparring.

"I shouldn't be here, I shouldn't be here, I shouldn't be here," Tommy kept repeating, he looked the same age he was now. His hands shook and he gripped onto the hem of his shirt.

"You're safe here," Asami said, "I promise I won't let anything happen to you. And here's who I wanted you to meet now."

"Asami," It was Tubbo, Ranboo smiled at him. He looked so happy. "You're here. Is this Tommy?"

"Yes, I was hoping you could find something fun for you boys to do," Asami gave Tommy a warm smile. "Tommy could use a friend."

"Yes, of course, I know a few things we can do," Tubbo said, "I'm Tubbo. Do you like animals?"

"Um, yeah," Tommy said.

"Great, we have a load of bison here," Tubbo said, "I'll show you them."

"Go," Asami said gently, when Tommy looked at her. "Have fun."

Tommy smiled and the memory dissolved as he ran after Tubbo.

The next memory was more familiar to Ranboo. He was back in the spirit wilds, crimson vines surrounding him. They saw as Tommy ran by, he pulled water from one of the vines and sent it at two people he didn't know. One wore a black hoodie with white accents and black jeans, the other wore earthbending garb as he sent rocks at Tommy. Tommy used water to break apart the rocks then pulled vines down to block the others from getting to him. He continued running then froze. Ranboo looked where he had gone, his own eyes widening. It was Tubbo. The airbender's normal green t-shirt and blue pants had faded in color. Red veins criss crossed his body and seeped into his face.

"Tubbo," Tommy whispered, he looked like he had seen a ghost. "How- what happened to you?"

"You left, so I tried to clean up your mess," Tubbo said, "And look where that got me."

"I didn't do this, you know that," Tommy protested, moving out of the way as Tubbo sent a blast of air at him. "I don't want to hurt you."

"Too bad, cause I don't feel the same towards you," Tubbo said, sending two consecutive blasts. Tommy slipped to the side, then leaped high in the air to dodge them. "You've been training, haven't you?"

"Why do you think I left," Tommy said, breathless.

"Because you didn't care, you never did, did you," Both Ranboo and Tommy turned around to see Clay. Unlike Tubbo he looked normal, nothing about him had changed.

"No, tha-that's not true I do care," Tommy seemed to sink under Clay's gaze. "I promise I do."

"Then why did you leave me," The words seemed to hit Tommy hard. Ranboo couldn't imagine all that Tommy had been through. It was no wonder he was so hostile to everyone. He was hurting and didn't know how to get help.

"Be-because you never cared," Tommy curled his fists, looking at Clay. "Isn't that right? You just wanted me to have control over someone. To replace your sister! I will never be good enough for you!"

"Stop this insanity, Tommy," Clay's voice remained soft, almost welcoming. Ranboo shivered, he wanted to help Tommy, but this had already happened. There was nothing he could do for him now. Only let the memory play out until he could finally make a connection with him. "I'm not the bad guy here."

"Yes, you are," Tommy pulled water from the vines, his hands moving to form it into a circle around him. "And I won't let you hurt me anymore."

"Are you sure about that," Clay said, a blast of air from Tubbo knocked Tommy to the ground. Vines gripped onto his arms, thorns digging into his skin, tearing his clothes. Ranboo looked away as Clay punched him, again, and again, and again. Tommy tried to pull away from the vines gritting his teeth as the thorns dug deeper. "Just give up now."

"Never," He spat, gasping as Clay kicked his side. "You'll have to kill me."

"You'll only wish you were dead," Clay said, kicking his head and knocking Tommy unconscious.

"Tommy!" Ranboo heard his own voice, he thought that with Tommy unconscious he wouldn't have known what happened after. Clay and Tubbo were gone by the time he had come running. "Stay with me Tommy. I'll get you out of here."

"I'm right here Ranboo," Tommy's spirit stood in front of his own body. "Don't worry about me! You need to save Tubbo!" Tommy screamed as a red and black stag spirit leaped onto him, forcing his spirit down into the vines until the memory once again dissolved.

He was now in a small room, a young Tommy sat on the floor clutching something in his hand with shards of black on the ground around him. "I didn't know. I'm sorry." He wasn't talking to anyone. Ranboo sat down beside him. How long was it going to be before he made a connection with Tommy's spirit?

"You don't have to be perfect," Ranboo said, "I can see now that you've been through a lot. I can't believe there was a time I got jealous of your life. You lived in Republic City, you're best friends with Tubbo, you have people willing to do anything for you."

"Do I though," Tommy said, Ranboo hadn't realized that this was his spirit. "They only care because I'm the Avatar. I'll never be more than that."

"And who told you that," Ranboo asked, thinking he already knew the answer.

"Me, you guys don't need to say anything for me to know," Tommy said.

"That's not true," Ranboo assured. "I know you don't see it, but Phil and Techno care about you. You should have seen how panicked Tubbo got when he didn't know where you had gone. People care about you and still would if you weren't the Avatar. That is just the reality of your situation."

"So how did you end up in my mind," Tommy asked.

"I don't exactly know, I came to the Spirit World to find you and the vines grabbed me," Ranboo said, "Next thing I knew I was in your memories. I think you can bring us out of here. Right?"

"What if I don't," Tommy said. "I might be able to find some missing memories."

Ranboo chuckled, "There's an easier way to do that, I don't think letting the vines trap you in your memories would be a good idea."

"Ugh, why do you have to be right." Tommy groaned. "How do I do that?"

"It might be the same as leaving the Spirit World, just think of something that connects you back to the real world," Ranboo said. "Focus on me and I might be able to guide you out." Ranboo closed his eyes, adjusting himself to sit cross legged. He thought about Iroh and Toph hoping that would pull both of them out of Tommy's memories but let them stay in the Spirit World. As he did he felt his mind hit a barrier. Whatever spirit was infecting the vines was trying to keep them trapped. He took a breath and pushed through, Tubbo appearing in his mind. He had to get out, he had to save his friend. Ranboo came to save Tommy and that's what he was going to do. They opened his eyes and Ranboo tore off the vines and moved to pull Tommy free. He fell back as he pulled Tommy from the vines. The red crystals shattered and fell to the ground. Tommy sat up and looked around.

"This is the Spirit World," Tommy asked. "It's weird."

"Yeah, it takes a bit of getting used to," Ranboo helped him up and turned towards the Tree of Time. "That's the key to your memories. I can't believe I never thought of it for my memories."

"Sometimes it takes someone else to realize how to help yourself," Tommy said.

"You're going to have to do this by yourself," Ranboo said. "Are you sure?"

Tommy hesitated, he knew that something was wrong in Republic City. Maybe it would be better to put off finding out his history until his friends were safe. He turned to Ranboo, "Another day, we need to save Tubbo."

Another day, another time. Hope you guys enjoyed this. Updates are going to slow down again as my life outside of social media gets busy again these next few weeks. I'll keep writing and get out chapters when I can though. Also welcome new readers, I see you guys and appreciate you, it honestly helps my motivation. Though this is probably a story I would keep writing even if it wasn't getting as much attention as it is now.

Thank you all for reading don't forget to vote and comment if you liked this. Peace out benders and Minecrafters from around the world.