ALTERED TIMELINE; UNDAR 

“It’s over Rex. Emmett’s never going to be you”

The words stabbed into the rough explorer like knives, as he slowly sat up to view his past self and his former love. They looked on at him with compassion.

Ugh.

There shouldn’t be such a thing as compassion for a monster like him. He knew what he’d become; a slave to hate and revenge.

“But you could be like him.” Lucy took a step forward. No matter how tough Wyldstyle liked to believe herself to be, she was still so mushy. Perhaps that's why she was so attracted to his past self. “You don’t have to be the bad guy.”

Yes he did. If he wasn’t the bad guy, then who was he? Just some nobody. He no longer deserved the right to be “The Special”.

“You could join us.” Emmett reaches out, speaking his own agreement with the ex-rebel. 

“ I— I can’t…” Rex stood up fully, he could already feel the tingling down his body and into his limbs. The Flux Capacitor had been the only way to keep himself stable within this time period and in control in the event of this very possibility… him failing. It was the reason he’d kept it on his person. Why had he been so stupid as to show them it?! Stinking arrogant prick, he’d become!

Now… he didn’t even know what was going to happen to him, only the assumption that he’d probably stop existing.

“What do you mean?” Emmett frowned, thin eyebrows furrowed into worry.

“She came back for ya’. You're never going to turn out like me, which means—” he grunted, the tingles were turning sharper. It felt similar to when one cut off blood circulation. Not fun. “—I’m never going to exist.” 

“Wait, wait, no!” Emmett took a couple steps forward but was halted any further by Lucy.

Rex gave out a strangled laugh as his right arm began disappearing. So, his theory was correct. He was going to truly, well, die. Man, were kid’s imaginations hardcore or what? 

“”Look, I told— I knew it! Look, I'm back-to-the-futuring. Totally called it.” 

“What’s “back-to-the-futuring”?”

“It’s a classic movie older kids get to watch. And now... it’s happening to me.” 

Stupid Finn. What the heck? Killing his best-made-character-yet off? Not cool.

“C’mon, take my hand while you still have a hand to take!” His younger self sounded a little desperate, pulling against the restraining hands of his awesome "Very Special Best Friend". How freaking typical of Lucy to take advantage of his feelings and lead him on. Couldn't even properly call Emmett her boyfriend, like she did for Bats. How gullible he was back then to not realize it. He couldn't put more thought into, else he'd just be drawn back into the nigh inconsolable anger that had taken over his life.

“...That ain't how it works, kid.” He’d just wind up taking both his selves with him and that wouldn't be good.

“Rex!”

“It’s okay, I'm proud of ya’. You’ll grow up to be better than me.” And he truly believed that. This Emmett will turn out far greater. 

Good for him.

Rex oddly felt calm despite this being his last moments. At least, he was feeling calm until the construction worker made what he would later call a really dumb move.

Emmett, in a rare show of stubbornness, ripped out of Lucy’s hold and sprinted at his Vest Friend. The Special wasn't planning on losing anybody today. Not even his rough, bad guy of an older self.

The other two froze in shock and unfortunately regained clarity too late. 

Rex, by this time, had already lost both his legs and found that he really couldn't move. Like he was a stuck point in the space of reality.

Darn it Finn, Bianca… what the heck are you two up to?! Rex let out a low growl.

Lucy gave chase but Emmett had already dived for Rex with his best war cry, tackling the adventurer. The construction worker and what was left of his Vest Friend hit the floor. Hard. 

It effectively knocked Rex out cold, as the back of his head had taken most of the impact, but neither Lucy or Emmett noticed in the fight to pry the Special off the now more quickly disappearing raptor trainer.. It was as if whatever force taking away Rex was aware that Emmett had latched on, and before Lucy could fully comprehend they were both just… gone.

The master builder collapsed onto her knees, staring at her now empty, shaking hands. She stayed in her horrified trance, even when those that she considered her family eventually found and surrounded her.

Questions like “Where’s Emmett?", “Wyldstyle, are you alright?”, and “Did we win?” Surrounded her. They shook her shoulders and tried to snap her back into reality but none of that worked either. She was too focused on the fact that they were gone. She’d failed.

She’d failed.

Those words made something snap and the last thing she remembered before passing out in silent tears were arms raising her up and moving her away. Soft murmurs of comfort and confusion blanketing her as she latched on to whoever held her.

———————————

ORIGINAL TIMELINE; UNDAR

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...aaaaaaa...aaaa...aaah…?” 

Emmett’s throat felt hoarse as he held onto his Vest Friend with a death grip. Slowly, he opened one eye after another as he sucked in deep breaths. His heart was beating so fast.

Why had he thought latching onto someone who was disappearing was a good idea?!

When he finally focused on his surroundings, he found that… they really weren’t so gone after all. Huh.  Although they weren’t in the same place. Instead of being under an oversized dryer or within a rather colorful cavern, they were out in the middle of nowhere with nothing but an overhang rock nearby.

Other than that, Undar looked exactly the same, except—

“Lucy…?” He winced, his voice cracked from his totally-not-girly screaming earlier. The ex-rebel didn’t answer. She wasn’t there. Maybe they really were dead?

“No, no, no. This can’t be right. This can’t—” Emmett stood up and nearly tripped over Rex’s reattached legs. “Ow, what?!”

His eyes widened, just having noticed his Vest Friend being fully, well, together. He also noticed that Rex wasn’t conscious.

“Oh no, Rex! Buddy, are you okay?!” The construction worker crawled up and shook his older self lightly. Shoving just a little bit stronger, when he was given no response. “Oh boy…”

What was he gonna do? No Lucy, no Rex, no… anybody. 

Alone.

Wasn’t this what he was trying to avoid?

Emmett leaned away from the explorer and sighed, running a hand down his face tiredly. This had already been a long day. Had it only been a day? Maybe like a couple, or perhaps even a week. Overall, it had been long and weary. 

A double decker couch would be really good about now, too. It would be comfy to lay on, at least. Too bad the last one he’d made was on the Rexcelsior…

The construction worker blinked, then jolted in realization. The Rexcelsior! He could get some raptor’s to pick them up. Surely Rex had some type of communication device to keep them in touch?

The Special reached for the many, various pockets that made up his older counterpart’s vest. Most seemed to include items that Emmett was sure were some type of dangerous. From knives to grenades, Rex had them, and all with his favored color scheme.

His nose crinkled. Geez, what did he need those for?! Had he been carrying them the whole time? The man’s Master Breaker punch was honestly explosive enough, as was his temper.

Finally, Emmett latched onto what looked like a walkie-talkie. It seemed a little outdated, considering all his other tech, but right now Emmett couldn’t care less.

He wasn’t nearly as alone as he’d thought!

With a crackle, he managed to bring the communicator to life. 

“H-hello? Cobra? Ripley? Uh, o-other raptor’s —oh gosh, I’m sorry about forgetting all your names but I’m kinda freaking out right now! Is anybody reading me?” Static was all that could be heard. His grip on the device tightened. “Hello, Emmett here! I-I really need some help about now —Rex’s hurt! I think it’s his head. Kinda, ha, kinda scared to check it… don’t want to mess up and jostle… anything…” 

The Special slowly let his hands, walkie-talkie and all, rest in his lap as he frowned in the distance. Static filled his ears but it went unnoticed as all his recent failures filled his mind. It seemed lately, all he could do was get in the way of everyone else —including his own self! 

Ever since they managed to end Lord Business’ reign of “perfection'' he'd… just gone back to being ignored and set aside like he wasn’t good enough. Even his friends had started to not believe that he was capable of truly taking care of himself in Apocalypseburg. They would go so far as to take turns in chaperoning him around. Which he honestly hadn’t minded then, considering it meant hanging out with his friends! 

It wasn’t until he met Rex that he’d begun to see just how much the people he’d begun to view as his family seemed to baby him. Seemed to believe he wasn’t “tough” or “strong” enough to do what they did in protecting their home. 

He’d felt… so useless when that came to his attention. Which was probably what Rex was going for. Keep Emmett interested in staying with the raptor trainer, where he was “more wanted”, than in staying with “those who would just hold him back and keep him weak”.

Funny how both parties seemed to want the same thing and proclaiming how “it was best for him”, just with different methods. It seemed they had forgotten that he’d been alone and taken care of himself far longer than he’d known any of the others.

Except for Rex. Rex was him. Technically they’d known each other all their lives, right?

The communication device sprung to life, startling the Special into nearly dropping it. Static-filled growls and snarls came out from the speakers, sounding viscous as ever. 

“[Emmett we read you! This is Jack, current Acting-Captain of the Rexcelsior. Did you say the boss is injured? Have you at least checked his vitals?]”

“Uh, so… funny thing…”

“[Yes…?]”

“I really don’t know what you’re saying.”

“[That’s wonderful. Look, just sit tight and we’ll get a lock on your location. Hopefully it won’t take us too long to reach you. Captain Jack out.]”

The walkie-talkie crackled then fell silent, leaving Emmett to listen only to the slight wind of the desolate planet. 

He debated picking it back up and speaking again but figured that he’d gotten his point across; while he didn’t understand raptor, he sure knew that they understood english. Rex was constantly having conversations with his scale-y crew. 

Man, though, a raptor space crew was so cool. Emmett still was a little star-struck on that, despite the whole recent adventure he’d had. 

After a few moments, the man sighed. With nothing left to do but wait and watch over his older self, Emmett began to whistle.

He tried his best not to think of how he was beginning to feel heavier.

———————————

ORIGINAL TIMELINE; SYSAPOCALYPSTAR SPACE PORT

Within the walls of the newly made space docking port, a 1980s-something-space-guy was literally floating off the walls in glee. Everything was so fresh and new! And with plenty of spaceships too. Though there still didn’t seem to be enough for the man and there, probably, could never be.

He just couldn’t help it, he LOVED space vessels with an undying passion!

Which is why the couple of friends that he came with found the excitable astronaut cleaning and shining every vehicle in sight. The pink cat with a unicorn horn and the cyborg space pirate, an odd sight against the uniform lines and colors of the station’s decor, were chuckling at their blue-suited pal. It was always so nice to see him so happy; even if he was almost always happy. 

He was just normally down and, well, blue at this time of the year. Normally they all were. It was the week that finally brought peace from the five year invasion through the uniting of Apocalypsburg and the Systar System.

It was also the week Emmett died. 

The thought caused a frown to come upon the sea captain’s face, though he didn’t allow Unikitty or Benny to take notice. Instead, he turned away and toward the monitors that messages and updates came in for the Space Port’s staff. He vaguely recalled being told what it was called but couldn’t find it in him at the moment to think about it.

Instead his mind brought up this current week where everyone else would celebrate the union of two people and the peace that followed it. The week that the group of Masterbuilder friends spent, instead, in mourning for their Special. 

At least, that is what they had done the last four years.

Now, they figured it was time to move on. Emmett wouldn’t have wanted them to be mopey. So, they weren’t going to be any longer. This year they were going to join in on the week-long celebrations. celebrating for their people and their Special Masterbuilder, who had never once failed to bring joy to their lives when he was alive.

A small red light came to life near one of the keyboards. It blinked in alert at the pirate.

“Ey, Benny… is yonder light ‘posed ta do that?”

“Huh?!” The astronaut broke his focus on the spaceships! and turned to his friend. “Light? What ligh— OH, that light! The station must have intercepted a message.”

Unikitty and Metalbeard shared a look. What did a space port need to “intercept messages”?

“Why is your communications station intercepting other people’s space conversations?” The cat tilted her head, a confused smile on her face. 

“Yes, matey. What be any need, a’ our’s anymore, of interceptin’ messages? We ain’t fugitives no more.”

Benny had enough sense to feel embarrassed. They were right, of course. It wasn’t necessary but… Old habits were hard to get rid of.

“It’s only for safety purposes.” He defended, scratching the back of his neck as he slowly floated back to the ground. “And it only catches messages with keywords that I had input into the system.” 

He walked over to the monitors and began typing away.

“Like what? Parties and rainbows?!” The cat had stars in her eyes as she skipped over to Benny. The pirate slowly came up right after, still a bit apprehensive. 

“No…,” Benny, having sat down in one of the chairs, swiveled around to face his friends as they came up to him. He was waiting for the triggered words and message to load, “it’s more like things like “bombs”, “injuries”, and—”

“Emmett?” 

“What?” Both the men blinked as the pink princess gazed in shock at the screen.

Benny turned back around at the monitor and Metalbeard leaned over. 

KEYWORDS FOUND: 

EMMETT

FREAKING OUT

HURT

The keywords struck fear into the three and Benny, noticing that the communication was still live, quickly butted in. They were greeted to frightening snarls of a beast they didn’t quite recognize.

“[...current Acting-Captain of the Rexcelsior. Did you say the boss is injured? Have you at least checked his vitals?]”

“Uh, so… funny thing…”

“[Yes…?]”

“I really don’t know what you’re saying.”

There was a lull in the conversation as whatever was growling seemed to stop in shock or realization. 

The three Masterbuilders were beginning to figure that whoever was making the animalistic noises were probably some type of alien species that they hadn’t yet met. Else their… words would have been translated by the communications station.

That didn’t seem to matter too much to them at the moment, though. Emmett was alive! That was his voice speaking clearly within the live transmission.

“[That’s wonderful. Look, just sit tight and we’ll get a lock on your location. Hopefully it won’t take us too long to reach you. Captain Jack out.]”

And he was in trouble. 

Their response was immediate in sending out word of what they had discovered to the rest of their friends and making preparations for takeoff.

——————————————

ALTERED TIMELINE; THE REXCELSIOR

The bridge was in controlled chaos as the crew of extinct reptiles ran to and fro in tandem to get ready for take off. 

Acting-Captain Jack watched them from overhead, awaiting the navigation team behind him in locking coordinates. They were, unfortunately, having a hard time finding Rex’s signature.

The raptor swiveled and tilted his head in the direction of Snake Eyes, head of the Navigation team. It seemed the silent reptile was staring down one of his underlings, who was spewing out excuses left and right.

“[W-we can’t get a reading on the boss! It’s as if he doesn’t exist.]”

Only a sputtering rumble could be heard from Snake Eyes. Scars on his neck were accentuated by the flashing red lights and klaxon blare that Rex had insisted on during times of emergency. Something about needed drama? 

The raptors really didn’t care, save for the fact it made their Alpha happy.

The disfigured predator snapped at his subordinate a couple times before tapping one of his long hunting claws in morse code, like the boss had taught him.

[Are you telling me that you believe Emmett a liar?]

“[No, no! I didn’t— I didn’t mean that! I’m merely saying—]”

[When you call Emmett a liar, you are calling our Alpha one too!]

“[I’m not—]”

[EXCUSES!] The scarred Navigations Officer snapped again, this time much closer to the poor raptor’s neck. Too close.

Captain Jack turned fully and decided it was time to intervene. He whacked the Navigation Lead with his tail

 It stung but it got the normally level-headed reptile’s attention.

“[Enough, Snake! I understand that everyone’s on edge but there is no reason to treat a brother in such a manner.]”

[Yes, Captain. I was out of line, forgive me.] The scarred raptor bowed lowly, tail flicking in shame. Without prompting, he turned to his subordinate. [I apologize, brother. Can you find it in you to excuse my poor behavior?].

The raptor relaxed, relieved that the tension wasn’t near as thick as before.

“[You’re forgiven. We’re all not at our best, considering the situation. We should be trying harder…]”

[No, I know for a fact you are trying your hardest —I trained you. We are just not searching in the right direction.]

“[I agree.]” Jack nodded. “[May I make a suggestion?]”

[Please.]

“[Try our timeline.]”

“[...What?]” The lower ranked raptor blinked. That couldn’t be right! What other timeline? They went to the past, didn’t they? He should know, he helped bring them there.

He looked between his higher rank in worry when they shared a look.

[You think that…?]

“[No, I know. This is Rex we’re talking about, of course he broke it.]”

If Snake could chuckle properly, he would have. Instead he settled for giving Jack a sharp, toothy grin.

Masterbreakers were too much.

[Obviously, he broke the Flux Capacitor. It does make sense that, since we knew we were going to be altering the past, we’d make a completely new reality.]

“[Exactly.]”

The head of navigation turned to his team.

[Set course for our Alpha’s original time and place. Make certain that it is the original timeline!]

A chorus of roars were his acknowledgement that they would get right on task.

________________________

ORIGINAL TIMELINE, A COUPLE HOURS LATER; UNDAR 

He couldn’t exactly remember just when it became hard to breath and it felt like gravity was crushing him. His throat was dry and his eyelids were heavy.

He had luckily managed to drag Rex and himself near that rock overhang, allowing them just that little bit of shelter but… he wasn’t certain how much good that would do for them.

It was okay… everything was okay… the raptors were just minutes away.

Yeah.

Emmett smacked his lips together, trying his best to swallow, as he slowly succeeded against the violent weather and swiveled his head to look at Rex. His gaze was unfocused, roaming over the explorer’s rough features. His rough, older features. 

The construction worker’s eyes closed shut.

He was getting so tired…

But he needed to stay awake. He— he needed to… needed to take care of his Vest Friend. The Special’s hand found his older self’s arm and squeezed with what little strength he had left. He lost the battle with unconsciousness a mere few moments before a spaceship landed not too far from them.

___________________