Between Realities

...Why did you follow me?

(M) Sabre POV:

Following the trace of the Dark Elite's teleportation, I found myself in the middle of a Yellow Steve Village. Strange... So there are still innocents beyond the fighting... Nevertheless, I came for him, so they better not get in my way. Looking around, it was only seconds before I met eyes with him.

"There you are..." I smiled maliciously. "You can't hide from me any more, Elite."

The feeling of triumph was short lived, though. With a few flashes of lightning, Dopple and Gänger appeared. And they didn't do it quietly.

"Gänger, what the- why did you use the mushroom! You know they have limited usage!" Dopple yelled, her voice somewhat muffled by the fading echoes of their entrance.

"I don't care! I'm not just gonna let some jerk disrespect your stew and get away with it!" Gänger replied, both of them clearly not aware of their surroundings. That ended quickly, though. The two of them hesitated, finally seeing where they were. Their eyes glimmered with recognition. You've been here before, haven't you. But- how did you know how to follow me...?

Dopple's eyes locked with mine. "UHHHHHHHMMM!! Gänger, I see two Sabres. I- Am I- You see them both, too, right?! I'm not losing my mind, right?!"

"Nope! Not just you! I definitely see that!" Gänger responded with a panicked tone.

I saw in my peripheral vision that Elite and M had turned to look at the panicked non-Steves, and I hid a smile. Oh, this is just priceless! I thought to myself, amused. Then, suddenly, my amusement changed to curiosity. Wait- how did they get here, again? My mind flooded with questions, and I decided to ask,

"How did you follow me here..?" They say that curiosity killed the cat, but it wouldn't kill me. That I was at least sure of.

"Magical mushroom," Gänger said quickly, her voice reflecting her nervousness. "But, uh, how in the name of colors are there two of you?!"

Elite hesitated, and when he spoke, his voice became small. "T-... two of him? But-... there's only one of him..." His voice was edged by fear.

I glanced at M, knowing fully well that he would say something. If he could... I suddenly felt the stare of Dopple, and I met my gaze with hers. What do you want? I wanted to question her, hoping my annoyance was showing on my face. Whatever. Just ignore her. Suddenly remembering what I'd come here for, I turned to face Elite once more. He looked terrified, and I swear I could almost see him shaking. That's right. You should be afraid. I came here for one reason. And I know that you know. I'm here to get the justice I deserve. And there's no thing- no one- who can stop me.

Except there was. It felt like time had slowed down as I raised my hand, energy and power surging through me. One moment I was staring Elite down with a bitter hatred. The next, my gaze was met by the unreadable expression of Dopple as she jumped between us. Shocked, I tried to take it back, but it was too late. A powerful surge of light burst from me, striking Dopple square in the chest. She stifled a cry of pain, and, just before collapsing, she uttered one sentence.

"Don't- don't hurt him..."