**Recap: After defeating a creature of Thaanix's making, a strange darkness struck the hearts of Riku, Hinata, and Axel, causing them to see strange hallucinations. Realizing they needed assistance, Riku called DiZ, letting him know they needed Sam and Velcia's help.**
"I wish I was there with you." Sam rested her cheek in her palm.
Jim's hologram flickered as he chuckled. "Isn't that usually my line?"
Sam smiled to herself, her gaze drifting to the solar speeder Jim was tinkering on. She could see the canyon beyond him, though it was grainy through the hologram, and it was beautiful. Reddened rocks that stuck up like daggers in the ground with beams of sunlight cutting across the spires. Jim didn't pay much attention to it. His feet dangled over the edge of a cliffside, his solar speeder laid out over his lap with tools scattered over the ground.
"Are you cold?" Sam asked.
Jim glanced up at her from his work, before looking out over the canyon. He eventually shrugged. "A bit, I guess. It's nothing compared to when I'm actually flying."
"Yeah," she agreed with a soft, breathy laugh. "I remember that feeling."
"Where you headed?" he asked, getting back to work.
"Um, Halloween Town, I think." Sam drummed her fingers against the desk. "Riku said him and Hinata needed help or something. DiZ didn't really give a lot of details."
"I know how that goes."
Sam nodded without saying anything in reply.
"What's going on in that head of yours?" Jim asked.
"Nothing." Sam shrugged, looking away. "Nothing new, anyway."
"Sam—"
"I should be there, with you." Sam motioned towards him. "We could be flying through that canyon together, being an actual couple rather than, well, whatever we are." Jim raised an eyebrow at her comment, but she continued, "Instead I ran off to play hero and I'm realizing I kinda suck at it."
"Did you actually run off to play hero?"
"Does it matter?" Sam asked, glaring before her anger faltered almost immediately. With a groan, she crossed her arms over the desk and buried her face. "What am I doing?"
Jim took in a deep breath, putting down his tools and solar speeder. "You want the truth?"
"No," Sam quickly replied, before sighing. "...Maybe."
The sound of whistling wind poured through the speakers. Sam could hear Jim's shirt rustling, the clang of his tools as they rolled against the dirt. Everything but his voice. She peeked up from her arms, seeing Jim looking out into the canyon, contemplating his words. A lump formed in her throat, one of dread and worry. But also yearning. She imagined herself wrapping her arms around his shoulders from behind. Hearing his laugh and seeing his genuine smile in person, rather than over a hologram. Instead she was lightyears away, on a completely different journey than him. She didn't know when they'd be together again.
"Why am I doing this?" she murmured.
"Because you're running," Jim finally answered, his gaze still away from Sam's. "First it was burying yourself in work after your dad. Then you couldn't stand to be in Monstressor anymore. Not when your arm was gone, then after James… Rather than face what happened, you ran."
Sam blinked, looking away rather than answering.
"And it's not like I blame you," Jim continued. "I didn't want to face the truth after my dad left. I mean, I cut everyone out, even you."
"It's not the same—" Sam started.
"It is though," Jim interrupted. "You're angry about what happened, but you aren't letting yourself work it out. You just keep running and pushing yourself away from dealing with it. But all that's doing is making it worse."
"I left for payback," Sam told him, tears choking her voice. "You know that."
"But Riku's been training you for months and you said yourself that you haven't improved at all," Jim pointed out. He put up his hands when Sam tensed. "Look, you said you wanted the truth. Those were your words."
Sam shook her head and roughly pushed back her hair. "So you're saying that I don't actually want payback because I haven't been taking my training seriously?"
"You said you wanted revenge, but the moment it becomes a possibility, you freak out. Especially since Agrabah, and I don't know what exactly happened, but I do know you saw Thaanix and Axel there. Now you're thinking of running again so you don't have to face it."
Axel's face flashed through Sam's mind. The way he had destroyed the Heartless back in Agrabah, before dropping to his knees beside her. Blood still crusted to his nose from when she had punched him a couple hours before. She shook away the memory, squeezing her hands together on the desk.
"You want me to get revenge?" she asked, knowing his answer, but wanting to hear it anyway.
"No, that's not what I said." Jim rubbed the bridge of his nose, taking in a deep breath to calm his voice. "If you keep acting like this you're going to get hurt. Especially out there, where you're part of a team. People are depending on you and need to be able to trust you've got their back. No matter what."
Sam nodded slowly, twiddling her thumbs to keep herself from crying. She bit the inside of her cheek, mulling over his words.
"If you want to come back, that's fine," Jim told her with a softer, kinder tone. "I'm sure I could convince Captain Amelia to find you a spot at the Academy. We might even have some classes together and then we'll skip them to go ride our speeders." Sam scoffed with a laugh at the end, and looked up to see Jim half-smiling. "But, no matter what you decide, you have to stop running. Alright?"
Taking in a breath, Sam nodded again.
"I don't want you to end up like I did," he continued. "If it weren't for that Treasure Planet expedition and for you… I don't even want to think about where I would have ended up."
Sam didn't reply right away. She watched him begin packing away his tools, knowing their call was soon coming to an end. Swallowing thickly, she mustered the words to ask, "What do you think I should do?"
"That's not up to me." He chuckled when she rolled her eyes. "Seriously though. I'm not deciding for you, but I'll support you either way. Even though we're apparently not actually a couple."
"Hah!" Sam snorted shortly, catching herself. "You know that's not what I meant."
"Yeah, I know." Jim smirked, leaning back on his hands. "Just wanted to make you smile before I left."
Sam blew out a breath through her nose, a sad but genuine smile curving her lips. "Thanks for being blunt. I… needed it."
"I'm always here for you Sam."
Her smile grew. "Yeah. You too." Jim swung his bag over his shoulder, fastening it across his chest. Knowing she didn't have much time, Sam murmured, "I love you."
He looked up from the buckle in surprise, then his expression softened. "Yeah." His smile grew into a grin. "Love you, too."
Sam's heart swelled, her chest lightening as she felt momentarily breathless. She met his grin just as the hologram flickered away. Then the hollow sensation of being alone swiftly followed. The hum of the Highwind's engines buzzed in the background. The occasional thud of Ben's footsteps across the deck overhead. Sam leaned back in her seat and stared up at the ceiling, blowing out a breath. She ran her hands over her face. The sting of tears had subsided, but the urge to cry still lingered in her throat. It wouldn't be long until they arrived in Halloween Town and she had a lot to think about.
Halloween Town was just as gloomy as the name would suggest. Gravestones and gargoyles stood intertwined with black thorny vines and rotting pumpkins. In the center of the field was a hill that curled into itself at the end, the entire thing silhouetted by the full moon.
"I didn't think this place would take its name so literally." Sam sidestepped a smashed pumpkin, gagging at the sight of rats and maggots devouring its remains. "I don't even want to know how it made me look."
"Yeeeah, that's probably for the best," Ben assured her, a few steps ahead as he scanned the area for any signs of Riku and Hinata. He had made it off nearly scot-free from the magic drive, spare for a darker shade of rust, a brighter, eerie glow to his eyes, and crusted blood splattered over his joints. "If you ask me—"
"I didn't," Sam reminded him, but he continued regardless.
"—I'd say you'd be better off under water." He tapped his chin. "Maaaaybe near Neverland! I hear there's plenty of sea monsters there. If DiZ's world encyclopedias are anything to go by, which"—he laughed—"why wouldn't they be, amiright?"
Sam inwardly groaned, stopping mid step and allowing Ben to continue on as he walked further and further away. "Of course I get stuck with him tagging along," she grumbled under her breath, reaching up her hand to rub her hair. Then she paused, realizing there was no hair to touch. Instead, her fingers were met with a slick, slimy skin that reminded her of touching a fish left too long on the counter— something she had done one too many times. "Oh come on!" She held out her hand in front of her, seeing the bluish tint to her now long webbed fingers. Suddenly, Ben's comments on her belonging with other sea monsters didn't seem so far-fetched.
"Don't say I didn't warn you!" Ben called back to her, his hands cupped around his mouth.
Sam clenched her hands at her sides, shutting her eyes tight and taking in a long deep breath. "Please tell me Velcia's coming down soon."
A bright flash of light from behind seemed to answer her.
"I apologize for the wait," Velcia began. "I had to get my potions— Sam…?"
Sam sighed, turning around. "I know, I know, I look horrifying." She blinked when she didn't find Velcia behind her. "Um, Vel?"
"I-It's not that, exactly." Velcia's voice came from above.
Sam followed the sound, looking up to find Velcia not only floating above her, but also glowing green. Her jaw fell open as she stumbled back, while Ben rushed forward with glee.
"You're absolutely incredible!" Ben exclaimed, jumping up and down in an attempt to grab a piece of her torn up dress to bring her down to them. "Are you a ghost? Or maybe a witch?" He gasped. "Or maybe both of them put together?" His fingers wrapped around a strand of the dress and pulled her to their level on the ground. "I was worried you'd end up like Sam." He nearly guffawed. "Now that wouldn't have been pleasant!"
"Gee, thanks." Sam regained her words and pushed him gently out of the way. "Aren't you supposed to be looking for Riku and Hinata?"
"Thank you, Ben," Velcia called after him, readjusting the large brimmed hat balanced on her head. "At least one of us is happy about this."
"You look better than me." Sam shrugged, then bent over. "Where are your legs?"
"Missing? I think." Velcia lifted bits of her tattered purple dress in an attempt to see, but all they found was a wisping green smoke.
Sam stood back up, nodding and taking it all in. She looked up and tilted her head to the side. "And your potions might be harder to reach now too."
"Oh no," Velcia lamented, reaching towards her satchel that was usually fastened to her hip. As she did, the clinking of glass caught her attention and she looked over her shoulder to see four twisted branches protruding from her back with her potions dangling from them by thin strands of twine. Her mouth twisted into a bothered expression as she turned back to Sam and admitted, "Yes, I think I'll need help grabbing my potions when I need them."
"Well," Sam chuckled, "I've got that covered, at least."
"Hey, guys? Or uhm, I mean, girls?" Ben's voice called over to them from across the graveyard. "I think I found something you'll wanna see!"
"Be right there!" Sam replied. She looked to Velcia. "Do you need help getting over there?"
"I think I can manage," Velcia told her, arms outstretched and struggling with her balance as she floated away.
Sam watched her for a moment, arms crossed and snickering, before she moved on to follow. It was difficult to walk through the vines. Thorns kept catching on Sam's legs, though she didn't feel any pain, which only unsettled her about her new form even more. Velcia was just a bit ahead of her and reached Ben first. The gasp and worried glance she gave was enough for Sam to get an idea what she was about to find.
Axel. He laid unconscious over a patch of blackened grass, as if singed by his own flames. There were no signs of wounds or bruises, it merely looked like he was fast asleep. Sam's teeth clenched together, her chest tightening. She expected they would see him at some point during their mission since Hinata had briefly mentioned he was tagging along with her and Riku, yet she wasn't prepared for it all the same.
A tense silence permeated between the group. Sam felt it rising. She noticed the glances Ben was sending her, just waiting for her to blow a fuse like she always did. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she looked away.
"What happened to him?" Velcia eventually asked.
"I— don't know," Ben answered slowly. "I scanned him and nothing seems to be wrong. But he won't wake up either."
"Riku did say they needed help," Sam reminded them, her eyes grazing over the gravestones and refusing to look back at them. "Maybe this was it."
"DiZ's encyclopedia entry for Halloween Town did say there was someone called Oogie Boogie that could control dreams," Ben thought out loud, his hand to his chin. "But, he isn't here anymore."
"Could it be Thaanix's doing?" Velcia asked.
"It doesn't matter how," Sam cut in. "Not right now anyway."
"Sam, I know what you're gonna say," Ben began, moving to stand defensively in front of Axel.
"No, you don't," Sam cut him off, putting up her hand as she walked away. "Just figure out what to do with him to keep him safe. Somewhere that's not the ship."
"I know you hate—" Ben stopped short, blinking. "Wait, really?"
"She's right, Ben," Velcia told him. "We need to get him somewhere safe."
Sam didn't look back as the others figured out what to do with Axel. She walked to the edge of the graveyard, realizing it was surrounded by a tall wiry fence. She wrapped her fingers around it and rested her head against the metal. Her breath shook as she let it out, her body shivering in response. Her conversation with Jim replayed in her head. She pictured his smile when she said she loved him. The warmth she was sure had appeared on his cheeks.
A full breath left her chest, the panic dwindling as her eyes fluttered back open. She could hear Velcia and Ben's voices behind her, but thankfully couldn't understand their words. Dry leaves rustled behind a large gravestone to Sam's left. She stood straight, half expecting to see a rat jump out, but still powered up her mechanical arm just in case.
"I—It's alright," a soft feminine voice came from behind the gravestone. Small hands made of fabric appeared from the side, followed by a woman that appeared more ragdoll than human. She staggered over to her with hands raised. "I didn't mean to startle you."
Sam lowered her arm, shaking her head and smiling softly. "It's fine. I take it you're one of the people that live here?"
The woman nodded, placing her hand over her chest. "My name is Sally." Motioning towards Velcia and Ben, she added, "I know a place to take your friend. Jack will know what to do."
Sam glanced over her shoulder towards the others, but didn't turn completely. "Thank you," she told her before looking back. "I'm Sam, by the way. We're looking for our friends, Riku and Hinata. Have you seen them?"
Sally thought about it for a moment before shaking her head. "Jack mentioned visitors, but they had different names."
"Alright." Sam smiled politely, though somewhat forced. "I'll take you to the others." She turned and walked over with heavy steps. "Hey," she got their attention and motioned behind her. "I found someone that might be able to help." She stopped short of seeing Axel and allowed Sally to pass her to reach the rest of the group.
"If it isn't Sally!" Ben jumped up from Axel's side and rushed over, grabbing Sally's small hands and shaking them. "Dear companion to the Pumpkin King himself and prized creation of Dr. Finklestein! The pleasure's all mine!"
Sally's large eyes blinked in surprise. "I-I'm sorry, have we met before?"
Ben laughed and waved his hand. "Oh my, no! Just what I read in—"
"Ben," Velcia interjected, placing her hand on Ben's shoulder. Clearing her throat, she directed the conversation. "We would appreciate any help you can offer. Our friend is in need of some medical attention. It would be best if we could get him somewhere well lit and inside, so we can figure out what's wrong."
Sally pulled her hands from Ben's and looked past them to Axel. "He looks like one of the visitors Jack described. I'm sure Jack and the Doctor will want to see him." She looked between them. "If you follow me, I'll take you to them."
Velcia smiled, relieved. "Thank you."
"We still need to find Riku and Hinata," Sam pointed out, arms crossed and back mostly to the group. "At least one of us should keep scouting out here."
"She's right," Velcia agreed, running her hand over her thickly braided hair hanging over her shoulder. "Perhaps I can carry Axel— oh!"
Velcia startled as Ben placed a round scanner in her hands. She looked over to him, seeing the round compartment in his chest detached. Despite being separated, the green screen pulsed with light as it scanned the area.
"You and Sam keep looking," Ben told her while he knelt by Axel and scooped him up despite the man being twice the size of him. "I'll go along with Sally and once I'm there, I'll show up on the scanner!"
Velcia looked to Sam, who shrugged. Letting out a breath, Velcia nodded. "Alright, but please no more mention of the books."
"Fine, fine." Ben resigned with a wistful sigh. "Lead the way, Miss Sally!"
Sam watched them leave, thankful she didn't have to listen to Ben's incessant talking as his voice faded into the distance. Her breath came easier once Axel was completely out of sight and she looked back to Velcia, only to find her gone. "Um." She looked around. "Velcia?"
"Up here," Velcia replied, distracted. Sam followed the voice to find her floating above, studying the scanner device Ben had given her. "I'm not sure if I'm reading this correctly, but… I think Riku and Hinata are somewhere in this direction." She pointed forward, looking between the scanner and the world in front of her. "There's a large tree beyond the forest. I have a feeling that's where they are."
Sam leaned on her tiptoes, attempting to peek through the trees that surrounded the fence of the graveyard, but all she was found was darkness. "I'll take your word for it." She eventually gave up as Velcia cautiously lowered back down to her level. "Can I take a look?" She held out her hand, nodding her thanks when the scanner was given. She held it out in front of her, seeing two red dots along the top blink whenever the scanner pulsed. "Geez, this could use an upgrade," she muttered under her breath, looking up at the forest. "I think you're right though. Do you want to fly over and I'll walk? You'd get there faster."
"I would rather we stay together," Velcia told her, floating towards the graveyard's exit with Sam in tow, still examining the scanner. "Riku and Hinata will need both of us, not just me."
"I guess we'll find out." Sam secured the scanner on her hip satchel.
They walked in silence at first, listening to the howling wind and the owls rustling in the trees. Dark branches hung overhead, creaking from the breeze and concealing the moon, spare for thin rays of silver light peeking through. Sam held out her hand, seeing the scales of her new form shimmer under the patches of moonlight. She half-smiled at the sight.
"I thought that was very big of you, back there," Velcia spoke up. "I know that must have been difficult for you to see Axel. Even more so to insist he be brought somewhere safe."
Sam winced, almost wishing Velcia hadn't brought it up. Taking in a breath, she feigned a shrug. "Yeah, I figured Hinata would never forgive me if I killed him, so…" her voice trailed off into an awkward silence.
"Well," Velcia replied slowly, "for what it's worth, I'm proud of you."
A warmth filled Sam's chest. She chuckled under her breath, rubbing the back of her neck. "Thanks." They walked for a moment longer before she added, "I don't really think I deserve that yet."
Sam's confession was met with silence at first. They continued through the forest, following a thin worn path that they hoped led through to the other side. The potions dangling from Velcia's back clinked together from the cool wind. It was the only sound Velcia made as she floated alongside her.
"I think you're very deserving," Velcia eventually replied. Sam looked over to her, but Velcia was looking elsewhere, fiddling with a torn piece of her dress. "Every step matters. No matter how small it might be."
Sam took in a steady breath. "Can I… ask you something personal?"
"Of course."
"After what happened, what did you do? How did you— I don't know, move on?"
Velcia breathed in deeply and it was only then that Sam realized how difficult it all still was for her. "For a long time, I blamed myself. My grandmother was all I had for a while and she would often tell me it was my fault that Papa and Denerre were gone."
"Shit," Sam spoke under her breath. Velcia darted her attention to her and Sam stammered, "Oh, sorry. I just"—she scratched her cheek, sheepishly looking away—"she sounds awful."
"Yes, well, you aren't wrong." Velcia wrung her hands together in front of her. "It wasn't until my Aunt and Uncle took me in that I could really begin to heal. Being surrounded by people that understood, having a shoulder to cry on, and someone there to celebrate the small steps… it helped."
"I'm glad you had them," Sam replied.
"I am too," Velcia agreed. "You know, Hinata asked me a similar question when we were in Eos."
The warmth returned to Sam's chest and she found herself smiling, albeit with sad realization. "Did she?"
Velcia nodded with a soft hum. "It could be worth talking to her about it. If you feel like it would help."
"I might."
A dark mass of creatures surrounded the base of the towering tree. Sam's neck craned back to take in the magnitude of the tree and even then it went above her line of sight. Shacks and balconies were built into the branches, and a path seemed carved into the side, spiraling up towards the top. Just from where she stood, she could see dozens of places where Riku and Hinata could be holding up.
The creatures mostly ignored her and Velcia standing on the outskirts of the forest. They clamored up the bark of the tree, gnawing at the blackened roots and clawing at every door. Sam watched them, her arms crossed.
"What are those things?" she asked.
Velcia shook her head, studying the scanner in her hands. "I'm not sure. Riku mentioned there were new creatures here. He didn't believe they were Heartless."
"Yeah, they definitely look different." She tilted her head to the side, watching a dog-like creature several feet away that took notice of them. It shook and growled, golden acid glopping out of cracks webbed over its scraggly body. "They're kinda disgusting, honestly."
Velcia hummed noncommittally. "I wish there was a way to communicate with Ben. He would have been able to call Riku." She sighed. "Poor planning on my part."
"Or his part, really." Sam shrugged. "It was his plan to have us go looking for Riku and Hinata while he played doctor."
"I suppose you're right," Velcia replied, holding out her hand. "Can I have the scanner?" Sam unlatched it from her hip and handed it to her. "Thank you." She floated up to get a better view, looking up from the scanner towards the tree.
"See anything useful?" Sam called up to her.
"Yes, actually!" Velcia pointed towards the tree. "One of the buildings built into the tree has more creatures there than anywhere else. Perhaps Riku and Hinata have shut themselves inside."
Sam sighed, placing the scanner back on her hip once Velcia handed it to her. "They're probably asleep too. Or about to be."
"We better hurry then." Velcia held out her hand, summoning her Keyblade in a flash of light.
"I know you said you didn't want to separate, but you'd be able to fly to that door a lot faster than I will be on foot." She motioned towards the dark creatures. "Especially considering all these nasty things in the way."
Velcia paused, bringing her hand to her chin. "You're right, but… I think I might have something that will get you there with me." She turned around abruptly— the potion vials swung wildly from the movement, clanging together. "I can cast a spell that will let you jump high in the air. That combined with a slow falling potion, and you should be able to glide over with me. It's only for short distances, but I believe we're close enough for it to work for our purposes."
"Seems a bit risky." Sam grabbed a potion bottle and examined its glowing contents. "But… I guess if you think it would work— I'm game?"
"See if you can find a purple potion with green specks gathered at the bottom." The tip of Velcia's Keyblade ignited with yellow lights. Sparkling orbs circled around the metal roses in her blade, waiting to be cast.
"Ummm." Sam's eyes darted from one vial to the next. "Got it, I think." She plucked off a vial filled with glowing purple liquid. The liquid sloshed around in the glass container, sending green leafy specks into a swirl. "Do I just drink it?" she asked, holding it out for Velcia to check.
"Wait until you're in the air," Velcia told her, pointing her Keyblade towards her. "Then drink it."
Sam looked to her in disbelief, but she wasn't able to ask anything further as the yellow orbs shot towards her. Her legs seemed to bend on their own and adrenaline fueled the momentum to rocket her into the air. A scream escaped her, but she could barely hear it over the wind whistling in her ears. The forest shrank beneath her and she spotted the top of the massive tree, if only because she was at its height.
"Drink it, Sam!" Velcia's voice barely carried over the wind.
Sam looked over her shoulder to see Velcia flying not far behind, ready to intervene if something went wrong. She hardly felt the glass vial caught in a deathly grip in her palm. Any tighter and she might have shattered it. With a nod in response, Sam shakily pulled out the cork top and gulped down the potion the same way she used to when James would drag her out for blackberry brandy shots. For a moment, she was back there in the noisy pub. James sat beside her, insisting the brandy was delicious if she would just give it a chance. His laugh, his smile, Sam had almost forgotten, but there he was almost as clear as—
"Sam, look out!" Velcia grabbed Sam's arm and yanked her to the side.
Sam's eyes shot open just in time to kick her feet against a tree branch and propel herself back. She gently coasted downwards with Velcia alongside her. The whistling wind had calmed, but Sam still couldn't shake the way her heart was pounding in her chest. The icy air brought tears to her eyes, making it difficult to see the sprawling world below.
From up there the world didn't seem as dark and sullen as it had on the ground. A sunrise peeked over the forest horizon and what was once a sea of black trees and vines turned into blues and purples with hints of silver. Beyond the trees she saw the golden glow of a town, with homes and buildings wrapped around a courtyard.
"That must be where Ben is." Sam looked over to Velcia floating beside her, guiding their descent.
Velcia followed her gaze for a moment and nodded. "I believe you're right. It thankfully doesn't seem too far from here."
"Not if you're flying, anyway," Sam jested, getting a soft laugh from Velcia.
"I'm happy to see you in good spirits after your reaction to the jump," Velcia replied. "I hope I didn't push you into that. I'll admit I got a little carried away in being able to use one of my potions and should have checked with you before moving forward."
"It worked, didn't it?" Sam shrugged, grinning. "I'm kinda starting to get the hang of it. It's a bit like solar surfing."
Velcia interest was piqued by Sam's comment, but she didn't have time to ask further. "I would ready your arm, Sam. We're nearing the creatures."
"On it." The machinery on her arm began powering up, the crystal in the center of her forearm glowing brilliantly in response.
The dark creatures clawed at an old worn door, clamoring on top of the other to get through. They paid no attention to the flying ladies until a sudden blast of glowing energy shot into the center of the mass. Creatures flew in every direction, many of them plummeting off the edge of the tree to the forest below. The air around the remaining creatures crackled with static just before blinding flashes of electricity zapped into existence, sizzling them away into hissing clouds of dust.
Velcia sped to the platform and reached out for Sam, grabbing her arm and pulling her down to solid ground. Sam fell against Velcia, taking a moment to regain her footing. They didn't have long as more dark critters clawed their way up to surround them. Velcia held up her Keyblade. A beam of light shot out the top and they were surrounded with a shield of shimmering gold.
"I'll keep them back," Velcia told her.
Sam nodded, smoothing out her clothes before going to the door of the shack. The knob was broken off, leaving jagged metal where it would usually open. Deep claw marks marred the wood, nearly going all the way through to the other side.
"Hinata, Riku, you in there?" Sam yelled, banging on the door.
There was a pause before they heard a response. "Are you actually there?" Hinata's voice asked from the other side.
"Wha— I'm, yeah?" Sam sputtered, looking to Velcia in complete bewilderment. "Whatever, just— get back from the door! We're coming in!"
Stepping back, Sam powered up her arm and shot a blast through the center of the door. It burst open, wood splintering into the shack. Sam rushed inside. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. She barely saw the glow from Hinata's tattoo in the corner of the room.
"Are you—" Sam started, before Hinata went to her and placed her hands on her cheeks. Sam's lips smushed together, making her voice muffled. "Umm, Hina?"
"You're… actually here," Hinata murmured with a distanced voice. Her eyes were glazed over and dazed. Her hands slid from Sam's cheeks to her shoulders. "You look amazing." She giggled as if she were drunk. "Like some sort of fish princess."
"Thank you?" Sam's nose scrunched up, though she had to admit she appreciated Hinata's comment. She looked further in the room to see Riku's silhouette against the wall. He watched their reunion, but seemed equally dazed as Hinata, swaying back and forth. "Are you guys ok?"
Hinata opened her mouth to reply, but then looked away. "They're my friends, leave them out of this," she muttered under her breath.
"Ok that's creepy, who are you talking to?" Sam backed up, hands up. There was no response. She leaned forward to be in her line of sight. "Hinata?"
"We're hallucinating," Riku spoke up and it seemed difficult for him to speak, his words were slurring together.
"Oh shit." Sam went to ruffle her hand through her hair, only to be reminded of her slimy fish-like head. She groaned, shaking out her hands. "Can't you make a portal thing to get you out of here?"
Riku scoffed.
"Fine, for some reason you can't." Sam put out her arms in exasperation. "Alright, then what's the game plan? You two probably don't have long until you pass out like Firehead did."
"Axel?" Hinata asked, still turned away from Sam. Before Sam could answer, she began muttering to herself and pacing slowly around the room.
"Yeah, he was passed out in some graveyard. Ben's taking him to Jack. Which I'm assuming isn't your dog, unless he can suddenly talk and knows people here. But that's crazy, so obviously it's some guy called Jack." Sam took in a shaky breath. "I'm talking a lot because I'm sort of starting to freak out. Which is fine, I'm sure. We're fine. I wasn't really expecting to find you guys going insane." She watched Hinata pacing around the shack. "What are you hallucinating, Hinata?"
There was no response from either of them.
"Great. That's awesome," Sam said while nodding and running her hands along her arms. "Velcia!" Sam rushed back into the golden barrier where Velcia still stood casting the spell. "What's the plan? They can't walk and I don't think either of us can carry them. Do you have some sort of potion that can shrink them? Or maybe, I don't know, some—"
"The first thing we should do is take a breath," Velcia cut in, waiting until Sam took a deep breath before continuing. "We knew there was a possibility they would be asleep when we found them. As for potions, I don't have anything that can shrink them, but I have one that should keep one of them awake. Though I'm not sure for how long."
"Alright," Sam took in another deep breath. "That works. We give Riku the potion and he carries Hinata out of here while we clear the way." She moved behind Velcia. "Which potion do I grab?"
"It's sparkling blue." Velcia's
breaths were heavy. "And hurry."
"Sparkling?" Sam repeated, looking frantically at the potions. "Oh my God it is." She plucked the blue vial off the twine, in awe of the way it shimmered and shined as if made of liquid crystal. Taking in a breath, she rushed back inside and went to Riku. "Drink this. Vel said it will keep you awake." As he began to reach for it, she added, "There's only one."
Riku shook his head, pushing it away. "Give it… to Hinata."
"No, you numbskull, you drink it and carry Hinata out." Sam pushed it back to him.
"Start with that next time," he grumbled, sluggishly taking it from her.
Sam plucked off the cork for him when she realized he was going to struggle with it. He grunted a thanks before drinking down the contents. Almost immediately, he broke into a coughing fit, stumbling forward. Sam scrambled back, about to ask if he was alright before he straightened himself out with heaving breaths.
"I'm fine," he assured her, his words clearer than before.
"Just got an idea. Can you make a portal now?" she asked, putting out her hands. "Would save a lot of time."
He shook his head. "It wouldn't be stable. I'm— too weak right now."
Sam's brow raised, internally stamping down the desire to tease him that he actually admitted that out loud. "Are you going to be able to carry Hinata?"
"For as long as I can," he told her, going over to Hinata. He placed his hands on her shoulders and bent to be at her level, before speaking softly, "Hey, we're going to get somewhere safe, alright?"
Sam watched them interact. Hinata was becoming less lucid by the second and questioned everything he said, wondering if any of it was real or if it was just another projection.
"Sam! I can't hold this barrier for much longer!" Velcia called from outside. "We have to get moving!"
"Be right there!" Sam replied, looking at Riku. "Ready?"
Riku strained to stand up straight with Hinata curled up in his arms. He stumbled forward a couple steps and Sam was worried he was about to collapse, but he caught his footing and gave her a nod.
"Just— don't drop her off the side of the tree or something, alright?" she teased.
He glared as she left the shack entirely.
"Alright, Vel—" Sam patted her shoulder as she unsheathed her staff "—I'll make a path down to the base of the tree."
Velcia nodded. "I'll take a potion to regain my strength, then I'll rejoin the battle."
"Sounds good." Sam spun her staff in her grasp, trying to calm the doubts in her mind. "Do it."
The barrier fizzled away, leaving behind gold glitter that sprinkled over the creatures funneling up the tree. Sam bounced on the balls of her feet before leaping up. Her staff swirled over her back as she leapt up, slamming it down on the front most creatures. They yowled, golden acid splashing in every direction along with a cloud of smoke. Sam slid the staff around, bending back and twirling it over her before separating it into two separate parts and throwing it into the mass. It banged through a dozen creatures, before being summoned back by a force of magnetism from her arm.
As the pieces of the staff clicked back together, Sam rubbed her finger under her nose. "Finally putting those tricks you taught me to good use, if you didn't notice!" She grinned over her shoulder, but realized the others were still inside the shack and had missed the whole thing. "That's fine. I deserve that."
Powering up her arm, she shot consecutive shots into the oncoming horde, slowly but surely creating a path for them to get down. Pearls of light navigated around Sam before bursting and sending an electric shock through the creatures. Velcia floated ahead of Sam and lifted her Keyblade. Another golden sphere surrounded them, the creatures hissed and sizzled away on impact as they attempted to claw their way in.
"Quickly!" Velcia ordered, leading the way. "I won't be able to cast this for long!"
Sam looked behind her, seeing Riku leaning against the trunk of the tree for support as he carried Hinata. Her neck and arms were limp in his arms, her chest trembling with uneven breaths.
"She's already out?" Sam asked, walking alongside him.
"I think she was fighting to stay awake," Riku told her, his voice strained between heavy breaths. "I know I was."
"Geez," she sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. She looked at his face, able to see the dark circles beneath his eyes under the morning light. "Are you still hallucinating?"
He took a moment to respond, but eventually nodded. "I know it's not real."
"Do you have any idea why it's happening?" Velcia called over her shoulder.
"A monster we fought—" Riku caught his breath and swallowed thickly before continuing "—when it died it shot out some sort of darkness that hit our hearts. The darkness is still up there."
"We'll have to find a way to get rid of it." Velcia glanced up the tree, her eyes went wide and she stopped abruptly.
Sam nearly bumped into her. "Vel—"
An avalanche of creatures fell from above. Their bodies sizzled against the barrier, but more and more of them piled on. Velcia cried out, straining to keep the spell up. Her arms shook as Riku and Sam could only helplessly watch.
"S-Sam! Find another slow falling potion, now!" Velcia's voice cracked.
"Shit, ok, ok!" Sam frantically searched, her hands trembling.
Just as she grabbed it they were hoisted off the side of the tree. Sam let out a scream at the realization, just before Riku and Velcia fell on top of her. All of them smashed into the side of the barrier, bouncing around freely within it with each branch they hit on the way down. The moment they were past the branches, Velcia grabbed the potion from Sam's hand and dispelled the barrier.
"Are you CRAZY!?" Sam screeched, her arms flailing.
"Just trust me!" Velcia yelled back, throwing the potion to the swiftly approaching ground.
The vial burst on impact with the ground and a purple cloud bloomed upwards, capturing them in its mist. Instantly their fall turned into a soft, gliding descent as Sam's had earlier, just moments before their feet reached the ground. Sam fell flat on her back, her eyes wide and skin pasty white. Velcia floated over, her Keyblade loose in her grasp and beads of sweat across her head.
"Where's—" Sam breathed in sharply, choking on her words. "Where's Riku? Is Hinata ok?"
Velcia looked beyond Sam, taking a moment to catch her breath. "They're ok. Riku must have gone unconscious during the descent."
"Lucky bastard," Sam grumbled, running her hands over her face.
"You'll have to get up," Velcia told her. "We aren't done quite yet."
Sam groaned, pushing herself to sit up. Sure enough, a swarm of the dark creatures were honing in on them. "Of course," Sam muttered under her breath, cursing as she unsteadily stood back up.
The crystal in her arm shined brilliantly, powering up for a continuous blast. Then just mere feet in front of them a bright flash of light formed a pearlescent wall of energy. The creatures rammed against it, causing the wall to shimmer with a hexagonal pattern, but they were unable to get through.
Sam blinked several times, before looking to Velcia. "Was that you?"
Velcia was slack jawed, her Keyblade resting at her side. She shook her head wordlessly, before clearing her throat and stammering, "No— no that wasn't me." She turned towards Sam, but kept her eyes on the wall. "I have no idea who cast that. Perhaps—" her words died in her throat when she turned to look at Riku and Hinata. "Sam, behind you!"
A blast of fire shot from Velcia's Keyblade before Sam had fully spun around. The balls of flame spun through the air, impacting a dark floating figure that towered over Riku's unconscious body. The fire sizzled out uselessly and the figure merely watched them with its bulky arms crossed.
"What is that thing?" Sam asked, moving to aim her shot at it.
Velcia floated forward, her Keyblade reluctantly lowering. "Are you the one that cast the barrier?"
The binds over the figure's mouth vibrated as it breathed out heavily and nodded. Its glowing yellow eyes looked between them, as if assessing whether or not they were threats.
"Why?" Sam demanded to know, strafing to place herself between it and Hinata. "You wanted us for yourself?"
"I don't think that's it." Velcia dispelled her Keyblade entirely. "Look how it's hovering over Riku. It's as if it's guarding him."
Sam scoffed, her arm powering down. "Of course he can summon freaky monsters to watch over him. Couldn't have done that earlier?"
"I have a feeling Riku didn't realize it would appear after he fell unconscious," Velcia noted as Sam turned to check on Hinata. "I've heard of magic casters being able to summon familiars to aid them in battle. Though I've never seen it in person. It's incredible."
"Yeah, it's something," Sam replied, mentally noting all of the dark bruises and the cuts along Hinata's arms. "I wonder how much of this was from the fall?"
She lifted her mechanical arm over Hinata and flicked her wrist. With a hiss, a compartment on her arm opened up and a misting potion fell over Hinata. Sam watched the bruises fade and the skin reform over the cuts, leaving thin white scars behind. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Velcia examining Riku's Guardian and asking it questions with little response. She couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
Getting back to her feet, she asked, "Are you done?"
Velcia floated back looking rather sheepish. "Y-Yes of course."
"I'm guessing Riku's new friend can carry him." Sam crossed her arms. "That just leaves Hinata."
"I might be able to manage her," Velcia offered, floating over. "At least for a short while." She lowered down and scooped her hands under Hinata. She grunted as she floated back up, but Hinata was secure in her arms.
Sam nodded and looked to Riku to see his Guardian already holding him. "Alright then." She grabbed the scanner from her hip satchel and spotted a new red dot on the far side of the device. "I'll lead the way."
**Author's Note: Love you guys! I hope all of you are staying safe and doing well 3 I have another chapter already finished and another in the works. Here's a toast to finishing things that should have been done years ago!**