World / Series: Steve Lab, Rainbow Quest, Steve Saga (Mentioned/Implied)
Timeline: During Chapter 3 of Darkest Hands of Time: Morning Hour
Overall Feeling: Melancholy Angst
AU: Steve Labs, Darkest Hands of Time
Characters: Prof. Favre, Darkest Hour!Sabre (Saga)
Settings: Forest
Word Count: 1692

*

Prof. Favre huffed as they landed in the forest, leaning against the tree as he waited for the throbbing headache to settle down and his vision wasn't distorted beyond comprehension. He didn't dare move anymore either, wanting to risk collapsing or throw up his lunch for that matter. As much as he enjoys visiting other worlds, he can never enjoy the severe repercussions that come with it.

Mostly considering the feeling of being literally ripped apart beyond comprehension and then stitched back together is a feeling he would rather keep to himself and not to any other unfortunate soul.

Once he was sure that he was well enough again, he stood up and brushed off any dirt and dust that was on his coat. Then looked around, noting that they were in a forest, which was honestly a curious thing to see. He doesn't show up in the forest usually, especially in the Rainbow Quest continuity, unless it was the beginning. Although he can't help, he feels as though there had been changes to this continuity, well, more specifically– to this loop at the very least.

Like there was an ancient connection leading him here, one that he hadn't felt in such a very long time.

Nonetheless, he might as well see what this loop would bring and if nothing changed, he would go visit some other universe and watch their story unfold. Especially Code Jumpers, now that is a story he loves nothing more, then to discover every secret and lore he could ever hope to find. With a smile, he wandered off in the direction he knows is the Red Steve house, the beginning point, mostly to see if the story had progressed around there or had continued to the Orange Village.

It was always good to backtrack sometimes to make sure his knowledge was correct, but he needed to stay undetected by Rainbow Quest Sabre at all cost to avoid any existential crisis–

He froze.

In the distance, in a flower patch is a small child, but not just any child, but a child version of Sabre.

It wasn't Rainbow Quest Sabre either.

Settling his ragged breath– when was it so hard to breathe? He wasn't sure, he reluctantly got closer after calming down, feeling the string of connections he had to them, despite how tattered and near the point of snapping like ice it is, leading him closer to them. Giving him more evidence that they are in fact who they believe it is.

Now, he was far, not close enough to see them more clearly.

He breathlessly laughed, of course it's them, he shouldn't even be surprised anymore. Of course they were so bored, that they chose to play a game, to make a new story in the Rainbow Quest continuity, no doubt The Powerless God themselves have given their blessing to allow this to happen in the first place.

Whether it was to see what would happen or to take a moment to rest, he doesn't care.

He wasn't one of them anymore.

He is simply just Professor Favre.

And yet, despite his initial fears...he couldn't let this child be alone. No matter how much he wants to leave, to pretend they weren't here, he has a feeling that if he leaves now, it would spell some unusual consequences to the future of this unknown story. Against his better judgment, he allowed the thread of connection to the child pull him close until–

"What are you doing here alone, child?" Prof. Favre found himself asking, thus bringing the child attention to them. He suppressed the urge to shudder at the gaze– what was once cold and indifferent towards him being replaced by this innocent and cautious look now. He finds the gaze is nothing more than a tricky lie.

Prof. Favre wants nothing more, than to sever his ties with him and yet...

He never could bring himself to do it. Even after all these years. It still shocks him that they still even remotely cared for him, even if their connection was left on the brink of being fully destroyed and irreparable.

"Who are you?"

Prof. Favre chuckled, finding this whole situation absurd honestly. Is this even a Rainbow Quest alternative universe? What is The Writers of Tragedy even planning by taking the role of protagonist from The Powerless God? He doesn't know and he would go hysterical if he continues to be near this almost broken connection anymore than necessary.

"I'm not all that important, but I'll ask again, what are you doing here alone?" They asked again, no matter how he looked at it, they didn't seem to recognize him.

"Because I wanna."

Prof. Favre wonders if he recalls them being this stubborn or blunt, he wasn't sure. Did they seal their memories away to make this story more interesting? He wasn't sure, he didn't even want to visit The Powerless God or The Harbinger of Destruction for any answers.

There's a reason why he cut ties with all of them.

Well, since they don't remember him and they're just a child...he suppose he could allow this small, very rare chance to mend their connection.

More specifically, their family connection, per say.

"Here, let me show you how to make flower crowns with these flowers, okay?" He offered, knowing full well that the child before them was reluctant to trust them, which came as no surprise honestly. He ignored the chickens as he kneel down and picked some flowers, weaving them together into some flower crowns. Admittedly, for a Professor such as himself–

He hadn't made any flower crowns in a very long time. The last time he had done so, was to give his respects to those that had passed away.

He ignored how they chirped and their wings fluttered happily, ignored how it made his heart ache for a simpler time where none of them had a problem with each other. Of a time where he didn't distance themselves and cut ties with, when they were still a makeshift family...

"You should go home before your family gets worried." He commented, not surprised that the child had seemed so confused, it seemed as though he had gotten so invested in the flowers that they had forgotten. Professor Favre wasn't surprised, they had always been like that honestly.

"Come now, I'll walk you home safely, it would do you no good to be alone at a time like this." He continued, holding out his hand– he wasn't sure why he was being nice to them. Maybe, subconsciously, they wanted to mend their broken connection. He would have to ponder about it later when the child had taken his hand, thus allowing him to take him back to where he belongs.

Considering the nearest building happens to be Red Steve, Veilen, house.

He was also jealous.

Jealous that even this child, despite knowing their true identity, has everything he wanted and will never get.

"Saga, there's no need to worry about whether or not they loved you just like your current family. They sacrificed so much to make sure you are happy and safe, that's all that matters most to them." He told them, tasting the bitter flavor of betrayal upon speaking their preferred nickname, as he let go of their hand. It was no surprise that they were confused by his words, of course anyone would if they didn't know any better.

He ruffled their hair. "This is where we part ways, Saga, don't forget that you have friends and family that love you, as well as a few of your original family doing all they can to keep you safe in the background." Unlike me, he didn't mention it, ignoring their chirping of confusion as they both heard the sound of someone calling out.

The moment the child– Saga. Turn around, he silently and very quickly leaves the realm. Returning to the cold emptiness of the void, finally, he could finally just breathe.

He hated being near Saga.

He hated how he could have everything, even The Powerless God and The Harbinger of Destruction had some semblance of a connection to others. To a family or companions. Even connections to other versions of Sabre.

While he had nothing, nothing but tattered, ruined connections that don't even exist or barely cling to existence. He couldn't even feel any connections to other Sabres, because of what had happened. What he had to do to even survive.

Well.

He was wrong.

There were at least two Sabre, he had established a peaceful connection with.

Even if they don't even remember.

But he doesn't bother to try and visit them, he is very exhausted, both physically, mentally and emotionally, he searches for his connection to his lab. To his home, and when he does, he tugged on the connection to take him home.

Sleeping seems heavenly right now.

*

Honestly, the second I started writing, I didn't realized that this would be the result, I wasn't too sure what to do with connection, beside the idea that it's their only tether and line that kept existing. Much like strings. So for Professor Favre, all of his connections are strings that he holds in his hands, very much fragile and at risk of bring destroyed.

The idea of also making this a unseen part of Chapter 3 of Darkest Hands of Time: Morning hour (which I didn't post yet, but will tomorrow, on a Friday as I have unconsciously dubbed as the day I update the book), makes it all the more...well, important. Nonetheless, I hope this satisfied the prompt, but also give you all a look on how I have Prof. Favre view everything around him. (and there was no way I could write anything with Charm anyways)

After all, Steve Lab is considered a scrapped content that could have been amazing, but never continued.

P.S: If this confused you in terms of lore, wait until I post chapter 3 of Darkest Hour, read that, then come back to this and you may probably understand a little better.