=Sabre's POV=

I set Rainbow Steve down, standing in front of him. I spread my arms defensively in an attempt to protect my small friend from the evil Steve floating up in front of us.

Nightmare Steve let out a dark chuckle, summoning a fireball into his hand. He tossed it up and down, smirking down at us. I let out a growl.

"There's nowhere to run now~!" Nightmare Steve let out an insane cackle, readying the fireball. I blocked Rainbow Steve from his veiw.

He reared back and threw the fireball directly at us. I closed my eyes, ready to take the hit. "No!!" I heard Rainbow Steve cry, feeling him grab onto me desperately.

The hit never came.

I opened my eyes, seeing Nightmare Steve and his fireball frozen in place. Rainbow Steve's grip tightened, pulling me out of harms way. I looked around confused.

"My children! How did you get into this mess!" A voice scolded. We turned to see Elemental Steve, holding a glowing hand out to Nightmare Steve. 

"Elemental Steve!!" We both shouted. Rainbow Steve ran and hugged him, but I stayed where I was. Elemental Steve gave a small hug to my friend in a kind return, then snapped his fingers, making the fireball disappear.

My mind filled with racing thoughts yet again, but this time I kept my mouth clamped shut. "Are you alright, Sabre? You look constipated." Elemental Steve stated.

"Wha- I-" I stammered, snapping back to reality. I walked over. "No, sorry, just thinking. Nightmare Steve is such a burden on us." I responded.

"You have an odd thinking face."

"I know."

Rainbow Steve walked over and clung on to me. "Can't you get rid of him?" He whined, "He's been hurting my friends for too long!" Now even though I new he was talking about another time, I had to agree, nodding my head.

"I'm sorry, Rainbow Steve, but I need him for... experiments..." He replied. I didn't like how he said that..

"Well keep him away from us then!" Rainbow Steve argued. "Did I not just save your life?" Elemental Steve scowled. "Barely!!"

I drifted away from the disagreement, focusing on Nightmare Steve. I studied his new outfit and haircut. He looked different from the Nightmare Steve in my bad dream, so maybe it wasn't a vision like the destruction of the Rainbow Town was...

I stared at Nightmare Steve. How did he get a new look? He was under Elemental Steve's watch, right? Did Elemental Steve give him new clothes? Are they working together after all!?

"No, Sabre, we are not working together. What ever gave you that wretched idea!?" Elemental Steve scolded behind me. Great. I thought out loud again...

"Oh, no, I'm sorry.. It's the new clothes, they threw me off.." I apologized. Elemental Steve nodded. "I understand. Nightmare Steve is under my watch, yes, but he looked like an absolute mess and it disgusted me. Do you think I would want to look at something that disgusts me?" He explained. I could've sworn I saw the bee-themed Steve scowl at him.

"I guess not. Sorry." I scratched the back of my neck. "Remember that I helped you out, alright? I'm simply keeping Nightmare Steve away from my arch enemy." Elemental Steve continued.

Rainbow Steve clung onto me again. I looked down at him. "You alright buddy?" I asked, rubbing his shoulder. He nodded hesitantly.

"Hey, what's wrong, bud? You can tell me.." I told him, taking his hands in mine.

"I-I'm sorry, just... This is how I lost you last time.. taking a hit from Nightmare Steve that was supposed to go to me..." He whimpered. I placed my hands on his cheeks. "Hey, look, I'm still here.." I reassured him, making him look up at me.

We heard lightning, turning in the direction it came from. Both Nightmare Steve and Elemental Steve were gone. "Hm, Elemental Steve must've taken the bumble bee.." Rainbow Steve mumbled. "The what?" I turned back to him.

"The bumble bee. Nightmare Steve looks like a bumble bee." He said a bit louder. I shrugged. "Can't argue with that logic."

And with that, we began to head back.

(Elmare angst in the next chapter-)