Note: My thanks to R5h for the help with the puns. Didn't think that was a sentence I'd say...

….

Vivi was pretty sure that every step she took sank a little further into the ground than usual, but she didn't care. Her fists swung in time with her steps, and every two minutes she re-rehearsed exactly how her tirade would go. Oh it was going to be brilliant, Arthur was NEVER going to pull something like that again by the time she was done.

Glancing up, she noticed Lancelot's skeletal appearance had faded to a more human look as he led her through a wooded area. He had a fine square jaw, and his jet black hair complemented his moss-green eyes. On a scale of classically handsome, he definitely outrated King Arthur.

"How'd you end up not at odds with the King anyway?" She tried to tone her voice down, no need to snap at her guide. "You seemed pretty chill with him, considering what happened."

"We had a very, very long time to sort out our differences." Lancelot continued onward without looking back. "After a few decades of combat we wore each other out, and Guinevere finally broke through to us."

"So what are you gonna do now that he passed on?"

Lancelot didn't respond.

"How do you know where they went anyway?"

"We made his castle ruins our home. She would have taken them there."

Vivi blinked. "The boys never mentioned running into you when they were there."

"If you were there, we were not aware of it. We may have been out on patrol. The King still felt it his duty to protect the land as long as he could from evils unseen by the living."

Vivi relapsed into her rehearsals, but found herself forgetting a few of her best shots. Frustrated, she grunted, "Are we almost there?"

In answer, Lancelot gestured ahead. She could just make out a teetering guard turret, and a flicker of light at the top. Picking up her pace, she jogged toward the tower, Lancelot hitching his weapons belt and hurrying alongside.

As they approached, Lancelot pointed out a crumbling doorway at the base, which Vivi promptly stormed through. She marched up the steps muttering under her breath, until she began to pick up voices echoing down the curved stairway.

"Are you sure they're going to be okay?" Arthur's voice was tight with anxiety.

"Lady Guinevere says they will be," Lewis replied.

"Not helpful when she's mooning over the horizon just as much as you."

"You should talk, Sparky."

"They will all be fine. I'm sure they will join us soon."

Vivi paused as flickering light hit the curving wall in front of her, holding a hand up to stop Lancelot. "Just a minute," she whispered, tilting her head to hear better.

"She's gonna ream me, isn't she, Lew?"

"Me too probably, even though I wasn't sure if you were still around or not either."

"Yeah well that was the point," Arthur sighed. "If I'd said anything out loud, Okami might've figured it out sooner. I had to cue Mystery, I repeated a couple things he said to Vivi when he anchored her. He was smart, probably cloaked my presence too so you couldn't feel me, even though you knew the plan."

"Makes sense. She's still gonna ream you."

"Maybe not if I can get a few laughs outta her first. We can start with the fact that you're officially a dead ringer for me, follow up with a few shots about dying to know what she's thinking, and drag the hell out of 'deadpan humor.' What do you think?"

"I think you're still dead meat."

"Actually, if we're getting technical here, you're the dead meat Lew. I don't have a body right now, and you died."

"You're really going to dissect a death pun?"

Vivi covered her mouth with a hand, fighting to hold onto her anger.

"Lew, that's terrible. You're killing me here."

"No, Inari Okami killed you, I'm just tormenting you."

Vivi bit her lip. Squire was not getting off easy just because of a few jokes.

"Oh go jump off a bridge."

"Cliff, thanks, and I got a hand there."

"You did NOT just do that," Arthur groaned.

"Hey you're the one who's getting pushy. What, too soon?"

Vivi snorted loudly, and the room fell silent.

"Well, that killed the mood," Arthur remarked.

With that, Vivi lost it. She plunked down on the stone steps, threw back her head, and howled, holding her sides. She caught sight of Arthur peering cautiously around the corner, sparking nervously. "Um, Vivi? So, I know you're really mad, but-"

Vivi scrambled up, launching forward, arms open. She passed straight through him and tripped, falling face-first to the ground. An arm wrapped around her, pulling her upright. "He hasn't got contact manifestation with the living down yet," Lewis sighed. "He's a fast learner, but that takes time and practice no matter HOW good you are."

"Soooo how much of that did you hear?" Arthur drifted closer, rubbing his head sheepishly.

"A lot. You should have figured out some way to cue me in you know." Vivi crossed her arms, still unable to scowl. "I'm not stupid, you could have worked out a code."

"I'm sorry Vivi, but honestly, at a certain point I was busy scouring Lewis' knowledge for all I could use, plus I was trying to figure out what we'd be able to do once we got where we were going." He glanced at her sidelong. "Forgive me?"

"Forgive YOU? Squire… I'm just glad you didn't disappear because of me."

"Likewise." Lewis wrapped his arm around Vivi, but kept his eyes on Arthur. "And when Callie comes back, we'll get this fixed for good."

Arthur hesitated, looking at the ground. "Lew… are you sure? Really sure? Because if you wanted to I wouldn't mind if-"

"Out of the question," Lewis snapped. "I don't even want to hear you say that again."

"Easy Lew." Arthur held up his hands. "It was just a thought. I mean, you've been through a lot."

"And you haven't? Don't play that card. Everyone's going back how they're supposed to be as soon as…" He glanced around. "Hey Vivi, where's Callie and Mystery?"

"And Arthur?" Guinevere stared anxiously at Lancelot. "He is alright?"

"He passed on, M'lady." Lancelot dipped his head. "He said he would be waiting for you."

Guinevere's mouth curved gently upward.

"Go M'lady. The spirits and Merlin are resting in the meadow, regaining their strength. I will watch these until all are rejoined."

She lifted a slender hand, placing it gently on Lancelot's cheek. "Thank you. I shall." Her form began to fade as she whispered, "Join us soon, Lancelot."

Lancelot sighed heavily, leaning against the stone wall.

"Not much for goodbyes," Vivi noted.

"Not to be rude, but none of us stayed for you. We stayed for Arthur-our King-who was here for the sword."

Arthur shrugged. "Fair enough. Seems like there are a lotta rules about-" He fritzed, phasing to the other side of the room in a split second. "-being a ghost that I still have to learn."

"And you, lad, are still shedding all your energy." Lancelot crossed the room, grabbing Arthur by the shoulders. Arthur's outlines sparked less, and he shivered at the fresh energy pouring into him. "Rest. Your friends will come when they have regained their strength."

"That sounds pretty good." Lewis leaned back against a toppled statue. "All of your sleep dep over the last couple days is catching up with me, so thanks for that."

"Glad to help." Arthur grinned, settling nearby as Vivi curled up next to Lewis.

"I will keep watch." Lancelot faced the dark stairwell taking a wide stand, one hand on his sword.

"You, Squire." Vivi lifted an arm. "Over here."

Arthur shifted. "Appreciate the thought Vivi, but I can't really."

"Shut up and get over here."

Arthur sidled up next to Vivi. She pulled away from Lewis for a moment, and circled her arms around Arthur's form, holding them in place. She squeezed her eyes shut as she managed, "I'm glad you're still here. And that you get to come back. Don't ever scare me like that again."

"Sorry Vivi, with the friends we've got I can't promise. But I'll do my best." Her hair crackled as he passed his hand over it. "Besides, with you all watching my back, what could go wrong?"