=Galaxy's POV=

I walked with Shark, still carrying Rainbow on my back. "Need any help with Rainbow?" Shark asked, but I shook my head. "Nah, I'm good. He's pretty light. Not really surprising, seeing how short he is." I replied with a smile. I felt Rainbow shift on my back, letting out a quiet grumble. "I heard that.." He muttered.

I laughed as he kicked at me to put him down. He then stormed in front of us, leading the way through the dark oak forest. Shark furrowed his eyebrows. "Something wrong? Galaxy was just joking, he didn't mean to upset you." He said as I nodded in agreement.

"It's not Galaxy, it's not you, just- I'm upset about Sabre, and I just had a very disturbing lucid dream that has me VERY on edge right now-" He blabbered. I tilted my head. "What was it about?" I asked, only to get elbowed by Shark, who gave me a 'really?' look. "I mean- only if you're comfortable with sharing." I corrected.

Rainbow fell back into step with us, seeming less tense than before. "Just that there was this evil version of Sabre... He told me Sabre was stuck with a greater evil or something. Then we kinda threw punches and the dream ended. I'm worried." He explained. Shark and I exchanged glances.

"Let's just hope it was your worry getting to you then." Shark tried, but I shook my head. "I dunno, Shark. Something seems off about this." I said. Rainbow hugged himself, Shark shooting a glare at me. "How about we just hope for the best, huh?" He said, putting a hand on Rainbow's shoulder. Rainbow nodded, looking up from the ground.

"Wait a second.." He started, before his eyes lit up. "I recognize this place! Come on!" Rainbow then dashed off, Shark and I quickly following as to not loose him.

We ran for about a minute or so, and I could feel myself getting winded by the time Rainbow finally stopped. "This is where a Purple Steve and I accidently destroyed some artifacts!" He exclaimed excitedly. "There was a whole structure here that we tried to charge some artifacts on, then BANG! It blew up!" He threw his hands outwards on the word bang to show emphasis.

"Heh, yeah, I remember that." Shark said fondly. He then frowned. "Wait-" he started, Rainbow gasping loudly. It took me a moment before realizing as well. "You're Purple Steve!!" We exclaimed, Shark putting a hand on his head. "No way.." He muttered.

"Nathan and Moose are so gonna gloat that they were right." Rainbow commented, a smile on his face. I nodded. "Yeah!"

"..I can't believe they were right-" Shark groaned.

=Sabre's POV=

"Hello? Guys??" I called out. I had been backtracking to find my friends, but ended up losing my way again. Now I was just wandering, but I was hoping I was headed the right way.

"Sabre.."

I jumped and turned, looking around. "Uh.. that's me.." I replied, glancing about nervously. The voice sounded strangely familiar. Something was definitely off..

I made my way through the birch forest, soon coming into a dark oak. My gut was screaming at me to run, that something was wrong, so I listened. I ran, and ran, and ran, my heart pounding heavily in my chest as the atmosphere began to grow heavy. 

My vision started to blur as my balance grew off, causing me to stumble and trip. I caught myself, however, but the dizzying feeling continued. I spotted a clearing up ahead. Whatever was wrong, I could probably fight off in a more open area, right?

I burst into the clearing, drawing my sword from the sheath on my belt. My head whipped around as I scanned for whatever evil presence was hunting me down. 

Then I spotted them.

"Oh, Sabre, you thought you could run from your very own shadow?" They cooed, swinging a sword of their own around. I took a step back, trembling. How!? How were they here!? They were just a mental projection last time I saw them! "Shadow- what- how-" I sputtered, my grip on my sword tightening.

"Well, it's simple, really," they shrugged, giving a devious smirk, "I'm sure you and your friends were wondering where that left forearm of yours went." Shadow then held out their left hand, rolling the wrist and flexing the fingers. I felt my face go pale. "You.. YOU POSSESSED IT!?" I screamed. Shadow must have somehow taken the limb and done some weird dark magic to grow a body from it, then!?

Shadow cackled, throwing their head back. "Why yes, yes! I did! I used the shadows to help create a physical body off of it, aren't you proud!?" They shouted. I couldn't believe this...

Trembling, I took another step back. If it weren't for Shadow, I'd still be okay. I'd still have my left arm.. We were getting along just fine, too! But nooo, Shadow just had to ruin everything. I scowled at them. "Y'know, Shadow, if you didn't try to hurt me like that, if you didn't try and take over my body, maybe I wouldn't hate you, huh?" I tried. Shadow rolled their eyes.

"oh, no, someone's opinion of me is negative, I DON'T CARE!!" He shouted. "Because I caused all that pain and suffering, I have a physical body! Hah!"

"If you wanted a physical body then why didn't you just ask me!? We could've figured it out together!"

"I'm tired of this, Sabre." Shadow grumbled. They took a step forward, then rushed towards me, their sword at the ready. I gasped and moved to block, their sword clanging against mine. I was taken off guard as he swept a leg under mine, causing me to fall. 

I landed hard on my back, just barely blocking another attack from Shadow. "This is really difficult with only one arm, y'know!" I tried, but that just caused Shadow to sport another crazy grin. I kicked them in the stomach to get some space between us.

"Why you little-!" Shadow growled, stepping back. They raised their hands, the shadows themselves seeming to move from the trees into some massive wave of shadowy water. I trembled at the sight as they thrust their hand towards me, sending it all in my direction. I raised my arm to shield myself, despite knowing that wouldn't do anything against the torrent.

...

The wave never hit.

"What.." I looked up, my eyes widening. A tall man in red and black stood in front of me, his red jacket and blond hair being moved by the strong breeze. In front of him was some sort of shield that seemed to be themed after binary code. I stood, staring in awe as the pitch black liquid was parted by the shield.

"Lucas!?" I exclaimed, my blonde friend turning his head to smile at me. "Hey, I saw you needed some help? Good thing I jumped in just in time." He said casually. I hugged him, a wide smile on my own face as the torrent stopped.

"Let's get out of here, huh?" He asked as the binary shield began to falter. I nodded as he took my hand, running off with me into the forest.

(Lucas Yippeeee :D)