Scar doesn't come back for ages. 

I'm stuck alone in the village, but find a new pass time. Building. A lot of building. I break down jungle trees, enjoying the mindless work. Until I run into some new friends.

As I'm breaking away an area for more new houses, I come across a huge tree, bigger than the others. I've seen it from a distance a lot, but have never reached it before. I frown, hearing voices from inside.

'...you know how worried I am, Iskall. He's completely disappeared. I can't find him anywhere and none of the other hermits have either.'

'Hey, it'll be ok. We'll find him. I'm on the lookout, and so's everyone else.'

'I just can't help think he's done something insane and... and he's ended hurt... or... dead.'

'Mumbo, seriously...' I try and find an entrance, confused but excited to meet new people. 'Grian will be fine. He wouldn't... well...'

'He killed Doc! Anything can happen!'

'Mumbo, listen to me. Grian will be fine.'

The name Grian sticks in my mind. Other friend Grian. Of course. The one I look like. I decide to make an entrance myself, breaking into the base. Maybe they can tell me more about Other Friend Grian.

'Hello!' I try to remember the names they said, 'Mumbo! Iskall!' 

The taller one with a disheveled moustache jumps.

'Grian- no- wait. Who are you?!'

'I'm NPG. I'm Scar's friend!'

'Why... do you look like Grian?'

'Other friend Grian made me! But I haven't seen him at all. Or Scar or Friend-Cub at all. Or... anyone else. Not Stinky Poo-poo friend, or Tango Friend the stinky poo poo head, or Impulse-Zedaph friend or Xisuma... but it's ok, I've been building houses instead!'

Moustache backs away behind the other, eyes wide, growing pale.

'Who are you?' I continue

'I'm... Iskall?' The smaller bearded one explains. 'That's Mumbo?'

'Why are you talking about Other Friend Grian?'

'He's- gone. And you... haven't seen him?' Mumbo doesn't move. 

'No. Do I tell you if I find him? I... know what I look like... so I'll know what he looks like. What happened to him?'

For a moment, they don't answer. I blink.

'...He killed someone and no one's seen him since.' Iskall sighs. 'Just... can you look out for him? And be sensible when you see him. He'll be in a bad place.'

'Oh. What kind of place?' I try to think of the worst possible place I could be. 'Like the Nether?'

'It's... more a mental place. He's... just, if you see him, find us.'

I note the instruction in my mind. 

'Ok! And... if you see Scar, or Cub... tell them I'm here?'

'Who are you though?' Mumbo frowns.

'I'm NPG. Non-player Grian. Well... that's what Scar called me.'

'Scar. Because...'

'Scar's my best friend. And... I'm a robot. I like building wooden houses. Like... rustic-style houses. And I've met a lot of people with confusing names... like Friend-Cub is sometimes called Hermit-Friend-Cub, but also just Cub. And Stinky Poo-poo friend wants to be named after his friend Impulse-Zedaph friend...'

'What?!'

'Do you have a confusing name or is your name just Mumbo?'

'My name is Mumbo. And this is just Iskall.'

'Just Iskall? Are you... Mumbo... Just Iskall... are you also Hermit-Friends?'

'Uhh... yes?'

'Oh. Are you friends of Cub and Scar? Do you know where they are?'

'They'll be in the shopping district. Across the water.' I frown as Just Iskall's answer

'Why? That's a long way away...'

'Mayor stuff. A lot is going on here... but we can make you a boat if you want.'

'A boat?'

'Yeah.'

'Ok!' I brighten at the idea. 'A boat for finding Scar and Cub!'

'Yeah! Or... we teach you how to fly.'

'Fly?'

'Elytra. It's fun.'

'I... want to go by boat.'

'Well... sure. We'll see you by the water?'

'Ok!' I run from the base, just missing Mumbo's reply. Then, outside, it's a quick trip through my village of wooden houses and towards the water. It doesn't take long: I know the area well enough by now. Not long after I arrive, Iskall and the still concerned Mumbo fly in, landing next to me. 

'Right.' Iskall places a wooden boat in the water. I poke it with my foot, drawing away quickly as it wobbles. 'Jump in.'

'I...'

'It's alright.' Iskall climbs in the boat. It shakes, but holds. 'See? He holds out his hand to help me on after. I try, stepping over and...

I hit the water and panic, trying to swim, screaming. My mechanics will break. I'll die. The salt will get in my electrics and...

I'm pulled to the shore where I lie, panting, trying to calm down. Iskall sits next to me, helping me up into a hug.

'Bad water.' I glare at the ocean. 'Bad bad water.'

'Hey, you're ok now. That must've been omega scary but it's ok.'

'Yeah... you're alright. No damage done...' Mumbo adds in. I notice he's keeping his distance.

I keep staring at the water, watching the reflections of the sky. A winged red blob flying over...

'Wait! Other Friend Grian!' I burst out, pointing. 

'Oh my goodness gracious... GRIAN! GRIAN YOU'RE ALIVE!' Mumbo waves his arms around wildly. The Grian-blob circles, lands, and freezes.

He's staring at me. I stare back.

'Scar was right! You look so much like me! I'm NPG. Scar told me all about you. And Mumbo and Iskall. Apparently you killed someone? But I don't care, because Scar said you're really really friendly!' I run over and hug him.

'GET AWAY FROM ME.'

I hit the ground. My mind works even faster. What's going on? Why did he push me?  Why is he looking at me like that? Panic crosses his face. Disgust. Hate.

'Grian?'

'THAT.' He points at me. I shrink away. 'Why is THAT here?'

'Friend-Cub build me? Well... Scar said you built me, and then he found me in the jungle, and then Friend-Cub fixed me.'

Grian's expression doesn't change.

'Then me, Scar and 'friend-Cub' need to have a chat.' 

He turns to fly away again. Mumbo grabs his hand, yelling as Grian twists it.

'And you're not going to stop me.'

'Grian- get off. You're... you're hurting me... why do you- what's wrong with NPG?'

'You didn't even THINK TO ASK whether this CREEPY VERSION OF ME is ok. You're just sat here befriending it!'

'We didn't realise!'

'Grian get off you're hurting him.' Iskall demands.

'WHY?'

'Because he's your friend!'

'AND THEN HE BEFRIENDED THAT!' He points at me again. 

'G-grian...' Mumbo sobs. 'Please... I... I don't trust it either. It was Iskall's idea!'

He lets go, blinking tears.

'Fine. Fine. Yeah. Of course I'll believe that...'

'I'm being honest! We met it 5 minutes ago and Iskall thought it seemed nice- Grian where are you going?!' 

'To talk to Scar.'