"Urgh, my head..."

"Ryder?"

His eyes shot open, and Ryder found himself staring at a groaning Steven, noticing a red sky around him in the process.

What? What had happened?

Wait, hold on, he had been battling Steven-

Memories of what had happened flooded him, and he stumbled back out of fear. No no no he had done it now. Who would forgive him after he went rogue and took the pups with him? No one, he knew that for sure. Especially not Steven. Not after what he had said when he KNEW how painful his past had been-

A hand grasped his own, snapping him out of his ruminating as Steven gave him a warm smile.

Huh? Steven didn't hate him? But why?

"We need to get out of here," Steven said. "Though really it depends on the where. Do you know?"

He shook his head while looking around, saying, "I don't know where this is, actually."

"Huh," Steven frowned slightly. "I guess we can only explore to find out more."

"I guess?..." Ryder hesitantly agreed. How could he be so calm in all this?

Well, then again, he had been through a lot, so he would probably be more used to this kind of situation; a new environment and such out of nowhere wouldn't faze him at all.

Still, it made him wonder. Why did Steven allow this to happen? Why wasn't he bitter over all the things that had happened?

Ryder didn't get it. Steven was just... so amazing. Compared to him...

Ryder didn't hold a candle to him. He was a coward, someone who caved into the temptations of the darkness.

Why? Why did Steven still care for him despite that?

"... Hey Steven..."

"Hm?" The black-haired male turned around.

".... Why... did you try so hard to bring me back?" He asked quietly.

"Huh?" He blinked.

"Why did you try so hard to help even though I... I hurt you," he looked away. "I don't deserve mercy."

Steven's eyes widened, and for a brief flash, he saw... himself. Himself after shattering Jasper. The Steven who refused to see the good parts of himself.

Ryder was going through the same thing...

Of course, it made sense now. Why he would do something as reckless as he had even though he always had a plan.

The wounded tended to avoid their trauma until it smacked them hard on the face.

Without thinking, Steven walked over and hugged him gently, "I'm sorry, Ryder. I'm sorry I didn't notice your pain."

"W-What?..."

"You don't have to suffer alone, though. I... I'm not good with promises but I'll try my best to stay by your side. The other pups will too. They care for you. I care for you Ryder, and you might not be able to see it right now because of the fog in your heart but we will always be there for you. I will always be here for you. We are not about to leave you behind. We are going to the future together. So, don't push us away, please. Let us help."

Ryder immediately flushed, but felt warmth fill his mind and heart as calm finally came.

And with it, his determination seeped in.

Steven was right. He couldn't give up now. Not when he had so many amazing people by his side.

He... He was not weak. He was not a failure.

He didn't know when he hugged Steven. Nor did he know when he started crying, but he didn't mind.

He knew now. And he wasn't about to forget it. No more.

He was done being Humdinger's puppet.

"T-Thank you Steven. R-Really," he smiled at Steven, who grinned back, "No problem! Now let's get out of here!"

"Yeah!" He grinned.

Just then, a light erupted from the two, and the next thing they knew was black.

"-der! Ryder!"