Wrong Time, Wrong Place

Past

Walking back to Maytown, he found himself lost in his thoughts. He was snapped from them when he felt someone hug him, it was Mason.

"Hey! Are you okay? I heard what happened in Tropical Isles! I was so worried when I couldn't find you"

"I'm fine Mason, don't worry. I just felt a little sore from it. I was in sweet skies"

"Sweet skies? Where Dilly Donka is? Did he mention the time when you-"

"Okay mister near death experiences, you're going to hit me up with the chocolate river? Do you want me to tell you everything you've done as a kid that's reckless and dangerous?"

"Woah woah no need to get aggressive, also I'm not like that anymore, we're in our middle age"

'we're what? Star Saviour is in his thirties? Man they're old.'

"Sure, like you wouldn't go jump off a bridge if I did it"

"Why do you have such a sharp tongue? Is this what you became for those ten years? What happened to the Nick that I knew?"

"I- I was not just going to let anyone remind me of that time, it's embarrassing. I'm sorry, I got a little carried away"

"It's alright, but is there something wrong? You act so strangely from what I've observed, why didn't I see you go to sweet skies?"

"I was simply avoiding confrontation about the thing back at Tropical Isles, I had to go see the factory for stars. I'm fine"

"Are you sure? We could talk about it, I'm your best friend"

"... Can we talk about it later? I need some time to think about it, well, I don't know where to go next though"

"Hm, clocktower? There's surely going to be some stars. I'll be waiting here at the fountain when you're done, consider that conversation as a break, you need it. I don't want you to collapse in exhaustion"

"I'm going to be fine, thank you for being concerned, I'll be off now"

"Alright"

Nick walks off and heads to the clocktower, he takes a step inside and is amazed from the complexity of the whole structure. Seeing all the gears and such work in the clocktower, he takes a moment to process the pathways.

"So many places to go, but which? I see so many stars, and entrances to something? What are they for?"

He shook his head and slowly climbed up the clocktower, taking stars that he could. Eventually, he reaches a point where there are two entrances on his left and right sides.

"I wonder where these two go? I should go to the left first I guess?"

He makes his way on the left side, entering through the doorframe. He finds himself in a familiar place, it's the clocktower but not fully built.

"There's no way, I went even further in the past?! Now this is probably when the Star Saviour is a kid!"

He went down the unfinished clocktower, taking a peak outside. For a moment he choked with emotions he didn't knew he'd feel as he saw a familiar face. He quickly moved away from the clocktower, like he didn't came from there and went around to see them.

"Mason, don't ever climb the clocktower okay? You know it's still under construction and dangerous it is, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes daddy, I understand"

Nick moved closer to the mayor, and he notices him, giving him a smile.

"Hm, seems like you're a new face around these parts. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Julio Maynot, and I'm the mayor of this quaint town"

"I know"

"Oh, aware of me already? Well alright. I've been running this town for a few years, although I am considering to retiring soon. Maybe my son will be the next mayor?"

"I think he'll be a good mayor one day"

"Heh, I know he will. He's my son"

"I'm sorry but is his name a pun on my son"

"I- no. I see your point but no"

"Sorry sorry, I'll go check out your town, it seems really nice"

"Thanks, I try to make sure this place is as good as neighboring towns, and make it a welcoming place for people"

"Riiight, I'll be off to my own little exploration"

Julio nodded as the saviour turns around and wandered around town, in a way, it felt nostalgic to them. As if literally going through memory lane, he finds the mayor's son near his 'childhood home'.

"Hm... Wait isn't this the day when-"

"Huh?"

The younger Mason looked at Nick, who awkwardly stared back.

"Hi there! I'm Mason, the mayor's son. Hey, I think I saw you come out of the clocktower"

Nick froze at the words, he didn't know what to say. Mason smiles at him.

"It's under construction, but I like playing there with my friends sometimes"

"Isn't that dangerous though?"

"My daddy told tell me it was, but I don't believe him. I'm careful enough!"

"Enough doesn't mean you're not prone to accidents"

"You sound like my daddy. Always being cautious, you sorta also sound like my friend. He's shy but he always takes caution towards me, because I'm his only closest friend"

"Oh?"

"His name is Nick- he's currently sleeping in his house over here, he's not energetic as I am"

"That house seems so quiet doesn't it?"

"It's because he lives alone in it, he doesn't have parents to look after him like I do, though I only have my daddy"

There was mild sadness in the saviour's eyes, but he shook it off.

"That's so sad, and you're the only friend he relies on? He must be lucky to have you"

"Mhm! I should be going now, bye bye!"

Nick smiled and waved at Mason as he sprinted off to somewhere, leaving him all alone. He stood there, thinking of the memories that the life of the person he's currently as and noticed just how lonely had it been for the most part. He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard shouting and screaming, Julio's was the loudest of them all.

"Mason! Mason no- hold on tight, carefully get down from there! Oh no!"

Mason's grip loosened and he looked really panicked, without any hesitation, the saviour ran towards the clocktower as Mason lost his grip entirely and fell. He catches Mason in his arms.

"I told you to be careful, Mason."

Mason didn't speak, he only held onto him tightly, completely frozen in fear. Julio ran up to the two.

"Mason! Are you okay? I told you to stay away from here! You almost gave me a heart attack!"

He tears up and apologized to his father to which Julio wordlessly looks at him with forgiveness and worry, and takes him from Star Saviour.

"Thank you so much for saving my son, what is your name young man?"

"It doesn't matter, I am but a wandering traveller"

"That's fine, but is there a way I can thank you?"

"Save it for another time, we'll meet again someday and then I'll tell you. Though until then, remember to take some breaks and rest, I can tell from your face that you've been overworking yourself."

"I'll... Remember that"

"I will have to go now, goodbye mister Julio"

"Farewell... Traveller"

He left the area and waited for everyone to leave before sneaking back to the clocktower. He goes back to the present and sits near the entrance to the other side.