AU: Son of Science

Context: When a now much older Sabre leaves the Red Kingdom with the Red Scout to watch over the portal site, he makes a promise to his dad to keep in contact whenever he's not visiting. He keeps this promise throughout the events of RQ.

This level of bittersweet fluff/angst is going to kill somebody lol

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[3rd Person POV]

As Sabre walked to the exit of the Kingdom carrying a few bags, Professor Red and the Assistant follow, still making sure he has everything.

"And you're sure you remembered the warp quartz I gave you?" The Professor asks, walking next to his son.

"Yep, have it right here." Sabre smiles, lifting a necklace with a white crystal from underneath his hoodie. It's pearlescent and glitters in the sunlight, energy coming off it.

"And you remember how it works?"

"Yep. I can teleport items to you and you can do the same, and whenever I can visit I use it to teleport to the lab. It's just like the one you gave me when I was little."

"And you're sure you have everything packed? Bedding, clothes, books, most importantly your stationery?"

"You made me quadruple-check an hour ago, dad." Sabre laughs.

"I know, I know, but- I'm just worried!"

"I know, dad. You've been nervous about this for weeks! Calm down before you make yourself worried sick."

"Calm down? You're going to be away from the Kingdom for such a long while! Of course I'm going to worry about my son!"

They reach the end of the Kingdom, a large wall in front of them with houses and shops a couple feet away from it. The stone brick road opened up like it was a plaza at the end of the town. Some people are gathered around to see them off, but they're a bit early. The Scout and the Leader are talking near the wall, Scout also having a variety of bags packed next to him.

Sabre stops, the Professor and Assistant stopping next to him. They continue to talk as the time draws closer.

"Your essentials, your pendant, your entertainment, your learning material, the rules- Am I forgetting anything else-?" The Professor asks as he counts in his fingers the things he lists off.

"His training." The Assistant answers, then turns to Sabre. "Do you remember the instructions and technique you learned from the Elite instructors?"

"Yeah I do, keep at least one small weapon on me at all times when outside and only get into combat when necessary." Sabre replies. "Try to avoid the Darkness as much as I can, even though-"

"Even though you're immune, I know." The Professor sighs. "But that doesn't mean that it's harmless to you. The Darkness is still dangerous even if it can't infect you, and while I'm so indescribably grateful for that, you shouldn't let your guard down regardless."

The Professor reaches up to Sabre's face with one hand, holding the side of it as he looks into his precious son's eyes. Sabre's expression turns to a somber smile, and he places his hand over the Professor's.

"I've seen what it can do to people, not just physically." Professor Red says. "Please, for all the stars above, be careful. I know you're excited to explore, and learn, and maybe even find some clue as to where you came from, but I couldn't bear to see you hurt. I've had to bury so many friends already because of it..."

"I know, dad... I swear I'll be careful." Sabre replies. "It's only for a few months. I'll be back before you know it."

The Professor smiles, moving his thumb along Sabre's cheek. Sabre almost saw tears in his eyes.

"Oh, Sabre... you remind me so much of him already." He chuckles.

"So you tell me." Sabre says.

The Professor takes away his hand, wiping his eye with the sleeve of his lab coat.

"Oh, I told myself I wouldn't cry..." He mumbles.

"Sabre!"

The three turn their heads when a familiar voice shouts his name, and they see a young Red Steve the same age as Sabre running towards them. He smiles wide as he quickly rushes to Sabre and slams into him, hugging him tight. Sabre laughs and returns it.

"Maroon! I knew you wouldn't be late!" Sabre exclaims, hugging his childhood friend.

"Well, duh!" Maroon replies, letting go. "You get to go out of the Kingdom and see what's out there! While I'm extremely jealous, I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Don't worry, I'll send you any interesting new stuff I find. Dad might like it too since it'll be new samples for stuff, so you might have to fight him for it." Sabre chuckles.

That makes the group laugh. As they settle down, a horn sounds from one of the watchmen on top of the wall. The last call. As people begin to gather, the Scout and the Leader look towards Sabre and wave.

"That's my cue." Sabre says, looking towards his family. "Anything else you want to nag me about before I go?"

"Yes, actually... I want you to promise me a few things." Professor Red says.

He takes his son's hands and holds them, looking at his son's face. The face that he had watched grow up for so many years, that all seemed to pass by so quickly. The face he loves so much.

"Listen to Scout Carnelian, he's been a great teacher to you and you know he'll be watching out for you out there. Stick to the rules I made for you, even if you think they're a bit dumb. Be careful outside of the portal site. Don't go out after dark. And most importantly... send me letters often. I need to hear from you, don't make me come hunt you down okay?"

"Okay, dad... I promise." Sabre smiles.

They hug, squeezing each other as tight as they can, Sabre making sure it be careful. Maroon joins in after a second, holding Sabre close. Sabre points at the Assistant and waves him over.

"You too, bolt brain."

"Only because you're leaving, moron."

"Boys, stop that."

The Assistant joins in on the hug. After a minute, they all release each other and step back. The Professor reaches up and holds his son's face, one last time.

"I'm so proud of you, my wonderful little anomaly." He says, smiling, not caring as the tears well up in his eyes. "Have fun out there. I love you."

"I love you too, dad." Sabre says back. "I'll keep my promise."

The Professor lets go, and Sabre picks up his luggage and walks over to the Red Scout, the Leader having left and walking over to Maroon. They greet each other, and look towards the crowd as everyone waves and says their goodbyes and well wishes.

Sabre looks towards his family one last time, and smiles, waving a little. The Professor waves back.

Then, the sound of thunder fills the air, as lightning strikes the area around the two and they disappear in a flash of light.

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Dear dad,

We arrived safely yesterday and spent the majority of the day unpacking and setting everything up. The house is nice, just big enough for two people, and it has a wonderful view of the plains in front of the forest. I can see bees and wild animals outside my bedroom window.

Scout says that he's going to turn that second storage room into a small study for my schooling after he moved all of the redstone into the first one. He's already moved some of the bookshelves around to prep for it. I'm so excited! You know how much I've wanted to learn about the sciences of things just like you for so long, and now that I'm here it just feels so... wonderful. I promise, I'm going to share every bit of research with you once I visit.

The portal is still inactive, the room built around it hidden from normal view. Can't tell you how for reasons Scout told me, but you'd think it's brilliant. I still can't believe I came from this thing. It's so covered in moss and vines, and some of the shards are still here collected in a jar... I wonder if it could ever be reactivated somehow.

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Dad! Exciting news!

An earthquake the other night split open a mountain, and there was an ancient temple inside that it revealed. An entire temple! It has pedestals inside in a circle, and behind them is a mural depicting all of the Chromatic colors swirling around something colorful, with something else creeping in on the edges. Scout says it's going to take him a bit to translate the language written on it, but luckily it's pictured in the history books I brought with me, so he's teaching me the language as he figures it out!

I know you might not like it, but the research trip might be extended because of this. It's just too much of an opportunity to pass up. Think of the excitement in the kingdom over this, the archaeologists and historians you work with are going to go insane! I sent a picture of the mural with this letter for you, but don't show it to anyone else. It's a record of history for you only.

Well, maybe Maroon could see it too. He'd be excited and he's no snitch.

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Hi dad,

So, the prophecy that Scout translated a month and a half ago is a widely known thing now. Remember those Orange Steves we accidentally ran into and made friends with? Turns out some of them were both chatty and worked in trade routes, so I wouldn't be surprised if the whole world knows about it now. At least our finding is famous now. And don't worry, we've been using our cover story when talking to people. I'm just Scout's student and you sent me with him for me to learn, after you raised me on your own. I've only talked to like three Orange Steves though.

Speaking of, they've been looking at me a little weird. I guess I should expect it, nobody really knows what I am and I don't either and I look strange to everyone else, but I guess it's just... awkward for me. They don't seem as outwardly welcoming as the Red Kingdom did.

Maybe I just have to get to know them. I've already made friends with one, and he's a bit weird too. So I guess we're weirdo buddies.

By the way, can you send me some of that veggie and salmon sushi you used to make all the time? I'm really missing your cooking now.

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I'm sorry dad. I don't know what to do.

Scout is... gone. The Darkness attacked us in the temple and he... was infected. The Red Crystal was gone, he couldn't find it and I couldn't either, and it was progressing really fast. I think I saw him send one last letter to the Leader before our Orange Steve friend was forced to d̶̶e̶̶s̶̶t̶̶r̶

...They're putting me with Orange Steve now. I couldn't tell them that I had a home with you because of our cover, so Orange and his Leader told me to gather my stuff and any of Scout's I need to bring with me, because Orange is moving me in with him. I couldn't tell them.

I want to go home. I want to come back to you, but I can't. I don't know what to do and I'm scared of what's coming next. When we got attacked the Darkness escaped from the temple and now it's out there, and now all of the Orange Steves are looking at me and saying the prophecy is real and coming true. They think I match the Catalyst from it. They think I'm him. Maybe everyone else does too.

I don't want to do this. I wish I could just come home already, or that this was all just a bad dream and I'd wake up at any moment and Scout would smile at me and ask if I'm ready for today's lessons.

I'll be visiting the Kingdom for his funeral.

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Hey dad,

I've been settling in... okay. Orange Steve somehow made an entire area for the both of us to live in, he called it the Rainbow Hub because he set up portals to other color Steves and because we've been tasked with collecting the Chromatic Crystals... already. Maybe I could use the red one to visit you if he wouldn't notice it.

I got all my stuff from the portal site house and moved in into the house that Orange and I are sharing. I got some of Scout's stuff too, and it's in the attic for whenever I need it. I kept the jar of portal shards that was in the secret room, though, since it seems like it'll be the only piece I'll get to know about where I came from. It's on the shelf above my bed right now.

I'd still prefer to move back with you, though. I miss you.

Our 'roles' haven't been too rough so far. It's pretty much just been doing chores for the Orange Village every so often and a few scuffles with the Darkness every so often. Don't worry, I've been careful like I promised.

We got to save some people last week, though. Some Orange Steves were captured and infected, and me and Orange met a Yellow Steve that helped us cure them. Meeting a new color was exciting, and he said he'll take us to his kingdom so we can alert his king that the Darkness is getting stronger. That's supposed to happen soon.

By the way, Orange is leaving for two days for something soon. I'll have to set out stuff for his pigs before I go, but I'll be able to do an overnight visit then. Just have to be back before three on the second day.

I miss you, dad. And I love you.