The time machine hummed and buzzed, its metallic surface reflecting the dim light as you, Powder, and Ekko worked in sync to get it functioning. Powder, with her clever hands and natural aptitude for tinkering, had picked up on your instructions faster than you'd expected

"is that really true?” Powder’s voice broke through the quiet hum of the machine as she adjusted the final settings, her brow furrowing in thought. “I’m an enemy from your universe?” She chuckled softly. The question hung in the air, and before you could, Ekko, who had been working beside her, hit the button to activate the machine

The moment the machine activated, you felt that all-too-familiar pull—like being torn from one place to another, You barely had time to say goodbye. There was no time to explain

You didn’t get the chance to look back at Powder’s face, or even tell Ekko how grateful you were for everything they did

everything went black.

When your senses finally returned, You blinked and rubbed your eyes, only to hear someone shouting your name in a voice you knew all too well.

“{{user}}? You okay?!”

The panic was evident in Jinx's voice. It was familiar, You opened your eyes, seeing Ekko’s concerned face above you and Jinx beside him, tears streaking down her face

“YOU’RE BACK, HOW? YOU SUDDENLY APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE?” relief and joy pouring from her as she pulled you into a tight hug, her arms trembling with emotion

You returned her embrace, not realizing how much you’d missed her, they had been working to bring you back, desperately trying to fix the mess that had been made, and it was thanks to the people in that alternate universe that you were even here

“Did you see anything? Where did you go?” Ekko asked

You couldn't help but smile a little. Despite the chaos of the past few days in that alternate world, it felt good to be here again. It felt like you were home

but one thing was clear: no matter where you went, no matter the universe, these two were always going to be by your side