Masked (A Hat In Time)

The Real Enemy (Reprise)

There are no eyes on the stage this time.

They don't know who's there.

It's better if they don't.

---

Everyone was silent as they stared at Jaide. Everyone except the Outlander slowly moved away.

The Outlander just spread his arms like he was welcoming an old friend. "Time to wake up!" he said.

At the sound of his voice, Jaide's yellow eyes cleared, and she blinked a few times. Her gaze darted around her environment, taking in the scenery and the people facing her with fear. Hat Kid stiffened when her gaze passed over them. There wasn't a flicker of recognition in her eyes.

She turned to the Outlander. "Is this the physical world?" she asked him.

Hattie cringed. Of all the people to turn to for help, whatever possessed Jaide turned to the Outlander? They really were in trouble.

It hurt to see that someone who looked and sounded exactly like Jaide wasn't Jaide. The only clue to this was her yellow eyes and how she acted.

The Outlander nodded. "Yes, this is the physical world."

Jaide lifted a hand and tapped the side of her mask. "And how long have I been asleep in this?"

"Five hundred years," he answered.

"Wow." Jaide's eyes widened. "And...I'm finally here. In control."

"Yeah." The Outlander looked like he was getting annoyed, but he nodded along.

There was a pause.

Then Jaide's face brightened as she smiled suddenly. "Finally!" she yelled, pumping her fists in the air. "I've made it to the physical world!"

Everyone backing away from Jaide took a moment to share a concerned glance. What? Hat Kid thought.

Even the Outlander seemed unsettled. "Oh," he groaned. "It's you. Out of all of the unholy creatures that could've possessed Jaide, it had to be you."

The spirit ignored him. "Five hundred years!" she exclaimed happily. "Five hundred years of being asleep and fighting Jaide for control! And now I'm in control!" She lowered her hands, feeling her face for a moment. "I've always wanted a physical body...and now here I am!"

"Wonderful," the Outlander grumbled.

She bent down, grabbed the Outlander by the shoulders, and shook him violently. "You don't understand how important this is to me! Listen! My entire existence has suddenly become so much better!"

"What the peck?" Hattie could hear Snatcher whisper.

At the sound of his voice, the Outlander whipped around, wrenching himself out of her grasp. Whatever possessed Jaide immediately sobered up and stood straight. "Who are these people?" Jaide asked, her eyes narrow.

Before the Outlander could answer, Moonjumper interrupted. "What happened to Jaide?!" he blurted. Snatcher shot him a glare.

The Outlander chuckled. "Oh, buddy, she's long gone."

Jaide nodded. "That's right," she said. "She's asleep now. And I don't plan on losing control ever again."

Moonjumper paled.

"Anyway, who are they?" Jaide asked again.

The Outlander tilted his head back, shooting her a grin. "Our enemies," he told her.