A/N: The Sorcerer's Apprentice movie was defintely an excellent movie. I also stumbled upon the Balthy 100 Challenge and this idea was planted in my head. If it isn't obvious enough, this is my first fic. Any criticism or feedback is welcome.

Prompt One : Arcana Cabana

After Morgana's defeat, about a week later, Becky was invited to Arcana Cabana. Dave accompanied her. Balthazar and Veronica met them outside. They greeted the couple and trekked inside. Becky blanched as soon as she entered. Books in various sizes and colors, strange artifacts, vases, and maps littered the floor, shelves, as well as the wide counter in the front. Just to get to the middle of the room required stepping over half a million things.

"Did you memorize the directions?" Balthazar asked.

"Yes," Becky answered. "It was really simple. How come I'm here?"

She had only asked because Balthazar wore a mixed expression on his face.

"There's a reason," Balthazar said, in a very serious voice. "Do you remember when Horvath kidnapped you?"

"How could I forget?" Becky said. She was only half-joking. But it had been a frightening time, and she didn't want to relive that.

"We wanted you to learn the way to Arcana Cabana," Veronica said slowly, taking her eyes off Becky and looking at Balthazar, "is because we've put all sorts of spells and charms on it. It's very protected and it keeps anyone inside safe. You know about us, Becky, and we don't want to force you out of the truth. But we need to reassure your safety as well. So if anything ever happens to one of us or you sense danger, this is the place to go."

"Oh," she said, realizing. "I understand. I'll be sure to keep that in mind."

"If you feel like there's trouble around, you come straight to Arcana Cabana," Balthazar informed her. "Nothing gets in."

Becky shivered, wondering if she would ever have to truly use this antique shop as a safe harbor. Dave noticed. "Okay," he said. "She gets it, Balthazar."

At the time, Becky thought she had understood. Trouble equals heading to Arcana Cabana. But she'd never been so wrong in her life.

.

.

.

Becky's phone rang shrilly, emitting her favorite song from One Republic. Becky got up from the sofa and strolled towards her cell phone, which was sitting on the bookshelf. She nodded her head to the beat and checked the screen. Dave calling, it said. Becky, surprised, pressed a button and put the phone to her ear.

"Hey, Dave. It's pretty late right now," Becky noted, staring at the clock. The time was 11:52. "Is there—"

"Becky! Go to Arcana Cabana right now. Don't stop, go—" There was a loud crunch, then the sounds of plasma bolts being fired.

Dave's voice came back on the phone. Becky was gripped by a numb, cold feeling, and so she couldn't respond as soon as she heard him.

"Becky—go already! Go to Ar—"

More sounds. More plasma bolts being fired.

"Dave!" she shouted. "Dave, what's going on? Where are you?"

"You're the most amazing girlfriend I ever had, Becky," Dave said. He wasn't using a normal tone; his words were hushed. "And I really hope I don't die."

There was a high-pitched shriek waiting on the other end. It was so shrill Becky dropped her phone, wincing and closing her eyes.

It stopped. She bent down and immediately checked the screen. Call ended.

She carefully inhaled and slowly exhaled. Then she shoved the device into her pockets, locked the door on her way out, and bolted to Arcana Cabana.

.

.

.

As Becky ran through the empty streets of New York City, she could hear her own heartbeat accelerate with each step. She heard no noise that indicated she was being followed and or chased. But Becky could feel the fear accelerating as she saw the doors to Arcana Cabana come into view.

Becky almost collided into the doors. She shook the handles hurriedly, but they didn't budge. Becky shifted from foot to foot as her fingers tried to pry the doors open. She had no clue how she was going to get in.

There was a soft click. Becky pushed the doors and they finally opened. She allowed herself admittance; she shut them too. She kicked books out of her way as she went and found something heavy-looking and big. It was a brown desk piled with things. Becky began forcing the desk up against the doors. The legs scraped against the dull floor, leaving behind quite a few marks. Becky ran upstairs where Balthazar's study was, and sat in the corner, drawing her legs up, trying to make herself look as little as possible.

She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Balthazar with shaky fingers. Her hands were paralyzed, like when you sat too long with crossed legs. Becky felt tiny rain drops of relief when she heard the familiar voice with a strong guttural to it.

"Becky?"

Before he could get anything else out, Becky said in a quick rush, "Dave, he called me and I think he's in trouble and can you do anything about it, please?"

"What?"

"Dave," Becky chocked. "He called me. Heard dangerous noises. Told me to go to Arcana Cabana."

He wasted no time. "I'll find him," Balthazar told her. The sharp words meant to comfort, but they lashed out at her instead. "Sit tight while Veronica comes. Don't move until she does."

"Hurry," she said through weak, trembling lips.